(OOC: Hello everyone, since we recruited for this campaign before the board was up I have the somewhat awkward task of GMing and playing. I will try very hard not to have my character hog the spotlight and limit his abilities to reactions of the plot. Anyways thanks so much for your support guys! The RP board is up and functioning! New profiles are being made, story lines have started recruiting. And it's all thanks to everyone who voiced there support. Special thanks to Kagami Hiiragi and all her hard work, and patience in walking me through this process.)
The narrow mountain road didn't make the trip any easier. Students mumbled and complained as the bus bounced back and forth. Red was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep. He hadn't gotten much sleep since the exam results came in. This was it. After two grueling years of tournaments and slaving away trying to prove he was cut out for this. Without the backing of an academy, you can't go very far in the dueling world, not even in the minor leagues. It was a political issue at this point, with the growth of popularity duel monsters also came problems.
Out the window was a beautiful orange sky with all different shades of pink and purple dispersing across the sky. A tall mountain, one of the set that contained the academy's peaks and valleys. Complementing the visual spectacle was the soothing pleasure and the dark green that the mountain forest contained. Nature provides us with so many pleasures and yet, if you aren't happy with your life you never notice. Red had not been happy with his life for 2 years. Now however he savored the simple moment in the rickety bus.
Gossiping students brought him out of his slumber. "I heard this academy isn't very safe." Said one girl with short brown hair.
"Mandy! You're always so paranoid. Bears don't like loud, populated places."
"I'm not talking about bears! Apparently the Inca's made it or something. And there’s evil sorcerer magic in these mountains! There’s even supposed to be an ancient ruin on campus, and some people say...they hear there cards talking…" Red allowed himself to tune them out. Cards talking? Nonsense, cards are just cards.
He went back to the scenery. After five more minutes of what felt like must be the top of mount Olympus the Academy Gates opened up. Large imposing statues of the Blue Eyes White Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon gleaming, sculpted from white and black marble respectively. Again Red could hear the girls gossiping "Where did this Dojo get the money for that? They haven't turned out that many pro duelists."
Moments later, through the large steel gates all sorts of dragon statues littered the campus.
Temples to different monster types and attributes surrounded a beautiful central arena, where Red had been called in to take his final test for advanced placement. Looking around he saw that most of his fellow students were probably placed in the lower dorms. He didn’t imagine the Cursed Pride students wouldn’t be as inviting as most had been promoted and already had friends in the academy. They would be set in there ways, and Red’s age may have make everyone think he had been here forever. The infected students would probably be too intimidated to be friends… Red was sad again and thus did not notice the beauty of the Lake on campus as they drove by, or shoot excitedly with the other students as the card shop passed the Bus. “There it is!” Mandy screamed waking Red from his stupor. “There are the ruins I was talking about!”
Red turned his head quickly but it was already out of sight. For most of the other students on the bus this was there first visit. Red had already explored the campus he came for advanced placement. The bus stopped in front of the main facility. A teacher bearing the red and black Cursed Pride coat stood very straight waiting the exit of the bus. Just looking at him made Red feel self-conscious and uncouth. He made a conscious effort not to slouch as he left the bus.
The students didn’t even need to be told to line up outside, the man in the cursed pride jacket just seems so imposing… He was far too old to be a student… he must be—
The man cleared his throat. “I am the dorm leader of Cursed Pride. That means I am your teacher, your superior and I am to guide the best and brightest of this academy to rise above the rabble in this school.” There was a long uncomfortable pause as the man sized up every student within his field of vision. “Most of you… I suspect,” the man continued “do not have what it takes to make it to my dorm. Even less of you have what it takes to make it to the pro leagues.” A cheery introduction, thought Red, he had met people with these attitudes before in tournaments. People who thought they were better because they had gone to the most expensive academy, gotten into the best dorm and had the connections to go with it. But in a duel, the only thing that mattered was how you played your cards. He felt bad for the infected students who must now doubt themselves. He remembered the feeling well.
“Your dorms, are down that road.” The dorm leader pointed to his right. “Your first test is waiting for you there.” Then a wicked girn appeared on his face. “What test?” Red fiddled with the brochure in his pocket. “I thought we were done with tests for the first week? No class while we settled in?” Red frowned.
