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wake up

You open your eyes. And then immediately squeeze them shut as a cloud of chalk dust gets clapped in your face, the student next to you looking surprised— but the sort of surprised as if they're faking it, barely suppressing a laugh. "What're you dozing off for, transfer student?" they ask, going back to wiping clean the chalkboard you two are standing in front of. "The sooner we get everything cleaned up, the sooner we can go home!" Another classmate tosses a wet rag at the side of your face, laughing as if a joke— if it weren't strangely warm to the touch, with dark red stains smelling strongly of iron.

All characters open their eyes and wake up in one of the classrooms around school. Whatever they remember last, it's lost in a thick, sleepy fog, the drowsiness still wearing off and making it difficult to reconcile the fact that they've never seen this classroom or these people in their lives, but somehow, it feels like they've been here forever. The other students all act familiar towards you, calling you by name and encouraging you to help clean the classrooms as part of observing the Vernal Equinox. Buckets of soapy water are set on the desks around the classrooms, light pink suds spilling over the sides, and both students and faculty can be seen hard of work scrubbing dark, stubborn stains out of the walls and floors. "It must be absolutely spotless," they murmur under their breaths. "All evidence must be erased."

You don't have to stay and clean. You could throw the rag back into a bucket and flip these strangers the bird and exit the classroom. But those who don't help clean even a little will find that they leave sticky red footprints wherever they walk, creating more work for everybody else and becoming very easy to track down and """accidentally""" knock over the backside of the head with a mop handle. Besides, it's not like you can walk out of the school and get back to whatever you were doing before. Your feet may bring you to the front door on autopilot, but the doors do not open for you, and neither do any of the windows no matter how hard you try to pry them open or kick them in.

Careful, though. On some windowsills, particularly on the third and fourth floors, rests a stack of five flat stones one on top of another: a gorinto to those who recognize such a thing, a pile of rocks to those who do not. The stones are all damp with water, topped with a scattering of wisteria flowers, and flanked by cheap packaged snacks. Whether on accident or on purpose, the moment you touch any of it—-

wake up

You open your eyes. The last thing you remember is touching a wet stone or trying to swipe the rice cracker beside it, and in the next moment, you're somewhere else inside the school. Characters who touch the gorinto or its offerings will find themselves pulled into a memory of high school life, one that feels like theirs, although they recognize that that's impossible. There's the feeling of being classmates with the other characters- perhaps two characters are seat partners, or best friends, or rivals, or club members- but despite the familiarity, do not know each other's names or recall ever seeing their faces before. Essentially, live your pre-established cr high school au dreams.

The memories fade in and out of different scenarios, but they all start off the same: You open your eyes.

(tw: implied suicide)

You're standing in front of a window, cold fingers wrapped around your wrist and pulling it away from the pile of stones. Perhaps another character has come to your rescue, or else one student in particular who shakes his head, whispers "don't," and walks away.

wake up

You open your eyes and wipe a bit of drool off the corner of your mouth. There's really no shame, when half the students sitting around you in the auditorium are half asleep as well. As if coming out of a dream, the characters don't remember getting here, just that they are now- sitting in uncomfortably hard plastic chairs in the back rows in the auditorium, the school principal's flat, droning voice reverberating oddly off the walls of the large room. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get up out of your seat.

"...and now, let us congratulate the graduating class," the principal says, stepping back from the podium. A single student rises to her feet and meets the principal at the center of the stage, her long dark hair falling across her face as she bows and receives her diploma. "Congratulations, graduate. May your life be full and prosperous. Please, if you would say a few words..."

The girl straightens and pushes her hair out of her face with one hand— she has no other hand, the entire sleeve of her right rolled all the way up to the shoulder and pinned flat. She forgoes the podium and the microphone, but somehow, her voice rings out clearly and reaches all the way to the back of the room: "Keep your eyes open."

With that parting message, she steps off the stage, disappearing into the mass of students who stand and fill the room with applause, drawing the graduation ceremony to a close. Characters find that they can now get up and move, which is a good thing because the other students are all pushing and shoving to get out of the auditorium and out the front doors, phasing right through the closed doors. Like a sieve, the school empties out, leaving behind the dregs.

wake up

Your eyes are open and the school is quiet. None of the students or faculty remain in the school, and all the staff— the principal, faculty, nurse, and counselor's— offices are locked. A skinny black cat flicks its tail from where it sits on top one of the lockers, where characters can find a copy of the school calendar showing the next two weeks to be spring vacation, with the school being closed for the holiday.

