Round Six (Both Schools)

[musicalee]

By Sunday, the fog has gotten worse, with students barely able to see out of their windows. As usual, there's a message on the screens scattered around campus, but it might catch out a few sleepy students with the fact that it isn't the usual summoning to the main hall.

"All students will report to the Battle Arena at noon for assembly."

Anyone lost, confused or just contrary is led there by one or more of the prefects. Once they arrive and are seated in the well-lit arena - strangely untouched by the fog - they will notice that there is a raised dais in the centre. All six staff members are stood there; Mayor Mallorough and the shopkeeper Recette in the middle, with Day and Santana of Conquest on one side and Nanami and Dolorosa of Fortitude on the other. Unlike other assemblies, the rest of the prefects have been asked to sit with the others.

Dunleavy, the seldom-seen Mayor of Rakuen, steps forward towards her microphone.
"Citizens of Rakuen, today is a very important occasion." Despite the words she sounds almost bored, her tone flat.

"First of all, I would like to welcome those who arrived yesterday to our city and congratulate all who fought in this week's round. We're a little pushed for time, so I won't read out your individual results. Secondly, you might have noticed the fantastic weather we've been having this weekend... It seems we are about to see a particularly special round." She glances at the arena's clock tower, as the hands strike the hour, and then at the screens. Dutifully, they switch on to display a view of the lake.

Just in time, too. As the screens focus, the waters of the lake ripple - once, twice - and then surge upwards and outwards as a massive prow breaches the surface. Fabric snaps in a sudden breeze, and the creak of old, sodden wood echoes artificially through the arena. The lake isn't particularly deep - as several seated in the rows could tell you - but somehow it is now home to a galleon of considerable size. The fog seems to be emanating from it, curling from the deck outwards onto the shore, and its sails and sheets move as though caught by the wind even as it remains perfectly still upon the water.

The ship evidently settled, Dunleavy speaks once more.

"Every now and again, Rakuen is graced by a fragment of another world, marking the beginning of a different type of battle. Those whose names are read out have been chosen to take part in a quest. They will enter the ship, and explore its depths in search of battle and treasures. It will be dangerous, but I believe you are all capable." She still sounds detached and bored; it'ss difficult to tell if she's being sincere or not.

"If your name is called, please come and collect an extension for your glove here at the front. This allows you and two chosen Weapons to enter the ship. They are easy to use, speak the name of your Weapons and will yourself into the ship. Your Weapons will be brought with you, no matter where they are." She gestures to the two head prefects, who collect a set of boxes and move to the front of the stage.

"The device only allows you to take two Weapons into the ship at once, but you may enter and exit as many times as you wish during the week. Now, your ultimate goal is to reach the bottom and defeat the creature you find there, but there are other rewards to be found. Recette will now speak to you about collecting treasure during your quest."

She hands the microphone over to the young girl, who clasps it in front of her face with both hands.

"Um, yes! Because this is a dungeon, it's gonna be full of treasure... So if you find anything cool, you can bring it out with you! Sometimes monsters will leave behind items when you've killed them, too, and there are lots of items stashed away by pirates--" she pauses, "Eheh, I think so, anyway. It looks like a pirate ship. That's what pirates do, right? But even if it's not something you can use, I'll buy it off you or trade it for something you want, so if you take a bag, or ask your Weapons to carry things for you... Um, what was I gonna say... Please make sure to look everywhere!

"An' also, if you're having trouble finding Weapons, or you don't think you're strong enough, I'll sponsor you with equipment if you give me a share of your treasure at the end! If that's okay... So let's work together this week."

She bows, fumbles the microphone about three times, and eventually manages to hand it back to the Mayor. Once she's got it back, Dunleavy smiles at the audience.

"If you have any questions, do not hesitate to come and talk to me, or your headmistresses and head prefects. You will still receive raks for fighting inside the ship, and if you reach the bottom and defeat the creature there, you will have won the round.

Good luck, everybody."

With that the feed of the ship disappears from the screen and the list of Players replaces it. Dunleavy reads the names out loud.

Conquest

Indonesia
Prussia
Sis Strider
John Egbert [ou]
Cornelia li Britannia
Aradia Megido
Feferi Peixes
Aisha Clanclan
Sherlock Holmes
Rose Lalonde
Davesprite

Fortitude

Firifale
Belarus
Dahlia Hawthorne
Yuri Lowell
Sora Himoto
Reimi Hanamori
Sakuya Izayoi
Spain
Dave Strider
Daenerys Targaryen
Lelouch vi Britannia

Comments

[furisode]

[ A pirate ship, huh? It seemed a lot like a setting from an RPG to her. The dense fog really set the mood for the perfect dramatic scene in her mind.

