[Day: Friday, December 25th. Time: 6:00 p.m.] [It's 3 days after the whole Cayiltech deal. Once you discovered what it was Cayil was up to, Section 1 took over from there and brought him into custody. News reports say that Chancellor Bauer was "devestated that his own adopted brother was a terrorist." Cayil, meanwhile, spilled the beans on his entire motive for doing it: Bauer sucks, Bauer's friends from elementary school suck. Kids suck. Bauer deserves to be brought down by kids ( Whoooooooo.... ) ( Where that end? ) (Down by kids) [Cayil, meanwhile, spilled the beans on his entire motive for doing it: Bauer sucks, Bauer's friends from elementary school suck. Kids suck. Bauer deserves to be brought down by kids like the ones who treated him so badly, etc.] [After getting a new cybernetic arm, Helena Bernelli was ultimately released. HESO came looking for her. There was much angry shouting about how HESO didn't inform German forces that Cayil was up to something or contacted them before launching an investigation.] [Claudia whateverherlastnamewas is still in custody, although it's becoming clear she didn't know anything about Cayil at all before joining. Mainly they still have her because Helena mentioned her cooperation when Claudia found out her identity. But they can't hold her for long, so.] [Lydia informed you at some point that there may have been another organization involved in the whole affair. Evidence suggests that outside forces were trying to manipulate Cayil to get him to use his hypno-tech for more than petty revenge, but he was too fanatical to give into them, so they were planning some kind of revenge. Apparently, Eileen Rhodes was sent in by this organization to get back at him.] ( Hope that got through. ) (Yup.) (Did) *** Keiko (Mechalink@ip68-13-21-94.om.om.cox.net) has joined channel #mc4 [Finally, the hypno-tech operates on a signal that wasn't yet active in Emperor consoles around the world. Cayil's plan was to activate the signal through the internet, when the system went online in a few days. Even so, all Emperor consoles have been recalled, leaving tons of disappointed kids around the world.] ( Hokay, I think that covers everything. ) [Oh yeah, over the past 3 days, Keiko caught Cholera and died. :(] (Oh noes!) [Ok, for reals this time.] (A Christmas Funeral. How sad.) (Read the guidebook! It tells you how to fight off diseases!) (Damn.) (Do we make a tombstone for her before we ford the river?) (She prolly got cholera after we tried to ford it and fell over. >.>) (Great, now I want to play MC4 Oregon Trail.) [All the wards are in the rec. room. So's Zarina and Cyra. They're sitting on the couch, watching TV. Well, Zarina is. Cyra's sort of just staring into space.] (This is why you caulk the secret orginization and float it across.) [The guardians are... uh.... I dunno. What you guys doing?] (I've ... got an entrance to make Brett. ^^;) (Hotaru isn't in the rec room. Are there Christmas decorations up, btw?) (Rose is with Hotaru.) [Oh, and the show Zarina is watching is "Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney: the TV Series." Current episode: "A Very Special Turnabout X-Mas." ] (I want it!) (You can watch it!) [There's a tree in the corner. That's it.] (The player wants it!) [Go!] * Keiko is sitting near Zarina watching the TV show. She is wearing green today. So christmasy! Her duck is in her lap. [Since it's nice and warm in here, Zarina's wearing hotpants and a tank-top that's a bit too short. It says "Google" across the front.] [Cyra's wearing a sweater and jeans. See? They're not all crazy.] * Luana is busy putting presents under the tree. Three are slim envelopes addressed to each guardian, and one is a box about an inch and a half wide and a foot long, addressed to Keiko. (I first read that as "There are slim envelopes attached to each guardian") [There are. Ninja's deliver their pay checks when they sleep by taping them to their forheads.] * Luana is wearing a dark red shirt and black slacks, and her hair is tied up, so she was probably training earlier. When she's done arranging the gifts, she walks over to Keiko and sits down next to her to watch tv. (That would be so awesome.) (As long as the ninjas don't come out of our salary.) [The show is exciting. Somehow, Maya managed to get Edgeworth to wear a Christmas hat.] [In court.] (That is exciting.) (Photoshop! In the FUTURE!) * Keiko glances over to Luana and smiles very slightly. ~So are you not thinking of your gift?~ [The judge is dressed up as Santa Clause! He already looks the part as it is.] * Luana 's eyes light up. ~You got me a present?~ ( It's ... a shoe! ) ( You guys might wanna let me know where you got these gifts, too, since you can't leave the base without a guardian :P ) (I already discussed with my Guardian!) * Keiko sighs slightly. ~Have you ever heard of the... pink elephant?~ (I'm assuming Togo let me borrow a credit card. Maybe a company card, so I don't end up getting him a present with his own money.) (Oh, come on.) (You have _two_ people here who are capable of stealing credit cards.) (In a casual fashion.) ( He'd still have to be with you the whole time, though. ) ( Or some other guardian with his permission. ) (Internet shopping! Come on!) (So ask Rose to do it, she's the "nice" one!) ( Ah, yeah... I guess that'd work. ) (I have levels of computers for a reason.) (Wait, *how* would internet shopping work?) (You have them ship it to a front address.) (We're a secret organization. Where would she have it delivered?) (I have no clue. I was always surprised by the concept that the wards were allowed [Zarina laughs at one of Phoenix's sarcastic remarks. Probably something like "Bah Humbag." after one of Edgeworth's objections ruins what was looking like a perfect case. Or something.] (Then pick it up from there.) (to access the intertube.)) (To a dummy address.) (Or a drop box) (And how does Luana get to the dummy address if it's outside the base?) (Ultimately, she needs help!) (Exactly!) (Blitzkrieg peons!) ( Oh, in regards to cover ) ( I'ma say the building is like a councilling center for troubled teens, only you live there, too.] ) ( It's actually pretty close to the truth. :O ) (Best guarded boarding school ever.) * Keiko smiles a little when Zarina laughs. (No. The best guarded boarding school is Xavier's mansion.) (What's your job? Child Care Specialist.) (But that's fictional.) (We're REAL.) ~No, what is it?