[A calm yet curious voice broke over the network. One that might be familiar to a few Marina residents. One not heard for some weeks now but yet for being as long gone as she had been, she was taking things pretty lightly. If the voice wasn't enough of a reminder though, the video soon gave and a red head blinked at her communicator, dressed up in her school uniform and peeking at it, perplexed.]

That's weird... I'm pretty sure I had history today. Does anyone know if it got canceled?

What an eventful day. I'm glad Acumen thought to bring in some more quality alcohol for everyone -- it was very considerate.

[Sentience is out on the doorstep in the snow. It's a little four-foot-tall robot sitting on the stairs in Sector 3 with Cielo's cat on its knees, petting her slowly and carefully with metal hands.]

...If you could change one thing about the prison as it is now, what do you think you would change? [Followed by a thoughtful pause, then adding dryly] Aside from "allowing us to go home" and variations thereon, if you please.

[ morning // video ]
[He turns on the video. He's in a hospital room... Again. And he looks a bit sheepish.] I'm sorry if anyone was looking for me last night or this morning -- I sprained my ankle while I was on patrol. I'll be out of here in the afternoon, so it's nothing to worry about. But I wanted to warn the defense force that I'd be out of commission except in emergencies for a few days.

Ah, Lavi... Can you bring the dog? [ehe] I feel bad leaving you all to take care of him after only a day...


[ afternoon // action ]
[And when he gets out of the hospital in the afternoon he's on crutches, irritatingly enough. He resolves privately to trade them in as soon as he can, and hobbles towards the shelter kitchen quickly. He is so very ready for real food right now.]


[[ooc: You can visit him in the morning or run into him in the afternoon, and kissing bots are okay! He will be on crutches or in bed and unlikely to be able to escape Road.]]

Acumen's systems tick over to midnight, and somewhere in the depths of the holding facility, dozens of little silver spheres shiver and come to life. They rise up into the air, dangling little bouquets of mistletoe, and hover in waiting for the door to open again. And when it does, they swoop out and work their way into the dome proper, making it out just in time for daybreak.

Now they're scattered all over the dome, Anissina's gifts and Eggman's souvenirs. They're seeking out people to bring together in the holiday spirit...

Whether they like it or not!


[Comment here and other people will comment to you. Details and index here. Please specify your time of day and location in your tag!]

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

[One of the worst things about being sick is that it gets pretty lonely. So, now that Red's feeling better, he wants to talk to everyone to make up for all that he's missed in the last four days.]

Hello everyone! [energetic wave] How are all of you doing today?

[Christmas Eve. Which meant that Allen's birthday was...tomorrow. Which in turn, leads to Jun out in the snow with a messenger bag full of ~surprises~ for tomorrow....and a bouncy coyote puppy.

That he's attempting to teach to carol. It's not going well, but they're both having fun, no?]

[Wisely is being creative with markers and paper! He's working on something incredible. Once he's done he'll flick it on video and plaster the image to the screen. How else will Santa see it?!]

( IT'S A MASTERPIECE )

...Maybe I should add some more blood.

((ooc: both Wisely and I have terrible drawing skills so. the scribbled out part says Exorcists and the dead stick figures from left to right is lavi, allen, and kanda. lenalee you are too hard to draw. alma you are too moe.))

[Orihime's latest masterpiece is peanut butter -- hamburgers. She's humming to herself as she finishes off an unnecessary number of them: buns and condiments as usual, just -- with melted peanut butter on top instead of ketchup or mustard. It's a refined taste! Together with a side of shoestring fries and a side salad, just like at McDonalds!

She'll make a nice big meal for everyone. But she's a little worried about Ushiro-kun, who came home in something of a fuss earlier... If he doesn't come down, she'll bring his up separately and make sure he's okay.]

[The video cuts on, but there's snow covering it. A hand comes up to wipe it away and Alma is there grinning, snow clumps all over his head. He looks a little tired, but he has been up since before dawn and most of his day has been spent outside.]

Everybody should play in the snow more! There's so many things you can do! I read about this game where teams try to make really big snowballs and the one with the biggest wins. We can do that and put them together to make the biggest snowman!

Right now, I'm making an igloo! Anybody want to help? Castiel, you should come and we can make snow angels!

[thoughtful look] Fou? Yu? Are you two busy? We haven't gotten to talk or do anything together in a while. You should come make snowballs with me! Please?

{OOC: needed to post this. Heading to work in about an hour, but I'll tag as soon as I get back!}

[There's a bit of a distance between the camera and where Midori's sitting, elbows propped up on the kitchen table as she smiles into the feed. Her fingers are smudged with charcoal -- not her usual medium, but this isn't her usual hobby, so why not put something new with something new?]

Does anybody want me to draw them?

[Holding up her first attempt to show. A bit over polished; it's easy to see where she's made mistakes, and she's used to designing clothes, not drawing portraits -- but she'd like the practice.]

I'm pretty fast, so doing it over video is okay with me!

[It's been a long time -- over two years since Lacus took the stage. There were parts of the experience that she could take or leave, of course, but there was something special about sharing her voice, her message, with those who would listen. And though the performance she's planning will lean more to the fun side of things and less toward a message of peace, it's still a sense of nostalgia.]

