I've deduced this much of this place:

You all so readily accept your imprisonment, like there's nothing you can do to change your predicament. You accept your fate and attempt to carry on your pathetic lives as if that's your sole purpose in this universe.

Consider it curiosity. What were you BEFORE Acumen? What were your destinies before being kidnapped and brought here?

There are some of you who have questioned about the knowledge of others. As far as I can tell, you've only absorbed that knowledge. You've done nothing with it! If you have the knowledge and the power to change things, then why would you wish to idly sit around and waste your time and energy on mundane things that Acumen says that you can do?

[Raistlin is, as usual, dressed in his black robes. He looks irritated and his expression is peering down at anyone who would be answering the video, almost like he's looking down at them for their beliefs. Raistlin is attempting to provoke a reaction from anyone who responds, though he's still out of his element. He's still trying to understand this world, this technology, and what his role is here. If you answer, he will be brutally honest in his responses, but that's just who Raistlin always has been.]

[the breath whooshes out of Roxas audibly as the video clicks on. he's on top of a low building, maybe three stories tall, outside the dome, and he directs the video to look out over an almost completely unfamiliar landscape, piled so high with unbroken white snow that it seems barren and surreal]

It is really cold out here. Look at all that snow.

[he directs the video down again. --directly underneath his position, there's a big hole in the snow, showing how deep it is]

It's taller than I am. [wryly, reaching down to brush it off his black leather coat] I was going to offer to get anything anyone needs from their place, but I'm not sure I could find it in -- this.

But I'm glad I got to take a picture of it. [so that he can keep the memory of this, even if he doesn't remember]

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately... and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in teaching a class or joining a club about photography. [looking into the video again now, smiling a bit] What do you guys think?


((ooc: Roxas is going to bamf back inside in a few moments, so if you want action for some reason, just say so in the header))

Good morning, Marina! [Have a very smiley pink haired girl on your video feed!] For anyone I haven’t met, I’m Lacus Clyne and I’m very glad to meet you.

It seems as though we’re all going to be in the shelter today, so we should make the best of things. I was thinking that we should get together and have a big winter banquet! Anyone who wants to help cook should please feel free to come to the kitchens and assist, and if not you should still come and enjoy the food with us.

Dinner will be served at 5 in the main cafeteria, and after that maybe we could have fun playing games and watching movies together. I hope everyone has a good day, and I hope to see everyone at the feast!

[A few minutes later]

I just learned that today is also Ritsuka’s birthday! To celebrate there will be a cake and some special desserts and decorations. [as many decorations as they can find without access to the store.] Everyone please, stop by to wish him a happy birthday!

***
((OOC Notes: Mingle post, open to all! Reply to Lacus by [video] or there are several action options: [cooking] any time before 5pm ICly, [dinner] a huge buffet of almost anything you could want, or [after dinner] for card games, board games, and movies throughout the cafeteria and nearby common rooms! Your character is in no way obligated to be at all of these, but they could be if you want~

Also! A link to Ritsuka’s birthday party will be added once it goes up. There will be cake and lots of special desserts and pretty decorations in one area of the cafeteria.

If anyone wants to intentionally or unintentionally sabotage the food, please contact me OOCly before you do so. Thanks and ENJOY!))

[Sakura is sitting on the edge of the bed and kicking her legs around a little before speaking] If you could have anything for Christmas, what would you ask for? [this is her sneaky way of trying to find out what to get everyone...] I think I'd ask for a new pair of knee guards. My old ones are really scratched up from all the times I've slipped on my AT.

...I'd also like to visit a zoo so I can see penguins and elephants again. [QUICKLY] I don't want them to be arrested though! I just want to see them. ...I'd like to see everyone from back home too. [her legs stop moving] And all the friends I made here. Like Ushiro-kun and Josak-san, and Lavi-san... [ashton nakama kaito teddie kamui kobato adachi fai lelouch everyone. but thoughts like these aren't what she wants right now, so Sakura pushes them away.]

[she moves a hand to her head and moves it forward, measuring her height.] It'd be nice if I could grow a little bit taller too! Taller than my brother. That way I get to call him shortie. [AND STEP ON HIM]

[private]

Syaoran-kun, are you busy? I'm really sorry if you are, but I just wanted to ask you something quickly!

[ It's a simple game, but it has helped the blonde kill a good amount of time. Wolfram usually would complain or bitch about being kicked out, but no today. After being shooed out of his apartment and going through the trouble of finding a new empty room —all while dealing with a killer hangover— Wolfram has been sitting quietly and calmly on one of the Shelter's couches and in front of him is a tea table with a rectangle-shaped structure made of sticks of wood. The game may be plain but it's quite entertaining: Pull a stick and place it on top on the remaining pieces– keep on taking them out and keep going on carefully or the structure will fall apart.

