[The first thing she notices is the sharpness of Ba’ul’s absence. It’s with a bit of will that she evens out her mood in response. The communicator is easy enough to figure out, even if she doesn’t particularly enjoy the weight of it.]

Strange. I used to think it was harder to catch me.

[She’s without her spear, too. A mild grimace is there and gone in an instant.]

I suppose while I’m here, I might as well make myself comfortable. [ -- because she won't be here for long. This is what she’s decided. The first opportunity out, she’s taking it.]

Maybe one of you can help me. My shoes are all muddy. [And that’s terrible.]

Good morning, inmates. It is the 148th day of the third generation. More inmates will be integrated into the facility today, so please be aware of this disruption as you go about your day.

The unexpected snow event has been completely dealt with and, as some of you may have noticed, the shelter has been unsealed. [You may notice that the ground is still wet, and there will be bots here and there using small devices to dry the ground.] Inmates should now feel free to return to their normal places of residence.

Inmate Setsuna Seiei, the item you requested is available for pick up at the entrance to the shelter in Sector 0.


((ooc: The kiosk has also been re-enabled!))

[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?]

[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!))

[ 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))

[ 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))

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!)

Alright, Acumen.

[No, Simon has not read the pamphlet. He hasn't even seen the welcome basket. All he needed was the welcome message to be provoked. He doesn't realize that this won't get him in direct contact with Acumen. He probably doesn't care.]

JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!?

[You can't keep the leader of Team Dai-Gurren down, not when he's got a fiancée to save. As far as Simon's concerned, this is all he has to say. But he still decides to add something to that.]

You know it -- my name is Simon. Simon the Digger, and leader of Team Dai-Gurren. And if you think that you can stop me - stop us - then you're wrong. I don't care how far below the ocean we are, or if you think separating me from the others and Gurren Lagann will stop me, you're completely mistaken. Don't underestimate me. Don't underestimate us!

I will find her, and I will save her. I will fight like hell, and I will never give up!

[Blah blah FIGHTING SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[And then after a minute, his voice lowers. It's much more somber, and only a few notches over a whisper, but that determination is still present.]

Wait for me... Nia. I'll find you. I'll get you back.

Good evening, citizens of Marina! We do hope you're enjoying the cold just as much as we are! Since we know you likely don't have anything better to do, why don't you come on down to the Fight Club? Why, we have hot cocoa and other delightful, tasty treats for you while we get this show on the road! The fights will be starting within the hour, so come on down and get the good seats while they're available! [They laugh before they cut the feed.]

((OOC: Fight Club, round 2! Please wait until Kathrine (Ava-mun) posts up the fight threads + the mingling thread before posting!))

[Sector 5 sees a lot of people over the course of a day. Many live there in houses or apartment complexes; many come there to shop for food or clothing; many come there to relax and have a meal; some even come for the entertainments offered by the bowling alley, the ice rink, or the Devil's Compass.]

[Everyone who might have passed through Sector 5 today is invited to thread out a chance encounter here, or a date, or a gathering of friends. Just tell everyone where your character is and what they're doing, and go!]

[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.]

[He's not at all dressed for the weather, but that doesn't seem to bother Conrad as he briskly walks the streets. Generally, he's walking in the direction of the Defense Force HQ, but it's turning into a long walk and he hasn't quite managed to get there. Resigning would be the safest thing for all involved, certainly, but there are... other issues.]

[He rarely ventures out lately for many of the same reasons; he has to keep himself away from anyone Diva may see as a target. So for those reasons and, admittedly, his stalling, he decides to venture to the store to pick up a few things Diva may like while he's around. He'll just have to hope the people he's trying to avoid don't happen to be there. Or anyone else, for that matter... except maybe Akito, who he needs to check on.]

[And eventually, maybe he'll decide to go see Suzaku and have this out.]

Hello. [She didn't sleep much last night. The announcement could wait, but she doesn't think it's going to get easier, so sue pushes ahead. She wants to be strong for his sake. To make him proud of the way she's handling his business in his absence and so that Suzaku and Nunnally won't have to worry about her too. She can be there for them instead.]