At least, with school vacated, it's clear from those left who's in the same boat and allows the chance for exploration away from prying eyes of the other students and staff. Introductions are probably in order, a discussion of what the fuck is going on, maybe also a plan of attack— or a plan for survival, at the very least, because there is no way out of this school. What ingredients are left in the home economics kitchen is going to have to last everybody the next two weeks. The student store is already empty. The water runs pink. The vending machines don't respond to jostling or being kicked over and brought to the ground, only the last dozen "merit points" on your PDA that you can't earn any more of, with class out of session. The snack you've been hiding in your locker should probably be saved as a last resort. The cats are starting to look tasty.

Hang in there. School will be starting again real soon.

OOC

✽ Characters experience the recurring feeling of drifting in (school life) and out (canon life) of sleep up until the graduation ceremony, after which they will have full awareness and come to their senses. Pre-established cr is possible to some extent, as a varying degree of familiarity may remain, but all characters will be strangers to one another unless they know each other in canon. All npcs will know the characters' names, but characters will not know each other's names until introduced.

✽ The second prompt occurs upon a character touching a gorinto or any of the offerings surrounding it. While touching it, characters fall into a trance and experience different scenes of high school life, with examples given in the prompt but players are free to play out any aspect of normal school life taking place at any time during the school year.

stopit

npc contact page

locations page

✽ As a reminder, all doors and windows leading outside are locked and cannot be broken. From midnight until 6AM, all sound disappears from the world. Characters are free to use their PDA as a network, but it is text (and shitty touchpad art) only and all threads are public.

✽ TDM threads may be used for bonus activity after April AC is submitted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ishimaru remains baffled and anxious as he tries to free his arm from the other boy's clutches! He cannot understand what he means, and perhaps isn't quite willing to put any pieces together of the words that he says. He's sure he's never seen this boy in his life, even if there's a slight hint of familiarity in his voice and attire. But generally, he does not know how this guy would even recognize him.]

I- I do not understand, sir!!

[And then he's asked... to discipline him. Luckily, Ishimaru's mind doesn't go to the gutter, but he's still unnerved by the way that's asked. He sweats uncertainly.]

You do certainly seem to be... in need of discipline! In which case, my- my first instruction... would be to please release my arm, a-and take a step or two back!

( music to komaeda's ears, especially when someone with a talent will use their skills on him. when he asked, he didn't mean for it to come off in a suspicious way, and rather he's interested in learning how strong his hope is. even here, someone of his caliber willing to discipline him only makes him want to praise ishimaru even further. )

Ah! You're right... someone insignificant like me.. putting their hands all over you is just downright disgusting!

( with that, he's releasing ishimaru's hand (finally) as his own now hugs his own body, and his eyes slowly raise to stare back into those void of crimson. he looks the same, and his name is the same, what more does komaeda need to solidify his actions as a proper demonstration of how much hope means to him?

he listens though, taking a step back once and then twice — his smile twitching every so often from excitement. )

Your hope.. I want to witness every part of it.. no matter what you do to me.. it'll be worth it.. for me to help you, I'll do anything..

( ok. freak! )

[Ishimaru's relieved when his hand is finally released and pulls it back. Things feel a bit better now! But still unnerving, between the way this guy carries himself and the things that he says.]

H-hey now! This has nothing to do with considering you to be insignificant. It is just, ah, something too sudden to happen between strangers!

[Ishimaru may end up taking a step or two back himself!]

My - my hope is what you wish to witness? Well, right now I am quite hopeful about finding a way out of this school! So all I truly want right now is help finding a way out of here, as well as keeping us all in good health and morale until we are no longer stuck here! It - it is as simple as that!

( strangers? they're no strangers to love — hope rather, their familiarity only stems from the idea of talent. which is why komaeda's even buzzing at this point, and why his body feels almost hot all over. so his response to ishimaru's words are to chuckle, shaking his head as he denies that claim. )

We've known each other for a long time, you and I.

( his tone comes off mysterious, not explaining the whole picture, but settling with the chance to coax in a bit of unease. he keeps his smile though, latching his gaze onto the other's features to see how he'll react — there's always something telling when it comes to a symbol of hope. )

Of course, you probably don't see me as someone of your group, which is fine! I'm nothing more than the pus that infects the mucous... that cruds up the fungus... that feeds on the pond scum...

( he's not slowing down at all between his praise and self-deprication, and he appears to mean it as he speaks. it sounds like he idolizes ishimaru for some reason, but komaeda will clear any worries about his form of love towards the talented individual. he died, but he's here now — it's amazing! )

But knowing I'm inferior to you only makes me wonder how you'll get us out of here!

[He ends up frowning in response. As baffling and unsettling as this boy has been, he feels guilty about this person apparently knowing him.]

We- we have? I... am very sorry, but I do not recall who you are! ...And it has nothing to do with those metaphors of yours! I am not looking down on you! I just... do not recognize you. Would you like to introduce yourself...?

[He then tries to regain hid energy.]

