Fortitude: Round 5 Start

[mamarosa]

Once again Dolorosa stands on the stage with her four Prefects, Nanami is finally out of her coma and the three other Prefects stand on either side of her. It should be a familiar scene by now, Dolorosa smiling out over her students, but maybe she looked a bit happier than last round. That can only mean one thing...

"Hello, my students, another round has come to an end and another is starting anew. We were the victors of round 4 and just as you have in past rounds, won or lost, everyone fought well," she takes a moment to applaud her school, "I am so very proud of all of you, each of you are coming more and more accustomed to the school and excelling, even if you believe it to be unfair. With this unity you will all do great things here. Don't let me down."

"I hope you're all enjoying the bonus of extra Raks for winning the round, I suggest you all go out and buy yourself a treat, I am particularly fond of the chocolate that Recette sells in her shop, but you're not here to hear me talk about sweets, let us get to the battle records." behind her, as per usual, the Battle Records show up on the screen.

"I believe we had more Fortitude battles this round than any round past, but let us congratulate Nanashi for defeating Jade, Spain for beating Nanashi, Inui for defeating Spain, Dave for defeating Gamzee, and Jade for defeating Marisa."

The interschool battle records appear on screen, "For Inter-school battles we should congratulate Jade for defeating Cirno, Spain for defeating Suzaku, Nanashi for defeating Golbez, Spain for defeating Golbez, Dave for defeating Suzaku, Jade for defeating Suzaku, and Marisa for defeating Cirno,"

"Lastly, we should congratulate Dave, Jade, and Spain for winning the round," Dolorosa begins to applaud for all the victors.

"And without further ado, the Players for round 5 are:
Dave,
Marisa,
Jade,
John,
Daenerys

Have a wonderful round!"

While the screen usually remains on the names those who are going to be Players for round time, it unexpectedly cuts over to the Conquest assembly. Dolorosa looks up at the screen and covers her mouth, she knows what's coming and knows that she doesn't want her students to witness it.

"Losing the round, as bad as it is. Is not what has made me angry today." Okay it was a big part of what had made her angry, but, "On Friday evening I was attacked, in my office. We have told you time and time again, it is not our fault you are here, taking your anger out on us is not necessary or smart." Her eyes glinted again, "I have my suspicions as to who my attacker is, and they will learn. That disobedience is met with punishment. That I cannot be threatened, and it is unwise to try." At that she turned to Flynn and he crumpled, her and Satana focused the warning penalty on him. The pain would be too much for him to stand or talk. It lasted for ten minutes,anyone who moved or talked was hit with a warning penalty strong enough to sink them to their knees. When it was over she stepped away from Flynn, who was curled up on the floor. It would be a few moments before he had the strength to stand. "Dismissed."

Throughout the broadcast Dolorosa tries to cut the stream but nothing works, Fortitude students won't be punished for moving or talking but it is still something she does no want them to witness.

"Please remain calm my students," she says in a shaky voice as the stream cuts out, "I'm sure everyone will be fine."
 

Comments

[mamarosa]

[Talk to Dolorosa]

[traces]

Wh-what was that?! How can-- Is that how that other school is run?!

[knightime]

[Dave was trying to abscond as quickly as possible. Of course, this meant that he wasn't paying too much attention to where he was going. It only made sense he might have ran into Dolorosa.

He bowed quickly in apology, but it seemed like he was trying to rush out as soon as possible.]

[veepofchess]

[To say he was angry was putting it mildly. Nunnally had only recently come out of her coma, and now her headmistress was putting on a show of power. Flynn and Yuri had pulled each others' stars, but it was clear they were close friends anyway.

It was clear that Flynn hadn't been able to do anything wrong, he'd spent the entire previous round in a coma. So it must have been Yuri. He had not been acting entirely like himself on the platform, either.

If that was the punishment for a Prefect attacking a headmistress, then he wondered if that was something Suzaku would accept. But there was still Nunnally...

He cut off his rage and transferred it to alarm when he turned to Dolorosa.]

Headmistress, is there anything you can do to get my sister away from that woman? She's in a wheelchair, and she's very fragile. I'll even take her place, if I have to. [Have a slightly cracking voice to add emphasis.]

[knightime]

Dave had shuffled to the back, away from everyone else. He woke up back in his bed, like nothing had happened. He almost wanted to disregard it as a dream, but his clothes were slightly damp, along with the sheets. He had just soundlessly changed into them and headed to the assembly. He didn't bother going by the cafeteria, and he'd probably avoid eating for the rest of the day, unsure whether he could even stomach anything today.

He had drowned. His hands strummed against his leg nervously, no PDA in his pockets to keep in busy. He had to go find that later, if he was feeling up to it. Dave kind of just wanted to go back to sleep. He didn't sleep well anyways. It was fitful and he felt drained. Just the memories of Saturday, still fresh in his mind. There was no way he'd let Nanami approach him again. He knew she just watched him die, and somewhere in his murky memory, someone else was involved. He can't remember who it was exactly though.

