[ She had felt it. She had wanted to speak with him, after his troubling public question, wondering where it had stemmed from. Luck had not been on her side, until trying to reach him through the communicator had proven to be in vain: Naoya is gone.

The day is like one where everything seems to have fallen through at the same time. In passing by the Defense Force Headquarters, she learned that two members, two of those she had considered dear -- Alucard and Zelda -- have gone as well.

Since there was no science class to attend, no baseball practice, she decides to distract herself at the Devil's Compass, even if it was not her scheduled day of work. She could cook at the Shelter, or even at home but being "at work" felt more distracting somehow.

With her recipe notebook open on the counter, she absentmindedly tries to follow a new recipe. From time to time, she pops out of the kitchen, to sweep the floor and dust surfaces off -- if anyone comes in, they will be greeted with a smile. Life goes on, after all... ]


(( OOC: Old faces, new faces, everyone's welcome! Sasha might not be able to mix alcoholic drinks, but as per usual, she'll be more than glad to feed people X3~ Threadjacks are welcome ))
 

[Sector 3 is a popular destination for entertainment! People may be interested in seeing a movie at the theater, getting a drink or singing karaoke at the club, playing games at the arcade, or dropping by the Brave Vesperia headquarters -- on business or otherwise. In addition, Sector 3 has a lot of apartments and small houses; maybe people are just coming and going on their daily routine, or you might be seeing a friend who lives here.]

[Everyone who might have passed through Sector 3 today -- morning, noon, or night -- 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!]

[ (But if your occasion takes place after dark, remember there was a bomb threat if that's relevant to your character.) ]

[Video: Open to all]
Good evening, Marina. As you all have no doubt heard, there has been a threat to the Defense Force Headquarters. We are well aware of the situation and have already taken steps to ensure safety. It would be most helpful for everyone to remain calm.

Additionally, please do not cross the established perimeter surrounding the headquarters. [Which is easily spotted with the bright crime-scene like tape, and posted guards.]

We are available to answer any questions you have.


[Filtered to Defense Force]
Hello, Defense Force members. [A somewhat more official, yet still friendly, tone.] Suzaku would like to thank everyone for their adherence to his instructions. Those who are guarding the perimeter, please be vigilant about not allowing anyone through. Patrol members are instructed to report any concerning activity over official filters right away.

Anyone with abilities that allow them to withstand an explosion safely, please contact myself or Suzaku to volunteer for searches within or in the immediate area of HQ. Anyone else who feels they can assist in any way, please respond immediately.

As far as punishment for the perpetrator, it is still under consideration.

Please continue to assure the inmates that things are under control. The goal of this threat was panic, and we cannot allow that to occur. Remaining in close contact is essential, and please remember to use the official filters.

((OOC: I'm on my way out but I wanted to get this up! Lacus will answer tags when I get back, BUT Suzaku may also respond and/or people can discuss among themselves. o/ ))

[Sometime after sun down, once Helix has successfully planted his little gift and escaped Axel. Helix decides it's high time to get the show on the road. The red head is probably still looking for him, so he's in a nondescript area for this. He's got a small window of time, best get the actual threat out before they find his little bomb. So Marina, you're greeted with the familiar blue visage.]

Greetings Marina. I have a public service announcement. [He seems serious yet very nonchalant.]

If I were you, I'd stay a good... [Pause to consider.] 200 feet--give or take--away from the Defense Force Headquarters. Unless you want to end up in tiny chunks splattered all over the sector.

There is currently a bomb hidden within and set to go off at midnight. [Which is only a few hours from now.]

You can thank me later for the heads up.

Have a nice day--Night--Whatever.

[A small, Wiley sort of smile before the feed shuts off. And he's making a point to move to a new location, just in case he can be traced like one would a cell phone call. He'll have to keep moving unless he ditches his headset, he's thought about it, but decides not to for one reason or another. He doesn't want to be caught too easily, but he doesn't really care if he is. It's not like there's any real threat or that he'll talk anyway.]

[the communicator turns on with a clatter as it tumbles across the floor of Orihime's house and comes to a stop, facing her. Orihime is sprawled on the floor, having tripped over apparently nothing at all. she's still in her pajamas even though it's afternoon; she's felt sick and strange and dizzy all day, and so she stayed in bed. but now that she's finally gotten up...]

[whispered] Ow.

