[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!)

[ Panic has long passed into curiosity for Kaylee and her new predicament. Sure she's been kidnapped, but: ]

This Acumen feller said something about a beach. With-- real sand and all? Don't think my heart could take it, bein' kidnapped and then lied to about a beach.

[ And curiouser... ]

Hope it's all right I don't have a swimming outfit...

[In Jeanne's absence, Inara has taken over responsibility for the scheduled spa day. She's made over the public baths in an attempt to give it a tropical theme. There's fruit on tables, a sort of fruity punch. She's got some fake palm trees set up and there's a mix of 'tropical' music that includes some Bob Marley playing.

There are stations for pedicures, manicures, massages, soaking baths, facials, body wraps and the like. Inara will be happy to give massages upon request. Mingle, relax and enjoy the spa day.]

( action )

[voice]

[it's a strong attempt at being blank and completely devoid of emotion, but her voice ends up sounding very quiet, as of she doesn't want to be heard.] How strong do you have to be to kill someone?

[It's late at night. It's too late at night for Mal to be off of the couch in Inara's place where he usually sleeps. And yet, he's up after a nightmare in which people just lay down and let themselves die, where people he cares are dropping one by one, and where governments are all-powerful entities that throw their weight around to quiet anyone with an opinion that's different than theirs.

He has these nightmares often. Sometimes they're more realistic than other times. Sometimes they affect him more than others. But he can rarely go right back to sleep after one.

For awhile he's pacing, thinking over operation barbecue, the numbers he has, the logistics of taking control of this prison to figure out how it works. He's got a good number of people interested and that's what keeps him going, the possibility of getting the hell out of here instead of just lying down and taking it like all those people from his nightmares.

He didn't really mean to be in the dark room he's suddenly in. But while deep in thought, his pacing had led him here, here where he's standing in Inara's room watching her sleep. He really shouldn't be in here, he knows that. And yet...

His hand is on her shoulder and he's gently shaking her awake.] 'Nara...

APPARENTLY THEY LET JUST ANYONE TEACH A CLASS AROUND HERE.

... EXCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE DANGERS TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, I GUESS.

[ pause. Um, what is he supposed to say...? Have some uncertain wibbling - he's really not good at the whole communication thing. ]

SO, I'M TEACHING A COURSE CALLED TECH SHOP I, WHICH STARTS THIS AFTERNOON. IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT BASIC PROGRAMMING AND ELECTRONICS, AND THE FINAL PROJECT IS BUILDING A MINIATURE ROBOT. THERE ARE SOME PREREQUISITES FOR PEOPLE COMING FROM LOW-TECHNOLOGY WORLDS, BUT IF YOU'VE USED A COMPUTER OF ANY KIND BEFORE COMING HERE AND ARE OF AVERAGE HUMAN INTELLIGENCE THEN YOU'LL PROBABLY PICK IT UP.

[ ... He thinks that has it just about covered? Hopefully people will come. Um... ]

IF NO ONE COMES I'LL PROBABLY JUST SIT IN THE CLASSROOM AND BUILD AN ARMY OF TINY ROBOTS, ANYWAY.

[ So you might as well attend, because maybe then he'll give you an important position in his New Order once he has conquered Marina with matchbox-sized robots. ]

[The transmission starts, light dim and musty like the books lining the walls behind the young man that appears on the screen. He seems confused, nervous even, eyes darting from one end of the room to the other and tongue flicking out every so often to lick at his lips. A nervous tic, perhaps, just like his voice grows more rapid with every sentence, pronunciation remaining surprisingly clear despite his fervor.

The situation is familiar. He's trained for this. He's been here before and although he doesn't know who he's talking to, he's talking to someone. Keeping an open feed gives him a greater chance of someone hearing him than not talking at all, and so he talks. Someone will hear him.]

Acumen. First used in the 1530's, the word stems from the latin acuere, to sharpen, hence giving it the meaning of sharpness and in extent shrewdness, keen insight. Another synonym is "the ability to judge well" which alludes that the person using this word as their moniker believes themselves to be the ultimate judge. This in turn points to some sort of God complex with the creator of this AI, although not your typical narcissistic personality disorder - by using the construct as his or her spokesperson the individual behind it can remain hidden much like the Wizard behind the curtain.

And just like in that story the suspect may be feeling inadequate and insecure about him or herself, thus hiding behind a construct in order to keep their appearance flawless - it's the only way they can act as an absolute judge without being hindered by their humanity. A similar logic lies behind the hoods of executioners in the past - by making them virtually faceless the guilt of taking another persons life or in this case their freedom can be absolved into a disembodied concept of justice…

[Pause. Brows furrowed in thought he worries at his bottom lip. This isn't helping. He's not even sure who he's talking to, to be perfectly honest, but that has never stopped him before and if anything doing the math may help clear his head.]