~ (*starts up RFM with MC4 musik*) * Keiko thinks back at her, still looking at the TV. ~It was an old idea I read of once... what happens if you tell someone not to think of the pink elephant?~ [The door opens, and Karin walks in, peering out behind a stack of presents. "Hey hey! Merry Christmas!" She's followed by a buncha people! One of whom is Heinrick, who can maybe say something to distract you while I describe the rest.] ~I guess... they think about it? Because you told them not to?~ Merry Christmas, Karin, Dr. Engels. * Keiko nods a little. ~So I asked you about the gift you got me, thinking you'd think what it was and it would be funny. Well, except I wouldn't be listening.~ * Keiko pats her duck and keeps her merry christmasy feelings to herself! [Following Karin is a familiar black guy, as he's the only one you know Mr. Robert Johnson. He looks pretty good in a long sleeved shirt and tan slacks. Better than the usual orange jump suit. And along with him is a short girl with thick glasses. Her blond hair is in two thick braids at her neck. She's wearing a skirt-suit.] ~Oh! Heh, sorry.~ * Heinrick walks in with his hands inside his pockets and nods to Luana. "Happy holidays. I trust you're enjoying yourself?" (Also Brett half ruined my plans but we'll just have Heinrick normal. :/) Very much, thank you. I was able to spar and work out all morning. ( Hey, I asked you about it >.> ) * Roseli , Hotaru, and Ten are still absent. (No it's fine!) [And also there is Iris, who, if you remember, is the Psychic Division's only actual psychic. In case you forgot, she's in her early twenties, average height, and has waist-length, straight-falling blond hair. She also wears glasses! And she's in the Section 3 uniform: black suit and a trenchcoat, with what looks like a lightning bolt over the breast pocket.] * Heinrick raises an eyebrow. "By your own decision or is this Togo's doing?" [Roseli and Hotaru are in China.] (Oh fuck, I don't remember meeting her.) ( She's been around more than once >.> ) (I think maybe only the guardians saw her and even then it was only for a moment?) My own decision. I find it relaxing in the absence of being able to build computers. ( At least twice. XD ) (I don't!) Sir, would you be able to tell me if you know how Ten's doing? I haven't seen her since the last debriefing. ( She was in Session 3a, at least. I know she showed up again at least once more. ) ( ANYHOW ) (Aha!) I'm afraid I don't know the answer to how. All I know is that she has been busy with Ms. Tavares. And please. There's no need for formalities especially on today. [Heidi's carrying a tray with what looks like six cherry-sundaes. She smiles, and sets it down on a table. "Hi. These are from Mr. Stein." Then she blinks. "Where's Sebastian?"] * Keiko is still just looking at the TV. [Phoenix just got hit in the face with a snowball.] [In court.] (So wacky.) * Luana blinks. "Um, yes. Thank you." (OBJECTION!) [Zarina looks over to Heidi as Karin sets down presents by the tree. "He's in the holoroom. Gertrude's making him train."] [Karin looks up from over by the tree. "On Christmas?" She casts a glance at Zarina, who nods.] * Luana 's eyes become a darker shade for just a moment before she smiles at Heidi and takes a sundae. "Thank you." * Heinrick doesn't respond to Karin. He does show a slighty curious look as to why she's surprised though. ( Keiko had a half-day today.) [Karin shifts her gaze to Heidi, who smiles nervously at Luana and picks up one of the sundaes. "You're welcome. I'll go run this to the kitchen so it doesn't go bad. Be right back.] (Exactly!) (Exactly!) [She's off!] * Keiko glances to Luana a monent and murmurs, "It's just another day." Beat. "Mostly." * Luana mind-grumbles, ~I don't like Gertrude.~ * Roseli comes walking into the room. She looks like she always does, combat boots at all, except for the Santa hat set snugly on her head. A large bag is dangling from her right hand, and her left is gently pushing a young teenage girl whom you've never seen before, guiding into her room. "Merry Christmas," Roseli says, "I'd like you to meet Jamie." * Ten follws a few steps behind. She a fairly bland looking girl in her early teens with incredibly frizzy hair tucked into a bobble cap. She has wide brown eyes that flicker around the room, below that's a red sweater with christmas trees sewn along the sleaves and jeans. (I Fail!) *** Jamie (Snak@12-207-214-234.client.mchsi.com) has joined channel #mc4 [Karin finishes with the presents and stands up, crossing her arms. "I don't believe that woman. How can she make Sebastian go through that on Christmas?"] * Jamie follws a few steps behind. She a fairly bland looking girl in her early teens with incredibly frizzy hair tucked into a bobble cap. She has wide brown eyes that flicker around the room, below that's a red sweater with christmas trees sewn along the sleaves and jeans. (Push Kairin's statement to before Rose walking in, please.) * Jamie 's holding a very familiar looking tray with an even more familiar looking and irate doll, who's also in holiday colors. * Heinrick lets out a breath. "Well artificial celebrations do lighten the mood, don't they?" He picks up one of the sundaes, assuming they were for guardians too. Where's... where's Hotaru? * Keiko starts to think back at Luana, ~Well, she's not very...~ and mentally trails off. ~Probably doing something with Roseli?~ [Karin stares as Jamie walks in. Until Heinrick picks up a sundae. Then she waves her arms at him. "H-Hey! Those aren't for you!"] * Jamie looks at Luana, but doesn't say anything. * Roseli smiles at Luana. "She spent a few days in the tank." And then Karin does that, and she starts laughing. * Heinrick glances at Karin for a moment. "Well then. Perhaps our guest would like it instead." He holds it out to her. "Hello Jamie." [Iris snickers.] * Luana nods hesitantly. "Merry Christmas, Jamie. Happy holidays, Ten." [Zarina stares, too. ] ( orz ) * Jamie looks over to him and stares for a moment. Then she switches Ten to her left hand and takes his. ["What happened to Hotaru?" she asks.] * Ten 's voice drips with irony. "She's estatic to meet you again." (His hand or sundae?) ( Who wouldn't be estatic to meet a sundae? ) * Heinrick pushes up his glasses. "I'm sure. Ms. Tavares, you've outdone yourself." * Keiko blinks and turns around, looking at 'Jamie' for a moment, and then her eyes widen and she thinks and whispers at the same time, "Her eyes." * Ten and Jamie turn their heads in unison to look at Luana, then Jamie's snaps back to Heinrick. "Thank you." * Luana turns to look at Keiko. "What's going on?" she asks uncertainly. [Zarina blinks. "I'm confused."] (Jamie speaking or Ten?) (Ten) (Gotcha.) * Roseli says to Heinrick, seriously, "I try." And then she gives Jamie a soft smile. "Why don't you sit down? That sundae is for you. You might like it, but take it slow. It's cold." (I try to make sure the body speaking is the one I'm typing from.) * Keiko looks over at Luana, and then Zarina, and thinks at both of them, ~Hotaru's... eyes work now.