( the video feed clicks on abruptly to broadcast a clear view of the starry night sky. it's silent for a moment save for a noise that gets translated at static fuzz, gradually getting louder and louder until it comes out clearly. it's the sound of ragged panting, vaguely wet sounding. )

Fuck. C'mere, you stupid thing.

Light's on. You're broadcasting, aren't you? Then, broadcast this. ( the screen tilts to focus on ikki's middle finger, half covered by his fingerless gloves. ) I thought this place was a really bizarre dream for the longest time—

Haagh—

( the screen adjusts again as ikki moves it to show where he's sitting on a dune of sand, a monstrous carcass strewn across the ground behind him. not only that, but ikki himself has taken a good chunk of damage, which was only partly caused by the monster he just slew. )

I've come back for you, City! Weep no longer, the Great Ikki-sama has made his triumphant return! Geez. Is there even any city left? What the hell happened to this shitty place? I couldn't have been gone that long!!

[ video || from Glass City ]

Evenin' City - or is it Cities now, between the two've them? If the desert can even really be considered a city.

[ Fred gives George a look, who only responds with a shrug because who the Hell really knows what's going on anymore? ]

Ah, well. At any rate, we've noticed a great deal of you got left behind in all that tosh, so all WWW production is henceforth postponed so our services can be better put to use elsewhere.

We've got well stocked up on water, food, and blankets. If any of these are something you fancy, give us a shout. Or jump and wave your arms about until we see you. We've got brooms, and should be able to cover a good deal of ground.

So if you're in need of any rescuing, feel free to call on us. We'll go by - [ He stops, thinks for a second, and scrunches up his face. ] - the ... Weasley's Wonderful Wescue Works.

[ He looks back to George again, making a face. ]

Honestly, Fred? I think that just broke me. We can't use that.

Thought it was rubbish, yeah. What about the Beasty Broom Brigade?

[ Another look from his twin, and Fred huffs. ]

No good? Alright, then, how 'bout The ... Terrific Twin Task of Taking to the ... Sky.

[ He dwells on that last word for a moment before shaking his head with a grimace and the two of them fall into discussing other options, seemingly distracted from their original task. The feeds times out on its own. ]

[ ooc; The twins are out to help people! But they're also idiots, so. |D Both me and Marion are a little bit on the busy side, so tags will be slow but they will come eventually, promise! ]

[If you are wondering why the image on the screen is dark and grainy, there's a perfectly good explanation for it! No light inside a sandworm's gaping maw, bros.

There's a bit of shuffling, and OH THERE'S THE LIGHT- Jack just yanked his head back.

It's only natural to get curious about what things look like in there, especially when your wormy friend is being so obliging!!!!!]

Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd mistake you for a cozy cave! A cave with...plenty of teeth? But your teeth are lovely, of course.

[That earns him the equivalent of a nuzzle, which effectively winds him and knocks him flat on his back.

The worm whisperer, folks.]

The desert is difficult, but not impassable. Even the creatures aren't so terrible if they can't be avoided.

Lord Rosiel, I don't know how we were separated-- I have secured some supplies and will return to you immediately. Are you yet in this desert? I think you must be.

[ooc: As you may or may not be surprised to learn, the heaven from which he comes is sort of one giant military-industrial complex. Are we surprised that he has gone full soldier for the moment? No, we are not. Yes, he has a gun (don't ask me why, but it's adorable).]

[There is a monster at Kazuo's feet with a bolt from crossbow through its eye. He watches it for a time before looking into the screen of his device.]

Survival out in the desert is not difficult. I do not understand the panic.

[Without looking away from the screen, he lifts his crossbow and fires another bolt that causes another monster to fall down next to him. He doesn't even flinch from it.]

...How weak.

[VOICE | Sand City]

Five days in the fucking desert, starting to wear thin. Easier ways to get a tan, winter or not.

[There's a long pause, just the sound of the sand-scoured wind in the background.]

They say the City's split, yeah? Things better on the other side?

Wouldn't take much, I guess. Running water'd do.

[A few barely-audible mumbled curses, and the transmission clicks off.]



[ooc; since the time difference is mostly handwaved, figure this cropped up early on the 3rd day of Glass, midday 5th day of Sand. ♥ Obviously this will be distorted to anyone in the Glass City.]

Compared to the present state of this place, Roswell is practically an oasis.

Everyone okay out there? Charlie? Rose? Dr. Wilson?

[Sephiroth gets right to the point.]

I am Sephiroth.

If you are in the desert and in need of help, contact me. I will provide assistance. I have both combat and healing capabilities.

[The man with the gigantic sword looks like he means business.]


[OOC: Rescuing can happen anytime during the event. Sephiroth will remain in the desert to help people.]

[Charlie was sitting on a rock a few yards from Camp. It was night time, everyone was eating and socializing and Charlie was worrying. She'd heard from a few people. A few very important people. But there were a few she wasn't sure about.]

Buffy? Dean? Can you guys hear me? You okay? Same goes for Bucky and Steve and Howard. Just...anyone at all, really. I just want to know if you guys are okay.

[She's going to sit still, waiting for an answer and chewing her nail.]

Listen, fuckers stuck out there in the fucking desert, I'll tell you what you're missing:

A clear fucking City. Clear walls, clear doors, clear floors. It's kind of hazy but whatever, it's still fucking clear.

This is a fucking invasion of my privacy. How the fuck is this remotely acceptable? This is like a fucking police state! Big fucking Brother is fucking watching me!

...I don't know if this is worth having water.

[Static static, then clarity. It's just an audio post.]

Hey. Anybody want to let a guy in? It's dark out and I could use the cover.

Text; Private to Evil Ed

You've got a big big mouth.

[Video Post]

[And as the video comes up, here's Rosella, lightly dusted with sand and looking a bit sunburned as instant proof of her current location in the Desert City. She does, however, have her hair braided sensibly back, her sleeves rolled down, and a makeshift scarf wrapped around her neck and head to shade them from the sun, and in the hand not holding the Network device, it looks as though she's holding...a hand mirror?

The particularly eagle-eyed might notice that there seems to be a statue of some variety in the background of the shot, too--about a person's height and shape.]

It'd be a very good idea, I think, for anyone traveling in the desert to keep something that reflects on hand with them--a mirror, or a polished shield, or something of the like. And if you should think you see something in the distance, a figure of some sort walking your way...even if you're sure it's only a mirage, be certain to look away, and point the mirror at it, first.

[Her slightly chapped lips narrow into a thin line.]

It seems that on top of everything else, there are medusas out here. They're not quite so fearsome as some of the other monsters marauding about, really, but they're much more dangerous than one might think, especially if one underestimates them. So it's really only sensible to be careful.

[She sighs, rubbing her face with her sleeve.]

I do hope everyone is all right, though?


[OOC: Okay, so school sort of ate me alive this past week and I'm still a little behind on things, but here is a Rosella in the Desert City, apparently having a random encounter with the traditional King's Quest desert monster: a medusa. Team Sociopath, I'm assuming she's in your general vicinity at the moment? Or if you want to play it differently, ping me and I'll roll with pretty much anything. Like rampaging sand boars and the luaus that result from them. o/]