MarinaNova Asylum

Day 194. Sunny. Warm. Clear.

Today is the holiday of Topalong. As such the traditional items will be available to all inmates. You may expect to see hat racks full of different styles of headgear for you to wear and exchange.

For those of you unfamiliar with the holiday it is also customary to select a secret word with some significance for you and do a favor for anyone able to guess it correctly within three tries. Anyone unsuccessful must do a favor for you.

(OOC: The holiday is fictional (though real in the sense that some reality has it in MarinaNova canon now). Any kind of hat or headdress you can google or imagine can be found around the dome today. Your character may keep as many as they like, but any extras will be put away before the start of the next dayweek.)

Oh jeez! *The camera flickers on a teenage girl with huge round glasses over bright green eyes - and curiously enough, furry white dog ears poking out through a mess of dark hair.*

Um, I don't know if anyone can hear this! I don't actually know why I'm wearing this ugly orange suit, or even where I am, either! I'm usually pretty good with locations these days... you know what? Nevermind. I don't care WHERE the hell I am, but it's really, REALLY important that I get back where I came from right away!

I don't have time to waste on this stupid prisoner bullshit, okay? I was kind of in the middle of doing something, and... without me to power the ship, I THINK my paradox brother might actually be stuck between universes for, well, forever!

Even if he's gotten really surly and annoying lately, and suddenly hates his favorite movies which ACTUALLY? Weren't all that bad and were kind of funny!-- No matter how much of a jerkass he is, he's still my brother and I don't want to leave him stuck there!

So, please, if anyone can hear this, I really need your help!

Augh, why am I even talking into this stupid thing? Can anyone actually hear me?

[Between the events of the morning, which were cuddling Roxy and telling her not to go drink and the events of yesterday- Jane was beginning to get emotionally exhausted. She didn't want to bother Roxy with such things especially since they had aired their differences over her drinking problem this morning, and she didn't know if Jake would really be able to console her like she needed to be consoled.

She didn't want to cry anymore, she didn't want someone to tell her everything was gonna be alright. She knows that. She knows everything will eventually be alright. So who better to go to than Dirk?

She padded around the house until she spotted him. Alone. Without Jake. Good. She doesn't give him much warning. She just slips herself in front of him, no reserve as her arms go around him and she buries her face into his chest. She probably doesn't even need to explain.]

Hey.

[ Roxy is, as of the morning, sprawled in the bed she's been sharing (mostly chastely, don't get any ideas you pervs) with Jane, hungover and contemplating nipping down to the Shack to grab an early-morning drink. Maybe a bloody mary, those are good for hangovers, right? She's seen that in movies.

Her lovely girlfriend's already up and is probably disgustingly chipper and maybe even baking something.

Her desire to not be 100% sober is starting to overwhelm her desire to never move, but for now she's still in bed staring at the ceiling. ]

[ The last thing Fletcher Tringham knew, he was in his house, cleaning up the dinner dishes on Day 95. Now here he is in some completely different apartment, in a completely different person's body, sitting on the couch reading a book.

He's been through enough weird dimensional stabilizer stuff to keep from instantly panicking. He carefully marks the page in the book -- whoever it belongs to will surely appreciate that! -- and stands up. And instantly collapses again, a searing pain shooting through his ankle. Oh. So that's why it's wrapped up and why it had been resting on some pillows. Still, he forces himself up so he can look for the bathroom, to find a mirror and see just whose body he wound up in.

...

It's not anyone he recognizes. Which is kind of weird. Fletcher thought he knew most of the people here. ]

[ video ]

[ Dirk Strider video-posting is a pretty unusual sight. Dirk Strider looking so visibly worried is even more unusual. He's not even wearing his triangular sunglasses. Dirk, what are you doing. ]

Um, I think there was a glitch in the dimensional stabilizer? I switched bodies with someone.

Er... Brother, Edward... Sentience? It's me, Fletcher.

[ voice ]

...okay, who turned off all the lights?


[ action | closed to alpha household ]

[ Close to midnight on Day 190, two boys come stumbling out of Sector 6, holding up lanterns to light their way, exhausted and covered in dirt (and the occasional hickey). The shorter of the two is limping and leaning on the taller, wincing whenever he sets his left foot down.

They quickly make their way through Sector 0, to Sector 2, to their home. They're completely uninterested in stopping to chat until they reach their apartment. ]

[The video clicks on to show a kid who isn't really sure what expression to make. His expression seems to settle into one of confusion after a minute or two.]

I guess I wasn't really expecting to wake up here after that whole dream bubble thing. Then again I probably was never expecting to wake up in a prison?

I am not really sure about this crimes list they gave me, though. I mean I did do some of these, but uh... Most of these were from playing a video game, so I don't really know if those count? Also I wasn't really driving that car??

Oh man, I am going to start rambling! Anyway, I am new here apparently, so hi. My name is John! I wonder if anyone else I know is here? On second thought, I hope not. That would really suck.

