Welcome to the New Year

[garden_of_maidens]

"Gokigenyou."

"Gokigenyou."

The clear morning greeting travels through the serene, blue sky.

Today, once again, the maidens that gather in the Virgin Mary's garden smile purely to one another as they pass under the tall gateway.
Wrapping their innocent bodies and souls is a deep-coloured school uniform.

Walking slowly as to not disturb the plaits in their skirts, so as to not toss their white sailor scarves into disarray... such is the standard of modesty here. Running because one is in danger of missing class, for instance, is too undignified a sight for students to wish upon themselves here.

Lillian Private Academy for Women.

Founded in Meiji 34, this academy was originally intended for the young women of nobility, and is now a Catholic academy of prestigious tradition. Placed in downtown Tokyo, where you can still see traces of Musashi Field's greenery, it is protected by God, a garden where maidens can receive tutelage from pre-school to university.

Time passes, and even now, in Heisei, three era-names past Meiji, it is a valuable academy, where nurtured ladies raised in greenhouses are shipped out in carefully packaged boxes after 18 years of schooling - an arrangement that continues to survive.
As the last note of Maria-sama's Soul rings through the chapel, echoing into the high rafters, the Yamayurikai stands tall at the front of the procession, ready to give out the gifts of rosaries to their newest arrivals.

The respective classes of each first-year are called, and each one receives their gift from the Yamayurikai members. The second and third year students are sitting by, simply watching, perhaps commenting quietly to each other whenever a particularly interesting first-year passes by, but they are quick to silence when the stern gazes of the nuns passes over them.

A new year has come to Lillian Academy, and the students are ready to start their adventures in life, love, and everything else.

Info | FAQ | Rules

[Open post for the welcoming ceremony and the beginning of the year! Feel free to use this for the actual ceremony, shortly thereafter, or the general first day of school. Welcome!]

Comments

Everyone say hello to *The* Rosa Gigantea

[ibara_no_mori]

[A:

And up there with the rest of the Yamayurikai is Rosa Gigantea herself. At least in this incarnation. Interestingly enough, she is not right in the thick of things. While she does hand out rosaries, she seems more prone to standing near the back when the announcements for classes go up, and any other words are spoken. Still, she's just a bit behind Rosa Chinensis, so as not to look too antisocial.

To any first years that walk by her, she offers a rather large grin that seems a bit out of place for such a reserved school, and hands over the rosary. She looks a lot more charming than she probably is, but that doesn't mean she's not prone to accidentally stealing hearts. Contain thy dokis.]


[B:

Unfortunately, someone won't let her just be antisocial as she wants to be the entire day (she loves Youko, I promise), and the Journalism club wants her to make an appearance, so as the day winds to an end, and the festivities start to draw to a close, you have 1x Rosa Gigantea in the midst of students and she's happily greeting folks, trying to get them used to a local celebrity being among them.] Ah, we're planning our annual play in the later spring, so be sure to look out for that! There's going to be some interesting things at the Culture Festival, as well. Hey, don't look so shy! C'mere. [Uh oh. Someone just got singled out. Is it you?]

[C:

And then, at the Rose Mansion, Sei's back in her natural environment. A bit too much socializing, perhaps, because she's sitting near one of the windows, merely watching out toward the school grounds. Have a reason to want to visit the Rose Mansion and the Roses? Come say hello! Because as soon as the horribly creaky stairs start up, and the door opens, she's back to looking way more friendly than she feels, but who cares, it's part of what she agreed to, being a Rose.] Welcome to the Rose Mansion. How can I help you?

A

[theleonking]

[Though her flashy appearance certainly stands out in the procession of first-years, Leonmitchelli's demeanor is appropriate enough, her excessive confidence betrayed only to those who can discern the subtle shades that separate her idle-but-alert curiosity from the nervous energy that seethes under the quiet dignity of the ceremony as the new inductees get their first taste of the school's famously ritualized high culture.

