Opening Ceremony!

[principalmouse]

Who: Everybody!
What: Opening Ceremony! Say hi to all your new friends! It's a meet 'n' greet!
When: OPENING DAY!
Where: Just inside the Academic Building
Warnings: None yet. Yet.
[In a wide open hall with banners and a various sundry of celebratory items, the headmaster's rousing speech begins to come to a close.]

In short, you all are here to save our world! There is a threat out there that we must face, but we cannot face it alone. [His demeanor is pleasant, but thinly veiled. His stress is evident in his words, but he is attempting to stay cheerful.] We must do our best to watch over our friends and family and neighbors, no matter who they may be.

We are all responsible for one another. [He lets the silence hang for a moment before letting off and overly cheerful--] HaHa! [Was that a bit forced? Or was it just me?]

Well, guys, it’s time for me t’go, got lotsa stuff to take care of bein’ headmaster and all. But please, get to know one another, go check out classes, and find out where you live on campus! [He gestures to various sections of the room, all labeled with bright colored papers and text.]

I’ll see y’around!

[And with that, the headmaster is off! No, seriously. Watch him go, he’s movin’ fast for such a short guy.]

((OOC: WELCOMING CEREMONY LOG! Feel free to create starters here and tag everyone! Don’t be shy. :) You can use prose or action text, whichever you’re more comfortable with.))

Comments

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack laughs wryly, rolling his eyes to the ceiling and running a frustrated hand through his hair. ] Oh, man, the mouse really is nuts, isn't he. You? Security? Suddenly I feel so safe. Not.

[ He steps lightly around the Nightmare, giving it a wide space between them to avoid any sudden attacks

See, we're supposed to be here to help. I know that's why I'm here. I'm not so sure about you, though. That 'Security' story sounds like a really lame cover-up.

[ Both hands rest on his staff now - his stance is still relaxed, his grip still loose, but the way he holds it just in front of himself he could be on the offense (or defense) at any moment. The cocksure smile disappears, replaced with a glare. ]

What are you really doing here?

[kingofnightmares]

Like you'll be much help against the Mist.

[He smiles, watching the younger spirit's caution towards the Nightmare. He lifts his hand and the Nightmare dissapates, the sand returning to Pitch's hand, disappearing into his 'sleeve' in which he dusts off.]

I'm seen here. I'm heard here. What I didn't expect was to see one of Manny's lap dogs here. [Pitch narrows his eyes, his shadow shifting , falling upon Jack himself.]

Why should I explain anything to you? [He points to his staff.] Besides, you shouldn't have weapons on school grounds.

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack snorts. ] More help than you.

[ His eyes follow the sand as the Nightmare falls apart and disappears into Pitch's robe, then dart back up to the Boogeyman's face, narrowing dangerously.

The shadows shift around him, and this time he does raise his staff, pointing it at Pitch and sighting down its length. ]

I'm not a lap dog, and this isn't about the Man in the Moon. This is about the kids. This is affecting them too, and in case you forgot, it's my job to keep them safe. You don't have to tell me anything, technically, but then I don't have to hold back, either.

[ The corner of his mouth twitches up - he's almost smirking. ]

Last time I checked there wasn't any rule against bringing sticks on campus. What're you gonna do about it, anyway?

[kingofnightmares]

[Jack made a good point. The children were at stake. But did Pitch truly care?

Nope. Not one bit.

Pitch only smiles wider as the shadow under Jack widens and suddenly, the ground beneath the younger spirit disappears, sending him down into darkness... Only to reappear outside, in the Quad under a shadow of one of the academic buildings. Pitch's voice echoes through out the area, but there is no clear source as to where the Boogeyman may be. The multiple shadows on the building walls didn't help either.]

It might be a stick to the untrained eye, but we both know what it's capable of, Jack.

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack has only half a moment to squint, confused at the sudden smile, before the floor drops out from beneath him and he plunges into darkness with a shout. Even if anyone heard him in the crowded room, the noise was quickly swallowed up and cut off.

He stumbles from the shadows beneath the outside eaves of the building a moment later, fumbling his balance and ultimately falling on his back as the pull of gravity abruptly switches directions on him.

There's a moment of initial shock where he lays there, trying to process what just happened. Then, recovering, he rolls to his feet - out of the shadows, into the light - and fires off a warning shot, a splintering bolt of cold lightning bright blue in the morning air. ]

Yeah, capable of messing you up pretty good if you try to lay a finger on it. [ His grip on his staff tightens, and though the many shadows lurk on the wall in front of him he turns halfway to look behind him, eyes searching out (but not finding) the Boogeyman. ] You're just afraid I'm gonna throw a wrench in whatever it is you have planned. Which I am, so you should be.

