[He's been keeping himself busy -- keeping his mind off of things. And sure, now he's literally dripping wet and there's a handful of strangers in his home. ...but it's better than feeling useless and not doing anything and brooding over his situation.

[It is high time he did something about his situation, isn't it? He'll start small.]



I'm curious. Why don't you tell me about your mother, fellow criminals?

I want to know if anyone's can compare to mine.

[You just hear a laugh when the audio kicks on. It's a hollow, joyless sound. There are also the sounds of glasses clinking and a drink being poured. You might recognize it as the club.]

It wasn't one of Apocalypse's forces who were always trying to kill us.

It wasn't some flatscan who hates me for not being human.

[Another laugh. This one—still joyless, but sounding a little unstable.]

It was the only man I've ever really loved. The person I trusted most. Do you know what trust gets you, kids?

[There are a few sounds of the communicator being adjusted and then the video kicks on. It isn't playing the current scene in the club though. It doesn't show Kitty who has already had too much too drink, or maybe not enough because she can still feel. It's playing a disc she got from Acumen today. It's what happened after the point she was taken from. There wasn't that much to it really. She watches as a huge man who appears to be made of metal rampages toward her. She blocks his way, trusting him to stop, because he'd never hurt her. No matter how crazed he'd become to get to his sister, he'd never hurt the one he loves...

Except he did.]

Trust gets you dead.

[The video and audio click off.]

[thinking back to her conversation with C.C. yesterday...and how she is not butch, thank you very much. :|]

[she clicks the communicator on, and before she can process that the words are coming out of her mouth...]

...to you, what's the ideal woman like?

[a beat, then] Shit, why did I even ask...

[[OOC: Have to get ready for class soon, so I probably won't get to tags until later, but threadjacking is perfectly welcome! --Never mind, didn't end up going.]]

[[OOC addendum: Oh god I love you guys so fucking much. Thanks for the lulz; you've made a shitty day infinitely better. Slowly getting to everyone, but just wanted to let you guys know how much you rock.]]

[She draw a deep breath before speaking. This is her first public network announcement since she and Suzaku last spoke. It's even something she hopes he might be interested in. She hopes many people will be.]

Hello everyone,

[She wants to start by saying she and Lelouch were talking and they had an idea, but to admit that to Cornelia...]

I was wondering how many of you would be interested in starting a school here. I know there are many of us who were probably unable to finish our education. I realize there are study tools for people to do this independently, but there is something nice about actually going to school and having classmates, isn't there? At least I think so.

We would need teachers and students and probably someone to really organize it since it wouldn't really be fair for a student to do that, but I want to help in any way I can!

Well, what do you all think?

...um... How does the video work, again?

...no, that's the map...

[video finally turns on...to a close-up of Pearl's hand. she's holding a crayon, and if you look carefully, you can see assorted art supplies (more crayons, markers, colored pencils, even some paints - and paper, of course!) scattered off to the side.]

[the video shakily pans up...too far, so only Pearl's hair and the artificial sky are visible. a couple butterflies flutter by.]

[finally, it's held (still shakily) on level with Pearl's face.]

Um...hello, everyone! For those of you I haven't met, my name is Pearl Fey. You may know my cousin, Mystic Maya... Um...

As some of you may already know, I found a lost cat, and I'm trying to find its owner.

Today, I'm making posters, which I'm going to put up when I'm done. I just finished one, in fact. [unsteady pan to this poster, off-center.]

And if any of you would like to come and help, that would be greatly appreciated! I'm in the place with all the butterflies, since I thought working outside might be nice.

So um...thank you for your time, everyone!

[please come help Pearl with her spelling!]

[...and her mission. but mostly her spelling.]

[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...

[There's the sound of objects clattering to the floor followed by Mikaela panting heavily in the background. Having just been pulled out of an epic battle between man and machine she's a little more than flustered. And now that she realizes that there's something on her face she's slowly transitioning into panic.]

Wh-What!? [Now there's hurried footsteps as she rises to her feet and starts running, fiddling with the device to start randomly switching between video and voice. Anyone paying attention will see her with her hair up, dirt, motor oil, and blood all over her face, and the occasional shot of burned through and ripped clothing.]

