[Cloud is working at a furious pace in one of the parks in Sector 4. The training hall is too constricting a space for the energy he needs to burn to release the frustration pent up inside of him. He's pushing himself as far as the restrictions placed on his abilities will allow him to go, with gravity-defying leaps and rapid strikes and paries against an invisible foe. His sword is tossed from one hand to the other and spun in swift reversals, maneuvers he may have learned himself somewhere along the line, or may have absorbed when he unknowingly integrated parts of Zack's personality with his own to shore up his shattered psyche. There are days when he can't tell one from the other, and this is one of them.

The vision he saw in the mirror this morning was a vision of might-have-beens, and he can almost imagine that, as in the vision, Zack is at his side, fighting with him, the two of them finally equals. That there is a version of Zack asleep somewhere in Sentience's custody only makes his absence in Cloud's life more glaring.]

[The shelter is clearly equipped for a celebration to mark the changing of wardens. Everything is neat and tidy, with decorations and a generous food spread laid over the tables for the taking. There’s also the usual entertainment in the common areas – TVs, video games, movies. Maybe you can talk someone into an impromptu karaoke party. Why not? Sentience doesn’t mind.

There’s a party to be had, so get down with your bad self.



Need an invite? Aren’t quite sure what’s going on? Well, here’s a friendly neighbourhood Judith to explain it to you. The camera feed pans over a glammed up corner of the shelter’s common area before going back to her face. It’s clear she’s pleased by the set-up.]

If I had known this was planned, I would have made some special cupcakes.

[Are you wondering what goes into Judith’s special cupcakes? Keep wondering.]

I suppose after all the excitement from last night, it’s nice to have some fun and relax. I’m not sure it’s fair to have one party directly following another – but maybe I’ll get to make up for missed opportunities. [She wanted to kick a robot’s face in, okay.]



((OOC: Mingle post for Sentience’s party in the shelter! The shelter is decorated with streamers and there’s a feast spread! But only three types of ice cream, though. Create threads and tag amongst yourselves! It’s a celebration, anything goes. Backdated slightly to the early evening.

If you want to respond to Judith via video, feel free! There will be a thread for that right here! Notifs are turned off otherwise.))

Good day, Marina. I hope those of you who were of assistance to Sentience last night are recovering well. [It goes without saying that if you need anything, consider her volunteered!]

In the spirit of new beginnings, it is a good time to offer the opportunity for anyone who wishes to clear their conscience. Beginning in a half-hour, we will be taking confessions at the church. Although Confessional is a traditionally Catholic practice, the church is not denominational and anyone should feel welcome to participate if they wish.

For anyone not aware, a confession is given in a booth in which you tell anything you wish to an anonymous priest. Your identity is also protected, and the priest is sworn never to reveal what is said within the confession. [And Lacus will be very angry him if he violates that promise, so you can take that to the bank.] It can be a very cleansing experience.

If you have any other questions about the church, I am happy to answer them. I hope everyone will enjoy the party this evening.

((OOC: Cross (worst priest ever, but still a priest!) will be taking confessions in this thread. Network replies to Lacus or action posts at the church are also welcome!))

[Fenris is still a bit confounded by the communicator and often presses buttons without meaning to. He thinks it's part of the design the way they depress and beep and blink red.

And so the device shows him at the dojo. He's yet to find a way out (or even find this... kiosk- advanced technology is truly baffling), but his restlessness is kicking in and without vast adventures for Hawke to take him on, he has no other outlet for all that pent-up energy.

He tests one of the bamboo swords, swinging it as he would one of his normal gigantic broadswords. The weight and movement is clearly different, but experience has taught him to adjust accordingly. He has nowhere near the power and reach as his preferred weapons of choice, but it would have to make do.

And after a particularly hard swing (Mighty Blow!) against a practice dummy, the bamboo sword breaks. Oops.]

Good morning, everyone! [This morning, it isn't Acumen's disembodied voice greeting you: it's a video post of a smallish robot, sitting on the grass and playing idly with a cat on its lap. And it sounds -- unusually happy, perhaps.] My name is Sentience, for those of you who do not know me. I am now the warden of this facility.

