The Watchers of Night ([personal profile] thewatchers) wrote in [community profile] daybreakacademy2019-01-10 08:52 pm

WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START


WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START
Log Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation


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
prisoneroffate: (042)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-12 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll get to that one eventually. Gotta work my way up to it.
heartofasamurai: (008)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-12 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Seiji wonders why you would need to "work your way up" to taking the stairs in the tower by climbing a tree...]

Do you intend to climb to outside of the tower as well?
heartofasamurai: (059)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-12 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yes, he is certainly confused now.]

Why? Is it prohibited for us to enter?
prisoneroffate: (034)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-12 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
No, but I don't want to climb everything on the first day, what's the fun in that?
heartofasamurai: (059)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-13 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
[This makes even less sense to Seiji, but he endeavors to continue seeking out what logic he can from the situation.]

That does not explain why you wish to climb the outside of a building rather than walk the stairs.

[Considering his own behavior of leaping from buildings on more than one occasion not even two years ago, perhaps he should not judge others for their hobbies, but he is still very confused.]
prisoneroffate: (062)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-13 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
It's more fun that way.

[This isn't obvious?]
heartofasamurai: (068)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-13 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
If you believe it to be so.

[Perhaps he is looking at the situation from the wrong perspective.]

What can you see so far?
prisoneroffate: (025)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-13 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
All sorts of things. Campus, people running around living their lives. It's interesting.
heartofasamurai: (079)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-14 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[When he puts it that way, it does sound intriguing. Perhaps not what Seiji would have chosen himself, but interesting to look at the world in the same way a bird might. And so with a soft spell spoken under his breath, he takes a leap upwards, pushing himself high enough that he could land lightly on a thick enough branch with one foot. The spell should ensure that his weight does not put an undue burden on the tree.]

This tree is very old.
prisoneroffate: (044)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-15 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
You can tell that?
heartofasamurai: (060)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-16 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, but...it is also a rather tall tree. [Trees take time to grow after all.]

Still, it does present a very engaging view. [He looks out through the branches to the campus.] Is this how you gain perspective?
prisoneroffate: (060)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-16 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
One of the ways. Perspective comes from all over. Finding ways to see the world differently.
heartofasamurai: (021)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-19 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed. [He enjoys the similarity of their views in that respect. He gently runs his fingers along the trunk of the tree. Something about it is soothing. He may seek it out again at a later date.]

Sometimes it is easy to forget that something as simple as a change in altitude can allow one to see the world and not merely the trees.

[Then he gives a wry smile.] I wonder if you are not being remiss in your engagement. if you are only seeking greater heights. Surely there is a location where you could travel below as well.
prisoneroffate: (025)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-19 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps, but it's important for me to be looking higher and further right now. Maybe after this is all over, I'll have time to walk the grounds.
heartofasamurai: (084)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-20 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
I... [He was attempting to make a joke about digging holes in the ground to also gain a new perspective, but Seiji has never been known for his humor, even though he does have a sense of one. As usual, he fails to provide a proper delivery so Ren would be able to see it for the jest it is. Work harder next time, Seiji!]

I believe looking to the future is a goal to agree with wholeheartedly. Better than that we may see the different ways of ensuring it.

[And with that he does move higher up into the tree. The spell keeping him light allows him to move into the upper, thinner branches.]

It is a beautiful view indeed.
prisoneroffate: (060)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-20 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Ren enjoys the view for a bit before breaking the silence]

So do you grow plants as well? You seem to be good with them.
heartofasamurai: (066)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-20 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I do practice bonzai gardening, but it is a normal learned skill, not the sort that this school exists to teach us. I recommend it, if you are in need of a peaceful...hobby. [He puts his hand on the tree's trunk to balance himself better.] Trees flourish when they are well-cared for.
prisoneroffate: (051)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-22 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Really? I'd heard that bonzai could be pretty involved.
heartofasamurai: (029)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-23 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
In some ways perhaps, but it is the methodical nature of it and the delicate nature of your efforts bearing fruit, so to speak, that is the true enjoyment.

[He does not think that anyone is capable of the discipline for bonzai, but he would never discourage someone for trying it themselves.]
prisoneroffate: (062)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-23 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Makes sense. I can see how rewarding that would be.
heartofasamurai: (001)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-25 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Seiji smiles for a moment, enjoying the view from near the top of the tree for a moment longer before finally beginning descent.]

Thank you for generously allowing me to join you in gaining a new perspective. Hopefully the other vantages of the campus provide a similar enlightenment.
prisoneroffate: (013)

[personal profile] prisoneroffate 2019-01-25 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
No problem. I'm Ren, by the way. Ren Amamiya.
heartofasamurai: (023)

[personal profile] heartofasamurai 2019-01-25 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
[He lands easily on the ground and the spell he has used finally dissipates. Looking up at Ren, he gives a light bow of his head.]

It is an honor to meet you, Amamiya-san. My name is Seiji Date. I hope we see each other again.