MarinaNova Asylum

[Yesterday was a pretty draining day. Sougo had spent the day holding back any of the negative thoughts and feelings he experienced with Lacus being back, however temporary it was. It was hard to trust this place. After all, he had seen his sister twice before, but she had disappeared the very next day. It was the same with Sasha; after she had disappeared from the prison for some time, she had returned for 24-hours. How could he not assume that it would be the same with Lacus? It didn't seem like it was normal for people to actually return, at least not to him.

He sat on edge of his bed with his blanket wrapped around his body and over his head, as if it were some kind of robe. Meh. To deal with the day or not. There was almost nothing worse than feeling like actually building friendships here was a waste, since of the very few friends he had made, he was down to just Aidan.

After a mental debate and some groaning to himself, he decides that the last thing he wanted to be was a wimp, so he groggily walks out of his room, blanket and all, into the kitchen for a bite to eat.]

Day 275? Oh, my...

[So she too had succumbed to the disappearances that plague the dome. Her first thought, quickly dampened, is for Kira. She won't give up hope, yet it seems doubtful that he would have arrived again in her absence, being only a very seldom addition to her life here. As for her second thought, no doubt she'll have confirmation either way very shortly.]

[Woozy from the strange, yet not entirely unfamiliar sensation of her memories of home overlaying her last memories of the dome, Lacus applies her extraordinary focus and steadies herself. The still-fragile peace back home will have to be entrusted to others, for now, and she must come to accept being imprisoned yet again... or still, depending on which memories she favors. Yet more to sort out once she has a moment.]

[In the meantime, she smiles into the video feed, easy and sanguine.] It would seem I've been gone a number of weeks; I should think I've missed quite a lot. Perhaps someone could fill me in?

And, hello to anyone I've not met. My name is Lacus Clyne, and I'm glad to meet you in spite of the circumstances.

[ Today is a day where most would be at risk of oversleeping.The dome lies dark like in the dead of night. The sun hasn’t risen today, streetlights casting a dull yellow glow and occasionally flickering out into nothing, only to spark back to life a moment later. There is no electric flicker from the kiosk. The Wardens are still. The wardens are silent.

The dome isn’t silent. There is a rustling of leaves, a snapping of twigs. Claws, scraping against concrete. The inhuman screech of an animal in peril, an animal hunting, an animal hunted. A screech that promises sharp claws and sharper teeth and blood.

The dome isn’t still either. There is something moving, thick as a shadow, tangible as a chill down your spine. Something that doesn’t belong here, something that snuck in when no one was looking. A boogeyman under the bed. A ghost in the closet. A will o’ the wisp, blinking in and out of existence under the flickering streetlights. Whatever it is it’s moving, leaving a trail of cold, dead fear wherever it passes. Something dark. A shadow so pitch black that it blots out the very lights in your heart, dragging your fears out screaming and kicking, reducing even the strongest, toughest man to a blubbering baby.

Perhaps best to stay in bed today, Marina. ]

((OOC: Event information HERE. We ask the winners of the raffle to fill out a simple survey and then tag into the Vapor thread HERE! Happy mingling, Marinanites! ))

[There are multiple peg boards set up in Sector 0 today—some tall, some short, some on wheels, some long, some magenta with glitter! But what do they all have in common? They are covered in pictures with familiar faces.

Maybe the face is many years younger and surrounded by family or maybe it's a shot taken in Marina (version 1 or 2!). Maybe it was a time when no cameras were present and yet here is the evidence of that moment in all it's candid glory.

You could have grabbed that really embarrassing or incriminating one and thought you were safe only to find out there were three duplicates! Sweet, horrific, sad, casual, posed, past, or present—the wardens are good at variety, so enjoy!]

(OOC: Plotting post for sharing pictures people might find on the boards.)

[Sougo wants to pretend that yesterday never happened. It was just... weird. And people witnessed him in that odd super great mood he was in. And him being chipper. And cheerful. And throwing his arms up in the air with excitement. He does not approve of this at all. At all.

He is lying in bed confused, but keeping on more of a "sadist face" instead.]

I can't be the only one who ate too much cake. Can you get drunk off of cake? I think that actually happened. I only black out the way I did when I'm drunk. Unless yesterday didn't happen at all. I can't be the only one who thought it felt like a dream. Right?