“Sir? My cousin goes to this school, what about the dorms to left?” Asked Mandy’s friend. The Cursed Pride Dorm Leader looked as if he might smack the girl where she stood, but instead perfectly still not blinking or moving his eyes from the girl. “You do not have the skill to be in this academy my dear, let alone in that dorm. You should just pack up your bags and quit now.” Red quickly broke formation to look at the girl, who looked as if she might cry. His heart felt heavy.
“The welcoming ceremony” the Dorm Leader continued with no sign of remorse “will be in 3 hours. That should give you plenty of time to unpack, or pack as it will.” Red could hear her sniffles while the man paused.
As abrupt as his military like entrance had been, his exit was more so. He turned and left without so much as a “Welcome to the Dojo.” Mandy’s friend was crying heavily now. Red wanted to turn around and tell her not to give up, but she was being comforted by her friend, and approaching more then one girl at once on his own still made Red nervous. Maybe it would be best if he just left her alone and got to his dorm. He could use a shower anyways.
Unlike other students he didn’t have to haul his luggage all the way to the dorm as it had been already moved there during his advanced placement tests. Infected and Pulsating students struggled along with their bags while he headed up the road. He must have been the only Cursed Pride student on that bus. All of a sudden Red felt a sharp pain of loneliness.
A river was coming up, but he didn’t see anywhere to cross. There was a small pillar in the middle of the river, but it didn’t look at all stable. As he was trying to cross it he spotted a tree that had obviously been inscribed with names and read what must be his “first test” he was warned about. He found the inscription. Skill and precision eh? He tightened his backpack straps. “Skill and precision eh?” He stretched out and began to make a running start.
“You should just quit now, you little noobie. You’re not going to make it.”
A student about Reds age was standing in a Cursed Pride coat and watching him.
“An infected like you could never do it.” He wasn’t an infected but why correct him. Red had nothing to prove. Then he spared a thought to the poor students behind him, how could they cross this river with all there luggage… there must be another way.
“Hey! Did you hear me! You’re never going to make it!” The student didn’t like being ignored.
“No, you’re probably right. Not the first time.” Red jumped, and barely caught the edge of the pillar with his upper body! He had made it! On his first try—all of a sudden the pillar began to dip. The shock was so much it cause Red to lose his grip and fall in the river. *RIP* went the backpack.
The Cursed pride student was laughing at the now soaked and muddy Red. “I told you you’d never make it!” He yelled pointing and exploding with laughter. All Reds stuff was falling out of his backpack and flowing out of the river. Everything he needed to live was already in the dorm, but he kept his most sentimental stuff with him for the trip. His favorite poster of Seto Kaiba’s academy was completely ruined. The current carried many precious objects away from Red as he desperately tried to retain what he could. After putting everything he could grab in his pockets he saw the heavy cursed pride badge stuck to the bottom of the river. The damn thing was too heavy to wash away. Almost reluctantly he picked it up, polished it slightly ignoring the laughter and attached it to his shirt so he wouldn’t lose it. For many of his things it was too late, they had been washed away while Red scrambled after what he could see.
“Wait a second” said the laughing student, catching the gleam of the now mud free student ID. “You’re in cursed pride? A test in?”
“Yeah” said Red pulling himself up from the river on the side opposite him.
“You need to learn how to cross this river. All Cursed Prides can do it. Till then there's a narrow gap a 5 minute walk north. Cross there and we’ll show you how to do it later.”
“Thanks” said Red “but I don’t want you to show me. I want to learn for myself.” He was about to leave.
“We can’t have that.” Said the boy. Red stopped in his tracks as if to ask why not “Borin won’t want you tarnishing our name.” Red almost asked who Borin was, before walking away and realizing that his “disrespectful” behavior had probably earned him an enemy in his dorm. Maybe more then one. How could a day go from being so wonderful to so…bleh.
Red arrived in the Cursed Pride Dorm. A rather impressive entry hall awaited him once he climbed the steps. He wasn’t quiet sure where to go so he walked up to the long oak check in deck. “Who do I see about signing into my room?” He asked.
While he waited for his escort he couldn’t stop thinking about Mandy, and her infected duelist friend. His mind drifted to a tournament he had lost shortly after his parents had forbid him from entering Seto Kaiba’s Duel Academy. His opponent handed him a basic tip card after the match. “I know you won” said Red looking him in the eye “But you don’t have to be such a dick about it.”
