00 - prologue

[afflictionmods]

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.

-----

( 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)

Comments

[kaientai]

① LECTURE HALL

[ showing up in strange places is, in and of itself, not actually that unusual for ryouma. this has happened to him plenty, just not under these particular circumstances.

and never alone.

ryouma has too much practise to let it show on his face, but it takes a little time for him to get his bearings. this is no time to feel lonely. or guilty. there's a mystery to be unravelled!! ]

Hoh... human again too, it seems like? [ you ever just talk to yourself or..? ] That'll take some getting used to, huh?

[ it's funny, actually. ]

② CONVENIENCE STORE

[ ryouma has found his way to the attendant-less konbini and is presently in front of the fountain drink machines, cup in hand. he puts a little ice in it before filling the cup with... a little of everything. what he ends up with is some sort of unholy concoction that's probably more sugar, caffeine, and artificial colouring than any one man should consume in a sitting.

yes, he fully intends to drink it.

there are no rules that say you can't!! ]

2

[selfconcept]

[ Hien has been Consuming snacks in the convenience store so it's not hard to spot Ryouma. However, when he starts filling it up with a little of everything, he squints. This is such a crime to edible things.

He gives Ryouma a concerned Look while eating his onion ring snacks. ]

[kaientai]

[ he pauses right before he's about to take a sip — he's found a lid and a straw in this time — noticing that concerned Look. ]

Hmm? Something wrong?

[selfconcept]

[ People seem to be taking his weird eyes and voice well, so he stares at Ryouma with his checkerboard-patterned eyes and when he opens his mouth, the voice comes out as distorted and full of static. ]

Are you on a dare?

1

[vivens]

[ sadly sabo can't say the same or maybe he could! it's hard given that there's a definite discomfort in his chest that's nearly knocking the wind out of him as he, uh, tries to get his bearings. but he's pushing right past it to acknowledge (see distract) himself with ryouma is saying instead. ]

Human?

[ said with a slight wheeze and a hand to his chest but there's a pleasant smile on his face. ]

Ah, sorry to be eavesdropping. You just happened to have said something interesting just now.

[kaientai]

Huh? Oh, yeah! No worries, that's what I get for thinking out loud anyway. The form's usually made of magic, so it feels odd.

[ he can't help but look a little concerned given the guy wheezing a little right here. ]

You alright..? Maybe however we got here affects people a little differently.

[vivens]

Magic?

[ well that's a statement and sabo raises his hand in a placating manner. ]

I'm fine, thank you, I just needed a moment. [ he'll remove his hand from his chest and stand a bit taller. ] See? Good as I should be.

[ that said: ]

Will you be okay as a human?

1.

[escardos]

Eeeh?

[ flat tilts his head, curious when he hears this person's comment. ]

Were you not human, sir?

[kaientai]

Ahah... "sir" isn't necessary!

[ formalities make him (more) awkward. ]

But yes, I'm usually what's called a Servant. That just means this form's usually magic and now it's... not.

[ he has no reason to assume anyone else would know what that means, after all. ]

1/idk

[escardos]

2...........

[sicklysweet]

[Does Owen know what soda is? Absolutely not. So he has absolutely no idea what Ryouma's doing, but it seems... strange.

He's already inspected the snacks, recognizing very few of them, and he settles himself on the counter next to the till and just. Watches Ryouma as he nibbles on a subpar cookie. What's going to happen... Is that something you drink? He is pouring it all into a cup...]

[kaientai]

[ ryouma takes a sip of the strange drink that can't seem to decide what colour it wants to be and makes... a face. it's hard to tell if he likes what he tastes or hates it. a little of both?? it's an experience. ]

Huh.

2

[partymagician]

[ Fai just watches in amusement. He has no idea how bad that'll taste together, but he knows for sure that it'll be interesting. ]

Hyuu~ [ Yes, that is supposed to be a whistle-adjacent sound— ] It's like you're making a potion.

[kaientai]

That's a fun way to think about it! I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do this but it's not like there's anyone around to say we can't.

[ 'we' as if anyone else around here might want to do the same. ]

Lecture hall

[vedr]

[ He might have been talking to himself, but it can sound like he's coincidentally talking to someone who has become human ]

You too?

[ Wait, that's not the right tone of voice (it's squeaky). He really is worried about this though, he can help but drop the cool act. Time to put it back on.]

