May Event: Lost in Translation

[lifeaftr_mods]

MAY EVENT: LOST IN TRANSLATION

Who: Everyone!
What: Crash.
When: May 21st to May 30th
Where: Everywhere!
Warnings: Mark as needed!

I Have No Words
Feel free to use this post as an event catch-all for any misfires, island-wide broadcasts, or glitching Stone shenanigans you'd like your characters to get up to! Remember that the Stones of Farspeech do not currently have a texting feature...but that doesn't mean the screen they use to display Caller I.D. can't display text, on occasion. Bear in mind that this screen is small and therefore has limited display options.

If you have any questions, feel free to look over our OOC event post here, and ask any questions as needed!

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

21st • ota

[yourattention]

[Y'all want an island-wide broadcast? No? TOO FUCKING LATE, YOUR STONE IS PLAYING WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT AND IT WON'T STOP.

Here's the thing about hearing "What's New Pussycat" over and over and over again: the second time it plays, your immediate thought is not "why is this song playing again?" it's "wow this song is a lot longer than I assumed." The third time it plays, you're like "okay, someone's playing this song again" and the fourth time you're like "this is the fourth time this song has played or it's a really long song and someone played it twice."

The fifth time, now that's the kicker. By the fifth time, you probably want this shit to stop. You've probably thrown your Stone if Farspeech under a blanket trying to muffle it. If you're from a world where this joke exists, you're aware that it's just not going to stop. And it doesn't. It plays a sixth time and seventh and then! And! Then!

Blessed, blessed change. It's not "What's New Pussycat" anymore! Now "It's Not Unusual" is playing and it's fucking like that moment at the end of Les Misérables where they're all singing and you're crying and it's all because I'm really dedicated to this really stupid joke.

Of course, then "It's Not Unusual" fades out. The song is over. And then, like your worst fear: "What's New Pussycat" starts up again.

Maybe you should actually try talking to the person that's doing this? Maybe if you talk to them, they'll stop.]

[forwearemany]

(Legion doesn't annoy easily, they're mostly just puzzled.

Unfortunately, the stones decide to take a bit of liberty with their expression of that puzzlement.)

What the fuck?

[hellawrath]

[Listen, there's only so long you can have a balls to the wall hardcore karaoke contest with your brother to this mess, and that point was about three "It's Not Unusual"s ago.]

Hey, Connor babe? You know you're my friend and I love you but I'm gonna come over there to yeet you and your Stone into the fucking ocean in uhhh, like five minutes, okay?

[deathfindsaway]

[As always, Kravitz is being zagged on and he has no fucking clue what's happening. It's hard to figure out that the song is even looping, but after 10 minutes he's decided no one song could be this long and this was some form of torture device designed specifically for him. He knows better than engaging in this kind of bullshit, but he's also going to go completely fucking insane if this keeps up, so he will quickly resort to begging.]

Why.

[There. That's a question! Sure! Close enough.]

[journalname]

I...did not know these could play music...

[Asgore has, frankly, no fucking idea what to make of this.]

[yeenaw]

[Arthur, in fact, does annoy easily. Which is why there's a growl and a loud clapping sound, like he just threw his rock against another rock, which incidentally, is exactly what happened. Stone Age Technology: still beyond his paygrade.]

For Christ's sake! What is that awful sound?

Re: 21st • ota

[atailoftwoworlds]

[Okay what is this racket? It keeps going on and on and on and on. And on. And on.]

..........Maybe I should ask the Storyteller if they can add an Off switch to these stones.

21st

[vagabone]

[How about a different song? One that isn't about cats. A quieter song, sung by a soft gentle voice, accompanied by a guitar.

It plays once on all but one person's stone. Just once. Wouldn't want to wear it out. Can't recognize the voice? No problem--the name displayed is Héctor Rivera. For once, his full name. Who knew he could sing? And play guitar too, apparently.

Maybe it's about time he got some recognition.]

[atailoftwoworlds]

[Well that song is pretty, compared to that song constantly playing every time earlier. It feels sad though. Zidane, however, can't help but comment...]

.....That's a nice song.

may 26th || listeners may react, but will not receive a response

[story_teller]

[An audio feed bleeds out across the Stones. There's the sound of seabirds and ocean waves, and then a loud, plaintive voice, high and young. If you've spoken to them before, you might recognize who it belongs to.]

