earlier.
[ he hasn't been to the Devil's Compass before. when he first arrived in Marina, he was too busy settling in to pay much attention to it. then it burned down, and it wasn't really an option anymore. he hadn't really thought much about it since then--until this evening, that is. he wants a drink (more than one, actually), and he's been told that this is the most convenient place for it. it's been a while since he's been to an actual bar. in fact, he can probably count on one hand the number of times he's gone drinking in public. it's much easier just to buy beer and bring it home. but that isn't an option here, so down the stairs and into the bar it is.

Soubi is never very inclined to smiling, so his bad mood probably isn't immediately obvious. but 'bad mood' is putting it lightly. he's more down on himself than he's been in weeks--and that's saying something for a man who is almost constantly self-depreciating. typically he paints when he feels like this, but he couldn't even think about painting earlier. so of course, alcohol is the logical next step. ]

later.
[ an hour or two has passed already, and Soubi's been thinking as much as drinking--which is precisely what he hadn't wanted to do, but he has anyway. even drunk--because he is drunk by now, there's no doubt about it, that was the point--he can't stop thinking about the last argument he had, or how he doesn't deserve this or that. lips drawn and head tilted down, he nurses the dark beer he's had in hand for the last half-hour, wherein he's been doing much more thinking than drinking. he's a quiet drunk, thankfully, and doesn't seem much different than he normally is while he's just sitting there silently. but a little conversation is likely to reveal a bit of a change. he's contemplating getting up, though, leaving, going...somewhere, anywhere, but not back to the room he's been staying in. he can't go back there. he's not strong enough to actually face his problems. ]

[ ooc; backdated to day 169. feel free to meet up with him 'earlier' or 'later' or at any point in between--whatever fits best! ]

[ when Soubi returns to his room--Ritsuka's room, really--in the evening, his sketch book is considerably less empty than it had been that morning. there are now fully colored pages of butterflies, flowers, and plants rendered in pastel; considerably more of the former than the latter two, making it fairly obvious where he'd spent his day.

he closes the door quietly behind him after he enters, and notes at once that Ritsuka hasn't returned yet from...whatever he'd been doing today. they haven't exactly been communicating very well recently. things have been strained, to put it nicely. he's still got a cigarette between his lips, and he sets his sketch book down before he leans back against the wall opposite the door to finish smoking it. he allows his knees to give so that he slides all the way down, sitting with his legs drawn up.

he's been brooding all day--stewing, really, alternating between self-depreciating and genuinely angry; at who he isn't quite sure. but the way he blows smoke from his mouth in a short, hard exhale makes his frustration fairly obvious. ]

[There's nothing to be seen for a few moments, the image's focus blurred, but light giggling can be heard in the background. The giggling becomes laughter interspersed with honking, somewhat unhinged.

The picture soon comes into focus, and in the center of the screen is a puppet dressed all in green. It seems to be standing on its own, only a dark blur of movement now and then announcing Gamzee's presence as he moves and controls it.]

Haa haa!

Hee hee.

Motherfuckin' hoo hoo!

[The puppet, in the troll's quick and unseen hands, begins to perform an odd little jig for anyone watching.]

[The warnings have already been given, but it's a little too late. The gas was invisible, untraceable to the normal senses. But someone might feel it. The changes in them if they had been close enough, breathed in too much. Too bad they probably wouldn't care after that either.

It's not such a big deal now, is it? Neither is holding back on all those things they keep to themselves, or refusing to do the things they remind themselves are bad or dangerous or against the rules. Who cares about rules anymore? Why not just do what they want? Why should they hide how they feel? Why should they keep hiding who they really are? Who came up with all of these silly unspoken rules anyway?

You do not feel a loss of control. To you, it's like being more in control than you've ever been. And choosing to just go with it. You only have one life to live! Regret, remorse and reservation are all just words to you for the day. Just...try not to die or kill anyone.]

{OOC: Mingle post for the event! Your threads can occur anywhere open to the public in the prison, or not-so-public if you're including a closed thread, too. Although, it is encouraged to make your own post if you're keeping it closed to one or a few individuals. If you think you would rather make your own post instead of tagging it onto this one, please feel free!}

[Cain is in a strange mood, to say the least. He's currently going through withdrawal, although he's mostly being medicated for it, and he's noticed in his last few interactions with people that he's dropped his guard. Not that he really cares right now, anyway.]

