So it's true...

[At first all that broadcasts is a soft, thoughtful male voice, but this is soon followed by a delicate young face framed by shaggy golden brown hair. Anyone who saw Nakama's picture of the pilots hanging in her living room just might recognise him. His eyes are gentle, totally unfrightened, and he speaks with a measured calm that doesn't seem to be at all forced.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Kunihiko Moji, and I just got here. I'd like to thank the people who made the basket and the pamphlet, since they've helped me figure out most of what's happened, but I do have a question for anyone who might have more information on these doubles who were apparently sent to replace us? Any help would be appreciated.

[A brief pause, and then, a bit more seriously:] And if any of my friends are here, I'd like to talk to you. I think there's something you should know.

Good morning, inmates. It is the 135th day of the third generation, and more inmates will be integrated into the facility. Please be aware of this disruption as you go about your day. As some of you may remember, there was a light rain scheduled for yesterday; it will be taking place today instead.

[There is a brief pause.] Inmate Subaru Nakajima, the fire safety systems in the shelter, as elsewhere in this facility, are in perfect working order. Your test was thoughtful, but unnecessary. Please refrain from further tests of that nature in the future.

Inmates Frank Lee and Ritsuka Aoyagi, the items you requested are available for pick up at the entrance to the shelter in Sector 0.

[A voice comes on to the feed, quiet and a bit shaky.]
Um, is this really a prison?

It's...nothing like the prisons I've seen pictures of back home. Prisons are supposed to have cells, and metal bars, and everyone...wears...jumpsuits.

[She gives a little, quivery sigh.]

If you've really sent a double in my place, I really hope she does a good job.

I was kind of in the middle of saving...a whole lot of people. Maybe everyone in the world.

[She quietly adds, mostly to herself:] Even then, on my birthday?

...bottom of the ocean. Again. Wonderful.

[ not the first time he's been down to the bottom, thanks to the fledgling initiative during world war ii. it is, however, the first time someone's tossed him down this far with the intents of holding him here for the crimes he's committed. he won't contest that he's deserving of this, given all he did during his soulless years, but the timing couldn't be worse. ]

You know, I really don't have time for this. Thanks, but no thanks for the accommodations. Bring down your hammer of justice another time. I've got more important things to do than indulge some Holier Than Thou on a quest for reparation. Been there, done that.

[ -- HOLD ON A SECOND. ]

Eloquois Ocean. What dimension is this?

[There is no image to accompany the message, but the voice that comes over the communicator is quiet, almost placid in its smooth, monotone delivery. The age of the speaker is difficult to place. The tenor and resonance of the voice are easily those of a young man, but he speaks with such gravity and composure that he could just as easily be much older.]

As interesting as the provided pamphlet was, I would prefer to hear an explanation firsthand. On whose authority does Acumen act? There are matters to which I must attend in my own world, and unless my so-called replacement is willing to fight, then more innocents will fall to a vampire's cruelty, and their deaths will be on the heads of those who prevented me from fullfilling my contract.

[It's an eye. Well, to be exact, the ey sande belongs to a person holding communicator a little too close to their face. After a moment, they pull away to reveal a pink haired child, between the age of six and ten, staring the screen with a confused expression.]

What is this thing? [The little girl gives the communicator an inquisitive look before poking at it a few times. Suddenly, everything seems to be shaking before it stops as soon as it begins. There is a frown on the little girl's face that slowly turns into a bright and happy smile]

Oh, I get it! It's a communicator! [She nods to herself, happy with the conclusion] Though, it's not as pretty like the one I have. [A rustle of clothing is heard and a close up of the child's sleeve] Bleh! It's not tasty like mine either. [Her face is scrunched up into a look of disgust]

Oh, I guess it's recording, right? Hi everyone! My name is Yachiru Kusajishi. This place is really weird and strange. I dunno why they keep saying this weird stuff about trespassing, fish and stealing. I didn't eat or steal Byakushi's fish! I just borrowed some of them and gave them to Ukki since he seemed sad about not having nice fishies like Byakushi.

Has anyone seen my Ken-chan? We're supposed to being doing something together, but I think he got lost. He's really big, really strong and sorta scary looking! I don't think he looks that scary, but lots of other people think that. Ne, if anyone sees him, tell him I'm looking for him, okay? Oh, I guess if you see a funny looking bald guy and a a pretty guy with a feather on his face tell me! Just don't look at Baldy head too long, cuz his head is very shiny and you could go blind!

[The face over the feed is mistrustful, with a neutral regard for her surroundings that borders on severe.]

slfhr

[Yes, Marina, text. She doesn’t have the hang of it yet, but she is from the 1930s. Frowning down at the communicator – the frown not that different from her usual expression, just an extra pull of the mouth, Chane tries again.]

a a a a b b b c d e f g 1 2 3

A A B B C C d d E E f . . .

! ! ! ? ? a a B B

[The severity of her expression softens, mildly, but it’s clear she hasn’t yet figured out she’s on the feed. A few more seconds and it dawns visibly.]

Who took my weapon?

[Priorities. Chane has them.]

[Naoto looks considerably confused, all things considered. One hand is on her hat, tugging it down into place, adding to her boyish image, and she frowns a little. the date is wrong. she's fairly certain the date is wrong, but-- she'll ask. it's all she can do, at the moment.]

