The harsh rains lashed at the fair, fanciful architecture of Ohtori Academy and the outlying city with a glaring indifference to the suffering of the people below. The storm had materialised without any warning, and now students walking to their midday classes were quickly seeking shelter from the omen of ill will. The bolts of lightning danced across the underbellies of the black clouds, casting quick flashes of light across the school's walls and fluted pillars.
The dancing bolts struck a lone willow tree, under which many students had engaged in conversations over lunch. The tree was blasted apart by the rage of the lightning, huge splinters of bark and flaming bits of branches flying in the bolt's wake. It was here that the dark girl from the world below found herself, clutching a bloodied scroll of parchment and a black silk bag with seven small rings of ebony and crimson inside. She stood up, heedless of the few students who sought to escape the storm.
The girl looked up. So this is Lightside, she mused. It was a far cry from the terrors of Darkside, and she wondered if she was truly up to the task. Yet she knew almost nothing of this strange place, and so was disoriented. Where to begin her mission in the name of the Master? Picking a direction at random, she walked easily through the pounding rains. The weather did not affect her; instead, it seemed to recognise her nature and avoid her as much as possible. Who was this creature, this girl whom even the weather feared?
The girl still wore her black top and blood red skirt, which seemed to match the styles of the other girls' outfits. But where the dark girl wore black, they wore white. Their green was a striking contrast to her red dress. Their ties were also different, salmon with yellow stripes as opposed to her purple tie with blue stripes. She paid the young humans no heed as she seemed to stalk her way toward the nearest building. A grand mansion of a dormitory, but her dark senses reacted strangely to its occupants. Two of her seven targets lived here. Perhaps she should get to know them, she thought idly. But first, a name. What language did these people speak? The Master never told her, though she had witnessed the reading and writing of many tongues in her short life under Darkside's influence. She decided to listen in on the chattering of two young girls, hiding from the storm under a balcony awning.
"I wonder where this storm came from?" wondered one of the younger girls aloud to her companion.
"I know...usually we get told about these things, you know!" The first girl nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yeah...now only if we could have school off..."
"I know...what a waste!" Suddenly, the dark girl had it. Japanese. A language of the Orient. She knew what her name would be. A name that would not cause too much suspicion, yet would be perfect for her needs during her stay in Lightside. She turned as a striking young man, with flowing red hair and a pristine white suit, placed a single hand on her shoulder. Her senses warned her that this young man was another of her targets. Best not to rise to the bait, the girl thought, but did not speak.
"My dear, surely you seek shelter from this terrible storm like any other young woman? Or are you new here to Ohtori Academy?" The girl memorised the name of the school instantly. She brushed the dashing young man's hand away as she spoke.
"I was disoriented by the storm. They rarely occur here, and quite especially during this time of the year..."
The other chuckled. "Yes, well, the weather has been quite pleasant to us. It only seemed a matter of time before it would go sour." He paused. "My name is Touga Kiryuu, but you may call me Seitokaichou. I don't believe we have met before, miss...?"
"Haruka Yoshikawa. I'm new to this school. I transferred from across the country." The girl spoke the lie as if it were the truth. After all, the life she led in Darkside had taught her how to lie and convince others that it was gospel. The Seitokaichou smiled wider.
"I'm sure we will get to know each other soon enough, Yoshikawa-sama. For now, should we seek shelter from the rain?"
Haruka's tone gained an edge as she spoke. "No, thank you. I think I can do fine for myself, Seitokaichou." With a final brush of her hand, Haruka evaded Touga's advances and moved closer toward the venerable building in which the first two of her crest bearers resided. With luck and perserverance, Haruka thought, my task shall be done by the week's end...
