[Riku really has no choice but to return to his room and wait. It feels oddly familiar, this situation. Only this time, in reverse. Now it's him waiting patiently for Sora to return to their room for the night. Just sitting on the bed in the dim light, those kitty ears he's come to ignore, drooped and depressed looking, and perking slightly at any sound that might mean Sora was returning.]

[Apologize. Say what you want. Tell him how you feel. Apologize. He touches his face lightly, still a lingering soreness from where Kairi had hit him.]

[Both their communicators are sitting on the nightstand, next to the plate of goodies he got from Kairi. He's not too worried, Sora will come back when he's tired.]

[...right?]

[She's waiting.]

[Kairi spent a few hours cooking today, for Riku. It was intended for Sora as well, and if he decides to show up he'll get the food, or at least leftovers. Normally, this scene wouldn't be thought of as odd. However, for this case, anyone who knows her might notice.]

[She is pissed off. Not that she'll try to show it when Riku gets to the picnic spread at the beach under a large umbrella in case of remaining drizzle.]

[Amongst the dishes laid out lies a small creature as well, seeming to be snoozing away at Kairi's feet, its head on her leg.]

[She's at the beach, crouching down near the water. She has the ears, but isn't making any effort to hide them. Her hair is tied back and up with a ribbon today, and she's messing around with the communicator.]

This isn't so bad. They're kinda cute, you know?

[Not being allowed to leave the room while Riku is still sleeping, and having not been able to get too much information out of Kairi as she's only been here a few days, Sora resorts to playing around with his communicator]

Hey! Hi, hello. I just want people to know that I'm okay... I'm pretty much back to normal... except sleeping is hard [SLEEP!? That's the last thing his body is interested in right now] And I want to thank everyone, and anyone who helped Riku get put me back together. And for taking care of me, and Riku and Kairi while I was gone.

Oh! Oh! And what have I missed? Axel said I missed Christmas! [SO SAD!] What else happened while I was all souless and stuff?

[Dino's face appears on the headset, smiling happily.]

So, a good friend of mine came to the prison today.

[The camera moves around a bit as Dino adjusts it, and finally comes to stop on a small harmless looking turtle that opens his mouth in greeting.]

Say hi to everyone, Enzio!

Good morning, criminals! You were all extremely busy last night, so allow me to remind everyone that property damage is cause for the system to revoke some of your privileges. Be careful!

Today I am pleased to announce that the headquarters for Lord Gino's defense team has been completed. It will be located in Sector 1, for those of you interested in visiting or seeing it for yourself, or even joining up! If there is anything lacking, please let me know and I will endeavor to provide it.

Also, inmate Dino Cavallone, you may be interested in visiting the pet cafe today. I believe someone is expecting you.

Everything is...over.

[That's Riku's thought right now as he and Kairi run headlong for the shelter. He's not really running so much as forcing his body to move in that direction. He can't even FEEL his legs. But it doesn't matter. Sora's okay. Axel's going to be okay soon too. Kairi's here.

Arriving at their door, Riku can barely breathe. His head is swimming, and he can hardly stand but, holding tight to Kairi's hand to pushes the door open and almost falls into the room.]

Sora?

((ooc: Happens right after this post.))

Yuuki?

[There's a pause. A long one...

Only those who are exceptionally talented at reading people might be able to detect the vulnerability in his voice. The usual apathy is gone from his tone, but he still sounds as calm as ever. He isn't posting a video for a reason. Can you guess why?]

I am unable to sense her. I expect that the same is true for those who are familiar with her scent. If anyone should have information regarding her whereabouts, I would appreciate it if you contacted me.

[It feels to Bakura, like he's been locked in the darkness forever. The Spirit had gotten angry at him for revealing too much information to Sora, and had since kept him trapped inside his own body. He is locked in his soul room, left with nothing but his worries about what is happening outside his dark prison. The Spirit would give him glimpses, enough to let him understand what was going on, but that was almost more torture than being left completely clueless.

'Please...please stop.'

It had been going on for days, and by now Bakura's pleas were being completely ignored.

Watch this. The spirit tells him. I'm doing this for you.

'I don't want this...'

You wanted a friend, and I got you one. You're never satisfied, are you?

The Spirit is showing Bakura what they're doing. They head to the arcade, after making a quick stop first.

As they sit, and wait at the arcade, Bakura can feel his heart breaking. He doesn't want anyone else's life ruined because of him. Because he is too much of a coward to stand up against his Darkness...or to live without him.]

[Len is in the kitchen, and his face is a little dirty with flour since he's cooking. He hadn't been sure about asking this, but what was a party without people?]

I apologize for bothering, but I wanted to ask something. It is my birthday today, and Naminé said that I should celebrate it so… If anyone wants to come, it will be at late afternoon.

[Now, that really sounded awkward. And rushed too. Len hopes he didn't mess up.]

 

[Riku was pretty sure that Axel could take care of himself just fine, but instead the cocky redhead got himself... Great. Not only was he alone, for however many more riddles, but he had a time limit still. The 'sun' hadn't come up yet, but Riku has a feeling it isn't far off. He's already starting to feel the tiredness in his limbs as he runs for the other park.

He knows it's useless, but he calls the nobody's name. It isn't long before he finds the body, even more startling than Sora's. He's never seen Axel this defenseless before. Riku's fists clench at his sides.]

Damnit. Damnit!

[The darkness seeping from Axel's body doesn't go unnoticed. He's fading. Sora's dying. We're all running out of time. Riku opens a channel on his communicator, getting right to the point.]

Xion? Namine? Roxas? Anyone who's up, Axel's body needs a babysitter, now.