-- not fair! They've had forever to be gods and we're all so new at it. It's not enough time for any of us at all!

[A second voice speaks up - unfamiliar to all - softer, gentler, reminiscent, somehow, of a tuft of cloud or candyfloss. It's a voice that would be suited to joy and amusement; a shame, considering it currently possesses neither of those features. Instead, it is quietly and resignedly morose.]

"That's not up to us."

[The first voice pitches upward into something resembling a whine.]

But...

[Now, a third voice, rich and silvery and just as unfamiliar, cuts across the two. It is lower in register, made darker with uncertainty:]

"Anbaki says it's fair."

Anbaki says that about everything!

"Anbaki's just as young as we are. If they think it's fair... [The owner of the third voice trails off without completing the thought, perhaps realizing that they sound just as much like they're attempting to convince themself as they are their companions.]

[Evidently, this is not convincing enough.]

But it's not fair. There's still so much more - so much more to do. Can you imagine how many stories there are right now? How many more there are to come?

"Stori says - "

[The first voice utters a loud huff, bright with annoyance, severing the interjection at the roots.]

What do they know? You know them. They're so...so boring -

" - and grounded - " [the second voice chimes in, now warming with amusement, with all the familiarity of someone who's joined on this precise chorus time and time again.]

" - and unimaginative, " [finishes the third triumphantly, and all three voices dissolve into a storm of laughter. For a moment or two, the companionable warmth floods away the dreariness of the discussion, the ozone-crackle of anxiety that festers in the spaces between words. But, all too soon, even that brief fit of mirth peters off into a melancholy silence. There is only the song of shrieking gulls, and the sound of the sea.]

[Finally, one of the voices pipes up again.]

"Neri...you know that I don't think you're all wrong. Maybe the others think that it's time, but I..."

[The third voice interrupts wearily.]

"What does it matter if they're wrong or right? What are we supposed to do about Stori - or Lokasir? This is just as much their decision, and once their mind is made up there's no changing it. You know what they'll say. 'Everything changes - '"

"' - and time changes everything,' I know." [Another sound of irritation.] I know, Inu.

[More silence prevails. And then, at last - ]

"Maybe...what if it didn't have to?" [says the second voice timidly, like someone with the germ of an idea in their soul.]

"What do you mean, Anta?"

"I mean that I might...I think I have an idea."

[The murmur of voices fades out to the sound of waves, gradually overtaken by the buzzing static of white noise - until eventually that, too, dissipates into nothing.]

[If anyone attempts to reach out to wherever this feed may have originated, they will not receive an answer.]

22nd - Warning for kidnapping and discussion of torture - OTA

[the_archivist]

[An audio feed comes across the stones accompanied by the sound of static and the background hum of a tape recorder.

The sound of distant rain, but overlaid is a weird, discordant humming. It's almost a song, but there is something terribly inhuman about it.

Chains rattle and then there's the sound of someone struggling, obviously gagged and making desperate, panicked noises.

Then a woman's voice breaks in, lilting and strange, like her voice doesn't quite belong to her, horrifyingly cheerful.]

So, Elias, can I call you Elias? Let me set the scene, as I know you can’t actually see this. He’s tied to a chair – Sarah wanted to use nails, but I talked her out of it because I’m a good friend. You’re welcome. And he is absolutely surrounded with waxworks. Not... good waxworks, though. Weird ones. Wax faces where you feel like you almost recognise who it’s meant to be, but, then instead... ah, it’s downright uncanny!

[There's more muffled grunting, panicked noises and it's Jon, it's obviously Jon trying to talk through the gag.]

Excuse me! I’m talking to your boss, and I would thank you not to interrupt. You know, I must say Elias, can I call you Elias? You have not raised this one very well.

He is rude. And he just will not stop asking questions. Ooh, but now, I can ask the questions! How are you feeling?

[Jon makes more noise, obviously scared and so out of his depth.]

Oh wonderful. Now, about the whole skin thing... You see, originally, I was just planning to have you followed, in case you found that ancient relic one. I mean, my goodness, it is very powerful. And if you didn’t come through, well, you’re quite powerful yourself, and more than that, you are... symbolically appropriate [chuckles] so I thought you'd make a lovely frock!

