In my world, we have many traditions to honor and remember the dead. Those who have died are given proper rites and coins for the ferry across the Sanzu River; they are prayed to and worshiped as honored ancestors; they are welcomed with a feast each year, observed by our entire nation.

The City takes from us with no ceremony and no warning, and it doesn't even leave a body or ghost behind. What do citizens do to respect those who have left? They are not dead, but they have been taken away. It is a strange sort of limbo, a death without closure, as if each who vanishes has been dragged into the forest by some youkai, never to be seen again, and all their works and the fruit of their lives are left behind to dwindle and decay.

Does the City find any peace after this? Scattered about like birds flushed from the grass, do citizens simply scatter and take their despair with them? Is there any organized way to provide solace to those who are still here?

...I wonder if some of our customs might be welcomed in this place. The Toro Nagashi, or "floating of the lanterns," comes to mind, where we send lanterns down a river at the end of Obon, to light the way for spirits to return from our world to the other side. It is a quiet practice, beautiful and simple both in its metaphor and its purpose.

[The video feed starts with a dizzying blur of colour, a black clad arm flapping uselessly.]

Unhand me, trash! How dare you manhandle your—

Wah!

[And out of the well-lit interior of the office building out into the considerably brighter City. Naoi's being shoved outside, hauled out by security.

The communicator he's swinging so carelessly, seemingly unaware of the fact that it's recording, shows a familiar raven-haired girl likewise being taken outside.

Evidently, they were trying to snoop around the Deities' office building, when through one fault or another (good bets on "ruckus and mayhem"), they were caught.]

[A charming smile with wide and innocuous green eyes, though the glitter in them is something less than harmless and innocent. When he speaks, his voice is light and engaging. Ignore the fact that he’s soaking wet.]

Hello out there!

[The volume is a bit loud and he winces before catching it and allowing his features to adjust back into that beguiling smile. He fixes the volume, teeth catching his lower lip in an expression that really is innocent. His charm does not fade as he speaks again]

Let's try this again? Ah. Better. Now. It seems there has been a terrible mistake, a grave error, I am entirely unsure of where I am, only that I woke up here- yes! woke up!- after being dumped in a fountain and er- found this Stark phone on my person. As though some person or persons had abducted such a poor boy as myself for some nefarious purpose, then discarded me in the middle of a splendid prank.

Obviously, whoever has done this has the wrong person entirely. I am no one at all of consequence, a Parisian orphan- ah

[He frowns and the expression is solemn, pious]

Now, if you please, could someone tell me how far to Paris?

[His nose scrunches as he glances about]

I would, perhaps, guess at this location- but I’ve not been outside the city of lights my entire life!

[His eyes are wide, earnest, but there’s something about the way the corner of his mouth curls up in a smile…]

Many blessings on you if you could help a loveable rogue out.

[And then the image cuts off]

((OOC: Feel free to remember him from before or recognize him as Loki. He won't believe you. But he might try to rob you blind <3 ))

[ A WILD DARCY APPEARS. One that still has her awesome glasses on, with that look that she totally perfected in the mirror; y'know, the cool and thoughtful that makes you wish she can give that look just by glancing at you.

Or so she wishes, anyway. Chances are it's the kind of look that gives you the desire to say, Young lady, why don't you give me a cappuccino, double stirred and extra creme?

This, she knows. But whatever, it's not like she's their intern, is she? And there's something else different here as well. Different as in Twilight-Zone-slash-Burmuda Triangle weird. Doo doo doo dum doo doo, as the theme song goes.

So there's a network she can make posts to, like a live video version of Facebook. She can totally do Facebook. She can do Facebook like Anonymous can do the government's stash of Macs. ]

What's with the ticking noise?

[ That's the most important thing. ]

I thought I was in New Mexico. Pretty sure, like 99 percent of my time. I am holding the remaining one percent on reserve in the case I really am dreaming, 'cause my life gotten a little weird before all this happened.

[ That's the second most important thing. ]

This is definitely not New Mexico.

[ Thinking she got her bases covered, she's gonna wait for her answers. ]