NEW BEGINNINGS

[makenaide]

Spring is here and newest crop of students have finally arrived at Crux Academy and Nebulae Institute. Both campuses are abuzz with activity as first years filter in, some confused, others excited and honored to be attending such a prestigious institution. Class assignments would be found on the large bulletin board toward the front of campus, and while some friends may find themselves once again sharing the same class, others will be given the opportunity to nurture new relationships with future friends (or enemies).

Classes for the first day will be short, punctuated by a welcoming ceremony led by each school's respective headmaster and headmistress, as well as an upperclassman that has some significance to the rest of the student body. Students are then permitted to take the rest of the day for themselves, to get acclimated to the campus as well as Galactica, should they so choose. Why not explore the school? Take a trip into the city? Or perhaps get to know your dorm mate, classmates or fellow faculty members? Or perhaps, if you are that sort of person, terrorize the town? The choice is yours.


[[ This post signals the opening of the dressing room! Feel free to use it as a catch-all, or create your own posts should you so desire. Welcome everyone and have fun! ]]

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Towa Akagi | Crux Academy

[almostanthy]

[ a - crux academy ]

Excuse me.

[ Newly arrived and with luggage to unpack, Towa is tapping the shoulder of the nearest person who looks like they might know what they're doing. She mustn't make the same mistakes at this school as she did at Noble Academy. She must fully grasp the culture! She must successfully integrate!

And that begins with learning some Very Important information. ] Are the dormitories equipped with staff?

[ b - galactica ]

[ Whoever is in this photo booth is taking a very long time. And making delicate hemming and hawing noises. Oh dear. Oh, dear.

There are so many different options....She hadn't controlled this machine the last time she'd used one. However is she supposed to operate it?

She's been in here for like. Fifteen minutes. Someone do something. ]

A

[switch_over]

[When Eas had decided to slip into Crux Academy to "properly" intitiate the new students there, she hadn't expected to have a potential target literally walk right up to her.

This was too easy, but that didn't mean it wouldn't be fun.

She turns around and gives Towa a quick once over before tilting her head slightly in confusion.]

That depends, what kind of "staff" do you mean?

[almostanthy]

...Maids or butlers, primarily.

[ Towa clears her throat and figures honesty is the best policy. That way she's sure to get her intentions across. ] I wish to know if this institution also values independence...

[ Because that is a thing that everybody wonders at some point in their lives. ]

[switch_over]

[Maids and butlers, Really? Just where the heck was this girl from.

This was going to be too easy.]

Independence? No, that's nothing you have to worry about too much here.

Every room has their own maid and butler. Once you get to your room, just a ring a bell and they'll be by to assist you. If they aren't there within a few minutes, just keep ringing the bell.

[She's lying. This is nothing but lies.]

[almostanthy]

How convenient...

[ Being new in town and therefore a bit insecure, Towa does not sense anything particularly suspicious about this advice. She clasps her hands in front of herself, then moves to curtsy. ] Thank you ever so much!

[ Does she have a bell in her luggage? She believes she might (from practicing with Puff). This new school becomes simpler and simpler!

...That's....not how school is supposed to be. The first nagging sense of worry tugs at the back of Towa's head, but it's drowned out by relief. For now. ]

[switch_over]

I thought so too.

[A curtsy? Really? Jeez Crux was really bringing in the prim and proper this year, weren't they?

She'll actually return the gesture, simply to help with the image that she's some really helpful student here. Then she'll take a step back.]

Please, don't mention it. It was the least I could do.

[almostanthy]

[ Maids and butlers again. This will help Towa focus solely on her classwork, so she can see how that would be a sensible system...

...yet doesn't that also foster imbalance in their lifestyles? Plus, the dorm didn't look large enough to house that many staff. Uncertainty nags again, so Towa's smile falters as she dips her head to this "thoughtful" older student. But only slightly. ] Good day.

[ Should she get out her bell and ring it to see what happens....? Hmm. ]

[switch_over]

Farewell.

[And Eas turns to go off on her way. Except that she's really just looking to get out of Towa's line of sight so she can observe and see if the other girl actually gives it a try.]

[almostanthy]

[ Towa does pause after the other girl has taken her leave, placing a thoughtful hand to her chin.

Then she opens her luggage and begins rooting around in it for something... ]

[switch_over]

[...Was she doing it? It looked like she was going to do it.

