theafflicted | 00

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! )

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ you know, being punched in the gut or the chest isn't a new sensation for him. it's not a pleasant sensation or one he particularly likes to repeatedly feel, but at least he knows how to deal with suddenly feeling like it's impossible to get a lungful of air. the tricky part is making sure that he doesn't come off as being too vulnerable about the whole ordeal as he looks around.

which is to say that when he spots ace, or someone who looks just like him, he isn't...uhm. well, sometimes it's okay to just have a hand on your chest staring at some other dude having a time. don't mind him just silently watching from the other side of the room with a hand on his chest and still struggling for even breath. ]

[ yeah, he's working on getting that composure back. little hard after everything he was just experiencing, but he's starting to be able to breathe a little more even.

that's when he notices a pair of eyes on him, like they're burning a hole in him. who the hell is this guy? there's zero recognition on ace's end of this person that's staring him down. though, there is a strange sense of familiarity? odd.

he does tense up a little bit, though. an unfamiliar place, unfamiliar people. someone staring him down... not always a good combination. especially not after ... all that before. your move, my dude. ]

[ why is it left up to him to decide of how to act? if the situation was slightly different... actually if this situation ever happened at all...

...

well, it doesn't matter because sabo will acknowledge that they're at a slight impasse as he's being equally stared down. time to be the better person and sabo moves from where he was and walks closer, his hand still on his chest. ]

Sorry, I didn't mean to stare but you just remind me of someone. [ he'll give him a look over. the familiarity is so striking. ] Are you alright?

[ all said in a perfectly calm and causal tone, albeit there's still a hint of a wheeze from his struggles to cope with the pain and breathing difficulties. ]

[ because he's not the one that was initially staring. plus, he doesn't know why this random dude would seem familiar. probably just something he was making up in his head. especially since the pain and location change does have him a bit dazed. ]

You might have seen me on a poster or two... or in the newspaper. [ no need to elaborate on that, but to the question...

he pats his chest (perhaps a little hard) and there's a small sting of pain. he might be moving and all, but that hurt through his body sure is still lingering. at least he can manage it enough to move. ]

Never been better. [ untrue, but he's not about to launch into what just happened to him to some random stranger, especially when he doesn't even know how he could possibly be here. ]

[ well, if ace wanted to smacked in the chest with something that isn't physical pain but more like emotional then yeah, sure. enjoy a mixture of hope, happiness, and then extremely painful sadness that will just sit deep in his chest. or, well, it's what's sitting in sabo's chest as he continues to hold himself in a completely calm composure with an easy air about him.

his eyes lower and look to the ground. ]

I see.

[ where is his hat where he needs it. help. ]

It's good that you're feeling better. It wouldn't be doing any of us here favors if something were to happen to any of us this early on.

[ that dull ache in his chest makes his smile falter a moment. he's not sure where it came from, but for some reason, it coaxes out feelings he was trying to keep down. seems both of them could use their hats right about now. in fact, ace reaches up to pull on the brim of his, only to realize it isn't there and just ruffles his own hair. ]

Something's already happened. [ he gives a laugh at this, laughing off what happened. but as easy as it might be to joke about something happening and smiling, there's a painful feeling that swells up as he recalls luffy's tears. how could he be here now after all that?

he shrugs both of his shoulders, brushing his own comment off. ]

Probably best to get to know one another before we start to figure things out. I'm Portgas D. Ace.

[ if he's supposed to laugh along with that, he most definitely doesn't. if anything, sabo is just going to keep standing there somewhat rigid and only just slowly raising his gaze so that he can properly face ace as he introduces himself.

right. where were his manners? ]

I agree; it's nice to meet you, Ace.

[ a bit of a pause as this is where he should introduce himself, yes? he should totally say his name and let it be known but at the same time he's just... the smile on his face is fixed even as though that pain grows inside of his chest and morphs into something warped with fear and anxiety. ]

I hope that we'll get along.

[ these feelings that are happening are unpleasant, at best. and they don't feel like his own emotions. what's even happening here?

it does annoy him a bit that sabo doesn't give him his name in return. bit rude, isn't it? but whatever. maybe the guy is just a bit shy or something. ]

Hopefully! As you said, it'd be bad if something happened to any of us.

