[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!)

[ today in the park area of sector 4, one can find a certain redheaded witch who is currently figuring out that there's a cap to her magic. and she doesn't like it. ]

What? I can't- But that's not even a big spell!

[ oookay trying something new, then. she tries a barrier-

nope, nosebleed. she stops as her head starts spinning and she falls to the grass below her. ]

Can I not do anything here?

[ determined to figure out if it's ALL of her magic still or just part of it, she tries levitation. oh, well, that works, for all the good it'll do her. she just keeps sitting there, face turned down in what could pass as a sulk. this bites.

eventually, she turns on the voice feed. ] Has anyone else had trouble with their natural powers here? Even after the ball-and-chain thing?

[A young man with golden hair tied back in a ponytail appears on the video screen. He doesn't seem to be aware that anything is happening right away and appears to be mumbling to himself a bit. He then stares directly at the screen when he realizes it's on...after he's mumbled to himself a bit first.]

...DAMN THING. I STILL CAN'T GET THIS THING FIGURED OUT. What the hell is it, anyway? They couldn't have given me something useful, like steak! As long as it's not milk though, I guess it's okay...

...OH. HI. IS THIS THING FINALLY WORKING? HELLO? HELLO? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE FOR KIDNAPPING THE FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST?

[Yes, Ed's shouting...my apologies! He's so not used to this technology.]

[Action]

[The bomb threat had set his teeth on edge. He had reigned it in well, but the whole idea of it, the audacity of it... well.. not to mention it could have put Yuta in serious danger, not to mention his other close friends. He had managed to be calm for a day or two, but he needed to work off the nerves. Even being so long from battle had not removed those urges - but then, a few years was not going to undo nearly three hundred years of imbued memory.

So what does he do when he's like this? He dances. Sort of. It is more of a woke out, a bit of training to keep him sharp. He does it regularly for form's sake, but today he was going at it with more vigor and damned be the cold. He went out to the beach, his usual place for this, removing his outer cloak and remaining only in the long sleeved robes he wore indoors.

Some might have seen it before - the graceful twists and arches as he moves through the motions. In his mind he is thrusting with is sword, but since it takes something out of him, he refrains from actually summoning his legendary blade (at least in his world). His breath puffs before him as he thrusts and slides through the sand, red robes and black hair swirling behind him like a comet's tail, golden eyes fierce and focused as he works out the energy.

Of course, everyone is free to watch, bother, or ask him for a spar. He might even appreciate the distraction.]

[Video - Afternoonish || Filtered Away from Yuta]

Does anyone know of available games or activities a child of about ten might enjoy? One from an earth based world. I have some idea, but I need things readily accessible around the home. And if anyone is wondering, they are meant for Yuta.

I'm bored of just sitting around and picking at my feet. I want to do something exciting.

There's a Defense Force around here, right? Sign me up!

[It's early. Probably too early. That doesn't matter though because this is a question of Great Importance and farm boys never sleep anyway. So he clicks on the feed, voice kept on the low side to not wake up his room mate. There's also a cup of tea. Mmn tea.]

Hey, so. I know it's still winter an' all but I was talkin' to someone 'bout growin' stuff an' I was wonderin'...

Has anyone... y'know. Grown vegetables or anythin' here?

HI!

[See GIR waving very happily at the screen! He's in the park right now this early in the morning, circling around trees and trying to figure out which ones are his breakfast trees from before!

And he may or may not be watering the grass with orange juice. You know, just in case the grass will grow into breakfast grass.]

Does anybody know how to cheer up Acumen~? He's bein' a little silly poopy pants all by his-self!

What he needs is a friend~~

[Sougo has the most important question on his mind, and he needs to ask.]

So if we don't need money, why do people work? People really like busting their asses for nothing?

[He's seriously trying to figure this out, and it's apparent on his face. He had a reason to work back home, but now? Pffffttttt this will enable his laziness.]

When I'm finally free from this chain, I'm going to be drinking and eating and sleeping and shitting all day.

Okita Sougo, retired at 18. This is the life.

What would make this perfect is if I could screw some bitches. Can't have it all, I guess.

[Video]
[Darn, he couldn't sleep. It wasn't like that idiot dog was around keeping him up, so that wasn't an excuse. Nor were there any enemies around to attack him. So why? It was evening time, and he felt mentally tired, but apparently his body wasn't. The feed switches on, revealing his unruly red hair, and the restless face it was attached to.]

What's the best way to force yourself to sleep when you're restless? [And the feed switches off.]

