Things've been rough, haven't they? I didn't get caught up in the worst of the curses we've had lately; I'm sorry for those who have.

Anyway... a lot of people have been leaving, too, which means the Welcome Center and the Youth Center are both seriously short-staffed. This probably isn't the best time to send out a call for workers, but there's never a good time when you're getting hit with curse after curse, you know? I'm not giving the Youth Center the attention it deserves, so I'm also looking for someone to help out over there. It'd be a big time commitment, but the pay's not bad and it's not a hard job.

So... if you're looking for a job, I can find one for you.

[A tired sigh.]

I wish Euphie and Derek Morgan were still around to help. Yin, too... she was getting really good at greeting people. And if I could bring back Dean, Stephen, Curt, Jenny, Sophie, Toph--but they're probably happier where they are, and I wouldn't want to take that away from them. I hope they're happy, and I hope that hoping for their happiness counts when they're all in different dimensions and they don't remember the City. At least they're remembered, and that's something.

[Sniff. Shut up, it's allergies.]

Sorry. Late night... rambly stuff. Back on topic. Jobs: if you want one, don't be afraid to get in touch with me.

And if you're newish to the City and haven't been by the Welcome Center, we're right off the center square. The Youth Center's down about a block; anyone who's too young to live alone or just wants company can get a room there. We've got food and spare clothes at both locations, and if you ever need anything at all, just head to the Welcome Center and ask for Penny.

[A pause, some shuffling...]

Is it raining...?

[...and end audio message.]


[ooc: The Welcome Center and the Youth Center: there's a community for that! If you want to get your character involved in any way (working or making use of the services offered), go for it. Do it IC, OOC at the community... whatever tickles your fancy. ♥]

[ He's spent the days following Yin's departure from the City on stand-by. Still working. Still heading out on excursions Underground. Still going about his little routines, smiling as 'Li', chatting and cheerful. Bubble-encased. But he has certain other routines, even in the midst of all the usual tasks. Times he thinks about Yin and times he doesn't let himself think about her, because the most important thing of all is to keep his eyes on the straight and narrow, to keep going. That's what he's always done. Except the longer he keeps the pretense up, the more acutely he's aware of something venomous boiling up his skin, in his mind. ]

[ Something that threatens to explode into a firework of cold shrapnel. ]

[ And by the time the curse rolls around, his restraint hangs by the thinnest thread. ]

Well-played, City. [ Li's voice, but with a disquieting bite. It only lasts a moment. The next words are perfectly neutral, ] I guess this is the part where I say: 'Show me yours and I'll show you mine.' Although not exactly in that order.

[ re: If you have his photos, hand them over, and he'll hand over yours. No bullshit, no drama. ]

[ This doesn't have to get ugly. ]

[ OOC: Hei's pictures are floating around the City, and up for grabs. Please approach with caution. Mr. Assassin is cranky as hell with the exit of Yin, his BFF Loli Teammate friend from the City, and this curse is not helping xDD Also I apologize in advance for slow tags; it's craycray season at school. Backtags are encouraged and adored<3 ]

[As was his tradition, Meyer headed in to work at the casino far before it opened, far before the rest of the employees got there. On the way, though, he noticed something on the ground -- or rather, quite a lot of somethings. Picking one up and turning it over, he discovered that it was a photo.

By the time he's arrived at the casino, he's collected quite a few of the photos, recognizing various people from the City in them, but hasn't found any of himself. Perhaps there aren't any at all, but that sounds far too easy and too kind. When his video feed clicks on, he's looking slightly confused and slightly concerned.]

I'm hesitant to even ask a question like this, but has anyone found anything that might belong to me?

[A pause as he sets down the photos he'd found on the bar.]

I just hope this curse doesn't have any of us jumping to conclusions about each other.

[And then that charming, trustworthy smile.]

I do hope some of you will come on down to Lucky's tonight. As I know all too well, sometimes these curses make us need a little... distraction.