[Orihime clutches at her face as she starts to straighten. anyone who knows her may recognize that her hair is much longer, and thicker, and wavy. she is, in fact -- two years older than she was before]

[she just holds her head for a beat longer before reaching for the communicator again. when she notices it's on, she smiles sheepishly, picking it up]

Um -- good afternoon, everyone... Can I ask someone to get me something from the clothing store?

[her hair isn't all that's grown! CANON UPDATE'D]

[Sougo has the most important question on his mind, and he needs to ask.]

So if we don't need money, why do people work? People really like busting their asses for nothing?

[He's seriously trying to figure this out, and it's apparent on his face. He had a reason to work back home, but now? Pffffttttt this will enable his laziness.]

When I'm finally free from this chain, I'm going to be drinking and eating and sleeping and shitting all day.

Okita Sougo, retired at 18. This is the life.

What would make this perfect is if I could screw some bitches. Can't have it all, I guess.

--back, Lee! [The network suddenly is greet with the loud clacking of something hitting the ground. There's someone breathing heavily and the sound of light growling.]

Lee, please, just--[Miranda lets out quiet noise--whimper? moan?--and then a deep breath]--Please. N-Now really isn't the time... Give th-that back?

[A muted vuul-vuul is her response. It would appear "Lee" doesn't feel like listening at the moment. There's movement, another soft sound that is almost definitely a whimper.] Give me that!

[There's the sound of a struggle, harsh breathing and growling and then the video cuts on, showing the ceiling as the communicator is jerked back and forth, the light fur of the vulpix's chest visible to the side. With a final tug it's ripped away and Lee lets out a whine of disapproval, but Miranda is suddenly in view, her face pinched in pain and hair everywhere. It looks like she's at her apartment complex but all that's visible is the stairwell behind her. Lee's prolonged whine sounds more like one of worry than annoyance. Miranda doesn't appear to be getting up anytime soon.]

{OOC: Someone fell down the wet stairs at her apartment complex and broke her leg.}

[Video]
[Darn, he couldn't sleep. It wasn't like that idiot dog was around keeping him up, so that wasn't an excuse. Nor were there any enemies around to attack him. So why? It was evening time, and he felt mentally tired, but apparently his body wasn't. The feed switches on, revealing his unruly red hair, and the restless face it was attached to.]

What's the best way to force yourself to sleep when you're restless? [And the feed switches off.]

[Action]
[So, he's made his way to the Athletic Complex and begins running along the large open field, in just his winter coat since he didn't bring a hat or scarf this time. Maybe a few laps around would be just the thing to tire him out. Unfortunately, the small boy doesn't notice the small piece of frozen ground as he sprints and he slips on it, which propels him off-balance and he crashes to the ground. The impact causes his Communicator to fly off, rolling a few feet away. And now, the video function switches itself on after the button presses down when it hits the floor, so you'll see an uncouncious Yuta lying face first on the field. He's too independent to ask for help, so he'll just let his body slowly recover on its own like he usually does until he gets the strength to get up.]

((ooc: Yuta's slipped on a stray piece of frozen snow and sprained his ankle. He's in a bit of pain, and won't be getting up just yet unless someone comes by and wants to help him.))

[Hello, Marina! It's your creepy friendly neighborhood scientist-guy. He seems all smiles, as per usual.] Hello, everyone! I had a question. Or rather, I had a few.

So it's been a few days, but, um... Does anyone know where I can acquire some medical equipment? Or a telescope, or even fairly small pieces of glass and sandpaper?

If I'm going to be stuck here a while, I may as well keep myself busy.

[Plus, he has projects. Many, many projects. His smile grows a little more.]

Also, I noticed there's a hospital. I've never stepped inside their facilities, but judging from the outside, it looks fairly state-of-the-art.

Has anyone checked that out yet?

[Because Shinra's oh so curious on what's in there.] Do you know if it's possible to become a volunteer there? Or to... borrow ["steal"] fairly meaningless extras?

Just... out of curiosity. [Sooooo, anyone want to help Shinra break into the hospital? He's about to turn it off, but he remembers something else he wanted to ask.]

Oh! Also, before I forget, I was wondering if anyone knew how to create and install locks? I'm not the best at mechanics so it'd be nice if someone would be able to put a lock on my apartment door for me. I'm not sure how I can repay anyone just yet, but I'm sure we could work something out. Thank you!

[While some people are able to go enjoy themselves out in the snow, other inmates are still restrained and have to do chores.

It's lunch time in the cafeteria, and Sougo is sitting at one of the tables, eating a banana suggestively. He's bored and he wants to sleep, and he also would love to mess with people, buuuuuut he is trying to get out of his restraint and all.]

