On the platform: Meet the neulings

[utopiamods]

As you all crowd onto the platform and peer through the thick fog that chills the air, you are met by five girls and six boys. One of the girls is a somewhat humanoid grey-skinned, finned alien, but the rest all seem human. All eleven are in uniforms that would match if not for the colour differences - skirts and trousers, waistcoats, and light summer shirts that seem totally inappropriate for the light rain. They're all sodden and cold, and some are irritable while others look excited. Each has a beret with a crest pinned to the front - five depicting a shield on green, the other six a sword on red.

At the first lull in the chatter, one sickly-pale, shield-crested girl speaks up, cutting through your conversations with her cold, soft voice.

"Attention, please."

She explains that the eleven of them are the current prefects of Rakuen, representing the two schools on the island. Nanami, she points to herself, Yuri, Sonic, Jade, and Lelouch of Fortitude; and Santana, Flynn, Feferi, Gino, Nephenee and Kevin of Conquest. She doesn't care to explain why the prefects in red and white outnumber those in green and black two to one.

Santana interrupts, "Yeah, yeah. Look, come over when your name is called so we can all get inside." They all move to stand in two groups some distance away from each other, and the two that spoke read off names from their clipboards.

Comments

[mamarosa]

You are in Rakuen City, other than that I do not know where we are, what planet or even dimension we are in. Those who inhabit this island come from various countries, planets, and dimension, so do not be rude to those who seem different. You may even come across another version of yourself. [in other words: STRIDER PARTY]

Why we are here is another question I can only answer partially, and what I can reveal to you is that you are present to participate in Exaclan, which you can read about in your guide book if reading is not one of the memories taken from you.

[fracturedsoul]

[ Can't this be striderchans_rp?? No??? ]

So you're okay with giving out the what, you don't know the where, and you can't tell me the why or the how. [ If that's how she's going to be, just pressing her for more information at this stage won't get him anywhere. That could be a thing he tries, but right now isn't the time for it. ]

No, I can still read. What's this about memories being taken from me? [ It would sound absurd, except he's already found that something has happened to his mental processes. What is this place...? ]

[mamarosa]

[you mean it's not striderchans_rp already?]

If I could tell you more then I would, but I am bound by certain rules that hold consequences if broken.

Ten memories are taken from you as incentive to participate in Exaclan, although many choose to purchase upgrades before memories in order to perform better during battle.

[fracturedsoul]

[ the ratio of striders to non-striders is not high enough ]

Let me guess. Elaborating on those consequences would also result in consequences?

Aha. That's pretty efficient incentive. Not to mention removing our memories is a fairly ruthless display of just how much of a gaping chasm the power differential is between us and our captors. I practically can't wait to start beating some people down.

[ He never once averts his gaze from the headmistress as she speaks and as he speaks to her. It must just be a front, but she seems so much more kindly than he'd expect from a troll. ]

[mamarosa]

[she smiles]

Perhaps.

Yes, it is a blatant display of power but there is little we can do about it. Many will try and work the system but I must say that it is efficient to go along with it, it worked for my session.

[fracturedsoul]

I'll get on that, then.

One more question. You already seem to know my name, so what's yours?

[mamarosa]

I know all the names of the new arrivals, while I don't know their faces it was relatively easy to match you. You have the features of a Strider. My name is Dolorosa.

[fracturedsoul]

[ While his face doesn't change, he does stiffen up a little at that. Wait... What does that even mean? He's the only Strider, thank you very much. ]

Good to know. I'll just be going.

[mamarosa]

I hope your stay here is pleasant, if you have any questions you can come to me.