WEEK 3

[whimsicalism]

WEEK THREE

Two weeks, two trials, four deaths.

One thing is certain: The monster in charge of this place knows enough about everyone here that he also knows what can drive some of them desperate enough to kill. He is powerful, and he has access, and he despises the whole student body. The face of the class' captor has been revealed now, in a sense, and the flames of his hatred for children have turned out to be very real.

At least, for now, the students of Ira Academy have one another to lean on. Some might have found the post-trial camaraderie a comfort. At least everyone hasn't given up hope. At least many students are still finding their anger and their will to fight back.

There are fewer pretenses this coming week. Classes proceed as normal; the school day still functions as normal, but the further everyone comes from that first fateful meeting with the man in charge of this school, the further away and more incomprehensible the thought that there was ever really a chance of going along with the original plan, completing reeducation, and staying safe.


...Of course, you could still try. There'd be nothing stopping you.

But you won't, will you? That's just how the students of Ira Academy are. You'll visit the third floor of the Academy, ascending the newly opened flight of stairs. Maybe you'll investigate one of the new rooms, dwarfed by the echoes that bounce of the uninvitingly tall ceilings. There's probably still something in this place on your side.

Will you work together, or will you grow further apart?

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Regains | AC | IC Profiles | Locations | Mystery Information | A Contact | Sheep Contact | Nanami Contact

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Week 3! New locations have been added and the third floor is now open for exploration. The library is a very large space and more than one person can investigate it throughout the week if you'd like. If you want to investigate one of the Floor 3 rooms, please hit the mods with a ping in Discord and put INVESTIGATE in your subject line.

As a reminder, AC runs Sunday to Sunday concurrent with these posts and is collected based on the prior week; this means you have a whole week to get in AC for the week prior. AC for week 2 should be submitted no later than this coming Sunday. Remember to submit your regains, and sign up for a spot exploring this week's mystery if you want to!

Comments

[canreallymove]

But-

[Ugh.]

I mean, yeah, but...I don't want you to have to fast just...just because it would be easier for everyone else. You should eat too!

[holyironmade]

Did you not hear about my trials in the iron maiden?

[Perhaps not, Hunter had turned it out after all.]

I am Iron Maiden Jeanne. It is my very identity to take on the suffering of others. So far, it has not been practical. Now it is. This is my opportunity to make a truly meaningful contribution.

[canreallymove]

Uh...iron what?

iron maiden cw

[holyironmade]

When you asked for basic info, I thought there was no need to worry you with my ability to withstand tortures. I see I was wrong.

It's a metal capsule full of needles. I have spent countless hours almost bleeding to death. Three days without food is a trifle.

[canreallymove]

WHAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?!?

WHO WOULD-WHY WOULD YOU EVER-!? WHY WOULD ANYONE HAVE YOU DO THAT!!?

...








Wait, through your finger?!? THAT'S A THING?!?

[holyironmade]

It was my choice.

[While her voice is even, she is extremely aggressive on this point by her demure standards, it's a shift in demeanor. She's aware she hasn't explained her insane choice yet but blinks a bit at a word of Sonic's she doesn't remember mentioning.]

What, the finger? They strike there too, but the capsule surrounds the entire body. It is almost like a coffin.

[canreallymove]

Oh-




Uh. It's nothing.

[Worst. Liar. Ever.]

[holyironmade]

Tell me what you are thinking. I am fighting to be the next Shaman King. I suffer so I will have enough power to avenge the fiery deaths of the families of my teammates. I am not the object of condescension and pity.

[canreallymove]

Wh-I don't pity you, but your training regiment just seems...uh. Way past extreme. Or even remotely safe.

[THIS. COMING. FROM SONIC. HE HATES IT.]






And uh. You're sure this iron capsule isn't just...on your finger?

[holyironmade]

Do you see a single scar on this hand of mine?

[She snaps her fingers in front of his face.]

You are describing something inexplicably specific.

1/2

[canreallymove]

...No? But how else would this thing you're describing even fit on you unless it was on your fingers??

