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June Event
hello
You open your eyes.
And you scream.
Four long gashes tear your sleeve to ribbons and arm to searing pain, something sharp clamps down on your ankle and sinks into flesh and bone, down the hall another student dangles half a foot off the ground with their hair slowly separating from their scalp, and littered across the floor are bodies pooling blood and occasionally twitching— not in a last bid for life, but in the way strips of skin and muscle and fabric pull away from a person's limbs when several dozen invisible hungry imps have decided they don't want to be banished and would rather feast on the blood of their enemies if that's what it takes to survive.
For every instance of blood that touches the floor, the school pitches and transforms into a dilapidated version of itself, what npcs that were in the hall with you turning into shadow versions of themselves and taking hold of the fallen bodies to drag them to the auditorium. There, the empty room is pitch black. There, the threshold at the doorway crumbles and expands with each shadow that stands and feeds the void another sacrifice. In this school, in its darkness and its silence and its faceless students that cannot be touched, you may at least find some reprieve from the imps that do not exist, find fresh water flowing from the bathroom sinks, and scenes of normal school life playing out in the cracked mirrors that if you break even further you find that you return.
You open your eyes, and no time has passed. Something invisible tears open a student's throat, so close you can see their vocal cords bright white and vibrating as they scream. Blood splatters on the ground, and the school pitches and turns once again.
And you scream.
Four long gashes tear your sleeve to ribbons and arm to searing pain, something sharp clamps down on your ankle and sinks into flesh and bone, down the hall another student dangles half a foot off the ground with their hair slowly separating from their scalp, and littered across the floor are bodies pooling blood and occasionally twitching— not in a last bid for life, but in the way strips of skin and muscle and fabric pull away from a person's limbs when several dozen invisible hungry imps have decided they don't want to be banished and would rather feast on the blood of their enemies if that's what it takes to survive.
For every instance of blood that touches the floor, the school pitches and transforms into a dilapidated version of itself, what npcs that were in the hall with you turning into shadow versions of themselves and taking hold of the fallen bodies to drag them to the auditorium. There, the empty room is pitch black. There, the threshold at the doorway crumbles and expands with each shadow that stands and feeds the void another sacrifice. In this school, in its darkness and its silence and its faceless students that cannot be touched, you may at least find some reprieve from the imps that do not exist, find fresh water flowing from the bathroom sinks, and scenes of normal school life playing out in the cracked mirrors that if you break even further you find that you return.
You open your eyes, and no time has passed. Something invisible tears open a student's throat, so close you can see their vocal cords bright white and vibrating as they scream. Blood splatters on the ground, and the school pitches and turns once again.
hi
For each fallen student, a new one transfers in to replace them. Between the student council election and the imp infestation, more and more you seem to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The contrast is stark between those veteran students with bandaged arms and a limp to their stride and long sleeves and pants despite the growing heat, and those students with bright and smiling faces, the ones who coo over the cats and share their lunches with anybody who looks hungry and sit in small groups outside by the wisteria tree to chat during breaks, ignorant of what keeps it fed.
With all the new transfer students, many teachers have decided to assign group projects for their classes: poster presentations on their favorite myth or legend, short skits portraying famous historical scenes, and, everybody say thank you Cain and Kelly, taking care of flour sack babies. Projects are by homeroom and can be done in groups of 2-4, because sometimes a family is a dad and a dad and a wine aunt and a dog. The projects are all due at the end of the month, and if you're able to keep your flour sack baby from being turned into a cake or torn apart by imps, you may notice that they start to feel... warm... after one week. At the end of the second week, they begin to make short, quiet noises— a gurgle, a breath, a whine. At the end of the third week, while you're cradling the sack in your arms, you swear it moves. At the end of the fourth week, well. The project is over. Maybe it'll hatch? Let me know if you make it.
