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

[britbrat]

[ Valmont barely skims the first note. His hands are shaking, which makes it annoyingly difficult to concentrate on the text, and he can just consult the thing after he receives his items anyway. All the energy he can summon up right now is devoted to whatever comes out next from under that door.

...It's not much. But he can at least take this chance to clarify. ]

Yes. You know. Our relationship

I'm sure you're aware that I'm rather fond of you.

[ Is she aware of this?? Remains to be seen. ]

[holyironmade]

I also consider you one of my closest friends at this school!

[She has drawn a little smiling, whistling bird? Probably a dove, going by her tastes.]

You always comfort me when I am sad, and I am eternally grateful. Is there anything troubling you right now? (Aside from the obvious.)

- Iron Maiden Jeanne

[This is definitely the "playing dumb" answer.]

[britbrat]

[ Okay, well, this is already unequivocally the nicest thing anyone's said about Valmont since he's been here. So there's that. Grateful that Jeanne can't see the expression he's making, Valmont carefully folds the note up, places it in his bag, and, painstakingly, begins another. ]

I'm gratified to hear that. But what I meant is more along the lines of

[ hhhhhhh ]

my having an interest in you

[ hhhhhhhhhHHHH H ]

romantically.

[ Maybe if he dies of embarrassment right now they can skip this week's trial. ]

[holyironmade]

[...it's soundproof, but it seems pretty likely that Jeanne makes some kind of gasp in there. A scream? A laugh? A sob? Who knows. A letter on a fresh sheet of paper emerges. It is in unambiguous English, a bad sign.]

Dear Valmont,

You have already deduced that my torture in the iron maiden could be interrupted for small periods of time without meaningfully changing my power. The true purpose is to serve as a symbol to the X-Laws. The confinement embodies all of the virtues; chastity is among them.

I thought everyone would see me as Mistress Maiden no matter where I go. But none of our classmates address me that way, not even the formal ones. I have never wanted anything else, and that has not changed now. Then again, I have been told that if I torture myself, I must not know what I really want. I do not hate you. Let us meet again soon and harmonize our wills.

With all due respect,
Iron Maiden Jeanne

P.S. The captain of the angel squad, Marco, is the closest thing that I still have to a father, and he always protects my virtues. I believe that if he hears of your intentions, he will become overzealous, try to kill you, and due to his powerful archangel Michael, succeed. To maximize your chances of survival, please tell him you would like to ask permission for a courtship with the intention of eventual marriage.

[britbrat]

[ A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED

...okay no that's silly, Valmont's definitely not going to die at any point this week! But right now it's a close thing. If the rooms were less soundproof, Jeanne might have heard a soft thunk, which is the sound of Valmont's forehead hitting the wall and just. Staying there. For a good few minutes. This is absolutely the most embarrassing the second most embarrassing in the top five most embarrassing moments of his life. Marriage?? Chastity??? He's eleven! He's never even held hands with a girl without blushing his stupid face off. Also, really not a fan of the prospect of Jeanne's angel dad just. Straight up killing him.

...Maybe he's gotten himself in a little too deep with this one. ]

Dear Jeanne,

I shall think about what you've said. Good day.

Sincerely,
Valmont

[ time to go back to his room and scream into the pillow for 4 hours ]