[He knows it was real, but he's hoping he was wrong, so so wrong!]


[Closed to Lacus and Aidan!]

[He then turns the video off, rolls over and groans in his bed. Okay, okay, maybe he'll get up... very slowly. Therefore he of course has to shout!]

Oi! I need reassurance! Tell me I don't have a cake problem. I can't live this life if I have a cake problem.

[ There were blankets set out in the lush parks of the prison, and on top a feast was spread out. Fine china and chubby pots of tea, delicate cake trays filled with tarts, biscuits and sandwiches; yes, anything the hungry and weary prisoners could wish for was laid out for their convenience.

The sun was shining brightly and a playful breeze rustles the leaves of the trees. Surely a wonderful day for a tea party! ]


((ooc: Mingle for your mingling needs! Event information can be found here! ))

[ Locked to Lacus Clyne ]

Do you have a moment?

[ Locked to Kitty Pryde. ]

Hey... we need to talk. [ Wow that sounds scary, let's defuse that. ] It's work related.


[ Open Action ]

[ Anyone keen on bumping into Reid today can easily find him at the library, the Defence Force HQ, Bean Crushers in Sector 4 or en route to any of these places or the apartment complex in Sector 2! ]

[ It's been a long day. An eternity or perhaps just a few minutes, seconds, heartbeats since he woke up to an empty bed and an even emptier apartment. It wasn't too hard to swallow back the panic at first, keep it at bay with positive thinking and the stubborn task of looking in every nook and cranny, of testing the line over and over and over again because sooner or later he would turn up. He'd pick up the call. He was probably just busy, or out in Sector 6 or taking a bath.

He'd show up, sooner or later.

Morning turns to day turns to evening and he's still alone. By now the panic is all-consuming, squeezing at his heart until he can't even breathe. Fingers shaking, Aidan flicks on the audio feed. One last ditch effort. ]

Has anyone- [ But he stops himself there. Sometimes you know the answer all too well. So well that you don't want it confirmed more than you've already done yourself. He draws a deep breath, steadies himself for another short minute. ]

If anyone wants t' know... I know he had a few friends here. Probably more than he knew. Helix is...

Helix is gone.

[ With that he cuts the feed, abruptly, tugs the headpiece off just as frantically before heading down to the beach. He can't think of any other place to go. ]


((ooc: Anyone is welcome to find him down at the beach! Audio responses will be icly delayed seeing as he's pretty damn heartbroken, but they will be responded to eventually. ))

[ ooc: A little forward dated so that this is an early evening edition of class in keeping with Eric's hours. Treat this as a mingle. Notifs are off so if you want to speak with Eric directly tag into one of his threads. I'll make him available for chit chat after class and for a Q&A]

[ Eric steps up in front of the class. He’s dressed in a grey pinstriped suit and black shirt. The collar of the shirt is open at the neck. It’s something he’d wear for one of Nan’s PR campaigns, and truthfully this feels much like one of those, with one exception: he doesn’t intend to pander to anyone. He’d gotten the impression Spencer wanted the truth, and he intends to give it to these people as well. When he’d begun discussing vampire psychology with Spencer Reid a couple of weeks ago, he’d never expected it to turn into a class. The idea of it amused him, as did the idea that he could be honest about things rather than read a script and smile charmingly until someone yelled cut. He looked out to the crowd, picking out the faces he knew then put on that oh-so-charming smile.]

Some of you know me, but I’ll introduce myself for those that don’t. I’m Eric Northman. I run the Blood Shack here in the dome and I’m a thousand year old vampire. [ Never let it said that Eric doesn’t like to be dramatic. His fangs descend at the last bit and he grins, letting everyone get a good look at them. Seconds later the fangs are gone and the charming smile is back. ]

I’m here today because Mr. Reid requested that I talk a little bit about vampire psychology. Apparently this is a topic of discussion among the Defense Force. I’d like to set some misconceptions right. I suppose, first and foremost, I should acknowledge that the bulk of my knowledge deals with vampires in my world. I realize there are different types of vampires here in the dome and there is the possibility of the psychology, as well as “the rules” [ yes, he did use air quotes] varying. That being said, I’m going to jump right in.

