rakuen | Round 2

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Round 2

It could be a repeat of last week, Dolorosa stand on the podium looking out over the students of Fortitude, "Welcome students, I hope you have had a good week. I enjoyed watching you battle, even if we have lost the first round. Don't look down, there are many rounds to come."

If you were here last round you may notice that Nanami, Fortitude's prefect, is missing, "Before I go on and announce the winners of last round and the new Players for this round, I would like to inform you that breaking the rules is not allowed and will not be tolerated. Nanami has been punished for behavior unbecoming of a prefect, if I will punish her I will punish you as well.

"It is worth knowing that the rules are on page nine of the player handbook which you all have been given. Any one who cannot read may request a copy be sent to their PDA, an advanced PDA will read the rules to you. Please do not break the rules and give me an excuse to punish you" The peaceful smile on her face may be a bit disconcerting.

"Since we have covered that, we can now move on. While we did not win the round I would still like to congratulate you on a wonderful round. Conquest not only won more battles than us but one of their players hit the win condition. If you turn your attention to the screen behind me it will show the battles found by Fortitude."

On the screen behind her the Battle records for Fortitude and the Inter-school battles that they had fought were shown. She read the Fortitude battle records first.

She smiles kindly at the crowd, "I'm proud of you, there were very few Fortitude only battles, only one in fact, Dave vs Kotaru, congratulations Dave for winning.

"Also in fighting Conquest you all fought valiantly and I am proud of all of you. Extra notice goes to Dave for beating Feferi, Spain for defeated Golbez, Vriska for defeating Feferi, and Lelouch for defeating Homura," she claps politely and expects the others to clap as well.

"While no one in Fortitude won this round I would like to extend our congratulations to Conquest for winning and particularly Lithuania for winning the round. We should be gracious losers and fight harder next round. There is nothing to be ashamed of."

The battle records disappear. "Next I welcome our new students who joined us yesterday, you have been placed into a very kind school, so please enjoy your stay. Now I have here the list of those chosen to be Players this round, for those who have just joined us this means these students and faculty are the only persons with rights this week. The rest of you have no rights, you may be granted rights by being owned by a Player." Her smile doesn't waver, "I'm sure all of you will grant your Weapon's rights.

"To own a weapon you must vow to them, you know the vow has worked when they receive a shield mark on their hand," she held her own hand up to show to new ones what it looked like. "Players may give their Weapons permission to access the school facilities, and to eat from the full cafeteria menu among other things. If you haven't got a Player then you are a Discard, make sure you know all the rules and do exactly what Nanami tells you to, as after today she will not be punished. There is no school today but I suggest you use the time to vow to Weapons if you are a Player or find a Player if you are a Weapon. School is Monday to Friday starting 8am, I look forward to seeing you in my classroom."

"Now for what you have all been waiting for, this week's players are:

England
Rapunzel
Marisa
Yuri
Dahlia
Oichi
Dave

I wish you all the best of luck, fight well and make me proud."

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[Dave holds the PDA and stares at the screen for a bit. He raises an eyebrow. John could still talk. Dave could still hear very well. Maybe a little too well sometimes that it kind of hurt sometimes.

Dave looks up at John, absentmindedly pocketing the PDA for a moment before holding his hands up to slowly sign 'ASL' at John. Honestly, if John could lip read, he wasn't sure whether he ever learned it, but it was worth a try. At worst, it would be like when he tried signing to Red and the other just looked at him funny.]

[ and that gets a HUGE relieved grin from John, who starts to sign... pretty quickly. Probably to make up for not being able to be understood since he got here ]

<<'Yes! Oh my god, I've been going nuts with making notes and trying to mime everything it's been so hard, did you know Vriska's here? She found me at the train station. I'm still so confused about what's going on which is probably because I can't hear all the announcements and I am so glad you're here and you can sign and'>>

[ He cuts himself off briefly with a sheepish grin ]

<<'So, hi.'>>

[Holy shit, Egbert. Do you have to literally spaz while you sign?]

<<'Woah. Slow down a little. I don't exactly sign to anyone other then Sis and no one else here knows it.

Yeah. Vriska is my Weapon too. Have you talked to Jade yet though? That might be super awkward since she can't remember what we look like'>>

[Dave's signing was probably a little sloppy and it wasn't as sharp as his words via text, but there's a small smile on Dave's face that wasn't there before he started signing.]

<<'I'll fill you in with everything. You got a Player yet? Or you just a walking Weapon right now?'>>

[ Yes. Yes he does.

He also slows himself down a little, since Dave's not quite up to the level of "this is my main form of communication" like John is. ]

<<'Yeah, I saw her, is that why she didn't know who I was until I wrote it down? Does everybody forget things? How do I know if I'm a Weapon or not? How long have you been here? Are you a Player? I mean, I know you're a player'>> [ John emphasizes by trying to make a sexy sort of 'hey baby' expression and only managing to look completely ridiculous and adorable doing it ] <<'But I mean are you a Player in... You know, I'm not even really sure what we're Players and Weapons for. Maybe I should've read the stuff in my bag...'>>

[It's really sad how attached Dave is to text. But it isn't even surprising since he literally doesn't sign to anyone but Sis. And he isn't exactly Mr. Make Friends at School.]

