[ By some small miracle, the young man on the screen before you has somehow managed to activate the video feed. Accidental or not is uncertain, but he's aware it's running and a face drawn to white suggests he isn't doing so well. He's still in the clothing he arrived in: red vest with a small gold badge (whatever could that be?) pinned to his left collar, bright aqua tie and a white dress shirt.

It's obvious he's in his dorm room by the bed behind where he is seated, as well as the new flavor of walls and doors that the areas have all adopted since the flood.

His bottom lip moves, words trying to exit from a shifting throat, and amongst the hundred other things he must be thinking about now, he ponders on two: If anyone is out there to hear him, and - ]


Giant... hands...

[ooc: Oops! Editing to mention that I like the format in AA where thoughts land themselves in parentheses. Apollo does this often enough where I want it to flow properly, so if you see them, he's thinking. Thanks!]

This place doesn't look at all like it did when I left... I mean, the only other time I was here was a week ago and it was soaking wet, but still...

This new place sucks. So much metal everywhere. Metal is a weapon, not a place to live.

[ someone's irritable and in withdrawal from lollipops ]

I can't stop shaking. I need to lay off the sugar.

[On the screen you will see a well-groomed boy with the most unorthodox hair texture you have ever seen. Seaweed? Tentacles? Noodles? You're grasping for a way to describe it, but can't seem to figure out how it's supposed to qualify as hair. He is sitting at his desk with poise, ready to greet the recipients of this video graciously.]

Good evening. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Cress, and I will be attending Smash Academy with the sophomores this coming fall. It is a sincere pleasure meeting so many fresh faces before the term starts.

I come from Striaton City in Unova, where I upheld the position of gym leader with my siblings. As they content themselves with specializing in fire and grass types, magnificent water types are my preference. Despite the responsibility expected of such a position, there is still much room for improvement on my part. Nonetheless, I assure you will find Cress to be the most formidable challenge of us three. While studying abroad, I aspire to enrich myself with brand new experiences during my stay. Already there have been quite a few...

[He just lets that statement trail off into nothing. This isn't the place he would particularly like to talk about it. Luckily, he doesn't have to say a word.]

Some of you may also be acquainted with my hot-headed brother, Chili. If his attitude has gotten out of hand around you, allow me to apologize for him. He tends to be easy to 'ignite', I think is a good way to put it. [His smile has changed from cordial to amused.] He can't seem to help it sometimes.

Well, that should be enough of an introduction. I could always complain about the... changes made to the interior design of this place, but we've all had quite enough of that across the network, I'm sure. Why, it's clogged full of complaints! [You only get a peek at just how vitriolic his feelings toward Aperture High are. It sounds like he took a bite out of a bitter apple when he talks about it. He's hiding a whole bushel full of them behind his voice.]