No! You--Bee!? Sam!? SAM!! BEE!! [Half paying attention to the message on her communicator she presses her back against a nearby building and sits before prying the thing off and nearly yelling into it. It's not a transformed Decepticon from the looks of it, but she'll never know unless she antagonizes it first. Voice clearly pissed and hoarse,]

Hey, HEY! You Decepticons are behind this, aren't you!? You won't get away with this! [Pause...then she gives off a little, cocky laugh.]

What makes you think kidnapping me will do you any good?

[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 )

[Takami does not reveal his name, but just believes that it is necessary to ask this simple question. He disguises his voice by speaking at a lower pitch than he usually does, although he is sure that he is fallible, it doesn't hurt to gather some information.]

Is killing justifiable? Please justify your claim regarding said matter.

If anyone is curious as to why I am asking, I am merely gathering data. If you do not wish to have your thoughts viewed by anyone else, I am capable of making conversations private. The technology here is slightly more enhanced than mine back home, but it is manageable.

[ there is quite a pause after Suzaku opens the channel; taking a breath, bracing himself, all of that. but it can't be avoided. yesterday's conversations made that very clear. and damn it all, it shouldn't be avoided. there's nothing bad about this. kids -- need to know. it's for their own good, it's healthy, it's necessary for their safety. but it still takes him a moment to work up the necessary... courage. ]

Good morning, everyone. [ because he is talking to all of you, and he doesn't want anyone to tune him out. ] It's -- come to my attention that there are... a lot of people here, too many people, who don't know something they need to.

Most of you are young, but there are probably some older people, too, who don't really know this. So I'm opening myself up to anyone -- anyone -- who has any questions...

[ one final inwards breath, and he says it, a bit more loudly than he means to: ]

About sex.

So, where would a guy go to get porn around here?

[ video on. Suzaku is at first frowning in concentration as he adjusts the "camera", but then he grins into it, very slightly sheepish. a lovely expanse of sunny white beach is visible behind him, but instead of a swimsuit, he's wearing a kimono and has several others draped over his arm. dressing up makes everything better! and maybe it helps that Xion is so happy with her puppy ]

Hey, everyone. I know a lot of you have already found the robes Sentience has for us all to wear, but -- in case there's anyone who hasn't, there's a bunch here on the beach, and... they're really gorgeous.

[ this said, he shifts around and starts holding up the kimono he has for everyone to see. ]

Nunnally, this one is for you -- the pattern made me think of you. And C.C., this is for you.

[ tiny, tiny pause; there is also a third kimono which would look nice on a certain person over his arm, but at the last second he seems to decide not to mention it. and just turns around to face a changing cubicle -- and what looks for all the world like a beautiful woman with an inexplicable scowl on "her" face. ]

--Did you have trouble with the obi?

[ because why else would Lelouch be irritated? there is nothing even remotely weird about the kimono he picked out for his best friend. ]


((ooc: Assuming Suzaku survives the beating, he and Lelouch will be spending the day on the beach, flying kites, fishing, etc. Anyone who wants to find them there and hang out in dorky kimono is totally welcome ♥ Responses to the video are good, too. ))

[There's a loud bit of static and feedback, then the image clears to show a fair amount of blond hair - and eventually the man it belongs to as he pushes himself up from the floor with a muttered curse. The communicator has fallen off after Deidara tried to run for the door and tripped on the restraint he didn't realize was there.

After a moment, the device is picked up and examined curiously before being placed back on his head.]

Oi... what's this? Crimes? [a short, disbelieving laugh] You've gotta be kidding me, un.

[Following this is a moment of silence in which Deidara comes to the realization that either Sasuke's pulled some crazy new genjutsu that even his well-trained eye can't follow, or this isn't a genjutsu at all.]

The hell is this?? You think this is funny, un? [And he's been denied his grand finale to boot...] I'll fucking kill you, you little brat! Where are you?!

[The sound of a frantic, angry, cursing man can be heard through the communicator. His words aren’t very clear, but what can be made out sounds a lot like “Christine” and “that damn Persian”.

The man is pacing around, trying to figure out what just happened and where he was, paying no attention to the fact that the answers were in front of him, coming down from the headset on him.]

