[the communicator turns on with a clatter as it tumbles across the floor of Orihime's house and comes to a stop, facing her. Orihime is sprawled on the floor, having tripped over apparently nothing at all. she's still in her pajamas even though it's afternoon; she's felt sick and strange and dizzy all day, and so she stayed in bed. but now that she's finally gotten up...]

[whispered] Ow.

[Orihime clutches at her face as she starts to straighten. anyone who knows her may recognize that her hair is much longer, and thicker, and wavy. she is, in fact -- two years older than she was before]

[she just holds her head for a beat longer before reaching for the communicator again. when she notices it's on, she smiles sheepishly, picking it up]

Um -- good afternoon, everyone... Can I ask someone to get me something from the clothing store?

[her hair isn't all that's grown! CANON UPDATE'D]

[ Tyr hasn't used this to just talk to people as a whole in a while, so his tone is somewhat awkward. ]

Now that we're done being shuffled around...is there anywhere to stay other than this shelter? I assume there aren't a lot of empty houses around, but I'm not that picky as long as it's not as busy at this place.

Also--If Suzaku of the Defense Force is listening, I want to speak with you.

[Hi, Marina! Have an *extra* smiley pink haired girl!]

Good morning, everyone. Does anyone here have the skills to help create a wedding dress?

[Context? NOPE. Have fun~ and threadjack Neil if he shows up!]

[Well, here she was in Sector 5. She planned on trying one flavor a day just like Gear had suggested, but that was easier said than done when there were so many to choose from in the first place! Her eyes drifted from flavor to flavor as she bit her lip in concentration; she was only going to get one shot at this, after all. One self-imposed shot, but a shot nonetheless.

Still, it wasn't like she could stay here forever. It was cold, after all! Even with her coat on she still knew that much. Maybe she could ask the network...]

Hey, I want to ask all of you something! If you met someone who never had ice cream before, what flavor would you tell them to try first? I'm just curious.

[Asking for help straight out? Never. That request was still punctuated by a muffled sneeze into a handkerchief, however.]

[The transmission starts, light dim and musty like the books lining the walls behind the young man that appears on the screen. He seems confused, nervous even, eyes darting from one end of the room to the other and tongue flicking out every so often to lick at his lips. A nervous tic, perhaps, just like his voice grows more rapid with every sentence, pronunciation remaining surprisingly clear despite his fervor.

The situation is familiar. He's trained for this. He's been here before and although he doesn't know who he's talking to, he's talking to someone. Keeping an open feed gives him a greater chance of someone hearing him than not talking at all, and so he talks. Someone will hear him.]

Acumen. First used in the 1530's, the word stems from the latin acuere, to sharpen, hence giving it the meaning of sharpness and in extent shrewdness, keen insight. Another synonym is "the ability to judge well" which alludes that the person using this word as their moniker believes themselves to be the ultimate judge. This in turn points to some sort of God complex with the creator of this AI, although not your typical narcissistic personality disorder - by using the construct as his or her spokesperson the individual behind it can remain hidden much like the Wizard behind the curtain.

And just like in that story the suspect may be feeling inadequate and insecure about him or herself, thus hiding behind a construct in order to keep their appearance flawless - it's the only way they can act as an absolute judge without being hindered by their humanity. A similar logic lies behind the hoods of executioners in the past - by making them virtually faceless the guilt of taking another persons life or in this case their freedom can be absolved into a disembodied concept of justice…

[Pause. Brows furrowed in thought he worries at his bottom lip. This isn't helping. He's not even sure who he's talking to, to be perfectly honest, but that has never stopped him before and if anything doing the math may help clear his head.]

One point six zero nine kilometers under the surface… that translates to roughly a mile. Pressure equals depth times fifteen divided by thirty-three… so at 5280 feet that would result in a pressure of 2400 psi which in turn equates to over a ton per square inch. Right now the limits for commercial diving is roughly at 500 feet, one tenth of the assumed depth we're at now…

[This would be a good time for someone to interrupt. He'll go on forever if you don't.]

[OOC He's restrained and as such bots will take him away to the salt mines work before long! I'd also really appreciate if those interested could fill in this PERMISSIONS POST so we can get some profiling done here.]

[Nasuti appears to be settled back into the Trooper's home. Her expression doesn't give any indication of their being cramped at all, but perhaps that was the hidden blessing of being stuck in the shelter for several days.]

There are a few things I've noticed. Forgive me if these are redundant, I'm still somewhat new, though I guess not as new as some of you who have just recently arrived.

