sore, or “going postal” | a drakengard 3 epistolary fanfic
Dearest Zero,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my peace offering! Of course I didn’t lead with the best. You know I like to take my time, keep you waiting, toy around a bit first. I always have been one for the long game, and this is no exception. I mean, just look at this! I waited an entire month for you to feel better before I even sent over a get well soon gift!
-
When Five’s discovery of Zero’s hideaway leads to an unexpected gift, the two strike up a strange correspondence via short letters and strange messengers.
Located in the cozy Northeastern countryside and only a short visit away from Philadelphia, New York City, and Baltimore sits Cygnet Lake. With a history spanning nearly 300 years and a campus spanning three separate but connected schools, the Cygnet Lake experience is one that you’ll never forget.
Cygnet Lake School (consisting of a boarding school for grades 6-12 plus a post-graduate year, a community college, and one of the country’s top universities) is a place with astounding history, incredible people, and terrible secrets. It is, after all, the setting of Crescendo. The majority of characters are students here, and everyone has some connection to this strange school.
Schoolwide philosophy puts a great emphasis on a holistic view of education, in both a traditional way and a nontraditional way. Whichever section of the school one is enrolled in, certain expectations and traditions cannot be avoided, most notably the uniform requirements. However, certain expectations may be relaxed or even occasionally ignored based on circumstances.
More under cut!
Interconnected Schools
All three schools lie on a large, sprawling campus that has been dubbed by some the “School City.” All facilities are open to all students regardless of section, though they may be asked to provide a reason for being there. The campus boasts several eateries, multiple sorts of housing arrangements, three separate libraries, a number of small grocery/convenience stores, two theaters, an art museum, and even a complimentary shuttle service that serves the campus and nearby town. Of course, there is also a lake, and it’s popular for swimming, boating, fishing, and beach parties.
There is a mandatory uniform policy, though it varies slightly based on section. All students share the same basic uniform, referred to formally as “Class As” and informally as “blues” (as in “I had to dress in my blues today”) after the school's main color. This uniform is:
a white collared dress shirt of either long or short sleeves
khaki pants or shorts OR blue, tan, and brown plaid skirt
an optional brown or tan sweater, sweater vest, or jacket
an optional blue scarf and hat
blue socks
black dress shoes
Preparatory school students must wear full uniform every day unless otherwise specified. Students of the university are required to wear the shirt and pants/shorts/skirt, but may dress up their uniform as they wish with accessories or alternate jackets/sweaters/socks, etc, so long as it is not vulgar or tasteless. Community college students have the most freedom, and technically have no uniform, though college culture greatly encourages them to either wear partial uniform or wear some sort of school merchandise.
In addition, each school has an individual pin with that section’s crest on it that is mandatory to wear on campus and serves as proof that a person is not an outsider or intruder. The university pin is a simple blue coat of arms with a white swan and white roses. The preparatory school has a rectangular pin with blue, tan, and brown stripes behind a silhouette of the school’s main building. The community college has a blue and white circular pin with the letters “CLCC.”
Cygnet Lake University (formally: Cygnet Lake School - University Section)
Founded in 1722, CLSU is one of the top universities in the country, not to mention one of the oldest. Despite its prestige, it is not a popular first choice for graduating high school students, barring the ones who come out of the connected preparatory school. A number of strange traditions and rules make it seem outdated and often unappealing. In order to keep the student enrollment high, CLSU is known for actively recruiting the students it wants and offering extremely generous scholarships.
Students at Cygnet Lake University span a wide variety of situations and majors due to this. Hosting majors as diverse as dramaturgy, military applied sciences, urban planning, international economics, and bio-psychology, almost anyone can find something for them at CLSU. School traditions bind the students together... sometimes slightly unwillingly, like with the uniform. Club life is a large part of studying here, and secret societies abound.
Notable students include:
Margret Siegfried - English
Chess Bennett - computer science and military history
Ethan Rowel - acting (grad student)
Odette Rowel - sociology and psychology (now graduated)
Miranda Rothbart - library science (now graduated)
Cygnet Lake Community College (formally: Cygnet Lake School - Junior College Section)
Founded most recently of the three schools, CLCC (affectionately pronounced “click” by its students) was founded in 1920 as part of an initiative to celebrate the university’s bicentennial. Perhaps the most laid back of the three schools, it serves members of the community, but also provides college level courses to high school students on the Cygnet Lake campus and local public schools, and gives a clear next step to graduating twelfth graders unsure if they’re ready for the university. Affordable and not intimidating, all graduates of CLCC are offered guaranteed admission to CLSU, making it a popular first step for many.
