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

[festiverogue]

[Madara wakes with a start, tension rippling through him at the unfamiliar surroundings. At first, he wonders if he's dreaming of Yumenosaki, but it's somehow worse. The lecture hall is unfamiliar entirely, and it's made worse by the fact that some people are reacting like they've been burned. Speaking of burning, the mark on his wrist is throbbing, and he realizes too that his whole body feels like he's just finished a too-hard workout. He's quick to strike up conversations with the people around him, though, once no teacher emerges in a brief amount of time.]

...So this is kiiiiinda weird, huh?

[Later, after he's inspected the tablet and taken a few choice selfies with random folks like the fun-loving guy he tries to appear to be, he makes his way around the campus. And, shock of shocks, it's weird, too.

After a brief stop in the courtyard--where he can be found looking out of sorts, a hand to his chest as he tries to steady unstable breathing--he makes his way to each building in turn.

In the gift shop, he looks over every item like a real shopper, but behind it all he's taking stock of the situation with growing unease. If anyone catches him unawares, they'll find the previously brightly smiling idol frowning with a furrowed brow at the merchandise. He also seems to have no qualms picking up some workout clothes using his good ol' five-finger discount. The cafeteria sees him inspecting the kitchen with gusto, but an astute person might notice him smelling everything and pondering it beforehand. What's he looking for...?

Eventually, he ends up at the dorms, and having put two and two together, he can be found exploring everything inside and trying every single door with the key card until one finally opens, disregarding the name plates entirely.]

Well, well, at least we won't be sleeping outside!

tablet

[escardos]

[ hey madara, while you're taking selfies, maybe you'll notice someone sneaking in behind and doing a peace sign.

photobomb! ]

perfection

[festiverogue]

[Madara catches the photobomb and laughs brightly, boisterously. Then he raises the tablet to bring Flat properly in frame.]

One more time! Come on a little closer.

[Double peace signs?]

[escardos]

Oh--! Yes!

[ he'll move closer to madara, once again putting up a peace sign ]

Peaaaace!

[festiverogue]

[He laughs again after snapping the pic, then turns it to show it to Flat.]

Not bad! You're a selfie pro. Gooootta give you props!

[Grinning casually, so so casually.]

You new here, too?

lecture hall

[vivens]

[ well, this person isn't acting like they're being burned as much as they seem to be having trouble breathing somewhat or that they're having some sort of chest pains. you know with the slight wheezing and hand gripping at his chest. ...not that he makes it a huge deal when madara strikes up a conversation.

he'll just casually take a moment to catch his breath before responding pleasantly enough. ]

It's certainly not a normal situation for me to experience.

[festiverogue]

[Madara's eyebrow quirks with concern at the man catching his breath; maybe he should have noticed that before he just casually struck up conversation. But the smile comes right back.]

Ah, soooorry. You need some water or something, don't you? Want me to go find some for you?

[vivens]

No, no. It's alright. I'm sure this will pass soon enough.

[ and whether it really has passed or not, sabo's breathing will be evened out and he'll continue the pleasantries. ]

Thank you for the concern. [ hmmm. ] ...are you familiar with this sort of thing?

[festiverogue]

Depends on the sort of thing you mean! Am I used to people being kinda sickly? Well, yeah, yes to that!

[Being kidnapped or whatever? That's a no. He's usually the one carting people off, albeit usually much more innocently.]

Don't hunch over, it'll just make it harder for you to breathe! Sit up real straight and take slow, deep breaths.

dorms

[selfconcept]

[ Hien was about to enter his dorm room, but then suddenly some other guy comes out of nowhere and swipes his keycard before being flat out denied. He squints at Madara with his weird checkerboard-patterned eyes. When he opens his mouth, his voice is distorted and full of static. ]

Bold of you to try and break into my room in front of me and my bag of chips.

[ He has a bag of chips in hand. ]

[festiverogue]

[Weird eyes are fine. He knows Mika. This is Totally Normal (tm). But the voice is a little...???]

Ahh, sorry, sorry! I didn't see you standing there! My bad!

[He looks up at the nameplate like he didn't notice it before, pointing it out as if to illustrate that he is just a silly guy making a mistake.]

Oops, not mine! Are you thinking about sharing those chips, though?

[selfconcept]

[ Hien looks at Madara as if to say "is this guy for real", but it changes back to his blank look. ]

Sure. Open wide, kiddo.

