[It's morning.  Early morning.  It's also the first day of school!  Sure, this
isn't your ordinary school by any stretch of the imagination, but you've still
got all the normal classes.  You think.  Strangely, you don't have any sort of
schedule, yet.  But you know there's supposed to be a general assembly.  Maybe
you'll get some answers there.]
[First Day Battle Placement Tests... FIGHT!]
[Early Morning ~= 6:00 AM]
* Mariah is already out of bed and dressed (casually, and wearing another
crystal pendant). She's sitting at her desk in the girls' room...
* Hope is already up and warming up in the training room. Somehow, she managed
to avoid letting any of you seeing her PJs.
* Kai is up and at 'em, whistling to himself as he looks over his bo, polishing
the scuffed spots.
<Mariah> * For the record, she appears to be doing some sort of Tarot reading.
"... huh. It isn't giving me anything much."
* Atsuko 's alarm goes off and she pops out of bed, stretching.
* Karasu is already awake. Does he ever actually sleep? Probably. But he does it
off camera, so nyah.
* What a bunch of early birds.
* Hope goes through a warm-up kata. She's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt again,
although it appears to be a different pair from yesterday.
* Kai finishes polishing, then stuffs the bo... somewhere in his overalls.
* Atsuko lets out a huge yawn, and waves to Mariah. "'morning."
<Mariah> -- Oh, you're up! G'morning...
<Kai> Ah! Good morning, Atsuko!
* Kai smiles broadly and goes about rolling up the sleeves on his turtleneck
shirt 'til they're to his elbows.
* Hope picks up her zanbatou from where it's leaning against the wall and walks
into the commons room. "'bout time ya got up lazybones."
* Mariah cleans up and reboxes her tarot cards, slips them into her backpack,
then picks up her staff and heads into the common room. "What time do we need to
be there, anyway?"
<Kai> I imagine it'll be early... I'd go see if there's other people moving
about outside later on.
<Atsuko> *yawn* "Wassat paper there?"
<Mariah> What paper?
* Atsuko walks over and picks up the slip of paper and reads it.
* The paper reads "General Assembly: Fight Room 304 - 6:30 AM"
<Kai> ... well, someone must've slipped that in here.
<Atsuko> Um. Looks like we gotta be in room 304 by 6:30.
<Karasu> Gives us half an hour to figure out where room 304 is.
<Hope> We shoulda probably hurry then. We don't wanna be late.
<Mariah> ... 6:30? Yeah, we'd better!
* Mariah runs back to the girls' room to pick up her backpack.
* Atsuko runs into the bathroom for a quick shower.
* Kai goes to grab a few things as well. "Well, first days are aways the most
hectic..."
<Mariah> Yeah...
* Hope already has her sword and her clothes. She's set.
* Karasu waits for the others.
* Atsuko dashes out of the bathroom a few minutes later wrapped in a towel, and
runs back into her room to get changed.
* Mariah looks to be ready to go but is waiting.
* Kai darts out and has a satchel with him, also quite ready.
<Hope> Ready for you to lead the way, cappin.
* Atsuko comes back out wearing a yellow top with the skirt she was wearing
yesterday, with a backpack slung over her shoulder.
<Atsuko> Ready! ^_^
<Hope> So, which way cappin?
<Mariah> Uh, to the fight room, I guess...
<Kai> Well...
<Kai> We'll have to find the fight room, I guess.
* Kai snaps up the paper and turns it over.
* Hope bounces up and down on the balls of her feet. She's looking rather
excited and full of energy.
* The paper reads "General Assembly: Fight Room 304 - 6:30 AM"
<Kai> No map... well, time to wing it. Come on!
* Atsuko nods. "Just follow everyone else." ^_^
* Kai heads out of the common room and makes his way to the main statue hallway,
looking for other people moving about.
* Hope follows Kai out.
* Just down the hall, you see a group coming out of GreatAl 102 are five people
about the same age as your own group, three boys and two girls, all carrying
weapons, and one even carries a shield, while another is clad in shining white
armor.  One, the boy with the naginata and armor, is holding a piece of paper
and looking a little lost.
* Mariah follows Kai.
* Karasu follows at the end, looking really handsome, as usual.
* Atsuko follows Kai, walking with plenty of spring in her step.
<Kai> Huh... I think they're about as lost as we are. Anyway...
<Karasu> If the room is 304, it's probably going to be on the third floor.
<Kento> Room 304?  How the heck are we supposed to find that?
<Mariah> -- yeah, what he said.
* Kai looks around for stairs, then. "Stop being smarter than me, Karasu." Kai
smiles, then resumes his search!
<Hope> Third floor? Let's find some steps then.
* Atsuko looks around, too.
* The doors to the cafeteria are still closed, so you have to go the other way. 
The short-haired blonde girl with the shield and short spear darts ahead of her
group and shouts triumphantly, "The stairs're over here!"
<Mariah> There we go!
<Hope> Well, that solves that problem. Let's go.
<Kai> ... huh. Yeah, let's.
* Kai proceeds along, hands in his pockets.
* Hope heads for the stairs.
* Mariah will go up the stairs, yes.
* Karasu follows the captain, hands in his trenchcoat pockets.
* Atsuko walks to the stairs, then.
* You turn that corner, and are lucky enough to find the stairs just before the
door closes.  Lucky because the door looks rather a lot like a stretch of bare
wall.
<Kai> ... clever, that.
* Hope heads for the stairs. "Oh wonderful. Secret passages."
<Atsuko> ...that's not very good. ^^;
<Kai> No, it's another test, I think.
* Strangely, as you proceed up the stairs, the talking and footsteps of the
other group cut off, but as you continue up, you don't find them.
<Karasu> Or someone with an odd sense of humor.
<Mariah> This place is so weird.