I mean, I'm pretty sure you described somethin' I have in my room.

2/2

[canreallymove]

And if it is yours, you should apologize to Anya!

[holyironmade]

The iron maiden is like a walk-in closet! A coffin! A bed of nails! How difficult can this be for you to understand? What is it a boy like you would know, a racecar bed? You can live with an amputated finger. That is not enough to train even one thousand furyoku. You are spouting nonsense I had nothing to do with.

1/2

[canreallymove]

HEY! Don't knock the racecar bed!

Fine, you don't believe me? I'll show you!

[He stomps off...]

2/2

[canreallymove]

[And he returns with...what looks like a finger trap from a distance, which he holds out between his finger and fore thumb.]

Here! Pop off the cap and put your finger in! Have fun with a million paper cuts!

[It's...definitely the iron maiden. But infinitely tinier.]

[holyironmade]

...


....


...........,.....

What is this mockery? Did someone make it in the workshop? No... Her stoic face remains the same.

Sonic. Imagine this one dozen times larger. Does my story not suddenly make sense?

[canreallymove]

Look, I'm good, but I'm not that good.

[The more he hears from Jeanne, the less he's liking it. Which is saying something since Sonic is literally Mr. Reckless back home.

Yeah, he really hates this place.]

And it only makes sense if someone actually tried to stop you from doing something that nuts! Who would let you...do that!? Who would think it was a good thing to just...torture yourself like that!?

iron maiden cw

[holyironmade]

Yes, it is torture. [She grabs the trap back, cradling it fondly in her palm. The blunt side. For now.] Self flagellation, whatever you will. It was the answer to my prayers. The revelation came to me alone. It is with this power that I lead the X-Laws, not the other way around. They acknowledge my sacrifice while you can scarcely wrap your head around the healing abilities I used to remain in one piece all this time.

Or are you the only one of us allowed to declare yourself an authority who can handle unsavory tasks?

[canreallymove]

Dude, I'm trying to keep everyone alive, and that includes you! You're not leading these X-Laws people here, and you don't have your healing powers just like I don't have my juice!

[How does he even look like he wants to be an authority on this-what-]

I don't want anyone dying because they didn't have food and that includes you, ok?! And that kind of torture stuff tends to, you know. Lead to dying! So you'll excuse me if I'm a bit worried when you bring it up!

[holyironmade]

The only thing I have left is my knowledge of how long a suffering human can stay alive!

[Perhaps she should have come forward with this back during the coroner discussion, which is the most glaring evidence to her that Sonic considers himself a leader besides his total lack of experience.]

A single bottle of curry cola will not make the difference between life and death. Because that is what we are working with, about one calorie dense snack per student. It will only heal the mind. Mine doesn't need it.

[canreallymove]

[Probably the greatest irony of it all that only we, the narrators, can appreciate. They're both leaders. They both are conditioned to a kind of horror. Sonic only really started to understand this when he met people here.

But even so. Even so, Sonic learned the lesson that no one gets left behind. Sacrifice was necessary, yes, and a leader takes hits for the team that others can't, but. Not like that. Never like that. A leader doesn't go that far. Can't go that far unless everyone else goes that far. Because there's no other choice.

How is that even inspiring? It's not, not to him.]

I know that. You don't think I know what we're working with? You don't think I know it's way past likely that-that someone's gonna do something crazy!?

No, you're right, it probably won't. But you shouldn't deprive yourself of a sip because you don't think you need it and everyone else does, man. That's...that's not right!

[Heumins...are...so...messed...up.]

[holyironmade]

Do I throw myself at your feet and weep for how much shame and agony you must be in without clothes? No. Because I know that humans and our companions are diverse. That is why I am so desperate to bring an end to their wars and disharmonies.

[She turns on her heel, extremely long hair swinging. It's an ostentatious gesture.

The thing about needles? It's not healthy to leave them in, of course, but taking them out, letting the blood rush down, hurts even more than being pierced.]

I'll speak with the others. God willing, they will have more sense.