Night was falling, the smell of spices were in the air and Jennifer was busy putting the last finishing touches on all the hard work everyone had done to get the athletic complex decked out and festive.

Walking through the front door, you'll see a table where you can put all your presents on for now with a tree sitting behind it. Don't worry, the bots will make sure no one but Jennifer takes any gifts off the table! There's also a series of volunteers ready and willing to help you out of your coats if you need it, but otherwise, please don't hesitate to shed off a few layers.

It might be a little warm if you don't.

Inside the main entrance, Jennifer's taken care to section off the room into the main dancing area and a stage salvaged from the Valentine's Day auction off to the side for the performances later on. Surrounding the outer edges, are tables and settees salvaged from the Shelter so that those who wish to watch can do so in comfort. Do be careful though. Scented candles are lit on each table to provide a soft light to balance out the harshness of the lights over the dance floor.

And of course there's food. Punch and egg-nog and shrimp and cheese and a myriad of other finger foods. There are cookies decorated with frosting and lemon bars and cranberries and a giant bowl of sugared dates. Marzipan is scattered across the table and a small gingerbread house sits as a centerpiece, but the cake is the main attraction.

But the cake comes with a price. Anyone who wants a piece, must do what it says on the toothpick first. Have fun! And no cheating. Someone might be watching to make sure no one does.

Music is already playing and Jennifer's leaving things up to the host club to make sure people start dancing, because what's sadder then a ball with no dancing? Do make sure to enjoy yourselves. It's why we're all here!

((ooc: The first thread is for the cake game and will list various things you must do. The second is for performers to do their act so we can group reactions together in one spot. And last, mingle, threadjack, and have merry with whatever your characters want to do in the rest of the post!

As an ooc gift meme was suggested instead of actually threading out every gift exchange, we will be doing that instead, but we highly encourage you to still seek out your gift recipients and build CR in the post as you will.

Also, mistletoe can be found neatly tucked inside wreaths at the main entrance to the Athletic complex and also from the cloak room leading into the dance hall. Be nice! Ask permission first.))

ETA: Directory (Edited 12/28 10:30pm/22:30 EST/-05:00 GMT, new marked with ***)

Cake Game: Reply to Cake: Midori - Mistletoe Cake: Road - Dancing Cake: Ryu - Dancing Cake: Otoha - Singing Cake: Wisely - Compliment Cake: Alucard - Dancing Cake: Orihime - Ornament Cake: Hikaru - Mistletoe Cake: Yuuki - Song Cake: Kaworu - Mistletoe Cake: Milly - Dancing Cake: Tyki - Mistletoe Cake: Hiling - Mistletoe/Dancing Performances: Reply to Performance: Naoya Performance: Lacus Performance: Choir Individual: Saki Individual: Ryoji Individual: Peregrine Mendicant Individual: Wolfram Individual: Zelda Group: Kaworu, Hiling or both Individual: Himawari Individual: Feferi Individual: Cain Individual: Jeanne Individual: Ashton Individual: Midori Individual: Cosmo Individual: Fou Individual: Greed Individual: Minako Individual: Eridan Individual: Orihime

Individual: Fran Individual: Allen Individual: Tyki Individual: Chibiusa Individual: Hikaru Individual: Dean Individual: Harry Potter Individual: Wisely Individual: Axel Individual: Kamrui Fuuma Individual: Ushiro Individual: Maleficent Individual: Kaoru Individual: Zelman Individual: Yuuki Individual: Kyouya Individual: Joshua Individual: Yuuri Individual: Sam Individual: Zero Individual: Kitty (aoa) Individual: Juri Individual: Alma Individual: Lavi Individual: Milly Individual: Rinoa Rain of Flowers: Sakura Individual: C.C. Individual: Takashi Jun Individual: Suzaku Individual: Kanda Individual: Jade Individual: Duo Individual: MOMO Individual: Kitty (evo) ***Individual: Ciel

[Oh goodness, the Angel has found the Pet Cafe on one of his morning strolls.

He's also decided that he may as well fully out himself, since he hasn't been putting - well, any effort into hiding it. Why not live as an Angel here, since there's no SEELE or NERV to know or care about it? With that thought in mind, he turns on video.]

I learned a lot about you Lilim yesterday. It seems your emotions are even more complicated and confusing than I thought.

There's still one thing I don't understand, though - your desire for animal companions. [He picks up a small orange kitten, regarding it curiously.] Pets, you call them, right? What's a pet's purpose? Why do you care so much for something that can't even communicate with you? What do you get from the relationship?

[He's holding the kitten in a rather unusual way, thumbs lightly pressed to its throat. They're so fragile, these little creatures. He still remembers how easily he ended one of their lives, without even breaking a sweat...

... no, he's not considering doing it again. There's no need this time, since someone will eventually adopt the thing, and the robots will care for it if not. But if you're particularly sensitive, you might not like the intense way he's staring at kitty, particularly with his hands at its throat.]

Does anyone know where I can buy a bicycle? And if the place takes yen?

