[Similarly to the first time Yakisha made a message to the entirety of Darstone, the communicators across the city turn on for another announcement. It’s clear from the amount of people crowded near the podium Yakisha stands in front of, that it’s another press announcement.]

Greetings, Darstone. It is unfortunately a very trying time for our city, however, I have taken the time to come before you to update my fellow residence of the situation. The emergency situation is still in effect until further notice and the curfew on all gates will remain.

My predecessor's cause of death is still unknown, but is likely not Catarrhalic Fever. Please rest assured, however, that all quarantine measures are in effect until it is determined with certainty that this is not the cause.

[She gives what is supposed to be a reassuring smile, and for natives of Darstone, it probably is.]

And now for the true update of the situation. In accordance with Emergency Measure 204 which has just been passed, Outsiders are not allowed use of government facilities at this time. Security concerns have been cited and until the situation passes security needs to be paramount.

Government facilities that Outsiders are barred from include the Council Hall, police force, hospital, and courts. Outsiders may still make use of the Government housing that was provided for them upon their entry into our city.

Any further inquiries can be directed to the Public Relations office.

'This is how these sort of things start, don't they? First a sudden change in leaders, then monitoring, then Willow and a lot of others are supposedly being sent home, and now there's gossip going around the Mudcap about how the Council is going to start pushing various sanctions and such on us. Now Haruki is in jail for just trying to speak to an official--although to be fair I could see him getting pushy enough to warrant it. Just not for how long they intend to keep him there.

I wish there was a way I could meet with people in person to talk about this, but if we're really being monitored then it's a moot point. Sooner or later someone has to step up and didn't I decide I'd look out for Haruki more after the last time I got dragged someplace unfamiliar? This isn't home. What is there here that I have to lose?'

[Video]
Hey, uhhh, my name is //////, but most people call me Kyonko and does anyone else want to do something about these light balls following us around?

Because it feels like there's something really shady going on in general lately and i'd like to get to the bottom of it. Only, I can't do this myself. I don't even know where to start. If anyone has ideas or would like to help me could you let me know?

'That didn't sound so lame in my head. I wonder how long it'll be before I get thrown in jail or mysteriously get sick, too, for bringing this up.'

[this network post wobbles a bit until it focuses some orange... things? oh, perhaps legs? that can't be right, can it? a voice is heard, but no face is seen talking]

--Can't get this fancy-fangled... [a dog barks] Oh! There it is! It's on!

[here is where things get weird. instead of the mirror moving to be picked up, it looks like it stays flat on the ground. and then a head leans down over it. it's... not human. whatever it is smiles cheerfully]

Howdy! Y'all can call me Applejack! An' Ah'm here t'help! [and then a little dog leans over and barks at whoever's listening too] Oh, right! An' this here's Winona! We promise we're not gonna let y'all down!

Also, can someone tell me what this little light thing is? It keeps followin' me. It won't hurt me, right?

[Voice]

( introspection )

Hey, everyone, throw some products at me. Even just random things you're seeing at the marketplace, and I'll see if I can give you retail value.

[as approved here Because yes, he does have a new scheme in mind. Ever since he saw a certain broadcast program in a store window and figured out how to get it on his compact mirror's it's been bubbling. So he sounds disproportionately pleased as he asks this]

Aside from that though, in terms of foreigners, I've got a survey. How old are you, and what species are you?

[...Okay so doing all this work makes him bored. Sue him]

So. Not all of you know me. In fact I think that most of you don't. [Her voice is brisk; if the Speaker's death or what she's about to say is affecting her, she's not showing it.] I'm Police Chief A'aladash Kadra, one of the dreaded locals, and the reason you get my charming face instead of Xiuh is because today's news is under my jurisdiction.

We've received reports-- or rather I've received reports-- that there's a force moving on Darstone. They'll be here, at the outside, in a few days. We have some city defense forces, and the police, but I thought I'd give you all an opportunity to live up to your purpose here instead of just being dead weight.

[Oh, is she betraying her mixed feelings on the newcomers? Whoops. Usually she tries to play at being more political than that. She really must be stressed.]

So who wants to volunteer to play city defense with me? I'm not going to egg sit you, so if you can't hold your own, don't bother applying.

