[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!]

[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.]

[Nunnally's found a nice corner in the art room to spread out with a book of Halloween-oriented origami and appropriately-colored paper. There's already a set of jack-o'-lanterns in front of her and Nunnally is currently working on a ghost for a wreath.]

[She's humming to herself and it seems like she wouldn't mind company at all.]

[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... )

It's getting colder, [her voice is doubly detached; her words said without any particular interest.]

Does every world have a snowy season?

[Anya's absconded to the park for the afternoon. She sits on an otherwise empty playground swing, but not really swinging; just idly kicking a toe at the pebbles every few moments as she flips through the pictures on her PDA. As expected, she won't say no to company.]

[he's dimly aware that his bed doesn't feel as comfortable as it usually does this morning, but that in and of itself doesn't feel strange. Suzaku's bed isn't as comfortable as his. and there's someone in bed with him, but that doesn't feel strange, either -- even though he's sleeping in the nude. he wakes up with people in bed with him all the time, one way or the other.

coffee. what he needs is coffee. he's sitting up to slip out of bed when he notices the other figure in it.

and shrieks]


[voice, NOT private]
Nunnally?! Are you okay? Where are you? [sdlkfjsl must make sure Nunnally isn't in bed with some man]

Everyone report!

[p, panic]


((ooc: Voice is open to everyone; action is open for anyone in the shelter who would come running in alarm at the girlish shrieking, especially Zeldas and Ritas. Lelouch will probably by that point be wrapped up in the sheet and in the hallway, being very unsteady. If you want to action tag with Sheik instead, just put it in your subject line.))

[Kallen's just sitting in a chair, dressed in a bathrobe. Her hair is still a little damp from her morning shower, but it's clear she's just been lounging around lazily for a while]

It's been two weeks, now. It's strange... it really feels like a lot longer. I'm wondering if anyone else feels the same way.

[She's so used to fast-paced action, strategies, and fighting. Or being held captive. Either way, she's feeling restless. And with a sigh, she finally gets up from her chair, looking a little tsun.]

I guess I should...go ahead and get ready.

[For her laundry date?!]

Not like I need to do much for-- Ack!

[The tie around her waist, however, gets caught on the armrest, unraveling and allowing her robe to fall open. There's a stretch of smooth, pale skin - from the center of her chest diagonaling down to thigh. It's only a glimpse, though, before she quickly closes her robe once more, blushing bright.]

I'll see you later, Gino!

[ANGRILY SHUTS OFF THE VIDEO AS IF IT WERE SOMEHOW HIS FAULT]

[With his belly full and his recently delivered camera secured by a lanyard around his wrist, Ritsuka is ready to set out on the day's mission: to make memories with all of his friends here in Marina. He starts out from the shelter without a particular destination in mind; he picks a direction and starts walking.

Ritsuka enjoys fall, and despite the fact that the seasonal change is artificial, the dome still manages to simulate the crisp, energizing air of a sunny day in October. The only sense in which it lacks is that of freedom, but that's to be expected down here, isn't it? Regardless, Ritsuka is in a good mood, with high hopes for the memories he'll make today.]

[At first, the feed is merely an image of that wide, laughing mouth. The sound is soft at first, a raspy chuckle, but it inevitably begins to build. Soon, the monster is very nearly screaming with amusement, a wild, insane cackle that sounds more alien than man.]

Oh, and here we are, still rotting away in this dump! No one visits, no one calls, no one sends flowers--!!

[They pause to pace for a moment, gnashing their teeth. One can see that they're still inside the cells of the Defense Force.] Whoever is in charge of this dump better come say hi before we get impatient and find them first...

Wow, this place is awesome! A rink, an arcade, a movie theater - ! And check this out - I'm even doing laundry! [anyone who has ever done laundry before will pale at the amount of detergent Gino is throwing in] Anya should totally be here to see this.

I wonder if this makes me a real commoner now. [god, that would be so awesome.] I can't wait to check the entire place out later. The arcade first, then the theater! [and then maybe an exit, but he doesn't think he'll be that lucky.]

[pause] You know what else we should have here? A casino! One with all those light up slot machines. Now that would be really cool.

That baseball game was kind of fun. But I heard that there weren't going to be any more for a while, is that true? Why is that?

[specifically, he enjoyed Suzaku's team losing, but. hey, it looked like it was almost as fun as soccer! but it seems like it's too late to look into it now...]

[after a beat, kicking back against the inside wall of the clocktower]

--Hey, Anya. I want to show you something. Are you free?


((ooc: shortly before "sunset"))

Upon entering Sector 4, the very large tent that stands framed by the beach is quickly noticeable. Closer, one can see colors dancing upon the white sheets, like opalesque spires under the moving onyx sky. As you enter one of the wings of the tents, grass give way to wooden flooring, and chains of white blossoms and gold ribbons line the sides. The open dance floor in the center bids one to look up to whimsical white-gold lamps, balls of light dancing in seas of violet, blue, green and pink organza. The fabrics fall down pillars adorned with leaves and flowers. Tables set in white and gold with jewel toned flowers sit at the four wings surrounding the dance floor.

... but it is far too early to take a seat. Smile and greet your fellow attendee, take the hand of a friend, and dance to the music.



There are large tables with finger foods and punch (not spiked -- save it for the after-party!), and very little space near the walls (sorry, wallflowers! You won't get away so easily. ♥ )  After a large number of people are gathered together, Jeanne stands up on the small stage set to the side of the dance floor and taps on the microphone to get everyone's attention...



