After the events that had the village in total chaos Sikozu had spent more than a little time in the library trying to figure out not only what those things were but more importantly how they had come and left so easily. Rumor was it was all because of some android and a time-traveler, really the stories varied too much for her to follow at times. Luck had been with her after the things had left. Walking the streets she had come across a few pieces of the beings that had entered the village and managed to take them back to her room. Now all she needed was access to somewhere she could study the things further without being too obvious.

The village listed a number of possibilities. Sikozu knew her value, but human (and the village seemed to be filled with them) were fickle and often found her less than personable. She needed access to machines and a job as soon she would have to eat and she currently had nothing to bargain with and no money to speak of.

Frustrated but determined Sikozu headed to McKay Electronic Repair. It was far beneath her skills but it was better than nothing.

Tearing Shawn Spencer away from his Xbox was difficult, and getting the controller out of his hands was like trying to get an unfortunate squirrel out of the mouth of a ravenous dog. Tearing him away from the Wii was next to impossible, especially when in the middle of a marathon Wii Tennis session being held in his hotel room. He dressed for the session accordingly, naturally. His light colored polo shirt was accompanied by knee-length tennis shorts, and he had a sweat band (white, with red stripes) ringing his forehead, with additional bands around his wrists. And each swing of the Wii nunchuck was accompanied by a Monica Seles worthy grunt. The Shawn Mii resembled the real Shawn in face and in costume.

Bounding around the main space, Shawn barely noticed the sudden shimmering to existence of another bedroom, something which room 318 hadn't had since Gus left the village.

Or he did notice but decided to ignore it since he was about to win his match.

[warning: will be adults only once in the pup journal. possible kinky things going on like a bit of bloodplay, maybe bondage, maybe more -- you have been warned. :P]


Selene was feeling uneasy, a little antsy that she had gone out for a walk in the park and ended up in the woods there. Tall trees and shrubs, hidden groves, animals big and small scuttling about. She felt like she wanted to hunt, get that restlessness out of her system and the urge was really strong.

The problem was her not allowing herself to hunt. Not after that incident where the deer turned out to be a young man. She didn't want to risk it and so there she was pacing and thinking. Being here in the woods was too much of a risk to take because her nature might get the best of her that she would not be able to stop herself. Not that it has happened to her before but she was not about to court danger now.

She headed back to her room. Best to stay in there, in the dark, in the quiet, alone.

But Selene did not want to be alone. So, as she walked back she sent Sam a handwaved message, asking for his company, if he were available and could get away from the books and the library and his brother -- even for a little while.

With little Spot in her carrier and Orac in his, he'd packed modestly in preparation to go. As if expecting him to go, he'd woke up to find most of his closet empty aside from the attire Garak made for his wedding; a burgundy mandarin collar jacket with an embroidered gold waistcoat. No costumes for the holosuite. No cricketing gear. No dress uniform.

At least after all the trouble his brother had caused, at least there was this. It was vindicating really. While two of the people (or one, depending on how you looked at it) wasn't there to share the experience and O'Brien wasn't there as he would have liked him to have been, at least Data could have a surrogate of sorts standing in on his wedding party. With the seventh Doctor, Riker, and Geordi on his side and Garak, Glitch, and Vila on Avon's, Picard conducting the ceremony and the knowledge that Trance would get him away from the place that would keep taking people away from him.

It was also fitting that it took place in a duplicate of Ten Forward, and likely the last time he would see anything that felt this close to home. But for now this would be his last chance to see his crewmates, and he was trying to speak with everyone at the reception that he could.

[(Treat like a gathering post for the reception, which is open to anyone. Posting for all my characters in comments. Last open, as I would like the chance to get my good-byes/last conversations in. Late tags are okay.)]

[ooc: takes place after this thread]

It had taken a while for Diana to fall asleep, but she was settled now, warm, fed, clean and dozing happily in the nursery. Carolyn was sitting with her, the light coming from the kitchen the only illumination in the apartment. She'd tried calling River a couple times and hadn't gotten an answer, but she could have been with John.

Carolyn sighed in her spot curled up in the squishy chair placed in Diana's room, used for nursing and general baby cuddling. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but much calmer. If she had met Robert a month earlier, she'd still be sobbing, but now she could just let herself be sad, let herself miss him.

It hurt, but it was okay.

Back home there were many times that Greg had to work the holidays, especially once he got into the field and was on the low end of the totem pole. He knew that often the oddest crimes took place during the holiday season. Sometimes he and the others would head over to the diner for a bit of a Thanksgiving get together, but it had been years since he had gone home for the holiday, not that his grandparents really celebrated the American holiday but it was still nice to have that family time. This year he was in a village far from home, hell, it was far from anything even remotely familiar, but he had Elle and a few friends and so he was going to make the most of it.

He had sent out a message to their friends but still he wasn't really sure anyone would actually show up. That didn't mean he wasn't going to be prepared with a turkey and candied yams (which he actually hated).




{{Yeah, I know most people will be having slow time, so I figured I would throw it up early and people can tag in. Open to anyone who knows Greg and/or Elle. Gathering style; just tag in subject line and happy turkey day for those that celebrate!}}

It was Thanksgiving again, about a year since she'd finally come out of her room and really entered life in the village. A lot had happened in that time, good things, bad things, confusing things.