When she sees that grin though she flashes her own right back, hand squeezing her upperclassman's in a friendly, if forward greeting as she takes the rosary. No dokis here, but she's happy to find what she takes for a possible kindred spirit.]

b

[green_eyed]

-It is her! Hard to miss those green eyes, made to almost glow by the midday light, and she loathes it, because like the rest of her appearance, it leads to staring and, when someone is feeling particularly bold, shit like this. Unlike most of the girls in her class, she gives pretty much zero fucks about Sei Satou, or any of the Roses. She just wanted to make her way to her dorm and shut down for the rest of the day.

She wasn't being shy, it was just too much. And when Sei called out to her, her shoulders stiffened as if she'd just been scolded, freezing up, before starting to walk even faster, now, away from the others, as if fleeing the scene.-

B

[long_live_the_queen]

[It sure is! Someone who seems...remarkably unimpressed.

Then again, Kaede seemed unimpressed at the vast majority of things.]

Like what?

[She was not going to go over there, and might need to be dragged.]

[ufonium]

[A:

You know, she's almost worried this is going to end in her saying or doing something stupid, but at the same time, she's entirely sure that nothing they're doing involves actually talking to anyone if she doesn't want to. There's a titter through the crowd as they get closer to the Yamayurikai - that's actually them! but Kumiko looks more or less nonplussed.

In fact, she sort of looks around, first at the girls ahead of her, and then at whomever is behind her, to see if she should be more wound up about this. Hey, person behind her... how are you reacting?]

[B:

Well, that was exciting. She keeps playing and fidgeting with her rosary, though, turning over the silver cross in her fingers. She's so distracted, she might have just almost walked into someone-] Heeeeii--! S-sorry! [And made a loud enough outburst to garner stares.

Shh, Kumiko. Speaking quietly is preferred here.]

A

[topbrass]

[Person behind her doesn't seem too fussed, either. Head tilted slightly, Reina is looking over the contents of a tall, ornate glass case. If Kumiko is curious, there are several old photographs on display in the case, including one or two of the band from many years ago. These are what caught Reina's eye.

More interesting than the Yamayurikai, to her, but not that interesting – so naturally she happens to catch Kumiko looking at her as soon as she turns her head. Reina's expression says "yes?" but she doesn't say anything, because… awkward.]

b.

[besieger]

[ what— haruki has to suppress a chuckle. ah. thankfully, they hadn't crashed into each other, but the outburst is loud enough that she doesn't even have to look to know that people are staring. the place really is steeped in tradition. a smile on her face, paying the others little mind (in contrast, keeping her voice at an appropriate volume,) ]

Hey, hey. It's no prob.

[ she pats kumiko on the shoulder. ]

New here—?

[ofwindandarrows]

[A:

Haha, she remembers being a first year. Remembers it being sort of terrifying, walking up to see the Yamayurikai. Now... now it's a little different, and while the first-years mill about after school, she starts getting her stuff ready to head out to the archery range. Ah, but it looks like-] Oh, hey. Ya lost? The campus is pretty big, so don't be afraid to ask if you need directions.

[B:

Other than that, this is a Yukari Takeba - popular by means of being pretty and an award-winning archer for the school's team, she's also known as being super friendly, and outgoing, making her popular with the first years and other second years especially.

Her Soeur status is also always kind of a mystery. For some reason, that part of her life has become a mystery, but boy people like to talk about it-] I can hear you, you know.

[Oops. Ya talked about it too loud.]

[complementing]

[Minako turns around in her seat to give the offending gossipers the most dangerous, sweetest smile she can muster until they get the point and lower their voices, heads bowing to talk about her now, no doubt. Minako faces forward again once she's satisfied.]

Honestly, you'd think they'd have learned by now to gossip out of earshot.

Chie Satonaka | Second Year

[feminine_carnivore]

[ There's... a number of whispers when it comes to Chie, when she moves to find her seat. Tomboyish, with spats peaking out of her dress, with light brown hair that makes her look like one of her parents must be from outside Japan. Amongst a school filled with upper class ladies of high ranking families with well known names, Chie Satonaka isn't really the usual type here.

