[Chin in the palm of her hand, Voile looks... bored? Tired? Curious? A plethora of things, probably. She's certainly not jumping up and down for joy, so that's probably just the general indication that she's got a lot on her mind.

And she does.]

I read that the twenty-first year is important or to be treated as a 'rite of passage' into adulthood in some cultures and societies. In Hoenn, we didn't really have anything like this, and before coming to this academy, I wasn't 'assigned' an age. Yet it would seem my twenty-first is upon me.

Tomorrow, anyway.

[She pauses.]

I was wondering what I should do with it. For it. If anything. I wouldn't normally celebrate it as age itself seems something irrelevant to me, but if it's important, maybe I should respect the tradition. And I guess I could benefit from something a little more lighthearted considering the circumstance.

[Ogling Falcon's nakedness over a week back and seeing Mac's sign-up post for the Boxing Club both conglomerated together to give Ivan an absolutely horrible mess of an idea. It might not help that he just got finished drinking and is a little tipsy. Rest assured, his typing is always this atrocious.]

im taking sigh ups for nude model. men only. it is for art dont worry no funny bisness. you whil be paid. contact me threw here or at my room if you are intersted.

((OOC: in a few days I'll make a log for the actual drawing time for anybody interested, just a heads up! ♥))

[Hey, someone's looking a little healthier these days than she was towards the end of the school year. That's good, right? Or bad, depending on how you feel about her. Anyway, her gaze is downcast while she looks at the monitor instead of the camera for a good long moment.]

...Something was kinda bugging me for a while, but I think I figured it out! It's summer, right? Summer should mean vacations! Like beaches and camping and all that stuff! Oh, and amusement parks with rides! I've always wanted to go do those things... They sound like a lot of fun!

It's already been summer vacation for a long time and everyone's still stuck in the school. Is it because of those robots in the city? That's no fair... How long do they even have to be there? Or maybe it's because those things are supposed to be done with your family... and nobody has one? But we can all go together instead, right?

Hey watch out it's a TWO-PART INTRODUCTION EXTRAVAGANZA

PART ONE: ACTION

[There is a new arrival on campus. She's wearing a red track jacket, carries a backpack, and looks thoroughly exhausted and/or like she hasn't showered in a month. When she finally makes it to the front gates she lets the backpack drop onto the ground and just

stands there

for a good long while

until she notices the lake.

Once she notices the lake, she scoops up the backpack again and makes a beeline for the water, peeling off her track jacket, practically jumping out of her shoes and socks, and wading in up to her knees, not caring about the clothes she's still wearing.

This graceful specimen of humanity then proceeds to spread her arms wide and belly flop her way right in. She spends the next hour or two splashing around, doing a few laps, and generally having the best damn time you've ever seen.

DARE YOU INTERRUPT??!?]

PART TWO: VIDEO

[SOMEONE seems to have forgotten to adjust the laptop's camera before she started recording. Viewers are briefly treated to the sight of a red sleeve in their view before it withdraws to reveal someone who really needs to cut back on the pep. You may have seen this girl flopping around in the lake--she appears to have cleaned up significantly since then.]

I'm here! I'm here! It took longer than I thought but I'm finally out!

[Out from where, Aoi?]

I actually got here a little while ago, but they wouldn't let me in. They told me I wasn't allowed to bring, um. What was it? Unsealed food through customs. I was detained by robots. Robots! Real ones! Can you believe that?

[She doesn't seem to be too broken up by her ordeal, at the very least, waving excitedly into the camera.]

It's been a while since I've been to school, but I didn't think there were robots, usually. Real ones. Is that normal here? [She tilts her head slightly and touches her index finger to her bottom lip, pondering.] I think I saw Justice Robo? But maybe they just had the same paint job.

Anyway! I came here with a friend! Or I was supposed to come here with a friend, but I got stuck, so I'm not sure if he's still here. If anyone knows Byakuya Togami--glasses, blonde hair, really snooty--you can't miss him. I owe him a punch in the face.