[He flips on a video feed and smiles]

So I noticed today that there is some increased security regarding your files, and that I am no longer able to check undetected. Being that I am currently completely reliant on Sentience for my medicine, it is probably suicidal to check in. ... Oh, Who am I kidding! That won't stop me. I could pull up personal medical records this time, but it will probably be too boring. There is some sort of ban on sex or something, right?

So no one is carrying anything appropriately disgusting?

[If you want to find him, he's right outside the noodle shop, eating plain rice noodles in a vegetable broth with his fingers. He doesn't usually care what anyone thinks of him, and now it's only worse.]

[[ooc: he's not even near a computer, and he's way too lazy to pull up medical records right now, so he won't, but he wants to see if he can trick anyone into spilling.]]

[As usual, Judith is somewhere high up, but good luck figuring out where from the endless field of blue behind her head. The communicator dangles for a moment before snapping into place and she’s smiling in a way that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.]

I suppose I should be grateful. Every need is taken care of and our new old warden seems a lot kinder than our old new one. [Judith doesn’t give that sentence any time to be unraveled before moving on, tilting her face toward the sky.] Still, it’s hard not to miss certain things from home, or certain people.

[Talking about Ba’ul? Now why would she do that! What Judith really (probably) means is…]

It’s good I was able to get this. [She holds up a certain wanted poster. It’s greyed a little from age and has been folded a few evident times but the artistic rendition is still clear.] I never learned to draw, so I can’t possibly recreate something so masterful.

( video; private to Anew )

[ the past few days haven't exactly been the best for Soubi. it seems as though, after his art class, everything had started going downhill, and he doesn't know how to fix any of it.

he'd gotten up early this morning and made his way to the coffee shop, intent on getting himself something to wake himself up. like it or not, he's going to end up stewing over his current predicament, so best to do it with an alert mind, at least. he's seated at a table outside the shop, because he plans on smoking, as evidenced by the pack of cigarettes sitting open on the table. at the moment, though, they're untouched. he's got a cup of coffee--black--in hand, but he's only taken a few sips so far; it's still too hot, and he's lost in his thoughts. ]

[Patrolling again, Zero makes his way around the dome during which there is a brief stop off at the shelter billboard. People don't do this as often as they used to, but Zero needs help and it's not the type of personal information he's willing to talk to anyone about face to face.

Yuuki is also not the type of person to wander across the the dome and go to the shelter for no reason. At least he doesn't hope so. Either way, he's going to have to keep a closer eye out for her tonight on his rounds. The very last thing he needs is her finding something like this.

Ensuring that there was no one else in sight, Zero tacks up the paper on the bulletin board before fading into the streets of Marina with only the prints of his shoes in the snow as proof that he was there.]

( ADVICE NEEDED )

[OOC: Sorry for the tl;dr. All notes will be anonymous. Feel free to threadjack away unless someone prefers not to.]

[Yomi turns the communicator over and over in her hands before bringing it back to eye-level. She can’t quite figure out how put it back the way she was wearing it initially but she manages to turn it on regardless, beaming as she does so. Her cheeks are crimson, her eyes a bit glassy.]

Heeeeey everyone! [Her voice is a bit higher in pitch than usual. The view dangles high above her head for a moment as she stretches out her arms – presumably just to accent how happy she is to talk to the prison at large, and it takes her a few seconds to remember she needs the communicator to, well. Communicate. Arms back down!] Did everyone go to the game at the club? It was so much fun!

Zelgadis – he’s right over there, look! [The feed suddenly gives a close-up of his face. Presumably she thrust the communicator at him. A man with a face visibly and literally made of stone blinks back at it, confused and a little unimpressed.] He was there too and I was drinking water so he gave me something else and it tasted really good! I had four-- five... four. Zelgadis! [Yelling now, because why not. Yomi’s voice amps down after she’s sure she has attention.] I’m glad you’re my friend.

