[Ryoji had intended to go on a quick breakfast run before Minato woke up -- he slept so little these days, between dreams and his own restlessness -- but the end result was far different. To the average onlooker, Ryoji is nearly twice as pale as usual, his cheeks pinkened almost hectically and deep lines under his eyes.]

[He's also a bit unsteady on his feet, his voice a bit less smooth than normal.]

[He's fine, though. Totally fine. Just ignore him propped up on a bench outside the park, head bowed. How did he even get here?]

Hey, does anyone else think the sky is weird?

[ The room above the arcade is decorated today -- nothing too much, just streamers and balloons and a dorky handmade banner with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LELOUCH" written on it in large colorful letters. It's a dinner party, albeit the least formal dinner party ever, with plates and silverware spread over multiple tables of random shapes and sizes, and a buffet-style table of foods.

Help yourself to as much of the food as you want; some of it was made by ORIHIME so it will look very weird but taste great and some of it was made by CECILE (Suzaku is so sorry in advance, he didn't know) so it will look great but taste very weird. There's also some actually-normal food, made other, less scary people, and some by bots at the last minute. There are also several completely different strawberry shortcakes, all of which have candles in them.

And don't forget to leave a gift! There's a pile of them on one table near the door. ♥ ]



((ooc: Event-style posting! Tag once to arrive at the party and then reply to other people's tags to interact. :D EVERYONE WHO IS a.) a friend of Suzaku's or b.) a friend of Nunnally's or c.) a friend of Lelouch's or d.) on the DF or e.) generally seems nice is totally invited. If you just saw the lights from the street and got curious, you can also wander up.

ALSO, CHAR: if Milly wants to interfere with the decorating or add anything else to the party, IM! ♥))

[The video feed activates to reveal a tall blonde to the dome, dressed in a school uniform consisting of a yellow jacket, black mini-skirt, white shirt, and green tie. Not exactly the warmest clothing as it snows outside. Although a bit visibly unsettled, she addresses the camera calmly. A backdrop of tables and bookshelves can be seen behind her.]

Hello, everyone.

I really don't know what to say, this is all sort of unexpected. But thank you for the helpful pamphlet, um... [She looks a little uncertain as she addresses someone who is supposed to be dead. The pamphlet did say people could come from different points in time but...] Your Highness... [More uncertainty as she's not quite sure how to address him in public if he's using his royal surname again. Habit wins out, though.] ...and Lelouch. The basket is quite lovely too.

[She smiles slightly, though her eyes still have a look of uncertainty.] This really is quite something isn't it? I take it this isn't some kind of joke. [The huge glass dome and seawater visible from outside kind of hints that it sure isn't. Not to mention the snow she showed up in.

But these allegations? Harboring terrorists? Are they talking about Kallen...? Milly hadn't even known that until a very short time ago. Accessory to the development of weapons of mass destruction? The device Nina had built hadn't gone off, though...Thankfully...

She stops that thought.]

In any case, I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Milly Ashford. I hope to make your acquaintance.

I want to let everyone know that I've confirmed that Euphemia is no longer in the dome. [Lelouch is very serious about this; he's taken even greater than usual care to look presentable and respectful for this announcement.] I know that Euphie has many friends here, and I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news.

There's still every chance that she'll be back, but in the meantime, we shouldn't let the things she's achieved be neglected. Please contact me if you have any questions about the welcoming committee, the school, or anything else my sister has been working towards.

[He clicks off the video and sighs, getting up to start going downstairs. Well -- he'll probably be dealing with that for a while, but that doesn't mean his family doesn't need breakfast.]

What-- where am I? This isn't the shelter or our house...

Brother? Suzaku? Can you hear me? I--I can't see...

For those of you who aren't aware, don't understand, or are worried about what's happening right now -- we're experiencing another incident like the monster attacks. But this is the first time it's ever happened during the day.

Whoever is responsible has a twisted sense of humor [honestly, the day before Halloween?] and we shouldn't reward them by panicking.

I'd like to encourage everyone who can to please gather in the shelter. There don't seem to be monsters about right now, but I don't think that will last for long, and this time seems to be different than the other times, so take every precaution.

If you need help, please don't hesitate to ask for it -- I'm sure the defense force is standing by. But we should all get to safety as soon as possible.

WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE!!

[Watch as GIR runs about and screeches frantically on the screen]

[Video | Open | Morning]

Hey everyone! We got the movie theater reserved for tonight's start of The Steel Samurai! So make sure to stop by movie theater at 8 PM tonight! We'll have plenty of snacks for everyone! Don't be late or you'll miss the start!


