H-.. { Okay, there's momentary static before things come clear into earshot. } Hello? Is anyone there?

{ There's some rustling in the background… } So, seriously – is this some kind of prank?

{ She pauses and there's more rustling. There's also the sound of a door opening and closing, and faint footsteps. }

Damon? { There's sincerity in her voice… Curiosity. She wants to find him, which is clear in her tone. } Look, is anyone out there? This place isn't right. I'm not even sure this is actually – did Klaus – Stefan?

{ She's grasping at straws. This is a pretty big change for her to undergo after everything that just happened to her, so she's a little… Not quite herself. } If anyone can hear me, please, respond. I need to talk to someone, to find out what's going on as soon as I can. Please.

Ah! It works! Hi, everyone!

[ on the feed is a rather perky blond who seems to know what she's doing with the bracelet. It's not that difficult, really, but she's only especially good at it since she'd been here for so long (a month and a half, but it felt like an eternity.) 

She's found lounging, all curled up in a big comfy chair in Freya house.. a chair that wasn't there previously. Yawning, she rubbed her eyes. It's pretty clear she just woke up from a nap.. ]

Afuu.. So! How does everyone like 'it', the new stuff in Freya?! You can thank Miki and Legault-sama for that, for having the most creative of all cupcakes!

And if you're not in Freya house, that's okay! Out of the goodness of our hearts, all of you can come over to watch TV and play video games! 

Um... what was I gonna ask again? ... Oh yeah!

[ Moving forward, Miki puts her legs into Indian style and looks rather curiously at the feed. ]

A lot of people here don't know what idols are, and Miki's not sure what she'd be doing if she wasn't an idol! So here's my question! What does everyone do back home? Chess.. or something?

[the video starts up to show a short-haired girl, looking curiously right at the viewer—from her perspective, she's just checking out and poking at her bracelet. after bringing her arm up and down to inspect it from different angles, she finally settles on a comfortable and more natural position.]

So, uh... I guess this thing is on now? People can see this, right?

[she waves her hand at the screen and gives a smile... before realizing that, right, she's not exactly broadcasting live. with a small chuckle, she scratches the back of her neck, then continues.]

...Right, you guys can't respond until I finish this. Whoops! Anyway, uh, the name's Chie—Chie Satonaka! If it wasn't obvious, I pretty much just got here, and I'm still kinda confused about... well, everything. The girl that brought me here didn't exactly explain much, and I kinda figured that asking other people that were brought here would be a lot more helpful in the long run. So, yeah! I'm not really picky; any tips for a newcomer like me would be awesome. Buuut I guess if I had to be specific... is there any place to get some cheap, decent food around here? I'm starving, and I could seriously go for some steak right now.

[she laughs again as she's about to go, but right before she goes to end the feed, she remembers one more thing.]

Oh, and if you've ever met or run into anybody from a place in Japan called Inaba, would you mind telling them that I'm looking for them? Thanks a bunch!

[Greetings, everyone. Not that you can expect many greetings right now, since for some reason there is a crying teenage girl being shown on video.]

I... I lost?! To a snowman?! How could I lose to a snowman of all things?! They can't even breathe!

[Yes, this is clearly the most terrible thing that could ever happen, for she is bawling.]

Things are really getting into the Christmas spirit, aren't they, lady? They kinda caught me off guard... I haven't had the chance to do any Christmas shopping, and I'm strapped for cash.

What? Is this just some sort of subtle way to beg me for more money again? Who would a guy like you even buy a Christmas present for to begin with? [ she sighs. ] Besides, if these weird snowmen are supposed to be 'the Christmas spirit' I think it's just bothersome.

[ busted. ]

Hyahahha, I'm hurt... I was thinking of getting you one. Now you can't complain if all I can afford are tissues... [ hm. ] The snowmen, huh? They're pretty cool, aren't they? [ he holds up the pair of gloves he managed to score off of his own; if anyone is good at ass kissing, it would be amakusa. ] Did you manage to win a prize too?

[ something very faint that's almost pouty manages to break through ange's deadpan expression at that question, especially when she stares at the gloves he already managed to obtain. ]

Ridiculous. Why should I listen to a snowman who asks me to smile? I don't see the point of any of this nonsense.

What's wrong with giving it a little smile? [ he smiles quite broadly to demonstrate. ] It's not like you lose anything. Where is that thing anyway? I'll give him as many smiles as he wants. You do it too, lady. It's not healthy to always be pouting like that.

Ah, you'll never change, will you? Even when it's snowmen of all things giving out free stuff, you're still first in line to steal away their entire supply. Great to see that even in a place like this a man like you won't change, Amakusa. [ she's quite obviously just avoiding the subject though, her own expression still stuck on a slight pouty frown. ] And I'm not going to smile for some stupid snowman. And that's final... In fact, if you want me to smile so badly, why don't you make me, huh? Come on, give me your best joke.

There's nothing in this world better than free stuff. [ unfortunately ange can't get out of this that easily. ] Oh, is that a challenge? Can I bring a smile to the face of this frighteningly cold lady? Alright, I accept!

[ and with that, he clears his throat dramatically. ]

What's the difference between snowmen and snowladies? [ ... ] Snowballs!

[ at first, there's a long pause in which her expression doesn't change a single bit. but just at the point where it would normally turn into an awkward silence, there's a slight snerk and there's no denying that she definitely does look amused, a thin smile on her face. ]

Now that is the worst joke I've ever heard.

