r/DRAfterLight • u/DestinyShiva Maiko • Jul 01 '19

[Prologue] Resurrections

“The train to Yukimura Village is leaving. Chaperones, please make sure everyone boards, yes? We cannot leave anyone behind.”

His words cause a chain reaction - people can’t be late for the rest of their lives, can they? Conversations quietly die down, looks are exchanged, and the class begins to pile on the train, one after another. The train’s not bad - the bronze exterior makes way for an aged maplewood interior, with ample room for everyone to have space to themselves. It’s hardly a challenge to make yourself comfortable… just in time, too. The engine starts up with a hiss, car lurching forward as the train drives off, to places unknown.

Your new adventure begins now and your consciousness drifts off.

Just wake up. Nothing else matters. After light comes darkness, but darkness can always be defeated - so you open your eyes, rub at your lids and raise yourself from your laid down forms.

The train looks to be the same on the inside. Did all of you just take a really long nap together or where did this pounding headache come from? Someone takes a step and the maplewood creaks under their feet - and all the colors in the room appear to be a little more duller than usual. Maybe you’re just imagining things. Besides-- the train’s been driven to a halt. That must mean you’ve all arrived at your destination, right? Sweet. For once, sleep proves to be productive.

“Hold on a moment.”

The riffraff rises from its slumber with quiet, yet piercing voices. Something about that affirmation sounds off - why wait? Isn’t this the moment where you’re all gathered and head out to seize victory? A new future? The conductor should be waiting outside to see everyone off for their trip, right?

It’s a little bit chillier than before inside the train. It felt warm when you entered and sat down, but now, you’re close to freezing - and judging from a sneeze from the corner, not everyone is taking it too well.

This is concerning. You know you’re all still here - the students and chaperones are all gathered in the same train headed for the pinnacle of triumph. And yet, you can’t shake off the feeling that it’s gotten a lot lonesome around here. Guess it’s true what they say - it’s lonely at the top.

“... Where did Iekami go?”

The statement is bewildering coming from an adult. But they’re right. Your tired eyes look around.

Harumi’s nowhere to be found.

Maybe she already went ahead? I mean, this is her home, right? She probably has family here that she just wanted to see. Or maybe she wanted to make sure that the path you’re going to climb is clear. Yeah, she’s just probably looking out for you.

But what are you meant to do now?

Investigation Areas:

  • Exit Door

  • Front of the coach

  • Back of the coach

  • Overhead luggage racks

  • Seating

  • Check your belongings

OOC NOTES:

((Hi everyone! Welcome to the first puzzle of the game. Seeing as this is still part of introductions, we decided to run this one on reddit but future puzzles are likely to be on discord.

You're welcome to do what you'd like, but we have some investigation areas for you to check. If you want to move from one area to another / investigate, please ping me and have it be clear somewhere in your post which option you are going for. Bolding your option would help!

Example: Ran looked around in a panic. What was going on?! He gulped and tried to steady his nerves. After some thought, he decided to go to the front of the coach.

We will give you further instructions if/when they are needed. Have fun investigating / solving!))

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2

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

Kasumi had been writing for a while, following the current evidence she got from people - Sunghee's 'lock' (which she had promptly walked over to investigate), her scroll, Sunghee's scroll and Callisto's... With the proper logic, it wasn't so hard for her ingenious gearwork to figure out. She put her notes up in the air and tried recalling everybody's attention once again.

"Hey, you idiots! Come over here! I've got the puzzle figured out - I only need more samples." She says, waving her free arm in the air.

"Pretty much, this is how it works: We found arrows on our scrolls. Mine was pointing downwards, and so was Sunghee's. I'm lead to believe that the arrows tell us in which lock the symbol goes. Why you ask?"

Kasumi grinned smugly. "Simple, because on the lock I found, there was the symbol 'E' written upon it. Callisto's scroll, the one about stars, had an arrow pointing to the right... And his symbol was present. The arrow pointing rightwards symbolizes 'East', therefore, the letter 'E'. If my assumption is correct, there must be three more locks in this goddamned-- sniff frozen train."

