Well we're getting closer to the end of the year. I take it everyone here is probably going on ahead with deciding things they want to change or do in the upcoming year and I can't blame you all if that happens to be a tradition that you happen to follow. Though for myself it could be considered the same, despite the facts that I was always hindered in carrying those resolutions out due to the interference of several different parties. Due to several events and a slight memento of one which has yet to leave me, I have basically changed my entire outlook on the nature of one's strengths and weaknesses. This has also coincided with how I view people, whom originally I saw as idiots that couldn't find their way out of a paper bag but now see as probably the only things keeping me sane.

And thats quite a few people who've happened to fill that role. An aggravating idiot who was the closest thing to an older brother I've ever had. A caring woman who felt like a mother to me. A feeling I'm still regreting not expressing to her before she left. The former roommates who were crazy but still likable in their own unique way. Well you can exclude Rhyme from that little description, she was the rock in a sea of men with varying personalities. Then there's the flamboyant nutjob who I could consider a mentor of some sorts. Then there are the friends that I made while being here who've come to make this place somewhat more bearable. Despite the fact that some of them have...different senses of humor as well, like a certain suave bar owner whose ideas for gifts we need to have a discussion on.

The only thing I can see in the upcoming year with me is the massive headaches I'm expecting to get trying to educate a pair of idiots on the dangers here and dealing with my feelings on several girls that I happen to know apart from the curses. I always expected puberty to be a pain in ass. Well guess I should go ahead and stop thinking of the past and focus on the present. Probably go ahead and drag Timothy, Neku, and the new roommate, and Rin into a snowball fight.

[Video]

[Umi's cheerful face comes into sight against the background of a snowy landscape. She's in the winterwear Amu got her, a gentle snowfall drifting about her. She's obviously making the most of the wintry weather.] It's gorgeous out here! You people should take a walk around the forest! I found a frozen lake. No, I had nothing to do with freezing it this time. Just--! DON'T REMIND ME. All I'm saying is it's a GREAT time to have a pair of ice skates ...Thanks a lot Mister Lockon, they're amazing.

[She beams and sits down on a rock, not bothered by the cold in the slightest.] Actually, I've been meaning to thank everyone for the presents. I'm wearing most of them. And will definitely use the others. Setsuna, it's PERFECT. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. And that you liked what I got for you too.

---aw, almost forgot. AGAIN. [She chuckles sheepishly as she tucks her hair away from her face, her breath hazing up.] Hikaru already knows about it. But guys, say hi to Raenef. He'll be staying with us in the apartment from now on. Be nice to him, alright? It's his first time in the City! He's also studying magic, Clef. Isn't that neat? Maybe you could give him some tidbits or something.

We actually have plenty of room available... ever since Louise left. The place is starting to feel kinda big again, so... [Her expression grows bittersweet. But she recovers from it fast.] Anyway! New roommates are always welcome. As long as we're not talking weirdos or creepers, that's our policy.

Any plans for New Year, by the way? It's kinda short notice for a party. But hitting a club together sounds like fun.

[End Video]

( Umi's Christmas Gift List )

Why is there an organ in front of my door? Is it a lung? It looks like a lung-- why is there a bloody lung in front of my door?

...

Dear God.


[ in a frantic voice ]

Excuse me- Excuse me! I have an important request to ask of all of you.

Have any of you seen a woman by the name of Yvaine recently? Slim, blonde hair, very pale, and rather cranky most of the time. She wears a long dress and often spends her times outside, most likely at night where- where the stars are most visible. She can sometimes be seen with a unicorn?

If any- If any of you happened to have seen her recently, could you tell me where and when? It's very, extremely important that you tell me.

Please.

For those who know him...

Kyou Sohma has left the city. I just checked. His portrait is in the Hall of the Missing.

Certainly an interesting holiday, Christmas is. The gifts I've received even more-so. I'm quite unsure of what I'm supposed to do with this... pocket protector, since I have no pockets to speak of. No matter, I'll find some use for it.