But she holds herself well. Friends with everyone. Vice-Captain of the martial arts club. And being scouted as a soeur, or at least that's what the rumors are. But she's usually seen with one girl more than any other, making her chances seem all the slimmer.

In the end though, despite any rumors about her, Chie is happy. Late, by the fact that she blows past the statue of Mary herself, with a call of "I'm sorry Mary-sama!" as she tries to make it to the welcoming ceremony before any of the sisters realize she is missing.

And then later on after nearly falling asleep during the ceremony.. she'll be back to her usual unladylike energy as she stands around with a couple of her teammates, trying to garner the interest of any first years in her club. ]

Come join the Martial Arts Club! I promise you'll only like, get a little hurt sometimes!


[ ooc: Feel free to assume CR, romantic or otherwise! Or get in touch if you wanna plan something out~ ]

[complementing]

[And here comes along another second year that gets whispered about. Minako breaks out into a huge smile when her ears catch wind of Chie's marketing strategy, and she can't help herself from approaching and teasing.]

Only a little? How disappointing.

[ibara_no_mori]

[... Hell, maybe the second years are something, too, she thinks, a little. Maybe she's just getting old. She is going on 18...]

You have to work on your sales pitch a little. [Just a friendly word from a passing Rose. The crowd seems to part in front of her, like she's either something that's untouchable or... something that shouldn't be touched.

Of course, as soon as she says that, a little murmur goes through the crowd that's following her around.] How about... pitching it to the vain girls that they can use it to lose weight? [Sei, that's literally not any better.]

Naoto Shirogane | First Year

[truedetective]

[The school uniform mandates a long skirt and loafers. Naoto had fought that requirement tooth and nail. It wasn't just that her business as a private detective sometimes required her to leave the school on short notice and that skirts were hardly practical for, say, police investigations... though that was a big part of it. More importantly, Naoto genuinely hated wearing skirts. Whenever she was in a skirt, she felt wholly ill at ease. The Yamayurikai had been fairly strict, but ultimately the sway of her grandfather had prevailed, and she'd been allowed to wear slacks and a boy's button-down shirt instead of the blouse and skirt she'd been supposed to wear. The cap had been a step too far, however. She's more comfortable dressing like this, though it does mean she stands out and catches the attention of other students. Just on the first day, she's heard plenty of chatter as she passes by, people mentioning her "cool" look, though Naoto's not sure what, exactly, is cool about her. It's morning, after the welcoming ceremony, and Naoto arrives at her shoe locker, bending down to take her sneakers off and put them in the cubby hole... only to find a letter there. With a little sigh, she takes it out once her shoes are stowed away and opens it.] A love letter...? Already?

They're gonna take the girls by stoooorm. BONE STOOOORM

[ibara_no_mori]

[You know what? Sei instantly liked this one. She really only wishes she had the gall to try to get an exception to the uniform rule... but, really, her little phase of rebelliousness had been quashed somewhere between her second and third years, and she had to actually take the whole Yamayurikai thing seriously. Plus she didn't really hate the uniform skirt, she just sort of hated the uniform in general.

Ah, well, all things in the past now. Sei's not the cold, grumpy, antisocial grouch she used to be. She's an overtly friendly, popular, flirtatious antisocial... cult of personality now. And this first year? She likes this first year.

These first years sure are something, though.] You're gonna be popular, trust me on that.

[Thanks, Sei, that's probably just what she wants to hear.] If you can ignore all the noisy ghosts in the background, at least.

Euphemia li Britannia | Second Year

[whitequeens]

[The school was once for the children of the nobility, but had in recent years become a school merely for the well-to-do, mostly. Euphemia, however, is the exception to that-- she's genuine royalty.

Euphie is a princess from a small European nation, who has been studying abroad in Japan for a year now to learn more about the world around her. Aside from her expensive wardrobe and impeccable manners, though, it might be difficult to tell that she's actual royalty and not merely a child of the upper crust like so many others here; she's warm and affable and eager to make friends and experience school like a normal commoner girl might.

