MarinaNova Asylum

[You won't hear them coming. You won't see their snare. The mistletoe bots are out and they're hunting you, two by two. You can run and you can hide, but eventually you will be caught, and then there's nothing left to do but kiss your way out!]

(OOC: Mingle until your lips are chapped! Information on mistletoe bots event.)

[There is a lot of handwaving and mouth opening and closing before Reg starts talking, which takes a few moments before he nods, smooths his outfit out, and actually does so but hey, it's progress from an imitation of a goldfish.]

I'm a, I'm ah, Reginald Barclay, Lieutenant Barclay. [This is starting out so well.] I was looking to, see if anyone would happen to know of the, the [Hand waving in a circle is a go.] Federation or Earth.

[Because a prison under the ocean is clearly not on Earth and if it's in Federation space he'd really like to know how they managed to keep it under the radar.] And if this is some joke, something involving the holodeck it's very, very good and well done. [And that's a nervous laugh.] You can, you can stop now, I'd very much like to leave, leave now. I have dinner plans and I'd very very much like, to get back to them.

[That's some hand wringing, and there's the slightest hint of pleading there in his voice as he glances to the side.] Thank you, in advance, if uh anyone answers me.

[OOC: Reg is wandering about all over today just to try and figure things out as well. And I'm going to be slow tonight because my computer is acting weird.]

[Nathan is a smart boy. He’s quick to catch on and even quicker to realize that being a prisoner in a giant underwater bubble with disembodied overseers is a lot more exciting than being a prisoner in a psychiatric facility. Being crazy—and Nathan has never had greater faith in his lack of sanity than when he woke up under the sea in an orange jumpsuit—adds slightly more excitement to the equation than he might like, but he’s willing to test this new prison before getting homesick.

He sets aside some time to get acquainted with the rules, the map, and the remarkably urban prison before trying to send any messages, sulking aimlessly about Sector 0 and into Sector 1. Nathan doesn’t mean to sulk, honestly. The fifteen year-old is no broodier or more morose here than he was at home, but the teenager finds it hard to shed a sulking air. The habitually-hunched shoulders, sickly pallor, and inability to maintain eye contact do nothing to help him in this regard.

His attention inevitably turns to the headset. It seems simple enough to operate, and he has nothing to lose by trying to call someone. He is, after all, probably experiencing some kind of weird dream or hallucination. What’s the worst that could happen if he moves that little button to “voice”?]

Hello? [His voice is smaller and more hesitant than he would like it to be. Some of that hesitance is related to how stupid he feels. Who designed these headsets? He probably looks like he’s talking to himself, and he’s not that kind of crazy.] Can anyone hear me?

I don’t know who I’m calling, so if you can hear this, just… call back, I guess. [The teenager fumbles for a slightly less awkward sentence to hang up with.] …Thanks. Bye.

[Or awkward is good, too.]

[ you. what are you doing here? ]

Hiding, like you. [ except— wait. no. this isn't right. this was familiar, almost tangible as if it were a collection of memory engrams locked away behind a series of unbreakable, undetectable algorithms that had begun to break free of their restraints. she knew this place, but it wasn't right. this— was not right at all. she didn't belong here. it wasn't her fault. that which she stood accused of wasn't her fault. an individual should not have to answer for the collective's wrongdoings.

she went away, like some do — she understood that much. or maybe she was still on the equinox. perhaps she was hallucinating. firm, unwavering in her stance, she'd been willing to perish instead of becoming what ransom and his crew had become. she wanted no part in any of it. she resisted. but he was trying to force her hand, made the doctor—

standing up, only dimly aware of the headset, of the feed, seven draws her hand across her temple and the metallic, ocular implant that's a stark contrast against pale skin and loose, bright blonde hair. she's intact, and an awkward, uncharacteristic clearing of her throat tells her that her auditory processor is operating under normal parameters. her voice is her own, controlled by her own will and not that of a hologram devoid of ethical subroutines.

only then, when she's certain that speaking will produce words and not song, does she address the dome directly. ]

My designation is Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01. I will not comply.

[ filtered to geordi & seven of nine; ]

I believe that, under the circumstances, it is necessary that we inform Lieutenant Robbins of the condition of the Captain. Though we should avoid divulging specifics as much as possible, I would consider providing her with an understanding of the current situation to be warranted.

