dis_acdmy_log | Opening Ceremony!

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Opening Ceremony!

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.))

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[For just a moment, Aisling stops on her way to the doors to glance at the strange creature. She feels a prickle of curiosity--the creature has more papers than she has--but no, she needs to find her way to somewhere more comfortable.]

[One of his ears flicks toward her, and he glances up in surprise. He was under the impression that the students would be older. Her ghost-white appearance is a little startling too, but.. something tells him that she isn't a normal little girl.

He folds the papers and tucks them in his sleeve. Feeling a similar pique in curiosity, he decides to follow her to the doors.]

Are you looking for something?

[Aisling spins, not at all expecting to have anyone follow her.]

Yes. A place to stay in the boh-tan...in the gardens. [She tilts her head.] What're you?

The botanical gardens? [He 'hm's quietly to himself and pulls out the map from his sleeve.]

I doubt they'd let you stay there... but yes, I can take you.

[He leads the way, using his staff as a walking stick. He doesn't look back as he answers her question.]

I am a red panda. My name is Shifu.

Yes, that. I don't care if they let me, I'll stay there anyway. It sounds better than the dorm-place. [She sounds matter-of-fact rather than downright nasty about it, though.]

...I'm...I'm Aisling. [She isn't used to introducing herself.]

[She scrambles on all fours behind him.] I haven't heard of red pandas before. I don't think they're in Ireland.

[He raises a brow. She's pretty independent, but considering the circumstances for why they're brought there, that's not the best thing.]
Really? Well, whether you like it or not, the dorms will be a safer option when the Mist comes through. We can't look out for you if you're by yourself.

[He tries to hide how shocked he is when she crawls like that. Yeah, definitely NOT a normal little girl. Between her wanting to live in the gardens and walk like an animal, he's starting to piece together an understanding of the wild child.]

No, I don't think we are. I'm from the Land of Dragons.

[Pause. He does have a point...] Yeah. But I can stay in the gardens when it isn't here. I don't need looking after, I never did in my forest.

I've heard of dragons, but not an entire land named after them. [She giggles at the look on his face.] Animals can't talk like this in Ireland, either, or usually walk on two legs.

I see.. But you know, this academy is here to help you. These are dark times, and we should be working together.. I only ask that you try.

[He sighs bemusedly at that. That's the biggest culture shock he's had to deal with so far.] It seems that most animals don't.. I never realized we were so uncommon!

[Oh hey, remember those gardens? They aren't far up ahead.] Ah, here we are.

Hmmph. I guess.

I could understand you even if you couldn't. I'm a wolf sometimes.

[Aisling looks at it, brow furrowing. It's not just a space of grass, like she expected, but a massive dome of glass with plants inside of it. She's never seen a greenhouse before.]

Sometimes..? How is that possible?

[He's never heard of someone being both animal and human, but then again.. nothing is impossible, right? Species confusion or not, he uses the crooked end of his staff to open the door for her. A warm, aromatic breeze brushes past them. He peers inside but doesn't yet enter, instead waiting for Aisling.

He's never seen a building like this either. While he's not used to the idea of nature being contained in glass, it is beautiful, nonetheless. He may just have to visit again, sometime.]

Magic.

[Aisling sounds smug, and to demonstrate, she changes.]

[She nods her large head to him and prowls inside. How bizarre it is, but it smells wonderful! She starts to wander on the edge of the path.]

[He steps back, reflexively tightening his grip on his staff as the striped fur of his tail suddenly puffs up in surprise. He catches himself almost as quickly as he had been startled, trying to compose himself back into a state of calm..

Magic was not unheard of. It was like the human population- he was aware of it, but it was rarely seen. Only now that he'd left the Valley did he realize the abundance of both.

He follows her inside, releasing an exhale he didn't realize he'd been holding. He watches Aisling for a moment, further working out his understanding. Magic. Forest. And apparently, alone.]

[Was that a laugh? Nah. Wolves can't. Right?]

[There are trees in here. Some smell familiar, some do not. She runs down a path and then starts playfully rolling in some clovers beneath--is that a weeping willow?.]

[His ear ticks. Alright, that laughter may have been justified. He's just glad it was around her, rather than any of his peers..]

[He smiles while she bounds through the plants, thankful that it's meeting her standards. He's probably supposed to escort her back to the dorms, but this isn't hurting anybody. As long as he can get to her before the school's defenses go up during a lockdown, she'll be fine.

Amidst her playing, he decides to do a bit of showing off himself. He steps behind a nearby pine, and instantly seems to reappear from behind the willow.]

Have you considered what classes you'll be taking?

[If you'd like--but the establishment never actually gave her a room assignment. She'll just head back later.]

[What. Aisling's ears shoot up--she's never seen anyone unlike her do that before. She shifts back and leaps towards the pine, landing in front of Shifu in a crouch.]

Only what I need to. I'm here to beat the Mist. How did you do that?

[He chuckles softly to himself.]

Unlike you, I don't have any magical abilities. But anything is possible with hard work- [He flips back into a nearby bush, creating only the quiet tuft as he vanishes into it. And suddenly he's behind her.]

-And dedication. I will be teaching the Kung Fu class here at the academy.

[She whirls, looking surprised and delighted.] You can't fool me. It has to be magic.

Kung Fu. I haven't heard of it... [She looks at him and the greenery around them, considering.] I think I could learn it.

[He shakes his head.] It is merely a matter of speed and balance.

Kung Fu means "excellence of self", though for us, it will be about perfecting your physical abilities. [He nods, smiling.] I think you could.

[He gives her a small half-bow before he takes up his staff and turns for the door.] I expect to see you once training begins. If you need anything, I will be in the Joe West building.

I'm good at speed and balance! And I'm strong, even when I'm not a wolf. Aisling scrambles lightly up the trunk of the willow and perches there, smiling a little.]

...Alright. Your class sounds like the most useful so far, Shifu. [She nods to him.]

[Shifu smiles and nods back, adding nothing more. He leaves with a blossoming optimism.
He hasn't been this excited to teach in ages.]

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Opening Ceremony!

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