* Atsuko scratches her head. "Creepy."
* Hope randomly knocks on the wall as they go up, hoping to find another passage
or somethin'. Or a secret ice cream parlor, whichever comes first.
* Karasu stops and inspects one of the walls.
* Hope knocks on what must be the wrong random stretch of wall, because it falls
away, revealing blue sky beyond.
<Kai> ... okay, that wasn't a good idea.
* Atsuko blinks.
<Hope> .. Well, I wasn't expectin' that.
* Kai gets *away* from the wall and proceeds on up. "I've come to expect nothing
from this place."
* Hope continues up, knocking still, but being more careful. She doesn't wanna
end up a pile of goo on the ground.
* The stairs end one more flight up.
* There's a landing here, but no door.
* Atsuko walks up to the landing. "Hmm..."
* Mariah just keeps walking, staying away from the walls.
* Kai pulls out his bo and gently raps at the landing for any sign of a secret
passageway.
* Hope stands knocking on random parts of the wall. "Hey! Open up! We don't have
a lot of time here!"
* Karasu stays where he is, and tries knocking on the wall.
* The wall on one side of the landing opens up at Kai's knocking.  Strangely,
Karasu, a landing down, does the same thing, and his opens up, too.
<Kai> This one. We're looking for the third floor, right?
<Karasu> Mmm... I think perhaps all of the walls are doors here.  Or at least a
good portion.
* Karasu looks up. "Yes, but are you sure that's the third?
<Mariah> We could check, at least!
* Atsuko giggles. "It's all a big puzzle."
<Hope> Let's check. We don't got much of a choice.
* Karasu shrugs and follows the others up. "I suppose."
* Atsuko waits for the fearless leader to go through.
<Kai> We can check.
<Kai> ... or not. Here.
<Hope> Lead the way, Cappin.
* Kai steps on down to Karasu... then looks down. "... hm. Are you sure you're
not leader material, Karasu?"
* Karasu shrugs. "We voted for you."
* Kai chuckles, then points to the door he opened. "This one, I think. Forgot
about a landing."
* Mariah looks through the door Kai found and heads through.
<Mariah> * ... not closing it. Just in case.
* You exit the top landing and you see another group of five coming out just
down the hall.  Also composed of three boys and two girls, though one boy is
dressed rather frutily, with lace frills at his neck and wrists, and elaborate
designs embroidered onto his coat and pants.  The fruity one looks down and
calls out to Mariah, "Is this the fourth floor?"
<Mariah> ... uh, I dunno! We're looking for the third floor!
* Atsuko peeks her head through the door. "...fourth floor?"
* The boy looks like he's about to cry. "That's a floor down, I think.  This
_should_ be the fourth floor, but the sign down here says 503."
* Atsuko blinks. "Um. Guess we go back down.
* Mariah blinks. "Eek."
<Atsuko> Maybe.
<Hope> Down we go.
* Atsuko pokes back out. "Let's try Karasu's door." ^^;
* Mariah steps back out. "Uh, good luck...
* Atsuko goes back down to the door Karasu's at.
* Kai steps out and is greeted by a sign over a door that proclaims in block
type the number 303.
<Kai> Right!
* Mariah goes back to Karasu's door and goes through.
* Hope heads back to Kai.
* Atsuko goes through the door.
* Kai peers out. "Everyone, in here!
<Mariah> ... good, third floor!
* Atsuko beams. "Hey, alright!"
* Karasu goes thataway.
<Hope> Here we go! Let's find the room. Lead the way cappin.
<Kai> Now then... let's move!
* Kai looks around for hallways, room numbers, anything.
* Hope follows the captain.
* Continuing to the right (Gasp!), you come upon the next door, over which a
sign proudly proclaims in block numbering, "304"
<Kai> Heh. Alright, then.
<Mariah> ... 304! That's it, isn't it?
<Atsuko> Yay! We made it!
* Kai saunters over to 304, bo on his shoulder. "We shall see."
<Mariah> That was... easier than I thought.
* Mariah walks into 304.
* Karasu follows the others in.
* Hope follows after the cappin, zanbatou over her shoulder.
* Atsuko follows Kai on in.
* The room inside is mostly bare.  The only features are two small benches on
opposite walls, which are some twenty feet apart, and a raised area in the
center, composed of large tiles.  The raised area is two feet up, and the
gridlines caused by the tiles are straight and very clearly contrasted against
the light gray of the stone.  Both benches are unoccupied.  The only other
feature is a closed-circuit television hanging from one wall.
<Kai> Hm. Well... I guess we sit.
* Kai goes to take a seat, stuffing his bo back... somewhere.
* Hope sits.
* Karasu takes a seat.
<Atsuko> Um. Hm.
* Atsuko goes and sits down.
* The short blonde haired girl from your hall shouts from outside the door, "I
found it! We just went the wrong way around!"  She hops through the door
triumphantly.
* Hope peers back. "Yo." She waves at the girl.
* The first person through the door after her is the armored boy with the
naginata.  Clearly japanese in descent, if not nationality, he looks solid like
a rock, with black hair and big brown eyes.
* The girl waves back. "Hiiiiiii! ^_^"
* Atsuko waves to the new arrival, still smiling widely. "Hi!"
* Karasu nods to the new people.
* Kai waves idly. "Hey there!'
* The next person through is another girl, this one with long black hair, down
to her shoulderblades, holding a tonfa in each hand.  She storms into the room
while shouting behind her "I can't believe you guys didn't spot that we were
going the wrong way."
* Hope idly waves at the people as they come in.
* The next through is a tall, thin, gangly boy, at least six feet tall, carrying
a spear that's at least a foot longer than he is tall.  He's wearing pretty
standard western-style street clothes, though, nothing special at all.  He's got
sandy blond hair and deep blue eyes suitable for, as a friend of mine once said,
for diving into.
