Meet and Greet [intro #1]

[utopiamods]

As you all crowd onto the platform with your bizarre mix of faces, expressions, clothing and wild theories, you are met by two girls. Both are in uniforms that would match if not for the colour differences - skirt, waistcoat, and a light summer shirt that seems totally inappropriate for the thin layer of snow coating the station platform. Both have a beret with a crest - one's shows a sword, the other's a shield.

At the first lull in the chatter, the taller girl, her uniform red and white, speaks out over the crowd.

"Hey, losers!"

She explains, in short, irritated sentences, that they're prefects, representing the two schools in Rakuen. Santana, Conquest, she says, gesturing to herself with a smile that would be smug if she didn't look so annoyed to be out here. Nanami here is Fortitude, she adds, pointing to the pale girl half-leaning on her other arm. The girl nods.

"We're here to get you sorted and back to campus. If you wanna ask stupid questions, do it on the way. It's freezing out here."

The girl introduced as Nanami interrupts. "When we say your name, please move quickly and quietly to us."

"Yeah, then we can go back to the dorms."

They separate, moving to stand several metres apart, and both pull a list from their waistcoat pocket. Alternating, they start to read out your names.

Comments

[stoppedhiding]

I apologize. I should have considered that possibility.

...What would happen if I did?

[straightupzorra]

You'll walk on the tracks, then hear the train whistle and the next thing you know you're waking up at the train station.

[stoppedhiding]

Ah. [ Implying enough people have tried enough times to figure out that it was a set pattern. ] I will keep that in mind.

[straightupzorra]

But hey, maybe it's different now that a new batch has showed up. I wonder who the first to die will be.

[stoppedhiding]

[ That would be a strong possibility with a system like the one she'd explained to that Lithuania boy, wouldn't it? But the way she says it so carelessly... ]

How many died last time?

[straightupzorra]

Couldn't tell you, you don't actually stay dead.

[stoppedhiding]

...ah.

One more thing. If you were part of a previous... cycle of warriors, what happened to cause things to reset?

[effortless]

'Reset'? Could you clarify, please? [ yeah, Nanami's just going to wander over in her spare moments, since Santana looks a tad frustrated. ]

[straightupzorra]

[And she does look frustrated, especially since her still being here is a bit of a sore subject.]

[So she lets Nanami take care of it]

[stoppedhiding]

Why is a new "batch" being brought in?

[effortless]

Unknown. The system is cyclical in nature. If you are asking what caused this particular event, it is likely that our victory brought it about.

[stoppedhiding]

And how did you obtain that victory?

[effortless]

Oh, my apologies. Telling you that kind of thing would be against the rules.

[stoppedhiding]

...I see.

Is there anything else you can tell us?

[effortless]

Santana, if you would?

[straightupzorra]

Ask the right questions and you'll get answers.

[stoppedhiding]

[ Wonderful. Guessing games. ]

In that case, I suppose the rest of my questions can wait until we arrive at the campus.

[straightupzorra]

Whatever, do what you want.