A video from Max appears on the network.

Vinnie must have helped him make it.



Max is clearly wearing a pair of steel bear ears on the top of his head.

"I made a bunch of animal ears down at the forge. Like, to wear on your head. If you wanna wear 'em to show your solidarity, you can come get some from me. Free. Don't cost you nothin'."

Max pauses and takes a breath. "Lemme just say one thing. I been in a situation where people decided to pit all sortsa groups against each other so they could take advantage of all of us while we were fightin' with each other. Don't let whatever pack of douchebags who's behind all of this whatever the heck it is push you around into bein' afraid. A lotta my friends are pokemon or echidna guys or all sorts of stuff. And just let me say -- you pull shit on one of my friends you got these to answer for."

And here, dear viewer, Max flexes into the camera. Slowpoke appears over Max's shoulder somehow, grinning happily into the camera that he isn't aware is there yet. Your computer screen probably just broke from the sheer majesty of it all.

In case your screen didn't break, what you see is an exasperated Vinnie appearing from behind Max (he was evidently here the entire time, but just, you know, eclipsed by Max's giant biceps) leaning over to push the very obvious 'video on/off' button that Max has no idea how to work. The video feed cuts off.

[Suddenly, there is a creepy doll on the screen. There are clearly little hands moving its head and arms around, and a poorly disguised voice speaking for it.]

"Hello, everyone! I took over the whole school, and the new rule is everybody has to give me candy or else!"

[Okay, she's bored with that already. She moves the doll aside to reveal the huge plot twist.]

Heehee, just joking! It was me! But if you want to give me candy anyway... that would be okay.

Oh! Speaking of candy, I saw a show on the TV about lollipops! There was a policeman saying people were getting hurt because of them. People must want them a lot if they're doing that!

He said some other things too, but it was kind of boring so I didn't listen to a lot of it. How can you make candy boring? Haha, wooow! But, you know... I won't get hurt because of them, right? The people getting hurt aren't even normal people. They have cute kitty ears or wings or big tails, I think. But not me!

[She frowns a bit. She really doesn't want to get hurt just because she's selling lollipops. Or for other reasons.]

But it's really scary, huh?

( Narration )


---


Ah…e-everyone, I need to make an announcement…

[Sable’s voice is quiet to begin with, but in this audio post her quivering voice seems to be a little above a whisper. She clearly sounds troubled, hurt even.]

I’m not going to be in my office for the next few days. I’m…well…I’m at the hospital right at this moment. I should explain what happened, but it’s…

[She trails off right here.]

…I’m sorry. The whole experience is still fresh in my mind and I don’t want to think about it anymore. The important thing here is that I was able to talk to the doctor, and he says that I should be checked out of the hospital soon. Perhaps even tomorrow, if I'm lucky! I don't want to worry everyone! I just…even when I get out, I can’t…

[Her voice starts to crack, and there are some quiet sobs.]

I can’t do anything. They took everything. They even broke my arm.

[Before she can completely melt down, she very quickly regains her composure, at least for just a few seconds.]

I-I’m sorry, I think I should stop here before I get myself all worked up.

[And the audio feed ends here.

Despite her sounding very much in dread, she’ll still respond to any sort of posts. Her door’s also open while she’s very temporarily in the hospital if anyone wants to pay her a visit as well.]

So, maybe this is not a good question, because this city does not have much spirituality. But it is worth trying, I think!

Where I am from, sometimes contacting the spirit world needs, ah... [She mumbles a few words to herself in Taurahe, looking away. She is clearly frustrated by the lack of a proper word for what she's trying to say.]

...I don't know. Like a drink, almost, but made of powerful ingredients. Water from a river and not the steel pipes, herbs, hearts maybe, like that. Maybe here it is food, or something else, but there is something that can help with that, right?

I know humans are not very... good with this. Um, not as an insult! They are good at other things. But they are also distanced from nature and their ancestors, I have seen. Especially here. And, uh... W-well, speaking of humans, I am wondering. I wondered for a long time. People can become human here, right? ...And only human?

[Aah, crap, where was she going with this. She bites her lip and glances down, looking a little ashamed of herself.]

I-I can't, uh... This sounds bad, now... I was just wondering why. It is not like home, is all! So, for those who do it, why do you do it? How did that start here?

--But also, the spirit thing is still the most important question right now. Thank you.

[Text: Filtered to Blue]

want 2 hang out sometime? gimme a buzz or somethin or write me

its not like i go to class anyway

--

[Audio: Open to All]

Anyone wanna start a baseball league? With me bein' the leader, 'a course. Lemme know. C'mon, let's do it! There's a buncha room for baseball games we gotta take advantage of this!

( The Action Part - Hi, there's a picture under here. )

---

[Video]

[She sits at her desk, chin in the palm of her left hand. Giving a light wiggle of her fingers, she smiles a mite.]

Greetings, beloved academy.

I know some of us have gone home for the holidays, but I was thinking with the new year approaching, we should spend it together, right? We're like a family, after all, as sentimental as that might sound.

