Hello? [The view of her face tips and rocks as she tries to adjust it, peering up under her bangs into the screen before she sits back - her hands settling tight in her lap, her posture almost painfully upright. Her lips press together.]

Is...is anyone out there? Does anyone know - really know - where we are? Because, ah, the computer told me a lot of things but given that it seems to have kidnapped me, it seems like a biased source.

Can you hear me? Am I - [She leans forward a little like if she stares hard enough maybe someone will appear, her movements imbued with a tense, ready kind of energy.]

Am I doing this right?

...if this is any more than a dream anyway.

[ Get out of there, droid. The Pet Cafe is for kitties and doggies and bunnies, not for astromech droids. You aren't even an organic lifeform, so what are you doing with kitty ears and a tail? You may think that you're a kitty, droid, but I bet no one would like it if you tried to curl up on their face. You shouldn't try that, you aren't even fuzzy. ]

MEOW.

[ The feed shows a small girl ankle deep in clothes. Her purple hair is in short pigtails, and Chinese-collared shirt she's wearing is obviously too big for her, what with the sleeves profusely rolled up, and the hem falling right above her knees.

A brightly smiling face greets whoever's tuned in! ] Hey guys! I need your help!

I already had a costume planned for Halloween, but ah... things call for a last-minute change. Care to help me pick out a new one that would go with my new size and these~

[ Points to the top of her head where purple rabbit ears have sprouted, and she twitches them accordingly~ She then holds up her costumes of choice -- ] I was thinking of going as a fairytale character with white pants, of course, or just wear a cute dress like this one, or this one!

Other than that, anyone going out for trick or treating tonight?


(( OOC: Here be an aged-down and bunnied-up Kohran! Please assume that the girl replying to you is 8 years of age with rabbit ears at the top of her head~ ))
 

[After that very strange morning, Schuldig is in the park. He's looking for some more amusement. Secretly he is hoping that he will run into someone that he had spoken to before so he could spend some of his energy on something for his own benefit. However, he doesn't care if it is someone that he has never met before. Anything for some fun.

So he is sitting in the park, seemingly minding his own business as he whistles a German tune. He's ever vigilant to see who was passing him by]

[There's a flicker of static before the image comes into focus. not that it's much of an important image. No, it's a sleepy eyed, dark haired woman peering into what has to be the camera on her device.]

Hullo. I have a question, and a few things to clear up, too.

[She pulls back to show that she's sitting at a small desk, a mug between her cupped hands.]

Let me get some things straight. One, you kidnap me and drag me here because of crimes I've committed. Okay... alright, that, I can see. Two, we're fed and kept pretty nicely, but it's still prison, or whatever. Gotta admit, I wouldn't expect that from being locked up or anything, but the place is nice enough.

[And now she leans back in, favoring the camera with a mildly put upon look.]

That's all well and good, except the whole locked away part, but I just have one question.

Is it really so hard to get some decent coffee around here?

[it’s hard to acquaint one’s self with new technology when you don’t even know how to turn it on properly. truth be told, Herbert wouldn’t be surprised in the least if it turned out that this was just a very elaborate toy or if it didn’t work at all. this might be a lucid dream but he's not even gonna wonder where the logic in this particular one is or what kind of awful, nasty things his brain is trying to tell him by picking out such a - colorful locale.

imagine his surprise when it turns out that the thing does work. the video feed opens to him primly sitting on his knees, neat as can be even with the ugly cuff wrapped around his right foot. he shifts a few times, causing the chain to rattle gently, before dipping one hand out of frame to where the welcome basket is beside him. seconds later, he comes up with a bag of pretzels. whether or not he’s bothered that the clothing he’s wearing is covered in copious amounts of dried blood and viscera or if it even registers properly remains to be seen. If he is aware, he doesn’t seem particularly bothered by it.

after a few minutes of crunching away, he swallows and wipes a few crumbs off his lips.]

I don’t like salted pretzels. [he says this nonchalantly but in a tone that suggests everyone with half a brain should know this incredibly vital bit of trivia.] More importantly, I don’t like the ocean. I was under the impression that near-death experiences cause your life to flash before your eyes, but considering that I haven’t been to a beach since the age of five, it would seem that I’ll have to reevaluate my assessment.

[he pops another pretzel into his mouth, and this time his expression becomes very…unamused.]

Dream, then. Is this the part where I’m supposed to learn something enlightening about myself, or the part where manifestations of my psyche come to ridicule me? Either way, I’d like to get this over with as quickly as possible, if you please. [CRUNCH.] I have something that needs to be taken care of back in Arkham. A way to remove this - [again, the chain rattles.] - would be ideal as well. If I’m going to be traipsing about here for God knows how long, I would like to do it in relative comfort.

[The girl looking at the camera is thoroughly unimpressed. She doesn't bother trying to hide it.]

