15strangers | WAKE UP TIME

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WAKE UP TIME

WAKE UP TIME

[The first thing you feel when you wake up is...nothing.

You don't feel much different at all when you wake up, no doubt from a very pleasant sleep, even if you may not remember what you dreamed of. If anything, you would have thought it was another normal day.

That thought would have vanished the moment you took in your surroundings. This is not your bed, this is definitely not your bedroom, and well, this is definitely not your home. In fact, this place isn't anywhere you've been before.

Before you can question anything much further, your cell phone starts beeping, flashing a message on the screen for a good several minutes, before flashing your profile, also for a few minutes. Yes, now you have a Title, and a power, even if you've never had one before. And yes, you have a cell phone. Even if you didn't have one, and don't know what the hell a cell phone is. You get the feeling you'll need to keep it on you.

The profile fades back to the home page of your phone - don't worry, you can still access your profile, and everyone else's, on that little lime icon if you really want - even though you have so many questions now. (The help button may... attempt to be helpful in that case.) Where the hell are you? Why do you have a Title? And can you get out?

Perhaps, if you're strong enough. But, in any case.

Welcome, Titled.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

((OOC: Welcome!

If you haven't filled out the resident profile or current residents information yet, please do so!))

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[ He understood approximately none of that.

Well, okay, so... he's going to be quiet for a moment as he tries super hard to break this down:

Sorcerer's Stone grants these beings magic that allows them to function. Got it.

Campus is being mentioned right after "Luna Nova" so he's guessing that's a place? Some kind of... school, considering the sentence?

Annnnd magic is dying, so the creatures weren't getting enough of it due to limited resources?? ]

The magic where you're from is becoming limited?

[ That actually sounds like it would be hell for a witch, so... his voice holds some sympathy. Well, even if she isn't, outright calling someone a liar or... crazy... doesn't usually get a positive reaction. And accepting all things as a possibility here? Seems like the best way to learn a thing, or two, about his fellow captives. ]

Is there any way to save it?

[ Oh boy. When he asks that... she looks down. ]

... There might be.

[ Her glasses obscure her eyes, perhaps purposefully she's looking that way so you can't see them. It's hard to tell what she's thinking. ]

But that... depends on a student of mine. I hate placing so much on her shoulders...

[ But the Shiny Rod chose Akko. She's not jealous, or upset about it. On the contrary, she fully believes Akko has that power in her heart she, herself, did not, but... ]

[ His expression softens with concern, regardless of the fact that she's not looking.

His tone is quiet, but matching perfectly with the look on his face. ]

Why only her?

It's... a long, complicated story, but it boils down to a single object. You see, contrary to most non-magical people believing the idea that wands are sentient? Most aren't. But the Shiny Rod is different. It will only gift itself... to a person worthy of obtaining the world-altering magic. They have to be someone that not only is worthy of it, but would also be willing to go through all the pain, sweat, and misery it would take to unlock it... to unlock the seal to the Grand Triskellion.

[ She knows she just dropped a lot of foreign words, so she'll let that sit a bit. ]

How do I explain this to someone uninitiated... even in magic circles, it's not a subject that's well-known nowadays... as I said, it's quite complicated. It goes back to the history of magic itself and how it was born.

[ E-er... Yeah, this is a lot more to absorb than earlier. Not that he's reflecting that with his expression, more than he's simply looking contemplative. ]

So this Shiny Rod is something that's only granted to a person who holds enough determination to do something important?

[ He'll just focus on. That detail......

...and also-- ]

Magic hasn't always been around for you? It was born?

In a sense, yes on both fronts. A long time ago, in the olden days, belief in magic was very strong. So magic came to be. From that belief, a great tree, Yggdrasil bloomed, and it granted power to everyone who would use this magic. Men and women alike. Witches are the most well-known, of course, but plenty of men have picked up a wand in their time.

[ ... But... ]

... Over time, though, Yggdrasil began to die out. And the roots of its power that connected the entire world... were all that was left of it. These are what we call the Ley Lines today, and we use them for travel from one place to another, but we also use them for magic. It's the energy from the Ley Lines that allow a witch to do magic. Without that, no spell will work.

... But the Shiny Rod is different. It's from the old world. It can perform magic without need of any source nearby.

[ ... Boy that's... quite the story, actually. And nothing he's ever heard of; it's like something straight out of a manga. He's going to see just how deep this story goes. She... doesn't seem to be lying, and the profile mention of her being a witch is matching her story, and... his had been almost entirely accurate. ]

Dying out... [ His brow tenses a little in thought. ] Because fewer people were believing in magic?

