INTRO MINGLE

[whimsicalism]

WELCOME IN

ORIENTATION DAY

(CW: Slight undertones of experiences of unreality.)

It’s a bright Monday afternoon at the Academy. If the sun happened to be visible, it would certainly be shining. The new semester that everyone has been waiting for is about to begin!

All students wake up at exactly the same time–not that you’re aware of this. Even those who don’t normally sleep must have given into slumber at some point; they, too, will jolt awake with the strangest sensation that someone was just whispering in their ears. The beds that you’ll find yourself in are small and unfamiliar, and you wake up wearing a uniform that you don’t recognize even though it fits you like a glove. A red book with black cardstock lining the inner cover sits on each dorm nightstand. Opening the book reveals a strange code of conduct. The following pages list, in alphabetical order, all of the students.

Beyond the handbook and a change of familiar clothes in the closet, there’s little personalization to the rooms, and they lack most homey comforts. As unusual as these surroundings may seem, it’s impossible to shake the subtle, lingering excitement: It’s the first day of school! What a delightful occasion. Shouldn’t everyone want to make the most of the year? The subtle, unshakeable desire to achieve sits in the back of every mind like the story of a happy dream. Perhaps you brush your hair or wash your teeth before going on with your splendid day. Your reflection in your bathroom mirror looks a little off, did you forget to cut your hair before the big day? Perhaps you realize that your nails or claws have been trimmed recently. A little odd but you must have been excited for a brand new school year.

The world outside the dorm room holds a few more answers, but most things are still shrouded in mystery. Today, it seems that some rooms are still locked up tight from summer vacation. Beside the dormitory and hallways, only the cafeteria, kitchen, gym, playground, school store, and A/V room are accessible. Outside the cafeteria, a digital sign titled DAILY SCHEDULE offers little structure, save for one afternoon event: 5PM - PREFECT’S ORIENTATION - AUDITORIUM. There’s a lot of business to take care of on the first day of school, after all. No one can just be expected to start learning without the proper preparation.

With some time to kill before the promised orientation takes place–and, according to that rulebook, everyone is expected to attend–students have only each other and the various robot sheep for company. With such a small class, perhaps working together will bring you newfound and long-lasting partnerships. The robotic staff seem polite, at least, if a bit confused at the sudden flurry of non-scheduled activities.

How will you spend your first day before classes begin?

OOC NOTES

Welcome to the IC intro mingle for Round 2! Your characters have the afternoon to meet one another, get lunch at the school cafeteria, review their student handbooks, harass the Little Brother robots, and prepare for the upcoming school semester in this post. As promised, the Prefect will meet everyone in the auditorium at 5pm and will post their own introductory comment at that time (Eastern).

While we're sure that some people are dying to get a head start on investigating all of the mysteries of the school (we're excited to reveal them), please hold your investigation comment ideas until the weekly post goes up tomorrow. As all ground floor locations should be open for exploration at that time, we invite everyone to scratch all of your investigation itches on tomorrow's post at noon (also Eastern)! In lieu of investigation threads today, characters may speak to/question/accost the Little Brothers, who have an NPC thread down below.

Thank you, and have fun!

Comments

[spychic]

[Anya smiles a little. She doesn't always need people to meet her level, but it's appreciated.]

Anya is Anya Forger. It is nice to meet you, Emma. Anya saw you in the school book thing. The manual.

[She tilts her head.]

Are...Are you really a telepath?

[She has to ask.]

[temmapathy]

[...oh right, the book did say that, didn't it? She was too busy skimming to see if her brother was there to really pay much attention to everything else. She should probably take some time to look through it later.]

Not quite. It's complicatedhard to explainmy dad a special invention. And it only works with my family. [Usually, that's all she needs. The "my dad" part is scribbled out pretty strongly, but her other attempts are readable.]

[spychic]

[Anya looks at the paper, then she whispers.]

Anya...Anya had telepathy, too. Anya can hear thoughts of other people. It's scary, so Anya never says...but...Anya can't, here. It is gone.

Anya's not sure what has happened.

[She thoughtfully keeps her head up until she's done speaking, but then she nervously taps her fingers together.]

[temmapathy]

[Oh. Emma blinks, a bit surprised at the trust being offered, but nods seriously, writing a bit more. Actual telepathy is kind of new to her, but she's willing to believe it for now.]

Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. And I'm sorry you can't do it anymore. That must feel really weird. [She's already tapped her arm a few times out of habit, only to receive no signal.]

[spychic]

[It's the first time Anya's met anyone else who might understand what she's going through. She smiles sweetly.]

Anya usually can't during the eclipse...but now it's all the time. But. Thank you. Anya is glad to have a friend who can understand, even a little. It helps in this scary place.

[It's scary, because it's unfamiliar. But everyone seems very nice so far. It makes Anya happy.]

[temmapathy]

[Emma nods a little, before opening her arms slightly, this time without writing anything. Hopefully the intent is clear enough.]

[spychic]

[Anya understands.]

Thank you.

[Anya says, sweetly, before walking closer. She gives Emma a big hug. Even if this is a dangerous place, Anya feels a little safer.

She does tear up a little, though.]

Anya's sure Papa and Mama will save all of us soon....Anya's sure...

[temmapathy]

[Emma makes sure to hug back as hard as she can. Although that means she's not at the best angle to read Anya's lips, she can sort of feel the wetness of those tears. So she does what her mom used to do, gently rubbing Emma's back with one hand.]

[spychic]

[Anya sniffles, and then she pulls back.]

Thank you, Emma. Anya is lucky...to have a new friend like you here. Until Papa and Mama come. And then we will all be safe.

[She's sure...she's sure...]

[temmapathy]

[Emma nods, patting Anya on the shoulder before writing more.]

I'm sure your parents are looking for you as hard as they can. I bet my Mum and Dad are also doing the same!