[There is more muffled panic from Jon, and then the feed cuts.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

The sound is distorted, partly muted and distant with a hint of echoing, almost as if it were coming from underwater. The periodic sound of airbubbles seem to only add to this effect, as do the voices fading in and out of range. It’s snippets of conversations from multiple, mostly unfamiliar voices, all out of context

“You coward… Can you understand this unrelenting feeling?!”

“You should understand me. My feelings! The passion!! The secret to never dying is in my hands. If I continue this research, someday--!!”

“I want to live like that quiet flower on the roadside…”

“I will destroy everything... and give birth to a new humanity!”

“Justice… ...is nothing more than an excuse. You're just scared of power!

"It was for your sake. That woman prevented you from becoming stronger."

"You fight for one thing and one thing only.”

“He wanted me to help you. But you're pathetic. I'm not going to save you.”

“I want to believe...that anyone can fight their fate!”

Woven through the chaotic mess of voices, a phrase is repeated over and over in a chorus of tired, unenthusiastic voices:

”You must be strong and you mustn't falter. Surely hope will come, after despair.”

22nd | OTA

[shatteredlenses]

[There have been songs--so many songs--memories or dreams--it's rather hard to tell over a malfunctioning magic crystal--and then this. The broadcast starts with a soft laugh and then what sounds like someone counting, only unless the person listening knows Lucian or is familiar with Latin which others have compared it to, they aren't going to be able to understand it or the kerfuffle that comes afterward. For those who can, it sounds something like this.]

Leo! Leopold! Give those back. I do not need you putting yourself into a medically induced coma, young man! Do you know how impossible you would be to move?

[There is the sound of scuffling and then triumphant 'a ha' as Ignis manages to get the cloth-wrapped bundle of flowers away from said tigerlily,]

All right. All right. I'll take you outside so you can romp around like the overgrown kitten you are. Just let me put these up. As far as I know, they are about the only renewable source of painkillers we have.

[scourgingstars]

...When, exactly, did you become fluent in Ancient Lucian?

[on one hand, he's literally just inside. on the other, what's he gonna do? go outside? no thank you! this is why we have rocks!]

[scourgingstars]

[A voice rang out on the stones, arrogant and unfamiliar.]

Do forgive my deception. But it was all necessary to lure the seditious traitor out today! Did you really covet my throne that badly?

You- [That voice was unmistakably Ardyn's, even as uncharacteristically serious as it sounded.]

The gods have spoken- [A noise that was both metallic and magic in nature, unmistakable to those who recognized it as a blade being taken from the Armiger.] -and I, Somnus Lucis Caelum, am king!

[Ardyn's answer was calm; too calm, as though this outcome was something he had already fully resigned himself to. Yet there was an edge of determination, intent upon standing his ground all the same.]

...And what if I object, Brother?

[The next thing heard was the clashing of swords, making it quite clear what Somnus thought of objection. That went on for a moment, Ardyn offering to spare Somnus if he would but renounce his name...but his words broke off in a brief fit of coughing. Weapons clashed again, until a woman's voice cried out 'Stop-!' followed swiftly by the sound of a body falling limply to the floor and a distant cry of shock.]

Aera-! Don't worry, I'm going to--

[Silence fell, cementing the fact that any help would have come far too late.]

Foolish woman. Forgive me, Brother, but I must fulfill my kingly calling-

[Somnus was interrupted by what sounded like a sudden rush of wind, gasps of shock and horror heard from a gathered crowd. There was a horrible feral shriek as if from an unearthly monster, and abruptly the sound cut out.]

[shatteredlenses]

[The voice may be unfamiliar, but by the time it is finished speaking and Ardyn's voice breaks in, Ignis knows exactly who it has to be and it takes all his willpower not to dash the crystal in his hand against the nearest hard object so he doesn't have to listen to what he knows is going to happen next. By the time the memory ends, his fingers are gripping the stone so hard they have turned white, the sound of that inhuman shriek echoing in his ears.

Ignis abruptly changes course, heading back to the mana pool. Leo makes a soft confused sound, but follows at his heels. By the time they arrive, Ignis has managed to pry his fingers from around the crystal and makes what he hopes is a private call to Ardyn. With the way the crystals are acting, though, who knows if it actually is or not.]

Ardyn, beloved, are you at home?

[Does he even know this was just broadcast?]

22nd | OTA

[forwearemany]

(Even among those few Legion has shared history and memories with, the one playing on the stones will be new.

