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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! )
bookstore;
When Xingqiu notices someone else come in, he will peer up from whatever has managed to catch his eye the latest. ]
Find anything you'd recommend just at a moment's glance?
no subject
The only thing obvious from a passing glance is that the marginalia seem to have been written by idiots.
no subject
Hmm! An astute observation.
[ He looks back down at his engaging story. ]
If you do manage to stumble across some kind of interesting tale, do let me know? Since we're both hitting the books and all.
no subject
[There's a little pause for processing like Phantom's waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting. Suspiciously. And maybe slowly relaxing.]
Does this really seem the time to be browsing for fiction?
no subject
[ At this time, Xingqiu gives a pause. Apparently picking up an interesting thread in the current story.
Then after the momentary pause he looks back up. ]
I'd say it'd be the prime time to browsing fiction, wouldn't you? The story of a place can tell you a lot about the history of the land and the people that live within it. Indeed, it's without a doubt one of the best places to start, if you really think about it...
[ ...he sounds really thoughtful about it, but he really is kind of indulging in his favorite past times as well. ]
no subject
[Do they have those? He stopped looking when he found science. But he seems to be giving Xingqiu's point some consideration.]
And as likely to be fiction. Whatever this land is, the people don't seem to be a concern here any longer. I've seen no sign of them since we... appeared here. Wherever they've disappeared to isn't likely to be recorded in print.
no subject
[ Nothing says getting things done like the power of teamwork. ]
Hmm, it is entirely possible that they're not recorded in print in obvious locations. There's always some book on forbidden knowledge laying around somewhere. Oh, and speaking of knowledge, I did notice a calendar I spotted listing the year as '926'...
[ Whatever that means for him because lol years in Genshin canon...whatever the case, Xingqiu seems to take the information calmly anyways. ]
no subject
[Wait, he didn't agree to reading any history books! But 'forbidden knowledge' gets him perked up a little, there's no denying that. Academic curiosity is winning.]
Hm... It would be two thousand years before my current time if it were my world, which I doubt. What do you hope to gain from learning about the history?
no subject
Not anywhere? There must be a hint about it written somewhere...
[ He believes even if it's not necessarily directly stated that there can be a clue in such things. ]
Well, with knowledge comes power, correct? If we happen to stumble across information about events that may have occurred here or the history of the buildings and such, we could find out where an exit may be. Or important artifacts that will have clues to further help us in our situation. The possibilities are endless when you think about it.
no subject
[Phantom pauses to consider this. On the one hand: he's in no hurry to go anywhere. On the other hand: if they find a door out, he can boot Marcus through it immediately.]
...Yes, you have a point. I do appreciate intelligent people. Perhaps we can exchange what information we happen to find.
no subject
And I appreciate people who are willing to recognize the value of teamwork. So! I have no problems with exchanging info.
[ He looks back up from his book, for like one second because they probably should at least do proper introductions... ]
By the way, my name is Xingqiu. The situation is dubious, but nice to meet you all the same.
no subject
Mine is Phantom.
[Is it... is it nice to meet anyone? Especially in the circumstances? He's not committing to anything as decisive as that.]
I'll look forward to working with you, Xingqiu.
no subject
Phantom, hm? What a unique name.
[ Then again, Xingqiu supposes that his own may sound the exact same in how unique it is. He looks back down to the book he's reading nonetheless. ]
All the same, I'll extend the same sentiments you expressed as well.
Now, let's continue to search the collection here. I've made a decent amount of progress through this story, which I think is good enough to recommend for a read. Everyone enjoys a good tale, after all.
no subject
No less than yours.
[But he gives Xingqiu a cordial nod and glances at the book he's reading. Who knows when the information could come in handy.]
Certainly. I'll remember it.
[And back to generating a pile of textbooks he goes. But he'll pick up one history one, as a Gesture.]
no subject
Also, congratulations on being the first to look at the book, Phantom!
He will notice something is a little...off about it. Like since he took a glance, the words on the front cover would not be oriented correctly as they should be normally.
In reality, Xingqiu has just shifted the position of the cover so the words are upside down, and is just curious if anyone would take notice of it. When Phantom is nabbing some more books he will try to surreiptuously fix the cover and continue reading. ]
Good to know!
no subject
Definitely not a trick of his imagination.
He's not going to ask. But he stares a little longer to see if it happens again.]
no subject
It absolutely will. ]