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! ]]

Comments

[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. ]

[wishingalone]

Ah--it will do another in ten seconds.

[Mami smiles, then, and glances sideways.] Perhaps we should try very large grins?

[almostanthy]

[ Grinning! Towa has practiced grinning. It comes much more easily to her now. ] Certainly!

[ She folds her hands primly in front of herself, and this time, she's ready for the flash. And smiling as biiiig as she can. ]

[wishingalone]

[Flash! And the second picture has Mami grinning, too. The countdown begins anew, though!]

Ah--oh! What would you like next? Something silly?

[almostanthy]

[ ...Smiling that hard wasn't silly? But Towa is on board for this idea too. She also doesn't want her companion to feel imposed-upon, so...what can she contribute...?

So first she nods intently, then raises a hand for a tentative peace sign. Like...this, right...? ] Perhaps with hand gestures.

[wishingalone]

A splendid idea! [Mami does two peace signs, too, smiling cheerfully at the camera.]

[Flash!]

[And there's one more photo to go...!]

[almostanthy]

[ And Towa will take the lead! ] Now, to be...impressive...

[ Turning so she's back to back with Mami, she strikes a Princess Pose. This almost feels like she's making fun of the person she used to be.

And yet it's also quite enjoyable. ]

[wishingalone]

Ah, yes. Splendid idea! [Mami, of course, winks. It's ultra confident and stylish. What she does before Tiro Finale.]

[Flash!]

[And there's the fabled design studio. With the borders, the glamour, the art assets!]

[almostanthy]

[ Oh, those last ones turned out quite nicely! Towa amuses herself pressing pretty much every button on the design area - she even finds the "undo" button all by herself. Her end result is actually as close to tasteful as these decorations can get while still being decadent.

She looks over at Mami with a little flush of anticipation, but they did take these together, so, manners. ] Had you wanted to contribute?

[ Here, she'll stand aside... ]

[wishingalone]

Oh, I'll let you go first!

[She does consider going first. But... new student. She wants to help her make it memorable, and Mami's done these before.]

I can make suggestions and additions, perhaps. What did you have in mind?

[almostanthy]

Something like this.... [ There's a wreath of flowers and ribbons around each of the pictures and sparkles placed in aesthetically-appropriate places. Towa has also applied various stickers in liberal amounts.

She has not, however, messed with any of the controls that give them funny eyes or anything. That world remains closed to her. ] Is it suitable?

[wishingalone]

Oh! I quite like those.

[She looks over it for a moment and nods. Of course, she is obliged to mention the funny eyes, even if they're not quite Mami's speed. She reaches over and taps a menu.]

If you're inclined, you can add funny eyes -- ah, and glasses and other silly things. Not every picture needs it, of course.

[almostanthy]

[ Funny...eyes...? Towa tries it (on a picture of herself - it seemed rude to use the other person). The result makes her giggle hard enough she has to cover her mouth with her fingers. ] Goodness...I look ridiculous....

[ The world is full of such odd marvels! She's not undoing it. ]

[wishingalone]

Ah, splendid! I quite like it.

[Mami grins; then she walks forward and begins to play with the menus. Hm, hm... after a moment's thought, she gives herself Groucho Marx glasses in one.]

I'm not sure if it's me. What do you think?

[almostanthy]

They don't quite suit your attire. [ Towa says this with such seriousness it's difficult to tell whether she's joking.

But then she looks up at Mami and smiles. ] This has been lovely.

[wishingalone]

I suppose they don't! [But she leaves them. It's funny.]

It has, hasn't it? Oh--I'm Mami Tomoe. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[She extends a hand for a handshake.]

[almostanthy]

[ Towa accepts that hand, but instead of shaking it, she uses it as balance to go into a curtsy. ] Likewise, Mami. My name is Towa Akagi.

[ To whom honorifics hold no value because, psh, princess. She is at the top of the honorifics heap. ] Shall we print our creations?