[[OOC: Yes, of course there are pictures everywhere. Here are just a small sample of them:This man has a gun, ...and another gun, ... and gee, he really seems to like guns, ... it seems to be a fixation, he also has a business partner, who is kinda his best friend, but he doesn't want to talk about it, ... and also there was that one time he got kidnapped. You're also welcome to find any pictures of him with, say, a large quantity of heroin.]]

Has anyone found pictures of things that haven't happened yet?

[Theo waves this picture around with him and a little girl. He's a few years older here and yeah. Little girl.]





((OOC: More Theo pics: All up for grabs))

[ video ]

I can't imagine how much of a chore cleaning up this mess would be.

[Ginny Weasley, ladies and gentlemen, sitting on a bench in Xanadu with photographs fluttering down from the sky around her. She clears off a spot next to her and sets her device down so you get a shot of her looking up, plucking a few from the air with a Seeker's precision.

She glances down at the ones in her hands, brows knit and mouth a tight line. It's no one she recognises, but who's to say the day will remain that way if she keeps looking?]

Anyway. [Ginny looks at the camera, brushing her hair back over her shoulders.] Now you lot know what I look like if you didn't before. If you see this face in anything you pick up today, I'd like to have them sent over to the offices at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Passioné, or my flat.

I'll be sure to do the same for you.



[ooc; ms weasley's photographs here. feel free to nab any of them, there are copies! also adding this one as a better version of the ~sunlit days~ kiss.]

[What is one to do after discovering several images around the City? Most are sure to happily give them to those who appear within the pictures and wish them a pleasant day with their memories. Most are not devils out to cause mischief or trying to obey nearly impossible orders.]

Such interesting morsels dropped upon us this day.

[In nir hands ne's holding several photographs one or two that might be partially visible on screen--not the full images of course, that would be playing nir hand too soon.]

Some are downright scandalous even. Perhaps we are lucky some have left the City after all. Some of us in any case.

[filtered to Gabriel]

One does wonder which he believes is present here. Just who is the kiss for?





((images are available here, or someone is always free to find anything of Hatter and generic angel #_____________ of either gender))

I don't suppose anyone's found any pictures with me in them?

Also, if that white haired Russian is watching, I think I found one of your more... personal photos.

[Photos up for grabs]

Hey, this is-

[There's a pause, and a quick intake of breath]

Holy shite.

Did anyone -

Everyone's got these, didn't they? This curse comes 'round every now and then and...

I've never gotten a picture of Matt before.

Couldn't they make it rain something useful? Pictures are nice, but I'd rather have some of my people back home than random people I've never met before. [Okay so there was the one picture of Theo...whatever.]

Or is that the point? Anyone know who either of these belong to?




((and other pics of Xhex available here if wanted))

[In his hotel's office.]

These four were persistent in being viewed:

[Three laid out on his desk; photograph of a laboratory in flames is positioned to cover the right side of two other pictures. They in turn both show only a blue suited bald man.

The fourth is held in his gloved hand.] This one is of little puzzle to me. Dr. Disraeli and I were on friendly terms with one another.

[ action ]
[Mao strolls down a street. He has no agenda; it had just seemed like the thing to do. This is unusual for the Contractor.

He's in a bit of a mental fog until he's suddenly hit with a number of pictures. He stares at them blankly for a long moment, not recognizing them.

When he does, he realizes that he has a problem.]

[ voice | filtered to Chekov ]
I need to speak with you.


[ooc: Anyone is welcome to find pictures of Mao's human form!]

[ VIDEO ]

So, [Isaak says, his tone neutral,] what are the chances of this mess sticking around past midnight?

[He's got a big pile of assorted photographs in hand, snapshots of any number of people, gathered without much rhyme or reason.

Actually, he's not paying much attention to them.

He takes another photo off the table, and moves it in front of the camera, half-covered so only the other man is visible, smiling.]

I'm looking for photographs of this man.

[And that's all he has to say.]

[ooc; you can still comment to coordinate stuff here or see them embedded here! Feel free to imagine something of your character's is in his pile if you like <3 multiples of everything in those comments are allowed]

Today is great, I have so much to add to my blackmail files. Also, I found a picture of my dog. People suck, but animals are awesome. Luckily, mocking people is also awesome.