<<'Everyone loses some memories although its more obvious then others sometimes. I'>> [Dave pauses for a moment. Shit...What is John's name? He only knows Jade's name since he talked to her again. Jade...right her name is Jade. Yes. How long is he going to remember that?] <<'Uh dude whats your name again?'>> [He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.]

<<'Every round they announce who gets chosen as Players. Anyone who wasn't called are Weapons. And shut up, you look like an idiot doing that.'>> [That smile might have gotten a little wider.] <<'No shit, Sherlock. Read the shit they give you. It actually is worth the read if you want to get around in this shit of a place.'>>

[ John blinks a little when Dave asks for his name, but... well, if everyone forgets things, then they forget things. And if Dave's fucking with him, well, that's Dave ]

<<'John. It's cool, I can keep reminding you. I...'>>

[ He hesitates, but hey, if Dave can ask for his name when they've been friends for ages, then John can admit this ]

<<'I know we're friends with somebody named Rose, back home. But I don't remember anything about her. So, that's probably something I forgot, right?'>>

[ John shrugs and smiles a little - it doesn't matter, it's not their fault they can't remember things. ]

<<'Okay, so I guess I probably wasn't called as a Player? Can I pick who my Player is?'>>

[John! Okay, he's pretty sure someone has said his name to him before. Probably Vriska. Or Jade...or potentially both. Probably both.

And then Dave just stops. And...stares at John. Who's Rose? Is she one of their friends? Well...Jade is here. John is here. Is Rose the other one? Or is she a troll?] <<'Shit. Rose isn't ringing a bell. I might have forgotten all of your names when I arrived here.'>

[John should join Dave in cock stomping whoever thought this memory loss thing was a good idea.]

<<'The system is fucked up. Weapons are basically trash. They're objects and Players get to choose. We're lucky that most people here aren't Grade A douchebags though. Apparently my life is fucking amazing though. I'm stuck as a Player for another round. Because the first round wasn't apparently enough.>>

<<'Well, I'm not going to judge you for it since I have no idea who she is!'>>

[ John's pretty upbeat about it. Mostly because... well, it was a few hours in Sburb. Intense, violent, life-changing hours, but hours nonetheless.

In a day or two, he'll start freaking out about his dad, about home being blown up by meteors, but for now, he just shrugs off everything crazy with cheerful derptasticness ]

<<'That's a pretty shitty system. But you're a Player, that's cool, I'll bet you're pretty badass at it. I mean, you're pretty badass at everything. That's probably why you got another round!'>>

<<'Might have to ask...'>> [He trails off. Fuck what's her nam-oh yeah.] <<'Jade. She can tell you about Rose. I probably could too, if I knew who she was.'>> [He did. Just the name wasn't enough.

Dave will...probably just not say anything about the what else has happened in his session. That, and being farther.]

<<'I got my ass kicked twice by some fucking crazy chick who is scary strong then I got picked off by a sniper.

That shit hurts by the way.'>> [A short pause.] <<'So you're currently a Discard right now? No Player?'>>

<<'Yeah, I guess I must be, but... Fuck, are you okay?'>>

[ John is legitimately concerned now. Who cares if he's a discarded or whatever, Dave got shot by a sniper ]

<<'I mean, a sniper? Seriously? Who the fuck has a sniper at a school?'>>

<<'Just sore from last round. It happened on Friday I think.'>>

[Note to self. Do not tell John about his sad beatdowns. It just ends in his friend overworrying. He doesn't want that.]

<<'It's all virtual pretty much. You feel the pain, but you don't get those injuries really. You won't get killed in battle either, although apparently dying isn't permanent here anyways.

We're in a fighting game. Players pull weapons out of the Weapons and fight with those. We're talking swords, guns, the whole shebang. It's biznasty crazy what apparently can come out of people.

So really this is all a major fucking beatdown where people don't die but it hurts like a bitch.'>>

<<'Oh. I guess that makes more sense. Sort of.'>>

[ It makes more sense that it would be virtual than actual, but... not that they are doing this to begin with. ]

<<'What's the point of all this, anyway? Vriska said whoever's in charge doesn't like to actually answer questions.'>>

<<'They don't. It's really fucking stupid, but at the same time.

Well a break from crazy Session shit is nice I guess.'>> [He feels like he's forgetting something important though. Like...where was he before he arrived here?]