[And with a biiiiiiiig smile, she's off.]

Oh, is it on? Hello? Testing, 1... 2... 3?

[ The audio comes first, but then comes the video, blinking on with the slight fizz from microphone static in the background. The feed is a little choppy, but worry not: she plans on getting a separate webcam for this thing at some point. She found it best to take one of the Headmaster's older computers out of generosity, saving a newer one for a student or for something else important. Needless to say, its functionality is lacking, but it'll do.

At any rate, here she is, a cute little puppy dog with a wiggly tail standing just in front of the laptop, hands smoothed down her sides and her hair and clothes slightly unkempt. She's been hard at work already, both with trying to get settled in and with understanding how her new job works. A secretary's job is never done! ]

It's working now! Oh- [ An uneasy chuckle comes, but is quickly replaced by a chipper and beaming smile. ] How silly of me. I should be introducing myself! I'm really sorry. I got a bit... distracted. [ Her voice takes on a hushed tone. ] I think the laptop's a bit finicky...

But anyway, hello, Smash Academy! I am very excited to be here at your esteemed academy. [ She gives a polite, ladylike bow, her bells in her hair jingling with the motion. ] My name is Isabelle, and I will be the school's new general secretary. I'll be taking care of any of the offices I can, just to give the teachers a hand. I hope to make your lives easier! They must be hard with all the hustle and bustle...

[ She clears her throat for a brief moment and claps her hands together, her tail still going ninety miles an hour behind her. ]

I think my first order of business should be to get to know everyone! [ She gives a tilt of the head, her disposition generally friendly. ] What are your names? Are you students, teachers, or staff members? Oh, and if there's anything I can help out with, please feel free to let me know! I'd like to help everyone in any way I can.

[ She places her hands on her fists, and one could swear that cute little sparkles are starting to dance off of her body from Deep Anime-like Determination™! ★ ]

You can count on me!

[ She dissolves into a small fit of giggles before she shuts off the feed. ]

-----------

[ ALSO SHE'S WANDERING AROUND AND CHECKING SHIT OUT ALL FASCINATED-LIKE SO IF YOU WANNA BOTHER HER THAT WAY, GO FOR IT. I AM SLEEPY AND LAZY SO THIS IS A SHITTY CAPSLOCK ACTION ADDITION YEAH!!!!! ]

[Byakuya actually found himself adjusting well to the day to day here at Smash so far, all things considered. Starting when the nasty welt on his face thankfully didn't stick around long, all the way through returning back to the dorms one night to discover that his belongings had all been moved into a different room where the other decorations were just as classy and three times as gaudy. Upon further investigation, he came to realize that he was now the room mate of Seth Richardson, the boy he had met at prom, and he was surprised to find that he didn't mind it at all.

So things had been moving forward without incident. Until the morning after the bake sale. Byakuya had sampled a few different things, just to see what caliber the cooks were in this school (inconclusive). He felt fine going to bed, but woke up with a raging headache, aching limbs and a bad taste in his mouth.

A look in the mirror provided him with a nice view of his face framed by a brand new pair of black and tan cat ears.

This deserved a double take. Wait. What?! He wished he could see clearer-- it felt like a bullet was being shoved into the center of his forehead, and like someone was tugging ferociously on his tailbone. Crap. Everything hurt. And...

The ears twitched.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGHHHHHHHH!!!!

[The scream reverberated through the dorm halls.]

Actiony Bits backdated to the 21st.
[So Green and Bulba had come back. Apparently. Where was Bulba though? What a mystery! There's this other guy meandering around campus though who kinda looks like him but he's taller and way more blonde. What a mystery! At other times there's a big Venusaur wandering around that looks kind of like Vinnie but way brighter green and with a big fat yellow flower. The mysteries just never stop emerging.

If you're a member of Green Team, he's looking for you. You too, RA party. He needs to say sorry for bailing on you for a few days. If you're another Venusaur, he sent you a text to meet up sometime that afternoon probably by a fountain or something. If you're anyone else, maybe he's familiar or maybe he's someone new you should greet.]

