[Appearing on screen is a troll, grey-skinned and scowling, utterly unamused as he holds up a tan choker with a heart design. Guess who Sandy Claws visited?]

Thank you, Vatheon, for this pointless and utterly useless gift. This is definitely what I wanted, and you have outdone yourself in practice of earth holidays. I actually liked the stupid lobster until it went and left me this piece of crap.

But if other posts and personal discovery have told me anything, things have been lost and sent where they don't belong. So, I'll make the guess that this thing actually belongs to someone, which is the one saving grace to stop me from throwing it out with the trash. You're welcome.

... On that same subject, though.

[He shifts, coughs.]

If anyone has a--it should look like a crab monster, okay? This white crab thing, a completely badass one. If you have it, just contact me in private and I'll come get it, alright?

 Hm, did I leave the window open?

[He didn't even realize that it was raining, he really needed to log off and get some rest, and dry off because he did feel cold and wet. The news didn't say anything about a typhoon but he had been playing for awhile. Maybe he should get a sweater. But first things first, this new Root Town needed to be explored.] 

CC Corp really outdid themselves, I wonder why the new update wasn't announced on the forums... Do you think it has anything to do with an event they're planning? Gaspard, Haseo?

[He turned to look for his party but found them not there. Well, Haseo did say he was going to check his email or something]

I guess they logged out...

[Silabus is wandering around the plaza awe at this place, head to toe in green and his brown hair may look short but at the back it's tied in a long ponytail that curls at the end. Go on burst his bubble]

[A strange, fuzzy image comes over the SFC. Some may recognize this hazy green glowing dot as Issun! But he's not entirely present, it seems - it looks more like a projected image. His voice is a little distant, but that little guy's got some lungs, so his words come through loud and clear.]

Long time no see, Vatheon. But we don't have time to chit-chat too much, so let's just get right to the point! That thing up there is called Yami, and other big baddies Ammy and I have knocked out call it the "Emperor of Darkness". It's bigger than any myths. Orochi's story was one thing, but this thing's a bit of a bigger scale - what's going on right now is a battle between light and darkness. Not between a god and a demon, but between the forces of nature as it is.

You're all putting up a great fight, but you're missing the crucial element here! You need the sun to come out! Chibi's there, last I heard, but he won't be able to do it, he's too young to fight Yami's darkness. It's Ammy! Ammy needs to snap out of it and get back in there.

But she can't do it alone. She needs the help of everyone here, in Vatheon. I'm sure a lot of you at least know the strange white wolf that roams your city and helps people out - that's the great goddess Amaterasu! In fact, I think it's important you guys see her for what she truly is. Here's the latest thing I whipped up, as her Celestial Envoy!

( Cut for image and more words )

---

( Meanwhile on the island... )

Um, excuse me, would anyone here mind a spar with me? I don't want to hurt anyone but ...I think it's been a while since I last fought someone. I'm a Crystal Eren so that means I'm not a physical fighter...

[After a couple of seconds, Shirley thought about it some more]

Actually, I want to ask, would anyone mind teaching me how to fight using your fists? I think I might need some help training...  [And you know, getting ready for the Fishlympics] 

I'll promise that I'll teach you about Crystal Erens in return! 

( ooc: Forward-dated to the morning of the 26th! )

[Kurow has been in Vatheon for about an hour, but only now is he actually beginning to regain consciousness. He's lying on his back when he opens his eyes slowly, and his whole body is aching something fierce. He's also a little wet, which is odd.

Groaning, he rolls over onto his side, during which the StarFish Communicator in his pocket tumbles out and starts its unintentional broadcast. The screen is at a poor angle, however, and Kurow's elbow as he props himself on it blocks the view. The sound of objects falling over with a soft thud catches.]

What the . . .

[Muffled mumbling somewhere in the distance grows louder until someone else joins in on the recording. Who turned this thing on? the voice demands, C'mere, you . . . Suddenly, Kurow moves, knocking the Communicator over -- and showing a blur of many, many porcelain doll faces -- as he backs himself against the glass window. The Communicator lands at another awkward angle where the marble eyes of a pretty doll stare back at the viewer.

More talking.]

No, you don't understand -- dude, my back is clean. I ain't some toy with a gear!

[Is this thing broken? I haven't heard it say "I love you" once!

Passersby may bear witness to this commotion in the front display of a shop in the middle district. Please, save the boy.]

[Rin's SFC comes on to him standing in his kitchen, in a blue apron. He's scratching his head a bit, looking at something with a thoughtful frown.]

Hey uhh... so I wound up spendin' a week with some other people, 'cause of the curse... and I realized I made way too much food even for all of us when I was cookin' for them.

Does anyone want some free food? It's not fresh but I kept it in the fridge so it's still good.

[he moves back a bit and turns his SFC, showing various dishes on the counter in plastic containers]

I got uh... tamago... soba... sashimi... goyza... yakitori... melon-pan... geez I cooked a lot more than I thought I did...

Anyway... I can make other things, too. I brought home a lot more ingredients than I wound up using. So. Yeah. ...

[he ends the feed with an awkward smile]

Anyone hungry?