She's nearly fluent in Japanese by now, but every so often stumbles with her second tongue. Which is why she's standing by the door, her long rose-colored hair pinned back, and bowing to all the new first-year students in welcome, saying:] I hope you enjoyed the upcoming year!

[She's trying, at least.]

[ufonium]

Wow, a foreigner. [Not that Kumiko's from a small place - Kyoto is still a major city, and even if she's new here, herself, she shouldn't... really... be that surprised and...

... And she can't speak Japanese super well.]

That's... that's not right, either... [She gives a little laugh. She thinks she's talking to herself, hardly realizing she said some of that crap out loud.]

Reimu Hakurei | Second Year

[fantasynature]

a

[ Rosa Chinensis en bouton.

The soeur of the Rosa Chinensis, stood there at the welcoming ceremony in her uniform, looking like she'd rather be anywhere but here. Long black hair, a tired, bored look, standing behind her onee-sama with the rest of the Yamayurikai. She doesn't speak, no one really needs to hear from her anyway.

With a sigh, after the ceremony is over finally, Reimu wanders off to find herself a quiet place where the nuns won't look for her. Everyone else is probably meeting first years, scoping out new soeurs... but Reimu looks like she just wants a nap. ]

b

[ After the ceremony, on her way to the clubhouse, Reimu is a bit more lively. She's got an armful of senbei and a bag of fresh tea. She's already got one of the rice crackers hanging out of her mouth. Though perhaps lively isn't the best description. She's surly, more like it, given just how many girls come up to her to bother her. A girl with blond hair who teases her, taking a cracker. A teacher who does the same. The head of the newspaper club who rushes past to grab one.

By the time she reaches the Yamayurikai building the Rose Mansion, she's completely empty of crackers, and not happy about it. ]

I'm going to beat the hell out of the next person who takes any of my snacks!

B

[ufonium]

[GOD DID THEY REALLY HAVE TO SEND THEIR NEWEST RECRUIT TO TALK TO THE YAMAYURIKAI. This is like... trial by fire. She never even grew up in this school district and she can feel the pure reverence that the whole student body holds for the much-vaunted Yamayurikai.

She honestly... doesn't care, but why does she have to be the one to talk to them? ... She's horrible with people. This is going to end in the bad kind of spectacle.] Ah, my senpai are su- AH!

[The stairs to the meeting room in the Rose Mansion squeak up a storm, but apparently even that wasn't enough to warn Kumiko there's something coming.

Also, when she speaks, it all tumbles out in a quick mess as she turns, bows, and holds out a folder with some paperwork in it.]

Yes hello, I am Kumiko Oumae and I am here on behalf of the band, we need to talk to the Yamayurikai!

Minako Arisato || Second Year

[complementing]

[ Ceremony ]

[It's mostly a lack of precedent that landed one Minako Arisato in this situation. Being a second year transfer was strange enough to begin with, but when the question of how she would receive her rosary came up, the nuns had given each other significant looks before deciding that she would receive her rosary along with the first years, and sit with the second year class afterward.

So this is Minako, towering over the tiny first years as she receives her rosary from the Yamayurkai members. She smiles politely enough, but when she returns to her seat with the second years, she's giving her rosary a bewildered look, as if she's still not sure how she got into this school. Maybe a fellow second year could kindly ask if she's alright.]

[ After the Ceremony ]

[There's still about fifteen minutes before club time officially starts, but she's already heading to the club buildings, eager to get rid of her excess energy. No matter what kind of activity or ceremony it is, sitting still in a chair with only leg bouncing as a distraction is the worst.]

Excuse me, there's a volleyball club here, right? Could you please tell me where I can sign up?

[soundsofthesea]

[It's hard not to be a little jumpy during the ceremony, honestly. Riko gets it. She gives Minako a wave as she approaches, having heard the question.]

Minako-san, right? It's good to meet you. I'm Riko, and we're going to be in the same class, so I hope we can be friends.

