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

Pitch Black | OTA

[kingofnightmares]

[The ceremony was amusing to say the least. Pitch was there for it, in the very back of the room. He wasn't one for being out in the crowd, directly at least. Plus, with all these festive colors around, Pitch stood out like a sore thumb with his monochrome being and matching attire.

Mickey was an interesting character to say the least. A talking mouse didn't bother him too much. He knew a talking rabbit. Mickey just a different rodent. And smaller. And far more cheerful. But his demeanor was a curious one to the embodiment of fear.

Pitch could be seen walking around the parameter of the room. And you know what you might also see? Some black sand rising from his feet behind him. The sand hisses and twirls, forming into a horse. That's right. A horse. Pitch smiles at those he passes, un-phased about the horse trotting behind him. Might as well make an impression.

The Boogeyman was not to be messed with.]

[shepherdofthefrost]

[ Pitch is keeping well out of the way of the biggest portion of activity in the room, and Jack isn't even expecting him anyway, so it's a while before he ducks out of the crowd and happens to notice the Boogeyman pacing the edge of the room out of the corner of his eye. He starts, stares, and then narrows his eyes.

The last time Jack saw Pitch was when the hole in the earth closed over him and his swarm of Nightmares. Seeing him here, now, with one of them pacing behind him and apparently under control is a shock, and his caution levels ratchet all the way up to "danger in the room" in about three seconds.

Moments later, the Boogeyman will hear a voice addressing him from behind. ]

Okay, who invited you to the party, and what were they smoking when they did it?

[ The question starts out jovial enough, but the last half of the sentence is punctuated with terse, harsh tones and a dangerous twirl of his staff as Jack takes a couple of steps forward. ]

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch stops his pacing and his eyes widen at the sound of that oh-so-familiar voice. The sand on his Nightmare ripples and her ears fold back against her head. But soon Pitch recollects himself and the two of them turn to address The Guardian of Fun.]

Jack Frost. [His mouth turns into a crooked scowl] What a surprise to see you here.

[Pitch crosses his arms and soon smiles. Calm and relaxed, as seen in his slumping shoulders while his Nightmare looks off elsewhere.]

I work security here, along with some other duties. [The spirit wouldn't explain his other duties. Jack would retalliate, if anything. He takes out the invitation from the folds of his cloak, pointing to the mouse symbol on it.] Invited by the mouse himself.

[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?

[illuminaria]

[ Backing up, backing up, backing up into the wa---that is not a wall. Oops. ]

Wow, gosh, I---

[ She turns around and yikes this guy. Tall dark and creepy. ]

I-I'm really sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going.

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch flinches as someone walks into him. He wasn't expecting anyone to do that. He also never had physical contact with anyone else in quite some time. It was jarring to the spirit but he slowly turns and looks down at the.... very long haired girl. Bright. Blond hair.

He almost squints at the hair before turning his gaze down at her. He quirks a brow, folding his hands behind his back.]

Is something the matter?

[From her position, it looks as though she was walking back and away from the main area of the room.]

[aislingoftheforest]

[Dark monochrome guy, meet light monochrome girl. Or don't, because she waits until you and the horse-thing walk past the doors to start heading toward them. Something about you makes her feel wary, like a doe barely catching the scent of a wolf on the wind.]

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch could feel someone following him, but chose not to acknowledge it, fro now. Pitch knew when someone was sneaking around. He did it himself after all, for millions of years.

But he folds his hands behind his back and rolls his shoulders. He takes in deep breath and exhales through his nostrils, smiling.]

Did you need help, child?

[aislingoftheforest]

[She freezes for a moment before answering bluntly:] No.

...Unless you can bring me to the boh-tan-ikal garden.

[kingofnightmares]

I can point you in the right direction.

[Pitch said as he pointed a bony finger towards the nearest door.]

Down the hall, third right, and then a left. You should find it just out there.

[aislingoftheforest]

Alright.

[She doesn't leave right off, though.]

...That horse is very strange. What kind of magic are you?

[la_plus_belle]

[To say the people here at the Academy were some of the most unique Belle had seen wouldn't be a far-fetched statement, even considering her brief time within the Beast's castle. If anything, the man and his mysterious horse only served to prove that statement true.

She takes her several long moments to watch him meander on the outer edges; it's only after several minutes that she works up the courage to actualy approach him.]

Would you mind if I asked how you did that?

[She gestures to the dark creature, unsure of whether she should be awed by the intricate form or wary of it.]

[kingofnightmares]

[Pitch turns his gaze towards Belle and quirks a brow. She wasn't intimidated by it? He looks between her and the Nightmare before his gaze rests back on her. It wasn't too often that people were curious about the Nightmares. If anything, they'd be wary around them.

Pitch clears his throat however and smiles pleasantly. Good impressions were important, especially to those who didn't know his reputation quite yet.]

I have an innate ability to do so, Miss. [He says as he gestures to it.] I can make quite a few of them, which is why I'm using them for Security around the Academy.

[la_plus_belle]

[Considering the horse isn't some temperamental, controlling beast, it seems less threatening than what she has already experienced; however, that doesn't mean she won't err on the side of caution.]

So you're part of the Security Team. I was beginning to wonder when I'd see someone on it.

[Thus far, most everyone she met had been students, save for perhaps one other teacher; needless to say, it isn't surprising she had initially thought the man to possibly be an academic colleague.

Her gaze flickers over to the horse again; though she doesn't approach it out of both polite respect and caution, she does take her time looking it over.]

It is absolutely stunning; I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.

[kingofnightmares]

[Well, Pitch is taken aback, smiling a little. She actually liked the Nightmare? He reaches a hand up to pat the Nightmare's neck proudly. The Nightmare stares at Belle, sniffing the air before she approaches the teacher.

Pitch watched with fascination. No determination was in the Nightmare's gaze, no intent. There was no fear within the woman. But he let the Nightmare approach Belle, curious to see what she'd do.]

Why thank you. She, along with her sisters, will be patrolling the campus grounds at night. They report to me directly.

[la_plus_belle]

[Though Belle doesn't approach the Nightmare in turn, she doesn't back away either. Instead, she extends her palm for the horse-like creature to sniff, as if it were a normal horse; frankly, Belle isn't sure what else to do, and it seems like the logical move.]

I'm sure they'll prove invaluable, especially as more people come in. I get the feeling we won't be this small in the future.

[kingofnightmares]

With this Mist being such a problem, I'm sure this Academy will grow tenfold within a few months.

[He says as he watches, amused as the Nightmare sniffs at her hand warily, her sandy tail flicking. Pitch places a hand against]

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Pitch Black.

[la_plus_belle]

My thoughts exactly.

[Belle makes sure to make no sudden movements, as to not startle the creature. She does, however, offer a friendly smile to the man.]

Enchanté, Monsieur Black. My name is Belle.