I would like to extend my thanks to those of you who helped me to correct this situation. I would like to encourage all of you to sleep in today -- you're probably exhausted, and you have more than earned the rest. I have arranged for a party, as I believe I indicated I would; a banquet this evening at the shelter.

Please rest assured that I have every intention of making your lives here as positive an experience as I can. To that end... I will be answering any questions I can that you may have for me, and I will take any requests or suggestions that you may have in altering the way this facility is run, to make it a better place where you could live more happily.

Let's see... There are no completed requests in the queue. Today it will be cool again, and... New inmates will be arriving! So please be aware of that disruption to your daily events.


((OOC: For those of you who participated in the plot, you once again woke up in your own beds this morning, but this time everything was just as normal, except for the fact that as Sentience indicated, you are extremely tired. Characters who did not participate in the plot will have no idea that anything happened, and will have to learn about it the normal way! You may video or voice reply to this post, and you may threadjack anything. Despite the video, Sentience is not anywhere you would be able to find it in the dome.))

[[Open to participants at the end of Round One!]]


[You wake up suddenly, and you're not where you were. But looking around, you find you're in... your own room. Your own bed. It's dark and quiet, late at night, and any friends and roommates you might have are there with you, still sleeping, or just waking up.]

[But something is wrong.]


((OOC: This mingle will function the same as the last mingle. Sentience will make a "prompt" comment for each new development, and then you respond to them and thread amongst each other. In this mingle you start out separated, so you are also welcome to use your communicators to video or voice chat with each other in response to each prompt comment. But you are only capable of speaking to other people who are in this mingle; you cannot hear, speak to, or communicate with anyone who isn't taking part in the event. So don't tag any other action or network posts on the community if you're in the event!))

[Late afternoon in Sector 3, a slightly-built robot, different from the many that wander the facility, has gathered with a few of the inmates in front of the movie theater.]

[They're planning a party, or so they say.]

[...Within an hour they break away and head to an unremarkable, sealed building towards the dome wall of Sector 3. And then Sentience's party disappears inside it and they are not seen or heard from again for the rest of the day.]


((OOC: The first event mingle. Do not respond to the post itself! Sentience will make several comments over the next few hours. Each comment is a separate prompt, describing the action that's just happened and which is happening. Comment to a "prompt" comment to set your character in the mingle, so that other characters can tag you there! If you want to tag Sentience, Sentience will be making comments just like every other character so that you can interact with it directly.))

[ Anyone practicing at or otherwise visiting the training hall in sector 6 will be in for a bit of show today. There is one Gundam Meister currently running through self-defense drills with his his pink-haired girlfriend. Simple ways of distracting, disarming, and distancing herself from a hypothetical opponent. It seems harmless enough, until they get to the throws... ]

Now you remember what I said about using your weight, right? You just have t—whoa! [ That sound? That was Neil's back hitting the training mat hard. The bewildered look on his face as he stares up at Lacus is priceless. ] Nn, nevermind. Guess you remembered. [ It's hard to say what was injured more: his backside, or his pride. Coordinators are not to be underestimated and, one day, he'll learn this. ]

((OOC: People are welcome to approach Neil or Lacus any time before, during, or after their training. Specify who you want, and whether or not you are okay with thread-hopping!))

[Lovely day for being in any open, common area of the dome, isn't it? Of course there is a chance of kissing bot, but it's always something in the underwater prison.]

(OOC: Check out the OOC post for details. Pucker up! Edit: Links for those with loading problems!)

[Cloud's a patient man. More importantly, he's a stoic man, and though he's better about showing emotion these days, his cues are still subtle, and still rare compared to most people's. Ergo, he must be more than a little annoyed to let all of Marina see his impatience. The signs are small, but many. Arms crossed over his chest, mouth drawn into the tiniest of frowns beneath glowing blue eyes, and eyebrows drawn together in either consternation or aggravation, he definitely has a problem with something. The giant sword sheathed at his back does nothing to soften the picture, and when he speaks, that hint of tension in his arms carries into his voice.]

You know, I had a CO once who probably would have fed us to the Midgar Zolom if we were late for duty. [Hint, hint, nudge nudge, Dean.]