[Bright smiles!]

The volleyball club is going to be meeting up in the gym - take a left when you pass the archery range and you'll see it.

Riko Sakurauchi | Second Year

[soundsofthesea]

[Ceremony:]

[Has it really been a year since her own entrance ceremony? It doesn't feel like it, Riko thinks as she watches the nervous first-years. It's nostalgic, in a good way.

Rosa Foetida en bouton she may be, but she doesn't need to say anything. She tries her best to be reassuring, giving every girl a warm smile as she receives her rosary. Once everything is finished, she can be found just outside, ready to direct new students or just say a friendly hello.]

[Later:]

[It's a lovely day, and the windows to the music room are open. The sounds of piano music can be heard, and if you peek inside, you'll see Riko at the piano. School may be in session, but she has a piano competition coming up and isn't going to skip out on practice. She might not be happy to be interrupted, but she certainly doesn't mind if someone listens.]

[ufonium]

[The wonderful advantages of being a first year - and one without a Soeur, in fact - is that Kumiko gets stuck doing all the gofer work. The wind ensemble band had their first little meeting, and it would've been just her luck that she left one of her notebooks behind in the music room. Not one for any class she has coming up today, but she heads out to grab it just before lunch is over.

What she is not expecting is someone at the piano, and someone that seems like they've been there for a while. She knows people don't like being interrupted when practicing... she doesn't much either, when she bothers to actually do it.

Wait, she knows this face... right? Maybe... ohhh, she was up there during the welcoming ceremony with the Yamayurikai.

... Uhh mmmmaybe she should come back later to get that notebook, it's not that important.

Or she could sit there, indecisive, and stare into the room like a deer lost in the headlights. The music's very good, and she'll always have a musical affiliation.]

Kaede "probably raised by wolves" (no last name) | First Year

[long_live_the_queen]

[A. Ceremony]

[She hadn't been plucked off the street, but a situation barely a step removed from them. Kaede was a problem, at an orphanage that was already failing. It'd be a noble story, a lost little devil made whole again through the mercy of the academy. But Kaede was a problem case in more than rumor; she'd frightened the staff at the orphanage with her silence, and again with her violence. She was difficult, with her last conflict before that orphanage closed particularly bloody. Even her age was difficult to determine. So with the first years she walked.

But here, she was given a second chance. And they'd been kind to her. Kindness, where she'd known nothing like it in her life. That astonished look when someone had touched her head in gentleness rather than a disciplinary blow was quite possibly the reason she was here at all. Why she was even walking at this ceremony.

Kaede was trying hard, honestly so, to behave. To repay that kindness. To act presentable, to act like she wasn't some half-feral animal shoved into a uniform.

But it came though anyway, though subtly. The stiffness to her legs and stride, the confrontation barely hidden in the confident way her shoulders were raised. The suspicious glances when she could get away with them. Little gestures that hinted at the rage rattling about under the lid, quelled only briefly when a nun she recognized glanced her way.]

[B. Afterpa—Afterwards]

[Kaede didn't seem to relax after all that was over and done with. If she could even relax at all, in a strange place and surrounded by no one she knew. She'd retreated to the greenhouse, but it was difficult to be truly alone here.

In fact, she had a sneaking suspicion that she wasn't.]

Who's there.

[It wasn't a question. It was a demand.]

[C. Choose your own adventure]

[Neither of these prompts work, have a different idea, etc? This one's for you!]

((OOC: Standard "please ignore the horns in her icons" here.))

Elizabeth Comstock | Second year

[tearitup]

A

Hello! Welcome to the academy! I hope you'll have a wonderful time here.

[ Elizabeth looks absolutely thrilled to be starting the new year. As Rosa Chinensis en Bouton, of course she's there to lend a helping hand. She's focusing on helping the first years with whatever issues they might have, but she's also willing to speak to her fellow second- and third-years. Come say hi! ]

B

If you're looking to broaden your horizons, the Literary Club is a perfect fit for you!

