[fieldbox= Nanashi, purple, solid]
[ October 1st, Late Evening / Hisakawa institution, Landing Beach ]
In hearing what the boys had to say of this Edeir fellow there was on unmistakable, clear fact that rang true in almost all of their responses.
They didn't seem to get along all that well.
And they downright had no semblance of respect for him after all that he'd done thus far. A couple of them already were open to the idea of an appropriate punishment for the one who'd been so out of line towards the others. 'Edeir' the di-chromatic blonde boy, only gave token complaints to the words being passed around. But they were ultimately dejected over this whole sequence of events that had not been turning out well for them,.
It wasn't a very good first impression at all coming to a place where they were to spend confined at for more than a year or two.
But, any talk of punishment was derailed as Hayato stood to apologize and thank everyone.
Nanashi could only look on worriedly as he did so. Despite the kind words and gratitude, the entire time, Nanashi's face had:
What's wrong with you? plastered onto her expression as she observed him talking to the other boys.
"Cmon guys, it would be bad if we fall behind the other boats. Let's go already..."
Ai urged them to go on.
"They might try aiming for us if we're slow... So, let's go already!"
Though it looked like other prison guards at first, it turned out the staff on the beach were none other than other students. Plainly wearing their own grab-bag-like assortment of school uniforms. Students on the beach helped pull in the lifeboats onto the shore. Allowing for the students from the prison ship to disembark from them.
For the first time, their feet finally hit land. It was a sandy beach that left their school loafers helplessly mired in sand, but at least they were away from the sharks.
"We heard the shots from the boat. We're glad the rest of you made it here. Anyway. form up on the beach, everyone. If the apathy from the guards hasn't sunk in yet let me tell you know, it's pretty much the same here too."
"The guards pretty much expect you to figure out how to get to the school on your own as well. But, that's where we come in and help. Beleive it or not, most students historically die between getting off the boats and finding their way to the school, so please just follow along with us here so we can keep casualties to a minimum."
The boys and girls on all the boats heard a similar sort of thing. It seemed like this place was trying to kill you at every turn. Complete law of the jungle.
"Ah. Maybe they're part of the student government here." Ai wondered aloud.
"I guess, if the guards really are as apathetic as they were on the boat, it would be up to the students to handle things on their own."
"Inmates is what we technically all are. But, if there was one thing worth believing, it's that we pretty much have to stick together in order to survive."
"Anyway, you guys have your prisoner ID slips ready? The first couple of numbers dictate which cell block you belong in, so we'll soon organize you guys to get you all off this beach. I'd advise you remember those first couple of numbers well, as you'll get your slips taken soon. Even if you managed to navigate the forest around the institution, the institution itself is arguably more complex. That's why we're here to help."
As the students got off the boat and prepared themselves... the student guide smirked after eyeing out the still soggy set of boys glistening in the moonlight somewhat.
"Also, it looks like a couple of you guys took a dip. You do realize the waters are infested with sharks yeah?"
@_Boys in general
"Nanashi? What's wrong."
Nanashi whom had been feeling around her clothes, appeared to be in distress. She held her ID slip and looked at it worriedly.
"This isn't my ID. It's Laura's."
"What?" How...?"
"But, why would you have that?"
"I don't know... but, I can't find my own. I know I had my own with my name on it before lunch... But if I have her ID then... that means she's probably realizing it's gone."
"She would immediately think I stole it if I walked over to her and showed it to her. But moreover, I don't have mine."
Ultimately, Nanashi didn't have a choice. She had to go back to the girls about it. Putting the paper back into her pocket, she bid the boys farewell. Giving them a small bow of thanks for the safe(?) trip.
Nanashi, along with AI, approached the girls from their cell. In the process of loading off of the boat. There was a bit of an air of tension among them. Just like with the boys on the lifeboat they were on. But this time, some of it was directed at them.
"Hey. Um... did any of you lose an ID slip?" Nanashi asked,
"I seem to have lost mine."
@_Girls in general
@_everyone in general
While the boys were discussing what to do with Edeir, Aster stayed quiet. He didn't think it was in his place to decide what to do with the boy; even he did try to kill him... possibly. Would knocking them into the ocean really have killed them all? He jumped in on his own free will and he was still fine so he doubted anyone would have seriously died unless they couldn't swim... like Hayato. If anything he should have been the one to choose what became of Edeir considering he was most at risk but he kept his mouth shut for the rest of the trip to shore.
Once they got off the boat Aster found himself completely thrown for a loop. Things made sense on the boat as they were corralled one place to the next then once more on the lifeboat since they had an objective to go to with ample enough motivation from the guards. Both situations were dangerous, but suddenly being on land he felt lost and confused like a fish out of water. Where were they going and how could he make sure he stayed in line? The last thing he wanted was to make a stupid mistake and find himself riddled with bullet holes. He had to calm down. Feeling overwhelmed right now wasn't going to do him any good.
"Anyway, you guys have your prisoner ID slips ready? The first couple of numbers dictate which cell block you belong in, so we'll soon organize you guys to get you all off this beach. I'd advise you remember ...'
Right, ID slips! He reached in his pocket to fish his out to feel a soggy mess inside. That wasn't good, not good at all. He felt the limp piece of paper inside along with the clammy sticks of chalk he kept on his person and gingerly pulled out the slip. The chalk had left a gross residue on the sheet but it was readable, at least. He was lucky in truth that it didn't fall out while he was rescuing Hayato or worse, was destroyed. The ID slip was his lifeline and he'd treated it so carelessly. Honestly, it should have been laminated but considering how backwards the place seemed why would they bother?
Speaking of, Aster looked to see Hayato standing somewhat close to him and quietly asked,
'How's your ID slip? Still in one piece?' He casted a glance at the brunette's hands as well but said nothing on the matter, figuring he didn't want to talk about it. He had plenty of opportunities to ask but he neglected all of them so he just had to let it go.
He heard the two girls that had been with them on the boat mention something about ID slips, but couldn't catch any more of their conversation. Maybe they were just asking each other about theirs like he was?
Having reached shore a group of fellow prisoners were there to explain the situation of the island, all in all it sounded as if they functioned as a form of community or boarding school, with the guards just there to gun escapee's and trouble makers down. So was the staff isolated or did they just take a hardline approach.. The deaths in the forest also bothered her..was this an old Island base of the IJA with landmines, poisonous snakes or a few nutcases with spears running wild?
Bowing to the landing party in a respectful manner, Kazuko accepts the information, though the issue on handing in the slips bothered her.
"Thank you for the reception and guides. We are in your care. Though I must ask, what do they do with those who have lost their slips? Is there a system to track them by name, or can we speak up for them to share a living bloc?"
Taking notice of the boys boats arrival, Kazuko would keep her word, bowing to the greeters as she partly stepped off to the side.
"Ah pardon, I must keep my eye on this.." While still in earshot of the greeters, Kazuko pegs her eyes on Ai and Nanashi.
"Yes, all of us seemed to have been victim of some malicious prank, though we've agreed to a more peaceful solution.." She says to Nanashi, given the current situation Ai had to be part of this as well, or they had a liar in their midst.
This... truly irked Laura. Maybe she was too careful. Maybe paranoid? Or maybe too much of a pessimist. Always seeing and thinking the worst about people. But the fact that, once again,
other criminals were handling their situation was simply... terrible.
Then again they had a incentive to follow the rules for the sake of serving out their sentence. She could only hope that this was enough reason for them to not fall victim to some ridiculous ploy.
"I'll be in your care then." She responded reluctanctly to one of the people managing the newcomers before eyeing the beach for Ai and Nanashi that, with a scaring timing, were already one step ahead.
"We were all missing our IDs..." She explained to Nanashi and Ai. Well, Fuka did have hers but Laura had her own reasons for keeping it so generic.
"...and they ended up in the pockets of another. I'm not sure what the perpetrator hoped to achieve by this but, as Kazuko said, we were civilized enough to resolve it peacefully. Though I am still missing my own ID neither do I know about yours. With all that said, I have to ask the obvious, one of you two have my ID?" Laura's tone was pretty neutral through the entire explanation. Like that of a business person.
At least they all calmed down just enough to get to shore. Laura did throw that comment at Kuni, but Kuni decided it would better if she just let it lie. Was trusting people really the smart play? Did Kuni even want to do the smart play in the first place?
As soon as they landed, Kuni got off the boat and listened to the explanation.
I can't believe that people die on the trek up... I feel like there's got to be some law about that... or at least the desire to make the path safer.
Kazuko explained what was happening.
"Yeah, a bunch of slips were mixed around or stolen."
Kuni's slip was tightly in her right hand. She didn't want to let it be out of sight again.
Kuni smiled and said,
"but don't worry. I think only Laura out of our group is missing her slip. Thank you for asking about it, though."
Either Nanashi or Ai had it. Even after checking everyone, it hadn't surfaced. Kuni knew Laura might suspect those two if one of them had Laura's slip. She was already showing how willing she was to suspect people, anyway.