[Action | Open | Evening]

[Shortly after 8 PM, the movie theater's lights dim and big screen lights up with the action of The Steel Samurai.

It's a generic tokusatsu/samurai TV series centered on one hero, the titular Steel Samurai, as he fights against the Evil Magistrate and his minions to defend Neo Olde Tokyo. You can be assured it is filled with many cheesy one liners, battles under the full moon, attacks shouted out, and its own theme song.

Each episode has a short intermission after it to allow for bathroom breaks or snacks, with a snack counter manned by a bot giving out soda pop, candy, popcorn, chips, and so on.

Maya scheduled the show going through the sixth episode or so, with this segment of the series ending a bit past 11 PM.]


((OOC: Second half forward-dated to evening. Event style posting for the second half. Feel free to make a thread for any point during the evening (including showing up halfway through episode 2, leaving after the third episode, and shouting moves along with the hero, etc.) and threadjack each other.

For some idea of what the hell they're watching, here's a sample from later on in the series: sample (start until ~0:45). Or ask me questions on AIM or something. 75% of it will be BSed.))

Good morning, inmates. It is the 84th day of the third generation.

There is an issue that I would hear all of your opinions on, one regarding some inmate reactions to the blackout that occurred the night before last. It is imperative that you all understand that such events will naturally happen, so long as inmates have the free reign that they do. The only fail-safe method to ensure that nothing goes wrong is to reduce or remove that freedom.

So then, inmates of Marina Asylum, should the trust and freedom given to you be limited in exchange for a more smoothly operated system and facility? Or are some of you content to endure through some inconveniences, and retain the leniency you have now?

Inmates Fai D. Flourite and Toothless, your requests can be found at the entrance to Sector 0. Inmate Kefka Palazzo, your request will delivered by a remote unit.

Ahhh. So that's it, then.

[Her voice sounds very sly yet soft once she realizes where she is. A prison. Well. This certainly does interrupt her plans quite a bit, doesn't it? Maleficent releases a steady sigh once she's finished reading the message and taking note of the tasteless ball and chain attached to her ankle.]

Such a pity. I was so looking forward to reuniting with the princess. It was her birthday, after all. [Pause]

...Although. I suppose I am not wrong in assuming that there might be many princesses here already.

We simply must acquaint ourselves~

[A metallic octahedron-like figure appears via a video broadcast in what seems to be the Common Room of the Shelter. Although not humanoid in the slightest, the center of it seems to be a red lens 'eye' which moves slightly to focus.

The odd figure addresses the camera with an arrogant masculine voice.]

Acumen, huh?

[Shutters cover the red 'eye', and the machine turns slightly away.] Hmph, never heard of you. But such an introduction was completely unnecessary. Especially during my tea time.

[The shutters retract, showing the eye again, which turns again to focus on the camera once again. The entire shape tilts up and back slightly, accompanied by a noise that sounds something like a hydraulic lift.] To think you could arrest the greatest Brain Colony to live! How useless! I don't intend to be bow to your foolish "authority" and allow myself to be captured! Mwahahaha!!

You must be with Nerval to be so stupid. Isn't that so?

[He waits, briefly, for a response that doesn't come.]

Hmph, did your communications get all tied? You must be beside yourself in fear at my bold and powerful countenance!

Well, whatever. In any case, next time, tell him to send himself rather than some upstart no one has heard of!

Or maybe they will be no next time...As you'll be feeling the power of my Soul Shouts! Mwhahahaha!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Turning his eye away from the camera, he to where another communications window should be, at least to him. It, of course, isn't there.]


Withered Leaf! Prepare to fire!


...Withered Leaf?


[He's been distracted up until now, but it slowly sets in that his location has changed a little. He slowly rotates back to the camera. The shutters close and open rapidly thrice. His usual room is gone and replaced with...something else.

Leopard's tone quickly turns from arrogant to furious and the gap between his upper and lower shells narrows.]

...WHAT!?

MY BEAUTIFUL FORM!? MY LEOPARD CANNON!?

MY...MY...GOLDEN ORBS!?

[Are those sweat drops on his form?]

YOU BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?!?

[The view from the communicator shows the fake sky of the dome, as if the owner is laying on their back... or at least the communicator is. There's a groan, and the view abruptly shifts.

The sensation of disintegrating into nothing and then being abruptly reformed is a bit jarring, and it takes Rolo a few moments to adjust. A couple moments more to realize he's still alive somehow, and another to pose the most obvious question to the world.]