[ The video opens up on a woman looking somewhere between frightened and angered. Definitely conflicted between the two. The only thing really keeping her sane right now is the fact that she woke up near the koi pond, and the last thing she wants to do is destroy such a pretty place she's found herself surrounded in.

Oh. And the threat of her powers being stripped. ]

Does this 'Acumen' possess the capabilities to strip a person of their basic genetics? [ She questions now, looking a little upset.

She sighs and the anger falters a bit into what almost looks like fear before it's gone. Coldness instead. ]

My imprisonment is a mistake. [ Not claiming innocence but...


She adds this a bit softer now. ]

Where is the sun?

[ She had felt it. She had wanted to speak with him, after his troubling public question, wondering where it had stemmed from. Luck had not been on her side, until trying to reach him through the communicator had proven to be in vain: Naoya is gone.

The day is like one where everything seems to have fallen through at the same time. In passing by the Defense Force Headquarters, she learned that two members, two of those she had considered dear -- Alucard and Zelda -- have gone as well.

Since there was no science class to attend, no baseball practice, she decides to distract herself at the Devil's Compass, even if it was not her scheduled day of work. She could cook at the Shelter, or even at home but being "at work" felt more distracting somehow.

With her recipe notebook open on the counter, she absentmindedly tries to follow a new recipe. From time to time, she pops out of the kitchen, to sweep the floor and dust surfaces off -- if anyone comes in, they will be greeted with a smile. Life goes on, after all... ]


(( OOC: Old faces, new faces, everyone's welcome! Sasha might not be able to mix alcoholic drinks, but as per usual, she'll be more than glad to feed people X3~ Threadjacks are welcome ))
 

[Video: Open to all]
Good evening, Marina. As you all have no doubt heard, there has been a threat to the Defense Force Headquarters. We are well aware of the situation and have already taken steps to ensure safety. It would be most helpful for everyone to remain calm.

Additionally, please do not cross the established perimeter surrounding the headquarters. [Which is easily spotted with the bright crime-scene like tape, and posted guards.]

We are available to answer any questions you have.


[Filtered to Defense Force]
Hello, Defense Force members. [A somewhat more official, yet still friendly, tone.] Suzaku would like to thank everyone for their adherence to his instructions. Those who are guarding the perimeter, please be vigilant about not allowing anyone through. Patrol members are instructed to report any concerning activity over official filters right away.

Anyone with abilities that allow them to withstand an explosion safely, please contact myself or Suzaku to volunteer for searches within or in the immediate area of HQ. Anyone else who feels they can assist in any way, please respond immediately.

As far as punishment for the perpetrator, it is still under consideration.

Please continue to assure the inmates that things are under control. The goal of this threat was panic, and we cannot allow that to occur. Remaining in close contact is essential, and please remember to use the official filters.

((OOC: I'm on my way out but I wanted to get this up! Lacus will answer tags when I get back, BUT Suzaku may also respond and/or people can discuss among themselves. o/ ))

[OPEN]

[Naoto hefts up the wooden practice sword, experimentally slashing it through the air once or twice before letting it rest at her side. She can't help but frown. It's so different, the weight, the length, the shape - it's like someone cut off her arm and handed her another. She doesn't put it back though. Instead, she shifts into a few familiar positions before launching herself into a imaginary battle. It's not her sword, but she has to get used to it.]

[CLOSED to Nill]

( Read more... )

[ Wandering around the snowy park? There are two things to look out for: (1) don't trip over the bright orange ropes that close off a large open area, (2) take cover and watch for a stray snowball, and (3) ... you know, you might want to join in for this is a Snowball Fight.

Only guidelines: no weapons, no head shots, no stuffing snow down someone's mouth, collar or anywhere else uncomfortable. Play to your heart's content! Spoiler: there's no winner.

Warm drinks and snacks are served in a nearby tent (ah, thank goodness for space heaters!), while towels and blankets are also available. You might want to take advantage of the snow as well -- make snowmen, snow angels, your own sculpture as you wind down~ ]

( --- OOC Guidelines; PLEASE READ --- )
 

[It's been a while since he went all out on a practice like this, but it's about time.]