[Voice]

Hey, everyone. For my fifth and final punishment, I'm required to give a lecture at the educational facility on a "respectable" subject.

So anyone who wants to hear me talk about masturbation is encouraged to show up at ten this morning.

[Action/Open]

[ Dirk sure is blazing through these punishments. It's almost like he impatiently feels he has something better to be doing.

Despite the fact that he's cross-dressing for this occasion -- for which you can blame Jake and Jane -- Dirk is thoroughly professional, respectful, and thorough in his lecture. Rather than lingering on masturbation techniques and lewd subject matter, he discusses the health benefits et al.

At the end, he takes questions. ]

[Action 2/Closed]

[ Your name is Jake English and you have a personal servant for the day. What will you do? ]

[ Roxy comes onto the screen looking both a little more sober than she has in most network appearances thus far, and REALLY psyched about something. She's flushed and a little breathless and grinning like she can't stop ]

Okay soooooooo I know that Jane Crocker is like the choicest of chicks around here, 'cause who doesn't want some of that sweet sugar, plus she can bake, and is adorable to boot. [ bounce bounce ] But I'm here to announce that as of today she is officially off limits to AAAAAALL of you! Her smooches are for me and me alone!

[ giggle ]

Oh, and if you want the best cocktails this side of the glass that keeps the ocean from crushing us to death, drop by the Blood Shack some night, I make a killer appletini.

[ gringrinbounce ]

[On your feed today is both Aidan and Helix, Aidan waves at the camera all smiles while Helix just kicks back on their couch. Their apartment is pretty sleek looking, must be in Sector 2.]

So, a few days ago I punched a Wasp in an attempt to protect Aidan from being stung and that apparently counts as Assault, but whatever. I gotto play a stupid game with you now, that’s my punishment so lets make this quick and simple.

I’ll say something I like and you respond with something you like that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. We’ll use the common alphabet, ya know, A through Z just to make it easy on everyone, and just go back and forth.

So, I like Aidan. [Motioning to Aidan. Who grins at the camera on cue.]

And I like Blueberries.

Simple enough? Alright, so, anyone, feel free to respond and play off of each other too, I don’t care. Or address one of us specifically.

In case you’re too duh—[Elbowed by his boyfriend for being rude.] Just start with C or if you catch this later just ask me what letter we’re on or something.

[And at that point Helix says fuck it and pulls a Harmonica out of his pocket and starts to play, eyes closed in concentration as he waits for a response.]

((OOC: Okay, this is pretty much an open game communicator/network mingle-thing. Tag Helix, request Aidan, or tag other threads that are going on. Have fun, do what you like with it, you don’t have to stick to this particular thing. Go through the alphabet, or start over with other topics. Harmonica video is amusing but if you don't want to sit through the instruction, Helix is fiddling around and playing like he is at around 2:38.))

Aloha!

[Jake greets everyone cheerfully! He looks...more ~smug~ than just cheerful, though. Almost as if he's won something! A bet, perhaps?]

I have a highly important inquiry, if everyone would lend me an ear.

Say you've won a bet, and as your hard-earned prize, you now find yourself with a rather obstinate fella to command as you please.

Hypothetically speaking, of course, what sorts of scandalous tomfoolery would you have him engage in?

Today is Day 188. The sharper among you probably figured this out already since yesterday was Day 187. I am glad we had this talk.

You were all well behaved yesterday at least. So, today you can enjoy chocolate-dipped frozen bananas at one of the food carts in sector 0. You're welcome.

We will also have MarinaNova postcards, featuring a wide-variety of our scenic dome attractions, located in all shops and in special holders in various lobbies and restaurants. Some of these are even blank, so you can draw your own pictures. Markers and crayons are available at most locations. You are encouraged to make use of these. [Mail post.]

Doctor, your request is ready.

[It's later in the night when Jane gets the message. From the sound of it, she is in great trouble. She did leave and come home to find Dirk passed out with Jake on the couch. So that may or may not have something to do with it.

She makes her way to the living room where he asked to meet her.]

Dirk? You needed to speak with me?

( Action 1 | Closed )

[ Voice | Open ]

Hey, just a heads-up: My broke-ass headset's not translating anything today as part of some bullshit punishment for defending myself against a bunch of giant wasps. So if you don't speak English, Japanese, Urdu, Pashto, Farsi, Tagalog, or Lojban, don't bother trying to get in touch with me until tomorrow.

[ There's not very much to do when you live in the future. ]

Second, I made a bunch of cookies. Another punishment thing. I've planted them in random locations around the dome. Good luck.

[ They can be found basically anywhere: In the pockets of clothes in The Row, in drawers in empty apartments, on the learning modules in the Education Center. If you can think of a completely ridiculous location, there is a cookie there.