~ * Jamie looks at Rose and nods. She then picks her way carefully to a chair and gingerly sits down. [Robert so eloquently says, "Lookin' good, kid."] * Luana jerks and nearly spills her ice cream, then she grins at Jamie. "That's amazing! But why did you change your name?" It is her name. [Zarina blinks at Keiko. "That's Hotaru? But she looks so..... different."] * Ten snorts. "From what I understand of human standars, this has been step down." She looks up at Luana. "Because Ms. Tavares said so." [Phoenix presents a snowman as evidence. He's missing a button!] * Ten looks up at Jamie to stop her wandering eyes again. * Jamie focuses on Luana. She can see now, that's much better than being pretty. Think of it this way, she'll be able to find you if she drops you again. She would NEVER drop me. [Zarina blinks. "But why couldn't she be able to see and still be pretty?"] Yes. Now she'll never get to participate in all the silent blind brooding parties she would have been invited to before. * Jamie nods. I'm very happy for you, Jamie. She did during that explosion at the restaraunt. * Roseli sets the bag by the tree and starts pulling presents out of it, one by one. "Yes," she says in response to Zarina's question. * Heinrick reaches in his coat. "Oh..before I forget..." He walks up to Luana and pulls out a medium-sized rectangular package. "This is for you." * Keiko looks at her a few more moments, and then looks to Rose for a long momen as she walks around. (Lu feels less need to be tactful for the robot goddess.) (moment) * Luana takes the package and looks up at him, surprised. "Thank you!" Intentionaly then, and I have always been able to guide her, it's part of our bond. * Roseli is an emotionless, mindless ball of emptiness to Keiko. But she brings Christmas presents! * Heinrick nods and walks over to Keiko, handing her a similar package. It's a little smaller. And then a smaller square one to Jamie. May I open it now? * Jamie sets Ten's tray down on her lap to take the present. * Keiko looks up at him a moment, then murmurs, "I didn't need more marbles." She is very thankful. [Karin shrugs. "Well, if you're going to open it now, we might as well open all of them, don't you think?"] Sure. [Iris nods.] * Roseli starts passing out presents. Luana gets a fairly good sized, though light package. Keiko receives a square thing that's freaking heavy. Roseli gives Jamie one that's pretty clearly a large tin box of some sort. * Heinrick looks at Keiko and smirks. "My my, such hostility. It's so rude to be judged so quickly." * Roseli then gives Zarina a small, rectangular package, Cyra a medium-sized square one, and... one package ends up all lonely like by the tree. (You know... there's a part of me that wants to try and use heightend sense smell to ID that box, I need to remember that more often.) * Keiko smiles a little, and then shakes her head. "Just... checking," she mumbles, before getting whomped by a giant package. * Luana smiles happily and starts opening! "Oh, Heinrick, Rose, and Keiko, I put my presents for you under the tree. Ten, I thought you might like it better if I waited for your birthday instead." [Zarina smiles at Rose. "Thank you." Cyra... doesn't really even register it.] When is your birthday, by the way? * Roseli nods to Zarina with a smile. "Merry Christmas." * Keiko groans and tries to push the box off of her. Badly. I... as the goddesss of machines do not have such a thing, having never been born. (Or is it a small box?) (I mean, how heavy is freaking heavy? ^_~) (It's not that huge. I meant heavy for its size.) (Oh, good!) Well, you'll need your own holiday, won't you? (Yeah, remember Keiko is not a power lifter. :P) (Sorry, lack of sleep, papers, yadda. :D) * Keiko puts the heavy box to the side then instead, although it still takes a bit of effort. [Zarina opens it! Iris and Karin exchange looks, and then Karina walks over to help Cyra open hers. Cyra actually does smile a little when Karin enters her field of vision.] [Iris positions herself near the sofa.] * Keiko then floats boxes to Robert, Luana, Jamie, Rose, Heinrick, and Zarina. * Jamie starts to unwrap her gift, gets a wiff of what's inside, and starts to absolutly tear into the wrapping fora second before freezing solid. ( Ooooh boy, this is going to get confusing. ) [Zarina receives a console RPG that's supposedly pretty good if the player can stomach the extreme levels of cuteness and obscure Japanese references: Kawaii Agents. The name says it all, really.] (Yeah, I'm writing my down.) (The ones people gave me.) [Zarina apparently can. "Oh, wow! Thank you!"] * Roseli gets a package! Now she has one from Keiko and one from Luana! * Roseli laughs a little. "You're welcome." * Jamie sets her box from Rose down reluctantly and plucks the floating one out of the air. (It's flat and squareish. What'd you get from Rose you didn't say!) * Heinrick looks at the box a little confused. "Well really. This wasn't necessary." He snatches it out of the air. [Cyra's package probably takes a little doing, since she's not helping with the unwrapping much, but inside is a snowglobe with two penguins building a snowman in the middle. There's a wind up switch at the bottom, and it plays a few simple Christmas carols.] [Zarina holds up Keiko's next. "Thanks! Oh, hey, I got you something, too." She holds out a flat rectangular package to Keiko.] * Luana gets up briefly and hands the people she named their presents, then goes back to unwrapping. * Keiko glances to Heinrick and then looks down at hers. "None of this was.. necessary. Wasn't that the--" she takes