[ not that he can say he won't get into any fights. but getting along with all these people might be for the best to getting things figured out. ]

[ or sometimes you're used to not letting yourself be known because of your notoriety unlike some people. at the same time, truly some habits are hard to break. nevertheless sabo keeps going with a pleasant expression on his face—one hand still on his chest. ]

And you've said that something already happened. [ a light jest. ] It should be "anything else" at this point.

[ a thoughtful pause as he carefully words his question. ]

...is it too much for me to ask about the last thing you remember before you found yourself here? I can start.

[ sometimes you experience really weird things. or you're just like that sometimes, too. ]

You got me there.

[ this playful banter is kind of fun, but he sobers up a little at the question, still trying to keep a relaxed look on his face. there's a tightening in his chest as his memory flashes back. ]

Sure, we can swap stories. If you're willing to start.

Sure.

[ gazes tiredly, but wow he doesn't even notice the difference from what ace feels and what is constantly lingering deep within his chest. except, well, at least he moves his hand away from his chest to hold onto his other wrist. ]

I was in the middle of starting something that was going to rock my world to its core. [ anxiety and fear replaced with a simmering rage mixing in with the other emotions already there before. hi my name is sabo and i'm constantly feeling so many emotions all at once. ] And putting together a plan to rescue a friend of mine.

Sounds like you're on quite an adventure.

[ he looks at him curiously at that. seems like this guy is more for keeping things vague. while he can jump headlong into his greeting, he'll phrase his own backstory in a similar manner. ]

Last thing I remember is hugging my brother at an execution.

[ just some random execution. clearly. while he feels a warmth, there's also a sadness that lingers in his feelings, too. ]

I'm just staying true to a promise I've made.

[ word spoken softly as ace's answer settles on him. thanks cursed monkey's paw; sabo finally has the chance to now know what ace was thinking just before he died but it also means that he gets to hear it straight from the source. so, whatever he hears is the truth and not something he can ignore or reject.

:) awful, actually. ]

...an execution, huh? That sounds like a dangerous and scary place to find yourself before coming here.

...That can be very important.

[ sometimes very hard to keep promises, though. no matter how hard one tries. he makes a bit of a sound at that. ]

Scary place... It's a bit more complicated than just that. But it really was a dangerous place. I didn't want to leave my brother there, but maybe it was time I joined our other brother.

[ there certainly is a strong implication there. ]

[ well.

this isn't how he wanted things to go and uh. hm. there's something about that simple statement that makes him so furious he wants to wreck hell and destroy all the chairs nearby then put a hole through the wall and then maybe feel like it would be enough. yet he also feels so sad that he wants to wail and scream his throat hoarse like a lost, frightened child. ultimately, he just clenches his fist by his side. ]

Is that what you were thinking of?

[ a question spoken softly. ]

...were those your last thoughts?

[ that question is so jarring, it hits him to the core. that's something so personal. something he shouldn't be saying to a stranger. he looks down at the desk in front of him, a very distant look on his face. it's obvious this man has put two and two together about the execution from his words. ]

...No. They weren't. I died... happy.

[ fulfilled. he had his life-long answer. but it's not like there wasn't pain and sadness along with it. but he doesn't elaborate on this happiness. it's not like he's going to open up things kept deep inside.

but maybe this guy will think he's crazy saying he died. who knows. maybe he's like that, too. ]

[ doesn't that answer just make something inside of sabo just snap like a thread finally being stretched too far. the metaphorical thread that snaps with the real life counterpart being sabo slamming both of his fists on the desk in front of him denting the surface slightly. but it's not enough, and he grabs a hold of one of the desks and nearly rips it off of its hinges. (let's be real he only doesn't because of power nerfs.) it's still not enough but his hands are sore and knuckles bruised so then he kicks in one of the chairs. ]

Were you really happy?! [ the calmness and collectiveness of his voice and demeanor cracking and falling apart at the seams as he tries to resolve things but ultimately can't because it's so infuriating. it's too heartbreaking. ] Are you just saying those words to make me feel better?

You died Ace. They killed you. [ the whole ordeal broadcasted for the world to see as some sort twisted show of power by the marines and the government. the original message never making it across but it didn't matter. it was there and sabo found out about it all too late. ] All of the things that you said you wanted to do...

