WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START

[thewatchers]

WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START
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The snowfall has only intensified as Daybreak moves into the first day of Winter Term classes. A school-wide orientation will be held in the auditorium, followed by an open period where tours will be given to new students by student volunteers. After a noon lunch in the main hall, short introduction classes will be held where the syllabi will be distributed and professors can give a brief overview of what they’ll be covering over the term.

A. ORIENTATION ASSEMBLY

With a new school year comes a fresh address. The orientation assembly is one of the few times that the Headmistress and High Seer, Mila Duchene, speaks to the gathered faculty and students about their purpose and why they’ve been found and gathered here. About how Nightfall looms ever closer, and how together they will be the flames who light the coming darkness.

It is, in the manner of many orientation speeches, fairly long-winded. Those who have been here for more than a year have likely heard this speech before, though it’s slightly more urgent this time. Maybe it’s a good time to get to know the people on either side of you a little better while the Headmistress talks, because you’ll be here for a while. Or maybe you’ve planned ahead, and you have something to entertain you at orientation - much to the shared entertainment or dismay of others in your vicinity, perhaps.

Or you could actually be listening to the speech. It’s up to you.


B. SCHOOL TOUR

For students fresh to the academy, the sprawling nature and architecture of Daybeak Academy can be quite intimidating. Fortunately, helpful student volunteers have been tapped to help escort the new students around and give them a feel for campus. Student volunteers are typically chosen for both their experience on campus and helpful nature. While some scripts are provided, students are encouraged to ad-lib and put their own spin on campus and what they like about it. New students are, of course, encouraged to ask as many questions as they can to make sure they fully understand and familiarize themselves with the campus as quickly as possible.

C. SNACK STATION

During the first three days after the Holiday break, throughout the campus grounds are small stations manned by the kitchen staff and volunteers, the smell of hot chocolate, cider, and frying bread fills the air, stirring the appetite and promising warmth on this cold winter’s day.

Every booth has hot chocolate, some spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, others rich and creamy, but always with an option for marshmallows, peppermint bark or caramel drizzles - with non-alcoholic hot cider for those with an allergy to chocolate. For food options, naturally being France there are crepes of all types and beignets on offer, with jam- or custard-filled berliners, while those looking for a more savory fare will be treated to rissoles - a fried bread stuffed with minced meat or bechamel sauce and cod.

While the drinks are on tap and readily available, it may take a few moments to get the treats out, so might as well make conversation while a fresh batch is made.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[kill_ua]

[Killua looks like he's been let down.]

Aww, you're no fun.

[prisoneroffate]

[Definitely still a kid]

If you want to race though I don't mind trying.

[kill_ua]

Sure! First one to the student dorms is the winner?

[prisoneroffate]

Sure! Roof, or do we need to get to the door of one of them?

[kill_ua]

Let's say the door, so that we actually do have to go back down to ground level to finish.

[prisoneroffate]

All right, you're on. Count of three?

[kill_ua]

Sure. One... two... three!

[Killua explodes off of the branch he was crouched on, in a near-impossible horizontal leap towards the nearest building. He comes up just short, but grabs the edge of the roof with one hand, flipping himself onto it and breaking into a sprint as he charts out the fastest route from here to the far side of campus.]

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren is quick behind, but not quite as quick as he vaults to a taller tree and from there, onto the roof. He didn't make it there as fast as Killua, but doesn't lose quite as much time getting on top of the roof which lets him gain a bit of ground as he sprints after Killua's retreating form]

[kill_ua]

[Ren's good, he has to admit that much. It won't be a free win. The boy's much taller than him, so his stride length helps close some of the experience gap between them.

At around the halfway point, Killua stops suddenly right as Ren is getting close, and throws a kick backwards at him. It's more a feint than a real attack, as whether or not it connects he changes direction and sprints straight off the edge of the roof, swinging off a lamp post to continue the race at ground level.]

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren raises his arms to block the kick which connects, slowing his momentum and giving Killua a chance to burst ahead. Seeing this, Ren keeps to the high ground, leaping to the next roof and sprinting along it, tracking both Killua and the finish line]

[kill_ua]

[There's more obstacles down here - impaired lines of sight, buildings, other people - but he already had his route charted out before he hit the ground. A dash between lecture halls, a hop through an open classroom window and out the back door... at the rate he's going, this race is as good as his.]

[prisoneroffate]

[Killua is moving through buildings, so he doesn't witness the blue flame forming a mask and black trenchcoat around Ren. He may be somewhat surprised, then, as he is in the home stretch Ren descends from the building above him moving rapidly toward the goal and skidding to a stop at the door]

[kill_ua]

[Killua slides to a stop, reaching the door just a moment after Ren.]

Dang! Those powers are pretty crazy, if they let you beat me here. I was way ahead!

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren dismisses his garb, which dissolves in blue flame]

The strategy of going on the ground was bold, but you lost time moving through the buildings which gave me a chance to catch up.

[kill_ua]

I still think it was the fastest route, I just couldn't quite keep up with your powers. I bet if we try again in a week, I'd win.

[prisoneroffate]

It's definitely possible. We can try again in a week if you want.

[kill_ua]

All right, deal. One week from today, I'll beat you in a race!

[prisoneroffate]

Just don't think it's a sure thing.