rakuen | On the platform: Meet the new characters!

As you all crowd onto the platform and peer through the thick fog that chills the air, you are met by four girls and five boys. One of the girls is a somewhat humanoid grey-skinned, finned alien, but the rest all seem human. All nine 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 dense fog. They're all sodden and cold, and most are irritable. Each has a beret with a crest pinned to the front - three depicting a shield on green, the other six a sword on red.

At the first lull in the chatter, one sickly-pale, shield-crested girl speaks up, cutting through your conversations with her cold, soft voice.

"Attention, please."

She explains that the nine of them are the current prefects of Rakuen, representing the two schools on the island. Nanami, she points to herself, Yuri and Lelouch of Fortitude; and Santana, Flynn, Feferi, Gino, Nephenee and Kevin of Conquest. She doesn't care to explain why the prefects in red and white outnumber those in green and black two to one.

Santana interrupts, "Yeah, yeah. Look, come over when your name is called so we can all get inside." They all move to stand in two groups some distance away from each other, and the two that spoke read off names from their clipboards.

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[The awkward moment when you see someone who looks like a younger version of yourself! She knew that it was bound to happen eventually but she still didn't think it would ever happen to her.]

[So Dolorosa approaches Kanaya]

Good morning.

[ It's equally awkward to see someone who looks like an older version of you approach! Kanaya wonders if this is some part of dream bubble mechanics? ]

Good morning.

I am sure you are aware of our obvious similarities in appearance. [she smiles kindly] May I ask your name?

Yes. [ A small smile here as well. ]

I'm Kanaya Maryam. And yourself?

I go by Dolorosa, it is nice to meet you Kanaya Maryam. Perhaps you are acquainted with some of the other young trolls here, they are all about your age.

It's nice to meet you as well, Dolorosa.

Yes, I'm acquainted with all of the trolls arriving here, as well as Feferi. [ She wonders just how many trolls are here in total, and if she knows them as well. ]

There are others here as well, I am sure you will run into them as your day, as well as your stay, progresses here. You are lucky to arrive to friends, many do not have that same pleasure. [she smiles] Feferi is a good child.

[ There are many people from her session she would like to see. As well as a few she most certainly would not. Either way, she is eager to see just which trolls Dolorosa is referring to. ]

Yes, though I imagine even in a dream bubble such as this one can make new acquaintances. [ Mistaken conjecture #1.]

Feferi is very kind.

Oh no dear, this is no dream bubble, this is very real. I have been here for many sweeps and I'm sorry to say that you are not just passing though.

Sweeps?

[ ...Well then. She is quite worried now. ]

I guess I jumped to hasty conclusions.

[ Please stand by while Kanaya is internally worrying her horns off about what is to become of the sessions and universes and everything with so many trolls missing. ]

Yes, sweeps. It is most unfortunate but I am lead to believe that if, excuse me, when you return home you will be returned to the point where you left, with not much having changed. I cannot say how reliable that is, I have yet to return but I would much rather stay here.

That would be oddly convenient. [ And certainly a burden off of their collective shoulders. If this is indeed the case. ]

Would it be untoward if I asked why you would rather stay here? [ Commence meddling. ]

Oh, people are often curious when I say that I would much rather stay here. [she takes out an undead ring] If I were to return home I would be dead, I would rather stay here and live out a longer life. Help more people.

[ ..Oh.
Also, that is one cheerful-looking ring. ]

I see. This fate would seem to be preferable to death.

[ Perhaps the other dead trolls from their session may be here, for better or worse. ]

Yes, that is an apt way of putting it. Do not be surprised if you see those you thought were dead. Death means very little here, you may die as many times as you please but you will awake in your bed each morning.

How does that work? Is this some sort of reality-altering game?

I do not know the specifics but I would hesitate to call it reality-altering. Is this not reality? How are we able to tell what is and is not reality? To call it such brings up many unanswerable question, so I will assume this is real and we are here for a greater reason.

The distinction would lie in what one's definition of reality is, but I suppose even that is fluid and defined by universe.

Thus I think my curiosity over this is quickly becoming pedantic in nature.

The question of what reality is and is not, is not something that I feel qualified to speak about. It also makes me feel awfully small, don't you agree?

[she laughs a bit] That is a rather advanced word for one as young as you.

[ She's a little embarrassed now. ]
I didn't mean to insinuate that. Some of the trolls arriving today as well as myself come from such a reality-altering game.
[ Or at least, Aradia does. She can't be sure of the others. After all, neither Jade nor Dave recognized her. ]

As advanced as it is, I thought it was fitting. [ This is probably Rose's influence. She hopes she didn't get it wrong. ]

[she smiles kindly]
I have heard a bit about this game but not much, not nearly enough to fully understand the complexities. But if it truly is reality altering one would have to consider what reality truly is.

It was very fitting, and you must be a very intelligent girl.

I don't think even we all understand all its complexities. [ This place would probably come to seem less complex by default. ]

Thank you. [ A shyish smile. ]

I don't think it is possible to understand all of it's complexities, so do not think less of yourselves.

I don't think I will. That would be a rather lofty achievement that is more than likely unobtainable.

[ Speaking of things she will never understand. Their similarities in appearance and in general personality are... uncanny, to say the least. Despite her being a rainbow drinker. Perhaps these are the result of more timeline shenanigans? Who knows. ]

On the platform: Meet the new characters!

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your timing is impeccable!

great minds think alike

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the similarity in those two icons

yesss

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