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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
I still stand by what I said of asking.
[ Hm. ]
You don't have your own tablet? I think everyone's is pretty much the same.
no subject
What an inane question, my good young man!
[Not that said streak of kindness stops him from huffing and looking at Hien like what he said is the most ridiculous thing in the world]
Would you investigate your own pockets? No, you wouldn't! Because you're well aware of what's in them! You must see into other people's pockets, because what's in them is something you don't know! Even if your device may look identical to what I have, I'm not satisfied with shrugging my shoulders and supposing so!
[Iiiiit's...there's kind of a line of logic there that makes sense but it's a little buried in justifications only Sholmes believes in because Sholmes does whatever he wants and nothing stops him]
no subject
[ Hien feels like he understands. In a way, there could be suspicion cast on anything. Maybe someone's tablet is special. Maybe there's a mole. But Hien doesn't like playing what-ifs because they just make his head hurt. ]
I'll let you use it, only if you give it back to me within five minutes.
no subject
[Sholmes gives a courteous bow, complete with a grandiloquent flourish. He seems quite satisfied!
And indeed, once they get to the cafeteria, he hurries to take a chair and give Hien space to sit down]
Go ahead! Make yourself comfortable, this won't take long -- it's no secret I'm quite practiced at making these beverages!
[He radiates confidence even when it's about something as simple as making coffee]
no subject
So Hien gives him a nod of acknowledgement and puts his tablet on the table and sits on the seat. Sholmes can take a look whenever he's done. ]
no subject
For your enjoyment.
[It's...it's quite strong, all things considered, but at least it's drinkable. Looks like Sholmes was serious about trying to get some energy back into Hien. What else explains this, goodness gracious.
Having done that, if the tablet is lying on the table or even in Hien's hands, Sholmes simply snatches it without a word or a glance of apology because, wow, manners, Sholmes, have them.
..........
He's a Victorian man, tablets are not his forte. Experimenting with his was his first move upon waking up, and that went relatively well. It takes nothing more than a glance to see Sholmes is having some difficulty using the tablet]
Technology makes sizable strides, doesn't it? Why, were we in past times this would be called witchcraft!
[This is the man who can create technology way beyond his time, yet here he is, struggling with the tablet. Still, he'll get the hang of it someday, it's matter of time]
no subject
Do you need help? Let me know what you're trying to access.
no subject
[His train of logic is simple: photographs capture a moment in time. Perhaps someone else's photos in their device, if any, holds something he hasn't noticed yet, or will unveil a secret or something that shouldn't stay buried and hidden away from prying eyes. He has to be thorough!
But also he's an insatiable snoop who likes to stick his nose where nobody called him, there's that too]
no subject
[ After taking another sip of the coffee, Hien navigates through the tablet with a practiced hand, landing on the gallery section. There aren't only photos, but there's one video. If Sholmes decides to watch it, it's a short clip of Rideaux taking a great selfie, and looking displeased as soon as he's done. From 100 to 0. ]
... It was interesting to see him change quickly like that.
no subject
Interesting it is, but we shouldn't judge, my good fellow. His self-awareness about his unflattering features is commendable.
[Sholmes calling Rideaux ugly, apparently]
no subject
I'm not judging, but I was pretty interested.
[ ... ]
You just have to say that he's not to your tastes though.
no subject
[I'm so sorry Sholmes exist.
He extends the device back at Hien, smiling]
You have been very helpful.
no subject
[ Saying that he's not Sholmes's tastes is rude, but saying that Rideaux is ugly isn't?? He takes the tablet back. ]
Thanks for the coffee. I'll drink every last drop.
no subject
He does say, though...]
You're most welcome. As a token of my appreciation, I will make this kind of coffee for you anytime you want.
[...he says that, a genuine offer]
no subject
[ He doesn't feel like shit anymore though, which is pretty telling from how Sholmes affected his mood. ]
I'll see you around then, since you look like a busy person right now.
no subject