[Being blind is very undesired. Rayflo is used to have exceptional senses and more. Temporary or not, being blind sucks. So have a Rayflo who is sitting inside his house, relaxing on the couch--wearing sunglasses. Becauase he can.]

This is an experience I can say is the least enjoyable of everything since I've been here. But maybe that's just my opinion. We all have our dislikes.

So my fellow inmates, which of the little mishaps we've experienced since arriving would you say ranks the highest for you? Or should I say the "lowest"? [little shrug] Did one of them cause you more trouble than the others? I know several of you were here when the prison shut down for days, that must have been difficult. But I think many of us weren't.

[a little pause and then a smirk]

And Cherry, Daddy's going to make something real nice for dinner tonight. It will leave your mouth watering. [Just so you know you can't run, Cherry. Blind or not he'll find you.]

{OOC: Sticking a warning in here for slight, kind-of sexual content in the Cherry/Rayflo thread. Depends on how you look at it?}

[Stumbling into the Shelter kitchen while half-asleep isn't always a great idea, since it's too easy to make mistakes, such as the one about to happen. Otoha, still blinking sleep from his eyes, opens up a fridge and stares inside.]

[… There's blood. Lots of blood, in packets. Immediately he snaps awake. It couldn't be. Could it? He flicks on the video feed, eyes narrowed and holding up one of the blood packs.]

Would anyone mind explaining this? There aren't mikura here, are there?

[[ooc; If anyone wants to stumble upon him in the kitchen, that's fine too. o/ ]]

[He sent Yukiria out to get the eggs, milk, and whatever else they might need and Orihime will be there any minute. It's been weeks since they had anyone visit. Rayflo has been slipping. Maria looks adorable with a red ribbon tied around her neck, if he does say so himself.

Now, he just has to wonder if Cherry will be there.]

{OOC: Close to Orihime and Charley!}

[The feed clicks on to show a wobbly view of one of the shelters rooms, partly blocked by an out flung hand.]

Hot...

[The hand moves away, and a very sick Alessa can be seen, staring at the screen with glazed eyes. She doesn't really know what she's doing, only knows that the device she's looking at will bring help, like the blond nurse with her eyes burnt out, or the blond mother with the gentle smile...]

Water...please...

(ooc: Alessa probably won't be able to answer very well to any video/voice replies, she's so sick, so action replies will probably be best...)

[...it's almost dinnertime, but her house is so empty. She doesn't like being alone in it, even with Edward for company, so... umm... NETWORK POST TIME]

I can't believe we let Halloween go by without telling any scary stories! I mean, I guess I can, since we were all busy and the day before was pretty scary, but -- does anyone know any fun scary stories they could tell? Am I the only one who missed having them?


[private // Ushiro, Rayflo]
How are you...? It's been a little while since I've talked to you.

[He's on his way to the arcade this morning, bundled in a jacket and a scarf wrapped around his neck, covering his mouth. He plans to get in a little Angelic Layer practice before anything else. Things have been getting hectic again lately, but it's important to keep the little entertainments up. Especially for conversations like this.

[You'll be able to find him while he's out walking or in the arcade~!]



[voice // filtered to Tear and Jade]

Sgt. Grants -- do you have a few minutes to spare?

Well! So many new people today! I must say that this is quite the opportunity to pose a question.

Do any of you have any specific wishes? How many of you are expecting a birthday soon? Or perhaps over the holiday season you'll be wanting something? I simply can't just sit here without granting some things for you. Do tell me. Come, now, don't be shy, tell me all that you want. Princess Nunnally, perhaps? Or Ms. Kurosu? [A light laugh.]

Mm...oh, yes. [And now she will add with a touch of sympathy,] Xion, darling, I'm afraid I was unable to find your friend. I hope you had better luck than I.

[Voice]
Acumen has done as ask and provided everything we need for a fun little evening. The anticipation must be getting to some of you. And why shouldn't it?

If you're giving out treats, don't forget to put a jack-o-lantern outside your door. Even in the Shelter.~

And trick-or-treaters should be careful of the Park in Sector 4 tonight. It's Halloween and who knows what might be lurking there. [Insert an amused, mysterious chuckle.]

[Event]
[The candy is out, the light is on, and the jack-o-lanterns "smile" on the stoop. It's perfect with the sun having fallen to half-mast and the dark orange-and-red glow of the late afternoon stretching out over the prison. A perfect night for trick-or-treating indeed.

And do be wary of the Park. Unsuspecting trick-or-treaters will find themselves possibly startled by bats swooping down from the trees, or hear the howling of a wolf break through the silence of the night right when they least expect it. Something may have tried to touch you, but why is nothing there? What was that noise in the underbrush? Is that a black cat hissing over there with bright green eyes in the dark? Who knows?]

( OOC )

[Sitting on the lowest branch of one of the taller trees in the park, Diva's not impressed with the new decorations, especially the pumpkins that managed to find they're way into her pavilion. She just might have to go smashing those later ~♥ But first, she had a call to make.]

Oh, Saya~ I do hope you managed to make it through the night. Diva would hate it if her dear, older sister died before she got to know her~ [♥ Or before she had a chance to send her a little... gift.]

