001

[dooms_bride]

[Katherine's still not sure what she's getting herself into--teaching fashion design at a fighting school. A very bizarre fighting school at that. She doesn't even know what to make of it yet. There is a very slight twinge of nervousness in the midst of her otherwise confident demeanor.

The video clicks on and she appears to be sitting outside.]

Good afternoon, faculty and students. My name is Katherine McBride and I am a new teacher here. I will be teaching a fashion design class and if anyone has questions about it, please don't hesitate to ask.

[She smiles—it’s forced, but it’s the best she can do for how awkward she feels! This camera thing is going to take some getting used to. Heck—this place is going to take some getting used to!]

In the meantime, could I trouble anyone to show me around? I just arrived here not too long ago.

[She's totally not lost. Well... okay. Maybe she is a little.]

It would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[And with that, the feed ends.]

Comments

[monotreme_101]

[It's OK he is used to it by now - Humans are kind of predictable like that.]

You'd probably get along great with my buddy Miss Sable. She's the Home Ec teacher n she's always sewing something. She made everyone a scarf for Christmas.

But yeah, I'd be happy enough to show you around. When would you want me to do that?

[dooms_bride]

[She wants so bad to ask what you are, Knuckles. But she's refraining for now.]

Oh really? Hmm. I will have to make it a point to meet her soon.

And anytime would be fine. [She's kinda lost now.]

[monotreme_101]

She spends a lot of time in her class, and also has an apartment in town. She's about four feet tall and a Hedgehog, so, easy to spot.

Well, I got some time spare right now if you're free. Where are you at?

[dooms_bride]

[What.]

Oh... [A hedgehog who sews. She's not sure that she can wrap her brain around that.] She must be.

Yeah, I'm free right now. And again, thank you. I really do appreciate your time.

[She glances away from the camera for a moment to look around. She's long since moved inside one of the buildings.]

... I'm assuming this is the cafeteria. [But there was a large bear in there and she had been hesitant to go inside.]

[monotreme_101]

Oh, OK! Cafeteria it is. Gimme like five minutes - I'm using the common room computer at the moment.

[Doop doop five minutes or so pass and he's good to his word. About four feet tall, wearing the school uniform except for his gloves and colorful shoes.]

Hey! It was Katherine, right? Or do you prefer Miss McBride?

[dooms_bride]

Alright. See you soon.

[She waits patiently outside the cafeteria, looking around every so often. And then lo and behold--there he is. So small. And so red.]

Hey Knuckles.

[It feels strange having to look down at him. Then again, just seeing something like him existing is pretty strange too.]

And yes--Katherine is fine.

[monotreme_101]

OK! Katherine it is!

[He extends a hand to be shaken.]

Was there anywhere in particular you wanna see? You found the Cafeteria alright which is a good thing bein' no-one should have to teach here on an empty stomach, Haha! Nancy's real great by the way - just be polite and nice to him and he'll give you extra if you ask.

[dooms_bride]

[She reaches down to shake his hand. Strange or not, at least he seems nice enough.]

Not really in particular--just a quick run-through of this place would be nice. I can probably manage on my own if I have a general knowledge of where everything is.

[She blinks and tilts her head.]

Nancy? [That couldn't have been the bear... right?]

[monotreme_101]

Yeah, Nancy! Y'know? The bear in there.

[He released her hand to jerk a thumb at the cafeteria doors.]

Technically, he's an Ursaring which is a kind of Pokemon, but most folks just call him the LUnchbear and he don't seem to mind.

[He started walking, gesturing for her to follow.]

Well, you already know where the admin buildings are if you're a teacher. You can see boys n girls dorms over there. Oh! Lemme show you the gym and weight room and stuff.

[dooms_bride]

[Hold on a minute, Knuckles. Katherine's in the middle of bewilderment. She glances back at the cafeteria before slowly beginning to follow him.]

...Pokemon? [What is a Pokemon? She's sure she's heard of it before, but... Are all Pokemon strange looking bears?]

I see. That's--yeah. [Whatever. It doesn't really matter, does it? She can ask questions later. Time to just... move on.]

Yes. Show me the gym. [Because what could possibly be strange about that?]

[monotreme_101]

It's over this way.

[He's setting a brisk pace, but not too fast.]

Oh. Pokemon... I guess you're not familiar with 'em? Basically, they're a kind of non-human animal that has special powers. Some can make fire, some can control plants, some can make electricity. All different kinds of things. In their Pokemon form they usually can't talk like you n me, but they're just as smart as any other sentient species. There's a LOT of them here, so, it's somethin' you'll get used to real quick.

[dooms_bride]

No, I'm not. This is the first time that I've ever heard of animals with those capabilities. But then I'm finding that this place is... a lot different than what I'm used to...

