Jay

[It's just another day in the neighborhood. Having run out of supplies, Jay makes an imperative run to the grocery shops to gather more. He grabs a lot; a large bag of cat food, a large bag of cat litter, and several sacks full of canned cat food.]

[So how does he carry all of this stuff? Well, he's pulling it all in a red wagon, through the plaza and towards Community Building 3.]

I hope he doesn't run away...

[He mutters to himself as he goes, unable to explain why he has this dreaded feeling that the cat would run once the door was open. Now that he has this cat, his biggest fear is to lose it.]

[Jay was pretty lucky this past week...or was he? He missed the amnesia plague, because the Malnosso had decided to use him to play a cruel joke. In your living room (or in the backyard if the house/apartment is too small) is a coffin, with one half of the lid open. Jay is sleeping inside said coffin, dressed in a formal suit (top-left image), his hands folded neatly over his torso. He appears as if ready for his own funeral...but you may want to make sure he's actually dead before you bury him. Luckily for Jay, he's a very light sleeper.]

[Voice]

[Later on, there'll be a short voice broadcast from him, not addressed to anyone in particular.]

It's October, according to this world's calendar. It was October when I was drawn here three years ago. I hope you're satisfied!

[The last word comes out as a vicious hiss.]

[The feed starts with a quite audible, distinctive and very exasperated sigh.]

Could we just...pretend this last experiment never happened?

[He just wants to forget about it, but something is preventing him from doing so. He still has the flowers that Vincent Valentine gave him sitting on his desk, and he can't stop staring at them. He has to get rid of them...but he can't just throw them away. That just doesn't feel right for some reason. But he needs to do something before they turn into a bunch of dead things. Hmm...putting them in a garden sounds nice. The first garden that comes to mind is Memorial Garden. The perfect place.]

[So he takes the flowers and heads over to the Memorial Garden. Once he reaches it, he'll just toss each flower into it at random places, one flower at a time.]

If anyone happens to visit the Battle Dome, they'll find Jay inside, practicing his eres on a small variety of opponents. After the exercise, he emerges from the dome to stretch out his limbs.]

[Perhaps you've seen him in action, or maybe you're just catching him as he comes out.]

Well, I must say that was invigorating.

Can we just get rid of this holiday and be done with it?

[All this love stuff is starting to make him ill. So he'll be going to the lake to get away from all the romantic bliss. Or at least he'll try to.]

[OOC: First comment reserved for Viki. Okay, feel free!]

[As if Jay wasn't small enough already, he is now tiny. Very tiny. He tries to brave it by going out and trying to carry on his day like usual, but ends up regretting it as most of the people threaten to inadvertently step on him. As you pass through the plaza, you may hear his voice if you're not careful.]

Hey! Could you please watch where you're stepping!?

[At the very least, he's glad that Moses isn't around to make fun of his even smaller size. He'd never hear the end of it then…]

Unbelievable…I've been stuck in this place for a whole year now. A whole year. A whole year without my—

[He trails off, whispering softly to himself.]

They've probably forgotten about me by now. No…they wouldn't do that. They've always waited for me. If only there was a way to get home…or at least to let them know that I'm okay, and that I haven't forgotten about them… I don't want to keep them worried…

[Yes, he misses his otters that much.]

[Action]

[Later on, as he emerges from C3, it doesn't take him long to notice the Battle Dome just south of his building.]

What is that??

[Jay has only spoken to a couple of New Feathers in the past week, and they seemed so arrogant. Time to see how well they can back it up.]

Well, we have quite the smug group of New Feathers this time around. People who think they're so brilliant that they can provide a soundproof escape plan within a week. Well, the time is up. I'm waiting…

[Waiting eagerly, yet patiently, anxious to see how those smug few newcomers would fluster. After all, if he can't find a way to escape from Luceti, neither can anyone else.]

[Action]

[Later in the evening, as the sun is setting, he'll be walking through the village with his hands in his pockets, enjoying the peace and quiet.]

[Guess who's thinking really hard about the draft? Yes, it's Luceti's non-existent information dealer. He's sitting at his desk, staring at the Oresoren doll that Stella had made for him for his birthday. After a moment, he picks it up and shoves it under the desk. Hopefully it'll be safe there while he's gone…]

( Written/Private )

[And now for a friendly public announcement.]

