[Action, open, Arena Training Facilities]

[It's Monday afternoon, and anyone who booked time in the Arena for training might find their time slot bookended by, of all people, the... new science teacher?]

[...and he doesn't seem to be doing too badly. In a strange set of orange armor, unloading simulated ammo into his vector-based AI attackers from weapons he draws from a hatch in the back. Unfortunately the battles he's used to are not the same as arena combat. The stages are too open. He's receiving about as much damage as he's dishing out.]

[Action, open, Science Laboratory]



[It's Tuesday morning, and for some reason Gordon isn't in class. If any student or teacher comes down to investigate they'll find out why: The blackboard in the lower labs filled with equations, diagrams, clusters of arrows pointing everywhere. Columns of numbers run along the left side, coordinates it seems, five or six at a time boxed and bearing legends like "high probability" and "not even Earth--too far removed." and "possible Xen relay signature. INVESTIGATE!" Books and manuscripts litter the lab table with titles like "Tensor analysis of dimensional cross-membrane resonances in string-based space." and "Orbifold-manifest solutions in ten-dimensional space." It seems to take a genius to even understand them.]

[Said genius is, by the way, draped over the lab table, sound asleep.]

[GLaDOS doesn't even bother with introductions, nor does she even offer a "hello". Instead, her face carries that same bored expression it always does, as if she'd rather be doing something other than talking to these brats.]

I'm sure most of you have noticed the fact that the computer lab has been closed on and off for a few weeks now. My sincerest apologies on that matter, I was spending most of my time repairing my chassis. For some unfathomable reason, my stand-by mode became a bit...erratic.

[And this is where there's a brief pause in which she rolls her eyes.]

To those of you who are not computer-savvy or just plain idiotic, think of it as oversleeping for Artificial Intelligence. Rest assured, the problem has been dealt with and classes will continue as scheduled once again. I expect you all to be there on time. That's Thursday at ten o'clock am and not a second later.

[...and finally.]

Oh. And to any of you who have been..."harassed" by the hall monitor, I have a very important message for you: stop being a bunch of whiners. Hall passes exist for a reason. If you are dumb enough to walk into a hall with an armed monitor guarding it and not bring your pass, you should accept the consequences. Stupidity does not deserve to be rewarded.

That said, I've spoken with her. I can almost guarantee she will not shoot you...probably.

[And with a final shrug, the feed ends.]

( [dated to Nov. 5th private phonecall] )


[DATED TO NOV. 14TH; audio]
[Seth endured his curse. His karmic retribution, likely. Instead of lasting for a mere week his brush with youth lasted nearly two. Some might have even considered it a blessing in disguised, to relive one's childhood. While his wasn't necessarily bad it was inconvenient. He was unable to control his transformation and had to hide the unagreeable parts of his cat anatomy--years of experience and perfection tossed away at the expense of youth.

One day, he knew he wouldn't have to hide. He'd show everyone that there was no difference between man and beast. But that time was not now--now was a time for him to be hormonal and childish and angry.

And take it out on certain individuals...

Because this terrible thing that happened to him lasted all the way up until his birthday. It technically left him with all of about an hour or so left before the 14th would be over, but he considered it too little too late. Age, so ironically, ruined his glorious day of birth.

Now he's all better and of proper age again than more than happy to slip an audio-only post in before the day ends.]

Guess what! Today is my birthday. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't treat myself out somewhere, but perhaps the greatest gift anyone can appreciate is the gift of life. A good life. One to remember on that special day each and every year. I think I've had a great one so far, and many more to come, I do hope.

Since it's also nearing that time of the year, do you know what I'm thankful for? My supportive friends, my roommates, good food and a good education. Even the adorably tacky decorations that come with it. I do hope you RAs have something more eloquent in the works this year and garland and mistletoe. I have faith in you.

But most of all I'm thankful for good company, because you never know what you have until it's missing.

...Or in some cases they simply move down the hall, but I can't say I don't miss them all the same.


[DATED TO NOV. 22ND]
[If your character happens to be near a TV on this day, maybe while they are or are not stuffing their face with turkey and thinking of things to be thankful for, or waiting in line for that Big Midnight Sale, the local news comes on with an urgent, special report...]



Breaking News: FDCPD has confirmed a body was found near a dumpster in Ferrothorn Park, just off of the Eldin Bridge causeway.

