On the platform: New characters and old ones that want to come and meet them!

[utopiamods]

As you all crowd onto the platform with your new and still 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 - skirts, waistcoats, and light summer shirts that seem totally inappropriate for the thin layer of snow and ice coating the station platform. Both have a beret with a crest - one shows a sword, the other a shield.

At the first lull in the chatter, the shorter girl speaks up, her soft voice somehow cutting over you.

"Excuse me,"

She explains, in precise, quiet sentences, that they're prefects, representing the two schools in Rakuen. Nanami of Fortitude, she says, placing a hand on her own collarbone, and Santana of Conquest, here pointing to the taller girl she's leaning against. The girl nods, looking fairly bored.

"We will be sorting you now. When we say your name, please move quickly and quietly to whoever called you."

"Yeah," Santana interrupts, "Then we can go back to the dorms. It's not getting any warmer however many times they make us do this."

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

[greenspaces]

[ She doesn't wake up through the bandaging or washing; Jade's a pretty sound sleeper. But as soon as he's finished, her eyes flutter open, looking a little clearer after their nap. ]

What did I miss....

[knightime]

[He's just shoved the first aid kit into his bedside table and just points at her hands to indicate that he didn't really do all that much while she was asleep.

He still needs to make sure you're in some decent (read: warmer/comfier) clothes before they head back out. Not that...these uniforms are all that warm in all honesty.]

[greenspaces]

[ She looks at them carefully. They're no longer bleeding, though she's not quite sure if she's glad that Dave saw her deep cuts and gashes on her hands. ]

I did that myself.

[ To not tell him would be breaking some kind of friendship code. But to tell him feels shameful. ]

[knightime]

[He takes a seat next to her. He's quiet before there's the sound of clicking from his PDA.]

you dont have to do that to yourself anymore
not here


[He meant it. Sure there was fighting. But there wouldn't be any crazy session bullshit. No constantly dying for stupid reasons. It wasn't all that bad here other then his constant suspicion as to what this place wanted.]

[greenspaces]

[ She nods. ]

I thought it would make me feel better...but it doesn't. It just hurts. And then it bleeds...

[knightime]

dont worry
itll heal
just give it time
we should get you into new clothes though
and then hit the town up
i think youll like it
its nice
i guess

[Maybe it'll make her smile. He'd like that. To see her cheer up.]

[greenspaces]

I've never been in a town before. Do they have food?

[ She sits up, and oh hey, there's even a little smile at the prospect of clothes and town. ]

Shoes sound nice, too.

[knightime]

course they do
theres a cafeteria here too
so youll be able to eat there whenever

[Oh. She's smiling a little. That's a start.]

you know your dorm???
well head there
then head to town together

[greenspaces]

Yeah, I'm 1-B. In the Black dorms...is that where we are right now?

[knightime]

2-a
my dorm
i didnt wanna wake you up or something
we can go to yours now though

[Hopefully she isn't like suddenly weirded out that he took her to his dorm. It's not like he's alone anymore now.]

[greenspaces]

Will I get my own bed?

[ nope she's not weirded out at all. ]

[knightime]

[Just...this face.

He's not sure if she's pulling his leg or something. Is this a joke? It's got to be a joke right?]

[greenspaces]

[ She looks at him, a little worriedly. Did she ask a wrong question? ]

Do I have to...sleep outside? I don't mind, I...I've been doing that for months. [ Looking down at her (now properly bandaged) feet. ] As long as it's not sand, I don't mind.

[knightime]

no
uh
im surprised that was a question
you get a bed
and shit to put your shit in
and you get locks and shit for that
there was way too many shits in those sentences
but you get the picture
youre living the life of a dorm student pretty much

[Jegus christ, you're breaking his heart. Please don't try sleeping outside. He will tie you to the closest bed until you're well rested.]

[greenspaces]

I don't have any shit to put in a drawer.

[ She smiles anyway, and goes out the door and down the stairs, looking for her own dorm room. ]

And I don't want to sleep any more. Also I don't want to try eating sand.

[knightime]

[Honestly, he didn't really have anything either.

He just follows after her when she heads for her dorm, hurrying to keep up with her.

Dave will probably tell her that there's a cafeteria and eating sand isn't very necessary here...]

[greenspaces]

[ She found her uniform by the time he gets there, and has already changed into the top. It somehow fits perfectly, even though she's malnourished and slightly gangly. ]

Should I wear the skirt or the shorts...

[knightime]

[He shrugs a bit. Honestly, he would say pants because it's cold out there. It looks like they don't get shorts though. Or something. That sucks man.]

[greenspaces]

[ In the most sensible choice since ever, Jade chooses the skirt, of course. JUST LIKE IN THE COMIC IT SEEMS RIDICULOUSLY SHORT??

When she returns from the bathroom in her full uniform, she puts her hands on her hips. ]

What do you think?

[ Her hair's still matted and she's dirty with months of oil and sand, and her hands and feet are bandaged. But with the uniform on, she no longer looks quite so horrible. ]

Did you know there's a shower in there?

[knightime]

[He idly wonders if these uniforms were just really tasteless jokes. Or a guy designed them. He can see both being rather plausible.]

look like a million bucks, Harley.

[He gives her a thumbs up while he's at it.]

yeah
you should use them when you have time
hot showers are the shit in this weather

[greenspaces]

I haven't had a hot shower in four months.

[ She looks positively thrilled, but also a little hesitant. ] Can I really use it? I mean, they're not going to take it away?

[knightime]

[He shakes his head.]

they wont take them away
you get to use them whenever you want
i mean
if someone isnt using it too i guess
but theyre for your use

[greenspaces]

Can I use it...every day?

[ THIS IS A DREAM. Oh right she's dead. THIS IS HEAVEN. ]

[knightime]

[He gives her a curt nod.

These questions are so silly to him, but considering what Jade has been through, it's understandable. He's hoping that everything will stop being a surprise to her though.]

[greenspaces]

[ She takes a few steps away from the bathroom, and then spins in a circle, giggling. ]

I want food now, let's go!