A while ago, Helen asked me if I were starting a petting zoo. I did say no, and I'm still not going to do it. The reason I'm making this clear, though is, um.

[...video comes on, and you have a screen full of horse. It's a pale horse - not quite white, but more of a light gold. And it's uncommonly beautiful, if young. ...Priscilla's little ( Read more... )

[The Forge is on, clicked and running, the camera zoomed in on a fork that’s sporting an awkwardly bent prong. There’s a figure in blue in the background, though with the video running as it is, he’s difficult to make out, more of fuzzy silhouette than anything. He’s cooking, judging from the sound of the sizzling, but with the obvious random ( Read more... )

[ The feed seems to have accidentally gone live, since it opens to the corner of a table. It's a little unsteady for a bit, and eventually, you can hear a quiet voice in the background. ]

... Wait, 'video on?'

[ The view abruptly spins, and a young woman's face comes into focus, brows knit. ]This technology isn't quite the same as what I'm ( Read more... )

[Have a small throat clearing. Have a happy smile. Have some bright, proud blue eyes.]

I just wanna say thanks to everyone who came out to the auction. Because of all of you --[And he takes this moment to point at the camera.] -- we raised more money than I could've ever dreamed possible. I think, according to Dawn, we raised about nine times more ( Read more... )

[There's a moment of silence before Galatea clears her throat.]

I have detected something of a trend in thinking here, that would seem to advocate a form of moral absolutism. [She pauses.]Perhaps there are some worlds different enough from mine that such lines of thought are more believable; perhaps these worlds are more simple places, where ( Read more... )

Angeal! I got the--

[A sudden halt. Only a few words in and Elena had already almost said too much! In fact, she probably should've gone private with this, but to switch now would be suspicious.

She decides to carry on. But carefully.]

I got the items that you requested. Consider it a mission accomplished.

[She sounds proud of herself.]Oh, but ( Read more... )

[The video flicks on to reveal Kaien, still very much an adult, and...standing in midair.

Yep, he's basically standing right in the middle of the sky, with absolutely no visible supports or attachments. A few rooftops are visible some feet beneath him.]

Hey, any of you kids ever dream of flying?

[Takes a few steps around to show that he really ( Read more... )

[ A bright electrical flare causes the Forge to switch on and begin recording, but it takes several moments before the audo-adjust feature is able to correct the brightness and contrast. In the meantime, a crackling and screaming hiss-like static-can be heard, and accompanying it, the low and crooning moan of a creature that has been injured ( Read more... )

[At first, the only thing that can be heard is the sobbing of a child. It's not the cries of a child who's simply been denied a new toy, not even one who's fallen and skinned their knee. It's the sound of a little girl that's been completely heartbroken.

Finally, the sniffling subsides just enough for her to get out two words.]

B-big brother?

[Video time! Zack is giving a big happy grin as he holds the Forge at arm's length with both hands. He's happy. Beyond happy, really, and proud!]

Hey! Hey, all you kids! Guess what I found!!

[Jerky camera movements swing over to a pair of cactuar-print boxers, and beneath that, a SOLDIER uniform half-on the couch. Against the wall behind him is ( Read more... )