[Kain scowls and looks more annoyed than usual. He can't help it, he hates being snowed in. Being stuck indoors is bad enough, but they had to go to an inn rather than a tent. In civilization. Too used to camping and wars, he feels very out of place here... and he's had no chance to train for the past few days, either. Hmmph.]

Will there be no end to this? I don't recall anything like this ever happening here before...

[The feed turns on, showing a snow-covered Mysidia. Most of the buildings have light shining through their windows, but they are surrounded by snow. The rooftops are covered by snow as well. Then the camera moves away from the window and towards Palom, who is clad in some large robes instead of wearing his tunic, for once.]

Well, this is the strangest thing that's ever happened to this village. If it weren't snowing so hard, I'd might go outside and make a snowman.

[Then he speaks again, with a serious tone.]

All joking aside, anyone that is or has arrived in Mysidia who wants to get away from the cold, we have some warm and comfortable rooms for you. We also have warm milk and cookies. It's better than camping outside and freezing to death. Also, to those who wanted to learn black magic, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the snowstorm stops. Sorry for the inconvenience.  The same goes to the people who wanted to learn white magic from my sister. She stated that she'll head to Mt. Ordeals and I have no idea when she'll return.

[Then the feed ends.]

[ the feed turns on, panning around the area. she's made it to damcyan, though no one who isn't familiar with the castle's structure would know it based on the surroundings. the amount of... snow building up around the area, mixing with the sand, is absolutely unbelievable. in fact, harley wouldn't believe it if she wasn't currently witnessing it. eventually, she turns the camera onto herself, though the snowfall is still clear in the background. ]

My name is Harley, for those who have not yet spoken to me. I am the royal secretary to the King of Damcyan. [ not mentioning that he's currently missing. ] I am currently located in Damcyan, which is well-known for being a desert kingdom. As is clearly visible, this no longer seems to be the case. I cannot ascertain the cause, but I do know that as much as I can see from the castle is experiencing snowfall.

[ and it's awkward to say the least. ]

I am uncertain how far this is reaching; however, I do hope it ends soon. I cannot say what it may do to the overall climate of the area.

I would also like to propose a question of sorts. If I may presume to ask for clarification, I would like to ask for your individual names, whatever you wish to be called, where you are originally from - whether your particular world has a name or your hometown does not matter - and if you have visited one of the crystals, what your experience was. Also, perhaps, where you awoke. I awoke in Troia, whereas my current residence is Damcyan.

I thank you for your time.

[Rydia smiles warmly into the linkshell, relieved beyond words. Still, she'll try to form some for the sake of others.]

It seems our efforts met with success. The Eidolons are released from their crystals, and Asura should be recovering soon. I can't thank all of you enough for what you've done. If you're ever in need, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll do everything I can to help you in turn.

Also, for my fellow Summoners and allies, I can offer you accommodations at Mist. It won't be anything grand, since we're still rebuilding, but I feel it's the least I can do in return. I'll be on my way there promptly, so any who wish are welcome to join me.

[And that's it, for now. She will be all sorts of anxious until reaching Mist, making a beeline for her house. Cuore and Golbez had better be there.]

Hello up there, surfacefolk. This one's gonna be important, so make sure you clear out your ears.

Those girls that little miss sunshine up there was so grim about? They're not that bad. Strong, sure, but you can still beat 'em around. If they're causing problems, you can kick some butt to distract them while you get folk outta there. It's not the smartest of ideas by a long shot, but if you don't have any choice then it'll get the job done even if you'll be sore for a while afterwards. So! Here's what I'm going to suggest.

These shell thingamajiggers? Can do all kinds of stuff. See this?

[She holds up a dark blue linkpearl - it's identical to the normal ones in everything but its colour.]

It can make these. They're different from the normal kinds, they can only send messages to people who have one that's the same colour. They're good for when you need to keep in contact with specific groups.

So I'm gonna make a group for people who can fight those girls if they need to. Or fight in general, to help people out. Calling 'em the Talons. If you're tough and you're willing to fight if someone needs help, let me know and I'll give you one. Then if you run into one of those girls, you use it to call for backup. Anyone who's close will rush over there. If nobody is, I'll start up the Falcon and get people over to you in a jiffy.

If you don't have one but you're in a jam then just send a message out with the normal shell but...I dunno, think dark blue thoughts. I dunno how it works, but it does. It'll get the message to all of us.

Oh- and there's another. I already talked to little miss sunshine up in Mysidia about this one. It's pretty much the same, but without the fighting. But you can do both, if you feel like multitasking. If you can heal people and you want to help out, ask her about it and she'll give you one of these, too. It's a red one. If you're hurt or you find someone who is, just use the shell and think about red stuff and someone who can heal'll get to you. Again, if nobody's nearby I'll get them closer.