With all the new transfer students, many teachers have decided to assign group projects for their classes: poster presentations on their favorite myth or legend, short skits portraying famous historical scenes, and, everybody say thank you Cain and Kelly, taking care of flour sack babies. Projects are by homeroom and can be done in groups of 2-4, because sometimes a family is a dad and a dad and a wine aunt and a dog. The projects are all due at the end of the month, and if you're able to keep your flour sack baby from being turned into a cake or torn apart by imps, you may notice that they start to feel... warm... after one week. At the end of the second week, they begin to make short, quiet noises— a gurgle, a breath, a whine. At the end of the third week, while you're cradling the sack in your arms, you swear it moves. At the end of the fourth week, well. The project is over. Maybe it'll hatch? Let me know if you make it.
can you hear me?
The veteran students don't seem very keen on working with transfer students who make excuses about not wanting to work outside of school, but newer students are more willing, eager to meet people and get to know them and learn about the school. They gravitate towards the bulletin board to check out the class ranks, new clubs, a new section on the board with several dozen slips of colored paper tacked onto it and a little container below containing blank slips and a pen so you can add your own wishes:
That's certainly the thought as the month goes on and there are more and more wishes for the construction in the clock tower stairwell to hurry up and finish already, as the entire month of June, from 6AM to 6PM, six days a week, the sounds of drilling and hammering and screaming and sawing can be heard in the stairwell despite no construction workers being seen entering or exiting the school. The clock tower itself is inaccessible while the stairs are being taken down and replaced with a brand new elevator— veteran students are particularly grateful, because it's hard to climb stairs and go to class when your shin is splintered and a thin layer of bandage is the only thing keeping your guts from spilling out onto the floor.
In the evening after the npcs leave, characters are able to open the doors on the second and fourth floors to find... that nothing looks any different. On the first floor, however, a set of elevator doors has been installed right by the front doors, and while the button to open the doors don't work, they can be wrenched apart and entered, revealing a barren space with metal walls, a clock hung on the back wall that ticks backwards, and too many buttons on the panel by the double doors. Most buttons are white, numbered -6 to 27 though out of order and not all the numbers are there. Some are black, one is red, neither colors having symbols etched into them. None of the buttons work when pressed.
Not yet.
Wishes are meant to be granted, but... Some of the newer students make an attempt at being a little more realistic and add things like "I want the answers to next week's math exam" and "I want a pony" and do check the board occasionally, so it never hurts to leave a wish of your own.
"I want to be normal. --XX, 1-A"
"I want to live. --XX, 2-B"
"I want my friends back. --XX, 3-D"
"I want life to go back to normal. --XX, 2-A"
"I want my brother back. --XX, 2-A"
"I want more power. --XX, 1-A"
"I want to be loved. --XX, 1-B"
"I want to fix the past. --XX, 2-A"
"I want to find my family. --XX, 3-B"
"I want to be loved. --XX, 2-A"
"I want a normal life. --XX, 1-A"
"I want my brother back. --XX, 2-B""I want to see my family. --XX, 1-C"
"I want to die. --XX, 2-D"
"I want my friends back. --XX, 2-D"
"I want to fix the past. --XX, 3-D"
"I want freedom. --XX, 1-D"
"I want to live. --XX, 1-C"
"LUNCH DATE WITH IZUMI SENA!!! --XX, 1-A"
"I want to be strong. --XX, 2-E"
"I want freedom. --XX, 3-E"
"I want to live. --XX, 2-E"
"I want to die. --XX, 3-E"
"I want to remember. --XX, 3-C"
That's certainly the thought as the month goes on and there are more and more wishes for the construction in the clock tower stairwell to hurry up and finish already, as the entire month of June, from 6AM to 6PM, six days a week, the sounds of drilling and hammering and screaming and sawing can be heard in the stairwell despite no construction workers being seen entering or exiting the school. The clock tower itself is inaccessible while the stairs are being taken down and replaced with a brand new elevator— veteran students are particularly grateful, because it's hard to climb stairs and go to class when your shin is splintered and a thin layer of bandage is the only thing keeping your guts from spilling out onto the floor.
