[The transmission cuts on just as it seems Percy's attention is elsewhere for a moment.]

- nesco!

[A frustrated noise, then he seems to be more focused on the network.]

Are there any businesses within the city that cater to tattoo removal? None of the normal methods seem to be succeeding.

[ooc: forward-dating this a touch; taking place just after the cutie marks actually turn into cutie marks.]

I want to make one thing clear, here.

[ From the background noise, it's obvious Eames is out and about, but has taken the time to grace you with the dulcet tones of his exasperation! ]

Just because I fancied myself a tattoo artist with an already compromised state of mind previously doesn't mean I went around gifting you lot with one while you were sleeping. Were I going to plant one right on your left cheek, I'd have charged you for the trauma - I never endure any stressor for free, you know. Economics, so on and so forth. Besides, considering it seems to be coupled with the fact that there are far too many horses roaming about the City, I think it's fair to cry curse without risking crying wolf.

Speaking of, though - when did the carousel undergo renovations? Rather, is dilapidation the new rage? So long as it's not the equivalent of the sand from a few months past, I suppose. I've done rather good with avoiding death, apart from the shark.

[ ooc: Eames is roaming about the City today if anyone would like to action thread on the side! Places he's going to hit up are the the carousel, the Hall of the Missing, work (Saya's garage), and then either The Blue Light or an equivalent blues bar. Otherwise, treat it as the network post it is! ]

[The feed kicks on. Charlie's turned it on mid-conversation with someone at the tea shop. Someone's thanking her for their tea and the audio around Charlie fades. She's gone into one of the break rooms to speak.]

Can I just say I'm very happy I only woke up with a new tattoo once within the past week or so? I don't think I want a second. I'm fine with my butterfly. Also? The carousel is creepier than usual I'm either seeing things or we're in for something.

[A pause.] At least it's not sand, again.

[And the feed switches off.]

Urge to be affected has previously lead to something positive. In the meantime, this wonderfully personalized 'scarlet letter' and its placement is nothing more than a puzzle.

Odd curse, but seems harmless enough.

We should all just be grateful that this is likely a curse and probably won't last long.

Just remain calm until it's over.

...A tattoo?

Tch. Seems harmless enough but it's probably doubtful that's all it is-- whatever seems to be happening with the carousel can't just be a coincidence in this place.

[Voice Post]

So, this probably sounds kinda weird, but, does anyone else have some sort of, uh, picture on them? Like, in a place that you definitely didn't have one before.

[Pause.]

Oh man, what if I did have it before? It just started hurting today, but- Oh man, did something happen during that school curse or something? Does anyone remember if I had a- a tattoo during it?

Like, of my sitar. On my butt.

I so don't remember this!

[/Voice Post]

[OoC: And this is what he will look like tomorrow. Except with this as his cutie mark.]

Okay, weird question. Did I get blackout drunk last night and do something incredibly stupid?

Because this morning I woke up with a tattoo on my butt. And it sort of hurts.

I'm very confused, because I'm not hungover, and I have no idea why I would get a tattoo of a hammer on my butt.

...and is it just me, or is the carousel suddenly...incredibly creepy? Or is that the hypothetical alcohol talking. I just don't remember it looking so...awful and terrifying.

[Here's Neil again. He's read the latest network posts and seems a little ticked - and disappointed.]

Okay, what gives? My ass doesn't have anything on it! Why don't I have a tattoo? That'd be fuckin' cool...

[Mercy's slamming stuff around 'straightening up' in her bedroom and muttering to herself, completely unaware that her device is broadcasting.]

This is just - dammit.

This is too much.

Jack. Ianto. Tosh. Donna. Derek. And now Mara??

I can't - I can't do this. Can't keep losing -

Dammit.

[She stops for a moment, then moves to kneel beside her bed, hands folded in prayer, with her voice just a little bit too low to be picked up, though an occasional name or sniffle might be heard. There's a louder 'Amen' and she stays there another moment, wiping her eyes before getting up and noticing the device. She picks it up and for a moment there's a close-up of her tearstained face and then the video portion is clicked off.]

Well, since I'm on...

Merlin? How do you feel about taking on some extra hours at the store?

And does anyone know someone who's good at paperwork - or just needs a job? Flexible hours, decent pay, just let me know.

[Accidental Video]
[The video feed cuts in with a jolt of movement as it bounces off the plush carpeting of one of the City's fancier residences. The interior is dimly lit, and deathly quiet... that is, except for the soft intermittent crackle of electricity coming from behind the network device.

From one of the adjoining rooms, a tall dark figure dressed in black emerges, looking quite out of place in the white pristine decor as he moves from room to room. When he completes his brief search, he pauses in deep thought, frowning. His mismatched colored eyes glow softly as he takes in one final scan of the room for something...]

... Gone and taken your knights, little mouse?

[The Vampire Pureblood does not seem pleased at the discovery. Not in the least...]




[ooc: Rido Kuran has taken it upon himself to break into call upon the home of Saya Ootonashi, and her two suitors, Haji, and Solomon Goldsmith. Too late though, as two of his quarry have been spirited back home, and the other is not quite himself (enchanted into thinking he's a demon and now residing with his Master, Merlin.) The electricity stems from the penthouse suite's ruptured security control panel (loud noises do not agree with the delicate hearing of a vampire.) As of this moment, Rido hasn't yet realized he's dropped his network device, or more importantly... that it's capturing this scene for all to see.]