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04/04, 23:56

M.Arisu

hey... anybody who's awake to see this. hope you're not having too much trouble sleeping.
get rest when you can. work together when you can.
all we can do is keep trying, but i'm hopeful for this year.
feels weird to say... but it's all going to be gone soon, so...
anyways.
see you at school tomorrow.

Any replies on the forum go unresponded, and at the stroke of midnight, the past year's worth of messages are completely gone from the PDA forum, including any sent over spring break. Hope you have a good memory if you were in the middle of a conversation! Though you should really be in ...whatever you've managed to make your bed... because tomorrow is a big day.

04/05, 06:00

The silence continues until six in the morning with the toll of the clock tower bells, and anybody near the locker area will hear two women in mid-conversation as they phase through the front doors, heels clicking on the ground: "-—didn't even have the decency to finish the job! And now I have to— oh, stop crying, for goodness' sake! I swear—" It's a one sided conversation, mostly, and one that stops short the moment the women spot the students lingering around. While the younger woman, recognizable as the assistant principal, hurriedly scrubs at her face with her sleeves, the unfamiliar older woman with the oddly dissonant voice scowls intensely. "I don't need this on the first day of school! Students trespassing over break! I can't believe it! I don't have time for this—" she huffs, shaking her head and stomping down the hall towards the faculty office. "Miss Nene, I expected better of you! And you! Miss Ritsuka— the two of you shall report to the faculty office after the entrance ceremony. I expect a full report of everybody involved. Now behave yourselves and go to the auditorium."

Goodbye...

The assistant principal is left behind and looks confused and distraught. She sniffles and ducks her head a little, draws a shaking breath and stands a little taller. "I'm so sorry. I'll hear you all out after- after this is done. Alright?" She too heads towards the faculty office, trying her best to smile at those she passes by. While they may be followed, they seem to phase through the faculty office doors which remain closed and locked, and cannot be interacted with until after the ceremony.

Until then, other students start to filter through the front door, seeking out friends and chatting about their breaks, remembering about homework and asking if anybody actually did it so they can copy off them before classes start, laughing at any mention of being locked inside the school all break because what?? that's silly. A handful of students wear yellow armbands on the left sleeve of their uniform, marking them as members of the student council, and these student council members go around finally removing the gorinto from the window sills, tossing the rocks into a bag without any apparent ill effects, and collecting the snacks in a separate bag— though they'll offer the food to anybody they pass who looks hungry enough. Which is a lot of you. One or two might give a short lecture about the importance of eating breakfast to start the day off right. Other student council members busy themselves in the locker area, posting the new homeroom assignments and updating the school calendar to reflect exam dates and breaks for the coming year, or help setting chairs out in neat rows in the auditorium in preparation for the entrance ceremony.

04/05, 08:00

The opening ceremony starts at 8, with students and staff moving to the auditorium to sit with their homeroom class, calling characters out by name and dragging them over to their seat— physically if need be, and they're much stronger than they look. Unlike the graduation ceremony, characters are not forced to come to the entrance ceremony, but the moment they take a seat, they find that they can neither speak nor get up again until the ceremony is over.

The assistant principal stands behind the podium on stage, looking rather nervous as she glances down at the watch on her wrist for it to be time, and clears her throat before addressing the room. "Yogen High welcomes you, all our new students," she pauses, beaming at the row of first year classes before her gaze sweeps over the rest of the student body, "our transfer students, our returning students, our... repeat students..." Looking at you, Norton, Gawain, Abel... "I, um. You may have noticed that I am standing in for our principal today, who is currently... unavailable... and didn't exactly leave any notes to go off of..." She wilts a little, but trucks on nonetheless and continues the address, promising that the teachers will pass along any important announcements, expressing her belief in the potential of young minds, and wishing everybody a fulfilling school year. The ceremony concludes in a little under an hour, and the spell binding the students to their seats is broken, allowing everybody to rise and leave.

School lets out for the rest of the day with classes starting the next morning, and while many students take the opportunity to leave, some linger around the school. Gossip is flying already with news of the transfer students caught breaking into the school over break and what punishments they might get, rumors of what happened to the principal ranging from a family emergency to hospitalization to death, complaints about the water pipes not getting fixed over break, and general excitement over upcoming events listed on the bulletin board by the lockers, in particular new club advertisements, fortune telling ads, and a Charity Auction to be hosted the Monday after Golden Week next month.