[Allelujah's in the dojo, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks at the training dummies. He's got his knuckles wrapped - it seems those sweatbands on his arms are good for more than one thing - and there's a constant 'thud' of impact as he tries to push away his frustration into the practice.]

[The style's not elegant, but it's simple and effective. He varies it a little bit, switching from punches to kicks on various targets on the dummy, and he moves around it a little, but otherwise he's focused on beating the crap out of whatever he's imagining on the dummy's fabric.]

[He does stop briefly every so often for water, though, which is probably a good time for anyone who's come to investigate the noise to try to talk to him.]

And then Monopoly wasn't the only hoarder with a "Go Directly to Jail" card. Good to know.

[This teenage boy looks like he went five rounds with a patch of dirt. And lost. Battered appearance aside, he seems ready to go for a sixth round. The way he's fidgeting is also a dead giveaway of something being up and it also doesn't help that he's in prison. Tommy and prison? That didn't go so well the last time.]

I went through the entire place twice and what did I find? No exit in sight, that's what. Big surprise there. Anyone thinking third time's the charm? 'Cause at this point, I'm willing to try anything. I'll even bring down a building or two if it means grabbing the warden's attention.

[Normally cheeky Tommy isn't in the mood to fool around right now. Which is saying something. With his general dislike of prisons and the aftermath of Doom's attack, he seriously needed out.]

Hey! Stop pushing, already. [the camera view is bouncing, but manages to show Komui being prodded by one of Acumen’s bots.] We were almost done! Just a few more adjustments.

[Gear is also being pushed, but mostly off screen] Come on, dude, we were right outside! It’s not like we were making a run to the rec center!

You’re standing in the way of scientific progress! This will not -- ow, stop that. I’m going, yeesh.

Dude, this bites. Hey--don’t poke the helmet!

It’s ridiculous is what it is -- hey, watch it! Stupid thing, who programmed you anyway? [Komui rubs at his rump, annoyed]

For real. [Gear’s glaring off in the direction of the bots, rubbing the sore spot on his back where it kept poking him] You’d think they would at least have let us turn it off.

[paaause] So... we fixed that power problem, didn’t we?

...Come on, bro, it only had enough power to last a few hours, right? [shrug. nothing too big just a foot or two.]

Well, yeah... before my adjustments... [ehehehe.... oops?] Well! There’s plenty of supplies in the shelter...

Wait. What? It can still be turned off right? [Ko, bro, you did not just say that.]

I think so! And anyway, if two feet of snow is fun, a little more would be extra fun! [who can argue with that?]

[The look on Gear’s face? They may have a problem. But he shakes it off with an uneasy laugh.] Yeah, right, it’ll turn off. It’s not like a few hours will overload it or anything. [He’s sounding a lot more confident than he is.]

((OOC: Komui’s dialogue is regular text, Gear’s dialogue is in green.

Snowed-in event is go! Starting tonight, massive amounts of heavy snow will be distributed everywhere, courtesy of Richie/Gear and Komui’s little snafoo. By the time the bots agree to let anyone out of the shelter, there’ll be between 8 and 10 feet of wet snow blocking you in. Enjoy, and don't forget to thank Komui and Gear for the lovely surprise~!))

[For a moment, there's nothing but white noise. Cloud's not good at prepared speaking. He'd rather just say things as they need to be said, and otherwise keep his silence. He feels like he needs to say something, now, though, so he finally speaks up.]

Thanks. For letting me stay with you while the shelter was being cleaned. I owe you one.

[ooc: Closed to everyone Cloud stayed with last game day.]

[Duo was settling some things for a day into Kohran's shelter room. He hadn't packed a lot, just enough to last 24 hours before heading back to his own place. He didn't want to take up too much room. After all, they were only going to be there for the rest of the day, and then overnight, right?

Of course, he felt a little bad and had packed a little bit in the way of a hangover remedy. He was still feeling a little bit of last night's drinking, but not what Kohran had to be feeling. He was, however, remarkably impressed by her determination for getting back to the shelter and all that without complaining much over headaches and other things of the sort.]

{OOC: Thread with Kohran is closed. Feel free to catch Duo wandering around the shelter otherwise.}