[ The device has been set on top of a table, so that the camera is tilted at an angle from which we can observe the body of a large, metal tank. The heavy doors are lifted up, revealing the water-filled stomach of the beast. Despite the dimmed lights of the lab, we can see the remnants of a mad scientist's lab behind the tank, dusty metal tables littered with equally dusty beakers and glass containers that display a prism of vibrant chemical colors.

There's the steady pattern of beeps that tells us that there's an EKG on and someone's heart is being monitored. There are voices-- one male, another female: ]

You don't have to be here.

[ Olivia walks into view and stands in front of the tank, wearing a white bathrobe. A gloved hand flashes into view holding a syringe, but before he can step into the shot, she pulls the syringe away from him]

I can do it.

[ Pulling her robe down, she injects herself with the deftness of someone who has done this before. Look closely, and we might see her pupils dilate, as she takes an unsteady step backwards. That same hand reaches out to grab her, but she waves him away. Her look says: I got this. ]





[ Still uneasy on her feet, she steps down and into the tank, slowly immersing herself in the water.  Those gloved hands appear on screen again and they start to close the metal doors-- ]

Maybe we'll meet again. [ A pause. ] Thank you.

[ --- and then the doors shut with a echoing bang. Now we can only see the closed tank and hear the steady, beeping of the EKG machine. Seconds, minutes pass in silence until the EKG machine erupts into a cry of frenetic beeps. There's the sound of sudden movement, someone hurrying over to pull open those metal doors. Obscured by the dimmed lights, the identity of this man is a mystery.

Suddenly, the beeping stops.

The doors open with a sharp creak, revealing an empty tank. ]

Well this is certainly one to add to your list of fantastic ideas, isn't it?

[ The video snaps to black. ]

( ooc )

[ Liam took his time fishing out his phone, dreading the conversation to come but knowing he had to make it. But, time held for no man and speak up, Liam did with a slight tremor coloring his voice despite how he attempted to iron it out. ] I'm afraid we've been inundated with feathers thanks to Raven's latest molting spree and the desert. If anyone would care to take them off our hands, it should make a very nice pillow at the least. I'm afraid there won't be any more forthcoming, however, but what we have, is yours.

[ He won't even charge for it. It's just... too many reminders of Gilbert. But it wasn't all sadness, he did have one question of wonder to note. ] Also, these creatures, this... half turtle, half duck; what is it and where did they come from? They're really quite friendly, aren't they? [ A regular boon to an aging soul. He should ask Break if they can adopt one. ]

((ooc: Liam is feeding the turtleducks day old bread out by one of the ponds in Xanadu. Feel free to stumble across him if you'd like a more personal conversation with Liam.))

[ On screen was a half-eaten cake with a mostly-melted candle shoved right down into what should have been the middle. Now, it was more off to the side-- and surrounded by drying wax. ]

I’ve gotten cakes on my birthday before, but-- what’s the candle for? Doesn’t the melted wax just ruin the cake around it?

[Filtered from Known DELILAH Members || Unhackable]
We've spent more than a few days now in the City--now restored, the same as it ever was, so far as I can tell.

I'd almost expected something more and worse before that ordeal in the desert ended--an invasion, perhaps, or more battles against the creatures that were living in the sand. But, apparently, it was more an exercise in futility, with all of us scraping to survive and trying to endure until we found our way back into what passed for the City then.

Princess Rosella made the rather clever connexion between sand and glass: namely, that glass is made from sand and the two come together in an hourglass. Of course, we're all already familiar with the Clock that ticks away under the City, and an hourglass isn't so different from a clock.

It's a rather striking connexion, though I wonder how much we ought to dwell on it. As someone else pointed out a few days after we were all in the City again, there's always been a desert in one of the flats in Building 7. I'd nearly forgotten about it myself. And this wasn't the first time that we've seen buildings turn to sand. I can't soon forget the tower that fell into a veritable dune after it transformed into sand. Of course, that was followed soon after by an invasion of harpies--not the first time for either an invasion or one of harpies--so it's little wonder I should have been looking for an invasion after enduring the desert for so long.

Rather, I think there was something else at play here. I haven't quite enough information to untangle it entirely, but it seems that we're all seeing half-truths or no truths at all about this ordeal.

