( Ranulf wouldn't cut it, but I'll save his f-list )

Well, then. Considering I'm not quite sure when that'll be, I suppose I should get started on this soon.

((New OOC notes: Backdated to next year, should stay at the top of the journal.))

[Filtered to Tibarn]

Hey, hawk king. Don't mean to bother you, but have you ever seen one of these before? I think it's my little present from home, but I can't make heads or tails of it. Any idea what it does?

((OOC: Satori sign, by the way. Though technically, I guess PoR!Ranulf wouldn't be able to use it, anyway. XD;))

Tanabata again, huh? Y'know, they never gave us anything from last year. Ah well. Not that it matters. Woulda been fun, though.

Ah well. Sounds like they're promising something this time, at least. Is there even anything from my world that'd be any good here? Well, depends on what "any good" means, I guess. Still, anything's better than nothing, I bet.

[Private, hackable]

...Been a while since the last ball. Out of everyone that disappeared, I miss her most. Who's surprised?

Hmm... pink again? Maybe that'd be a bit too obvious.

Green might work. He might even like it.

Then again, does he like anything other than grey and gloom?

Maybe blue to match someone's hair?

'Course, I can always go with red or orange just to make it clash.

Oh, choices, choices...

Well, that was fun. I'm sure all of you immensely missed my presence. Especially you, Tsuna.

I've been (re?)decorating my apartment. You know, the other one. I figured those Tsu--ah, things--are probably never going to arrive, and it's a bit of a waste just having a luxury apartment without doing anything with it, now, isn't it?

Not that I got that much new stuff except a few extra bookshelves. They look pretty good lining the wall. I suppose the task now is to fill them. Now, if only the bookstore offered as large a selection as the library, which I assume wouldn't appreciate me not returning some of the books I'll be borrowing.

Of course, it might be a little boring living by myself. And there's the matter of working in the old apartment. Perhaps another job is in order? Well. We can wait until a suitable one comes up. Presumably, my job comes with meals for myself, hmm?

In any case, my dear Mist, would you like to move over with me? There's even another room there. And, of course, we'd be just down the hall from Tsuna. If you're worried about the money, you can repay me by helping with the rest of the shopping.

[Sorta-private, not-too-hard to hack]

So she's one, too, hmm? At least, that's what I think it means.

...Well, then.

...

...

I wonder if I should apologize. She doesn't even know why I was edgy.

((OOC: Alex, decided if Tsuna or Squalo would be driven more crazy yet? >.>; Anyway, feel free to hit with whichever one. XD))

Mmm-mmm~! Delicious!

Well, I suppose we can have these things instead of chickens. Do they look good, or what? And they're everywhere, too.

Anyone want to join me on a hunting expedition? Tsuna and his friends, maybe?

We should freeze up some and save them for later. After all, nothing weird seems to stay long here.

((OOC: By "hunting", by the way, Ranulf does mean hunting. He's going cat. >.>;))

Oops~

((OOC: Okay. Basically. He "accidentally" broke Squalo's door. Ammie, please be cursing him. XD He was. Uh. Curious about the curses and wanted to experience them for himself. By the way, his excuse is that he went to return Squalo's jacket and knocked too hard on the door. Really. >.>))

Well, now. This might be a problem.

And looks like I'm not the only one, if Mist is any indication. I have to admit, the memory thing is an interesting little touch...

[Private]

Lady Ike? Excuse me while I laugh.

[Filtered to Mist]

I don't suppose you have any bigger clothes from before you'd be able to lend me? These things are fitting most uncomfortably now.

[Filtered to Tsuna]

Oh, Tsuna, still as lovely as always?

[Filtered to Eve and Lenalee]

Hey, Kitten, Lenalee. Might I ask what gender the two of you are at present?

[Filtered to Soren]

Looks like I was right~

((OOC: Too busy/lazy to icon; Ranulf looks like this right now. Or will, after (s)he gets clothes with Eve. Ummmm. Please pretend I posted this near the beginning of the week. XD;))

((Edit: Ohdear. I can't believe I forgot to make fun of Soren. That problem is now amended.))