Additionally, I feel that we should convene to review our progress, and our current available options.


[ filtered to morgan; ]

Lieutenant, if I may have a moment of your time - I wish to discuss our present situation with you.

[When Justin woke up, he wasn't quite sure what to make of Marina. He's no stranger to being sucked into alternate dimensions - though usually, it's of his (or Alex's) doing, not some strange otherworldly creature. Maybe he goofed up a spell when he wasn't looking? Justin had already checked for his wand, but it was nowhere in sight. Of course, the Wardens had even thought of power limiters. Nice touch! Justin had ditched the prison jumpsuit for a hoodie and jeans, but he subconsciously tugs on his sleeve every so often, as if he's expecting something to pop out of it at any second.

He's a bit hard to miss in Sector 0, however; he's the one commandeering a food cart selling Italian-style sandwiches.] Man, who taught you how to make a sandwich? [He glares at the poor bot, before properly demonstrating how it should be made!] They should reprogram you - I mean, I'd do it myself, but seriously, you should be ashamed of your programmer. Their sense of taste sucks.

[video]
[Once he's figured out how the communicator works, Justin turns it on and gives a small half-wave towards everyone. He's still in Sector 0, though he'd finally given up and let the bot resume making Seoul-style sandwiches.]

This is really a prison, right? Not a reality show or some movie I'd gotten myself sucked into? I know people've prolly been here for a while - and maybe some of you think I'm crazy for suggesting this is a movie - but it feels too weird to be a prison in any dimension.

All I'm saying is, if this is another horror movie, I'd really like to not die this time.

[ As mentioned by the wardens yesterday, Eric is hosting a costume party. The Blood Shack is lit by candles for the evening (he remembers the last party he had being interrupted by a power outage) and a small buffet of sorts has been erected. It furnishes mostly hors d'oeuvre and finer foods, things that Caroline picked out as Eric hasn't a clue about human food.

There is blood on tap (naturally) as well as a full bar. Eric has made certain to include water, sodas, tea and various non-alcoholic drinks.

The jukebox is playing a variety of music, but patrons are always invited to pick out their own music. The dance floor has a disco ball and there's the ever present 'dancing' pole on stage if someone gets brave. Tables are scattered about as are sofas and chairs so that people have a choice where they sit.

Enjoy yourself, mix, mingle and admire everyone's costume and everyone is required to have a costume in order to be here. ]

[ooc: I've turned off replies so if you want Eric's attention please tag his thread. Mingle here, have fun and be merry? Everyone is invited, including and especially newbies. ]

[ caroline's sitting in the park with a happy sort of smile. she's feeling good about things for the first time in a long time. she's wearing her work out gear, probably doing stretches.]

Want to be a cheerleader? Yes, this place has a cheer team and you can be a part of it. Come to signups today at 1pm here at Två Park!

Also! Everyone should come to the costume party that Eric Northman is throwing tomorrow. Whoever has the best costume gets a prize!

[private to elena]

Tomorrow's the party, you're going right? It's normal. We need normal, right?

[private to eric]

So what are you dressing up as at your party? Because wearing all black and being all lurky so does not count.

( we are the borg. lower your shields and surrender your ships. we will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. your culture will adapt to service us. resistance is futile. )

[ In the dome in the morning ]

[ Jean-Luc, normally a very vibrant individual, normally a man with a mission and a purpose, no matter what that purpose might be, is standing very still in the middle of the dome. He’s in sector zero. Near the kiosk. Studying it with intense scrutiny, too still for any normal human being. ]


[ private to Helen ]

Doctor Magnus, I’m afraid I find it necessary to postpone tea. Perhaps we can meet tomorrow?


[ private to Trek crew ]

Is anyone…? [ There’s a moment of hesitation here, abnormal for this Captain on a normal day. He clears his throat and seems to come into himself, more stern and self-assured. ] Report.




ooc: Part 2 of the Locutus plot. The Trek muns know that Locutus is peeking into Picard’s consciousness. But anyone else who runs into him, he won’t be acting quite like himself!