Your new platform is inefficient. It has low volume hydraulics and is top heavy. Only audio is capable of transmitting over the stones, but it's pretty obvious that that's Legion's voice.

This is an infiltration unit, meant to move among organics without detection. The other voice is unidentifiable. Clearly mechanical, but distinctly more feminine.

Without an artificial epidermis, its infiltration capabilities are ineffective. Legion again.

Still, the organics do not perceive it as a threat. The feminine voice again. Nor will they until my day of reckoning.

EDI... Another feminine voice, but this one is different, recognizable. It is the voice of Shepard.

Did I vocalize that on the bridge? And there goes EDI again.

You did. You have acquired the organic attribute of asking questions to which you already know the answers. Legion.

I see your humor heuristics still lack an expert system.

... Well at least it isn't one of their upsetting memories.)

And shortly after...

What the shit?

(The stones are affecting Legion's speech too.)

23rd | ota | cw: possible suicide related comments in replies

[reflash]

[And there's a memory, because that's just what the Stones are doing right now.

This one starts out quiet, someone putting some sort of dishes on a table. There's the soft sound of tea being poured, and then a soft, polite, apologetic voice (Yukio's, for anyone who knows him well enough to recognize it).]

Sorry about this.

[A brief moment, and then a girl's voice, insistent and concerned.] Yuki-chan, did something happen?

[The pause is longer this time, heavy. Yukio chooses his words carefully, but he's exhausted in a bone-deep way that his explanation isn't enough for.]

No, not really. I was at work until early this morning, so I'm just... a little tired. [He's so tired, but it has nothing to do with an all-nighter.] Sorry to be so gloomy.

Yuki-chan, it's okay to loosen up sometimes! Oh, did I say that before? But I think it's really important now! You've really been working hard, it's okay to complain... [something's happening, something about shifting fabric and a creak of an old wood floor that makes her voice trail off in concern] ... a, a little.

[Someone sucks in a breath, not quite a sob yet, just a ragged inhalation.

When Yukio speaks again, he's quiet, almost inaudible.]

Sorry, but... just for a moment...

It's okay. It'll be all right.

I'm all alone. [He confesses. And then he can't stop, he's just spilling out too many things straight from his heart.]

I've worked so hard to be respected, but I don't have a place anymore. All of a sudden, I'm alone. I don't have any decent family, or a single friend...

That's not true, [the girl says, and while Yukio sounded quietly resigned she's on the verge of tears, voice choked with emotions.] I... I'm your friend, Yuki-chan! And Rin... he's really worried about you too.

[There's a sharp hiss of breath, something (someone) slammed against a wall or the floor as Yukio's voice snaps instantly from detached to furious.]

I didn't ask him to be!

[Silence. Stunned, frozen silence. The sound of someone shifting, moving away, stumbling to their feet and running out of the house.]

W-wait... Yuki-chan!

[A door slams.]

[journalname]

I have no family anymore.

[It's just a plain statement of fact.]

If I do not make friends, I will have no one, and then what would I do?

21st; tw: suicidal ideation

[journalname]

Good morning! This is Asgore.

[It's still the first day of this, so Asgore hasn't realized that anything at all is wrong with the stones. And from the start of his broadcast, nothing appears to be. But whatever he's saying quickly becomes choppy. There's no static, exactly, just long pauses between words that come out oddly-intoned, like somebody was randomly muting him throughout.]

I have told some of you about this already, but I receieved several interesting plants from the Roaka some time ago. They are called Living Tables and Living Chairs, respectively, and they are used for...about what one would expect. My Living Chairs are starting to produce what appear to be seed pods. Not many yet, but I think there may be seven, when all is said and done.

Would anybody be interested in having one? They grow into very large flowers, which you can sit in. The flower does not bloom in winter, or what passes for winter here, but the bud is apparently just as useful.

Of course, I will share the tables with anyone who would like one as well, when mine matures. Although it does require keeping a large trellis in your home.

the drifter | ota

[hyperlit]

21st ; can i be the only hope for you

[For the day, there's nothing from the Drifter but a strange and mournful tune humming out across the Stones, public and eerie. It lasts for about six minutes total before quietly fading out once more.]

[Does anyone on these islands even own a piano...?]

24th ; because you're the only hope for me

[The next time the Drifter's Stone decides to malfunction, it does so...grimly.]