( Puppy! )

[ooc: April's pictures are here, feel free to find some.]

[ Al is quiet as the feed clicks on. He's not full of his usual zest; his demeanor more muted tonight. As the remains of the cigarette are squashed on the off-screen ashtray, he wastes no time lighting another before he speaks. ]

Much like yourselves, there's a couple of things of mine in circulation. I'd appreciate getting 'em back.

If needed, the favor can be returned.

[ These are the family photos of Al's in circulation +1 of Jimmy in his skivvies, but who even wants that? ]

[What's that sitting on a now-empty statue plinth near the Fountain? Oh, it's a person...specifically, a woman on the short side, with asymmetric green hair and a snazzy blue and black uniform. The fine fabric and gold embroidered shoulder patches say she's someone of either wealth, importance, or both, as does the elaborate hat with its metallic accents and silky edging.

Her legs are folded neatly and she is slumped over them, kneeling in almost a ball, as if she fell asleep in that position. After a few moments, she awakes. Blinking, she glances around, then fixates on the buildings, craning her head back. Her eyes widen, cold and blue.]

...Ah...

Where...

Where am I?

[She brushes a thin layer of dust off her shoulders. Looks almost like stone dust, as if one of the statues had transformed. A faint smile, nostalgic, crosses her lips for a moment. Glancing down, she seems to notice her City device and picks it up. Stares. Prods at it a bit. It statics.]

Oh, it's some kind of magical communications device...

[That didn't take long to figure out. She's gesturing at it now, calling up something, peering at it with the air of a studious professor. Her voice has a strong and projecting yet calm sound to it.]

There. My sincerest apologies to whoever is on the other end of this communicator, but I appear to be lost, and it was placed beside me. My name is Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, and I am a little bit lost...if someone is there, would you please let me know where I am and how I would get back to Gensokyo proper? If this is inappropriate protocol for your communications system, you have my apologies for my ignorance.



[Feel free to stumble upon her if you wish, or simply respond via device. She's lost and wandering around the center of the City.

Also, please take note of this: http://monochrome-mirror.dreamwidth.org/284.html  if you choose to run into her!)

There are always a few of these - curses that seem to come around with some kind of regularity, almost like traditions. I can't imagine making sense of exactly why it is some of them become annual events and others come and go, essentially forgotten. The theme of violating personal boundaries and dragging up memories for public viewing is hardly unique to this curse, but here it is again.

Of course, this one does have a potential bright side, if you're lucky enough to have the City issue something that's worth hanging onto instead of mass producing your best Risky Business reenactment. We all have moments we don't really want to share, that we don't want to be made public for scrutiny, but we also have moments we look back on and wish we had captured, people we wish we had reminders of with us here. It honestly can help to remember that it's a mixed bag out there.

[And switching it up from being too serious, he gives one tongue-in-cheek addition:]

There is also a risk of paper cuts, so you might want to take an umbrella if you go out.

Voice:

The animal shelter is open now, if anyone is seeking a furry companion. If you're good with caring for animals, and seeking employment, I would be interested in speaking to you. We could always use extra help.

Voice | Filtered to Raphael:

Please come to the shelter as soon as you can. I would like a word with you immediately.

Action:

[Gabriel can be found outside or inside the shelter, staring quizzically at a photograph. Is it yours?]

[This is Neil, staring in astonishment and anger and elements of vulnerability as he holds some photos -- Polaroid and other -- that remind him of who he left behind and parts of his past and previous 'job' he might wish to forget. Him as a boy, him hustling, family and friends. Coach. It isn't that some people aren't aware of some details, but not all. He has some photos of other people, too, but he's still sorting them.]

Hey, guys. Um... Does anyone else have photos with me in them? This is a curse, after all, right?



[ooc: link to various photos again, because I think it was confusing when I posted it earlier -- and it was locked in error: http://skintoskin.dreamwidth.org/6391.html#cutid1
I pass out now, but will catch up with tagging tomorrow. Thanks for your patience, folks. :)]