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

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[In the dormitory and around room three, if you're paying attention, you might notice the door to said room to shake a bit. Like someone is trying to open it or, near the beginning at least, someone slams into it.

This will go on for a few moments until finally the door opens, and out steps...a dog-a Dalmatian, specifically, wearing one of the uniforms, a red collar with a silver star tag around his neck, and the hand book snuggly shoved under the collar against the back of his neck.]

This had better be a nightmare.

[Later, you might find the dog in the kitchen, rummaging around in one of the cupboards, lightly placing anything in his way off to the side so he can look around more.]

Oh, come on! Not even a bit of kibble? This is ridiculous!

[Or you might find him on the playground, not trying to play, but staring at the dark and dreary sky, before looking to you, a somewhat forced smile on his muzzle.]

Well, uh...at least we're probably still in London?

[he's trying okay

Eventually though, he'll just end up outside the auditorium, reading through the handbook and patiently waiting for...whatever it is that's planned, because at this point he is severely out of his element, realizes as much, and would like to know what is going on, thank you.]

Playground

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat spotted the dog just... sitting there and doing nothing. She approaches and gets asked the question.]

...Idunno where London is. But we ARE in a playground. It's gotta be no fun just sitting there alone. Come on!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[OH THANK DOG, ANOTHER ANIMAL! A...weirdly big bat with an odd fur pattern, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.]

A place where the weather is usually bad, let's say.

Aren't you a nervous? This place is a little...creepy. Not to mention all the humans-plus, they're trying to put animals in school-it's all a lot to take in.

[Especially for a bat that sounds younger than him! Shouldn't she be freaking out more??]

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat airs an arrogant smirk.]

Nah! This dumb school doesn't scare me! I've fought lotsa monsters before. If anything, this place is kinda boring. Plus I already go to a skewl. One in Pure Heart Valley.

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[...what...]

You've...fought monsters...and go to school...

[Said with the exact level of skepticism you think he would have.]

[violence_ensues]

Yep aaaand yep! Don't worry, my daddy lets me on Mao Mao's team. You're safe with me around. I squish the monsters.

[Would dog like some backpats?]

dorms 1/2

[hashtagwoof]

This has got to be a nightmare...

[ Hunter says at the same time as the dalmatian...

Wait a minute. A dalmatian? In boarding school?

That sure looks like the very same dalmatian he once managed to fake friend through a bunch of space junk. Not that the same trick will work twice. ]

2/2

[hashtagwoof]

[ Especially not like this. ]

YOU?!

[ He doesn't know whether to be more confused or irritated, but he's storming over to the dog with his copy of the handbook under his arm. ]

How did you get here?!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Oh...that is an uncomfortably familiar voice...]

YOU!

[While Hunter may be a mix of irritated and confused, Dylan is much more comfortable in the angry category.]

ME?! I should be the one asking you that!

cw: home invasion and spoilers

[hashtagwoof]

[ Good, they're both in a bad mood. ]

What are you talking about?! I didn't plan for sudden private school!

[ Yeah, Dylan should be well aware. Hunter was just helping his great aunt break into the dog's house, for crying out loud. ]

And who lets a dog go to human school, anyway?

cw: home invasion and spoilers

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

What, you think I did, when there's two psychos outside my house trying to puppy-nap my whole family?!

[Dylan is growling at this point, glaring daggers.]

If I had a choice, I wouldn't be here! I would be at home trying to find a way to escape you and that creepy Cruella lady!

Cafeteria

[lets_dewey_it]

Kibble? Come on, this is a human kitchen, think bigger! There's probably some meat we could get! If there's anything I wish out of this dumb school, it better be that the school meals don't stink! _{[This dog may have walked on four legs but he talked! He shouldn't be getting pet food, he should be getting people food! At least, that's Dewey's logic.]}

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Dylan nearly hits his head on a shelf from the shock of hearing another voice, but manages to avoid it. And along with that good news-hey! Another animal! It's a...weird looking duck, but he will take anything at this point!]

Fair, I guess. I would just prefer having a meal I'm actually familiar with.

[lets_dewey_it]

Hmmm... _{[He's unused to the idea of a talking animal being a pet but hey, he'll go along with whatever this canine was comfortable with, for his sake.]} I dunno if there's like, lunch ladies or if the sheep cook for us, but, maybe if we're allowed to make our own food, you could probably whip up something you like! I know that's what I'd do if I knew how to cook.

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[And here comes the embarrassing part...]

Yeah, that...is actually why I was looking for kibble. I uh...I have no idea how to use those human cooking things.

[Why would he use sharp things like knives and things that could burn like a stove when there's perfectly good food like kibble?]

[lets_dewey_it]

Oh- _{[That makes sense.]} Well, shredded beef can't be that difficult to make, can it? _{[He hoped.]}

dorms

[britbrat]

Well, obviously it's a nightmare. I'm talking to a dog.

[ Valmont squints down at said chatty canine with an extremely dubious expression. Time travel and magic talismans are one thing, but he is absolutely not going to believe in talking animals. This isn't some children's book. ]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Oh, THAT'S unexpected! A human talking back to him! Well, it's confirming one thing, at least.]

Yeah, definitely a nightmare then. Considering the last human that could understand me.

[He has to suppress a shiver at the memories. Better focus on current stuff instead of that!]

I'm a dog with a name, by the way. It's Dylan.

[britbrat]

Oh, very well. I suppose if I am dreaming, it won't do me any harm to go along with it for the moment.

[ Valmont squats down, since if his dream is going to be about having a conversation with a dog, he might as well look the silly thing in the eye while doing it. ]

What sort of name is Dylan for a dog? Shouldn't you be called Fido or something?

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

If you want to be a stereotype, maybe.

[And his parents had a thing for names that start with D.]

What’s your name then? Billy? Timmy?

[britbrat]

[ He's a cartoon villain stuck-up British kid. The stereotype train has unfortunately left the station long ago. ]

Hardly. I wouldn't go by such a pedestrian nickname. You may call me Valmont. Though possibly a title would be safer; I can't imagine a dog would be anywhere near my social status, no matter how articulate. "Young master", perhaps?

outditorium. is that clever wordplay? not really. will I keep it anyway? as you can see, I did.

[noblesnow]

[Look at the cute dog! Reika crouches nearby, holding her hand out toward him, as you do when you encounter a probably friendly dog (or any dog, if common sense is something you've heard of but never really experienced for yourself).]

Hello!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Dylan will look up at the greeting and, well, it's a bit of older greeting, but it would be rude to not respond!

So, he'll close up the handbook, walk over to Reika, and politely sniff her hand.]

Hello to you to.

[And that is definitely an understandable voice coming out of that Dalmatian, isn't it?]

[noblesnow]

Oh, you can talk!

[Reika is surprised... but perhaps not as much as expected.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[At this point, Dylan is more or less the same, the most he gives for physical reaction being a slight flinch.]

And you can understand me.

That is...still weird see.

[Humans? Multiple? Learning dog language? Didn't see that one coming.]