The year is coming to a close by this measure of time, or so it would seem. Odd to find myself witnessing the passing of a year in a world that is not my own, though it's hardly the first time it's happened. But I do wonder if something will be sprung upon us at the passing of the year into the next, it certainly seems that it would be something that would happen here.

Of all things, I can easily say that a kidney was the last item I expected to find on our doorstep. And on browsing the network, it's clearly not an isolated incident. Whatever the responsible party aims for-- if they believe the nature of this place will protect them, they are sadly mistaken.

I'm more than willing to volunteer the organ for analysis immediately. I would hope that anyone else who might receive one doesn't need to be encouraged to do the same.

I hope everyone is doing better now after the past few days, enough to hear my thank you for wonderful gifts and a cheerful time this Christmas. I appreciate having the opportunity to celebrate it in a place that's become a home away from home. The occasion would not be the same without family or friends and I look forward to the coming new year, all it may bring us, with the hope of next Christmas being just as fulfilling as this one was.

Right, so there's a Christmas package with a womb in it's been delivered to a bird on the Network. I said we might try and get over for an investigation. Do we have forensic blokes we could get in on it? I s'pose there might be fingerprints on the package, or sommat. Um... I dunno. There's a dead bird out there somewhere too, I guess.

EDIT: Awright, so now there's another similar case as well. But a kidney this time. It's going the same place as the first one so we can still...just go there, I s'pose.


[ooc: Chris is trying his very hardest to follow procedure. Also, clearly, someone's been helping him out with the device. Links IC.]

( Private//Hackable by Friends )

I suppose it'd be best to start off by clearing up any, er, misconceptions that anyone might've taken from this previous weekend, since it seems it was one of those weekends of random curses, and it also seems that I was entirely not myself for the duration of it. That's the insidious thing about some of these curses, isn't it, that they can strike so subtly that it's hard to tell the difference between those affected and those unaffected, and that can lead to quite a few misunderstandings afterward. And really, the only thing to do about it afterward is to apologize as best one can, and try to eliminate those misunderstandings, and go on as usual.

So I do hope it'll come as no great surprise to anyone when I explain that yes, I was quite cursed this weekend, and no, I'm not in any way engaged to be married to anyone.

I do very much apologize to any of my friends I spoke with this weekend, who might've gotten the wrong idea from the way I was behaving--I recall Sam and Duo in particular, but I'm sure there were others. I'm so very sorry, but please understand that I didn't know any better at the time, so I really couldn't help myself. Anything I might've said or done this previous weekend, please do take with a grain of salt. I certainly feel rather ridiculous about it all, and I would hate for any misunderstandings to persist, simply because they were based on something I did while I was quite emphatically not myself.

Still, embarrassing though it might have been, it was only a curse, and I've found that the best way to handle the aftermath of curses is usually to simply take them for what they are, make peace with what transpired, and carry on as usual, as best one can. So that's what I'll do, I think, and I hope all of you will, as well.

So! On a happier note, it really was a lovely Christmas, wasn't it? Our celebration at the Warehouse was just lovely, and thank you again to everyone that came. Having all of my friends together on Christmas was what I'd wanted most, and you all made my wish come true. And thank you so very much for all the lovely gifts, as well! They're just beautiful, all of them, and I'll treasure them very much.

Well! Now there are cookies to eat and it's still snowy and lovely outside, and there's no curse today, and the next thing to look forward to is the coming of the new year. And if those aren't all fine reasons to be content, I don't know what is.

So, Christmas, hunh? Sounds like it's just some damned excuse to give things away. Besides, I never could stand parties anyway. Better that the whole thing's over, means I don't have to listen to those idiotic songs anymore. 'Peace on earth and goodwill to man'? Nonsense. Ain't no such thing.


So no. I didn't get any of you lot anything and I don't care to. Now fuck off.

