daybreakacademy | WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START

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WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START

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.

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[ You know, for how much time they've spent in each other's company by now, Prompto still...doesn't know much about Alisaie. As in, he knows nothing about her. Aside from what she told him that first day, because she hasn't spoken to him since then. It's cool. It's fine. He gets they're not gonna be best friends or anything, but it still might be nice to at least, you know, be on speaking terms with his roomie.

Maybe he already messed up too bad to allow for even that, but here he is, making his attempt to be friendly and likable, and joining her for a tour around the school, because he definitely needs one. He's gotten lost on his way to dinner every single day... ]

I, uh, haven't been to the library yet...

[ Unsurprisingly. He attempts a half-smile, trying to be encouraging, even if he's probably the last person she wants encouraging her right now.

Maybe this was a bad idea. ]

We could...check it out like a library card!

[ This was definitely a bad idea. ]

[ alisaie has made no real attempt to speak with him beyond 'can you please move your socks' and 'don't you have a set of headphones?', but that has been more or less comfortable for her. sure, she would like a roommate that she is content with, but in the end it's silence and privacy that she prefers, and not speaking with her roommate is about the most silent and private one can manage to get, when sharing a dormitory with someone.

deep down, she might feel a little guilty. he does not seem like a bad person, even if she cannot condone his choices, or the way that he has chosen to live his life, but that is his business, and not hers. so long as he shows no outward signs of killing fey for sport she has no real reason to show him any aggression, but she is certainly.. wary of him. the seers know what they are doing, even if their methods are frustratingly roundabout, and if he has been elected to attend this school it must be for a very good reason. she can accept that.

but she doesn't have to get along with him, or anyone. like as not he's surely noticed that she brings no one back to the dormitory to spend time with, nor is she ever out late herself, always home after meetings or orientations and spending her evenings reading or writing or sketching out runes. if she has a social life (she doesn't) it certainly isn't readily apparent. perhaps he can take comfort in the fact that she dislikes.. well, everyone, more or less. mayhaps he deserves a better roommate, but that is for him to decide. so far, miraculously, he doesn't seem to have petitioned to be moved.

anyroad, it's no surprise that he's in line for a tour, and while she's not necessarily over the moon to provide it, at least she knows who he is. no introductions necessary. ]

The library, then. This way.

[ his bad joke goes completely ignored.. ]

[ You would think by now he might have learned that his bad jokes won't get him anywhere with her, but he tends to use them more when he's nervous and uncomfortable, so, sorry, Alisaie, there will be more where that came from. It isn't even as though he's trying to be entertaining and affable so she'll like him anymore. Well — he is, but he also knows that ship has sailed. He already lost his chance at being her friend, because of a path he chose years ago.

He doesn't blame her. But still...their dorm is very, very quiet. ]

Uhh...so, how long has this school been here, anyway? Is it, like, thousands or years old? Can't believe they asked me to go here...

[ She's not the only one still surprised by it. ]

[ she'll learn to like the bad jokes someday, maybe, the puns are in her soul, but for now they're not winning him too many points. she doesn't seem particularly perturbed by his presence, at least, she's her usual levels of distant and aloof, so there's.. that.. ]

Yes, it is quite ancient as far as I know, but I do not know the details. I've only been here for five years, myself.

[ it's certainly a beautiful campus, though - even in the dead of winter the grounds are beautiful, layered with thick white snow that clings to tall windows and vaulted roofs, the architecture breathtaking, the mountain views exquisite. were she a good tour guide she might point these picturesque scenes out as they pass them, but she's not, so it's up to him to enjoy it on his own while they wind their way toward the library wing. ]

The kitchens and cafeteria are down there. No doubt you've found them on your own.

[ a vague wave as they pass by the crowded halls. ]

[ Only five years, she says, like it ain't no thing. But from what he's gathered, most students haven't been here as long as her. From what he's glimpsed of her homework, she really seemed to be a genius, too — no doubt he could learn a ton from her.