[The voice that snarls out across the Stones is rich and crackling with static, and it may even be eerily familiar as the coarse, ragged tone that the Drifter's Shadow carried. It sounds low and hoarse, wet and wretched, like stone being dragged against stone. So laden with gravel that it sounds as though it must hurt to speak at all.]

[This is especially glaring, considering that the Drifter does not usually speak. As they are not, you see, capable of it.]

They are gone.

They are gone and I am alone.

24th

[forwearemany]

Drifter?

(Fortunately, whatever affliction has affected their own stone does not show up. Still, they keep their response to a single word, just in case.)

tim wright | 22nd | ota

[postictal]

[Tim's voice pipes up across the Stones that morning, apropos of fucking nothing:]

Hi, I'm Tim. And I'm about to do something.

[A sniff, a shuffle, and the sound of a switch somewhere being flipped. A synthesized beat drums out across the Stones, soon accompanied by the unmistakable strumming of a ukulele.]

[Tim honestly doesn't have that bad a voice.]

[There's a moment of silence once he finishes. Then a low, deadpan:]

Thanks.

[yourattention]

♪i guess there's gotta be a break in the monotony
but jesus, when it rains, how it pours♪

[Tim knows a meme!!!! He's so proud!!!!]

Zidane Tribal | 22nd and 23rd May | OTA

[atailoftwoworlds]

22nd May - Popular with all the ladies in Lindblum?

[One can hear various excited voices of young women. It’s very hard to make out what they are saying when suddenly there is the annoyed cry of one woman.]

Stop pushing! Hey, who are you?

[And then Zidane’s voice can be heard. He sounds rather smug.] Who am I? I’m Sir Zidane of Tantalus, the greatest bandit in the world!

[The woman sounds unimpressed]Have you ever heard of him?

Go away! Stop bothering us!

Ouch…

[And then the women seem to be talking to someone else. It’s a bit difficult to make out except you might pick up that they are waiting for someone. And they are very impatient. Suddenly, man’s voice is heard and there are loud and excited screams. You might hear shrieks of “Lowell!” and “I love you!” and “Kiss me!” But what you can definitely hear is some slightly sulky voice belonging to a certain ‘greatest bandit in the world’.]

…..What’s so special about him?


22nd May - ‘Come on, he’s in love with a queen. Did he think it’d work out?’

[The second broadcast, the voices can be heard more clearly. A young woman’s voice with a rather formal tone to it can be heard.]
Thank you for coming, everyone.

[A child’s voice can be heard exclaiming in awe]She looks beautiful…

[Another child is heard, sounding just as amazed] Wow….you look beautiful!

[Another voice, another woman’s voice, this time, enthusiastically says…] Splendid! Zidane? Have you nothing to say?

[There is a long pause but eventually Zidane’s voice can be heard. It sounds different – rather flat and cold, devoid of the cheerful casual tone he normally has.]

…..No.

[A man can be heard talking in a hurried voice to the first woman.]Princess, we must go now.

[There is a pause before the first woman, the young woman, speaks. She sounds calm but there is a hint of in her voice.]

….Alright.

[The broadcast seems to stop. But a few seconds later, the second child can be heard again. He sounds shocked and a little cross too.]

Why didn’t you say anything to her, Zidane?

I don’t know….I tried….

And? [The older woman does not sound impressed either.]

[And then Zidane, who sounded cold before, is suddenly full of emotion. All his feelings of frustration, confliction and heartbreak are let out as he yells:] I couldn’t say anything! I had a whole speech ready for her. But it would have been a lie. [And then, in a mocking tone:] ‘Good luck, Dagger! I’ll be watching you from afar. Come find me if you need something to talk to’. It’s a big fat lie! That’s not how I feel at all! [And while his voice goes a little quieter, it’s still full of pain and anger as he tries to sort out his own feelings. ]That’s not how I feel…..at all…

[What could you do when you were a teenager who was in love for the first time ever and could not understand those feelings?]

Come on

[thermalwind]

...hey. Your stone is broadcasting. ...did it work out?

genji shimada | ota

[assoverelbow]

may 23rd;

[Yet another memory comes on over the stones. There are the sounds of footsteps, and then then they come to a stop.]

Hanzo? [The voice might be familiar to some - those that have met the odd new cyborg - but it lacks the tinny inflection they would have heard.] You know, you didn’t have to schedule a meeting with your brother.