The 'deities' gave us shelter and a means to escape--and both of them were essentially freely and genuinely given. It's not the first time they've done something like that, since they did try to inoculate us all against an illness and they have sent us coded messages from abroad and they succeeded in having all of us repair the barriers around the City--twice, in fact. This wasn't an invasion or an attack or a false promise of escape nor even a threat of destruction. This distortion of desert and glass seems unlike anything I've seen thusfar in the City. And I do very much mean to unravel the meaning of it.

Regardless, it seems we're back to things as they always have been. We've already had more than a few curses. And they seem almost benign by comparison. I'm sure that sense will fade soon enough. The curses will be just as tedious and frustrating as ever.

I will say that the curse just a day or so ago was frustrating enough. It's often enough that I keep myself at home because I've no real desire to see or speak to anyone, and my reputation has kept others away from me on more than a few occasions, but it's rather more rare that I should find myself physically keeping people away from me. And I've never pushed Riff aside as I did then. I may still be grateful to have endured the desert, but that curse was no less frustrating than any of the others I've endured.

It's March now, so I suppose soon enough I'll come across the anniversary of my arrival in the City--yet again.

I'll think on what when it draws a little closer.

[Filtered from Rosella of Daventry || Unhackable]
On the subject of anniversaries and years, though: Princess Rosella has tried not to make much of it--she does try to be subtle about these things, as often as she can--but her birthday is fast approaching. It's the 21^st of March, in fact. If we hadn't all been thrown into a desert for days on end--or left to shatter the remains of the City, I suppose--I might have had a few thoughts on this subject.

I suppose I'll have to have them now: I propose that those of us who are acquainted with her plan some sort of celebration for her. I had a hand in such a thing a year ago. I see nothing wrong with doing something akin to that again. In fact, given how she's been dodging the very mention of her birthday, I almost think she might expect us to pick up on her very subtle suggestions. It sounds a little unkind all around, but I almost wouldn't put it past her.

So do send me word if you've some help to give in this. Riff and I can organise enough of it, I'm quite sure, but one does always appreciate help.

It seems frivolous, but perhaps we need a little frivolity after everything that's happened of late. Sometimes it's the only want to
[//end private filter]

~C.

[ooc: Gonna get back into my RP groove, I swear. Even if it kills me (it won't). Two filters here: an overarching one against DELILAH and one just against Rosella. Let's scheme some birthday plans.]

[VOICE]

I need assistance from someone... capable of locating people within the City.

[A long pause, because she's asking for something wholly unscientific here, and that always makes her uncomfortable.]

I have reason to believe one of my neighbors is trapped somewhere-- not somewhere she can escape on her own. A place more like the desert-- physically separated from the City, but not outside it.

My best guess-- based on her last clear communication-- is this is the result of an attempt to leave the City, involving some sort of injection and an isolation tank.

Though it seemed successful in the video, I've received several messages from her since-- claiming she's stuck, though it's difficult to make out the details, there's some kind of interference.

I don't have much more information, but if you have any way to help-- well, I'll do what I can.


[ooc; link OOC obviously but contains info about what's going on here! \o/ please assume this was posted earlier this afternoon, so Liv can get out before her time runs out ♥]

Penny, did you make it out okay?

Something I have been wondering for a while...if anyone would like to share that is. What has been the worst curse you have experienced? And has it ever repeated?


[Private ||Hackable]

These curses are really something else aren't they? Toying with people's emotions like that. It was so...reversed. Although if I am honest it was nice to see him even if it was for a while. I wonder if this is how it feels for him.

I have [ the briefest expression of insecurity flickering over her face before Tessa straightens her shoulders and faces the camera more fully ] decided that I should learn how to fight. I cannot endlessly rely on others for protection should I need it.

There are those here that teach it, I am certain. Mr Morgan? [ A beat. ] Will, perhaps?

It is not unsuitable for women to engage in such activities. [ It starts as a question, but she changes her mind halfway through and it becomes a statement instead. These are different times, and even back home with the Shadowhunters, the usual rules of society did not apply. While they are part of what makes Tessa who she is (something she wishes to hold on to), perhaps it is time she stopped letting them hold her back. ]