[it's good that Orihime is alive, but she's useless. Lelouch is very aware of the fact that his plans revolved around her being able to repeat what she did the first time Euphemia was in this state. he can't wait. so it's time for a backup plan]


[VOICE / encrypted private to CHIBIUSA]
Chibiusa...? Are you available?


[VOICE / SO VERY OPEN]
Does anyone here play chess? I've found that a game or two really helps to clear the mind. Perhaps a match in the park, if there's anyone willing and interested.

--With apologies to PM and WV. [as it occurs to him belatedly. should've filtered, but he was distracted]


[and he can be found in the park just outside his house, with a custom-made chess set arranged over a board, playing both sides and brooding until he has company]

[Action - Open to DF members]

[It's her first day of dispatch! And Nakama is taking it very seriously, watching the screen with deep concentration - at least for the first hour or so. There's no getting around the fact that it's a rather boring job, and she still isn't sleeping well at night, so her eyelids start to get heavy very quickly.

Argh. Headshake and stretch. Must stay awake. Maybe if she talks on the network, it'll keep her mind active?]

[Voice]

Um, hi everyone... this is Nakama, I made the announcement about the sewing club yesterday... I just wanted to, well, kind of offer my services for sewing and stuff. I'm making a tunic for WV, because the human clothes here don't fit him, and I wanted to see if anyone else wanted something that wasn't offered in the stores or something like that. Or if you need something mended, I can do that too. I really like sewing, so I don't mind having a lot of jobs lined up.

So... just let me know, okay? A drawing or a pattern'll make it easier, but I can work without one.

I guess that's it. I hope you're all having a good day. [Nervous laugh, and the feed cuts out.]

[It's early morning, and Ryu is already in the park, enjoying watching the dome light up.]

I've got a question… but I think I need an older person to answer it. Who's awake now?

[He's tired of feeling… not whole. He doesn't know how to try to be just himself… he's always just been incomplete.]

[[ooc; Action is open for the park, too! :3 ]]

[Just as evening starts to fall, one of the parks in Sector 4 has been festooned with streamers, bright lights in a variety of colors, a big upraised dais, tables of refreshments, and music. It looks like a perfectly normal party from the outside. Optional masks are provided in little bins beside the dais, but you're responsible for your own costumes...!



...And if you're dressed as a character, the moment you step onto the dais, you will believe yourself to have led that character's life for your whole life. This effect will last until "midnight", in this case Sunday, even if you leave the party.]

[There is a view of a room that looks nearly void of signs of life contained within it. There is a trench coat hanging on one of the walls. If your eyes are extremely sharp you might notice a small pile of adult magazines collecting dust in the corner. Mint condition. Never been opened. Thanks Kaien.

The fact that he feels this is necessary is something that irritates him, but with the arrival these past couple of weeks of new vampires and their obvious disregard for the other inhabitants of the facility, it needs to be done. It doesn't seem like anyone else is going to take the initiative, so it's up to Zero to be the one to do it.

Zero comes into view, sitting on the edge of the bed, expression calm. Yes, he takes this all very seriously. Prepare yourselves, all. This is probably the most any of you have heard come out of his mouth at once.]

Since there is apparently going to be a costume party being held tonight in celebration of the hundredth day, I thought I would take some time to go over some issues happening within the facility lately. This is a matter of safety, so I would prefer if everyone just take a few moments to stop whatever they are doing to listen before going on with your daily lives.

There are nearly a dozen different vampires here in Marina and just about as many worlds that they come from. They are literally beasts in human form and it's likely that each of you know at least one or more and interact with them daily, often not even realizing they are a vampire.

Events such as these, especially costume parties, add another level of anonymity to their lives.

If you find yourself bitten by a vampire, please contact myself or another member of the defense force that is in attendance immediately. This is something that should be done even if you have agreed to be a donor for them and anywhere or anytime within the facility. Each vampire comes from a world a little different and the very act of being bitten can have life changing consequences for anyone who is a victim to their fangs. Some worlds all it takes to change you into a vampire is for them to get their fangs into you. Other worlds it requires you to ingest their blood. Some vampires don't have that power at all.

