[At first, the only thing that appears on the screen is a vibrant blue parrot and the arm it's perched on in front of the pet cafe. It flaps around a bit and makes some noise, but for a few minutes that's all there is; no speaking or human face and the only thing that indicates there might be a person is that small glimpse of arm at the bottom of the screen.

And then that few minutes is up and the person behind the bird moves the camera to reveal Tamaki Suoh, self-proclaimed king of the Host Club. He's smiling, of course, and is just generally overflowing with excitement.]

Look! Look everyone! Isn't he beautiful? I hadn't expected to walk out with a pet when I went to the pet shop today, but when I saw him I simply couldn't just leave him there! Ah, I wonder what I should name him... His name must be as majestic and beautiful as he is... Perhaps Kyouya will have some suggestion on what his name should be. Or if anyone else has an idea I would love to hear it! I'm sure they're all wonderful ideas!

I can't wait to bring him everywhere with me! I'd been so alone without Antoinette it's a wonder that I had survived so long without a pet until now. [Becomes slightly serious here, but not very serious.] I suppose I'll have to go to the library to find books about taking care of parrots. Antoinette was a dog so taking care of this little guy won't be the same as taking care of her and I won't have the servants to help me... No matter, I'm sure the others would be more than happy to assist me!

Ah, this is marvelous! I'm so excited to have pet here now! Pets make everything so much better! You can speak to them and play with them and they'll never complain or ignore you! [This would probably the the perfect place for anyone to tune Tamaki out if that hasn't been done already. At this point he's just going to be making unintelligible noises for no other reason than a lack of words to express his excitement.]

Upon entering Sector 4, the very large tent that stands framed by the beach is quickly noticeable. Closer, one can see colors dancing upon the white sheets, like opalesque spires under the moving onyx sky. As you enter one of the wings of the tents, grass give way to wooden flooring, and chains of white blossoms and gold ribbons line the sides. The open dance floor in the center bids one to look up to whimsical white-gold lamps, balls of light dancing in seas of violet, blue, green and pink organza. The fabrics fall down pillars adorned with leaves and flowers. Tables set in white and gold with jewel toned flowers sit at the four wings surrounding the dance floor.

... but it is far too early to take a seat. Smile and greet your fellow attendee, take the hand of a friend, and dance to the music.



There are large tables with finger foods and punch (not spiked -- save it for the after-party!), and very little space near the walls (sorry, wallflowers! You won't get away so easily. ♥ )  After a large number of people are gathered together, Jeanne stands up on the small stage set to the side of the dance floor and taps on the microphone to get everyone's attention...



OOC STUFF
+ Info post / thread index (please read this first!)
+ Jeanne's greeting speech!
+ Prom King and Queen announcement. (Spoiler: It's Euphie and Kanda.)

[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~.

[Voice; Filtered to Suzaku]

Kururugi, are you available? I have something of an inquiry.

[Action; Open]

[Today, Mitsuru has two orders of business: One is stopping by the Defense Force headquarters; the other is last minute "shopping" for the prom. You may run into her in either of these places, or in transit! She won't mind if you approach her, though she may be a bit distracted by her business at hand.]

[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.]

[Ahem, ahem. Please allow this white-haired NOT!TWILIGHT sparklyvampire noble to delicately clear his throat and gaze at the communication device with the intensity of...something really. Intense. He isn't sulking, we should make this clear at the outset. Nor is he on the verge of a minor temper tantrum. Don't be ridiculous.]

If- [FROOOOOWN] If my transgressions are indeed worthy of lifelong imprisonment, I shall answer for them without complaint, as is befitting a noble. What's done is done, and I stand by my actions. [Pause. Even breaths!] I do, however, object to the manner in which my sentence was passed, behind closed doors and behind my back. At least have the decency to convict me while I am present at the trial.

[To add insult to injury, these communicators are absolutely HIDEOUS. But remember, kiddies, he's not having a tantrum. His eyebrow is twitching a little, though. Just a little.]

Barbaric.

[The frown could almost be a scowl now.]

I do hope you haven't detained Seira in a similar fashion.

Good morning! [This is Ryoji’s smiling face. It is smiling.] If you’re new to Marina, welcome. It may seem a tad daunting at first, but it’s easy to get settled here. As prisons go, I think we got pretty lucky. Not that it makes up for not being at home, but I hope you can all be happy here. [And he means it.

Now, on to other things.]

I suppose everyone knows about the prom already. [Considering all the posts about it!] I know this is kind of short notice, but would anyone like to go with a friend of mine?

Her name is Mitsuru Kirijo. [Ryoji holds up a photograph. Don’t ask where he got it or why it’s such a poorly taken picture.] She’s nineteen years old and a very nice young lady, very articulate, well read, intelligent – and I imagine she’ll look great in a formal dress. Anyone who is interested can get a hold of me, I’ll have the communicator all day.