Seriously? I'm finally through with that community service bullshit, and I end up here? Look, I've paid my debt, or whatever. Now you're telling me I've been sent to prison by a fucking robot? You'd better be kidding about this being for the rest of my life.

[She sighs, exasperated, rolling her eyes.] I'm so tired of dealing with this shit. I just want to go home and be normal for once. That really shouldn't be too much to ask for. That's what most people get without even trying.

Nathan, if you've got anything to do with this, I'm going to fucking kill you. Do you hear me?

[Okay, so she's never seen technology quite like this before. But it's easy to figure out - really easy. Way easier than blastia formulas, so it's only a few minutes after she's looked everything over and checked out the other posts before she's turned the video on. And boy, doesn't this girl just look completely furious? Because she is.]

[But before she directly addresses the majority of Marina, she takes a minute to finish her out-loud venting.] Ooooh, when I get my hands on this Acumen guy, I swear... Just who does he think he is, anyway? You can't just lock someone up for crimes like this, you know! In another dimension, or whatever it is? I was in the middle of something, I just...!

[This is worse than the annoying crap the Imperial Knights pull, so now she's just annoyed. Now she looks directly into the camera, and is pretty straight to the point.] I already read through the information, so I don't really need anyone to tell me what's going on. But thanks. I just wanted to get a feel for using this... thing and try to find someone.

[A heavy sigh.]

So, Yuri. I know you're here somewhere. There's no way that I got "arrested" before you, so you better answer me, got it? [Because this is totally your fault.] If this is where you've been all this time, then... oooh! I'll.... [Yep, she wants to hit you.] Whatever. Just get back to me.

[Hear that sound? It's the sound of a foot hitting a wall, repeatedly. A girl's gotta work her aggression out somehow, you know? Not like the wall's going to feel anything, anyhow. ENJOY THE SHOW MARINA.

After a few mildly satisfying minutes, Taiga gives up, breathing heavily, face flushed, hair in disarray, hands clenched into fists at her sides.]

A life sentence? You expect me to believe that? You expect me to give in quietly? I refuse.

DO YOU HEAR ME? I. REFUSE.

[No she isn't on the verge of tears what are you talking about.]

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.)

[Inara is setting up a station of sorts in the spa with make up and hair care. She's dressed in a loose sort of flowing caftan thing that leaves her shoulders bare.]

I'm aware that prom is tonight and I'd like to extend my make up and hair experience to those of you who will be attending the prom. I'm at the spa and will be here until an hour or so before prom. If you'll bring your dress, I'll be happy to coordinate your make up and hair for you.

[Private]

I'm looking for someone named Yuta. I believe you spoke to a friend of mine named Malcolm Reynolds.

So... promenade, huh? [the voice comes out, but there's no video for a second. it looks like there's something over the camera. maybe a sticker? it's Dani's voice, though, and there's some shuffling.] I don't really know how those go. I went to my high school one, but it was sort of.

High school. [she sounds a little uninterested in the entire high school thing.]

But I think I'll go. You know. Why not? I was invited and all. So, uh-- Jeanne Fran-- Francaix-- and the Student Council, I'm RSVPing! I think. [she fumbles the name, and it comes out "Jean Fransayx". French is beyond her.]But I'm not sure what formal wear is.

[and then the camera feed is on properly, with the sticker removed, to reveal Dani. she's wearing this, her hair is pulled back into a very sad attempt at a bun, and she's got on a pair of clunky green plastic "heels" to go with the outfit. she looks a little perturbed at the entire outfit, like she's not quite sure she's doing it right. she's not.]

Does this count? Maybe if I wear a jacket...? [she scratches her head a little]

Oh, and I guess I should get a date. That's a thing, right? [she considers that for a second... then a second longer... then brightens.]

Hey, Schuldig! What're you doing tomorrow evening? [and she's done.]

[ MARINA. Look at your man, now back to Shuri. Your man is not Shuri, and you are probably thankful for that. But your man could be Shuri! ... He seems to have given up on sulking for a little bit and is finally peeking out to talk. ]

So they kidnap us and have a prom before we know anyone to ask? [ HUFF. The very idea! Why, if he were home, he'd have people lined up to take him! Or so the furrow of his brows and pout to his lips suggest. No matter. He... clearly hasn't paid much mind to anything said other than 'prom' and 'dates'.

but certainly that can't be any different here. after all, he's a sparkly attractive young man! ] Well. I suppose I'm available. If they're going to kidnap us then they should at least provide entertainment until Papa comes!

[ it was the press of the communicator against french sunburn which eventually peeled lenalee off the pavement. for a hot-faced, embarrassing second, she thought that she must have collapsed with the shock of the image that was lingering, thick as blood, at the forefront of her mind

Kanda, bright and mint-sharp

but Lenalee, through a mix of secret cynicism and experience, feels the excitation dwindle down her throat and freeze. this is not France and Kanda is not here, and all she sees is the warrant for her own arrest and not the faces of friends. worry, fury... extensive pamphlet browsing.

tautly: ] I already don't like this place's timing, and I doubt I'm going to warm to much else.

