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

[bitofafiction]

"Apparently so."

[themerryway]

"Ah, Sherlock... good morning," she greets. "Um, this may be a bit forward, but do you have a player yet?"

[bitofafiction]

"Not yet, no. And yes, I would be amenable."

[themerryway]

"That's wonderful, then!" She goes to take his hand, and smiles warmly. "Will you let me protect you, as your Player for this round?"

[bitofafiction]

"Certainly, miss."

That's that taken care of.

"Would you mind writing me a note of general permission?" He smiles wryly. "I am afraid that without one I might lose my violin."

[themerryway]

"Of course! I would love to. Do you have a paper and pen on you?"

[bitofafiction]

"I do, at that."

He extracts those items from the pocket of his stubbornly non-uniform leather jacket.

[themerryway]

"Um, what should I write? I'm not sure..." She takes the items from him and writes in her flowing handwriting, I, Euphemia li Britannia, a player of this current round, give my Weapon Sherlock permissions for all school facilities and privileges. She hands it to him. "Is this okay?"

[bitofafiction]

"Yes, I believe that covers it. Thank you." Sherlock takes back the note and his pen and returns them to his pocket.

[veepofchess]

But Lelouch had a plan formed the moment Euphemia's name appeared on the screen. The difficulty had been in getting across the crowd to her. "Euphemia!" he called as he squeezed between two other people. He nodded to acknowledge Sherlock, but turned directly to his sister. "I have a means for you and some of the others to make it through this round without having to fight anyone at all or suffer any negative consequences. It's directly stated in the rules that this is allowable, so there shouldn't be any difficulty."

[themerryway]

She smiles wide at her brother, coming to see him. "I just need a bunch of Weapons, right? Or do you have something more complex up your sleeve, Lelouch?" Teasing.

[bitofafiction]

This, Sherlock will stay to hear.

He offers Lelouch a cordial nod (and wonders why his hands have started to hurt again).

[veepofchess]

He smiles a bit. "Yes, that is exactly it. Five weapons is what you need to be declared a winner for this round. Mr. Holmes," he starts, nodding slightly at him, "is your first, then myself, Suzaku, Nunnally, and Kallen can be the rest of your group."