[having spent a few moments reading the brochure from her welcome basket, and figured out the device, Minako's cheery little face now appears on the video feed. If the viewer was observant, they would be able to notice how she looks somewhat fatigued. In the background, it's quite clear that she's outdoors, perhaps very close to a swimming pool or the beach - the artificial sky can be seen behind her, and there's the sound of flowing water in the background.]

Hello! I'm new here, and I've already read the brochure...

[her fatigue seems to get the better of her for a moment, as she shuts her eyes, her smile fading momentarily, before she reopens her eyes again, with her smile returning]

So, let me introduce myself! I'm Minako Arisato! [little wave here] Nice to meet you, Marina~!

[Action/Video!]

...-Kairi, Riku, Donald, Goofy, where are you guys!?

[You can hear a young man's voice yelling for four distinct names, judging from how he sounds, he is not yet aware of the device currently attached to him recording this.]

Guys? Guys!

[... the feed is also moving kinda wildly, which further reinforces that the person with the communicator is really not realizing its recording. After he realized the existence of the Communicator, the feed moves to show his curious face.]

...What's this?

[And the feed cuts off after a few moments of fumbling.]

[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.]

[Well, her intent had been to go to the beach to the other day. And she had- at least for a little. But then some things had come up. As in, uh... She hadn't realized that she had had a little more catch up to do with her studies than she had first realized and that had led to an early parting on her part. But- that was alright! Because today she was all fully intent on finishing what she had started- as in collecting some glorious sea shells to make into some hopefully glorious gifts.

So, one might run into a heavily encumbered Kairi dressed head to toe in winter wear... at the beach of all places. Digging around with one hand while the other towed around a bag. Maybe she looked a little nuts. But if she cared, she certainly didn't show it.]

[And later that evening...]

[It was around what might usually be supper time for residents that Kairi would be wandering the apartment, seeking out her housemates. Checking their rooms if they're not out in the living room or in the kitchen. Although she'll be knocking before entering, of course.]

(ooc: Forward dated with permission. @@; Because work loves to give me closing shifts. Hikaru and Kaoru muns, feel free to pester her at the beach.)

[As the video feed rolled, it found Kairi laying on her bed in some marginally warmer clothing consisting of a green sweater and some sweats from what could be seen of her legs shifting behind her. As if she were swimming idly. She held a pencil to her mouth, nipping the eraser lightly, while her other hand cradled her head. And a book could be seen stretched out before her. She stared at the feed thoughtfully a moment before removing the eraser from her mouth.]

So, I was wondering. What's the best thing that you've had happen to you here? I'm sure we all have homes and people we miss from back home. But is there anyone or anything you would miss if you went back?

[A pause later and her eyes widened just a bit in realization.]

Oh, and Hikaru, Kaoru. I was wondering. Would you guys like to go hunt for seashells tomorrow? Don't feel bad if you don't want to. I know it's cold. I just had an idea...

[And afterward, Kairi would be idling the evening away in her room... By idling, she might be a little caught up trying to study and get back on task with everything she missed at school. Fortunately for her, the teachers have been lenient but then considering how disappearances worked, well. Either way, her door was propped in case anyone wanted to distract her.]

[After listening to various people talk over the communicator and reading through the information things, Syaoran can't be bothered to actually make a post because he's figured out the basics of this place and asking the same questions would just be a waste of time. He's trying to find his sword and/or look for a way out because there's got to be one somewhere, no matter what anyone else says. He wants to get back and he wants to get back now.

So you might come across a ten year old wearing some green formal robes. He doesn't look very happy because his sword his gone and he was - in typical Marina fashion - in the middle of something really important back home. As in, trying to help save the world important.]

How do you celebrate birthdays in your worlds? I know some places have parties with cake and presents, but that's the only tradition I've heard of.

[Guess who has a birthday in eleven days?]

[[OOC:replies will be slow, but I wanted to get this up now that IJ's working again]]

[A calm yet curious voice broke over the network. One that might be familiar to a few Marina residents. One not heard for some weeks now but yet for being as long gone as she had been, she was taking things pretty lightly. If the voice wasn't enough of a reminder though, the video soon gave and a red head blinked at her communicator, dressed up in her school uniform and peeking at it, perplexed.]

That's weird... I'm pretty sure I had history today. Does anyone know if it got canceled?

[Kairi felt like she had a lot to do that day... or maybe. Simply. She had a lot to get herself to do so that she wouldn't worry. Because if anything, that was one of her worst habits. Instead of letting herself go static though, she was expending this energy via, yes, another shopping trip.

So, one might catch her looking over flower vases or picking up flowers for the certain idiot that got himself in a one-sided fight. Either way, after that, she was certain to go back to the hospital to place her finds in his room. Feel free to catch her on the way there, too.]

( Guess who's back )

[After a moment, Axel sighs, clicks on the video function and tiredly peers down at the screen, not bothering to make it private.]

...Roxas, Xion, Kairi. [Raspy voice] I'm heading home. [Even as he says it he's trying to push the blankets off.]

