Round 1 [new characters and round announcement]

[utopiamods]

You're falling, and you can't remember why. It's a sickening feeling that makes your insides lurch; the darkness and the vertigo combine, and all you can think of is a story you heard once, somewhere.

- I remember now. It's a simple story that everyone knows. A legend of a Princess, the Demon Lord who kidnapped her, and the Knight who fought to save her.

The Demon Lord had kidnapped the Princess countless times, but every time the Knight bested his challenges and rescued the Princess.

No matter what tricks and ploys the Demon Lord used, the Knight would always triumph in the end. This was because--

The world tilts on its axis one last time, and the dream slips from your mind as easily as it arrived. A new voice intrudes on your sleep.

"Next stop: Academy Main Entrance. This tramline terminates here; all change. Next stop: Academy Main Entrance. All change."

Sunlight streams through the windows of the long carriage, making the seats almost uncomfortably warm beneath its waking passengers. The air is muggy and thick, the atmosphere deeply tired. Your nausea settles, slowly. The last of the dream fades.

"We have arrived at Utopia. Repeat, we have arrived at Utopia Academy. Could all passengers please leave the tram, as it is terminating here."

The tram pulls to a stop outside the academy station, and the students onboard are ushered off and directed to the front lobby of the school. They can't miss it; there are signs up pointing toward the main entrance, reading "New student orientation" in big, bright letters. If anyone should care to move off the path, try exploring somewhere else, a teacher will conveniently appear to shoo them back toward the lobby, assuring them that "all your questions will be answered inside".

The lobby is big and spacious, looking more like a university or perhaps a fancy international hotel than a high school. Stood around are any number of students in the uniform of the school. Some of them even look awake. There are several receptionists at the desk towards the back of the lobby, but for now they seem busy with paperwork.


[ Note: the round announcement will go up in a thread once you've all mingled. ♥ ]

Comments

[queenscheckmate]

"I don't remember seeing you." Because it wasn't her. "I was... kind of preoccupied."

[bitofafiction]

"Well then. Perhaps, as I said, I've seen you around in a context that did not involve folie à plusieurs."

[queenscheckmate]

"What are you getting at?"

[bitofafiction]

"Something bizarre and unpleasant is going on. More bizarre and unpleasant than the entire premise of this institution, I mean to say. I feel as though I tried to shoot you once," he realizes it is true only as he says it, "but I cannot imagine why and it's reasonably likely I hallucinated the entire episode."

[queenscheckmate]

"It wasn't me," she said quietly. Now it was all coming together. "It wasn't me... you were shooting at."

[bitofafiction]

"Then who, or what, was it?"

[queenscheckmate]

"A doppelganger. That's the only way I can explain it." Her hands fidgeted behind her slightly.

[bitofafiction]

"Well," he says philosophically, "it is not as though that is a new concept."

[queenscheckmate]

"The details are fuzzy, but I can remember. That thing... I remember who it killed. I--"

Drip.

Drip.

Don't mind that noise you can't hear. But it's definitely distracting her.

"But it wasn't me. I didn't kill Euphemia."

[bitofafiction]

He shuts his eyes tightly.

"I think," he says in a very soft voice, "I am glad I do not remember that part."

[queenscheckmate]

Kallen shrugged. "I can't remember what it said, but I remembered everyone it murdered."

[bitofafiction]

"I do not clearly recall anyone's death but my own."

[queenscheckmate]

"It's probably karma that I d--"

[bitofafiction]

Sherlock opens his eyes to give her an inquiring look.

[queenscheckmate]

That noise. Why won't it stop? Kallen refused to look behind her because well, she feels there's a good chance there's a blood she can't block behind her. She looked down.

[bitofafiction]

"I suppose asking if something is troubling you would simply be redundant."

[queenscheckmate]

"Ah-- what. No, I'm fine."

[bitofafiction]

"If you prefer."

[queenscheckmate]

"I should... go." That sounded like a good idea. "Was there anything else you needed?"

[bitofafiction]

He hesitates, then shakes his head.

"No. Thank you."

[queenscheckmate]

She nodded. She turned around and stepped over something. You can't see what she does, but her hands are in front of her now. Hiding her hands from people? Psh, you must be crazy. But she walked back in the direction of the dorms.