✿ oo1 [video]

[elegantthorns]

[A (rather pretty) young man's face appears on the screen. There are two cuts in an 'x' on his cheek, and they're fresh. One is deeper, and still bleeding a little. He also looks like he's been on the losing end of a fistfight. That isn't his concern. The serious stare becomes a polite, almost friendly smile when he realizes he turned the video

Comments

[Video]

[reflectivedawn]

It's called Adstringendum. Enjoy the musical while you can.

[Video]

[elegantthorns]

[Adstringendum...Definitely not somewhere he's heard of. The redhead on the other side of the screen plays it cool...But, wait.]

Musical?

[Video]

[reflectivedawn]

Do people normally walk around with their own theme music?

[And if they did, who would choose this anyway.]

[Video]

[elegantthorns]

That is unusual. I was a bit distracted to notice. [Which is unusual for Kurama, to not notice something. But he's pretty sure he hears something on his end too.]

Is this sort of music...common in this place? [A musical youkai? Surely not.]

[buntails]

[In the background is a pretty peppy bit of light background music. A cheerful blonde comes onto the video screen.]

This is called Adstringendum. I'm Usagi.

[video]

[elegantthorns]

[Didn't he just hear that name? At least the stories match up. But that leaves the question of 'what, and where, is Adstringendum?' It's a question Kurama doesn't ask just yet.]

A pleasure to meet you. [The response is automatic, but not insincere.] Minamino Shuichi.

[video]

[buntails]

Nice to meet you, too, Shuichi-kun.

It's pretty confusing at first, isn't it?

[video]

[elegantthorns]

[Shuichi-kun? It's nice to hear amiability after the hostility he'd dealt with just before.]

At first? So, you've been here a while?

[Video]

[argentimperator]

The place is called Adstringendum. It's essentially a number of worlds and times brought in and crushed together. That's more evident outside the city walls.

[And because he forgot to text, this is playing in the background.]

[Video]

[elegantthorns]

[More music. Interesting.]

I appreciate the information. [It's more than others have shared. 'Adstringendum' is all he's heard until now. Have a small smile.

Now, onto more serious matters. Worlds and times crushed together? It sounds as if the Kekkai has collapsed, but even that wouldn't cause the worlds themselves to collide.]

Do you have more information than that, perhaps?

[Video]

[argentimperator]

I haven't been here for long, but I gather some manner of scientific experiment went out of control. Unfortunately, the situation has been taken over by a group of spirits collectively known as the Animus. People are brought here and returned where and when they came from at their whim.

Events such as the one currently ongoing are another manifestation of their power. [Sephiroth's voice is calm and cool despite his displeasure with the music, and it all comes across as a rather professional briefing.] The area outside the city is called the Wasteland and it's dangerous. How dangerous depends on just what creatures you encounter and your level of combat ability.

[Video]

[elegantthorns]

[Kurama can appreciate the professional briefing bit. He listens intently, and nods when the other is finished speaking.]

I see. You said where, and when. So, many of the people here are from a world other than this. [He wonders if any of the others are here.] And they are returned where, and whence they came? As if, perhaps nothing ever happened?

[video]

[population_ctrl]

If you find out, do tell.

[video]

[elegantthorns]

Another new 'arrival', then?

I've been told this is a place called Adstringendum. People from different worlds are brought here by the Animus--this is a place where time and space seems to be collapsing in on itself.

[The redhead looks remarkably calm about all this, and entirely serious.]

[video]

[population_ctrl]

We have the same information.

[Pause. Marveling at his calm demeanour but then, he's not entirely sure what's normal and what isn't at this point.]

It doesn't bother you?

[video]

[elegantthorns]

'Bothered' is a relative term. Nothing will be accomplished by panicking.

[Video]

[kyasdaughter]

[There's a soft piano melody going on when Katara's video feed starts, but she seems like she's mostly just ignoring it.]

It seems like you've gotten the run-down. Has anyone come to find you yet?

[Video]

[elegantthorns]

I've received quite the welcome. [It's hard to tell if he's sincere about that.]

I can't say that they have.