[ Wandering around the snowy park? There are two things to look out for: (1) don't trip over the bright orange ropes that close off a large open area, (2) take cover and watch for a stray snowball, and (3) ... you know, you might want to join in for this is a Snowball Fight.

Only guidelines: no weapons, no head shots, no stuffing snow down someone's mouth, collar or anywhere else uncomfortable. Play to your heart's content! Spoiler: there's no winner.

Warm drinks and snacks are served in a nearby tent (ah, thank goodness for space heaters!), while towels and blankets are also available. You might want to take advantage of the snow as well -- make snowmen, snow angels, your own sculpture as you wind down~ ]

( --- OOC Guidelines; PLEASE READ --- )
 

[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.]

[Silence..and more silence...maybe the best silence you've ever heard in your entire life--

--Until it happens.

There's giggling, bubbly little giggling which gradually builds up and up and up without stopping. Where is it even coming from?

Well, GIR isn't about to leave you wondering for very long.]

Did anybody miss MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE???!!!

EEEEHEEEHEEEHEEE!!

HEY!

[When you first see Asch's face, he is mad. Teeth grit, fists clenched, face as red as his hair in rage mad. He's trying to stand straight and intimidating but his shoulders are shaking in anger and, without his sword and hampered by the restraints, he's little more than a furious rooster at the moment.]

[His restraints definitely do show signs of trying to be chiseled off with whatever he could have grabbed upon arrival - chipped bits of flashlight can be seen in the chain - and it's only his failure to do so himself that's prompted him to try this damn device and network for assistance.]

Whoever's sick, twisted, damn idea of a joke this is, you have less than thirty seconds to get this thing off of me before I make sure you wish you were in prison yourself, because I have much better ideas for what to do with you than any of the fonbots in this forsaken pit!

So, we're starting with the psychological torture first? Different. Cute, even. I wasn't even sure you bothered with that down here.

[calm, confident, with only a slight quirk of an eyebrow to show for her exasperation. going to Hell, getting arrested -- such a drag, right? and she's certainly not hoarse and red-eyed from crying. she made damn sure of that before even touching the camera. even if she has no idea what's going on, she can still save face.

if her smile's a little on edge, you'll have to forgive her, but she's expecting this cosy little place to disappear in a puff of black smoke any second now.]

Well then, if we're to communicate, then I suppose introductions are in order. You can call me Bela. And yourselves? [thin-lipped smile.] Come on, I'm guessing the idea is that we all bond over our damned souls now, yeah? Then after we've swapped all friendship bracelets, we can start flaying each other alive. If we're lucky, it might even be fun by that point.

[The post starts off as voice-only, and, unfortunately, the poster wasn't exactly prepared to talk immediately. He crunches lightly on something, and fiddles with some paper before realizing the transmission was ready for him. He clears his throat with only a little theatricality.]

Hello? Is this working? I think it is...jeez, I'm not used to talking like this. But anyway, just wanted to say if any of my friends are here, it's a-okay to come see me! The map says I'm in sectoooooor...three? Yeah, Sector 3!

[John then groans after a lame attempt at crossing his legs. There's a small period of crunching and munching before he speaks next, and sounds pretty annoyed. In addition, there's a quick rattling of chains when he picks them up to emphasize his next point.]

Man, this ball and chain isn't really helping. You know, criminal or not, this seems pretty rude! Juuuuust saying.

[The chain drops from his hand with a noisy clatter.]

But it's awfully nice of the welcoming committee to give us these baskets and stuff! It's kind of cold and I don't have a jacket, so this scarf is getting a good home around my neck and stuff!

[He presses the network button on his communicator, and ta-da! John's face! The source of the munching noise is now revealed to be John chowing down on the pretzels from his welcome basket. He blinks at it for a moment, pausing his chewing to remember what the pamphlet said about the button. During this moment of stillness, it's now more obvious that he's sitting on the floor, leaning against the glass wall of the sector.]

So everyone can see me now? Alright, that's...cool I guess. I would still prefer to think-type, but prisoners can't be choosers. Not that I am saying I belong here! Because I don't!

[John sighs and looks over into his basket, digging in it before coming up with a cookie in his hand. He makes a face at it, like he really doesn't want to be touching it, let alone eat it, but it's food and he's pretty starved. And...cookies weren't as bad as cake, but only barely, and god so help him if this cookie was born from the wicked batter witch.]

...these cookies don't have peanuts in them, do they? Or the chocolate? I'm kind of super allergic.