Okay, for once, I'm happy for the snow around here. It's absolutely beautiful. I think I'll close up early and go out to mess around. Anyone want to join me?

( private to Mamoru )

Okay, this is just... this is seriously gross and messed up. Whoever left me the belated Christmas present of a uterus in a box on my front door? You are one sick bastard. I just... ugh, this is so disgusting. Who the hell does that sort of thing?

[ooc: In relation to this.]

Christmas with everyone at the Warehouse was pretty awesome. The days after Christmas were pretty crazy and not quite as awesome.

Also, everyone, this is Mojo:



He's my dog from home that Rosella made a deal for. Is she the best best friend ever? I think so.

So, what are everyone's plans for New Years?

[Private to Rosella/Unhackable]

Hey, you okay after this weekend?

A full house with ... new blood... for the holidays. Let us hope Seras Victoria and her mercenary are handling things well at home. A small pain for her absence. Tche. She hadn't changed a bit in thirty years.

Hey there, Citizens! Now that the holiday season is winding down, I guess it's a good time for me to put it out on the wire that I'm starting up a little something that some of you may be interested in participating in! Now, I know for a fact that a lot of you are fabulous little song birds, and I'm sure some of you are artists and technicians and musicians, right? If that sounds remotely like you (or even if it doesn't) take a look-see below!

adrasteia musical productions is looking for:

ACTORS/SINGERS

classically trained? sound good in the shower?
up to 50 cast member positions available
sign up for an audition, there's a place for you!

DANCERS

from beginners to experienced dancers; lead choreographer
stunt experience a plus, not necessary

MUSICIANS

pit band essentials

CREW MEMBERS

lighting, effects, audio
stage construction, scenery creation, prop making/accumulation
makeup, costumes, hair
publicity, program design, poster design


Contact here if interested; leave your full name, along with what capacity you'd want to participate in and any questions you might have. This is strictly a volunteer community theater caliber production. No payment but the joy you bring to others on opening night! Show to be announced, audition location and times to be announced.


[OOC: anyone is welcome to reply, even if you didn't get to say anything on the ooc post - if you DID reply to the ooc post, please make sure to ICly reply here, just so I can be sure of who is in fact interested. head over to the NEW ooc post to vote for which show we'll be putting on, even if none of your characters will be participating!]

[video]

[It might be cold outside, but that hasn't stopped Yuuko, who is resplendent in one of her usually decedent coats, scarfed and begloved. She's standing in Xanadu, surveying the whiteness around her, which is oddly undisturbed (perhaps the witch has done a little magic already). She turns in a small circle and then claps her hands cheerfully, looking into the camera with a smile.]

Well, I think it's time to greet that which arrives with snow. Who wants to come play?

[She winks.] It's been a while since we've had a proper snowball fight.

[ooc: Random action is totally encouraged. Can't have a snowball fight without participants!]

Still snow, huh? How festive. Maybe I should have a snowball fight with Kyo for the fun of it.

It was an interesting holiday weekend, to say the least. Curses all weekend long, and Yuki... aah, at least he is okay.

Also, thanks everyone for the gifts. They all were great.


[ooc: Haru would've gotten people presents, so assume you got something if you're a friend or relative. B| I never picked stuff out. DX HARU IS A NICE GIFTER OKAY?]

For anyone that knew him, Dexter Morgan has left the City.


[Police Filter]

I'm getting caught up on things I missed while I was out of the City... I think it's obvious we need a lot of fucking restructuring. And recruiting. It might not hurt to try reaching out to some of the independent groups that have popped up and proposing cooperation, either. If we all want to protect the people here, it can only help for us to work together.

Bright side? Intel, please welcome Chris Skelton to our ranks.

So who's still here, and who's in for getting our shit together?


[Private to Rudy]

I'm picking up a six-pack.

Well...that one wasn't too bad. No homo up there, I swear. I mean, we thought we were gonna die.

[ooc; day two of the memory theatre. It's actually sweet.]