[ You can hear the sound of her whimpers quite clearly. Gracia is clutching the SFC quite close. In the background, the loud barks of Futon is heard. The dog is directing its growls towards something. Or maybe someone. ]

This is a curse, right? I-I don't like it...It isn't like one of those party curses Vatheon used to have during this time of year, no not at all! What about all the lovely costumes, and the dancing, and the fireworks?

[ Her breath hitches in her throat. Futon's barking becomes louder. ]

No, stay back! Hiyaa!

[ Gracia's steps over Futon's tail by accident, causing the dog to yelp in surprise. Some static passes over the feed. Gracia frowns. ]

You're not real, and you'll go away if I ignore you! Mm, I-I won't talk to you! No, I won't! So leave right now! You're not even --

[ She pauses. Whoever it is, it's speaking to Gracia, yet she absolutely panics at the sound of its voice. Futon barks even louder, and Gracia abandons talking to the SFC. She stuffs the communicator inside her pocket and begins to run away, somewhere, anywhere....

...Away from Him. Futon's barking chases after the recording, until Gracia frantically switches it off. ]


(OOC: Replies will be ICly delayed. The shape of her living nightmare? An Akechi Mitsuhide (wavesoakedlegs) who does not know who Gracia is. MWAHAHAHAHA. But you won't know that until she spills, or you catch her running all over town xD So feel free to reply in ACTION, if you're up for it!)

[Her clothes clinging to her, the green-haired and green-eyed woman peers at the screen. If one takes the time to notice, the fairly minimal amount of clothing she wears looks very much like the style of the Embryon's clothing.]

I appreciate the information within the brochure. However, I do not understand. What is the purpose of recording your location for all who wish to see?

[Her body feels different. Weaker. Although it doesn't show much in her voice, this change is bothering her. It isn't even just her body. The brochure explains many things, but not the important things. What is she here for? Was this what happened to those who rose to the heavens? No, that was impossible. 'Oceans' were deep. This was more like sinking. Did death affect those who had gained the power differently to those who had not?

Apart from that, however, she seems entirely unperturbed by the soaking wet state of her body, the marking, or the fact that her hair was plastered to her left eye by the dampness.]

I will ask only once. Is the direction to this 'residency list' a trap?

Serph is nowhere to be found. People don't just disappear, ( can you tell its his first time losing someone, vatheon? ) and it's impossible to get answers out of these "locals" or whatever the hell you want to call them! And he wouldn't just die that easily, even he's better than that.

Just because he isn't around though, don't think that means we're defenseless. I'll be taking over as leader in the meantime, so if anyone has any business with the Embryon, you take it up with me. ( look at how he jabs himself in the chest. that means he's serious... )

Everyone else, report in.

[Have a chipper Rinoa, Vatheon!]

Hello fellow bubble dwellers~ First of all, thanks to everyone who came to the party two weeks ago! It was a blast, and it looked like everyone had a fun time. [Even the birthday boy.] And extra thanks to those that helped set up. You guys made it a lot easier for me.

Secondly, who's all going to the masquerade ball this Saturday? I'm definitely going, and I'm sure a bunch of others are, but I kind of wanted to see who all would be there. On the off chance you didn't hear about it, Johnny Rayflo along with The Golden Victory Club will be hosting a masquerade ball this Saturday! It's a formal affair, but you get to wear a mask like this. [She holds up her mask to show.] It's a fun chance to get dressed up and dance! So, you should definitely come if you can make it!

((Filtered private message to Squall:))

I know you've had it hard lately with running the Force solo, but I think you should go Saturday night. You need a night off. [Knowing Squall, he's probably hardly given himself a break since Serph went home.] Besides, I need a date. All you'd need is to get a tux or something to wear. I'll find you a mask.

Please? [Don't make her try to "charm" you again.]

[Bet you're just eager for more confused arrivals, aren't you Vatheon? Well, this one actually barreled headfirst into someone that directed him to the welcoming committee. It's not going to stop him from trying to rationalize it away as the communicator flicks on.]

Finally. Weird little thing. 'Kay, someone be straight with me here.

This is a dream, right? 'm just dreaming about being in a bigass fish tank where we have to give G-rated tributes to some coral god every--oh--other day-ish. Why? I don't know, maybe being dead knocked me loopy. Wouldn't be the first time.

Minato? Yuka-tan? Fuuka-chan? ...Anybody from SEES? When are you guys gonna pop up an' tell me about your new BFF Neptune?

[He is well and truly ruffled, folks. Help a bro out?]

[ The SFC lies on the counter, and Gracia looks into the feed with a rather displeased frown, both hands on her hips. What is important to take note of, dearest Vatheonites, is the fact that the entire kitchen wall (as evidenced by the pots and pans hanging on a plastic rack) is splattered almost completely with chocolate. Dripping, hot, melted chocolate. The wall is almost like a blank canvas that's been painted on with splats of milky brown.