[You have to pass Ryoji’s vetting process since jerks and creeps need not apply, but he doesn’t say that.]

[when she didn't see Nakama and Ushiro at breakfast, she searched their rooms and turned up nothing. a little while later, she's confident that they're no longer here]

[...so it's time for pie, of course. specifically, peach pie with bananas baked into it. the work makes her feel a little bit better. she's in the kitchen of her house now, pulling it out of the oven and enjoying the rich smell. happily, into the communicator]


[video]
Kanji-kun! Do you still want to try peach banana pie? I just finished making some and I think they came out perfectly this time.

[and then, more thoughtfully]

I wonder if everyone is as excited about the prom as I am. I love any opportunity to get dressed up, of course, but there's something special about a prom! I know it's just a party, but it's also a very important part of youth, like a rite of passing! It just wouldn't be right to go to school without ever having a prom. I'm so excited. Does anyone have any plans? Or -- dates?

[a beat] ...Nakama-san and Ushiro-kun won't be there, though. In -- in case anyone would be looking for them. [she knows Nakama especially was responsible for tomorrow's day shift on dispatch]

[Hello, Marina! There is a cheerful looking man on screen, waving at you. He's wearing a very nice military uniform of some sort, by the looks of it, all black with gold accents. The sunglasses hide his expression a little, but they don't touch that smile! he appears to be outside the pizza parlor.]

Hello, everyone~! [yes, yes he did just drag out his vowel like he was a schoolgirl. that just happened.] The food was delicious. Thank you very much for the brochure! I would have been so confused without the help! [he seems to be completely serious, given his smile, but after a second, he sobers, his smile fading.]

I have a question. If it isn't too much trouble, could you tell me... does Acumen make you pop bubblewrap if you misbehave?! [he looks left-- looks right-- then looks back at the feed urgently, as though this is a question of the utmost importance-- before breaking out into another smile, washing away the previous furtiveness like it never existed]

Ah! But I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Hyuuga! I look forward to meeting you all. [with a wink, he shuts the feed off. if any of the other Black Hawks are around, he's certain they'll reply, even if he doesn't call them out. it's too bad most of them aren't around, this is the first (and will be the last) time he's been up this early in ages!]

[Hello Marina.

Who would care for a spot of comfort food or perhaps a touch of kitchen therapy? Sanji is definitely indulging in the latter and for a large part of the afternoon he'll be in the Shelter Kitchen, making all sorts of tasty late-summer morsels. Without Luffy to cook for it's easy to slack off and he could use any distraction that comes his way - hence cooking. Experimenting. Inventing delicious things.

Feel free to grab a plate or have a chat or both! Threadjacks also welcome!]

[Anri turns her communicator over in her hands. She’s not focusing on it being there but having something to hold on to makes her less tense, less taut. As it is, she feels like a taut string before snapping, going over it again and again in her head.

The hospital drones has been able to stitch up the gash in her leg, but they hadn’t been able to bring back feeling in it. It remains dead weight, leaving her stranded. Her other injuries hurt, but it’s only pain. She can deal with that, if it was the worst of it.

But her right hand won’t stop shaking, and she can’t sleep with this absolute silence.

If she goes to the DF, they may just take Saika away from her for good. No, she needs to deal with this on her own. Starting with - ]

Thank you for your help last night. [See this smile? Isn’t it the most convincing smile? She’s sitting still, honest.] I’m okay now, so you don’t need to worry. The [robots? people?] hospital is taking good care of me.

[Lines under her eyes, various scrapes? Clearly a new beauty regiment.]

Um, so please – [she glances down at her hands briefly] – don’t worry about this.

[End feed! The fact that it wasn’t actually filtered to Judith goes entirely unnoticed.

She needs to figure out what to do with Shiki, after all.]

[ the third time had been no easier than the first. though, this time, Kamui refrains from letting the entire prison know it. he doesn't want anyone's sympathy, or anyone's scorn. and no amount of railing will bring Subaru back.

he'd forgotten to say goodbye, though. he wishes Acumen would have at least waited until he was awake to take his twin away.

Kamui spends most of the afternoon and evening in the park or by the water, shredding blades of grass in his fingers or watching the dolphins go about their day. he'll have to return to the apartment by tomorrow; he has to take care of May. but today... he can't stomach being there. ]


((ooc: Open to all interaction! There will be a closed thread later on, but in the meantime, free to all takers.))

[Ryoji's on a quest today! He has lovely ladies in need of attention, and he'll be damned if he falls down on the job now.]


((OOC: For a certain three, but if you want to tag in as well, feel free to contact me! ♥))

[voice]

IIIIEEEEE! [why did they actually make the spindle sharp?! He clutches his injured digit -

And stops. There's an abrupt silence as he realizes he's not at school anymore, and that he's got some weird kind of headpiece on.

