On the platform: Meet the new characters

[utopiamods]

As you all crowd onto the platform, which is drenched with sunlight though the air is cool you are met by six girls and ten boys. One of the boys seems to be a blue Hedgehog and one of the girls has wings; but the rest all seem human. All sixteenn 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 chill. Some seem irritable while others look excited. Each has a beret with a crest pinned to the front - nine depicting a shield on green, the other seven a sword on red.

At the first lull in the chatter, a frail looking girl with a shield on her cap steps forward.

"Excuse me, may I have your attention please!"

She explains that the sixteen of them are the current prefects of Rakuen, representing the two schools on the island. Nanami (she gestures to herself), Lelouch, Yuri, Sonic, Jade, Sora, John, Rebecca, Dirk and of Fortitude; and Santana, Flynn, Kevin, Gino, Suzaku, Golbez and Cirno of Conquest.

The introductions are over fast and the girl named Santana seems impatient, "So 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; a boy and a girl step forward and begin to read names from a clipboard.

Golbez, the Conquest prefect made an imposing figure, standing there with his perpetual glare on his face, as he read off the names. "Dave Strider, Cheshire, Isabela, Jade Harley, Jack Noir, Hideki Hinata, and Hiyo Shishidou."

Despite what seemed to be a broken leg slowing her down, the Fortitude prefect; Jade looked almost excited in her prefect's outfit and neon orange T-shirt that came to her knees. "Okay, the people I read off are for Fortitude! If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them, but please don't threaten me with violence... Komachi Onozuka."

Comments

[knightime]

[He just kind of approaches the other Dave and raises his hand in greeting. Instead of just wearing normal clothes or the uniform, he has the bright neon pink shirt on that they got. Yep. Isn't it obnoxious?]

[missedflyball]

What, nobody's tried opposing the system yet?? If playing along is what our-- you're saying we're abducted, so I'm assuming our kidnappers set this up-- if our kidnappers want this, how could it end well for us at all??

[Spoken like a professional rebel.]

[stoppedhiding]

Exaclan is cyclic in nature. There are six women who remained behind from a previous iteration of the game. They are the ones who've informed us as such.

I understand your disbelief. However, having been trapped here for nearly three months now, I know what I'm talking about.

[missedflyball]

You just wanna keep the cycle going?? How is that helping anyone?? If they're giving us weapons, shouldn't we be fighting against this place, not fighting for it??

[He can not comprehend how nobody has done this yet. In fact, his face looks entirely unamused at the moment at the lack of rebellion that clearly should exist.]

[stoppedhiding]

If you'd like to suggest a target for us to attack.

[missedflyball]

[He pauses to think about that...]

Err, obviously whoever's in charge. But I wasn't saying we go in to like, kill them or anything. [He is greatly against anything to do with killing.] But y'know, some kind of operations for a recon mission? Figure out how to get out of here without having to play to their advantage??

[stoppedhiding]

We don't have access to whoever's in charge. They have never shown themselves to us.

We are open to suggestions. The fact of the matter, however, is that it simply appears to be most advantageous to play along.

[ He can understand Hinata's frustration. Really, he can. Nine or ten weeks ago, he'd have been there right alongside him. ]

[missedflyball]

Errgh, I still can't believe this...

[He's rubbing his forehead, trying to get his thoughts straight. He wasn't used to rallying forces, he needed Yuri here. But god knew where she went... she disappeared too, from what he remembers.]

... One more question. Are there any more people here, from where I'm from? I disappeared from where I was, and the next thing I knew I was here... is that the case for everyone from the afterlife or did I somehow get snagged here instead of being reborn or whatever like I was supposed to be?

[stoppedhiding]

The afterlife? [ A blink. ] I don't believe so, no. Some of those here were dead in their home worlds, but I believe the majority of us were not. There's really no rhyme or reason to who Rakuen decides to abduct.

[missedflyball]

So there's nobody here who had a uniform like mine?? [He gestures to the tan uniform he's still wearing, which he greatly prefers over the ones they're supposed to be wearing...] Or, err, a patch like this one?? [He shows him the SSS badge on his left arm.]

[stoppedhiding]

Not that I've seen. But you'd have better luck asking over the citywide communication system. You can access it in the computer lab back at Conquest, once we show you the way.

[missedflyball]

Right...

[He really hoped he'd come alone. He didn't want any of his friends disappearing only to show up...... wherever this place was. Rakuen?]

Thanks for the help, anyway...

Conquest

[nocathere]

Why don't you have fur? [Manners? What are manners? Cheshire jumps up on Golbez's shoulder with a purr. He sits, if not shoved off before he can, and crosses his legs, letting his tail hang over Golbez's shoulder.]

[frozenmemories]

I know...I trust you..but not what keeps bringin' people and taken' people away...

[frozenmemories]

Sounds cool! I'd attend but...Kinda in the wrong school for that.

[pencilpremonition]

Yeah, I know.

[ferriedmemories]

Ahm. Maybe there's a way to transfer.

[gottakilldaves]

[SOMETIME AFTER TALKING TO GOLBEZ surprise you're getting bumped into by an angry looking cyborg in a suit stomping towards the train tracks.]

Watch where the fuck you're going!! [CLEARLY, THIS IS YOUR FAULT]

[missedflyball]

[Hinata is almost knocked off his feet because wow is he light and incredibly used to getting knocked around.

Of course, when his boss knocks him around, that's just fine, but when it's some crazy robotic stranger--]

Where I'm going?? You nearly sent me into concrete! Where are you even going?? The train doesn't work.

[Off to the side]

[nocathere]

[When not bothering the unfortunate prefect who called his name, Cheshire is walking between people's legs on his hind legs, not seeming to care who he scared or tripped along the way.]

[stoppedhiding]

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more use. Good luck.

[stoppedhiding]

[ So this is probably the "Cheshire Cat" who's listed. Golbez just glances over with a frown. ]

My species do not have fur.

[timelike]

Nah, it's cool. Don't sweat it.

[ He feels really bad now. This Jade doesn't seem to be as resilient as he's used to, and he kind of wants to give her a hug.

But he can't, because Striders don't initiate hugs.

:c ]

[timelike]

[ Oh she just barked. That's... interesting. ]

I don't. Anyway, there're usually breaks.

Bee tee dubs, what's with the barking? Somethin' to do with those ears?

[timelike]

[ Wow, this guy looks exactly like Bro. Only younger, and, y'know. Not dead.

He's dying to ask, but he won't. ]

Sup.