[ Something from earlier is still lingering in his mind. ]

You said the rod picks someone who deserves world-altering magic...

[ That concept, if somehow... true, is pretty damn amazing. ]

Does that have anything to do with how the magic's dying out?

... Yes, in a sense. Because belief in magic has been dwindling, Yggdrasil died out a long time ago. So magic is beginning to disappear. Every year we have less magical energy to use... it's really a big problem. So the person that would be gifted the Shiny Rod, they would have to be someone that would love magic, and understand its use.

[ Which Akko certainly does. ]

Reviving the Grand Triskellion is the only way to reinvigorate the magical energy in the world. It could bring about a new age of magic. It's called the "world-altering magic" for a reason.

[ He feels like he's finally reaching the point of being able to piece some of these things together... ]

So she has a lot resting on her shoulders, then... [ a beat ] But, from the sounds of it, this is something that will make her happy.

[ For just a moment, he's wearing a small, but warm smile. ]

You said it yourself -- the rod decided she's the one fit for the job out of everyone. Based on that alone, I'm sure nothing would make her happier than to save what she loves and fight for something she believes in...

[ Not that... he would know anything about doing that kind of thing...?? ]

And it sounds like she definitely has you in her corner, rooting for her, right?

Absolutely. As her teacher, I fully believe Akko is capable of reviving the Seven Lost Words of Arcturus and opening the seal to the Grand Triskellion. She will need to take her studies more seriously, certainly, but I've seen time and time again that when she puts her mind to something, there is almost nothing she cannot do.

She freed a spirit that was trapped for hundreds of years in her own grief. ... I know she can do it. I believe in her. That's her magic, after all. Her belief.

[ She smiles brightly. ]

And whatever I need to do to help her with it, I will. I can't do it for her, but I can teach her what she needs to know. I know the Words very well.

[ ... But isn't that a funny thing to say? Wouldn't those Words be only well-known by someone looking into such an obscure subject? Odd, that. ]

[ His own expression is brightening a little at seeing that bright smile. That is, until it's flickering with a hint of... surprise?

Hm...

>"It's great that she has a teacher who cares so much."
>"How did you learn them?"
>"Sounds like she's got some fighting "spirit" to get her through this." ]

How did you learn them?

... I had... interest in that sort of old thing. My Professor was very encouraging about such subjects.

[ It's not technically a lie, but she does look a bit nervous. ]

[ ...

[x] doubt ]

Ah... [ His tone suggests he believes her; if she doesn't notice that brief look in his eyes, it's a perfectly believable act. ] Is that why you're so encouraging to your own student?

[ WHY ARE YOU LYING TO HIM, HUH...? ]

[ Because you're not far enough into her ~~social link~~ confidant rank to get that information out of her, Akira. Or you have to outright ask. ]

... Yes...

[ Although sheeeee is not looking you in the eyes. There's another, very big reason. ]

Atsuko is... how do I put this... she struggles sometimes. Giving her remedial lessons on top of everything else just seemed like the right thing to do. Even if she hadn't been chosen, I probably would have done it anyway. I have a fairly open-door policy to most of the students, but I don't actually tutor very often unless I think they truly need the help.

[ Butbut...! He's still waiting for the mysterious voice to tell him he can start hanging out with you!!!1!

These things take time, okay.

In all seriousness, her words have him thinking back to one of his own teachers. A small, fond smile surfaces. ]

Which subject do you teach?

Oh, do you have an interest in the subject? I teach magical astrology. You know, the study of the stars and how to predict the future using them. A good witch can do this very accurately, and I'm proud to say I'm quite qualified for the position.

[ No one knows stars better than the former owner of the Big Dipper Stick. ]

[ Well.

ACTUALLY......... ]

Yeah. I'd like to learn whatever you'll teach me.

[ This is probably where that mysterious voice would chime in. ]

Well... do you have any magical aptitude?

[ It sure would be. ]

We'll have to start there. And maybe with me drawing up some star charts for you to study, even if you don't...

Where I'm from, pretty much everyone's just a boring, ordinary human.

[ Well, it's not an outright... lie...

sweats ]

I'd really appreciate the star charts. [ A smile. ] Even if I couldn't do anything with it in the end, it sounds like it could be really fun to learn about.

I can't wait, then! I'm going to draw up the best I can for you both.

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WAKE UP TIME

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