[ The video opens up on a woman looking somewhere between frightened and angered. Definitely conflicted between the two. The only thing really keeping her sane right now is the fact that she woke up near the koi pond, and the last thing she wants to do is destroy such a pretty place she's found herself surrounded in.

Oh. And the threat of her powers being stripped. ]

Does this 'Acumen' possess the capabilities to strip a person of their basic genetics? [ She questions now, looking a little upset.

She sighs and the anger falters a bit into what almost looks like fear before it's gone. Coldness instead. ]

My imprisonment is a mistake. [ Not claiming innocence but...


She adds this a bit softer now. ]

Where is the sun?

[ Panic has long passed into curiosity for Kaylee and her new predicament. Sure she's been kidnapped, but: ]

This Acumen feller said something about a beach. With-- real sand and all? Don't think my heart could take it, bein' kidnapped and then lied to about a beach.

[ And curiouser... ]

Hope it's all right I don't have a swimming outfit...

[ tired sound, followed by a "mrf" ]

Always manage t'forget how loud it is on newbie days. [ sound of rustling pages; mildly ] Someday I'll learn to turn the damn communicator off.

[Oh hey, there's an unfamiliar face on video. He's just finish viewing his welcome message and now the boy seems a bit...disorient.

Gareki is wandering around in Sector 2, and he seems to have taken a particular interest in the bots roaming around. Well, actually, he doesn't bother to hide his fascination with them. Every time one passes, that's where his attention is turning towards.]

So when I was told I was going to be sent to prison... I was expecting something different. I expected a dirty, gloomier looking place....

[There's not much else he can think of saying right now. So drop him a greeting and make him feel at ease with his new...er... "home"?

And if anybody happens to be in Sector 2, you can find him bot stalking. Because Gareki has nothing better to do than follow them around.]

[The video begins with a view of-- feet. Chained, bare feet with strange white lines marring the darkness of the skin. Until the camera tips back, shifts, to show a lithe man, hunched and long-eared and positively scowling at his surrounding and muttering angrily to himself.]

I will personally dissect the blighted mage responsible for this. I was unaware even the strongest of magisters could conjure such elaborate illusions, but I do not underestimate their ability to trick and deceive. But for what purpose.

[He does not kick over the welcome basket, tempted as he is, but neither does he pay it or the helpful brochure any attention. He simply glares at it then the communicator, which he found when he woke but couldn't really make sense of the script. A magical item, no doubt, and he will have nothing to do with it.]

Slavers. They become craftier the more I slay them.

[He's grumbling, completely unaware of what a recording device even is, much less that other people can see him despite being alone for now. He tries to phase through the chain, voice lowering and just barely desperate.]

Danarius is dead. He is dead. He cannot--

[ooc | If you decide to go with action, Fenris will try and attempt to phase his fist through your chest!!!]

[ Have a peculiar looking boy with an extremely long nose looking very, very concerned into the video feed... This does not bode well. ]

O-Oi! Oi!

This is a joke, right? Prison? What mistakes is this thing talking about? And I've never heard of any "Eloquis Ocean." We're still on the Grand Line, right? Right?

Oi, Luffy! Luuuuffy! Chopper! Zoro! Sanji? Robin? Nami? They didn't get you guys, did they? I can't be here alone...

I-I mean! Not that this is anything that The Great Captain Usopp couldn't handle! I've busted out of twenty prisons just like these - even further under the sea! And I swam back to the surface, with my hands tied! I'd just rather not have to do it again - it's a waste of my time, you know!

Oh, god, am I really the only one here? Guys? I'm getting a bout of my I-Don't-Want-To-Be-In-Prison disease...

[Duo was a little bored. Bouncing one of the basketballs around the gym by himself just wasn't as exciting with some friends. He remembered a few people had been interested in playing. Maybe he should set something up for people to do tomorrow. Though, they had just had the big snowball fight yesterday, so maybe not? He wasn't sure. Idly tossing and spinning the ball around in his hands, he decided to find out if anyone would be interested.]

[video]

Hey, all. I know I had put this out there a while back, and well, the winter weather always kinda makes me bored. Anyone wanna play a game of basketball tomorrow? I'll teach ya if you dunno how to play. We'd probably need like five people a team to get like a really good game going, since each team gets that many on the court at a time.

