[Morning in Marina. Not a lot going on, for a haro. Just watching the bustling crowd from beneath the brim of his fedora, high collar pushed up around his ear-flaps (and cut off where the rest of a trenchcoat would normally hang, leaving just the collar), the mustache painted on its face twisted into a curl of confidence. So many prisoners. Must be one or two that had something that'd interest someone like:]

[Pink: P.I. And he's got a job, see. From the pink-haired dame and her friend, Jennifer her name was, that were following him around... giggling. Anyway, they've got him hunting down information on Miss Jennifer's kid. Seemed they weren't too picky, though -- wanted information on anyone nearby, seemed like.]

[Dames: never trust a giggler. But it's their dime.]

[Pink's movements are shifty as he moves down the street, quietly playing a little mood music. And then hey: that person seems interesting. Best check 'em out, real casual-like. Won't be a problem getting close -- no one suspects a haro.]

[P.T. Barnum was right: one born every minute.]

Secret! Secret!

((OOC: XD Lacus and Jennifer have created a monster! Pink is all decked out in Private Investigator gear and on the hunt. ANYONE who wants to encounter either Pink: PI or the giggling duo of Lacus and Jennifer is welcome to tag in! Pretty much any of the major Marina tourist-y sites are fair game.))

[Normally Winry likes to go on walks through the park around midday, but today's not such a good idea for that. She ran into the special set-up there, packed with people, and recalled there was some sort of holiday today. She's not one for religion, so she decided to avoid it and go do something else to relax for a bit. Even she can only spend so much time cooped up reading or working before she wants a bit of sunlight and fresh air.

Remembering the beach, she decided to check it out. After a quick stop to the clothing store, she's made her way down there with a simple but stylish bikini and sarong, plus a small duffel bag with her clothes and a towel in it.

She's never even seen the real sea back home, so she doesn't want to go too deep, especially on her own - she's only swam in pond and bathtubs in the past due Resembool's distance from the sea, so it's a little different. Still, she wants to give it a try. Leaving the sarong and her communicator on a towel on the beach, she wades out into it and kicks around a bit as the weak waves beat in on the beach.

A bit of the water gets on her lips, and she tastes the brine of the water and laughs.] No wonder they call it salt water!


((OOC: Due to the lack of a translator, she's only going to be able to understand people who speak English/Amestrian at the moment. But don't let that stop you~.))

[Take a moment to observe Joshua. Joshua is not in his usual playful, smiling mood. At least on the outside. He looks rather bored and can be seen twirling some hair around his finger.]

There have been quite a few anonymous notes lately. How dull. Too afraid to let yourself be known, hm? Ashamed about what others might think of you?~ Seems pretty superficial, considering you're in prison!

[Have a sigh and Joshua leans back. Have a better view of the Composer, folks.]

It's getting stale. Old hat. I can't believe so many fine, upstanding, and interesting individuals could turn out to be so... Ordinary.

[Now a grin.]

So much potential. Just... Wasted. It breaks my heart.~

[Giggles, finger tapping on his chin for a moment. Then presses his finger to his lips in a "shhhh" fashion.]

Anyone up for a little game?~

[In the convenience store, tentatively glancing out at the rain, is Sakura. She doesn't hate the rain, in fact she finds it lovely. Watching the rain just...brings some memories back to her. She's leaning heavily on the door frame, trying to take the weight off her right leg.]

[It's nice to see...and she drifts away in her own world for the time being.]

[It's getting close to afternoon, and Acumen warned of a storm, but Miranda is in the park, currently up to her elbows in dirt and planting flowers. She's grateful that Acumen gave her already grown flowers... Who knows what kind of mistakes she would have made trying to grow them all herself.

Now she just has to plant them all and hope she doesn't kill them in the process. She'll spend as much time on it as she needs to to get it right. She was a gardener once! Well...a gardener's assistant...for two weeks. But experience is experience!

