[Hello, City, this is your captain speaking..only he doesn't sound his usual self. In fact, he sounds terrible and if he sounds this terrible, you can be certain he looks just as bad.]

You know..funny thing about being immortal: you don't really get sick...ever.

I guess two-hundred-ish years of a clean bill of health have finally caught up with m- [Somewhat distant coughing fit as he tries to hold the device away. His voice only sounds worse when he starts speaking again.]

...either I've forgotten what a cold feels like or this is some super-cosmic cold out to kill me.

So...don't suppose anyone's got some magic cold-curing ideas from their home worlds? This isn't exactly something I'd like to suffer through over the next week or so.

[[ooc; If you're curious about what's up, here is a post all about it. Open to anyone and everyone, my hope is really to make this as easy and open as possible. and I will totally shut up and stop posting now. sob.]]



[After yesterday's nonsense, tiaras and frilly gowns, Carla has really decided it's time to get on with this. Seated somewhere in the library, she has the network device curled loosely in one hand on a tabletop.]

I'm looking for some sparring partners. If you're interested, I've got a big space where we can meet up and do some... interviews. Friday night, if you can make it past all the sand.

[She glances off, considering for a moment before she clarifies,]

I'm looking for full contact. [A wry little smile.] You can't be afraid to get bloody.

[Attached to this message are directions to what is, in fact, an abandoned indoor swimming pool. Carla thinks it will make a nice arena.]

[She smiles fondly at the device, almost as if the previous day was more than enchanting to her. Everyone dressing up so regally, it was like being back at the castle, but still had the freedom she knows now. However, that grand time got her thinking of all the stories she had read, and of course, a one that she’s very fond of comes to mind.]

I wanted to tell everyone a story. It’s about the brightest star in the night sky, Brave Vesperia. I’m sure some of you have heard the name before, however, this is the story behind it:

"In the days of old, a great cataclysm occurred that plunged the world into ruin. Countless lives were lost as the people struggled to stand against the oncoming disaster. Its energies all but spent, humanity's hope seemed lost when a pair of siblings appeared. This brother and sister together fought the calamity, and saved the world from annihilation. The sister they called Child of the Full Moon. After the struggle, she remained with the earth. The brother they called Brave Vesperia, and ascended to the skies to watch over the world."

The end.

[She thinks fondly on the story. Of course, it’s actually a fairytale version of an actual event that occurred in her world, but no one really needs to know that. She likes this version. It’s happier. A lot happier.]

Hello?

[There's a short pause.]

Look, I don't know what's going on, but I'm pretty sure this isn't somewhere I'm supposed to be, so if someone would care to explain... [Another pause follows, as well as a curt sigh.] My name is Robert Fischer. Assuming this place isn't another product of my subconscious, I would appreciate it if someone could tell me just what's going on. [Though something about his tone indicates that it wouldn't be so much appreciated as expected.] Thank you.