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

[witchofspace]

I don't really know either, but part of the fun is finding out I guess! I'm still figuring things out about my powers.

[Wow, Dirk was so different from Dave! She really likes him so far, though.]

It's gonna take three years or so in total; we'd already been traveling for a year before I got here.

[fracturedsoul]

I think we can hold out that long. Oh, you'll be pleased to know that time probably doesn't matter around here. Jake and Jane arrived after me, but they never noticed I'd been missing. Figure I should let you know while we're on the subject.

[witchofspace]

A prefect told me that earlier, but I'm glad to know that it's true first hand!

Oh! What dorm are you all in? I think I'm in Conquest.

[fracturedsoul]

[ At least he hopes it is. There's still the slim possibility they're from a slightly different version of his universe. But he so doesn't want that to be what's going on. ]

Fortitude. [ He gestures to the shield pinned to his beret. ] Both the Daves're there too.

[witchofspace]

Oh! Did you see my timelines Dave around? He came off the train with me-- he got called for Conquest, too.

[fracturedsoul]

Ah-- no, I didn't. [ This place sure has it out for Striders and Harleys. ] That's good. It makes it easier to settle in if you've got someone you know around.

[witchofspace]

It's been a year since I've seen him, so it'll definitely be fun!

[She grins.]

I'm also really excited to try out school for the first time ever, but I gotta admit I'm even more excited to finally meet you guys!

[fracturedsoul]

[ He smiles back, slightly. She's not too different from the other Jade. ]

School ain't all it's cracked up to be. It's a pretty big disappointment, to be honest.

Meeting our predecessors is pretty exciting for us, too. I'll send Jake and Jane your way when I get a chance.

[witchofspace]

Really? It always sounded so fun when my friends described it.

[But that nugget of knowledge doesn't damper her good spirits!]

I hope we can all get along well.

[fracturedsoul]

[ He laughs; well, maybe she'll enjoy it. ]

I doubt we'll have a problem.

It's been nice talking to you, but I've got something [ a corpse ] to pick up. See you around, Harley.

[witchofspace]

Bye! Nice meeting you, Mr. Strider!

[She waves.]