[ She's promoting what's near and dear to her heart: books. Elizabeth has even made little flyers for the occasion--they're bookmarks, designed like the covers of classic literary works. ]

B

[ufonium]

[She'd been... trying... this whole time... to avoid going back to being in band. She'd been a little tired of it when she left Kyoto, and really, this wasn't any different, so browsing the open school clubs is definitely on the agenda!

Literary Club! She likes reading!

... She thinks.]

What kind of books do you guys read?

[Hopefully not boring ones.] Hopefully not boring ones... [Wait, she said that out loud...]

Hitomi | Second Year

[schlagerei]

a;

[ Well, this is all terribly new and formal, isn't it? As someone from Titty Ninja Central with a history of daily fighting, the sheer peace of the place was quite a shock to Hitomi when she first got here.

But you acclimate. You always acclimate. Being as positive and outgoing as she was, naturally it fell to her to be one of the welcoming people at the start of a new year. So, in the front hall, she's leaning back on a bench with a book on her lap. Occasionally, she'll read a few lines, but mostly she's scanning - watching new arrivals with a faint smile on her face, looking for someone who seems lost or confused. ]

b;

[ Then, later - fighting. She hasn't missed a day of karate practice in her life and she's not about to start now! There's the kendo club, but, well...it's not karate. At some point in the early evening, once that club has let out, she takes over the little dojo. Practicing her moves, exercising, doing everything that would cause a scandal if she were just fighting someone in the square.

Second place in that last tournament. She is not going to let that happen again. ]

B

[ofwindandarrows]

[And she thought the archery club was here late. With her bow unstringed and hanging from its little case from her shoulder, she's a bit surprised to hear someone in the dojo still practicing, even after their practice had let out.

For a moment, she just stands and watches, shifting her grip on the pink bow-cover a little at some point, as though it's not a four foot tall beacon.

Maybe she'll wait until she's noticed before she says anything - she knows how not to interrupt people when they're in The Zone.

Though as soon as she is noticed, she raises a hand in greeting.] Heya. Didn't think anyone else was still here.

[theleonking]

a. Ceremony:

[It might be the case that Leo's family had sent her here for a little polishing, but that doesn't mean she's the indecorous sort who would disrupt an important ceremony. At least, not on purpose. But she's an eddy in the otherwise smooth current of the proceedings all the same. Even smoothed and combed and stripped of her usual braids and ribbons her long, thick pale hair stands out, marking her as foreign. And she's just plain bigger, more mature-looking than most of the first-years - or for that matter, most of the third-years - and while the upperclassmen aren't likely to mistake her for one of them, her face being obviously new, confusion tends to follow in her wake as some of the other first-years wonder if they've gotten mixed into the wrong line somehow.

Still, she at least looks smooth, following the procession and accepting her rosary with polite grace. No cause for complaint there.]

b. The Rest:

[As the day wears on and she starts mixing in with the rest of the students, though, it becomes easier to see how she fits in and how she doesn't. She's perceptive enough to see how the students are expected to comport themselves and disciplined enough to follow suit: to relax, keep her pace slow and voice low, offer a bow or curtsy to her upperclassmen and the nuns. But she has a deep voice that carries a boyish, energetic tone, a certain spring in her step, and flashing eyes that seem to offer a challenge to everything they light on that give the sterner nuns to linger when they pass her.

And if her manners come off as a little tomboyish around the edges, her interests are unabashedly so. The clubs she visits are all those that can be considered martial arts or contact sports, and she'll ask pretty much anyone who gives her the time of day whether there's any sort of equestrian club. No matter that they're in the city; surely any school with such strong aristocratic roots must have some sort of property or arrangement so that the students can learn or practice their riding?]

[ofwindandarrows]

Um, actually, if you're looking for the Kendo club, they meet in the dojo next to the archery range. [She points the direction she was already walking. Looks like Yukari was sort of watching their newest arrival.]

I can show ya, if you want?

