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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
It would be no trouble at all. I am glad to help! As a member of the student council, I should do all that I can to help out fellow members of the student body! And even without that duty, I would still feel the call to action!
[A beat.]
...Now. Which should we address first?
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[ Also a good deal of what Komeada was talking about had to do with this guy, and he looked so crushed by the knife-guy comment that Crona feels to awkward to push the issue. ]
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[He clears his throat and slaps a fist into his other hand as he tries to regain his composure.]
Now, for starters, what sorts of things frighten you?
1
You....you really wanna know?
2
[ inhale. ]
Oh! Also there's a bunch of invisible things that pushed me down the stairs yesterday. That was scary too.
no subject
First of all, of course you're alive! Can't you see that all of us in these halls are alive and well, and breathing some blessed oxygen? Feel your heartbeat, and there's your proof! That's a gentle life that's still pressing onwards...!
[Then he pauses and frowns.]
The rest of your problems are trickier. There are rules to a classroom that should be respected, so I am sorry to say that you should only take shelter in a corner with permission or during an emergency! [He shakes his head.] It also sounds like you are lacking the necessary prerequisites for your classes! You've never been to school before? I'd like to know what kind of education you've received in that case! Home-schooling?
SORRY THEY'RE LIKE THIS ISHIMARU
I guess I did it at home? I also traveled a lot...so can you call that home schooling? [ No corner?? Do you even know what you're implying Ishimaru! ] My education. Uh...lots of fighting stuff? We started with the little one and worked our way up. Oh! Lady Medusa taught me a bit of reading because I'd need it if she left me alone but I don't think there was anything else.
no subject
Your travels would count as studying abroad, but only if you learned actual educational content during those trips! You need to have an instructor following a curriculum.
[He's implying they should respect the rules of a classroom!!]
Fighting is not part of most curriculuums and does not count. Reading, on the other hand? Now that is a step in the right direction. Grammar, Literature, Mathematics, History, Science, Social Studies! Those are some of the core subjects that you should be learning!
no subject
Studying abroad... That sounds really impressive. [They got to break some windows in a church in Italy? Did that count as studying history? ] My mother worked at a school once, so does she count as an instructor?
Wah... [ This feels like talking to Maka. She's the only person Crona ever met who really liked books and tests. How...surprisingly okay to deal with. ] Those are a lot of words I don't understand Ishimaru-san. Isn't that too many things to make up a core subject? I'm not sure how I could deal with remembering so many things at once.
no subject
[He folds his arms as he tries to weigh over each piece of information they present. Ishimaru feels like he really has his work cut out for him here!]
If you do not understand many of those words, then that is concerning! It may seem like a lot, but those are essential concepts that are helpful to every day life. You must truly commit yourself to your studies, Crona-kun! It may be better to approach this not as learning everything at once, but learning one thing at a time!
no subject
Eeep! [ They flatten against the wall in response to his enthusism. ] I'm sorry Ishimaru-san! I'll learn six things at once if you want! I just don't know how! Commiting myself is hard to deal with!
no subject
[And he raises his arms in a calming gesture!]
It is alright!! You do not need to push yourself so hard, all at once! You can try learning one subject at a time. But you will have to apply yourself if you want to keep up with your classes here. And I will do all that I can to help you! I promise you that!
no subject
You're very confident in me. [ A long exaggerated sniff as they wipe their nose on their sleeve. Gross Crona, there's a cool upperclassman type here. ] I don't know how to deal with that. Are you a really good person? At...a-applying yourself? You're one of those people with talents right? Komeada told me about you.
no subject
[After that swift scolding, he continues with an uneasy smile.]
I am not sure if Komaeda-kun is the most reliable authority on many matters, but it is true that I am noticed for a talent. My talent is being a member of the Public Morals Committee. You can think of it as being like an Ultimate Moral Compass! [Even if he's not sure if he's worthy of that title anymore.] But even more than natural talent, I believe in the power of hard work! Anyone can gain skills and become better by applying themselves!
no subject
Mhm. Well if you say so. That sounds very impressive! [ It's pretty clear it went over their head. Public Morals Committee? What on earth... ] You must have worked really hard then...for your hard work to be...super extreme hard work. I couldn't deal with working that hard. Did you want something that bad?
no subject
...Ah, thank you. I appreciate that you can acknowledge the value of hard work! I am sure that you are capable of working hard too. You just have to work hard at it! [It all makes perfect sense to Ishimaru! And he's sure it will make just as much sense to them too. He pauses as he considers their question.]
What I want...? It's simple! I have wanted to surpass the natural geniuses of the world through hard work alone! And I hope to inspire a society that bases everything around rewarding hard work! Such is my dream.
no subject
I can't deal with a world that intense! It's scary! Can you make a society that rewards something else??? Like... [They pause for a long time. Come on Crona, what would your ideal world be... ] ...being nice?
no subject
[It makes perfect sense to him! Ishimaru gives Crona a slight sympathetic smile, but then he goes on.]
Nonsense, there's nothing scary about it! While it's true that being nice is quite splendid, it does not push a society forward. Hard work is the power that can change the world! If we all keep on doing our best, we can only accomplish great things, and we can still be nice while doing so! See? There is a spot for niceness after all! Ahahaha!
[He laughs triumphantly to punctuate that!]
no subject
Society going forward? Ah...my mother often talked about that. She really hated the status quo. [ They frown a bit, fiddling with the hem of their uniform. ] I think I like your idea for the world a lot better. Nice things are easier to deal with then scary things. So if you ask me to work hard for something like that, I'll say ok.
[ They're basically saying they'll kill someone for him, because thats the only thing they know how to work hard at but... he doesn't need to know that. ]
no subject
How splendid! I am glad that you approve of my ideas for society. I knew I would find a companion in you after all!
[He raises a fist energetically.]
Then there's no time like the present! Let's keep working and improving ourselves, and work our way towards the time when we can improve society around us!
no subject
Oh? Companion..so like, friends? [ Even after they told him all the things they were afraid of? Oh my... ]
A-eep! Like? Right now? H-hold on! I don't even know what to do yet!
no subject
Yes, very much like friends! We may be kindred spirits when it comes to hard work...! [Or so he hopes!]
Ahahaha! Of course, there's no time like the present! You should start with your studies. Focus on the fundamentals! Practice your reading and writing! You can dot his, Crona-kun! You have my full support!!
no subject
Ishimaru...you're really nice! Sorry I called you something mean earlier.
Komeada is already helping me out after class...though he's mostly just explaining hope to me since I don't get it. I mean, just, if you want to come too...I can also practice reading...if y-you want!
no subject
...It- it is alright. I forgive that. [And he feels that perhaps he might deserve that!
He proceeds to look more concerned as Komaeda is mentioned.]
I would be glad to help you out in getting the hang of everything you need to learn! I... would also like to provide my own thoughts regarding hope. ...Ah... with all due respect to Komaeda-kun, he seems to follow his own odd definition of hope... I will do my best to make things much clearer to you!
no subject
O-oh? You want to come? That could be fun... Like a party... [They're not really processing the idea of two people they like disagreeing. ] Do you want to bring a book? Maka taught me how to write poems...
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