[the recording is quiet for a short while before he speaks, and when he does, his voice is thin and somewhat strained even though he tries to make it sound as cheerful as usual. it also sounds as if he's reading his lines, which, in fact, he is.]

Welcome to all the new residents of Luceti. I hope you are all settling in well. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Normally there is a mixer soon after the arrival cycle ends. I hope you will join and meet everyone. I think it is a wonderful-- [he stops and the recording cuts out for a moment] --a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better........

[he seems to give up on his prepared speech, speaking absently]

The weather is nice, isn't it? What is the weather like back in your homes? Is it always this warm in the fifth month? Is it warmer? Are there festivals or flowers that come about just about now?

The changing of the seasons is so wonderful to me... The world is renewing itself. It seems like there is so much hope built into the spring and the coming of the hot summer months.

I wonder if we'll have a summer festival this year....

[ooc; for anyone looking to speak with okita face-to-face he's still at house 50, but he'll be outside for the first time in a week or two, sitting on the porch with a thick blanket over his lap. it's likely this is the last time he'll be seen outside before may 30th comes around]

[Been awhile, hasn't it, Luceti? Okita ended up staying at the Battle Dome clinic a LOT longer than he meant to in order to wait out a fever and his coughing. He's finally well enough to go home and so he's on his way toward House 50.

If you can catch him before he hits the house, you might actually get a chance to see him for the first time in a long time.

After he gets to the house, he'll likely be sealing himself off again. Shinpachi is missing, Sanosuke is out looking for him, Ayumu is hovering, and he simply isn't in the mood to see an empty room next to his anymore.

Before he leaves, however, he'll post up a note on the network.]

To the doctors at the battle dome clinic? Thank you for all your help. I appreciate you allowing me to stay so long.

I suppose it's almost time for the New Feathers to appear, hm? I should be able to resume my duties at the Center soon enough.

..... [He could say something else, but he'll end the message there.]

--so pretty. It's so clear and white and it stretches forever, like it's covering up the blemishes of the world. It's still pure like it's supposed to be.

Like we always wished we could be.

[There's a long pause and the sound of footsteps crunching along the snow.]

It's silly of me to talk to a toy, isn't it? I suppose it is. ...but I do miss you, Saizou. You would have made these longer nights so much easier to pas-

[The sound of coughing and a thud as he goes down and jostles the journal closed.]


( Action )

Aaaaaaaaaaah.... This isn't fair at-- [He stops and coughs for a short while before the sound of explosions outside filter in.] ...all. I catch a cold this early? And when something interesting is happening outside?

So not fai-- [And he sneezes.]