April

School is school... The first thing teachers ask at homeroom Tuesday morning is for students to hand in their spring break homework. Didn't do it? You're on their shit list now. Characters are not forced to attend class, but patrolling faculty and student council members will heckle any truant students into going and can be a pain to deal with. Classes aren't taught terribly, though. The second year math teacher has a knack for easily digestible explanations, even if she writes and erases the board a bit too quickly to copy. The third year literature teacher combines weekly analytical essays with film studies, and is showing Child's Play, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Silence of the Lambs, and Where the Red Fern Grows this month. The first year biology teacher brings eyeballs and frogs and rats for dissection during anatomy lessons, and if you have a special request for a specific eye color, give him a day or two and he can deliver. 2-A's homeroom teacher can be seen stealing chalk from each of the second year classroom she rotates through and is offering extra credit to any students who sneak her chalk without asking questions.

New students will quickly learn that merit points are awarded for a full day's attendance, turning in homework, participating in class and clubs, scoring 80% or higher on quizzes and exams, etc. Less predictably, the PDA may sometimes ping for a single merit point when hanging out with a friend or arguing with a classmate, with stronger emotions (positive or negative) when interacting with somebody else more likely to trigger a point, and if students are abusing this system, it's kept out of the faculty's eyes. As the month goes on, sometimes a student comes to class with a cut eyelid, or a busted lip, or bandages wrapped thick around a wrist, but they always deny anything more than clumsiness or an accident or having pets who very aggressively show their love. Sometimes it's harder to hide, when a bloody nose drips onto the ground or bleeding knuckles brush against the wall, and those near enough to see blood touch the building will find that everything sort of... shifts... Just for a second. The feeling of vertigo that stops almost as soon as it begins, the world tilting without slotting back into alignment. You feel a bit nauseous. Just a little.

You go to the bathroom to splash water on your face and the pink looks a little darker, a little more solid. On the fourth floor, the water has stopped running in the bathroom sinks altogether, and students are told to go downstairs to do their business so that they may wash up after. With more students milling around the bathrooms, it's much easier to notice that people's reflections in the mirrors are just a bit off, lagging that split second long enough to be impossible to ignore once aware.

Every day you have homework. A new essay for something or other is assigned each week. Nobody wants to do group projects with a slacker who can't promise to meet up after school to get it done. Like clockwork, the school empties out at 6 PM each school day, leaving those behind to their own devices. There is no school on Sundays. Golden Week marks the end of the month, and guess who's going to be stuck at school for an entire week with only vending machine junk food to live off of if they aren't able to make progress concerning their living situation? Yeah.

Charity Auction

At least students have the charity auction to look forward to and work towards. Information about the auction set on May 10 can be found on the bulletin board, and appears to be put together by the student council as an annual event and an incentive for students to start the year off strong in earning merit points. Both students and staff are encouraged to donate to the auction, with the items collected and put on display in the auditorium behind locked glass cases. On May 10, students will be able to bid on items using their merit points, those who donate will receive 10% of the winning bid towards their item, and the school will match donations 100 to 1 point with proceeds going towards the "Save A Brain Foundation."

Throughout the month, glass cases lining the walls of the auditorium start to fill up with donations. The most popular donations seem to be physical items: possessions such as jewelry or gaming consoles, or artistic creations such as hand sewn clothing or paintings. There are placeholders for things that can't be put on display all month, such as placards with a picture or description of homemade food that won't be prepared until the auction date, or the promise of fishing lessons with the guidance counselor or a dinner date with the school principal (pending availability). At the back of the room stands the largest case, with the skinny black cat often found lying on top of it as if guarding it, although it will run away when approached.

Inside the case is a body.

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✽ The plot will only move forward as things are discussed and acted upon, and clues distributed during app acceptances are meant to be shared and connected, so don't be afraid to ask questions and dig into things! I am here to enable.

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[ Abel is drawn from his dumbfounded stupor by the voice at his shoulder - and he gives a small start at finding himself in the presence of another. the priest gently nudges the glasses further up his nose, glancing side-long at his fellow "student." the soft knit at his brow and sobriety of his expression should indicate his own feelings on the matter rather plainly - this is terrible. ]

...I feel if I had the answer to that question, a lot of things around this place would make more sense, hm?