"Uh, can I ask if you're missing yours? Maybe someone stole yours too. Mine was missing and no one replaced mine with somebody else's. They mixed mine in with Laura-chan's. I don't know why I didn't have it. If I did I would have given it back so everyone can get their stuff... maybe that's why?"
Kuni wasn't sure that was why. But, if she rambled and made herself look just a little more suspicious she might divert attention. She didn't want to ruin all the progress she'd made with these people so far, but it wouldn't be right if Nanashi and Ai were suspected next. Laura was already ready to show how extreme she could go.
They really needed to work together, and everyone was already starting off on the wrong foot. At this rate, they'd all just end up suspicious and mean to each other. That was no way to act when they'd been given a second chance.
"It's a really mean prank though... everyone only has that stuff from before they were... brought here, so stealing it would be like stealing someone's precious memories... and that's way too sad to think about."
On a scale of one to none, Banri didn't care at all about the mystery that surrounded the girls' slips. Maybe someone amongst them stole it because they had sticky fingers or planned on using it to ransom for other goods and services. Maybe the guards were just trolling and had bets on the catfights that would ensure. Maybe the thief just stole a slip to toss it down the toilet and enjoy the chaos that'd ensure. Regardless of what the case was, Banri's own slip was tucked in a private location, and now that his feet were on dry land, the young lad finally felt some semblance of sanity presenting itself to the world. His stomach was still empty, and he needed to rehydrate sooner or later, but compared to the hell that was the lifeboat, solid ground was pretty alright. Not that he was going to relax yet though.
Definitely not when Edeir was neither killed nor spanked. A wary, more measured glance flickered to the simmering rich boy, wondering if he would try a group suicide in this situation as well, before Banri stepped up to the student guide.
"Right, there any unwritten rules in Hisakawa?" he asked,
"Such as avoiding certain people or having to pay protection fees?"
@Ehb
Edeir would have never guessed the thing he would feel the most happy about all day was reaching the island. As soon as the boat reached the shore he was all too eager to get away from everyone. Too eager maybe. In his haste he caught his foot on the edge of the boat and took a sightly spill into the sand.
He honestly felt on the verge of a mental breakdown.
Nonetheless, he preserved. The blond picked himself up and kept his head high, ignoring whatever eyes might be looking his way. If he learned something today, it was that the people around him were the kind that liked to kick him while he's down. He would not give that satisfaction. Not again.
He didn't think his pride could take it.
Instead, Edeir busied himself with fixing his appearance. It wouldn't do to look so disheveled; like some homeless slob. He brushed the sand off as best he could and attempted to straighten out his still soggy clothes. Ugh. He felt like he was inside a wet sock.
"...so please just follow along with us here so we can keep casualties to a minimum."
What was that about? He'd been so focused on trying to forget his surroundings that he, well, forgot a little
too much of his surroundings! It was probably about things he heard plenty already. Nothing lost there. Although it did remind him about the slips.
Edeir fished it out of his pocket, mugging a frown at the lightly torn paper. It was still intact though so there was no need for alarm.
He looked around the beach and saw people milling about while the student leaders seemed to be waiting for... something. Looks liked he'd have to see if he could speed things along.
The blond walked over the guides, pointedly ignoring Banri who was already speaking with one of them.
"...avoiding certain people..."
Ignore it.
"Oi, when are we finally getting off this beach? I'm sick of the ocean air."
If they make a single remark even alluding to 'the incident' I swear...
Fuka sighed in relief when the rowboat finally hit the shoreline, giving the oar one last shove before hopping out of the boat with a short, sea-legged wobble. As the veterans explained the situation, Fuka shook her arms out and she paused there, panting for a minute. When her heart finally slowed again, she straightened back up and muttered to herself,
"Again with the working together? What kind of prison is this?"
Even as the others from Fuka's boat gave them some suspicious looks, Fuka offered Candy and Snowball a little wave, throwing a special, extra friendly grin at the latter.
"Maybe check Snowball's pocket," Fuka suggested in response to Nanashi.
"The treasure might be right under your nose. I hope it's there though, cause none of us have your ID, as far as I know."
With a concerned look, Fuka turned to the assistant students watching from the sidelines and asked,
"Speaking of, what would happen if someone didn't have their ID? They wouldn't be killed, would they? They'd just lose their personal belongings... right?"
"Also, it looks like a couple of you guys took a dip. You do realize the waters are infested with sharks yeah?"
"Oh is that so? Thank you for the information! And it is very kind of you to guide us, I truly appreciate it.
Then out of the corner of his eye, Hayato saw Nanashi bow and leave. Hayato waved and smiled.
"Bye bye Nana-chan, Ai-chan!"
His gaze remained on their departing figures, until…
'How's your ID slip? Still in one piece?'
Hayato turned to his right to see Aster.
"Hmm, that is a good question…"
Hayato reached into his pants' pocket and fished out a slip of paper. It was folded into fourths, still dripping water. Hayato frowned at this, then put it back into his pocket.
"Well it does seem to be in one piece, but I am unsure about its contents. In the first place, I brought nothing with me to this island besides these clothes. So losing my slip isn't a big deal. Thank you for your concern though, Aster-kun."
Hayato beamed at Aster, but his face turned into a worried expression.
"-fees?"
"-ick of the ocean air."
Hayato frowned.
"It appears we should not dally here. Let us go."
Banri approached the student guide, asking about more information about the school. Specifically, unwritten rules.
"You respect Sempai, pretty much. You break that rule and you're as good as dead."
The student guide nonchalantly said it. Like it was common knowledge.
"Other than that, don't go psychotic in public or else you'll give the guards an excuse to end you. Beyond that, information is king buddy. I'm paid to help you guys off the beach, but that's it."
So they were getting paid to do this. There was money involved.
@ERode
"Yeah, hold up we still got some stuff up..."
Another student guide turned to the voice who had hailed them. But upon seeing Edeir they immediately stopped.
"Dude, you're soaking wet. Did you swim? Dude, the water has sharks in it. Swimming is a really bad idea."
The same answer.
"Do you like need a towel or something?"
Said the guide, trying to stifle a laugh.
@Hatsunation
The girls also been victims of having their IDs taken, but also switched around. That was entirely strange.
Fuka immediately suggested to check Ai's pockets. Maybe it had ended up in there somehow.
"Fine. Here, Nanashi."
Ai cleared out her pockets. Unbuttoned her jacket letting the insides of the jacket's inner breast pockets be displayed.
There was nothing.
"You can pat me down if you want Nanashi. It's only fair."
Ai's confidence was already show enough. Nanashi hesitated.
"Are you sure?"
Ai nodded.
"Yeah. You my savior after all. They won't be convinced otherwise."
Nothing.
"Ai doesn't have anything but her own slip on her."
As Ai buttoned her jacket back up, Nanashi turned to the others again.
"It seemed like I got switched with someone's ID as well. The slip I found in my pocket was one that had the name 'Laura' on it. Since it seems like everyone in the cell got their slips switched around, could you please let me know if any of you have an extra one?"
An extra one.
Nanashi was still latching on to not having her name revealed. It was clear that was her intention from her tone.
"Once I get my ID back, I'll be happy to give back Laura's. But, if not, then I'm not taking the risk of going in without an ID."
"But, Nanashi...! You're making it unnecessarily complicated. Why don't you just tell them your name?"
Nanashi shook her head.
"Once again. Do any of you have an extra ID with a name you don't recognize I can look at?"
Despite being outnumbered, Nanashi's voice and demeanor remained resolute.
@_Grills
"Heh. That girl gets it."
The student guide watching the situation, and notably licked their lips as Ai unbuttoned her jacket, could understand the girl's hardliner stance. If it was, as it seems, more important to her to keep her real name secret as opposed to getting her box of stuff back.
"You see girlie. Along with your box of stuff, as well as your ID Phone, that slip of paper is what tells you what room you've been assigned to. No ID. No room. No phone. And no way to get any allowance. If no one here coughs up her ID, then 'oh well'. She'll still get everything else she needs."
"If she gives her ID back without getting hers back, she's willingly screwing herself over. She'd have to resort to 'other methods' to survive."
"And well, don't ask. You're not my girlfriend so I don't go saying dirty stuff to strangers."
@Luma
Along with the rest of the boys, Nanashi, and Ai, Ryuu jumped off from the boat shortly after they made it ashore.
Of course, their feet slightly sunk into the dry beach sand. Fun stuff, but not so much when you think of your sneakers and how they become sandy inside.
The Hisakawa dwellers were out to greet them in their student uniform, thoroughly explaining their intention as tutorial NPCs.
Their casual expression and behavior strongly indicated that this student enrollment period is just like any other day, with gunshots, agonizing screams, and mad laughter of the guards still echoing on the beach.
Curious, Ryuu gazed around, trying to process the atmosphere of his new home.
Fancy neon lights illuminated a path to what seems to be a dark and dense forest.