---

Video bits also backdated to the 21st.
[BUT EVENTUALLY A VIDEO POST POPPED UP ON THE NETWORK. IT WAS THAT GUY. He looked a wee bit nervous, but he was smiling at the camera for the video that was coming from Bulba's account.]

…Hello! There have been a few new students since I last said anything… My name's Bulba! I'm one of the girls' RAs so if you ever need anything, feel free to stop me if you see me.

Most of you already knew me as an Ivysaur but, uh, I'm a Venusaur now! I'll be getting used to it as much as you are, haha… I'm still the same me, though, so nothing to worry about there.

Have a good day, okay?

[VIDEO]
[The video starts with Ivan centered on-camera, his fingers steepled in front of him. In the background can be seen the rest of the computer lab.] Well, I'm sure you're all enthused to see your immaculate physical education teacher return. I hope you all didn't get fat and lazy while I was away.

[Ivan lets out a knowing chuckle, lifting his hand up and placing it coyly at his cheek.] Don't worry, even if you did, I'll whip you all right back into shape~ And I'm sure my most loyal students would love to welcome me back, right~?

[Ivan knew he was less than well liked amongst his students, but there were at least a couple people who liked him regardless! Those were his favourites. It was almost nice to be back, knowing that he would have the best of both worlds--fear and admiration--again.]

I'll be at the gym this afternoon setting up. [He leans over, turning off the camera.]

[ACTION]
[As promised, Ivan is at the gym that afternoon rearranging things to his liking. Anybody is free to come talk to him, whether they saw his initial transmission or not.]

( The birds are singing, but Chiyo is.... ) 

[Text]

Hello, everyone~ How are you today? Prom was lovely, wasn't it? I had an amazing time with everyone, getting to know them and dance with them. Thank you for all the fun. I'll never forget it.

Though, now... it seems that I can't speak? I don't recall doing anything to damage my voice, so I'm feeling a bit lost on what to do. But! On a random note, I do feel a bit more like Ariel~ She also lost her voice when she became human. Maybe it was just something meant to happen? She did eventually get her voice back, but only after defeating the white haired, purple and black octopus witch, Ursula. That probably wouldn't happen here with me, but it's still an interesting thing to think about.

In any case, I just wanted to let people know that. Oh! And don't worry too much about me, too. I'll be fine. It'll take time to get used to, but I'll be okay. Also, I'll be carrying a notebook and pencil to use to communicate with, so please don't misunderstand me when I write my words down instead of speak them. :)

[A disgruntled Ocelot appears on video. The reason for his irritable mood should be obvious; there's cake crumbs and frosting clinging to the front of his clothes. He's flicking away what he can with one hand while holding the screen with the other.]

We had a little... "accident" with my birthday cake.

[A pause.]

It tasted vile anyway. My men are obviously not trained in baking.

Where can I get a good cake right now?

A casual Monday outing turned tragic when two men were brutally gunned down in front of Malo's Gun and Ammunition mart. The victims; Kaplan Stridehr and Marple Dethrris were found dead with a single Aperture-Brand Resolution Pellet to the head. A third victim, Hendorff Ditherrs, was found at the scene asphyxiated to death. All three of the victims regularly donated community service hours to the FLUDD orphanage and were cherished by their grieving families.

The murder suspects, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Vivan Johnson, and Rick Johnson, all attend Smash Academy and have been interrogated at least once by the FDCPD. Rick has been hospitalized for the time being with life-threatening injuries, though his condition is stable. He will be questioned when he regains consciousness. It's unclear if his injuries were inflicted in self-defense, or by the other two Smash Academy students in the middle of the attack.

The Smash Academy students claim they were the ones who acted in self defense, but FDCPD has not reached a clear verdict yet to a very messy and terrible situation.

"It's not completely clear this was in self defense." says the police chief. "If you're not looking to kill, you don't put a bullet in someone's head."