<Mariah> Wow... wonder what's gonna happen...
<Kai> Hm... mostly weapons users.
<Hope> This should be interestin'.
* Atsuko grins at the new arrivals. "Hiya! Any idea what's going on?"
* And the last through is a boy even stockier than Kento.  He's nearly as wide
as he is tall, but it looks like he's all muscle, and he's carrying a tetsubo,
which probably makes ample use of all that muscle.
* Kai eyes the one with the tetsubo. "Hm... strong-looking."
* The last boy hasn't taken his attention from the little fireball that was
yelling at him on her way in. "Hey, it's not my fault they put the damn signs so
high."
* The other team takes a seat on the opposite bench.
* Hope looks over at the other team. "Nice weapons."
<Kento> Guys, enough already.  We got lost, but we still got here in time.  It's
just a little warmup.
<Kai> I have a feeling it's just us two groups for a reason.
* Mariah gets a better grip on her staff.
* Kento waves at you guys.  "Hey.  Sorry 'bout this, they're kinda
argumentative.  ^_^;
<Kai> Not a problem!
<Mariah> It's okay!
* Atsuko looks thoughtful, then passes her gaze over at Mariah, Hope, and Kai.
"Hmm...too bad I never learned any weapons." ^^;
* The black-haired girl and the stocky boy turn, one on either side of Kento,
and simultaneously unleash screams of "WE ARE NOT ARGUMENTATIVE!"
* Atsuko winces at the screams, belatedly covering her ears.
* Kai winces as well.
<Mariah> ... nnnnn. ... Shouldn't there be a teacher here?
* Karasu doesn't.
* Kento just sits and takes it, like he's had it happen a million times already,
even though he can't have known them for more than a few days.
* Hope idly stares at the people. "Huh."
* The closed-circuit TV on the wall sputters to life, and the face of the
principal, Quentin Nagawa, appears on the screen.
* Atsuko lowers her hands, sweatdropping a little.
<Quentin> Welcome, students!
<Hope> Huh.
* Atsuko looks up at the monitor.
* Hope watches the TV.
* Karasu looks up at the monitor.
* Kai glances up and smiles.
<Quentin> Under normal circumstances, I would be addressing you for general
assembly in the main auditorium.  Unfortunately, a fight yesterday among some of
the upperclassmen destroyed it.  It also destroyed the backup auditorium, and
the backup of the backup.  So instead, I'll address you briefly this way, and
then we can get down to the placement tests.
* Kai blinks at the reasoning.
* Atsuko blinkblinks, then giggles.
<Hope> That musta been one hell of a fight.
<Mariah> ... okay...
<Mariah> .oO(Maybe I should get another lock for my room.)
<Quentin> I'm here to welcome you to Battle High, the world's best hand-to-hand
fighting school.  Throughout the year, you'll be engaging in battles with other
teams in your class, leading up to the Principal's Favor tournament at the end
of the year.  The prize of the tournament is exemption from your end-of-year
final exams.
<Hope> Woah. Kickass.
<Kai> ... now that's a prize worth shooting for!
<Mariah> Wow!
<Atsuko> Coolness. ^_^
* Karasu nods.
<Quentin> Don't let this fool you into thinking you can neglect your studies,
however.  We expect you to study just as hard as any other high school students. 
Only one team will gain the exemption.  Everybody else still has to take the
exams.
<Quentin> If you don't pass, you don't return to Battle High to continue your
schooling.
<Mariah> ... dear me.
<Atsuko> Eheheh.
<Hope> Aww.
<Kai> Well. Huh.
<Mariah> I -- I hope I'm good enough...
<Karasu> Hm. Rather rough.
<Atsuko> I hope they have music classes... ^^;
<Quentin> The morning is the fighting portion of your placement tests.  These
tests will determine your initial fighter rankings.  For you freshmen, only the
top fourteen freshmen teams make it into the Princpal's Favor tournament.  Work
hard.
<Mariah> .oO(Wow, we do have a lot of work to do! ... especially if we have
other classes, too. Man.)
<Kai> Ah! So we're going to fight today... very well.
<Quentin> This afternoon, you will take the academic placement tests.  We have
to make sure that you're not in a class above your ability because your previous
school was lax in their grading.
<Hope> Huh.
<Mariah> No pressure, huh?
* Mariah giggles.
<Quentin> That concludes this mini-address.  Your referee will enter the room
shortly.
* Right on cue, an elderly man dressed in referee's stripes walks through the
door.
<Referee> Aaaaaaaah.  Look at you young'ns.  I betcher eager to get to the
fighting, eh?
* Atsuko laughs a bit nervously.
<Hope> You bet.
<Mariah> ... uh, yeah.
* Karasu shrugs.
* Atsuko perks up a bit. "Yeah!"
<Referee> Well, you best introduce yourselves, first.  You should always know
the name of the person you're beating the hell out of.
* Referee points at Atsuko. "You first."
* Atsuko hops to her feet. "Hi! I'm Atsuko Matsura! Pleased to meet you all!"
She bows politely, and sits back down.
* Kai chuckles.
* Referee points at the short-haired blonde with the spear and shield. "You."
* The girl stands up and bows to the ref. "Noreen Tindel."
* Referee points at Hope. "You."
* Hope stands up and sorta bows. "Hope Fayth."
<Mariah> .oO(Wait, is this a free-for-all?)
* Referee points at the tall, thin boy. "You."
* The boy with the long spear stands up slowly.  "Hugh Lagrone."
* Referee points at Kai. "You."
<Kai> ... oh!
* Kai stands. "Kairi Yoshida!" He bows. "A pleasure to meet you!"
* Referee points to the black haired girl with the twin tonfa. "You."
* The girl stands, bows, and snaps out, "Marcie Darner."