Beyond that maze of trees, you can make out the outlines of bright fancy buildings to which one can assume it is the rumored Hisakawa correction facility.
Such a pretty sight after the dimly lit and surprisingly chaotic boatride.
"Anyway, you guys have your prisoner ID slips ready? The first couple of numbers dictate which cell block you belong in....."
Ryuu slowly reached to the pocket of his blazer as he heard the guides. His eyes locked to theirs, as if he does not want to acknowledge the existence or nonexistence of his slip.
Did he bring it with him? Is it there? Did someone steal it? Can he still hug his teddy bear? How about his stinky pillow?
In that short moment that seems to span an eternity, the voices of the student guides were more of a white noise to him, blocked by his blank expression.
But there it is, his prison ID slip, with numbers written in bold. For a brief moment, he showed a slight smile upon seeing his slip, which later turned into a frown and a somber look.
With a gentle shake of his head, Ryuu whispered a sigh,
"I guess they really left me here on my own..."
"..... That's why we're here to help."
With those words, Ryuu got snapped back to reality.
Help? How long has it been since someone offered him a helping hand?
Turning his head back to the ferry which brought them to this island, Ryuu reflected on his experience back with his newfound companions.
Who knows a short ride on a rowboat can be so lively?
If Edeir was to succeed in toppling the boat, they could have been swimming with sharks, just as the students said.
Not only the rowboat trip, but the cell and the lunch incident were kind of insane too.
It was pure chaos, but entertaining, mad, yet fun. A short but certainly memorable ferry trip with equally entertaining people.
Ryuu opened his palm, rough calluses and dead skin, and a newly formed small scrape after stumbling with rowing the lifeboat.
It is very hard to recall the last time he rowed a boat, it was uncountable so to speak, but all of them were to deliver souls to Hades past the river of Styx.
This time however, it was a lifeboat he rowed, a boat to save lives, a boat to new beginnings, together with these people. A smile decorated his face as he touched the abrasion on his palm. It's a sweet and nostalgic pain.
These students are the same as him, people who seek redemption and atonement.
They might be criminals, but they are still highschool kids, children fresh from the puberty oven, looking for other people to rely on.
Their criminal background might not be as extensive as Ryuu's, but the notion of sticking together regardless of their crime, resonated strongly with his principles.
"Do the right thing, help a dame in need, help each other as humans, stay professional....."
he mumbled to himself, a line that he often repeated in the past, a creed of sorts. Again, he flashed a slight smile, seemingly content that his newfound home seems to share the same core tenets as he does.
"She would immediately think I stole it if I walked over to her and showed it to her. But moreover, I don't have mine."
Ryuu's thought process stopped as Nanashi appeared to be in distress. It seems that her ID has gone missing and Laura's appeared instead in her pocket.
"..... Help a dame in need..."
he mumbled again as he tried to approach Nanashi, only to stop, realizing that perhaps it is best to leave things be, the heroine of justice will surely save the day again.
As Nanashi and Ai took their leave, Ryuu smiled and waved at them from afar, sending his regards to the girls,
"Miss Nana! Do tell us if you need our help! As they said, we need to stick together and help each other!"
And now, only the boys remained, six of them. Most voiced the same opinion, wanting to proceed with this welcoming ceremony as soon as possible.
Perhaps the atmosphere of the beach is still unsettling, what's with the guards still killing off stragglers. Perhaps they cannot wait to see the infamous correction facility.
Nevertheless, one thing stuck in the back of Ryuu's mind ever since he heard the explanation: The many casualties on the final stretch to Hisakawa,
"Are there wild beasts here, mister guide? Perhaps the guards shoot us if they see us loitering in the forest?"
"Perhaps people kill each other here?"
It almost slipped out of his mouth, a dangerous thought.
"Phone? Allowance!?" Fuka eyed over the helper as if he was insane.
She took a long hard look at 'Nanashi,' pondering things over. For a moment, her gaze seemed to focus on her rather attractive 'figure,' and she visibly shuddered in disgust at an imaginative thought that came to her mind. After a long pause, she finally reached into her pocket and
pulled out two IDs.
"I wasn't entirely honest before. While I do have another ID, it's not yours." She waved the extra ID in the air for all to see and spoke out loud for all to hear,
"That is... unless your name is Forta."
"Yeah, sure. The mystery of keeping your real name hidden is of such huge importance. I wouldn't even care if your name is Nanashi the Ripper or Retia Adolf." There was Laura's general distrust and then there was overdoing it. And Laura made clear that even if Nanashi was
infamous it wouldn't really matter... or did it?
Whatever. Now that it turned out that Nanashi was in possesion of Laura's ID it simplified things. The explanation of one of the helpers was exactly why Laura held on Rinne's ID, too. Just like how Nanashi held onto Laura. So she couldn't really fault her.
"How about I trade you this ID for-" She paused for a second. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She was absolutely stupid. Trade it?
Generally Laura wouldn't have hesitated to swap Rinne's ID for her own but...
"You see, I promised this stupid blue-hair to return her ID if I get my own back. I can't keep my word if we trade. Such a pity."
Thinking about her next course of action it was then that Fuka revealed something else. Something she kept hidden. Making a mental note about the fact that Cordial kept it for herself she sighed.
"Well, unless anybody else decided to go through the senseless effort of changing their name, it can only be you, no?" It was a simple guess and, ultimately, did it even matter?
With one ID left-over it meant Nanashi could take it and the other IDs would all return to their original owner. Thus, allowing them to live happily ever after.
Sighing a bit and watching the interplay, this was all..something else and given the nature of Fuka she wasn't sure if the girl had actually forgotten or had something malicious in mind. Well it didn't matter now and she had given her word to let the whole situation fall behind them.
Listening to the explanation they were given it did seem order was kept in hand by the prisoners, for fear of the guards response, was this some sort of Gulag.. Growling with a bit of a sigh, the girl shakes her head looking at her fellows.
"Just handle the exchange between you four. Playing your social games here will only get you killed it seems. On that note I wonder if they have a Disciplinary Committee I could join..."
Looking at the guide she hoped they were true to their word and not about to tempt a robbery down the path..or an unofficial seizure of the id's.. Either way..
"Well I'm ready to leave when they are." She says flatly to the guide, while Fuka had helped her, a fact Kazuko would not forget, they overall issue of who still lingered and judging by the two wet males there group didn't seem anymore inspiring of trust than her own...
Toru had been quiet, aside from the little 'huh' at the fact that the waters really did seem to be infested with sharks. There was some issues with ID's for the girls.
His was still with him obviously. Though he kept it somewhere slightly unsanitory.
There were more lives to be lost. The apathy to outright hostility was to continue. His frown deepend. Casting heavy lines into his face.
These were not good things.
"You respect Sempai, pretty much. You break that rule and you're as good as dead."
"Who-" He cut himself off, he was sure he would find out soon enough.
Some things he could never escape, he supposed.
He furrowed his brows as money was mentioned. So they were paid? Which meant that they he could be paid. Which meant that there were things to be bought.
Another way for someone's life to go awry then.
"It's simple then. Nobody do anything rash and we'll all be fine" a glance to someone would havbe been approiate. But thinking about it, it applied to almost everyone who was standing on the beach. Wet or not.
He gave a sympathetic smile to the girls,
"I do hope their problem is sorted out quickly, however. Disorder so soon is...troubling."
"So no getting freaked out by something little, Aster. Right?" He said in the tone of a tour guide.
It seemed that some were more keen with a punishment than others. Honestly, how giving were all these people? Were they simply putting up faces or did they get sent here for some meager transgression like stealing too many games or pirating too much porn? Certainly they would not agree with doing harm to others in that case, even if harm was meant.
Regardless of morals, one of the girls proposed they get a move on with legitimate justification. Indeed, if they were too slow the guards might take them for disobedient and take pot shots at them. Edeir's punishment would have to be the hit taken to his ego and freezing. They had bigger fish to worry about. Not only that, but his reaction to Ryuu's remarks specifically seemed to strike a nerve. Perhaps the spoiled one really was more of a nuisance than an actual threat. Maybe he could even be useful down the line...
Soon enough they arrived at shore. Hopping out and stretching his arms, they were met by fellow alumni. Everyone seemed to be so nice. Takashi didn't wish to state it aloud but he did understand and even agree with Banri's point of view. This was a prison, whoever was here for some grave reason or another, yet most of whom they had met here were timid, kind, pacifistic and didn't hold grudges? Really? That was unlikely.
The group of students were supposedly going to escort them, though the fox-eyed inmate wasn't too keen on that idea. Most deaths occurred from the boat to making it to school? What happened on the way? If he were an optimist, he might be thankful that some group of do-gooders put themselves out there to aid the newbies. However the analytical side of him wondered if maybe they were being led astray by the island's version of bandits. It was a commonality in games at least. If you not only survived, but thrived, you quickly grew bored and traveled to the coast to mess with the under-equipped rookies for fun. He could name a few games in which this occurred.