Several eye witnesses to the attack also claim the smaller student, Vivian, was the one who open fired and murdered the victims, unprovoked. All three are on juvenile preemptive probation until further investigations are finished. It should be worth noting, again, these were non-human students of Smash Academy, a fighting school that accepts many different kinds of unnatural, humanoid creatures. They could still be considered dangerous despite the probation. Aperture Science is also being questioned for product deficiency, but has not returned any of our calls.

[Lakitu, an unnatural, humanoid turtle man, shuffles the papers on his desk and prepares for the next, possibly vaguely related news story.]

An abandoned church on the east side of the city was mysteriously engulfed in flames last night. Fire accelerants were noted in the area, suggesting that this was no accident. It's uncertain if this incident is related to the gun attack, but non-human terrorists are suspected given the target. If you have any important clues or tips to report, please call the FDCPD immediately.

It's truly terrible this historic building has been reduced to tinder and ashes. Residents are outraged and are calling for Martial law. Mayor Tabuu is taking this into consideration with rising rates of violence and crime, but states he is not likely to come to a decision or see any action result for a least a month, especially given the complicated nature of FDC. Martial law would necessitate the need for an outsourced, contracted military, and the Mayor wants to ensure he has the best for the job.

---

[video]

[Seth appears on video, close up and fiddling with the camera before settling in his seat, a grim expression on his face.]

In case you weren't aware about a certain fiasco that happened between Mary and Vianca a while ago, a new development has recently come to my attention, and I for one am ashamed. Shame on you!

Honestly, she's just a child and didn't know any better. That's no reason for anyone to go antagonize and bully her! I want to think better of our student body.

You're all so quick to turn a blind eye when that murderous swordsman returned to campus. You hardly bat an eyelash at knowing there's at least three new and different murder suspects residing right here! Have any of you even seen the news lately? They're right here, living amongst you all--murderers as your very neighbors. But the moment a naive little girl does something she didn't even know was wrong you ostracize her unfairly. I don't want to name names but you know who you are.

Everyone's double standards here are truly unsettling. You should all think on your sins.

[Ahem. He clears his throat and adjusts his collar, as if to clear out all that ~undignified emotional outpouring~]

Anyway, I apologize if any of that came across as harsh or blunt, and Mary's poor name shouldn't be dragged through the mud any longer. Mary has all my condolences, I wish her the best and above all that this doesn't happen again. That was a while ago anyway--old news. She should know better by now.

I'll see to it personally.

[ There are small scratches all over the edges of the screen because claws and technology don't really mix???

And then suddenly. A bird. ]

Okay. Uh-huh. So... Wait. I've got this. [ Let him just peck his feathers a little. Twist his neck around to loosen up. ] This is Stark... Right?

I'm in Stark. The Stark. No big deal. [ Yes, big deal. He's been having a sort of crisis about this all day. He can feel himself molting already! ]

...How exactly? Just. How? All of April's talk about the Balance and how we can't exist in each other's realms or... something... like that...? Uh... Okay, so I wasn't really paying attention to the details! [ Yeah. He really wasn't. And now he really wishes he had. ] How the heck did I get to Stark?!

[ Keep it together, Crow. ]

Okay, okay. In Stark. Got it. Not complaining. Just observing.

...

So has anybody actually seen April around? Ryan? ...April Ryan. Human girl. Kind of pretty looking, I think. With hair and... clothes... I hope...

( [Action] Hope you like cats... )

---

So, uh… I don't want to freak anyone out or anything…

[As she spoke, a large lion's head tried to look over her shoulder, staring at this strange new technology curiously. Daisy had to hold its paw back as it tried to bat at her webcam.]

I, uh, have a guest staying with me for a little while! His name is King Totomesu, and he's really friendly, except when he's breathing fire, so um…

Incidentally, and on a completely unrelated note, does anyone have any experience looking after cats?

[Blake did not, by nature, believe in selfless generosity. But he did understand the necessity of these social obligations and as such, spent his well earned TA money on those he owed for taking care of him.

( to Blue, Jock, Bryony, Kyogre, and Secret Santa Vianca )