[ Sounds a bit groggy, but is awake! And worried. ]

Hey, Gino... do you have a minute?

((ooc: Also open to cantfallinlove, if she wants, by proximity!))

[The view from the communicator shows the fake sky of the dome, as if the owner is laying on their back... or at least the communicator is. There's a groan, and the view abruptly shifts.

The sensation of disintegrating into nothing and then being abruptly reformed is a bit jarring, and it takes Rolo a few moments to adjust. A couple moments more to realize he's still alive somehow, and another to pose the most obvious question to the world.]

...What?

[There's a bit of fumbling with the device, after which the feed is abruptly cut off. It appears he's not quite ready to go public yet.

Though anyone in sector two might be able to come across a somewhat shaky and unsteady "Lelouch" with a ball and chain attached to one leg.]

Ah... hello? It looks like I disappeared again...

How long was I gone for this time?

[The video flicks on, revealing a young man with light brown eyes an dark brown hair, and two earrings in his left ear.]

Prison, huh?

[It's not something he wasn't completely unprepared for, but to be suddenly pulled into it was confusing.]

This brochure was very helpful. Thanks to those who put it together. I noticed something about a defense force... I'm guessing I have to wait until this chain comes off, though, right?

[He's not going to deny his crimes, but he's not going to share them, either. He does wonder how he got caught by this AI, though.]

One more thing... has anyone seen a girl with goggles and white hair, possibly answering to the name 'Yurine'?

Does anyone need help?

Defense Force people, we should probably try and coordinate trying to help as many people as we can! I've got some extra flashlights.

[Euphie was between the educational center and home when the entire dome turned black. Her heart raced, but she thought if she just waited they would come back on. One minute. Five. She even takes a few awkward steps forward trying to feel around as she goes, but finally she turns her communicator on, trying video at first, but of course there is no light to project an image. She switches to voice. There is a waver in her voice as she starts, but she continues on confidently.]

I'm not sure what happened, but I don't think I know how to find my way back now.

[Did she just hear a twig snap or did she imagine it?] Hello? ...Is someone there?

( OOC )

[It's a familiar ritual -- after a satisfying night of drinking, Saki has comparatively little to show for it, having grown a high tolerance to alcohol over the years. The next day, however, is remarkably less fun, and she's curled up somewhere (her bed this time, covered in still ruined blankets and discarded cigarette packs and strewn about clothes), vowing never to drink again.]

[That vow will last all of six hours, maybe.]

[It's the aspirin. She always forgets to take aspirin before going to bed.]

Hey, Defense Force? [Swallows back two aspirin now. She'd filter this if she could think coherently right now, but. Ow.] I've got a question.

[Some time in the early evening there are a few bottles strewn across Axel's little section of the bar and upon closer inspection one of them has fallen to the floor, shattered to many pieces. There's a bot taking care of the mess and attempting to clear the empty bottles of beer as well, but Axel pays it no attention. Half empty bottle in hand he just sits there, head down over his folded arm which is rested atop the counter. Maybe he's asleep, maybe he's passed out; who knows.

Well, the clones have left and now he just feels like "relaxing." Hmph. So much for relaxing.]

((ooc: feel free to poke him at the club. More than likely he's sober enough to talk.))

[It's after dark and Alma sits in the same place he's been for the last few hours. He should have moved by now, but he just...couldn't. And for a while it was okay. Now he's starting to feel sore from sitting so long, but still he hasn't moved to get up.

Anyone who comes to Sector 6 and looks up in just the right spot might notice the kid sitting on one of the tree branches over looking the playground.]

What's it like being a kid where you all come from? Every place is different, right?

[He doesn't sound upset, just curious and a little thoughtful.]

Oh, hey, where can I find the guy named Gino? Allen said I should talk to him.

[Guilford wasn't at the ceremony last night, and she'd hoped to see him. He was a link to Cornelia in a way that no one else was. She had called to talk to him, but he never responded. And then again this morning he didn't answer. It wasn't like him, so she checked the list. She just stared at it with sad eyes for a few minutes before turning the voice feed on. She isn't sure who she wants to tell so she just says it openly.]

Guilford has left.


(OOC: Details on her shielding power. You can find her in or near the shelter, and you can look, but you can't touch!)

[ He stood inside of the unoccupied shelter room that had been selected for today's... well, perhaps "procedure" was the best way to put it. Gino stood beside him, and Guilford gave him a weak look as his hand rested on the doorknob, awaiting Orihime's arrival.

The full weight of what was about to occur was catching up to him, and though it was set to relieve his burden, he could not but feel some apprehension. He was about to ask a young girl to use magic to remove his curse. When did he step from the history books into the pages of fantasy? ]

This is all so very strange. [ He said with a sigh. ]

[Video - Filtered to Gino]

[It's bright and early in the morning, but he'll just say this anyway. He figures the leader of the defense team will wake up early. He seems like that kind of person...even though Kaien really doesn't even know him...at all.]

Good morning! You lead the defense team, right?

[Video - Filtered from Zero and Yuuki/Announcement!]

