utopiamods: (The right way to fight Exaclan)
Rakuen Moderators ([personal profile] utopiamods) wrote in [community profile] rakuen2011-02-20 01:24 am

Round 2 [all characters and round announcement]

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 anyone onboard is ushered off and directed to the front lobby of the school. You 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.

Anyway, the many screens are far more interesting. Once a good number of students are gathered inside the building, they all activate at once to show a cheerful, almost cavity-inducing woman in the school uniform. She smiles, waves, and launches into her speech without further ado.

"Good afternoon to our new students here at Utopia Academy! Thank you for choosing to enroll with us for this, our first semester of the new year. Our battle system is the best in the world, set up for you, our students! I hope that you all had a fun journey here, and that you've all made some new friends! You're going to need them soon, so keep them close, okay?

"Unfortunately, some of you have had to leave unexpectedly... This is a little upsetting, because they didn't finish paying their fees. So they've left a few things behind. Their friends should collect those to remember them by! After all, they might not come back, or they might be back next round! You never know.

"Now, I'm going to explain the rules for you. Make sure to listen carefully, and remember, you can find all of this and more in the Exaclan manual!"

She outlines the battle system for the newbies as she has every round previous, then claps her hands. The screen goes blank for a second, and then shows a blue screen with FIRST ANNUAL EXACLAN TOURNAMENT in scrolling white text. The girl appears again in a smaller window in one corner of the screen, and resumes talking.

"This is a special round! Exciting, isn't it? Of course, you can keep fighting as you normally do, too, but we'll also be running a tournament! Every Player has to take part, even if you don't make it through the preliminaries, but you should try hard! There's a big prize for those of you who make it to the last rounds. Now, there are twelve of you this time, and you'll all be fighting in the preliminaries."

The screen changes, to show first the list of Players, then a tree-style tournament diagram. The matches for Day 1 are as follows:

Rafiel vs. Hikaru Sulu
Lloyd Asplund vs. Montblanc
Mai Tokiha vs. Yuka Osada


The matches for Day 2 are:

Shoryu vs. Kallen Stadtfeld
Road Kamelot vs. Grenn Atair
Molly Hayes vs. Miwako Ihara


"After you all fight, we'll have six Players left. That means the third day will have three fights again! Ah, the last three days are for finalists only, but we'll talk about that later! If you have any more questions, ask at the desk, okay? Bye for now, and work hard! The fights start tomorrow~"
queenscheckmate: we are young (i'll take you on; headstrong)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're not a weapon Gino. You're carrying a weapon I can use."
trollofthree: (pic#702144)

[personal profile] trollofthree 2011-02-20 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Same thing, really." His smile shifted, as he considered her set expression for a moment. "Alright, vow with me and you'll own Tristan. Better?"
queenscheckmate: we are young (go ahead speak; for i am listening)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, that's better. But--" Did she really have to get down one knee for this? Kallen had never watched anyone make a vow. She knows the lines had to be said, but she should do them standing right. "You're not saying I have to do it to mock me, right?"
trollofthree: (pic#711804)

[personal profile] trollofthree 2011-02-20 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not at all!"

Was he serious? It was hard to tell. He looked more expectant than anything, and after a moment he gestured again that she should kneel. "It's how I did it, remember?"
queenscheckmate: we are young (this is the plan; speaking carefully)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
She turned her head off to the side for a moment. A sigh escaped her lips and she reluctantly knelt down one knee. She was 'Black Knight' sure, but that was a 'chess name'. She rose one of her hands in his direction. "Give me your hand," she said, tsundere mode turned on.
trollofthree: (pic#704580)

[personal profile] trollofthree 2011-02-20 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
He offered one, suddenly entirely obliging. It was easier to hide his grin when she wasn't standing up, anyway.
queenscheckmate: we are young (test tube angel; with gino)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
She took his hand her hers. "I, Kallen Kozuki, promise to serve and protect you, Gino Weinberg." The vow was overly formal (not she wasn't practicing this), but the words came out so naturally, it was scary.
goodtobetheking: (hmph; could be trouble in the west)

challenge accepted.

