[Arc 1: Class 2-E] A New Day Dawns

[Oath]

[spoiler]http://youtube.com/v/Gpa6R_hF9uc&autoplay=1[/spoiler]

Ardelia watched as the fluids covered Desmond and Serena. There wasn't much she could do to provide assistance, but rather watched with a sense of curiosity.

I think I'm glad I didn't have to experience that...

As she had those thoughts of relief, the boy popped out of the wires, some dangling as his body left the pod. The world around her began to go dark, the light quickly disappearing. Ardelia scarcely had time to look at each of her companions before the world went dark.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ardelia's eyes opened the room was illuminated by moonlight; the sun had set. Letting her eyes adjust to the level of light, she noticed that it was the classroom she had been in before the mess had started.

I wonder if everyone else is here too...

Rising to her feet, she noticed that the boy, and Serena were both near her. Desmond and Lilly were present too. All of them were still unconscious it seemed.

"Hey... You guys alright?" The girl let out a quiet voice, not quite a nervous one but a cautious one. It was uncommon to be in the school at night, after all.

While monitoring the condition of her companions, Ardelia touched her bag and remembered that she had her mysterious book on hand.

It's getting pretty late... I know I should wait to see that everyone is alright but I am really curious about this book. I mean I am doing just fine and I am probably the weakest one of everyone here.

Making her way to the door, Ardelia looked back at her companions. the book was a higher priority at the moment, and everyone should be alright.

"See you guys tomorrow!" She sounded far to excited about words that nobody could hear.

She briskly made her way down the hallway. Enough time had already been spent at the school. Especially when such an interesting artifact was in her possession. The desire to get home and study it proved to be too great as the small girl broke out into a sprint as she headed for the school gates. There was no time to spare, and after everything else that had happened today nothing could surprise or scare her.

[Neko]

The group had worked together quickly - Each knowing there was no time for arguments, or hesitation. The other two held the wires back as Serena and Desmond dove into them, clawing away in an attempt to free the screaming boy. "What on earth is tha-." A black, oily substance sprung forth from the wiry mass, covering Serena nearly head to toe. "OH MY- GROSS!" She could hardly contain her displeasure. But, rather than worry about what had coated her form, she was more concerned with how much it had probably messed up her hair. However, she didn't stop digging, for only a second later she felt what the idol assumed had to be the boy.

The moment Serena and Desmond pulled the boy out, she withdrew her hands, disturbed by the site before her. Was this what the others had gone through? What exactly had they been digging into?

His body had already become shadowy, wires protruding from him. She backed away slowly, then froze as the maze-like school aorund them grew dark. Eventually, nothing but the glowing platform was visible...The scene was short lived however as her eyes closed, the idol losing consciousness.

*******

Serena's eyes fluttered open, finding the room covered in a moonlit glow. It took her a moment or two to realize where she was. "Weren't we just..." She mumbled, slowly sitting up.

The idol suddenly gasped, remembering the disgusting black goo she had been covered in. Using only the moonlight, she quickly examined herself, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she found no evidence of the oily substance on her clothing or hair.

"...Guys?" It was only then did she realize the other three students still laying beside her. "Lilly? Desmond?" She whispered. Reaching out, the idol lightly tapped Desmond's shoulder, then Lilly's. Although the boy appeared normal now, Serena had no intention of touching the third unconscious student - She had learned her lesson. Someone was missing, though. The idol stood, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Adrelia - but she was nowhere to be found.

Serena let out a groan then as she realized how late it probably was. She still had to walk home! Running all afternoon, then running from psychotic shadow demons? If her legs could speak, they would have been screaming. Although she was worried, the idol couldn't wait for the others to wake up - She still had a long walk ahead of her. Digging through her backpack she tore a piece of paper from her notebook, jotting down a quick note.

"Had to go home - We should probably meet up and talk about what happened..."

♥ Serena

She left out a time and place, knowing they'd see each other again soon enough.

[Asta]

Lilly tugged hard at the wires in her grasp opening a path to the center of the mass, holding firm she watched as Serena and Desmond tear into the core and then subsequently become drenched in... whatever that was. Ooooh man, that's pretty nasty.

At last the boy was free, but something still wasn't right. That doesn't look like the same kid... As the attached cords and cables came loose from his skin the lights around them dimmed until only the platform was left illuminated. Blinded then, by the flaring of his foul aura, Lilly braced herself for what was next.


Her eyes snapped open, and darted around the room. Awake, and only a little confused she took a moment to try and recognize her surroundings. Why is everything so blurry? Her glasses had fallen off.