The dwarves'll be supporting anyone in either group all the way - if you need airship travel anywhere or if you need your equipment fixing up then we'll handle it for you, dwarven smiths're the best you'll ever meet, just say the word!

...my group's better, by the way.

[OOC: I'll be answering this with both Porom and Luca, just consolidating both posts since they're pretty much on the same topic.]

[ the linkshell connection shakes for a bit, kind of like someone's waving it in the air. the speakers are hard to hear, one because he's really small and far away and one because she's not speaking into the device. ]

I have already told you: I am from Damcy- [ the female's voice trails off. from the sound of it, she's getting a little frustrated. ] Oh do come back here-!

[ nope, harley. denied. with a frustrated huff, she actually turns to the device, staring at it, and any current viewers will notice that she's... got it upside down- no, there it goes. she turns it around. ]

My lord, it appears I have awoken in Troia. I will be making my way back to Damcyan as soon as I can procure a ship there.

[ clearly this is an invitation for the rest of you people to surprise her. ]

[There is a small girl staring at you. She doesn't blink.]

Hello. I am Cuore.

I want to know about your worlds. Tell me things.

[Rydia opens the linkshell one more, her expression solemn. Her bright hair is streaming behind her as she moves to the best spot on the airship to be heard above the airship engine. There might be a slight redness around her eyes, but she's calm enough now and her voice is steady.]

So, we're on our way back from the Feymarch. I promised we'd give an update when we emerged, and here it is. Most of the Eidolons' homeland was empty, when we arrived...though I sensed Queen Asura's presence. When we reached the throne room, she was there to great us, although in a severely weakened state. I have Yuna, Hilda and Aerith to thank for providing her aid I could not.

What she told me was...not pleasant. The reason the Eidolons could not answer is because they were pulled from the point in time in which the Maenads arrived to control them. Hence, why they could not answer my call. Shiva, Ifrit, Ramuh and Titan had arrived as well, and Asura expended all her strength to free them. However, doing so destroyed their physical forms. They can be recreated using the crystals corresponding to their chosen element. However, something is something the Eidolons from leaving the crystals.

...and this is where I ask a favor. A great one. Asura told me humans can enter the crystals as well. What needs to be done in order to free the four is that someone must enter each crystal and free the trapped Eidolons within. I plan to enter the Water crystal, and will gladly accept any who will join me. I also request that the same be done of the remaining crystals. If you're able, please help us. You will have the queen's gratitude...and mine.

[Separate message to Golbez]

Can you do me a favor?

[ooc: OOC signups are here.]

[When the video connects, lo! A panning view of the mighty Kingdom of Baron, from one of the castle towers. Surprisingly, Edge's hands are quite steady. His voice cuts in from the background:]

To those of you curious, Baron is safe and sound. There's still no sign of Cecil and Rosa... and Ceodore, was it? He sounds like a tough kid. [A pause; he's getting sidetracked a little too much for his own good these days, but all this information is a lot to handle at one go.] Anyway, the kingdom is still in good hands, and it probably won't run itself to the ground anytime soon.

[Now, back to business. Look at Edge's handsome face, everyone!!]

When I get to Eblan, I'll wait a week and then head towards the Tower of Babil. At someone's insistence, I'd like to get a group together for this—it might hold a clue or two as to what's happening around here, but I can't make any guarantees.

You guys can take an airship heading south from any of the kingdoms to Eblan. Just ask around, and I'm sure you'll be able to figure something out.

I'll welcome anyone interested with open arms so long as they're not looking to stir up trouble! You have my word as King.

((ooc; group of three filled! Let me know if you really want in on the party plot--I can probably make room for one more.))

For those who will understand this, the Lunar Whale is not answering our prayers. We have tried, but the dragon remains silent. I... am not sure I even feel the whale's presence. It rose shortly before I found myself here - it is very possible that it has yet to return.

If Cuore is to be believed, the one who brought us here is an enemy that this world has faced before. It is called the Creator, and without the whale's aid... we cannot fight it. Unless anyone else has a plan or the Eidolons have answers, we must wait to see what its next move is. Its soldiers are called the Maenads, if they still exist. They are tall women in white dresses with long blue hair and great magical ability. If you see them here, do not fight them alone. Alert everyone at once. Please believe me when I tell you that they are far, far more dangerous than they seem, especially if they still possess the power they once had.

I wish that I could be the bearer of better news than this. ...I know little of the state of the other countries, but anyone who needs a home can find one in Mysidia, if they wish.

