My, my, my.

[A not enitrely pleasant sort of croon comes over the communicator, familiar to some. There's a faint rasp in Einstellsehn's voice, a little breathless.]

It seems that all of my children are gone.

[The plaintive note in her tone is replaced with a tiny, tremulous sort of smile.]

But it looks like that won't matter so much now.

My, new people just keep appearing to fill the gaps, don't they? What a shame that some spaces can't be filled. But I don't have to worry too much.

Stray dogs always find their way back home.

[She laughs, a lovely, warbling little thing. That last remark was just a little joke, of course.]

Besides, there's plenty here to be getting on with.


[AARON // Unhackable]

I think it's time we had a chat, you and I.


[ANGEAL // Unhackable]

[Here, for him, her voice is bright and warm. As she goes on, it becomes just a little tremulous.]

Thank you for the thought, Angeal! It was very kind of you. You'll have to excuse my quiet, I'm afraid, but being without Giovanni... Well, I'm sure you can imagine.


[SETH and his AURAILIA // Unhackable]

Hello, Seth. How are you doing recently?


[HEINE // Unhackable]

[And it cools, and it crisps, and it becomes something completely different, as if the woman herself has changed.]

Heine.

Giovanni is gone. That's a shame.

[Her voice is cold. Cold like lab tables and sterile needles and scalpels. But it switches, one-eighties to something brittle bright.]

This dark isn't very helpful, is it? You should all be very careful. I'm sure none of us want to get lost.

[PRIVATE // Very hard to hack]

This won't do.

This won't do at all.

Really, now.

They're just toys, aren't they?

My, my, my...

Was I the only one who heard that howling? Surely I couldn't have been.

It sounded almost like some sort of canine, didn't it? Or perhaps, something more - lupine?

[There's a pause. Any distress that was in her voice becomes one of those small smiles.]

Could someone tell me what's been going on outside?


((And the howling she's referring to is Aaron's wolfy side, done with Crow's permission.))

Good morning everybody!

[Recognise that, Heine? Surely it flits about your head sometimes. There's one of those lovely little laughs, sweet and melodious.]

At least the faces at the windows are gone, hm? That was a problem, wasn't it?

[Not that Angelica knows. Not that she saw. Not that she looked.]

A little rain isn't so bad. But it is a lot of noise.

I owe thanks to those who went to the hospital, don't I? I have some supplies now, if anyone is hurt. Don't worry. I have plenty of experience. On that note, I wonder how all our new residents are coping. Adjusting is difficult for some, isn't it? But there's strength in it, so be sure to do your best!

[Angelica's voice is awfully bright and cheery. She is, after all, not a woman to be easily waylaid by little - hiccups in her schedule, though it does still irritate her.]

I wonder, has any further movement been made on visiting the hospital? It seems like we might need to stock up, after all. In light of everything that's happening, I'll volunteer myself as a physician for the people who need it - it might be prudent if others capable do the same. Surely we'll work better together, won't we?

Luki! Look who's joined us. It isn't like him to take so long, is it? But I suppose we all get held up from time to time.

[And for a passing moment, her voice was threatening to turn cold and sharp. But she goes on as before.]

Angeal, how are you doing? Is that the puppy I've heard about? It looks like all the strays are returning!

Ernest, we really should do that again. It was so good to see you after all this time.

Luki, dear, you haven't been getting into too much trouble, I hope?

Heine. The same sentiment extends to you, of course. You really should introduce your friends - your new pack.


Now that our surroundings have been explored somewhat, what facilities do we appear to have? It would be useful to know.

Well, this is better than anticipated.

I knew it would only be a matter of time! Luki, you won the race, but your big brother Heine is close second. I wonder who will be third? Noki? Giovanni? And it seems as though Heine has brought friends with him.

[A laugh wells up in her throat, bubbles forth, warm and lovely.]

Mr. Hewley, you will let me know your findings, won't you? I'm sure we're all very interested.

Aaron, how are you settling in? What about the other boy and girl - I'm so sorry, I never got your names, but we were all a little - shaken, weren't we?

I think it might be time to brave the elements! Luki! Why don't you come with me?

I seem to be - missing something. My children, it wouldn't do if they were to... go stray. They're liable to snap, you see, and their bite is far worse than their bark. [She laughs. It's a nice laugh, sweet and clear, if a little confused. It ends too quickly, though, too sharp.] This little - excursion is quite untimely. Abrupt. It's left me quite at a loss.

[And she doesn't like that, not one bit, and falters briefly before going on. So brave in the face of adversity!]

If you see them, please, let me know - presumably there are others also suffering this place with me? This - little game from the higher-ups? [Another too-brief little laugh.] I do not best appreciate becoming a - pawn.

Oh, but - how silly of me - I should introduce myself. My name is Angelica. I'm a physician. A doctor. And I really must find the children. They need me. It's terribly important.