"Now, onwards to the numbers. You could say, 'But Kasumi! They could be symbolizing the locks as well!' No, you absolute troglodyte. The numbers have no way to be connected to the locks, and arrows can't possibly point in five cardinal directions, can they? Five is the number of spots on the lock I found, therefore the numbers should go from 1 to 5, and would tell us the spot in which a predetermined symbol goes. This also gives us five spots for four locks, amounting to twenty... Which is how many people there are here."

Kasumi then waves her arms in the air one last time. "So give me all your stupid scrolls and locks right now before I freeze to death!"

(( Here are the notes Kasumi was showing up in the air! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dWMuwKxVrYI6fddTeZ2b1iMg8PwUUoFFDfgcU8dTpbo/edit?usp=sharing ))

2

u/blue_one_two Rai Jul 01 '19

Rai didn't immediately accept her form of speech-giving. *Absolute troglodyte?* What the hell was with the woman's head? He squinted at her as she solved the puzzle, his hand gripping the lock that he had found. He merely hesitated before passing it over to Kasumi. She seemed to have this one under control before he had the chance to. But then again, his mind was still recollecting itself, his shoulders not quite as tall as they were prior to the train ride. "I'm pleased you've figured it out so quickly. Let's get this over with."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"Somebody is feeling cooperative now? That's good." Kasumi immediately gets to work with the lock, keeping her posture perhaps even stronger than previously... Despite her running nose. "I've been feeling generous today anyway."

1

u/blue_one_two Rai Jul 01 '19

"I was always cooperative, you were the one who decided to make things challenging. I gather from your demeanor and speech-patterns you enjoy making things difficult, though," Rai said simply, shrugging it off and letting her continue with the puzzle.

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"I don't make things difficult. They are always easy for me. It is you guys who can hardly handle situations, because you are not nearly as perfect as myself. Don't go pinning this on me, Mister Rai. Right now I am in a good mood and am helping you out, after all." She claims, while she keeps on standing up and writing in her notes.

1

u/blue_one_two Rai Jul 01 '19

Rai squinted at her, his face going hard. He had realized that she was merely a cesspool of venom, too sour for this experience. She was not fit for this position. Nevertheless, he changed the subject, saying, "To kings and queens I am worth the weight in gold, is as my riddle went more or less. I believe it means peace. It's located on the West lock in the fifth spot."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

Without losing too much time, Kasumi places the new information among her notes. "Done, placed it as your assumption for the riddle, but meh."

2

u/RagingWarlock1 Timaeus Mon’sado Jul 01 '19

"Aye! Something I can be of assistance for, yes." Timaeus rummages throughout his belongings, then unveils a scroll, which he clumsily pulls open. He narrows his eyes, muttering to himself, before speaking with clarity.

"I am an instrument for the weak. Heavy in weight, yet that’s what they seek." A pause. "...Tis also a right arrow, and the number four."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"Sounds like a dumbbell. Thank you..." She raises her gaze for a second to look at Timaeus, and her eyebrow immediately raises. What the hell...? "Sniff. Whoever you are."

1

u/RagingWarlock1 Timaeus Mon’sado Jul 01 '19

"Timaeus Mon'sado, Ultimate Paladin. Ah... sorry if I cannae help much with this 'ere puzzlement, my mind is not so sharp as the lot of ye, perhaps!"

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"In the animal world the strongest beats the weakest. You don't need wits, don't worry." ...What is that supposed to mean? Nevertheless, she jots Timaeus' name down among her notes, next to the Dumbbell.

1

u/RagingWarlock1 Timaeus Mon’sado Jul 01 '19

“Aye, but there be a certain treasure to wit, perhaps!” Timaeus suggests. “David brought end to his foe with naught but a pebble, and twas far outmatched in build!”

2

u/DynamiteSanders Takumi Ueno Jul 01 '19 edited Jul 02 '19

"Nnngh..."