An identification has not been made yet, but the victim is described as young, female, dual-colored violet and white hair with dark skin. Foul play is suspected. Early forensics suggest the victim has been dead for approximately two weeks, and that there were [Mr. Lakitu newscaster consults his papers carefully so not to mispronounce.] elevated levels of phencyclidine, benzodiazepine, and other unidentifiable opioids in her blood at the time of death. There are also signs of a struggle, with cuts and slash type injuries sustained.

An anonymous tip from an eye witness describes a suspect at the scene of the crime as male, approximately six feet tall, dark brown hair and wielding a sword. If you see anything suspicious or have any further information about this murderer, please contact the FDCPD immediately.

[Ron looks very fidgety today. He is clutching a glossy flier in his gloved hands, rolled up and crinkled in the places where his hands rhythmically clenched and unclenched. He gulps, and takes a deep breath.]

G-Guys... um, hey... A-Are we really doing this blind date thing again? Because I don't want to do it, and... and... WHAT IF SOMEBODY SIGNS ME UP AGAINST MY WILL AGAIN!? [This screaming episode took a lot out of him, so he breaths heavily while he tugs at that paper in his hands again.]

I just really don't want to go this time! I didn't sign up, so, um... L-Let that be stated for the record! I refuse! Absolutely refuse!

[His hand slams down on the webcam, successfully turning off the feed.]

[ When the video feed flickers to life, it's about what you'd expect. Some new person here at the academy is making it a point to stare into the depths of your soul before proper introductions are to be had. Because yes, staring. Yes, this is good. This is exactly what needed to be done.

You could opt to stare into an empty gaze and a simple smile, or perhaps just lean away from the screen once you notice the extra hole neatly hollowed out into her chest, a vertical array of stitches cutting right down the center of if from throat to breast. Embedded was what looked like a red orb of glass with a black knick at the center of it.

Now that a kind of figurative eye contact had been established, she parted her lips to speak.

Waaaait for it. They're opening. They're open. ... Okay, give her another second.

OKAY. She has this. ]

Hello, Academy.

I will guard your halls.

[ As if that wasn't odd enough, maybe the restrained giggle and rise of an automatic pistol into the camera's sights would do her justice. ]

;;

[ As for action, Vivian will be doing just as she said she would. She's roaming the halls of the main building, her pistol in hand and skipping around in a fluttering white dress, the top potion of it mostly bandages that could stand to cover more of her up. She looks rather content to be able to move around, though on occasion she will stop and just stare around a corner and down a hall.

Creepy. ]

Am I dreaming, or is everyone being cursed left and right?

[He appears perfectly fine.]

Uh...if anyone needs help, I could try casting a healing spell on you.

[Give him a second... He doesn't use computers that often, especially not for communication, and seeing his own face staring back at him from the monitor is really surreal. Better his own face than the faces of dead people, he supposes.

Enough of that, he's got a good first impression to make!]

Hello, everyone! My name is Kiyotaka Ishimaru! I expected I would have to make an introduction at the front of a class room, but it seems the headmasters recommend this method instead... Is this truly the way school life is advancing?

Very well! I will adjust my own lifestyle to match that of a Smash Academy student! Please tell me everything I will need to know about the rules and regulations in place here so I may follow and help enforce them! Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to working together for a bright future here!

[YEAH that wasn't so bad. Things here are going to be just fine.]

[ So where was our super star during the Smashperture fiasco? Was he bravely fighting or attempting to solve puzzles, with a friend perhaps? Well, here he is on the network now, I'm sure he's got a great story to-- ]

I was asleep for a really long time, poyo! What happened?

[ oh ._. ]

[It's a peaceful day in smash academy. the fight against GLaDOS is over, the school is back to normal, and everything seems fine. However, high up in the sky, a dark shape looms. It's is just a speck at first, but is getting larger by the second. Soon, it's shadow is cast upon the school.

The large Battleship slows down, and parks itself above the school. For a moment, nothing happens. Suddenly, music starts to play. A lone figure appears on the top of the ship, and jumps off in a epic spin, lights following her all the way down. A parachute opens, a big smiling face on the clothe, slowing her decent. When she is close to the ground, she detaches herself from the Parachute, and land's on the ground in a dramatic pose. She stands up, and raises her hands.]

Hello everyone! I have arri-

[She is cut off by the cloth of the parachute landing on her, wrapping itself around her. The girl struggles, and falls to the ground.]

[ 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 isn't school.

?

who drowns first




i bet you want to bet

Hi.