I want to put together a gathering. Not so much a party, as I know we've got one today in commemoration of Christmas. So to prevent tiring people out, I thought perhaps something simple. Like a potluck! If you want to bring something from your home to share with us, I think that would be sweet. And I'd provide some yummy things to eat, too.

If this is something you guys would like, I'll be happy to arrange everything.

[Garry isn't wealthy but dammit if he's not gonna give nice gifts. A wrapped gift is by your door, with a card. The card had words written in neat penmanship. There is also a box of cookies too! Baked with love, etc. All different kinds!]

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!" - Garry ♥"

( Gifts for: Ib, Mary, Bulba, N, Shadow, Watt, Ai, Sig, Adam Jensen, Edgeworth, X, Eikichi, Maisy, Izzy, and Painting Students. )

Oh my goodness, this year passed along so quickly for me. Today's actually my birthday! I feel like I should have planned to do something nice today, but...maybe I'll just stay in and watch some of my soap operas, hee.

Well, as always, I'll be heading out for a few days to celebrate the holidays with my sister. I should be back around New Years...I haven't decided yet if I want to celebrate that at my hometown or here in the city. Ah, well. In any case, I hope you all have a very happy holiday!

---

[Of course Sable has been keeping up with her gifts throughout the month! Right after she posted her message onto the network, she went right to work with delivering everything.

Secret Santee Flurrie gets a whole ensemble of sewn clothes! More specifically, she gets a dark purple hat, scarf, gloves, and a very glittery and flowing purple dress!

Everyone in the school gets a nicely stitched and sewn hat and scarf, with various colors and various holiday patterns! As always, the color and pattern that everyone gets is completely random, you decide what color and what sort of pattern they all get on their hats and scarves! She also gave everyone a note, saying that if their hats don't fit, they can come over to her office to get them adjusted.]

[ Merry Christmas, one and all! Unlike Shadow, N didn't give his gifts anonymously, but he gave them with a lot of love. He, uh... couldn't afford a whole lot, but he tried. (Also, remember wish list basket? HE WAS STALKING IT.) ]

( cutadoodle! )

[Hello Smash Academy, there is a guy grinning and he looks pretty happy.]

HOOOOOOO!

Christmas isn't really that celebrated in his city, apart from having a small gathering with family, but thanks to this school, Michel's feeling the holiday spirit this year, babes!

In fact, I've decided to do my own rendition of a classical Christmas Song!

[Oh no, why is this happeni--]

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away

Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock

Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell rock

[....whyyyyyy]

[The feed turns on capturing the image of a young, red-haired woman. As if she’d prepared for this moment, she appears to be very calm and collected. Sitting up straight in her chair, she begins speaking.]

Good afternoon. I’m Tsubaki Yayoi, a new student here.

[She smiled in greeting, however, her gentle smile appears a bit forced.]

It’s a pleasure to be here. I look forward to meeting you all.

[The greeting is very formal, very polite. Pausing for a moment, she looks off, her expression turning serious. Biting her lip, she continues.]

...This may be a bit sudden, but I need someone to show me around campus. I’ve only just gotten settled in and I haven’t had much time to get accustomed to the school.

[Tsubaki’s suspicious behavior is probably pretty obvious to anyone watching. It’s clear something has her on edge.]

I-I’d really appreciate it, if it’s not asking too much. Please, let me know if you can help. Thank you.

[With these final words, Tsubaki bows politely, shutting off the feed.]

[ TEXT, privated to RICK and mostly unhackable ]

Busy right now? Too bad, get over here.

[ be afraid rick. be very afraid. ]

[ TEXT, filtered FROM rick this time... ]

So, ball sports. Which do you enjoy? I used to play basketball fairly regularly when I was younger. Anyone else?

[ it gets worse. ]

[ ACTION, open for all. everybody get up its time to slam now. ]

[ so in the hallway somewhere outside adam's office, there is suddenly a garbage can mounted to the wall--is that glue?--, with its bottom missing. LOOKS LIKE A MAKESHIFT BASKETBALL HOOP, INDEED. if you stop to wonder for a second what this is all about, YOU MIGHT EVEN FIND OUT.

hint: it involves a robobutt. ]

[The video feed turns on today to show a very happy looking Noel. She hasn't made a video post since her first one but that's not on her mind right now. Neither is the rest of the insanity that has happened over the past few months. What's on her mind is the month it is now and the upcoming holiday!]

Everyone! It's finally December! Christmas is getting even closer! I really really really love this time of year. When it starts getting even cooler out and everyone is full of holiday cheer. I wonder when it'll start snowing?...

[Dreamy sigh. Can you tell she's excited? She almost forgot the feed was live for a second there, she was too busy planning all the things she's gonna do in the snow. But she continues.]

Ah, but I was wondering, what do you all plan on doing for Christmas this year? [Tell her your plans while she thinks of what to get people.]

[GLaDOS doesn't even bother with introductions, nor does she even offer a "hello". Instead, her face carries that same bored expression it always does, as if she'd rather be doing something other than talking to these brats.]

I'm sure most of you have noticed the fact that the computer lab has been closed on and off for a few weeks now. My sincerest apologies on that matter, I was spending most of my time repairing my chassis. For some unfathomable reason, my stand-by mode became a bit...erratic.