Zarina's too. Hooray! Bunches of gifts. * Jamie puts that box down next to her and goes back to opening Rose's gift, more sedatedtly this time. It's a large assortment of chocolate truffles. [The NPCs wait to hand out any of their presents, because I can't keep track of this.] * Heinrick takes it but is waiting for wards to open their gifts first. * Keiko unwraps LIFO. Which means Zarina first! * Roseli is, too. It's their day! [Phoenix makes an objection based on a contradiction between the type of knot used on a bow tied on a present and the type of know the witness says he used.] * Jamie opens the lid and after a long moment of admiration picks out the chocolate in the upper left corner. * Luana unwraps Heinrick's first, as it was the first she recieved. [Zarina opens Keiko's while we're at it.] * Roseli pulls a box camera from her pocket and starts ninjasnapping candid shots of wards in action. OH NO! (You'll never catch me smiling! NEVER!) (Of course not, Little Miss Sunshine.) (Okay, I've smiled like 3 times this session a little.) (SEE?) [Keiko recieves a polar bear in a red sweater. Whilst Zarina recieves a Kirby shirt. "Hey, thanks!"] * Jamie crams the entire thing into her mouth, and smiles. It's probably the second or third time any of you have seen a facal expression of any sort out of Hotaru. * Luana gets a model airplane kit with many, many small parts from Heinrick. She beams up at him. "Thank you very much!" * Roseli takes a picture of THAT for sure. It's kind of like baby's first cake. * Keiko looks at the polar bear a little confusingly and then says quietly at Zarina, "Well, you gave me one, so..." * Luana starts on Roseli's gift next. [Karin grins at Cyra as she lifts out the snow globe. "Hey, look at what Ms. Tavares got you." Cyra smiles, and Karin looks up at Rose. "I think she likes it."] * Heinrick nods at Luana. [Zarina smiles. "I called him Rudy, but you can change his name if you like. I hope you like him. Or her."] (brb, 5) ( Babylon 5? ) ( Megaman 5? ) ( FF5? ) ( We may never know! ) * Jamie chews happily. ( LIFE IS NOT GOOD WHY ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME NOOOOOOOOO) ( I hate Christmas. Bah humbug. >_<) (You! Out of my head!) (:D) [Karin grabs a bunch of presents. "Our turn! These are from Iris and me." She hands them out, one to everyone. Even Heinrick and Rose! She also gives Luana an extra. "And this one is from your guardian. What was his name? Well, he asked me to give it to you since he couldn't be here."] * Roseli takes Karin's and adds it to her pile. "Don't have one to give back," she says apologetically. * Keiko sets the polar bear next to the duck on her lap and... then Karin's is next, because Luana stepped out! She replies, "Atsuko. I'll call her Atsuko." * Jamie puts it on the pile with the other presents. *** WD (WD@24.152.198.19.res-cmts.eph.ptd.net) has joined channel #MC4 * Heinrick looks confused at Karin. "You shouldn't have." *** Signoff: Luana (Ping timeout) (Great timing!) *** WD is now known as Luana (Someone catch me up?) (Done.) * Roseli looks at Jamie thoughtfully, then pulls a small notepad and pen from her other pocket and jots something down. [Keiko gets a bracelet from Karin! (and Iris) Karin explains! "I hope you like it. Zarina said you liked stuffed animals, but we figured she was going to get you one, so..."] (What kind of bracelet?) * Luana opens Roseli's present! [Karin looks thoughtfully at Heinrick. "Hmmm... Well, too late now."] I suppose it is at that. * Keiko looks at the bracelet a moment and says, quietly, "I didn't think to get you anything." [Karin chuckles. "Don't worry about it. This was all supposed to be a surprise party anyhow. Sort of."] * Keiko is silent a moment longer, then puts the bracelet on. Two! Two pieces of jewelry! Ah ah ah ah. [Zarina opens Karin's gift: a skimpy bikini. She grins. "Hey, thanks! How did you know I've been wanting one of these?"] * Keiko glances over to Zarina's a moment, her eyes widen slightly, and then she looks back to her presents. Luana's. Luana's present will be safe. * Jamie reluctantly sets Rose's gift off to the side, after sneaking out another chocolate opens the NPC gift, because it's on top of the stack. [Iris points at her forhead. "Mind reader, remember?" And Karin snickers. "Yeah, but you should have seen the look the saleswoman gave her when she bought it."] [Iris blushes. "She thought I was buying it for myself." Karin laughs.] * Luana smiles happily at Roseli. "Thank you! These are wonderful, I'll put them to good use." Keiko's present is next! * Keiko opens a set of seven ribbons, one of each color oft he rainbow, from Luana, before looking over at her opening her present. * Roseli takes a picture of Luana! Ah ah ah ah ah. ( /me gets confused. ) (?) [Robert hands all the wards a flat square package. "Dunno if you'll like these, but..."] (The present from Rose wasn't taken out of the box, so no one else saw it anyway.) ( Trying to keep track of everything. ) (Ahh.) (I've got mine and the ones I'm opening written down!) [Heidi returns about now. "Oh... Looks like I missed most of it."] * Luana grins at Keiko and hugs her briefly, then pulls out a blue flower, a white crysanthamum, and a cloth blue flower, and puts them all in her own hair. * Luana opens Karin's present next. * Keiko smiles a little awkwardly at being hugged before thinking back, ~I figured at least one of them should last.~ Very pretty. ~They're beautiful, thank you.~ ( Karin Karin's or Karin Togo's? ) (Karin Karin's.) (I'm also working on the Karin present, but also chocolates so it's all good.) * Keiko pulls back from the hug a little and then... well, Rose is next! So heavy! [Luana recieves a set of earrings. Karin smiles awkwardly. "Hope you like them, Luana. I didn't really get to talk to your new guardian, so I didn't know what to buy."] ( Jamie opened a present? >.