AH HA! [You might hear subtle hints of things exploding in the background—small things! It's really more like popping. Nothing at all to concern yourself with!]

Now that the prototype is done, I'd like to—what was that phrasing again? Ah yes!—wish you all a Merry Christmas. My gifts for everyone should be making their way around.

((OOC: See this post for details on the randomized kissing couples and how Mistletoe-kun operates. Feel free to comment here directly to Anissina or to play out your random kissing—just make it clear in the subject please!))

Filtered from Joshua that jerk

[His voice is quiet, and he sounds as though every word is difficult for him. The build up of frustration, worrying himself sick, and inevitable loneliness is getting to him.]

I know that Sora has a lot of friends here that I've never met. You might like to know he was...attacked last night. His soul was taken and I don't think his body will last too long without it. I'm trying to find it, but I'm not sure where to really start. Everyone might want to watch out

...does anyone know anything about the subject of eating puppies? [He has no idea what it has to do with anything, but it's all Joshua would give him.]

[Private to Yuuri]

Yuuri? I need a favor.

[around 2PM, the lights abruptly flicker and come on in the shelter, as well as the rest of the dome; the usual "daylight" is still off, but here, an excited]

--perfect! You guys are the best!

Hey, everyone -- we've got the electricity and the ventilation back! You've got Murata, Emperor Lelouch, and the hard-working defense team to thank.

Unfortunately, the heat's not back on yet... but I hope this'll bring spirits up until we can get on it. I think our eggheads have earned a nap.

Good morning, criminals.

I need a way to get through the dome. I can swim very quickly and hold my breath for a long time, and the water pressure shouldn't bother me. If I make it to the surface, I can find land, and perhaps someone who can help.

Is there anyone who would be able to assist me?


((OOC: Also, Rosalie has gathered some bottles of water and put them in the common room, in case the water is next to go out. Thinking ahead is fun!))

Stop going outside.

If you don't have a means to help protect yourself from the ash and fumes within the air, then you're only causing more people to become exposed to it in their effort to come and find you. I understand that there are things out there that people need right now, but at the same time unless you are capable and qualified in doing so yourself just stay put.

You can't be of any help if your body is wrecked, or worse.

[Conrad's just coming in from outside, properly attired this time, with coat and gloves and a scarf over his mouth for breathing purposes. Why has he been out? Because heroes do stupidly heroic things, and because he wanted to give one last search for food or supplies. His eyes are red from the ash and there's a lingering cough but even worse? He looks very, very disappointed. He's only returning with a meager amount of items: some canned vegetables and tuna, a few packs of crackers, and a bag of almonds that was didn't look very appetizing. Not much did, in their current condition, but at least it was something.]

[He pockets one can and one pack of crackers for Yuuri and Wolfram before offering up what little he has:]

I've just returned from [cough, which he covers by clearing his throat] searching for more food. I've found very little, but whomever needs it...


((OOC: feel free to run into him outside if you're there, or inside.))

[There's a soft but grating white noise of electronic feedback, not quite static and not quite the shrill whine of interference.

It slinks in under whatever other conversations you're holding, persistant through the night even when headsets are left on bedside tables.

It continues, until it gradually takes on the rhythm of breathing.

And then, gradually, just as your ears accustom to the background noise, it becomes a thin female voice, faint and frantic, a haunted whisper over the network.]

[Wakes up finally after using up that energy to rain on the fire's parade. He sounds kind of groggy and confused. After all, he doesn't remember getting back to his room, but what else is new?]

I guess the fire is out because otherwise it wouldn't be this cold.

How is everyone doing with everything?

((ooc: assuming that by now everyone has calmed down some from the fire event~))

[ there is a good minute of static before he speaks ]

...This is -- a personal question. And I know this might not be the best time. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to.

But I was just wondering.

[ it's a very simple question. and it's a very complicated question. ]

Who here... believes in the gods?

Now that everything is under control... who or what was responsible?

Was there anyone who got injured?

[Have the camera pan in on the park. Direct your eyes to the large wild fire that's quickly spreading and engulfing the trees]

... why is the park on fire?! Water--!

[video feed disconnects so she can invoke her innocence in order to be quick and attempt to put it out]

[ languishing, oh she is so truly suffering ] Two days without pizza...