* Referee points at Karasu. "You."
* Karasu stands and nods. "Karasu Kage."
* Referee points at the stockier of the two remaining boys. "You."
* The boy levers himself to his feet.  "Greg King."
* Referee snaps his finger back to point at Mariah. "You."
* Mariah stands. "Uh, Mariah Ritter... hi...
* Referee snaps his finger over to the other team's last remaining fighter.
"You."
* The armored boy with the naginata stands up.  "Kento Hardrock."
<Referee> Very good.  A little slow sometimes, but good.  In the future, you
will introduce yourselves automatically.
<Atsuko> 'kay!
<Hope> 'kay.
<Mariah> Of course, sir...
* Atsuko turns and gives Mariah an encouraging smile and puts a hand on her
shoulder. "It's okay. You don't need to be so tense."
<Referee> This is a standard fight on a small platform.  If you touch the floor
outside the platform, you lose.  This includes the walls, but not the ceiling. 
Fights are one on one, to knockout, surrender, or ring out.  The team with three
wins is the winner of the match.
<Referee> Choose your first fighters.
* Mariah nods to Atsuko and cracks a nervous smile. "... sorry. I'm really
trying."
* Hope grins at the Cappin. "So Captain, who goes first?"
* Noreen steps forward to the edge of the ring. "I'm first."
* Atsuko smiles brightly, then turns to Kai.
* Kai looks at the group, looking over the group. "... Karasu, want first shot?"
* Karasu shrugs. "It doesn't matter to me.
<Mariah> Whoever wants to can...
<Hope> I'd like to go first. ^_^
<Mariah> ... I don't want to.
<Karasu> It's up to the captain, I would think.
<Referee> Hurry it up!
<Kai> Karasu. Go.
* Karasu shrugs. "Very well."
* Kai smiles annd flashes a thumbs-up.
<Hope> Good luck Karasu.
<Hope> Kick some ass!
* Karasu steps to the edge of the ring.
<Atsuko> Go get'm, Karasu!
<Referee> Into the ring with the both of you!
* Karasu gets in the ring.
* Noreen hops up into the ring and nods to Karasu.
* Noreen settles down into a bracing stance, oblong shield granting her
excellent coverage, while still allowing her to thrust around it with the spear.
<Mariah> Good luck!
<Referee> Fighters, ready?
* Karasu stands casually. "Ready."
<Noreen> Ready.
<Referee> FIGHT!
* Kai cups his hands and looks at the fight, eyes narrowed.
* Atsuko watches intently.
* Noreen hunkers down a little more and waits for Karasu to make the first move.
* Karasu starts glowing a nice purple color.
* Noreen looks a tad bit nervous, but doesnt' move.
* Atsuko looks the other fighters over, trying to think which she'd like to go
up against.
* The other fighters also appear to be paying more attention to you guys than to
the fight.
* Karasu charges forwards, chopping at her with a knifehand, glowing with purple
energy. "Raven Nine-Needle Slasher!"
* Noreen goes wide eyed with fear.
* Hope idly watches the fight.
* Noreen braces herself at the last instant as Karasu crashes into her shield,
sending a wave of dark energy radiating out from his fist. She reels backward
from the strength of the impact.
* Karasu spins and plants and throws a kick, covered with the same dark energy,
at her stomach.
<Hope> Kick some ass Kara!
<Mariah> That's the spirit!
<Kai> Alright, Karasu... press the attack...
* Noreen screams as the attack is slammed around her shield, hitting her right
where it was intended to go. She's sent flying upward and outward.
<Atsuko> Yeah!
* Noreen stops abruptly when she meets the wall behind her teammates, leaving a
three inch crater.
* Mariah then turns away to look over the other fighters again. .oO(Who do I
even have a chance against?)
* Noreen slumps forward out of the crater and is caught by Kento.
* Karasu looks to the ref.
<Referee> Winner by ring out, Karasu!
* Atsuko whispers to Kai "I want to fight that Marcie girl, okay?"
* Kai nods. "Gotcha."
* Hope grins at Kai. "Who do I get to fight?"
* Mariah looks towards her teammates and whispers. "Who do you guys think I
should fight?"
<Referee> Next fighters!
* Karasu makes his way off the ring. He stops glowing and sits back down.
* Marcie hops up into the ring. "ME."
* Kai smirks. "Atsuko?"
* Marcie is practically steaming with anger as she looks at Karasu. "I can't
believe you used a special that soon."
* Atsuko hops up. "Okay!"
<Kai> You use what you can to defeat your opponent, within reason.
* Kai smiles at Marcie. ^_^
* Karasu eyes Marcie as he passes, but says nothing.
<Marcie> ...fine.  You guys want some of me, you're gonna get some of me.
* Marcie levels a positively demonic glare at Atsuko.
* Atsuko hops into the ring and bows to Marcie, before straightening up and
settling into a loose fighting stance, still smiling in a friendly manner.
* Referee looks back and forth between the two for a moment.
<Referee> Fight!
* Marcie rushes forward almost before the ref has called the signal, whipping
one tonfa forward while drawing the other back. "Tinder spark!"
<Kai> Careful, Atsuko!
* Atsuko moves so fast she almost seems to blur as she slides out of the way.
<Marcie> Get BACK here!
* Atsuko grins, stepping into close range with Marcie, then stopping and yelling
"Atsuko KICK!" as she leaps upwards, performing a spectacular backflip kick
aimed for Marcie's chin.
* Marcie takes the kick right in the chin, her resulting flip mirroring Atsuko's
until the part where Atsuko lands gracefully. She just sorta flops loosely, then
rolls to her feet.
* Marcie glares at Atsuko. "That was weak! WEAK!"
<Kai> ... she's quite loud. ^^;
<Hope> You noticed that?