Adjusting her spectacles and refocusing the room, she recognized a classroom in the school. Nearby Desmond and the boy lay unconscious, and would not rouse. They seemed fine however, and Ardelia and Serena seemed to not have been concerned since they were gone before she had awoken. It was late after all, and she should be going as well. Elise would need dinner and the day's events could be discussed tomorrow. Lilly walked out the door and down the hall. I need nap.

[Mysticsage]

New rules
[spoiler]Conversation battles or CB's take place whenever arguing with, persuading, or coning npcs. CB's work like regular combat except only social abilities and weaknesses apply. Entering into a CB has the added opportunity to raise or lower relationship points depending on the situation. Look to the relationship point rules for more details.[/spoiler]

General changes
It has been two weeks since school had started and weird things started occurring around campus. Unfortunately things seemed to only be getting stranger and stranger each passing day. The following days after the nighttime battle you feel the same electric energy in the air again each morning as you did before on that first day. It seemed to getting stronger each morning as you woke up then began to dissipate to the point that it was completely unnoticed by the time you would arrive at school.

Your dreams have been filled with glimpses of a hooded woman with blue hair standing in darkness. Though you can never make out her face in detail her mouth moves as if she is attempting to say something to you but she has no sound. If you attempt to approach her then she becomes a stream of butterflies, which float away just before you awake.


The oddities and weird events around town also seem to be increasing though no one seems to take any notice. What little traffic there was coming through the three towns seemed to be lessening everyday. At first nothing seemed different though you heard more complaints from those who worked outside the local area seeming more reluctant then ever to leave or drive back home once they had left. Then those simply driving through would stop in the middle of the street as if in a daze before coming to their senses and driving on. This has gotten worse however within these few days as the only hotel in town is full to bursting with wayward travelers often city workers who have decided to drop everything to live here. What is worse those from the town who were on the outside when this shift happened refuse to come home. Leaving some families broken, houses abandoned and children on their own. Traffic seems to be almost completely driving around the area as if there is some kind of invisible barrier. One of the most noticeable affects is that the small chain stores and market are already starting to run low since there have only a few deliveries to restock and those that came unloaded there goods and have not left to return to the city.

The three towns simply do not have the capacity to deal with the sudden influx of souls. Many adults now are wondering around looking for work and opportunities that simply are not available or had been wanted.

The school at the moment seems to be the center of the strange behavior along with the bulge in transfer students that has caused the administration to take drastic measures. The sudden increase in student population has forced the school to close down many of its larger facilities so they can be converted into more classrooms. Spaces like the cafeteria, Gym, and Library have been sealed off from student use completely. This has meant that all lunches must now be brought from home or around the school and eaten in the classroom for now. To limit congestion in the halls between classes the school has also changed its policies so that the teachers now are the ones who now change classrooms instead of students Many of the school clubs have also taken responsibility of maintaining control with such few staff while in minor ways.

There has also been an increase in students suddenly fainting out of nowhere while on campus. The administration blames it on poor ventilation in the over crowded classrooms and have said that the problem will be resolved by the end of winter break. For now the nurse has had to resort to asking help from the health and wellness club whenever things get overwhelming. Likewise, the fledgling disciplinary committee has recently asked to take up the responsibility of keeping some of the peace between students when teachers are distracted.

The clubs seem to be going well and have started growing in popularity. People are falling in their roles for the most part with their activities. Because of the increase in students the time to choose clubs has also been extended for the new comers. Not everything is Rosie however, people are still getting signed up for random clubs by some group of trouble makers and the staff have yet to stop them with how busy they have become just keeping the school going. There have currently eleven proven cases of people signing up or forcing others into other clubs for one reason or another. There is no telling the actual number of affected students as some are using the student uproar over the bullies who go unpunished to do the exact same thing for their own reasons.

Individual Changes

Ardelia
Abridged Version
[spoiler]-1 size (small)
-1 focus (sword)
-1 room for two
+1 attack
+1 magic
[/spoiler]

It has been about two weeks since you began your club activates and seeing the strange activates around town. Anytime you have tried to talk with your family they agree things have been strange recently but are not overly alarmed by any of it and have not noticed any changes that have occurred to them or you. You specifically are attempting to deal with the new housemate that has moved in with you. He is the supposed spirit of the adventurer in the book named Farron. He seemed to know a lot about magic swordsmanship although he has no memory of anything beside his sword skills and his name. It is also a pain that he seems too able to be seen and heard by you. He has been training you in the basics of his craft though he is not the best of teachers. Though if the dark things you are seeing are real then you want a way to protect yourself

