Suzaku?! [Her voice is desperate sounding and full of emotion. She's also a little out of breath because she's running from the educational center toward their home, hoping he'll be there and not at the Defense Force office.] Where are you?

(OOC: Following her conversation with Guilford.)

[Sup, folks. Have a Hideki poking at the screen.]

Is it on? I thought these things were supposed to tell you when they started recording! Uh.... Right! I'm Hideki Motosuwa. [Smile!] Alright, so I read everything in these brochures and I gotta say... ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!?

Acumen? Supernatural abilities? Britannian? I may not have remembered much from school but I know there's not a language called that! Oh, did you mean British, maybe? I always thought they just called that English. -- Wait, that's not the point! What's up with these welcome packets!? What is this, a vacation? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying tie me up or anything like that. It's not really my thing, if you catch my drift. I'm just saying that it's sketchy! I mean, is it really alright to give criminals a movie theater? There's even a baseball team!

I'll just get to the point -- I know that I'm innocent. Just how many of you are really criminals?

[Katherine is currently inside the generic clothing store in Sector 5, carelessly rifling through racks, shaking clothing off of its hangers and holding it up critically to examine before tossing it aside; if it's lucky it lands splayed over the tops of the surrounding racks.

She doesn't seem particularly discontented, or as though she's in pursuit of an urgent or specific goal. Just...bored.

And like she's amusing herself.]

[ Surprised to see him again, Marina? You should be. That makes at least two of you, as many things are a surprise to Guilford at the moment, starting with the fact that it was far too cold. He is utterly unprepared, dressed in a simple long-sleeve button-up shirt and slacks, and he is all but shivering as a robot looms behind him; between him and one of the Shelter entrances.

Also, he appears to have... sunglasses on? What's up with that?

Someone is unhappy about a lot of these facts, not least of which being the greeting he had just finished reading on the device he was now using to address all of you. ]

Someone explain to me why this infernal contraption will not stand aside and allow me passage to the underground quarters. [ His teeth are on the verge of chattering, but one can't tell because of how tense he has his jaw set. Yeah, he's just a little mad at the moment. Can you blame him? ] I was led to believe that there would be available rooms, and I would like to have the moment to evaluate my... situation. [ If one looks closer at the hands as he has his arms folded over his chest, clinging to himself for warmth, one can see the tip of a welcoming pamphlet clutched in tense fingers. ] Precisely how long will this "annual cleaning routine" last?

[ In a low tone, he wonders aloud as he gives the robot another sidelong glance. ] —and why is it so bloody cold?

(OOC: Please ignore lack of sunglasses in most icons, but assume they are present for the next several IC dayweeks!)
(ETA #2: For those of you reading at home, I had to retcon the "Nunnally as Empress" parts, so please keep that in mind when reading these threads. She would be referred to as "Ambassador" instead, and any awkwardness resulting from the former title should be discarded. Thank you!)

[The device is certainly beyond anything Yuuki is used to working with, but its instructions on how to use it is clear. She appears on screen. A brown, chocolate smudge decorates the side of a pretty, porcelain cheek near her mouth on the right. A few wrappers litter the ground at her feet, along side the familiar welcome basket. She’s beautiful, almost doll like, despite the mar. An ageless appearance though she clearly appears young, even within her early teens, But it’s an appearance different from that of an ordinary person, and sets her apart, too. Her eyes are wide, a deep, liquid brown and innocent (as though still fill of life), though not amused. Full, pink lips thin as she frowns with a look of disapproval into the screen.

She isn’t happy.

Cloaked in a white school uniform, her brows knit, expression firm as a normally warm gaze stares hard into the camera of the device. Atop her left arm is a black arm band, with a curious red crest. It matches the silver necklace, barely visible around her slender neck. She pulls the black band up, readjusting it and brushing her long waves of rich, mahogany hair over her shoulder.

Back straight, polite, though resolute and unwilling to be dismissed or ignored, she opens her mouth to speak. It’s clear she’s impatient, her annoyance a spasm of irritation that crosses her face, but shadowed by an underlying urgency.]

I haven’t done anything worthy of being arrested again. If this is a joke, it isn’t funny. I want to know the truth.

