And this world grows smaller and smaller...

Interesting, isn't it? After a few weeks of vacation, we return to a world that slowly drains us of our energy... and our expendable resources.

Though I do wonder, are they truly as expendable as first thought? The more deaths that occur, the more disappearances follow, and they don't seem to be replenished as easily.

...unfortunate, in a sense. But easier... easier if this continues...

BZZZT!

[Weird thing is, it's been just barely over two weeks since he last used it. He's still covered in blood, the dark previously-liquid substance dried and somewhat caking from his skin, completely soaked into his clothes. Because he did not actually go home until today.

A shaky hand grabs the device and he looks at it, blood red eyes staring at the device, as if he didn't see it at all.

Barely a few seconds later, his eyes narrow and his lips purse together and turn into a small scowl.]

Ow.

[Yuca stands quietly outside. Behind him is the graveyard, behind the communicator is the church. It seemed fitting. He doesn't mind that snow drifts into his hair, but he looks surprisingly calm.

Weirdly enough... he just begins to talk.]

Another year, another Christmas... It's my third in Discedo. It's fascinating, almost. The decorations, the cheer, presents, lovely festivities, watched over by a God... if there is a God.

It is, of course, time to be thankful for still living--however long we can or will in such a place--and celebrating. Food, life, companionship... [He looks up.] I wonder if Jesus, in his pathetic little manger, would be happy with the way everything turned out. Would he be alright with all of us? Humans, aliens, embodiments of countries, vampires, demons--

[Something snorts right next to him.]

--Angels?

Does Jesus even know we're here, in Discedo? Fortuna may be out of God's jurisdiction, if there even is a God.

...but that's a sermon for another time.

As peace still lasts, Merry Christmas, and hopefully we can have a silent night.

Not funny, scientists.

What interesting things are there to do in Discedo? For fun.

[You know, things that don't involve maiming, torture, murder, or freaky science experiments!]

BZZZZT--

[And Cecil's foot steps off of the device! It's been dropped and abandoned in a small field, far far from Discedo. And the late night sky is dark but clear, both moons shining brightly. A yellow-orange light trickles past Cecil's head, and his arms reach out for it. And soon, trapped in the darkness.

He opens his hands. There's no light.] Nng... Rika. This one died too.

"...Cecil. Here, I'll show you how to do it. Satoko and I used to play with the fireflies around the shrine."

[And as Rika's small form steps into view, she also... steps on the communicator and shuts off the transmission.]

BZZZZZTTTZTZTZZZZT!

[And the rattling of something metal hitting the ground and something fleshy at the same time.

Cecil inhales sharply. His communicator's decided to take revenge for him laughing at those getting shocked.]

Ridiculous.

[Cecil turns on his communicator. He's staring at it, but his eyes are unfocused, as if he's searching for something that's not there.]

...Kaye, I do believe I am delusional.

Please watch Hanyuu for me.

...a little birdy told me that a young man who I'm guessing was not America just happened to be stabbed.

And now I find myself in possession of a dear horse.

As well as a... bundle of food by the door. It was half-frozen to the floor by the time I got to it, but I think it's still edible, most of it. Kaye, I left that on the table. But I can't drag this horse upstairs.

My sincerest apologies to the mistaken victim. [Except not.]

...

[Also, for obligatory purposes.] Has anyone seen a small white kitten named Methuselah, with a bell collar?


[[ooc: Cecil's somewhere in the Marshall lobby, sitting on the dead horse. After he, y'know, stabbed Canada and dragged it away. And noticed Ace's food, and the fact that his cat is still missing. Exciting.]]