Right on cue, the device begins its opening spiel. It gets through maybe the first two sentences.]


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!



[Better hope your devices have audio equalizers, otherwise ouch. You can add "broken eardrums" to his list of crimes.

Those who happen to be near the Pet Cafe will be treated to this]

Ah, um, hello! My name’s Yako Katsuragi and I’m a detective from Japan. I’m new around here but I’ve got the basic idea of this place, even if I still can’t help thinking this is somehow Neuro’s fault even if he's supposed to be back in Hell thanks to the brochure. But I’ve got a small question.

[ here Yako’s eyes intensify, clearly whatever this question is has to be of the utmost importance. ]

Can someone direct me to where I can get some more food? That welcome basket only lasted me five minutes, I’m so hungry. And do we have to pay for food around here? Because I don’t have that much money on me after my favorite takoyaki stand raised their prices... Why do I get the feeling they only raise their prices when I'm there.

...........This is such a weird dream.

[Shinwoo is staring dumbfoundedly at everything around him while the welcome message drones into his ear.]

I must have fallen asleep in class again. There's no way I'm in jail. I knew I shouldn't have let Ik-han talk me into watching that movie last night.

[He's tempted to pinch himself but....what if it actually hurts? It seems safer to just go along with the scenario for now. Besides, any second now, Teacher's going to bellow out his name and he's going to pop out of his seat, drool still clinging to the corner of his lips. Right?]

............

If this really is a dream though, can't there at least be ramen in it? [A slight whine.] I'm hungry.

Good morning, inmates. It is the 126th day of the third generation.

Inmates Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Gregory House, and Kaworu Nagisa, items you requested are available by the entrance to Sector 0. Inmate Kohran Li, the materials you requested are available for use at the Education Center.

[The video flickers on and the screen reveals Tamaki sitting on one of the sofas in the shelter common room fiddling with a rose in one hand and looking as though he is in very deep thought. His face is serious for most of the time before he begins speaking, but after a good thirty seconds his expression changes to something between a smirk and a smile while he glances at the camera from the corner of his eye.]

In this world there are those who are blessed with beauty and grace, the greatest gifts God could have ever bestowed upon a living creature. [He raises the rose he'd been holding to his nose and takes a good long sniff before setting it down and turning his attention back to the camera.] I, for one, thank the heavens above everyday that I am one of those fortunate few in possession of such rewards. That is not the message that I have for you all today, however. You see, it is my belief that the duty of these people with such exquisite looks to bring joy to everyone around them in any way they can - a duty which I place before all other things in life.

[Another pause, this time so that he may close his eyes and imagine lines of women admiring him and men doing all that they can to be him. It is a wonderful fantasy and it makes him chuckle lightly.]

A Host Club is a club designed for the specific purpose of sharing this beauty and giving such joy to its visitors - in short it is the perfect setting for carrying out the heavy task of bringing all the happiness in the world to those less fortunate than us! For this reason I have made the decision to establish one here in this prison as some of you may already be aware! [Suddenly, his arms shoot off to the sides as if he were welcoming everyone to step into his arms for a great big hug.] I would like to invite all those who might be interested to join us and utilize your gifts to the best of your ability! I am certain that among all of you watching this today there are plenty who are worthy of the title of 'Host'!

[And as an after thought, Tamaki turns his face away from the camera, brings the rose up to his mouth and just mumbles the next few words. They aren't really something he's proud of.]

We will even accept Hosts of the female persuasion.

[Today she begins her work - she's got a large hand-lettered sign (MISSING PERSONS) and her first list of the missing, so she heads to the shelter entrance and pins up both. Then she turns on the voice function, putting on her best Official Voice.]

Hi, everyone, this is Mako Nakarai. I wanted to let you all know that, starting today, lists of people recently missing from the dome are going to be posted in the shelter entrance every morning. There's a big sign overtop, so you know where to look... or where not to look. [Since Acumen was so sticky about that point.] Go ahead and ask if you have any questions, or even suggestions like a better spot to put it or anything like that. I... I hope this'll help, even a little.

[Then she switches to private:]

Mitsuru? I got some information about doing the lists that you should probably know. Are you available right now?

((ooc: please note that names will appear on the list the day after the person disappears. you can find her in the shelter or call her on the network!))

Does anyone else feel like this place is becoming too small?

[His words start off slowed, reluctant, almost regretful - but then there's a note of humour in his voice.]

I mean, what if we end up all stuffed in together, ten people to a room? The dome isn't expanding but the population is. We'll be a jar of pickles. [He means the thing people say about sardines.

Ryoji's outside - when is he ever inside, if he can help it - lying on his back on one of the park's picnic tables. After today, he needed fresh air and dark skies and quiet - even if he's not doing a very good job of obtaining it.]