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]

I'm glad you think me adequate.

Yes, I'm one of the prefects of Conquest. And you are?

[thehungman]

Adequate's one word for it. [ giggles. ]

[ She curtsies. It's not as effective without a skirt. Or pants, even. ]

Isabela. Formerly Captain Isabela. Sadly, I've been on my land legs for a few years now.

So, are you going to wait for me to ask the obvious or what? Pointing me to the direction of the nearest taverns is a much, much better, to be honest.

[stoppedhiding]

[ He simply nods in return. ]

Answers to all of your questions can be found in the manual you were provided with. You can find it in your schoolbag.

There is a tavern in the city proper. You only have twenty raks -- the currency of this city -- to start out with, though, and you may wish to spend them on something more useful. [ He gestures in the appropriate direction.

He's kind of boring. ]

[thehungman]

You mean I have to read?

I'll worry about that later.

[ She doesn't mind boring, as long as it comes with attractive cold insolence. ]

[stoppedhiding]

Yes, you do. Failure to abide by the rules and regulations of Rakuen will result in punishment not only for yourself, but for those around you as well.

[ These two will get along great. ]

[thehungman]

[ Isabela doesn't mind boring, but stick in the mud is another thing entirely. ]

[ She looks annoyed for a moment, and then shrugs, her expression mocking. ]

That's never stopped me before.

[stoppedhiding]

[ Without another word, he reaches out to take her hand. If she allows him to, he'll be inflicting a brief warning penalty on her. ]

[thehungman]

[ Isabela takes a sharp gasp in pain. Before her vision blacks out, she tries to aim a punch at Golbez's face. ]

[stoppedhiding]

[ He takes the blow, because really, he deserves it for that. He draws in a sharp breath through his mouth as he pinches his nose to stop the bleeding that ensues. ]

That is merely a fraction of the power our oppressors wield. Keep it in mind, Isabela.

[thehungman]

[ Isabela shakes her head, trying to shake out the sharp, painful feeling. ]

I don't like you, and I don't like talking to... authorities more than is necessary, so if you'll excuse me.

[ She walks past him. Off to the tavern she goes. ]