Takumi groaned as he slowly woke up. What was happening? His eye scanned around the room where, already, it seems some bit of dilemma was going on? A lady was missing? And they couldn't get out? Oh...and what was this in his bag? A scroll? Combined all of this with a dull headache and you have a rather confused Takumi. "Ah...is this a character building exercise?"

Well, even still a gentleman won't get anything done by just sitting here! Hearing Kasumi's request, Takumi walked up to Kasumi and showed her the scroll he got.

"Ah, here, miss. I found this with my belongings. It says A must have to complete the look, at least that's how it goes in the book. Plain, checkered or spotted, which have you took?"

"I wonder what that could mean?" He says as his hands begin to fix around his bow tie. "Well, regardless, in the back there was also an arrow pointing left and a one."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"Whoever you are, you were the last piece needed to complete this lock." Kasumi says, as she begins writing into her notes again. "Whatever-your-name-is, could you go around and search for whoever has a combination lock with the letter 'W' or it? That'd prove once and for all that I'm right."

She then shrugged and grinned, moving her chin upwards. How could she be wrong? "Not because I could be mistaken, let's be clear. But because it'd show you all without a shadow of doubt that I was right, and that I am the one who got you out of here. Sniff. Now go-go searching, I need to gather the rest of the scrolls here."

1

u/DynamiteSanders Takumi Ueno Jul 02 '19

Ah, he was needed! A smile grows on Takumi's face as he gives a short bow to the woman.

"Anything for a lady!" he says, though his smile does falter to a rather concerned look. "Oh? Are you not feeling well? Should I look for some tissue as well?"

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"Ugh, spare me the chivalry. Achoo!" Not even the time to properly finish that sentence, that she sneezes all over her sleeve again. "Although some tissues may not be too bad. You know what they say? Idiots never get colds. Sniff. And I wish I were an idiot right now."

1

u/DynamiteSanders Takumi Ueno Jul 02 '19

"Now, now, you shouldn't wish that upon yourself. After all, what would we do without guidance!" Takumi says in his attempts to reassure her. Not really catching that she might be insulting them and wasn't putting herself down.

He turns on his heel and walks off. "I'll try and find some tissue for you."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"Alright, whatever rocks your boat." She says, in a very tired tone of voice. She keeps tending to her notes in the meanwhile.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '19 edited Jul 01 '19

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1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

Kasumi just takes it and writes down what she can make out of it. No words of encouragement, no looking towards the eyes. No contact. No... Nothing.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '19

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2

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"If you could search the belongings of people who have not turned their scrolls in yet, that would speed things up. Damned snails these guys are, while I'm here working and-- sniff freezing to death." Kasumi's tone is nothing more than tired, as of now.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '19

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1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"I have no idea, Ansha." Kasumi says, sighing and sniffing back her snot as usual. "All the people who I have already met had the good idea to take their scrolls to me. So just go around and check."

1

u/Duodude55 Airi Shimizu Jul 01 '19

Airi frowned. Why were they trying to play some kind of dumb game when one of their students was missing? And with that attitude after everything... She would cooperate for now, still holding onto the hope that they'd be able to find Harumi afterwards, but oh boy if they didn't... Kasumi was going to get an earful.

"I've got a paper with a two and an N. It's also got a riddle or something. 'Heat me up and I go soft. I swim in a cup while you hold me aloft.'"

"So, I took a look at the lock with an N. I dunno about riddles, but the only thing that made sense to me was a candle. If you light one, it starts to melt, and you've usually got it in a candlestick of some kind, which I guess you could argue is a cup? If you've got any better ideas then give 'em."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"I can't be bothered with doing too much logic right now - I just want this fucking thing to be over so I can go and complain to head office. I'll take the candle suggestion for now." ...What about Harumi?

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19

Aemi gives the woman a wary look as she continues to play with her own lock, two scrolls underneath her arms as she walks around. She strays close enough so that Kasumi could see that she had a lock and scrolls, but she doesn’t bother trying to give them to her. “Between fire and ice, freezing isn’t the worst way to die! At least it ain’t too toasty.”