[ softly: ] I've got things to repay, and I've gone through thicker things than water.

[ This lady's in high spirits and bursting with energy as she opens her broadcast. ]

Good morning everyone! And for the newcomers, Welcome to Marina! I'm Kohran Li and it's my pleasure to announce that tonight we're holding the Marina Talent Show! Thank you for the reminders too, Acumen-han!

[ She moves aside to reveal the stage being set up a little distance off behind her. ]

It'll be held at 7pm at the Sector Four park so I hope you'll join us for an evening of music and fun! For questions and concerns, just give me a call! Good day to you all!

[ She signs off, not allowing the broadcast show the worry on her face. She just heard the broadcast that Nakama was gone, and she hasn't heard from Kaworu either. That's one volunteer and one performer down. But as they say, the show must go on... ]


(( OOC: There will be a Talent Show mingle post later in this dayweek! Any questions or network communications for Kohran in the morning go here! ))

{ The face that appears is both unhappy and confused. }

So what's the deal with this place? Is this your idea of some kind of sick joke or something?

{ This is the opposite of okay with her. }

Look, if this is some way to… stop me from telling the world what we really are, it's not going to work. It's too late. You know who I am, right? That you can't stop me from finally telling the world who I am? Or in general, for that matter?

{ Just in case you don't, witness a setting down of the device, and Claire climbing something high, jumping off, and not dying. She's bloodied, and picks up the device again, but she's healing in the process and it's visible. ... Slower than what she's used to, though. Way slower. But still happening. }

I'm Claire Bennet. And that was attempt number… I don't even know anymore. I've lost count. Now tell me who you are, what you want, and how to get out of here. Let me go.

{ And... she's still healing. }

Why isn't it working like it usually does? What did you do to me? Somebody tell me what's going on.

[when she didn't see Nakama and Ushiro at breakfast, she searched their rooms and turned up nothing. a little while later, she's confident that they're no longer here]

[...so it's time for pie, of course. specifically, peach pie with bananas baked into it. the work makes her feel a little bit better. she's in the kitchen of her house now, pulling it out of the oven and enjoying the rich smell. happily, into the communicator]


[video]
Kanji-kun! Do you still want to try peach banana pie? I just finished making some and I think they came out perfectly this time.

[and then, more thoughtfully]

I wonder if everyone is as excited about the prom as I am. I love any opportunity to get dressed up, of course, but there's something special about a prom! I know it's just a party, but it's also a very important part of youth, like a rite of passing! It just wouldn't be right to go to school without ever having a prom. I'm so excited. Does anyone have any plans? Or -- dates?

[a beat] ...Nakama-san and Ushiro-kun won't be there, though. In -- in case anyone would be looking for them. [she knows Nakama especially was responsible for tomorrow's day shift on dispatch]

[Welcome back to a picture of Flynn's face. Only he's got a better idea how the enchanted box works, and his brows are knit. And he happens to be sitting on the floor.] Okay, so I get that the gesture's nice and sweet and yadda yadda yadda—but whoever's laying out the baskets around here is a little bit late. [Holding up cookies. Free? Just like that?] How do I even know any of this is still good? And what's the catch?

… I don't know about you, but I've heard the story of the old lady and the poison apples oooone too many times. [Yep, spinning an apple in the air before dunking it back into the basket.] And can't you deliver these in person? It's creepy waking up and bam there's a basket.

Also, Rapunzel.

Rapunzel.

Can you tell me why I happened to wake up in your closet this morning? Maybe People Who Live in Towers do this sort of thing all the time, but I gotta say… it's not easy on the neck. [Rubbing it.] I think I'm going to be stiff all day, …ow. Just leave me on the floor or y'know, wake me up. How did you even manage to get me in there? And why did you do it?

Good morning, inmates. It is the 131st day of the third generation. More inmates will be integrated into the facility today, so please be aware of this disruption as you go about your day.

As you are likely aware, inmate Kohran Li will be hosting a Talent Show this evening, and inmate Jeanne Francaix is arranging a Promenade on behalf of the Academy tomorrow evening. Please direct concerns or requests to the appropriate party.

The dome will be preparing for autumn shortly. Take that into consideration and begin wrapping up your summer goings-on.

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

[Fuuma is in Greed's bar tonight, drinking. he's nursing his third beer and seems to be somewhat wobbly, and his familiar smile is still on his face as he looks down at the amber drink, but it's vague, almost as if he's forgotten it's there.]

[someone important to him is gone, Marina! but he's not drinking because he's sad]

[he's drinking because it makes him a little nervous]

[he might go to Kamui's place after this]


((ooc: you can find Fuuma in the bar, or heading out to Kamui's later in the evening, just make it clear in your tag!))