[If this was a video post you might see how trashed the room (what used to be Matt's room) is right now. Someone's lost her temper over recent developments, to say the least. But as it is, she's leaving this as a clipped voice message. She hates making these posts but she knows at least Elena (and Caroline, she supposes) deserve to know.]

Matt Donovan has been lost to the dimensional stabilizer. I'm beginning to wonder if the thing has something against me.

[Because first her brothers, then Quinn, and now Matt.

That's it, that's the post. She closes it off after that.]

[ liz is one of the lucky few who didn't spill her guts to the class yesterday, but that doesn't mean she feels entirely comfortable with everything that's been going on. So, in an effort to help get herself back on some sort of a schedule, she's taken to patrolling the dome today. she probably should just keep to one little area, but habits are hard to break and she's slowly coming to see this prison as her new "town." that means the whole place needs to be protected and that's what she's doing.

so she can be found wandering just about anywhere in the dome except sector 6. ]

[ locked voice to the mystic falls crew ]

[ later on, she leaves a message for everyone from mystic falls, just to check up on them. ]

Everyone doing okay today?

Video

Out of curiosity, what did everyone think of the music this morning? Better or worse than what they usually pick?

[Ulterior motive. Perhaps they can get the wardens to play better music if there was a general agreement about the music]

In the interest of the warden's interrupting my class for the therapy session and how I'm sure everyone is feeling after it, we'll just resume the history on the next day and not try to catch up.

[confirmation that he's not going to give you more homework to make up for it]

Action

[After yesterday, Lyle definitely wanted someone around. That relationship session had brought up a lot and there was really one person he felt he could feel most comfortable around. So he had called Yvaine and asked her over to dinner.

As it approached the time that she was going to be arriving, Lyle was making sure everything was set up for her. The haros had been in the way so not long ago, he'd sent them away with very simple instructions "go bother Tieria". And they were gone, hopefully to be gone for the duration of the evening]

[ooc: closed thread is for Yvaine]

[ It's something she wanted to do since she arrived. Something she'd needed to do since long before she even knew about underwater prisons and therapy sessions that make you spill your guts more than you ever wanted in your life. She doesn't like lying and yet she's so very good at it... but no more. Ned isn't here to tell her no. Emerson isn't here to give her That Look. She can do whatever she wants here and she wants to do this.

Of course, that doesn't stop her from fidgeting, eyes kept off the camera. ]

Hey, so... some day yesterday, huh? It kind of got me thinking... and I have a confession to make.

When I first arrived here, I introduced myself as Kitty Pimms. That's not my real name. Back home some people know me as the Lonely Tourist, but my name is Charlotte Charles. It's a long story. Actually, maybe it's not a very long story at all. [ A beat. ] I was murdered and then I came back. Almost everyone thought I was still dead and apparently you can't just go up to people and say "hey, guess what? I'm alive!" even though you really want to and so I had to go around pretending that I'm someone I'm not just so...

[ Just so, what? She's still not sure of that answer. ]

Anyway... hi. I'm Charlotte. It's been very nice to meet you all.

[ Trouble sleeping at night? Are you re-experiencing a traumatic event through nightmares or flashbacks? Are you avoiding certain situations or triggers? Have your beliefs and feelings changed in response to the event? Do you feel differently about yourself or the ones around you? Are you experiencing increased guilt, shame, or fear? A lack of interest for activities you used to enjoy? Are you feeling jittery or hyperaware of potential danger? Depressed? Anxious? Feelings of hopelessness? Are you drinking more than usual?

Welcome to the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome Support Group.


The group is gathered down at the beach. There are baskets set up with cold beverages and delicious picnic type snacks, along with a circle of beanbags for that intimate, trusting feeling. In the middle there's another basket with informational pamphlets and a list of assignments that the participants are encouraged to answer. ]

• When was the last time you had a full nights sleep?
• Do you avoid certain situations? Certain topics of conversation? Why?
• Do you feel stressed? Guilty?
• Do you find situations more threatening than you used to do?
• Have you had a change in interests lately?