She wished she had brought something to record this with.]

[almostanthy]

[ Towa brings out a small hand bell, then looks around. She zippers up her bag again and begins walking briskly towards the center of the courtyard in front of the dorms. This princess is On A Mission now. ]

[switch_over]

[She's got the bell... That's a good sign. Why is she leaving though? That's hardly what she had told the girl to do at all.

Eas tries to follow along as best she can, but she has to stay out of sight too and she's not sure she can do that if Towa goes outside.]

[almostanthy]

[ Towa does go outside, indeed, but only to just outside the front doors. She glances around, takes a deep breath, lifts the bell --




-- and glances back the direction whence she came. Think (and/or) move fast, Eas! ]

B

[wishingalone]

[Mami's out and about in Galactica. And... one thing that means is that she's stopped in front of a photo booth, having thought to get a picture of herself for the new year.]

[Now she's waiting.]

[...and waiting.]

Pardon, but is everything quite all right in there?

[almostanthy]

[ Oh no! Is there a line to use this machine?? Towa pokes her head out, surprised and self-conscious. ] Ah, excuse me...

[ With a dainty side-step, she exits the booth and gestures to it, the very portrait of (somewhat bashful) hospitality. ] Please feel free.

[wishingalone]

Oh, are you certain? If you're not finished...

[She peers at the photo booth, then she looks back at Towa.] I'm in no great hurry. But, if you need help with it...

[almostanthy]

[ Towa opens her mouth to protest - then bows to the inevitable and hangs her head, shoulders slumping. Yes, please. She needs all of the help. ] If you would.

[ If Mami goes in, and seems amenable to teaching, she'll follow. ]

[wishingalone]

[...oh dear.]

[Well. Far be it from Mami to say no; this, too, is part of her duty as a senpai. She reaches a hand out, gently patting Towa on the shoulder.] Come, let's have a look.

[And she leads her inside. Mami sits down, then fishes in her pocket for a few coins.]

First, we pay the fee. Then, we'll use that touch screen to select what we want -- there are a few options, but perhaps a print sheet is easiest to start with. Shall I walk you through it?

[almostanthy]

[ Everything takes money everywhere, doesn't it. Towa nods as the coins fall in. ] Please.

[ If memory serves, the fancy decoration part comes last. She'll have to make sure they don't skip that. Towa watches the touchscreen intently. ]

[wishingalone]

[Mami would never skip that.]

First, we select how many photos we want. Four, perhaps? It will count down for each, so we may change poses.

[Then, with a pleased smile:] Or make silly faces.

[almostanthy]

I remember that portion! [ Towa's face lights up. She'll have to think of a good "silly face", because these are going to be important photos: they will commemorate her first day at her new school! And then, when she's become a proper princess, she will show them to her brother so he can see how much she's learned.

Speaking of learning, now would be the time to make a new friend, would it not? So she smiles at Mami. They're both in this booth, so this is sort of unspoken, but just to be sure... ] Shall we take them together?

[wishingalone]

Oh, yes! Let's. This sounds like a wonderful idea.

[Mami smiles back brightly; this isn't new. But... having a chance to be friends with someone, even briefly, is quite nice. Old feelings of loneliness and old habits die hard.]

Would you like to start it, or shall I? I think I have a good idea of what to do. Ah, and-- [She points at part of the screen.] --that section will show you our faces, so we can see what the other is doing. Spontaneity is half of the fun.

[almostanthy]

[ Ah, that's where she should focus! Towa stares as if the screen might start getting up and tap-dancing at any point - and with just about as much anticipation, too.

Oh dear, now she's getting nervous. But it's an excited nervousness. ] Then, after you.....

[ And she shall follow your lead flawlessly!! This is her plan, anyway. ]

[wishingalone]

Very well! We'll have ten seconds to pick a pose.

[And it begins! The first countdown starts for ten; for this one, Mami keeps it simple, and she does a pleasant smiling pose, looking at the camera.]

[The countdown's going, though! But... this is easy mode, right?]

[almostanthy]

[ A pose. Yes, of course. So...should she curtsy, or is that too formal? Tow hems and haws, then turns to Mami as the countdown hits 3. ] Ah -

[ There is a flash of light.

Towa has been photographed with her mouth in an :o position with her curls flying everywhere. ]