[ today in the park area of sector 4, one can find a certain redheaded witch who is currently figuring out that there's a cap to her magic. and she doesn't like it. ]

What? I can't- But that's not even a big spell!

[ oookay trying something new, then. she tries a barrier-

nope, nosebleed. she stops as her head starts spinning and she falls to the grass below her. ]

Can I not do anything here?

[ determined to figure out if it's ALL of her magic still or just part of it, she tries levitation. oh, well, that works, for all the good it'll do her. she just keeps sitting there, face turned down in what could pass as a sulk. this bites.

eventually, she turns on the voice feed. ] Has anyone else had trouble with their natural powers here? Even after the ball-and-chain thing?

[It's peaceful in the Butterfly Pavilion. The air is warm compared to the still slightly chilly atmosphere within the rest of the dome. The beautiful colors and ever so soft fluttering of wings a lulling melody that Yuuki often finds herself drawn to. In here it's like a different world, separate from the rest of the prison.

During the day, Yuuki's tried her best to switch her hours. Although there are the occasional night owls (even children, she remembers), most people prefer to interact during day light. And why not, when that is the only time people - humans, at least - are able to see. For Yuuki, though, she's naturally nocturnal and the change isn't easy. She's had a year to adjust to living and interacting within the middle of the night. Come mid-morning, well - she feels fairly tired.

Particularly on days like this, when the new inmates flood in.

Seeking sanctuary within the pavilion, she leans again some of the sturdier foliage, thankful for the small retreat. Of late, she's been something of a vagrant. Oh she has the manor, and she has stayed there a few times. As well as a place within the shelter, too. Coming in during a time when they were shifted in and out due to cleaning, well she never really settled down.

Sometimes she's just as content to sleep here. It doesn't take long for the warmth to tickle her, lashes fluttering shut as her lids grow heavy and close. Chest rising up and down, she's dreaming peacefully before she knows it.]

[Ever since he talked to Estellise, he tried to contact Naoya. He already thought up an excuse for it, just asking him to look over his current programming homework. Yes, there was some concerns, but he’d like to know if Naoya’s okay.

Especially after Naoya’s last public broadcast, with such a morbid but interesting question...

No answers after a few hours. Okay, maybe he’s tired. And the next day, today right now, there’s still no response. Which raise some alarms in his mind, his teacher is usually prompt about it. But a part of him suspect the real reason why, but he’s selfishly hope otherwise.]

Hey, guys? Have you seen Naoya anywhere? I [‘want to know if he’s still here’] want to ask him something.

[He had time to control himself. It’s normal for him to hide his worries behind a casual, sometime curious, mask. If it’s really just him here from their world...well, he’s used to living by himself. And he has friends here.]

Tall guy, white hair and red eyes, normally wears a matrix haori and a pair of geta. How did he get around with them, a lot of practice? So if anyone knows, let me know. [But he’s still hopeful, if he can be selfish about it.]

...Of course, I suspected the reason why, but...mind helping me confirm it? [His voice slips a bit, before it’s cheery and casual again.] Even if you don't, thanks for listening!

[Some time after his broadcast, Atsuro left the shelter to walk around with his haro, until he ends up at the arcade. He stare at the place, before walking inside. A game or two might be good for distracting him.

If anyone’s at the arcade, Atsuro would be playing some games. His haro is always nearby, if anyone overheard his insults.]

[Static crackles over the network for a moment as the new arrival tampers with her communicator, trying to figure out how this wacky future technology works. It doesn’t take too long before a clear, confident voice rings out.]

Hello, am I addressing the other prisoners here? My name is Lenalee, and I’m searching for some answers.

[ a female voice pops up, sounding somewhere between awe and exasperation ] ... Feynriel, I think I worry about your imagination. What in Andraste's name are they teaching you in Tevinter?

[ pause ] You could add an ogre or two, for a little color.

[ His own hand reaches up, fingers lightly stroking the cloth patch that had affixed itself where his right eye should be. A momentary look of irritation and a furrow to his brow appears but he soon dismisses it, lowering his hand as he does. With a single breath, he considers every bit of information rather abruptly force fed to him before he finally glances at the device he has.