You know, if he ever dared to ask her to tutor him — and if she would ever deign too. Both are equally unlikely. ]

Oh, yeah, you bet I have! [ He pats his stomach, like he isn't 90 lbs soaking wet. ] They serve crepes every single day. Did you know that?! — I-I mean, of course you do.

[ He's not the tour guide here. ]

Of course they do.

[ after all miss, this is france.

alisaie likes the crepes too, though.. especially the ones filled with ice cream and strawberries and chocolate and whipped cream. mmm. mayhaps she'll stop by on the way back.. ]

The library is not far past it, in the north wing.

[ Soon Prompto will learn that sweets are the key to her heart and he'll be bringing her crepes every day. But for now, he says nothing more on the subject, instead shoving his hands into his pockets as he tries not to fidget too much. ]

Right. So, when I can smell somethin' good cookin', I'll know I'm close to the library! Got it. I bet...you go there a lot, huh? 'Cause, y'know, all the...reading...

[ It seems like a safe enough assumption! ]

[ wow... ]

I prefer to read on my own, but I am there often enough to check out books, I suppose.

[ and then whisk them back to her little hermit holes where no one will bother her and she won't have to interact with other living people, which is terrifying. even now she would much rather be tucked away in her room, but she has to be a functional person, which is annoying. ]

No doubt you will make use of it yourself, so make sure not to forget how to get there.

[ because he'll be studying like a good boy right!! :angry: ]

[ Yeah...right...he sure...will... ]

Oh, yeah, sure thing! But, y'know, a lotta stuff is available online these days. Bet I can find most everything I'll need on Google!

[ He's joking...but only sort of. He's never been much of a reader before, or much of a studier. There's a reason his "emphasis" in this school doesn't involve actual spellwork but instead how to kill monsters in the most effective way. He learns best in practice, anyway. ]

[ he's trying purposefully to be annoying, isn't he?? ]

I highly doubt that.

[ she says, sharply, shooting him a hard glance over her shoulder before turning a quick right down the next corridor. ]

There is information stored in this facility that you will find nowhere else, certainly not.. the google.

[ ...The google.

He attempts to stifle his laughter at that, but it's a vain effort, even as he hides his snort behind his hand. ]

S-sorry, right. Not like you can Google what kinda runes to put on your weapons, anyway. You, uh...know much about runs, Alisaie?

[ He said her name much more correct that time. He's been practicing in his head! ]

[ she knows about the runs sure, but probably not as well as he does.. ]

Yes. Runic theory and its application to aetheric structures is my specialty.

[ carbuncle nods in agreement. ]

[ you come into my house and sass me like this.....

He perks up at her answer, however — he has tried not to be...too nosy about what she's been studying, so he hadn't realized she might have been studying the very thing he's struggling with. Or...will inevitably struggle with, anyway. It's only the first week still, but stuff like that has never come to him easily. ]

Whoa...seriously?! Maybe you could show me a thing or two sometime! [ But then he catches himself. ] I mean, if you wanted to...or, uh, I could...pay you?

[ He regrets blurting it out now. ]

[ prompto she is so rich she does not need your peasant money...

that seems to get her attention though, and her pace slows a little. she looks to him over his shoulder, meeting his eyes for the first time in - well, maybe ever. ]

I would not have expected you to have an academic interest.

[ he's always so busy with his googles and knight kings. ]

I suppose I could help you.

[ she likes to talk about runes.. ]

[ Wait...really? He'd sort of thrown the suggestion out there without thinking, and he hardly expected her to actually take him up on it. Alisaie must have much better things to do with her time than tutor him, even if he did pay her. Isn't she, like, a duchess or something?

He's pretty sure she's a duchess. ]

...For real?! You'd help me learn my runes?

[ It's like he's learning the alphabet again for the first time, except it's 100x harder and it can probably kill you if you mess it up. ]

[ hey now stop being so perky and excited about it or she'll go changing her mind!! alisaie frowns, because this is a lot of excitement for one un-fun girl, but she doesn't outright take back her proclamation. ]

I don't see why not, if you've the will to learn.