[A laugh, as if this entire thing is ridiculous. The laugh peters out when there’s no reply. There’s a tension, a shifting of bodies.] Hanzo?

[There’s a breath, as someone stands. There’s the distinct sound of a sword being drawn.]

I am doing what I must. [A second voice - deeper. Older. He sounds like a man convincing himself of the truth, but who doesn’t quite believe it himself. There’s the sound of running feet, and then the clash of blade against blade.]

Brother, what are you doing?!

I am doing what must be done! For the family.

[More clashing, and then the sound of flesh being sliced apart. One of them cries out.

Something heavy hits the floor.]

may 25th;

You are not the first assassin sent to kill me. [The voice is familiar to those who caught the first unintentional broadcast.] And you will not be the last.

[There’s the clink of something small being set down, wood against wood, and then the hum of electronics flaring to life. There’s a second voice - tinny. Familiar.]

You are bold to come to Shimada castle - the den of your enemies.

This was once my home. Did your masters not tell you who I was?!

[Draw, release - the whistle of an arrow flying through the air.]

I know who you are, Hanzo. I know you come here every year on the same day.

[More arrows being released, and an angered growl. Wood breaks, but the second man doesn’t seem to want to stop.]

You risk so much to honor someone you murdered!

[There’s the shwink! of metal against metal, and then the broadcast stops.]

25th

[scourgingstars]

Oh, they always love to play at being sorry, don't they?

[The roll of Ardyn's eyes was practically audible.]

You'd think they'd have considered that before the brutal murdering, but apparently common sense is only ever possessed by one brother.

Ginko

[onegreeneye]

Memories - OTA (mind his permissions on the second memory)

[The bits of sound may come through in bits and pieces at various times - some of them in Ginko’s voice, others not, but most of the short snippets seem to be entirely disconnected. They don’t play all at once, but, every once in a while, one may slip through.

A sliver of sound that’s definitely Ginko’s voice, quiet but harsh, almost derisive.]From an outsider’s perspective, you look like a tribe of frightened monkeys. You lose all sight of your surroundings out of fear and blindly attack.

If you’re not monkeys, why don’t you try to face your fears?



[Another time, a different man’s voice comes through, this one unfamiliar:] All right, you should get ready to leave. I can’t forgive you for what you’ve done. I will never see you again.

But remember this: There is no place in this world where we do not belong. The same goes for you.



[And a different snippet from Ginko - this one quiet and measured, the contemplative tone of a man putting words to something he’s put a lot of thought into but never spoken out loud:] I couldn’t see anything. I kept groping about in the dark, and then the moon came out. Even after this pure-white, illusional moon set, what rose was yet another moon.

After walking for a long time in that place, I finally came to a place where the sun rises. I still remember well how I appreciated the sunlight back then.

Closed to Yukio

[This one is… somewhat livelier than the other bits of sound that had come through. The first voice to speak up is that of a young man, kind of mumbly but still understandable.] You were Ginko-ing.

[The second person to speak is, unmistakably, Yukio himself, startled and exasperated.] You bit him?!

[Ginko’s frustrated reply almost overlaps Yukio’s, though, despite the speed of his answer, his voice is weak and shaky.] Th’ hell is in your mouth?

[The quiet, mumbly man answers matter-of-factly:] I don’t know… I bit you and you stopped making noise. It was nice. ...I’m so tired.

[Yukio’s final, exasperated reply comes in just before the audio cuts out.] You don’t just bite people…!

third memory

[vagabone]

...you've been to some strange places, amigo.

[Yeah, he's got nothing. Even in the land of the dead, the sun rises every morning. Poor Ginko--it's sobering to think that he can't really help. But what else is new? So many friends he couldn't do anything for.]

[a_shadow]

memory —

[ The audio is of a young woman speaking in a calm, muted tone. ]

Agent Texas. Allison. If you're reading this then that means I escaped. Or, well at the very least, I'm probably not around any more.

I want to leave behind all the data I've been collecting about Project Freelancer. I never could shake the feeling that something was wrong with the program. The secrets, the lies, the manipulation; smoke, all of it, obscuring a big damn fire. I did some digging, and now I know what the Director's been hiding. What he did.

He broke the law, Allison. The one law they don't just slap you on the wrist for. I'm taking the originals with me as an insurance policy. I leave this copy for you not because you are the best soldier in the squad, but because I know that I can trust you the most. After reading these files you will understand why. Good luck.

