We're running low on food again. Kanda, don't eat the ramen noodles in the cabinets. I'm pretty sure rats have been into them.

Someone really needs to get more supplies for everyone. I've forgotten how far away the old grocery store is. Every time I take the tape off the window I...see him.

Someone has to go though, so...

Would anyone else like to come with me?

I just baked some gingerbread if anyone would like some. It smells amazing! But I have lots of other cakes and candy if you don't like gingerbread. More than enough to share if anyone would like to stop by. It tastes the best when it's still warm.

You can get it fresh from the oven~

((OOC: Why yes, she will push you into the oven if you stop by.))

Someone, please help me!

I can't get my brother out of the oven! He's baking to death!

One...two....three...

((A girl's voice, so soft that it makes it difficult to identify. But whoever it is, the counting paired with deliberate steps echoing off stone make it easy to tell where she is and what she's doing.))

Twelve...thirteen...fourteen...

((For all the suspicion and potential danger that the wishing stairs present, there's promise there as well. The apartments aren't the most cheerful place and there's plenty of time for the mind to wander...for longing to set in.))

Twenty...twenty-one...twenty-two...

((The counting is slower now. A moment is being taken on every step. Maybe she's re-thinking it. Maybe she's preparing herself for disappointment. But she's definitely not wondering what she'll wish for now. No one would take that first step without knowing what it is that they want, what's worth taking a risk for.))

Twenty-six...twenty-seven...twenty-eight.

((And here is the longest pause. It's the last step. Many have counted. There are twenty-eight stone steps leading up to the school.))

Twenty-nine.

((Most of the time.))

Fox, fox. Please grant my wish.

Hello?

((There's confusion in her voice, layered with apprehension.))

Is anyone here?

I can't be the only one...

So...what's everyone doing with their dolls now? Mine's in pieces, but I still don't want to keep it around. Having the real thing here is more than enough. Maybe I'll try sealing it up in a box with the red tape. Or seperate boxes would be even better.

I feel a little guilty about reading that journal entry. There wasn't anything too personal in it, but still, that's the kind of thing a girl likes to keep to herself, not share with a building full of strangers.

But if it saves someone's life...I bet she wouldn't mind too much.

I agree that the wishing stairs probably aren't a good idea, if anyone even finds them. But if you did have a wish, no strings attached, what would everyone wish for?

((She gropes for her communicator, turning the audio on before accidentally knocking it off the table. There's a loud crash as it hits the floor, but fortunately, it wasn't broken.))

Oh, sorry! Is everyone okay? You can hear me, right?

I can't see anything. And it sounds like I'm not alone. It's because of that carnival, isn't it?

((There's a pause before she continues.))

I'm sure this can't last forever, so everyone just be careful until then! I know the dark is really careful so just keep talking to each other. That'll help.

Locked to the Exorcists

There's a Noah here!

((When she speaks, Lenalee's voice is controlled but concerned...very concerned.))

Those of you who have roommates--

((A pause while she tries to find the words and gather her courage to say them.))

Are they still there?

Allen...have you seen Kanda?

Now there's three of us from the Black Order. I'm so happy to see Allen again. Of course, not as happy as I would be if none of us were stuck here.

But each room only holds two beds at most. So...Allen, Kanda, it's really okay with me if the two of you would rather be roommmates. I'll be fine. And it makes the most sense, since you're both boys. And if my brother were to arrive -- well, I don't want him to have a heart attack and become one of the ghosts. It'll be bad enough when he sees I can't get the blood off of his favorite coffee mug.

Is everyone else holding up okay?

((There's the sound of paper being unfolded and torn, along with the more familiar sound of tape being torn from the roll.))

I've found some newspaper and I'm taping it over the windows. I know it makes it darker, but if I try to close the curtains, they just fly back open again.

It's not really them, I know it's not. It's just these apartments playing with us again. But...I really want to open the window.

I can't stand seeing them that way. The way that they just keep staring, and they won't tell me how I can help them.

Allen...Lavi...Brother. I just wish there was some way I knew you were really okay. I could stand this evil if I just knew that.

It seems like everyone's having the same ideas about getting organized and trying to learn more about our environment. I think it's time we act on it.

So...I'm forming a tenants association. Everyone is welcome to join. I think it would be a good idea to have at least two people from each floor who are willing to look into the hauntings on their floor -- without putting themselves at too much risk, of course. But we need all the information we can get. Maybe we can even learn enough to put these spirits to rest...and get back home.

((Her voice sounds a little a lot wistful with those last words.))

Another responsibility should be leaving the building to go in search of supplies, or escorting those who do. So far there doesn't seem to be anything that gets rid of the ghosts completely. Moral support beats no support at all...

Though if Kanda takes his hair down, he kind of resembles the ghosts. Maybe he can be a decoy while the rest of us do whatever is needed!

It's a thought. I'm open to others. So please speak up.

I can't believe I actually found soba. Kanda! Aren't you happy?

((She waits before sighing gently and continuing.))

I guess he's meditating again.

I also found some packets of seeds that claim to be for tea plants. But...does anyone have any idea how to grow them? I have to admit, I never gave much thought to how it actually grows. There was some old clay pots and bags of soil in the basement. I hope they get enough sun from the counter.

Mr. Hewley, I heard that some people found extra rolls of red tape. I also think your ideas were very good ones. Our best chance is to get organized and informed before the next surprises are thrown at us. A tenant's association would be a good first step.

I nominate Mr. Hewley.

Kanda, is this your hair in the drain? I know you said something was pulling it, but you should've told me it was being pulled completely out.

Those of you that I haven't had a chance to meet yet, my name is Lenalee. Kanda and I are exorcists for the Black Order. Unfortunately we can't do anything about the spirits here...

I did find some tea in the cabinet and I'm making it now. I can't promise that it'll be fresh but...I know many of us are tired from not being able to sleep at night. There's also some coffee. We're in room 309 on the third floor. Anyone's welcome.

You're not alone here.

Has anyone else heard voices that they recognize?

And if you have, was it really them?

I guess what I'm getting at is...

Kanda. Is that really you?

((OOC: Let's pretend I'm not a total failure who missed her castmate's arrival. orz ))

((A girl's voice, alarmed but not hysterical.))

Hello? There are others here, right? Are you in trouble?

((Her voice softens then, speaking to herself more than anything.))

It's not an akuma... Could this be like what Allen sees?

I'm sorry. I don't think I can help you.

Recycling is good!

This journal is now being used for jigoku_apts.