I believe the most interesting question Mr. Reid and I discussed that day was whether vampires could be held to the same lawful standards as human, from a psychological point of view. The simple answer is yes. As you will be able to see in a demonstration I’ll conduct in a moment, I do not turn into a raving monster around blood. I do not lose control and I don’t slaughter willy nilly. [ There’s a smirk, a look of amusement. Sookie might’ve helped him with this lecture. Willy nilly was her contribution. ]

We discussed the idea that humans are cattle to vampires and just as a human would not be held responsible for the slaughter of a cow, we should not be held responsible for the slaughter of a human. While that idea isn’t entirely wrong, [ He pauses, as if considering his next comment ] many of you are cattle as far as many of us are concerned—that idea is flawed. I’ve actual experience with actual cattle from my days as a human and I’ve yet to see cattle redeem their entire races with one action as I’ve seen the occasional humans do. Humans are capable of much more than they generally accomplish. Cattle are not.

[ He looks directly out to the crowd. ] You are food, but a few of you have the ability to be so much more. Enough about you, on to more about vampires. [ He dismisses the subject with a wave of his hand. ] People forget that vampires were human once. I had a wife, I had children, I had parents and subjects and friends and enemies. [ So yes, for any of you wondering, he is a king, or was at one point] Because we were once human, we’re like humans in some ways. There are vampires who enjoy the arts, those that enjoy being social [ He’s thinking of Caroline here ] and those of us that enjoy mayhem and murder. Yes, being a vampire does allow you to get in touch with the mayhem and murder side of things. Blood is intoxicating in a way that alcohol wishes it could be. A flood of blood is enough to make one practically giddy and to be honest, I spent my younger days knee deep in it. However, I was fortunate to have a maker that instilled humanity in me and showed me the benefit of controlling my urges. Humans are brilliant inventors. The world has come a very long way since I was human, and I’d like to enjoy those advances. Controlling my urges allows me the ability to do just that. Are there days I’d still like to kill everyone in the room? [ A smirk, a glance about the crowd and a wink]

Of course.

In short, yes, we can control ourselves and yes, control generally comes with age, but there are some of us born with extraordinary control. I need approximately two pints of blood a day. Anything more is just gluttony.

All of that being said, vampires shouldn’t be governed by humans. In my world, we have the Authority of which I happen to be a Chancellor. We deal with vampires who get out of control, lay down a series of guidelines and provide a chain of authority for vampires. We’ve got the ‘muscle’ so to speak to enforce the guidelines. Humans simply don’t have that, nor do humans garner enough respect from the vampires to enforce anything. After all, you’d hardly take orders from your hamburger. [ By the grin on his face, it’s meant to be a joke. ]

Now, I did promise you a demonstration. Once that’s over I’ll open the floor for questions. Don’t bother asking how to kill me because I won’t answer those.

Hey. Terry McGinnis. It's been a while since I spoke up here, I think, but I've got an open-ended question.

Don't read too much into it. I'm not a super scientist or wizard or anything, so all you get for answering it is making both of us marginally less bored. But I could use a little less boredom. Sports and patrols and working out only do so much for a guy.

Anyway, here goes: Tell me about space where you're from. How many planets have people been to, what other species have you met? How long have you had faster-than-light travel?

Even if you're not from Earth. I wanna hear about alien's aliens too.

[ 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. ]

[ So this is what it comes down to. Either this is, somehow, what it claims to be, or - more likely - he's finally hit his psychotic break, the moment that his psyche finally dismantles from within and disengages from reality entirely. With how his entire life has been crafted around fitting in, escaping notice, surviving without being caught, it would make sense that his breakdown would revolve around finally being taken down as what he is. And what poetic justice there was to be found in the location of this bizarre facility.

It doesn't really matter what this is. Real or not, the way to get through this is the same as getting through anything else. Fit in, learn everything that I can, earn the trust of others. If there's a way out of this, I'll find it, but I'm not going to find it by lashing out. Stay with the code. Survive, and get back to what's important. What terrible timing, just when my counterpart and I were getting back to our game.

As the video turns on, he affects a friendly enough tone, though he doesn't go for anything overly happy because nobody should sound chipper about being in prison. Levity does help normal people, though - dry levity. ]

Interesting place you've set up here. It does read a bit more as vacation spot than a prison, but I guess that's not something I should be complaining about in my position. Though the jumpsuit I could honestly do without. I think it makes me look jaundiced - skin tone, you know.