On a lighter note, is there any sort of reading-slash-book club? I noticed several of you, the new-comers and more veteran members both, have a particular fondness for the library.

Would anyone be up for something along those lines if one is not already established? If there is one, who organizes it?

On a more serious note--well, serious unless you consider the irony of the question--

Have any of you been convicted for 'abduction' or 'kidnapping' on your list of crimes?

[Today is quieter around the shelter -- and there's less food. It's getting kind of cramped in here, isn't it? And boring. There are plenty of games and entertainments left over from the party, but everyone is gathered together and... finding things to do.]

[So what are you doing?]

All right! Marinians, I have an urgent request!

[Popping on screen, Yuuki's long hair is down, hands rising to sit comfortably on her hips as she clears her throat in order to speak into the screen.]

I need to know if there are any intelligent scientist-y individuals here within the dome that might have known me, or about me, upon my previous stay. It's really important! And, er... probably best if you know how to deal with chemical substances and things.

[Brows knitting as she reviews her words, searching for anything else she might need to say or have forgotten.]

Oh! [At once she raises a hand into the air.]

I promise to compensate you for your time. So step right up and help a cute girl today!

[Might as well add - ]

Real criminals with bad intentions need not apply. Believe me, I'll know. Thank you!

[And after a beat]

Shibuya-kun! I need you as well.

[Sup, folks. Have a Hideki poking at the screen.]

Is it on? I thought these things were supposed to tell you when they started recording! Uh.... Right! I'm Hideki Motosuwa. [Smile!] Alright, so I read everything in these brochures and I gotta say... ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!?

Acumen? Supernatural abilities? Britannian? I may not have remembered much from school but I know there's not a language called that! Oh, did you mean British, maybe? I always thought they just called that English. -- Wait, that's not the point! What's up with these welcome packets!? What is this, a vacation? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying tie me up or anything like that. It's not really my thing, if you catch my drift. I'm just saying that it's sketchy! I mean, is it really alright to give criminals a movie theater? There's even a baseball team!

I'll just get to the point -- I know that I'm innocent. Just how many of you are really criminals?

Yo!

[Hikaru is ALL UP ON YOUR SCREENS!]

All of this snow is making things interesting! I'm so excited to have company, yay!

VIDEO GAME COMPETITION! GAME 1! IT'S ON!

[Backs away from the screen, holding up the darker one.]

Also, look who's back! I've got Coco back!

Hello~! Say hi, Dorian! [ A shot of an unenthused white kitten cleaning itself, instead of saying Hello. ] Dorian, that's rude...

Anyhow, first of all~! Neil, your little coat is ready. I hope it fits him. I couldn't find a ball that was the same size, so it was hard to guess...

Secondly, does anyone know if Acu celebrates Christmas? Orihime-chan and I were thinking it would be fun to have a Christmas party. And earlier I was thinking about New Year's, too... I thought it'd be a fun idea. [ A thoughtful pause... Survey time? ]

If you could, what would you guys ask Santa for this year~?

private to Hikaru ▶

Hi, Hikaru~! I hate to be a nuisance, but Miwako was wondering if she could stay with you tomorrow while the shelter is being cleaned? I think you said you had your own house... I don't think I know anyone else who does. We could play ping-pong, if you'd like~

Hello. [She didn't sleep much last night. The announcement could wait, but she doesn't think it's going to get easier, so sue pushes ahead. She wants to be strong for his sake. To make him proud of the way she's handling his business in his absence and so that Suzaku and Nunnally won't have to worry about her too. She can be there for them instead.]

I regret to tell you all Lelouch vi Britannia has left Marina.

I will be taking over all his administrative duties at the school. Literature and Philosophy classes will be put on hold until a replacement can be found. If anyone is interested in teaching one or both classes or taking up teaching cooking, art or any other subjects we don't currently offer, please contact me. Thank you for your time.

Life is not like you see in movies. It's not a matter of happily ever afters and things working out perfectly in the end, and in school, they don't even teach you the things you really need to know about life.

I think that's what parents are for, supposedly.

[Sometimes when things seem to be going horribly, he can sit down and figure things out.

But this... this has been such a huge struggle for him, and has made him spend most of his day thinking and unable to focus on anything else.]

Schools don't teach you what you're supposed to do when you love two things, but can only save one, just like they don't teach you what you're supposed to do when two people love one thing, and only one can have the thing. They don't really teach you how to treat other people, and they don't teach you exactly what you should know about the real world.

Pisses me off.

What do you all do for fun? You know, games, hobbies, anything.

I need new things to do.