Ahem. Yes! It will be something to grow accustomed to, though being a god... It is quite an ordeal to have lost all of one's abilities. Do you think it's a curse or spell?

[ He holds up his wrist with the mark. ]

[kaientai]

A god? Well, I'll say! [ that's rough, buddy. ] I wasn't anything so special, human or otherwise!

[ he laughs because what else are you going to do in this situation? and also this is not necessarily the strangest situation he's ever been in, all things considered. ]

Let's see... are you the sort of god that draws their power from something in particular?

[ that... could be a clue? ]

2

[teidaisei]

[ Kawase has never seen a fountain drink machine in his life before this, but even he knows you're probably not supposed to use it like that. Far be it from him to actually say anything though, but Ryouma can probably feel the weighty stare from a nearby aisle. ]


...

[kaientai]

[ ryouma notices he has an audience and decides to bring this guy into this activity. ]

Hey! What do you think? Stir it all up or let it settle all into layers like it wants to?

[ because whatever sugars and whatever else are all mixing together and some things are apparently denser than others?? probably gross and terrible for you. but they're learning something!! ]

lecture hall !

[cheerfuldays]

( she doesn't mean to eavesdrop. she really doesn't. but. uh. )

I- human again?

( is this a chuuni )

[kaientai]

[ this is what he gets for thinking out loud. ]

Hehe, it's sort of a long story but I was and then I wasn't and now I am again! Not sure how that works but I'm not sure about any of what's going on right now, so I guess one more question doesn't change much, huh?

2

[ignihidden]

[..........................................]

[... what a cool guy!]

[Idia was waiting back by one of the shelves with his own cup, waiting for there to be no one around, but now he's just going to be entranced by this metaphysically-contracted-well-dressed man committing soda crimes.]

2

[tosa]

(In the snack aisle, rifling through the shelves like a raccoon through trash is one Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki. Sure, there's a general store back home but it's nothing compared to the modern convenience store.)

Woah... (He holds some sour cream and cheddar chips! Five different types of jerky!) Check it out!

(And to the next shelf he goes. There's shampoo! Laundry detergent! He grabs a pack of ballpoint pens. And over here!! There are magazines for like, National Geographic or something. He has to get one of those too.)

'S nothing like the store back home! This 's gotta be... yeah, it's gotta!

(LOOK THERE ARE EVEN CANS OF SODA! And juice! And different types of milk that clearly come from different cows. And next to it are machines that let you mix your own drinks which is where Ryouma is creating his monster drink.)

Yeah! It's a modern "konbini!"

(--Jya in that unmistakable Tosaben. Ignore his armful of goods.)

[kaientai]

[ oh, he heard that. it's not like most people go around speaking tosaben, after all. he needs to know more. ]

What're the odds of comin' to a place like this and meetin' another Tosa man, huh?!

[ ...because how else would you greet someone in this situation other than to yell across the room loudly. he also takes a swig of the drink in his hand. there are... flavours happening, for better or worse. this will require more science. ]

Oho, ya oughta try this. I mixed all the kinds together all at once!

Evening???

[tosa]

(After orientation and running around all day, it's time to finally check the dorms. There sure has been a lot of action today! He's met people from different worlds, different times, and even... another version of someone precious. He still isn't sure what to think about that. It's a whole lot of jumbled-up feelings if he's being honest but at the end of the day, he figures it's best to enjoy what he can.

He has a bag full of snacks. He's never been in a dorm like this before. It's nothing like the traditional style of the citadel back home. He recognizes some of the names on the doors as people he's already met today. It sure is convenient that they have their names on them! He should be able to find his in no time--)

...

(Ah, and there it is. "Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki" with "Sakamoto Ryouma.")

Gah?!

(He doesn't know why he didn't expect his name to be on there too. Honestly, he just didn't think that far ahead. It all makes sense now. Everyone else's names are on their doors. But now Ryouma is definitely going to know. The jig is going to be up. He hears footsteps behind him and immediately places his hands over the door, covering the names with his hands and the sleeves of his kimono.

There's definitely nothing suspicious about this.)

[kaientai]

What's up?

[ he is not oblivious to the fact that everyone's names are on everyone's door, so without thinking he just assumes this is a little joke. not thinking is also why it takes him longer to realise that he'd never bothered to actually get the name of the person he was talking to that whole time.

well. it's a thing that happens sometimes. it's not like he can't figure that out right now! ]

Hehe, did they spell your name wrong?