theafflicted | 00

PROLOGUE

It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing – something strange begins to happen. There's a sudden burning sensation that wraps around your right wrist and part of your forearm. If you glance at the affected area, you'll find that it's...glowing. The glow is pale blue, and it's so bright that it hurts to look at. The burn itself isn't so painful that you feel like keeling over just yet, but it does hurt nevertheless.

But before you have time to try to soothe the pain, you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy. Perhaps some of you may attribute this to any injuries you may currently be sustaining. For those who were previously unscathed, however, there's quite possibly no explanation for this other than the sudden appearance of the mysterious burn on your arm.

There is no time to mull it over, though, because it is the last thing that you see before the world suddenly fades to black.

-----

When you regain your senses, your vision is blurry; but when it starts to even out and you survey your surroundings, you find yourself sitting in a rather uncomfortable chair. Looking around you’ll see rows and rows of chairs, all facing the same way towards a desk, a podium, and an empty wall. A projector hangs from the ceiling and the lighting is bright and artificial... For some of you, it might be reminiscent of a college lecture hall. For others, you might have never seen anything like this before.

Your wrist, by the way, feels perfectly fine...though there’s now some kind of strange marking on it. It looks like a scar of some sort, and if you choose to touch it, it doesn’t feel inflamed or damaged in any way...but that doesn’t mean you don’t experience any pain. Perhaps the last thing some of you remember is a hard-fought battle, and the aches from your injuries still linger; some of you might not even remember getting hurt, and yet, your body aches like it has; for the lucky ones who feel fine, well. Pray that it lasts for a little while longer.

Because the moment someone gets hurt – emotionally or physically – there’s a small chance you’ll feel it, too. Where and who and what it’s coming from, though, is on you to figure out.

In front of you on the desk is some kind of device – a tablet, for those of you who are familiar. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be capable of doing much of anything right now, other than take photos and videos with the Camera app. There's also a translating app for those of you who need help reading some of the text around campus, as it is all in English. (Verbally, however, you can understand everyone in your own language. Tablets are also in characters' native languages.) It seems to be incredibly durable and hard to break, but you may want to be careful with it regardless.

Something shifts in your pocket (or...in your socks/shoe/what have you, if pockets aren't a thing) as you move around. Should you reach in and feel for it, you’ll find some kind of card – those who are familiar with modern technology will recognize that this is some kind of card you need to swipe. It has your name and a photo of you on one side, and the back of the card has the word "KEYCARD" on it.

There are also other people here, scattered throughout this mysterious classroom you’re in. In fact, there’re a bunch of you — 29 others, to be exact.

And now... you’re free to do whatever you want. Mostly anything, at least, given that once you step outside and explore, you’ll notice an ominous fog behind the various buildings within view. Still, this is a good time to get your bearings, check on what you have - and don’t have - and talk to the people around you until orientation starts.

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( OOC: Welcome to your Intro Log! The partner system is in effect for the Intro Log, meaning that yes, pain share is happening! For some notes regarding the partner system, your character will not know who their partner is upon arrival. It’s entirely possible that they find out now if their partner gets or is already injured, or if they can pick up on their mood. Otherwise, they’ll find out later today...!

Anyone who tries to leave campus grounds will have to enter through the fog, but no matter what, they will mysteriously wind up back onto campus grounds. And for clarification, the keycards are what characters need to gain access to their dorms!

Finally, we will have an NPC Reveal at 6pm EST today! )

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He looks at the bag, unable to read any of it. ]

...I must admit, I have no idea. I had a bag of these earlier and they were plain... they tasted like potato.

[ Oh, plain! Good, good. He looks less apprehensive with that question answered. ]

Plain potato crackers sound perfect. I was a little worried they were going to have some sort of spice on them...

I don't like spice much myself! I tried to grab the plainest package I could find.

[ And thankfully, he was lucky.

Fai sits up so he can hand over the bag. ]

Feel free to have as much as you like.

[ No spice camaraderie! ]

Thank you, again.

[ He'll just take... a couple. Not too much because he doesn't want to seem greedy. ]

You're not from around here either, are you?

I'm not! I'm from far, far away.

[ From a world he will not name. ]

I hope you're doing alright, since you must be far from home yourself.

[ The way he phrased that question makes Fai thinks so, at least. ]

I can't say I'm handling this the best, but... you seem to be quite calm about everything. How do you know you're far, far away?

[ As opposed to close-far away. ]

[ He may as well be open about it, so— ]

I've gone to quite a few different places. That's how I know.

[ It was also his wish, but he won't necessarily divulge that bit of information. ]

This is the first time I haven't wanted to end up in a different place, however.

So you're something of a traveler, I see.

[ He frowns slightly. Yeah, ripping people from their homes is a big problem, and on his list of things to look into. ]

If I can help in any way, I'll make sure all of this is solved, so you can go back to - your current home?

[ His current home is awful and he was in the middle of one of the worst situations he's ever been in, but Fai doesn't let that show as he smiles softly at Chongyun. This kid isn't someone who should know any of his burdens. ]

Only if you let me help you in turn. I'm sure you miss your home already.

[ That - surprises him, but he nods gamely. Pact to solve the mystery of this place, despite its dangers? Sealed. ]

I do - and I always will, but duty comes first. And my duty is to protect everyone here, especially if this turns out to be the work of some malevolent spirit.

[ Duty and malevolent spirits… Interesting. Fai can’t help but tilt his head in interest. ]

Are you an exorcist of some sort?

Yes, I am. My name is Chongyun, an exorcist from Liyue.

It’s nice to meet you.

[ And since Chongyun have that sort of introduction… ]

My name is Fai D. Flowright, a wizard traveling through worlds.

Oh - OH. Hien's room... mate?

[ "Smiling, blond, tall stick." ]

…He told you about me?

[ Hopefully not about their fight over a textbook Fai can’t even read. ]

A little. [ A little being one sentence, but it was quite descriptive. ] He's very kind, too. He said I could contact him through you.

[ Fai would like to argue against the kindness bit, thank you very much. He got hit in the face with a textbook multiple times. ]

Well, he’s right about that. I’d be happy to relay any messages.

Oh, I definitely appreciate it, but I find it’s better to talk face-to-face to avoid misunderstandings. Besides, it feels weird to use you as a messenger.

[ He already has a lot of respect for Fai, who seems to have traveled more extensively than him. Or, at least, Fai is handling this entire situation better than him. And it’s only day one. ]

[ He waves a hand. ]

While I do agree it better to avoid misunderstandings, I really don’t mind.

[ It’ll give him more excuses to annoy Hien too, so it’s a win for everyone! ]

Then I'll just try to always have a message for the both of you, so that you're not just a messenger. But a companion!

[ Ah... so cute! ]

How thoughtful of you! I look forward to whatever messages you happen to bring.

00 - prologue

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