[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.]

[There’s a man holding some of the cookies from the welcome basket in his hand, sniffing them suspiciously before popping one – with the largest chocolate chunks – whole into his mouth. His green eyes look tired. Very, very tired.]

 

Don’t think ‘ve ever been in a prison this serious. Got a ball an’ chain an’ everything, huh? Hard enough movin’ these old bones without it, now this. [He swallows and gives a bitter laugh that sounds genuine until you stand back.] Thanks to whatever lovely lady made these – ya’ll sure know how to make a fellow feel loved.

 

Want to come an’ greet ol’ Raven in person? [A sly smile and a wink ends it. One still can’t help but notice how his eyes flicker to and fro, seeing everything they could.]

[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?

[the video flicks on to a shot of Luna staring at something off-screen. It must be very interesting, because she is totally not looking at the camera.]

I don't think it's very fair for us to be here. [she starts off, no doubt these words are ones that everyone has heard!] We are underneath the ocean after all. The mermen and the other creatures that live in these waters must be terribly inconvenienced. I wouldn't particularly enjoy having a giant dome built across my home. I'd have to swim around or over it to get to the garden, and that would take more effort and time than it would have just swimming straight across.

[she pauses and for a moment it seems like she won't continue.] Has anyone asked them what they think?

[anyone who comes across sector three will see Luna walking slowly in a...spiral. Yes, that's right. If she sees you, she will probably approach first!]

[Here is a new, pretty face for you, Marina, and he's not at all freaking out about ending up here. It was only a matter of time, anyway, because he's always causing trouble.

He's as calm as can be. In fact, he thought this was all very amusing.]

There's something funny about a cop ending up in prison. I kind of wish I had the option to arrest and restrain myself. This could make for some sort of good joke to tell someone in the future.

Looks like I have to be a good boy so that I can play with you all, but until then, please treat me kindly.

[He is trying to be as pleasant as possible. Whatever it takes for him to lose his chain.]

Okay, Hijikata-san, you win this round.

[He's not even sure if Hijikata is here, but if he were? He's got it coming to him for sure.]

[The video starts nice and clear, showing the face of a man in his late teens or perhaps early twenties. He's boyish-looking, with red hair and green eyes, skin lightly tanned and cheeks sprayed with freckles. It's clear that he intended to start this transmission so it's really anyone's guess why he isn't saying anything yet - there's no interference or distractions in the background or anything yet he continues to aimlessly fiddle with the headset for a good few seconds.

Those of you who ever had a technologically handicapped teacher may recognize this behavior. Overhead projectors and VCR's, man. ]

Oh, uhm… is this on? I ain't sure but… I think it's workin'?

Okay! Uh. Hi! I guess… I'm not really familiar with th' prison… etiquette, I suppose? This here place don't look much like any prison I've heard of but then again I ain't never been in one before so maybe prisons can look like this too. I figured I should at least introduce m'self so uh… let me know if I'm, y'know. Doin' it wrong.

Anyway… My name's Aidan an' I'm twenty years old. Is it custom t' say what you're in for? Cause… I don't know if I wanna do that. I ain't dangerous or anythin' but uh… [pause as something occurs to him] ..but I can hold my own, so don't get any ideas. Let's just leave it at that. Uh, so… hi. It's… it ain't a pleasure t'be here, that'd be a big fat lie but uhm, I guess since I ain't got much of a choice I reckon I might as well be civil. So… it's nice t' meet y'all.

[Getting awkward now.]

I'm just gonna… go ahead an' turn this off now.

[And he does. Action open for anyone at the beach!]

H-.. { Okay, there's momentary static before things come clear into earshot. } Hello? Is anyone there?

{ There's some rustling in the background… } So, seriously – is this some kind of prank? I looked at the basket, everything that's inside of it, but – it doesn't make any sense. Is any of this really possible?

{ She pauses and there's more rustling. There's also the sound of a door opening and closing, and faint footsteps. }

Damon? { There's sincerity in her voice… Curiosity. She wants to find him, which is clear in her tone. } Look, is anyone out there? I know the brochure said one thing, but… It doesn't mesh. This place isn't right. I'm not even sure this is actually – did Klaus – Stefan?

{ She's grasping at straws. This is a pretty big change for her to undergo after everything that just happened to her, so she's a little… Not quite herself. } If anyone can hear me, please, respond. I need to talk to someone, to find out what's going on as soon as I can. Please.