Still, she was here and she had a job she loved and a few friends and she was safe. And even if she was spending Thanksgiving alone, still it was okay, she was content with that.

Not that she'd mind visitors - might even whip up some food if someone stopped by - but she was okay with being here on her own.

Laura had been up since four in the morning cooking. This was her first time hosting Thanksgiving after learning about it last year, and she was worried that she was over looking something. According to everything she'd managed to find, all of the staples were ready to begin being cooked. The turkey was already thawing in the fridge and before she started cooking, she organized the kitchen: Ingredients, raw food preparation, and all the utensils she might need.

Had she thanked her husband for her new kitchen lately? She definitely needed to.

Allowing herself a bit more sleep from five until seven when Laila woke up, once the baby was fed and they were both dressed (the baby in an adorable onesie that she personally found hilarious) Laura set to work. Laila was happy in her swing, Joslire was walking Shimmer, and there were dishes to be made as the turkey went into the oven to start cooking: Stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, rolls, cornbread casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and sweet potato pie.

It was going to be a long day, but she was stopping to smile as often as possible, especially as the smells of food cooking started to waft through the apartment, and people started arriving. The television was on (the parade, then football for those interested), music was playing in the kitchen, Laila was in an exceptionally good mood, and Laura thought that now, after the past year, she understood what being thankful was about.


((slow time of course, so we can all get our omnomnom on, but I figured I'd get this up so we could have a nice long weekend to play. Remember, this is open to anyone Laura and Jos know. They would send the invitation to every single one of their friends.))

As he had promised in his message to Sam, Cal strode into the police station exactly an hour after the last message had been sent. He paused in the doorway, taking a moment to look around -- anyone as skilled in reading body language as he was might have noted hesitation on his part, nervous for whatever reason that this wouldn't work out -- and then he was heading up to the reception desk. Calmly, he asked for Tyler, was told where he could find him, and with a smile that never reached his eyes and a thank you, he headed in that direction, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his trousers.

"DCI Tyler?" he called when he got close enough. God, he felt like a fool -- it'd been an age since he'd been on an interview rather than the one doing the interviewing.

So, it had come. He'd inherited the Dojo.

And no, he wasn't painting it pink.

He was however working out how to get new staff to teach classes, and generally getting to grips with things, as well as continuing to train Buffy. Maybe he ought to put up flyers or send a message on that thing everyone carried.

No, that was last resort.

Desire settled itself at the cafe, a cup of hot chocolate in front of it. It was sitting at one of the outdoor tables, despite the cold. After all, what was cold to it? Such things had little effect one way or another.

It had been considering going to Aph's temple. It hadn't been there in a while, and it was debating the benefits of enlisting her unsuspecting help. Thomas and Justine weren't going to stay at such a delicious level of discontent for long, after all. And Desire deeply wanted to continue to see them.

It fingered the handle of the cap for a moment, before lifting the drink to its lips. Swiping the rim to catch any leftover drops, it watched the crowd and passers by with cat-like eyes.

Everyone wanted something after all.

Teachers and students, good Wednesday morning! Excitement is in the air and we are getting ready for Thanksgiving break. I ask you all, what are you thankful for? Is it the fact that the village hasn't been attacked in over a week now? Thankful that you don't have to come to the school again until Monday? I'm sure it's that last one. Probably more than the first one.

Anyway, same old announcements as before - Christmas dance on the 18th, sign up for sports, extra credit for volunteering. Let's get to something else: Making out in the hallways.

Not only do I NOT want to see your tongue, you are setting a terrible example for the younger kids. Now I don't care if you're gay, straight, whatever gets you curious, kids. What you should remember is that we share this school with elementary kids. So keep your tongues to yourselves and we'll all get along much better. If not, I know some cafeteria tables that need scrubbing. Again, I'm watching you. You never know when I might pop up, do you really want to take that chance?

Speaking of our younger students, I'd like to encourage you pee-wees to play this recess on the brand new jungle gym! Play until your heart's content or your teachers say it's time to head inside.

Everyone have a wonderful Wednesday and a Happy Thanksgiving!

(If you want to tag both, go ahead. Not during the conversation, please.)

I am at work, behind the front desk. There is a large cart of books that need to be put away, which I hope to get to later or perhaps when the library is closed... We just haven't had enough (pc) staff since Lady Marian left. And now it is all my responsibility. A very good thing that I love books.

There's a bit of a smile on my face as I go through the check-in on the computer. The sound of the door makes me look up.

xXx


There he is, immediately in front of me. It is time both for me to see this library the village has and to speak with my younger son. Boromir... for the first time, he is not the one I need go to.

I know who is to blame for that, and I'm about to speak with him.

Bear with, as tagging my pups together is going to be awkward. But that's my problem.

Clark had watched the clock a fair enough since exchanging messages with Chris - the boy had certainly picked up how to use the device quickly. Then again, kids were starting rather early with gadgets these days, and Chris was an exceptional kid.