[ He purses his lips and gives a small shrug with that, gesturing at his face.

I always had wondered how I'd look in one. At least I have that answer now. All the more reason to hang onto the code, I think. ]

So, I'm curious. Is everyone here treated to such a creative interpretation of their actions?

[ Enough of my charges were a reach that it seems like there could a theme to it, and it'd be a good start to get a feel for the place, how well I can keep up appearances... and maybe just how many playmates I have down here. It's oddly fitting, left at the bottom of an ocean. From another perspective, I might even appreciate the irony. ]

( everything should change like that )

[The relationships group therapy attendees will all get a message telling them to report to The Winery in Sector 2. Sadly for them the alcohol is locked away, but there is an assortment of food and non-alcoholic beverages along the bar for consumption. Many of the tables have been cleared out and the chairs rearranged into a circle with booths along the edges for more intimate therapeutic discussions.

And don't forget the party favors! The wardens have left some helpful games and activity ideas to get them started. There's a bowl full of folded slips of papers with various questions.]

( Possible Questions )

[In addition to the questions there are cards with various prompts. One explains the game, I Never. Another suggests people pair off and roleplay they are in a relationship and then deal with various scenarios like what do to if one partner flirts with someone else or comes home late without calling.]

( Additional scenarios )

(OOC: Mingle style. You are not limited to the questions, scenarios, or games listed above. Assume there are more! I recycled a lot of this from last time so if someone was in this group twice they can feel free to notice, but assume there are lots of questions and prompts, so they probably didn't see them all.)

DAY 237 — Morning Greeting

What a wonderful morning we're having. It's a good time to wake up, get dressed—unless you're Eric Northman or Jack Harkness of course, eat, and then enjoy your assignments. Times and locations of your group therapy appointments will be gently delivered to your devices shortly. Attendance is mandatory and will be enforced. Violators will be punished.

Have a healthy and productive day!

Oh, and before I forget—not that I ever would—punishments for:
Dirk Strider: injury
Bro Strider: assault

What a sad and wholly unexpected turn of events.

[Mail delivery:

• Package for New arrivals from the welcoming committee
• Package for Aradia from S
• Postcard for Aidan Reilly from Sougo Okita]

(OOC: Kiosk requests will be handled by Veridical unless otherwise requested. Mail submissions can be left here. Truth in Therapy event details.)

[devil's compass]

[Old soul or new maybe today's the day you wander into the Devil's Compass, an old-fashioned bar in Sector four. In fact the door's propped open late into the afternoon, before it shuts again with the oncoming rain and traps in the smoky atmosphere. Behind the bar for the most part of the day will be Tyki Mikk himself, a tall and dark haired man in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled back and a well fit but unbuttoned vest. He's tending to the bar with a rag, occasionally moving over to sort out an arrangement of bottles. Quite at home.]

[prayer facility]

[Sometime into the evening a faint tune is floating out of the non-denominational prayer facility in Sector five. If you care to wander in you would see Tyki sitting by the piano, playing it with lazy ease and a briefly bowed head in concentration. He's not wrapped up in the music so much as he is in trying to remember the keys, occasionally slipping and restarting sections or playing through the flaws. Practiced but not perfect, his fingers fly by on the faster sections and linger on the slower.

It'll take him a moment to realize anyone's watching. Didn't think he'd be found here of all places.]

[Lacus is no stranger to cabin fever, given that space travel can be rather claustrophobic. Being forced to bed by injuries, however, could not be more different. She still has limited energy, and so she permits herself only a few essential errands. A blue winter scarf, Sougo's Christmas gift, is loosely around her neck to cover the healing wounds where Spike bit her several days ago.]

[Errands done and Lacus carrying her bag of groceries and other assorted things, she finds herself wandering. When she's not at peace internally she finds herself seeking places that she finds calming: the koi pond, the beach, the butterfly pavilion, random pathways in between which she walks in no particular hurry. She wouldn't mind company...]

[As if sensing so, her pink haro bounds ahead, finding the nearest person and addressing them excitedly as he bounces in place.]

Hello, hello! Friend!

((OOC: Find her at any of the places mentioned or walking with her haro through the sectors! Anyone who can notice by supernatural means that she's been bitten by a vampire is free to do so.))

