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

[stoppedhiding]

For the most part, they volunteered. One was forced to remain.

[wolfoutline]

I see. Have you decided who will remain behind this time when we win?

[stoppedhiding]

Not as of yet, no. People arrive weekly, and on occasion people will also vanish without warning, unpredictably.

[wolfoutline]

... they vanish. [There's a note of disbelief in his voice.] Does anyone know why?

[stoppedhiding]

No. The staff refuse to give an explanation.

[wolfoutline]

And they have strong enough backing that no one can force an answer. [Not a question, more something of a statement.] Do the missing persons ever show up again? Alive or dead?

[stoppedhiding]

Occasionally, they do reappear as "new arrivals", without memory of having been in Rakuen previously. [ Because no one has yet re-apped with Rakuen memories intact. ] That's not so surprising, however, because it's not unheard of for more than one of the same person to exist in the city at the same time. Alternate incarnations from differing universes, it seems.

[timelike]

That'd explain a few things.

[timelike]

[ Oh, this must be that other Dave. Whatever, nothing new. ]

Nice shirt.

[timelike]

Shit, no kidding? I'm impressed.

[ She still seems pretty upset by her mistake, so he gives her the tiniest, briefest smile of reassurance. ]

[wolfoutline]

The Kuzsik Theory. You're saying this city is a wormhole drop zone. [Don't mind Vane doing the "artless glance around" thing now as he checks out the skies, waters and horizon of the city beyond.] Though given the presence of the train, the drop zone is probably off-site.

That's a lot of time and money spent on bringing in people for a game.

[timelike]

Guess so.

[stoppedhiding]

I'm not familiar with the term, but that does seem to be the case.

It does seem overly elaborate, yes.

[wolfoutline]

It's a theory proposed by Willafai Kuzsik. She believed that just as there are an infinite number of colors reflected in a single beam of light, there are infinite "lines" of reality co-existing side-by-side.

One way to cross them was through wormholes, but the technology necessary to create a wormhole, much less control it is... bluntly put? It doesn't exist. At least not in my world. That would mean our kidnappers are well-funded and very advanced.

[wat iz magicks]

[stoppedhiding]

So you've noticed.

[stoppedhiding]

Very astute. Is that unusual in your home universe?

[nocathere]

Yes,

and no.

[knightime]

[It's like a bajillion sizes too big. Okay...not that much bigger. Just too big for his thin build.

He pauses for a moment. Fuckkkkkk. Of course the other one can talk. That would make his life too convenient if everyone was just like him.]

the spoils of being here too long
its basically a good way of saying
hey
ive been here since the beginning
ikr
sucks to be me

[gottakilldaves]

What the hell does that mean--?! [oh

whoops, he's uh removing those hands now. still kinda hovering over her shoulders like he's not really sure what to do with them now.] Shit, sorry. Didn't mean to rough you up like that.

But seriously, kid, what's this about taking memories? This some kind of fucked up drug bullshit these assholes are pulling?

[frozenmemories]

[She shook her head no.]

I would have if I coulda. All my friends are at the other school and I tend to end up a weapon to someone over there most of the time anyways. I mean..Until she disappeared, I ended up being Marisa's weapon when she was a player!

[That last part was said as if it was no big deal.]

[gottakilldaves]

[Well, he was going to carry on his angry way, but if this dumb kid is gonna talk back he's just fucking asking for it. Jack turns on his heel, glaring daggers.]

Then maybe you should stay out of the fucking way-- are you seriously buying that bullshit? We just got off that fucking train, of course it works! You're a goddamn idiot!

[veepofchess]

[Lelouch makes his way away from the group after the announcements are made. There's a lot of prefects and not too many students. He really wasn't needed there anymore.

He moved stiffly, but he was putting a stoic face on his pain. But he had a conversation to have with Nunnally first.]

Nunnally, why don't we walk into town together? [Big smile!]

Re: [Off to the side]

[sobsprite]

[Sticks her nose over here. Spots the kitty. Growls a little.]

Woof! Woof woof!

No wait! I don't-woof!- mean that! [Clamps hands over mouth, and just growls]

[forthward]

[don't think she hasn't noticed your obvious pain, brother. she... gives a little sigh]

You shouldn't walk too much.

[veepofchess]

I'm alright. I'm not hurting so much. [What, it's just a little hole in his chest]

I learnt a few things while I was sleeping.