Also, Gracia herself is covered with chocolate. Her face and her hair seemed to have received similar treatment; chocolate splatters from her left cheek all the way up to her forehead, to her nose, and then down to the half of her chin. Red hair tied up in a ponytail only served to have the chocolate drip down to her shoulder, which one can only assume to mean that even her purple apron and the clothes underneath it, were somehow soiled too.

What in the world was she doing before she decided to switch on her SFC? ]

[ She leans forward and begins speaking, as if the kitchen of her new apartment wasn't a victim of a mini chocolate nuclear bomb going off.

Gracia sounds very ticked off when she speaks. ]

To the people who are angry at my Father, Akechi Mitsuhide, for kicking me out of our home, please stop feeling that way towards him! He did not kick me out! He only suggested that I leave, and after a while, I came to the conclusion all on my own, that I had to go. [ She points an accusatory finger at the SFC. ] So you must apologize to Father for this misunderstanding! I went to live on my own because I chose so, not because he forced me! To think that you would ever believe his gentle heart to be capable of such a thing...!

[ She starts swaying around, almost beginning another one of her Mitsuhide-is-amazing-and-is-the-best-man-in-the-whole-world speeches, but she only sighs this time around, and shakes her head. When her expression changes to disappointment, she makes no eye contact with whoever is watching the video feed. Instead, it seems this disappointment is aimed towards herself. Was she holding a wooden spoon...that had a burnt handle? ]

I must apologize as well. Maybe it was from my previous post that people assumed my Father forced me to leave...or it was something that I said, and I didn't realize that I said it. [ She rubs at the back of her neck (her arm is covered in chocolate. The chocolate is, in fact, beginning to dry now.) ] I'm very sorry. I shouldn't be mad at anyone but myself. I seem to be unable to control or remember what I say or do when I'm upset. I only realized this now! [ Gracia attempts to chuckle, but it only comes out halfheartedly. She takes a deep breath, and smiles now, wide and bright! ]

So that's all I wanted to tell you! If you thought Father made me leave, then let me tell you now that he would never do such a thing! He is far too kind and far too wonderful to force anyone to do anything they would not want to do. I chose to leave on my own!

[ She waves at the SFC, with the same hand that holds the burnt wooden spoon............. ] Now I have to go and finish what I'm making! I hope I didn't scare anyone with how I began this post -- !

[ CLANK. She takes a step back, as something fell from the ceiling. When Gracia disappears from the feed to pick up the mystery item, she reveals that it's no special mystery item at all. It's the lid of a metal pan. Gracia blinks and examines it silently, then looks up at the ceiling. ]

Oh, so that's where it went...

[ BASICALLY THE WHOLE SCENE LOOKS LIKE THIS. SO GRACIA. ROOMMATE. DOESN'T SOUND SO BAD NOW, DOES IT? ]

Is this on?

[The SFC's screen shows a gallant-looking woman, studying the camera rather sternly. Once she realizes that it's working properly, she moves the camera a bit farther away and begins to speak:]

I... must apologize for my actions the other day. I just found myself here so suddenly, so I assumed... [that she was kidnapped. So she ended up attacking some people based on those assumptions. She glances away from the camera, blushing furiously out of embarrassment.] I'm... really sorry. I promise to atone for what I've done to the best of my abilities.

[Okay, apology over. She clears her throat and puts her gaze back on the camera.]

Now that I have settled that, I suppose it's time that I introduce myself. I am Chloe Valens, a knight from the Holy Empire of Gadoria. [Not that it matters.] I make it my duty to help anyone in need, so if you require assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

Though, if it is not any trouble... I must ask if anyone knows of any good relaxation techniques. I'm rather uncomfortable with an ocean being above my head, so I'd like to know if there is an effective way to calm one's nerves.

[She's quick to sternly add:]

A-And I'm sure many other people have this sort of problem, not just me! I figured it would be good to ask publicly because it should be beneficial information to everyone!

[Riza should, on all accounts, still be resting, given her back was only recently burned to destroy the hidden tattoo there. Then again, Riza Hawkeye and bed rest never did go hand in hand...

Either way, she's up and about and has found what looks like a gun shop.]

I'm wondering if any of you have firearms knowledge as while I have found several gun models here that I am familiar with, there are certain ones that seem quite foreign. [Riza holds up a desert eagle then a standard issue police handgun with her right hand.] I can't help but wonder if such models would offer better protection in the long run or if I should stick with what I've been trained in. Any help in the matter would be most appreciated.

I'm also curious as to why I was sleeping for two weeks, seemingly without any ill effects. [B|] Is it normal for such a thing to occur?