And I’m grateful for all my other friends, too! [Winning smile. Or, it would be a winning smile if she was sober. At present, it falls a little short.] Like—like Noriyuki. We’re going to be husband and wife one day real soon! If I get out. When I get out. When I get out, I am going to —

[It’s only when she tries to enunciate exactly what is the communicator pulled away from her and turned off.

The last audible thing before the feed is killed is — ]

This isn't the way back to the club...

((OOC: Joint drunk-dialing post! After the I Never game, Yomi is completely and unquestionably smashed, Zelgadis is reasonably sober. Feel free to request a certain character otherwise the threads will likely be Yomi with Zelgadis jumping in if needed/wanted. Action optionable, if you want to catch her stumbling around and him frowning. They are outside, presumably heading very slowly toward the shelter.))

[Michiru had decided to get some inspiration from nature this evening. So she heads out to the koi pond with her violin case. Since no one is there at the moment, she finds a good spot to stand, which just so happens to be on a rock in the middle of the water and starts playing. If someone is observant they might notice she's wearing stilettos and standing on a potential slippery rock.

She's not necessarily playing anything in particular, just what she feels like playing, making mental notes of anything she might want to use again. Even so, she's perfectly aware of everything that's going on around her]

VIDEO

[ just a simple message: ]

My name is Agatsuma Soubi. I will be conducting art classes for the time being. The first is this afternoon at three o'clock in classroom five at the Education Center. For today, there is no need to bring anything with you. Necessary materials will be provided.

ACTION

[ Soubi's been around the art wing of the Education Center for a few hours already before class begins. as people arrive, he passes out sketch books, pencils, and erasers. the tables in the room have three chairs each pulled up to them, and in the middle of each table is an item. the class will be drawing simple objects today--vases, shoes, small folding fans--just so that he can get a feel for their level of experience and interest.

if anyone has a question, they're free to approach him at any time, and he'll be walking around and helping out where he sees fit, as well. before class ends, he allows them to keep their sketch books, and gives a simple assignment to be completed before the next class: choose an object with an interesting or unusual shape and draw it. ]


[ ooc; video is backdated to mid-morning. class is, obviously, at 3:00 pm. feel free to tag in before, during, or after class, and mingle among yourselves! ]

[ One of the Sewing Rooms in the Education Center is abuzz with voices, the click of scissors snipping or needles crossing, along with the occasional whirr of sewing machines. Threads, colorful fabric are present, along with works-in-progress and projects still to be traced from patterns.

Curious? Need help in getting a dress together? Need tips on how to get that fluffy tail on that bunny plushie? Puzzled over how to do a back-stitch? Members and non-members, old inmates and new are welcome to the Sewing Club Meeting! ]


(( ooc: this is a MINGLE post so tag in and tag around! Please note that even if there haven't been ic meetings in a while, the Sewing Club has been consistent in their meetings! ))
 

video. (backdated to mid-afternoon)

Everything has turned out kind of funny, strange— well, in a really good way, I mean.

[ alois trancy, too feminine, baby-face with springtime sky giant daydream crumb eyes, is resting his chin against the edge of a desk. familiar to some, and not to others, pretty and light voiced. he isn't looking directly at the camera, he seems half preoccupied with watching something else not far off screen.

there are crayons, watercolors, paintbrushes, and pastel covered pieces of paper close by, even under chin. ]

I think I might be a little scared, [ understatement, ] by how wonderful things have gotten so quickly. What if I waste too much time blinking and everything good flies away? Only the best of the best, the things really worth having, like to fly off or drop dead. It always happens, and I keep expecting it not to happen at all, even though I know it will. I'm not so sure I'm not only just sleeping right now. It's so strange, things are so strange. [ there's a pitch in his voice here; his own reality is shaking him. when you go from being locked up without anything for four years, expect being beaten, and a quiet house, to have the things you desire most drop into your lap in rapid succession—isn't that cause for constant panic?

don't you want to cling tighter?

this is alois, now.

too long lashes lower half-way (they can't see it, but he's gazing at unprofessionally painted swans and adonis blues), ] I might be falling in love with Marina. Sometimes I have to close my eyes and make sure my heart hasn't stopped beating, run out of steam, from all the things pouring into it. I'm really—

Ah! [ suddenly, he's sitting up very straight, looking much more attentive than he had. ] That's right. An order of business: Ciel Phantomhive, just how long do you intend to avoid me?