Speaking up, it seemed the girls had their own issues to deal with regarding the ID slips and left. With a smile and a wave, Takashi bid them adieu before pulling out his own slip. Though he didn't trust the little helpers that came to aid them, memorizing the number probably wasn't a bad idea and one that he thought of ahead of time, not that the logic was unheard of. Wasn't it typical to memorize your student identification number?
Watching as some stepped up to question or speak to the guide, another piece of information was acquired. They weren't here to help, but merely to perform a job. They were paid, but that begged the question of who paid them? He doubted the guards gave a damn. And who was this Sempai? The alpha, obviously, but whom and where.
"Who is this Sempai exactly? I find it would be invaluable to know whom to watch myself around," Takashi spoke up.
"Are they the one who hired you all?" Then again, like the guide said, information was power, but it was worth a shot. Besides, any response they gave unless they were very careful would give him something to work with at least.
"Aside from that, I'm ready to depart with the rest."
Aster stood around and observed his surroundings with some interest, wondering if the island would look as creepy in the day. well, it probably wouldn't have as many spotlights and guards, he hoped. That might be a bit overkill if you asked him. Once more voices of other people, ergo the person he had addressed earlier before spacing you, put a stop to train of thought.
"Well it does seem to be in one piece, but I am unsure about its contents. In the first place, I brought nothing with me to this island besides these clothes. So losing my slip isn't a big deal. Thank you for your concern though, Aster-kun."
He smiled in response to Hayato before he heard Toru's chilling voice.
"So no getting freaked out by something little, Aster. Right?"
Perhaps chilling was an odd word to use but he was still put off by his display back in the cells. He knew he was overreacting but the sudden switch still shocked him. The least he could do to ensure his own survival was not let him know anything was wrong. Just be friends! He didn't have to know you would most likely have nightmares about him tonight. Ugh, things would be easy if he couldn't just shake away that bad feeling he had and treat him like a close acquaintance again.
'Yeah, right! I'll just put on my big boy pants I guess, ha ha ha. Ha!' Aster replied with a forced smile. Why'd he have to be such a bad actor unless it was a dire situation? At least whenever Toru saw through him he'd be in more danger and hopefully coax out the little talent he had in that department. 'So are we going?' he asked, feeling antsy now.
For whatever reason the brief scenario crossed his mind that as soon as he said those words they'd be fired at and shot down, dying and choking on thier own blood on the sand while a guard came up to him and taunted, 'You're too slow!'. He doubted such a thing would happen but it never hurt to to put extra care into preventing something similar happening.
"Well, you're kinda sorta correct on both accounts. It the latter sorta just depends on how the guards feel that day."
It was a cryptic answer. It probably made complete sense to somone who'd been at the academy for longer than 10 minutes like Ryuu.
@Love
"Who is Sempai? They're a Sempai. You were raised in Japan, weren't you? Figure it out. Should keep you occupied for long enough."
@EmperorsChosen
"That is... unless your name is Forta."
...
"Well, unless anybody else decided to go through the senseless effort of changing their name, it can only be you, no?"
"Well, I guess that would make sense from your point of view. Truth is, you probably are just eager to get your things back more than anything..."
Stay clear and calm.
Clear and calm.
If Nanashi reacted the wrong way to Fuka calling out that name, then any illusion that it was otherwise would immediately fall apart.
But, she was naturally offended. It seems like Laura's true colors didn't take long to start shining. That cringe worthy hero act was only so terrible because it came from someone who was innately a terrible person, it seemed.
"Forta..."
"Nanashi. Is that your really name?"
Nanashi simply sighed.
"No. It isn't. Are you all sure you guys don't have another slip?"
None of the girls could honestly say that they did.
"Curse it... so mine really was stolen then."
"It's a little vexing to think that I'm the only one who isn't going to retrieve my personal belongings. But, it would be unfair to deprive Laura or Rinne of theirs either."
Smiling bitterly Nanashi held out the slip with Laura's name on it. Aimed towards Fuka from afar.
"So I'm fine. I'll take that other spare ID in exchange for Laura's."
Burdened with the favor from the Green Hair. And ultimately the one who would not get her things back out of the girls there. Outwardly, she was the one who lost the most out of this entire ordeal.
"If I can still get into the school. At this point that's probably the most I can hope for."
"Wait, Nanashi! Dosen't that bother you!?"
"If I can still have an ID I'd imagine that's all I need to get in and get what I need."
"Earlier, the guards shot those students out at the water just for trying to leave and laughed about it. You heard them laughing too, didn't you?"
The students who tried to get away.
Their splashes and cries for help died off after approximately 3 minutes after the first shot was fired.
The sharks were already driven to a frenzy by the fresh blood.
A guard tossed a bottle into the water, a drunken challenge that he could hit a shark with one.
"...If killing us off is that easy for them, that probably means we're already dead to the people of the outside world. So, it probably doesn't really matter what identity we end up taking. We simply 'are' until we're redeemed by graduating the program here."
If you were in the clear, and didn't lose anything, then all else was fine. Self interested people like Kazuko would lose interest the moment they were no longer involved in it. Kyouko must've felt relived that Fuka was able to give a convenient out to their predicament.
It didn't matter if it belonged to Nanashi or not. As long as they could get their own. It didn't matter if they were potentially screwing over someone else who lost their card, and leaving Nanashi without their own potentially.
They had to just get off this beach. Small details be damned. Consequences be damned. if they could move forward all of that would be conveniently wrapped up and forgotten, since it had nothing to do with them anyway.
It didn't matter whether if they were petty criminals or felons. Once a person crossed that line into qualifying for that title, their personality was likely dark and uncaring. Just as a good criminal should be. That was fine. Nanashi didn't have a problem with that at all.
Apathy was the most useful tool in any criminal's arsenal.
With it, you could kill an entire household because they were not friends with anyone in the neighborhood. The grisly discovery would only come about after neighbors complain about the smell.
A juvenile could count on abusing a homeless person so long as they looked ugly. It just wouldn't be worth it for anyone to step in at that point. At least, until the body had to be removed due to being a grisly sight and a breeding ground for disease. The people who'd remove it do it solely because they're paid to.
Be nonchalant. Be uninteresting. Anything to avoid notice, and you could do anything you wanted. By the time they would stumble upon it, you would be long gone.
The fact that those IDs were stolen ultimately was not going to matter if everyone else ultimately got their back. This random assortment of criminals were sorely predictable.
They would all probably unwittingly end up under someone's thumb, sooner or later. That self interest could be abused quite beautifully if one sought to exploit that sort of behavior. Nanashi wasn't smart enough or ambitious enough to do that. But there were easily some people that she'd seen here who could.
But at least, for this moment,
Nanashi could say that she played them just the same.
A glimpse at their clumsy way of handling a problem that involved themselves.
As well as the quality of their character.
As expected, for most of them, they weren't out of the ordinary for what to expect from an everage felon, it seemed. It wasn't a good start. This evening was probably going to get worse before it got any better. Any system meant to abuse people was only good because it knew how their demographic functioned.
"So lets trade. If everyone else can get their things back, there's no hard feelings starting out then. I'll go ahead and delude myself into thinking that's good enough for my loss. But, on that note, please stay away from me from here on out. All of you."
"Nanashi... Come on!"
"Come on, Fuka."
"Aren't you bothered by it! Not getting back your things?"
"I'm not."
"Hey! You guys! What if they end up actually cross checking her identity too! By that time, It'd be too late for her!"
"I'll find a way."
"Come on Nanashi! Everyone!"
"For fucks sake. Can you not shut up? The girls says that she doesn't care, so why make a big deal out of it? Do you really need to project her bitching when she doesn't have anything to bitch about?"
The Student helper near Fuka was annoyed by the outburst. It was true, so many things were cute until they open their mouth.
"Ah. That person's right. That's enough, Ai. It's over. No ones missing out on an ID card at this point. So it's fine."
Ai looked back to Nanashi, and instantly froze up. Nanashi was still looking towards Fuka and the others with Laura's slip held out. But it was the eyes.
Judgement.
There was a clear look of judgement in Nanashi's eyes. It wasn't hostile or demeaning. Rather, it was opressively cold. A coldness that made one wonder what sorts of things those eyes had seen before.
She had made her decision on just what sort of value the people she before her had, as people. They were criminals no doubt. Apathetic individuals. There was nothing to be gained in being associated with them at all.
Kazuko's self interest. Laura's fakeness. Rinne's shallowness. Kuni's Naivete. Fuka... well being Fuka.
And Ai.
If the world was to decide to screw them over in the next hour, then so be it. In this case, it would be best for Nanashi to share their mindset, and watch those erupting fireworks from a safe distance.
Nanashi was wrong. She could admit it to herself.
She could admit it was wrong to assume the best of people by default. In this world, she had to assume the worst. People were worthless or a threat until they proved themselves otherwise. She thought she could change herself. But making such a heel face turn from her normal self... that really was just impossible.