[ a rueful, decidedly unhappy tug of his lips - but he shifts his weight toward Meng Yao. ]

Are you-- [ um... a hesitation; this is a little awkward, ] ah. A 'transfer,' too?

I apologize, you're right in that.

[ Even if the other wasn't offended, Meng Yao figured saying those words couldn't hurt. Then, he'll give a short, respectful bow, believing this would be the perfect time to introduce himself as well. ]

You'd also be correct in your assumption. My name is Meng Yao...though it's unfortunate that we're meeting under the current circumstances.

[ As he said this, his eyes will slide back over to the...uh, body on display. ]

[ oh, so polite! Abel bobs his head in a bow in return in some awkward way that suggests he isn't particularly well-accustomed to these exchanges himself. well, when in Rome, as they say! ]

Ah, you're... quite right on that front. --And please, don't apologize... considering the circumstances... I feel like everyone must be a bit out of sorts, you know?

[ his eyes follow his company's. ...is this person truly--

...he isn't sure what's more unnerving, the fact they're on display? or the horrible possibility they might have been placed in this case alive and left to expire. ]

--Oh, where are my manners...? [ ...right, right-- introductions. ] I'm Abel-- Father Abel, though I-- ah. Am not exactly looking the part of a priest, these days, you'll have to forgive me...

[ he's stretching his hand out in greeting for a shake with a slightly sheepish smile. if nothing else, he can do his best to try and take the edge off this uneasy situation with a bit of warmth, right? even if... well. it wouldn't change what lay right in front of their eyes. ]

[ He would definitely notice, but he appreciated the attempt all the same. That said, he will nod to the other man's question, because it was true.

...He had to wonder who wouldn't feel out of sorts here. ]

It's alright. I mean, our situation obviously isn't, but I'm not going to fault anyone for not looking like they should. Otherwise, I'd have to lump myself into that judgment as well.

[ Meng Yao will return the sheepish smile, and then stare at the hand before reaching out to it. Handshakes weren't exactly a foreign concept, but it wasn't something someone's really offered to him before. ]

It is a comfort to know that we do have a man of your profession here, though. I don't think everyone here is familiar with the supernatural elements of our circumstances.

[ something about Meng Yao's gentle disposition is a little soothing?? considering the circumstances, it's a trait he appreciates; Abel's taking that offered hand and giving it the gentlest of shakes. ]

...Well, admittedly - the supernatural is a bit outside my area of expertise as well, ah... I've heard some people talking about 'magic' being real and the like, but -- that sort of thing isn't common knowledge where I'm from, if it exists I'm afraid. More the stuff of legends and fairy tales, so I'm a bit out of my element...

[ the sort he knows is not the same sort of 'magic' most reference anyway, he's relatively certain, ]

But... does this mean it's something you're familiar with, Meng Yao?

[ He'll try to ensure his grip was appropriately firm, though it did fall a little ways from that due to it being his first time. ]

Oh. Really? Well, I suppose that is what I get for presuming.

[ People certainly hadn't seemed to be from the general area he was from. He didn't forget that, but it's hard getting used to most of the company not being unfamiliar with strange supernatural things.

So now he will look appropriately sheepish and actually feel it too. ]

...Yes, I am. You see, back home I'm someone who normal people may rely on to solve trouble with supernatural oddities or threats.

[ ...he'll just not mention how prone cultivation sects were to infighting, though. ]

Edited 2021-04-05 23:31 (UTC)

--Oh! Really...? So you must have quite a lot of experience on the subject.

[ Abel is eying him with renewed interest at that - supernatural oddities and threats, hmm...?

...and then his gaze strays to the body being held within the glass case. if that's so, then... ]

Then, do you think that this... [ a little sober gesture to the case, and then the school beyond ] ...All of this, could be tied to something like that?

This one humbly begs you to not have too many high expectations, however, as there are others more talented in my line of profession.

[ But, he'll nod. ]

The signs are all there. Though, it's hard to say what exactly is driving all of this. But, the abnormalities and aberrations would at least indicate the source of it being something supernatural. Though, given how many people have been drawn into this, I'm sure it's the work of more than one entity or individual.