[Because the crimes listed are nothing short of ridiculous, charges more absurd than anything sensible, regardless of any validity to them. They’re a reflection of the truth twisted out of context. Although, she’s painfully aware the hunters don’t need real reasons to take one of her own kind into custody. They’re the only group outside of another pureblood who would possibly have the ability to pull off something this elaborate. Still, she has a job to do.]

Where’s the Association President? There are too many important things going on for us to be going through this all over again! Humans could get hurt. I want to talk to him immediately.

[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!]

[ it's not that unusual for Lelouch to be out when he gets back from the Force. sometimes, it just happens. so he smiles faintly to himself and slips up to the other boy's room, thinking to surprise him a little. they haven't had many chances since -- prom night... and he would love a few minutes alone.

...but time alone is all he gets, as the seconds and minutes and hours slowly tick by with no sight or sound of Lelouch.

when he goes to ask over the network and hesitates, a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, he knows he has to try.

but there's nothing. no one there. no response at all. and he doesn't really need to ask anyone on the Force to be sure of it. on some level, he just -- knows.

a few more seconds are spent alone in Lelouch's room, and then -- then, he heads out of the room, in search of Nunnally and Euphie. ]



Private to Kallen, sometime later

...Lelouch is -- gone, I think.

[ his voice sounds ever so slightly hollow ]

[action; closed]

( Gino )

[video; closed]

( Suzaku )

[action; open]

[It’s late in the day, the fake sun setting over the equally fake horizon, when she takes to the beach again. Sitting atop the rail of the observation deck, Anya clutches at the hem of her too-large sweater – she took off her Rounds uniform hours ago – struggling to find something to do with her hands.]

((OOC: Closed portions are closed, but open portion is not! Feel free to encounter canon updated Anya at the beach. ♥))

[Anyone who walks into the shelter kitchen today will be smacked in the nose by the smell of popcorn. Gino has taken over the place with the stuff and there are at least fifteen bowls at his feet, already filled to the top - and there's more popping in the microwave! Gino looks not in the least bothered by the strong smell, but feel free to ask him what he is even up to.]

Man, Halloween was something else wasn't it? Makes me wonder how everyone celebrates Christmas here. It can't be as crazy as the events Milly used to throw back in Ashford. Probably. Maybe.

Right, anyway. I've got a serious question for you Marina. So think hard about it okay? [we pause for dramatic emphasis]

Red or green?

[context what context!]

[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))

[here have a chirpy voice on your communicator, Suzaku!] Hey Suuuuuzaku! It's Minako! Are you ready yet? [barrels on ahead] Let's meet up now!

[action; closed]

[Marianne sprawls out a little on the bed, kicking her feet in the air. It's an unclaimed apartment, typically - but it's more than a little claimed this night.

Reaching over, she threads her hands through C.C.'s hair.] How about a French braid?


[action; open.]

[A little before that, Marianne is on an aimless walk through the streets. The surroundings only barely interest her, and the people slightly moreso, but she's grateful for the fresh air and the space to think.]

[voice | private | Murata - unreceived]
Hey, Murata. Where have you been? [And then a few hours later.]

[voice | private | Conrad & Wolfram]
Conrad? Wolfram?

...It's Murata.

[voice | open]
[That usual bounce isn't in his voice today.]

No one is allowed to be baseball manager anymore.

[Because that's clearly what sends people away who he'd really rather have not away.]

--- [ Closed to Suzaku | DF HQ ] ---

[ It was something that Ryo and his friends had long thought about -- even longer for him, as he had to quell the little touches of doubt that had been hounding him, ever since the Armors had been destroyed. Questions answered themselves as he had gone through the days -- Rekka was still with him; and if its fire is still alive then it might as well serve its purpose.

He steps through the doors of the Defense Force Headquarters to look for one Suzaku Kururugi. ]

-- um. Good afternoon...


--- [ Open | Sector 6 ] ---

[ Ryo took to practicing his forms with his preferred practice blade in the dojo. It's not that it's "his", but it was the one he was most comfortable with, and made sure it's the one he uses for class and for whenever strikes his fancy. Battling invisible opponents had their limitations, so he keeps an eye and ear out for anyone else who might pass by and join him. ]
 

[ Yes, this guy's finally making a post after harassing you all. A very pretty woman appears on the screen, rather frantic-looking; but she's not quiet for long until- ]

Haaaaruhiiiii!!!!