Hey! If anyone wants to join me...I'm going to be looking over my photo album and having a picnic by the dolphin observation deck this afternoon! If anyone wants to join me, they can! Don't tell Yuuki and Zero though, okay? They might take my album away!

[He looks and sounds so excited as he announces this to you all...even though it's so early in the morning.]

[Lacus looks terrible. Her hospital gown neckline reveals discolorations around her throat that will soon bruise, the whites of her eyes are blood red from burst capillaries. Even around her eyes and ears is purple-tinged, and when she speaks her voice is weak and raspy, barely more than a whisper.]

[She's smiling though, and what little tone she has to her voice is upbeat.] Good morning. I apologize for the interruption, but there was an incident last night, as you can see. For the time being, I think it would be best if Gino handled any matters of new recruits himself. [Here she pauses, taking in quick, shallow breaths.] So please refer any interested parties to him.

I should be back to my regular duties in a few days --

[ There is the sound of the door closing. Lockon steps into view, speaking before he's in decent range of the microphone. His tone is pleading, with a tinge of upset. ] --you doing? You should be resting...

[Her smile doesn't change as she glances away from the camera.] Welcome back, Neil.

[ He sets the tray of tea down on the nearby table, along with his communicator, and then holds a hand out for her headset. ] Dear, just turn this off for now. Please?

Of course. [Making no motion to turn it off.] In just a moment, I'll be through.

Alright. [ Lockon sighs, sitting down on the edge of the bed, and reaching for her hand. ] Make it quick. You need to take care of yourself, first. [ But then he'll be quiet, and let her do what she needs to. ]

(( OOC: Lacus will be answering voice threads in this post! But be warned that Lockon can and will interrupt most, since he is feeling particularly protective today. Also, there will be [Action] available for visitors, but some may not get to see Lacus. Sorry for my overbearing muse. OTL ))

I'm on my way to the hospital with Lacus; she's unconscious and having breathing complications.

[Lacus pauses as the lights in the dome suddenly extinguish, joining in with the moment of stillness just before her star projector lights up. Taking just a moment to smile up at the false stars, she resumes her walk, small plastic bag swinging from her right hand. She sings in her airy soprano as she walks, her steps setting a slow tempo to match.]

[She loves the night sky, no matter that it is now the sea overhead and not space. But nevertheless tonight she won't linger for too long; Neil has had a difficult few days and she hopes the contents of her bag might help him to feel a little better.]


((OOC: Thread with Kefka is closed and consider this your violence warning! I also need a defense force volunteer to find Lacus after she gets Kefka'd into unconsciousness. Contact me at her HMD or lenasillfame (AIM) if you want to play hero!

Anyone else can feel free to run into her before the clown gets her~))

[In the morning... He's just woken up, showered, and is feeling kind of -- partly refreshed, partly strange. Yesterday was productive, and an experience, and -- well. He's just loitering in the HQ. Business to take care of...]


[private // Sakura, Suzaku]
Hey! Got a second to spare? I wanted to talk to you.

[Clad in a pink kimono-- though lacking her trademark red jacket-- and geta that click clack rhythmically against the pavement with each step, Shiki is wandering through Sector 5. It's not quite night out yet, but she's slept most of the day away and she's restless.

Partly because she didn't get to kill Asagami yesterday. That machine thing said that the people who came were all gone, so with that fact and that she can't find the girl anywhere, Shiki figures that she was one of those to leave; on top of getting away from her. (How unfair. Her luck really is the worst)

And the other reason... The underground shelter is suffocating. Too many people, too close together. She wants to be alone and isolated and separate from the swirl of daily life.

...Maybe she can settle into one of these abandoned places in this quiet sector. She knows they're mostly deserted due to her tearing through them in search of Asagami Fujino, but she didn't really have the chance to see if one suited her tastes at the time...]

[Gino's settled at an outdoor table by the ramen stand, Ranger lying limply on his side by Gino's feet, a bit tired from their run earlier. He has another date with Euphie and he's heard she's got a new friend, so despite the discussion with Guilford looming, he's in a good mood!

[Just waiting for her before he orders.]

[Yesterday was chaotic, but he felt as if time was working against him, after his last conversation with Suzaku. He had to put his ideas into motion, lest he lose whatever advantages he thought he might have.]

[Filtered to Conrad; then Gino]

Good morning. I am hoping we might be able to meet today, to discuss some important matters.


[Filtered to Orihime (after the other conversations)]

Greetings, Ms. Inoue. My name is Guilford. We have never spoken before, but I received your name from Sir Weller. I was told that your unique skills might be able to assist me with a rather... strange dilemma I am facing.

If it is not too much trouble, would you have some time to speak with me today?


((ooc: I wanted to put this up tonight, since I do not work tomorrow, and my internet is being flaky, and thus I am not on my IM clients. Feel free to placeholder anything you dont want me to tag ASAP.))

Can't believe this...

Oi Gino or whatever the hell your name is. I need to talk to you. Like now or whatever.

People can get off my back now...