One point six zero nine kilometers under the surface… that translates to roughly a mile. Pressure equals depth times fifteen divided by thirty-three… so at 5280 feet that would result in a pressure of 2400 psi which in turn equates to over a ton per square inch. Right now the limits for commercial diving is roughly at 500 feet, one tenth of the assumed depth we're at now…

[This would be a good time for someone to interrupt. He'll go on forever if you don't.]

[OOC He's restrained and as such bots will take him away to the salt mines work before long! I'd also really appreciate if those interested could fill in this PERMISSIONS POST so we can get some profiling done here.]

[The message she received was all too strange. Is this a dream? Though she’s not entirely surprised she’s been caught and sent to prison. After everything she’s done… she’s technically a criminal right? She should accept her fate…

What she doesn’t notice are her restraints, or rather she underestimates them, causing her trip and her device to fall off and flip on. Her face shows an expression of slight pain, but she easily shakes it off as she stands up, picking her device up with her. Noticing it’s on, she does her best to force a smile. It looks genuine, but to anyone who knows her well enough, it’s easy to tell there’s a fake attribute to it.]

Ah, good morning everyone! I understand I have been brought here due to the crimes I’ve committed, but it seems we’re still allowed to communicate with one another, am I correct? I’m honestly so glad! [And that part is genuine. She rather doesn’t like being lonely.]

My name is Estellise, and it would be a pleasure to make all of your acquaintance. [Then a pause as she looks thoughtful…] Is there a library here or at least a place that sells books? If anyone could tell me, I would be so grateful!

Good morning, Marina! [Have a very smiley pink haired girl on your video feed!] For anyone I haven’t met, I’m Lacus Clyne and I’m very glad to meet you.

It seems as though we’re all going to be in the shelter today, so we should make the best of things. I was thinking that we should get together and have a big winter banquet! Anyone who wants to help cook should please feel free to come to the kitchens and assist, and if not you should still come and enjoy the food with us.

Dinner will be served at 5 in the main cafeteria, and after that maybe we could have fun playing games and watching movies together. I hope everyone has a good day, and I hope to see everyone at the feast!

[A few minutes later]

I just learned that today is also Ritsuka’s birthday! To celebrate there will be a cake and some special desserts and decorations. [as many decorations as they can find without access to the store.] Everyone please, stop by to wish him a happy birthday!

***
((OOC Notes: Mingle post, open to all! Reply to Lacus by [video] or there are several action options: [cooking] any time before 5pm ICly, [dinner] a huge buffet of almost anything you could want, or [after dinner] for card games, board games, and movies throughout the cafeteria and nearby common rooms! Your character is in no way obligated to be at all of these, but they could be if you want~

Also! A link to Ritsuka’s birthday party will be added once it goes up. There will be cake and lots of special desserts and pretty decorations in one area of the cafeteria.

If anyone wants to intentionally or unintentionally sabotage the food, please contact me OOCly before you do so. Thanks and ENJOY!))

[If you feel like wandering into the Shelter kitchens for a midnight snack, you’ll get a bit of a surprise: there are small tea lights scattered around on counters and floors, lending the dark room a soft, warm glow, and, just beyond the doorway, there’s a techpriest seated on the floor with her legs tucked underneath her. Her head is bowed towards the room’s interior, her hands are clasped in front of her face, and she’s softly reciting a prayer. A dish of incense burning close by is lending the kitchen (and even the hallway outside) a powerfully bitter scent.]

[How long has it been since she’s blessed the kitchens? Far too long, in her opinion. And with the Sanguinala approaching quickly, purifying the equipment she’d use to cook the holy meal was of paramount importance.]

[The glare Arya throws to the device in her hands is no less strong than it is a little silly. snow flakes are caught in her mussed up, messy brown hair and her eyelashes as she blinks them away impatiently.]

I want to see my father. [She has no idea how this device works, but she's heard voices and seen people talking and maybe it was a magic mirror! (like the ones old Nan would tell her in the stories) and if it was it meant that she wasn't alone.] I want to see him! I swear, if you gold cloaks hurt him again I'll take Needle and punch you full of holes. I don't care if I committed crimes, that Joffrey deserved everything, and he deserves more. I'll give him a royal black eye once I get out. And I'll free my father too.

[They're passionate words, surprisingly filled with a loathing that seems beyond her age. She breaks off here and for a moment she looks as vulnerable and small as a girl of twelve should look. it wasn't going to work, she had no idea if this stupid mirror was working and if people were watching. She drops the communicator to her lap, obscuring the view.]

[The feed shows Oz, just sitting there in what looks like the cafeteria. Nothing spectacular or overtly interesting to see here really except that his hair happens to be extra red today. Of course those who know Oz know that his hair can change color from day to day depending on how motivated he is to do it. Let's just say someone got a hold of some cherry kool-aid mix. Anyway, it's just Oz.]