((ooc:slightly backdated to just before dawn.))

[She's sitting in the park, staring almost blankly at the plants in front of her. She doesn't quite fully understand why she's here, but she was told that one of her crimes was the motivation of her friend's horrible deeds in the past. That makes her worry, and feel bad. Spacing out is what she likes to do when she's alone, though, so it doesn't cross her mind that her guard is down in public. Eventually, she's starting up a voice post.]

[It starts with a soft sigh.]

This place is a prison..? It looks like I could be a couple miles from home right now. It's really, really gorgeous here. I don't get why I'm here, but I don't think there's much I can do about it. Going in with guns blazing probably wouldn't work for me like it does for Sora. [There's a short, gentle laugh.]

Guess I'll be making myself at home until I can figure out how to get home.

[She ends the recording, then stands, stretching.]

Good morning, criminals! Today is the forty-fourth day of the third generation. I will now start warming up the dome again, so those of you who do not enjoy the cold may relax and enjoy the park, which is completely recovered from the fire the other day.

I do sincerely thank you all who went to great lengths to help get that under control.

I have discovered the code that resulted in disabling the food supply incoming during an emergency, which was well-intentioned, but misdirected. I have modified it. In the future, food supplies will no longer be a question should a second emergency arise. I am continuing the code review to address the remaining problems.

[It's just after eight pm, and Riku had waited impatiently in his room for Axel to arrive. He hadn't necessarily wanted the redhead's help, or anyone's help, but whenever he looked over at his best friend's empty body, he was reminded that getting Sora back is more important than his pride. He makes a broadcast over the network.]

Does anyone want to play a game? If you like riddles, I'd appreciate your input. Sora would too, because if I lose this game, he dies.

((ooc: The game works like this. Each riddle will have a comment to this post. Please respond to that comment ONLY if your character would like to make guesses, or just generally chit chat about what's going on. The answer to each riddle will lead team Riku/Axel to a PLACE or PERSON. Action is open with permission. When the clue is retrieved, a new comment will bring a new riddle for everyone, and voice threads about the previous riddle will likely end. (C-cause otherwise I'd die trying to keep up.)
A friendly reminder! Think about whether your character would or would not solve the riddles, not whether or not YOU know the answer. Many characters are able to give hints.
AIM me (Riyuki Chan) or Charis (LetsPlayDoctorXD) with questions!))

[He's trying his best not to sound hesitant and miserable. But he needs to prepare for tonight, and he'd like to think he doesn't need help to find Bakura, but...he knows Sora wouldn't be happy with him if he decided to be stubborn.]

Private to Tsuna

Tsuna? I need a babysitter.

Private to Axel

Hey. Axel.

[Possession certainly isn't something new to the Thief King. Every new host is a completely different experience, though, and he is excited to see how fun this new body is going to be. He is pretty sure it is going to be a blast.

When he first wakes up his vision is blurry, likely due to the fact that Sora's eyes have been open for two days now. He blinks to clear it. Riku is curled against him, and around him, and he smirks. He rolls over onto his side and props his head up on one arm, watching Riku sleep.]




((OOC WARNING: Mild Adult Content))

Well, it would seem that many people here aren't aware of the Christmas holiday, so allow me to elucidate it for you.

The origins of many of the Christianity-based Christmas traditions actually have their roots in Pagan winter solstice rituals. The original celebration was a Roman one to honor their sun gods, since this date was the one where the sun stopped sinking to the south, and regained its northward course. Since these rituals were so popular in the early days of Christianity, it was decided that this date be chosen to make this new religion accessible to the populace, in a kind of ancient PR move. The significance of the date was the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to be the one to save mankind from damnation. To go further into that isn't what I'm setting here to do.

As the centuries went on, and Christianity spread, different cultures began to add more secular and pagan traditions to the mix. Represented around us are evergreen trees, Santa Claus, holly, ivy, and mistletoe. The trees originated from the same Roman solstice rituals, which included bringing boughs of evergreen into people's houses. They soon expanded into the entity we know now, and nearly every country in which Christmas has taken hold has its own traditions associated with them. Holly was meant to serve, ironically, as protection from pagans and witches after Christianity had taken full effect. Ivy was to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus.

If anyone has any further questions, I would be happy to answer them, and I've got a stack of books set aside near the front of the library if anyone would like to do some further reading on the matter. It's always interesting to see how different people treat the same events and seasons. If anyone else has anything about this particular time of year to share about their worlds, I'd be happy to learn about it. I will be in the library if anyone would like to come meet me.

[[Private to Gino]]
Have you obtained that evaluation from Sentience yet? If there is anything you would like to discuss, please feel free to meet with me anytime.

Hello. To the woman responsible for those mistletoe robots, please rest assured that I will find you.


((Dahlia is locked up safe and sound in her room, and is not coming out for the remainder of the day.))

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!))

...Good morning, criminals! I believe that the ash hasn't quite been cleaned up off the outdoors environment yet, but today's snowfall should disguise that sufficiently until I have time to administer to it. Expect toasty warm temperatures indoors shortly, and more than two feet of snow outdoors by mid-afternoon! But even indoors you can enjoy the holiday spirit -- mistletoe has been hung at various places around the dome, and you are encouraged to engage in a seasonal kiss if you encounter anyone under it~ But not more than that, mind.

I apologize to those of you who have been inconvenienced by the food shortage recently. I cannot imagine why shipments have encountered such difficulty... but there will be more than enough food and sustenance to celebrate the holidays in as lavish a manner as you desire.

Merry Christmas, to those of you who celebrate it, and to those of you who do not -- enjoy the food and the atmosphere!