( when the linkshell finally connects, there's the image of a rather wild looking woman that comes on screen. she had been fiddling with it for awhile, but... for some reason things like this never give her too much trouble ) -- that should do it. This thing on? Little unusual if y'ask me, but if it gets the job done, that's good enough.

Name's Fang. For some reason or another I've found myself in a place called Fabul? Doesn't much look like any of the other places I've seen on Cocoon... so if anyone's willing to point me in the direction of the next city, it'd be appreciated.

[The first thing that appears on the linkpearl isn't a person, but rather a place- Mist, to those who know it, and to those who don't, a small village right next to a range of mountains. The village itself looks a bit dilapidated but whole, with the area around it seeming rather green and vibrant.

After a moment of showing the video, the image turns instead to a man with silver hair and a dark cloak. Despite the lack of questions, he might be a new arrival, considering that he hasn't been seen around here before... though for those who know Cecil, he does strangely resemble the paladin... 

And then he speaks.]

Rydia, is this what you wished to see of Mist? Or is there more? 

Hmph. It seems I will not be able to cast this device aside, as I first thought. But without a way to return... it cannot be helped. 

Whoa! Rikku would be all over this device!

[A pair of blue eyes stare into the linkshell, before he moves it away. Still looking into it, he keeps talking to himself.]

Wakka wouldn't be able to stand it though...

[As if realizing he's speaking to himself, he stops and stares back into the linkshell, smiling. Even so, he's angry, but it's not like it's their fault.]

Hi! I'm Tidus, Star Player of the Zanarkand Abes. Has anyone seen a girl, about my age, shoulder length brown hair-- it kind of has both gold and reddish tints to it instead of just being one or the other like a lot of people, and she has one blue eye and one green. Uh, sapphire and spring. They're bright. And she's wearing this sort of complicated dress, the top part being white and bottom part a purple color with flowers on it.

[A pause. Affection and irritation are laced together, along with fear and hope.]

Oh, and if you've seen anyone else I know too, or if, you know, you're here, let me know! I'm in...Myzeedimina?

[Once that linkshell is open, the first thing that can be seen is a pair of large blue-violet eyes. Terra pulls it back enough for her face to be seen, as well as the cloudless blue sky of Damcyan's desert.]

...is this on?

[She glances to Greetingway for help, then realizes that he's not anywhere in sight now. Oh, well. The young woman returns to staring at the linkshell with curiosity and smidge of hesitation. But it's time to focus and so while her voice is quiet, it's also steady. She can do this. People are counting on her.]

So...I'm Terra. I'm looking for some people, if anyone could take the time to help me. That cute little messenger said they might not be here, but I have to try. I need to know they're alright.

[She keeps the linkshell open while pacing around the desert, hoping for news above all else. Her other hand cups the crystal she arrived with.]

[The linkshell comes on in the midst of some other conversation. Anyone receiving it will feel a mix of irritation, anger, and resolution transmitted to them through the pearl, along with the image of a huge man in dark armor, and the sound of his voice- an appearance and voice that should be all to familiar to the original residents of the Blue Planet.]

-will have no need for this. You may take it back in a moment.

[There is a muffled sound of protest from Greetingway, but Golbez ignores it in favor of turning his attention to the Linkshell. The irritation transmitted by it intensifies as he does.]

Where is the Lunar Whale?

[And with that the brief transmission is abruptly ended.]

Hey, pretty cool!

[Nevermind Edge. He's fiddling around with the linkshell, a little sidetracked, and probably not really focused on the main issue at hand. Well, not apparently, anyway. But behind that mask, Edge presses his lips into a thin line and he stares straight at the shell thing, gaze with a purpose.]

I'm uh. Kind of stuck in Damcyan—don't ask!—but really, I have to hitch a ride back to Eblan as soon as possible before the Seneschal kills me. Not literally, but you get the point! I'm a pretty busy guy, you know!

[But his emotions right now is a mixed bag—from confusion, to excitement, to worry, and everything else in between. Altogether it's a little overwhelming, but imagine how it feels for Edge who's trying his best to hide it behind that mask, as usual.]

King Bard's not helping much either— [Well actually, he's not there at Damcyan at all but Edge really isn't the person to divulge such a thing to everyone, okay. He has his boundaries.] —but I'm hoping one of you guys'll be willing to help out.

Anyone? Cecil, did you grow a beard yet? I bet your hands full with Rosa, heh! And you still look pretty as ever, right Rydia? I hope you're still not brooding, Kain. I mean, I know I'm good at that too, but you're threatening my title!

[Yup. This is pretty much a soliloquy, courtesy of Edge. Expect more from him in the future. 8)]