I don't know what you all complain about. It's not so bad here.

[Thinks!]

I think cigarettes and mayonnaise should be banned. They're not good for us, you know.

Oh yeah, what's the longest you were restrained for?

[He was curious. Very curious.]

Good morning, inmates. It is the 149th day of the third generation.

Preparations have been completed for inmate Sasha's snowball fight. [In other words, there is snow on the ground again.] Inmates who do not wish to participate may be advised to give the area a wide berth.

Inmate Subaru Nakajima, the renovations you requested are now complete.

...Additionally, inmate Cheshire Cat. If you require sustenance, the bots in the shelter kitchens and restaurants across the dome are ready and waiting to make any variety of food you would like. The koi fish are not intended for inmate consumption and further incursions will result in action by this system.

I've heard a couple of new people around, so I thought I'd make myself known. Hey guys! I'm Gino Weinberg. And I'm offering my help to everyone, well actually, all the new Marinarians. [Yup, he's borrowing the term Yuuki coined!]

What can this guy do for me? You might be asking. Well, I can't get that chain off your foot and I can't get you back home, but I can help you with all those pesky chores you're no doubt doing right this moment. I'm a great hand at laundry. Just ask Kallen and Suzaku! And I'm pretty good at gardening too. So just give me a call if you need me! I'll be pretty much available all day. And the days after.

[He gives a wave and shuts off the camera. You can find him in the laundry room! Or - wherever the robots are taking you to do chores!]

[Jack opens his communicator, turns it to video, and stares into the thing without even the slightest problem. He's dealt with communicators before. Many types. There were only so many different ways you could build a communicator before only needed the slightest hints to work one.

The handsome man that appears before you is looking rather calm, for being a newcomer, and if you know him at all, for being Jack. He turns the communicator a couple times, then offers a smile.]

What kind of planet is this? A prison planet? Can't say I haven't been to a few in my time, but... this was pretty abrupt. I didn't even get to see who captured me! [He might have been able to "persuade" them to let him go, after all.]

Well, down to business. I don't suppose any of you fine ladies and fine gentlemen could give me a few pointers here? I wouldn't want to get lost on my first day.

[Sounding rather like he has just arrived at his first day of school, his eyes trail to a bot beside him. He flashes it a charming enough grin, muttering to it for a second, then returns his attention to the camera.]

These guys don't seem quite as fun as flesh and blood people anyway.

And then Monopoly wasn't the only hoarder with a "Go Directly to Jail" card. Good to know.

[This teenage boy looks like he went five rounds with a patch of dirt. And lost. Battered appearance aside, he seems ready to go for a sixth round. The way he's fidgeting is also a dead giveaway of something being up and it also doesn't help that he's in prison. Tommy and prison? That didn't go so well the last time.]

I went through the entire place twice and what did I find? No exit in sight, that's what. Big surprise there. Anyone thinking third time's the charm? 'Cause at this point, I'm willing to try anything. I'll even bring down a building or two if it means grabbing the warden's attention.

[Normally cheeky Tommy isn't in the mood to fool around right now. Which is saying something. With his general dislike of prisons and the aftermath of Doom's attack, he seriously needed out.]

[Nasuti appears to be settled back into the Trooper's home. Her expression doesn't give any indication of their being cramped at all, but perhaps that was the hidden blessing of being stuck in the shelter for several days.]

There are a few things I've noticed. Forgive me if these are redundant, I'm still somewhat new, though I guess not as new as some of you who have just recently arrived.

On a lighter note, is there any sort of reading-slash-book club? I noticed several of you, the new-comers and more veteran members both, have a particular fondness for the library.

Would anyone be up for something along those lines if one is not already established? If there is one, who organizes it?

On a more serious note--well, serious unless you consider the irony of the question--

Have any of you been convicted for 'abduction' or 'kidnapping' on your list of crimes?

[Here is a new, pretty face for you, Marina, and he's not at all freaking out about ending up here. It was only a matter of time, anyway, because he's always causing trouble.

He's as calm as can be. In fact, he thought this was all very amusing.]

There's something funny about a cop ending up in prison. I kind of wish I had the option to arrest and restrain myself. This could make for some sort of good joke to tell someone in the future.

Looks like I have to be a good boy so that I can play with you all, but until then, please treat me kindly.

[He is trying to be as pleasant as possible. Whatever it takes for him to lose his chain.]

Okay, Hijikata-san, you win this round.

[He's not even sure if Hijikata is here, but if he were? He's got it coming to him for sure.]