[At first there is simply silence, broken by the occasional rhythmic tapping of metal on metal, Davros staring into the camera.]

There appears to have been... a misunderstanding.

[His voice has an electronic, ringing tone to it, currently calm and calculated.]

I have overlooked my list of crimes, and I object to such judgemental and base accusations!

[Davros' face paints a clear picture of barely controlled outrage, and it takes him a few seconds to bring himself to a level where he can continue, his voice, however, is still noticeably agitated.]

I do not accept this mockery of a system. On whose authority do you determine the right to imprison and restrict our movements? This AI, this... Acumen?

[He spits out the name like a bad taste, his voice now beginning to increase in pitch, taking on an almost sarcastic tone]

I am not yet ready to be carefully deposited into the nearest care home like some decrepit relic! There is important work to be done! On which note, how exactly am I to continue my activities within this facility? I can hardly perform the suggested exercise or manual labour, and my research is of the utmost importance! To have it interrupted is unacceptable!

[The camera moves to clearer show his lower body, encased in his life support. A ball and chain is haphazardly attached to it]

How many more indignities do you expect me to stand? Is it not enough that I am reduced to the state of an invalid, I must be restricted further as part of some perverse joke?

[VIDEO]

[That talk with WV about pumpkins really gnawed on him - SO shortly after Acumen's morning announcement you get a second, more specific request.]

Oi. Anyone thinking about carving pumpkins - do me a favor and save the waste. You know... seeds, guts, rinds, whatever's left over. You can either drop it off in the Shelter kitchen or tell me where to pick it up.

Thanks.

[ACTION - NOON ONWARDS]

[Curiosity shrank the eggplant. The thing about eating memory-erasing jawbreakers is that they continuosly make you forget why you're supposed to stop eating them. And if you top that off with another magical piece of candy (like you do) you'll get... well. A nine year old blond thing scurrying around the Shelter trying to 1) not freeze his ass off and 2) find clothes that fit him better than the over-sized shirt he's currently stuck with.

tl;dr - jumping on the de-aged-memory-loss bandwagon. Sanji's nine in every aspect. ]

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.]

[ This is just a video of Miwako - no cats here! No sir! She looks a little frenzied, but trying to look "natural" and joking~ ]

H-Hi again, everyone!

Ha ha ha! April Fools! Except it's autumn now... Oh no... Uhm-

Mi-Miwako didn't actually get a cat! That was a lie! It was a fake cat, so just so you know, it can't be hurt or kicked or anything so you shouldn't even bother trying. I was just joking! So all the bad guys and cat-haters can rest assured that there's not actually a cat here, so you can't get him, okay? And even if there was actually a cat, I wouldn't let you get him! But there isn't a cat, so don't worry about it!

[ Somewhere off-screen, you might hear a quiet meow, which sets Miwako's teeth on edge. She looks a little frantically at the camera as if it can tell her if that was actually recorded or not, and then hastily cuts the feed.

Miwako is the worst liar ever. ]

[ ooc | inspired by this conversation with Shinji... oy vey. ]

[Atsuro is smiling down at his communicator, and pretending this morning didn't happen. There's just something about his smile, however...]

I'm pretty sure I heard other people mentioned Halloween over the network. [Gotta set up the context or something for this. Wait for it.] And it reminded me of all the usual Halloween stuff and tricks to scare people.

Which lead me to this... Have anyone heard of One Man Hide-and-Seek? It's a game for those brave enough to take on the unknown.

[Oh, a game. How bad can it be?]


So...anyone brave enough to give it a try?

[ Good morning Marina~!

Were you sleeping alone last night? Well now you have company!

Were you sleeping with someone? Well, you're still sleeping with someone, but maybe you'd like to give it a look-see, before you get too comfortable.

Are you sure this is your room? You might want to check though -- who knows if you're using the same design of lampshade or if your bed really is set up against the wall...

Whether you are in your own room or not, one thing's for certain, you're in for a surprise this morning! ]


(( OOC: Many pardons for the late, but here be your Morning After Prank all-purpose post! Do your threads here if you are so inclined, or make your network freak-out posts~ Have fun!

ETA: I have used the reveal table as a handy Thread Index. I'll update this as the event rolls along [last updated: 22 October, 12:40 p.m. EST] ))
 

VOICE//PRIVATE TO ZORO

Oi, shitty marimo. Meet me in Sector Five.

---------

ACTION//OPEN//DEVIL'S COMPASS

[Pirates like to drink. It's practically a prerequisite. Strangely enough, Marina's resident Strawhats haven't done much of that since they arrive but that is definitely about to change - they'll be spending most of the evening at the Devil's Compass, doing what pirates do best.

FEEL FREE TO APPROACH EITHER OR BOTH OF THEM! Just specify your choice in the subject line so we know how to do the tagging thing! ]

[ This voice is both annoyed and confident. She's not pleased to be here, but she's not going to let anyone know that she's a little uncertain too. ] I am so tired of being kidnapped. I mean, at least these people are better at it than the last ones, but this whole thing is just sad. I can't believe I've been arrested again. I didn't even feel them coming. [ There's a pause and then she repeats it to herself again, as if disbelieving. ] Didn't feel a thing...