In the evening after the npcs leave, characters are able to open the doors on the second and fourth floors to find... that nothing looks any different. On the first floor, however, a set of elevator doors has been installed right by the front doors, and while the button to open the doors don't work, they can be wrenched apart and entered, revealing a barren space with metal walls, a clock hung on the back wall that ticks backwards, and too many buttons on the panel by the double doors. Most buttons are white, numbered -6 to 27 though out of order and not all the numbers are there. Some are black, one is red, neither colors having symbols etched into them. None of the buttons work when pressed.
Not yet.
it'll be alright
Until then, the clock tower can be reached as normal up several flights of stairs, the room at the very top bright and sunny with clock faces in the glass on all four sides, floorboards stained copper red and the air thick and difficult to breathe. For some, it's still worth it for the view of the wisteria tree in perpetual bloom in the courtyard below, especially as the heat and humidity of summer approaches and with it comes clouds of gnats that have taken up residence in the courtyard, hovering over puddles of light pink water left over from watering the courtyard overnight. Classes are no longer held outdoors, as teachers find it impossible to speak without gnats entering their mouths at any given opportunity, and the heat inside the school becomes near unbearable towards the latter half of the month as there is no air conditioning and teachers hesitate to open their windows. The homeroom teachers in 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C made that mistake once, opening the windows facing the courtyard and the gnats had gotten in, little homing missiles to their favorite food: blood, sweat, and tears. But if you don't cry, sweat, or bleed and aren't afraid of the gnats squeezing their way through the mesh screen in the windows, it can be nice to sit by the window and hope a breeze comes your way.
Those in classes 3-A, 3-B, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, and all of the first year classes can find that they're able to open the windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C to enjoy the breeze, but find an invisible barrier blocking their way and preventing any part of them from reaching out into the open space. 3-A, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, 1-B, 1-D, and 1-E are able to remove the screen and exit through those windows facing the courtyard, keeping in mind it is the 3rd and 4th floors and they will have to climb back up to reenter the school. 2-C, 1-B, and 1-D can go a step further and find that the front door to the school opens for them, except when they try to leave, they run into an invisible barrier, unable to take another step out the door. But they can stand there and take in the sight of the school gates in the near distance, of the forest just beyond, of the npc students slipping past them on their way to and from home. At this threshold it is chilly despite the heat that smothers the school in waves, the air is fresh, invigorating, and when the sun passes overhead you swear you can feel it staring.
Those in classes 3-A, 3-B, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, and all of the first year classes can find that they're able to open the windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C to enjoy the breeze, but find an invisible barrier blocking their way and preventing any part of them from reaching out into the open space. 3-A, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, 1-B, 1-D, and 1-E are able to remove the screen and exit through those windows facing the courtyard, keeping in mind it is the 3rd and 4th floors and they will have to climb back up to reenter the school. 2-C, 1-B, and 1-D can go a step further and find that the front door to the school opens for them, except when they try to leave, they run into an invisible barrier, unable to take another step out the door. But they can stand there and take in the sight of the school gates in the near distance, of the forest just beyond, of the npc students slipping past them on their way to and from home. At this threshold it is chilly despite the heat that smothers the school in waves, the air is fresh, invigorating, and when the sun passes overhead you swear you can feel it staring.
OOC
✽ Sometimes you summon murder imps and you gotta get rid of them yourselves. The imps are invisible unless supernatural sight (eg Nene, Clamor) or form (eg Moriarty, Sherlock) is regained, or are seen through an adder stone (possessed by Arthur, Gundham), but can still be fought either way through physical or magical means, or banished with the proper materials. They will NOT be rampaging and attacking everybody all the time, so this prompt is avoidable if you'd rather not, but they will gravitate towards 1) students who are alone, and 2) areas where there is already bloodshed happening.
