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

[leekspins]

...

[She's silent. What should she do? She was having so much fun getting to know a new friend, but if he found out she was under a fey contract, he might not be so inclined to treat her kindly. Orihime hasn't known him long enough to have a single clue about how he views those with contracted powers.]

[Her reflex is to keep lying and say she doesn't know, but he's smarter than that. What's more, he might distrust her even further.]

[Awkwardly she twists her finger, not really able to look at his face.]

W...would you be upset if I did?

[made_up_names]

[ Frankly, he doesn't know enough about fey contracts to be leery of her anyway. Hell, he doesn't even know he's in one! But he also hasn't given her any indication one way or another. Maybe he's cool with it? Or maybe a fey contract murdered his uncle, who knows.

He can tell she's worried, though, and he likes her enough to feel really bad about that. Weren't they having a great day so far? He'd hate to ruin it now. So whatever she's going to say, he decides he's going to be supportive. No matter what. ]

'course not. I'd get to say thank you for saving me.

[leekspins]

[The tension in her shoulders eases somewhat, and though the worried incline of her brow remains, his answer coaxes a hopeful little smile from her. They're so far away from the school that she doesn't have to worry about anybody eavesdropping, so...]

In truth...

[She takes a deep breath, her heart beating fast. Only one person on campus knows this about her, so opening up to someone else is a little scary.]

...In truth...healing is just a part of the things I can do with my power. I am a Candle, but my Candle power is really passive -- I can kind of sense people's souls, or their essence. So someone with a strong or unusual power kind of stands out, like a blip on a radar. And it works a lot better with people I know. The healing comes from my link with two of the six fey spirits I'm contracted with. But I heard people don't really like or trust people that make contracts with fey, and that they would be closely monitored. And I really didn't want that.

[She glances up at him beneath her lashes before staring down at her hands again.]

I've only had my abilities for a little while, but they're not dangerous, and they always work the way I want them to. Sometimes better! I wasn't even thinking about it just now, I just saw you falling and...I got desperate.

[Her mouth tightens into a thin line.]

Please don't tell anybody. I'm trying to figure out why my powers work the way they do, so I'm not really ready to let my secret out yet.

[made_up_names]

[ Oh. Oh. Well there's no visceral reaction from Peter here. He's heard of Fey contracts by now, at least in passing, but it's instantly clear he has no pre-existing opinion on them? Maybe some worry for Orihime's sake, but no horror of her. Like he would anyway after hanging out with her and having such a great time swinging through the forest. Peter isn't the sort of person to be jaded or suspicious at this age anyway, so.

Instead, he simply looks awed. And - as promised - grateful. ]

That's incredible, though. Why would anyone be upset at you for it? I think that's the coolest thing I've ever heard.

[ He's 100% genuine about this! Like, dude, he wants fairy friends too! That's awesome!

Oh wait, she wanted something else didn't she. ]

-- but I promise I won't tell anyone. I swear it on my life.

[leekspins]

[The lingering tightness she feels in her chest loosens. When he makes that promise, she believes him. So now she doesn't have to run off in the woods and live as a wild masked vigilante. ...Even if that would be cool, she thinks she can be far more effective here where she can study and train.]

[She throws her arms around his neck, overjoyed.]

Arigatou. Honto arigatou!

[Orihime isn't ordinarily much of a hugger, but the contrast between the mind-freezing fear of being discovered prematurely and the warmth that comes from knowing she's safe with someone she can trust? It's pretty stark.]

[She draws back, thumbing away a little dampness from her lashes.]

Ha ha...! Then I'm glad you got to find out. Now that you know, maybe we can do secret training sometime.

[She pulls up the sleeve of her coat so she can slip off the shooter.]

I should probably give this back to you too before I forget.

[made_up_names]

[ Admittedly, Peter Parker is not the best at secrets? So - she is maybe not as safe as she thinks. But he will try his damndest, and if it slips out he will defend her to the death. How anyone could possibly get mad at this sweet cinnamon roll of a person for having fairy friends is just beyond him. Of course he'll do all he can.

The hug is startling, but he returns it gently, mindful of his own super strength. A bit teary eyed himself when she pulls back. ]

We can totally do secret training. I was gonna do it anyway, but now I've got a friend.

[ Meaning Orhime of course. He takes the webshooter back, reclipping it onto his wrist. And. Looking down at it, thoughtfully. ]

...I'll build you one too, okay? We can do a team-up next time I go out on patrol.

[leekspins]

Yes! Secret training is even better than regular training!

[But what would he have to be secret about? Was she not supposed to know about his equipment and powers and backflipping abilities? Oh well. If he wants to tell her, he will.]

[And then he just has to go and blow her mind like that.]

Really?! You don't have to! I mean I definitely want to do a team-up and being able to swing around could be really useful, but that can't be cheap to build and I don't want to interfere with your study time, but I can use some of my savings to contribute so maybe that would help--!

[Look, she's really excited about this.]

[made_up_names]

[ All of that is public okay. Just. The one teensy detail about being Spider-Man is secret, theoretically. Nevermind that the entire school will figure it out instantly but. Details! It's fine, it's fine.

Offering him money though ... that gets a weird look out of him? He's frankly kind of ashamed at the offer. Because while he could absolutely use it - this stuff isn't cheap, like she said, and he is terribly poor outside of what the school provides - he hates the thought of accepting it. Especially from another student.

Deep breaths, Peter. It's gonna be okay. ]

Tell you what. If you help me dumpster dive for the parts, then we'll call it even.

[leekspins]

Really? We can do that?

[No human being should ever look that excited about the prospect of leaping into trash bins.]

Sure, if that's what you'd prefer. It sounds fun! What kind of parts and equipment should I look for?

[Her aunt might have some junk that needs to be thrown out, so that's an option if he needs something specific.]

[made_up_names]

[ He should probably be concerned? But he's just pleased that she doesn't think it's weird or something. ]

Electronic junk mostly. Buttons and wiring and stuff.

[leekspins]

[That doesn't sound like it'll be too gross. People throw out old electronics all the time, and usually they don't put them in the bags with rotten food. So she nods enthusiastically.]

Got it! If there's a secondhand thrift store in town, we can check there too. Old VCRs and blenders and things are pretty cheap in places like that.

[While Orihime might not have loads of money, she has enough to splurge on some junk.]

Should we start heading back? I think I got plenty of good training today!

[made_up_names]

[ Most people don't throw food out with tech stuff but. Well. He's sorted through some gross stuff too, just saying. But! They can probably avoid it. ]

Yeah? That's a good spot. Both for trash and picking up cheap stuff.

[ Either way works okay. ]

Me too. Let's go back.

[leekspins]

Mm!

[She nods and readjusts her scarf. The exhilaration from the wild swinging adventure has faded, but it's been replaced by something else she didn't expect. Opening up about anything has always been hard for her despite her cheery nature, and to share a secret like this with anyone is a pretty big deal. But...she feels good about it. Safe, even.]

[As they walk, she casts a brief glance at her new American friend, then smiles before facing forward again.]

[Orihime thinks she's going to love it here.]