[personal profile] goodtobetheking 2011-02-20 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"After this long, who would take me back?" His mouth quirked as he met Enki's upside-down glare, his own expression entirely unashamed. The screen nearest to them flickered, and he turned to look at it, tongue clicking behind his teeth. "Hm, something's starting."

[AND THEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT HAPPENED AND HIS PLAYER IS LAZY. SEE POST.]

He had listened to the lady's talk with brow slightly furrowed and more concentration than one would expect, until the last section. When the tournament was announced, his face smoothed back into a slow, pleased smile.
trollofthree: (pic#711802)

[personal profile] trollofthree 2011-02-20 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're good at this," he couldn't resist saying, grin open now. It wasn't entirely mocking, a good deal of it was pure friendliness. "I accept your vow, Kallen Kozuki."
queenscheckmate: we are young (you bastard; fuck you man)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good." She stood up and when she saw the grin on his face, she instantly dropped his hand. Her earnest demeanor was turning hostile and pissed off. She didn't have to do that.
choseanidiot: (disguise - say what)

*sabotages the staging grounds FOREVER*

[personal profile] choseanidiot 2011-02-20 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
He was a bit annoyed at having a perfectly nice comeback (something about old mildewy men unfortunately not being accepted as returns, yes) interuppted by the video. Then he stared, because....

"That's not---"

Oh.

No.

No. Way.

There went any hope of just attempting to hide somewhere. Not that Shōryū would use his weapon, he knew (unless there was no choice, and then his master would lose... He didn't want to see that), but he'd hoped that he could drag out the inevitable about this whole battling thing. But now it was only a matter of time before Shōryū not only got the info out of the system, but also made Enki transfer the tokens.

Of course, Shōryū's laziness might, might work in his favour, but he may also be in one of his rare 'secret action' modes and Enki's just be steamrolled.

"Fuukan. Stop smiling. This ain't funny," Enki hissed, feeling the need to say something, even though this would drag Shōryū's attention back to him.
tenwholeryou: (no it's mine you cannot has)

[personal profile] tenwholeryou 2011-02-20 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Kallen!" No time for worrying, she had two children bearing down on her. "Do you still need weapons?" He tried to sound uncaring, but he was a little too breathless for the act to stick.
monkeystail: (Default)

[personal profile] monkeystail 2011-02-20 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Present and available!" then Huashi paused and frowned. "As long as you only use Kotarou's with mine." She wasn't gonna risk being separated, mostly because while Kotarou had enough attitude to annoy any Player not nice to him, he didn't have the strength to back that up.

Huashi did, however, and therefore it'd be better for them to stick together. Not that she wouldn't hit any Player who had him even with the warning penalty crap, but it'd be easier to beat someone up if she didn't have to worry about that.
queenscheckmate: we are young (huh?; that's not what I mean)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Hearing her name snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked down and saw Kotarou and Huashi. It has been too long... way too long. She got down on her knees and hugged the young boy. He was okay. Of course he was. Him being in a coma... she still remembered that and then everyone... everyone had to had died that day. If that was the case, she went down before him.

"It's really good to see you," she said quietly.

A second later, she pulled away and looked over at Huashi and then back at Kotarou. Well her and the hybrid weren't on the greatest terms, but that was in the past and there was no point in lingering on it.

"I do, but..." She remembered that aired fight. "Are you sure...?" Not that Kallen would throw around his weapon like that.
tenwholeryou: (yeah well you're stupid)

[personal profile] tenwholeryou 2011-02-20 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uh, you too," Kotarou hugged back after a moment's surprised blinking, and folded his arms once he was free again. "Of course! I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it."
queenscheckmate: we are young (a smile to shock the masses; a winner)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Well all right then. She smiled and took his hand. "I promise to protect you Kotarou. You have word, all right? You too Huashi."
Edited 2011-02-20 17:29 (UTC)
goodtobetheking: (hmm; totally listening carry on)

gasp the ministers will have a fit. You awful child.

[personal profile] goodtobetheking 2011-02-20 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course not, Taiho," he made a faint effort to quell the smile which lasted all of three seconds, then crossed the remaining distance between the two of them and the desk.