The Kendo Club is going well the five of you are in the throws of training mostly at the moment building stamina because of the little amount of space you can find while on campus. You quickly discovered that strength is not one of your forties due to your size choosing instead to work with precision and speed in your sword work. The library club has been a bit of a disaster since all the organizing and cleaning you three had been doing was for not and you had to pack the books away again but this time Pamela took them home with her with James' help not trusting the school with their care in there proper place. Pamela is quite upset with the idea of being forced out by the school. You do have to wonder however if either of the others have found strange books like you did or what could happen if such a book stayed in Pamela's house



Isaac for the last week also seems different. Somehow more imposing and has been wearing all kind of bandages. Even in two week he has started to seem more physical. His body is showing some telling signs of obvious growth in height and muscle. He seems to have taken to boxing better then you expected. He seems pretty much the same, and laid back though he has seemingly started dying his hair orange for some reason though no one else has mentioned it. You watched in days as it went slowly one shade brighter and brighter.

Your parents actually are some of the people who have yet to come home. They went into the city because of a sick family member and have not called in a few days they are also not answering any of your calls. Noel and Renna are so busy with both school stuff and things going on around the house they have not had time to worry. Noel in particular was left in charge while they were meant to be away a few days. You have been noticing that you have also been hearing more rumors about how good looking your brother is, and you have to admit something has seen different about him. He?s been holding himself differently the last couple of days his presence some how more alluring to those around him. He still acted the same for the most part although maybe his smile looks a little brighter and he might be filling out his clothes a little more. Renna on the other hand has turned to the clouds. She has joined the Astronomy Club at her school and has since had a telescope out her window every night despite what either of you say.   

Lily
Abridged Version
[spoiler]-1 guardian
-1 restricted freedom (family responsibilities)
+1 heal (touch)
+1 power word[/spoiler]

By a stroke of luck or perhaps intuition on your part you got your father to stay home the day that no one came back home from outside the town. He had been complaining for a few days about the drive and some of his co-workers more then usual, but barely hesitated to go because of you girls. The day that you were able to stop him from going you almost had to steal his car keys and block the door. The only problem being because he did not go in he got fired, the reasons why still a little unclear to you. Now he is staying out close to midnight each night looking for a job in town. It seems how he was fired was the final straw and he refuses to look outside of the area for work. He patrols the streets with the sudden explosion of men and women who are looking for a job in the towns and having no luck.

You have been trying your best to shield Elsie from any of your father's troubles as much as you could. The elementary and middle schools seem to be using the same new style of teaching and clubs as the high school. For now Elsie is absorbed in those after class activities. She joined the art club at her best friends request and found quite a talent for painting and sculpting. This is something you find surprising as before she showed no real interest and got bored if she sat in one place to long. Now the talent just seemed to be gushing out of her uncontrollably.  The art teacher even called you in to talk about her future as a prodigy. She however seems at the moment dead set against such training though she enjoys the praise.

Your own club activities seem to be going well both the Tai Chi club and the calligraphy clubs have proven to be good ways of reliving stress. Your circulation is beginning to improve slightly from tai chi as you attempt to learn how to improve your inner energy. Finding that calm in those few moments of peace seem to be the only thing keeping you sane.

Calligraphy club is also going well you all are starting to really practice writing. The swirling text and varying styles are all something you have been working to accomplish. Working nightly on the basics is helping a lot though you find recently that if you focus too hard when creating the piece the lines begin to blur and almost vibrate off the page. You then feel exhausted directly after and soon fall asleep.

Serena
Abridged Version
[spoiler]-1 obsession (popularity)
-1 compulsion (lying)
+1 agile
+1 performer [/spoiler]

The largest changes that have occurred in your life have happened to you personally. Whatever is happening in town because your little brother got sick forcing her to have not leave town trapping her inside did not separate your family. She like the others has thus strangely lost her job after just a day of absence. This means that for the moment your family is even more destitute then you already were.

To fill the stress void being formed you have focused yourself even more on your daily drive to become one of the popular elite. The would be flower arranging club has had some interesting twists and you have seen girls begin to whisper when one of the boys acknowledges you in the halls or the class. It has also had the benefit of starting to get you in shape and though you hate the work at times the benefits social and something you don't quite understand keeps you training. The music club on the other hand is something a lot more light hearted. You took the role of lead singer easily since no one else objected and have enjoyed experimenting with songs. You have been getting winded easily however often still tired from your work out the day before. The band is also not ready to perform because most of the others had almost never played their instruments before. They had come in just looking to goof off and then be able to brag about being in a band without practicing. Though you have seen them slightly more interested in playing at home after every club day.