[ she likes when people want to learn.. ]

Besides, if we are to be spending time together, we may as well do it in a way that benefits us.

[ Ah...right, because his pathetic attempt at befriending he wouldn't have been beneficial, would it have? Not for her, anyway. But he shelves that thought away into the back of his mind. This is probably as good of a chance as he'll get to form any kind of positive relationship with her, plus he really could use a tutor...just looking at his runic textbooks made him dizzy. ]

Roger, dodger! [ He offers her a salute. ] I, um, don't have my first rune class until later this week, but maaaaybe you could take a look at my homework with me sometime after that? I-If you've got time, of course.

[ He doesn't want her to make time for him if there's other, more important things she could be doing. ]

[ no, it wouldn't be beneficial to her, nerd!! but no one's friendship would be. he's hardly alone in that. friendship isn't something she even remotely knows how to navigate, nor does she have any desire to.

but studying. that she can do. that's easy. and should someone else benefit from her knowledge.. well, all the better. for as distant as she is, alisaie is neither hateful nor spiteful, she does not delight in the suffering or failure of others. if the nightfall is to be beaten back, it is up to all of them to succeed, and even something so small as tutoring someone in need.. might be helpful, mightn't it? she has to hope so. ]

I am sure that we can manage to find the time.

[ they're roommates, after all, and she.. has no social life. s-so.

anyway. ]

Here we are.

[ Well, it's not like he has any social life to worry about either......so, yeah, tutoring, that can be a thing. ]

Heh, great! Lookin' forward to it.

[ And he actually is, admittedly, even if she probably doesn't share the sentiment. He doubts it's going to change the way she sees him, but it's a start, at least, to something more than what they have now. Maybe not friendship, but a more tolerant acquaintanceship perhaps. He can dream, right?

Anyway, he casts a look up at the library, whistling sharply. ]

Whoa...this place looks lit-erary!

[ apparently the 'the google' debacle taught him nothing.. alisaie knows nothing of your modern human vernacular and mannerisms. she has no idea what is and is not lit, nor that being lit is anything other than literally bring illuminated by an actual light.

so to her, he's just saying weird things. like he so often does. bewildered, she casts him a sideglance. ]

Is that.. a joke?

[ She sounds so unsure about it, that he already knows she didn't get it. Which is a shame, because it was a great pun! Prompto deflates a little, but follows up quickly enough with: ]

Y'know, maybe in exchange for teach me about runes, I could teach you a bit of slang.

[ So she can ask the fellows kids how do they do. ]

[ ah.. so it was some modernism that she is far too out of the know to grasp... though she tries to hide it, alisaie's fair skin betrays the embarrassed flush that colors her cheeks and ears. you kids and your memes!! ]

A-anyroad, do you have any questions?

[ about the library!! ]

[ Oh...he didn't mean to embarrass her! — Okay, well, he did kind of mean it in a teasing way, but not to the point that he would make her blush! There he goes again, sticking his foot right in his mouth. Why is he so bad about that with her in particular?

He ruffles a hand over his hair, smile going crooked and nervous as he completely misunderstands her question. ]

Uh...yeah. I mean, I guess they don't have YouTube in the Outlands, huh? Or Twitter? The...internet in general?

[ i mean, to be fair it doesn't take much. she's super bad at peopleing. that might be why he feels he has a harder time with her than everyone else..... ]

Twit..ter?

[ ahem!! she shakes her head. ]

No, I meant about the library. Or the school.

[ He's going to take that as a no, and while he doesn't laugh, he does attempt to smother a smile at the way she parrots back the word. It's sort of charming, in a way. She might not care to learn about whatever Prompto could teach her, but it's nice to know that there's at least something he could offer her in return.

Something dumb, but still. ]

Oh — right! Uh, could you...show me how to borrow a book? I, uh, don't use libraries often...

[ Obviously. ]

WINTER TERM OPENING CEREMONY AND CLASS START

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