They had to hurry too.
Nanashi's eyes looked a little scary, but that was just because she was the only one who got screwed over in all of this. But since everyone has an ID Card, she'll get over it.
it seemed like the helpers were getting ready to start leading students.
Finally.
@Luma
@Grills
"Everyone! Please arrange yourselves into groups based upon your cell block number. This is the First and Second number on your ID Card."
(for simplicity's sake, let's say the block number is based upon the leftmost minute number of the
time of your
first collab post here. Ex. 11:04 - Block 4, 11:45 - Block 5, Etc. Use the original post date, not the edited one.)
@_Everyone
At first ignoring the situation she could sympathize with this Nanashi, but her personal view went downhill quickly with her actions around the name and towards Ai and the rest.
How dare she stare at them with such judging eyes, speaking of them all like she were better, who the hell did she think she was?
"Kekekeke! Truly one with no name! No Pride and no Honor! I suspected you and Ai from the start and even planned to attack you both to keep my word to this lot, but when you came forward with the Id.. To think, I had prepared to offer you a place to sleep till Fuka Chan spoke up to save this Forta. I wonder what happened to them.. but I guess I shall not look into it."
Meeting her gaze the scary eyed girl seemed to put a slight edge into her words.
"But at the least Ai here was your ally. You should remember your comrades well, if they betray you, pay them in kind with fury. Yet your eyes dare judge us so, I remember what Kyuu said of you.. You are no better than us to be thrown away here as well!"
Shaking her head with a heavy sigh, she didn't expect many others would care, or at least not enough to say anything..
"We all are not to be trusted lightly, but we all are in this together, Nanashi, should I turn on you you'll see it coming."
More and more the Disciplinary Committee if they had one seemed the place for her.. If they were left to their own devices the mess incident would happen again.
Bowing to the girl and breaking off from her conversation she picks a spot in relation to the guide for her first number, her last read off with a Four, so Cell Block Four. If the other wanted to attack her over this so be it, but she didn't want to piss their guide off more than he already was.
Fuka eagerly awaited the coming out of Forta, and so, when met with a denial, she was honestly taken aback. She pondered it. Everyone else in this cell block had their IDs, so it was some pretty damning evidence. But then, why would 'no name' deny it so fervently if she really was Forta? So many secrets.
Fuka's eyes traveled back and forth between Snowball and Cotton Candy as they exchanged thoughts, pausing upon candy-colored girl with a curious look. Finally, when offered the ID, she spoke her mind.
"Confusing. Well, for what it's worth, then, I'm sorry you'll lose your things." She brought the two IDs to her eyes for a closer look, as if trying to memorize the numbers.
"I hope they accept IDs that aren't our's, I guess." After a few seconds, Fuka shoved an ID in her pocket and stepped forward, swapping the other for Laura's.
"That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet," Fuka quickly recited a line in English, prompting a lot of confused looks.
"Well, whoever Forta is, hopefully she won't mind her ID being used by a stranger."
The words had an extra layer of punch to them, as 'Nanashi' read the name on the ID she'd been given...
"Fuka."
Glancing at this new ID for a moment, supposedly memorizing it, Fuka wandered back to Laura and handed it to her.
"I won't say you owe me one, but I'd love your support, Vanilla. You can never have too many allies on the battlefield." A glance at the other three from her boat who'd been involved in ID swaps seemed to extend the offer.
"Hey, what are you doing? This is your ID, isn't it, Fuka?"
Ai had been watching the exchange go on. Nanashi simply looked at the ID in her hand with a perplexed expression.
"Hey, maybe it is a bit of a stretch for me to think of this, but..."
"You're not thinking that by memorizing the names and numbers on the cards, you'll be able to retrieve all the things that each one would have to it, are you?"
"Awww shit!"
"I don't know if Fuka has photographic memory or not. But, even if she just did that as a Joke. It's not funny. You're really trying to just pull one over Nanashi, aren't you?"
No way. There wasn't any way that was possible! But, the student guide let out a laugh. This was the best thing he'd seen in some time.
"Heh, that girl is right! Dang you guys are perceptive! You do know why they just give you slips of paper, right? Those assholes at the dock just care that you can give out the right number and matching name. Doesn't matter if the original paper is there or not."
"No way! So, just now. Forta's, Laura's, and Fuka's..."
"Right? Unless that girl was just doing this as a joke..."
"Guess what, 'Nanashi'. It's our job to make sure you guys can at least make it off of this beach okay. What that girl's trying over there is pretty scummy even by our standards. I'd presume she'd already memorized it. So, logically, you want to make sure she won't be able to try redeeming any packages before you do."
"So, whatever you wanna do..."
"We'll go ahead and look the other way, just this once."
"That's stupid! She can't redeem more than one package at a time! Everyone gets one phone and..."
"Oh on that point you're quite wrong girl. Like I said before, they don't care. Just say that you're picking up for a friend. I don't think you can appreciate how much they don't give a crap over at distribution, but lemme tell ya..."
Are they trying to tell me the only choice...
Is to make her stop.
To hurt her?
"Hey, Fuka. That person is lying, right?" Nanashi put up the slip of paper with Fuka's name on it.
"This is a joke, right? Fuka?"
@Luma
@Grills
These eyes... .
These cold judgmental eyes. Despite, as far as her own concerns where going, the situation being resolved Laura was legitimately annoyed. There was so much the blue-eyes wanted to say to the name denying girl. Correct her. Clear things up.
Be mean to her.
How could her own pride have taken such a shit just from something like... like this? How did she dare to use such eyes on them after... after...?! Clicking her tongue the visibly rustled Laura calmed herself down.
No. With how everything had developed there was another course of action the white-hair could take. Another course of action simply for the sake of spitting into Forta's face.
"Thank you." Laura nodded to Fuka as she got her own ID before giving Rinne's ID to the blue-hair. "There you go justice-girl, just as I have promised."
With that out of the way Laura could now concentrate to matters at hand. In a sense, the situation escalated against Fuka.
"Fuka is just beig Fuka." Laura spoke up as she went besides the food-naming girl.
"Yes. Thinking she'd memorize whatever IDs she got her claws on and turning everything in for herself IS a stretch. Think about it, there were a million other ways to go about doing this way smarter than she did, no?" While Laura didn't see real reason to
support someone for returning what belonged to her in the first place, especially not after they purposefully kept information about a second ID hidden, it probably wasn't too wrong to get even. As stupid as Fuka was acting she was clearly smarter than that. And right now there was this ugly ball of contempt that had Nanashi written all over it. How did she dare to throw all of them in the same pot? Her, Laura *****, of all people?! A *****, goddammit! She wasn't like that... that... criminal scum. She was...
"Nonetheless, I'll make sure to stick around poor forgetful Cordial in case something might go wrong or she does something stupid." Yeah, Laura wasn't really trusting Fuka and wouldn't take any chances.
"Now, with that out of the way, Nanashi. You weren't caring at all which ID you would turn in, no? So you have yours, Fuka has hers. Maybe she finds it super exciting to get a care-package from someone unknown? You know, like Weihnachten, erm, Christmas? And ensuring that the little brunette will indeed not play a fool of us all there is no reason to worry and we can all be on our way." With that said, Laura now displayed a smile on her face.
"It's all just as you wanted, Nanashi, or should I now say Fuka instead?"
Roll trying to convince Nanashi/AI/Everyone that there is no reason to be mean to take Fuka's current ID(failed).
Hayato gave a silent smile and a nod towards both Aster and Toru as he made his way near the guides. Hayato looked left and right, but paused as his gaze rested on the girls.
"Hmm, I wonder what is going on?"
He went closer towards the girls.
"Forta..."
"Nanashi. Is that really your name?"
"No. It isn't. Are you all sure you guys don't have another slip?"
"Forta..."
Hayato dropped to a knee, clutching his head.
A sight of a field, two girls and a familiar stuttering voice. A wooden stick, filled with regret. Black, engulfing him. Fragments of a dream.
"Ugh..."
Hayato stood up and shook his head to hear Nanashi's next words.
"Curse it... so mine really was stolen then."
Kazuko's, Fuka's, Ai's, Nanashi's, Laura's, the background characters' words, he heard them all.
Hayato took out his slip from his pocket and unfolded it.
"Fortunately still legible..."
Hayato, after confirming that, put it back in his pocket unfolded. He was near the edge of the girls and took steps forward, filling the spot that Kazuko left.
"All of you, stop."
Hayato's face was solemn and serious as he looked at each of the girls in turn. He then stared at Fuka.
"Fuka-san, is it? I am Hayato. Please, give me the 'Forta' ID you hold. In exchange, I'll give you mine. I will possibly be the last one to retrieve my belongings, so if you have concerns about my ID-"
"Heeeeh, so not only are you a masochist, you're a pervert too huh?"
A familiar voice. Hayato turned around to see...
"Shibo-kun? Good to see you."
