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

[keyringwitness]

[Yasu freezes, unsure of how to explain herself... until she sees Anya. Who is distinctly six(?) years old. If anyone can be trusted with this, then...]

Hm... I can tell you, but you'll have to come closer. It's a secret.

[spychic]

[Anya walks closer. A secret! She's not even using her power, and she still gets to know secrets...]

Okay...?

[nani...?]

[keyringwitness]

[Yasu whispers,] It's magic.

I'm casting a spell.

[spychic]

Magic...

[Anya is just young enough - just innocent enough - to truly believe.]

That's amazing! [She whisper-shouts, excited.] What does the spell do???

[keyringwitness]

Well, sometimes, a witch follows me around and steals my things. She's an, um, awful prankster. [Yasu explains as she keeps tying the book. Having something else to focus on helps her keep her hands from shaking, so it's going more smoothly than normal.]

But she really hates spiders, since her magic takes the form of butterflies. So if I make a string like this, which looks like a spiderthread... she can't take my keys, or my snacks, or anything. It should protect against losing your own things, too.

Just... keep it a secret. [Although Anya can't see them from behind the bangs, Yasu's eyes become downcast.] Most, um. People think it doesn't work. That magic's silly.

[spychic]

Oh...that's a mischievous witch, alright. [What a silly witch. What does she need those things for?] But you've outsmarted her. You're really smart. Anya likes butterflies, but if she will steal Anya's things, Anya will make her own spiderthreads.

[There's no indication she doesn't believe in every word she says.]

Those people sound rude. Magic is real, Anya thinks. Especially if you believe in it. Anya knows that to be true!

[keyringwitness]

[congratulation, anya, you are now yasu's new favorite person in the whole wide world

Yasu's smile opens up like a book as Anya proclaims her belief, and the joy (and relief) radiating from her is palpable.]

I don't have my old grimoire on me, but... I can show you a few more spells, if you'd like!

[spychic]

Really??? [Anya's still whispering, but she's excited.] That would be so cool!!! Anya wants to learn many spells! Many spells just like a proper witch!

[A spy who is also a witch...

That's like next level cool.]

[keyringwitness]

Well, first of all... how about I teach you how to see my friend, hm?

[That stutter is almost entirely gone, replaced by an easy, but excited, confidence.]

To see a witch like her, you can't see with your eyes. You have to see with your soul, close your eyes and capture her form.

[She opens up her notebook and begins sketching a witch in a dress that Anya somehow knows is scarlet red.] She's mischievous, and quite haughty, but... a good friend if you can convince her to talk with you. Even warn you about things you should watch out for! But you can't slip up for a moment or she'll still steal your things...