[Aerith is in the arcade. Her basket of flowers has been set aside - for the time being - and she seems to be focused on one of the games.]

Stop moving~! [She pouts and a high-pitched beep resounds from the machine.] That's not fair. [Sighing, the flower-girl meanders over to an empty booth. Plopping down on the cushion, she smiles at her recorder.]

Is anyone good at games? I never got to play them much, but I think I'm getting better. [Her green eyes sparkle mischievously.] Maybe we can have tournaments~!

So we're all from different worlds, I get that much.

But ya can't tell me that I'm the only one unlucky enough to come from a world full of Cape-types! [And then she laughs. Probably leaving you to wonder if she's serious or not.]


[Action]

[If you happen to wander into the bar this afternoon, you'll find Zinda, sitting alone and looking mildly agitated, drumming her fingers on the table. Well, that's an unusual sight. She's normally talking someone's ear off!

Dare you approach her?]

[His voice is soft, inquisitive, and free of any expression of pain. That wound this morning may as well have never happened.]

What is in a name? Sounds. Letters. Identity. Reputation. Expectations. Limits.

Would you rather defend your name or your life? [a pause] Provided you had the skills in which to do so.

[He wonders if Sasuke is awake now, listening.]

{OOC: He is hiding away cauterizing licking his wounds in private so Kitty certain people won't find him.}

[He stares into the video screen intently. His expression isn’t angry or upset, but instead completely calm. When he speaks, his voice belies a small hint of the frustration he feels.]

I am grateful to whoever provided the basket and its contents. The pamphlet is very informative, though the circumstances necessitating it are not ones that could be called desirable.

If I have been brought here for crimes committed in self-defense, it is unlikely that I would act in a manner in which chains would be necessary to ensure good behavior. Is there a manner in which they may be removed before the designated time?

[They'll find Seiji traveling while he can, careful to stay away from wide open spaces because the chain on his leg is cumbersome. His dark green jacket is draped over his arm, because it's warm enough without it.]

[Kyou is trying to access the map on the communicator, since he has no idea where he is in comparison to the his home in the shelter. He's not really good with this device to begin with, plus...it's still raining which is leaving him still overly exhausted and sort of punch-drunk. Even a tired cat can't sleep for 24 hours straight. This does not mean he's functioning very well at being awake. So instead of the map--he activates the video.]

Oh come on. Map. I wanted the map.

[His voice is tired and not very loud for once.]

I just want to go home and sleep in my own bed, damn it!

[Care to hear some piano, Marina?

It's a quick paced piece, light and almost toying. A practiced musical ear could hear the slight stumbles Marianne makes at the beginning before getting into the rhythm of it, continuing to end without a hitch.]

Thank you, whoever left the sheet music lying around. [Her tone is light, wandering -- easily not Anya's at all.]

I've been quite out of practice.

[For a moment, Marianne's grateful for that PDA. It's kept the girl's hands and fingers well coordinated.]

[Alice is sitting in the front doorway to Casa de vi Britannia, careful to keep her filthy tennis shoes outside as she takes them off. The plan? Scout out the house to make sure everything is fine, get a quick shower, check around outside the house, and then stalk the communications to identify potential new threats.

Even though she remembers the months in which she had gotten used to her lack of Geass, she can't help but feel she needs to overcompensate.

But those are some pretty heavy thoughts to be contending with right then. Hopefully, it'll be all magical unicorns for the rest of the day.]



((OOC: Feel free to catch her at any point in her routine, housemates, or anybody else can for when she's outside being all paranoid.))

[This is a unicorn. But not just any unicorn, oh no. This unicorn has a pair of red cat's eye glasses, a gorgeous purple mane, and a diva's glare that would make a pop star jealous.]

Well! I've never been so insulted in all my days! First I'm kidnapped, then arrested, and now imprisoned? Do any of you know who I am, hmm? No? I am Rarity, and I am a lady.

[Sticking her nose up and tossing her mane? Yes, very yes.]

Just you wait till the other girls hear about this. They'll have me freed faster than Rainbow Dash can clear the clouds in Ponyville. It's one thing to capture me, but to place me in an area with such horrid decor... Do you intend to torture me as well? I mean, come on; a blind pony could do a better job. I could go on.

This is complaining, by the way; you haven't even heard me whine yet.

... You won't like me when I'm whining.

Hey -- hello? What is this? [she looks around, confused] I was right in the middle of something very important! [she picks up the pamphlet nearby, and starts to read is as quick as she can] This isn't a very good -- prison? But I just did this already! [unintelligible sound of OUTRAGE] And just who are you calling a threat to humanity!? [frantically reading the pamphlet as she speaks. not good not good.

this is. well. she snaps her attention back to the camera, eyes narrow] You can't keep me here! I've escaped from one of these before, y'know, and it was underground that time! [she sticks her tongue out. JUST YOU WAIT, ACUMEN, SHE'LL SHOW YOU.

well, maybe later. she's run out of steam. she screws the paper up and chucks the stupid thing behind her, before she sinks to the ground, head down to her knees and her hands tangled in her hair. defeated for the moment] ...I could really do with a hug right now.

