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

[Is it too late to turn back around...

No, so might as well play along.]

Not every sin is one to be punished for. Perhaps if you spill your secrets to me, you'll find salvation.

[And he won't use anything against him. Obviously.]

Oh? How generous an offer. Salvation in return for my secrets... I wonder, is your "salvation" truly worth all of that?

[ Gentaro's having fun(???) at least. Terrible. ]

Truly, is there a way to save your soul without letting those secrets go? Your secrets are what burden you, and you cannot find peace and acceptance beyond life without letting those burdens go.

[A match made in hell.]

You will feel better if you open up, and I won't judge. Everyone has something they regret, don't they? Don't you want to tell? To stop having it eat you up inside, wearing you away until you're just a shell of who you are?

[ Wow! He hates this, actually. He shows none of his displeasure, naturally. He's not about to let this guy have the satisfaction of getting under his skin. ]

And what gives you the authority to speak on such matters? It seems you pride yourself on such a thing. Tell me, if revealing secrets is so liberating, then shall we make a trade? My secrets for your salvation, and my salvation for your secrets.

[ He brings a hand to his chin, fixing him with a sharp gaze. ]

Who is to say I've not already become a shell of who I am, hm? You make many assumptions, yet... have you the evidence to support them?

[Heh.]

Leading humans to salvation is something I've become quite skilled at over the years.

[...Yeah. "Salvation". That's maybe a word you could use.]

But if you want the burden of my secrets... Perhaps I could indulge, just this once. It seems only fair, if you put it like that.

Oh? My, you are quite the esteemed individual, are you? My deepest, sincerest apologies.

[ He bows because.... of course he does. When Gentaro straightens up, he looks amused more than anything. ]

Whatever would make you think I am human, however? Wrongful assumption aside... I will reveal the secret I have been hiding for nearly a millennium now.

[ He clears his throat, adopting a much more serious look. ]

You see, I was cursed long ago. I took my first life when I was only fourteen years old. My target was the human lover of a powerful god, and they cursed me with eternal life. Not only that, but each month on the thirteenth day, I must take a life to keep my bloodlust at bay. They had a name for me, you see.

"The Crimson Demon." Not exactly the most creative name, nor the most accurate for one named Aohitsugi Samatoki.

Only a millennium? That’s not very long.

[…It really is, actually, considering how long wizards live for.

Anyways.]

How do you pick your victims, Aohitsugi? Have you already decided who among us will be the next sacrifice?

[He doesn’t buy the story, but it’s also… not outside the realm of impossibility. So it's not worth arguing over whether he's lying or not, because it's ultimately not the point.]

Do you want suggestions?

[ listen here you little shit ]

Oh, do I strike you as the sort who needs suggestions?

[ He raises his eyebrows, like it's an actual serious question.... ]

As for my methods and decisions, it's rude to ask such personal questions. I do not give away either for just anyone.

[He's taller than Gentaro, actually.]

Maybe. You seem like you wouldn't want to kill anyone who would have people that miss them, if you're tormented by this "curse"... Unless you enjoy it.

[Do you enjoy killing? Do you?]

Ah, but I thought we agreed I'm not just anyone? I'm here to offer you salvation. I can share the horrible burden of your cursed and tormented existence.

[ >:( ]

Oho? [ shut up don't call him out ] Unless you were lying about your ability to offer salvation. Ah, that would be a terrible thing to lie about, would it not?

I've been told to be wary of men who spin honeyed words like a particularly nasty web, after all.

Do you have any reason to believe I would lie to you?

[Anyways.]

Though I don't have a reason to believe you, either. Mr. Aohitsugi. Perhaps you're not a cursed man at all, and simply someone who wants to be what they are not...

But would either of us know who the other truly is regardless of how truthful our words are?

00 - prologue

kitchen;

thanks i hate this already

blows kiss

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