[And this is where there's a brief pause in which she rolls her eyes.]

To those of you who are not computer-savvy or just plain idiotic, think of it as oversleeping for Artificial Intelligence. Rest assured, the problem has been dealt with and classes will continue as scheduled once again. I expect you all to be there on time. That's Thursday at ten o'clock am and not a second later.

[...and finally.]

Oh. And to any of you who have been..."harassed" by the hall monitor, I have a very important message for you: stop being a bunch of whiners. Hall passes exist for a reason. If you are dumb enough to walk into a hall with an armed monitor guarding it and not bring your pass, you should accept the consequences. Stupidity does not deserve to be rewarded.

That said, I've spoken with her. I can almost guarantee she will not shoot you...probably.

[And with a final shrug, the feed ends.]

[Considering how infrequently Knuckles had made network posts this entire year, seeing him in another one so soon after his first was a little odd. The fact that he looked royally pissed wasn't too good of an indication either. He was in his apartment and the TV could be heard in the backround. Some news station.]

I dunno how many folks knew her, but a student got killed a couple weeks ago. Her name was Charlise, though mostly people called her Kitty. She was a Drifblim, and a member of Lash's Pokemon team. She was a collossal pain in the ass sometimes, but she was still a friend of mine.

It was on the news the other night. No names were mentioned but I went to the Police station in town and checked. I also got a good description of the guy who did it. And how it happened.

So, this is kinda a cautionary tale for Ghost types. If you get killed while you're in Human form, apparently it's for keeps even if you're TECHNICALLY already dead. Least, that's how it looks.

I dunno what's goin' on so far as a funeral or whatever. Was just her Birthday a little while ago too....

[That last part was a bitter sounding mumble.]

[And the public feed ends.]



( Private to Mr. Caim. )

( [dated to Nov. 5th private phonecall] )


[DATED TO NOV. 14TH; audio]
[Seth endured his curse. His karmic retribution, likely. Instead of lasting for a mere week his brush with youth lasted nearly two. Some might have even considered it a blessing in disguised, to relive one's childhood. While his wasn't necessarily bad it was inconvenient. He was unable to control his transformation and had to hide the unagreeable parts of his cat anatomy--years of experience and perfection tossed away at the expense of youth.

One day, he knew he wouldn't have to hide. He'd show everyone that there was no difference between man and beast. But that time was not now--now was a time for him to be hormonal and childish and angry.

And take it out on certain individuals...

Because this terrible thing that happened to him lasted all the way up until his birthday. It technically left him with all of about an hour or so left before the 14th would be over, but he considered it too little too late. Age, so ironically, ruined his glorious day of birth.

Now he's all better and of proper age again than more than happy to slip an audio-only post in before the day ends.]

Guess what! Today is my birthday. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't treat myself out somewhere, but perhaps the greatest gift anyone can appreciate is the gift of life. A good life. One to remember on that special day each and every year. I think I've had a great one so far, and many more to come, I do hope.

Since it's also nearing that time of the year, do you know what I'm thankful for? My supportive friends, my roommates, good food and a good education. Even the adorably tacky decorations that come with it. I do hope you RAs have something more eloquent in the works this year and garland and mistletoe. I have faith in you.

But most of all I'm thankful for good company, because you never know what you have until it's missing.

...Or in some cases they simply move down the hall, but I can't say I don't miss them all the same.


[DATED TO NOV. 22ND]
[If your character happens to be near a TV on this day, maybe while they are or are not stuffing their face with turkey and thinking of things to be thankful for, or waiting in line for that Big Midnight Sale, the local news comes on with an urgent, special report...]



Breaking News: FDCPD has confirmed a body was found near a dumpster in Ferrothorn Park, just off of the Eldin Bridge causeway.

An identification has not been made yet, but the victim is described as young, female, dual-colored violet and white hair with dark skin. Foul play is suspected. Early forensics suggest the victim has been dead for approximately two weeks, and that there were [Mr. Lakitu newscaster consults his papers carefully so not to mispronounce.] elevated levels of phencyclidine, benzodiazepine, and other unidentifiable opioids in her blood at the time of death. There are also signs of a struggle, with cuts and slash type injuries sustained.

An anonymous tip from an eye witness describes a suspect at the scene of the crime as male, approximately six feet tall, dark brown hair and wielding a sword. If you see anything suspicious or have any further information about this murderer, please contact the FDCPD immediately.

[The screen blips on and a person with green hair shows up. He waves at the screen before giving a smile.]

Greetings, Smash Academy. I am a new student who just arrived at this school. My name is Cilan, nice to meet you. You may... um... know my brothers, Chili and Cress. I hope they have not been, err, a problem!

[He gives a pause, wondering if there were anything else to say.]

Ah! I come from Striaton City in Unova Region...! Some of you, um, may know where it is. There used to be a cafe there! It's, um, closed for the moment, since all three of us are, you know, here at this place...

[He trails off again.]

Um, I hope to enjoy learning things with, err, everyone else!

( Read more... )

[Starting today, you will see a little green bird poking around the campus every once and a while. Sometimes, she has a scrap of bread in her mouth, but she never sticks around for long.]