Watching the students from Conquest being so thoroughly punished just made him feel sicker.

Shit, he was just going to leave as soon as this assembly was done. This was going to be a bad round, he was sure.

[bloodandfire]

Daenerys approaches him tentatively, she had been there when he was drowning, even tried to save him but was a moment too late. He was dead before she got to him. But here he is, alive. She looks at him incredulously.

"Excuse me," she says finally to get his attention before lowering her voice, "Didn't you drown? How are you still here?"

[greenspaces]

"Dave?"

She hasn't seen him in at least a day, finding only his PDA beeping at the side of the lake. But now they're all players -- and she's got to do something, since they can talk to each other and at least hug this round. Jade places a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

[savedbyasong]

"Dave?" Shion spotted him, and saw the state he was in. He was shaken himself after seeing that on the screen, so angry that such a thing could happen. That they were expected to stand around and let it happen.

For the moment he focused on Dave though, he had been chosen as a player again and it was bound to be taking its toll. "Are you alright?"

[wakingsavior]

No escape that easily Dave, especially because John was expecting you last night and you never showed and he might've eventually fallen asleep in his own room, but he was worried. He misses the announcement of players looking for Dave (assuming he wouldn't be on the list), and would've missed the transmission from Conquest if it weren't for the horrified looks on everyone's faces (though he shudders with horror and looks away before the end), and finally finds him in the back of the room.

<<'Dude, where were you last night?'>>

[bloodandfire]

Daenerys didn't understand how the people on the screen were 1. on the screen in the first place, and 2. being tortured without being touched. Technology was amazing, but she knew that she did not want to be attacked as well. Throughout the broadcast she didn't move a muscle in fear of retaliation. It's been so long since she was scared like this.

When it was over she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She knew that if she didn't wnat to be punished she would have to get some Weapons. Unfortunately Jade was a Player as well this round or she would have asked her.

Time to go meet new people.

[conquistador]

Spain was watching the screen as well, similar thoughts running through his mind. The culture shock was tough to get through in the first few days but he was able to adapt quickly enough. But this? Even the ones more familiar with technology than him were surprised by this.

When all is over, he tries to find a Player. It would be easier if he actually knew who these people were. After asking several people to no avail, he tries Daenerys. "Excuse me, miss?"

[pencilpremonition]

Becca watched the screen with a detached look, but there was something in her demeanour that betrayed she was far more upset than she seemed. She was trying to ignore it, trying to distance herself from what she was witnessing. She was settled on the ground, sketching in a notebook for most of the display.

Once it was all over, she didn't move from her spot, just quietly drawing and letting things happen around her. She wasn't a player, so she was sure someone would approach her eventually.

[lovesignmasterspark]

A Player again. Marisa couldn't contain her excitement this time. This meant she could get more Weapons than she did last round. She wouldn't lose to anyone this time. Nope. As far as she's concerned--

And then she saw the Conquest announcement bit, and her expression turned to literal shock. What kind of power did these people have?! That wasn't fair at all, to punish everyone for what one person did. And someone she knew was over there, too!

She knew who she'd have to seek out this week. But for now, she had to hurry and find some Weapons to vow.

[traces]

As the announcement from Conquest played, Dahlia conjured up some crocodile tears, fake-crying into her hands. Well... it wasn't completely fake. Between dying on Friday night, somehow coming back to life, and now seeing this... That could have been her if she'd been unlucky enough to be sorted into that other school.

She looked up, catching the eye of the person standing nearest her -- Marisa, as it turned out. "It's horrible..."

[floweringknight]

A disturbing turn of events... this only reinforced the ideas he'd taken away from his conversation with Suzaku. In any case, Sakuya decided first to seek out those who he knew, and the short golden-haired witch was the first one he spotted.

"Marisa... are you alright?" he asked, noticing the shocked look on her face.

[has_soothing_bells]

Reimi was shocked by everything as well, and frowned. "Why would anyone attack Miss Dolorosa? She's so nice!"

Mood whiplash anyone?

[bubblymuffins]

But breaking through all the tension is a certain pony. She must not have been paying attention when the tape cut in. Someone was baking something somewhere that smelled awesome "Hey everypony! Who wants to explore this cool new place with me?!" While she spoke, she hopped around excitedly, her wings flailing uselessly and only managing to get her back end a few inches off of the ground.

[greenspaces]

Jade's always up for changing a negative mood into a positive one, even though the scene on the screen has made her feel horrible, scratching slightly at her hands. But--

whoa. This is a pony. A real, live pony that actually talks. She's upset, but her love of anthropomorphic fauna is simply too much to handle right now. Gotta talk to the pony. "I'll explore with you. Um..." ugh she hates asking this question "Did your name get called?"