Hyahahhaa... but it worked, didn't it? [ that was sort of a smile. ] I'm glad I got it on camera. [ at that he holds up his bracelet that's been... recording... ]

[ there's a moment where it almost looks like she doesn't understand, but then her mouth drops open a little in shock before the frown returns worse than before; there's something clearly embarassed in all of it which turns into tsun anger. ]

Listen up, at this rate I'll definitely be cutting your pay in hal-- [ her own line is cut off as she smacks his bracelet, turning the feed off. ]

(( OOC: Grey is selfsatisfying, Red is endofdaydream! Both will respond. If Amakusa is still alive long enough to, anyway. ))

[The video clicks on not to a view of a person, but a window. Outside the window is snow, snow, and more snow... and what appears to be a moving snowman outside. Those with the proper knowledge might recognize it as the snowman from Sigyn's district.]

...Is that supposed to happen? [It comes from off-screen. She does her best to keep sight of the snowman until it disappears from view.] Has anyone been here long enough to know? [At that point, the camera goes still for a few moments, then begins to move again as she steps over to the door and, after a moment of hesitance, opens it. When she does, the snowman is right there, and it startles her enough for to drop the bracelet, effectively shutting off the feed.]

[A little while later, there's a text message added.]

I think it's okay. He seemed nice.

“Restoring color and life”, hm? Well, it certainly sounds interesting, at the least.

[the oddness of the situation at hand doesn’t seem to be fazing her much if her tone of voice and her calm expression are anything to go by. compared to the things that popped up in the mazes of witches, this isn’t too terrible, though. in fact, it wouldn’t be too hard to call it luxurious in comparison. maybe that’s why it’s so easy for her to swallow.

either way, the girl in the video smiles softly before continuing.]

If we’ve been brought here and given a task, it might be for the best if we try to get to know one another, don’t you think? I’m Mami Tomoe. I haven’t seen any familiar faces yet, but I’m from Mitakihara, if that means anything to anyone.

[a pause.]

... I’m afraid I’m still not fully aware of the situation, though. I read the letter and spoke with the maid when I arrived, of course, but if there’s anything else I should know, I would appreciate the heads up.

[with that, the recording stops.]

[Conan beams. Pure, unadulterated, cheerfulness might not be enough to distract from the drab, gloomy interior of Hel's hall, but he's trying hard.]

Ne -- I was thinking! I've heard a lot of people wondering why we were here -- not the reason in the letter. Why us and not anyone else! So that got me thinking -- maybe we'll find out the answer sooner if we ask questions to a lot of people at once!

I've got one for everyone -- sorry if it's a bit weird, but try and answer the best you can, okay? I bet it'll be useful in the long run. Anyway -- how important are you in your world?

I'll be waiting for your answer -- thank you!

[And clicking the feed off, Conan lets out a sigh, massaging sore cheek muscles. Tch ... this better work ... ]

Hi hi everybody! Rise Kujikawa and Souji Seta, on the scene and exploring the city of Asgard! [Rise salutes and bumps shoulders with the veritates next to her, squeezing them both into the video feed for a quick shot.]

Hi. [ that seems to be all he wants to say before going back off camera, his attention drawn to... well... something. who knows. ]

It's a strange new world out here, and we're all a little curious as to what's around. Well right now, we're located here at... Ge... Ge-fi-on Park. It looks pretty, doesn't it?

[SCENIC PAN OF LAVISH SCENERY. It's brootiful.]

We saw an amusement park earlier in one of the other districts, but it was kind of creepy. This place is a lot fancier, and there's even carriage rides! Although...

[Rise turns the camera to catch one of the horse-drawn carriages trotting by. Hey does that horse have eight legs??? You bet it does.]

That's pretty weird, isn't it? [Rise laughs a little.]

Is it...? [ doesn't seem to bother him much. ]

Hey Senpai! [The camera shifts abruptly as Rise loops her arm around Souji's, holding him close.] Let's go on a carriage ride together! Ju-st the two of us. Can we?

Eh? Weren't you just saying they were weird...

So that's a "yes"? Come on, let's go!

[ well that definitely caught him by surprise. he doesn't seem to know how to react at first, though he seems to reluctantly nod as the feed suddenly turns off. ]

(ooc: text colors are rise & souji)

[At first, there's static, and then complete silence for about a minute. Then, an audible sigh can be heard.]

['You know, if I really wanted to be in another world, I would have accepted Haruhi's offer back in the beginning of high school a long time ago. Though I'm thinking that this isn't her fault, even with that fiasco.

Maybe I'm just dreaming.']

I'd usually ignore getting weird communicating devices, but it doesn't look like I have much of a choice. I highly doubt I would have any means of getting out of this place- ['Considering the fact that I'm pretty much an ordinary human,'] but does anyone realize how weird this situation is?

Not only have we been whisked away from our homes, we've supposedly been given some sort of 'supernatural ability' in order to "flourish" [And even though he doesn't put up any air quotes, it's completely implied.] in this place. I'm no detective, but getting a power to survive a place is definitely not good news.

And I wouldn't like the fate of all existence to rest in my hands, either. ['Though then again, isn't this typical? I already have to deal with Haruhi, who, in her own right is not only considered a 'patron deity', but is the only reason why my world still exists. Yeah, I've already gotten this whole "the fate of the world is in my hands" speech before.

I'd rather take a penalty, thank you very much. But unfortunately, that's not a choice that I'm allowed to make.'] ... Anyway, I guess it's only polite to introduce myself. I'm—

[And the feed cuts short.]