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Beginning
One moment you were elsewhere, surely speaking to your friends, fighting in a battle of your life, dying, or even in a state of non-existence in its entirety. It doesn't matter now, since when you open your eyes it’s become clear that not only is everything around you foreign and unfamiliar, so is everyone. And there seems to be a fair lot of you, at that.
It's easy to discern a few things upon a cursory glance, once you pick yourself up from the field of grass you're resting on. The place you've awoken in seems to be fairly tranquil, for the first few moments at least, and the view of a newly budded sakura tree is among the first that will greet you. In the distance, is a towering castle that manages to look all at once both imposing and welcoming at the same time. There's also an odd pendant around your neck, which you'll find won't come off despite your best attempts. In your pocket you'll find a room key, engraved with a number.
The weather is currently cool, with the sun brightly shining in the sky, though there are a few too many clouds to make it a completely clear day. While most of them appear rather normal, every so often you might spot one that looks just a bit off— like a storm cloud that's completely lost it's way. Lucky for you, it doesn't seem like you're going to have to worry about any inclement weather anytime soon, as they'll vanish from your vision as quickly as they came.
A large stone wall surrounds the entirety of the castle, though it's anyone guess why that is— maybe it's for your safety, maybe it's to keep you trapped, or maybe it's for another reason entirely. The only breach in the wall is a single gate that looks like it certainly led to the outside at one point, but that too has been cordoned off by solid stone.
Fortunately, there's nothing to stop you from entering the castle itself, where you'll find it's pretty grand all things considered. The lighting inside is provided not by electricity, but by magical flame that adjusts to the time of day or night. Actually, if you're looking for anything electronic anywhere, or even a simple power outlet, you'll be sorely out of luck.
For now, it might be best to explore and make some sense of where you are and why you're here— maybe one of your fellow travelers might know something? There are some plaques in the Great Hall that might catch your interest given their focus, in addition to one ridiculously large golden one that seems to bear rules.
Welcome, fellow warriors, to your very long stay.
It's easy to discern a few things upon a cursory glance, once you pick yourself up from the field of grass you're resting on. The place you've awoken in seems to be fairly tranquil, for the first few moments at least, and the view of a newly budded sakura tree is among the first that will greet you. In the distance, is a towering castle that manages to look all at once both imposing and welcoming at the same time. There's also an odd pendant around your neck, which you'll find won't come off despite your best attempts. In your pocket you'll find a room key, engraved with a number.
The weather is currently cool, with the sun brightly shining in the sky, though there are a few too many clouds to make it a completely clear day. While most of them appear rather normal, every so often you might spot one that looks just a bit off— like a storm cloud that's completely lost it's way. Lucky for you, it doesn't seem like you're going to have to worry about any inclement weather anytime soon, as they'll vanish from your vision as quickly as they came.
A large stone wall surrounds the entirety of the castle, though it's anyone guess why that is— maybe it's for your safety, maybe it's to keep you trapped, or maybe it's for another reason entirely. The only breach in the wall is a single gate that looks like it certainly led to the outside at one point, but that too has been cordoned off by solid stone.
Fortunately, there's nothing to stop you from entering the castle itself, where you'll find it's pretty grand all things considered. The lighting inside is provided not by electricity, but by magical flame that adjusts to the time of day or night. Actually, if you're looking for anything electronic anywhere, or even a simple power outlet, you'll be sorely out of luck.
For now, it might be best to explore and make some sense of where you are and why you're here— maybe one of your fellow travelers might know something? There are some plaques in the Great Hall that might catch your interest given their focus, in addition to one ridiculously large golden one that seems to bear rules.
Welcome, fellow warriors, to your very long stay.
no subject
[He has, but having to looking out for yourself.... it wasn't that unique or odd a situation. He could name many, many people he knew personally who had it much worse than he did, in one way or another.]
It just means I try to live smart, that's all.
[....Well, it was the truth. He wasn't all that comfortable with people reading into his words like this, or showing, of all things, sympathy.]
no subject
[She smiles a little apologetically.]
Let's just call it intuition on my part. At the risk of being even more intrusive, let me ask you something: are you familiar with the basics of self defense?
no subject
[He looks surprised at that, any other response to her previous words forgotten.]
No, I'm not. I've never been fond of confrontation, so I never thought to learn.
[Why did his skillset include marksmanship, then? Funny story, and one he won't be sharing unless asked.]
no subject
So you learned how to shoot instead, huh.
[It's not an accusation, her tone is much too disbelieving for it. If anything she sounds like she might be on the verge of shaking her head.]
no subject
[He gives her a look, as if she must be joking. 'What kind of person do you think I am?' is written plain in his expression.]
I know how to shoot because I've used airsoft guns. I dislike violence.
no subject
[And now she really is going to shake her head. But she offers an apology as well.]
Sorry. It's just that it wouldn't have surprised me either.
[For the first time, she sounds... a little jaded though she doesn't offer any further clarification.]
Anyway, you're a fast learner, right?
no subject
[He's a bit jaded too, to be honest.]
But you're right-- I'm a fast learner, when I want or need to learn something. Another good guess on your part?
no subject
[Partly true anyway. Ayumu had mentioned a strong desire to survive and looking out for himself. The inference had seemed natural here as well.]
I don't like the idea of kids wandering around this dangerous place without some basic knowledge of how to defend themselves. The best advice may be to run, but it doesn't hurt to know how to give yourself a bit of a chance when you have no other options.
no subject
[He is genuinely surprised, by that. No one has tried to teach him anything like that before-- or... much at all, really, in terms of skills outside of school.]
no subject
Bingo. Assuming you want to learn from me, that is.
no subject
Still.....]
I'm more than happy to accept your offer.
[Every little bit could help.]
no subject
In the meantime, if anyone else you run into could use the lesson, the invitation is open to them as well.
no subject
[Yes that.... friend of his....]
no subject
[...Well actually she can guess at this one. It's not that hard considering Ayumu's name is mentioned on her plaque.]
Hiyono Yuzaki?
no subject
[And if she was here.... well.
He'd want her to have every advantage possible.]
no subject
[Not that it's of personal interest to her, but seeing "stalker" on a profile really makes people wonder.]
no subject
[Because he refuses to use the F word. He pause, before he signs, dramatically put upon.]
She's something like my stalker really, but she's not so bad I guess. She's helped me out of a few jams.
[....This kid is a bit weird, isn't he?]
no subject
...Right. Well in any case, as I said, she's welcome to learn as well.
no subject
Thank you. I really appreciate this, honestly.