[Just as evening starts to fall, one of the parks in Sector 4 has been festooned with streamers, bright lights in a variety of colors, a big upraised dais, tables of refreshments, and music. It looks like a perfectly normal party from the outside. Optional masks are provided in little bins beside the dais, but you're responsible for your own costumes...!



...And if you're dressed as a character, the moment you step onto the dais, you will believe yourself to have led that character's life for your whole life. This effect will last until "midnight", in this case Sunday, even if you leave the party.]

[Kitty was dress shopping. She had about ten of them pulled out. All the costumes she was looking at were formal of course. Admiring her selections, she then took them to the dressing rooms to try on. In between, she came out to the mirror to examine each.]

{OOC: Kitty's in the clothing shop looking at costumes. Feel free to make up which one she's got on at the moment.}

I've never seen a place so fond of parties before. [ Lenalee is thumbing curiously through the costumes hung through the clothing store, and her topic is vaguely serious but her face still light ]

It does seem to like its little. "Surprises", doesn't it? [ she rolls a plastic crown between her fingers ] I suppose, considering its strange idea of criminals, it might as well be a strange prison.

( ooc : action totally open to anyone that'd like to come across them! )

Hmmm!

[It is evening time, and for all intents and purposes the video appears to be accidental at first. The view's an open-ish area in the dome (the park? probably), and currently occupied by two women, standing and facing each other, though the video feed mostly only shows the younger girl. At the present moment, it is the older one who speaks however, exclaiming quite enthusiastically to the other, pointing to her and generally being loud and dramatic.]

My darling, I will show no mercy, as you have seen this evening, and I fully expect the same of you towards me. Otherwise, there is no point. [If the passionate glint of excitement can be seen in her eyes, it's pretty obvious to notice. The woman is loving this. She's made for combat.] You might encounter bruises and obstacles in this training, but I'm confident it will be overcome by perseverance, my dear. In fact! Any others, where they to be witnesses today, would only agree, I am most certain. [And anyone watching the video... Did you see that wink?]

Therefore!

Once more! Yuuki Kuran, come at me with all your might!

It's getting warm now. Around this time I'd be getting ready for spring vacation in school. [ smile ] I suppose I should start making different plans now. Does anyone have anything planned for the warm weather?

[ a little pause. hesitating a little- ] Also, what can you do if...an old wound is irritating you? [ because when you have scars all over your back, they sometimes throb ;-;. ]

[The cold hasn't kept Saya off the beach tonight, where she's settled with a large blanket thrown over her lower half. A foot away rests a thick book, old and tattered, the pages and cover spattered with soot. On the cover, engraved on a gold seal, is the name "Joel Goldschmidt" and the year 1833.]

[Now she knows. Everything. What she is, where she comes from -- and Diva. Pages and chapters and decades of it all.]

[And all she can manage to do is sit and stare into the sea and wonder what she's going to do now.]

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!]

( Early morning//Private )

[Video, about 7 AM]

[Ryu flicks on the video, looking as if he hasn't slept well. At least he's managed to wipe his face by the time he broadcasts.]

Fou-Lu's gone, if anyone's looking for him.

[Defense Force filter]

Can someone cover my shift this morning? I… I'm not feeling up to it.

[/Filter]

[Action]

[Ryu's wandering around this morning, mostly in sectors 2 and 4. He's headed for the Butterfly Pavilion and the Pet Cafe.]

Yes, but the world
Is always so beautiful
It seems so strange that you alone aren't here…

[[ooc; Feel free to tag either of the public parts (or the filtered part if applicable). Ryu's humming a bit of this song.]]

( FEELINGS and PROBLEMS )
[ It's been a while since he's visited the beach alone -- not since that time he had been confronted by Xellos -- but he didn't want to go home just yet. This might not be the weather for it, but there he is.

He's still dressed in his black flannel suit, sitting on a bundle of dark purple cloth, though the tie is undone and the ribbon has been pulled out of his shoulder-length hair that still needs to be cut. He doesn't even care if the breeze carries it across his eyes.

Around his neck hangs a silver chain, and in his fingers he's cradling an orb. Occasionally, he flips open the top of the shell and depresses the switch that ignites a small flame. Ashton is staring down at it, as if this tiny point of light would have some kind of answers for him, and he whispers to it, as if it will carry a message to its previous owner. ] I didn't get you anything, but... I hope you're having fun, wherever you are...

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

What does love mean to you?

[Someone sounds unwontedly serious and more than a little perplexed. Trying to remember love -- why does it all come up white?]


((OOC: Sob he had to ask. Feel free to threadjack to your heart's content.))

[video]
Good afternoon, Marina. For those of you privileged enough to sleep through yesterday morning's incident, my name is Kyouya Ootori and I am the Vice President of the Marina Asylum Host Club, which will be having it's first meeting shortly in the Education Center. Tamaki assures me that he's already announced his intentions of forming a Host Club within the facility, but I would like invite all those interested in joining the Host Club to attend this meeting.