Tomorrow I'll be joining the others who are being drafted to meet the Third Party in battle. For those who are going to battle, try not to die out there. But please make sure to leave your wills in the village, just in case. And for those remaining in the village, please try not to screw things up while we're gone.

[Yes, he's that optimistic. Or perhaps it's just a really sick joke. One never knows.]

[Action]

[To take care of a few final errands, Jay heads for the clothing shop to pick up a new outfit – identical to the one he normally wears – without the slots in the back. He's decided that he doesn't want to keep his wings exposed for the battle. After that, one may catch him jogging around the village perimeter, or practicing his combat style at the barracks.]

[There's the sound of ducks quacking and light water splashing before Jay's voice is heard.]

Senel's gone.

Quack, quack, quack.

…That's fine. He's back where he belongs now. I just hope his time here hasn't hindered his ability to embrace the future.

[A pause as he adds in a quiet voice…]

I just wish it could have been me…

[If anyone else is derping around the forest, they can find him sitting by the lake, watching the ducks swimming around and quacking.]

According to Miss Sage's guide, it seems that it may be possible for anyone to learn different kinds of magic from the Filial spirits. I hadn't given it much thought, as I'm quite comfortable with my own abilities. However, it would be beneficial to expand my abilities, to cover the bases that I lack.

For example, it's come to my attention that Aku is only vulnerable to the light or "holy" element. Therefore, learning the magic from Hyt would be useful…so it's unfortunate that he is also the most difficult spirit to contact. It's not surprising, really. Light is different from any other element, as it's usually associated with a divine figure of sorts. Learning how to heal would also be useful…but because it doesn't work outside the barrier, it'd be useless when fighting the Third Party.

These Filial spirits…are they worth it?

And trying to teach non-combatants how to fight…will that be worth it? Unless they happen to be extremely fast learners, I don't see it working out.

[Action]

[Jay can be found sitting against the back of the C3 building. It's pouring rain, but the tall building mostly keeps him dry…mostly. He's staring up at the sky, remaining as still as possible, listening for any sort of spirit. Unfortunately, he's not exactly sure what he's supposed to listen for. All he hears is the pelting of the rain, and the loud cracking of thunder.]

I'm back.

[It just won't do to have people continue to worry about him. And he certainly does not want to repeat the incident with Nami.]

[In the meantime, Jay can be found at the barracks, getting back into his training regimen. After being sick for more than a month, he needs to get his skills back into shape, and beyond, if at all possible. Especially now that he's volunteered to help fight off the Third Party. Plus there was little else to do in Luceti anyway.]

[Anyone who wanders by the barracks will witness Jay throwing daggers at the targets, and hitting the bull's eye each time.]

[Written]

Now there's a woman wandering around sucking people's energy? As if Kefka and Yuber can't cause enough chaos around here. I would ask, "Can't we all just get along," but I already know the answer to that.

[Action]

[Jay can be found in the plaza, just observing the people around him. He's not staring at anyone in particular. He's just glancing as they walk by, carrying on their day-to-day business. Anyone who looks closer might see that he's looking a bit pale. Indeed, he is feeling something spreading through his bloodstream, although he has yet to notice any other symptoms. Surely it's just the consequences of staying outside during the blizzard…right?]

[Jay is standing a good distance away from the gate, seemingly in a trance. It's a simple decision, but with so many factors. To go or not to go? Both choices have their pros and cons...and the pros of going aren't even certain. If only they were, Jay would enter the gate in a heartbeat. But in the meantime, he could only think about those who were at home undoubtedly waiting for him.]

I have to go back. They need me. I wonder how they fare without me?

Pippo. Quppo. Poppo. I will make it home. I promise.

[Anyone looking for victims exploring the forest might find a certain boy standing there, lost in thought. He is currently contemplating his encounter with the "bad apples" that he had been warned about...namely Kadaj, Yazoo, and Sephiroth. Jay stands there, mumbling quietly to himself.]

The last thing I need is for these people to remind me of...him. [He's referring to his sadistic former master, of course.] But Sephiroth doesn't seem so bad. I need to learn more about him. He may just be...

[Contemplating the best methods to obtain information on someone so dangerous.]