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]

[ And yet, somehow, the caginess only makes Kuro more certain of her assumptions. ]

I won't warn you again. When you're dealing with something like that, you need to be careful about accepting what it offers you.

[ The words weight her sweet, childish voice heavy. Kuro listens to Jeanne describe her names and their meanings, and when she opens her mouth again, what comes out is more of a complaint. ]

For a second, I thought I'd been wrong, but I guess not. You really do sound just like the Holy Church's watchdogs. [ She sighs, peeved. ] Chloe von Einzbern. If you want to play rivals, though, leave it at "Kuro."

[ She takes her hand. After all, a person like this needs someone to keep an eye on them. ]

[holyironmade]

What is the Church if not a flock of sheep?

[She sees no problem with it. Not the alleged mindlessness of the herbivores, not the similarity to the Little Brothers swarming these unfamiliar halls, not Kuro's warning. To say the words and not believe them seriously is the sin of idolatry. She takes the risk seriously, she thinks, as the duty that has defined her life. She has a rival to watch her. To worship her one day, perhaps? For now they have shaken hands.]

It's nice to meet you, Kuro! [Hm... That pronunciation on her tongue... Now she's sure.] Is there a, a Mono! Or a Shiro?

[copycut]

No~pe! [ The cadence of the word is cheerful, but the toss of her head is annoyed. ] The other me is just "Illya." I'm the one who had to choose a different name, even though that one should have belonged to me. I'm the original, after all — but before I knew what was happening, it was already Kuro this, Kuro that... Well, I guess I've gotten used to it, though.

[ Somehow, it sounds like she's complaining about a family member. ]

[holyironmade]

Other halves are a truly mysterious power. Well, to me Illya will always be "the other Kuro". I know from an outsider that is small solace.

[There's probably a prophecy or something tragic but for now she thinks Illya is probably another cool mage and it would be great fun to watch them fight.]

[copycut]

[ ...A tiny giggle slips from Kuro. ]

Maybe you should call her Shiro after all, then? It wouldn't be strange, since she looks the part with her pure white hair and snow-pale skin.

[ All things considered, Jeanne's sentiment is strangely touching. Sadly, though, the "Kuro tries to kill Illya" arc was last season. Sorry, Jeanne! That doesn't mean Kuro is above using it for a bit of mischief directed at her pseudo-twin. ]

[holyironmade]

[Jeanne's eyes are wide as she imagines this, purer than Kuro's pink sheen or even her own multilayered silver; then she nods very seriously.]

It is for the best she does not have black hair. Then she would have to stay away from apples.

[You know. Like Snow White.]

[copycut]

[ Kuro gets the reference being made. She giggles again. ]

Mm-hm, that's right. She gets into enough trouble as it is, so it's good that nothing about her invites even more.