"Room, please," he smiled at the assistant, one of his charming expressions. It apparently worked, she returned the smile. "And one of the manuals you mentioned."

"Shōryū? Black dormitories, room 1-B."

One manual, map and set of keys later, and they were walking away again without giving Enki a chance to snap at the receptionists.
choseanidiot: (ignoring you - all you deserve)

a bit more paperwork won't kill them. Besides, they'll blame *you*.

[personal profile] choseanidiot 2011-02-20 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Currently, Enki felt slightly trapped. He could, of course, jump down from the shoulder he was perching on, but he was uncertain how long he could have Shōryū out of his line of sight before the memory-loss kicked in. So he sat still, frowning.

This time, Shōryū gaining five Weapons wouldn't take him out of the fight, necessarily. Not with the tournament, and Shōryū would hardly lose on purpose. Having been robbed of the opportunity to say something sharp to the receptionists, Enki just turned his head and gave them another glare before turning back again.

"What do we do now?"

There would, of course, be a vow at some point. The idea that it wouldn happen was absurd. But since Shōryū seemed to have deemed it better to go find his room first, Enki was uncertain what the man had planned after that, considering the vow could just as well have been made in the lobby.
monkeystail: (Default)

[personal profile] monkeystail 2011-02-20 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Great!" Huashi didn't feel as enthused as she might be putting on; she preferred to fight for herself, instead of having others do that (only daddy got to protect her), but with Kotarou... If she needed to be owned to keep an eye on Kotarou so he could do what he wanted to, then she'd do that.
queenscheckmate: we are young (this is the plan; speaking carefully)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Huashi," Kallen started, "I know you and I didn't get off to a good start before, but there's no reason to act fake around me. You prefer not to be bound to me like this, then you don't have to accept it. I have a thing for honesty." She just wanted everyone to be on the same thing and not doing anything against their will. Not to mention, after Lelouch's mount of lies and manipulation, all she wanted from here on out are honest intentions.
Edited 2011-02-20 18:24 (UTC)
monkeystail: (whoa)

[personal profile] monkeystail 2011-02-20 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Huashi blinked; she hadn't expected Kallen to actually pick up on that. Not that it really mattered... it wasn't as if this part was anything against Kallen herself.

"What, nooo. I just... prefer fighting for myself, you know? Besides knowing no one, I didn't want people fighting and I didn't get to, too, so that's why I didn't go make myself owned before! Only daddy gets to be all protective and stuff!" Huashi said with a nod and then grinned.

If she didn't let her father protect her when he could, he'd surely explode into a million teeny tiny copies of himself in pent-up confused rage. And while that may be funny, it wasn't very useful.
queenscheckmate: we are young (subtle smile; impress me)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Kallen nodded and smiled. She understood what the girl was saying. After her brother protected her. "I understand." She stood up and directed her attention to the two below her. "We have some time before I'm forced to fight, so it's probably best that I'm familiar with your weapons."
tenwholeryou: (gullible's written on the ceiling?)

[personal profile] tenwholeryou 2011-02-20 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"I accept," Kotarou interrupted, his gaze fixed on his hand. When the familiar mark appeared, he slumped in relief and looked back at them. "You have to fight with both of us!"
monkeystail: (Default)

[personal profile] monkeystail 2011-02-20 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Huashi nodded, and paused to let Kotarou finish, giving another hearty nod at his demand, and then shrugged.

"Mine's a staff," then she had to supress a giggle. "It's called Eight-Ton Staff, but only daddy's actually weigh that much!" Huashi paused to look up at Kallen. "Don't worry about the length when it comes out, it'll adjust to whatever length you want!"

It was a pity, in her opinion, that the staff didn't have the ability, like daddy's, to change length at will; hers changed itself once to suit the wielder, and that was it. If it had been able to change length during battle, it'd have been even better!
queenscheckmate: we are young (calm facade; yes what do you need)

[personal profile] queenscheckmate 2011-02-20 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"All right then. And I'm familiar with Kotarou's from the battle I saw. I won't let it leave my hand." Being a Player during a round was definitely going to be interesting. "Both of you have been Players right? Is there anything I should know outside of the manual?"

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