[today Sakura is at the park busying herself with the large drawing notepad in front of her. the large flowering tree in the park, planted by Amaterasu a while back, never fails to sooth her and has become one of her favorite places to be. she flips to a clean sheet of paper, rolling a crayon between her fingers in thought]

Ever since I came here I've seen all types of magic. How do you - practice your magic? Do you train? Or meditate? Kero-chan used to say that I should just leave that to time, but I want to improve now. [and it's not like she's really improving that much] And since he's not here, I wasn't sure who to ask... I know we're all from different places, but I'm sure magic exists in a lot of worlds.

[short pause] Oh, and cheerleading practice will start soon if the weather gets warmer. You can ask me about joining the team if you like.

[ 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. ]

[ After waking up, it takes Elena a few breathless, panicked moments of trying to pull off the source of that sudden and disturbing communiqué and barely processing what Sentience is telling her. The communicator hits the ground and switches on to voice.

(She's not sure where she is. Someone took her? There's a chill to the air. She's surrounded by metal and concrete. This isn't - doesn't seem like Klaus. Because the voice said - what did it say?)

Inmates? Thanksgiving? - no, that's not possible. Neither is the weight attached to her ankle, which she touches lightly for an astounded moment and then gives a testing tug to pull off, to no avail.

Her breath is heavy and shakes slightly; that's all the network hears for a moment.

Okay. She can figure this out. Resolved and confused, she grabs for the device she had tossed to the floor. ] Hello? Is anyone-? ... Damon? [ His name is soft, and the last syllable trembles. Where is he? She can't be here alone.

That's when she notices the welcome basket. She sets the device aside in favor of rummaging through it for something, anything, her fingers eventually slipping over and clutching the pamphlet. There's a map, and she skims the words, processing them much like she processed Sentience's. Getting outside to see how real this is seems like good a plan as any.

It's a good several minutes before Elena's on the network again, and now she's on video and outside the ice rink. ]

This doesn't make sense. [ Her lips twist slightly; there is uncertain fear in her eyes, but determination too. Is this some really bad trip of her conscience? ] How is any of this even possible? Please, I- if anyone can answer me...

My friends, my fam- [ Her voice catches in her throat. ] Is Jeremy here? Jeremy Gilbert? ... or... Klaus? [ Please no. ] Ric? Stefan? [ She pauses. The silence is not comforting. ] Anyone.

[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!)

[ 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 takes her a little time to work up the nerve to do this - buffy's her best friend, she shouldn't be this worried! - but soon enough, willow decides to call on her bff. she needs a little advice and comfort. ]

Hey, Buffy? Uh... do you have a couple of minutes?

[Oz is a little bit nervous. It will be the first time he's seen Willow face to face since her arrival without the iron bars of a cell separating them. He was sure to sleep well last night though, and has spent most of the morning in deep meditation. So the nerves he's feeling, while distinctly present, aren't overpowering. So he's done pretty much everything possible to make sure things don't get hairy and sharp teethy should the topic of conversation get uncomfortable in any way.

Nerves aside, he's also looking forward to it. It's Willow. What was there not to look forward to? He gets to the meditation waterfall first, picks out a decent sized rock to sit on top of that will fit the both of them when she arrives.]




ooc: Backdated to lunch time. Follows THIS.

Okay... so, I'm pretty sure this works? Or else I will be talking to myself which is kinda dumb.

[Flynn is kind of yelling at the network. Not exaggeratedly so, but he's really loud as he speaks. Forgive the grandpa with no experience at all with this kind of technology.]

So... not that I complain not being back at home, and I'm pretty sure I'd have gotten a way worse deal about these crimes if I had been found by the kingdom, but. You know, I happen to like knowing what's going on. Weird, I know. But indulge me a little.

I know that these- [He motions at the device he's holding] weird things do a lot of useful little things and I stopped trying to understand how they worked a while ago.

I know I'm, supposedly, in some kind of prison as well. Fair's fair, you caught me, it's how these things go. Not personal, I know.

But how did I ever get here? Where's the girl that was with me? How can I even breathe if I'm under the ocean? And be honest guy's, is this the frog's fault?

[ completely unaware of what's going on with sentience at the moment, angel flips on the feed after searching the compound for someone who appears to be missing, scent and all. only one way to be sure... ]

Has anyone seen or spoken to Faith Lehane recently?

[It's sunset. Oz is in Sector Four at the meditation waterfall. He's feeling in control enough to venture out of the cells today and after walking about he finally ended up here. He's sitting on a rock by the Meditation Waterfall with his guitar in his lap. He isn't really playing any specific tune, his fingers just idly plucking the guitar strings to tinker with random notes here and there. Anyone is free to run across him here.

It's just his voice that sounds over the entire network. A statement probably more profound to him and to the few who know of his secret than to most.]

It's been a good day.