CLCC also boasts a trade school for those who wish to take their education in a different direction. Students can learn skills as diverse as office administration, carpentry, blacksmithing, or computer repair.
Notable students include:
Racheline Santiago - creative writing
Margret Siegfried - English (pre-novel)
Cygnet Lake Preparatory Academy (formally: Cygnet Lake School - Preparatory Section)
Added to the campus in 1841, CLPA first served students in grades 10 through 12. Slowly through the years, it has expanded to serve students as young as sixth grade. Focusing on a challenging education, community engagement, and a healthy work ethic, most students finish at this section feeling well prepared for the world of tertiary education beyond. The school’s automatic acceptance into the other two schools for all graduates is a definite plus.
CLPA has the strictest standards for its usually underage students. However, it also encourages them to show their independence and to engage with older (hopefully wiser) students in the sister schools via joint activities and mentorship programs. Many college and university clubs are open to CLPA students, so long as a permission slip is signed by a faculty adviser. The school also puts large emphasis on its boarding aspect, and 90% of CLPA students board on campus.
Notable students include:
Serann Cobalt (PG year)
Chess Bennett (graduate)
Odette Rowel (graduate)
Ethan Rowel (graduate)
All in all, Cygnet Lake is a wonderful school and unique experience... so what could it be hiding?
sore, or “going postal” | a drakengard 3 epistolary fanfic (chapter 3/5)
Perfect Zero,
You said some things aren’t for savoring, and you act like you believe it. You’re all angles and anger. It’s adorable, Zero! And the greatest spite I can show to you is to savor it anyway. You’ll complain, because you complain about everything. But in the end, you couldn’t respect me if I didn’t disagree with you every now and again.
In the aftermath of Five’s special surprise, Five and Zero must navigate new twists and turns in their correspondence.
sore, or “going postal” | a drakengard 3 epistolary fanfic (chapter 4/5)
My dear, lovely Zero,
I am never sure what to think with you. You won’t admit your love, that much is clear. Understandable really. It’s much more comfortable to talk about lust. And I could, all day. I would become a priestess to your hair as I spool it around my fingers, biting down on your shoulder as though your blood was the holiest of wines.
After Five’s confession, she and Zero are forced to finally come to terms with the meaning behind their strange correspondences, and with the impending and unstoppable fate in store for them.
Astaroth had no desire to be thrust too far into the dramatic war that her people have been entangled in for millennia. More than happy to remain a simple battle medic, she never expected to become one of the two people who could break a centuries-long cycle and...perhaps... give her world a peace it’s never known before.
Merloch only ever wanted to be noticed for who she was, not just as the latest reincarnation of a legendary soldier. When a chance meeting on the battlefield shatters her expectations and changes her life forever, she’s almost excited to go along with it.
As the world shifts for the worst around them, these two women find themselves on a collision course that can only end in one way… if only they knew what that way was.
Interpolation is a fantasy romance with science fiction elements. Detailing the endgame of an ancient war between stars and black holes, it follows the lives of two women on opposite sides as their stories intertwine in unexpected ways. Thanks to @yollm, the creator of Merloch and a large part of the universe here, for letting me post a story about our OCs!!!
SO HEY the play I wrote is now CAST! I also got to go to the production meeting today and take notes, see the first renders of the set, and hear some concepts. It’s gonna be good, guys! I’m super looking forward to the first read through on Tuesday, and then the actors start rehearsals on Wednesday!
So not only did I do some updates to Valentine and Cure Round’s design, I also put out a new chapter of Pretty Cure Perfect Stage! Come see what happens when Cure Round’s second ever battle almost turns into her last...
>make a character in active story a rising pop star
>create a chapter focusing on her and her first ever Big Performance
>open the chapter with her rehearsing for this
>know that the chapter will close on the performance being a... debatable... success???
>...
>...
>...
>wHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WRITE A SONG FOR HER,
