[Welcome to the Devil's Compass, it's Poker Night.

The record player might be playing something jazzy in the background, there's (plenty of) smoke wafting in the air and the taps are just waiting to be... tapped. For those who quit the game or didn't come to play in the first place, the pool table and dart board are free. But why wouldn't you come to play poker on Poker Night? Scared of all... the big bad cheats?]

Okay, really now.

[Michael here? He doesn't look at all happy. He's eaten everything in the welcome basket and now he's both bored and frustrated--not with being in prison, because it doesn't feel like a very huge deal, but with being out of food for the time being, and more importantly with the chain around his ankle. It's heavy and it sucks, trying to drag it around. That, and for some reason he can't use his brainwaves at all, not even the tiniest pulse of neural activity. Nothing.

The location and circumstance aren't the problem. It's being, for lack of a better word, human, and physically restrained.

And alone. Being alone is...unnerving. He doesn't like it, and he looks antsy because of it.]

If anyone can understand me, I'm looking for my siblings. Their names are Johann and Nena.

If you don't appreciate a foot shoved so far up your ass you choke on it, I recommend you start talking. Any one of you, and make it quick--no bullshit. I don't have all day.

[What will he do if he doesn't get his way? Given the way he's talking and the dangerous gleam in his eyes, he'll give you three guesses.]

I don't know what the hell is going on here, but someone better start talking since I have a lot of questions that need answering.

It's been nearly two weeks, now. Really- I've tried to be understanding. Crime must meet punishment for the functioning of society, as weak as this punishment truly is. Corrective containment without the reinforcement is all you need in a bubble full of petty thieves and murderers wet behind the ears.

It was quite cute, nearly charming for oh, say, the first few days. I laughed because jokes are meant to be funny, and I certainly didn't want to offend. That would be rude, and a princess minds her manners.

However.

Surely the Almighty would find its time better spent dealing with crimes of a higher caliber.

I tire of all this camaraderie, this friendship that spoils even the bloodiest of hands. Punishment is most effective under fear, power, and brutal authority. You crush until the prisoners can no longer crawl on their own. How I hate to see all this opportunity wasted.

Take pleasure in the relationships you have established here, my fellow criminals! Enjoy this peace- for it is only the eye of the storm! People are nothing more than pawns, and without the proper measure, even pawns will turn and strike.

Speak to me of kindness and of love if you so desire. Soon you will understand how worthless it is in the end- how easily loyalty can be tossed aside by fools!

It is nothing- do you hear me? Nothing!

[ooc | Azula is going off the deep-end. I apologize to everyone I didn't tag in my last post- but I'm getting out of that RP slump, now and I'm back with some fresh crazy :)]

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!))

Hey. [Always weird starting these.] So, the Devil's Compass has a pool table now if anyone is interested. There's a dart board too, [Thinking] and we still have drinks. It's the only place outside of the club you can get alcohol.

Sasha is here tonight too, so we've got pizzas, quiche, and pie. ["Pie" might have come out slightly sighed.] So, stop in. [Should he say bye? Awkward pause. Click.]

(OOC: It's a mingle! If you want to reply directly to the video you can. Please use Sam's comment, because I'm turning off comments!)

[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.

[Unlike yesterday, the house today is lovely, a fit atmosphere for a tea party~ The doors are wide open and anyone who wanders won't be pushed out. For now. All of the rooms are free for perusal, except two, and the living room is home to a long table, fitted with a tablecloth, as well as a platter of cakes. The room is helpfully lit up by the many floating candles hovering in the air. Just don't go touching them or you'll accidentally cut yourself~]

[ooc: Road will be mingling with everyone, and there will be a tag for your character to tag her! Sorry for the late! anyone can tag! even the people who didn't respond to Road's invitation post! /o/ get those ac threads ENJOY]

[He's out alone, without any real destination - just walking, listening to the rhythmic crunch of his boots in the snow and trying to work through his tangled thoughts. He hasn't been sure of anything since he got here, and it's been driving him insane.]

( thinky thinky. )

[He veers into the park and toward the memorial gardens, approaching Nakarai's little tree and staring down at the plaque with dry amusement. She had her priorities straight, he thinks - she discovered that she killed billions of people and immediately sought atonement for that act. He's still too wrapped up in his own problems to face the bigger issues of the game. When will it hit him, he wonders?]

((ooc: closed to Schuldig and Setsuna. There are comments inside to direct each of you to your thread. If you want to see Moji lose his cool, this is the thread to stalk!))

Yesterday's Halloween was much better than any I've had at home. Everyone looked so cute as children, or with their new ears. [laughs - mockingly? it's your guess] That should happen more often.

[and here's something new. she links her hands together and smiles sweetly into the camera] For all the new arrivals, welcome! My name is Road Kamelot. You're stuck here and you won't be able to get out unless Acumen loses you, but I'm sure you'll find something to occupy your time. And if you don't, I have a suggestion.

I'm planning on having a tea party at my house, you can't miss it - it's one of the nicest in Sector 5 - and I'd like to invite everyone! That is, everyone I like and who isn't a stick in the mud. There'll be plenty of tea and cakes of course, enough for everyone who wants to show up. Just tell me now if you'd like to, okay? That way I can start getting ready. It'll be in two days. I hope to see you there!~

[pause] I don't think I got your name but - I'd like to talk to the pretty man in charge of that guild of his - what was it - Brave Vesperia! [SHE'S GOT A JOB FOR YOU 8D]

[ooc: once again D.Gray-man cast is free to hijack and warn people that Road is evil or something, if they like. Defense force people please ping me first over here thanks!]

[Tieria was by himself at dome itself, staring out into the water. In a way, it was similar to standing in the Ptolemy's observation deck when they had been underwater that time. It was quiet here. Not many people came all the way out to the edge unless they were using the running track. Even then, it was dark now. No one would be out running in the dark.