Before offering yourself to any of them, please research what this commitment will mean for you. If you have questions, comments or just want to discuss options, there are people knowledgeable in the subject within the defense force. Utilize them before doing anything rash. This is never something that should done without research prior.

Any questions?

[Ammy's wandering the park, lost in thought. After hearing that someone would use an innocent creature against another...

It isn't right.

She doesn't like thinking like this, so any distraction would really be welcome. Eevee is padding along after her, worried about mama. Why is she so sad...? :<]

[Subaru fumbles a little, and for a second the screen shows him-- still crying, bleeding a little bit, with a nasty hand-shaped bruise around his throat before he hurriedly turns the video off and makes it just voice function. No need for anyone else to worry about him, there's better things to worry about-- but his voice is still a little shaky and cracks occasionally. This should have been locked, but he's not thinking straight.]

K-Kamui--? Sundae-- Sundae's gone. F-fuuma took her.


[ooc: backdated to just after this.]

[The kitchen is cooler than usual, perhaps because of the window that has been cracked open. Itachi sits at the table, bowls of chemicals with fumes wafting from them and strips of thin rice paper stacked neatly to the side. He methodically dips each tag into the bowls, and sets them to dry on a thin line close to the open window.

Those that have already dried are in a separate pile, some of them marked with the ink and blood mix best used for writing the talisman. It feels...empty, to be doing this. Merely an act of boredom. Exploding tags are more sophisticated, but this will work similarly enough.

He knicks his finger again, drawing blood to the surface to add to the ink as he writes.]

[Voice]

Death or stagnation. Which is the greater tragedy?

{OOC: Action open to anyone with a reason to at Kitty's place?}

[Ryu sits up in bed, holding his head. He feels like he's going to throw up, which is… unusual. He leans against the wall with a 'thunk'.]

( Canon update ahoy. )

[And now he was back, but he'd never left. He reaches for his communicator and turns it on.]

[Voice]

Has anyone else… remembered things from back home? Like, you were there, but you couldn't have been there because you were here?

[Look who's up early! Not that it's any surprise - the early risers of the dome might've spotted Ryu running around at the first crack of sunlight anyway. But today is different!]

[Today he has a puppy with him! … Well, maybe he's not such a puppy. The dog is pretty big, but Ryu doesn't really know anything about dogs anyway.]

[They're mostly running in the park, but they're also running to the convenience store for food for both of them. Those out and about might run into them (figuratively or literally) as they go about their morning business or chores!]

[Kitty is ready with help from Minato, Minako, Ed, and some others for her Hanukkah party that she invited everyone to. Some had RSVP'd, but she had made extra just in case others came, too. It was about an hour yet until lights out, but she figured everyone could get together a bit early. She just hoped her abbreviated version was good enough.]

[OOC: Observance thread!]

[Cas is on a morning run for burgers because Dean is a lazy guy who takes advantage of Castiel's teleporting skills. Ah well, the angel was feeling much better anyway. Might as well stretch his wings.]

[But on the way back, he's decided on a detour! So here's Cas now with a bag of burgers in one hand as he stares with a thoughtful expression on his face into the window of the pet café.]

( Early morning//Private )

[Video, about 7 AM]

[Ryu flicks on the video, looking as if he hasn't slept well. At least he's managed to wipe his face by the time he broadcasts.]

Fou-Lu's gone, if anyone's looking for him.

[Defense Force filter]

Can someone cover my shift this morning? I… I'm not feeling up to it.

[/Filter]

[Action]

[Ryu's wandering around this morning, mostly in sectors 2 and 4. He's headed for the Butterfly Pavilion and the Pet Cafe.]

Yes, but the world
Is always so beautiful
It seems so strange that you alone aren't here…

[[ooc; Feel free to tag either of the public parts (or the filtered part if applicable). Ryu's humming a bit of this song.]]