> ) (She opened Rose's, and was working on Karin's?) (She opened Rose's first and then took a while to get to the next one.) They're lovely, thank you. (Which was Karin.) [Karin grins. "I'm glad."] (She already got Rose's REAL Christmas present. That wrapped thing was bonus.) * Luana puts them in her ears before opening Togo's gift. [Togo's gift is a cardboard box containing a variety of holocomputer parts.] [Meanwhile, Jamie gets a silver necklace. Not only that, but there's an itty bitty matching one for Ten.] * Luana grins at the box and puts it aside, then opens Robert's gifts. Last one! Ahh. Thank you very much. Both of you. This is more than sufficent tribute. (*gift) [Iris kneels down in front of Cyra, smiling. "Here, sis, I got you something." She holds out a package, but Cyra doesn't make any reaction at all. Iris's smile fades.] * Jamie tries to lick the chocolate off her fingers before freezing again and then using some of the wrapping paper to do it instead. This is followd by clasping Ten's neckalce around the dolls throat. [Luana opens the box to find a new music microCD: "Lobsta Mobsta: Stittin' on the h00d 4 winkz. Featuring Louie Loopz." ] (Is the leader of the band named Alejandro?) (Because that'd be awesome.) * Keiko opens 4 books written in both Japanese and German. The German ones are mystery and cyberpunk, of all things! She runs her fingers over them a moment, glances to Rose, and then smiles slightly before saying quietly, "Quite a mix." [On the front cover is a black guy with a thick beard and dreadlocks, his hand held up like he's in the process of slapping someone with the back of it.] * Roseli shrugs. "Didn't know which you'd like." * Roseli also gets a picture of Keiko. Heh. * Jamie tries to put her own necklace on but her hair gets caught when she tries to work the clasp and she winces. * Luana smiles at Robert, although it's not the big grins she's been giving everyone else. "Thank you very much, Robert. I'll listen to it later." (Caught her smiling!) * Keiko gets taken a picture of herself taken! It causes her to frown a little after, BUT THE DAMAGE IS DONE. [Iris, meanwhile, opens her gift. She pulls out a plush frog. Cyra doesn't show any reaction, though.] * Roseli stands and goes over to Jamie to help her with her necklace. Between the two of them, she manages to work the clasp so it doesn't choke or strangle her inadvertently. * Keiko then goes for her last gift (I think), which is Heinrick's. [Robert nods. "Don't mention it. I guess I never told nobody, but I got a brother back in the States who's a pretty famous rapper, so it was easy for him to hook me up with some music."] [Meanwhile, the Phoenix Wright Christmas special ends. Up next: Probably something to do with X-treme stunts.] Thank you. We will have to do something about this hair. * Keiko opens an oil pastel set from Heinrick! She looks down at it for a long time, running her fingers over it and shuddering slightly, for those who are watching. At least unless she's interrupted. [Zarina opens her gift from Robert, which is much the same thing, only entitled "Lobsta Mobsta: Branchin' out yo' stylez with 2 much pizzaz."] * Roseli smooths Jamie's hair. "Seen worse." [Zarina looks at it, flips it over, and forces politeness. "Thank you, Mr. Johnson."] * Ten sniffs. "I have not, but my experience with humans is limited." Clearly. * Heinrick tilts his head slightly at Keiko. "Is something wrong?" ( Keiko and Ten still have their presents from Robert, too!] ) (Okay, I wasn't sure.) (I got the impression he might have given me something, but I didn't write it down.) * Keiko doesn't look up at Heinrick as she whispers in Japanese, It is one of the reasons I am here after all. Now if you'll excuse us, Ho... Jamie has a CD of questionable origion to open. [Meanwhile, Iris looks almost like crying. Karin goes over to Iris and puts a hand on her shoulder. She sniffs, then smiles and sets the frog down next to Cyra. She gets up, and she and Karin move off to a corner to talk in hushed tones for a sec.] (origin!) (Thanks!) (It's origin isn't questionable, it's from Robert!) (its) (Dubious value?) (Bah humbug) ( He clearly said it was from the States. ) * Heinrick nods slightly. "I could not fit the easel in a package but it should be being delivered shortly." * Keiko nods a little, sitting there looking at it a few more moments, then takes a deep breath and puts it aside to open Robert's. * Heinrick isn't getting emotional so it's hard to tell whether he's pleased or not. But, well, Heinrick. [Keiko gets: "Lobsta Mobsta: 2 E-Z 2 be Free."] * Jamie sets the jewelry box aside and and turns over the CD case a few times before slitting wrapping papre with a fingernail. (Paper!) (+the) (Sure!) (All the kids' presents open now, minus Sebastian's?) (I haven't opened Keikos) (Or Heinricks) (ROBOT HAETS TELEPATH) (Mine are all opened) [Jamie gets: "Lobsta Mobsta: If You Don't Get It, You Probably Don't Got the Stylez"] (Ten's holding us up! :() [There are some unopened presents under the tree for Sebastian.] (We can start a Lobsta Mobsta playlist!) (I have great worry that Ashley is somehow behind this music.) * Keiko rubs her face before looking over at Robert and saying, "Have I heard this one already?" (And then blare it loudspeaker style over the entire grounds.) * Jamie stares at the cover and then sets it aside. (If I were to escape this facility, that's where I'd start.) [Robert shakes his head. "Nah, I don't think so. It's not like he's the only rapper I listen to."] * Keiko in no way looks like she was tearing up when she was looking away. Not at all. She replies, "Oh." Beat. "Well, at least it'll be new." She manages a smile for him. [Heidi checks her watch. "Oh! I gotta run. I'm meeting my boyfriend for dinner." She makes her way to the door and waves. "Merry Christmas!"] * Jamie opens two more boxes of chocolate, but not in quick succession because she's taking time to savor both Keiko's assortment and Heinricks chocolate orange. (Unfortunately, Lobsta Mobsta is really just a huge Rickroll'd CD.) (Pwnt) * Roseli waves. "Merry Christmas," she says, the pom pom of her hat getting in her face. (Like hell.) (You don't want to rickroll Keiko.) [Karin and Iris finish talking and return to the festivities. They wave at Heidi as she leaves.] (You'll start seeing Rickrolls in your head.) (What about duckrolling her?) (Okay!) (!) (Time for grown ups! :D) (Keiko, we MUST train you for that attack!) (Inject the image of Rick Astley into everyone's head!) (Perhaps later.) (Presents now. Evil later.) [Karin claps her hands together. "So! Who's up for gossip?"] * Heinrick looks around. "Is everyone finished then?" He looks over at Roseli. "I suppose it's our turn then." ( http://xkcd.com/351/ ) * Roseli nods and goes back to her small pile of presents. "What gossip?" she asks as she opens