[kingofnightmares]

[A pair of eyes appear in the nearby shadows, calm and collected as those silver eyes stare at Jack. Pitch chuckles softly, his voice crisp and defined now.]

Why are you even threatening me in the first place with your little light show? [Those eyes move through the darkness, and soon he appears, his face displeased.]

I haven't even done anything. And here you go, getting all defensive. The only reason why I brought you out here was so we didn't cause a scene.

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack spins around immediately at the sound of Pitch's voice, pinpointing his eyes peering out from the shadows. A moment later, the rest of him emerges, prompting Jack to take a couple of steps back, scowling.

He laughs then, a little harsh, a little nervous. ]

Oh, you've done plenty. Maybe not here, and maybe not now, but I think I've learned from experience that you've always got a second motive for everything. Fool me twice, shame on me, right?

[kingofnightmares]

What do you plan to do?

[He purses his lips in a forced smile, his eyebrows raised as he opens his arms outward.] How do you think this Academy will react to a student attacking a faculty member, hm?

[Pitch soon leans back and rests a hand on his cheek, his other hand holding that elbow up.]

A second motive? And what on earth would that be, Jack?

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ For the first time, his expression falters into uncertainty, but Jack is quick to raise his staff and point it at Pitch as a cover-up. He grits his teeth. ]

I don't know. I don't know what you're trying to do, but you're trying to do something, because you don't just help people. Not unless there's something in it for you.

It's what you tried to do to me, and I'm not letting it happen to anybody else.

[kingofnightmares]

It sounds like you're trying to find an excuse to accuse me of something, and yet you have no evidence for it.

[Pitch tsks and shakes his head, almost looking disappointed.] Fine, believe in what you want, Frost. [He holds his arms open wide.]

I'm part of security here. So you better get used to it.

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack's patience has reached a breaking point. Evidence. He wants evidence? The guy tries to kill him, tries to kill everyone he cares about, tries to plunge the entire world into darkness and unspeakable horrors, and he tries to claim there's not enough evidence.

Jack snaps. He growls something unintelligible - something like fuck your evidence - and since Pitch's guard is conveniently down, his staff is suddenly right under the Boogeyman's chin, a hair's breadth from touching his neck. ]

Don't. Lie.

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch stares down at him, unphased by the action before his eyes widen, along with a grin. In a split second, something hisses to life beside them.

There's a sharp whinny before something slams into the side of Jack's head. Pitch stands completely still as he watches his Nightmare slam her hoof into Jack. Her master was being threatened. She was merely protecting him.]

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Jack doesn't actually know what hits him - one second he's furious at Pitch, then there's a hiss, and an angry whinny, and then his vision explodes with stars and he shouts and hits the ground. He lays there stunned for a moment - his head's pounding with a sharp pain like somebody drove a nail through it, and he feels something wet that's probably blood on his temple. Then he realizes the Nightmare's rearing over him and he has to roll to avoid sharp black hooves coming down on his ribs.

He rolls to his feet, sending a bolt of lightning flying at the Nightmare. ] That was totally cheating!

[kingofnightmares]

[That Nightmare slams her hooves down on the ground, baring her teeth at him as her nostrils flare. Pitch tilts his head back to look down his nose at the frost spirit, frowning.]

You were the one threatening me, Frost. That staff of yours was so dangerously close, after all. One shot of your ice blast, and who knows what would have happened. It was in defense.

[He reaches into his robe to pull out a pink slip, tossing it to him. Pitch watches as the slip floats down over by Jack's feet.]

You'll enjoy detention, however.

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ He wants to make a retort - or an attack - or something, his temper's still off the charts, but it's slightly dampened by the blow to his head which - damn, it hurts. He reaches up to touch it, and he winces, coming away with blood on his fingers.

Not here. Not now.

Frustrated, he climbs unsteadily to his feet, picking up the slip and smearing blood on it in the process. He crumples it in his fist. ]

Fine. That's just fine. But remember - [ He jabs a finger at Pitch. ] - you're not gonna be able to hide under this ruse forever. I'm gonna find out what you're really after.

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch chuckles, his hands folded behind his back.]

Of course you will. [He says, as if agreeing with a smile child who wished to be president. Pitch smiles wider before he pats his Nightmare's head and turns towards the nearest bunch of shadows. He lifted a hand.]

Good luck with classes.

[And then, the Nightmare and himself, disappeared into the darkness, the echo of Pitch's chuckling left in their wake and slowly fading off as well.]