...What?

[There's a bit of fumbling with the device, after which the feed is abruptly cut off. It appears he's not quite ready to go public yet.

Though anyone in sector two might be able to come across a somewhat shaky and unsteady "Lelouch" with a ball and chain attached to one leg.]

Ah... hello? It looks like I disappeared again...

How long was I gone for this time?

[A young teenage girl clutches her stomach in pain with one arm, the other going to her head, accidentally activating the video camera, focused unevenly on her face.

When she looks up from the pain, she realizes she's now alone. She's to her feet quickly, looking around. Her friend, her princess...gone. She's been whisked away to some unknown location...

Desperate, she cries out:] Nunnally!? Where are you?!

Nemo...? Help me...you gave me your power to save her, didn't you!? [The blonde looks around frantically but the doll is not to be seen.

Realizing now that she's broadcasting a message on the new headset from the HUD, Alice looks directly into the camera with fierce red eyes.]

Who brought me here? What did you do with Nunnally!?

(OOC: Backdated to earlier in the morning.)

[Lelouch has managed to pull together proper accouterments for hosting in a matter of an hour. There's appetizers, drinks, sufficient seating, music. He's a magic man.

[Now he hopes his magic extends to the visitors getting along and not making trouble for the 24 hours they're here. Or, you know, the people who live here killing each other.]



[mini-event! Lelouch's allies are welcome to convene at Casa de vi Britannia. make your own threads and tag with one another; threads can be at any point during the day. non-castmates can come if they have an excuse; and non-allies, but be warned of a less than stellar reception.]

[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~*~.]

-- Good morning inmates. It is the 76th day of the third generation. [It's hardly the even, dull tone that's become routine to hear at the start of each day, but in fact more terse and distracted; the sound of one who is clearly busy and has little time to stop, even to do this]

An error introduced during inmate GIR's time tampering with the system has been thrown. Individuals who have been or who are in the process of being investigated by this system are being brought into the dome. Please do not be alarmed by their presence as it will only be temporary, but may continue throughout the day.

I apologize, but as this malfunction must be corrected immediately, I will not be able to address all of your requests, questions and concerns, unless in an emergency situation. [And, it abruptly cuts off]

[[ooc: Just to remind everyone, info and rules concerning this event are right here and here. 4th wallers will not have welcome messages or baskets. Go to it!]]

[ooc warning: Definite spoilers for R2. Also, so sorry for the tl;dr. I seriously fail at intros.]


[Have an accidental video of a face that I'm sure is QUITE recognizable for a lot of the inmates of Marina Asylum. Some of you have seen her before because she's from your world and others have seen a younger version of her, one with shorter hair and a translucently ruthless look in her eyes. Now, however, she looks slightly different. With long flowing hair and features that appear to be a bit older. It's not necessarily a physical change, but more so mental.

The furrow in her forehead creases, transforming her face into one etched with confusion and anger. Her eyes reread the accusations on the screen, mouth forming a thin white line as the color drains from her face.]

( Not so important spoilery stuff about her brothers and adorable sister )

[Her chin lifts sharply before she stands up, instinctively reaching for the sword-gun that she keeps sheathed at her side. But her fingers graze her hip instead, and she releases a low groan as lavender eyes peer around the room incredulously. She isn't surprised that it has been confiscated.

The only thing she is sure of is that this is not a room at the palace or a room in the Damocles. Not knowing who to direct her animosity at, and failing to notice she is being recorded for the entire network to see, fists form at her sides, and she stands tensely there, directing her indignation above, as if she expects some sort of hidden intercom or camera to receive her insults.]

I DO NOT appreciate being dragged from my home in such a cowardly manner! I demand to know where I have been taken at once!

Hn.

[A soft noise, nothing more, followed by a somewhat lengthy silence. Then the video feed comes on, and there is a young man with long black hair framing his face and black eyes staring straight forward through the screen.]

How fitting. [His voice is blank, emotionless.]

Would the warden of the prison be willing to provide more information about the facility and the terms and restrictions of my confinement?

AH HA! [You might hear subtle hints of things exploding in the background—small things! It's really more like popping. Nothing at all to concern yourself with!]

Now that the prototype is done, I'd like to—what was that phrasing again? Ah yes!—wish you all a Merry Christmas. My gifts for everyone should be making their way around.

((OOC: See this post for details on the randomized kissing couples and how Mistletoe-kun operates. Feel free to comment here directly to Anissina or to play out your random kissing—just make it clear in the subject please!))