[There's Legolas, sitting at a terminal and looking thoughtful. There's a small, leatherbound notebook in front of him and a fountain pen. He wasn't sure if they'd belonged to anyone when he'd gathered what he needed but he could return it all later. In neat script on the first page is a passage written in Sindarin. And below it, a translation of it.]

What is it you miss of home, most of all? What is it, that if ever we return, you will seek out first?

I want to write it all here in this book. I want to make sure that no one forgets what most they miss here. No matter what it is that we endure, we'll need only look into it to remind ourselves of happier times. Times that, with hope, are not forever lost to us.

It has concerned me greatly of late as to what "Losing your Soul to the Tower of Animus" may mean. And I am afraid we may be witnessing the first symptoms of such a loss...

[ It's to say the ridiculous amounts of sheer foolishness that can be witnessed all around the tower, especially as of late. It is the first time since May that Gandalf posts something on the network- Nothing surprising considering his dislike of such communication means. But here and now, sending this message is absolutely necessary. ]

( Throw yourselves out of the tower next time and rid us of your stupidity )

Is something going on? The readings are off.


[UPDATES:

12:30PM EST - The Tower is rattling.

12:45PM EST - The Tower is shaking more violently. Things are starting to move around, fall over, and fall off shelves. Something like loud, twisted whalesong can be heard.

12:55PM EST - The Tower is shaking violently; anything not bolted down will start falling over. A massive whale can be seen swimming up through the fog out the lower level windows--the fog cuts into its already bubbling, too-tight skin, and it trails thick black blood, but it isn't losing momentum and it's going to break through the fog barrier soon at the rate it's moving.

1:00PM EST - The whale reaches the top of the Tower and begins ramming into it. The tower creaks and screeches and groans; a bright white light circles the Tower as a barrier is revealed to cover the entire thing.

The whale rams it. It begins cracking.]

[Good afternoon, Tower. Eikichi is standing in front of the terminal's camera, grinning from ear to ear and looking quite proud of himself. In fact you might say he looks unusually energized.]

HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Is this thing on...okay it is.

Inhabitants of this stone tower! I, the beautiful, amazing, great, quick-thinking Michel have a proposition for next week. As it so happens that it was the birthday of someone special two days ago, I realized she needs a proper celebration! And considering there hasn't been a good party around here lately, the solution is simple; a proper birthday bash, not just for our bella dama who will be our guest of honor, but also for anyone who hasn't had a proper birthday for the past months.

And as exceptional as he is, Michel can't do this alone! I can help with the decorations and the music, but I know the tower is filled with considerable talent! Chefs! Decorators! Even a few musicians who might have slipped from Michel's grasp when he didn't notice you...reveal yourselves to me so that we may make this the best bash ever!

And...turn that frown upside down! Michel isn't going to stand for it any longer!

Times have been hard and difficult, that's true, but if we don't get a little joy in our lives, we'll just like this place drag us down with it. I'll have none of that and neither should you! As a certain someone I admire would say, 'Let's Positive Thinking!'

So go on, find a mirror, look at yourself and say "I look great today!".

Don't worry I'll be waiting.

[He crosses his arms with a smirk plastered on his face and waits for a full eight seconds before continuing.]

Now that you're all energized and ready to do this...there's more!

It's not just a birthday party and way to cheer everyone up, if you can, bring that lovely lady or the handsome guy! Come as a couple as there will be a competition to crown the lord and lady of the evening! And don't worry, Michel's a very fair man. As much as he knows he's the only true king around, he'll let someone else enjoy it for that night.

So put on your best!

Oh, no date you say? That's not a problem! Do the words Blind Date have any meaning to you? Send me your name -- don't worry Michel won't share -- and he'll set you up with all the others who don't have one. Considering our beautiful chica population lower, you may end up with another guy! But don't worry, a date doesn't mean you need to kiss at all...who knows, you might end up with a new friend! Michel's certain everyone will have a good time regardless! And who knows...you might find true love and you'll have me to be thankful for!

....I know, I know, how can someone like me exist? Sometimes I wonder that too.

So, who's with me?!

[Look at that grin. Look at that face. Look at all this wild energy. Surely it must stir something within you for that...right to fight for your party...]

[As private as Eikichi can make it to the rest of the team members minus Maya]

Jun, you're in charge of making her a proper birthday bouquet. Miyabi, you want to make her a cake? Tatsuya, Lisa...help me find her some presents? If we have to make 'em I don't care.

And everyone's coming to the music room with me! I've been inspired to write her a birthday song and I'll need everyone's help!

[OH GODS WHYYYY NO EIKICHI NOOOO...]

[[OOC - Blind Date Signups are Here]]

I would advise against using the network, but given the circumstances there are no other options.

[ Have a Gandalf appearing on the screen- He looks dead serious, yet somehow calm. Anyone paying attention could notice he looks quite tired as well. ]

I need to know what happened in this tower before my arrival- From the first day people were ‘saved’. If there are people who could give me any relevant information, this would be highly appreciated.

I’m most interested in a child who has been mentioned a couple of time yesterday, I believe his name was Zo. From what little I have read, I assume something terrible must have happened.

( Text filtered to Zelda, Xion and Fi )

[Switch off the labyrinth and check the network proper on any one of the terminals, and you shall be greeted by the stern, stoic face of one Princess of Hyrule. She looks somewhat tired, like she hasn't had a good night's sleep, but even so, there is a tranquil sort of absolute fury in her eyes.]

Is it possible to access the locked elevator without the clear- or red-collared workers' "assistance"?

[Fi is floating in front of the computer and setting up the video. Then is pops up and everybody can see Fi floating in front of the device.]

Master Link, I've just spent time with the youngest Link. And I drew one of the Kikwi.

[Holding up a crayon picture of Machi.]

I would like to give it to you, Master.

[And the whole time? COMPLETELY STRAIGHT FACED.]