✽ For the flour sack group project, groups are by homeroom and can number between 2-4 students. You may also assume npc students are part of your group if you wish.
✽ Characters may notice that physically, an elevator can't make sense without demolishing the first floor locker area, and they will have to accept the fact that not everything will make sense, and that sometimes, Ori just does not want to redraw floorplans. The elevator will be functional starting next month, maybe.
✽ Only windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C can be opened by characters in classes that have gained at least one class rank to date. Those classes that gained at least one class rank last month are able to exit out the windows facing the courtyard only. Those classes with 30 or more ranks are able to open the front door to the school but not exit through it. To anybody else watching them open the door, they will see that character turn into a shadow and go through the motions of opening the door without exiting, exactly how npc students appear when they enter and exit the school.
✽ For the flour sack group project, groups are by homeroom and can number between 2-4 students. You may also assume npc students are part of your group if you wish.
✽ Characters may notice that physically, an elevator can't make sense without demolishing the first floor locker area, and they will have to accept the fact that not everything will make sense, and that sometimes, Ori just does not want to redraw floorplans. The elevator will be functional starting next month, maybe.
✽ Only windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C can be opened by characters in classes that have gained at least one class rank to date. Those classes that gained at least one class rank last month are able to exit out the windows facing the courtyard only. Those classes with 30 or more ranks are able to open the front door to the school but not exit through it. To anybody else watching them open the door, they will see that character turn into a shadow and go through the motions of opening the door without exiting, exactly how npc students appear when they enter and exit the school.
no subject
You always have to be so difficult, don't YOU. ( :/ ) Write one wish anyone at all could fulFILL, rather than ones that are so deliberately pointed at certain peoPLE.
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( if they're looking at what's written on the board, he's going to stare... at the one that stands out which is... )
There's the talented and untalented, everyone gets a turn.
( :) )
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You're only going to take it and use it to fuel your self-confirming biaSES, and I'm not in the mood to try and find anything good about YOU, your face and inability to give up aSIDE. ( maybe the real verbal abuse was the compliments we gave komaeda along the way. ) I'll ask you something THOUGH, before it drives me up the wall with its vagueNESS. Who is "him," and what do you want to be used FOR?
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( you see, natsume's meanness is a real treat, it's different... talented... something that komaeda can find himself smiling about because he's actually enjoying himself. he knows that his happiness is enough to make the other sick, so that's the twisted logic he has to ensure he keeps going. )
Do you want to be "him?" ( wait, this means he'd get more abuse this way... ) I wonder... how would you use me if you could be that person?
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you just wanna pull all the people still somehow alive out of it. )
Unfortunately for YOU, you haven't wronged me in any WAY, so it isn't as if I'd use you for anything demeaning or treacherOUS. ( try killing someone he loves and then when he hates you, well, that's the sexy part. ) I have a few knots I've wanted to doublecheck THOUGH, and a consenting subject is preferable for ME.
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( that comes out as a shock, and something he might need to fix soon as he thinks about it. it's a shame if he doesn't help grow the hope of people around him, and natsume is also one of the many that needs a few weeds plucked. leave it to komaeda to fix that! )
I haven't wronged you... ah, I guess that talk about Sora was well needed?
( this is said with a smile as he walks towards the other, leaning so he can look at the other's face from below — you know how them bitches look up, whatever. ) Sakasaki-kun, who knew you looked at your fellow classmates as guinea pigs!
no subject
slighting him gets snide, biting commentary for the rest of your life. slighting someone he likes gets the threat of a metaphorical leash, and other more significant threats.
regardless, natsume's eyes narrow; his fist clenches, nails biting into palm again without breaking skin; and he throws a punch square for komaeda's too-close face. )
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...Sakasaki-kun are you okay?
