theafflicted | 00

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.

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( 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)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Gentaro isn't too far away from Riku; he's still browsing in an attempt to find something that he recognizes. No luck so far, aside from the basic textbooks. With a sigh, Gentaro takes a novel and reads through a few pages. After a few moments, he replaces it. ]

Nothing just yet. How unsettling... I suppose that is convincing evidence that we have been taken to a completely different world.

[ Tenn-nii? Is that – oh. Oh, that's not. He had a brief look of surprise on his face, but that quickly turned back into being tired and upset. He lets out a sigh and a little nod at Gentaro's observation. ]

...Yeah...that's what I figured.

[ He straightens himself out, though. No sense in being gloomy around a stranger. ]

Um...are you also from planet earth?

[ Unfortunately for Riku, when Gentaro glances over at him, he happens to catch that play of emotions. Fortunately, though, he doesn't intend to point it out. Gentaro's acutely familiar with putting on a mask, so he simply nods.

It's none of his business, after all. ]

I am, yes. Specifically, Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan. And you?

Oh!

[ That boosts his spirits. He's visibly a little happier now, and his smile broadens. ]

I'm also from Japan, actually! I'm glad I'm not the only one! Ah, it's nice to meet you – I'm Nanase Riku!

[ Gentaro can't help but make the comparison to a couple of people from home... at least, in the most surface of ways. But it's nice, to see him brighten after that expression earlier.

What else can he do but give him a smile in return? It's not quite as broad. It's more subdued, but undeniably, it's genuine. ]

A pleasure to meet you as well. It is quite a comfort to know you have a home in common, isn't it? I am Yumeno Gentaro.

[ He doesn't let on that he's looking for a certain reaction. Gentaro isn't egotistical, but he'd be a fool to not know that his name is well-known throughout Tokyo. ]

Mhm! It is nice, especially since so many people are from all kinds of places I've never even heard of!

[ He is not getting the reaction he's looking for, though. And honestly, Riku's not finding any recognition from Gentaro, either. Interesting... ]

It's nice to meet you, Yumeno-san. I wonder what brought us into this kind of situation, though...

[ Different Tokyos, then. ... That's a bit unsettling, but at the very least, it means someone like Riku will never experience Chuohku's Tokyo. He's only just met him, but he gets the impression that he's got a good heart. ]

As do I. So far, I haven't been able to find any clues. [ He sighs. It's maybe a bit dramatic. ] Ah, I am truly a disgrace to my fellow detectives... How will I ever be able to face them when we return home...?

Are you a detective, Yumeno-san?

[ If so, how cool!! ]

I haven't had much luck myself, but I'm sure we'll figure things out. They can't keep us here forever.

[ ...he hopes. ]

Well, that was only a joke. Rather, I am an author who merely writes about mysteries and detectives.

[ If he weren't so earnest, maybe Gentaro would tease him more. He's not a softie, shut up.

... But he does worry. That kind of idealism... Gentaro can't agree, really. He understands; truly, he does. Gentaro's seen too many awful things happen for no reason. Why should he be anything but cynical? He's quiet for a few moments, mulling over his thoughts before he decides on an answer.

With a quiet chuckle, he replies, ]

They certainly can't, can they? I daresay I would have to start a riot if they tried.

That's still neat, though! I'm a huge fan of reading, so I'll keep an eye out for your books!

[ So cool, so cool!! It's a little troubling that Gentaro gets so quiet, though, before he finally answers, like even he's not sure of his own answer. ]

Mm, well, you won't be alone in it, at least. And at the very least, at least we're not stuck here alone! We've got other people with us.

Should I find any, I shall certainly pass them along your way.

[ ... He won't be alone, huh. In one way, Riku is correct. On the other... No, he's not about to go down that path around other people. ]

Hmmm. Nanase-san, would you happen to have the power of lifting the spirits of those in your presence? Your optimism is admirable.

Ah, is it? Well, I'm an idol, so that's what I hope to do in general...

[ He looks a little sheepish. Nobody's ever asked him flat out like that before. ]

But there's no sense in feeling pessimistic right now. All we can do is try and figure things out, even if it's hard. I'm scared, but...I can't give up here. I have people waiting for me back at home.

You do too, right?

[ ... Heh, that sounds almost like something Dice would say.

And speaking of. When Riku asks if he has people waiting for him, there's another one of those silences. As composed as Gentaro is, as unreadable as he is, he can't help the hints of vulnerability and concern that touch his eyes. It's brief, but... ]

Yes, I do.

[ He chuckles softly, and the unpleasant (for Gentaro) moment passes. He can't afford for it to not pass. ]

My dear friends are absolutely hopeless without me. Ahh, what shall I do if I cannot bail Dice out of his debts...? How will Ramuda eat absurd amounts of sweets without me?

00 - prologue

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