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

Entry tags:

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

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 and a boy. All three are in uniforms that would match if not for the colour differences - skirts and trousers, waistcoats, and light summer shirts that seem totally inappropriate for the thin layer of melting slush coating the station platform. Each has a beret with a crest - one girl's shows a sword, the other two have 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 the three of them are prefects, representing the two schools in Rakuen. Nanami of Fortitude, she says, placing a hand on her own collarbone, with her fellow prefect Lelouch, and Santana of Conquest, here pointing to the boy and the taller girl she's leaning against. The girl nods, looking fairly bored, whilst the boy doesn't appear to be paying much attention.

"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. This'd better be the last lot we get in winter, seriously."

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[For a certain definition of 'friendly']

Karkat in Fortitude should be a teacher. Look in your bag, your uniform should match ours. [He looks more impassively bored as opposed to Santana's angry boredom]

[ friendly here meaning 'not actively insulting the new arrivals', yes. ]

[ After all the names are called, only one arrival remains - standing at a wiry 5'9" with a scraggly goatee and all sorts of alien accoutrements. He waits for a moment after they finish speaking, drumming his fingers against his legs, and finally speaks up: ]

Congratulations, slime-for-thinkslurries. You missed one. Now where the fuck do you need me?

[Your insults mean nothing.] What's your name? [This is so dull]

Name? I have no name. I am above such wiggleresque traditions.

[ You're pretty sure that's bullshit, actually. You're SUPPOSED to have a name - what else would you be called by your friends?

Oh, that's right. You don't have any friends. ]

I am the Imperial Birthing Guardian. You may call me...

The Midwife.

[You're trying dramatics on the guy that makes like a Zorro mixed with Anonymous? Good luck with that.

That name is not anything on the list. But he has another idea.] Let me see your school bag. [Holds hand out for it.]

[ In any other universe, Karkat would be inclined to refuse out of sheer obstinacy. But this is not that universe, and the Midwife has has seven sweeps to get used to forced obedience to his superiors.

He scowls, holding the bag out with one hand for the taller of the pink fleshy aliens to take. ]

So that's what this is, huh? Mandatory trafficking to a conquered planet for 'alternative schoolfeeding' measures? Get a fucking move on it, already.

[He doesn't respond at all to what he says, and he just peeks inside at the color of the uniform inside. Satisfied that he's at least in the right section, he decides that it's probably better for him to hear about what's going on from his own kind.] Follow us when we leave the platform.

Yes, sir. Understood, sir.

[ Nobody said he had to be polite. Hell, if he's going through with the actions, he's already showing just how low on the caste ladder he actually is. Without a single bit of fuss, he moves to stand to the left of Lelouch - slightly in front, of course. ]

Hmm. I will inform the Dolorosa he requires special attention. [ she informs Lelouch, whilst Karkat is standing right there ]

[ Dolorosa? That sounds... bizarrely familiar. Perhaps he should contemplate this further, in quiet solitude- ]

I'M RIGHT HERE, YOU ABJECT WASTE OF MATTER AND MASS. I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF HEARING EACH AND EVERY LITTLE PLATITUDE OOZING FORTH FROM YOUR GAPING MAW, AND IT DISGUSTS ME.

[To Nanami, stepping smoothly in between the troll and the monster. You do not know what you are trifling with, newbie.] She's one of his kind. Maybe he'll listen better to her. [Yup, talking about him the same way.

Oh, and that outburst? He otherwise didn't even notice. Your rage means nothing.]

[ you know those highbloods your lusus warned you about.

She's worse than those highbloods. She nods to Lelouch before turning a cold smile on Karkat ]

Please mind your language.

(no subject)

themidwife - 2012-02-05 04:21 (UTC) - Expand

[And off to the side, showing little to no interest in the newcomers, Britannia watches Lelouch and waits for him to be finished. Clearly, there is something she wants to say to the man and it can no longer wait.]

[He notices her watching and puts off talking to her as long as possible. But eventually he runs out of busywork and finally acknowledges her.]

Good morning, Miss Britannia [so saccharine]

[If she notices Lelouch's delaying tactic or his attitude in general, she doesn't mention it. Instead, her smile seems to be as equally empty though it has a tone of knowing. That distinct I-know-something-you-don't-want-me-to quality.]

Morning, Lelouch. Got a minute? I need to talk to you.

I think I can spare a moment. What do you need?

Hmm... here's no good, I think. Maybe over there? [She jerks a thumb over her shoulder at a spot a short walk away where there's nobody loitering around or discussing their new circumstances with each other.]

[Follows her over, making a play out of appearing a bit self-conscious.] Did something happen?

Besides your "accident," not really. [The comment is made lightly, humorous even in tone as they make their way over. It's not until they reach that tiny secluded corner, away from the rest of the crowd that she turns to face him, face as pleasant as ever.]

Are you Zero?

[His face remains inscrutable for a moment. But then he smirks] The Emperor really did keep you in the dark.

[That's a yes. With a sigh, Britannia shrugs.]

Once they learn about me, they think I'm either a weakness or a crutch. The proud ones don't want to depend on me to defeat the other personifications of countries while the shortsighted ones think if I'm killed, it'll put the empire in danger. Your father was the former. [She has no problems admitting this to Lelouch because A) if anyone can understand her dislike of the man, it'll be the son who renounced him and B) he does become her boss later on.]

Well at least that explains why you weren't afraid of Zero.

[Somehow that makes perfect sense.] I trust you won't be getting in my way?

I told you before, didn't I? You only have to give me an order, 99th Emperor.

[There's a slight twist to the end of her sentence, a distinct punctuation making it clear that she's recognized his status.] Whether it's addressing you by your full name or... anything else, I'll obey my boss.

[If her acknowledging him as emperor is what it took to ensure her cooperation, he sure was not going to correct her.] Very well. [He was definitely not going to need to put on the nice-guy act around her anymore.]

It's a shame Japan isn't around to see this heartwarming cooperation between Zero and his conqueror.

Re: FORTITUDE

no subject

NOW UNDER RIGHT THREAD

Re: NOW UNDER RIGHT THREAD

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Re: FORTITUDE

Re: FORTITUDE

Re: FORTITUDE

Re: FORTITUDE

Re: FORTITUDE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject