Welcome.

[trustfellows]

Rise and shine. There are a few things that matter right now - the fact that you're waking up in an unfamiliar but decently comfortable bed, the fact that you don't recognize the room you're in, the fact that you seem to have some sort of headache... Nothing severe, mind. Just the sort of odd, heavy fuzziness that comes with having slept far too long. You don't really remember where you were immediately before this, not upon waking. Something will come to you eventually if you think long enough, however - a couple of seconds of consideration will bring to mind a place, a memory, a recollection of where you were and what you were doing. It probably wasn't anything that would result in you being here, though. Welcome to Graceside Preparatory Academy. You may want to pick up the key to your room before you leave the room, but don't worry too much - your door won't lock automatically, so you won't be locked out if you've forgotten to pick it up. It seems you're not alone, either; the hallway outside your room is most likely full of other confused people by now, and should you turn around to look at the door of the room you just left, you'll find a nameplate with your name printed on it. There's a single word underneath it with no explanation. This is your title, but don't worry about that right now. Depending on when you left your room there may be a clock chiming in the foyer up ahead. It seems like it's seven, though it's difficult to tell if it's seven in the morning or seven at night. There aren't any windows, after all. Should you venture into the room with the clock, you'll find that the only exit is closed - there's absolutely no way to break down that steel bulkhead. It looks like you're not getting out of here anytime soon. The foyer also holds some very interesting information. There's a bulletin board with thirty-five pictures on it. Beside each picture is some very specific and very familiar information. Feel free to examine it. The bulletin board is large enough for plenty of you to gather around and gawk. Don't try to get at it though, that glass in front of it is very thick. If you try to break it, you'll find out the hard way that it's shatterproof. Sorry about that. Perhaps even more of a concern than the glass is the list beside the profiles. It looks like a set of rules. You might want to examine those, though they're not providing much of an explanation for why you're here or how you got here. So relax and get to know your fellow Participants. You might be stuck here for awhile.

Comments

foyer

[firstaid]

Some of this information seems incorrect in general.

[Estelle is studying the profiles, her expression serious. Yet there's a particular depression in her voice and expression as well. Still, she does her best to give the other girl a smile.]

You must be Sayaka Maizono.

[She forces a bit of a wider smile.]

It's nice to meet you.

[destage]

[Sayaka turns around when she hears Estelle's voice, and...wow. Is this a cosplay convention? Sayaka never knew they could make dresses so pretty in her life, but she smiles warmly.]

That's me! You're...forgive me if I mispronounce this, but Heurassein-san, yes? It's wonderful to meet you as well.

[Sayaka bows her head, gently.]

But you're right! Some of this stuff just seems like it was tacked on for the sake of it...I haven't had any particularly nasty run-ins with bears before, so I don't know why they're on here. In plush form, they're actually kind of cute...

[firstaid]

Estellise. My name is Estellise.

[She looks a bit uncomfortable being referred to by her surname, which is why she is quick to correct Sayaka on that.]

Anyway, y-yes, I... feel the same way about some of the things mentioned on mine. L-like my powers. I...

[She cuts off. Right, she doesn't really want to talk about it right now. She shouldn't be telling a stranger about this either.]

[destage]

...Ah...

[Yeah, Sayaka seems...utterly taken aback by that. She's not used to referring to people by first name at all, but she looks so uncomfortable...Sayaka doesn't want to be impolite, but...

Estelle looks really uncomfortable, and Sayaka's quick to smile.]

It's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. [She does her best to be comforting, at least.] I just wish I knew where we all wound up coming from, though...this is getting rather confusing.

[firstaid]

[She nods, appreciating the fact that Sayaka isn't prying. Her emotional wounds still feel fresh and seeing that feels like salt was added to it.]

It is confusing. No one seems to understand what is going on which makes it seem like this is a mass kidnapping of some sort.

[destage]

...That may honestly be what it is.

[Sayaka's expression goes a little pale at the thought.]

But that's--that's kind of weird, isn't it? We're all so different...there's no reason for all of us to be here.

[firstaid]

That does seem odd. There doesn't seem to be anything we have in common based on what's on these profiles.

[That just makes it all the more weird. What condition was met to be brought here?

She looks at Sayaka and how her expression goes pale.]

Are... are you okay?

[destage]

Unless we're all going to school, but...that's...

[Sayaka's lost in her own head for a moment, before that question brings her back into reality. Sayaka wills her expression back into a pleasant smile, and...tentatively nods her head.]

It's just a little stressful. I'll be okay though--you don't have to worry.

[firstaid]

I've never gone to a formal school, so I'm afraid that isn't it.

[Though it's clear she's educated so she's had some sort of education.]