I regret to tell you all Lelouch vi Britannia has left Marina.

I will be taking over all his administrative duties at the school. Literature and Philosophy classes will be put on hold until a replacement can be found. If anyone is interested in teaching one or both classes or taking up teaching cooking, art or any other subjects we don't currently offer, please contact me. Thank you for your time.

[ the video feed sparks to life, and there's alois trancy's little face in it. he's twinkle-eyed and beaming. ]

Hullo, [ he tweets, with certain satisfaction. nothing too out of the ordinary—that is except for the sure-to-be wicked bruise forming his on right cheek, just under his eye. it's a swollen cherry-pink welt right now, but it'll flourish into unbecoming blacks, purples, and green-yellows within a few hours or so. ]

I dreamt last night. [ this is his sneaky way of saying, 'I slept long enough to have a dream last night.'

as he speaks, bits of his fringe keep billowing up by kinetic wind, before they float back down. the sound of rushing metal scraping against cement announces itself now and then. ] Usually, I would share it with Claude, but well— [ saccharine smile. ] He isn't fucking here.

But— [ ah, another momentary pause so he can twirl around backside first. ] I was thinking, sometimes it's fun to try and figure out what stupid shit your head is trying to tell—

Whoa! [ his face becomes unsteady, for less than half a second his eyes grow wide, that quick metal sound is gone, and then thud. now, the camera gets a shot of side walk and some blades of grass. there's some shuffling noises, and alois reappears, looking undeniably disheveled. ] Anyhow, why don't we talk about dreams?

Tell me yours, if you had any, and if you want to know mine—[ hint, hint. ;_; ]—then say so.




(ooc: optional action post, because he's all over having a time with his new roller skates. also, if you do come up on him, please note that he's all battered up because he ... k- keeps falling and wheeling himself right into things. u_u)

[Here's that line-faced guy again, standing very rigidly with his hands behind his back. He clears his throat quietly.]

Good morning. I have a question directed at everyone here, if you would please hear me out.

( Cut for newbie determination to get out )

[He reaches to end the video, at which point he accidentally (?) turns in a way that you get a very brief glimpse of his left arm, and-- is that a trick of the light, or is his fist made of stone?]

[[OOC: Same thing as last time: he looks human, should feel completely human... but if your character still notices something is off, please don't call him out on it in public? And his next post will be as Puck, I swear. And if anyone wants to continue any old threads, go right ahead!]]

[somehow, Flynn ended up promising a certain Xerxes Break flowers and a cake. so this morning he meanders over to the park and surveys the gardens leisurely, walking through them and ducking down conscientiously to pick some of the flowers every now and again, slowly arranging a generous bouquet]

[once he has his flowers picked out, he heads to the shelter kitchen and finds a nice cup to put them in with a little water. then he gets out all the ingredients to start baking a cake from scratch. he decides there's no need for the cookbook. he knows how cakes are made, after all]

[he'll just... modify the recipe a little...]

[and when he's done, it'll be time to go find Break and present him with his rewards!]



((ooc: come find him in either location and ask him who his lovely date is! :D or give him funny looks for picking the flowers and massacring perfectly good cake batter. either way. Val can put up an action tag whenever and I'll have Flynn call Break to meet up with him))

[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/ ))

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.]

Pardon me. Is this device functional? [Tap tap tap. Then, a little louder:] Pardon me!

[At first it's only voice, but after a bit of fiddling the video function comes on. Enjoy your view of the bridge of Nia's nose, Marina. It pans back after another moment, leaving her whole face in view. Absurdly bright eyes, unfaltering smile... check, check.]

Ah... hello, Marina of Prison fellow people! My name is Nia. It is lovely to meet you. I will be residing here as of now, so I hope we can all be good friends.

[Beat, then she adds:]

Oh, yes. Thank you for the time you spent listening. [♥]