Plus, I want to know who came up with these charges. So I put a few holes in the wall and ran away from people who tried to lock me up. No one mentioned that I helped save the world too? Doesn't that count in my favor? Maybe Katara would like this underwater thing, but I'm not buying it. [ She's a bit sulky, don't mind her. There's another hesitation, because she's letting her irritation get away with her, and finally she sighs and makes herself sound more cheerful, more normal. ]

At least the food in the basket was good. What kind of prison has a welcome committee?

This one, I guess. So, tell me, strangers, what are you in for?

[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.]

[It's an eye. Well, to be exact, the ey sande belongs to a person holding communicator a little too close to their face. After a moment, they pull away to reveal a pink haired child, between the age of six and ten, staring the screen with a confused expression.]

What is this thing? [The little girl gives the communicator an inquisitive look before poking at it a few times. Suddenly, everything seems to be shaking before it stops as soon as it begins. There is a frown on the little girl's face that slowly turns into a bright and happy smile]

Oh, I get it! It's a communicator! [She nods to herself, happy with the conclusion] Though, it's not as pretty like the one I have. [A rustle of clothing is heard and a close up of the child's sleeve] Bleh! It's not tasty like mine either. [Her face is scrunched up into a look of disgust]

Oh, I guess it's recording, right? Hi everyone! My name is Yachiru Kusajishi. This place is really weird and strange. I dunno why they keep saying this weird stuff about trespassing, fish and stealing. I didn't eat or steal Byakushi's fish! I just borrowed some of them and gave them to Ukki since he seemed sad about not having nice fishies like Byakushi.

Has anyone seen my Ken-chan? We're supposed to being doing something together, but I think he got lost. He's really big, really strong and sorta scary looking! I don't think he looks that scary, but lots of other people think that. Ne, if anyone sees him, tell him I'm looking for him, okay? Oh, I guess if you see a funny looking bald guy and a a pretty guy with a feather on his face tell me! Just don't look at Baldy head too long, cuz his head is very shiny and you could go blind!

[ video on, and you're staring up at Yuri's face as he fiddles with his comm. he notices the video is working after a beat, and then -- grins into it. ]

Hey. The name's Yuri Lowell, if we haven't met. Just thought I'd give everybody a little heads-up -- Brave Vesperia is now open for business.

[ he steps back out of view and it's clear that he's claimed a little bit of Sector Three for himself, a small storefront with big picture windows. "Brave Vesperia" is hung up over the door, a bot-made sign. he's had some help with setting up. ]

((ooc: Wondering what Brave Vesperia is and why you should care? Ask away! Yuri will gladly use more words once he sees they're necessary. X3 Reply by video or feel free to notice him setting up if you're in the area. Or Flynn.))

[Zoro didn't care about the prom. Not about dressing up and dancing, and he was really feeling too unmotivated to go searching for the bar and drink. So instead, he decided to stay in and hang out in the shelter's common room.]

[Which is all well and good, yes, except for one thing. He's fallen asleep. Out cold. So maybe you're coming down to hang out because you weren't at prom, or maybe you're on your way in. Maybe you want to throw something at Zoro to stop him from snoring, or gently wake him up to prod him towards his actual bed.]

[Or maybe you want to trip over him in the dark, because it's the floor that he's completely sprawled out on. Whatever it is, it's entirely possible with this marimo-haired pirate. But be warned, he may attack if approached to violently!]

[A video sudden appears on the feed revealing a tilted image of a young woman's shoulder and a part of her face as she mummers softly under her breath. The muffled sound of fingers pressing against the plastic can be heard over the audio as the communicator is flipped around and examined at all angles. In the background, the rushing and rolling waves can be heard indicating her location is somewhere along the beach in Sector 4.]

... I should read the rest of that--

[The sentence is cut off with a loud thud when she sets the communicator on her lap, the mouthpiece brushing against the steel of her boot. The video now reveals her face fully; bright blue, iridescent eyes scanning over the pamphlet. One hand is brought up close to her mouth with her brow furrowed as she is deep in thought.]

... hmmm.

[The newcomer looks down at the device with skepticism before picking it up and placing it properly on her head. She sounds hesitant, at first.]

... Am I really stuck here for good? Seems no different than my previous residence.

[A chuckle and then a sigh, her gaze wonders to the side towards the water. Perhaps it's the shock that causes her to fall silent but she makes no move to end the video, her thoughts elsewhere.]

[Hello Marina.

Who would care for a spot of comfort food or perhaps a touch of kitchen therapy? Sanji is definitely indulging in the latter and for a large part of the afternoon he'll be in the Shelter Kitchen, making all sorts of tasty late-summer morsels. Without Luffy to cook for it's easy to slack off and he could use any distraction that comes his way - hence cooking. Experimenting. Inventing delicious things.

