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

[panglici]

What would he do?

[It's not that she expects a complete answer, but these creatures have no problem calling their master a monster, so who knows how much of one she might get?]

[whimsicalism]

Something really bad... I don't think any of you would make it... This is a rough place but I don't think that's needed... It's unrefined.

[The other sheep turn around to look at this unit nervously.]

[panglici]

Something like a sacrifice, or something worse? Surely he wouldn't just throw the gates open....

[Warily looking around at the other sheep now, that was... very synchronized.]

[whimsicalism]

Something... something... worse. W-worse.

[The robot's voice trails off and it shudders a bit.]

[imprefect]

[ She's also started looking at this sheep nervously. ]

Hey...just what are you talking about? You shouldn't be speaking out of turn, right?

[whimsicalism]

[The sheep pauses. Shuddering. Something is wrong.]

I-I do... what... I...

[The other sheep grab the affected unit. They glance around.]

We're sorry, Lady Kiryuu! I think this unit might have a virus.

[imprefect]

Aren't you all connected to each other, though? [ Surprisingly astute and serious.

She nudges at the defective sheep with her foot quickly. ]

Go on, get out of here before you just make everything even worse!

[whimsicalism]

I'm sorry, you're right and I don't know how that could have happened.

[The sheep seem... meek. They pick up their fallen comrade.]

We'll run a diagnostic overnight, Lady Kiryuu, and set up more guard units. We'll set up more defenses for our main processor as well. We'll also make the floors clean enough to sleep on!

[The sheep herd have left the room.]

[imprefect]

Nobody is sleeping on the floor! You didn't even get the saying right...!

[ Nanami shouts after them, but the sheep have definitely already vacated the premises.

Whatever glitched out robotic behavior they were just exhibiting does seem to have left her shaken, though.

She'll be ending the meeting shortly after this, though people still have plenty of time to house her.]

[panglici]

[Forget the fake cheeriness from earlier. Carrie is all business now, and looks nervously at the sheep.]

You woke up here much the same way we all did, didn't you? Just... earlier. Long enough ago that you know how this place works.

[imprefect]

[ She doesn't look away from the sheep herself, but her hand falls to her hip defiantly. It's not like that; she's nothing like them. ]

Not exactly. The Principal hired me. I certainly reviewed the incoming students after you all were admitted.

... But I do have my own room here elsewhere in the building, so of course I've slept here since I was brought on. Obviously; where else would I go?