<Kai> I have no choice but to, really.
<Mariah> She is...
* Marcie rushes forward and slides low to the ground, completely faking Atsuko
out with what appears to be a sweepkick. Just as she's in range, she leans
forward and brings up her right tonfa, catching Atsuko right under the chin as
she screams, "CRIMSON SUN!"
* Atsuko flies up into the air, briefly enveloped in flames, but they're out by
the time she hits the ground.
* Karasu frowns. "Loud, but dangerous. I might have made a terrible mistake."
<Hope> Hey, she asked to fight.
* Atsuko lands lightly on her feet, and frowns a bit. "Aright, my turn!"
<Kai> ... hm.
* Atsuko raises her hands above her head. "Heaven's Glory!" Light appears to
gather, then she thrusts her hands forward, creating a huge blinding flash.
* Marcie slams her eyes closed and screams in pain.
<Hope> How do people GET these fancy flashy attacks?
* Kai avers his eyes. "Lots of training!"
<Karasu> I have no idea.
* When the light clears, Marcie is stumbling around blindly with one arm thrown
in front of her eyes.
<Mariah> They're good at what they do?
<Marcie> You bitch!
* Atsuko pouts. "That's not very nice."
* Marcie wraps her arms around herself in a hug and lights herself on fire. No,
really. She does. "Let's see you get me like this, little bitch!"
<Kai> ... okay.
<Hope> Violent little spitfire, ain't she?
<Mariah> Literally!
* Atsuko stares. "Uh..."
* Marcie stumbles blindly around the ring, waving her now flaming arms. "Where
are youuuuu o/~"
* Atsuko wisely keeps quiet.
* Atsuko frowns, then nods to herself. She leaps in front of Marcie, and hauls
off once more. "Atsuko KICK!"
* Karasu blinks. "She's... going to burn herself just to get a hit in?"
* Marcie is kicked right under the chin, and repeats her flipping act. When she
hits the ground, though, the fire sputters out, and she doesn't get back up.
* Atsuko recieves a nasty burn on her foot and ankle for her trouble, but she's
still going.
* Atsuko lands lightly on her feet. "Owieowieowie!"
<Kai> ... apparently not too much! Alright, Atsuko!
<Karasu> One more.
<Mariah> Wow! Way to go!
* Atsuko blinks as she sees Marcie lying there, and breaks into a grin. "Yay!"
* Atsuko strikes a victory pose.
* Kento drags Marcie out of the ring as gently as he can.
<Hope> Nice work.
* Referee mumbles something to himself.
* Atsuko calls to Kento. "I'm sorry...I hope she's okay..."
<Referee> Next fighters.
* Atsuko walks back towards the team, smiling.
* Greg steps up and climbs into the ring. In spite of the ring only being a few
feet high, it still looks like he's climbing.
* Greg holds his tetsubo loosly on his shoulder.
<Kai> ... Hope?
* Atsuko limps a bit as she approaches the bench, but is still beaming.
<Hope> Sure thing.
<Mariah> Who do you want to fight, Kai?
* Hope hops into the ring. Literally hops. She gets into a battle stance,
holding her zanbatou at ready.
<Kai> Whoever. I'm not really choosing.
* Greg bows slightly to hope as she enters the ring.
* Atsuko sits down on the bench next to Mariah, and takes her shoe and sock off
her burnt foot.
<Atsuko> Ow...that hurt. But it was worth it!
* Hope bows as well as she can to Greg. "Good luck."
* Mariah frowns. "Are you gonna be okay?"
* Atsuko nods happily. "No problem."
<Karasu> She should heal quickly, given the way this place works.
* Karasu casts a glance towards the other team.
* Atsuko waves her free hand. "Go, Hope!"
<Kai> She'll be fine by tomorrow... and good luck, Hope!
* The other team, or what's left conscious of it, seems rather despondent.
<Greg> Don't need luck.
<Mariah> ... yeah. Good luck!
* Atsuko looks back to her team again. "But...I think I need to learn some long
range moves." ^^;
<Referee> Fight!
* Hope rushes forward and brings her sword around in a complete circle, and with
impressive speed considering the size. "MEGA HIT!"
* Greg steps inside the arc of the super-mega-deluxe-size sword and brings his
tetsubo flying off his shoulder and into Hope's left arm. The pain as the spikes
dig into her arm is absolutely intense.
<Hope> Gah!
<Atsuko> Eep!
* Greg slams his forehead into Hope's nose, smearing blood all over his
forehead.
<Atsuko> Hope!
* Karasu winces.
* Atsuko looks horrified.
* Greg brings his knee straight up between Hope's legs, in a move that is banned
in many fights and would cripple most men.
<Mariah> He's... he's brutal!
<Atsuko> He's so fast...
<Kai> .... ghn!
<Karasu> And fast.
* Hope is hurt really damn bad, but swings her sword again.
* Greg brings his tetsubo up and catches the zanbatou on the spikes, but is
forced back to the edge of the ring, and nearly out of it.
<Greg> Heavy.
<Atsuko> C'mon, Hope!
<Karasu> She can still win if she can get one good hit in.
<Mariah> Force him out!
* Atsuko nods, not taking her eyes off the fight.
<Kai> Keep it up!
* Kai is on the edge of his seat.
* Greg rushes foward, trying to get inside Hope's swing arc and away from the
side of the ring, swinging at her legs with his tetsubo as he passes.
* Hope jumps over the swing.
* Hope brings her sword around again, aiming for the bastard with another "Mega
Hit!"
<Atsuko> Yeah!
<Mariah> .oO(... if she wins, do I still have to fight?)
* Greg grunts as he's forced to block once again, but he directs his fall so he
skids diagonally across the ring and stops just in the corner. His left foot is
about an inch from the side when he stands up.