[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!)

[Cloud's a patient man. More importantly, he's a stoic man, and though he's better about showing emotion these days, his cues are still subtle, and still rare compared to most people's. Ergo, he must be more than a little annoyed to let all of Marina see his impatience. The signs are small, but many. Arms crossed over his chest, mouth drawn into the tiniest of frowns beneath glowing blue eyes, and eyebrows drawn together in either consternation or aggravation, he definitely has a problem with something. The giant sword sheathed at his back does nothing to soften the picture, and when he speaks, that hint of tension in his arms carries into his voice.]

You know, I had a CO once who probably would have fed us to the Midgar Zolom if we were late for duty. [Hint, hint, nudge nudge, Dean.]

[ today in the park area of sector 4, one can find a certain redheaded witch who is currently figuring out that there's a cap to her magic. and she doesn't like it. ]

What? I can't- But that's not even a big spell!

[ oookay trying something new, then. she tries a barrier-

nope, nosebleed. she stops as her head starts spinning and she falls to the grass below her. ]

Can I not do anything here?

[ determined to figure out if it's ALL of her magic still or just part of it, she tries levitation. oh, well, that works, for all the good it'll do her. she just keeps sitting there, face turned down in what could pass as a sulk. this bites.

eventually, she turns on the voice feed. ] Has anyone else had trouble with their natural powers here? Even after the ball-and-chain thing?

[A young man with golden hair tied back in a ponytail appears on the video screen. He doesn't seem to be aware that anything is happening right away and appears to be mumbling to himself a bit. He then stares directly at the screen when he realizes it's on...after he's mumbled to himself a bit first.]

...DAMN THING. I STILL CAN'T GET THIS THING FIGURED OUT. What the hell is it, anyway? They couldn't have given me something useful, like steak! As long as it's not milk though, I guess it's okay...

...OH. HI. IS THIS THING FINALLY WORKING? HELLO? HELLO? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE FOR KIDNAPPING THE FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST?

[Yes, Ed's shouting...my apologies! He's so not used to this technology.]

[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?

[Flynn leans in close and squints a little to see the list of defense force patrols, and then. sighs. ...yeah, this isn't great. but he's reluctant to get glasses, too. because... well...]


[voice / filtered from Yuri / I wonder who he's talking about]
Have you ever been in a situation where... you don't want to do something because a friend would laugh at you -- but if they knew you were hiding it, they'd laugh even more? [awkward silence]

[ someone's clicking on the communicator at this point. she's already been shunted off to breakfast and there are these bot things watching her and she's very much firmly in the do not want camp. the ball and chain thing on her ankle is again do not want. it's heavy.

so, one redheaded witch is turning on the video feed, trying to figure out where she is and why. ]

Okay I-I've just got a couple of uh... questions... [ as she glances at one of the bots... they are starting to creep her out like the buffybot did. ] One: why do I have a... prison ball chained to my ankle. Two: ...Why am I here... where am I would be a good start, too. This thing is... vague. And three: uh... are Buffy Summers or Xander Harris here? I'd really like to-

-Hey, I'm not doing anything! [ what?! the bot was staring. and considering how it acted when she tried to get away the first time, she's trying to play calm and nice... but it's really worrying her. ]

So uh, if anyone can answer that for me, I'd really appreciate it.

[The video flickers on and soon. There. Standing before you...is the man of your dreams and for some reason...you are so drawn to him. You want to know him, you want to be him, hell, you just want him in general.

This tall, dark, and handsome stranger cranes his head to survey his area, smiling magnificently, and then in a booming, sultry voice, speaks.]

What a wonderfully convenient facility.

[He directs his attention to the screen. Is he undressing you with his eyes? Why yes. Yes he is.]

Hello, ladies. How are you? Fantastic.

Might I inquire as to what your man smells like? Does he smell like an Old Spice man?

Does he smell of adventure?

If not, perhaps I can be of some assistance. [Smile and TING his teeth ~*~SPARKLE~*~.]

[The feed clicks on to show a very disoriented Xander. Furthermore, he's very close to freaking out.]

Okay I have been through a huge amount of weird and unexplainable crap over the past two years but this definitely takes the cake. I don't remember signing on for "Suddenly waking up in strange and unexplainable places", I do that enough on my own. I know I've always talked about wanting to get out of Sunnydale one day-and really who wouldn't-but this wasn't the way I wanted it to happen. [He finally pauses for breath.]

Okay Xander, get a hold of yourself man. If I was kidnapped or something I'm sure Buffy and everyone is back at the library trying to figure out a way to rescue me right now. All I have to do is sit an wait.

[Moments pause.]

Well it could be worse. I could be back in a cage waiting for a She-mantis to take advantage of me, or have a Inca mummy girl sucking the life out of me. Or be locked in a room with Cordelia.

[He puts his face in his hands.]