Anyone interested in meditation classes? [Yep, that's all he has to say with one curiously arched brow. Nothing more and not exciting or interesting at all.]

Hello. [She didn't sleep much last night. The announcement could wait, but she doesn't think it's going to get easier, so sue pushes ahead. She wants to be strong for his sake. To make him proud of the way she's handling his business in his absence and so that Suzaku and Nunnally won't have to worry about her too. She can be there for them instead.]

I regret to tell you all Lelouch vi Britannia has left Marina.

I will be taking over all his administrative duties at the school. Literature and Philosophy classes will be put on hold until a replacement can be found. If anyone is interested in teaching one or both classes or taking up teaching cooking, art or any other subjects we don't currently offer, please contact me. Thank you for your time.

[ Consider yourselves lucky. Diva's good mood has carried over into the new day thanks to all those chocolates she ate. And she's treating you to something very special indeed...

She's putting on a performance from the top of the clock tower for anyone who might happen to be tuning into their network devices or just straying close enough to hear her. She did promise Sanji she'd sing for him, after all, and Diva always kept her promises. At least the ones she remembered.

As the song ends, she holds her eyes closed until the note fades before opening them, an impish smile crossing her lips. ]

Did you enjoy that? I know I did. I should really sing more often~ [ giggle, and she ends the feed. Hopefully, she didn't make anyone too mad with her little performance. ]

((ooc: Don't remember if someone's living at the clock tower, but if there is, feel free to action it up before or after! ETA: Since IJ doesn't like embedding videos, I added it above and repeated it here for you to listen to.))

Good afternoon, Marina! Ladies, it's that time again~ Yesterday was so stressful, and it's been a while since we all gathered together, so head over to the spa for a spell! [ Jeanne's enthusiasm isn't quite at the levels it normally is for these, but she hides it behind her newfound energy. ] Today we are doing things a little differently -- and by "we" I mean my new friend Inara and I! She has a world of experience in things I could only read about in magazines, so tonight is sure to be a real treat.

Come on down to the public bathhouse, let your hair down, and get pampered just like you deserve! Hope to see you all there!

---

( [ Action | Come one, come all! ] )

((OOC note: Post is NOT filtered, so "crashers" (read: boys) are welcome -- serious troublemakers will be escorted out, so please make an OOC note in your tag if you feel comfortable with that happening, or have someone planned to do just that. Otherwise there might be some female Defense Force members who will gladly do the honors~

If you want to answer the voice portion, just tag into this sub-thread for Jeanne only, otherwise mingle and tag around as you like. <3)

Hello? [The view of her face tips and rocks as she tries to adjust it, peering up under her bangs into the screen before she sits back - her hands settling tight in her lap, her posture almost painfully upright. Her lips press together.]

Is...is anyone out there? Does anyone know - really know - where we are? Because, ah, the computer told me a lot of things but given that it seems to have kidnapped me, it seems like a biased source.

Can you hear me? Am I - [She leans forward a little like if she stares hard enough maybe someone will appear, her movements imbued with a tense, ready kind of energy.]

Am I doing this right?

...if this is any more than a dream anyway.

[Voice | open]
[Outside on one of the grassy fields near the Athletic Complex, Yuta is kicking at a ball he borrowed from one of the sheds and chasing it until it stops. He does this continuously before stopping a moment and adressing the communicator.]

If I could've joined my soccer team back home, I bet we'd win all the time. Oi, does anyone here know why someone would stalk you?

[Action closed to AR]
Come and play with me AR, I'll try to teach you a little!

[The feed goes to a little boy sitting in a corner, knees to chest and behind him is a semi-messy bedroom, but that's because it hasn't been finished getting fixed. But, there's a reason for it--and here's where you see Yuta wipe his arm across his lightly damp cheeks. No, those weren't tears, or at least he wouldn't admit it.]

[And a question from this melancholy little boy]
Does anyone here still have a family? What were they like? Do you miss them?

[What a thing for a criminal to ask, right?]

Lookin' to meet up with some mechanical types. Maybe some engineerin' types too. Also, curious about learnin' about different combat styles you folk have back wherever you're from. No reason for that last one, really. Just curiosity.

I'll be in sector four by this hugely creeptifyin' cherry tree for the better part of the day for those wantin' to have a chat.

[And Mal will be sitting there beneath the shade of the tree, waiting to see who takes the bait and what he can get out of them.]



( ooc )

[Hear that sound? It's the sound of a foot hitting a wall, repeatedly. A girl's gotta work her aggression out somehow, you know? Not like the wall's going to feel anything, anyhow. ENJOY THE SHOW MARINA.

After a few mildly satisfying minutes, Taiga gives up, breathing heavily, face flushed, hair in disarray, hands clenched into fists at her sides.]

A life sentence? You expect me to believe that? You expect me to give in quietly? I refuse.

DO YOU HEAR ME? I. REFUSE.

[No she isn't on the verge of tears what are you talking about.]