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 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.

Comments

NOW UNDER RIGHT THREAD

[themidwife]

[ 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?

Re: NOW UNDER RIGHT THREAD

[veepofchess]

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

[themidwife]

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.

[veepofchess]

[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.]

[themidwife]

[ 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.

[veepofchess]

[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.

[themidwife]

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. ]

[effortless]

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

[themidwife]

[ 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.

[veepofchess]

[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.]

[effortless]

[ 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.

[themidwife]

[ HE HASN'T HAD A LUSUS SINCE HE WAS SIX SWEEPS OLD HIS LUSUS IS DEAAAAAAD.

At this point, Karkat's screams have devolved into some sort of pathetic verbal keysmash. After a few moments, it fades down into nothingness, and he shuts his mouth. When Nanami speaks up, he turns to look her defiantly in the eye- ]

Fine.

[ And then he turns to stare straight ahead in silence.

This is life, after all. At least nothing's tried to cull him yet today. ]