[Sakamoto sounds as if he's in a lot of pain, and his breathing is labored as he attempts to make a post over the communicator. His laugh reveals signs of fatigue as it is usually not as jolly as it typically is.]

Ahaha... It seems that there's a major-

[There's a wretching noise, but Sakamoto stifles the urge to throw up, or attempts to, but he can barely make it through the next word.]

Problem...

[ video fzzts on. ]

Hello. [ it's an attempt at cheeriness at best, but the girl on the screen is giving it her all despite red eyes. ] My name is Tsukino Usagi.

Wow...prison huh? After all I've been through you'd think that I'd be prepared for any kind of scenario...but at least it isn't as bad as that time when that creepy prince Demando kidnapped me! I mean - at least someone was nice enough to leave this message here. Last time they just tried to kill me! [ she laughs weakly ]

Um, I'd like to know if – if some people I know are here. [ breathes ] Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna-san, Hotaru-chan...[ she's still talking - except now the tears are slipping from her eyes ] Ami-chan, Makoto-chan...[ by the tone of her voice it's obvious that she's breaking down ] Rei-chan...Minako-chan... Someone...anyone...you guys can't be dead - it's impossible. I...I'd like it a lot if someone could tell me if they're here. Thank you...[ and with a sob the connection cuts off. ]

I don't like this... Why are all the thinking machines not thinking anymore? How come Sentience didn't say anything this morning...?

[He's inwardly terrified that there might be a repeat of what happened before with the power going out. He did not react well to that and doesn't want it to happen again, worry clear in his tone.]

[It's early in the morning, but the time of day doesn't seem to concern Naoya too much. He's finally shackle-free, and the first thing he's doing is finding an area with decent technology.]

[The computer lab will have to do.]

[Those wandering around may see him staring at the screen, bored, as he clicks through the bookmarks that Sentience has provided.]

[She lets out a low, defeated sigh.]

Is there anyone who has some experience with cooking that would be able to... um... guide me in the kitchen a little? I'm afraid I've only succeeded in making a mess and I'm not really the best at this type of thing, so... I would really appreciate the help.

Oh... and... uhhh... I... th-think I broke one of the microwaves. I know Sentience doesn't like destruction of property, but does anyone know if it punishes you when it's unintentional?

[Private to Reira]

Reira... [Long pause.] I was wondering if I could.... ask for your advice about something.

[Normally he would be careful about such things, but the stupidity (stress) of the auction has made him frustrated, and he's tried to hold back this migraine for too long. Naoya's in his room in the middle of the night, still locked in - fuck these restraints, especially since he can't cast a healing spell with them on - and the video clicks on as he knocks things off his bed with a frustrated sweep of his arm.]

Damn him, damn him, damn him!

[He stomps away from the communicator, which is now lying on the floor amidst blankets, and Naoya crouches in the corner of a room, holding his head. He hasn't noticed that it's on.]

[A podium and stage, decorated with pink and red, has been set up outside the shelter. Here's where the action happens...!]


[Everyone who wants to RP out their auction should make a comment here, describing what they're wearing and how they're feeling/acting in the comment. Don't say anything. You may optionally add context relative to the timing of the bidding, like mention that he's impatient for character X to go up, or is weirded out because character Y just bought someone else and she was supposed to buy him, or is anxious because she's the first one up there, etc.

[Then Minako responds with patter commentary, attempting to sell your character based on what she knows/has been told. She will put [Bidding] in the subject line. Respond to Minako's comments to bid. Just like in a real auction, the bid that is the highest or the fastest will be the one accepted!

[Please go up in increments of no more than 300 sentis at a time, and remember that 1500 sentis is a reasonable price for a date. Indicate in bold in brackets if you have OOC plans, like, "[He was confident he would win]" or "[She was starting to worry she didn't have enough cash]" or "[The thought of losing didn't even cross his mind]". It is common courtesy not to interfere with established plans; if you want to do something else, talk to the mun whose intentions interfere with yours.

[But try not to choreograph things too extensively. You have the right to decide what you want to happen to your character, but it's fun to let these things be spontaneous, and you don't have the right to tell other people their characters aren't allowed to do something IC just because it interferes with your extensively scripted plans.

[Minako will declare the winner of each auction, largely at her discretion, and then the bidding will be over.

[People may also start their own threads off the original comment with the biddee with subject lines like [Before the Bidding] or [After the Bidding] to interact with the person up for auction. Try not to do post-bidding threads until after the bidding is concluded -- for obvious reasons!]

[a rustle, a snap then-] HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!~ [the sparkles may not be your imagination and Minako beams into the camera]

Hey everyone!~ As all you cuties might very well know, and if you don't well now you do, today is the date auction! Sentience has given me and C.C. the authority to run this fantastical event and - of course - what's a fantastical event without some fantastical people to be there?

IN OTHER WORDS - [whips out a rather formidable LIST and waves it just long enough for you to glimpse at some of the names already written.] It's sign up time! Everyone who would like to be biddee please respond to this message, and your name will be added to the list.

Remember, for those who sign up there are some requirements. 1! You must come in costume or dress or something just very pretty. 2! Biddees are allowed to become bidders if they so choose to. 3! THE DATE MUST BE DONE.

[and here she gives a rather devious smile] Those on the list that are...less than enthused will get a friendly nudge from our very own captain of the defense force, Gino Weinberg~ And of course, anyone who would like to...volunteer others are welcome to do so! The event will be announced by Sentience later today!

Hope to see everyone there!~

( OOC )

[Akane looks pretty angry, but what else is new? She's shifts the video back a bit so that a CLEAR VIEW of her scowl can be seen as she stares back at you.]

I just rescued a girl from SLEEPING on a park bench because no one ever told her that she could live anywhere unoccupied for free. [Her jaw clenches.] She could have been hurt. Isn't there some kind of guide we can give out to people when they arrive here? One that will tell them about the places here or the types of people or the living situation or about the ball and chain, should they arrive with one? Or... or... shouldn't there be?

[She looks back at something and a view of her bed can be seen where someone (Kobato) with long, light brown hair is sleeping. When she looks back at the screen, she no longer looks upset, but perhaps a bit tired.] I appreciate everything Sentience has done to accommodate all of us, but this is still a dangerous place. We need to make sure we are helping the newcomers when they arrive.

[She sighs and then turns the feed off.]

[Sleeping soundly on a bench in the park is Kobato. She hasn't heard the morning announcements yet. Sleeping in is one of the things she's very good at! Her head's resting on a small suitcase, hat of course in place, while her chest rises and falls. Of course she is completely unaware of anyone else who might be nearby. Do you wake her? Or continue to let her sleep peacefully? She mumbles softly in her sleep as she turns over.]

Nng...N-Not Dobato..._{Valen...san, Tine. N-no...Tine-san and...nng}

Reira's sitting on her bed, having talked with a few people - and even seen Ashton, or who Ashton used to be - and still not really having found any comfort. On the floor, Shin is chewing happily on her communicator, but she doesn't even notice - not even when it opens up a private voice channel with someone she's never met.]

Wh-what am I going to do? [And suddenly, she bursts into loud, shaking sobs. Whoever's on the other end is going to get a very strange surprise.]

((ooc: Xion? This one's for you! Hope this works for you as a way to introduce them.))

[Kunou finds himself in the park, doing something very un-Kunou-like. Namely, playing with a machine. A robot cat to be exact, courtesy of Anissina. He is holding a remote and maneuvering the little kitty all around, making it pace, nuzzle, and mew seemingly at random. But he's improving! At least it generally does what he commands! Clearly there were some manufacturing problems.]

[Which means! Cue evil honorable samurai grin, the time has come!]

SAOTOME! Come forth, if thy cowardice can bear it, and face thy defeat!

It feels much better being rid of the ball and chain. It was tiring having to drag it along everywhere. Not to mention feeling so much like that of a herded animal. It was insulting. I'm glad it lasted no longer than it did.

After last night, I do hope everyone is alright. From what I've heard, it sounds a little too eventful. Is everyone recovering? Before changing my profession to future housewife, I was a nurse. If I'm able to be of some assistance, I should make myself available. So many children were hurt, too. To think that some one would go out of their way to hurt so many innocent people. Why, even the mob wouldn't do such a thing.