"Who the fuck is Shibo? I'm Akihiro, Hay-a-shit. Oh fuck, I just... Whatever. And don't get cocky, I just came closer to see what these chicks looked like. You're an unwanted accessory. And man how disgraceful. You're obviously banking on the fact that this 'Forta' is a girl right? Gonna sniff her panties and jack off in 'em?"
Hayato merely shook his head, the serious expression still present.
"I will go find whoever this 'Forta' is and return their ID."
"Heeeeh, now you're trying to act cool? What happened to that nice guy act before? And oi, masochist, there's a ton of us that came on this ship. You're telling me you're gonna sort through each and everyone of these scumfucks and for what? A chance to get in a girl's pants? Or-"
"No, it's because it's the right thing to do."
Akihiro whistled.
"Woohoo. A masochist with a heart of gold. So while you're soaking wet and in this weather, you're gonna do it. And newsflash genius, if you give up your ID and don't use another's, you're fucked. You don't only lose your luggage. No room, no phone, no allowance. You-"
He was cut off.
"I might find Nanashi's lost ID and then we can get everything sorted."
"You're fucking dumber than I thought if you sincerely think anyone of these scumfucks are gonna give up a free ID slip."
"Perhaps."
"The end result will be you with no slip, but you and I know both know you're gonna use-"
Cut off once more.
"No."
"Bull fucking shit. I just told you, no room, no phon-"
And again.
"Even without those I won't use Forta's ID."
Hayato stared straight at Akihiro, seemingly resolute in his gaze. Akihiro took a step back. But he had an epiphany.
"Nowwww I get it. A masochist like you would prefer not having those things right? Being on the edge of dying would get you off, wouldn't it? Hahahah!"
Hayato had a confused look on his face. Seeing this, Akihiro turned angry.
"What? Try telling me I'm wrong you fucking masochist freak."
"You keep saying it, but I am not a masochist. What led you to that idea?"
This time Akihiro was the one to look confused. In that moment...
"I am getting distracted."
Hayato turned to Fuka, turning his back on Akihiro.
"I'm sorry for the delay. So I will ask you once more: will you please give up Forta's ID to me in exchange for mine? I will likely be the last one to retrieve my belongings so I implore you. Time is of the essence."
Gritting her teeth the lies and school-house days antics of the others started to steam roll and build up. First it was Laura, now it was the creepy hero from the galley, or rather the boy who seemed eager to be beaten on..
Enough..
It was quite enough.
"I won't be dragged into another of your games. If I must I'll fight on the side of no-name to end this... We all could go claim our boxes at the same time, or one of us that can be trusted can go with her to be sure she claims one? I care not who she wants to say she is, obvious lie it is, but I rather get to a cell, to myself and hopefully with a sleeping roll than to put up with anymore of this.. Fuka you decide would you kindly?"
Speaking acidly as she looked at the German, it seemed some people just couldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Never mind if the guide decided to hell with this and left them all in the forest and beaches to die...
@Luma @Ehb @Skyswimsky @Illin @others...
Fuka's eyes glanced off to the side at the insane exchange between two boys that had randomly shown up, finally shaking her head at the offer.
"Eheh, what a cute little hero~" she chimed, ignoring his trade offer completely.
Turning to the paper in Nanashi's hand, she explained,
"It's like Vanilla said: you asked for an ID that isn't yours and I gave you one." Fuka placed her hands on her hips and shook her head slowly,
"I've memorized both the IDs, so it should be the same to you, right? It could even be fun: you get to learn about my past, and I get to learn about the girl named Forta."
Fuka shrugged and casually walked up to the guide.
"So I suggest you all keep a careful watch on me to make sure I only take one package and we get moving before there's trouble. Remember I said I had your best interests in mind?" Fuka grabbed the ID from her pocket and swiftly tore the paper into several pieces, scattering them to the wind.
"You'll just have to learn to trust me."
"About fucking time," Banri grumbled, as the drama finally settled. Why the hell did those girls take so long dealing with this bullshit? Just grab Fuka from behind, hold her down, and let everyone else get their shit first, before letting her do whatever she wanted. Gods above, these girls were only cute when they kept their mouths shut, huh? At least it wasn't a total fuckfest like before, what with only Hayato being willing to play the role of white knight this time.
Most of 'em were probably just looking forward to watching the catfight that would ensue now, huh? As the ripped pieces of the ID slip blew away with the seaside wind, Banri scratched the back of his head.
Wouldn't be all too hard to put those pieces back together.
"Shoulda ate it, egg girl," Banri said, before turning his attention back to the guide,
"Now can we move before someone else mentions something about these goddamn slips? Or is this sorta shit the only entertainment we're gonna have in Hisakawa?"
Fucking Shibo still hadn't tossed out a punch yet. Someone bury Hayato upside down in an ant hill already.
Rinne took her ID from Laura. Reluctantly, knowing what just happened. Fuka gaving Nanashi her own ID. Announcing that she already remembered the numbers... The guides saying that the guards don't care about the papers exist, the only thing that matters is matching name and number... Even you can get one by saying 'oh, my friend asked me to pick it up for them'... Guides admitting that her action is scummy for their standard...
Enough...
"
Oi oi... Why are you screwing Nanashi even further?" Rinne said, her tone already shaking from anger. Trying not to lose control over this. What she seen is already unbearable for her... Even if Nanashi is denying her real name, Laura and Rinne getting their own ID back... This act is disgusting. Rinne put her ID slip back inside her pocket and looked towards Fuka with disgust, Laura didn't escape this either when she joined Fuka's side.
But the one that broke the straw was... Fuka ripping Forta's ID to pieces. Seeing that happening in front of her... Rinne eyes widened in disbelief for a moment before she narrows her eyes in disgust. "
Villainous scum..." She muttered. She took a charging run towards Fuka. "
YOU VILLAINOUS SCUM!! FEEL THE WRATH OF BLUE JUSTICE!!!" She shouted out as she charge towards Fuka and attempt to pounce her. Even if what she did was in vain as it already happened... This act... This very act. Is one that Rinne don't allow to happen without punishment.
Roll for pouncing Fuka and punching her in the face repeatedly before separated if success (success)
Toru had hoped that this whole ID would sort itself out soon enough. The words coming from the guides had given him much food for thought and he wanted to get answers sooner then later.
Still the rising tensions was a glum to witness. It gave him much insight into the way of some of the girls at least. Things to be worked on. When Fuka had torn the ID up, Toru had gently put his hand out to catch a piece of it. He glanced at it before frowning and throwing it back to the wind.
Then as sudden as Toru could blink. Rinne had pounced upon Fuka. Screaming her head off about villanious scum and justice.
Was Fuka really the mad one?
Thwack, thwack
People right next to Toru heard a soft moan.
The unmistakeable sound of a fist hitting another person's precious face.
A figure darted towards the two. Reaching the two before another punch could be landed.
Toru rolls physical for (Slapping a bitch up). He rolls a success
His hand wrapped around Rinne's throat. Dragging her up into the air. He pulled her towards him.
"Now listen here you whore..." He whispered into her ear. Fingers pushing against the side of her neck.
...
He dropped her into the sand next to Fuka.
His eyes washed over the rest of the crowd. Before waving his hand to the two girls previously in fight.
"I'm not having violence against anymore people!" He dropped his head to the ground.
"We've already...lost enough people."
His eyes met Forta's,
"If I'm not mistaken, if you want your belongings or at least someone ID's o-or whatever the deal is!" Toru sighed.
"You're just going to have to trust Fuka, correct? Even with her actions. So, then for the good of everyone. Let's just do that, yeah? Just this once." He gave a sympathetic smile.
"I feel for you. I do. God's know you've gotten the shorthand. But I don't think that the guides,guards or even the rest of the students are going to have any more patience with this."
He looked to a guide.
"So, let's go." He clasped his hands gently.
"Please, sir."
He nearly snapped. In fact, he would've liked to. His mind had gone blank, and he could practically feel himself just... reaching out... his fingers tightening around that idiot guide's neck... But he didn't. A want for self preservation stopped him. Instead he found himself staring blinklessly at the guide, biting his lip a little too hard.
That didn't seem creepy at all.
Edeir procured his hankerchief and dabbed the blood from his lip before giving the guide a forced smile.
'Seems like the sharks were a little preoccupied with some other unfortunates to worry about little old me. A towel would due quite nicely, however. Please be quick about it.'
No response.
The guide, instead, was looking past him at the bickering between some girls that had been going on since everyone first came ashore. He hadn't thought anything of it, as it was girls just being petty. But now everyone was being left stranded on the beach because those charged with taking them to the prison were more interested in a cat fight? To hell with that!
The blond marched towards the group, seeing that Toru and Hayato had gotten involved as well. No surprise. They
were morons after all. Of course they would naturally do the most stupid thing possible. Although Toru had apparently attacked one of the girls. Hilarious. Too bad his was too pissed to actually find it amusing.
