twenty-fourth date; [video]

[laurice]

[When the video starts, Larry is leaning against a brick wall, breathing hard, and a dumpster is visible on his left. For the most part, he looks normal - orange jacket over a white shirt, and that shiny round orange pendant he still wears. However, his hair is a little messed up (more so than normal), and when he shifts his NV, you can see some dirt stains on the bottom of his shirt and his pants. Amazingly, he does not seem to be hurt, just a little winded and spooked. When he speaks, his voice is frantic and rises slightly in disbelief and outrage.]

I thought you wanted me back, Siren's Port! Did you just pull me back in here so people can throw rocks and trash at me?! C'mon, what'd I do this time?

[He shakes his head to clear it, and grits his teeth as if trying to recall something very, very important.]

Okay. Okay...can anyone tell me what's going on? I mean, with the people throwing stuff at me...'cause I think I can remember the rest. Like the Core, and powers, and those companies always at it, and...and...

[Larry perks up, stepping away from the wall and staggering slightly. He's quiet for a moment...until...]

Liese! I know I gave you my house when I left, but can I stay in it again like old times? I think I'm gonna need a place to hide while I figure out what to do next.

[Then he gasps, snapping the fingers of his free hand, and his jaw drops.]

...and worst of all, I can't believe I missed Valentine's Day! Man, talk about adding insult to injury!

19 (VIDEO) | forward dated to post-morning sirens

[whippings]

[ As what has become something of a usual custom, Franziska makes her video broadcast in the early hours of the morning, sitting at a table with a cup of coffee on hand; sunglasses perched atop her head. ]

Good morning, Siren's Port. My name is Franziska von Karma and I see much has changed in the … year, is it, since I was here last. Honestly? Many of these changes have not been for the better. [ She takes a sip of her coffee. ] If anybody could provide me with a summary of what I've missed while I've been gone, it would be appreciated. If, however, you're only going to whine at me to read the network archives, I would implore you to waste your breath for someone who actually cares. Then we can both get on with our mornings.

That being said, I would primarily like to hear on the current status of the Newcomer Fund and the NPP, as this is the information that is most relevant to my interests. [ A beat, she sets her mug down. ]

And perhaps, any changes that might have occurred in the judicial system. [ And she's not going to say anything more on that matter, because she's sure the people who knew her from back when she first arrived will ask their questions without further needless prompting. ] That would be of interest to me as well.

Finally, I've looked at enough of the network archives to notice that there was... [ and she scowls now, her glare breaking across the reasonably neutral expression she'd been doing her best to maintain ]… some alternate timeline version of myself here for some number of months. Seeing as she's no longer here, I think it would be for the best that we forget that ever happened. It's irrelevant, really. Talking about it would be a waste of time.

[ ...Perhaps it would have been better to not bring the matter up at all, upon reflection, but she couldn't have said nothing. People were going to ask. ]

So don't mention it.

[ She links her hands together on the table in front of her. ]

That's all for now. I have every intention of getting back to work as quickly as possible.