[Action]
[So, he's made his way to the Athletic Complex and begins running along the large open field, in just his winter coat since he didn't bring a hat or scarf this time. Maybe a few laps around would be just the thing to tire him out. Unfortunately, the small boy doesn't notice the small piece of frozen ground as he sprints and he slips on it, which propels him off-balance and he crashes to the ground. The impact causes his Communicator to fly off, rolling a few feet away. And now, the video function switches itself on after the button presses down when it hits the floor, so you'll see an uncouncious Yuta lying face first on the field. He's too independent to ask for help, so he'll just let his body slowly recover on its own like he usually does until he gets the strength to get up.]

((ooc: Yuta's slipped on a stray piece of frozen snow and sprained his ankle. He's in a bit of pain, and won't be getting up just yet unless someone comes by and wants to help him.))

[ Tyr hasn't used this to just talk to people as a whole in a while, so his tone is somewhat awkward. ]

Now that we're done being shuffled around...is there anywhere to stay other than this shelter? I assume there aren't a lot of empty houses around, but I'm not that picky as long as it's not as busy at this place.

Also--If Suzaku of the Defense Force is listening, I want to speak with you.

( action )

[voice]

[it's a strong attempt at being blank and completely devoid of emotion, but her voice ends up sounding very quiet, as of she doesn't want to be heard.] How strong do you have to be to kill someone?

[Link is picking up a piece of wadded paper and shaking it at you. Yes, YOU! Littering is despicable!]

I strongly suggest with the cleaning only a few days complete everyone should do their part to keep it in excellent condition. If we are to be in prison we might as well be in a pristine prison.

[Ew, he's holding someone else's trash. Is that gum?]

[The video starts nice and clear, showing the face of a man in his late teens or perhaps early twenties. He's boyish-looking, with red hair and green eyes, skin lightly tanned and cheeks sprayed with freckles. It's clear that he intended to start this transmission so it's really anyone's guess why he isn't saying anything yet - there's no interference or distractions in the background or anything yet he continues to aimlessly fiddle with the headset for a good few seconds.

Those of you who ever had a technologically handicapped teacher may recognize this behavior. Overhead projectors and VCR's, man. ]

Oh, uhm… is this on? I ain't sure but… I think it's workin'?

Okay! Uh. Hi! I guess… I'm not really familiar with th' prison… etiquette, I suppose? This here place don't look much like any prison I've heard of but then again I ain't never been in one before so maybe prisons can look like this too. I figured I should at least introduce m'self so uh… let me know if I'm, y'know. Doin' it wrong.

Anyway… My name's Aidan an' I'm twenty years old. Is it custom t' say what you're in for? Cause… I don't know if I wanna do that. I ain't dangerous or anythin' but uh… [pause as something occurs to him] ..but I can hold my own, so don't get any ideas. Let's just leave it at that. Uh, so… hi. It's… it ain't a pleasure t'be here, that'd be a big fat lie but uhm, I guess since I ain't got much of a choice I reckon I might as well be civil. So… it's nice t' meet y'all.

[Getting awkward now.]

I'm just gonna… go ahead an' turn this off now.

[And he does. Action open for anyone at the beach!]

Okay, really now.

[Michael here? He doesn't look at all happy. He's eaten everything in the welcome basket and now he's both bored and frustrated--not with being in prison, because it doesn't feel like a very huge deal, but with being out of food for the time being, and more importantly with the chain around his ankle. It's heavy and it sucks, trying to drag it around. That, and for some reason he can't use his brainwaves at all, not even the tiniest pulse of neural activity. Nothing.

The location and circumstance aren't the problem. It's being, for lack of a better word, human, and physically restrained.

And alone. Being alone is...unnerving. He doesn't like it, and he looks antsy because of it.]

If anyone can understand me, I'm looking for my siblings. Their names are Johann and Nena.

If you don't appreciate a foot shoved so far up your ass you choke on it, I recommend you start talking. Any one of you, and make it quick--no bullshit. I don't have all day.

[What will he do if he doesn't get his way? Given the way he's talking and the dangerous gleam in his eyes, he'll give you three guesses.]

[the breath whooshes out of Roxas audibly as the video clicks on. he's on top of a low building, maybe three stories tall, outside the dome, and he directs the video to look out over an almost completely unfamiliar landscape, piled so high with unbroken white snow that it seems barren and surreal]

It is really cold out here. Look at all that snow.

[he directs the video down again. --directly underneath his position, there's a big hole in the snow, showing how deep it is]

It's taller than I am. [wryly, reaching down to brush it off his black leather coat] I was going to offer to get anything anyone needs from their place, but I'm not sure I could find it in -- this.

But I'm glad I got to take a picture of it. [so that he can keep the memory of this, even if he doesn't remember]

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately... and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in teaching a class or joining a club about photography. [looking into the video again now, smiling a bit] What do you guys think?