Japan's a bit relieved she wasn't called up; she doubted her skills for this complicated system and so soon after her arrival, too. It was best to watch the others go at it first.

She casts a look over the players that received the glove extension. Only a few names stood out to her, but for the most part, strangers. Would they ask her to venture in the ship with them?

Will my Weapon prove to be enough? ]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku saw the woman standing near him and nodded at her politely, he hadn't seen her before so he guessed that she had arrived on the train that week.]

[furisode]

[ She dips into a bow herself. ]

Will you be participating?

[swordofzero]

[He nods] I am a Weapon but I will be accompanying my Player into the dungeon. How about you miss?

[furisode]

Ah... I'm not certain. [ She looks back at the stage. ] I'm new here, so I haven't familiarized myself.

[swordofzero]

[He nods] I am sure a Player will vow with you even if you do not wish to enter the dungeon. Most people here respect those who do not wish to fight.

[furisode]

I could never enter into such an agreement without upholding my end of the vow. I... I will try my best if a Player seeks me out.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku nodded] I am sure you will. If you wish I can ask my Player, I am not sure how many Weapons he has yet.

[furisode]

Oh, I couldn't burden him with such a thing-!

WHOOPS I missed you.

[mrdickery]

[Hello Japan, have one of your prefects checking in with you.

Yuri approaches her from behind, clapping a friendly hand on her shoulder.] Hey.

hehe no probs

[furisode]

[ yelps and trips forward, shocked by the sudden hand ] E-eh?!

;w;

[mrdickery]

[Aaaand that's Yuri putting his hand around her waist to keep her from hitting the dirt face first. Whoops. (Why does he keep frightening the jumpy ones?)]

Careful! [And if this were a dating-sim, it'd be a doki doki moment.] Did I scare you?

/pat （●'◡'●）

[furisode]

[ Japan sucks in a quick breath and immediately flushes the moment she realizes what sort of position she's in. Of course, the only thing that she manages out is a stuttery: ] I-I'm sorry!

o3o

[mrdickery]

[Back on your feet you go!

As he steadies her with his hands on her shoulders (doki doki), only when he's sure she's good does he let her go.] Sorry for what?

(☻◡‿◡)♡･ﾟ:*✰

[furisode]

[ T-too much touching on the dancefloor for her poor heart.

She straightens herself up and blinks. ] Ah— well- f-for my reaction!

[ She takes a small step back and bows. ] "Thank you" is what I should be saying.

All these cute little smilies. o3o

[mrdickery]

[It's okay, Japan. In truth, he's just a huge, unattractive kid at heart.

Also wow, super polite. Yuri's starting to feel a little self-aware as he stands there, distinctly... not.] Uh- sure. No problem, was kind of my fault to begin with anyway.

[... cough.] Was just wondering how you were doing. You're one of the new people, right?

i'm at an expert at them! (๑≧▽≦๑)ﾉｼ

[furisode]

[ That's okay, she's rotten deep down....

She looks up at him and nods. ] Yes, I'm Japan. It's... interesting, the idea of what this place is for. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

[countryofassholes]

[There is someone dressed in the boy's Fortitude uniform looking at you quite intently, Japan. Britannia swears you're familiar for some reason, but just can't quite figure out why...]

[furisode]

[ And suddenly, she feels awfully uncomfortable, but can't really place why. Perhaps it's an oncoming sneeze, someone must be thinking quite strongly about her. ]

[countryofassholes]

[The hair, the eyes, the obviously Area 11-ish clothing... hang on. What did Ukraine call her again?]

Kikyo?

[furisode]

[ She turns towards the sound of the name, intrigued at the chance another one of her citizens were here. Kikyo, the bellflower. But unfortunately he got the wrong flower. ]

...?

[countryofassholes]

[Hmm, interest gained but she appears to have missed her mark. Britannia gives Japan another curious look before realizing that perhaps Ukraine was mistaken about the female version's female name. It wouldn't be the first time a nation like that has erred, really. So, rather than continue to beat around the bushes, Britannia approaches the older nation without a second thought and smiles at her rather politely.

A blank secretary's smile, sotospeak.] I'm Britannia, you are?

[furisode]

[ Without missing a beat, she bows. ]

I'm Japan. [ She rises with a soft smile, trying to mask her confusion. ] It is a pleasure to meet you, Brittania-san.

[countryofassholes]

[Bullseye.] I thought so! You look a lot like him.

[The smile she gives Japan at this point is cheerful if you don't pay attention to her eyes which says she is both intrigued and highly curious, like the cat who is contemplating a new toy.] You must come from the world where everyone is different, right? With the male Ukraine and female Russia?

[furisode]

Y-Yes! I had heard about this male Japan from someone else, but I almost cannot believe it... [ It was like something right out of a manga, really. ]

D-do you also come hail from his world then? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with a Britannia.