( Action, closed to Sougo )

[Video]

Um... hello!

[Dressed in a elegant black dress and gloves, Yuuki appears on screen, smiling sheepishly. She's at the beach, which is, of course, a little brighter than she likes. But the location aside, she's situated beneath a tree at the moment, and would look comfortable... if she weren't, obviously, a little nervous. She clears her throat, and bows after a moment.]

Ahem-- today I'm performing on the beach. It's-- well, it's something that I have to do. [A punishment] But I've worked really hard. [And the wardens want it to be public.] So if you don't have anything better to do... you're welcome to come and watch. We'll be starting shortly. Aha-- at the very least there's going to be snacks and food! So even if you don't like the performance, you can remember the delicious foods, right? Mm! Thank you.

[With a bow she expels a breath and cuts the feed.]

[Action + Video]

[There's a shaded mini stage put together over on the beach, with refreshments and snacks around and about. Nothing too large, but cozy and there's plenty of food to go around. Ice cream and popsicles (which you can never go wrong with) in addition to more savory snacks, such as takoyaki among other things. It's bigger than the girl at the center of attention would like. But she's going to see this through, even if the person who had originally helped train her rigorously to perform the songs isn't here any more.

On stage, she's wearing the pretty black number that Hikaru has carefully picked out for her. And despite her nerves from before, she's composed now. Training in how to handle herself in front of an audience (granted one at a ball) has proven to help when it comes to dealing with a large amount of people publicly. So, as she introduces herself once more, and her eyes swim about the beach to find Zero, and the rest of her roommates, she manages a smile.]

Mm... I've worked really hard on the songs for today! I wrote them together with Sheryl-san... so even though she's not here any more, I hope that I can convey them the way she would have liked. So for those of you who decided to come and listen... thank you!

[Taking position on stage, she waits for the sound of the music to begin, before her voice rings out. Filling the air and network, emotions wrap and coil around every lyric as she hopes for and wills the audience to become absorbed in the music and the listen to her.]

( Songs )

[OOC: Come and get your emotions played with... accidentally of course! Information can be found here. Characters can get their emotions played with or become enchanted, and vampires can get affected with the... side affects. It's all optional of course! In addition to the songs above Yuuki will sing Celmisia (Lyrics), and Heroine Syndrome (Lyrics) People are free to post as Before, During, or After the performance.]

[Here is the self-proclaimed King of the Planet of Sadists, looking extremely tired. Dark circles and bags under his eyes.]

31 hours later, I beat the game... I am the master.

[He holds up his DS proudly. Then he sets it down and holds up a finger.]

This wasn't how I was gonna spend my day, but I decided to be a nice guy and give everyone a day off from living in fear from my torture and sadist ways.

You're welcome.

((OOC: Otherwise entitled 'Sougo and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Anyone who notices Lacus' very conspicuous absence is welcome to call her or drop by her place in the afternoon, though they might have to contend with a grumpy roommate who's having the worst day ever!))
***

[Waking in an unfamiliar place isn't half as troubling as knowing that she can't, at the moment, leave under her own power. Gingerly, Lacus assesses herself, grateful for the bandages on her neck and less so for the tender side of her face that is doubtless an ugly, mottled purple. Even less encouraging is how weak those few moments of movement have left her. Coordinators are quick to heal, but still human.]

[A quick assessment of the morning's postings tells her that the visitors from yesterday were indeed temporary. If that's in any way a relief, it's tinged with bitterness nonetheless. Indignation for this place and its constant manipulations will have to wait, however, as she has calls to make. It won't do for people to worry that she too has vanished without a trace.]

[Voice/Private - Sougo Okita]
Sougo? [Immediately, she regrets making the call herself. Her voice is weak and thin, no way he won't worry. She hates to do this after he's lost his sister. But surely Data's close by, she trusts that he wouldn't leave her alone like this, so he can help her explain things.]

[Voice/Private - Sam Merlotte]
[She waits until afternoon to call Sam, when perhaps she could sound a bit less upsetting. Unfortunately she can't muster much more energy and so probably sounds just as worrying, but she can't wait any longer before she's late for her shift.] Sam? I'm sorry, but [she has to take a breath before she can go on] I won't be able to come to work for a few days.