[ ...with that he will just slowly deflates onto the ground. if there are tears in his eyes then there's no use in hiding them after that whole scene and a half. ]

[ the first thing he notices when sabo snaps and goes wild on the desk is that his own hands hurt at the same time. but this thought is very fleeting because this whole scene is... confusing.

everything about this feels so personal. that his death was so incredibly personal to the person in front of him. and then he says the last part and his body tenses up. there's no way. none of this makes sense. sabo died years before any of this happened, so he shouldn't know. he shouldn't look like this. he stumbles toward sabo before dropping to his knees in front of him. ]

...Sabo? [ the name is soft, even a little hesitant. ] It... It can't be. Can... it...?

[ hearing his name said by ace makes him flinch. how familiar it is yet also foreign sounding given that they're no longer children.

though, now he's suddenly feel extremely self-conscious about the scene that he made of himself as ace drops down in front of him. it's still hopeless to hide his tears but he still tries by looking at the damage he caused. he wasn't the one to have violent, emotional outbursts. he was always the calmer one of the three of them; there to make up for ace running headstrong into things. ]

It is.

[ now it's his turn to brace for whatever is to come. ]

[ there's a part of him that's angry that sabo didn't tell him who he was right away. would he have believed him? maybe not right away, but it would have been easy enough to prove who he was.

but the larger part of him is relieved and confused. ]

How...? Didn't you die?

[ he's tempted to reach out to him, but not yet. there's so many feelings mixed up inside of him. ]

[ but then sabo's earlier words echo in his head and he feels a bit of anger flare up.

one finger reaches out to poke sabo in the forehead and try to force him to look up and face him instead of hiding his face. he's lucky he's not completely pissed off. ]

Do you really think I'd lie about how I felt at my death?! Wouldn't that just make things worse? It'd be like spitting on what Luffy did for me.

Edited 2022-05-23 06:34 (UTC)

[ given the fact that sabo is used to having someone yank on his cheek to get his attention, the poke is by far more startling and he does look over at ace's face. he doesn't any special feedback to tell him that ace's angry, but not as angry as he thought ace would have been. he expected ace to be angrier with him and yet.

...and yet. "spitting on what luffy did for him", was it? ]

He cried while he apologized to me for not being able to save you. [ even if it was sabo who should be the one to apologize. ] Our baby brother is still a crybaby even after all of these years.

[ sometimes you just gotta say words. these particular words just falling out of his mouth dumbly. ]

And, so, if you were hoping to find me again after—

[ the idea of it settles on him all wrong with how it makes him happy but also it's wrong because it would mean that luffy would really be without either of his brothers. also wow. where did his elegance with his words go?

what the fuck is he even saying anymore? everything suddenly feels surreal and he has gone through too many emotions too quickly in such a short period of time where he just takes a moment to let out a long exhale before continuing. ]

Long time no see, Ace.

Of course he is. But he's not as weak as he used to be. Makes a brother proud.

[ of course luffy would cry. of course. the fact that he'd apologize for not being able to save him... that makes ace ache so deep inside.

that his life was really worth that much. it's still very overwhelming to have that answer. he accepts it, but it's also something that's strange to think after the countless years of feeling something completely different. ]

Long time no see, Sabo. [ and then he flicks his forehead. ] I'll make sure to pay you back for not telling me who you were right away. I can see that part about you hasn't changed.

[ how dare he keep secrets! in face, ace is reaching out and pulling both of sabo's cheeks fairly hard, feeling the sting in his own cheeks before he finally lets go.

honestly, he's having a hard time keeping it together in more ways than one, but bullying sabo a little helps keep him grounded. he'd prefer not to break down here in front of everyone, especially after they've made a scene. he's done enough crying in front of people already at home. ]

No, he definitely isn't. He's going to show us both up if we're not careful.

[ you mean he can try to flick sabo in the forehead, he'll gracefully dodge out of the way of that but the face pulling is something that he lets ace get away with. the pain causing him to laugh more than to wince at it clearly shown as he just rubs his face before his next quip. ]

Oh? Will you now?

[ if ace thinks he can get away with bullying him without retaliation then he should honestly know better because sabo is going to be quick on the uptake. he'll waste no time getting up to his feet and holding a hand out to ace, if he wants it. ]

If that ends up being the case then maybe we should go somewhere else. I don't think it would be good manners if we made a bigger mess of things.

[ who is "we" sabo. it's just you. ]

Edited 2022-05-23 07:43 (UTC)

closes my eyes....

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

/2

no subject

no subject

no subject