[And Shinra, oddly enough, is smiling as he wears the headset.]

This is new! I've never been much for bluetooth systems, much less those with screens... How peculiar, though. I'm going to assume the screen's primarily for some sort of video or retina scanner, yes? Because there's not much else one can do unless this also acts as a viewfinder for light particles not seen by the naked human eye...

[Oh right. Nerd speak. And there's the whole ‘being somewhere unfamiliar' thing, the more important things to focus on! Koi ponds, places far too pretty to be the local streets of Ikebukuro, Japan... After his brief moment of distraction with the headset, his smile drops. Srs Bsns Shinra Tiem.]

As much as I appreciate getting to play with this new device, I'm pretty certain I shouldn't be here. Assuming whoever gave me this is who brought me here, I apologize but I can't stay. I have a date with my girlfriend tonight, and I'd rather her not find out I've gone missing.

[Graham's expression is serious, and understandably so. There's quite a lot to think about right now, and a lot to take in.]

To any comrades of mine who may have been brought alongside me here: this is Captain Graham Aker. I ask that you contact me as soon as possible.

[He would have ended this post right there, but he's been struck with another thought.]

To anyone else who may be listening... Do you accept this place as your rightful punishment? Or have you been wrongly imprisoned?

Would you say this is adequate justice?

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~

[Sector 5 sees a lot of people over the course of a day. Many live there in houses or apartment complexes; many come there to shop for food or clothing; many come there to relax and have a meal; some even come for the entertainments offered by the bowling alley, the ice rink, or the Devil's Compass.]

[Everyone who might have passed through Sector 5 today is invited to thread out a chance encounter here, or a date, or a gathering of friends. Just tell everyone where your character is and what they're doing, and go!]

[At first, it's not a very impressive broadcast - at least it's quiet, though, so no one will be woken up. The camera shakes and jiggles as though being held loosely in a hand, then finally settles on a view of a rather plain shelter room. Someone has obviously forgotten to turn off the video function after talking to somebody, then taken their communicator off and set it aside.

So, an empty, undecorated shelter room - or is it empty? No, after a moment, a rabbit with mottled fur hops into frame. He stands up on his haunches and sniffs the air; then, for those who have stuck around this long, the show really begins.

He starts leaping into the air and twisting in half-circles, for no apparent reason other than an excess of either happiness or energy. Every now and then he'll stop to sniff at something or dig in the rug, but then he starts jumping again, always turning sharply in the air before landing.

Until - ah! Now he's noticed the communicator. He hops up onto the bed, and the screen is immediately full of twitching rabbit nose. Someone's headset is going to get very badly chewed if he doesn't return soon.]

[Rogue is standing in the kitchen again. This time she's mixing things up in a bowl. She looks happy again.]

Since it's so cold out, I thought maybe I'd do breakfast again. I got cheese grits, bacon and warm cornbread today. There's also hot cider 'cause there's not a better way to start out a snowy day far as I'm concerned. There's plenty for everybody and don't be scared of the grits. They're good. There's coffee if you don't want the hot cider too.

[ rise and shine, Marina. it's barely morning, but you can find Kanda in the training hall in Sector 6, wearing a tight sleeveless top and loose pants, for once out of his Exorcist uniform. he's getting in some practice, going through forms, and occasionally swinging Mugen, his sword, sharply through the air.

come on in and say hi, or get your spar on! he'll be here for most of the morning. ]

[Voice | open]
[Outside on one of the grassy fields near the Athletic Complex, Yuta is kicking at a ball he borrowed from one of the sheds and chasing it until it stops. He does this continuously before stopping a moment and adressing the communicator.]

If I could've joined my soccer team back home, I bet we'd win all the time. Oi, does anyone here know why someone would stalk you?

[Action closed to AR]
Come and play with me AR, I'll try to teach you a little!

Lookin' to meet up with some mechanical types. Maybe some engineerin' types too. Also, curious about learnin' about different combat styles you folk have back wherever you're from. No reason for that last one, really. Just curiosity.

I'll be in sector four by this hugely creeptifyin' cherry tree for the better part of the day for those wantin' to have a chat.

[And Mal will be sitting there beneath the shade of the tree, waiting to see who takes the bait and what he can get out of them.]



( ooc )

[ Sam or no Sam, Sasha or no Sasha, Dean was going to infiltrate the Devil's Compass and spruce up the place a bit. Mostly with the addition of a record player. Yes, you got that right. A record player.

He much preferred tapes, but, eh... might as well go for the good stuff. The new billiard table was going to have to wait. He needed help for that.

Flicking on the feed, the nice, soft dulcet tones of Nirvana filter over the line even as Dean pops into view. ]

Hey! Don't know about you, but I thought the place could use a bit of cheering up down here. Who wants to join me for a few drinks and some music? I'll man the bar if Sam doesn't. Just don't expect me to make anything fancier then a beer. I ain't making any of that fruity crap.

