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.

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[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!]

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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.]

[penthesileia]

[Hi Minako. You've just approached the Rosa Chinensis. Mitsuru turns to look at the girl who'd approached her, and favors her with a smile.] Arisato-san, yes? I'm sure they'd love to have you join.

The club office is on the end of the hallway at the second floor, but I don't believe they're accepting applications until tomorrow.

[theleonking]

[Okay, she's a little surprised. Eyebrows go up, eyebrows go down, she can't explain this. But damn it, she's a smooth operator herself, and she give the White Rose a polite little bow for appearances, before her undaunted eyes track up to Sei's.]

If you count by minutes, maybe. I must have made a good impression.

[Leo puts her hand on her hip, breaking the stiff, demure posture of the bow and matching the casual tone.]

Come to join us? [She was speaking to a couple other first-years, something ridiculous about swimming the English Channel.] Or do you need me for something?

[aquavitae]

[Aqua turns to smile at her visitor once she's done, reaching up to flick her damp bangs out of her face. A year ago she could tell at a glance that Yukari was brimming with potential, a woman worthy as a peer despite the age difference. It pleased her to see the the other girl improving in school and her chosen sport by leaps and bounds every time they had a chance to chat. It's much the same now, knowing that Yukari and the other club members will be competing in a high stakes tournament soon. They aren't soeurs, but Aqua has a small amount of pride for Yukari, in her own way.]

The shinai is an extension of the wielder's body, just like how the bow is the archer's. You'd pick it up quickly if you tried it.

[She takes a detour to set her shinai on the rack and to fetch her handkerchief before stepping closer, patting away the stresses of practice.]

But the bow suits you better. I could learn a lot from you, I'm sure.

[complementing]

Wait, you're telling me this uptight, reserved school lets boys visit? On multiple occasions? Color me surprised. Yeah, I can definitely imagine how they get.

[She lets out a huge gust of air.]

And finding an outlet is healthy, but for a school that boasts something as socially intimate as the soeur system, it's kind of disappointing that gossip still floats around. I guess I'll have to watch my back.

[complementing]

[Minako is definitely getting that movie-watcher vibe from Chie, but she thinks it's kind of endearing, and refreshing considering most of the other girls at this school are dainty flowers. Which, there's nothing wrong with, it just gets kind of tiresome to be as equally dainty after a while.]

I'd definitely like to pick up any moves you or any of the other senpai are willing to teach. It'd be good training for volleyball, right? I have to work my arm and leg muscles.

[She experimentally jabs her arm out in a decent looking right hook.]

[complementing]

[It's one thing to read about the Yamayurikai before transferring; it's quite another to find herself talking face-to-face with Rosa Chinensis. On her first day. Minako doesn't consider herself to be the swooning type, but she has to admit that there's a certain charisma and charm to the Rose that could easily make her want to, if she were a different girl. To say nothing of how stunningly beautiful she is.

Minako hopes that a curtsy will do as proper greeting etiquette for now. She at least doesn't want to make a bad impression, though clearly Rosa Chinensis already knows who she is. Which...is surprising, to say the least, even if her transfer paperwork had gone to the Roses for one reason or another.]

Thank you so much, Rosa Chinensis. I'm sorry for interrupting your duties.

[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.

i guess i should tag this huh - A

[ofwindandarrows]

[Well, if Mitsuru's status wasn't in any question, though, Yukari's was. She'd been dodging rumor after rumor after rumor, not willing to share the status of her being someone's soeur. She'd been a firebrand in her first year, and grabbed the attention of more than a few suitors, but she'd been so quick, so harsh in turning any and all of them down that it almost seemed offering was a folly.

It had also not been much of a secret, though she tried to be polite, that she hadn't much cared for that year's Chinensis en Bouton - something about strife between their families, was the rumor, but, as with her soeur status, Yukari wouldn't humor anything, so no one actually knew the truth. Still, there was always a strange friction that never really seemed to be resolved, even at the end of the year, and yet...

The gossipy rumor mill is up again this year, this time the whispers flooding the crowd are because Yukari is standing up at the front with the rest of the Yamayurikai - as this year's Rosa Chinensis en Bouton. She seems nonplussed, at least for now.] Yeah? They definitely seem to have even more energy than my class did last year. I'll have to report back to ya next year if it's the same.

[penthesileia]

[Mitsuru pulls her white gloves off, tucking them into her helmet, which she holds between her elbow and her side. She runs a hand back through her hair, pushing sweat-darkened bangs off her forehead, and smiles at the other third-year approaching her.] Please, Aqua. I think we've known each other long enough that we don't need to use titles, don't you?

[penthesileia]

[Mitsuru raises an eyebrow at the curtsy, responding to it in kind, though hers is shallower, indicating a proper understanding of their respective status. It's a mildly overly formal greeting, though.] You haven't interrupted anything. Part of my duties on the first few days of school involves directing and assisting newcomers as needed. So please, don't think anything of it. You're free to ask me anything.

[penthesileia]

[And at least in this PSL, they aren't banging every night. Or are they??? Mitsuru chuckles softly, reaching up to flip her hand through her hair.] Maybe it's just a matter of perspective. I might be feeling nostalgic already, and we've only just begun the term. But I'd like to hear that either way. I'll be relying on you to keep things orderly when you're in my position, Yukari.