OOC STUFF
+ Info post / thread index (please read this first!)
+ Jeanne's greeting speech!
+ Prom King and Queen announcement. (Spoiler: It's Euphie and Kanda.)

[ oh, hello, Marina. someone looks like she's just waking up -- her hair is just tousled enough and the button-down shirt is just unbuttoned enough that this video may or may not have been staged. either way, she yawns and stretches and rubs her eyes, and then gives the camera a little smirk. ]

I hear there's a dance-thing tonight. Anyone out there not have a date yet?

[ and here's another yawn -- more genuine this time ]

And who do I talk to about working at that bar? The one over in sector five?

[When Edward Brock comes to, he experiences that strange, almost delusional sensation of being in some place different than he can last remember. It's happened a few times before, but he'd always been soothed by the Other that it was necessary. Now, there is no soothing, and when he reaches out with his mind to feel for the symbiote, the roiling anger and frenzy he feels makes him jerk in surprise.]

[They're in a cell, for some reason, and Eddie can't understand why. He shifts a little, only to gasp out-loud at the pain that wracks his entire body. He's been patched up somehow--which means he'd taken one hell of a beating. But why? What the hell had happened?]

[The flashbacks came later. The taste of blood, the screams, the shattering of glass. Memories, but not his. They leave him even more confused than before, and sick to his stomach. Something bad happened, something terrible. He won't allow the Other to cover his face, and it doesn't want to, simply seething and twitching against his skin as though it might impale him at any moment.]

((OOC: They're currently locked up in a Defense Force cell, interaction open to those who would want to see them! A Defense Force member will be present at all times.))

[see vanessa.

see vanessa whip up a black book for the whole prison to see, scowling.]

"There were three things I was absolutely sure about. Firstly, Eduardo was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him that wanted my blood really badly. And last of all, I was madly, deeply in love with him."

[someone made the mistake of reading the book summary on the back]

What is this trash? Are there people who actually read this? [ugh, it's demeaning even to touch this damn thing] I sincerely hope the rest of this library isn't filled with filth like this.

[because if it is she is storming the hell out of there and going back to her room. B(]

[Hello, Marina! There is a cheerful looking man on screen, waving at you. He's wearing a very nice military uniform of some sort, by the looks of it, all black with gold accents. The sunglasses hide his expression a little, but they don't touch that smile! he appears to be outside the pizza parlor.]

Hello, everyone~! [yes, yes he did just drag out his vowel like he was a schoolgirl. that just happened.] The food was delicious. Thank you very much for the brochure! I would have been so confused without the help! [he seems to be completely serious, given his smile, but after a second, he sobers, his smile fading.]

I have a question. If it isn't too much trouble, could you tell me... does Acumen make you pop bubblewrap if you misbehave?! [he looks left-- looks right-- then looks back at the feed urgently, as though this is a question of the utmost importance-- before breaking out into another smile, washing away the previous furtiveness like it never existed]

Ah! But I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Hyuuga! I look forward to meeting you all. [with a wink, he shuts the feed off. if any of the other Black Hawks are around, he's certain they'll reply, even if he doesn't call them out. it's too bad most of them aren't around, this is the first (and will be the last) time he's been up this early in ages!]

[the communicator is on Roxas, who is shirtless in the water at the beach, nearly up to his waist. he's paying close attention to the water rather than the communicator, and then -- suddenly ducks down, reaching into the water with a huge splash, and successfully pulling out a large thrashing fish gripped between his hands. he's grinning broadly, and addresses the communicator]

Now -- this is what I think of when people say they're going to catch some fish. [laughing] Why would anyone do it that slow way?


((ooc: video is filtered from castmates, but action is open to anyone, if you want to hunt him down in person! he is a tiny bit tipsy))

[ and now, for everyone's listening pleasure(?): a rather hesitant voice articulating very, very mechanically slowly and clearly. ]

Play. Rewind. Stop. Play. Play. Ah... LED... light? Recorder -- ?

[ pause; yes, yes it is a recorder and not an old school voice-command operated music-player. ]

Test. Ka-ke-ki-ko-ku. Sa-se-shi-so-su.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. None. Ten.

Zero... one. Zero-One. Zero-One. Zero-One.

Mi... Misato. Katsuragi. Misa ---

[ ...maaaaaaybe a little too much frustration for that one. A bit of heaving, followed by silence, then back to the neutral reciting. ]

...to. Tsu. Chi. Ta. Te. Test.

[ even more tentatively -- ]

Hello... world?

[Unusually, the club has been overtaken by its littlest patrons. One (1) Anya Alstreim, Knight of Six, and one (1) Roxas, Keyblade wielding Nobody, have taken up residence at the bar counter, dangling feet and all.

Pushed to the side are empty bowls of ice cream and they may be drinking out of straws, but that's not abnormal, right?]

Jade! I think Jade. You know what? Your idea of pouring peach schnapps over vanilla ice cream worked! It was really good. [his eyes are bright, and he holds up a shotglass]

And I just wanted to tell everyone that -- I really like everyone I've met here. Almost everyone. Especially the people who aren't from where I'm from. I just want you all to know that. Being a good friend is the best thing you could be.

...I guess... I could apologize to some people... [another unsteady melancholy moment, and then -- he doesn't!] Nah -- I don't want to ruin it. I'm in a good mood.

[Anya nudges Roxas's elbow, her eyes wide and her face somewhat flushed. But her words are clear and even.] Check on Dagonet, too.

Oh -- and someone should go feed Dagonet. [a thoughtful beat] He's the cat.



((OOC: Forward dated to later in the evening! Anyone who tags will likely get double teamed, but if you want someone specific, just say so. We are amenable to all the things!))