[mrdickery]

Up on the platform, it was clear Yuri wasn't exactly able to watch the scene from Conquest unfold apathetically. The casual facade he always bore, the easy-going smile and the cheerfulness in his eyes faded into something more cold. Something more... frustrated and angry. If there was a phrase to describe him in that moment, it would be pissed-off, to the point it could be considered homicidal rage.

But that was for those who could see his face.

Having turned to watch the feed, his expression was cut off from the those not on the platform as he gripped his fists tightly, nails digging into the skin of his palms so harshly that it drew blood.

How the hell did she find out? He wondered, caring only because this was the exact thing he'd tried to prevent by donning those clothes. That he'd blundered was obvious but even now, even as Day stepped away from a crumpled Flynn, he could only feel resolve. A resolve that strengthened as Flynn stood up a few minutes later, looking calm and collected as ever even as he wiped blood from his mouth.

That part, at least, was no surprise. Flynn was tough. They both were. They'd had to be to change the empire they way they'd wanted. And so long as they made this system better in the end, it was okay if they took a few bruises during the process. So, he forced himself to take a deep breath. To school his features into something slightly less... murderous rage-y. It took a moment but he eventually did manage it into something a little less... serious.

If anyone asked, he'd pit it on the grimness of the entire feed.

[mamarosa]

Dolorosa approaches him, she knows that he and Flynn are friends and she can see all the rage that he is feeling. She doesn't say anything to him, just places a hand on his shoulder and tries to be comforting.

[veepofchess]

Yuri's reaction didn't go unnoticed by one of his fellow prefects. He watched the rage build, and thought perhaps he'd be in the same position if it were Suzaku. And he wouldn't be able to control himself if it had been Nunnally. Fortunately, she has not yet been a player on Conquest's side. She hasn't yet been threatened by what could happen if she didn't win.

After his panicked conversation with Dolorosa, he stepped over to Yuri. "Is your friend all right?"

[allurprincess]

The assembly - it being Sora's first, as far as she could remember - had been relatively uneventful. Sora had listened as much as she could when distracted by examining all the faces around her and wondering who amongst them the other her had known, and it had seemed much more reasonable than the Exaclan she remembered.

And then the feed had started up.

That was the school Yuki and Koharu were in. She had started to shake only a few seconds into the broadcast, and by the end she was furious. But... she didn't know anyone. What was she supposed to do?

[savedbyasong]

Shion had been worried about Sora, since she had dropped into a coma. He saw her now and made her way over, "Sora..." His voice sounded shaken, he was shaken by what he had just seen.

"You're awake!"

[conquistador]

That was it? After being announced a round winner, he expected something more; some sort of reward or a way to go back home at the least. What was the point of winning if they got nothing? When all is said and done, Spain moves to approach the headmistress but the screen stops him.

So that was the other school? He remembers some of the faces he sees in the crowd. At first, he is confused about what is happening. He hadn't bothered to read the manual more than he needed but he remembered the warning penalty. Seeing it in action was something else though. He vowed to someone from that school in the last round, didn't he? The one he almost lost in a fight-- Ashnari. Spain tries to see the face in the screen but it cuts off before he can see.

This truly was a barbaric place.

This round, Spain wasn't a player. He wasn't in a position to start a fight and try to accomplish anything. The idea of having his fate in someone else's hand disturbed him but. . . for now, he could make an exemption. Possibly. Thinking and saying something was different from actually doing it.

Who were the players this round? He didn't recognize any of the names but he was going to find one of them.

[nonsuspiciousperson]

Nanashi saw one of those that he had fought last week. The entire scene that had just transpired made him angry, such cruelty. He was relieved that Kotarou was here and not in the other school.

He made his way over to Spain and nodded at him in greeting.

[keepscalm]

England sat primly in the audience for the duration of the assembly, looking as grumpy, disinterested, and unapproachable as ever. The first few weeks, he'd afforded Dolorosa his absolutely flawless manners at her assemblies, but his patience had worn pretty thin and vowing with Spain had been the fastest train to misery station he could have taken. At least he'd be getting a memory charm out of it. And he'd had enough raks to buy all of his upgrades on the rest day, as well.

Now just to find a Player. Which was England's main concern until the feed abruptly changed. He furrowed his eyebrows warily, sitting up a bit straighter to pay closer attention. Of course he knew about the penalty, but...

It was disconcerting to watch. England didn't show any outside signs of discomfort, having witnessed much worse. At least, until a realization sunk in. America was at that school. The stupid, traitorous little upstart could have already buggered something up and gotten that penalty. What if he was hurt? England hadn't seen him for weeks now, maybe--

Alright, he needed to calm down. The nation heaved a sigh, completely forgetting about his quest to find a Player in favor of propping his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand so he could brood instead. Ugh.

[greenspaces]

Jade noticed that the man near her seemed a little restless -- and of course, she couldn't help but be a little nervous too after that ceremony. So she decides to see if he's okay, even though she doesn't know him.

"Do you have friends there, too...?"