'Look, I don't give a flying fuck about what this is all about but you can come to a resolution while we're on the way to the prison or at the prison; I don't give a damn! If that resolution involves killing eachother then go ahead and and just get it over with. Or ask a bloody guard to do it for you! I'm sure they wouldn't mind. And with the lack of patience I have right now, I sure as hell wouldn't mind either! So let us just get a fucking move on already.'
(Collab within a Collab)
"Wai-"
Too late, Fuka had torn the slip to shreds and tossed it to the wind.
"Wh-"
Then, Banri appeared and added his two cents, with Rinne then speaking after.
And she jumped into action.
When Hayato took a step forward after seeing what Rinne was doing, Toru had moved faster. Fuka was left on the ground, with Toru prying off Rinne. Then Edeir came to complain. Right after Toru stopped talking...
"Pfft... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Akihiro, or Shibo, who tried to contain his glee, erupted in raucous laughter.
"There goes your plan, Hay-a-shit. What now?"
Hayato didn't respond, but looked at Edeir instead.
"A resolution is impossible if we do it later. This unknown person called 'Forta' would not have their slip. And please, do not joke about killing so nonchalantly."
Hayato didn't smile at Edeir, still retaining his stony expression.
Edeir rolled his eyes at Shibo and looked at Hayato instead, his arms crossed in annoyance. "
I don't joke. And I still don't care. Explain whatever 'this' is all you want but it doesn't change the fact that this general scenario is a nuisance to all involved and not involved.'
He looked down at his nails, trying to look as disinterested as possible,
"What was your plan anyway? Let everyone punch their woes away?"
Hayato sighed then looked towards Fuka and Rinne.
"I can talk about that later Edeir-san. For now, I request everyone's patience."
He moved closer to Fuka, Toru, and Rinne. He looked at them.
"Rinne-san, that was uncalled for. That is certainly not justice to suddenly attack Fuka-san out of the blue. And Toru-san, gripping her neck like that, even to get her off Fuka-san, is a bit overboard. But thank you for causing her to stop."
He looked at Fuka.
"How are you feeling right now, Fuka-san? Are you able to stand?"
Hayato extended his hand to Fuka.
Fuka sat there for a moment, dazed at getting repeatedly smacked in the face by a surprisingly furious Blueberry. Finally, she snapped out of it as Hayato extended his hand to her, wiping the blood from her nose and taking his hand to help stand up.
Oddly, she was still smiling. Always smiling.
"Who knew a Blueberry could pack so much punch?" She rubbed her cheek, wincing a bit at the major stinging sensation, glancing over at her attacker.
"I don't know how much you heard, but I meant what I said: I'll get Forta her things back. You're welcome to join in the search, if you're that concerned."
Aster had been watching the exchange on the sidelines, as the argument over ID slips erupted into a full on brawl he couldn't help but wonder if it was really something worth fighting over. Or with the way things were going, would they even kill? More people started to get involved and as terrifying Toru stepped up to the plate it became clear that things would head in that direction if no one stepped in. Would the guards really not do anything but shoot at them for taking too long?
Aster noticed Hayato helped Fuka up after she was attacked by that girl, Rinne was it? 'Fuka!' He yelled as he ran over, nearly tripping in the process,
'Are you ok?!' Sure they barely knew each other but he still was fond of her, though she did try to indirectly kill him. He looked back at the blue haired girl on the ground, wondering why she would attack Fuka so viciously.
Fuka glanced back at Aster with a raised eyebrow and a tilt of the head, wiping her nose again as a fresh drop of blood began to drip.
"Geez, why is everyone so concerned? I'm fine, it was just a little punch," she claimed, though she winced again and continued to rub her right cheek.
Hayato gave a small smile towards Aster and turned his head towards Fuka just in time to see her wince. He had a sympathetic and confused looking expression on his face and spoke.
"Oh? But I thought-ok. It seems we are in agreement then? We will go off to find this 'Forta'?"
"Tomorrow," Fuka corrected, very clearly.
"I'm sure Forta can wait, after all she has Nanashi's ID to tide her over."
'Um…' Aster began, twirling a lock of hair around his finger,
'What is all the ID stuff about? It's probably a late bit to explain so I guess you could just explain why that girl attacked you. If you want to, that is!'
He just wanted to get a general idea over what had happened first before they did anything rash, if they planned to. Hayato and Fuka seemed calm at the very least but things had a habit of changing quickly… unless he should just pay more attention to notice when things happened than being shocked when they got out of control.
Hayato frowned and turned to Aster.
"I think she attacked her because of something Fuka-san did, but I don't really know. Just ask Rinne-san I suppose. Aster-kun, I'm sorry but please hold any further questions. This situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible."
Hayato turned to Fuka and then had a confused expression on his face.
"Umm, Fuka-san, just because you possess Forta's ID, doesn't mean that this Forta will have Nanashi's. Tomorrow will be too late for this Forta. We must find it today. I will go alone myself if I have to, just whisper to me what the ID was, please."
"You really are insistent, aren't you, little hero?" She glanced over Hayato, trying to figure out his motive with some obvious difficulty. When she next spoke, she addressed Aster,
"I have no idea what her problem is. I gave Nanashi my ID because she was missing one, and now I intend to claim one from a mystery girl so I can get it back to her."
It was fairly obvious that this was a lie to the girls who truly understood the situation, but as she'd shown before, Fuka was extremely adept at lying.
"Now I think we've wasted enough time as it is, so unless you have anything important to add…"
Fuka didn't even bother to pause a full second before striding forward away from the beach.
"I'm not a-"
Hayato looked down and closed his eyes. He took several breaths. Then, he raised his head and looked back at Fuka to see her striding away from the beach.
Hayato bolted and grabbed her hand.
"Wait. This really can't wait till tomorrow. I am telling you that what if this Forta has medication they have to take and it's in their luggage or some other circumstance? Please, I beg you, tell me what this ID is and I can go instead if you don't want to."
Fuka sighed, glancing at the ever-persistent Hayato with a mix of pity and confusion. Finally, she beckoned his ear closer with a finger and whispered in his ear,
"Nanashi IS Forta, you silly numbskull." With a pat on his head, she continued onwards.
Hayato stood still, not blinking. After a few moments, it seemed he had returned to normal. He then turned his head towards Nanashi and walked towards her, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Hey, Nana-chan, is what she said true? Your name is Forta?"
"I already told everyone before. That isn't me. I... just thought it was right for everyone to have their own name ID tags."
Nanashi contemplated Fuka's ID slip in her hand. She could only grimace at how things had turned out.
"I don't get her. Giving Laura's ID back in exchange for someone else's' should've been fair. But all this just happened. After hearing that she might've actually memorized all of that. I'm worried is all."
A dead end. As Fuka's figure grew smaller, Hayato continued to look into a dead end.
Then, Fuka just threw him at her in order to get him off her back then.
"But, Hayato… Knowing Fuka. I wonder if I would trust that she's doing exactly what she says she would. About about taking Forta's package in order to give it back to her. Then, what was the purpose of giving her ticket to me then? If she did go through that, then she'd be leaving herself disadvantaged. Or maybe she plans to blackmail this Forta person by having what belongs to them."
"Well, none of that matters anyway. I just need to watch my back if that girl ever decided to reclaim anything."
Trying to make sense of anything that girl did was absolute folly. Just by her whims all this chaos occurred.
"Hey, Student Helper. I have a question." Forta asked, looking to one of the various strangely indistinguishable helpers on the beach. "The whole part about turning away from whatever I wanted to do here. That's still in effect, right?"
"Nanashi… what are you saying?"
Ai blinked in confusion. Worriedly.
"I don't trust that person. She said that she'd have someone watch over her to make sure she doesn't retrieve more than one ID Slip. But, ultimately no one went after her just now."
For once, Nanashi smiled. It was a softer smile Directed at Hayato.
"Thank you. For being nicer than most of the other here. But, I guess I ultimately have to handle my little dilemma here on my own. If I don't want to get screwed over, and be the only one who gets cheated out of a box and everything I'd need for living here. Then, there's one way I can be sure Fuka is honest about only being able to take one."
"So, Hayato. Please step aside."
Hayato blinked. Once, then twice. He opened his mouth and closed it, then opened it again. Then closed it. He sighed.
Those eyes…
It flowed into him. A memory. Eyes that promised viole-
Hayato shook his head. He fished out his now somewhat drier ID slip from his pocket and handed it to Nanashi.
"Here. I know for certain Fuka-san hasn't seen this yet, and I promise I haven't memorized mine. I will go after her."
He beamed at her and turned around to chase after Fuka.
The white-hair played with the thought about intervening at the sudden outburst of Rinne. Though, was it really worth? Just because she was, currently, on Fuka's side didn't make them friends... .
Before Laura could come to a decision, however, it didn't even take 5 seconds for someone else to play the hero as he made it pretty clear he wouldn't allow such actions. But... wait... wasn't that
this guy? The
trouble-maker. Oh well.