[She picks up her pace to keep up with him.]

Not that it's a bad thing. [Or she hopes that it won't be a bad thing.]

[monotreme_101]

Well, there's lots of folks here with unique fighting abilities. Not just Pokemon, either. You'll get used to it quick enough, let me tell you - Once you start seeing this stuff every day? It's gonna become routine.

[He smiles at her as reassuringly as he can.]

Anyhow, while we're goin' past it - that's the track field and over there's the swimming pool. You can use either one any time of day. Pool's not heated or anything so, be careful this time of year. It's chilly.

[dooms_bride]

Yeah. You're right--I'm sure that I will.

[She smiles back, glancing over toward the track field.]

I'll keep that in mind--though I can't imagine who would want to go swimming in this weather.

[monotreme_101]

Well, I do. It's a part of my workout routine and I don't mind the cold so much. I do a lot of other things and swimming isn't super high on my list of training pursuits, but I take a dip at least once or twice a week and swim some laps.

[A large building looms ahead.]

That's the Gym itself - so, you got your general athletic equipment, basketball setup, sandbags and combat based training equipment. All that stuff. That one door there that's down those stairs? That's the weight room. Never try using the equipment in there without a spotter, though.

[dooms_bride]

Oh, well... So long as you don't get sick.

[Yeeeah. She probably won't be frequenting the weight room.]

It sounds like you do a lot of working out.

[monotreme_101]

Haha! Nah - you're talkin' to the guy who runs around in the snow in T'shirt n shorts! A little cool water ain't no thing.

[The Gym is passing them by and he turns left. Might as well show her the science wing and Library and all those other smart-people places.]

I do. I spend at least five hours a day working out, if not more. Sometimes upward of ten if I'm REALLY feeling it. Y'know how you kinda get into The Zone with it sometimes? Depends though. I gotta make sure it doesn't get to the poiint where I neglect my friends or girlfriend or homework or whatever.

[dooms_bride]

I guess not if you're so used to it.

[She's just gonna keep following him--looking around all the while to familiarize herself with everything.]

That's good though. At least you don't overdo it. [Unlike someone she knew who had the tendency to go to the bar every night...]

[monotreme_101]

Well, everything in moderation n all. There's only twenty four hours in the day and even though I don't need much sleep, I have a lot to do. [He's often at the bar too - his excuse is that he works there. Unlike Vincent.]

[Woosh - his finger points.]

There's the Science wing! All your typical science classes are taught there. Physics, chemistry, all that stuff. You also have some labs set up for student use. Lots of scientists and real brainy folks studyin' here.

[dooms_bride]

I can definitely relate.

[You and Vince should be friends, Knuckles... he could use some positive influences in his life.

She looks toward the science buildings.]

Mm... I can well imagine. What kind of classes are you taking?

[monotreme_101]

I'm sure you can - be prepared to relate even more. Compared to most places, the Academy can get crazy-busy.

[He and Vince have chatted - Vincent turned him onto Pineapple infused Vodka, so, it's more likely to work the OPPOSITE way, apparently.]

Me? I take Piloting, Autoshop, Sex-Ed, Swordfighting... uhh.... Oh! Dance, Msrtial Arts, Smash Fundamentals, Demolitions and Phys-Eed. Just so you know, as a teacher, you can sit in on other teacher's classes when you aren't busy yourself, so, if a subject interests you, you should come check it out.

[dooms_bride]

[Ugh. Yeah. That isn't overly surprising. Vincent does have that way about him.]

Jeez. You are busy. That's quite a number of classes.

[And some strange ones that she's never even heard of before. Not that she's surprised anymore.]

I'll have to do that sometime.

[monotreme_101]

[He seems like such a nice guy though!]

See, I'm clever about it though. A lot of 'em use similar concepts and ideas and are things I already have experience in so it's easy for me to maintain the work-load. I used to take a lot of academic classes too - History, Creative Writing, Experimental Psychology, Biology... But now that I've graduated High School, I can concentrate more on Combat classes.

I definitely recommend checking out any class Ganondorf teaches. Sex-Ed and Swordfighting. He's a great buddy of mine - he used to be a student here when I first arrived. Piloting is great too if you like to fly or have an interest in different flying vehicles. Goose is a good teacher and also one of the Security staff.

[....sorry Katherine. Knuckles knows almost everyone. Listen to him blah blah blah.]

[dooms_bride]

[That's alright, Knuckles. It's nice to hear someone talk about this place with so much enthusiasm.]

I will make it a point to sit in on one of their classes whenever I get the chance.

[She'll be busy with her own class for a while...]

You really seem to enjoy it here.