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

[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.

[mrdickery]

At Dolorosa's touch, Yuri shifted slightly to give her a side-glance. It was the worry in her eyes that made him soften slightly, remembering that not everybody in this system was complete trash.

Yes, he knew Day was a victim of this damn game as much as him, but her torturing? Her need to make others suffer for something like this was the part he found unacceptable. He hadn't attacked her because he was angry at the game, he'd attacked and killed her because he was angry at her and her alone and he'd wanted her to stop.

"Thanks, I'm fine." He responded quietly, doing his best to give her a smile and only managing it partially.

[mamarosa]

She shakes her head, "You're not fine, you're hurting. I know that being here is difficult, and abiding by the rules that are in place is even more so. I know you do not trust or like Day, but believe me when I say that this system is here for a specific reason."

[mrdickery]

"Is torturing people also part of that 'specific reason'?" He questioned, eyes narrowing slightly as he asked that.

Not because he perceived her as a threat to be dealt with but because he wondered if she suspected what he'd done as well. If she did, it wasn't really a problem, he'd attacked Day and would confess to as much if asked, but it would confirm a theory that however Day had found out it was him had something to do with her position.

[mamarosa]

"It is way to reach a goal, it is not the best way but some see it as the most efficient."

If she knows that he did it, she doesn't show that she does.

[mrdickery]

Finally turning to face her fully, Yuri gave her a direct, searching stare as he slid his hands into his pockets to keep their angry clenching from giving him away.

"You seem to manage fine without it. We're 2 for 2, after all."

[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?"

[mrdickery]

At Lelouch's approach, Yuri forcibly straightened his shoulders and took another deep breath to compose himself before he turned to the younger male. If there had ever been anything on his face besides the serious look he wore now, it was hard to see.

"He'll be fine." He replied calmly without a trace of doubt in his voice. "Flynn's tougher than that."

[veepofchess]

"Sounds like someone I know." He smirked a bit, and put a hand on Yuri's shoulder. "Are you feeling well after yesterday? You looked a little green."

[mrdickery]

All these people and their shoulder touching.

For a minute he simply seemed to observe Lelouch, trying to guess what he was up to, before he sighed and relented. Whatever it was, he wasn't a mind-reader and didn't have any way of finding out until Lelouch actually did or said something.

"I'm fine, must've been something I ate." He remarked calmly enough, choosing not to mention that he'd actually managed to get himself killed.