<Greg> ...that hurt.
<Kai> He's like a mountain.
<Hope> Good.
<Mariah> He really is...
<Atsuko> Wow...
<Karasu> Even mountains can fall.
* Greg reverses his tetsubo and slams it down into the ring, sending a single
immense stone tile flying up into the air. "EARTH!"
* Greg steps foward so he's beside the stone as it falls, bringing his tetsubo
up to his shoulder in batting position, and swings mightily, sending it straight
at Hope. "SHAKING!"
* Hope is knocked out of the ring, and right into the wall.
* Greg lowers his tetsubo and walks across the ring, jumping heavily down to the
ground next to Hope.
* Greg looks down at Hope's unconscious form.
<Mariah> Oh, no!
<Atsuko> Hope!
<Greg> If she doesn't wake up until after the match is over, tell her that she
nearly had me.
<Kai> ... mmmmn.
* Atsuko runs out to Hope.
* Greg walks back over to his bench and sits down.
* Kai shakes his head. "She did really well... we couldn't ask for anything
more." He looks at Hope, and moves over to help Atsuko.
<Referee> Next fighters!
* Hugh stands up, and up, and up, and hops lightly into the ring, waving his
long spear around like it's nothing.
* Karasu frowns.
<Mariah> Oh, man, I hope she's okay...
* Mariah tries very hard not to look nervous. It doesn't quite work.
* Atsuko helps move Hope from the ring.
* Kai helps, then moves over to Mariah. "Would you prefer to, or shall I?"
* Karasu looks at Mariah for a second, then says to Kai. "It's between you two,
but I'm of the opinion that you shuld try, captain."
<Mariah> ... should I fight, or do you want to, Kai?
<Mariah> ... maybe you should fight the captain guy. I'll fight him.
* Mariah stands up and walks into the ring. She swallows hard before assuming a
stance.
<Kai> ... alright, Mariah. Do your best!
* Karasu nods. "Good luck."
* Hugh crouches down, spear extended forward, hands gripping it at near maximum
extension.
* Atsuko looks up. "You can do it, Mariah!"
* Mariah waits for Hugh to do something.
* Atsuko tries her best to watch the fight and also keep a worried eye on Hope.
<Referee> Fight.
* Hugh rushes forward, but stops just outside of Mariah's reach and thrusts
forward violently with his spear.
* Mariah will try to step to the side as quickly as she can, attempting to avoid
the spear.
* Mariah successfully sidesteps and twirls her staff quickly... "Thundering
Staff!" The staff takes on an aura of barely-visible energy, and she lashes it
out at Hugh.
* Hope groans and opens her eyes.
* Hugh slides under the glowing staff, falling backwards to balance on one hand,
and thrusts a kick up at Mariah's chin.
* Atsuko looks down at Hope, taking her eyes off the fight. "Hope! Are you
okay?"
* Mariah is quite thoroughly chin-kicked and reels back a few steps before
thrusting out with the staff again.
<Kai> ... come on, Mariah...
* Kai clenches his fists and keeps his eyes on the fight.
<Hope> Any'wn get the n,br of the truck that hit me?
* Atsuko snaps her head back up. "Oh! Mariah..."
* Karasu looks over to Hope. "You're awake."
* Hugh whips the butt of his spear over and catches the staff just inches from
his face. The vibrations of the staff resonate through the spear, nearly forcing
him to drop it.
* Karasu takes another look at the other team.
* Atsuko looks back to Hope again. "How are you feeling?"
<Mariah> ... I... I... -- The One Is Many!!
* Hugh rolls out from under Mariah frantically, levering himself up with his
spear just in time to hear Mariah's shout.
* Mariah pauses in place for a moment before seeming to... melt away into light,
light that coalesces slowly into a huge swarm of individual motes. The motes
swirl up into a column and charge at Hugh.
<Kai> ... *WOW*!
* Hugh goes wide eyed.
<Hope> .. I lose, didn't I?
* Atsuko looks back up to see what Mariah's doing. Her eyes go even wider than
ever.
* Hugh backs frantically away from the column of light.
<Karasu> It was close.
<Hugh> What the hell is this?!
<Atsuko> He told me to tell you that you almost got him.
* Atsuko watches the fight in awe.
<Mariah> * There is no response as the light cloud presses its attack.
<Hope> Wasn't close. He kicked my ass.
<Karasu> You'd have won if you'd managed to push him off.
* Hugh dives forward into the swarm and is mobbed by tiny motes. When he passes
out the other side, he's burnt in more than a few spots and his clothes are
singed.
<Kai> ... beautiful technique!
<Hugh> Shitshitshitshit!
* Hugh hops to his feet and picks up his fallen spear.
<Mariah> * The cloud re-coalesces on the other side of Hugh and charges forward
again.
* Hugh seems to gather what's left of his spirit.
<Hugh> Screaming Star special attack!  Meteor Fireball!
* Hope sighs. "I couldn't push him off. I'm just not strong enough."
* Hugh jumps into the air, nearly touching the ceiling, and lashes his spear
forward, sending a fireball rolling forward into the swarm. It passes through
with what appears to be no harm.
* Hugh goes wide eyed again.
<Hugh> Aw, come on!  What kind of technique is THIS?
<Kai> A unique one!
<Atsuko> A really cool one...
<Mariah> * The cloud seems to gather itself up before barreling again towards
Hugh.
* Hugh dives to the side at the last minute, barely avoiding the swarm of
lights.
* Hope stands up and leans on her blade. She watches the fight with haunted
eyes.
<Hugh> Last ditch defense! Fallen Star Heat!
* Hugh crouches down, letting his spear fall to the ground in front of him. He
begins emanating waves of heat.
<Karasu> It doesn't have anything to do with strength.