Wolfram is carefully pulling more wood sticks out of the wobbly tower, pulling softly and carefully— until he suddenly falters and the whole thing falls apart.

ldksfjlsfj

stupid game. ugh, time to rebuild it all. ]

[In one of the common rooms]

[Due to everyone being forced into the shelter today, Akito can be found in one of the common rooms. He hasn't been in the shelter for awhile, so he's humming to himself and feeling somewhat nostalgic, remember the time a few months ago when he arrived here.

He's sitting up on one of the lounges, swinging his feet back and forth. Next to him, his other is napping, head resting on the light's shoulder. Agito is really fucking tired, so he's allowed himself to doze off even though his pride normally wouldn't let him.

Akito doesn't mind though. He's content to stay here and look around, watching everyone go through. He's open to talking as well. It's the best way to pass what could be a boring day, after all!]


[Lurking around the place]

[The original, on the other hand, is exceedingly annoyed at being forced inside. He's not in the mood to talk to people, so being forced into a situation where he might have to is really not cool.

Lind's lurking around in the hallways and lesser used rooms, hoping to avoid people. Obviously this means he should be bothered]



((OOC: Both sides are open and you can reply to either or both! Just let me know in the header who you're tagging. This is an all-day post, as well, so anytime you want to tag is good))

[It takes him next to no time at all to figure out the communicator, and when he realises that Lilo and the others are nowhere nearby, Stitch went on a searching spree for them. He can still be found, running along, looking around frantically]

Lilo! Lilo!

[His English is awkward, obviously not his first language. Finally, annoyed with how badly his search is going, he turns the communicator on. Maybe Lilo or the others have one!

Ooooo video screen. Helpful! Scanning for his ohana and wondering which of the many here put him in here] Aka boocha... [The alien mutters under his breath, words untranslated. It's probably guessable though, since he's a newbie here. He growls a little before speaking up again] Lilo! Nani? Pleakly? Jumba? [Come ooooon, if he's here, Jumba at least has to be. Where's an evil genius scientist when you need one?]

Out of curiosity, does anyone have experience with alternate realities, transdimensional displacement, and pandimensional travel? I've been there and done that on all accounts, but I'm curious to know how much of a common denominator that is within the prisoner population.

[ tampering with time and other realities is, after all, one of his listed crimes. angel is also not an expert on the scientific how to of dimensional go betweening. he's just regurgitating things fred said that were committed to memory a long time ago. the mystical and supernatural end of that spectrum is more where his expertise lies.

and later in the day, angel can be found in the training hall, going through some tai chi forms. ]

[Here's that line-faced guy again, standing very rigidly with his hands behind his back. He clears his throat quietly.]

Good morning. I have a question directed at everyone here, if you would please hear me out.

( Cut for newbie determination to get out )

[He reaches to end the video, at which point he accidentally (?) turns in a way that you get a very brief glimpse of his left arm, and-- is that a trick of the light, or is his fist made of stone?]

[[OOC: Same thing as last time: he looks human, should feel completely human... but if your character still notices something is off, please don't call him out on it in public? And his next post will be as Puck, I swear. And if anyone wants to continue any old threads, go right ahead!]]

[Sesshoumaru is free of the restraints, now, and he is making good use of that freedom by perching on a rooftop and watching the activities below. He's in Sector 2, and finds himself not entirely able to resign himself to the blatant cheerfulness of some of the dogs at the Pet Cafe when they're met with the prospect of human company. To think that he shares a form and instincts with them. It's ridiculous. Even Inuyasha, with all of his flaws, has more good sense than these beasts. At least he only grovels at the feet of woman and not anything that walks past on two legs.

Still, Sesshoumaru can't help but think, as he watches one of the pups, Rin would love a place like that, teeming with what she would no doubt find fascinating and friendly creatures. He will not go so far as to admit that he misses her, but cannot deny, in the privacy of his own mind, that he finds this new distance between them ... unpleasant. He slides off the edge of the roof and seems to float the long distance to the ground, where he lands lightly upon his feet and strides into the midst of his mortal cousins.]

[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!]

Why doesn't anyone ever bring in a little anarchy around here anymore?

[Video]

[You are hereby treated to the sight of the most line-faced man imaginable, standing with his hands behind his back on some random street. Wait, you say, isn't this a little late for a newcomer post? Well, he's got a perfectly valid explanation to that. When he speaks, his voice is as flat and matter-of-factly as if he hadn't just found himself kidnapped and given a lifetime sentence at the bottom of a freaking ocean.]

I'd like to extend my thanks to whoever put together the information pamphlet. It's been… enlightening reading. [Beat.] For the gift basket as well. Thank you.

