What...?

[In Mysidia, Tidus practically staggers back in shock. It doesn't take long until he takes on an equally unfamiliar expression, his eyes narrowed in hatred with an intensity he's never shown, at least not lately.]

What are you doing here?! Last time I checked, this wasn't apart of your new job. [He pauses, and if at all possible, he just looks more upset. His fists curl up, body tense as he starts to lose it.] Stop looking at me so arrogantly, you stupid, lazy, no-good--

You...what?

[He takes a step forward, skepticism carefully hiding any hint of hope he still feels.]

You're kidding.

[But he approaches the vision of Jecht anyway. His walking turns into a full out sprint. He doesn't seem to be registering anything the other is saying, he just has to get closer, reach him to make sure all of this is real.]

Don't run away from me now!

[Aerith is in her usual Troia, seated beside the water and looking uncharacteristically worried, without a trace of her usual optimism. Her expression is almost pained, and she nervously tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear.]

Has anyone heard from Zack lately?

[She's almost ashamed to admit it, but...]

I haven't seen him since before the fever broke out. It's been awhile since then, I know. It's not unusual for him to run off now and then and throw himself headfirst into some kind of thrilling heroics, but it's been too long. Even with all the recent commotion, I feel like I should have heard something by now.

[Hi everyone! Hopefully you weren't sleeping or concentrating too hard on something or whatever, because this dumb loud voice is about to interrupt you.]

Hello!? Hey! You out there, Sis!? C'mooon guys, you gotta be there somewhere!

Uh, I dunno who else can hear me on this thing! [A short laugh follows those words. Whoever this idiot is either doesn't seem to notice how loud he's being, or simply doesn't care.] Met the weirdest li'l guy though! Gave me this thing. Yep! I'm guessing it's some way to communicate, since I heard people talking!!!

Uh... well, I'm gonna come lookin' for you guys if you don't answer! Heroes don't sit still for long!

[Terra snaps awake, shuddering as she detaches from Kain enough to sit up. That strange, dream has shaken her and she almost feels as though she's still trapped within it, such is the vividness of those images. It's going to take her a bit to calm down enough to focus.

Sometime later, she'll turn on the linkshell, visibly troubled. There's barely a need for the the device to transmit anything emotion-wise since hers are so blatant, but nonetheless anyone who sees her message will also feel her unease and confusion.]

Did anyone else dream about the crystals?

[Once again, Rydia is solemn and blunt.]

I'm going to get right to the point with this one; Leviathan, Lord of All Waters is returning within the next few days...and he is not happy. I strongly warn against travel by sea until he calms down, for the safety of all. Please don't test Leviathan's patience, because I'm sure it would not end well. Just stay out of his way, and this will pass soon.

[She takes a deep breath before speaking up, doing her best to sound steady and calm. Her effort only half-succeeds.]

I hate to be the bearer of such news, but...some are no longer in this world anymore. As in, they vanished.

[Pause.]

Yuna...and Edge. They were in Mist, when--

...anyway, I thought it should be known.

[What else is there to say? Closing the linkshell, Rydia sets it down and heads for the door. She needs to be outside for a little while, despite the cold.]

[ooc: Those who needed to be told first were reached, but this is her first public message.]

[He's really been putting this off for too long. Part of it was the snow, part of it was that he kept trying to ignore the problem by ignoring the linkshell he'd been given. But when the snow melted and he was left with a desert, he'd checked it... and heard familiar voices.]

So-- What needs to be done?

[He didn't feel the need to beat around the bush or introduce himself. If they knew him, they knew him. If they didn't, they could ask.]

Uh...is this thing really on? Oh, okay. Um.

[ At first, it's just a voice; Hope isn't sure it's okay to show his face after everything that happened. Then he decides that on one hand, it probably won't work anyway. And on the other, so what? If people can't find him they can't chase him, either. ]

L-look, I'm kind of new to this going other places thing, and this has all gotten weird enough, so if someone could tell me how to get back home, or at least closer to it, I'd really appreciate it.

Oh, right. My name is Hope Estheim. A-anyway, if someone can actually hear this, can you answer? Thanks.

If your only hope for redemption was gone... what purpose would there be to anything else?

[That out of the way, Kain heads off alone to Brood, somewhere in the wilderness outside of Mysidia.]

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.]

[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.]

( the feed seems to click on suddenly -- not even focusing on its carrier. in fact, you're getting a view from below, lucky viewers. there's a man that doesn't appear to be wearing a shirt, and looking even a little scruffy as you can see the underside of his chin )

-- whaddaya mean Dam-sai-man? What sort of way is that to talk to someone just askin' a simple question? Hey. Hey! Don't run off like that! Just tell me where -- ( and there's a grumbly sigh here ) ... Just my luck.

[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.))

( 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 anyone might think when looking at this man on the linkshell is ‘that is a very impressive helmet.’ It has horns larger even than those found on the helmets of the dwarves, although it may be helped by the fact that this man is larger than any of the dwarves. Despite his somewhat ridiculous choice in headgear, he seems remarkably calm as he addresses his linkshell, and the emotion- or lack thereof- being transmitted reflects that.]

The creature- Greetingway- told me that I was in Mysidia. He also mentioned that there were others summoned here. Is there anything else known of these events that he has not told?

[There is a pause, and several emotions will come across faintly- confusion, worry, hesitance.]

I believed that I was meant to be returned to my own world, but it seems that will be delayed. If there are any other Warriors of Cosmos that this has happened to as well, please contact me.

[He pauses, gives a small nod, and then, with no further ceremony, ends the feed.]

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?