Feel free to grab a plate or have a chat or both! Threadjacks also welcome!]

[a low, male voice] It's getting real boring around here lately.

Even the new arrivals aren't as interesting as they used to be. All the flailing and all the distress has just sort of become quiet resignation! Boring, boring, boring. [a more tenor male voice]

[and finally, a sweet female voice] Oh, darlings, that's a little harsh. It's in the nature of such creatures to become more efficient and less chaotic, don't you think? They're beings of order.

They could be orderly in a more interesting manner, couldn't they? [this voice and the female voice giggle together, sharing in the joke]

Well, regardless, we've decided to spice things up a little.

Yes, that's right! We love some good chaos. And we had some good chaos a few months ago, so we thought -- let's do that again!

Do try to have a little bit of fun, won't you? Go with it, enjoy yourselves! Try to smile every now and again, it's healthy.

[there's a brief pause for the three of them to giggle together, before the sly tenor adds]

Oh, and-- Whining is dreadfully boring. We won't put up with any nonsense like that, so we'll entertain any questions or comments, but if you want to chat, please make it -- you know. Something interesting?

[There's a good amount of hesitation in whether he should do this or not. It goes against everything he's ever believed in but after the conversation with Miwako the day before - as bizarre as it was - he can't help but wonder if it might be a good idea, all things considered. It's just the two of them after all, as much as he can't stand the guy they need to stick together and find a way out of here.

So maybe... just maybe... a somewhat kind gesture may not be so terrible. Maybe. It's worth a shot. Maybe.

He takes a breath and filters a post.]


Oi. Mosshead. Think you can find your way to the Shelter Kitchen?

[The tone of the speaker is aggravated and condescending. This is someone who won't easily accept the predicament he's just found himself in. Not without ample proof.]

[It's a ruse. It has to be. After all, there's no way it could be true. Someone's captured him, sealed his fon slots, and cast some sort of illusion over him using the first fonon. That has to be it. It makes sense considering he defected from the Order, considering how that man keeps extending his offer. If he'll only cross a sea of corpses. Corpses, huh?]

...Is this someone's idea of a joke? I don't have time to play games with you people! Return my sword and undo the seal unless you're all willing to pay with your lives.

[Meanwhile Asch is kneeling down in the middle of the graveyard. For a while now he's been trying to figure out a way to remove the ball and chain from around his right leg, but he hasn't made any progress. Not even after fishing through the welcome basket for stuff to help it slide better. None. Unless getting even more frustrated counts.]

[The feed begins, and anyone who knows Edgar would more than likely to be a bit confused to hear him as this. His tone is polite and formal, but overly so, and cold. Anyone who knows him particularly well (i.e. probably no one here) would recognize that he’s clearly quite angry and upset at something – but keeping it covered somewhat well.]

I have come to understand that we are all being held prisoner here, and many of us under false or at least questionable charges. It has also been said that this place is inescapable, and going to be our collective home for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it only makes sense to work together in this endeavor.

As such, allow me to introduce myself. I am Edgar Figaro. I look forward to working with you all.

------------------------

[Since he's restrained, this morning will find him in the dining hall, eating breakfast, likely near the other restrained inmates. He does not look particularly pleased with the situation, but he doesn't seem to be taking it out on anyone at the moment. Care to interrupt him?]

[Yuuri is still hanging out at the baseball field after that morning's practice going over things with Murata when he makes a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!]

We need more baseball players!

Who else wants to play that isn't already? Or who just started because sometimes I forget to actually write it down or tell Murata. Oh! That's right. Murata is back to be our manager again. [The video pans over to another Japanese boy. Wave to the people, Murata. And now it snaps back to Yuuri.]

Suzaku, we should probably talk about when we're going to have our games before it's suddenly winter or the field is covered with dinosaurs or made of marshmallows or anything like that.


(OOC: I try to keep the roster up-to-date, but sometimes I fail, so if you should be on there but you don't have time to tag in ICly, just drop me an OOC note here or in IM or plurk.)

[ Miwako appears on the feed, sitting in the common room of the shelter in all her pink and smiling glory; she's a little less cheerful than usual, but not visibly sad or upset. She waves at the camera as she begins: ]

Good morning~!

I have a question today! If I wanted to listen to music by a certain band, would I have to request their CDs from Acu? Or is there a way to download mp3s of their songs somehow? You see, Acu has already sent me my medicine from home, so I wouldn't want to bother him with my requests again so soon... [ She skips a beat. ]

On a lighter note, being in prison really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Everyone I've met has been very nice so far~ Have any of you picked up new hobbies to pass the time, since you've been here? What would you recommend?

[ She looks as if she's ready to end the feed, but then is obviously struck by a sudden thought, and her face lights up. ]

Oh~! By the way! Prince Sanji~! Would you like to meet up sometime soon to tell me about your pirate adventures~? I would still like to hear them!

[ Another big smile, and she waves good-bye to the camera as the feed shuts off. ]