((Nothing Gold Can Stay curse in effect, backdated. Responses will be from pipipinoko for appropriate icons.))

[This recording begins with triangular protrusions cutting into the image, creating a messy border across the top of the screen. A dark, serpentine tongue flicks over the screen, covering it in slobber.] Ah! Prince! You put that down, that's not food, silly! Sheesh, waking me up early just to chase after you first thing in the morning...

[It's a somewhat nagging, but very familiar girlish voice. Hmm...

When the communicator drops to the ground and the slobber drips off, a pair of long, shapely legs step closer and two hands reach down to fuss at the communicator.] Sheesh, since when has the floor been that far awa— ... why— what?



[A very confused face appears on screen as she awkwardly returns to stand at her new, full height, delicately dangling the cell phone. The short, reddish-brown bobcut should hopefully be confirmation enough, but if it isn't, what follows will be:]

Ac-chon-buri-ke!

[Things start in the middle of an argument. It almost sounds like Charlie is talking to herself but there's normal Charlie's voice and a slightly lighter, happier voice speaking back. Cities Charlie is the first one to stay anything.]

---still here? If you're not gone by tonight, I'm going to scream.

[...that doesn't sound good, does it? But the voice that replies hardly seems bothered. They even laugh slightly and the laugh doesn't end as quickly as City Charlie's laugh usually does. It sounds a little more heartfelt, too.]

Yeah, I'm still here. I stayed in the guest room, like you said to but I got bored so lets do something.

What? [Video flickers on at this point and now both Charlie's are visible in the kitchen. There's the one that most would recognize, dressed in her typical plain t-shirts and jeans. She's busy cutting up salmon for Affinity and nearby, the other animals are enjoying breakfast already. She's hardly in the mood for the happier and possibly slightly prettier her, frowning slightly at what she clearly considers an intrusion.

Other Charlie is dressed in a way that City Charlie never would. An off-white skirt. A blouse that was designed to subtly show off her figure. Her hair's done up in a ponytail that's significantly neater than the one City Charlie usually sports. And she's smiling. A lot. This Charlie has probably had a better life than the one the City knows.]

Let's do something! Let's get out of the house for a while. You have off today. Let's go to the park. I want to see the City.

Look out the damn window. [Sarcastic. So sarcastic.]

I did. That's not enough. I want to explore.

Why?

Because. OH! [Someone just had what they think is the best idea.] Can we go Underground?

What?! No!

Why not?

Because you said so yourself. You're defenseless.

[And Charlie sounds annoyed. So annoyed and maybe she's more than just annoyed that there's Her 2.0 in the kitchen. She stands, device knocked on it's side as Charlie heads to her backpack hanging nearby. Charlie 2.0 heads over to inspect it, running her fingers over one of a few patches that have been sewn on. Charlie takes a step away from her, tensing and eyeing her.]

How about this? I'll drop you off in the middle of the City. You can have some of my money. I already explained how it works. You can...I don't know. Go shopping. Go eat somewhere. Have a blast.

You're really not coming with me?

Hand to God, I am not going with you. I spent all day with you yesterday in my tea shop and that was confusing to my customers. I need some me time. [Charlie notices her device is on and starts walking over as Other Charlie speaks.]

Technically, I am you so--

Shut up.

[And the device turns off.]


[ooc: charlie is in black. other charlie is in red. action at the house if anyone wants to drop by.]

You're going to finish reading this.

Why?

Because you know very little about the world around you, and you need to learn something.

I can't read half of this, and I don't need to.

Keep your voice down. We're in a library.


[Utsuho and her "better half" are sitting behind a dusty table, books piled high. Despite looking almost identical, it's clear which one is which. Utsuho the original is perched in the chair with her feet on the cushion and her arms folded around her knees and looking sullen; Utsuho the copy is sitting upright, one leg crossed over the other, back straight, looking down her nose with pity on her face. In stark contrast to the near-yelling volume that the raven normally has, this intruder speaks softly, calmly, and folds her wings nicely.

Judging by the scientific texts laid neatly on the table, she's also a bloody genius. Several notebooks seem to have been filled with her work already; she is talking and writing complicated equations at the same time.

The copy looks over at the video feed, now facing the City audience.]


Yes, the device is on. You still haven't learned to type on it, have you? It's about time you do. Here, let's check your spelling, try this.

[She lays down a sheet of paper in front of Utsuho; the raven tries to get up, but her copy forces her back into her chair.]

Look, this is stu--

Sit. Down.

[Despite all her calm, the copy's eyes gleam a deep and unnerving red, controlled power exuding quite the magical aura. Utsuho sits down, hard, as instructed. Now that she's better facing the camera, it's apparent how tired she is. Has the copy been keeping her here all night? Her eyelids are drooping and she has dark circles under them and her shoulders are slumped. The copy sighs.]

City, it is so difficult to educate fools.

[For once, it's too warm for a sports coat. Raphael's even omitted his customary tie, for once, and his appearance overall is only a little less polished than normal as he sits outside a cafe, a small plate of pastries and a cup of coffee in front of him.]

I'm starting to wonder if the curses this month adhere to a theme.

[Raphael takes a bite of a pastry, swallowing before he continues.]

Specifically, regret, out of season as that appears to be. Not that it's something I'm particularly familiar with.

[Another bite. Another sip of coffee.]

What I don't understand is almost everyone's animosity towards their other version. I didn't realize everyone's insecurities were quite so rampant. Especially when I'm certain they'll leave in a few days the same as the rest of the specters that show up around here. Otherwise this place would be even more banal.

[He looks like he's about to end the feed, but then he pauses.]

Does anyone happen to have any bar recommendations? I'm not particularly choosy.

[voice]

[ There have been a lot of people on the network today that sound like they are talking to themselves. Unfortunately, this post is not an exception. Perhaps one of the voices is a bit colder, a bit sharper. Perhaps not. ]

I don't understand why we're still here.

What do you expect me to do? There are no gates to open. We're stuck in the City until we leave.

I expect you not to give up. Then again, this is you. Former police chief. Unable to rescue your men, unable to live up to your mother's legacy. Unable to keep your partner from straying.

[ The sound of a fist hitting wood. Lin is very, very tired of her unwanted visitor. ] I had no choice. You know that. Just as I've no choice but to stay here.

So you say, Miss Bei Fong. Maybe one day you'll believe it. [ The Other Lin is casually cruel. We're always hardest on ourselves, aren't we? ]

You only exist because of a curse. I don't have to listen to you. Go away.

Oh, but the network has to listen to us, does it? You realize your device is recording? Of course not. You're still not very good with--

[ This is when the recording cuts off abruptly. ]

[ ooc: Brown is Ideal(?) Lin, standard text is regular Lin. Open to action for roommates; they are standing in the kitchen. Voice for everyone else. ]