[Private, unhackable]

She just upped and disappeared like the rest of them. I didn't think it'd be possible.

It started as fun and games, but, you know, she really gave this place something. Won't be the same without her.

Aah, dammit. She was a silly little beorc girl. But she'll be missed.

Wonder where she is, now. Safe journey, my lady.

Heh, she'll be fine. She's her.

[Filtered to Mist]

Well, then. My dear little lady Mist. Would you rather I stayed here or went on my merry way?

[Filered to Tsuna]

So, Tsuna, about that cloning machine...

Can't let Lady Serra's dreams go to waste, hmm?

[Filtered to Eve]

Hey, kitten. You still here?

[Public]

I do so hope everyone enjoyed our lovely dinner of gruel. I've heard Lady Serra mention it so many times that I'm sure everyone must have been curious about what it tastes like.

Speaking of which, I'm still open for dishes everyone wants to see.

And--

[Private, hard to hack]

Ungh, why now? And what the hell was that...?!

They'd...

Without remorse...

How could anyone--

[Public, directed towards evening prep cooks]

Change of plans. I need a small break. Would my assistants kindly take over tomorrow's meals?

((OOC: Woosh sorry for a billion filter changes. XD; Ranulf remembered the stuff with the laguz in the Twisted Tower chapter, I believe it was. Anyway, please take off a day of work. He's feeling very unwell. And this is about as shaken and depressed as we'd ever see him, I'd think.))

Mroooooooooooooooow...

[Filtered to Eve]

Yoohoo, kitten~ Got some time?

How about that shopping trip?

And going to the festival?

By the way, I've got something for you.

Hmm, well, everyone seems to be back to normal. Pity; that was fun, for the most part.

Hey, Mokona, shall I assume you haven't been changed in any way, and you still want that "rei-shabu" thing? I think we have all the ingredients, so it shouldn't be too hard to make.

And Tsuna, if you're a good boy again, I have a special surprise for you.

Eve, Lenalee, and, of course, my dear Lady Serra, as well. Mist, too, if you're done making that scary face. And Mokona, as ever a special lady. And we mustn't forget Nodoka, hmm? Those brownies were lovely. And lovely Yoruichi, if you would. And, of course, we can't leave out Sanaki, our dear, dear Empress.

[Filtered to Assistant Cooks (Evening) -- Damian, Mistral, and Kasumi, I believe]

How do you guys feel about making hamburgers? I have everything readied.

Take care not to burn them this time, hmm, Damian?

[Lightly filtered to friends -- all the girls mentioned above plus Tsuna, Ike, Lavi, Allen, possibly-Danny, whoever-else-counts-as-friends; mun doesn't remember]

Lovely festival, this looks like. I was thinking it might be fun if we organize a group of us going. Though I suppose some of you might have special people to go with yourselves, hmm~?

But, hey, we can take a look around, have a picnic, and what-have-you. So who's up for it?

[Filtered to Eve]

'Course, Kitten, we can always go ourselves if you'd like. Have you seen out at night? It's beautiful.

[Filtered to Kanda]

Hey, how are you settling down here? Planning on going to the festival? Though knowing you... probably not. ((OOC: Strike unreadable.))

They usually have some pretty interesting stuff at these things, y'know.


((OOC: Okay, the "special surprise" for Tsuna, should he be brave enough to take it even with Ranulf's tone, is the hamburger he wanted. XD Not too raw, and not burnt, as mentioned above. And for the girls, he's sharing the cake that A gave him.))

Well! Looks like things are getting a little more interesting around here. Just as well. I was getting kind of bored.

[Filtered to Serra]

Oh, Lady Serra~ I have a present for you~

[Filtered to Eve]

Hey, Kitten, want to come by when you have some time? I got some things you might like.

