detentionroom | [KENKOU]

[You needed an escape.

For a moment– however brief, or however not– you longed to get away. Perhaps you envisioned a vacation upon sunny, beachy shores, palm trees at your back and seagulls floating in the air. Perhaps you envisioned nothing at all, and merely accepted that anywhere but here would do. Either way. . .?

You blink. . . and you wake up slouched on a school desk, arms folded with head resting between. You lift your gaze and realize that you've woken up in the middle of a classroom, seated in one of the. . . uh, very few functional desks that remain. The others have been broken into pieces, with legs and splinters of wood scattered across the floor. Deep claw marks decorate the walls, having gouged the sheetrock with jagged, violent gashes. The window curtains are closed, but they too have been torn and ripped to shreds, with holes showing a dark and unidentifiable landscape beyond the four walls which trap you.

And written on the blackboard, in large, white letters that seem to glow in the midst of the dim room lighting, is a warning]

DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR NAME.

[. . . you are not alone]

[Each and every new arrival awakens dressed in a high school-issued track uniform. The design is up to the players, but each uniform is already color-coded to match the group at large. Somewhere on your body is a new marking: a mysterious floral design shaded the same color as your track uniform. It is glowing very gently. And in your pocket you feel. . . something warm. Further investigation reveals a tiny little omamri, tucked away in your outfit, for safe keeping. Huh! What a nice gift!]

[For now, the front door to the classroom is locked. No matter how hard you try– with physical prowess or otherwise– the door cannot be opened.]

[But hey! You can poke around the area, if you'd like! Maybe get to know your new classmates. . . ? Try not to panic. For now, everything is. . . calm]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Goes digging in his pocket and find the same little pouch]

Ah! It seems I do. It... has quite a soothing quality, doesn't it.

That's an omamori. They're good luck charms and protective charms sold at shrines where I'm from. Be sure to not open it.

I see... That explains the warmth emanating from it.

It's quite peculiar then - that we should be gifted one of these among all the other horrors here. Was it by the same hand?

That is the question. I'm not sure which answer I like more. Something on our side is... nice, but it also means we're caught between at least two things that we know nothing about.

But if it's the same force... then it's unclear what they want with us at all.

I think I'd much prefer knowing that there was someone on our side, even in an unfamiliar conflict.

The alternative is that we are simply puppets, dancing across a stage for them. But if we have allies, that means we can fight - and we can win.

( ... that strikes a cord, somehow. )

... I'm not used to help being- available. But I'm also... not prepared for something like this at all.

[He summons up an encouraging smile. the kind befitting the charm and authority of a prince]

Though we face an unfamiliar foe, you can rely on me to do my utmost to protect you. On this I swear.

( ... something reminds her of kanade. the sincerity... mafuyu smiles as well, something soft and warm. )

... Thank you. But, we're in this together, aren't we? I'm trained in first aid, so if we can get supplies, we'll be okay.

... Let's just hope that- nothing will be necessary.

[...! It's good to see her smile! he's gotta protect that smile!!]

Perhaps these curtains will suffice as makeshift bandages, should the need arise. And if the beast returns...

[he's gonna scavenge among the wrecked furniture, grabbing the metal chair legs as improvised weapons]

It will not find us such easy victims.

( he's so valid, this is the real and true response to her smile.

mafuyu glances at the curtains- they aren't ideal, but it could work. )

Mm.

It would be good to be prepared... Will that be enough, though?

It's impossible to say until the true nature of the enemy is revealed - but by the time it is upon us, it will be too late. Better to prepare what we can than to idly do nothing.

In such a time, your skills will surely be needed. Perhaps we could fashion a shield out of these desks as well...

Mm. ... I've volunteered at medic tents during festivals. So- hopefully it'll be enough.

( she'll leave the strategizing to him, since he seems to have experience here...? though that raises the question- )

... You seem rather- familiar with this sort of thing.

Due to my position, I will be tasked with managing armies, resources and strategies - to defend the kingdom from threats. And thus it is a core part of my education at the Officer's Academy.

Of course, we're also tasked with practical combat experience as well.

[most of the wood debris is too small, so he'll try to dismantle one of the intact desks.]

...

( ah. that. that makes sense. )

... It sounds like you'll do well for your people already, then...

[Immediately sheepish,]

Please, I still have much to learn! All the more reason why I must hurry back to Fódlan, as to complete my studies.

It's okay. I do, too.

( both as a ~~doctor~~ nurse, and- as a person. )

We will endure, and survive this trial to return to our duties. Of this I am determined.

( oh god duties nooooooo let her die in the haunted school actually )

Mm. We just have to get out of here.

Normally, one night suggest building a barricade, but there's hardly any usable material for that. You'll have to make due with this, for now.

[Hands her like, the top half of a desk to use as a shield]

I realize it's not the most sturdy of defenses. But if it can take a blow that would otherwise maim you, then it will have served its purpose.

( its a desk...thannnnks

no but she accepts it, and she's not as strong as the rest of their team, but she can handle this still. )

... You really are prepared...

[A mild chuckle,]

Please, I don't deserve such praise. I'm only grasping at whatever possibilities might present itself.

It's more than what I was doing. ... I do better with people to take care of, I think. Strange to be the one in need of that, now...

Have patience. I have a feeling your skills will soon be in demand.

...Especially if ones such as our burned friend there insist on thinking of others before himself.

[Said the HYPOCRITE]

Oh, don't worry. If I'm right and this is a school building, I'm raiding the infirmary for those burns first thing.

Very astute - I was thinking the same thing. It would hardly be a school without some kind of medical office.

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