[ On the desk before the camera, several layers of sketches, books, and artfully-crafted trinkets lay. On the very top is a bible, which Ashton's hand is resting on, as he sits at the work desk in his apartment.

Despite some rough news yesterday for a friend of his, he looks cheerful. ] U-um, hello everyone.  I was reading over what people celebrate about this time of year, and I was curious if anyone needs any decorations made? I think they're supposed to go on trees, but I guess they could be hung just about anywhere.

[ He holds up a couple of example pieces of his handiwork. They aren't perfect -- the craftsmanship is quality, but Ashton has a strange sense of style, so some angles may look off, and the curves are more like waves in the third dimension, rather than pressed flat. ] I've never worked with designs like this before, so I hope they're okay -- we don't celebrate the birth of any Savior back home and I don't really get what the animal is for...

B-but if you would like something for the season, please let me know!

[ Ashton reaches for the device to turn it off, stopping short. ] O-oh, a lot of new people came, right? My name is Ashton. Ashton Anchors. I also make and repair jewelry, and barrels. Please call me if you need anything! [ With a final smile, he's gone. ]

[ 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! ♥))

Ummmm...does anyone know how to make curry udon or a cake?

[And anyone walking into the shelter kitchen will find a very confused loliprincess, a cookbook, and one failed attempt at cake batter in front of her. Clearly she has no idea what she's doing.]

[...at this rate, Lelouch will be getting a table full of birthday jello.]

[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.

[Cécile takes a moment to mess with the communicator, successfully opening an open-ended video and looking at it for a moment before talking. This was similar to, but distinctly different from the technology back home... She starts speaking in a mild, but cheerful tone, appearing happy despite the circumstances. If you pay attention you may notice a hint of hesitation in her mannerisms, as though she's deeply unsure of something.]

Hello! I'm Cécile Croomy! I'm new here, and I'm looking to see if anyone would know if a Lloyd Asplund happened to be here? I was on my way to see him originally. I brought lunch-- though I'll have to remake it for him now! [a small laugh. It's genuine, if short.]

[Cécile pauses for a moment here, looking at the brochure with a pensive look before looking back up, offering a smile again]

It appears there's some other, ah, familiar names here, too! Who else is here...?

[Where he was once an early riser, since coming to the prison he's taken to sleeping in late and so it takes a few moments for Tamaki to wake up. There's something off about his bed. It's... warmer than it usually is on his right side and the wall feels - soft? That's not right. It's almost like there's a person pressing against him in bed.

He turns to his other side and blinks the remaining sleep from his eyes and lo and behold - there is another person in his bed. Another person that he recognises immediately.]

[Tamaki wastes no time in getting his communicator from his nightstand and turning on the video function. He does nothing to conceal his excitement, expression wise or volume wise. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if he woke up the entire dome with his yelling.]

KYOUYA IS HERE~!

((OOC: This post is serving as Kyouya's intro. There will be threadjacking everywhere but if you want someone specific make a note of it in the subject line!))

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

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

[He's at the club, drinking. This is not an unfamiliar sight lately. Seems like everyone he knows has been disappearing. Or maybe everyone he likes and knows anyway. Angel popped up. Just makes it worse really.]

This place is too quiet. Is everyone too busy studying or some such nonsense to have a drink?


...Is that a bunny?

[With a sigh, Alice starts to speak in a rather flat tone.]

If anyone cares, it looks like that brochure was wrong. That A.I. won't remove restraints early without special circumstances.



[Filtered to Nunnally, Lelouch, Suzaku]
My restraint was removed last night anyway, and I've been learning the area since.

Ah... Nunnally, would you still... like to meet up?

Well! So many new people today! I must say that this is quite the opportunity to pose a question.

Do any of you have any specific wishes? How many of you are expecting a birthday soon? Or perhaps over the holiday season you'll be wanting something? I simply can't just sit here without granting some things for you. Do tell me. Come, now, don't be shy, tell me all that you want. Princess Nunnally, perhaps? Or Ms. Kurosu? [A light laugh.]

Mm...oh, yes. [And now she will add with a touch of sympathy,] Xion, darling, I'm afraid I was unable to find your friend. I hope you had better luck than I.

[The backdrop of the Education Center's Dining Hall is visible behind Leopard who addresses the camera seriously. His hand attachments fold together, fingers pressed together.]

Humans! Or whatever things you might be.

I've been observing you this far keeping most of my wisdom to myself, but it's come to light that I simply cannot keep doing this forever.

There's a travesty here, a calamity of culture that simple must be fixed!

[The octahedron-shaped A.I. looks distressed.] What is with the lack of pages on the network!?!

Haven't you humans and whatever heard that it's crucial in this day and age to maintain a proper web page!?! There's hardly any at all! No wonder none of you are well-known at all! If you had a blog or a feed or something, we'd all be far better off!

It's bad enough for that Acumen bastard to deny us the internet and email! It's a true shame what culture we have lost from that!

[Leopard's shape tilts down.] But we can't stay in these Dark Ages forever, which is why I've decided to take the initiative! I've come to be the guiding light to guide you to the noble enlightened high culture of the web!

I present to you: my page!

[The camera moves to show a computer monitor running an internet browser. Leopard's hand pulls up a website before the camera.

If you're a human from late 20th century Earth, the style of the website might remind you of something rather like the average Geocities/Angelfire website circa 1999. A black background with red text fills the page, starting with the website's URL at the top.

Animated GIFs of a chibi version of Leopard's Colony spin around and a MIDI version of some music plays.

The only actual content (so far) is a form in the middle of the page to submit questions to Brother Leopard's Consulting Service.

At the very bottom, a hit counter sits in the single digits, all from Leopard himself.

After a moment, Leopard speaks again:] Now, come forth to build your own web pages and bring life to the network! Strike out against the heart of the repressive Acumen! Mwahahahaha!

[Alice is not looking happy here, and her red eyes are narrowed in a dangerous expression that should look totally out of place on a girl in pigtails. There's a distinct clink of a chain as she shifts slightly.]

Your Highnesses! If you are truly here, then answer me!

Where is N- Princess Nunnally? [She hesitates, but apparently steels her resolve. She's unworthy, but nonetheless devoted.] As her knight, I must know.

Good morning inmates. It is the 88th day of the third generation and newly processed criminals will be arriving over the course of the day.

A light snowfall will occur at mid-afternoon, and though temperatures will remain relatively unchanged for now, warmer and more weather appropriate clothing is recommended.

...This will be the last warning for certain parties to note that facility property is not to be destroyed, and that facility rules are not to be broken. You know who you are.