Haruhi, Haruhi, are you here? Answer me if you are! I love you! I promise I didn't neglect you as a child - I hope you don't think that!

Missing person alert! I am looking for a girl named Haruhi Fujioka. She has short dark hair in the cutest pixie cut and big magic brown eyes and probably is dressed like a tomboy. She's about 5'2", Japanese, from Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo! She's fifteen years old and was born on February 4th; she's an Aquarius, her bloodtype is O, and her favorite foods are sushi and strawberries!

If you've seen her here, please let me know! My name is Ranka Fujioka and it is your civil duty to reconnect a child with her parent! Repent for your criminal ways and help me find my daughter!

[ He is about to turn off the communicator, when another idea strikes him... His tone is very ominous and much more- manly. ]

And in case there is some repulsive, over-grown cockroach here by the name of Tamaki Suou-- No doubt you're here for some sex crime, molesting poor innocent girls who don't know any better... If I find out you did anything to my daughter, you won't live to regret it.

[Allen managed to get to the shelter for breakfast as per his normal. He ate a giant mountain of food, as per his normal. He ate some candy, because it was there. And now...]

[Now he doesn't remember any of that. In fact, he doesn't know how he got here. He doesn't recognize any of the people. The communicator and the robots are kind of terrifying for him, so he skipped out of there and put the communicator away. He doesn't know what happened to his left arm -- why it looks differently, why it's working. Why he looks differently. Why he's older and the last thing he remembered, he was seven years old.]

[He doesn't even know why he's not hungry. That's never happened before.]

[A mistrustful Allen is wandering the streets now, with his hood pulled up self-consciously. Bother him?]



((ooc: sorry for INCREDIBLE LATE; here's memory-loss circus-era Allen. Allen will be speaking ~thick Cockney English~ so pretend I'm tagging as such even when I get too pained to keep typing it))

[A bit before "sunset," a softly smiling Lacus appears in the video.]

Good evening, Marina. Thanks to an inmate request, tonight we are going to observe a lovely meteor shower in the night sky using the star projector. I have arranged viewing areas on the beach with some light refreshments. However, you should be able to see the meteors from anywhere in the dome.

If anyone would like to see star patterns or other sky-scenes from their own worlds, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have photos or descriptions I can make a program for the projector quite easily.

I hope everyone has a pleasant evening.

( And about a half-hour after dark... )

Wait tomorrow's Halloween? Already?! Geez, I will never get used to how holidays fly by around here. If Halloween's coming up then that means - [LONG PAUSE]

...That means I'm nineteen now! [and instead of the happy face of a birthday girl, she looks mostly horrified.] I aged in prison! All this time's gone by and I didn't even notice...! How did I not notice my own birthday?!

[hands on her head] I can't believe I've been here for this long...

Good morning, inmates. It is the 138th day of the third generation.

The weather will be cool in the morning, warming up slightly in the afternoon. Please continue to enjoy the fall colors.

Tomorrow, the facility will observe the holiday Halloween. At inmate Fuuma Monou's request, pumpkins will be provided along with other celebratory items such as themed costumes and candy in Sector 5. Any inmates who wish to contribute to the festivities, please present your decorations, costumes, or treats to the bots in Sector 5 for inspection. [ because they will filter out dangerous items. ]

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

[this morning was harrowing, and Allen cleans the apartment a little distractedly now that it's almost time to go back to bed. Lincoln follows him around with some concern as he straightens up pillows, folds shirts, wipes down the countertops... idle chores that Allen isn't usually compulsive about doing. he's thinking, and for once, he feels like this is helping him think.

it troubled him that Link was gone in the morning, on top of the fact that someone he didn't know was here.

...after a beat, turning on his communicator]


[private to Suzaku]
Suzaku? If you're not busy -- I'd like to ask you about something.


((ooc: sooooo backdated. for Link and Suzaku, but anyone can private him here if you need to talk to him!))