[ This post is brought to you by the memorial gardens! Not that you'd know, because she's not showing her face today. ]

I don't entirely understand memorials. But, if it's a matter of deserving one, this place is too empty. How do I go about filling it?

[Exorcist Filter]
Who made hers?



[ooc: feel free to catch her unawares with an action tag, if it suits you!]

Well, damn. I know C.C.'s hot, but I didn't think you'd ever have sex, let alone with a girl. [whistle of amazement and then a laugh] At least I know you had a good time of it.

Oh, and C.C.? Sorry about the permanent ban. I'd kick him in the ass for you, but I don't think he has one. [At least now Dean knew never to have sex again. Shit]

((ooc: Please use this post to thread jack as much as you want! In fact, I'm pretty much encouraging it ^^))

[Ken is out early, as the impossibly long night threatened to suffocate him. The artificial daylight had barely covered the dome, as he steps out to run around the park and the beach.

( But it is not enough. )

Taking calming breaths as he closes his eyes. He decides to take a break, sitting on a bench, towel over his head, randomly wiping away the sweat getting his eyes and sipping at his water.]


( (( OOC )) )

[Thanks to Cross, Euphie is home again. Her actions are once again her own if not entirely her thoughts. The control that was over her—the geass—is more like a nagging whisper than an undeniable shout now, but it isn't gone. But so far, at least, it seems manageable. She hopes very much it will stay that way, but at this moment she doesn't fully trust herself—not after everything that's happened.

She spends some time after waking up, writing messages to people. She needs to make a public apology soon and she will—just not quite yet. Still, there are a few people at least she wants to say something to sooner rather than later and she is hoping Lelouch might be kind enough to put these letters in the mail for her today. It...seemed like a good day to stay inside. She might even impose on him to help her bake some cookies later to thank Cross.

Breakfast was starting to sound good. She worried wondered who might be out in the kitchen if she went, but that was silly, wasn't it? It would be good to see anyone here.]

( OOC )

( Dangerous thoughts )

Excuse me. Excuse me. Please! I desperately need help! I'm trapped in the Defense Force's jail. [Yes, a jail within the prison!] I must get out! [It tugs at the heart, right? A damsel in distress!]

I have to kill all the Japanese! [Okay, maybe less now, but she isn't quite herself today.]

( OOC )

[He isn't going anywhere near the sky display; he simply refuses to enjoy it the way a normal person would, for the completely ridiculous reason that Lacus is peripherally involved with it and he doesn't want to admit to enjoying anything she was involved with.

But he isn't completely averse to simply watching it from his home. He's out on the little balcony outside his room that the alchemists so kindly built, sipping at his coffee and watching a particularly lovely sunset creep over the sky.

Despite largely ignoring the fuss of the holiday, and having to work it in around emergency plans for the new arrivals, he did have his own little celebration for Valentine's. There are four miniature cakes in the refrigerator, with a little card bearing the name of each of his housemates -- even Alice, although he wasn't expecting her until this morning, though Euphie's will have to wait until she comes home.

He's retreated to his room, but he has every expectation that when Suzaku finds his cake, he'll come looking.]



((ooc: Closed to housemates, Suzaku thread comes first, maybe some awkward Nunnally tiemz?))

Is this some kind of bullshit joke? A prison? I may have done a lot of things in the past that would have gotten me in here, but I was pardoned for all of that!

[punches a nearby wall and lets out a string of curses; partially because that actually hurt but mostly because she knows that she probably does still belong in here.] The least you could do is get this thing off my leg. It’s not like I’m going to go around killing people.

[some silence, a sigh.]

Is a normal life really too much to ask?

[Quiet, deadpan, and not at all betraying how confused she is:] I hate this place.

I hate this place so much.



[Filtered to residents of Casa de Britannia]
I...

[...]
[...]
[...]

...seem to have a problem.

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

So, hey... about that basketball post I made a couple days ago. I'm thinking maybe the day after Christmas? I dunno who's all celebrating and all that, but I don't wanna interfere with anyone's plans.

So!

If anyone's up for it, lemme know. If there isn't enough of us, we can do a shortened game or something.

[ you just hear Asuka breathing, breathing as she figures out a way to phrase this. ]

[filtered from Kaworu]

...Let's say that you have a job -- duty back home that's really important -- at least to you it is. But then you find out that no matter how hard you try to do your job, it's inevitable that you fail or that someone else fucks it up for you. So now you're stuck with the knowledge that even if you could go home by some miracle, it doesn't matter because that job you're dedicated to? Yeah, it's useless. Whatever effort you put forward? Who cares? It doesn't matter anymore. [ takes a breath. ]

So...what would you do next? Would you just...give up? Or would you keep on doing your job even though it's useless?