How can this have happened? Christine was just in front of me, my hands were around her neck and~

That damn Persian tried to warn me not to do anything stupid with her and now look what I’ve gotten myself into!

[He trailed off, not wanting to admit what he had just been about to do. Finally, with his rant coming to a pause, he notices the fact that his mask had been replaced without his realizing it along with the headset he was now wearing.]

What is this thing? Some sort of futuristic letter?

[He begins to read the words in front of him and begins to laugh maniacally.]

An asylum?

They’re just now feeling the need to bring me here, when I’m about to kill one girl for taking off my mask? How ridiculous!

[Erik is quite aware that the fact that he was about to kill Christine isn’t funny, but rather the fact that he was sent here now rather than when he was in Persia, killing merely because the khanum was bored, was what he found to be utterly hysterical. ]

(OOC: It has been brought to my attention that not everyone may have read my OOC post for Erik's intro. While I was only about to find icons that had the play and movie versions of him, he looks like he's described in the books. This means that rather than having a half mask like in the icons, he has a full mask with only his mouth showing from the bottom.)

[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~

[ooc warning: Definite spoilers for R2. Also, so sorry for the tl;dr. I seriously fail at intros.]


[Have an accidental video of a face that I'm sure is QUITE recognizable for a lot of the inmates of Marina Asylum. Some of you have seen her before because she's from your world and others have seen a younger version of her, one with shorter hair and a translucently ruthless look in her eyes. Now, however, she looks slightly different. With long flowing hair and features that appear to be a bit older. It's not necessarily a physical change, but more so mental.

The furrow in her forehead creases, transforming her face into one etched with confusion and anger. Her eyes reread the accusations on the screen, mouth forming a thin white line as the color drains from her face.]

( Not so important spoilery stuff about her brothers and adorable sister )

[Her chin lifts sharply before she stands up, instinctively reaching for the sword-gun that she keeps sheathed at her side. But her fingers graze her hip instead, and she releases a low groan as lavender eyes peer around the room incredulously. She isn't surprised that it has been confiscated.

The only thing she is sure of is that this is not a room at the palace or a room in the Damocles. Not knowing who to direct her animosity at, and failing to notice she is being recorded for the entire network to see, fists form at her sides, and she stands tensely there, directing her indignation above, as if she expects some sort of hidden intercom or camera to receive her insults.]

I DO NOT appreciate being dragged from my home in such a cowardly manner! I demand to know where I have been taken at once!

... Shirley, I have a question for you.

Lelouch, why didn't you tell me?!

[With everything going on, baseball was the perfect distraction.]

Hey guys, I just wanted to set up a kind of permanent schedule for baseball, because I know with everything that's been happening I haven't been calling many practices. So, everyday after lunch, we'll practice. I know that sounds like a lot, but if the dome is under attack or there are kissing robots or everyone is suddenly three inches tall, you can just assume it is canceled for that day.

If you are new and want to join a baseball team or sign up to be a cheerleader, just let me know!

Cielo, I heard you're back. Do you want to be on the team again?

Abe, you really should join. Mihashi is on Suzaku's team, and they don't have a catcher yet!

C.C. I have your cheerleader uniform in. You know, the one you wanted even though you don't want to cheer...

Everyone on my team (white with purple trim) and the cheerleaders, your uniforms are in! I hope you like purple... [Sheepish chuckle.] Um, you can pick them up at the field. I'm there now if anyone wants to practice today!

Suzaku's team, I don't have yours yet because you still need a name. Any thoughts?

(OOC: Current Roster. I'm not going to post for the baseball practice every day, however, anyone on the teams or as a cheerleader or fan can feel free to post with that topic and be the a place for baseball antics! And someday, there WILL be a game!)

AH HA! [You might hear subtle hints of things exploding in the background—small things! It's really more like popping. Nothing at all to concern yourself with!]

Now that the prototype is done, I'd like to—what was that phrasing again? Ah yes!—wish you all a Merry Christmas. My gifts for everyone should be making their way around.

((OOC: See this post for details on the randomized kissing couples and how Mistletoe-kun operates. Feel free to comment here directly to Anissina or to play out your random kissing—just make it clear in the subject please!))