Besides the subtle changes in physique or attitude of your classmates you have also seen some changes in yourself. The most obvious of which is the change that has occurred in your hair. Every day since that first night at the school your hair has been shifting slowly but visibly in color from blonde to bubblegum pink. Each morning as you took a shower you would see the water drain away yellow first turning lighter and then redder each day till you ended up with bright pink.

Desmond
Abridged Version
[spoiler]-1 compulsion (going fast)
-1 obsession (manliness)
+1  pilot
+1 Strength[/spoiler]

Your home life has gotten even more hectic over the last two weeks your Parents have lost there jobs and are now trying to find work around town that they can do. Your dad over the last two weeks had gotten super disinterested in his office job and quite out of complete disgust. He was now looking for his calling within town. For now that is simply acting like more and more slobish instead of his usual organized and clean shaven attire while he spends the day looking for a job and then throwing himself on a couch at night. Otherwise your mom who was a housewife decided to take up a job as a cleaner until he finds something new. What's worse she finds nothing wrong at all with his behavior.

Your school life has also been rather strange. You have been spending every day after school in the local junkyard, because you need spare parts and metals for both clubs. The automotive club has been interesting so far you haven't found much you can use to actually build a car. The largest change was simply making friends with the other guys. The meek guy Garret has started to have a change. You don't know if it's because he has gotten more comfortable or your bravado rubbing; off but he has started to change. Taking a page out of both your and Logan's books He has stated to get a bluster of his own within the last couple weeks even cutting his hair and spiking it back.

The Workshop club is also interesting because they have only hand tools at their disposal and whatever they can find in the junkyard to make stuff. The nice thing about all the manual labor is you have begun to feel a little bit stronger over the last couple of days. And it might be your ego tricking you but you might be seeing a little bit of definition in the few days. But that cannot be possible can it. Otherwise you all have begun stockpiling materials in the small back shed room that you have claimed as your clubroom. It is mostly men and there have been talks about how to improve what you make there is not much you can do. Otherwise a senior had found a book on different building techniques some modern and some quite old-fashioned. The thing that has caught people?s interest the most is a plan for mixing the old with the new. The administration has also left a note with the club saying that they will have to help them with the space issues come winter break.

Other then the physical changes that you have seen in yourself there have also been a number of mental changes. Your dreams and daydreams have become more and more focused around driving a car at fast speeds. The more you have thought about the car you building the more your cravings for speeds have increased. Your body begins to feel stiff and sluggish if you don't fidget around even in class. As each day passes the itch to fufil the need for high speeds is getting harder to ignore, though it's only a slight mental itch at this point. The only time you can truly tune it out though is when your working in the workshop. Now that you think about it you have had drams of leaning over a coal fire forge as well recently all with women marveling at your skill of course.

[Asta]

The morning had come, and with it a new school day. Lilly walked briskly down the sidewalk to the school, a piece of toast hung out of her mouth. She was late. The last few days had been tiring and she had slept in. Fortunately, she was able to put together a lunch for Elise, but in taking care of her sister she had neglected her own meal prep.

At last, she made it to school and in a few minutes more she was sitting at her desk. Yawning loudly, she looked around to see how the others were.

[Oath]

[spoiler]http://youtube.com/v/s8FMgxjl9oM&autoplay=1[/spoiler]

The past couple weeks had been tiring. Every day had been something new. Well, at the very least I am starting to get used to always having Farron around. Her clubs had been settling down as they got used to their activities. The school had been changing, the student body right in the middle of everything. Out of nowhere they had changed many of the systems that they had grew up being used to. It still felt odd to stay in the classroom while the teachers moved around. The large number of transfer students was surprising too, they lived fairly close to the city and didn't really have anything unique to offer, so why would so many people want to come here? With the school requiring students to bring their own lunches now, Ardelia generally stopped off at a family mart on the way to class and picked something up for lunch time.

Arriving at the classroom before many of the other students is something that seemed to come natural to Ardelia, even more so these days.  It was interesting to watch everyone arrive, greeting their friends, unpacking their stuff and telling stories. Though she did not often join in herself. She liked her classmates, but never really knew what to talk about with them in the mornings. Not feeling particularly sociable this morning, Ardelia pulled out her notebook and reviewed the material that had been covered previously for the first period.

