Ayshela

Shana sits talking with Serena, as they debate rooming arrangements and wondering who could have killed these people so horribly. It all seems so unreal, almost like a waking nightmare. i wonder, though.. thought Shana. i thought it might be Amanda, because of how her husband didn't respond to her.. i wonder, though, if i read that the wrong way round? So cold, so slow to respond.. i thought maybe it was because he suspected her, or knew about her, but she's clearly innocent. What if the coldness was because it's him? OOC: I accuse Markus Black - Degenero Angelus

Thank you all so much! This was exactly what i was hoping for, and precisely why i obtained permission to post the question here.. where better to ask than where wordcraft is practiced? I'll leave this run through the weekend then consolidate responses and send them on. Thank you. If i could reach, i'd hug every one of you personally. *glomps each and every one of you*

YAYS for Friday!!! *runs away with Xaious to Steel-Toed-Boot Land, kicking numerous things along the way*

*pounces Vincent and huggles him ferociously* Happy Birthday!!

Two bits of info before i do, though: While i love you all and you're all more than welcome in my inbox for any reason or none at all, this is not currently something i can explain, because it's not directly *my* question - so a barrage of "what's up?" won't help. And in reassurance for those who might jump to confusions - since this is not directly my question, you can take it as read that it has *nothing* to do with my current living situation. The multi-faceted question itself, for which i really need as many perspectives as possible: What is "home"? How do you define that? What does that mean to you? How do you know when you're "home"?

ahhhhh welcome, Mini.. i've lost all too many that way too. *hugs*

Ayshela strolls by with laden tray. Giving the ogress a large sandwich and a pint of beer, she then enters the Recruiter's Office and braings the tray to Crichon and those waiting with him. Would never do to have you wasting away whilst waiting for word from Wyvern! Welcome!

Yui - YES!

*giggles* *nods* Have you - ever argued with yourself until you put your hands over your ears and shouted "Just shut UP!"?? realized that there is no way you can say anything without offending or upsetting *some*one, and just gone away?

and superglued items of various types

mmmmmmmmmmmmm *hugs Tanny carefully, not moving her head more than necessary* thank you, dear

Shana wandered the house throughout the day, watching people watching each other. It was a most unnerving experience, especially knowing they were watching her doing the same. She spoke with Serena several times, and with as many of the others as she could, trying to find some reason for the murders or some clue to who might be behind it. And through it all her mind returned to Elizabeth's very dextrous handling of the card and her cool composure. Could it be her? OOC: i vote for Elisabeth Christie - Lady Celes

*peers through blinding headache* someone turn down the sun, will you? day phase.. ending? saywha?? umm.. okay.. will go post vote. Xanthus - noted your OOC and edited my post accordingly. *nods*

Have you ever read a thread like this and laughed with glee to see other people posting such things? Have you ever taken a long drive in the middle of the night just to have a safe place to scream? Have you ever had such a horrible headache that breathing or blinking hurt? Have you ever gone sliding across a frosty deck, while your family watches from the kitchen window in shock? Have you ever gone to the toy store just to play with the stuffed animals? Have you ever tried to see *just* how far you *can* flip jello across the lunchroom with a plastic spoon? (whoops, didn't *mean* to hit the teacher in the back of the neck, i swear i didn't!)

two separate? wow, i counted three before yours, Alaeha! *Picks Merelas up and dusts him off and huggles him sedately before meandering off smiling broadly*

Once again a blurred form comes flying from the shadows to tacklehug an innocent bystander - or in this case, not so innocent? Regel finds himself being pounced and ferociously huggled, then laughingly dragged away to the birthday room to find his friends awaiting with cake and punch, hugs and gifts, and a "Never Over the Hill" banner just for him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! cries ring out as he appears in the doorway, and it takes several minutes for him to make his way through the wellwishers to the table. Awaiting him there he finds, to his relief, a pair of sunglasses specially crafted to slightly dim the beaming faces and gleeming smiles surrounding him. A very splendiferously happy birthday to you, Regel! 50?? Honestly, you don't look a day over.. 49! *tacklehugs*

OOC: Well, glad to know staying up talking with you last night doesn't count! *giggles* IC: Shana sat at the breakfast table sipping her coffee and thinking intensely. Amanda was under guard when the second murder happened, which could well be taken as proof that she was innocent. Looking about her, she began to wonder.. Lord Washima seems alright, an honourable man indeed. I do hope he's not making a mistake wandering about alone with Elizabeth. An excellent poker player, well able to bluff. I wonder.. she thought. Looking about further, she noticed Javier again. It seemed he'd been on an endless bender since he'd burst in on them all last night. It could be *him*, he was unaccounted for at the first murder. Where was HE last night? Realizing her thoughts were becoming as cold as the coffee she held, forgotten, she set it down and left the table to seek out the Winter Garden. OOC: It's only breakfast yet, i'll vote with my next post.

*hugtackles Merelas* congratulations!!!!!

RAH!!!!! Ayshela flies out of the edge of a convenient shadow and tacklehugs Tanny, rolling across the grass with her in gleeful merriment HURRAH!! Congratulations! :D

Shana stretched unobtrusively, trying to work a kink out of her back. It had been several years since she'd been in the habit of dropping off to sleep in the corner of the couch, wherever she happened to be for the evening. The horrors of the evening before had receded somewhat, as she and Serena had talked late into the night about their different school experiences and lives since then before drifting into a fitful rest. Sleepy people wandering aimlessly about had made the absence of someone *else* she didn't know unnoticable, until the empty seat at breakfast made it obvious. The resurgence of terror was suffocating for a moment, and Shana looked around to see widened eyes in white faces looking around as she was. "Who... who could have..." she stuttered softly, trailing off to shocked silence. OOC: no vote yet

yeah, i was really confused too because i'd thought that the masquerade ball was one proposal and the reunion, ten years later, was a totally different one.. so it's been a bit confusing as they seem to have merged, trying to figure what the actual setting IS.. but.. *shrug* whatever works, eh? EDIT: given the apparent discrepancy in setting, Shana has been somewhat restrained.. it's not like she's been the "stereotypical bubble headed bleach blonde" you know.. she could quite easily fit in the ten-years-later scenario. No worries there. =)

OOC: ooooooh, Valdar, that was so beautifully evil!!! i love it! LOL

*glomps Psimon* congrats!!!!! i bet it's been a rocky ride, but i'm glad she's been allowed home! Our Emily had a rough start too, and wasn't initially allowed home, so you have my most heartfelt sympathies and heartiest congratulations and biggest hugest warmest hugs..

I wander through the darkness sharing laughter, sharing tears with the warm and loving voice who knows my words, has felt my fears. When the darkness grasps me tightly I can hear you call me on, directing blinded, shaky steps to solid ground, where I belong. Chipping gently, yet relentlessly through solid blocks - your tools? Consistency and love, which slowly changes all the rules. I wander through the darkness, yet however far I roam the beacon of my loving friend will always guide me home.

echoes Salinye