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

[copycut]

Oh? [ Kuro smiles, and the expression might seem impish if not for the subject. ] Then I guess I've been pretty bad already. I don't see any reason to change my ways now, though, sooo...

[whimsicalism]

Thankfully, that's what the Academy is here for! We're here to help you with your rehabilitation.

[This sheep is just a cook, though, but tries to smile confidently.]

[copycut]

I don't need to be rehabilitated, you need to let me go—!

[ Ah, the smile is gone again. Kuro throws the skillet, but also, it's not like. An object made for throwing. It careens wide to the left and lands harmlessly (albeit noisily) on the stove instead. ]

[whimsicalism]

[The sheep flinches then seems to take control of it's fear.]

No. Children must obey adults and as the Principal is an adult, I won't take your orders over his.

[copycut]

Nngh—

You're the Little Brother, right?! That makes me your older sister, then! If you want to grow up to be a good adult, you ought to be listening to me, too!

[whimsicalism]

[There's a raised hoof-finger.]

I'm technically a Brother Unit! We call ourselves Little Brothers since that's what Lady Prefect calls us. ['So I'm not your little brother, neener neener.']

[copycut]

[ She sets her hands on her hips. ]

So who's the one who decided to call me "Older Little Sister," then?

[whimsicalism]

A faculty member.

[Flat robot stare.]

I'm not sure that was in reference to us, though.

[copycut]

[ Well, obviously not. Nevertheless, ]

That's it? You don't know which one? And— How many faculty members are there, anyway? Other than you guys.

[whimsicalism]

There's Lady Prefect and our leader, the Principal, as well as some of his associates. Lady Prefect and the Principal are the ones who interact most with the Academy directly, though, so I'm most familiar with them. The titles weren't part of my duties so I didn't pay attention to what he said about who wrote them. I prefer using names, anyway.

[copycut]

[ Hmm... She doesn't love hearing that there's more than just "the Principal" and "the Prefect" to worry about, but she guesses it's better to hear that now than later. ]

So you don't think the Prefect did it? Even though she's the one who nicknamed you?

[whimsicalism]

She seemed to be uncomfortable with just calling us 'Brother'. I didn't ask why.

[The robot shakes it's head.]

Lady Prefect thinks some of the titles are... well, very beneath her. I don't think she would have written them.

[copycut]

Hm... Well, I wouldn't like it if we were supposed to call you "big brother" instead, so I guess I can imagine why.

So, if it's not the Prefect... Hey, how many "associates" does this Principal have, anyway?

[whimsicalism]

[The sheep pauses, then starts counting on it's weird hoof fingers. This goes on for a bit before it shakes its head.]

A lot, all over the place. He's very well connected and wealthy.

[copycut]

[ Ughhh. Kuro presses her fingertips to her forehead. ]

People like him always are. What a pain...