MarinaNova Asylum

[action, backdated to earlier in the day]

[It'd be one thing if she could just avoid the ghosts. Staying in her apartment all day would be completely unproductive and lame, but it would still be less annoying than all of this. But no, she's not even safe from them there. This sucks. Vriska does not like ghosts.

At least for the most part they're easy to ignore and avoid. Mostly it's humans and other species, mostly strangers. Who gives a shit.

But every now and then, there's a familiar face. People she knows. Knew. Some of them, people she killed.

The weirdest, though, is seeing someone she knows is still alive. Someone who's here, or at least was until recently. Okay, she hasn't seen or heard from Terezi for a few days, but it's not like she's tried to, either.]

Haha, joke's over. Not like I needed it, but this is all the proof I needed that this is all bullshit. Unless you've got something to say for yourself?

[She doesn't. She does, however, turn her head in Vriska's direction. It's probably coincidence, but it seems like Terezi is staring at her...and for all of the different levels on which that doesn't make sense, Vriska freezes.]

...okay. Fine! Let's pretend you are real. What do you want from me? An apology? Or do you want me to say I believe you, I'm totally dead? Let me guess, I'm really the ghost, instead of you! Hahahaha, fuck off.

[It takes a moment for her to process that the ghost has already turned away. Vriska's lip turns downward in a scowl. Fuck everything today.]


[voice, a while later]

Ugh. Of all the things it could be, why'd it have to be fucking ghosts? I keep wondering if I've seen the worst this stupid place has to offer, but the wardens keep finding new ways to outshit themselves. It's like a never-ending jubilation stampede of everything retarded and terrible in paradox space.

[There's a note of panic not usually heard in Vriska's voice. She's trying to hide it, and it's pretty clear that she is, but it's there.]

So great job, assholes! Thanks for ruining everything, all the time. Too bad you're probably too broken to hear any of this.

[ the video clicks on to everyone's favorite little magical(?) girl, one madoka kaname! she... does not look pleased. in fact, when she opens her mouth, she sounds goddamn livid. ]

Attention, every last one of you. Yes, even you! The person listening to this right fucking now. Actually, you know what? Especially you. You make me sick.

[ she clears her throat, taking an impossibly deep breath, and forges forth with the same angry timbre. ]

I am calling a memo right the fuck now. "But Karkat," you whimper in some pathetic attempt at speech, "you can't do video memos!"

No.

Shut the fuck up. Not another word from your gaping spitmaw. I am calling the shots now. I am in complete control. I am declaring myself de facto leader of this entire place, and do you know what that means? Don't answer that. It means shut the fuck up, it's time to get schoolfed.

First order of business: get me my fucking body back. I could have gone my entire life without getting forcibly jammed into a human body! In fact, I was planning on doing exactly that. I was doing a fucking admirable job! Great job on fucking that up. I'm sure the universe is proud of you for continuing its legacy. Second order of business: put me back exactly where I was. I don't know if this is just more dream bubble bullshit or not - and don't you fucking dare answer that! Surprise: I don't actually give a single fuck. All I can say is that if I'm not put back, there will be consequences.

[ the tiny madoka scowls admirably. it is not so much intimidating as sadly adorable. ]

Dire consequences. For everyone.

Yeah.

[ after a bit more awkward silence, she finally fiddles around with the screen for a moment - and it dies.

AND THEN IT POPS THE FUCK BACK ON. ]

Change of plans. Anyone that doesn't induce immediate, uncontrollable ragegurgitation? Report in. You know who you are. And Terezi, if you're there, uh...

[ ... ]

...never mind. It's fucking dumb.

[ she angrily reaches out and swipes at her communicator. after a couple of flustered attempts, it finally turns off. ]

[As one would expect, Eridan does not take loss very well. Yesterday, he had been in shock at Ciaphas Cain's disappearence, then he had been in rage, now he was just... In depression. Without his moirail, there was no one to confide his feelings towards. More alone than he's ever been in this prison in months, he doesn't know how to handle these feelings on his own. No one he could talk to other than his pet, no one to even remember to check on him. When depression hits, it hits hard. No matter how rude he was towards other trolls and humans, he was still just a thirteen year old kid without anyone he could really talk to. Especially no one he could talk to that wouldn't enrage him into attacking them.