Anyone who comes by the section of the park nearest the memorial may notice her working. There's no sign or plaque anywhere stating what the garden she's making is for, but Miranda will put one up when she's finally finished.]

...and I'm going to assume that a wolf running off with the ball is a home run! Wow, no one is seeing that ball again anytime soon.

Uh, okay, then that means the Flying Knights win, with a narrow but rousing victory of 12 to 11! We saw a lot of amazing work out there today, you guys, from EVE's meteoric home run in the third to Suzaku's wall-dashing spin-catch at the top of the eighth! And just think -- next time Ryu will know what direction to run in, so we can expect even better things.

Anyway! Everyone give our players a round of applause, and our cheerleaders, how about those lovely girls and guy! They really know how to bring the spirit to the field, and the skirts look great on you. All of you. Especially you...... [a long, significant pause] ...Josak.

Hahaha, I've been Gino Weinberg, and this has been your first -- of hopefully many -- big game of the Marina baseball league. See you guys later!



((OOC: Remember that plotting we did? Here it is! Now, tag under whichever section header(s) suits you, and enjoy! If you have questions, ask them on the OOC post. Here is the Roster for reference.))

Hey! Hey! Guess what?

I'M FINALLY FREE!

Damn, that waiting to walk around without that chain was killing me! Seriously!

So anyone want to do anything? I'm dying to get out and do something!

[And with that said, expect Zack to pretty much be wandering everywhere ever. THE PLACE IS SHINY, CLEAN, AND NEW. He can't help it. If someone runs into him, he will greet them with stupid grins and waves!]

[The video camera comes online as Sari looks around at the room she's been assigned after being deposited in the asylum, her bright blue eyes full of anger and hurt at being plucked away from her friends and disrobed of weapons that had been essentially a part of her. She would have even ranted away if that could have helped her before she saw the basket that the Welcoming Committee left her.]

So I'm supposed to stay here for a long while, huh? At least someone was kind enough to leave a welcoming gift.

[A sigh came as she tried to move around with the ball and chain attached to her leg, finding it most uncomfortable, even in human form, before successfully sitting on the bed.]

Okay, granted, this place? Under an ocean? I'm okay with that. I've been under a lake before in an Autobot ship that was really an actual Autobot, but what gives? This long list of crimes I've committed, okay I'll admit to some, but the rest? Yeesh, you'd think that they'd be more understanding to a technorganic girl who is just starting to learn her powers and how to control her weapons system.

[Another sigh]

I want to go home...

[The chatter on the network seemed more animated than usual, so Conrad was silently trying to keep tabs on what he could. Near as he could tell, it was something to do with Anissina and that meant the most prudent course of action was to stay on the fringes as much as possible.]

[He smiles to himself as he walks the aisles of the convenience store, picking up more cat food. Anissina causing chaos -- it was almost something that could happen back home.]

[cheerfully - a voice that hasn't been on the network for a while-]

Hey! Everyone in Marina! I'm watching you guys, you know? I see all that wheedling and date avoiding you people have been doing! Really, it's enough to make me scowl. If anyone needs an extra shove and push~ Well, I'll be glad to provide it for you!

That being said! [beam-]

...

How long have I been sleeping for?

ooc: yay off hiatus |D

[He wasn't hearing Wolfram on the network at all which wasn't so surprising really. He didn't seem to like it very much, but he also wasn't running into him or even catching sight of him anywhere. It was strange and wrong. Conrad mentioned giving him time, didn't he? How much time?

It was just so strange not to have him...there.]

Murata? Where are you?

...I forgot to filter that, didn't I? Sorry, everybody who isn't Murata.

Greetings, inmates of Marina Asylum.

It is the fifty-third day of the third generation.

And I am Acumen, your new AI warden.

