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

The cold helps me, you see. And don't worry - this time I have my clothes on.

[ More than just a shirt, so this is improvement, honestly. ]

... Do you just walk into freezers naked?

[ Chongyun?? What the fuck???? ]

How are you still alive? Are you like... a winter snow spirit?

No, of course not. I was wearing clothes, just... the bare minimum. The last time I was in a very cold place, I was trying to train my body, as well as the strength of my will.

[ It, uh, didn't work, obviously. ]

Though I suppose, I wasn't trying hard enough, you think? Maybe I should have gone completely bare after all...

Please keep your clothes on and add several more layers.

[ He says that immediately. ]

Is this similar to those sitting underneath a waterfall meditations? Because doing it in a freezer will just guarantee you'd be a hunk of frozen meat. If you're gonna test the strength of your will, being outside of the freezer would be better, wouldn't it?

[ ... ]

Since it's less comfortable. I assume.

I couldn't. That would make me unnecessarily warm.

[ The W in warm also stands for weak. ]

I have heard of monks doing what you're referring to, but trust me, I don't intend to stay in here forever. [ Unless it works... Haha... Ha... ] Only until I calm down - uh, emotionally. This entire situation has been... a lot.

[ Oh, but - ]

Thank you for your concern, though. It's always nice to meet kind people on my travels. Not that this counts as one of my travels... Or maybe it does.

Anything can count as a travel if you liken it to a journey--your life's journey.

[ Sounds corny, but okay. ]

The point of testing your will is to put yourself in an unfavorable condition though. That's how your willpower gets strong.

[ Which he can also say the same for his own, because it's hella freezing inside and he reacts to temperatures like the average human. ]

... My willpower might be tested if I stay in here.

Wait. You're saying... I should expose myself to the heat instead!?

[ He's always avoided doing just that, so. Could that really be it? Is that why nothing has worked for him all this time? Hm. ]

Could you tell me a little more about this? You seem to know a lot. Oh, wait, I'm sorry I should have introduced myself. My name is Chongyun, an exorcist from Liyue.

I'm Hien.

[ Just that. He thinks his eyes are going to freeze over somehow. ]

But yeah, that's what you should do. You're not going to build anything up if you stay in your comfort zone. Just don't overdo it.

[ He quietly breathes out. ]

Okay, I need to leave this freezer now.

[ Don't stay in his comfort zone... don't stay in his comfort zone. Alright. He'll keep that in mind. ]

Uh, of course. Sorry to have kept you. [ He moves over to leave the freezer as well. ] Are you alright? Should I - get you a coat? Or, ah, I could lend you mine.

[ Some parts of him feels like they're burning once he comes out of the freezer, but then again, it already felt like burns when he was inside. He's not sure which is worse. ]

I'll be fine.

[ Even if he doesn't seem like it now, he'll be fine. That's what he always tells himself anyway. ]

Nothing like regulated temperature to warm me up. And my own body heat, I guess. Assuming it hasn't left me.

[ It didn't. ]

Ah, another thing... if you start doing things outside of your comfort zone, it might be better to have a buddy with you to overlook that sort of thing so you don't get in trouble by yourself.

[ Regulated temperature? What a strange concept! He doesn't get it, but sure, he accepts the idea. ]

Aha... Perhaps for the best, knowing me. I suppose I could ask Xingqiu, but sometimes, he's too enthusiastic about - uh - shoving me in hot water. I think I should start off small.

Hien, if I could ask - would you mind - ah, maybe just once - to start off - could you be my buddy while I attempt this? In the near future?

[ Who the heck is Xingqiu and why would he be enthusiastic about giving Chongyun burns (he assumes this is the case). He raises an eyebrow at that, but. Alright. ]

I don't mind.

[ As for where to find him... hm. ]

I'll probably be in room 8. If I'm not there, you can leave a note under the door or tell Fai that you were there. He's a smiling, blond, tall stick.

[ He tucks a fist into his palm and bows slightly, saluting Hien as he would any of his teachers or fellow adept exorcists. ]

Yes! Thank you for your kindness. It's much appreciated and I look forward to our partnership.

[ And where was his room again? ]

You can find me in room... 14, I think. Please - come at any time! I'd like the opportunity to repay you for all you've done.

[ Hien doesn't think he's done anything, but he won't fight Chongyun on that. ]

Alright. Just remember to take it slowly. Taking baby steps won't make you a baby.

[ Since kids hate being called babies and stuff, he thinks this is a good thing to remind him of. ]

I'll be going to warm up a little, so I'll see you later.

Yes, sir!

00 - prologue

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