“Listen here” his competition stared him down “I’ll be going to Obelisk Blue in the most famous dueling academy in the world this spring. I’m going to be a dueling legend, and you’ll always be in the minor leagues. So just accept your place.” He took the tip card and signed it “Keep it, it will be worth more then you someday.” Ironically it was one of the few items he hadn't lost in the river. It was even still dry as Red had it laminated.
His dormmate woke him from his day dreaming. “Are you the new student?” He asked.
“Yes, my names Red Nice to—”
“I don’t care what your name is new meat. I just have to show you to your dorm and then your somebody elses problem.” Red knew when to just be silent and go along with an unpleasant situation till it was over.
As they climbed the stairs to Red’s Room his tourguide finally spoke to him. “Don’t think just cause you tested into this dorm your hot stuff. You’re no better then those of us who worked our way up from the lowest dorm.”
“I never said I was—” His tour guide looked ready to hit him. Red should have just kept his mouth shut, but would that have just come across as conceded?
They arrived “Here’s your dorm” said the student. “I’m supposed to show you the Cursed Study Center and the cafeteria and all that but I don’t feel like it so you’re on your own.” Red shut the door without a goodbye and the student was no longer in his life.
The shower was nice. He was glad he had tested into this dorm for the first time when he stepped in the shower. He had put his trusty tip card on his bedside table until he could find a frame for it, like he had at home. He didn’t know why he framed it, partly a joke, partly motivation he guessed.
He still hated the kid who gave him that card. Red was able to let go of many things, but this raw anger felt like an itch he could never scratch. He didn't like being angry over a loss but... he was.
The welcoming ceremony would be back the way he came, so fixing his deck and duel disk he set off down the same road, eager to try the jump across the river again. The academy had beautiful grounds, the forests seemed to call out and the roads followed a smooth dips and curves common in these mountains. The wilds were populated with all sorts of birds and small creatures, at least on the immediate campus.
As he came to the river he saw some of the students with luggage trying to cross the pillar, some older Cursed Pride students were blocking the way, but they were not the same as the one who had laughed at Red when he fell in. It seemed a tense situation. Red ran up ahead wearing Cursed Pride colors, but not feeling at all like a Cursed Pride student from what he had seen so far.
(OOC: Andrew and Final are now introduced. Post your arrival to getting into this situation. The NPC blocking your way is Borin, the current cannon top student in Cursed Pride, a mean elitist.)
The narrow mountain road didn't make the trip any easier. Students mumbled and complained as the bus bounced back and forth. Red was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep. He hadn't gotten much sleep since the exam results came in. This was it. After two grueling years of tournaments and slaving away trying to prove he was cut out for this. Without the backing of an academy, you can't go very far in the dueling world, not even in the minor leagues. It was a political issue at this point, with the growth of popularity duel monsters also came problems.
Out the window was a beautiful orange sky with all different shades of pink and purple dispersing across the sky. A tall mountain, one of the set that contained the academy's peaks and valleys. Complementing the visual spectacle was the soothing pleasure and the dark green that the mountain forest contained. Nature provides us with so many pleasures and yet, if you aren't happy with your life you never notice. Red had not been happy with his life for 2 years. Now however he savored the simple moment in the rickety bus.
Gossiping students brought him out of his slumber. "I heard this academy isn't very safe." Said one girl with short brown hair.
"Mandy! You're always so paranoid. Bears don't like loud, populated places."
"I'm not talking about bears! Apparently the Inca's made it or something. And there’s evil sorcerer magic in these mountains! There’s even supposed to be an ancient ruin on campus, and some people say...they hear there cards talking…" Red allowed himself to tune them out. Cards talking? Nonsense, cards are just cards.
He went back to the scenery. After five more minutes of what felt like must be the top of mount Olympus the Academy Gates opened up. Large imposing statues of the Blue Eyes White Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon gleaming, sculpted from white and black marble respectively. Again Red could hear the girls gossiping "Where did this Dojo get the money for that? They haven't turned out that many pro duelists."
Moments later, through the large steel gates all sorts of dragon statues littered the campus.