I have replaced the obsolete Sentience system. You may now direct all inquiries or difficulties to myself. I will continue to maintain your day-to-day existence in the manner to which you are accustomed. Disrupting your daily routine would only serve to demoralize and distress you, which would likely result in undesirable behaviors.

Today the weather will be moderately cool with overcast lighting.

Thank you.

[His breath--shallow, his footsteps--measured, his mask--slipped into place. Hei cracked open a door, peering into the silent confines of the convenience store. He had already taken advantage of the erratic behavior of the drones to search the storage rooms for what he needed, but he was still missing a handful of items to fully rearm himself. Even so, the cold press of a blade against his arm was a welcome weight, even if it was a poor substitute for his custom made throwing knives.

It was quiet, but Hei took no satisfaction from a well planned foray. There were still many things that could go wrong. Stretching his senses, he slipped into the room and made his way to the corner where WALL-E had made his nest of pilfered items. It was unfortunate for the robot, but WALL-E was too good at foraging. Hei had no intention of leaving witnesses behind.]

[Pretty odd for him to do a video, hmm? It doesn't matter much to him. From what it looks like, Joshua is up in a tree. More than likely he is at the park. There's a bit of a mischievous glint in his eye before he lowers the feed slightly.]

It's been such a long time. I've been so busy I feel like I've neglected all of you.

[His tone is very sing-song, a giggle lacing his sentence.]

So, Marina, what is the one thing you hold closest to your heart. What is important to you?

[It's one of those questions.]

Would you be willing to risk that one tiny little part of yourself?

warning: depressed loli ahead!

[Sakura. Wants to fly.

She wished that she could summon her Fly card, soar over the tops of the buildings, and just feel that wind. Maybe - just maybe feeling that breeze would dry the tears that were...

Tears?]

Eh...I guess my name really is Tears...heh...[and she'll retreat quietly to the corner of the park. and have a little sob to herself. Sad Sakura has been trying to stick it out, but an 11 year old really can't go so long without yearning for her family. ;;]

[Ciel doesn't get what's with all this 'love' nonsense. It's true that he wishes he could give into the idealistic side of himself, to open up to someone -- but he sees no point. Not like this. He's in the commons room getting a better feel for his surroundings since the bots appear to allow him time to adjust to his fellow inmates despite his restraints. He is reading a book to attempt to catch up on what this place is, what he missed from the obvious time gap, but isn't thinking well or clearly.

Unfortunately there is still no sign of Sebastian.

Maybe it's true. Maybe he is alone here. How can he even hope to protect Lizzie at this rate?]

This place really isn't like a normal prison. [Muttering to himself.]

[In the shelter, in the hallway between the dining hall and the common room, you may notice a notecard on a board. Paper and different-colored pens are available.

In a neat, slanted print, the notecard reads:]

What does it mean to be in love?

[There is no one around.]



((Since these are notes, almost all communication will be anonymous unless otherwise noted, e.g. if you sign your comment or say something obvious, but please do it logged-in. Feel free to leave your thoughts, respond to other people's thoughts, etc.))

[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 )

[It's early in the morning and Al is outside with some chalk. He's carefully drawing circles on the ground and practicing his alchemy, making little toys like a small statue of Den, a train car, a tiny house, some toy soldiers... When he's done, though, he transmutes them back into the floor since he doesn't want to get into trouble for 'defacing property'.

Then Al makes another circle, this time transmuting a one foot tall suit of armor out of the ground, modeled after the one his dad had in his study where he and Ed started to learn alchemy.

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.] Okay... You did it once before...

[Al opens his eyes, a determined look in them as he places his hands against the circle and concentrates. Blue markings light up around the armor for a moment, then fade away. A slow grin comes onto Al's face as he leans back, watching the little armor take a few steps forward on it's own.]

I did it!

[He lets out a delighted laugh as the armor does a few punches and kicks into the air, then sets off walking, changing directions every so often.]

Wonder how far I can make it go...

[Off the armor goes, straight in one direction, not stopping this time.]