ɪ ᴛ ᴇ ʀ ᴜ ᴍ: ɴᴇᴛᴡᴏʀᴋ

Hey. I've been here for a little while and I'll be the first to admit, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. I know they've got me living down in Shantytown for now but I've got to get a job if I'm gonna keep surviving out here and I guess this is a combination job application and general "explain this place because I wanna get out of it."

( Bucky isn't the sort to complain about accommodations and he doesn't care about being in Shantytown over anywhere else - he can sleep anywhere - but he definitely cares about having a job. He's not the kinda guy to sit idle and he definitely doesn't want to make a living stealing and living hand-to-mouth like he had to in Romania. He had a good thing going in New York and now it looks like it's been ripped away from him. It wouldn't be the first time - the Blip is not something anyone can forget - but it's the first time he's living it. )

Anyone got any advice or am I flying solo?

Okay, so it's legitimately hard to find some job here. One that's not demeaning or dull, that is. Maybe there's starting a business, but that's going to require jumping through hoops, right?

I'm asking all the old timers. I know some have their own businesses. And I've always been more of an entrepreneur than a follower.

How does a speakeasy sound?

[because listen old habits die hard and haha fuck the idea of blasting identifying information over a questionably secured at best network in a freaky mystery city!!!]

So we're all just supposed to lie back and take it like this is just where our lives are now?

If you consider this place home and are getting back to previously established lives, fine whatever. But some of us aren't exactly looking to start whole new lives in a supposedly sentient city in the middle of everywhere or nowhere.

How do we make this place hate us and spit us back out or however the hell any of this works? Who's got the brains and the lab tech to reverse the bridge that brings us in to take us back? What metaphysical bullshit needs done to fix everything?

[ Oh, look! It's a familiar face to some of the Chosen in the City. For others, they're about to meet the resident long-hair, kind of pretty, older than dirt, immortal. He's got a decent smile when the feed starts rolling and a guitar propped up on his leg. He sticks up a hand in greeting. ]

Hey! I'd have done this sooner but between settling in and moving back to the club and doing all the necessary shit to pick up where some of us left off, I just haven't had the time. Anyway, my name's Caius Vitale and I'm the owner of OHM over in Leisurebrook. Thought I'd let everyone know that we're up and running and business as usual. I'm looking for a few hands if any of you are looking for a job. Could use bartenders, bouncers, and DJs, which we have the equipment for. Anything. If you need work I'll find something for you to do and I'll pay you good.

Oh! And also, save the date: September 15th, we'll be having a Grand Re-Opening celebration.

[ He gives a little wink and a salute and disconnects. ]


Spam

[ Over the next few days, Caius can be found at OHM, taking a meal at a restaurants or one of many cafe's between Shantytown and the Tower districts. One can also find him in a more intimate bar setting like The Blind Beggar or The Lounge. ]

[Devi D peers into her device, purple colored eyebrows arched in interest like she could see through everyone's screen the same as they could see her, short and undershaved hair coifed and curled.]

I think it's time I said hello, City of Sin. Been a good number of years, our dear Magistrates, dear Chosen and I'd love to see a sound off of who's still keeping eyes on all the churning gears of the society here.
[Her smile is coy as she continues, but her tone is light and theatrical, ever the showman.]  

Magistrates! I don't suppose I could dare you out of your holes for some kind of conversation? I would love to see who we've got in the hot seat this round. I am open to discretion too, if that's something you're interested in - I am willing to come to you. Willing to knock on doors even, if none of you feel like piping up in public. Not a very strong first image though, I would say.

By the way, impact will be opening in a few months - if anyone is interested in commissions, my portfolio seems to have survived. I would be happy to show you. [She wiggles her fingers at the screen before it cuts off.

Spam

Devi spent very little time at her actual house over on Petunia Avenue, preferring to work out her studio at Impact, where she can be seen through the window cleaning up and hanging what art survived the shifts of time. When she wasn't there, she was down at any number of coffee shops and restaurants, sketching things out in a leather bound book.
 
She also found time to go visit the Coliseum during a set of matches, curious as to who else would be fighting and keeping a specific eye out for Bardock. Set up with a ridiculously large box of popcorn and a big cup, Devi reclines in the seats, ankles crossed and set up on the back of the seat in front of her. 

[ Coming to you live and in living color, straight from inside of her bakery, a domesticated Kate appears on the network. ]

Good evening everyone. I've decided to hold Flour Power's grand re-opening on August the first. There will be free food and a game in the way of a cupcake naming contest. It'll be from seven until nine pm. I hope to see you all there.

If you have any favorite flavors of cupcakes, now is the time to mention them. Ciao.

[The camera angle isn't the most flattering, hinting that the tired looking young man isn't too used to camera phones.]

Hi. My name's Leon Kennedy. I'm new. I know a handful of people here are new too but some have been here before. I guess, I'm hoping to talk to a few people who are returning about the things you know about this place. Talking over this thing is fine but I'd prefer to meet in person.

Anyone who's returning who'd be alright meeting in person, I'll throw a drink on me into the deal. Your choice, beer or coffee.

[ A day or so after the Chosen start arriving, three loud chimes begin going off on all devices across the City to alert to an incoming Magistrate message. These will be different from the regular ringtones that alert a Chosen from any close friends of incoming calls or messages.

A woman with platinum blonde hair sits behind a large desk, offering a smile that's all business. ]

So. Here you all are. Okay, I guess it’s up to me to formally welcome you to – or back to – the City. You'll see that not much has changed geographically for those in the latter group. Those that are new? Listen to what the returning people tell you. I’m sure they’ll have a lot of important information relevant to your interests, comfort and safety.

Your district Magistrates have all changed with the exception of Nina, who’s still in charge in the Coliseum district and Star who does her best with what she has over in Shantytown. Aiden Knight is your guy over in Leisurebrook. Fern Wilder heads up Finance Street while Skiffell Lubbee is stationed in the Gardens of Pleasure. Then we have the handsome Baren Everett over in the Red Lantern District and that leaves me, the Duchess, presiding over the Tower District.

[ Gets prompted from someone off camera. The Duchess looks at her watch. ]

Alright. I’ve got roughly ten minutes before I’m due in another meeting, so the floor is open for questions. Well, most anyway. Let’s steer away from the more complicated ones, yeah?

Oh, yes! There will also be a welcome banquet at the Tower next weekend in your honour. Information about that will be on the invitation in the basket you received upon arriving in the City.

Okay, who's got questions?