In any case, I still intend to do my best to help see us all out of this school! We just... must all compare notes to figure out our course of action...

( finally, he manages to snap out of whatever freak daze he was in. )

Huh? You can't feel it? We know each other because we're both stepping stones towards hope —

( why else would ishimaru had died if not for that reason alone, in the future foundation's book there was an explanation of every killing and who did what murder. he recalls this one's name, his appearance, the way he died and what ties them together is that everything they've done was for one important thing. )

First, you have to tell me about your talent! Will you be using it to become a leader of everyone here? It'd be cool to see it up close.

[Now it's a mostly confused stare.]

Ah... My apologies. I do not feel any sort of innate connection like that. I also do not know what it means to be a stepping stone towards hope...

[With that, he tries to explain himself.]

My talent reflects my role as part of the public morals committee! It is actually something that is rooted in the pure energy of hard work! I do not know yet if I will act as a leader, necessarily, but I certainly hope to help organize everyone here so that we can work together at our absolute best!

( allow komaeda to chuckle at the response, shaking his head as he's already in his own world of that's not how it works. instead, he doesn't mind explaining himself. )

You're a Symbol of Hope, and everything you do is to ensure that the future is filled to the brim with it!

( though, the future is quite grim if he recalls correctly, especially with people drowned in despair. well, that's actually talking about himself. no need to focus on that when he can motivate his companion instead. )

But.. would killing you here help us find hope.. ( he hums in thought, looking the other over. ) What do you think? Putting together a good death is hard work, you know.

A Symbol of Hope - now that I can understand. That is what I am considered as a student of Hope's Peak Academy, of course! I do aim to inspire others through my actions...

[But then the rest of Komaeda's words happen.]

[His face goes pale, and now he looks at Komaeda as if he's a wild animal. He felt so far removed from the killing game, like he was finally free of it! ...But now, this stranger is talking about killing so casually!]

What- what are you talking about?! [He tenses up and steps back some more, looking ready to fight if need be.] Something like murder... has no place here, or anywhere! N-not in a normal, everyday life! I will... not tolerate you talking about such a subject like that!

Normal?

( his words come out slightly judgemental, but he follows with a shake of his head as he watches ishimaru. nothing about a talented individual like himself is "normal," and komaeda would never agree with that. )

What about you is normal? You're a Symbol of Hope, nothing about those with talents can be compared to the worms that aren't born with what you have.

( have more faith in yourself, ishimaru! as a fellow stepping stone, he should understand that people with talents are superior in the world — they're basically the hope, they're what everyone wants and more. though, this is someone with talent komaeda is speaking to, so the frown he had before slowly switches to a smile — his calm voice now comes off as thoughtful. )

What if they start to get adjusted to this sort of life, will you really let their hope rot here? ( a cute chuckle. ) If you kill someone, it'll quicken the pace of figuring out how to leave this place!

[His frown tights at Komaeda's words, and his look fixes into a glare.]

Hold it right there! This talent is not something I was born with. It was honed through years of hard work! No one should be considered a worm, when they have the power to do anything with the power of hard work!

[And the way he talks is... it's unsettling. It sends a chill down his spine, because the idea of killing someone to get out - it just reminds him of Hope's Peak. The place that he was trying to leave behind...]

S-something as lowly and insidious as murder will accomplish nothing! Hope will not rot. It... it will continue to flourish, as we work on getting out of here!

Fine, fine.. You weren't born with it, but you still have talent. That makes you different from the incompetence around you — even someone pathetic and useless as me exists only to bring you closer to hope.

( same with those who lack talent, they're entire existence is to further the reach of hope's peak academy's students. they're all who matter, so he finds it a shame that even ishimaru doesn't understand that matter. )

Besides.. you shouldn't call it that, especially if it's for hope. For that reason alone, it's an act that's smiled upon! It'll bring about a positive outcome.

( it may be hard to understand, but komaeda's already taking a step closer towards ishimaru. he settles his hands behind his back, and cants his head to the side curious as to what the other will do. of course, komaeda knows how unsettling he is, and how everything he says and does makes the situation worst, but — )

They killed you, so why can't it be your turn? Now's the chance you've been waiting for!

[As the other boy talks about him being killed, Ishimaru goes pale again. There's like a flare of energy around him briefly, but otherwise he carries on normally. Just with a fierce passion.]

Wh-what are you talking about? Nothing you are saying makes any sense! No one has killed me. I am standing right here, after all! The last thing that I would try to do... would be to try to harm or kill anyone! Hope also does not justify murder! Please... please just stop with this nonsense, young man!

Really? Well, no one would want to remember such a traumatic experience.