Night was falling, the smell of spices were in the air and Jennifer was busy putting the last finishing touches on all the hard work everyone had done to get the athletic complex decked out and festive.

Walking through the front door, you'll see a table where you can put all your presents on for now with a tree sitting behind it. Don't worry, the bots will make sure no one but Jennifer takes any gifts off the table! There's also a series of volunteers ready and willing to help you out of your coats if you need it, but otherwise, please don't hesitate to shed off a few layers.

It might be a little warm if you don't.

Inside the main entrance, Jennifer's taken care to section off the room into the main dancing area and a stage salvaged from the Valentine's Day auction off to the side for the performances later on. Surrounding the outer edges, are tables and settees salvaged from the Shelter so that those who wish to watch can do so in comfort. Do be careful though. Scented candles are lit on each table to provide a soft light to balance out the harshness of the lights over the dance floor.

And of course there's food. Punch and egg-nog and shrimp and cheese and a myriad of other finger foods. There are cookies decorated with frosting and lemon bars and cranberries and a giant bowl of sugared dates. Marzipan is scattered across the table and a small gingerbread house sits as a centerpiece, but the cake is the main attraction.

But the cake comes with a price. Anyone who wants a piece, must do what it says on the toothpick first. Have fun! And no cheating. Someone might be watching to make sure no one does.

Music is already playing and Jennifer's leaving things up to the host club to make sure people start dancing, because what's sadder then a ball with no dancing? Do make sure to enjoy yourselves. It's why we're all here!

((ooc: The first thread is for the cake game and will list various things you must do. The second is for performers to do their act so we can group reactions together in one spot. And last, mingle, threadjack, and have merry with whatever your characters want to do in the rest of the post!

As an ooc gift meme was suggested instead of actually threading out every gift exchange, we will be doing that instead, but we highly encourage you to still seek out your gift recipients and build CR in the post as you will.

Also, mistletoe can be found neatly tucked inside wreaths at the main entrance to the Athletic complex and also from the cloak room leading into the dance hall. Be nice! Ask permission first.))

ETA: Directory (Edited 12/28 10:30pm/22:30 EST/-05:00 GMT, new marked with ***)

Cake Game: Reply to Cake: Midori - Mistletoe Cake: Road - Dancing Cake: Ryu - Dancing Cake: Otoha - Singing Cake: Wisely - Compliment Cake: Alucard - Dancing Cake: Orihime - Ornament Cake: Hikaru - Mistletoe Cake: Yuuki - Song Cake: Kaworu - Mistletoe Cake: Milly - Dancing Cake: Tyki - Mistletoe Cake: Hiling - Mistletoe/Dancing Performances: Reply to Performance: Naoya Performance: Lacus Performance: Choir Individual: Saki Individual: Ryoji Individual: Peregrine Mendicant Individual: Wolfram Individual: Zelda Group: Kaworu, Hiling or both Individual: Himawari Individual: Feferi Individual: Cain Individual: Jeanne Individual: Ashton Individual: Midori Individual: Cosmo Individual: Fou Individual: Greed Individual: Minako Individual: Eridan Individual: Orihime

Individual: Fran Individual: Allen Individual: Tyki Individual: Chibiusa Individual: Hikaru Individual: Dean Individual: Harry Potter Individual: Wisely Individual: Axel Individual: Kamrui Fuuma Individual: Ushiro Individual: Maleficent Individual: Kaoru Individual: Zelman Individual: Yuuki Individual: Kyouya Individual: Joshua Individual: Yuuri Individual: Sam Individual: Zero Individual: Kitty (aoa) Individual: Juri Individual: Alma Individual: Lavi Individual: Milly Individual: Rinoa Rain of Flowers: Sakura Individual: C.C. Individual: Takashi Jun Individual: Suzaku Individual: Kanda Individual: Jade Individual: Duo Individual: MOMO Individual: Kitty (evo) ***Individual: Ciel

[One of the worst things about being sick is that it gets pretty lonely. So, now that Red's feeling better, he wants to talk to everyone to make up for all that he's missed in the last four days.]