((ooc: Roxas is going to bamf back inside in a few moments, so if you want action for some reason, just say so in the header))

Good morning, Marina! [Have a very smiley pink haired girl on your video feed!] For anyone I haven’t met, I’m Lacus Clyne and I’m very glad to meet you.

It seems as though we’re all going to be in the shelter today, so we should make the best of things. I was thinking that we should get together and have a big winter banquet! Anyone who wants to help cook should please feel free to come to the kitchens and assist, and if not you should still come and enjoy the food with us.

Dinner will be served at 5 in the main cafeteria, and after that maybe we could have fun playing games and watching movies together. I hope everyone has a good day, and I hope to see everyone at the feast!

[A few minutes later]

I just learned that today is also Ritsuka’s birthday! To celebrate there will be a cake and some special desserts and decorations. [as many decorations as they can find without access to the store.] Everyone please, stop by to wish him a happy birthday!

***
((OOC Notes: Mingle post, open to all! Reply to Lacus by [video] or there are several action options: [cooking] any time before 5pm ICly, [dinner] a huge buffet of almost anything you could want, or [after dinner] for card games, board games, and movies throughout the cafeteria and nearby common rooms! Your character is in no way obligated to be at all of these, but they could be if you want~

Also! A link to Ritsuka’s birthday party will be added once it goes up. There will be cake and lots of special desserts and pretty decorations in one area of the cafeteria.

If anyone wants to intentionally or unintentionally sabotage the food, please contact me OOCly before you do so. Thanks and ENJOY!))

[Sakura is sitting on the edge of the bed and kicking her legs around a little before speaking] If you could have anything for Christmas, what would you ask for? [this is her sneaky way of trying to find out what to get everyone...] I think I'd ask for a new pair of knee guards. My old ones are really scratched up from all the times I've slipped on my AT.

...I'd also like to visit a zoo so I can see penguins and elephants again. [QUICKLY] I don't want them to be arrested though! I just want to see them. ...I'd like to see everyone from back home too. [her legs stop moving] And all the friends I made here. Like Ushiro-kun and Josak-san, and Lavi-san... [ashton nakama kaito teddie kamui kobato adachi fai lelouch everyone. but thoughts like these aren't what she wants right now, so Sakura pushes them away.]

[she moves a hand to her head and moves it forward, measuring her height.] It'd be nice if I could grow a little bit taller too! Taller than my brother. That way I get to call him shortie. [AND STEP ON HIM]

[private]

Syaoran-kun, are you busy? I'm really sorry if you are, but I just wanted to ask you something quickly!

[Frederick is out of the borrowed room with the announcements and has determined that he is going to figure out where his friends are in the shelter. Meeting others wouldn't be such a bad thing either. Never mind the fact that Frederick took off without anyone else...

So Frederick is rolling around the hallways of the Shelter, peeking around corners and into the common rooms. Unfortunately haros aren't very good at stealth. He pauses in his quest to look around]

Hello? Hello?

[ooc: Frederick, Lyle's haro, is out exploring. Feel free to encounter him anywhere in the shelter. Lyle can also join later in the thread if you want, but for now, just the haro]

[ You can hear the sound of rustling and rummaging around. Finally, Toph decides to express her displeasure to the network. ]

I don't see why everything had to be cleaned. It was fine just like it was! Now I can't find anything.

[Lavender eyes open slowly, and it doesn't take the person they belong to too long to realize that the current surroundings are unknown; this is certainly not the church Crona had been in last thing zie remembers, and instead zie's outside somewhere unfamiliar] Eh... Where am I? [Crona huddles into a ball, feeling cold, gazing with fright at the sight of the ball and chain on zir ankle before yelping when the communicator on zir head – which zie hadn't noticed until right then – turns on and begins explaining everything]

Is this... a prison? I-I don't know how to deal with that... [Crona stays huddled there for what seems like quite a while before Ragnarok decides to show himself (or maybe it was only then that he was able to, he looks weaker and smaller...) as he appears from Crona's back] Stupid Crona! Stop being lazy and start trying to get us out of here! [The small black and white figure uses his fists to hit the other over the head a few times, jostling zir and causing the video recorder to turn on purposefully, though Crona is oblivious to it] W-What am I supposed t-to do..?

Get someone to tell you how to leave! [Ragnarok looks angry and Crona shrinks away from him, though it's futile since he's a part of zir body. Zie decides to hide zir head in zir arms. Anyone watching through the video feed would probably only currently see a rather odd looking black, with a little bit of white, shape with a blur of pink on top, because Crona is still 'hiding' in what appears to be an alley between two buildings. Ragnarok is behind zir, not visible at the moment] I d-don't like this...

((OOC EDIT: Please take a look at this if you are confused by my now and future use of genderless pronouns!))