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

Avery Atchison | Faculty

[subconmodo]

((will match format!))

C - Snacks

[He's always had a soft spot for more savory snacks. Not that the sweet stuff is bad--quite the opposite in fact--but nothing is quite as satisfying as a hot rissole on a cold day.]

[Too bad he came between batches.]

Should have brought my gloves...

[He rubs his hands together and blows on them to warm them up]


X. Welcome to Daemon Contracting

[If one thing can be said about Professor Atchison, it's that he certainly looks like the kind of man ready and willing to offer you a shady deal. From his bright, glowing yellow eyes to his tailored suit, to that smile that seems just a touch too wide to be anything but unnerving, he fits the theme of his class just perfectly.

Even if he does look a little young.]

All right, kiddos, settle down and listen up!

You might have noticed that you don't have a syllabus. That's intentional. See, I don't want you to know what's going to happen next. I don't want you to know how to prepare yourself against what I have to offer. I don't even want you to know how you'll be graded!

[He spreads his arms]

Heck, I don't even want you to know if you'll have s test!

[He folds his arms behind his back and begins pacing back and forth in front of the blackboard]

The only way you're going to know what you're up against is if. You. Listen. If you think outside the box. If you learn how to negotiate! You might even have to do a little research here and there outside of class.

And, of course, it's highly recommended that you keep up attendance. Of course, I'm not about to force you or anything! Learning how to navigate contracts is your choice to make! I'm sure the Daemon you contracted with would be more than happy to let you flounder under your thumb. I mean, I know I would if I was them. Can't eat a few hundred souls without suckering a few hundred fools!


[WILDCARD]

((feel free to hit me up for anything or post whatever you think might be interesting!))

X

[yokeye]

[There was no syllabus. This class amounted to basically “Surprise! Deal with it”. Toki completely agrees with this set-up. Thinking outside the box and negotiating are two of his best skills. Attendance is apparently optional, but... he's going to be here. Huh. That's rare. He might actually pass this one...]

Best class ever!

[... if it wasn't for his tendency to be disruptive inadvertently, like yelling in the middle of a lecture.]

[subconmodo]

[Avery stops in his tracks and snickers]

You know, normally there's a punishment for interrupting the teacher in the middle of his class. But given the context, I'll let this one slide.

[he cocks his head to the side]

Don't suppose you have any questions to go with that compliment?

[yokeye]

Sorry! I was just excited~!

[He slumps down in his seat a little, and he's going to try very hard to make it through the rest of the class without doing something else stupid. Hmm, did he have any questions...]

How do you know if a daemon intends to take your soul? Do they... have to tell you they're going to when you make a contract?

[subconmodo]

Not necessarily. All depends on the daemon. Some might be up front, some might couch it in metaphor, others will wait until the last minute. That's why questions are so important.

You know, "know thy enemy."

[yokeye]

[He hadn't asked the daemon anything about that, because he didn't realize the guy was even a daemon until it was a bit too late.]

Eventually you're going to talk about loopholes, right? Something useful for after the fact.

[subconmodo]

"Am I going to talk about loopholes..." Kid, that's one of the main goals of this course. Pay attention and keep an open mind and you'll be able to spot any hole you need. And any hole that could be used against you.

[yokeye]

Perfect~!

[Paying attention is hard though, even if it is the best class.]

X

[made_up_names]

[ Well okay. He wasn't sure what he expected when he signed up for this class? Probably he should have expected this, but. Uh.

He raises his hand at the end of Avery's spiel. ]

Do you literally eat souls?

[subconmodo]

[He lets out a short, sharp laugh. You're not the first one to ask this, Peter, but he still gets a kick out of it every time.]

Oh absolutely. When I'm allowed. The administration tends to frown on that kind of behavior for some reason. Can't imagine why.

[made_up_names]

[ Good to know there's a tradition of dumb questions. ]

I mean, it is kinda rude.

[subconmodo]

So was trespassing in my forest, but people did it anyway.

[made_up_names]

You've got a whole forest? Is that like a daemon thing, just having a spooky lair somewhere?

[subconmodo]

I don't know about that, but it's not like anyone told me I couldn't have my own forest. So I did!

[made_up_names]

Is it here? Or like out in the Outlands somewhere?

[ Sorry Avery, you get the talkative nerd today. ]

[subconmodo]

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

Oh no, it's a few countries away from here. Stealing souls and having your own forest is nice and all, but it doesn't pay the bills.

[made_up_names]

... Is that why you're here? To pay bills? Daemon bills?

X

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren will raise his hand politely and wait to be called on]

[subconmodo]

[Avery points over at him]

You there. Go ahead.

[prisoneroffate]

What is your professional opinion on service contracts? Observation in exchange for facility access?

[subconmodo]

That's a new one.

[He cups his chin and stares up at the ceiling as he thinks.]

I'll admit, it sounds like a good deal on paper, especially if all they're doing is watching. In the end, I guess it depends on whether or not you agree with the whats and whys of those observations.

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren nods and takes notes]

Can claims of enjoyment in watching people's progress be taken at face value?

[subconmodo]

Depends on the daemon. Some might find it amusing, others may be searching for a specific sort of progress for their own personal reasons. Heck, the guy could just be flat-out lying to you.

Always question the deal, kid. And follow that gut instinct.

[prisoneroffate]

How reliable is your gut when it's hard to tell if the Daemon is truthful? Shouldn't that mean everything is suspicious?

[subconmodo]

Honestly? Yes. I'm not going to say it's easy, especially if you have no proof one way or the other.

Why do you think I'm teaching my class this way? You've gotta build that instinct.