April walks through the newly opened PINpoint portal into the Caritas, leading Rhys through it. Even though they had just met, April's voices were already guiding her into supporting this decision. That positive benefits would be discovered for Rhys.

And perhaps, the Initiative members would learn a lot from him.

The Caritas was not as lively as it had been, when Lorne was alive and running the joint. In several ways, it was like the building itself was still mourning the loss of Lorne.

But as the new managers, the Initiative put their hearts and souls into keeping it as an Open Door sanctuary for any demon or human who might need it. They all had taken different jobs around the bar too. So it was Rhys' chance to get to meet many of them in person.

Hulk was one of the bouncers. He could be seen standing in one of the corners', his glowing green eyes a constant reminder to those who might consider starting an incident.

87 was the bartender today. She was chatting up a rather large demon, who took up several bar stools, as he drank away his woes for the day.

Mouse was playing the DJ for the afternoon, with her cybernetics hooked into the karaoke machine to give any singer their chance on stage. She had some great songs playing now in the background.

"Welcome to the Caritas." April smiled at Rhys. "Where not everything is black and white."

For those who might not have Clark-mun's journal bookmarked -- don't miss our announcement.

Click Here

For the general public, tonight the Caritas is closed.

For those who have a special invitation however -- there is a party to attend. And the bar is decked out with every single decoration in the world. There are helium balloons floating up by the roof, in all sorts of colors. And we mean all the colors. There are plaid balloons up there!

There are dozens of candles decorating each table. And these candles fire off little tiny explosions of fireworks every half hour.

There is a bubble machine and a fog machine by the dance floor, so people can mix it up and have fun. There is every kind of beverage (even the 'rich red' for vampires) at the bar.

And right now Lorne is on the stage, belting out a song to "Memory".

((here is the deal -- this is a mixed interaction thread. NPCs will interact with everyone who posts, but I encourage others to interact as well. There will be a point when a major plot point will occur, and hopefully I can bring everyone into a posting order))

In the past few weeks, Clark and April have been helping to mentor the Dryad spirit in her mental mindscape. They took the opportunity whenever they had free time -- which didn't come very often in their busy lives. But step by step, moment by moment, the Dryad was learning more about the world.

And with each visit, April felt a little piece of herself heal and get stronger.

The Voices were still not quite completely back, and there were times when they would have been a great assistance to the situation at hand -- but they took each day at a time. They handled each emergency the best way they could, using the strengths and abilities of other members of the JLA team.

Usually, Clark and April found time right before bed to take a moment in the mental mindscape. It seemed to suit their schedules. The children were asleep. And the their day was done. The only thing that would come up -- was the occasional need for Superman.

Tonight was one of those nights when they had no emergencies to handle. April was sitting on the bed, brushing out her hair quietly to herself. She felt they were closer to resolving the issue -- so she could have those abilities back in her life. In truth, she missed them.

It has started a few weeks ago, with the disturbing nightmares that forced April to wake up in the middle of the night. Nightmares that while connected to her voices, were so real and visual, that it was like she had been there in the moment.

In the moment of a death. It was not like most deaths that she saw through her voices... instead, it was like the person has disappeared. And April knew each time it happened it was like a little piece of the universe had been stolen.

Clark had advised her to go to the research library hidden in Lorne's bar. And that was where she was, when a commotion was raised from the meeting area of the Scoobies. Coming out of the library, she saw her father, Spike, placing Dawn onto a couch. The young girl was flickering... disappearing and reappearing... it was so shocking, she thought she was dreaming again.

"Someone help her! I am nothing without her!" Spike called out.

April frowned. Something was seriously wrong. And her intuition was telling her that whatever was going wrong, had to do with some serious magic. Returning into the library, April used her PINpoint to call up Harry Dresden. Hopefully he could provide some insight...

J'onn was unable to tell April much about why her voices were not working, but he sensed a darkness in her mind. And rightly was concerned because it was starting to grow... slowly, but steadily.

After a long conversation about how to remedy the situation, it was decided that some of April's closest friends should go into her mind, and seek out the true situation.

Already Clark was at her side, but she had placed phone calls to both Ed and Cipher Nine detailing enough to let them know that she needed them. And a little about why. The whole story would be stated once they all arrived.

But she was nervous. Sick to her stomach. And just wanted her mind back... so she was restless.

((posting order April/ Clark/ Ed and Cipher Nine))

All across Mexico people are celebrating. And while there are smaller celebrations in Mexico itself, the largest celebration is in Los Angeles.

This year's Festival de Fiesta Broadway is expected to draw 300,000 people. But not just people... vampires are also attracted to the event. There are so many people... and every year a few going missing. Never to be reported missing. Gone forever.

There is a deeper threat to the day this year, which is why April has been having vision-dreams about the Dead walking among the Cinco de Mayo parades. She also gets the feeling that this is attached to the Order of Aurelius and their current plot.

She also senses that they will need help. A lot of it. So she starts making phone calls, everyone she can think of. Harry Dresden. Jack Harkness. Edward Elric, Cipher Nine. And of course contacts her husband. They all receive a PINpoint address in Los Angeles. To Lorne's bar.

To a strategy room.

((tagging order: April/NPCs; Clark/Harry Dresden/Jack Harkness; Ed/CipherNine))

It is Jonathan's second birthday. Unlike last year, where a group of friends were invited to the apartment, April has favored for a family event.

The decorations are simple, and tasteful around the apartment. Jonathan is sitting among a few opened presents, playing with the wrapping paper. (Ignoring the toys that were in the boxes for the time being).

April is watching Jonathan with a smile, tilting her head slightly for a moment. This is such a nice moment, with the three of them together.

It was a quiet day in Los Angeles. Spike was babysitting Jonathan for April and Clark, taking extra care with his grandson (especially considering the last time the young boy had visited there had been an difficult situation to handle).

The was good reason why things were quiet. Connor no longer stayed with Spike, Wes and Lorne. And while Angel and Buffy had returned from helping Connor reclaim Quo'Toth properly, both the elder vampire and the vampire slayer had not stayed long.

It was nice to spend time with the grandchild too. Spike was still giving Shasta time to mourn over the loss of Jash, and for the Vampire Village to recover from the recent loss. And Jonathan was at the age were he was learning so much, and Spike was taking it among himself to teach the young child about weapons and self-defense.

After a long day, the two of them went down for a nap. Spike held the toddler in his arms securely, confident that no one would dare touch the child or wake the sleeping vampire. He was partly right...

A hooded figure entered quietly, watching over the vampire and sleeping child for a while. Then the figure left a simple white unicorn statuette behind, leaving without incident. And minutes before April and Clark appeared, via PINpoint.

April has been getting a weird vibe all day. She was working in her art gallery today, with Jonathan safely in the play area next to her. Things are bright outside, and it looks like a beautiful way to start May, with the birds chirping and flowers blooming.

However, that weird vibe just won't go away.

It happened earlier in the day, when a group of three women had entered the gallery to do some window shopping. April talked with them a little, but generally let her girls handle the rest of the sales since those women seemed a little snobby.

Then a few hours later, another group of women had entered, and they had that same snobbery vibe. And while that might be normal for some of the elite-status women in her store, April had recognized one of the girls from a previous encounter. And she seemed so different today. So not herself. It sort of her had her puzzling what was going on.

"Dede dede?" Jonathan asked from his position in the playpen. "Sure buddy, I can give him a call." April smiled down at him, picking up the phone.