[Alois is sprawled on the floor, barefooted and surrounded by all kinds of craft supplies. Glitter, heart-shaped stickers, glue, crayons and even rhinestones.

He's busy decorating what looks like a purple Valentine card. He's already glued some heart-shaped rhinestones on it, and now he's coloring the blue wings of a little butterfly he drew on one corner.

At the center of the card there are the words To Ciel written with a golden glitter pen, for the whole City to see.

Once he's done coloring the butterfly, Alois slides out of view for a few seconds. He returns promptly with a little sticker in his hand. It's the picture of a tiny bumblebee carrying a heart. As he tries to glue it to the card, the sticker dissolves into sand, which gets mixed with all the glitter he previously glued.]

Fucking sand. [He hisses. There are some scraping sounds, and then the connection is lost.]

Someone told me how this thing works, kind of like a telephone, but it talks to everyone else who's got one. I hope she was right, and I hope it's working like it's supposed to.

She also said people here come and go, no rhyme or reason to it, and there's no way I can go home on purpose. But if anyone else knows anything different, I'd like you to tell me. I got to get home. I can't say why--my mom'll worry if nothing else, that's enough reason, isn't it?--but I can't just get stuck here like this.

[There's something urgent, desperate in his voice as he repeats:] I got to get home.

[ooc: After this]

[ This time around, Kururu switches on the video with the air of somebody who actually knows what they’re doing. The tears from home are already dry as the memories of her previous stay come rushing back. ]

Oh, I'm... back here again? [ She still has the broken Storm Regalia with her—not to mention the sheet that barely covers anything. ] Kazu... um, Akito… are you still here? I wasn’t at home very long, so…

[ She gives the communicator a hopeful smile. ] But it means more time to focus on fixing the Regalia, right? Umm, yeah… so that’s what I’ll do! I didn’t get to try much last time.

[ The engineer that repairs the broken sky. That’s the promise she’d made; her own dream to follow. She nods decisively. ] That’s all, I think … ahhh, how do you turn this off again?

[The device has been abandoned, that much is clear enough. From the far end of a workbench, it clicks itself on to broadcast Marie Delacroix bent over what very much looks like a fencing rapier and muttering to herself venomously. She pauses at moments to brush her hair out of her eyes impatiently while growling about something in that distinct French accent of hers,]

Inferior crystal structure-- Zhis is not even suitable for--

[She carries on grumbling, fiddling with the base of the thing. She picks up a delicate screwdriver to fasten back down one of the panels, trying again to activate it. It spits sparks at her and she jerks back turning her head to the side.]

Trou d'enfer vers l'arrière. I 'ad better equipment when I was an undergraduate.

[The panel is opened once more, something inside clicking and grinding, barely audible, before she tries once more. This time, there is a humming sound, the incredibly thin blade beginning to glow a distinct shade of purple. Marie smiles, standing from her stool to lift the sword. The humming sound is louder as she moves it through the air. And when she presses it down against the work bench, the metal bending, it begins to sizzle through the material. She sounds incredibly pleased,]

Zhere... finally...

[Her eyes catch on the camera then, eyes narrowing suspiciously. She does not like to be monitored. Not after what XERXES had done. Still, she stalks to the end of the table, snatching up the thing.]

I am prepared for you, creatures. I do not care what face you 'ide behind, you will not disarm me with your sweetness.


[[ooc; Making friends and influencing people, by Marie Delacroix. She ate Miss Tessa's Monster, and is... uh. Ready. She has also been collaborating with Monsieur Sephiroth, if any of his coworkers want to hand-wave having met her.]]

[Ciel is seen looking particularly upset. He is most displeased. Seeing someone he should be protecting be injured is jarring to him. He can't stand the sight of blood.

Funny he is what he is.]


There is a certain creature named Karl Fei-Ong that I would like to speak with.

I should also inform you all he is a deadly combination of stupid and dangerous- Considering he attempted to murder someone in my care.

Alois, come here.

[voice/action]

[ Another accidental post, Doctor? Not exactly. He intended to lock it to Rose but the device has other ideas. ]

Are you sure they sell this thing in the market? I can only find orange. No pink. Really, you'd look like an overstuffed pumpkin in one and overstuffed strawberry in the other. No offense.

[ ooc: The Doctor is suffering from the curse today! Please feel free to run into him out and about and be complimented and then insulted. Or the other way around, he isn't picky. ]

[There's a puppy's eye view of Cinna waiting outside one of the consultation rooms. Soon the door opens and a customer walks out. Cinna claps his hands together.]

Marvelous, the color brings out your eyes beautifully, taking focus from that weak chin you have. And the cut of those pants flatters you beautifully, even with your thighs.

[With that the man turns to punch him in the nose, causing woman's gasp from inside the room. While the man curses about letting his girlfriend take him to these sorts of places, Cinna holds his hand to his now-bleeding nose.]

What did I say? Really, sir, you look marvelous - it surprised even me.

[There's a scuffle and what sounds like the woman trying restrain her boyfriend, and the puppy drops the device, going to see if his master is alright.]

//Fail!Locke to Eagle//

Valentine's Day...what..do normal people do for it? I've never paid attention to it or given it any thought before.

But...well...I just thought I'd ask you for some ideas...

[OOC: No, he's not cursed...just awkward forever when it comes to things he doesn't fully understand and can't name. You can probably blame the fail!lock on his nervousness...and my cruelty. feel free to torture]

I know Presea isn't here anymore, but are there any other blacksmiths here? Or arms dealers work, too. I just need a new weapon as soon as possible, and I want to commission some custom work later.

And Riou-- [ Who may or may not be in shouting distance. ] I'm sleeping with you tonight.

[ Private text to Rita ]
Come here.


[ ooc: He's also cursed! ]

[The video only stays unprivate for a brief moment, long enough for Saya to switch it over. She looks taunt and drawn, worried.]

[PRIVATE ;; Filtered to Haji & Solomon Goldsmith]

We need to discuss Karl. Now.

[The very tone of her voice has reverted somewhat into the taunt, tight tone of her more bitter days. The ones just after her year absence after Riku's death.]