[ It's a quiet video that flicks into being. Black covers the screen except where the thin glow of the park lights shine in through the window. It's quiet, except for the slow rip sounding through the air and the clink of metal striking cool tile.

One would imagine there's nothing there at all.

Until she starts humming, broken words coming through as she pauses, continuing the torment. ]

Rip them up.

[ tear ]

Pluck out the eyes. And discard them.

[ ... pliiiiiiiiiiiiiiink. ]

He left you again.

[ laughing, low and sultry ]

We'll have to change that.

[ thud

Slowly, a lump rolls into view of the camera. A severed doll's head. With unseeing eyes. It's never wise to leave Diva all alone. You should know better then this.

Conrad. ]

[Hikaru is missing Kaoru like crazy. That's not unusual since his brother is his entire life, and it feels like he hasn't seen him in a very long time. Not having him here always felt terrible, despite making friends and always meeting new people.

Look at how hard he's concentrating.]

Will you help me with a personal survey? It's just some things I've been thinking about.

Some of you may remember Kaoru, my brother, when he was here for some time. We're used to people assuming they know what being twins is like, but most of the time, they're wrong. So here's where the survey part comes in:

What do you think twins are? More specifically, identical twins.
What kinds of things do you think when you see twins?
Do you ever assume they are the same, just because they have the same face? Be honest.

I want to know what you think. People really can't be as clueless and as dumb as they have been in my life. I hope you prove me wrong.

[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!]

[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?]

[Long after the dinner banquet has dispersed, Saya stalks the corridors of the shelter, sword held tight. Her customary Japanese school uniform with its innocent charm is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a dark leather jacket and skirt, tall combat boots. A smudge of blood remains on her face, but it's not the only sign of something having gone wrong.]

[Every step tense and deliberate, her katana held as though she might need it at any moment, Saya is definitely on the prowl. Get close enough to see her eyes and you'll find not a trace of the sweet teenager who loves food and track; only the sharp, hard look of someone far removed from such indulgences.]

[However, get close enough and you also might find the edge of her katana a breath from your throat. She's taking no chances tonight -- not after what she let happen before.]

[Anri pulls away from the crowds early on, hands tense and expression far – it’s easy to assume she’s miles away mentally, and ordinarily she might be.

It’s a little different this time. Her gaze catches across one of the quiet rooms as she crosses it, approaching Diva – Anri isn’t attempting any innocuous façade, but withholds Saika’s presence for a bit longer, her hands empty.

There will be time soon enough for that. If she is being granted an opportunity, she intends to take it.]

... Diva-san?


((OOC: First thread is Diva's, others will come in as needed. Thanks! ♥))

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!))

[ they can't stay in the shelter, so Yuri and Flynn have been kicked out to roam the streets. after some discussion they agreed to go hunting for another place to stay -- maybe a place to stay permanently -- maybe a bigger place to accommodate certain other people. ]

[ so they're wandering around the dome house-hunting, and you can find them in various locations in Sectors 2-5 throughout the day before they head over to the Devil's Compass. they do get briefly distracted by the pet cafe in Sector 2, so you can also find them there, admiring puppies. you can tag with one or both of them. ]


((backdated to... whenever you like, but mostly afternoon))

[Anri lies under the awning of the Guardian Sapling’s branches, staring up through them at the dome’s ‘sky’, far overhead. It’s been an interesting few days and she’s grateful for the reprieve, having fled from her shelter room even earlier than usual to – be outside, collect her thoughts, find some focus. Give Saika some attention, so that she wasn’t under the constant suffocation of heady whispers.

She's dressed for the weather, coat and mittens and boots, but the hood is pushed down to support her head above the snow and grass. Under close scrutiny, anyone who knows her will recognise the alien brightness to her eyes – a clear red rather than their usual dull brown.

She’s hoping that no one who knows her will find her right now.

She’s hoping for some peace and quiet, but who knows how much she’ll get.]

