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

[sobsprite]

[But she's not going to risk any more of Jade being mad at her] See you later?

[witchofspace]

[She definitely recognizes that 'do not want' face, and her hand quickly retracts, staying quiet.]

[greenspaces]

Sorry. [ She nods. ] I'll see you later. Don't cry, okay?

[ Managing to take an arm off of her crutches to wipe at Jadesprite's face a bit, it's the circle of tear wiping. She looks at Harley, smiles half-heartedly, and shakes her head. ]

I'm sorry. I don't...want to talk about it.

[ CRUTCHING AWAY ]

[sobsprite]

[She lets out another of those sad whines as Jade leaves. She watches her go and turns to Harley.]

I should've been able to keep her from getting hurt...

[witchofspace]

[Frown.]

I don't know exactly why she's sad, but I'm sure you did the best you could, Jadesprite.

[sobsprite]

I don't either... but I know she's felt bad about something for a while. [Comes over and rests her chin on Jade's shoulder. Someone wants a hug.]

[witchofspace]

[True to her word about giving Jadesprite another chance, she pulls her into her arms, patting her back gently.]

We should give her time to herself to feel better, then! Sometimes that's whats best.

[sobsprite]

Okay. If you think so.

Just to let you know... I don't remember much.

Woof.

[witchofspace]

It's okay. Someone told me our memories were the price for being here, so I'm having trouble remembering things too!

[She couldn't even remember how she ended up prototyping Jadesprite... thinking about it hard gave her a start of a migraine.]

[sobsprite]

[Sniff, pulls away.] What school did you end up in?

[witchofspace]

Uhm, the one that started with C.... Conquest! Dave is in Conquest too.

[sobsprite]

Me too! That's great! Maybe I can help show you around.

[witchofspace]

I'd really like that! Does that mean we're gonna go to school together, too?

[sobsprite]

Yeah! This is gonna be cool! [wipes her face off and it's clear her mood is improving.]

[witchofspace]

[Wow, Jadesprite seems much more confident than she was back in the session.]

How have you been doing with the whole fighting system?

[sobsprite]

Um. Not too good. I was picked to be a player as soon as I arrived and there was a tournament and I just refused. Players have to fight every three days or whatever and I just hid and people ended up taking a lot of penalties for it. I had no idea!

[witchofspace]

Well, we can try and work together next time, ok? I read about the penalties in the rulebook, and it would be really bad to make more people suffer if we didn't participate.

[sobsprite]

Yeah, it was really stupid. My friends got me back on track though. Going to school is kind of weird. It's not something I've ever done before.

[witchofspace]

Me either. Dave says he'll help, though.

[sobsprite]

It's kind of fun sometimes! But the work is really hard.

[witchofspace]

Oh no, what kind of work?

[sobsprite]

Well there's Astronomy classes and Government, and a bunch of different fighting classes. I'm not really any good at any of them.

[witchofspace]

Those sound fun! I'm sure if you applied yourself you could be great. Are there any science classes?