I've listened to the other newcomer posts and I believe I've correctly understood the basics. I have one question, however: what would be the quickest way of getting to know of any changes to our situation?

[Another – long – beat.] It's Owen Burnett, should anyone need or wish to contact me later. [That counts as being personable, right?]

[[OOC: So much for not spamming the comm. So yes, this is Puck, formally introducing his favourite OC to Marina in case he ever needs an alter ego. He's 100% human at the moment, but characters with such abilities may still see what's up. Just please don't out him in public?]]

[ Acumen said that there would be snow tomorrow and has advised all inmates to procure winter clothing. "All inmates" means Artoo. Hey, he doesn't like being cold any more than the next person, right? So, he's in a shop picking out a scarf and hat - green ones. He likes green. ]

YAY! I'M READY FOR SNOW!

[This is what he gets for eating candy. He would get warned that eating to much was bad for you, cavities, all that junk, but this? This was clearly far worse and he was NOT okay with this. Not okay at all.

This being the fact he was no longer 14 years old, but rather 8. He had been wanting to grow up not down! It had sucked being shorter than Terra and Aqua, but now he was shorter than practically everyone he was sure. Great. Just great.

And on top of it all - he now had bunny ears and a bunny tail. Yes. Bunny ears and a tail. A little bit of cotton fluff popping out of his pants and one ear straight up and the other flopped slightly down and thankfully not falling into his eyes.

Yeah, this was what he got for eating candy, and unfortunately he had picked them up from a little bowl at the store, so he would need to walk through the dome in order to get back to his place, but he didn't want to just hide in the apartment all day. That would be so boring! Maybe no one would notice, think it was practice for something....

Yeah right. He was lucky, but not that lucky.]

[ooc: So Ven is wandering around the dome, and he has been hit with a de-age and animal parts - in this case, a bunny. He's roughly 8 years old, with white ears and cotton ball tail. I know it's late, but I am celebrating finishing a major project. Go me! \o/ ]

[He's been trying to hide all day, but he can't really hide anymore. And besides, there's a lot of little kids running around. But this is embarrassing...]

[Allelujah appears on the screen, puppy ears twitching and pressed back against his his head a little.]

If there are any of the... new younger inmates running around, I'm having a picnic in the park. If you want to come eat, you're more than welcome to come and have some food.

[Action]

[Allelujah is sitting out in the park, a large picnic basket with him filled with sandwiches. There's a blanket nearby, but Allelujah is busy tussling with his puppy, giving her scritches and belly rubs.]

[When he saw the bowls of candies around at the shelter, Atsuro couldn't help but grab some for himself. After plopping in the sour soft candy, he doesn't seem to notice his new additions at first.

A while later, after people pointed them out to him, he flicks on the communicator. Tugging his hat a bit down, but not too hard.]

Who else tried the candies so far?

[Atsuro doesn't seem to look that different. Until people notice the little 'bumps' on his head, hidden under his hat.]

(ooc: Please assume that Atsuro have his dog ears and tail for the event.)

[This? This is the tiniest confused whimper of a baby godpuppy who doesn't know where she is. Ammy the puppy goddess can be found near the entrance to the shelter, chewing worriedly on her communicator, which is transmuting her whimpers across the network. Where is she? This isn't home...]


((Ammy + candy = disaster. Age down and memory loss combo. Have at!))

[ action ]

[ Currently in a front of a convenience store, Setsuna stands there with a faintly blank expression. But if one can look harder, he's actually pondering about something.

Pondering. While drinking out of a milk carton.

He's thinking about what he could practice cooking for breakfast today. He's getting sick of butter and toast. Plus, it's about time that he moved on from just toasting bread. ]

Hm.

[ A light glance to the side, he notices one of the bots pass by peacefully. He would ask the bot for thoughts, but... they don't even eat. It would feel silly.

... He'll just make a short network inquiry instead. Afterwards, he can properly shop for what he needs. ]


[ video ]

[ Setsuna slightly lowers his milk carton down. Though, the straw is still visible in view. The background clearly displays the front of the convenience store. He remains with that unchanged expression. ]

Marina Asylum. Good morning.

[...] I wish to inquire: What is your preferred breakfast?

[ and a tinier voice, while eyeing to the side (he didn't mean to mumble this one): ] Do the bots eat?

[In the late afternoon, Erik strolls along the beach, free of his ball and chain. He pulls his hand out of his pocket, and floats the bottle caps he took from drinks at the club around him. It's almost relaxing, and not a very strong use of his powers, so he makes them rotate faster and faster. He considers flinging one at the dome… but that probably would either do nothing or be a very bad idea.]

[So, he sends them whizzing ahead of him into the sand and pulls them back, playing target practice with imaginary enemies.]

[Bother him?]