Karin and Iris' present. [Roseli gets a new tan jacket with a kinda-furry collar. Iris points at Karin. "Her idea."] * Heinrick opens Luana's present first. Because she opened his first. Nyah! * Keiko pulls her plushie pair to her stomach and hugs them both tight, shifting slightly so she can watch. There's a small smile set on her face that she doesn't mush seem to be paying attention to. * Roseli holds it up and looks at it, then turns it around. She laughs. "Kind of like it." And she puts it on, standing to pose with the Santa hat. "What do you think?" * Jamie eats another slice of chocolate orange, obviously trying to do so slowly. She's also staring at Rose right now, she's been doing a lot of staring, her player's just been lazy about noting it. [Karin grins. "I'm glad. Iris had no idea what kind of gift we should get you. Some help she was."] [Iris scratches an ear sheepishly.] Figures. * Roseli grins. "Thanks." [Karin smiles. "You're welcome."] * Roseli sits back down, jacket still on, and opens the next present... Luana's! * Heinrick opens the card and looks at it, then chuckles slightly at Luana. "Thank you. You're quite the craftsperson, aren't you?" [Karin speaks. "Anyhow, you know about the top agents in section 1? There's four of them, three men and a woman. And there used to be one more, but nobody knows what happened to him. They've all got martial arts and fire arms training, but each one is proficient with an unusual weapon."] * Heinrick looks over at Karin while unwrapping her and Iris's gift. "Unusual how?" * Roseli concentrates on a new game: opening Luana's present without tearing wrapping paper. "Was going to say that." * Luana blushes slightly. "A little. Thank you." (Not difficult - it's just an envelope.) * Roseli opens the envelope! Victory! She takes out the card and opens it, looking inside, then smiles at Luana. " Thanks. Welcome. * Roseli puts the card back in its envelope and sets it aside... away from wrapping paper so it doesn't get picked up in cleaning. * Roseli now sets upon Keiko's gift to her. ["Like, Klaus Kohler, #1... He uses two double-bladed swords. And Adela Moller uses two iron fans."] * Ten tilts her head. "Double-bladed swords?" Sounds painful. What's wrong with guns? What do the other two agents use? [Iris adds, "Yeah, there's also Leo Mayer, with a whip sword, and Oskar Jung, with... I guess you could call it a wrecking ball."] Well, while I find nothing wrong with blades, it does seem a tad...excessive. * Jamie starts to reach for another piece of chocolate, but freezes up again when Ten looks up at her. * Roseli peeks inside the box, grins, and removes a small gumball machine. She sets it down next to her and pulls a package of gumballs out next. Anyone want some? * Roseli pours gumballs into the machine! No, thank you. Jamie has more than enough candy right now. * Keiko 's smiole shifts to a bit more of a wan smile as she says, "I did get them, I suppose I should." * Roseli inserts coin, receives gumball, and hands it to Keiko. "Thank you." [Meanwhile, Heinrick opens his package, recieving "The Prince," by Machiavelli, "The Book of Five Rings," by Musashi Miyamoto and "The Art of War," by Sun Tzu.] (Ha, Five Rings? Who got him that one again?) [Karin holds up two fingers, grinning at Ten. "TWO double-bladed swords."] (Karin and Iris.) * Heinrick chuckles lightly under his breath. "Thank you, Karin." (Nice.) [Karin nods. "You're welcome. Hope you enjoy."] (Ooh, Lu has a copy of Five Rings.) * Keiko takes the gumball and nods back at her before putting it in her mouth and chewing. (She was reading it at some point.) ... Is he telekenetic? (We loves the 5 Rings.) (Even if the vast majority of it is 'This sword style? It is dumb. This style? Also dumb.') ('This one? REALLY dumb.') [Karin shakes her head. "Nope. I think they're all norm... Er, guess I should say unpowered. Not sure, though."] ('Buddha above, how dumb can you get?') I shall spend the extent of the days to come perusing it. So to join the club, gotta learn how to use two kusari-gamas at once? Need to remember that. [Iris blinks at Karin. "So, what about them?"] * Ten lets confusion creap into her voice. "How does he not cut his own legs off?" * Heinrick gets on last but not least, Keiko's gift. Open the gift from your own ward last, so if you need to punish them, it's at least delayed for Christmas. [Karin grins. "Actually, since the fifth one left, a bunch of the younger agents have been trying to take his place. We ran into a few on our last mission."] Yeah? [Iris turns to Ten. "Well, he may not have powers, but he's really, really good with them. They say Klaus Kohler is the best agent in Blitzkrieg."] Impressive credentials. [Karin humphs. "Of course, that's pretty skewed since they don't even consider us."] * Heinrick pulls out! ...a bag of marbles and a chess set. * Keiko looks at Heinrick and just smiles with one-half of her mouth. Well, I see you do have a sense of humor after all. ["Anyhow, some agents are trying to become "One of the Five". Some of them look so ridiculous."] [Iris frowns. "But isn't that dangerous? They're going to get their teammates filled if they're too focussed on promotion and not on their missions."] [Karin nods. "Yeah. But we can't really stop them. It's Section One's problem, really. They should be fixing their mess."] [Iris brushes some hair over a shoulder. "Actually, since we're on the subject, I heard something too."] [Karin grins. "Do tell."] * Roseli is paying attention to the gossip. She pushes the pom pom out of her face. * Heinrick sets aside the presents for now. "There is no reason why the sections have to be so disjointed. The folly of people's own arrogance." Politics. Ridiculous. [Iris looks at you all awkwardly. "It's funny you should mention the Five, because my superiors were talking about them not long ago. And I think I know who the fifth member was."] [Robert asks the obvious. "Who?"] Oh? [He asks that as he opens the present Keiko apparently gave him under the GM's radar.] (Ninja'd!) [Iris smiles nervously. "Well... I might hae heard wrong but..." she takes a deep breath. "It's Gabriel Winterbaur."] * Keiko gave Robert a model kit version of the car that we blew up when fighting The Incredible Bulk. [Karin's jaw drops, and Zarina stares wide-eyed. "My Gabriel?!"] (*notes one sheepskin jacket on Rose's sheet for appearance*) * Roseli decides not to be shocked, instead asking after the appropriate pause, "How?" [Robert stares at it, then chuckles. "Heh. Not exactly the replacement I was hoping for, but thanks."] * Heinrick isn't shocked, but just taking it all in. [Iris shakes her head. "That's just what I heard."] * Luana looks up from inspecting the computer parts she recieved. "Oh my..." * Ten can't raise her eyebrows, this make her incapable of expressing the expression she wants to. * Keiko replies to Robert with, "I... don't really have the budget. At least we won't break this one." [Zarina blinks again. "My Gabriel?"] * Keiko looks over at Zarina all confused-like, and then says, "Your Gabriel?" [Karin recovers. "But... But he doesn't use anything special! He just uses a pistol, sometimes a rifle."] 