[ and... yeah. There goes Dean. See you guys at the Compass! ]

[There is vampire sitting on the ground against a tree in the middle of the butterfly pavilion. Though Zero is an expert at hiding his emotions, those who know him well might notice an aura of confusion and sadness on his normally expressionless face.

Bloody Rose on his lap, his fingers of one hand wrapped around the silver gun as his thumb slid across the cool metal. If anything, Zero looks distracted and lost in his own thoughts as he watches the butterflies dance and weave above him.

Several moments pass until he finally speaks.]

If given a second chance at something you regretted, would it be a waste to make the same choice?

[Action]

[Buffy is in the ice rink, gliding across the ice on a pair of skates. She's got the music from Swan Lake playing over the speakers and she looks contented, relaxed and absorbed in thought. She is all of those things. Having Angel show up has thrown her for a contemplative loop. The ice is always a good place for her to sort things out. Not that she expects to sort any of these feelings out today on the ice or anywhere else. She's been sorting feelings for Angel out for years. Come join her, interrupt her thoughts or just watch for a little while.]

[Voice]

I'm surprised we've got an ice rink but I guess frozen water isn't that much of a stretch when we're however many miles below unfrozen water. [She's terribly sharp today.] I guess I just didn't realize that many people had Dorthy Hamil fantasies.

Wow, this place is awesome! A rink, an arcade, a movie theater - ! And check this out - I'm even doing laundry! [anyone who has ever done laundry before will pale at the amount of detergent Gino is throwing in] Anya should totally be here to see this.

I wonder if this makes me a real commoner now. [god, that would be so awesome.] I can't wait to check the entire place out later. The arcade first, then the theater! [and then maybe an exit, but he doesn't think he'll be that lucky.]

[pause] You know what else we should have here? A casino! One with all those light up slot machines. Now that would be really cool.

[There's a short but noticeable pause, and Dist clears his throat before he at last speaks.]

The idea occurred...

[A sigh.] The idea occurred for a potential machine shop. Repairs and the like, but is there an interest or need for it? Would anyone need something made or fixed?

[The face over the feed is mistrustful, with a neutral regard for her surroundings that borders on severe.]

slfhr

[Yes, Marina, text. She doesn’t have the hang of it yet, but she is from the 1930s. Frowning down at the communicator – the frown not that different from her usual expression, just an extra pull of the mouth, Chane tries again.]

a a a a b b b c d e f g 1 2 3

A A B B C C d d E E f . . .

! ! ! ? ? a a B B

[The severity of her expression softens, mildly, but it’s clear she hasn’t yet figured out she’s on the feed. A few more seconds and it dawns visibly.]

Who took my weapon?

[Priorities. Chane has them.]

[A voice comes on to the feed, quiet and a bit shaky.]
Um, is this really a prison?

It's...nothing like the prisons I've seen pictures of back home. Prisons are supposed to have cells, and metal bars, and everyone...wears...jumpsuits.

[She gives a little, quivery sigh.]

If you've really sent a double in my place, I really hope she does a good job.

I was kind of in the middle of saving...a whole lot of people. Maybe everyone in the world.

[She quietly adds, mostly to herself:] Even then, on my birthday?

[Inara is setting up a station of sorts in the spa with make up and hair care. She's dressed in a loose sort of flowing caftan thing that leaves her shoulders bare.]

I'm aware that prom is tonight and I'd like to extend my make up and hair experience to those of you who will be attending the prom. I'm at the spa and will be here until an hour or so before prom. If you'll bring your dress, I'll be happy to coordinate your make up and hair for you.

[Private]

I'm looking for someone named Yuta. I believe you spoke to a friend of mine named Malcolm Reynolds.

[Who has two thumbs and feels like playing nice? THIS GUYYYYY!]

It has occurred to me that, while I was MIA, Tono and Kyouya-senpai — Daddy and Mommy respectively — have been hard at work, getting us new Host Club members. That being said, it means I haven't properly met any of you. Shouldn't Mommy and Daddy's children all know each other?

[Sniggers.]

I'm Hikaru Hitachiin, Host Club veteran. If Tono's pissing you off, and Kyouya-senpai is being scary, there's always the Hitachiin brothers and Mori-senpai! Fufufu~.

[It's late at night, which is exactly what Sentience wanted before making a post like this.]


The Engineers do not take anything seriously. That's simply the way they are; they have a tendency -- not a personal tendency, but a racial tendency, wired into their brain functioning -- to laugh at painful or difficult topics, to treat them lightly.

But even taking cultural differences into account, it is... cruel, isn't it? To take out their boredom on the people here. This is supposed to be a place where criminals can live out their sentences in peace. Everyone here is a person, not... a toy.


[Sentience still seems troubled about the fourth wall.]

So... what the gorram hell's a prom?