[The feed comes on and Nill adjusts the communicator, smiling nice and wide at the screen. She just... stares at it for a moment, then looks down. A few seconds later, finally some text shows up:]

was reading book this morning
and found one that said this
:)

[Her face? SO EXCITED.]

looks like smile !!
and this
:(

[Just then, she frowns, trying to imitate the face, followed by a sheepish smile. It's okay! She wasn't really sad! This next part it takes her a big longer to type, but she manages,]

also saw this
ヽ(ｏ`皿′ｏ)ﾉ ☆⌒(＞。≪)
but do not know what it is supposed to be???
that book was fun

[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!]

[The communicator turns on to show a young girl with a concerned look on her face as she fiddles with the device for a bit. Once she's sure it's working, she smiles.]

Hello. I’m Rika Furude. It’s very nice to meet everyone. [There’s a slight pause as she considers asking about any of her friends, but she soon dismisses the idea. She can look for them on her own.]

When I first arrived here, I received a message about this fragment being some sort of prison. Is this true? [Her question sounds hopeful, and even though she knows it really is a prison, she still feels like she needs to ask.] This is a very nice city and there is even a library… It isn't what I pictured a prison to look like.

Mii... I was also wondering if there was anything I needed to know about this city. After all, if I’m going to be here for a long time, I should learn as much as I can about it. [She smiles again before she cuts off the feed.]

[familiar face, anyone? she's a grumpy mcgrumpypants today oh nooo.]

I just woke up with what feels like the worst hangover ever, different clothes on, and chewing gum in my hair. Again. Once was way more than enough, and I didn't even fucking do anything last night! Even I just relax sometimes y'know, geez.

So, I need icecream and someone with superpowers. Now! I'm not getting any younger here, y'know.

[The message she received was all too strange. Is this a dream? Though she’s not entirely surprised she’s been caught and sent to prison. After everything she’s done… she’s technically a criminal right? She should accept her fate…

What she doesn’t notice are her restraints, or rather she underestimates them, causing her trip and her device to fall off and flip on. Her face shows an expression of slight pain, but she easily shakes it off as she stands up, picking her device up with her. Noticing it’s on, she does her best to force a smile. It looks genuine, but to anyone who knows her well enough, it’s easy to tell there’s a fake attribute to it.]

Ah, good morning everyone! I understand I have been brought here due to the crimes I’ve committed, but it seems we’re still allowed to communicate with one another, am I correct? I’m honestly so glad! [And that part is genuine. She rather doesn’t like being lonely.]

My name is Estellise, and it would be a pleasure to make all of your acquaintance. [Then a pause as she looks thoughtful…] Is there a library here or at least a place that sells books? If anyone could tell me, I would be so grateful!

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!))

[The smell of burning food quickly permeates the already stale air within the shelter. Zero is moving as quickly as he can through the hall back toward the kitchen on his floor, his ferret, Chanel, quickly chasing after him. His senses are much stronger than a typical human, allowing him to realize within moments that the food he'd expertly prepared was quickly being destroyed by the very amateur hands he'd left it in.]

[Stepping through the doorway, he beelines to the stove and reaches over the much smaller girl standing in front of the dish he'd prepared. Flipping the heat on the burner into the 'off' position, he gives the brunette a dark look of annoyance before taking the spatula from her hand.]

Step away from the food.

[Seriously, she did this every single time he handed over the reigns of the cooking to her for any amount of time. It didn't matter how simple the instructions, it happened without fail.]

I left you with two instructions. 'Don't touch anything. Just stir the meat every thirty seconds.' I don't know if I can salvage this, Yuuki.

[ooc: Come chat with either Yuuki or Zero and/or both of them.]

[ Oz slammed his fork down, effectively blocking Break's bid for his cake. ] I'm surprised at how calm everyone is. They've hardly protested at all about getting kicked out of their house. [ mm... cake. ] Do you think they're just being quiet?

[ Break, rather put out by the effective block to his cake-pilfering ways, elects instead to snag a piece of the chocolate torte sitting at the edge of the table, keeping Oz's elbow company. Let it never be said that he wasn't exceedingly spry for his old age. ] Mmm, you're right! I haven't heard a single peep out of them. All like little mice, hiding away. Why do you wonder that is?

Maybe we should ask them. Of course, we'll have to make sure they're telling the truth.

[ Another pop of cake into his mouth, chew, swallow. ] But what if they don't wish to tell the truth?