He arrived a bit early outside the school, and waited for his new roomie to emerge. Taking Chris to see the farm was going to be fun, Clark only regretted that he wasn't seeing it for the first time earlier in the year.

After the conversation with Kosciusko, Kerai sagged, shaking with the after effects of adrenaline. Her eyes were closed, as she processed all that she had heard, and related it to what she already knew.

She opened her eyes, though her stare showed that she wasn't really focusing on those around her.

"Thank you. All of you."

post is gathering style, put whoever you want to talk to in the subject line. Thank you!

It was a crisp day, but not really incredibly chilly, and although Patrick hadn't really had any contact with a calendar the few days he had been in Haurvatat, given the temperature and the way the trees were losing leaves or had long since lost them he could pretty much pin down the current "pocket dimensional" month. It had been June when he had left California behind, and even then he had never been used to colder weather, much less cared for it.

However, due to the chilly weather and the majority of the town patrons (many of whom weren't human) wanting hot cocoa and other warm edibles, the inside of the cafe was jam packed, leaving Patrick to sit outside on the porch at one of the few remaining unoccupied tables. A stack of pamphlets he had picked up on a whim from the Welcome Center on the table top, anchored down from the slight breeze in the air by a half full cardboard coffee cup with plastic lid. Legs crossed, sitting parallel to the top of the table, he skimmed through a few of the fronts of the pamphlets:

'Why So Many People Wear What They (Don't) Wear: A Guide To Modern Clothing'

'Reasons Why Ducks Should Be Respected'

'Messaging Devices 101: LOL, LMAO and Other 21st Century Earth Acronyms'

Thumbing through 'Reasons Why Ducks Should Be Respected' and reading about a particular duck named Ira, Patrick smiled to himself. Mental note: Don't go to the duck pond unarmed.

Aya had finished teaching History, and it was a bit rough. The students seemed quite tired that morning. He tried a different approach for them. He gave them a contest: whoever could name at least ten important figures in the time period they were studying or have studied would get cookies the next day.

His cookies were damn good too.

It was nice to see that bribery still worked.

Now he was in the faculty lounge, listening to the morning announcements while drinking some tea he brought for himself, not being too fond of coffee. He nearly choked at hearing there was a sign for kendo signups outside the Japanese class door. 'I didn't see a sign...' It wouldn't be far fetched if Aya didn't notice it at all.

He was curious now, and wanted to see this roster, and hoped that someone, anyone, would sign up.


[ooc: you can catch Aya in the faculty lounge or in the hallway!]

For all they'd made the plans weeks before, the village had kept interfering to the point Lancelot had begun to wonder if something were conspiring to prevent them from carrying them out. He supposed they could have made them for a weeknight, but somehow Saturday seemed the traditional night for such things, and so he'd clung to that night. Now that the day was here, he was on guard all day, waiting for something to happen again to interfere.

When the time drew near to meet Morgana and he could still leave his floor and no strange creatures had invaded the village and no other disaster had befallen it, Lancelot breathed a sigh of relief. He probably wouldn't fully relax until they made it to the restaurant, but at least it seemed as if they might do so this time, and that set off a different set of nerves. Yes, they'd spoken more, and even dined in her rooms, but she was a lady and he a commoner, and his escorting her out was something he knew for certain the King would frown upon, and he suspected Arthur would be none too pleased, either.

But he enjoyed her company, and she seemed to enjoy his, and so, quelling his nerves and convincing himself that she would not have agreed to go if she did not truly wish to, and would not have ever pursued the friendship if she thought him unworthy, he dressed in the best clothes he had, and made his way down the hall to her suite, knocking lightly on the door when he arrived.

Meetings in the cafe. How stereotypical, Lucas thought to himself. But he was out of sorts today.

Ros had vanished from the village. He'd checked carefully, all her things were missing, she was gone from the register. He could hope that she might come back, but he knew he didn't want her to, not really.

He wanted her to help get Harry back.

He was in the cafe, checking in on Malcolm, finding out where he was on keeping an eye on possible Tessa and Connie. He sat there afterwards, thinking about all that had happened in the village. Was it really nearly a year since he'd arrived?

Ros leaving also set Malcolm to thinking. Who would be next? Would he get home? Would Harry be safe? So many unanswered questions.


Catch either of them at the cafe, let me know who you want

Happy Tuesday morning teachers and students. I trust you all had a wonderful evening. Just a couple of things I'd like to bring to everyone's attention today.

Don't forget that school will be out on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.

Sign ups are still open for cheerleading, swim team, football, and lest I forget, kendo. The sign ups are for the first three are located outside Mrs. Taylor's office and the kendo sign up is right outside the Japanese classroom.

The Christmas dance will be held on December 18th, so don't forget about all the fun times you can have with that, kiddos. Just remember the rules of the dance, and you'll be fine. Yes, I will be a chaperon. I will be watching you.

I've seen some interesting graffiti in the bathrooms. Defacing school property is a suspensionable offense. I've seen it in both the ladie's and the men's rooms. Well, I'd like to talk to you all about something I like to call handwriting analysis. It works. And I will use it to get to the bottom of things if this continues. Please respect school property.

Everyone have a terrific Tuesday!