There wasn't much he could be doing, either, other than brood alone. His hobbies had included sleeping, bothering Cain, eating, bothering Cain, eating, bothering Cain, sleeping, bothering Cain... Without anything to do now, rarely even sleeping and eating anymore he simply sits at an empty bench in the sector where Cain had an apartment and stares at his shoes, his face down but not in tears. No, there were no tears in public, anyway. No one wanted to see that let alone did he want anyone to see that.]

Today is Day 188. The sharper among you probably figured this out already since yesterday was Day 187. I am glad we had this talk.

You were all well behaved yesterday at least. So, today you can enjoy chocolate-dipped frozen bananas at one of the food carts in sector 0. You're welcome.

We will also have MarinaNova postcards, featuring a wide-variety of our scenic dome attractions, located in all shops and in special holders in various lobbies and restaurants. Some of these are even blank, so you can draw your own pictures. Markers and crayons are available at most locations. You are encouraged to make use of these. [Mail post.]

Doctor, your request is ready.

[Exciting day in MarinaNova. Robots and sentinels are out in mass seeking to gather up the escaped inmates from Sector 6, but that doesn't mean they're everywhere. Lots of quiet, little nooks completely free of their protection.]

(OOC: Links! Mammoth Pillbug | Hyena Wasps | Sector 1: Main Athletic Complex | Sector 2: The Education Center | Sector 3: Pa-Ching Arcade | Sector 4: The Movie Theater | Sector 5: The Museum

OOC Information | Veridical's announcement

You are welcome to play on the mingle and/or make your own posts for this event. The pillbug will only interact with people on his thread here, but you're welcome to see him or damage he's done.)

[ First, the video, locked to Jane Crocker and Jake English. She's... obviously kind of definitely tipsy, if not a teeny bit drunk. Looks like someone found one of the places that serves alcohol. ]

HAAAAAAAY, crazy kids, there is glitter chalk out here! It's awesome! Come deface shit with me!

[ She blows a kiss and cuts the feed. Hopefully she's outside either the old apartment or the new one... ]


[ And, for the rest of Marina, outside one of the apartment buildings, having commandeered two buckets of chalk (just in case), there is a slightly drunk 15-year-old blonde girl drawing wizards and strange-looking kittens all over the sidewalk. There has been heavy use of glitter chalk in this art, and it's already smudged all over her.

She's friendly! Come join her in non-permanently defacing her surroundings! ]

We're all in prison, which means we're all filthy, vile criminals. So I'm curious, everyone.

What did you do? What is it that made the wardens believe you deserve to be locked away in an inverted aquarium for the rest of your natural life? Please note that if you're just gonna say "I didn't do anything" or "They made it all up", I'm not interested in hearing it. You're surrounded by other criminals, no one gives a damn. Either answer or don't, it's up to you, but don't respond with bullshit prevarication.

Since it'd be hells of rude to ask without providing an answer of my own, here's what I'm in for: ( Cut for length and Homestuck spoilers. )

Well? I showed you mine, now show me yours.

[Eridan is currently on his way from Sector 1 at the beach to Sector 4 so that he can visit his moirail, if anyone would like to run into him for a chat they can feel free to. Otherwise, he will just be on his way, until he ends up at the door to Cain's apartment.

Immediately, he begins to jimmy at the lock as he usually does when he visits.]

[ So there's a whole lot of people Dirk knows showing up. And he's just kind of herding them all back to his and Jane's place like it ain't a thing. It's actually a pretty shitty meeting place, a little one-bedroom apartment with no TV or anything. But there's snacks on the table and orange soda in the fridge and a bright yellow dildo decorated with cartoon animals on display on one shelf.

Yeah. Anyway. ]

((OOC: Pseudo-mingle post for anyone Dirk has dragged home to his apartment in sector two's Streamline Complexes, which so far is alpha!Dave, Roxy, Jake, and also alpha!Rose and Calliope if they want. Or anyone else who wants to stop by for whatever reason except for Caliborn. MINGLE. I'm turning off comment notifs, but I'll have a thread for anyone who wants to tag Dirk specifically. ))

[PM is seated on the desk at the post office, one leg crossed over the other. She's wearing her mail uniform, and also a matching navy blue eyepatch over one eye, and her expression calm and pleasant.]