* Atsuko speaks quietly as she watches. "Hope...he was just too strong. I
wouldn't have been able to beat him either, if I'd fought him."
<Hope> Yes, you would have. You've got those ninja skills. Everyone has ninja
skills or magic. Everyone but me. I'm just not strong enough.
<Mariah> * The cloud hesitates... and flies over Hugh's head, returning to earth
on his other side. There's a flash of light, and those watching will notice the
lights seeming to join again... and, as the glow fades, Mariah stands there,
staff at the ready.
<Kai> Hope, you have the desire.
<Kai> If you give up now, you'll have nothing... no. I won't let you give up.
<Karasu> Again, it's got nothing to do with that, either.
* Hope clutches the sword, eyes burning with anger "But I'll get stronger. I'll
be the strongest. I'll show them all."
* Hugh sighs in relief as he turns around and sees Mariah back to her old self.
* Hugh grabs up his spear and leaps to the other side of the ring in a single
bound.
<Atsuko> C'mon, Mariah...
* Kai looks at Hope for a moment, then turns back to the match. "Come on,
Mariah..."
* Mariah takes one hand off her staff, and that hand begins to trace patterns in
the air... "... you just look too hot. Frostbite!" Her hand thrusts out at Hugh,
and a slight shimmer of ice can just barely be seen...
* Hugh blurs as he dodges out of the way of the ice, not to the side, or under,
but over!
* Atsuko inhales sharply. "He's fast, too..."
* Hugh goes upwards at an angle, up all the way to the ceiling, where he seems
to perch there for a moment as he shouts, "FALLING STAR STRIKE!"
* Hugh shoots down from the ceiling like a falling star, preceeded by an aura of
light, leaving a trail of sparkles behind him.
<Kai> ... not good!
* Atsuko watches, eyes wide.
<Karasu> This is quite a battle.
* Atsuko nods.
* Mariah can't dodge in time, and Hugh lands on her hard; she manages to
scramble away, though. She's breathing hard, and her clothes look the worse for
wear.
<Kai> Stay strong, Mariah!
<Mariah> ... you can't be this good. You can't be. THUNDERING STAFF!
<Atsuko> You can do it, Mariah!
* Mariah 's staff seems to charge up again, and she aims a sharp, hard thrust at
Hugh.
<Hugh> I AM!  MAKE A WISH FOR VICTORY!
<Atsuko> Intense. O_o
<Hope> Stupid.
<Kai> Very intense. Mariah's shown much!
<Karasu> Agreed.
<Hope> Her and her magic. Stupid magic.
* Hugh whips the butt of his spear straight up from where it is, catching Mariah
under the chin and doing the last little bit to push her over the edge into
unconsciousness.
<Kai> ... no.
* Mariah falls down.
<Atsuko> ...awww...
* Atsuko rushes out to Mariah.
* Karasu frowns. "It's up to you, captain."
<Kai> I know.
* Hugh props himself up unsteadily with his spear.
* Atsuko picks Mariah up and carries her out of the ring.
* Mariah is quite safely not moving.
* Kai twirls his bo and takes a deep breath, placing it on his shoulder as he
moves to the ring.
<Karasu> This other team seems to vary greatly in power levels.
* Atsuko sets Mariah down carefully next to the bench, and smiles a little at
her. "It was a really good try..."
* Atsuko looks up at Kai. "Good luck."
* Kai flashes a thumbs-up. "Well... it's down to me and you."
* Kento hops lightly into the ring, twirling his naginata.
<Kento> Me and you.
* Kai takes his stance. "Right, then. Show me your heart, Kento... because I'm
going to show you mine!"
* Kento braces himself.
* Atsuko giggles in spite of herself. "So dramatic."
<Kai> ... no mercy for you! WHITE SPIRAL!
* Kai twirls his bo, then thrusts it at Kento, a double-helix of 'wind' coating
the tip. It's enough to ruffle his own clothing and hair.
* Kento twirls his naginata, bringing the butt around to force the thrust up and
away from him, then whirling the blade around to cut at Kai's leg.
* Atsuko winces.
* Kai quickly shoots his bo down, smacking the ring floor and incidentally
blocking the slash. He immediately counters with a strike to the chest.
* Atsuko 'whew's'.
* Kento reverses the spin instantly, the blade that was slashing at Kai's leg
now forcing the bo away while the butt of the staff strikes for the feet.
<Atsuko> Wow...
* Kai instead leaps over the strike and slightly to the side, striking a
momentary stance before locking his eyes on Kento. "The strongest! WHITE....
CLIMAX!" He immediately starts shooting the bo out at Kento at machinegun speed.
"AT-TATATATATATAAAA!"
* Kento completely misreads the attack and whips his naginata down to block a
leg strike, and is struck solidly over and over and over, black bruises
appearing where the bo strikes him. He slumps to his knees and then over on his
face, and does not move.
<Referee> Winner!
* Kai stops... and blinks, holding his slightly aching shoulder. "I... I did
it...."
* Atsuko jumps to her feet, letting out a big whoop. "Yeah! You did it!"
* Karasu nods.
<Hope> Fine. Can we go now?
<Kai> ...
* Kai kneels to Kento's side and checks on him.
<Referee> Yes.  Your academic placements will be in the afternoon.  The
cafeteria should be open now.
* Kento is still breathing.
<Kai> ... excellent fight. I hope we battle again.
* Atsuko checks Mariah again for signs of returning to conciousness.
* Kai pats Kento on the shoulder, then puts his bo away and bows to the
conscious opposing fighters.
* Mariah might be a little closer to consciousness, but not by much.
* The fighters that are conscious nod grudgingly to the group.
<Kai> ... yeah, let's go.
* Kai smiles thinly, then walks over to check on Mariah. "Still out?"
* Atsuko calls out to the other group. "You guys were great! I really enjoyed
the fight!"