[Sighs.]

Right. So, I've been meaning to ask something. Just... it's a bit weird.

You know how loads of people here have powers that are restricted, yeah? I was sort of wondering if mine might be, now that chain things off.

See, back home... when people touch me, they want to shag me. And I really don't want to have to be avoiding everyone if it turns out I don't have to.

Good morning, inmates. It is the 141st day of the third generation.

The facility's first snowfall will occur today, so be sure to dress appropriately.

[ Yes, this guy's finally making a post after harassing you all. A very pretty woman appears on the screen, rather frantic-looking; but she's not quiet for long until- ]

Haaaaruhiiiii!!!!

Haruhi, Haruhi, are you here? Answer me if you are! I love you! I promise I didn't neglect you as a child - I hope you don't think that!

Missing person alert! I am looking for a girl named Haruhi Fujioka. She has short dark hair in the cutest pixie cut and big magic brown eyes and probably is dressed like a tomboy. She's about 5'2", Japanese, from Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo! She's fifteen years old and was born on February 4th; she's an Aquarius, her bloodtype is O, and her favorite foods are sushi and strawberries!

If you've seen her here, please let me know! My name is Ranka Fujioka and it is your civil duty to reconnect a child with her parent! Repent for your criminal ways and help me find my daughter!

[ He is about to turn off the communicator, when another idea strikes him... His tone is very ominous and much more- manly. ]

And in case there is some repulsive, over-grown cockroach here by the name of Tamaki Suou-- No doubt you're here for some sex crime, molesting poor innocent girls who don't know any better... If I find out you did anything to my daughter, you won't live to regret it.

[ action ]

[ Currently in a front of a convenience store, Setsuna stands there with a faintly blank expression. But if one can look harder, he's actually pondering about something.

Pondering. While drinking out of a milk carton.

He's thinking about what he could practice cooking for breakfast today. He's getting sick of butter and toast. Plus, it's about time that he moved on from just toasting bread. ]

Hm.

[ A light glance to the side, he notices one of the bots pass by peacefully. He would ask the bot for thoughts, but... they don't even eat. It would feel silly.

... He'll just make a short network inquiry instead. Afterwards, he can properly shop for what he needs. ]


[ video ]

[ Setsuna slightly lowers his milk carton down. Though, the straw is still visible in view. The background clearly displays the front of the convenience store. He remains with that unchanged expression. ]

Marina Asylum. Good morning.

[...] I wish to inquire: What is your preferred breakfast?

[ and a tinier voice, while eyeing to the side (he didn't mean to mumble this one): ] Do the bots eat?

[ This is just a video of Miwako - no cats here! No sir! She looks a little frenzied, but trying to look "natural" and joking~ ]

H-Hi again, everyone!

Ha ha ha! April Fools! Except it's autumn now... Oh no... Uhm-

Mi-Miwako didn't actually get a cat! That was a lie! It was a fake cat, so just so you know, it can't be hurt or kicked or anything so you shouldn't even bother trying. I was just joking! So all the bad guys and cat-haters can rest assured that there's not actually a cat here, so you can't get him, okay? And even if there was actually a cat, I wouldn't let you get him! But there isn't a cat, so don't worry about it!

[ Somewhere off-screen, you might hear a quiet meow, which sets Miwako's teeth on edge. She looks a little frantically at the camera as if it can tell her if that was actually recorded or not, and then hastily cuts the feed.

Miwako is the worst liar ever. ]

[ ooc | inspired by this conversation with Shinji... oy vey. ]

[ She's all dressed for the cold autumn weather, but Miwako has the warmest smile on her face. When she speaks, her tone is kind of hushed, but not quite a whisper. ]

Hello, everyone~ I haven't made a post in a while, so I thought this would be a super good reason to. Look who's here~

[ No one's there except Miwako, but she turns the camera to her bed - which looks just like an unmade bed, at first glance. But as she zooms the camera in, you can clearly see a little white face peering out from under the pink sheets and pillows. ]

He's so cute~ Miwako picked him out at the pet shop today with Oz. I haven't thought of a name for him yet, but I was thinking about calling him Dorian. What do you guys think?

Oh- [ the cat adjusted himself in the bed, coming out from under the pillows and curling up. Miwako brings the camera in for a close-up of his face. She will be doing regular cat posts now; Miwako is not-so-secretly a crazy cat lady. Turning the camera back to herself now, though, because sleeping cats are only so interesting. ]

If you guys have good suggestions for names, I'd love to hear them~ I have a whole list, but I can't decide on just one yet. Any ideas~?