[Public again]

Is everyone enjoying the summer dishes we're experimenting on making? If anyone wants anything in specific, just drop a note here, and I'll see what I can do about it. Can't promise it'll be perfect, but it can't hurt to try, right? Besides the long waiting time, this is actually kinda fun.

((OOC: By the way, just so I don't forget myself -- he got Serra a casual dress and a formal dress; and got Eve a formal dress (children's, though), an elegant hairband, and a cowgirl hat for fun.))

Yuu here doesn't believe you exist. Horrible, isn't it?

Tonight, we're serving chicken and shrimp alfredo with a whole bunch of other stuff whose name I forgot. Take your pick.

Man, Lavi can cook. Actually, that was kinda fun. Fiiiiiiiiiiine, I'll do it properly and try out more recipes.

Anyway, I don't see what everyone's complaining about. This switching thing's kinda fun. Guess I got lucky, though. Similar height, (untransformed) weight; agreeable personality...

Yep. Definitely lucky.

[Filtered to Squalo]

Hey. Girly-man. I'm the cat, in case you still haven't realized. We'll settle things after we change back, yeah? okay? Stop getting random people involved, geez.

[Filtered to Lavi]

These memories decided to be weird and not come all at once. Got another one, if you want to hear it.

[Private, for once fairly-easily hackable because distracted Ranulf is distracted]

Owwwwwwww, and I didn't even take off the eyepatch. First, I keep ramming into things, and now, my head hurts. Maybe I should just full-out put on a blindfold or something. Everything's way too clear for comfort, and nothing's going out of my head.

Nngh, how does this guy deal with it day in and day out?

Well, now, that was a wonderful week-and-a-bit. Fancy night with my most lovely little Eve, got a lot of lovely little presents, and there was that week of light cooking...

Let me tell you, food's not nearly as interesting when you have to make it for yourself. And everyone else.

Well, I've got no complaints about the pay, at least. A job's a job, right? And I've gotten used to this one.

Okay, vacation over! Time to work!

Say, on an unrelated note... Ike, you up for that spar?

And then there's the... hmmm. Well. Might as well...

[Filtered to Eve]

Hey, kitten, you work at the library, right? Do you remember coming across any books about possession?

Well, there goes sleeping.

Kitten, Serra, Tsuna, Mist, Lenalee? Whoever else I forgot hey, I'm half-asleep here?

Everyone unhurt and accounted for?

[Filtered from Squalo]

Oh, Lady Serra! I've brought you a new pet. His name is Squalo, and he has lovely, long hair just begging for you to play with. I think he'd look good in braids, don't you?

He's even well-trained, too! He quite obediently follows me around. For now, at least.

We'll need to teach him about the dangers of carrying a sword around, however. Wouldn't it be horrible if he ended up hurting himself with it?

Well, that was an interesting week, to say the least. So horrid, isn't it, to see some peole's childhood dreams shatter? Tsuna, as I'm sure we can all verify, is, most unfortunately, not a robot, and most certainly not a robot laguz.

Oh yes. And I seemed to have gained a new jacket. It is quite nice, if a bit worn. Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's perfect for this weather, at least.

Also, Rabbits are quite delicious. Too bad I can't find more of them out in the forest. Of course, in here...

Ahem!

Much discoveries about ourselves, isn't it? And I've got to say, living in the forest was nice. I think I've gotten way too used to the smell here now. Maybe another, oh, "spirit quest" would be nice.

Well. Perhaps after next week. We do have the matter of the ball to attend to, do we not? As much as I wonder how they're going to keep us from eating, I don't think even my curiosity would tempt me enough to find out. Cats do have nine lives, but I really can't imagine it being all that pleasant to starve.

[Private to Soren, unhackable]

Oh, lovely Soren~ Have you a date yet for the ball? They are encouraging it, you know, and your... delicate beauty has quite captured me. Please do say you'll go with me~!

[Private to Eve, unhackable]

Hey, kitten. If you haven't already made plans, how would you like to go to the ball with me, hmm?

((OOC: The jacket he mentioned? Is Was Squalo's. It's Ranulf's now. >.>))