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.]

[aquavitae]

Sorry, Mitsuru! Force of habit. It's been so long since we last talked, just the two of us.

[She smiles warmly as she offers a handkerchief.]

I do mean it, though, about your match. It's been a while since the last time I watched you fence, but you're still as formidable as ever.

[ofwindandarrows]

[Most likely not. Yet. Possibly not for a while. Also I would like to inform you I saw that Utena reference. I c wut u did thr.] Yeah, cuz you're already super old, right? [She gives a little giggle, as she glances back over at her grande soeur.]

I'll do my best. But it's not like the Yamayurikai is a one-person show. [Which is as much a reminder to Mitsuru as herself.]

Speaking of which, try not to have too much fun with us trying to figure out who to take as our petit soeurs.

[ofwindandarrows]

Just for the play in a couple months. [She waves a hand.] Some kinda tradition. They're trying to do it more often, though, to 'facilitate continued good relations' between the two schools or something. [She shrugs because she clearly has a negative opinion about it, but otherwise doesn't care much.]

The Soeur system is what gets the most gossip. [A sigh.] ... Maybe I should just tell these chatty girls I actually will be Rosa Chinensis en Bouton to shut 'em up. Not like it won't be public later. [She's just fighting it.]

[ofwindandarrows]

[Ah yes, this would be why Aqua is good at resonating with people. She can see the positives in just about any situation.] I mean I could do the arm motions. [She makes a brief cutting motion in the air with her hands, obviously not perfect in her stance or anything, like she was bringing a sword down onto someone's head.] I've just never been super quick with my feet. I guess that'd teach me, though, yeah? You don't really have much to dodge in archery.

[She shifts the motion from a bad impersonation of a Kendo move into rolling and stretching out her shoulder. She smiles up at Aqua, though.] ... I think I could teach ya the basics, but I wonder if you wouldn't be better than me pretty quickly. [It's not a joke about her own abilities, it's a compliment to Aqua's.]

[ibara_no_mori]

No, no, I just thought I'd say hello. Make sure you're not getting into too much trouble. [She says it so casually and familiarly, like they've known each other for months, at least, instead of literally having seen each other once.

Interesting first years are definitely a thing to seek out, because they always have the most interesting stories around them.]

Being an exchange student is hard, and even harder if you're foreign. Call it a duty as a member of the Yamayurikai. [That it literally a lie, but it comes so easily from Sei it placates the crowd. She literally doesn't care about much, because some things haven't changed since she was a second year, spiteful at the world, so she really only goes after what interests her.]

you try getting abandoned at a train station by your girlfriend right when you're about to run away

[ibara_no_mori]

Well, it's also a Shakespearean Tragedy, so all you have to do is know a little Shakespeare. [Looks like Sei wins this little exchange of poking at things that shouldn't be poked at, though, which just affirms a few suspicions she'd also had about this particular girl. Anger is a secondary emotion - it's caused by something else, and she knows that very, very keenly.]

Juliet not falling quite so easily and deeply in love with Romeo would just be an improvement on it. Maybe then no one would've had to die.

[ibara_no_mori]

Mmm, you say that now. [Man this is going to be the second time she gets to say this. Apparently there's more people that need her Onee-sama's advice than she thought.

... Too bad half the time she can't be assed to interact with most people. She still has a pretty small circle of things she's interested in.] No one can predict the future.

As long as you're in school, why not indulge it? Growing up too fast never helps anyone.

[ufonium]

I hope so... [She knows about their history. They're a consistently good band, though not always at the top of the charts, so maybe she'll make some nice memories while she's here, and not have to take competition quite so seriously like in Middle School.

... Except it seems like, in this whole school, she's surrounded by people that are exceptional at something and destined for success. And things can change very quickly.]

Well, I hope you do well. [That is actually honest. She can seem very passive and uncaring, but this doesn't concern her, so she can at least do some well-wishing.

With that, she nods, firmly, and very stiffly walks into the room, well aware she's probably being watched as she goes to see if she can find her notebook. Because she's acting weird.]

that's rough buddy

[long_live_the_queen]

They were both being stupid.

[Now Kaede more obviously broke eye contact, glancing at a point somewhere over Sei's shoulder instead of her face. Her own shoulders weren't huddled so much like a defensive animal now, but she rocked back on her heels slightly too. Yes, yes, you win this time Gadget, please stop poking her.]

[penthesileia]

[She gets the message. But it would be simply out of character for her to not try to do the lion's share of the work.] Of course not. Still, it'd be a terrible example for me to foist my duties off on my underclassmen. We all must pull our weight, after all.

[Her lips turn upwards into a little smile.] Are you planning on finding one after all? My, you've really taken to the institution.

[She's teasing you, Yukari...]

[penthesileia]

Thank you-- [She says, taking the handkerchief and dabbing at her brow for a few moments before folding it up-- one-handed, at that.] Really, I'm rusty. My form was terribly inadequate. I'll have to be sure to spend time practicing if I'm going to get anywhere at Nationals this year. I'm surprised you're not demonstrating yourself, actually. Did you leave it to your juniors this year?

[aquavitae]

Modest as always.

[Her words get a little wistful.]

Yes, they were eager to prove themselves, and I'm only going to be captain for so much longer. I thought it would be a good experience for them.