Is it really the 135th day? [her voice is a little uncertain, but her tone is still crisp and businesslike. she cuts the feed, not quite sure how to phrase any other questions she has.]

[The man looks into the communicator, and then stares down at the basket in front of him.]

A welcome basket, hm? I suppose I should be thankful. The pamphlet was helpful, at least.

[Still…]

I have some questions about this 'Acumen'. First… what is an artificial intelligence?

[Computers, they do not make sense.]

Secondly, how is it able to 'replace' people, and what makes it think that it knows better than us? Sometimes crimes are needed in order to do the right thing.

[… Hm. Okay, well, this question doesn't have to do with Acumen.]

Third… is there a Charles Xavier here?

[He's not even going to go into how insulting it is to have this iron ball around his leg. Metal. Around his leg. That he can't do something about.]

[Anybody walking by the Pet Cafe when Haruhi arrives would be treated to a shout of "EEEEH?!" as she listens to the Acumen's message and realizes that no, she hasn't been abducted again by the members of the Host Club.

For the rest of our studio audience, the video feed clicks on as she scrambles to try and replay the Acumen's message, hoping it will somehow make sense the second time around, and you are treated to the confused/angry/omgwtfbbq face of what appears to be a young man.

Unfortunately, technology isn't Haruhi's strong point. After a moment of fumbling and cursing, she gives up on the device and looks around.

She catches sight of the welcome basket, and immediately grabs the pamphlet inside. After taking a quick peek inside and seeing that there's nothing there but sweets - she'd have to save those for Honey-sempai, assuming he was here too - she settles back down and reads through the pamphlet.

Yes. She is the most interesting.]

[Hear that sound? It's the sound of a foot hitting a wall, repeatedly. A girl's gotta work her aggression out somehow, you know? Not like the wall's going to feel anything, anyhow. ENJOY THE SHOW MARINA.

After a few mildly satisfying minutes, Taiga gives up, breathing heavily, face flushed, hair in disarray, hands clenched into fists at her sides.]

A life sentence? You expect me to believe that? You expect me to give in quietly? I refuse.

DO YOU HEAR ME? I. REFUSE.

[No she isn't on the verge of tears what are you talking about.]

Wow, this place is awesome! A rink, an arcade, a movie theater - ! And check this out - I'm even doing laundry! [anyone who has ever done laundry before will pale at the amount of detergent Gino is throwing in] Anya should totally be here to see this.

I wonder if this makes me a real commoner now. [god, that would be so awesome.] I can't wait to check the entire place out later. The arcade first, then the theater! [and then maybe an exit, but he doesn't think he'll be that lucky.]

[pause] You know what else we should have here? A casino! One with all those light up slot machines. Now that would be really cool.

[There's a short but noticeable pause, and Dist clears his throat before he at last speaks.]

The idea occurred...

[A sigh.] The idea occurred for a potential machine shop. Repairs and the like, but is there an interest or need for it? Would anyone need something made or fixed?

[Okay, so she's never seen technology quite like this before. But it's easy to figure out - really easy. Way easier than blastia formulas, so it's only a few minutes after she's looked everything over and checked out the other posts before she's turned the video on. And boy, doesn't this girl just look completely furious? Because she is.]

[But before she directly addresses the majority of Marina, she takes a minute to finish her out-loud venting.] Ooooh, when I get my hands on this Acumen guy, I swear... Just who does he think he is, anyway? You can't just lock someone up for crimes like this, you know! In another dimension, or whatever it is? I was in the middle of something, I just...!

[This is worse than the annoying crap the Imperial Knights pull, so now she's just annoyed. Now she looks directly into the camera, and is pretty straight to the point.] I already read through the information, so I don't really need anyone to tell me what's going on. But thanks. I just wanted to get a feel for using this... thing and try to find someone.

[A heavy sigh.]

So, Yuri. I know you're here somewhere. There's no way that I got "arrested" before you, so you better answer me, got it? [Because this is totally your fault.] If this is where you've been all this time, then... oooh! I'll.... [Yep, she wants to hit you.] Whatever. Just get back to me.

[A man is standing just outside of the hospital with a paper in his hands; it's one of the pamphlets. He frowns--or rather, his frown deepens--as he looks over it and finally crumples the paper and drops it into the basket at his feet. His clothing is severe to match his expression, black with the occasional silver accent and a silver wolf's head prominently displayed on the pauldron secured over his left shoulder. There's a military feel to him, not just in the way he dresses, but in the way he holds himself. Although he's small, his bare arms are lean and toned, and even his smallest movements display the unconscious grace of a highly trained swordsman. Most noticeable, however, is the vivid, unnatural luminescence of his blue eyes.]

This is ridiculous. If I need to be tried for breaking the law, let someone on my own planet do it. "Assault on a superior officer"? You're honestly holding me for attacking Sephiroth? What happened to self-defense?

Look. I don't care if you think you're doing the right thing and holding dangerous criminals. I do care that there are two kids back in Edge who're expecting me home tonight, and you're sending an impostor in my place. Denzel and Marlene are quick. What happens when they notice he's not me?

[ooc: Might have to backdate replies tomorrow, but I needed to get this up while I had space to breathe! The week's crazy already.

ETA: Cloud is not keeping previous Marina memories.]