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

[firstaid]

I'm truly hoping it's just someone's odd sense of humor. That must be what it is.

[After all, it seems a little too morbid to tell people to kill someone to just escape.]

[icysemblance]

If it's someone's sense of humor, it's a really twisted one.

[Weiss turns to the glass again, shaking her head.]

I can't even imagine it - not even from the bad people I've seen.

[firstaid]

I've met a couple of people that would do this, however, I believe such people are so rare I can't even imagine this would happen, either.

[People that are honestly bad, but she only knows two people in her entire world that are like that.]

[icysemblance]

I've met people who would kidnap one person, but this many? I can't even imagine it.

[She shakes her head.]

[firstaid]

Neither can I. I can't fathom why anyone would do such a thing. At the very least they're giving us rooms and food.

[Leave it to Estelle to see the positives in a negative situation.]

[icysemblance]

That's true. It's one bright side of the thing, at least.

[Someone needs to be positive. It takes a pretty strong person to see the light in this bad of a situation.]

Thank you for that perspective. I needed it.

[firstaid]

Huh? Oh, I was just stating what we have here! So it's not so bad. [...yet.

Estelle could stand to, you know, actually be worried about this.]

[icysemblance]

I wish I was half as optimistic. I'm glad you are, though.

[firstaid]

[Hearing that makes Estelle smile.]

I just don't see the point of dwelling on negative things. People call me naive for it, but... I suppose I can't change that easily.

[icysemblance]

I don't think it's naive. I think it's admirable, being able to find the positives and focus on them.

[firstaid]

Really? I'm happy to hear that. I really am.

[Especially since she knows she should be focusing on what's wrong.]

[icysemblance]

I meant it. I tend to be a worrier, focusing on all the negatives. It's good to have someone to balance that out around.

[firstaid]

[Estelle thinks for a moment before she claps her hands together.]

Perhaps if we stick around each other as friends we can offer perspective to one another!

[Please be her friend...!]

[icysemblance]

I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm Weiss.

[She extends her hand.]

[firstaid]

[Estelle giggles before she firmly grabs Weiss' hand to shake it.]

My name is Estellise. It's a pleasure to meet you, Weiss!

[icysemblance]

Likewise, Estellise - your name is beautiful. It really is.

[firstaid]

Oh, thank you. I... I don't think I've ever been told that before.

[icysemblance]

Someone's been slacking on their compliments, then.

[firstaid]

Well, I don't exactly need them, but they're still appreciated.

[She smiles sheepishly as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.]

You're very kind, Weiss. I don't see how you're a negative person at all when you're treating me so kindly.

ignore that last response, i had the wrong tab open

[icysemblance]

I used to be a lot worse about it. I have my friends to thank for showing me where I was going wrong and helping me to get better.

Haha, it's all good!

[firstaid]

Well, it sounds like you have wonderful friends then!

[icysemblance]

I really do. I miss them a lot.

[firstaid]

Have you not seen them in a while?

[icysemblance]

Not since Beacon fell.

[She gestures to the word on the profile.]

It was attacked and overrun by monsters. As soon as there was anything even close to a route out, my father insisted on taking me home. I worry about them a lot.

[firstaid]

[Estelle's expression drops a bit at hearing that, showing sympathy.]

I'm terribly sorry to hear that. I truly hope you can hear from them soon...