((OOC: Feel free to use the questions as a jump-off point or come up with topics of your own! THIS is a good site for information about PTSD and the treatment thereof. ]

[ Considering the nature of the group, it's unsurprising that it is being held in The Blood Shack. There is a sign on the door announcing that the bar is closed for therapy adding that if you're here for the 'Struggling with my humanity of the lack thereof' therapy session, please come in and make yourself at home. Someone (not Eric) has made over the bar so that it looks a great deal like an AA room rather than a bar. The tables are arranged into a square shape (yes, the way you used to sit in school). The bar is open, but the alcoholic beverages have been locked up. The blood taps are available and there's a selection of bottled blood sitting on top of the bar. It is clearly self serve. There's also a selection of pastries on the bar for those that like a little nibble with their blood. Next to this is a large fishbowl filled with folded slips of paper. There's a small sign next to it that urges each participant to take a question from the fishbowl, help yourself to some refreshment and have a seat.

On their folded slips of paper, participants will find such questions:

Were you ever human? If so, when was that? What are you now?
How do you define 'humanity'?
What is your opinion of humans? Why? How did you develop this opinion?
Discuss the relationships you currently have with humans.
What is the most important factor in maintaining your humanity? Do you feel it's important to maintain?
Has there been a change in your humanity, for the better or worse? What prompted that?
Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of humanity.

Just in case anyone has any doubt that we're here for business and not pleasure, the jukebox has been locked down as well.]

ooc:as with other posts, don't feel limited by these questions. Feel free to add your own and assume these are just some of the questions in the fishbowl. Mingle, make new threads, interrupt threads and enjoy! Note that your character does not have to be non-human to be here! Humans struggle with their humanity sometimes too!

[ The Accept Yourself Support Group is told to report to one of the rooms in the Sector 4 art center. The room is cosy and warmly lit with a bunch of plush armchairs set in a circle around a low table. On the table is a basket full of photographs, a stack of handheld mirrors and a card with the instructions. The photographs are all of inanimate objects, abstract patterns or landscapes, buildings or nature. ]

• Find a photograph that you feel represents you as a person. Take turns in the group to explain why you've chosen that card.

• Look at yourself in the mirror for five minutes. Take turns in the group to explain what it is you see in your reflection.

• Discuss why you see yourself this way. Discuss how you see those around you. Discuss the differences. Discuss how you can be more honest with yourself and your potential.

[ For those that are not yet ready to get going on the activities, there's plenty of delicious snacks and refreshing drinks available, as well as soothing music to ease the awkwardness. Let the self-examination begin! ]

[Welcome to the culture shock group, not that there are any posters or robots telling you why you were all put together. Instructions for this gathering lead to Sector 2's Två Park, where robots will lead their therapy subjects through the hedge maze back to the butterfly pavilion. The space is both open and secluded. Benches have been set up and there is a table with a variety of tempting treats and beverages toward the back which is nice because no one is leaving until there is significant interaction. That much is clear.

There is another table has two signs and a stack of cards. The first sign reads, "Find something in common with each person with whom you speak."

The second, placed next to the cards, says, "Draw cards, read the scenario to a partner. Take turns answering the questions. Discuss the differences or similarities of your answers."

On the end of the table there is booklet with other prompt ideas as well.

( Possible scenarios )

[When the feed clicks on it shows Bonnie sitting down at a table, a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. There's also a few pastries on a plate next to it.]

Today marks my first month here. I don't think it's something you particularly celebrate but if I had to celebrate anything, it would be the friends I have in this place. Both the ones from home and the people I've befriended in prison. I think that deserves some acknowledgment so if anyone wants to talk about the good things, come down to the bean crushers coffee place. I'll be there for the afternoon.

That's about it.

Thanks.

[On screen, he has a white bandana tied over his hair.] Just to inform my fellow instructors and students, I wanted to let you know that I will be beginning to deep clean the Education Center cooking labs in advance of my classes beginning in a few days. I do not anticipate making a lot of noise, but it may occur. [This is where most people would apologize, but Lelouch is not most people.] Of course, I would not turn down help.


[Later, in the education center, you'll find some of the cooking labs that have probably stood generally empty for some time. And since someone is making plans to start his own class in there, it's time to get rid of that dust.

He'll likely be found in bandana and apron, doing dishes, folding towels, or half inside of a lower cabinet giving the shelves a good wipedown. Behold, a domesticated prince in his natural habitat!]