Rise Kujikawa | Second Year

[therealrisette]

[Ceremony]

[This year's Rosa Gigantea en bouton would have come as no surprise to anyone. It was almost a foregone conclusion that someone as popular and even famous as Rise Kujikawa would end up with connections of some kind to the Yamayurikai almost from the day she arrived on her first year.

That fame, of course, doesn't stem from anything so controversial for a proper young lady as being an idol. This Rise is a serious dramatic actress, and an incredibly talented one at that. Not that she doesn't have some youthful mischief about her - her trademark twintails still stand out as a contrast to her public image. And those who know her beyond her reputation know she loves to tease and have fun with her friends. Even her Onee-sama isn't immune, and Rise is especially clingy and affectionate with her.

She comes into this new school year with a cheerful smile and a perky bounce in her step. Time to cheerfully greet all the new first-years! She does have to contain herself and be proper once that time actually comes, though... what a drag...

She mostly stands by her Onee-sama, until she spots any first-year standing away from the crowd and looking lost. That's when she takes it upon herself to personally hand out a rosary, with a warm and friendly smile. ... Maybe this girl would even be the one to give her rosary to, someday.]

[Club Activities]

[The drama club is truly Rise's domain. She may not be the senior student in attendance, but she is the recognized talent of the group and seems to be calling the shots more often than not. Such as what sort of scenes to practice for today.]

Hmm, I think we should try something with a little conflict. Maybe a love triangle?

[Whether you're a fellow member in attendance or a first-year visiting to see if the club is right for you, Rise looks to everyone for their input. As well as scanning the gathered girls to see who might be good for what sort of part...]

Second one

[ofwindandarrows]

['Ello, Rosa Gigantea en Bouton, one of the other Yamayurikai is here. She's not actually a part of the Drama club (even if she sits in every so often and plays Extras when she needs to because 1) she's Rise's friend and 2) she's actually a great actress, she just... is busy with so much other stuff. Mostly being a badass archery club star and also being on the Yamayurikai.

She's not actually in the room, she snuck in the door as everyone was planning. Or less snuck in and more just sort of walked in because she needs to grab Rise to take her to the Rose Mansion before the day is out, but hey, close enough.]

Does it have to be a love triangle? Someone always ends up being painted as the bad guy when they 'lose' the love interest. [I'm not sorry.]

Aqua || Third Year

[aquavitae]

[ After the Ceremony ]

[Her last opening ceremony at this school is now over, and Aqua is feeling a little nostalgic about, well, everything. As she walks to where the kendo team is congregating for club recruitment matters, she can't help a small smile from forming on her lips at the sight of a bevvy of giggling girls nearby. There are things about this school that she has qualms with, that she wishes were done differently. Even so, she's had a good time here. Her last year will hopefully be the same. Aqua carries that idea with her as she speaks with any who may be interested in (or perhaps wary of) the club, the calm and mature captain of the team.]

Kendo club is just like any other club. You make important friends and important memories that you carry for the rest of your time here and beyond. [She smiles kindly.] I could show you some pictures from our meetings, if you'd like.

[ Kendo Club ]

[She arrives early and leaves late without fail at every practice. Any day that she's feeling especially motivated, she's unlikely to leave anytime before it gets properly dark out. Today is one of those days, it seems. Once she has seen all of the members off, her voice is echoing through the dojo once again, loud and with copious amounts of sweat. But she's focused, beauty in controlled motion, and won't acknowledge any visitors until she finishes a series of kata.]

Kendo Club (plot point dos)

[ofwindandarrows]

[You know what, she really likes watching the other physical clubs go, and the kendo dojo is near the archery range anyway - hell, they share a locker room to change into their gis, so it's not like she doesn't see the two clubs mixing a lot.

And the Kendo club captain she has a lot of respect for. The particular third year's not just nice, she just has a sort of way of... resonating with people. Plus, she's really good at kendo - for being the epitome of upper class proper ladyship, their kendo team sure as hell is a wrecker. Thus, Yukari stops one night after a late Kyudou practice to just watch the footwork. Once it seems like Aqua's done, though...] You know, if I tried half of that I'd probably just fall on my face like an idiot. [There's certain kata and moves associated with Kyudou, but none of them are as dramatic. It's a much more focus-oriented sport after all.]