* Atsuko turns back to Kai. "Yeah, she's not waking up yet."
<Kai> I'll help you carry her.
* Atsuko smiles at Kai. "Thanks."
* Atsuko puts her right shoe back on, but leaves the sock off, just holding it
instead.
<Mariah> ... don't.
<Kai> ... oh. Mariah! Good... you did great, Mariah. All of you did.
* Karasu stands up. "..."
* Kai smiles a little.
* Atsuko blinks and turns to Mariah, smiling. "Oh! You're awake!"
* Mariah opens one eye. "... I..."
<Hope> You don't have to bullshit "captain".
<Atsuko> You were aMAzing. That thing where you, like, dissolved was so awesome!
* Hope wanders outside and waits until the little love fest is over.
* Kai looks at Hope. "I'm not. You have to understand something... winning isn't
guaranteed. This is unlike anything we've fought... so we just hafta adapt."
<Mariah> ... don't wanna be here right now.
* Kai follows. "If it means getting stronger, do it. Just... stay in control."
* Atsuko extends a hand to Mariah.
* Mariah doesn't move.
* Hope turns to Kai. "Control doesn't matter. I'm the only person on this team
who doesn't have some sort of magic to back them up. I'm going to do whatever it
takes to become strong enough to beat magic."
<Kai> ... exactly.
* Kai smiles. "Just... don't beat yourself up, okay?"
* Karasu frowns.
* Atsuko 's smile dims a bit. She puts her arm around Mariah's shoulders and
helps her up to a sitting position.
<Hope> Beat myself up? I wouldn't be worrying too much about that.
* Kento is carried from the room, still very, very unconscious, by his friends.
* Mariah is not really going to make much of an effort to sit up, but Atsuko's
help will do it; she's not trying to resist, either.
* Atsuko looks Mariah in the eye while still supporting her. "What's wrong? Are
you that hurt?"
* Kai looks back at Mariah. "It'll be alright... really. Win or lose, just stay
strong. Not much more we can do, really." He pauses. "Still... we needs to get
back to our room. There's some of the... whatever drink there in my room."
<Mariah> ... I don't wanna go anywhere right now.
* Karasu thrusts his hands in his pockets and makes his way to the other team.
* Atsuko frowns worriedly. "Um...do you want to stay here? Or should I carry
you?"
* Noreen eyes Karasu as he approaches.
<Noreen> What do you want?
<Mariah> I dunno. I don't care. It doesn't matter.
* Kai looks to Mariah, then walks over to her and sits. "... what's wrong?"
<Karasu> I apologize.
<Noreen> ...apology accepted.
* Hope watches Kai, then frowns. "... I'm going back to the room."
* Noreen smiles a little.
<Noreen> Thank you.
* Atsuko looks a little sad.
<Noreen> I... have to go with my team, now.
* Karasu nods towards Marcie. "Tell your friend when she comes to, as well."
<Kai> Alright, Hope. Meetcha there.
* Hope heads back to the room as best she can through the maze.
<Noreen> ...I will, but I doubt it'll do any good.
<Noreen> She's kinda... angry.  Like, all the time, I mean.
* Noreen darts out of the room.
* Atsuko slowly, carefully picks Mariah up.
<Mariah> ... that's the best thing I have. And it didn't work.
* Karasu watches her run before he can say anything @_@.
<Kai> Then... you have to get better. That's what we're here for, Mariah.
* Karasu comes back to the others. "... Where's Hope?"
* Kai lends a hand with Mariah. "She went back to the room."
* Atsuko smiles down at Mariah. "You'll get better. We all will."
<Mariah> Put me down.
* Atsuko puts Mariah down on the bench.
* Karasu frowns. He leaves, heading for the room. "You stay here with Mariah."
* Kai sighs, but relents. "Mariah... I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell
you just... don't give up. And don't be too hard on yourself."
* Atsuko doesn't respond, instead looking with concern at Mariah.
<Mariah> Know I'm too weak, but I can *walk.*
* Atsuko hangs her head. "I...I'm sorry."
<Kai> I apologize. Just trying to help. I've gotta live up to what I got voted
into, I guess.
<Atsuko> I...you just...I wanted to help...
<Mariah> ... just leave me alone. Okay?
* Atsuko nods sadly.
* Kai looks to want to say something else, then sighs. "Alright. Just... don't
give up. Please."
* Atsuko walks out of the room without another word.
* Kai gives Mariah one last look, then turns to go. "Seeya later, Mariah."
<Mariah> I'm sorry... I'm no good.
* Mariah just watches the others leave, silently; she looks around the room
again.
<Kai> ... no, you're not. Give it time.
* Atsuko absently wanders in the direction of the cafeteria.
* Kai heads off behind Atsuko finally. "... man, Hope and Mariah are taking it
pretty hard..."
* Atsuko nods slightly.
<Kai> ... I hope I'm doing a good job as the captain. I dunno... I feel a little
helpless.
* Mariah will slowly unfolds to walk over and pick up her staff and backpack
before leaving the room, heading in an opposite direction from the team.
<Atsuko> I...I was just tryin' to help. I wanna be their friend...
* Atsuko hangs her head.
<Atsuko> They're all mad at me.
<Kai> Understandable. They're just both going through something we can't
magically fix... can't do much until they come to terms with themselves. And
they're not mad at you.
* Atsuko raises her head, and looks over her shoulder at Kai.
<Atsuko> Uhuh.
* Atsuko faces forward again and removes her glasses, cleaning them as she
walks.
<Kai> We'll make it. As a team. I know we will. The principal didn't choose us
just because.
* Kai tries to sound hopeful. It's working, for the most.
* Atsuko nods again, slowly.
[First Day Battle Placement Tests... Win by Knockout, Knockout, and Ring Out]