Temples to different monster types and attributes surrounded a beautiful central arena, where Red had been called in to take his final test for advanced placement. Looking around he saw that most of his fellow students were probably placed in the lower dorms. He didn’t imagine the Cursed Pride students wouldn’t be as inviting as most had been promoted and already had friends in the academy. They would be set in there ways, and Red’s age may have make everyone think he had been here forever. The infected students would probably be too intimidated to be friends… Red was sad again and thus did not notice the beauty of the Lake on campus as they drove by, or shoot excitedly with the other students as the card shop passed the Bus. “There it is!” Mandy screamed waking Red from his stupor. “There are the ruins I was talking about!”
Red turned his head quickly but it was already out of sight. For most of the other students on the bus this was there first visit. Red had already explored the campus he came for advanced placement. The bus stopped in front of the main facility. A teacher bearing the red and black Cursed Pride coat stood very straight waiting the exit of the bus. Just looking at him made Red feel self-conscious and uncouth. He made a conscious effort not to slouch as he left the bus.
The students didn’t even need to be told to line up outside, the man in the cursed pride jacket just seems so imposing… He was far too old to be a student… he must be—
The man cleared his throat. “I am the dorm leader of Cursed Pride. That means I am your teacher, your superior and I am to guide the best and brightest of this academy to rise above the rabble in this school.” There was a long uncomfortable pause as the man sized up every student within his field of vision. “Most of you… I suspect,” the man continued “do not have what it takes to make it to my dorm. Even less of you have what it takes to make it to the pro leagues.” A cheery introduction, thought Red, he had met people with these attitudes before in tournaments. People who thought they were better because they had gone to the most expensive academy, gotten into the best dorm and had the connections to go with it. But in a duel, the only thing that mattered was how you played your cards. He felt bad for the infected students who must now doubt themselves. He remembered the feeling well.
“Your dorms, are down that road.” The dorm leader pointed to his right. “Your first test is waiting for you there.” Then a wicked girn appeared on his face. “What test?” Red fiddled with the brochure in his pocket. “I thought we were done with tests for the first week? No class while we settled in?” Red frowned.
“Sir? My cousin goes to this school, what about the dorms to left?” Asked Mandy’s friend. The Cursed Pride Dorm Leader looked as if he might smack the girl where she stood, but instead perfectly still not blinking or moving his eyes from the girl. “You do not have the skill to be in this academy my dear, let alone in that dorm. You should just pack up your bags and quit now.” Red quickly broke formation to look at the girl, who looked as if she might cry. His heart felt heavy.
“The welcoming ceremony” the Dorm Leader continued with no sign of remorse “will be in 3 hours. That should give you plenty of time to unpack, or pack as it will.” Red could hear her sniffles while the man paused.
As abrupt as his military like entrance had been, his exit was more so. He turned and left without so much as a “Welcome to the Dojo.” Mandy’s friend was crying heavily now. Red wanted to turn around and tell her not to give up, but she was being comforted by her friend, and approaching more then one girl at once on his own still made Red nervous. Maybe it would be best if he just left her alone and got to his dorm. He could use a shower anyways.
Unlike other students he didn’t have to haul his luggage all the way to the dorm as it had been already moved there during his advanced placement tests. Infected and Pulsating students struggled along with their bags while he headed up the road. He must have been the only Cursed Pride student on that bus. All of a sudden Red felt a sharp pain of loneliness.
A river was coming up, but he didn’t see anywhere to cross. There was a small pillar in the middle of the river, but it didn’t look at all stable. As he was trying to cross it he spotted a tree that had obviously been inscribed with names and read what must be his “first test” he was warned about. He found the inscription. Skill and precision eh? He tightened his backpack straps. “Skill and precision eh?” He stretched out and began to make a running start.
“You should just quit now, you little noobie. You’re not going to make it.”
A student about Reds age was standing in a Cursed Pride coat and watching him.
“An infected like you could never do it.” He wasn’t an infected but why correct him. Red had nothing to prove. Then he spared a thought to the poor students behind him, how could they cross this river with all there luggage… there must be another way.
“Hey! Did you hear me! You’re never going to make it!” The student didn’t like being ignored.
“No, you’re probably right. Not the first time.” Red jumped, and barely caught the edge of the pillar with his upper body! He had made it! On his first try—all of a sudden the pillar began to dip. The shock was so much it cause Red to lose his grip and fall in the river. *RIP* went the backpack.