((ooc: Backdated to mid-morning. If you'd like to witness pumpkin smashing, just put pavilion in the subject heading so I know. She'll be covered in pumpkin mush when she does.))

[ the whoosh and crackly sound of fire -- ]

Monsters, twins, vampires, underage children, artificial intelligence -- [ the bzzt of static ]

This place more or less covers them all. Feel free to add whatever I've missed.

[ muffled shrieking of raptors and more static ] On another note, I do hope that this doesn't become too common a occurrence. Too much of a good thing makes it terribly boring.

[ ooc: is cheating and using Eye Raid to stop the monsters in their tracks. feel free to cut down some of the raptors. ]

I have snacks and tea if anyone wants to join me for another little party. [Smiles brightly into the camera.] I promise I won't pull out the photo albums again~ [In other words, an invitation for Yuuki to come too! To her own house! Woah!]

What with recent events, I know that some of you are probably a little stressed. So please come to the manor in sector four! Hopefully we can all try to cheer up together!

[OOC: Kaien is currently in front of the manor with many snacks and a lot of tea and coffee sitting on a medium-sized table surrounded by many so-far empty chairs. Doesn't it sound inviting?]

[Now that the ball and chain is gone, Vanitas finally feels power returning to him. Off in Sector Four, darkness bleeds off of him. From it spawns five little creatures that instantly pool into the ground and scatter off in different directions. Unversed are now unleashed upon the denizens of the asylum.

He's noted that he can't create more, possibly due to more restrictions. Vanitas growls a little under his mask, irritation levels rising further. Just what does that machine think it is... Watching the Floods wander off, he sets himself to looking around. Nothing suspicious about some teenager in a mask walking around. Nope, not at all. It's about time he got better used to the layout of this prison. Perhaps he could run into someone that could potentially be useful...

The problem is the Unversed. Vanitas isn't stupid enough to be caught near them. He'll steer clear of the little horde he's created, only spawning more of the current batch meets an untimely end. After all... The thing they do best is appearing when you aren't quite expecting them too and attacking.]



((ooc note: The Unversed can be found in any sector you wish to be in. They usually come in groups of 2. Since Vanitas can simply create more as soon as another is defeated, encounters can also occur at any time during the day. Vanitas is also available for action, though only in the morning.))

Good morning, inmates. It is the 84th day of the third generation.

There is an issue that I would hear all of your opinions on, one regarding some inmate reactions to the blackout that occurred the night before last. It is imperative that you all understand that such events will naturally happen, so long as inmates have the free reign that they do. The only fail-safe method to ensure that nothing goes wrong is to reduce or remove that freedom.

So then, inmates of Marina Asylum, should the trust and freedom given to you be limited in exchange for a more smoothly operated system and facility? Or are some of you content to endure through some inconveniences, and retain the leniency you have now?

Inmates Fai D. Flourite and Toothless, your requests can be found at the entrance to Sector 0. Inmate Kefka Palazzo, your request will delivered by a remote unit.

I heard last year for Halloween there was a party. Nice, but not the only way to celebrate this time of year, is it? There's a lack of the innocent creativity that accompanies the current holiday. [Rayflo is smirking just a little.]

I spoke to Acumen and he gave me permission to host a little "game" if you will. As long as I get enough support. The objective? The one with the most candy wins.

So is anyone up for a fun time of "trick-or-treating" this Halloween?

[Raises an index finger.] And don't forget you agreed to help, Axel.

[Rayflo is currently sitting with a long stemmed rose in his hand. A rose with golden petals. He holds it close to his nose as if smelling it and then pulls it away to look deep into the camera with eyes a similar hue. He has plans for this afternoon. Not he only needs is the right hook.]

The golden apple a gift to thee,
Thy smile a sweet treasure.
To gaze upon it again for free,
A wish I dare not pray for.
One night is all I ask of thee,
To prove myself true in thy eyes.
Become my princess for this eve,
And I your knight beneath the sky.

[He gives a smile that's soft, a flash of bright white teeth, and one didn't know better they would say he was sparkling.]

Fair maiden, an answer of yea or nay is all I seek.

[And to make sure she knows just who he is talking to, he holds up his other hand which holds what should be a familiar-looking golden apple made of porcelain.]

Good morning, inmates. It is the 82nd day of the third generation.

The ventilation system reports that all traces of the chemical released yesterday have been dispersed, and there are no adverse effects expected. Any concerned for their condition may proceed to the hospital.

The koi pond in the park is finished, and as with the butterflies in the Pavilion, catching or harming the fish in any way will not be tolerated.

...And I would remind all inmates: alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the facility, save on club premises. There are no exceptions.

[ it started early this morning, but he didn't really notice until about two hours ago, when his clothes were noticeably ill-fitting. unfortunately, by that point the shrinking had sped up considerably -- and now he's less than a foot tall.

feel free to investigate the pile of rumpled clothing in the park and discover a tiny, tiny Suzaku within its folds. he'll stop shrinking when he's roughly the size of a mouse, but he already looks like a doll and the communicator is much more difficult to use.

he wants to get back to his house, but he's not sure how to go about it -- and, technically, a little bit naked right now. ]