They taste awful. There's a reason he made them available for general consumption instead of just giving them to his housemates. ]

( Action 2 | Closed )

[A very cross Jane comes over the network, she's sitting in her and Roxy's shared room in their home. It seems she is tired, cranky, and very unhappy. She has a lot to say and not enough patience to say it.

Her lip is quirked in a way that even reads angry.]

Good mid-morning Marina. As part of my punishment for defending myself, I'm supposed to share a secret about myself. I mulled over my limited possibilities in things I could have to share with all of you.

So here it is, my name Jane Crocker is undeniably linked with the empire known to most of you as "Betty Crocker". In fact, I am the heiress to the company because she's apparently my great great grandma or something of that nature. But that status doesn't really matter anymore.

[So it was really just a way to get this punishment out of the way. Please pester her for baked goods.]

VIDEO

[To put it bluntly: Zatanna isn't looking so good this morning.]

[She's quiet. Her face is paler than usual, with a forlorn expression. Sitting up in her hospital bed, surrounded by an assortment of arts and crafts materials. Yet, despite the exhaustion plaguing her, she somehow still manages to expertly work her fingers into creating a lovely dream catcher.  Focusing intently on her task.]

[There are already four others behind her. Fashioned exactly as one might expect to see in any home crafts store, save for one noticeable exception: they're glowing.]

[Even as the camera rolls, Zatanna finishes up #5, murmuring a soft spell under her breath as she waves a hand over it. It begins to glow as well. Only then does she look up.]

So, one of my four completely unfair punishments--[she could give a damn if you're listening right now, Veridical]--is to create Dream Catchers.

If anybody wants one, let me know. They really work; I made sure of it.




ACTION

[Zatanna will be spending most of the morning in her hospital room, focusing all her attention on her creations. However, the more she creates...the more magic she uses...the weaker she becomes. Almost as if she's purposely trying to drain herself again.]

It's so rewarding when you listen. Oh, wait, you didn't listen. You went around violently attacking fellow inmates and getting yourselves injured. I do hope you're all very proud of yourselves. I suppose it's okay because they are different? Is that one of those context things you are always so disappointed we don't consider for you?

I have generated a sigh for this occasion. [Sigh.]

Now, on to the business of Day 186. There are punishments as you might have guessed. The following inmate has been found guilty of breaking facility rules and full details of his punishment is being transmitted to his device.

Helix Wamtani: Assault
Dirk Strider: Murder and four counts of assault
Jane Crocker: Two counts of assault [A laugh]
Zatanna Zatara: Property damage, injury, and two counts of assault
Dick Grayson: Assault and injury [Hope you didn't think Veridical cared about secret identities.]
Penelope Garcia: Hacking
Piter de Vries: Murder
Dave Strider: Murder and five counts of assault.
Vriska Serket: Murder, injury and three counts of assault.
Laura Kinney: Murder
Kitty Pryde: Two counts of assault

I am sure no one is deserving of any sort of request, but there is something for Kurt Hummel.

Those of you who are out and about today may have already noticed the wall around Sector 6 is down. It looks quite open now, but there is still a barrier in place — one Sector 6 residents will be unable to pass through. I can not say the same for you, but I do hope you have sense enough to stay out of there. I don't expect it, but I do hope for your sake if not theirs.

(OOC: Visit the locale page for Sector 6 information.)

[ FILTERED to Dave Strider, Jake English, Roxy Lalonde, and Jane Crocker. ]

Yo. Jane and me are trapped in the arcade in Sector 3. She got stung by one of those overgrown Vespa mandarinia and went into some drug-induced gigglefit, but otherwise hasn't suffered any adverse effects yet.

You guys okay?

[A buck-toothed smile appears on the screen along with a pair of thick black frame glasses. Bright green eyes look very, very excited. Like. Really freaking excited. Like you cannot believe.]

It's been quite the galvanizing day! I've spent a good portion of it with my chums from-- er, my world, and I've met a few other friendlies here and there.

I'd wager you have nothing to fear, my fellow captives. You may be dismayed by our current status as prisoners, but cheer up! All this crime malarkey aside, I believe we're all just a bunch of ordinary ladies and gents in a completely ordinary underwater dome.

They even have a movie theater! Which I will most definitely be visiting on a frequent basis.

Which, by the way. Dirk, Roxy, Jane! Are the three of you up for a good ol' friendly outing? Complete with bags of overpriced popcorn served to us by jovial youngsters trying to save up for a fancy automobile?

We're all in prison, which means we're all filthy, vile criminals. So I'm curious, everyone.

What did you do? What is it that made the wardens believe you deserve to be locked away in an inverted aquarium for the rest of your natural life? Please note that if you're just gonna say "I didn't do anything" or "They made it all up", I'm not interested in hearing it. You're surrounded by other criminals, no one gives a damn. Either answer or don't, it's up to you, but don't respond with bullshit prevarication.

Since it'd be hells of rude to ask without providing an answer of my own, here's what I'm in for: ( Cut for length and Homestuck spoilers. )

Well? I showed you mine, now show me yours.