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theafflicted2022-05-21 07:30 am
afflictionmods) wrote in theafflicted2022-05-21 07:30 am
00 - prologue
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! )
no subject
As long as you're confident in the things you're good at. [ let's try something. ] Which are what exactly?
no subject
[ and he nods! ]
no subject
[ you know, just from what he has been saying to him thus far. ]
no subject
[ but that's right! no examples! ]
What are you good at, sir?
no subject
A number of things.
no subject
[ no, he doesn't realize that sabo is doing the same thing he just did right back at him. ]
no subject
Anything I put my heart into.
no subject
except now he's getting impatient? ]
Why are you so vague!? Could it be that you're a spy?
no subject
[ actually a bit serious with this. ]
no subject
[ okay now he has to consider this. ]
I think... I think I'd say it, actually! Because if you're a spy and you say you're a spy, no one's really going to believe that you're a spy. But in reality you're actually being honest and since no one's going to believe you, your cover won't be blown. It's a win-win.
no subject
okay he sees the logic but also— ]
...and then what would you do if they believed you were a spy and were an actual spy? How would you get yourself out of that mess?
no subject
I would try to become their friend. If that doesn't work, then an alliance would be good, too.
no subject
[ a thoughtful hum. ]
You know, you might be a decent spy if you ever wanted to be one for the logic you just used. If only because of how you are—something like that wouldn't work for me.
no subject
Why not? [ a pause. wait--! ] Ah, could it be that you don't know how to make friends?
no subject
Do I seem like someone who would be bad at making friends?
[ flat is allowed to answer that. ]
No, it wouldn't work for someone like me for different reasons. I'd be hard for me to pull off an act like that from me.
no subject
[ this guy seems like the social type, therefore he must have a lot of friends. flat's glad to know that his initial intuition was right, and that there's nothing to fear in regards to his ability to find friends.
not that flat was worried in the first place, but... ]
Huh, then maybe you're the type that's so friendly that people might think you're suspicious?
no subject
Is that how you see me? [ another laugh and a shake of his head. ] No, I just think that if I were to try to say something like that it would come off not as natural. It's much easier for me to go about it in a different way.
However, if people are going to be suspicious about me being too nice then I guess I should start being a little more mean.
no subject
[ flat genuinely likes the guy, actually! ]
But it's a popular trope you know. The friendly partner is actually the evil mastermind, or something like that. But if that's not the case with you, then it's okay. [ a pause. wait. ] Well, if you were an evil mastermind it would be okay, too. I think that would be really interesting, too. So either way is fine, as long as you can be yourself.
What's your name, sir?!
no subject
[ is he joking? is he being serious? who knows, but sabo bets that it'll be taken well regardless just from the little that he's coming to understand from flat already. ]
But I'm glad that you'd be fine with me regardless where I stood. [ this is where he would tip his head with his hat but given that he's lacking his trademark top hat, he will only provide a modest bow. ] And forgive my bad manners, I'm Sabo; you are?
no subject
[ he says this hurriedly, because he leans forward just to ask-- ]
Do they have a bounty on your head, sir?! Are you an outlaw?
[ he sounds more excited about this than he probably should ]
no subject
[ well, even if that's true, sabo's going to laugh at flat's eagerness. a more reasonable person should be concerned but looks at one piece. looks at fate...
this is fine. ]
I'm not an outlaw but I may have a bounty on my head.
no subject
[ despite this reveal, flat is not scared in the least, or even mildly intimidated. if anything, there's just a bit more bounce in his voice. ]
How did that happen?! What did you do?
no subject
[ he says with a bit of a laugh and wistfulness all at the same time. now, as for flat's second question... he'll cross his hands over his chest before he answers. ]
Let's just say that I'm part of a group of people who want to turn the world upside down and that's not something the government is fond of.
no subject
[ ... ]
Amazing. No wonder you have a bounty on your head. It's a shame to know that some powerful people will always react negatively to change, but if they're going after you like that, then it must mean that you're doing a lot of good.
no subject
That's what I like to think as well.
And I hope that's what the people who we save believe. It can be scary to suddenly have freedom, but it's better than the alternative.