Round 3, Day 1 [all characters and round announcement]

[utopiamods]

The storm doesn't let up through the rest day, but by the next day the power is back, the staff are looking moderately less nervous, and the weather is light enough that the usual announcement rings over the speakers in the morning.

"The announcements will start at noon. Will all students please report to the lobby for that time."

Umbrellas are now scattered around the campus at useful points, including the dormitory common rooms and the entrance to the school buildings. Helpful, because the rain is as heavy as ever today. When you arrive in the lobby, the screens are all lit and the receptionists are back at their desk and smiling at old students and new arrivals both.

At twelve o'clock exactly, a woman appears on every screen, smiling so cheerfully that several of the audience probably have an allergic reaction.

"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?

"Good afternoon to our current students, as well! You all worked hard last week, and we're really very proud of you.

"Now, normally I would explain the rules, but you've all had a day to read the manual, and I'm sure you've met some of our helpful students since you arrived. Let's skip that! Besides, this week is special. That's because... Well! It would be difficult to fight in this weather, right? We're going to give you a break from battles. Isn't that nice? You can still fight each other if you want, but this week it's ~totally optional~.

"This week is a scavenger hunt! We're gonna give you a clue in a moment. The clue will lead you to a treasure, which you should bring back to our sages," the receptionists wave from their desk, looking a little sheepish, "And they'll give you the next clue! If you collect six treasures, you'll win the round and get a great prize, so work hard!

"Ah, one more thing... Players! You can have as many Weapons as you want this week. Winning battles or collecting Weapons won't count as a victory again until the next round, so have fun!"

She disappears from the screens, but her voice doesn't. "The first clue is... I must be broken before I can be used. What am I?"

The Player list scrolls onto half of the screens; the other half show the clue in flowing red text.

Players for Round 3:
Enki
Fletcher Tringham
Kevin Smith
Koharu Izaki
Kotarou
Locke Cole
Marino You
Mei Chang
Mizuno You
Nunnally vi Britannia
Romeo
Sugata Shindo

Comments

[kings_thief]

Being a player might have been a concern for Locke, if he had bothered listening to anything that didn't involve the treasure hunt.

"Perfect."

He might not have been one for fighting, but hunting for treasure was his forte.

[lookouthalifax]

"Kupo, you look confident!" Hello, Locke! There was a moogle peering up at him with interest and a curious glint in his eyes. Something about the human was tweaking his instincts as a Clan Leader. Between that and his enthusiasm for the task, Montblanc felt that this stranger was a person worth getting to know.

[kings_thief]

Locke looked down in surprise. "A Moogle? Well, hi."

He hadn't been expecting a Moogle here, but, of course, he was still new to this place, so who knew what sort of beings were around here.

"Yeah, I am, arn't I? Treasure hunting's my thing, so I'm not worried about this challenge."

[lookouthalifax]

Montblanc's wings fluttered behind him in excited surprise. "Kupokupo! You know what moogles are!? Are you from Ivalice, kupo?" he gushed, somehow dropping even more delighted kupos into his speech than normal. "Kupo! I'm Montblanc, head of Clan Nutsy!" The moogle offered a small hand to shake.

[kings_thief]

Locke reached down and shook the small hand.

"Not Ivalice, but there are Moogles where I come from."
He smiled at the small creature.
"It's nice to meet you, Montblanc, I'm Locke Cole."

[lookouthalifax]

Montblanc recognized the name from the list of players, but he was too excited to give it much thought. Even if Locke was from a different country, he was probably from Montblanc's world! After all, no one else had any idea what a Moogle was. "So, kupo, a treasure hunter? Are you a member of a Clan, or do you work alone?"

[kings_thief]

"Hmm... usually alone, but I have a 'clan' of friends, if that counts at all?"

He liked this Moogle, Montblanc reminded him of someone...if only he could remember who, it'd come to him later.

[lookouthalifax]

"Sure, kupo!" He bobbed his head. "You're awfully brave, though, to go into the wild without the Judges' protection. Kupo! Or do you not have them in your country?"

[kings_thief]

"'Judges'? 'Fraid not, never heard of those before. And, really, the only things in the wilds are some monsters and a few rouges, but nothing that can't be handled!

[lookouthalifax]

No Judges? It looked like the world outside his homeland was a dangerous place. Without the law, anyone could die in combat. Montblanc's respect for Locke swelled. "Kupo, I knew you didn't look like the type who'd stick to digging up treasure. You're a fighter, too, aren't you?"

[kings_thief]

Locke blushed, praise wasn't really his thing, usually he was just being told off or accused of being a thief. Montblanc was growing on him and not just because of the compliments, he was a really nice guy..well..Moogle.

"Ah, well, yeah, I guess so. I mean, I will if I have to, but I'm more of a speed person than a physical fighter, thanks for saying so, though!"

[lookouthalifax]

"I'm the same, kupo. I trained as a Thief before becoming a Juggler, so I don't hit hard, but you can count on me to always strike my target!" He was entirely shameless about being a Thief. It was in an officially recognised capacity, after all; all's fair in battle. It was entirely different from robbing people who you weren't fighting.

[kings_thief]

"I believe it, you look like you've got some speed on you as well."

Locke certainly wasn't about to dismiss Montblanc just because he was a Moogle, after all it had been Moogles who'd helped him in the caves, they were strong creatures.

bleh, sorry for disappearing like that! it's ok if you're not interested in continuing :B

[lookouthalifax]

"So, kupo, I saw that you're a player this round! Are you in the market for a weapon? There might not be any fights, but it would be nice to be able to use the library if I want to, kupo."

He offered a little half-smile. "I'm a dagger, kupo, if it makes a difference."

It's fine, I've done the smae before. ^-^ (And, apparently, can't spell)

[kings_thief]

"I guess I am, aren't I?"
Locke looked embarrassed for a moment, but smiled.

"I'm new to this whole thing, but, sure, I'll take you onto my team, hopefully there won't be a need to fight, besides, I don't want to keep you from those books!"