Greetings, everyone! I'm afraid I don't have enough welcome baskets for everyone, and it is possible you may only be here for a limited time anyway, so please enjoy your visit while you can. I can try to answer your questions, too!

My name is PM: the Prospitian Monarch. Umm, there's another reason to make this broadcast. It's part of a punishment for something I did the other day.

[She clears her throat and reads off a little notecard.]

On day 179, Jack Noir, also known as the Sovereign Slayer, kidnapped one of my dearest friends in all of paradox space. The Slayer then privately broadcasted himself trying to assault and torture my friend.

In response, I hunted him down and cut his arm off.

So! I must apologize. Not to Jack, because he's a horrible little man and had that coming, but for allowing my temper to get the better of me. And also for entertaining him and his sick little games for so long. I've learned my lesson, and I will never do that again.

I'm sorry for the trouble.

[... hi, 4th wallers!]

[ Caliborn's voice is surprisingly calm despite it all. ]

What the fuck. Is this bullshit. Supposed to be.

Prison?? Crimes?? Fuck you. And the Earth human horse. You sauntered in on.

But I guess there is. A very happy side of this story:

I'm totally alone.

[ If you happen upon the arcade, however, you'll find one green skull-faced alien rather contentedly losing at shooting games. One leg of his green dress-pants is ripped and stained with red blood while a shiny metal leg resides under it! The human-shaped foot does not match his other one, which is clawed and reptilian. ]

((ooc: As a note I will be writing his quirk out in full because homestuck canon depicts his voice this way, it is not text. If the strange use of twos and double I's is annoying to you, please just ask me not to use it in the header when you tag. I will refrain from tagging in yellow courier however (cause I am lazy and that color is kind of painful). I will not type out his lisp otherwise, I assume by this point you will understand he has one.))

( angry mustard yellow text under cut )
[Sigh.] ju2t fuckiing an2wer me iif anyone ii2 here that ii know.

A question for people who've been around longer -- is there any precedent for this sort of thing happening? A system glitch followed by a whole herd of new people appearing with an incomplete welcome message -- or even none at all -- and spared from the tacky orange raiment that is usually so lovingly provided? If so, how'd that go before?

[video]

[ On the video screen, my friends, is a man with an interesting face and a leather jacket. He seems not at all disconcerted to be a newcomer here. Considering the prisons he's seen, this one is pretty nice. Plus, he doesn't intend to stay. ]

[ He grins in greeting. ] Hello! Nice place you've got here, considering. I'm the Doctor, and I'm looking for a blonde girl, name of Rose. Has anyone seen her? We got a bit... separated when we came here. I think. [ He looks a bit confused. He doesn't exactly remember how this came about. ]

Or if you've met my friend Jack -- and you'd know -- [ He lifts his eyebrows significantly. ] -- or seen a strange blue box around, I'd appreciate knowing. Thanks!

[ He waves goofily and turns the video off. ]

[ ooc: The Doctor is a bit of a wanderer, so action is open pretty much anywhere in the dome, or video/voice is also welcome! ]

[Calliope hadn't expected to ever wake up again--but here she is. Not on Prospit, but in a new and strange place.]

[It calls itself a prison, but Calliope isn't so sure she can fully agree.]

[Still, she isn't ready to toss the "game" out the window, so no video, no announcing her name. But there are other ways to play.]

[Calliope's voice is actually very androgynous and sort of gritty, but the lilt and enthusiasm and tones do lean it somewhat toward feminine.]

Hello, lovelies!

What a surprising, marvelous twist this is! I'm not even certain as to what I should do first. Hmm. Well, for starters, will anyone recommend their favorite Earth cuisine? Don't be shy!

[She really doesn't want to ask, but she knows she has to.]

... "brother"...?

Wow. I guess I can't take my eyes off of you losers at all! So many things I've missed. But there's mostly one thing I'm concerned about, and the wardens aren't exactly being helpful right now.

Who tried to steal my kill.

(Not that I don't think I already know the answer!)

Just so no one else misunderstands, I'm going to kill Jack Noir. Me. And I've got no intention of letting anyone else do it.