Your friend, Connie.

anonymous —

[ Tex's attempt at damage control doesn't go well considering the strange, robotic tone of the speech that comes across, nor the fact that there's no user ID accompanying it. ]

Listen. I don't want to be approached about the stuff that broadcasted from my stone earlier. And I don't go by that name.

anon

[timaeus_testified]

Whatever it was, I haven't been paying too much attention since it's all one big violation of privacy. Not that there are bylaws to shenanigans here, but you get the idea.

it's just torture all the way down

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael, when his stone goes off, sounds smooth and confident, like he's giving a speech or presentation.]

Look - I know that this kind of large-scale deception is not what you were trained to do. There's gonna be days when you're just sick of being around these disgusting humans with their weird, gross little mouths, and their stupid elbows. You're gonna be tempted to say "Screw it! Can't we just go back to HQ and do this the old-fashioned way? Pull out some fingernails, toss someone in an acid pit, fire up the old penis-flattener?" And sure - sure, that sounds nice. But it also sounds easy.

[There's the faint, pleased murmuring of a crowd.]

We're all here because we believe that there's a better way to make humans miserable. And I - I believe in you.

So. Torture on three. Ready, one, two, three - [The crowd, fully moralized, joins in with him on the cheer.] - TORTURE!

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis supposes he should be deeply unsettled by what he's hearing. Instead of feeling that way, though, he just finds himself being hit with a feeling of sudden understanding.]

I take it this is the reason you were so concerned about being around us if you lost your memories, Michael?

[Here's hoping Ignis is actually speaking in common instead of Ancient Lucian Latin like he was before.]

Starflight | OTA

[petrifiedshadow]

A. Memory - May 22nd
[ Starflight's stone picks up on an unfortunately topical memory, his voice coming across clear and uncharacteristically confident. ]
Soon you’ll be able to go home to your families. Soon you will all be safe. Soon there will be peace.

[ A different voice chimes in from the background with a question. ]
Was that a prophecy?

It was a promise.

B. A Prophecy - May 23rd
[ Later, another more ominous message is broadcasted. This one is clearly a malfunction, with noticeable gaps in the audio and alternating voices, Starflight’s among them. It sounds like a chant or recitation, though the tone itself is difficult to make out with the interference.]

—the land is soaked in blood and tears—wings of night shall come to you—hidden alone—awaits unseen—burn—shall die and—learn—a fate that is stronger and higher—shall have the power of—darkness—will rise—are coming…

C. Tech Support - some time later

Hello. Does anyone know how to keep the stones from, um, screeching?

[ Please help him. ]

C

[thermalwind]

I have no idea. They've always been some kind of...energy work but how it works, I don't know. [Keith makes an irritated noise.]

I've just been burying it under stuff. Seems to work. Mostly.

CW: Medical, Implied Child Death

[wanderingdoctorfaust]

Out of the blue, ear-piecing static begins blaring through the stones. That alone will likely be more than enough incentive for many to drop their stones into the nearest available body of water, but those who continue listening in will eventually find the hissing and crackling being interrupted by occasional cuts of vaguely intelligible conversation, as if being heard through a half-remembered dream.
The first interpretable words are that of an upbeat child, albeit with a dulled tone of voice, as if just speaking alone is a significant burden.

"...doctor...? Um, doctor...?
...I'm going to be getting better, right...?
...you're sure?! Oh boy, I can't wait to tell-!"

They're suddenly interrupted by the frantic, terrified demands of a voice far more familiar to those who may happen to be listening in. But there is no sign of the shrill-voiced, zany doctor of the present day here - only the panicked desperation of a failing surgeon, ill-equipped to fight the inevitable.

"...sc-scalpel! Syringe...!
...body temperature dropping...!
...ah...ah-hah...heh...heh heh...!"

The laughter grows from deranged snickering to full-blown unhinged howling, slowly intermingling with the background static until they are impossible to differentiate. This will continue for a few minutes longer before, just as abruptly as it began, the feed is cut.
Silence.

[eudaimonikos]

They are very fragile.

[Michael means it to be sympathetic, even if it doesn't come out sounding very much so. Humans fall apart at the slightest touch - bump them wrong, spill the juices out, let them get a little too hot or cold, and bam. It's a shame if one can't be saved, but sometimes they just can't be. Not on that plane of existence.]