So it's come to this. While he had been careful in covering his tracks, only leaving clues obvious to his beloved, it seemed the law came for everyone. No matter how twisted its sense of justice was. However, it doesn't surprise him. It would have taken an extraordinarily sophisticated system to have captured him. So much more to have been able to tend to his burns (minor stings now, not so much that it bothered him) and seal him off.

But there was still a trickle of power remaining.
One tiny string he could pull that seemed so familiar. Connected to a certain... doll.

Wonderful. A small message drifts through the ether in hopes to hit a particular blond shinigami. Just two words. Simple and in a familiar voice to Hisoka's mind: Hello, boy.

But there would be time for a proper hello. For know, the matter at hand. ]

Incarceration. Quite the interesting situation I seem to have landed myself in.

[ A pause as he considers what else to say. But the thoughtfulness is replaced by a rather small smile. ]

I suppose it would be only proper to introduce myself to my fellow inmates. I am Kazutaka Muraki, a doctor by profession from where I was taken from specializing in cardiology and pediatrics.

Perhaps Acumen has a twisted sense of justice to bring a man such as myself to prison.

[ tired sound, followed by a "mrf" ]

Always manage t'forget how loud it is on newbie days. [ sound of rustling pages; mildly ] Someday I'll learn to turn the damn communicator off.

[Leaning forward, hands on hips, Yuuki's eyes narrow as she stares, unimpressed, at one of the horses within the new stables. It's a tall, beautiful, sleek white mare. Thus far it's been the star of the day. It's beautiful, there isn't any denying that. And even if she doesn't know much beyond the basics when it comes to horses, it's clear this one is fit and in perfect shape.

Even still, she appears doubtful as she stares long and hard at the creature.]

You're not fooling anyone, you know.

[Which isn't fair. Not entirely. Even she's aware of that somewhere inside her. She speaks, as though it's perfectly normal and has a shared past with the creature before her.]

You can pretend to be innocent all you like, but I know what you innocent, pretty white horses are really like.

[ The only one she's truly familiar with is the most temperamental, bad-natured, insufferable horse imaginable. She won't forget the day it wounded her pride, and then kicked her.

... Right in the bottom. >///< ]

I'll take my chances on that black stallion across from you any day.

[ Claire is surrounded by happiness. And really what that means is a lot of baking supplies. She's very excited. ]

Sasha! Orihime! Okay, I know we never really agreed on anything totally final - but look! [ She pans around, showing everything the AI's gotten for them. ]

Everything we need to start a bakery business! Seriously, this is the most exciting thing that's happened since I got here!

[ Oh and maybe she should talk to everyone else. ]

Keep your eyes peeled, soon there'll be enough cupcakes to keep everybody in the whole dome happy!

[Hikaru is missing Kaoru like crazy. That's not unusual since his brother is his entire life, and it feels like he hasn't seen him in a very long time. Not having him here always felt terrible, despite making friends and always meeting new people.

Look at how hard he's concentrating.]

Will you help me with a personal survey? It's just some things I've been thinking about.

Some of you may remember Kaoru, my brother, when he was here for some time. We're used to people assuming they know what being twins is like, but most of the time, they're wrong. So here's where the survey part comes in:

What do you think twins are? More specifically, identical twins.
What kinds of things do you think when you see twins?
Do you ever assume they are the same, just because they have the same face? Be honest.

I want to know what you think. People really can't be as clueless and as dumb as they have been in my life. I hope you prove me wrong.

[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.

[Oh, look, she lives after all!]

Marina—that is the people of Marina—I was wondering if anyone else had flowers in your room when you returned there after the facility-wide cleaning. [She thought everyone had gotten flowers and it was just a nice touch from Acumen, but then no one else had mentioned it, so now she's curious.]

Ah, that's all I think. [You may now continue your regularly scheduled lives.]


(OOC: I should probably mention, that you did not. No flowers for you!)