Though I agree. This is a stressful situation, however, I'm sure we'll be okay.

[destage]

[Well, there goes that. Sayaka sighs a bit, keeping the smile on her face.]

Yeah...yeah, I think I can agree with you. We just have to keep our heads held high, right? We can't let the stress get to us. [Hmm.] Maybe there's some kind of way out? I can't imagine where we'd start, though...

[firstaid]

I don't know where to start, either. However, if we don't start looking then we'll never find a way.

[Estelle seems absolutely positive about this. That if they look, then they'll find a way. It's that simple, right?]

[destage]

Let's go take a look around, then. We've got time, hopefully.

[Sayaka smiles and will start to walk, maing sure Estelle is close by. ...While she does, though--]

Ah, I...hope you don't mind, though--where I come from, it's rather impolite to refer to people by first name. Would you mind terribly if I referred to you as Sidos-san, as a compromise? I don't want to make you uneasy.

[firstaid]

[She pouts upon hearing that. To Estelle it's not a compromise in the least.]

My... my name is Estellise.

[She'd prefer to be called by her nickname, but she's not forcing anyone into that yet since she understands nicknames imply familiarity.]

I would like to be called Estellise. My family name... I don't want to be called by that or by my middle name.

[destage]

Ah, but...that's...

[...okay, on one hand, it's a girl she's talking to. If her managers were watching this, they'd be at least marginally more okay with her referring to Estelle by first name than a guy or something. But...it strikes Sayaka as so impolite...

...ANYWAY, uh, they happen upon a door at the right moment so she'll. Decide how to deal with this later and drop the subject!! Just let her open this door and...huh.]

This...looks like some kind of supply closet. [That's because it is, captain obvious.] Maybe there's some sort of keys hidden in here--shall we take a look inside?

[firstaid]

It does appear to look that way. [Change of topic is a success as they've both dropped the name issue!]

I wonder what this all is. [She picks up a can of WD-40 and presses the tab, which startles her when compressed air comes out.] ...oh!

[destage]

[Well, that gets Sayaka to jump! She's never seen WD-40 herself, so that's a little...odd.]

...That looks sort of like the stuff they used to clean out the keys of a computer. But I'm not even close to sure of what that's used for...

[Sayaka's going to go and look in a box, digging out some stuff--some candles, and some matches?]

Oh! Well, if the power ever goes out, it looks like we'll have something to give us light!

[firstaid]

Computer?

[Well, she's seen something like a 'computer' before, but definitely not like what's being spoken of right now.]

In any case, yes it does appear we have that. I would hate for the blastia here to quick working.

[Though speaking of blastia, she noticed right away hers was missing.]

Hey, are you missing some items that were on your person?

[destage]

Oh, a computer is something you can use to access the internet--it's a very wonderful device that allows you to find information in seconds! But, um...may I ask what a Blastia is?

[...though now that Estelle mentions it...]

I'm missing my barettes, actually. Along with most of my belongings I came to school with, but I woke up without them this morning. I use 'em to keep my bangs out of my face.

[They are a little unruly, and some of her hair is a bit messy where they aren't, but Sayaka shakes her head a bit.]

I hope we can find them...

[firstaid]

A Blastia is a stone that uses Aer. With it we're capable of using magic but it's also useful for technology like lighting, stoves, heat, and other such things we use in daily life.

[She figures they're being used here because of all the technology here.

Still, hmmm...]

Your barettes? Why would they take those? I understand taking my Blastia as well as my sword and shield, but that seems silly.

[destage]

Oh, I see...

[...

So Estelle is a chuuni, then, got it. That explains literally everything, but Sayaka keeps her expression bright. No use trying to dissuade, especially in a place like this. A warrior princess chuuni isn't something she's ever seen before, but.]

That is kind of silly, though. They could've at least tried to take something more important! I had a whole makeup kit back at the other dorms that I had, for starters, along with my idol costumes...

[firstaid]

[Okay but she really is a warrior princess, but whatevs, whatevs.]

Idol costumes? So you dress up?

[Yeah, Estelle's judging in her own way, but Estelle loves dressing up so it's all good!]

[destage]

Yes! [OH BOY SHE GETS TO TALK ABOUT HER JOB--] We're performers, after all, so we absolutely have to look our best for any show! You have to be willing to give it your all, and a wonderful costume is the perfect start to that!

[firstaid]

Oh, so you're an actor then? [Estelle giggles a bit.] That sounds like so much fun!

[destage]

Close--a singer! [Sayaka beams.] It really is fun...being able to perform in front of crowds of people, all chanting for you and being able to do your best for them, it's wonderful!

[firstaid]

That does sound wonderful! I imagine your singing helps perk people up.

[Well with how she acts, she must be a cheerful singer!]