If you should have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be happy to answer them.

[action]
[Kyouya's hijacked one of the larger rooms and is currently sitting at the table with his precious laptop that he's reclaimed in front of him. There's a small stack of papers next to him, mainly forms for the new members as well as general rules and guidelines. The set up is fairly standard - chairs, tables, assorted snacks, a tea set. Not as fancy as he was used to, but it would have to do for now.

Assuming Tamaki wasn't completely incompetent when recruiting, there should be a few people filtering through the door about now...]


((OOC: Everyone is welcome to comment on the video! And show up at the meeting, though you may get strange looks if you are of the female persuasion. Also, both handwaving and backtagging are perfectly acceptable if you are currently too busy to tag. And because this is the Host Club, there may be threadjacking everywhere.))

[ On the desk before the camera, several layers of sketches, books, and artfully-crafted trinkets lay. On the very top is a bible, which Ashton's hand is resting on, as he sits at the work desk in his apartment.

Despite some rough news yesterday for a friend of his, he looks cheerful. ] U-um, hello everyone.  I was reading over what people celebrate about this time of year, and I was curious if anyone needs any decorations made? I think they're supposed to go on trees, but I guess they could be hung just about anywhere.

[ He holds up a couple of example pieces of his handiwork. They aren't perfect -- the craftsmanship is quality, but Ashton has a strange sense of style, so some angles may look off, and the curves are more like waves in the third dimension, rather than pressed flat. ] I've never worked with designs like this before, so I hope they're okay -- we don't celebrate the birth of any Savior back home and I don't really get what the animal is for...

B-but if you would like something for the season, please let me know!

[ Ashton reaches for the device to turn it off, stopping short. ] O-oh, a lot of new people came, right? My name is Ashton. Ashton Anchors. I also make and repair jewelry, and barrels. Please call me if you need anything! [ With a final smile, he's gone. ]

[Lenalee was not planning on coming out so soon. The light Grecian sunburn on her nose felt horribly raw against the chill of the Dome's winter.

But then she hit Miranda's card and, with it in one hand and the wicker basket in the other, she emerges. Her face is still framed with the device she woke up to, and the bare thighs against the snow are at least contrasted with the scarf and gloves from the welcome basket (quite content now, she was, that the scarf wasn't going to noose her on contact. this place must have some trick, after all).]

One can only wonder what a place with such a warm welcome has to make up for.

Surely not the cold.

[drifting about, wary and confused, the name "Miranda" now pressed in to her chest.]

[After Lacus left, Hiling stretched herself out on the couch, face down. It was comfortable enough she could easily fall asleep. There was no way she was going to even attempt to teach dance class alone. Particularly not in the state she was in. She hadn't bothered to make an announcement or put up a notice alerting students of the cancellation for the day. They could figure it out themselves.]

((ooc: Action open to PM and Revive. This also serves as the post to direct calls inquiring about Ribbons' absence and/or dance class.))

[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!}

[ Ashton was sitting at the ramen stand, staring at the plate before him. On it sat a kebob with thick cuts of, beautiful, rare beef, with one large chunk bitten right of one of the pieces... but the entire dish was otherwise untouched, and was starting to get cold.

Acumen said there would be some side effects today, but... this was too much.

He let out a plaintive whine, chewing off another piece. Despite how it wouldn't satisfy his hunger to the fullest, he still had to eat... ]

((ooc: Only closed to action~ Anyone who happens to have a reason to call Ashton can do it here. ♥

ETA: can't get steak there. I wasn't paying attention. OTL ))

[Diva was bored again. Not because she lacked things to do, but rather because Conrad was a touch to obedient. Just because she had told him to wait, didn't mean he was supposed to. Not after he had fed and left her wanting, waiting, starving.

It had been too long since she had fed.

So she sat on top of the tower, listening, tracking his heart through the dome as he roved. Would he notice her up there? Would he hear her singing softly?

Every beat that he made her wait, Diva held it against him.

He needed to be taught a lesson~ ♥]

Listening to music the other day made me wonder... are there any other musicians here? What instruments do you play? I know the piano and violin myself. I haven't been here for very long so I'm not sure if there are any instruments available, but if possible, maybe it would be fun to all get together and play something sometime.

[After waking up from six days' sleep and having eaten only a few bites since this morning he should feel run-down, but Conrad actually feels great. He's making a few changes to his usual warm-up routine, throwing in some complicated exercises and pleased with the ease at which he performs them.]

[Something is nagging at him, though. A strange scent that he can't put out of his awareness; metallic perhaps? Maybe the sterile smell of the hospital had gotten to him a bit. He refuses to let it break his focus, executing another pass at the training dummy with impressive speed.]


((OOC: aslkfg I'm late posting this, sorry! Conrad's new bloodlust is up, and while I already have a volunteer to be snacked on be warned that anyone tagging in might also be appraised~ he won't bite without permission, though. ^^; ]