[ Hien doesn't look all that older... ]

[festiverogue]

[KIDDO. Madara opens wide, but not for a phantom chip. He's laughing.]

Been a loooong time since somebody called me that! You sure are a funny guy!

dorms............

[sicklysweet]

[Fortunately for Madara, the second to last room on the first floor is currently empty. Unfortunately, one of the residents is right behind him, watching him as he tries his door.]

Oh? Trying to break in? Are you looking for something to steal, or do you just want to die?

[Not that Owen has anything to steal right now, but it's the principal of the matter. That dorm is his territory!]

[festiverogue]

[Madara shrugs off the keycard not working, only to turn around at the sound of the voice. Weird words, sure, but he's from fucking Ensemble Stars a complicated situation, so he's not rising to that just yet. He turns a bright, guileless smile on Owen.]

Now, do I look like the kinda guy who waaaants to steal something? So I guess that puts me in the "die" category... How saaad!

[Pointing to the nameplate.]

Does that mean you're one of these guys? My bad, my bad!

[sicklysweet]

[mama sus]

You don't look like someone I could trust. How can I know you won't just be waiting for me to let my guard down before you take away everything I have? But if you want to die... I would be glad to help you.

[Anyways. He seems too cheerful to keep threatening for much longer. Big big Western vibes, which is grows.

Owen glances at the plate, seeing his name and a name he absolutely does not recognize, and nods.]

Yes. I'm Riku Nanase.

dorms

[partymagician]

[ Fai stops, watching as the nameplate goes completely ignored and the card denies access to the room. Well, well, well. Someone trying to break into his dorm!

Honestly, it isn't a bad idea. ]

Don't worry, I haven't put anything valuable inside yet, so you aren't missing out on much.

[festiverogue]

[Madara looks absolutely sheepish, not like a guy trying to break in at all. Just... a lost guy. He looks around, from Fai to the door, then seems to see the nameplate. With a boisterous laugh, he points at it.]

Is that what's up? That's sure not my name, is it! Well doooon't worry, I don't have any reason to take whatever you've got! I do have some comfy shorts I borrowed, though, if you're needing any!

[partymagician]

[ Fai doesn't buy it, but only because he would do the exact same thing. He just laughs, though. ]

Don't worry about it! I'd be happy to help you test the rest of the doors, if you're having trouble with the nameplates.

[ Fai can't read them, after all. ]

And I think I'm covered when it comes to shorts.

Dorms

[herlocksholmes]

[Given the place they find themselves in, Sholmes is absolutely certain it's fair game to snoop everywhere he can. It's only natural, no? Which is why, when Madara comes to the dormitories, he can find Sholmes carefully examining the door, attempting to figure out how to force his way in. He's great at picking locks, but these doors...]

But how vexing, isn't it? These doors, they lack any place to insert a key at.

[He doesn't have the slightest idea about keycards or how they work. He's a Victorian man, what do you want from him?

Worth noting, though: judging by the name plate, this is not his room. Sholmes is attempting to break into someone else's assigned room, and he knows it]

[festiverogue]

[Thank you for understanding, fellow snooper! It's time to break into literally anything and everything and then pretend like you're a clueless idiot to disarm people! Obviously!

Why, look how helpful he's being by offering:]

Oh! I can show you thaaaat bit. You got a card, right?

[herlocksholmes]

[Sholmes looks up, smiling, and begins knocking on the door near the frame, as if trying to evaluate something]

A card? What would you be talking about?

[........

He probably already forgot all about the card. He tends to forget things pretty often when he finds no interest in them, and he sure had judged that card as unimportant.

The scatterbrained part of his personality isn't an act, unfortunately for everyone in the world, haha]

lecture hall

[ignihidden]

[With the practiced ease of someone who already has a Magicam fiend in their class, Idia slams his tablet up to cover his face when Madara swoops in for the candid double-selfie.]

[Once the click passes, he slides it down a little and his impotent glare is reflected in the front-facing camera shot. D- Does he have to dodge another...?]

[festiverogue]

[Madara can't help a hearty laugh at that. Honestly, he'd love to troll quietly and take a few more shots at double selfies, but that reaction was just too quick and funny for words.]

Niiice reflexes!! Don't worry, I'm not gonna shoot a man who doesn't deserve it!

[ignihidden]

[His precious, careful self-defense... laughable! The worst!!]

[Although the way he phrases the second part makes his adamant pout turn into more surprise and confusion.]

... like a gun?!