After that the blue-eye listened to the exchange between the different parties while she was just staying there. Silently. Like a unnatural statue. Thinking her own part.
Sure... this was working out, but by the time Nanashi mentioned that nobody followed Fuka Laura was already following the brunette. After all, she did mention something about 'sticking around Cordial' and, as one was able to see from the exchange with Rinne's busted ID trade, Laura was at the very least a girl who tried to keep her word.
Though most likely the noname-girl was just as distrustful of the other girls as she was of Fuka, throwing them all in the same pot.
"What are you doing? Wai-...!"
Speckles of sand flew behind him. He was far and out.
"Why…? You would go that far?"
Looking down at the slip Hayato had just left to her. It was not as dry as it was supposed be. But it was clearly legible. But just now, Hayato had just put himself at a disadvantage. Leaving his slip. Going after Fuka into that forest that was supposed have needed guides to navigate.
Somehow, it felt like…
A promise was about to be fulfilled.
Nanashi couldn't understand why she felt that way.
Laura was also going after Fuka.
Nanashi took a step forward. She'd go after them too and…!
"Stop. Forta."
Nanashi felt a tug on her jacket. Stopping her from moving forward.
"This charade is long past due to being over."
Kuu. The short fortune teller from before.
"See what happens when you try to affect that which is fated? Surely, you could appreciate the amount of chaos that just spawned from what you've done."
Nanashi.... no. Forta felt a cold sweat go down her neck.
It was over. Her first name.
"Admit it. You've lost."
"Kh..."
Ai, in disbelief, looked between 'Nanashi' and Kuuyari.
"So then… Nanashi's… actually Forta then. But that means Fuka really does have her ID."
"Yes. Aforementioned Snowcone. Simple process of elimination would've made that plainly obvious. But no one really had the constitution to say that aloud. It was pretty disgusting to watch, actually."
So that was it. Her real name: Forta.
"It was like everybody knew of it but didn't want to say anything. Twas like they wanted to say that they they knew, but the never really went any further beyond dancing and prodding around the fact. So uncommitted. Really... I think that's something in the realm of the Bystander Effect, correct?"
Kuuyari let go of Forta's jacket. She turned to face the Fortune Teller fully. Being greeted with a smile that had a fill of it's entertainment.
"But don't fret, Forta. You noticed it too? That no one reacted to that name as you thought they would. In this world, no one knows who you are with just that first name. So rest easy."
"But! Fuka's gone into the forest and those other two went after her! They've already vanished in there!"
"How unfortunate that is." Kuuyari replied nonchalantly.
"If that was of concern to me I'd probably go after them. But I does not. Pius, I can't have someone who oews me a favor to die either. So you stay right here, Forta."
"Then why, Kuu…? If you could've done this at any time, then why say it now!?"
"Because, the events up until now have been exactly what I've desired. What I've sought. That Fool wanted to have proof that her so called Rival was able to tell the future. So I went ahead and took a step further."
"That girl just made headfirst into one of the most naturally dangerous places on this Island beyond jumping in with the sharks. Probability states… that she's probably going to die. Along with those other two whom have gone after her."
The forest beyond the beach was indeed dark and foreboding in a way. Maybe, for the people around, the aura that it gave off made them want to make for the safety that the lights and rooftops of the institution beyond promised.
But there was something peculiar about that.
For a place that was supposed be and island, and with buildings visible from over the treetops... why couldn't they actually see the school itself from the beach? If this was just an island, and if the school was as close as it seemed, then why couldn't they see it through the forest itself?
In fact, the inside of the forest was really dark. Even with the full moon out, looking into the trees it was practically pitch black. Almost unnaturally so. Making it all the more foreboding.
"In that forest, are the people who weren't able to get into, or were ousted from the institution. They are left to rot in the elements. Most of the time they just die; Usually that's what happens. But, the arrival of the fabled ship with new students means a potentially more delectable chance at better 'foodstuffs'. And so, they go on the hunt as well."
Kuuyari, shrugged her shoulders.
"Getting to the school isn't necessarily hard, but when you account the fact that the guards basically would have as thrown onto the island like this. The fact that these student helpers are here to escort us is a really good deal, when you think about it like that."
"But really, Just going her merry way just now was quite something. I wonder if they didn't notice the lighted path over there."
Ultimately it was time to finally leave that beach.
Students were grouped by their first numbers on their slips.
Coincidentally, one unfortunate student named Banri felt a splat on their head. The gull who did the deed screeched from above in the lonely night. Seeming to sing of it's achievement.
What were the chances Banri being the pinpoint target of a flying animal's bodily refuse?
As the students realized what had happened to him, they all instinctively began to back off from him. He would be hurried through the package retrieval quite quickly on account he potentially was diseased.
@ERode
Forta went to her appropriate block one section. As did Kuuyari.
She was glad she was away from the others as well. The entire thing was disheartening and humiliating. She further separated herself from the others. Though remained in the vicinity of the group. With Ai excusing herself to go to her cell block, Forta basically had no allies at that point.Noit that she ever even had any to begin with.
Rather, she was accompanied by Kuu. Even when Forta wanted to be left alone. But the reason eventually became apparent. As Forta felt a tug on her jacket again. Kuu demanded her attention.
"Oh, and by the way. Forta. About that favor we had agreed upon previously..."
"That fool's number. Give it to me."
Kuu's free hand was opened in expectation.
Forta didn't have to play pretend anymore.
Nothing really mattered at this point. Kuuyari had proved her dominance in this affair without doing practically anything.
There wasn't any question as to what her name was anymore - and in the end, the entire name swapping incident had been brushed under the covers since everyone was sick of hearing of it.
Things didn't go exactly as planned, but this was fine too.
"Fine. Take it. There's no reason to keep it anymore."
"Kukuku.... Everything is coming up Kuu~... Ohoho."
Kuuyari imitated a mischievous laugh terribly.
Everyone went through retrieving their things. Following the path, the group quickly went underground. They really were going underground.
Passing some guarded gates. Going through passages. This was a maze. To the keen eye, some people could recognize it. This was originally had some sort of military use. The way in was purpose built to have people get mowed down by a machine gun.
They were made to wait in a large hall. Looking off to the side, through the windows, they could see this small port that was built into a sea cave. A boat was unloading pallets loaded with the sort of small boxes of their personal effects.
"Alright everyone, we're going to go by cell block group. If you wanna turn away now and run, we won't stop you. But, the guards are instructed that they're uh... weapons free to anyone going the opposite direction now."
Also note, upon retrieval of your box, you are free to keep what you have. Because we have guided you safely here, your initial allowance will be deducted from your starting funds upon getting your things. Don't worry, we all get our next allowance at the start of the next month, you can get more money too by hocking off things or working... but uh, lets just get this over with already. And after exiting, you will meet up with your same troop leaders to be lead to where your cell block is. But you'll have to find your space from there on your own.
Ah of course.
Nothing comes for free.
Even being escorted to prison had a price.
"Remember. Whatever you people do. Don't lose that phone. It's the only one you're ver going to get. No phone, no money."
The world of Hisakawa was mostly focused in the top surface level and the first ground level. There was an original complex built above ground which included basic buildings which made up the 'school'. It represented an open air and communal space where everyone could live. Then there was an underground, where the first Living quarter annexes were built. Going even further down, there were other deeper levels, built beyond where the guards could see or the local enforcement bothered to patrol. Not too many people dared to venture down there, since it was truly the law of the jungle down there.
For now, the new arrivals too the time to appreciate their now home. Their own personal space to call their own.
It was more or less just a space in the wall, inspired by the Late Hong Kong's housing crisis from the start of the century. I was about enough room to. lay in. But that was about it. It almost seemed akin to a place meant for laying a body. These hole in the walls made up the rooms where 20 or so such spaces were made. The most impressive part of the tunnel system on the first lair was that the ventilation and lighting was admirably well maintained and functional enough that even with the many people smashed into these rooms, they weren't necessarily chocking to death.
But there was one thing that seemed very clear.
They were sent here and expected to suffer and die.
Unless they put all their power into becoming good students.
If they could work had in the comparatively bright and free atmosphere of the places above in the school. Then they could someday free themselves from the grave that they had dug themselves into through their actions.
The steak and eggs lunch, was probably the last nice thing the government would ever do for them. Everything else would be up to themselves.
If they died, then no harm done. Justice was merely served.
@_Everyone
Another Tangent...
"Tower. I'm confirming 3 targets in our range. Identifying as... not tribals, but rather the freshies off the boat. Moving towards our wall section. I think they might be potential stragglers. Yeah, they've gone way past the entryway."
"Do we have any protocol for people who're fresh off the boat?"
[ Uh... I'll have to look into that. Don't want to get into hot water over people going trigger happy. Just keep tracking. ]
"Understood. Maintaining observation."
Click.
"Ah damn."
"...I just wanna kill me something..."
@Illin @Luma @Skyswimsky
[/fieldbox]
