Annual Giftman has come and gone. And he has left some gifts for a few people. But because Duster has no friends (wow I am a terrible player) they are very few indeed.

( Kuma, Flint, Band students, SECRET SANTEE R.O.B. )

I know I'm normally just the band teacher, but I wondered if anyone here might be interested in a special class on "breakdancing."

If there were enough interest, I think I might be able to do a beginner's introduction to breaking, just to teach people some of the basic downrock and power move forms.

It would help if you have some gymnastics experience, but anyone with good upper body strength can pick it up. It's a lot of fun and a good workout.

If somebody can show me how to post a video... or record a video... with one of these computers, I could post a video of me breaking.

[EDIT, after Kuma shows Duster how to upload a video of himself to the school's intertubes]:
This is totally a video of Duster.

[ 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.

After seeing all the entries on the network, I thought I would take a look at the list myself... wouldn't you know it, looks like I'm entered in the "miss" contest.

Unlike most of you, I have a pretty good idea who entered me, but you know what? As long as I have to, I'm gonna give it my all! Who's with me?

No really, who's with me? I have no idea where to start.

[The image at first points to the floor as it blinks to life, before swinging around to point at the wall. It’s then covered completely by a pale hand, which continues to manipulate the camera with no particular objective. Apparently, one of the fingers on said hand accidentally pressed the ‘on’ button on the camera, and the owner of that finger has no idea he’s turned it on.

Briefly, the image passes a stone-faced youth with killer sideburns and a slick hat, but almost immediately passes by to point at the other wall.]

Oooh, is it a camera? [A small, female voice chimes excitedly, and the image once again swings up to the youth’s face. The source of the previous voice is a tiny winged woman hovering just behind the young man’s shoulder, excitement painted on her face in contrast to the complete lack of emotion of the human’s.]

It’s too small to be a camera. [Which just gets a pout from the Pixie.]

Maybe that's what cameras look like in the future.

[Ignoring her, the young man studies the camera a bit more before speaking directly to it.]

I was informed that I can keep in contact with others with this... contraption. If anyone can indeed hear me, I am Raidou Kuzunoha the 14th. It's a pleasure to meet you. [His tone remains flat as he says the words, almost as if they were rehearsed. Though he would feel a bit silly if he was just talking to a box, he would trust the words of those who gave him the item. If all else failed, he could just sell the thing.]

( This might get long.. Also, it could be contrived as gory. Read at your own discretion. )


[OoC Notes!

Long story short: Caim killed the Kraken and pretty much displayed his killing by leaving pieces of it everywhere for people to find. So the dormitory halls, the classroom halls, the unlocked classrooms, the cafeteria, the bathrooms? Yeah. They all have at least something, even if it's really small. If you skimmed the narrative (which I wouldn't blame you for), then just note that the head of the Kraken can be found put on display in front of the main office for the Hands.

For those who did read the narrative, Caim's reference to the Seed of Destruction can be seen here. It might be a bit spoileriffic for anyone who doesn't want to know, so don't click it if you're trying to avoid everything. (Also, it's a bit graphic and not for the faint of heart, I suppose.) This is one of the last things Caim actually saw before he came to the academy. /useful tidbits of information

Also, for those who don't know who the Kraken is, you can take a look at this here, which I used to reference a lot of stuff in this narrative.

For those who may wish to confront Caim (as he didn't go in disguise for this) once they've discovered it's him (or if they've known all along), you can either contact me about it, or form up a mob (as I'm sure more than one person would like to give Caim his just desserts). I'd be happy to work with anything as long as I know beforehand.

Additional Notes:
I understand this may come as a shock to a lot of characters (and possibly players). If you have any issues with it or questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can leave a note on my HMD, or send me a PM, or contact me over AIM (afkmkdirarf).]

Meryl is handing out bags of candy to anyone who walks into the armory early this week. Feel free to handwave this, and anyone who had some CR with her, but not enough to warrant anything, is probably getting this as well.

( Duster )

( Leon )

( Miller )

[Seeing as how Sable was going to return home not only for the holidays (and to celebrate her 27th birthday my god Sable you're getting old), but also to help Mabel out with the holiday rush at their tailor shop, she sends out her gifts earlier than usual, just before she leaves.]

( Everybody gets a present! )

[Despite saying he was going to be gone for a day, he was actually gone for two nights and almost three days. He walked back into school almost as if nothing had happened. Battered brown leather jacket done up despite the days lingering warmth, scuffed gym bag over his shoulder and a five oclock shadow that looked more like seven fifteen. He looked tired and drawn, and there was no spring in his step. More a determination to get to his dorm and crash. Get in a good ten, twelve hours rest.

It wouldn't have been an unfamiliar sight to anyone who knew him from Capcom. The full moon had done what it did every month, though, the largest, brightest full moon of the year always had a more pronounced effect. And he'd done what he could to fight it - that was to run. Tire himself out as completely as he was able. Get as far away from people as he possibly could and just let the whole thing run it's course. If you'd been anywhere near the mountains at night, you may have heard a long, drawn out howl or two. He always enjoyed yelling at the moon when it was bright in the sky.

And now, he was back. Danger averted, a few bumps and scrapes but no mortal injuries, a warm meal to be had in all probablility and a warm bed to sink into at some point sooner rather than later.

Bliss.

Of course, there was that walk from the school gates TO the dorms. He preferred not to think about it and it's dangers.]

[Hey, who's this guy on the network? He's got the look and feel of some kind of big-shot celebrity. Maybe he is, somewhere, in some time period. He's known well enough to the Capcom kids, anyway.

Probably.

Behold! He speaks!]

Hey, Smash Academy. Name's Frank West. I'm the new photography teacher. You might recognize me as one of the reporters who hung around after that alien invasion back in '09. Just because I transfered over from Capcom doesn't mean I want any trouble, got it?