'f it's true, doesn't want people to know. Crazy weapons give it away. [Iris holds up her hands. "But that's what they said! They said he was a master of.. um... they called it a "cannon spear".] ... A harpoon? (Clearly I need a rocket powered chainsaw launcher) [Zarina turns her gaze to Keiko. "My guardian. Gabriel Winterbaur."] (Zombies are weak to flaming rotating chainsaw shotgun blades.) * Keiko blinks a moment, then lows her head and says quietly, "Ah." [Iris shakes her head. "I don't know. I think it's a bit more complicated than that, but this is just what I over heard."] (This is very true.) (Just about everything's weak to flaming rotating chainsaw shotgun blades, I think.) [Karin blinks. "Gabriel, one of the Five... I never would have guessed. And what the heck is a cannon spear?"] (If I learn how to weild one, do I get to be one of Teh 5?) ( No. You're not in section 1. ) (If I apply for a transfer and pick up some change of address forms...) [Zarina sinks into the cushion. "He never talks about himself, but... I had no idea..."] * Roseli looks to Zarina. "Might not be true." Best not to dwell on it. [Iris nods. "Yes, I could be wrong."] (Wait, how is Gabriel then if he's a guardian? Doesn't being a guardian put you in Section 2?) (He left) (Yeah, that guy disappeared.) ( He was in section 1 before section 2 started. ) (Ah.) ( Along with Erik Graf and a number of other section 2 employees. ) * Keiko nods a little with Rose, then looks down at her stuff. After a moment she takes another deep breath, and then takes both of her plushies and her ribbons in her arms and says quietly, "Excuse me," before heading out of the room as unobtrusively as possible. She didn't even get to eat her ice cream! [Karin snickers. "Actually, it's pretty funny to think about. Now I've got an image of Gabe lugging around a giant cannon everywhere he goes. No wonder he'd have gotten rid of it."] Not very practical. Maybe he as a travel version. Pocket size with magnets. [Zarina blinks. But just then the TV cries. "We interrupt this program for a special announcement!"] (as -> has) ["Dumbledore is gay!"] * Luana watches Keiko leave, slightly concerned. (OH MY GOD) [Ok, that's not really what he says.] (WHAAAAT?!) (You're not HER god. She's human.) (We loves queermo Dumbledor!) [What he actually says is, "Greetings. I'm Adolf Bachmann, and just moments ago, Chancellor Bauer gave a press announcement. Our man Luke Bachmann is on the scene at Parliment. Luke..."] * Heinrick turns to the tele. Because it's actually spewing plot. * Jamie watches the TV, because she CAN! [Another guy, who looks in no way similar to the first guy, is all bundled up in a bit of a snow storm, holding a microphone. "Thank you, Adolf. I'm Luke Bachmann, here outside Parliment, where the Chancellor has just moments ago given his response to French President's Francois Montreaux's demands earlier this month."] ( Damned if I remember the session. ) (Ooh, I'd nearly forgotten about that.) (Oh yeah, that.) (That wasn't too long ago.) (Genemod BAD Mkay?) (Ten, he's French. The correct response is "Genemod BAD mais oui?" (Oh, right. My bad. Silly french humans) [The screen cuts away to the inside of the building, and you get to see Chancellor Wolfgang Bauer for the first time in the game. He's an older man, but still has thick hair, though it's all white. It's combed back. He's wearing a nice blue suit and a stripped tie. He certainly looks the part of a politician.] ( striped, too! ) [He speaks to the collected microphones on his podium! "Earlier this month, President Montreaux demanded that Germany cease our genetic modification enterprise. We were threatened with economic sanctions if we did not comply."] ["I was told that I had until the middle of January to reply, but I won't need that long. The terrible event that took place a few days ago, the arrest of my beloved adopted brother for treason and suspected terrorist activity... This has cleared any wavering doubts in my mind."] * Heinrick frowns slightly. He doesn't like where this is going. (Fuck ze french!) * Jamie eats another chocolate, one of Keiko's because they're on top. [He looks up, directly at the cameras. "Ladies and gentlemen, Germany is on the verge of a revolutionary technological breakthrough. Mr. Montreaux's accusations that the modification process is unsafe are unfounded. The Catholic Church's claim that the process is immoral is unfounded. We are not trying to play God. We are trying to improve people's lives."] (... Also kills Mecha with THE POWER OF HER MIND!) (That trick doesn't work.) (Damnit!) * Luana smiles. There's a hint of smugness to it. (Your player is already dead for the protection crack.) (You have no conduit to the real world!) * Roseli nods. This was expected. (;_;) [He pauses, briefly. "The European Union is no longer the great power it once was. Over the past several decades, the Union has been little more than a means for France to exert its control over the continent."] * Ten snorts. "Some of happen to be gods." (She also puts this line back in time!) (I'ma need Z's. When are we ending?) (+them (or us)) ["I do not fault Montreaux for this. He is only doing what his predecessors have been doing since Otto von Bismarck's invasion of their country."] ( Soonish, but not yetish. ) (Us) (Wait wait. Since when has France had control of *anything*? D:) ["But that was over two-hundred years ago. This grudge should have subsided long ago."] (Cheese eating surrender monkeys.) (Well, think back to the Europe/EU conflict in 2060s.) (You can reasonably