( komaeda's the same way, he'd rather forget it all than learn he trapped himself in a world where his subconscious got the best of him. unfortunately for him, he doesn't get the same out as ishimaru did, but there's no need to cry over spilled milk.

instead, it just makes everything about this interesting. )

Hope justifies it alright.. and you were a stepping stone towards that goal, but... are you sure you're alive?

[Ishimaru sweats, continuing to feel troubled by Komaeda's words. It partially makes him feel outraged, but also frightened. He's really not sure what happened in the end there. He knows that he was attacked! He can still feel a strong pain in his head when he thinks about it. But he woke up here, so it must have turned out alright...]

Wh-what are you talking about?! Of course I'm alive! Can you need see me standing right here and talking to you?

( "of course i'm alive!"

sounds almost like a motivational speech if it wasn't for the fact that he should add a now at the end of that. with a shake of his head, he raises a hand to his temple to tap there a few times. )

I see you perfectly fine.

( at least that sounds like a good amount of reassure to keep ishimaru from doubting himself, well, until.. )

Man... Is that the game we're playing here?

N-no. [He bites back angrily, tears stinging at his eyes.]

This is not a game! I am not here to 'play'! I am here to help all of us get out of here alive!! It is as simple as that...!

( no... not the tears..

komaeda pauses, his eyes trained on every one of ishimaru's movements. his emotions are only the start, and komaeda's aware everything he's saying is a little shove against what the other already knows. komaeda knows enough about what happened to him, every little detail was cataloged in the future foundation's book. )

How can I believe that.. what if you die on them...

( ishimaru's knowledge is like a scab, one that komaeda constantly picks at despite knowing that ripping it off will burn — or perhaps he'll be numb to the pain. )

Just like your friend! Haha! Well.. he didn't die, now did he? ( komaeda hums, leaning closer to ishimaru to stare at his tears, wondering if they'll stain his face. ) He chose with his own hope, but even that was weak... luckily when you choose with yours, it'll be stronger.. A Symbol of Hope who died using their talent to give hope to those trapped in here — it's amazing!

[Ishimaru seems very tense. And not in the same manner he usually is, which is just him carrying himself in an excessively formal manner. No, he looks as if he's being pushed to a breaking point! His fists are balled up, his teeth are grit, and he seems to boil up at the mention of his friend.]

My- my... my friend?! [He practically growls that, and it's like an aura around him is flashing.] Who're you talking about? HUUUUUUH?! [He asks in an attempt an intimidating manner.]

Don't talk about people... you don't know! Just stop saying such stupid things already!

( it's the tone, the way his voice fluctuates due to komaeda's comment that puts his hands up as if he's been caught. this is how things normally work with him, he does his best to play with their emotions only to take a step back — a bad habit he has to break. yet, it's not even done in a matter where he'll leave them alone, instead he annoyingly chooses to do something else. )

Huh?

( he repeats the same question back, almost taunting him, but then he laughs. there's nothing but pure interest in komaeda's eyes, his breathing slightly shaky from the build-up of emotion before him. what type of hope will he show? )

A pathetic guy like me with a useless talent shouldn't make you this angry, really, don't waste your emotions on me..

( sighs... )

[Ishimaru looks ready to explode! As the other boy winds down, Ishimaru almost seems surprised and almost more outraged like that. He looks almost ready to clock the other guy. Breathing heavily, he tries to rein it in.]

Th-that's... that's all you have to say? Then... do not say such things to provoke me, please!! [He lets out that shout while calming himself down some more. The thing that really got him was mentioning a friend that had died. Was he talking about him... or is this guy just making things up? Come to think of it, he still doesn't even know who this guy even is.]

I did not want to think negatively of you, but you are surely making a very poor first impression, young man! N-now tell me... what is your talent? And your name as well! Please introduce yourself properly!

( someone's irritated, and all komaeda wanted to do was have friendly conversation that revolves around hope. he continues watching the other, hearing his heavy breathing and the way he seems to be caught up in his whirlwind of emotions. did komaeda say something that bad? well, he doesn't think so, but they do say the truth hurts.

it's the shout for him, actually, laughing again as he keeps his hands up to fight his fear. )

Easy, easy! I think I'm going to let you cool down, you have a vein popping out of your skull.

( he says this despite hearing ishimaru's request on how he wants to learn both name and talent of this instigator. unfortunately, komaeda's already turning on his heel, back to ishiharu and a metal hand raised to wave goodbye. )

I'll see you next time, I really am interested in your hope!

[And just like that, it's all over. Ishimaru's in the process of cooling down, but now he feels a mix of anger and surprised confusion at how he just... leaves like that. Just like that, this uncomfortable confrontation has ended, and without any answers.]

...Ah...

[He's not sure what to say to this. He certainly doesn't feel like it would be truthful to say that it was nice to meet him.]

Please introduce yourself next time!!

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