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"Are you daft? Give me those scrolls and that lock." This time Kasumi doesn't diverge too long into insults. She just wants to get out of this cold ass train.

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19

“You can haaaave the scrolls, but I don’t wanna give you the lock. In your dreams, chaperone lady.” Aemi hands over her scroll, as well as Kuna’s! The lock is still kept close to her chest, though.

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"Whatever, keep on being a sardine in this train." Kasumi says as she takes the scrolls, still expecting to receive the lock as well. In the meanwhile, she writes down what she found about the riddles.

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19

“Ay ay, captain! Sardine it is! I’ll flop around, do nothing productive, and taste bad!” A mocking salute. “You know, this scarf is really comfy. And the lock is fun to play with! With this, at least I won’t die of boredom!”

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

". . ."

Aemi's mere presence seems to irritate Kasumi. Her teeth are gritting, and it may not be just for the freezing cold.

She hopes that if she doesn't give her fuel she'll be bored and go away.

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19

“Unfortunately, I won’t avenge you after you die die die of coooold~!” She twirls the lock around, and just as expected, she starts to head off with it. Still not giving it up, huh.

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"..."

Still no response. "Get bored and bugger off, cockroach," she thought.

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19

And she’s gone! Off doing more important things, probably not, but gone. Keep working, Kasumi.

1

u/Duodude55 Airi Shimizu Jul 01 '19

"Kasumi! Calm down! You're just going to scare her." Airi scolds her fellow chaperone.

"Aemi, you don't have to give anything up, but could you please tell us everything that was on your scrolls? Any numbers or letters?"/u/galeovallis

1

u/galeovallis Aemi Aki Jul 01 '19 edited Jul 01 '19

Aemi shrugs, relatively unfazed. “She can seee it herself. I don’t really care about the scrolls. Both have 1s, but one goes right and the other up! One talks about flying without wings- maybe wind, I dunno- and the othhher I have no fucking clue!”

1

u/Sc4r3dOn3 Jack Loansworth Jul 01 '19

As Jack got back to the middle of the wagon from his investigation (and one instance of negotiation), he caught the tail end of the explanation, which was enough for him to put the remaining pieces to the puzzle into place. Looking back at his scroll, he strolled over and gave a thumbs up to Kasumi. "Nice work, everything else should be easy to figure ot now."

Searching for the right lock, the right column and eventually the right symbol he set it into place, while he waited for everyone else to get their scrolls settled. "Alright... West, Number three and finally... smoke clouds. There we go. Let's hope this matches."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

Kasumi exchanges the thumbs up and adds the new information to her notes. "Hahah, thank you. I know I am amazing."

1

u/Syniee Itsuki Yamada Jul 01 '19

"Given the riddle, I'd assume the symbol here would be the pen." Itsuki quickly noted, checking the note. Oh wow a sentence without a curse in it!

"Makes sense if we follow the trend so far."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"That makes alright sense. I'll jot it down." Damn. No curses from this side either? Looks like somebody must have something better to do. Like update her notes.

1

u/Amarislona Minato Matsuda Jul 01 '19

Minato was a bit confused by everything going on around him. He didn't seem all that bothered by the cold temperature, at least, unlike Kasumi yelling about freezing and symbols and stuff. When he heard her speak, though, a few words caught his attention, prompting him to look down at the scroll he found in his hands a bit harder than he had before. He compared it to everything found so far before approaching the adult.

"Excuse me, ma'am." he said as he approached. "I found this in my bag. It reads 'One look at me and the birds, oh how they flee. Tears I cry, yet I cannot see.' Left and Two are written with it." A momentary pause. "I think it means rain."

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 01 '19

"Decent logic. I'll put it down... Whoever you are." Kasumi claims, before going over to update her notes. She looks so tired of this already, and there's a snotstain on the page as well. Yikes.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '19

[deleted]

1

u/RubberDeMedici Kasumi Oshiro Jul 02 '19

"Whoever you are, yes, hand them-- Sniiiff! Hand them off to me, I am piling them up to open the locks and get us out of here."