( tl;dr musings )

He put his hand on the dome's surface, leaning forward against it. Why did it feel so much like he was losing control?]

Good afternoon, Marina! Ladies, it's that time again~ Yesterday was so stressful, and it's been a while since we all gathered together, so head over to the spa for a spell! [ Jeanne's enthusiasm isn't quite at the levels it normally is for these, but she hides it behind her newfound energy. ] Today we are doing things a little differently -- and by "we" I mean my new friend Inara and I! She has a world of experience in things I could only read about in magazines, so tonight is sure to be a real treat.

Come on down to the public bathhouse, let your hair down, and get pampered just like you deserve! Hope to see you all there!

---

( [ Action | Come one, come all! ] )

((OOC note: Post is NOT filtered, so "crashers" (read: boys) are welcome -- serious troublemakers will be escorted out, so please make an OOC note in your tag if you feel comfortable with that happening, or have someone planned to do just that. Otherwise there might be some female Defense Force members who will gladly do the honors~

If you want to answer the voice portion, just tag into this sub-thread for Jeanne only, otherwise mingle and tag around as you like. <3)

While I realize that I'm surrounded by miscreants and other miscellaneous unsavory persons for the duration of my stay in this quaint little place, I would like to remind everyone that it's awfully rude to steal another's belongings. [Popping out for a quick spot of tea in the transdimensional stabilizer unfortunately means that one's things get taken away.]

Raven.

If I find that it's you who took my things, I guarantee that a cake will not be sufficient recompense for your actions.

[Honestly, what sort of inhumane person steals from a blind old man? That being said, what's the point of being surrounded by so people if one can't make good use of them?]

But, while we wait for the useless bird to emerge from his hiding place, perhaps someone would like to assist me in locating a missing object? I suppose a reward shall have to be provided, for those of you who find yourselves unmotivated by anything less.

[And for those inmates observant and bright enough to put two and two together, they might just find the speaker fits the description of a missing person given by one (1) Anri Sonohara just a few days ago.]

[After that very strange morning, Schuldig is in the park. He's looking for some more amusement. Secretly he is hoping that he will run into someone that he had spoken to before so he could spend some of his energy on something for his own benefit. However, he doesn't care if it is someone that he has never met before. Anything for some fun.

So he is sitting in the park, seemingly minding his own business as he whistles a German tune. He's ever vigilant to see who was passing him by]

[ Good morning Marina~!

Were you sleeping alone last night? Well now you have company!

Were you sleeping with someone? Well, you're still sleeping with someone, but maybe you'd like to give it a look-see, before you get too comfortable.

Are you sure this is your room? You might want to check though -- who knows if you're using the same design of lampshade or if your bed really is set up against the wall...

Whether you are in your own room or not, one thing's for certain, you're in for a surprise this morning! ]


(( OOC: Many pardons for the late, but here be your Morning After Prank all-purpose post! Do your threads here if you are so inclined, or make your network freak-out posts~ Have fun!

ETA: I have used the reveal table as a handy Thread Index. I'll update this as the event rolls along [last updated: 22 October, 12:40 p.m. EST] ))
 

[ 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! ]

( [private -- voice] )

[video -- public]

[The video shows a confused looking Japanese man in his mid-twenties, blinking at the screen from behind large glasses. He beams as he realises he's managed to get the device to work, speaking cheerfully.]

Ah! I was beginning to think this wasn't working. Perhaps it would be useful to provide clear instructions to make it easier for us to work these? After all, an old man such as myself struggles to understand all this modern technology. I'm afraid I've fallen too far behind the times.

On geography, too, it would seem. I've never heard of the Eloquois Ocean before. I wonder whereabouts it's located? It seems rather an odd place for a prison. Although perhaps you are used to it here.

[ooc: Action is also available for those I've talked about it with.]

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.)

[To his credit; he did not panic as much as would be expected by people that knew him.

However, this is not mean he didn't panic at all. Rather, instead of a pitiful fit of whining; unfortunate listeners were treated to a scream of rage as he pulled at the chain on the sturdy iron ball that was shackled to his foot.

The only reason the video had even been turned on was he thought some kind of error had occurred; he'd been in mid conversation only to find himself with the feed turned off, and out of reflex had tried reconnecting before he'd even noticed the addition to his wardrobe, as well as his giftbasket mysteriously returned to where it had been, and unopened.

Grunting and panting in near-manic frustration, as the ball inconvenienced him greatly, and was even more so ugly, he jabbed the video and audio buttons to end the feed.]

So... promenade, huh? [the voice comes out, but there's no video for a second. it looks like there's something over the camera. maybe a sticker? it's Dani's voice, though, and there's some shuffling.] I don't really know how those go. I went to my high school one, but it was sort of.

High school. [she sounds a little uninterested in the entire high school thing.]

But I think I'll go. You know. Why not? I was invited and all. So, uh-- Jeanne Fran-- Francaix-- and the Student Council, I'm RSVPing! I think. [she fumbles the name, and it comes out "Jean Fransayx". French is beyond her.]But I'm not sure what formal wear is.

[and then the camera feed is on properly, with the sticker removed, to reveal Dani. she's wearing this, her hair is pulled back into a very sad attempt at a bun, and she's got on a pair of clunky green plastic "heels" to go with the outfit. she looks a little perturbed at the entire outfit, like she's not quite sure she's doing it right. she's not.]

Does this count? Maybe if I wear a jacket...? [she scratches her head a little]

Oh, and I guess I should get a date. That's a thing, right? [she considers that for a second... then a second longer... then brightens.]

Hey, Schuldig! What're you doing tomorrow evening? [and she's done.]