[Typical Kairi, trying to delve into her studies as she always seemed to be doing lately. It served as a nice distraction anyway when she wasn't out with others. Gave her plenty of time to wrap her brain around other worlds and not think of the world that she was stuck in. Not that she minded having the chance to meet some really kind people that had made her feel welcome.

Perhaps it didn't even have anything to do with that though tonight. While it was going on two o'clock in the morning, she was staring through the book that she held up in front of her practically, occasionally looking over it and eying the door. Guess who was going to get a good penalizing talking to when they got back? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.]

Hikaru! I must talk to you about something!

We will be starting a Host Club here, and until the others arrive we will need more members. I want you to be on a look out for potential members and direct them to me immediately!

[Backdated to that Afternoon | Action | Shopping District | Open!]

[Well, after Xion didn't show for class, it seemed that Kairi's shopping party was reduced to potentially three. At least until Axel never showed up at the school either. For the moment though, she assumed that he was probably looking out for Xion-- which speaking of the poor girl, Kairi was probably going to pick something up as a pick me up for her while she was out. Maybe Axel and Roxas, too. She was in a really refreshing mood that afternoon and she didn't know why, even despite the bit of a let down. At least someone had managed to show as she browsed along down the street, already having a couple bags in tow. Small ones but bags regardless.

Feel free to bump into her. Or maybe you tagged along in the first place.]

[Backdated to Early Evening | Audio | To Roxas]

Hey, Roxas? Have you heard from Axel? I haven't seen him since this morning. He said he was going to go shopping with me, but then he never showed up? Did he stay home with Xion and just forget to call me back?

[Backdated to Early Evening | Audio | To Xion]

Xion? Is Axel with you? I haven't seen him since this morning. And I thought, since you haven't been feeling well, that he might have stayed home with you.

[The feed clicks on to show a battered but mostly intact Ling somewhat smiling into the camera behind the backdrop to the shelter common room, moved there so the clean-up in Sector 5 could progress.]

Don't suppose anyone saw a young man about yea high with blond hair and blue eyes running around late last night did ya? I just want to make sure he was alright after that creature attacked us...

[All he wanted to know was if Len was still around when the computer sent everyone back home. Wasn't much to ask was it? Not knowing was going to make his food taste sour and there was no telling how long Greed was gonna take to recover after taking so many hits last night. That'd be the worst. Mid-bite when the homunculus woke up. Worst day ever.]

[Midori's found the Pet Cafe.]

[It was only a matter of time, really. She's kneeling in a corner, attended by three kittens in various stages of affection and consistent thwarted attempts at crawling up her.]

[Giggling, she dislodges the grey one from its grip on her dress for the umpteenth time, setting it down, and moves to attend to the ginger one, meowing plaintively and butting its forehead against her hand.]

Wow... Just wow. That's all I can really say about that. Don't think I could even get names down if I tried... Wonder if those guys will work things about better than some of us still here.

[Probably not but hear the sound of clapping.]

Okay, I say no more talking about it. Good or bad, can't change it now. Gotta keep just moving forward, am I right?

So I wanna hear everyone give one reason to be happy today, okay?

[There is a little dove who looks both a little troubled and confused. She’s sitting alone at a park bench, unmindful of the things going on nearby. Her brows are knit as she leans on her palm, staring off forward into space.]

Ioryogi-san...where are you? _{Why won’t you respond to anything?} [She has searched around the entire dome all morning, from top to bottom; beneath rocks, inside trash cans, and up high on buildings and trees. He isn’t even at the bar. Normally he always responds to her though, so she can’t figure out why he wouldn’t do so like always, now.] Ioryogi-san...?

[Dressed in her school uniform, Kairi seemed to be out and about. Already walking down a street. More than likely set out for the library if anyone knew her well enough. The strap of her bag can be seen as well, cutting firmer into her shoulder than usual. As if to confirm that she might have her work really cut out for her. Despite that, she was addressing anyone who happened to see her with a curious expression.]

There really were a lot of new faces the other day. But I've heard that there were familiar ones, too! Did anyone get a chance to see any friends of theirs? Did you get the chance to have a good time together?

Also, I was thinking of going out, well, "shopping" after school. Would anyone be interested in going? [Because she could still get pretty lost around there. But for some reason, she was really in the mood to go out and just nose around. Blame Selphie's shopping sprees.]

That was seriously one of the most annoying days I have ever experienced.

Tch, I hope they're really all gone.

And good riddance, too!

[Roxas is sitting on top of a low roof, watching the ebb and flow of monsters with Oathkeeper resting against his shoulder. He's ready and willing to drop down and help other people fight, but he's keeping out of the way. Last time, nothing stopped them. He can't imagine this time will be any different, so the only point in fighting them is to help people.

[Or for fun, but he's not in a bad mood enough to want to beat on something. And Axel would probably yell at him.

[...although thinking of last time, Kairi panicked about everyone. If she's still asleep now, there's no harm contacting her. And if she's awake, then she'd probably appreciate the contact, right?]


[voice / private to Kairi]
--Hey. How are you doing?