[How many days had it been? No, more like weeks. Keeping an eye on Diva and her Chevalier and training were all that she thought about; it didn't occur to Saya that she had missed her blood transfusions until she nearly collapsed in the dojo.]

[Making her way to the hospital is slow going, Saya hunched over and using her sheathed katana rather like a crutch. She can't take the main roads because of the risk of Diva and Conrad attacking her while she's weakened. Stupid stupid stupid.]

[-- wait, what's that sound? A... snatch of a melody? Fear grips her tight, but she barely manages to lift her sword. Damn it, not now...]

[She's so focused on Diva's sudden appearance that it doesn't even occur to Saya that the DF dispatch is currently registering her life signs tanking -- with Diva right there beside her.]

***
((OOC, PLEASE READ: When your character arrives they will see Saya's identical twin, Diva, flitting away. DF participation is not strictly necessary in this post, but if members want to show up that would be awesome! Also, Saya DOES NOT bite people, unless your character is very very insistent. o/ ))

Saya. I'm here when you are. [No, he's not even going to bother to filter this from anyone besides Diva and her Chevaliers. Yeah, Itachi, this is how much he doesn't even care about you, and all of what happened between them yesterday. Bite him.]

((OOC: Everyone is free to respond, if your character feels like trolling/being nosy~))

[ It wasn't his usual morning for taking breakfast in the shelter, but the meteor last night had distracted him. It had been worth it though. Sliding into a seat at the shelter, Hei glances idly at the counter and the bowl of candy resting on top. ]

Halloween again?

[ He idly pulls a piece of candy out of the bowl while he waits for the bot to finish his order for half a dozen omelets. It's a gradual change though, as he slowly shrinks down in size, gaining speed as Hei continues to pick at the bowl of candy. And then his network device falls and Hei almost looses his balance on the stool.

It's when he picks up his device however, that his now clumsy fingers manage to press the video button, opening up a channel for everyone to see. Please don't mind Hei's slight disarray. His shirt is nearly big enough to cover all of him now.

How awkward.

Clearing his throat, Hei stares down at the activated video screen and glances back up to the counter now somehow looking far out of his reach. ]

Something's wrong here.

[ understatement ]

((ooc: Hei's only affected by the age down curse! Please assume that Hei looks about ten years old from here on out /o/ ))

[A bit before "sunset," a softly smiling Lacus appears in the video.]

Good evening, Marina. Thanks to an inmate request, tonight we are going to observe a lovely meteor shower in the night sky using the star projector. I have arranged viewing areas on the beach with some light refreshments. However, you should be able to see the meteors from anywhere in the dome.

If anyone would like to see star patterns or other sky-scenes from their own worlds, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have photos or descriptions I can make a program for the projector quite easily.

I hope everyone has a pleasant evening.

( And about a half-hour after dark... )

[After some research, it turns out that Diva's second Chevalier is indeed missing. Even the one was dangerous, but there may never be a better time to act. And as much as Saya wishes it weren't so, the last encounter showed her that she can't do this alone.]

[What she can do though is make sure that the person who helps her won't get themselves killed in the process. And she has a whole crew of potential people... plus a boy who she knows. Asking him privately seems a little personal, so she just adds him to her filter.]

[Filtered to Defense Force (minus Conrad) + Sasuke]

This is Saya Otonashi. I'm hoping someone who hears this will be able to help me.

[deep breath, Saya. It'll be okay, somehow.]

I need some help with Diva. [all the DF members should recognize her name from the watch list, at the very least, if not the incidents where she turned two inmates into her slaves.]

[And so she waits for replies. She'll have to screen carefully to make sure any volunteers will be able to handle this -- and formidable though the DF members' abilities are, most of them can't hope to hold their own against one of Saya's kin.]

[ 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. ]

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.)

