[Len is in the kitchen, and his face is a little dirty with flour since he's cooking. He hadn't been sure about asking this, but what was a party without people?]

I apologize for bothering, but I wanted to ask something. It is my birthday today, and Naminé said that I should celebrate it so… If anyone wants to come, it will be at late afternoon.

[Now, that really sounded awkward. And rushed too. Len hopes he didn't mess up.]

 

Karin.

[His voice is flat and firm. Unperturbed. He is just the picture of serenity right now, except perhaps for the tension in his jaw. Sasuke, who is crouched on the ground, rises slowly, as if he expects to hit his head on something.]

Madara.

[Slightly louder this time. And perhaps with a thread of anger in his voice. Just a thread of it - a slight hint. He frowns suddenly, and reaches up to feel the device clipped on his ear.

After running his fingertips over it, he concludes:]

A communicator...

[There is the slight waver of uncertainty in his voice. Nevertheless, he begins to speak into it.]

If there is anyone who can hear this, respond.

[Finally free of his ball and chain, he's glad to be up and around, he can move more freely now.]

This place is hard to get used to -- I've never seen or heard of a prison being run like this... It's better than what it could be, I guess.

[Private to Gino]

I talked to Sentience... It said to talk to you about the defense team -- so tell me what you need me to do.


[Private to Suzaku]

Still -- up for that sparring match?

Oyyyy~ Tyki, Devitto! Don't come home tonight, I'm going to have a guest over~  Go hang out with some pathetic humans or something, okay?~

[laughs forever]

Earl~ You know what Lenalee said? [ giggles ] The exorcists are starting to grow some backbone, isn't that amazing?~~ Maybe we can rip out their spines...and nail them on Devitto's wall! It would be oh-so-very pretty~

I found something to distract myself.

[Scowling at the screen- hair is suddenly longer, softer, and he's wearing something similar to these girls.

He's tired, so he's easily irritable anyway, making the charade much easier.

Yeah, he's pretending to be Zero dressed in drag. Great brother, huh? This is what he does when he's bored. It's not his fault Zero kept him up all night and now he wants revenge.]

I still hate this place.

Okay.

Ordinarily, I like to keep my head down and my identity all secret-like, but we're in pretty close quarters, and the way I hear it, everyone here already knows about vampires. So I might as well introduce myself.

[ a beat of silence, and then she fiddles, so that the video is on. ]

I'm Buffy. On my world, they call me the Slayer. Three guesses what I'm the Slayer of, and the first two don't count.

[ she grins into the camera. it is not a very nice grin. Buffy has not had a great morning, even by her standards. ]

Now, we can either do this the easy way, or -- oh, who am I kidding? They never take the easy way.

Since I missed this morning's announcement, I completely forgot I had a request, Sentience. Miss Yuuki and I were curious to know if you could supply us with some pins from back home. To play Tin Pin. Surely you know of that and how I adore the game?

I'd also be willing to teach anyone else interested in learning to play! It's always more fun when there are other players to be had.

Oh, right. Do you have a minute, Murata-kun?~

[Okay so here Teito is in the kitchen. He remembers that Lenalee offered to teach him how to cook. Though he doesn't know if he should have asked her or if he is supposed to be there waiting like he has decided upon doing. What the kid is keeping his mind occupied with is all the things in the kitchen. He doesn't know what half of those things are in there. Teito is digging around in cabinets, examining each and every object, utensil, and bit of food that he can see.

But there's something on the top shelf. Teito frowns, realizing his height is once again an issue. What to do... The boy takes a little jump, fingers slipping off of the objected hidden up there. He really doesn't get much time to try again, as the force had been enough to knock it over. Looks like Teito found the flour as it dumps all over him. A nice blanket of white covers him completely.

And not a moment later does he sneeze, scattering it even more.]

A-Achoo!