[If she's going to sing, she wants to do it right. That's why she's headed to the sewing club room, in search of someone to make her something special to wear.]

Good evening, Midori.

[Anyone who takes a trip into Sector 5 and wanders a few blocks from the main shopping district might just turn a corner and find yourself overshadowed by a large red tent that takes up half of the street. It's tall structure billows only gently from the wind, not affected by the heavy snowfall.

Should you enter the tent, you'll find a large black rug has been placed just beyond the entrance--wipe your feet please?--and beyond that tables have been set up for refreshments and small talk during the show. The light is bright, the music low, but pulsing, and it's not as cold as one would think it would be--the joy of electric space heaters, what a marvelous invention. Jutting out from between the tables in the front of the tent is a catwalk, where models walk up and down, displaying the fashions as the announcers talk over the loudspeaker. The stage is not so large as to span from one side of the tent to the other, but it's big enough. There's a black curtains in the back and the design of it all is both elegant and showy.

Three sides of the tent are tied down, blocking out the cold, but the fourth wall has been tied up connecting to the blue awning of the white-stone building beside it. Painted on the glass windows in blue green is the name of the boutique: Trés Magnifique. Are you interested in a tour?]

{OOC: To make this easier for everyone, respond in your header with one of the following: Pre-Show, Mingle, Fashion Show, Boutique Tour, Backstage, and After Party. Threadjack to your hearts' delights! I won't be able to micro-manage everything, but if your character is modeling and needs an announcer, do make note of that, because Josak will be there!}

Hi~

I hope everyone's having a good day today despite the snow and really it's because of the snow that I just can't let this idea go--Ribbons suggested it!--but wouldn't it be nice to have a winter ball?

We'd have punch! And a fireplace! And of course we'd decorate with garland and ribbons and mistletoe and lots of other cheery, wintry things... It's a little late notice but, maybe if we all pitched in we could get something set-up in a few days? I'd hate to let all this snow go to waste!

[and considering how fast the seasons change... ajdkl;fad She wasn't going to miss her opportunity!]

I just realized something...[thoughtful pause from a girl that's been missing for quite a while...but she doesn't know that!] If it's this cold again already..?, that means I missed my birthday! I've never missed one before, and I certainly won't start now.

I'll have a cake with lots of candles~ And lots of presents~ And, oh! I can't forget the guests. What's a party without people to play with?~ [by this point she's swinging her legs around, her voice sing-song] I'll invite Mama and Naoya and Gin and Joshua and Xion and Ciel, Sebastian too naturally~, and Euphie and Akito...Jade, Conrad, Yuuri, Lelouch, Maya, Orihime, Yuuki, Sakamoto....

Exorcists too of course! Actually, Allen only - the rest of you Exorcists aren't wanted~ [♥]

[ooc: oh hey it's the df's most popular criminal w-will be laggy....action's open for Wisely and Tyki and whoever's still at home!]

It got really cold, huh? Does that mean it'll be snowing soon? [Cold means snow where he's from, but things could be different in an underwater dome.]

[Filtered to Jennifer]

Jennifer-san, were you still planning on getting the remodeling of your house done today? I don't think people would enjoy working in the cold...

I need help.

[Any heartattacks? Conrad? Yuuki? Jennifer? No? Good. Moving on.]

I can't tell if this milk is still good. Can someone else smell it?

[Shopping~ Shopping~ Shopping~

Orihime is in complete control of her faculties today and, therefore, is happily taking off for the clothing store to meet with Midori and help her build an adorable new winter wardrobe. She's feeling much better after all the scary stories, and the dinner with Rayflo, and some snuggling with Edward; she even went forth on a goodwill mission to help poor Alphonse this morning and she may have only just met him but he has already gotten to second base with her.

And when she returns home to make some whimsical hot cocoa in the spirit of the season, she'll get an unexpected knock on her door...]



((ooc: Feel free to run into Orihime out and about if you want! Midori may or may not be coming back with her, in which case she and Ushiro can thread together too if you guys want. ♥ ))

...[So he woke up this morning and found out he'd managed to sleep through an entire day. He didn't think he'd used that much energy. But, even so, Jun's voice doesn't really sound sleepy, just deadpan, and he's bored...bored, and a little bit curious.]

This is a bit of an odd question to ask out of the blue, but since everyone is from different worlds, what kind of music do you listen to? Well, if you listen to music at all.

[...That last sentence pains him, but he has to include it.] Also, is music an everyday part of life, or is it mostly just for special occasions?

[ooc: Tags will be slow, BUT I WILL GET THEM, GORRAMMIT. >:O I MEANS IT. Also, consider this blanket permission to threadjack all over this post if you should feel like it. Cheers.]

[ Himawari is holding a giant book titled 'ASTROLOGY AND YOU'. She seems very intent on whatever line she's reading, before she finally puts it down with a cheerful smile. ]

I used to read my horoscope every day in the newspaper back home. I know that a lot of people don't believe in astrology and sign reading, but I think it's a fun hobby! If not sometimes accurate!

[ Flips to the Sagittarius page. BEAM SPARKLE BEAM ] My birthday's on November 27, so that makes me a Sagittarius! How about you? I can read your sign for you too if anyone would like me to.