believe that this, in fact, has been a long time coming. ^^;) ["And to corrupt the once great European Union to accomplish his goals is unforgivable. Montreaux seeks to have every country in Europe emulate France."] (I vote we take after our namesakes and bomb France.) ["However, we are not French. We are German! And we do not bow down to threats!"] (Blitzkreig?) (I second this motion.) (Time to invade Poland!) (Poland is so totally not on the way to France, but it IS Poland!) (Maybe you can send, like, Division 3 to take over Poland.) (And then the rest of us can concern ourselves with France.) (But, Poland's traditional! Invading it first was good enough in WW2, it's good enough now!) [He pauses again, then... "Mr. Montreaux, this is my response. Germany will continue to support genetic modification, the technology of the future. We will not live under the thumb of a France controlled Union any longer. As of right now, Germany is repealing many of the laws we were forced to sign as part of 'Union Policy'. No longer will we be closed off from the rest of the world."] [Beginning right now, I, Wolfgang Bauer, hereby repeal the law preventing Interpol -- an organization which can only do GOOD for our country -- from cooperating with German intelligence."] (... that is definitely a stupid rule!) (But now we have to deal with MC2 NPCs! Damn!) (Rei as a crazy old lady!) (Citizens demand an Ueda.) (Citizens demand no Ueda.) ["We will re-open talks with America, Japan, China, and all the other countries who Germany used to be close allies with before there was a misunderstanding with the Union. Germany has never held animosity towards our allies, and we hope to rebuild our relationships."] (Oh, hey, whatever happened to kappas?) (I et kappa) ["We will not tolerate terrorism or any acts of malicious intent. And such acts will be met with extreme prejeduce."] ( and = any ) ( And Merry F'in Christmas!) ["Ladies and Gentlement, we are on the verge of becoming one of the most economically strong countries in the world, and we will not give into threats. Thank you."] Hm. [Reporters clammor for questions, but Bauer doesn't answer. The screen switches back to Luke Bachmann.] * Luana murmurs, "We're going to have a lot more work, I think." [Zarina nods. "Yeah." ] Well this is certainly an interesting turn of events. Humans and your politics. * Roseli nods. (I need sleep badly.) [Adolf asks Luke, "Luke, any idea why the chancellor has taken to such extremes?"] (As do I. Shower and sleep.) [Luke responds. "Well, Adolf, I think Hector Cayil's arrest is weighing heavily on his mind, but more importantly I think he's right. I mean, look what happened to England twnety years ago. Everyone says the European Union wasn't providing the support it offered, just because their predominant religion was protestant."] [Adolf: "So you think religion is a factor?"] [Luke: "Only for England. I think France doesn't like the idea of Germany passing it economically."] [Adolf nods. "Alright, Luke, thank you." He turns to the screen. "I'm Adolf Bachmann, and this has been a Special Report."] [The TV goes back to playing whatever it was playing.] [Iris is still staring at it. "Wow..."] [Robert: "World War III, anyone?"] Hope not. [Iris frowns. "I hope it doesn't escalate that far."] * Jamie has another chocolate, the impending end of the world doesn't seem to phase her any more than anything else. [Robert shrugs, then checks his watch. "Hey, Karin, it's almost time."] Well regardless, I believe Cayil's judgment is more an excuse than actual catalyst. * Roseli considers. [Iris blinks, and looks to Karin. "'Time'?" Karin smiles shyly. "I promised Mr. Macho over there I'd have dinner with him tonight."] Probably all the holiday cheer. * Roseli holds up one of the sundaes as a toast. "Merry Christmas." She sets it back down. [Robert grins. "Come on, it'll be fun. We can talk politics over a candlelight dinner."] (Go Robert!) (Nobody asks me out. :() (Keiko's right behind you! Except she's out freezing to death.) [They move over to the door. Karin waves. "Well, Merry Christmas, everyone." She and Robert leave!] (That's because you're "mom" and that makes everything that much more creepy.) (I'm not asking YOU to ask me out.) (Well, try showing Heinrick a little leg.) (I mean, honestly!) ( This game isn't really full of eligible bacheleors. Or bacheleorettes, for that matter.] ) (You're the only mother figure here, I ment.) (I was completely joking. ;P) [Iris waves after Karin until the door shuts, then she sighs.] (And I'm confirmed jailbait now. ;_;) ((Show leg!)) ( It's ok, you're not as hawt anymore, either. ) (Rose and Heinrick on a date is totally *not* a disaster in the making.) (But it's a hilarious disaster.) ( Rose and Togo? He's only 20 years older. ) (I have eyes! I can cry! ;_;) (And we can all, in a comedic manner, follow them around and spy on them.) (Ew, no. Togo is so not Rose's type. Then again, atm I'm not sure if Rose has a type...) (It'll be great.) (Alternately, if you like them a little young, Zarina's attractive.) (And legal.) ["I better go, too. They'll be expecting me back at the base." Iris walks over to Cyra and kneels down in front of her. She smiles and brushes some hair out of Cyra's eyes.] Sure. Thanks for coming. [She waits a moment, but Cyra doesn't respond. Sighing again, she stands up and makes her way to the door. "It was nice to see you all again. Merry Christmas."] * Roseli waves. "Merry Christmas." Good day. [She waves back, then leaves!] [Zarina rests on the back of the couch. "As long as we're talking about gossip... Know what I heard?"] What? ["I heard there's still no more psychics in Section 3. I mean... they're not looking for any more. I heard they're trying to make Iris into some sort of super-psychic."] They may do whatever they wish with her. Huh. Doesn't seem suffering for it yet. ["Gertrude says they're training her to be some sort of ultimate warrior. I mean, besides the psychic stuff, she's learning martial arts, sword fighting, marksmenship, explosives, piloting..."] * Roseli nods. [Zarina frowns. "I wonder if she could beat all of us?"] ( We can end pretty much whenever. ) (Please. x.x) No idea. Shouldn't be an issue. (Yeah.) [Either way, more Christmas specials are sure to come. Session End! Except for Heinrick and Roseli. They have to keep playing and go on a date.]