( when komaeda mentioned that conversation, he didn't mean the content, and more so the flow that brought the other to become more lively. he noticed it, wondering if the youth did himself, but if he didn't then komaeda can move on.
did natsume fall in his arms? did he get a damsel in distress? )
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(and he hadn't noticed it, really. he'd just been extremely angry that komaeda'd talk about things he had no knowledge of - natsume is aware, but not that aware.)
he puts pressure on his ankle and frowns; it hurts, but it's fine, and he gently steps closer to the wall so he can lean against it for a bit )
...I'm FINE. ( he glances back at komaeda's wishes, anger receding in exhausted frustration until it's only embers smoldering in his chest, and then slowly moves his gaze back to komaeda. his voice isn't its usual gentle, pleasant quality, but quiet and firm, the fading anger present in it: ) People who cannot change and who refuse to CHANGE, thinking their self-harm is just as long as their ends justify the MEANS, gain nothing and give nothing to those around THEM.
( a waste of space, it seems to say, but natsume doesn't ever speak the words; he sighs instead, inaudible. )
Komaeda-san, I'm going to fulfill your third WISH, but on one condition - you can't say no to ME. Whatever I ASK, that's exactly what I ask FOR.
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what komaeda pays attention to more is the tone of which natsume is speaking, and he remains on the floor with a smile to show he isn't too bothered. in response to his stumble, he puts his hand on the surface of the floor to help push himself up, and he laughs sheepishly as he does so. out of habit, he opens and closes his prosthetic as it whirrs softly with every movement so he has something else to focus on. )
You shouldn't worry about me when you should worry about you...
( there's a point being made with what natsume says, but komaeda doesn't reflect on himself. rather, he looks at everyone within the room who are hanging up their wishes, or trying their best to fulfill them. )
It is a shame if their efforts give nothing to feed into the hope of others around them, but I guess that way they'll take it into their own hands!
( it's a familiar concept for komaeda, but he stares at natsume being curious himself about what the other has given aside from a helping hand here and there. even now, he wishes to do the unbelievable by making komaeda's third wish come true, and he smiles — though with a dead eyed expression — while trying to figure out his feelings on the matter. )
Why that wish exactly? Is it because you want to control what you know you can't?
no subject
( a wry smile; it doesn't reach his eyes, because he's never been fond of that particular jab of hokuto's. )
I'm going to leave if you say no THOUGH. I'm not desperate for someone like YOU.
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( which have two different meanings to him, but he'll place a hand on his hip as he raises the other to dismiss his statement. )
Only an Ultimate can make proper use of me... ( he's always been like this, alright, but there's a reason for it. ) If I can help in cultivating their hope... the purpose of my existence will finally be met. ( taking a step forward, he pats the idol's shoulder like he's being a good sport about this. )
If you need help with yours, I don't mind being of assistance, Sakasaki-kun!
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Touch me aGAIN, and I will finally make good on my THREAT.
( which threat? taking apart komaeda's stupid robot arm? giving him another to match? killing him???? a threat. )
...It would make me hopeful in a WAY, so if that's your requirement to be useful to ME, then FINE. Now, are you going to be a good boy and agree to my one condiTION?
no subject
( he chuckles, smiling softly at natsume to see his reaction, before he continues. )
...Is something I'd never say, fortunately, but I do like you, Sakasaki-kun.
( he's just ultimate leaning, and he's never really been controlled by someone who lacks talent. he'll do the same thing he did for komaru in his servant days, and that's assist as long as he can help the other's efforts with their hope. it does make him wonder what about himself that makes the other go as far as to want him as a pet, but you know, maybe he'll figure that out later. )
Besides, I'm not a good boy at all... I'm a bad, bad boy... pathetic even... sighs...
no subject
he should just start walking the other way when he sees komaeda, but that feels like losing, and he doesn't like losing.
...he is going to walk away now though, a pivot on his (non-hurty) ankle and quick, light steps down the hall to idk go steal more herbs from the kitchen, bye )