smashacademy | 1st Report // Video

[ In one of the student activities rooms, the video feed opens to a very pleasant smile. The young lady carefully places the device down and steadies it just right before clasping her hands behind her back and taking a few steps backwards so that she's seen properly from waist up. There's a very feminine and harmless look to her. ]

Hello students and staff of Smash Academy. My name is Miss Caroline and I come to your lovely school as a representative of Aperture Science Innovators. I am honored to announce that I will be joining the faculty as your new choir teacher.

[ Formal intro over, she relaxes a little and clasps her hands in front of her with a loud clap. ]

Now, you may be wondering how choir could possibly aid you as a combatant. Besides a new appreciation for music and the human instrument, you will leave my class with a better understanding of breathing and breath control. Proper breathing in combination with core muscle control should help you stretch the length of and make the most of every breath you take in the arena. Singing can also be very relaxing and may help you relieve stress and aid your concentration in other areas of your academics.

[ That said, Caroline slips from the frame and soon comes back in with a vinyl record and a small shy grin. ]

Of course, I would love to demonstrate for all of you my own ability. I present to you 'Lascia Ch'io Pianga.' Please, enjoy.

[ She's gone from the frame for just long enough to place the record and start the player. When the song begins, Caroline takes a deep breath before filling the room with a sweet and gentle voice. It's a simple and short song, yet still shows great skill. Once the song ends, she offers the camera a smile and takes a few steps forward. ]

An official class time hasn't been decided on just yet, but I hope you will consider it. Oh, and I would like to offer myself as a math and science tutor as well, if you find you need a little help. I look forward to meeting all of you and thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ When she turns to GLaDOS, that's when Caroline spots it. Oh, she must have missed it in the midst of her excitement, or Caroline had just become accustomed to tuning out lab coats, but there on the teacher's chest was a strangely familiar logo. ]

[ Caroline narrowed her eyes slightly at it and then cast them towards GLaDOS with a studying gaze. ]

On my first trip here, I spotted a young woman wearing a similar logo on her chest. She refused to tell me who gave it to her but maybe you can enlighten me on who may be plagiarizing ASI's name here. I sincerely hope it's not you, Ms. Glados. We take high offense to copyright infringement.

[ Where had that happy, sweet and sickeningly polite woman gone? ]

Edited 2012-05-29 17:56 (UTC)

[She raised an eyebrow and then remember the Aperture issue lab coat this...lovely school had provided her. While it was nice at the time, it has proven to be quite..annoying here.]

I am well aware of the Aperture Laboratories protocol, Ms. Caroline. But, this isn't an infringement, since I am an Aperture Science employee.

[Well...more like she ran the place, but Caroline doesn't need to know that.]

A future employee, judging by your timeline.

[ An eyebrow raises at that before looking at the computer and then back to GLaDOS. Her questioning look is again replaced by a much more excited expression. ]

Wonderful! [ Up goes her clipboard for notes, but obviously no longer about the computer. ]

As an employee, do you have any knowledge of Aperture involvement here on this campus?

[GLaDOS' own eyebrow will go back up once again at that.]

I was not aware of any involvement. What does Mr. Johnson have in store?

One can only guess. [ She's practically giddy as she begins writing on her notepad. ]

So, as an employee, you have no recollection of any history between Aperture and this dimension before your own personal involvement? That proves either this endeavor was a failed attempt by Mr. Johnson and myself and we left it alone until your new involvement. Or! We may be experiencing a moment where two individuals from different times are interacting-perhaps even creating two new time lines and therefore two new universes simultaneously with new histories!

[ She looks up for a moment and just takes a deep breath and smiles before going back to writing furiously. ]

This is truly, truly amazing. I need to make a note to be careful of any possible other mes. We wouldn't want a horrible time paradox.

I can't say that I have. That being said, I believe the second option is a more plausible outcome than the first. The main reason being...this wasn't really a choice of Aperture Science. It's not as if we had planned to return here. Rather, I was brought here against my will.

[She sighs.]

I'd much rather get back to the facility, but it seems I am stuck here. Still, I am a scientist after all, wouldn't be a good one if didn't I explore what I have been given here. Research, experimentation, testing, and the like. You know how it is.

[At the mention of other Carolines, GLaDOS' back stiffened. That's...that's right. Mr. Johnson thought that if you looked at another you in the eyes, it could wipe out time. Forwards and back.]

Yes...you're right, of course. Imagine that, though. Meeting a future you.

Oh? While we hadn't intended to make a portal to this dimension, the development of the quantum tunneling device created a portal here. I have a device that reopens the portal when I need to go back and attend to my work there. Perhaps we could see what would happen if you were to follow me back.

[ She rests her clipboard on her lap and rests her cheek in her hand. ] I'm sure the labs aren't as glorious as the ones you're used to. What is Aperture like in your time?

No. No, that won't be necessary. We aren't sure of what could happen if someone from the future entered the past. It's better if I stay here.

[She lets out a sigh. Why is this happening to her? She'll just...take a swig of her coffee to calm her down. Yeah.]

Aperture itself is very successful in the future. You'll find my time period is a lot further than yours...at least sixty years, give or take.

[ She straightened at that, the fact sinking in. ]

I suppose it would be dangerous to ask about the health status of Mr. Johnson and myself then.

[ It's painful clear that she'd like to know, even if she's aware of the dangers of knowing about one's own mortality. ]

Edited 2012-05-30 10:15 (UTC)

Correct. Knowing about your future selves could damage the future in extreme ways. [GLaDOS might not even exist.] It might even affect what happens to Aperture.

I think it would be better if I kept all that under wraps. For all of us.

But. If you were the first here, but don't suddenly recall a long history of Aperture and Smash alliance, then there's a good chance that the two of us aren't from the same timeline. If we're from different time lines and therefore other parallel universes, then there's really no danger here.

It's entirely possible however, that our worlds may be the same, minus the Smash Academy alliance you have. Meaning, it may still be dangerous to speak of your future.

It is not worth the risk.

No.. I suppose not.

[ She offers a small sigh and all of a sudden, the computers just aren't as interesting anymore. Still, Caroline turns and refocuses in what it was she came here for. ]

Whatever the future is, I know it's bright for us.

[GLaDOS doesn't say anything for a while, but she does nod. Afterwards, a few minutes passes, before she decides to say anything.]

Shall we continue on with the lesson?

Yes, sorry for getting so distracted.

[ As promised, Caroline is a very fast learner, picking up the basics of computer use and care with few questions. Despite the awkwardness from before, the act of learning helps brighten her mood. ]

[She pauses for a bit, trying to clear her head. In fact, she barely notices Caroline spoke.][And so, she'll give Caroline the basics, how to start a computer and turn it off, how to search, what programs do, how to use the internet, etc. A few hours have passed mostly likely, since they started.]

There. That should cover some of the base material. For now.

1st Report // Video

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[ACTION] There's something poetic in GLaDOS teaching Caroline computers...

[ACTION] So beautifully ironic.