[The first thing Hisoka does when he wakes is stare around at his surroundings blankly. He's outside in some sort of park, like he last remembers being, but everything is different. Gone are the cherry blossom trees – though there are a few petals covering him and in his hair – and instead of standing next to Tsuzuki, he is sitting on a bench]

W-What..? [He blinks, as if this is a dream and he'll wake if he concentrates, but when his eyes open again he's still here. Hisoka startles slightly at the welcoming message that the communicator decides to flash before his eyes, and then, after a few minutes of careful thinking and staring at the ball and chain around his ankle, starts to press things to try and turn on the... There we go.

A feminine and doll-like face appears in the video feed, vibrant green eyes gazing into it with confusion in their depths] Tsuzuki, you there? What happened? How did I get here? [A frown] I can't teleport back, something's blocking me. And what exactly does this thing mean by prison?

Uu...Uuu...

[The soft, muffled sound of sniffles floats in the air, voice feminine as the young brunette draws in a shaky breath. Sitting on the cool cement, slumping forward she cries openly into her hands. Long hair shakes, falling over her shoulders as her pale palms grow moist with her own tears. Beside her, a discarded basket sits untouched.]

Wh-what now?

[Hopelessly scrubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands, tears trickle in endless, cascading waterfalls down her cheeks. Her gaze never lifts, the weight of it too heavy beneath clear depression. Her brown eyes shimmer, lashes clumping as salty droplets gather to cling wetly before joining the rest. Her voice cracks, barely above a whisper as she speaks, brokenly.]

I really screwed it up this time. A-And now...I can't even contact them. Ohh...

[Head shaking, she once more buries her head into he palms on a high pitched sob, crying just that much more than before.]

[The communicator is obviously being thrown around with irritation as the face of a young girl is brought up. Annoyance is in her eyes and you can tell she is less than pleased to find a ball and chain attached to her ankle.]

Not...happy...WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!

[She is screaming at no one in particular, it appears answers are all she really wants at the moment as she is attempting to gnaw at the links of the chain.]

Damnit this isn't tasty at all! HEY! Where the hell am I?!

[She now attempts to pick up the steel ball and next thing you hear is a loud smash and the poor girl is underneath the ball itself.]

CRAP! GET ME OUT OF HERE! OZ! SEAWEED!

[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?]

[In an effort to stay warm and keep herself otherwise occupied, Nasuti decided that the next best thing to toying on a computer would be to release some of the pent-up tension building from being cooped up with hundreds of strangers. Hopefully it's not too crowded in the area you're occupying, otherwise a jogging young woman might be a somewhat imposing sight.]

[Feel free to jog alongside, interrupt, bump into, etc.! She's not all that hardcore of an athlete or anything, just a casual jogger! She most likely won't get angry with you.]

[It may be too early in the morning for some to be cheerful, but not Nia. She’s nursing a mug of steamed tea when she opens what is supposed to be a private communicator feed, still in her pajamas.]

Simon, what are – sexual relations?

[She heard it earlier, and she’s confused! Beastmen never do anything like that, after all. Probably.]

Good morning, Marina! [Have a very smiley pink haired girl on your video feed!] For anyone I haven’t met, I’m Lacus Clyne and I’m very glad to meet you.

It seems as though we’re all going to be in the shelter today, so we should make the best of things. I was thinking that we should get together and have a big winter banquet! Anyone who wants to help cook should please feel free to come to the kitchens and assist, and if not you should still come and enjoy the food with us.

Dinner will be served at 5 in the main cafeteria, and after that maybe we could have fun playing games and watching movies together. I hope everyone has a good day, and I hope to see everyone at the feast!

[A few minutes later]

I just learned that today is also Ritsuka’s birthday! To celebrate there will be a cake and some special desserts and decorations. [as many decorations as they can find without access to the store.] Everyone please, stop by to wish him a happy birthday!

***
((OOC Notes: Mingle post, open to all! Reply to Lacus by [video] or there are several action options: [cooking] any time before 5pm ICly, [dinner] a huge buffet of almost anything you could want, or [after dinner] for card games, board games, and movies throughout the cafeteria and nearby common rooms! Your character is in no way obligated to be at all of these, but they could be if you want~

Also! A link to Ritsuka’s birthday party will be added once it goes up. There will be cake and lots of special desserts and pretty decorations in one area of the cafeteria.

If anyone wants to intentionally or unintentionally sabotage the food, please contact me OOCly before you do so. Thanks and ENJOY!))