[Cloaked within the dark night of the dome, the movements of a young girl goes near unseen as she moves through the park, regardless of the hour. She's not attempting to hide, no, though company isn't particularly wanted at the moment. The color in her normally deep, brown gaze is tinted a reddish hue that bleeds into the usual soft color. Her chest rises and falls, too quick to be normal as she swallows the air as though it may cure her current plague.]

Hah -

[Her feet halt upon the frozen path, and her hand reaches out to rest upon a tree beside her. A sudden pang causes her to winch, and she kneels down, a hand clenching her chest, while the other wraps tight within her hair. Snowball fights, hot chocolate and visiting with new friends is fun and good but the activities have taken a toll. Much earlier than expected she was forced to retire as scent upon scent combined to remind her of the very thing she hasn't had in several days.

It's why she's broken free of the shelter to walk and hopefully clear her head. Perhaps she ought to move back to the manor she previously possessed before her disappearance. At least, separate from a place where so many humans are jam-packed, she won't be subjected to the constant and continual temptation that the scent of their blood brings. She has to remind herself that if the tablets are cleared, this won't be as painful, even if they are terribly ineffective at curing her thirst.

Throat dry and feeling parched, she swallows several times, but feels worse for the effort. At the back of her mind, she has to ignore the nagging voice of the beast within that becomes much louder in moments like these.]

[Flynn leans in close and squints a little to see the list of defense force patrols, and then. sighs. ...yeah, this isn't great. but he's reluctant to get glasses, too. because... well...]


[voice / filtered from Yuri / I wonder who he's talking about]
Have you ever been in a situation where... you don't want to do something because a friend would laugh at you -- but if they knew you were hiding it, they'd laugh even more? [awkward silence]

Belle's missing. [hello, we are not pleased.] I want her back. Whoever took her should return her to me now before something horrible happens.

[to you? to Belle? Road scowls at the camera before shutting it off.]

[ooc: I will be slow ;-; perhaps very]

Good afternoon, Marina! It's been a few days since I've spoken to you all like this, hasn't it? I think the last time was on Halloween when the candy turned me into a diamond! [Which he still kind of thinks was a tiny bit awesome.]

It seems that Haruhi and Ranka both went home already. It's very lucky that they got to go home together so that they don't have to be alone. I'm sure that they're a lot happier being at home than they would have been here so I'm not really upset, but I wish they would have stayed for a little longer. Haruhi taught me how to make sugar cookies and I've been practicing a lot since then so that I could impress her with my skills! It would have also been nice to talk to Ranka since we got off on the wrong foot when he first got here. [Smiling through all of this, as usual, despite the fact that he is upset by their disappearance. There's no reason to make that known to everyone.]

Since they aren't here I have a lot of extra cookies so if anyone wants to try them you can come over! I don't think I have enough for everyone, but I wouldn't mind making more if I have to! It's no wonder commoners like cooking so much, it's a lot of fun! Maybe after this I can find even more recipes and try to make even more things!

Everyone who arrived yesterday are especially invited! I know that suddenly finding yourself here can be very stressful and cookies are always good for cheering people up so this might be very nice! [And suddenly his smile goes away and is replaced with a thoughtful look.] Ah, but there are cookies in the welcome basket aren't there? I guess this would be a lot of cookies to add to those... [But his smile is back right after that.]

[And one last thing before he ends the feed.] Everyone who comes over can meet my parrot, too! He's very loud and likes to sing, but he's also very friendly and I think a lot of people will like 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.]

[ Wandering around the snowy park? There are two things to look out for: (1) don't trip over the bright orange ropes that close off a large open area, (2) take cover and watch for a stray snowball, and (3) ... you know, you might want to join in for this is a Snowball Fight.

Only guidelines: no weapons, no head shots, no stuffing snow down someone's mouth, collar or anywhere else uncomfortable. Play to your heart's content! Spoiler: there's no winner.

Warm drinks and snacks are served in a nearby tent (ah, thank goodness for space heaters!), while towels and blankets are also available. You might want to take advantage of the snow as well -- make snowmen, snow angels, your own sculpture as you wind down~ ]

( --- OOC Guidelines; PLEASE READ --- )