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

[unluckyday]

[ So that was... weird? Weird is a good word for it, considering it was weird enough that even Bennett, normally so unflappable, is a little taken aback.

At first he lingers in the lecture hall, trying to figure out the tablet he's been handed. It's somewhat intuitive, at least, and he gathers that by touching his finger to certain parts of the glass he can change the images displayed. At one point he even turns it into a mirror. That's neat! But then he touches something else, and the device suddenly emits a bright flash and the sound of a camera shutter. Bennett doesn't recognize either of these, however, and in response he lets out a panicked squawk and drops the tablet instead. Someone help him out...?

Later, after he's found his bearings, Bennett makes his way to the health room. This place is pretty easy to figure out, and within moments Bennett has loaded himself up with bandages... and a lot of them. Should someone else enter, he gives them a bright grin and a friendly greeting. ]

Are you looking for bandages, too? Don't worry, I left plenty for everyone else!

[ And finally, Bennett can be found in the pool. Or rather, he can be found diving into the pool, only to pop right back out a moment later. He sputters and rubs at his eyes as he pulls himself out, and if anyone else is nearby he'll give them a helpful warning. ]

H-hey, be careful! There's something wrong with the water here...

pool;

[fabulation]

[ Xingqiu has been essentially scoping out the layout of the area ever since his "arrival", and unsurprisingly the pool area is a place of interest.

He stops as soon as he spots the other male popping right back out of the pool. ]

It does smell strange.

[ What is chlorine, we just don't know!! ]

You weren't in there for long, were you?

[unluckyday]

No, just for a few seconds.

[ He rubs at his eyes and blinks hard. The pain is starting to fade, at least. ]

But it started to sting as soon as I opened my eyes.

[fabulation]

I guess we should warn any of the others if they're thinking of using this pool of water for anything. Maybe by putting up a little sign?

[ He doubts Bennett wants to stick around warning everyone that comes on by... ]

health room

[selfconcept]

[ For a guy who looks like he's in his 20s, he comes in looking like he has back pain. Why is this boy so cheerful. What's his deal?? He squints at Bennett for a moment before taking a seat. It feels like he can't walk anymore. Everything hurts so much.

So don't mind as this guy with his checkerboard-patterned eyes stares at Bennett a second too long before opening his mouth with his voice laced with distortion and static-- ]

Painkillers. Water.

[unluckyday]

[ Water Bennett can help with, but when Hien asks for pain killers Bennet heaves a disappointed sigh. ]

Sorry, but I don't think there's medicine like that here. I can't find clove oil or anything.

[ There is, in fact, plenty of pain medicine to be found, but Bennett has no idea what 'acetaminophen' is. ]

[selfconcept]

[ He slowly blinks, since he can plainly see the painkillers from where he sits. Clove oil is some essential oil expensive stuff from what he remembers.

So he looks at Bennett in slight confusion before pointing at the medicine. ]

Acetaminophen.

Pool

[imitationsoul]

[ Oh wow, someone beat her to it. If it had been empty here, it would likely have been Miach jumping in with her clothes and just floating around for a bit. The prospect doesn't sound as fun with company though, so instead she steps to the edge of the pool and just runs her hand through the water. It looks plenty normal to her. ]

... wrong?

[unluckyday]

Yeah! It smells funny, and it stings like ocean water even though it's not salty at all.

[ Bennett pulls himself fully out of the pool, settling himself cross-legged on the concrete instead. ]

It tastes bad, too, even though it's so clear.

pool

[goodfaiths]

[ Riku's passing by the pool area when he hears someone emerging from it. He stops and blinks for a moment just before the warning comes, and when it does – ]

What? What do you mean – is it...is it poisoned?!

[unluckyday]

[ Riku says poisoned and Bennett looks horrified. ]

Oh man, you think it might be? It burns like ocean water even though it's clear like fresh water...

pool

[totalcatastrophe]

Really? Might be acid. Feel anything burning yet?

[ Asks the shadowy black cat thing from the side of the pool, his dangly legs not reaching the water. He doesn't sound concerned enough at the prospect of acid. Maybe this place isn't so bad. ]

[unluckyday]

I do!

[ He is, in fact, rubbing at his eyes as he hauls himself out of the water. ]

... It's already fading, though. I guess it's really weak acid...?

health room

[iubar]

Looks like you're preparing for a fun time.

[ One hand extends out to him. ]

Need some help carrying all that or are you good?

[unluckyday]

Eheh, I get a lot of cuts and bruises, so it's best to be prepared.

[ Indeed, there are several visible scars on his arms and legs. ]

I've got it all, but thanks! You need help finding anything?

pool

[escardos]

Let me see...

[ he just cups some water.

sniffs it.

puts his tongue in it. ]

It's chlorine.

[unluckyday]

Woah, don't drink it!

[ .... ]

What's chlorine?

health room!

[cloudalike]

[ Well, good thing he's not here for bandages, but - ]

Whoa, that's quite a lot of bandages, isn't it!? Is there someone out there in dire need of assistance?

[unluckyday]

Nah, these are just for me!

[ He pauses. ]

Not right now, but - for later! I get hurt all the time.

[catarou]

[ Huh.

He follows the trail, so to speak, and ends up at the pool. It's a little after Bennett's pulled himself out of the water, and it's... incredibly strange. Unsettling, even. Gentaro considers leaving, not because he isn't concerned, but because of the possibility that he might be perceived in a way that he finds distinctly unpleasant. ]

Are you alright?

[ In the end, he really can't help but stay. ]

[unluckyday]

[ Bennett has overcome the burning sensation in his eyes, and he's even managed to dry off a bit by now. He looks up when Gentaro greets him, smiling. The smile grows a little bit puzzled for a moment, but Bennett pushes through. ]

I'm okay! There's some kind of medicine called chlorine in the pool. It burns if you're not careful.

Health Room

[vedr]

[ Oh, is this room occupied? Well, he would wait, but it's proper to be... polite! yes. ]

I don't believe mere bandages will help with the severity injury I've been inflicted , I'm sure...

[ ... ]

Are you injured? That's quite a lot of... bandages.

[unluckyday]

Not yet. I will be, though!

[ And rather than dwelling on that: ]

Are you sure? Bandages can help with all sorts of stuff.

Health Room

[herlocksholmes]

Your generosity is commendable. Don't mind if I do!

[Sholmes says that and takes a roll, unrolling part of it and holding it up to the air]

Yes, yes. As far as medical supplies go, this is acceptable. Not that I plan to injure myself heavily, mind you -- but as the good adage says: scars teaches us what caution doesn't!

[Literally nobody has ever said this. Sholmes mangled something he once heard who knows where. He wouldn't even be able to tell you who said the original quote in the first place]

[unluckyday]

[ It's not an adage Bennett has ever heard of, but he lights up like Herlock has just granted him the wisdom of the gods. ]

Right! Like, when you defeat a pyro slime, you have to run away as fast as you can before it explodes!