... Thank you.

question for all you magic users:

if someone were to, say, want to cut out a man's heart, but not KILL him in the process

you know, keep the man alive but keep his heart somewhere else

perhaps locked up safe in a chest somewhere no one else can touch it, because the idiot in question whose heart is going to be removed keeps doing stupid shit that shows he can't fucking remember who he belongs to

...where was i?

oh, right. if someone wanted to remove a man's heart, but keep him alive without it, what sort of spell would you need to do that?

((ooc: the post is done using the anonymous function, so you'll have to be a pretty excellent hacker AND magician to find out who posted it... but feel free to respond however else you want! I'd deffo prefer asking before hacking, though, if your character has the skills.))

[ Most people who know a Karkat Vantas will recognize this troll when he appears on the network, but he'll look pretty...different to most if not all of them. He's got a scar on one cheek, pierced ears, and his horns are a bit notched from what looks like blade slices. Also, he's wearing a completely pristine white coat. ]

All right, kids, listen up. First things first, I need a roll call here. I'm not holding out much hope but if any of you know any of these people then speak up - or especially if you are these people, don't think I won't kick your ass from here to the Gods-damned Ascension for being coy with me. I'm looking for Archagent Eridan Ampora, has these chewed-up fins on his face and a face like God took out all their favorite bits but left him pretty anyway, can't have an emotion that doesn't belong in a soap opera. Sollux Captor, probably behind a computer and failing to remember that food and sleep exist as we speak, if you've seen him and haven't been blinded by the world's tackiest gold cape that he just loves wearing at all times then you're lucky. Terezi Pyrope, blind and completely inappropriate at all times and with a wardrobe that induces more seizures than Sollux, probably pails herself to courtblock dramas every night. Gamzee Makara, the hugest doofiest clown cultist ever, unfairly good cook but don't ever eat his pies unless you like tripping out on sopor. If any of these names and descriptions are familiar to you, speak the fuck up, I haven't got time to search out every hidey-hole in this hopbeast warren of a city.

Secondly, I've already been imposed on by one giant lizard to go get him stuff, so why not, I'll be generous. My name's Karkat Vantas, I'm a Threshecutioner, my job is to keep the world oiled so hell, if you've got a problem then lay it on me. I don't trust any of these asswounds who had the great idea to kidnap people and make them fix their shit instead of fixing it themselves, but whatever, I have important things to do back home so I'm not going to sit on my glutes whining. If they want me to help I'll help with anything within reason, as long as it gets me home faster. Most of my work back home involved the undead, giant monsters and relationship drama, but I'll do whatever needs doing. Hit me up if you need anything, it's not like I can get a break back home so there's not much point to taking one here.

[ He might sound just a little bitter about that. After a moment, he sighs and shuts off the video. ]

::The video shows a bustling office. Natives of Darstone can be seen from time to time in the background and the noises are those of a government office overburdened with a staggering influx of work. Voices calling back and forth. The clicking of typing. The low scratch of pens and flapping papers. In the midst of all this chaos sits Prussia, uniform crisply pressed, hair neatly combed back from his face. Perhaps if you haven't met him before, you recognise him from England's warning?::

Good afternoon, fellow victims of the unawesome government sponsored kidnapping plan! You may find yourself asking: "What is this incredible sight before me?" or "Whose amazing voice do I hear?" or even "Why is such a powerful and awe-inspiring being making this mass communication effort?"

If you're not, then keep it to yourself.

Anyways. The answer is simple!

For those of you who I haven't met, I am the awesome Gilbert Beilschmidt -or Preußen, Prussia, whatever you like that isn't unawesome- and for a few lucky souls, I've got an opportunity~

The ability to type is preffered. The ability to follow instruction is a requirement. And since this is me talking, some combat skills wouldn't be out of place, but consider those optional for now. Ordinarily, I'd expect a C.V. on my desk for review before scheduling the interview, but I need people quickly so we're gonna cut that bullshit out of the process.

Respond here to schedule an in person meeting or show up at the Customs Office before close of business today if you want a job. The pay is eighty whatever-the-fucking-currency-is-called a day, ::He pauses, glancing around before leaning in conspiratorily.:: and just between us? I see plenty of opportunity for advancement.