Then we'll have to dare them into giving it up. [ Oz sips at his tea before turning to the network device sitting on the edge of the table. ] Wouldn't you agree? [ yep, they've been talking to the dome this whole time. ]

[ From Break's shoulder, a clacking voice pipes up. ] Truth or dare! Bet they're too scared for dares!

[ So, who is up for a little game of truth and dare, hmmm? ]


((ooc: tags will come from both Break and/or Oz. Feel free to thread jack in reaction to whatever truths (or dares) the others might come up with. Green font = Oz, Blue font = Break, Purple font = Emily))

[So they're being herded into the Shelter, no getting around that. But just when you get "more" access to your limited freedom, it gets cut down even further. But at least the ball and chain are gone. That's the good thing... if only Shaun hadn't disappeared too. It's unnerving and also kind of lonely.

Solo. She can do this. Nothing new.

With really only three possessions, she's taking a tour around the Shelter to map out the place a little. Her headphones around her neck (because she hasn't rigged the device to play her music for her just yet,) singing out her playlist at max volume, she's got her laptop under one arm and her snowboard under the other. Totally normal--annnnd she's watching where she swings it... most of the time.

Feel free to run into her in the kitchen or common room, or anywhere in between as she tries to open a package of twinkies with her front teeth.]


[Later: voice/video]

I kinda guessed there wasn't going to be any sort of internet here, but it's still a strange disconnect. No cute kitten videos, no news updates.

[Total disconnect from a world she used to live in, the information she used to soak up... well, she's managed before.] I gotta find a movie to watch...

Oh, and hey Yuta! I uh, [here-- shaky camera work, she turns it to her snowboard propped against the wall of her chosen Shelter room] got my board!

Kinda bad timing though, yeah? I'll show you how to board though when we get out, like I promised. [and camera off!]

[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?

[The device is certainly beyond anything Yuuki is used to working with, but its instructions on how to use it is clear. She appears on screen. A brown, chocolate smudge decorates the side of a pretty, porcelain cheek near her mouth on the right. A few wrappers litter the ground at her feet, along side the familiar welcome basket. She’s beautiful, almost doll like, despite the mar. An ageless appearance though she clearly appears young, even within her early teens, But it’s an appearance different from that of an ordinary person, and sets her apart, too. Her eyes are wide, a deep, liquid brown and innocent (as though still fill of life), though not amused. Full, pink lips thin as she frowns with a look of disapproval into the screen.

She isn’t happy.

Cloaked in a white school uniform, her brows knit, expression firm as a normally warm gaze stares hard into the camera of the device. Atop her left arm is a black arm band, with a curious red crest. It matches the silver necklace, barely visible around her slender neck. She pulls the black band up, readjusting it and brushing her long waves of rich, mahogany hair over her shoulder.

Back straight, polite, though resolute and unwilling to be dismissed or ignored, she opens her mouth to speak. It’s clear she’s impatient, her annoyance a spasm of irritation that crosses her face, but shadowed by an underlying urgency.]

I haven’t done anything worthy of being arrested again. If this is a joke, it isn’t funny. I want to know the truth.

[Because the crimes listed are nothing short of ridiculous, charges more absurd than anything sensible, regardless of any validity to them. They’re a reflection of the truth twisted out of context. Although, she’s painfully aware the hunters don’t need real reasons to take one of her own kind into custody. They’re the only group outside of another pureblood who would possibly have the ability to pull off something this elaborate. Still, she has a job to do.]

Where’s the Association President? There are too many important things going on for us to be going through this all over again! Humans could get hurt. I want to talk to him immediately.

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~

[ action; sector 5 ]

[ It's lunch time, Setsuna is peacefully eating at a ramen shop, with open books surrounding him. Occasionally, he writes something down on his notebook.

As usual, he has that strange, pensive glance. Though, as it is winter, he looks rather drowsy from the cold. The sleepy set of eyes is probably most obvious. ]


[ video; filtered from Tieria no spoilers for you, Erde-san ]

Good afternoon.

[ lol, hi. There, again in sight, a milk carton on the table among the pile of books. This is not expected at all!!

But nevermind about that, maybe that notebook page full of crossed-out ideas is more eye-catching. ]

Marina Asylum. How do you determine an appropriate "birthday present" for someone?


[ video; private to Lyle ]

Lyle. Are you occupied at the moment?

If you are not, I would us to meet at Sector 5.