Yesterday I spoke to a little girl and she mentioned a name to me. I'd be very much obliged if someone was able to help. I'm looking for a 'Mr. Nick'. Apparently he is a lawyer. Does anyone know where I can find him?

Wow, last night was really relaxing. It's too bad that doesn't happen all the time. [Which makes sense to him since he missed all of the conversations about people getting hurt, and he got Tear's healing overflow without realizing it. And then he woke up just after Sentience's post today.]

Hey, Wolfram, do you want to maybe go ice skating again today?

Conrad, I'll be over for our run soon, okay? I got a little distracted when I heard Yuuki was back.

(OOC: No, he didn't bother filtering that for the individuals.)

[The video snaps on. The screen is slightly tilted to one side, and not quite focused on the young man with the white hair doing some improbable one-handed vertical push-ups on a tilted chair somewhere in the athletic complex. His left arm (the one he's not using) is strangely metallic and dark red, almost black, and he's covered in long, ugly scars. He's counting softly to himself, keeping track of the exercise, and not paying any attention to the communicator.

[Then there's a crunch, jagged teeth in the video, and a burst of static obscures the camera for a moment. Allen looks up and drops down off the chair nimbly, a little alarmed.]

T, Timcanpy, no, that's not food--

[aaaand the video goes off]

[Mr Crankypants has been quiet for too long. He can't hold it in anymore! He's not even sure why this is annoying him as much as it is.]

What the hell is with Sentience lately?! All these new, boring people around now. Tch! It's only gonna get more crowded in here! How super lame!

Just stay out of my way, you hear?! I don't want to deal with all you new, annoying people! I'm a veteran, you got that? So don't act all high and mighty here, because you're not!

Kaoru, what the hell are we gonna do? If Sentience keeps bringing in people like this, I don't know what I'll do!

Oh yeah, and you new people better not give Kaoru any shit either! He also doesn't want to have to deal with you!

[All this talk about cat ears, and walking around and seeing people with cat ears... has Ranma freaking out a little. On the inside, anyway. He's not sure if people getting cat ears is a sign that they're all going to turn full cat, but just the possibility of it is really making him nervous. Nevermind the fact that Komui basically stated what they're for and how they got there. When you're phobic, well...]

C-C-C-Ca... C-Ca..

[Ranma can be found slinking around the premises, trying his hardest to avoid bumping into too many people who have cat ears.]

Don't grow tails don't grow tails don't grow tails no no no don't meow at me don't meow please don't...

[Those who are already outside exploring the grounds of Marina may spot a slim young woman with long, curly pink hair, walking with a certain bounce in her stride and singing softly to herself.

Singing to herself? No, she's singing to a bundle in her arms, all wrapped up in one of her sweaters. A little fawn-coloured face with a black muzzle rests against her chest, sleepy-eyed and curious all at once, making noises of contentment.]

You like that, Shin? You like when mommy sings to you?

[She goes back to singing, a song that would be familiar to anyone from her Japan and her timeline, and rocks the little bundle gently in her arms. Would anyone like to come closer and meet the new arrival?]

It's to keep Lenalee safe. Don't complain.

['Or else' B|, his tone says.]

[Shortly after the morning announcement, a video clicks on. Komui grins widely, looking quite pleased with himself.]

Ah, I see many of you have discovered my latest stroke of genius! [pointing at his own pair of twitching cat ears!] Adorable, aren't they? Even Anissina can't argue that. You can all thank me in turn~ Special thanks to our new friend Ritsuka for the inspiration and to Allen Walker for the idea! This is a prototype formula so they'll only last for a day or so but I'll work on a stronger formula for the future.

But oh, right, the important bit! [wagging a finger at the camera] This isn't all fun and games, you know. I need to see who's safe to be around Lenalee, so these are to keep all of you honest! Naughty thoughts make them fall off and expose you for the deviant you are, so keep your minds full of pure and clean things, boys and girls!

[seemingly to himself as the video pans away] I'll bet Lenalee looks so cute~