[ It was too involved to be just the work of a single creature or being, as far as he could tell. ]

Edited 2021-04-06 23:44 (UTC)

[ ...Meng Yao is a good person, isn't he? the longer they speak, the more that impression is solidifying itself to Abel in response to his humble and soft-spoken nature. Abel thinks he's going to quite like this man.

but he keeps his expression relatively professional (he can't go spilling his messy optimistic idealism so soon, you know) - and he's taking that opinion with due consternation. ]

Do you have any idea what they could be looking to achieve by all this...? I mean, it's one thing to trap people in a school. But we're all from different backgrounds, walks of life... and it's a little strange they've cut us off and made no demands or anything, don't you think?

[ and now... to take a young life? Abel doesn't understand. he doubts Meng Yao will have a definitive answer, but... he'd appreciate hearing his thoughts on the matter regardless. ]

[ Meng Yao was almost surprised to be asked this, but it made sense that he would. He had said that he had some experience with the supernatural, and really it was nice to be trusted in the sense that he'd bother to be looked towards for possible explanations of their situation.

In the end, however, even thinking of potential motivations for all of this seemed difficult. ]

I do think it's strange, yes.

...Unfortunately, I wouldn't know what their goal is and it's difficult to ascertain it at this point, honestly. I could only suspect that they obviously want something from us, at the very least. I'm not sure what it is, but I believe that's what happens to be partially driving the reason behind our being brought here. I just hope we're able to figure it what it is sooner than later.

[ there's too little to go off of, hm? Abel feels he's in the same boat, unable to make an educated guess as their captors' intentions - or even their identities. the faculty had been surprisingly and convincingly oblivious thus far. ]

We're really in the dark, aren't we...? [ a rueful sigh, before he shakes his head. ] Everything had been inconvenient but harmless up until now. But... with someone having been murdered, I guess there's no denying the fact their intentions are probably less than benign, hm.

[ and they can't even ascertain if this girl was a transfer student, her sleeves obstructing view of her wrist. a life is a life regardless, but - it might help them determine why she had been killed if they had an idea. ]

...Yes, I really can't imagine that they have good intentions in mind.

For all we know, they could simply have fun just sticking us in here, causing chaos, and seeing what happens. Though, I'd hope that it was a more involved reason for that.

[ Deep down he's sure that eventually, something will have to give; whether it'd be due to them finding out more information or because the culprit behind all of this had tired of staying in the shadows, keeping their plans a secret. He just preferred at that point for all of them to be in a more advantageous situation when the time came. ]

[ rats in a maze, so to speak? the idea has crossed his mind, too, though it isn't a pleasant one. ]

I'd hope by the nature of how elaborate something like this must be to pull off, that means there's some... deeper meaning to it than that. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, though...

[ well. he eyes the girl whose fate is rather clear - is this a message? 'not all of you will be returning home alive'? ]

...I wonder if she was a "transfer" student? [ it's a shame. it's a terrible shame, regardless. but... was this her world? would her family ever know what happened to her? ]

I believe that there is nothing wrong with a bit of wishful thinking, seeing as I was indulging in it myself.

[ That and if it was something more arbitrary or senseless than what they hoped it'd be, that'd be ironically more difficult to deal with, from his perspective. ]

...I suppose it's hard to say if she were or not. I don't recognize her, and we don't even know how long she's been here for. But, I have a feeling if she were, she'd have attempted to leave some sort of clue that she had been a 'transfer student', and I'm not seeing one just yet. So until we have, I think it may be safe to assume she wasn't?

[ some kind of clue, hm... Abel frowns pensively at the girl trapped within her glass confines. ]

Maybe she has. Maybe... once we find a way to get her out, we'll know for sure? [ the only common denominator so far he's found, is--

ah-- tapping his wrist where those tally marks are hidden beneath his sleeve. ]

We can't tell with her clothing hiding it, but - she might have the markings, right?

We certainly would.

[ Meng Yao idly wondered how affronted some of his fellow cultivators would be if they knew they were going to have to bid on a dead body to try to discover what happened to it...as well try to ascertain the origins of the said person.

Well, he knew for certain what the reaction of one would be. ]

And yes, she might. It's unfortunate we can't see if she has or not yet, but...that'll change in the event one of us does win her dead body as a prize in this so-called auction.

[ Too bad they probably can't just smash the glass case. Meng Yao wouldn't want to deal with what kind of consequences may occur as a result. ]

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