The Cursed pride student was laughing at the now soaked and muddy Red. “I told you you’d never make it!” He yelled pointing and exploding with laughter. All Reds stuff was falling out of his backpack and flowing out of the river. Everything he needed to live was already in the dorm, but he kept his most sentimental stuff with him for the trip. His favorite poster of Seto Kaiba’s academy was completely ruined. The current carried many precious objects away from Red as he desperately tried to retain what he could. After putting everything he could grab in his pockets he saw the heavy cursed pride badge stuck to the bottom of the river. The damn thing was too heavy to wash away. Almost reluctantly he picked it up, polished it slightly ignoring the laughter and attached it to his shirt so he wouldn’t lose it. For many of his things it was too late, they had been washed away while Red scrambled after what he could see.
“Wait a second” said the laughing student, catching the gleam of the now mud free student ID. “You’re in cursed pride? A test in?”
“Yeah” said Red pulling himself up from the river on the side opposite him.
“You need to learn how to cross this river. All Cursed Prides can do it. Till then there's a narrow gap a 5 minute walk north. Cross there and we’ll show you how to do it later.”
“Thanks” said Red “but I don’t want you to show me. I want to learn for myself.” He was about to leave.
“We can’t have that.” Said the boy. Red stopped in his tracks as if to ask why not “Borin won’t want you tarnishing our name.” Red almost asked who Borin was, before walking away and realizing that his “disrespectful” behavior had probably earned him an enemy in his dorm. Maybe more then one. How could a day go from being so wonderful to so…bleh.
Red arrived in the Cursed Pride Dorm. A rather impressive entry hall awaited him once he climbed the steps. He wasn’t quiet sure where to go so he walked up to the long oak check in deck. “Who do I see about signing into my room?” He asked.
While he waited for his escort he couldn’t stop thinking about Mandy, and her infected duelist friend. His mind drifted to a tournament he had lost shortly after his parents had forbid him from entering Seto Kaiba’s Duel Academy. His opponent handed him a basic tip card after the match. “I know you won” said Red looking him in the eye “But you don’t have to be such a dick about it.”
“Listen here” his competition stared him down “I’ll be going to Obelisk Blue in the most famous dueling academy in the world this spring. I’m going to be a dueling legend, and you’ll always be in the minor leagues. So just accept your place.” He took the tip card and signed it “Keep it, it will be worth more then you someday.” Ironically it was one of the few items he hadn't lost in the river. It was even still dry as Red had it laminated.
His dormmate woke him from his day dreaming. “Are you the new student?” He asked.
“Yes, my names Red Nice to—”
“I don’t care what your name is new meat. I just have to show you to your dorm and then your somebody elses problem.” Red knew when to just be silent and go along with an unpleasant situation till it was over.
As they climbed the stairs to Red’s Room his tourguide finally spoke to him. “Don’t think just cause you tested into this dorm your hot stuff. You’re no better then those of us who worked our way up from the lowest dorm.”
“I never said I was—” His tour guide looked ready to hit him. Red should have just kept his mouth shut, but would that have just come across as conceded?
They arrived “Here’s your dorm” said the student. “I’m supposed to show you the Cursed Study Center and the cafeteria and all that but I don’t feel like it so you’re on your own.” Red shut the door without a goodbye and the student was no longer in his life.
The shower was nice. He was glad he had tested into this dorm for the first time when he stepped in the shower. He had put his trusty tip card on his bedside table until he could find a frame for it, like he had at home. He didn’t know why he framed it, partly a joke, partly motivation he guessed.
He still hated the kid who gave him that card. Red was able to let go of many things, but this raw anger felt like an itch he could never scratch. He didn't like being angry over a loss but... he was.
The welcoming ceremony would be back the way he came, so fixing his deck and duel disk he set off down the same road, eager to try the jump across the river again. The academy had beautiful grounds, the forests seemed to call out and the roads followed a smooth dips and curves common in these mountains. The wilds were populated with all sorts of birds and small creatures, at least on the immediate campus.
As he came to the river he saw some of the students with luggage trying to cross the pillar, some older Cursed Pride students were blocking the way, but they were not the same as the one who had laughed at Red when he fell in. It seemed a tense situation. Red ran up ahead wearing Cursed Pride colors, but not feeling at all like a Cursed Pride student from what he had seen so far.
(OOC: Andrew and Final are now introduced. Post your arrival to getting into this situation. The NPC blocking your way is Borin, the current cannon top student in Cursed Pride, a mean elitist.)