[Mysticsage]

Mr. Smith walked into the classroom as per usual like he had just gotten out of bed and had not bothered getting changed out of the clothes he had been wearing the night before.  He sat down with an exasperated and leaned back heavily in his chair pinching the bridge of his nose as if to steam a headache that was already throbbing in the back of his head. His nightlife over the past few weeks seemed to be getting more and more lively with each passing day. After a few more long moments and people continued to filter in he sat forward. Looking out into the classroom he seemed to grimace slightly before tossing his head back.

"This room is to damned cramped!? Vincent Smith?s moaning was a bit of a homeroom staple though the girls always batted their eyes in his direction and he always told the truth without sugar coating it. He even went so far as to unbutton his dress shirt slightly wiping the sweat from his brow. You could hear some girls near by swooning slightly. Whether due to the sudden fainting spells that seemed to be plaguing people all around school or your homeroom teacher you are unsure. Otherwise you both catch each other?s glances out of the corner of your eyes you could try to have some kind of conversation. Otherwise you have some time to chat with anyone in the classroom.

Lily

Eileen is siting in her seat staring at the clock tapping her foot wildly she looks like she is nervous about something.

Luke is sitting in his seat near the back over the last two weeks he?s really let his hair grow out and has it tied back in a short ponytail. Everyday you?ve seen him he?s been covered in all kind of busies and cuts. He has also started looking tanner then usual most likely due to the time spent with the judo team. He still seemed laid back but there was a somewhat different air around him. He was click away at his phone texting someone though your eyes did meet and he nodded in your direction. The desk next to him was open

Ardelia

Ray was in your classes he had already begun to lose a little bit of weight since you all had started the kendo club. He was currently looking over a comic book while munching on part of his lunch. Despite the fact that he had obviously losing weight it was part of his regimen to start eating better and more often because of all the work he had to do in the kendo club.

On the other hand you can see Isaac just dodge his way in with his hoodie up while wearing a baseball cap. He had started getting self conscious about his appearance recently. Over the last two weeks he became covered almost head to toe in bruises and bandages, which coupled with his hair that was turning a brighter and brighter shade of orange everyday seemed to be struggling. He slumped down low in his chair once he made it to his desk trying his best to avoid any eye contact.

[Oath]

[spoiler]http://youtube.com/v/S1baWtCsK8s&autoplay=1[/spoiler]

Ardelia looked around the classroom a bit. Ray seemed to be fine and she would see him later at practice anyways. Issac on the other hand looked like he had seen better days.

"Hey Issac... It's been a while. How are you holding up? It looks like you are having some trouble, and you haven't been coming around lately. What club did you end up joining and what's it like?"

Issac felt different, and the girl felt a bit nervous about how he would react.

[Asta]

Lilly rolled her eyes at Mr. Smiths customary morning gripes and stood up to make her way over to Eileen. It had been a while since they last spoke, and she wanted to see how her friend was doing.

"Hey, how's it going?"

If something was bothering Eileen, it would only be right to see if she could lend a hand.

[Mysticsage]

Ardelia

"Stupid bruises" he mumbled. Being so much closer up it is clear to see just how beat up he seems to be. Where could they even be training? The school did not have any real pace for mats or a ring. Even the Kendo club had been forced off school grounds after the first day because of space.  Most of his bruises were turning a purple green meaning that they were already quite old. He let out a slightly frustrated sigh, as he looked sidelong up at you.

"Hey there Del how'a it going? Sorry I haven't been around been spending any free time either in bed or running. Heard through my mom that Noel has been looking after the house ever since your parents left town. Everything going oka-" he cut out mid sentence as some older boys came by the classroom he tried his best to cover his face and hair with his hood pulled over his head even further,



?Who is thus guy?? you hear your ghostly companion whisper in your ear. ?He won?t be getting anywhere if he acts like this he



Lily



You take a seat next to your best friend and she smiles warmly as you do so. She glances at the clock once again and says, ?Hey Lily hows it going?. Sorry I haven't called in a while I've been running drills nonstop. It's not helping that our three best players have all gotten that same bug that have been making people faint all over school." She throws her arms along the desk turning her head to face you. There has been a ton of gossip going around the school about students and teachers fainting suddenly and being out for days. The people who succumbed would aeligidy start acting stange a few days before and then suddenly collapse. "So how's are your clubs you joined two of them right?"

[Spoiler]Make a knowledge  check and add your heal dice[/spoiler]

Out of the corner of your eye you can see Ardelia talking to some boy at the edge of the classroom slouching in her chair memories of the strange happenings weeks before flooding back. Maybe you should find some time to talk things over later.