::Prussia sits back with a sigh.:: Oh yeah. If you come here, don't be an idiot and ask for me mentioning shit about a job. Just come find me. I'm pretty fucking obvious and recognisable and shit -::Here he makes a sweeping gesture from his white-blond hair to his red eyes to his Prussian blue uniform.::- so if you can't manage that then you are not getting hired.

I'm officially done with trying to deal with these losers. I'd sooner share a living space with that moron from Radiant Garden.

What's it take to get out of these homely quarters. If it doesn't happen soon one of them might wake up with that scarf wrapped around that neck a little too snugly. Acts more like that one chicks "step sisters" than any prince I've seen...

[The video clicks on to reveal a small, slender, nervous-looking redhead. She has a frilly white blouse on covered with a leather bomber jacket, more stylish than functional, and she's fidgeting in her seat.

She takes a visible breath and says, somewhat stilted,] Hi. Willow. --That's me, Willow, my name, and. You should call me that. And you should email me?

Wait, sorry, I'm doing this in the wrong order. [She looks embarrassed, but then shakes her head and starts over, calmer now that she's getting into the rhythm.]

I'm Willow Rosenberg and I'm the official Darstone liaison to the newcomers. That means you, cause, if you're on this network, you're a newcomer-- a dimensional kidnap-ee. It's probably not government approved to say kidnap-ee, but that's okay because I work for them so I'm allowed to be especially disgruntled. Actually, even though I work for them, I'm in more or less the same position as you, I just got here earlier. When they needed someone for the job about a month ago I said yes.

Anyway... [Pause as she tries to recover her conversational thread.] Being the liaison means you should come to me if you have problems settling into the city, or if you need to talk to someone official and don't know how to reach them. I can get you in touch. I'm not responsible for deciding who gets to go home, so don't bug me about that or you'll make me cranky and mildly disapproving, and I don't like to be cranky.

But you really should email me if you need something. That's what I'm here for. I also do emergency response sometimes if something goes wrong with one of us, and trust me, I can handle it. So don't cause problems or you'll have to deal with me. [This is half bluffing and half honest confidence.] That means whoever sent those shadow things around during the festival, I better not see that happen again or I'm going to track you down, and there will be consequences.

[Her eyebrows go up in open evaluation.] Got it? Oh, and whoever's sending out the spying snakes, that's just creepy, but not illegal. So keep it not illegal or I'll sic the police chief on you, and she's scary.

... Any questions? About me or about what's going on? It's really mostly answered in the guide on your mirror, but I am answer girl if you have something else.

[Well. Do you remember England's little warning? Good. Because here's the real thing. On your screen. If you're familiar with German WWII-uniforms, this one may not be a stranger: Germany's wearing the uniform of a Wehrmachts-/SS-Geeneral as usual. Complete with matching cap. The insignas are different, but those are hard to make out anyway, The Iron Cross he wears is much more prominent.

The nation casts a stern look at the screen before finally speaking, his voice cold and oddly controlled. Yes, He's bottling up a decent amount of rage right now. You don't want to be the one receiving it.]

Fine. I hope you all enjoyed England's little display. Of course he forgot to mention a few things:

We follow the orders given to us by our boss. Who isn't here. Without these orders neither my brother nor myself have any reason to act against any of the local residents.

[He pauses for a moment, then tilts his head back a little. Then continues in German.]

Brother. If you are here as well and see this: We need to talk.

[And he switches back to English.]

England...

[Beat.]

You're history.

[okay, you know what? to hell with keeping silent. after his run-ins with Prussia and Germany at the festival, he's angry. he's wary of them, and he wants the rest of Darstone to be wary, too. because, obviously, there are creatures here of all kinds, and they certainly don't fit Hitler's idea of the Master Race. yup, who knows what those Nazis will do!

a young-looking man appears on the screen with lime-colored eyes and blond hair. oh, also, note those humongous brows. he has a distinctively British accent]

Attention guests and citizens of Darstone. I would like to bring to your attention a warning. There are two dangerous blokes in the city and I urge you all to be careful around them.

[here, he holds up a picture he sketched]

They are from my world, and they have committed atrocities the likes of which I care not to discuss unless asked directly. Please be cautious! As I've stated, they are dangerous. Make certain you never turn your back on them!