Not to be the bearer of further bad news... but the hot water seems to no longer be working.

Brrrr.

[ sounds almost disbelieving ] ... that Subaru... he's gone. [ no breaking sounds, hey! just breathing and maybe you all can hear May meow-ing in the background. ]

That was...a nice attempt. At least we know there are people capable of restoring the power. That's further than I would have imagined anyone would get in one day. Hopefully your contraption does what it is supposed to.

I've heard a lot of chatter across the network of people concerned about the safety of the inhabitants due to the recent vampire attack. I can assure you that he is securely locked within the hospital and no one can get in or out. I've been monitoring the area and his movements are minimal and contained within the building.

Is there anyone other than Rido residing within there at the moment? That information would be helpful, they could possibly be in danger if he has reformed much. Purebloods have been known to possess people even if their natural form is not complete. The instances I know of have only been possession of lesser family members, but they were all blood related. The problem with this is the extent of their abilities haven't been documented very well as they typically do not venture out into society often.

Still, this is a prison. It's good to use caution when roaming around in the dark. Everyone is here for a reason, some criminals would use this to their advantage.

[Have a grumpy girl perched on a chair in the kitchen. She's illuminated by a dim light just off camera. She looks rather annoyed about something, almost as if someone had wronged her earlier. Road's just kicking her feet repetitively against the chair, but other than that she's not moving at all.]

[Then suddenly she's tilting her head back and singing. It's almost a soft hum and it's in a language one usually wouldn't understand, except the communicator is translating it just fine.]

Earl Millennium is looking for...
He is looking for a precious heart~
Are you it?
Let's check it out~

[For some reason, Road looks even more put out at the end of the song.]

ooc: Feel free to bother Road. She's annoyed so she'll probably snap at you (unless you're someone she likes). Oh yeah, if you're doing action, then you character can see the creepy floating candles around her. Have fun~

[Voice - Private to Kaname]

Kanama-sama, I'm checking in as you have requested.

So far I've found no one in extreme danger, but I've heard concerns about the food stores in the kitchen going bad from lack of proper refrigeration... [a hesitant pause, as if he's not sure it's his place to mention. He's going to be second-guessing his choices for a while].

I believe I could use my skills to keep the food that needs cold storage taken care of...if that would be of help.

[Aidou is patrolling the darkness looking for anyone who may be lost or in need of supplies they cannot get themselves. His vision gives him no trouble in the dark, but he is remaining ever alert for any dangers he may come across.]

[Video - Open to Everyone]

With the electricity only on emergency power, the food in the refrigerators will start to go bad in only a few more hours. If I can get some storage units that will keep the food, I can keep them chilled so that the food will last as long as needed.

[small pause]

If this is acceptable, all I need are containers that can be easily opened even when mostly frozen. Smaller containers mean the chill will last longer as well and can be moved around as needed. Would anyone be willing to help me with this?

{ooc: If your character could use some help, feel free to make them known, or just bump into him while he searches! Added video post.}

[The video feed is black for a moment, but then a snap can be heard and fire is produced from Kaname's fingertips as he stares into the small device.

In case it hasn't been figured out by now, Kaname prefers 'seeing' who he's talking to, so --at the moment-- you can all partake in his beauty through your communicators, complete with a heavenly glow. His eyes are bright red, as if they emit their own light and he looks at you with a polite and inviting gaze.]

Yuuki and I have acquired a few of the emergency flashlights. Fortunately, we have no need for them. But we would be happy to bring them to those who have been unable to navigate in the darkness. Should you want one, please contact either of us with your location.

[Private to Lelouch.]

Lelouch, you mentioned two individuals. Deire and Lain. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind enlightening me on why you were so curious to know their whereabouts.

[Clears throat.]

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Well, still not god. Worth a try though. Anyone else got any ideas?

[he's getting dressed awkwardly in the dark, so this message is a little breathless and curt]

This is Lelouch vi Britannia. I need for my people to report in to me immediately.

I have two questions for the rest of you:

First, where is Deire? [the Engineers might be the key to what's going on, one way or the other, and she might have experience with this otherwise]

Second, where is Lain? [she was considering interfering with Sentience's code, and Sentience seems to be having a problem now, so she's the other logical possibility]