Good morning, everyone! Today is the 162nd day of the third generation, and it is still chilly, but will remain clear. I have a very important question for you all to think about today...

[Sentience pauses. The robot appears to be in the butterfly pavilion this morning, but you won't find it there, and in fact the pavilion is strangely calm; all the butterflies are perfectly still, as if sleeping.]

I know that Acumen has asked this once before, but I ask you again, sincerely. ...I want you to think about the importance of freedom, compared to the importance of safety. Would you rather that I give you the freedom to do what you wished, or would you rather that I protected you from each other, even if that means that I may have to deny you things you want, or interfere in your lives in ways you may not want?

[...after a beat] Think about it, and let me know your thoughts in the next few days.

Either way, today I have removed the debris from the former site of the Devil's Compass. As per request, I will be beginning efforts to rebuild it. Any inmate who is interested in helping in the reconstruction is welcome to do so!

And finally, Sasha, your requests have been installed in the handicraft room at the education center; and Snowman and PM, your requests are available at the shelter. You can ask any robot there, and they will retrieve it for you.

[There is an uneasy chuckle, tinged with the slightest hint of pain.] I finally put this thing on and everything's boring again. So much for entertainment.

Wisely. Bring me some smokes, will you? Oy, and a clean shirt.


[Private to Miranda]

Miranda, love. [He's not even sure if she'll reply, but it's worth a shot.]

Would you be a doll and do something for me?


[Private to Kitty]

Let me guess, the silent treatment? Is that happening now. [He doesn't know she knows about the whole 'intentionally overheard' thing, so. Again, worth a shot.]

[ Being locked up is one thing; being restrained just makes Faith's skin crawl. The fact that okay, yeah, she's kind of totally dangerous doesn't escape her but the problem here is she's usually the target of other dangerous things. Which means having a giant heavy ball attached to her leg makes her way more vulnerable. So the grunting and wheezing should be unsurprising as she tries to yank the chain off of the ball. ]

You think this is gonna help? Seriously, I get it. Normal prison wasn't cutting it, so you pull me out and dump me here. Fine, great. Three squares and a weird headset? All kosher. But this? [ She punctuates that by chucking the welcome basket away with a sneer. ] Ain't gonna cut it -- can't chain me up and dump in some graveyard like old times. I'm only declawed for humans, let's get it straight.

[ Though...now that she's looking around this place is pretty scarce for a graveyard. ]

Okay, what the hell is this? Whack-a-vamp? [ Stiiiiill trying to disable the old ball 'n' chain, here. ]

[Suddenly there is video! And now there isn't. Oh, but now it's back! Give him a break, he's a carpenter, not an A/V geek.]

Hey, so did anyone know that prison came with headgear? I was not aware of that. I kind of feel like I should be one of those really pretentious rock stars who can't be bothered with a microphone. Also, kind of awkward to have this thing over one eye when you only have one eye.

Right, so... I was with some people. And there was a giant hole where a town used to be. Buff? Wil? ...I'll even take Andrew. Are you on this thing?

(OOC: He has an eyepatch over one eye even though not every icon confirms this!)

[It's busy in the hospital. Bots are puttering around, carrying supplies from room to room, keeping meticulous records for each of the patients, ensuring that all are treated and stable. Changing bandages, adjusting medications. Efficient little guys. They have to be in the wake of an Exorcist battle.]

[If you let them know who you're here to see, the bots calmly will direct you to the appropriate location. It might be a patient room, or the waiting area if treatment is ongoing. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves as you await word.]


((OOC: This is taking place between the evening of and the day following Cross's unfortunate episode and the resulting Noah beatdown. Consider it a mingle-type; people can chat in the waiting rooms or hallways at any point throughout the night or following morning, or they can come see any of the injured Exorcists.

Links to threads for injured parties: Cross || Allen || Lavi))

[It's a party at the Noah's place and only Exorcists are invited. You probably don't want to be here anyway. There's blood everywhere, the cat is really unpleasant, and it's about to get violent.]

[Anyone working the DF dispatch right around noon will register an alarm. Someone's vitals are taking a nosedive. But before anyone can call it in, a video feed snaps on.]

( Cut for blood and evidence of torture )

((OOC: There will be one closed action thread for the Order crew and anyone they invite in to help rescue Cross - healers/others can offer their help over the network. Other people who want to show up at the church will find that Komui has blocked the entrances for their protection, but they can thread with Komui or each other. Please note that the church will be closed and off limits until further notice.

Network replies will need threadjacks since Cross is -- uh. Indisposed.))

[ The weather offered a semblance of peace after the events of the last few days, and the pitter-patter of the rain against the window is very relaxing.

What better than to spend it at the library in the company of tomes? Sasha makes herself comfortable in a corner, seemingly building a small fortress around her as she samples several books, all of varying topics.

You will get a smile if she sees you approach, or even help you reach or look for a book. She knows her way around the library enough~ ]


(( OOC: Off hiatus, and here be Sasha chillin' at the library. Feel free to imagine her random choice of books and question/comment on/mock her about them, read with her, or even ask her to read to you~ ))
 

[ it's your friendly neighborhood Bookman! and he has something to tell you all, now that he's more or less awake. ]

So, I guess I should assume everybody who was in the English class last time around has completely slacked off. Except munchkin. [ wry ] Man, you all are lucky Gramps isn't around.