<<'Although we seem to still have stupid time shit shenanigans happening here with everyone coming from every which way on the time fucking line.'>>

<<'Yeah, and Vriska said I wasn't even from her timeline! But time shit happens, right? I'm just rolling with it.'>>

[ He still takes issue with the whole "Dave got shot" thing, but he can let it rest ]

<<'Okay, so about the whole Discard thing... what do you do if you don't have a Player?'>>

[ No, he's not assuming that Dave would want him. Hell, he's not even sure that Players are allowed to have more than one, and Dave totally has one already, he's too cool not to. ]

<<'Dude, I don't think we're from the same timeline. I think another me can actually talk or some shit. I don't know. This time shit stuff is really getting old as fuck.'>>

[Welp. Dave will just...avoid talking about his battles.]

<<'You get no rights and shit. You're basically trash. But that's fine since I'm about to ask you to get your Weapon on and vow with me. Shit ain't gonna be a problem. You should go read your manual. Read if like the saddest teenage fangirl obsessed with sparkly vampires reading Twilight. That's pretty fucking fast, so do it.'>>

<<'Okay, okay, I'll read it, I promise!'>>

[ The metaphor is pretty fucking hilarious to John, so he is trying to stifle his giggles as he signs. Unfortunately, he's not doing very well at it, so Dave is treated to John's weird-sounding laugh - quiet, breathy, and a little more high-pitched than guys tend to laugh, mostly because he's, y'know, DEAF, and thus can't really tell what pitch is normal ]

<<'Cool, we're vowing. That's not like getting married or anything, right? Because I'm too young to make a lifelong commitment like that.'>>

[Dave doesn't mind. He honestly can't judge since his laugh sounds like the type of laughs where someone has been laughing too much and need air. Or something like that. And he finds that it isn't so bad. Because John is laughing. And things aren't as awkward as he thought they would be. And god damn, he can't help but smile. Shit is infectious.]

<<'Sorry John. We're going to be stuck together and ever now. Since I'm the Player, that makes me the husband apparently. You're my bride and damsel in distress and I'm sworn to protect you.'>> [Wow this is the most ridiculous vow ever.]

[ Dave's smiling! That's a good sign. John's never actually, y'know, met him face to face, but he is pretty sure that Dave!smiles are rare and he's already gotten a few in this conversation. ]

<<'Well, I'd like to think I'm at least a damsel who can handle herself, but I will make you the best meatloaf and apple pies for supper.'>>

[ ...They are the weirdest kids ever. ]

[Wait till you do or say something that will make him laugh. Or when Dave starts signing without the sunglasses (which will probably be privilege to very select few).]

<<'Holy shit. Apple pie. If you're trying to woo me with your baking prowess, then you're doing a god damn bitching job. I'm swooning over here, Egbert.'>> [Oh snap, Dave even faked swoon. And oh god, who let these two derps become partners.]

[ The rest of the game is asking that very question, I'm sure ]

<<'Only as long as it's from scratch. Betty Crocker can kiss my ass.'>>

[ He pauses, to see if he feels any different. Nope, he doesn't. ]

<<'So, is that it? I don't feel any different.'>>

[They cannot be tamed.]

<<'You don't know what you're doing to me. My heart is beating faster then a cheetah on steroids.'>> [Sometimes one wonders about the things that Dave says or does.]

<<'You should have a symbol now. That's all. I can yank your weapon out from your chest if I have my glove on. Apparently it's kind of weird.'>> [He hasn't been a Weapon before so he doesn't personally know.]

<<'Well, cool I guess.'>>

[ He pauses, then asks a little sheepishly ]

<<'Um, where can I get a PDA like yours? 'Cause I don't really want to drag a notebook around if I don't have to.'>>

[Dave doesn't seem to bother asking as he grabs John's wrist and is heading towards the front gate and out to the town. Dave might be a little touchy without realizing it. This is totally normal though right? He didn't grab your hand at least.

He's using the other hand to do quick, messy messages though. They're slightly clipped, and they almost seem more like he's just talking to himself.]

<<'I swear everyone should have a fucking PDA. It would be so much more convenient.'>>

[ John nods, blithely letting Dave lead him by the wrist. He wouldn't have batted an eyelash if Dave had grabbed his hand, though - he might be one to protest to Karkat (in the future, anyway) that he's not a homosexual, but stuff like holding hands with Dave doesn't count. It's Dave! His best friend!

John gets the signing to himself thing, though, he does that a lot. He doesn't sign back, but he keeps an eye on Dave's hand as it flickers through words and half-words.

Vriska's here, Jade's here, and Dave's here. Yep, things are pretty okay. ]

[At some point it just looks like Dave is just waving his hand around but he eventually stops and shoves his hand in his pocket when he realizes he's been flailing his hand around aimlessly.

Wow. That was all kinds of uncool, so he'll fix it with hand in pocket while dragging your derpy ass to Recette's shop. Yep...way to be kind of lame Dave.]

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I got distracted by NSFW pictures apparently.

as long as they were sexy, you're forgiven. ;)

They were super sexy.

Damn, they really were. I HIGHLY approve.

I do love me sexy art.

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