Mitsuru Kirijo | Third Year

[penthesileia]

[If there were ever any doubts about who the Rosa Chinensis would be at the beginning of her third year, they were few and mostly whispered in private. Everyone knew that Mitsuru Kirijo would be the Red Rose. Kirijo Group is one of Lillian Private Academy's biggest bankrollers, and the inheritor to its sprawling business arms might as well own the school.

The Yamayurikai may not have absurd levels of power or influence in the school, but Mitsuru herself does... if she so wished. Normally, however, she's inclined to be as much of a normal student as she can possibly be.

Unfortunately, that's not as often as she'd like.]

[A]

[In the opening ceremony, Mitsuru stands in the front of the room with the other Roses. One by one, the first-years come up, and one by one, she gives them their rosary with a polite smile and nod of her head.

And then, the first years are gone, off to their initiations and introductions to the school proper. Mitsuru exhales, softly, before remarking to the person closest to her-- you:] It's a shame I won't be able to greet them again next year. They seem so... energetic. It's really quite refreshing.

[B]

[Most high schools in this country would have a kendo club, and so does Lillian Academy. It also has a Western fencing club.

There's a demonstration for first-year students, on an outdoor stage amidst all the other clubs advertising for new members. Two young women are on the stage in full fencing garb, each holding a foil. One lunges, the other parries, and in the blink of an eye the second has landed a hit directly on the chest of the other.

They bow and turn, and Mitsuru-- victorious, of course-- removes her helmet, her dark red hair spilling out of confinement and down her shoulders.]

[aquavitae]

[As the team captain of Lillian Academy's kendo club, Aqua usually doesn't have time to keep up with the other sports clubs, despite how much she would like to. She picks up news when she can, goes to tournaments if she's free, and tries to keep up good cross-club relations. The first few weeks of the new term is the best time for her to work on this, when the only club obligations are recruitment and spring cleaning.

It's how she finds herself observing the fencing club demonstration. Fencing and kendo are completely different styles of sword-fighting, but the intense need for focus, speed, and form is the same. It makes watching the match very enjoyable despite needing to stand her ground against the tide of the audience. Everyone knows it's Rosa Chinensis under that helmet.

She claps along with the rest of them, and when the crowd eventually, finally disperses, she takes the chance to approach the redhead. She only wants a few words.]

That was a wonderful match. Thank you for the opportunity to see you in your best form, Rosa Chinensis.

Yuyuko Saigyouji | Third Year

[resurrection_butterfly]

[A]

[Yuyuko had completely forgotten about the ceremony, and instead was off sitting quietly under a cherry tree. The thing about the new school year was that it was also when the cherry blossoms bloomed. She couldn't help but want to sit below it and appreciate the subtle breeze rustling through the branches. It had been so pleasant that she had fallen asleep, a book open on her lap. She was almost the perfect example of a classical painting.]

[B]

[Alas she had missed everything, and it was far too late to do anything about it. Perhaps she could at least regroup with her class and carry on from there? Of course she didn't hurry or anything, she wasn't even worried about anything. But, she could at least see the new first years mingle about after receiving their rosaries.]

I really should have been there, it's my role to set a good example now.

[She spoke with a softly, a slight giggle in her tone. She had made a promise, but ended up doing exactly what she had promised not to do. But, sometimes it was hard to change your nature. And really, it was just as important to appreciate the beauty of nature, especially when it was so short a time to appreciate it. She was sure she would be forgiven for being late.]

B - let's put the oddest of the odd ducks together

[ufonium]

[And this is Kumiko Oumae - first year student extraordinaire, and usually the person found saying random things out loud to herself.]

Um... did you mean to say that out loud?

[It is the strangest thing in the world to be on the other side of that.]