Hello everyone! [energetic wave] How are all of you doing today?

Two people in Sector Two just -- disappeared. Uh [what was it really called? why is her brain suddenly failing her?] their... lifesigns dropped immediately.



((OOC: Long and short of it: AT Field means disappearing in mid-air, so anyone who arrives won't be able to see anything other than traces of people having been there until Kaworu returns them. Kaworu-mun requesting not a crowd of DF members, but one or two.))

[Kaworu's out exploring again, checking out the various sectors with residential areas to decide where he should live. The shelter is interesting and all, being crammed in with all those Lilim and other beings, but he got used to having an apartment in his time in Tokyo-3 and he's about ready to go back to that.

He's also thinking about the time he spent with that restraint on, and wondering about his AT Field. He knows his S2 Engine is working fine, if a little slowly, because his black eye healed up in the course of a day, but he hasn't had a real chance to test the rest of his abilities. And he's got a plan for how to test parts of it, but he's not going to call out the Second Child - she'd probably never come, anyway. He'll have to wait until he runs into her, and prove to her once and for all that he's not lying.

So he's keeping an eye out for her as he crosses through Sector 2, hands in his pockets and head bowed slightly against the light snowfall.]

((ooc: closed to asuka and a DF member or two. saki will be making a call when asuka's life signs disappear, so look for that and then a comment subject/ooc note inviting you into the thread.))

[ a young man standing straight, adjacent to a desk some of you might recognize as Gino's in the DF office. he's only nineteen, but his expression is all business and it has the effect of making him look older than he is. mature, responsible, and there's just something in his eyes. ]

Good morning, everyone. For those of you who are new here, my name is Suzaku Kururugi. I'm currently head of the Defense Force here in Marina. The Defense Force is here for your protection, and you can also address any questions you might have to us. If you need help, with anything, you can come down to our HQ and ask -- or you can use your communicator to direct a private message to "the Defense Force". The communicator knows who we are.

If you're interested in signing up to join the Defense Force, please let me know. [ a pause, because how to say this, and then: ] We have civilian positions open as well, if there's anyone who's good with computers or details.


[Filtered to current DF members]

...Please report. Several of our people have failed to appear for their scheduled patrols, and I'm sorry -- but Marina needs Defense Force members it can depend upon. I know we're a volunteer organization, but we've also been entrusted with the means to protect people here and that is a duty I hope we all take very seriously.



((ooc: This is both a recruitment post AND a roll call. DF members who don't respond to this post will be removed and have their weapon confiscated! (Hiatused characters excepted.) Please remember that you must be willing to be involved with DF activities: if another player needs to plot with the DF, you and your character should be ready to volunteer. If that's not something you can do, please don't join, resign ICly, or let Suzaku take you off the Force. Thank you!))

Allen? Are you affected today? I can't smell anything, but I think it'll be okay.

I'm still up for going fishing and playing poker if you are.

[Anyone outside at the moment of nightfall and expecting to see the usual moonrise on the dome will see something a little different, tonight. The soft, pale light of the moon will indeed be visible,; especially bright, perhaps a harvest moon? But no, what finally rises in the sky looks like the moon, except much larger and... heart shaped. Someone has been adjusting the star projector again.]

[It's for a good cause, however. She hopes that Axel can see it, wherever he is tonight.]

[When the actual video feed begins, Lacus is smiling peacefully while standing on the beach, Kingdom Hearts visible behind her, over the water.]

Good evening. I'm sure you all observed the difference in the sky tonight. It's from another world, one that I would enjoy learning more about. I hope you find the sight as lovely as I do.


((OOC: KH cast/fans please forgive and correct me if I've done anything wrong! Never had the pleasure of playing the games, orz, but Lacus would have done her research so I'd like to be accurate as possible~

Also, today's astronomy class is presumed to have happened, but there won't be a post for it.))