Hi, Marina! Miss Jeanne Fránçaix, here. I just wanted to remind those of you who are new -- and slightly-more-permanent residents here -- that I'm holding my Sign Language class today! It'll be at 2 o'clock, in the Education Center's room number 6. [ She smiles at the camera, chipper for many reasons. ] If you need any directions, don't hesitate to ask! I'll be looking to see my regular students there today, too~

[ Then her smile widens. ] And, for everyone else, keep an eye on your mail today. I know you're all excited for the news that came in yesterday, but I hope you have some energy left for the next announcement, too! [ With a wink, she puts a finger down her lips. ] But that's all I'm going to say for now. You'll just have to wait for PM to come by with the mail!

--oh, and before I forget. Who wants to go shopping~? I have a lot of dresses, but I don't have something in just the right color. Let me know!

[ And here she waves and disconnects, so she can finish setting up her classroom. ]

((OOC: Post under Jeanne's "Class" header if you are attending! More info is here. Network replies can be before or after the mail delivery (which is Friday) for a postcard invitation to the Prom, just say so!))

I am finally receiving the punishment I so rightly deserve, I see, strangely timed as it is. At the very least, there don't appear to be any of them around. That is fortunate. It's almost a safehouse in comparison rather than a prison.

[Her voice is soft, her eyes downcast, accepting of this situation and her crimes as she muses to herself.]

I don't completely understand it...

[Her posture is straight despite her confusion, full of discipline. It's not really that she's suddenly in this mystical underwater prison that perplexes her, though. It's--]

...genocide. Such a sentence is ill-fitting.

[ooc | ZOMBIES ARE TOTALLY A CULTURAL GROUP. Saeko Busujima from High School of the Dead!]

[ cue one Break ]

[ cue one Break with cake ]

[ cue one Break WITHOUT cake what blasphemy ]

[ sadly, Break does not like this division of power even if he's not wearing a chain. Actually, scratch that. It's only what he deserves for having all the cake in the dome at his fingertips which, shortly, will be remedied. Leaning over, un-chained Break snags a dainty little sugar coated thing from the top of the pile. ]

[ Break (the one with cake), despite being blind, feels that sneaky, sneaky hand approaching his precious cake, and in a fit of rage jealousy POSSESSION reaches out his hand (the one not currently occupied with a frosting-covered fork) and flicks this intruder who has so callously tried to steal his cake. ]

Ah ah! Get your own cake.

[ unfortunately (for the both of them), Break's aim is a little off today and instead of hitting the cake thief, he instead ends up hitting the precious plate of cake, sending a fat slice of cake (chocolate with whipped cream frosting and dainty little strawberries) flying into the face of the nearest person ]

[ fjdkskakl ] What the hell are you doing?! [ Fou turns, wiping chocolate frosting off her face and looking more then a little pissed as she leans over to give the nearest Break a kick in the face. Unfortunately, Break's reflexes are superb and he more then easily steps to the side. It's too bad really. All that cake is flying through the air as Fou's foot lands on the table. Such a waste... ]

((ooc: Everyone is welcome to join in the cake fight! Or just be an innocent bystander. Mingle, threadjack, laugh at the mess... anything goes. purple = Marina's Break, blue = 4th Wall Break, Green = Fou ))

[ and now, for everyone's listening pleasure(?): a rather hesitant voice articulating very, very mechanically slowly and clearly. ]

Play. Rewind. Stop. Play. Play. Ah... LED... light? Recorder -- ?

[ pause; yes, yes it is a recorder and not an old school voice-command operated music-player. ]

Test. Ka-ke-ki-ko-ku. Sa-se-shi-so-su.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. None. Ten.

Zero... one. Zero-One. Zero-One. Zero-One.

Mi... Misato. Katsuragi. Misa ---

[ ...maaaaaaybe a little too much frustration for that one. A bit of heaving, followed by silence, then back to the neutral reciting. ]

...to. Tsu. Chi. Ta. Te. Test.

[ even more tentatively -- ]

Hello... world?