And for the record, the wardens can try to make me do their stupid punishment all they want, but I'm not going to. It's not like I even did anything wrong!

[After Jane had listened to a few other conversations over the communication headset, she decides to fumble with it enough to get a message of her own to go through.]

Hello? Is this thing on? [She has it turned to the audio setting. She had to readjust it on her ear after playing with it.]

I have a proposition to make. If I may speak with a warden here? There seems to be a mistake and I must speak to someone right away. There are lives at stake if I do not return to my place of origin right away! I must not waste a moment of time here.

[So, it turns out that the museum has a gift shop!]

[And it is full of the cacophony of vibrating devices turned on high and set free to wander throughout the shop.]

[Cain just happens to be in Sector 5 at the same time. He's walking along with the air of perfect nonchalance, accompanied only by his dog.]

[Who now has a vibrating chew toy.]

[Given that PM has been stuck with her video feed on all day, she doesn't so much start broadcasting as she suddenly sits up straighter and clears her throat. Despite having gauze over her gouged eye, and a bandage around her wrist, she tries to be chipper. The adorable mail uniform probably does help with that.]

Attention, Marina As- er, Marina Nova Asylum! I would like to announce the re-opening of the Post Office!

We safely and privately deliver all your parcels and letters throughout the prison, offer a pen pal service, and do our part to promote community, literacy, democracy, civilization- er, and other such inspiring ideals! And as you may have heard from Princess Euphemia, we will also begin delivering welcome baskets to newcomers. [And she will use her Queen's Ring to hunt them down. this is what demi-god powers were made for right]

Please feel free to stop into the post office at any time during our hours. Or to say hello to one of our friendly volunteers! Originally, I wished to have a party for the occasion, but due to my injury, I've decided to move it up to Day 179.

[She smiles a bit, and then, since she has pretty much no way to end the feed, she waves her uninjured hand dismissively. You can stop watching her now.]

[Feel free to reply, or to tag her OR any of the volunteers in/around the post office for action! She will not be on the route today, but will instead be taking it easy at the front desk.]

--
[Click here for pen pal signups. Mail submissions for Day 177 go here!]

[After the announcement, her communicator clicks on. PM, outfitted with a new silver restraining collar, is lying in the bed she shares with WV and AR (who is hogging the blankets and more than a third of the bed thanks to being skewed diagonally). For the unfamiliar, the three of them are of a hard-shelled alien race--PM is pure sparkly white, and the other two a shiny beetle black.]

[As she starts to wake up, the situation seems so nonsensical that she doesn’t register it as anything more than an odd dream. There’s a span of confused, puzzled squinting with her remaining eye as she reads the summary of her punishment, and finds that no, she can’t turn her feed off. The very moment that the situation fully dawns on her is clear--a sudden widening of her eye, tension returning to her body. She pushes out of bed and strides out, her pajama gown billowing a bit behind her, and she ignores any half-asleep protests from her "dear friends." It takes all of her self-control to gently close the bedroom door.]

[She makes her way to the balcony of their Sector 2 home, which is at or near the top of the apartment complex, given the spectacular view. Only once she’s outside does she let herself explode.]

Excuse me, WHAT?!

[Her whole body is trembling with incredulous rage. Even if the rules had said something about being punished for injury, she didn't actually expect that to apply the one time when she was more victim than mutual combatant. It just seemed too bizarre to be real. PM grips the glowing gold ring that hangs around her neck as she takes a deep, calming breath.]

[Her voice is strong and has an angry edge, but she is otherwise in control.] Good morning. This is PM. It seems that the wardens are forcing me to broadcast myself today.

And this is why.

[They don’t want her to keep secrets? Fine. She’ll oblige. The alien queen brings her injured wrist up and points to her gauze-covered eye socket.]

Yesterday, a man named Jack Noir, known also as the Sovereign Slayer, ambushed me while I was decorating and preparing the new post office. He stabbed me through my wrist to pin me to the floor, and then gouged out my eye.

This punishment is for letting myself get hurt.

... Be careful, everyone.

[That offered, she stalks back inside to go about her day. And you all get to come with her!!]

---
((OOC: PM will be 100% trollable all day! About anything!! Everything she does is stalkable!!! ( Click through for more deets. )