( (optional) action. )

Good morning and hello to those who just arrived. My name is Michiru Kaiou. I am the new music teacher. The previous instructor of the class has left the dome and I just wanted to introduce myself. The music class will start up again on day 160. Anyone is welcome to come.

Also those who I talked to about the violin lessons, please let me know what would be a good for us to start having lessons. I don't want to schedule them over something someone already has planned.

[ooc: if she talked to your character about violin lessons before, you don't necessarily have to reply with a time; we can just handwave it]

( Deep Puck thoughts that mostly amount to 'be more fun, guys' )

( The actual spell )

[OOC: Feel free to thread amongst yourself, anywhere in the dome! Here's the OOC post for details.]

[ If you walk the halls of the Education Center, particularly the one leading to one of the art rooms, one will detect first the light scent of tobacco. Should one look inside, they'll see the winged and haloed lady working on a painting -- sketches scattered on one table (with some fluttered to the floor), containers for primer and medium on another, along with brushes and palette knives haphazardly put in jars and tubes of paint.

The vent hums as the painter quietly works. Occasionally she flicks the ashes of her cigarette into a nearby ashtray -- if she remembers to do so; if not then the ashes fall to the ground.

When she's not painting, she leans by the window to look outside and maybe nibble on a cracker or drink from a water bottle. She might look like someone better left to their thoughts, but she'll greet anyone who passes by the room with a smile and a wave and might just pull them into a chat. ]
 

[Ritsuka appears on the video feed first thing in the morning, flour smudged on his forehead, sleeves, and one ear, but his expression cheerful. Despite the trying experience he had the day before, he's decided to put his early rising to good use and hopefully smooth things over at the same time.]

Soubi. If you're awake, come down to the shelter kitchen. I made breakfast.

[He can't decide if it's because he's actually happy to have Soubi there, or if he feels badly for how curt he was after their kiss, or if he just wants to do something nice, but... whatever. Breakfast is made, and that's all that matters.]

I made a lot of pancake batter, so Roxas or Sasha or anyone who wants to can come have some too. I'll try to flip them smoothly.

[ooc: that's right - everyone is not-so-cordially invited to a pancake breakfast in the shelter! Ritsuka and Soubi will be there for sure, so feel free to address threads to either one or both of them! threadhopping is also welcome, so feel free to tag characters besides Soubi/Ritsuka as well.]

Sebastian sat up with a start, hand instinctively moving to his chest to clutch the poorly stitched wound. Realization struck... for the first time in a few days. He'd been a drone; following the mundane rituals that the robotic orderlies had enforced. It hadn't sunk in, the magnitude of the situation, until now. The Campania had sunk, taking with it tens of hundreds of thousands of both the living and the dead, ...but he and his master had escaped. He had staved off another attack, running himself ragged until he'd... he'd... he'd ended up here?
( Read More. )

( ooc | Cut for a bit of blood. Sebastian is fresh off the Campania and still somewhat hurt. He's confused and all that, but feel free to pester him! Or feel free to help him a la Misery, dohoho, for some event related adoration and ❛molestation❜. )

[Ritsuka has a busy day planned (perhaps even more than he thinks). He'll be starting off from the shelter this morning to pick up a book or two at the library in Sector 2. Following this, you will be able to spot him in Sector 3 as he plays a game or two at the arcade.

Lunch will be in Sector 5, and the afternoon will be spent reading in the park in Sector 4 until it gets too cold and he heads back to the shelter.

Expect his mood to deteriorate as the day wears on.]

[ooc: open to all! if you would like to choose/rng the intensity of the kiss, write the result in the subject of your first comment (cheek, normal, mega). otherwise I will default to normal. cheek only for girls, though, since I want to save Ritsuka's first normal girl kiss.]

[Lovely day for being in any open, common area of the dome, isn't it? Of course there is a chance of kissing bot, but it's always something in the underwater prison.]

(OOC: Check out the OOC post for details. Pucker up! Edit: Links for those with loading problems!)