Here's the plan, folks. Days ending in two and seven, from five p.m. to six, I'll be teaching a basic English class, starting on day 162. Yuuki, you've got no excuse now. [ he is so winking ] And for people who were bored in the basic class, I'm adding an advanced class on days ending in five and nine, from three t'four p.m. That's going to start on day 165.

If it's all right with Euphie, of course. [ looks ready to turn this off, then remembers: ]

Oh, an' bring pencils and paper. Curse words get taught in the advanced class. [ GRIN /click! ]

( Deep Puck thoughts that mostly amount to 'be more fun, guys' )

( The actual spell )

[OOC: Feel free to thread amongst yourself, anywhere in the dome! Here's the OOC post for details.]

[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 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.))

Hey General. [Greetings, it's your absolute favorite Noah.

Sounding hella smug this early in the morning.] What do you say to a morning drink?


[Action/ Morning at the Devil's Compass]

[For some it might be too early in the morning for a drink, and think him and his openly public invitation crazy if you wish. But when you have an opportunity this golden to rub something in, especially on Cross Marian of all people, why not use it? Judgment is nowhere in sight, but Tyki Mikk is reclining against the bar in a fitted vest and clean white shirt. Not a special enough occasion to warrant a tie or jacket. Today, at least.

While he is waiting for his dear friend Cross to show, the tavern's not quite the most secluded place so threadjacks and general posting are open for anyone else who might wish to be at the Devil's Compass... this early in the morning! (Hey, the food's good. Try the hashbrowns.)]

[Stitch has borrowed one of the shelter rooms to stay in over the last few days. Now he turns his communicator on to show it off. At first all you'll see is the ceiling, then a big alien eye before Stitch grins and tilts the communicator to show off one of the walls]

Look!

[Said wall has a bunch of photos tacked to it, mostly of different areas in the dome. There's also a sketch of him carefully pinned up that was given to him by Reki a few days ago]

Lilo had photo wall at home. So Stitch make photo wall here! [It kind of reminds him of home, but not as full] Stitch needs to take photos of people. [He sets the communicator down and crawls up onto said wall, going around the photos] Take lots of photos!

[He has the plans.

Later on he can be found all around the dome with his newly acquired camera, taking pictures of everything and everyone who comes across his path. Smile for the camera?]

[the memories invade his dreams, and he tenses slowly more and more in his sleep, until he can feel the physical effect of months without being able to rest, or eat his fill, or even smile. not when every moment, every heartbeat, he knows: they're coming for him]

[until it all catches up with him and he can't run anymore and it's too late]

[and he wakes with a quiet gasp, eyes flying open to stare at the ceiling and utterly still]


[...by the time he goes out for breakfast, he is composed again, trying his best to appear the same as ever. this morning he needs some coffee. a lot of coffee]

[he can't let anyone know what happened. can't even let them know that he knows. the way that he's been living is too hard to share. he's going to be the same old Allen for them. same old Allen]

[so he curls up in the windowsill of his apartment with his coffee, looking out on the dome. he'll smile and wave and chat with anyone passing by or coming to visit or calling to talk to him. and be totally, totally normal]


((ooc: secretive Allen is secretive about his canon update. If you need or want to see him for whatever reason; if you're passing by his apartment in Sector 3 and see him lurking in the window, or if you live in his apartment in Sector 3, you are encouraged to say hi to him!))

If this is what it means to be imprisoned for criminal activities, aren't we a lucky bunch? Granted, the last two days was a bit of a buzzkill, but now that I'm one iron ball chain lighter... Seriously? Comfy rooms, endless entertainment, free food and drinks?

Not exactly anything to complain about. [ The lack of a familiar face around here though kind of really sucks. Damon's also worried about Elena back home (and he has no idea what to think about that whole 'he's been replaced by another version of himself' nonsense), but since there's no getting out of the facility anytime soon, he might as well get to know his fellow inmates -- see if anyone strikes him as interesting or worthwhile enough to get to know. ]

Or am I missing something? What's the catch?

Good morning, inmates. It is the 155th day of the third generation.

As most of you are aware, there was an incident yesterday with a number of strange robots built by a previous inmate of this facility, which some of you may recognize from previous incidents. They appear to have ceased operations for the time being, so you may go about your daily routines today without concern.

Inmates Raistlin Majere and Sollux Captor, the items you requested can be retrieved at the entrance to Sector 0.

[Allen and Link (the person) are, of course, incapable of sequestering themselves in their apartment for the day just because of some obnoxious robots. They have Link (the dog) to walk, Timcanpy (the golem) to keep from flirting with pretty girls, and lots and lots of food to eat.]

[Find them in the place of your choosing! And then kiss them.]


((You will be threading with both of them, but indicate if you want to kiss Allen, Link, or both in your subject line! ...Boths will be one after the other, not simultaneous.))