lillian_academy | Welcome to the New Year

"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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[ 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?

[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.

Oh, yeah! I mean, yes. [She's trying so hard.] I'd like that too.

[She has her doubts but it's nice to hope sometimes. Minako glances off towards the archery range, nodding.]

Thank you so much. [And then, to make small talk.] Which club are you in, Riko-san?

[Yomi doesn't care much for sitting around, either – especially since she's a third year and the rosary ceremony is old hat for her. She does recognize Minako as the second year transfer who got her beads with the first years. Since it was probably kind of an odd experience, she isn't going to start off by mentioning it.]

Oh, I definitely could. But how about joining the kendo team instead?

[If her motivations aren't already clear, Yomi has a shinai balanced on her shoulder. A recruiting technique? You know, for show. Not to threaten people or anything. She certainly doesn't seem too threatening with that easy smile on her face.]

[Minako stops short, blinking.]

Thank you for the offer, but I have my heart set on volleyball. [She smiles sheepishly.] I'm probably not the best person for kendo anyways, even if it's a beautiful sport. I'm way too-- [Ack.] Er, I mean, I'm not very good at staying still.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Well, if she's being invited to ask questions, then who is she to refuse? Though, there is actually something that she'd like an opinion on.]

I guess I do have a question. Just out of curiosity...do you know how many girls don't get soeurs here? Or is that private information?

How many don't? [Mitsuru tilts her head to the side, tapping her index finger against the side of her jaw.] There certainly are some girls who don't take part in the tradition on either side, of course; they're something of a minority.

I'd estimate about a quarter of any given class won't ever participate. Is it something you have a concern about?

[A quarter of any given class? That's still a lot of people. People who hopefully don't mind if she hangs out with them. Minako gives her senpai a little smile and dainty shrug.]

It's not really a concern? I just wanted to know. I'd like to make friends with them. [And, because she feels bad for not being completely honest and there's something about Rosa Chinensis that makes her want to be:] Since I don't think I'll be able to find an underclassman I'll click with.

Of course, there's nothing at all in our charter or culture that mandates being part of the soeur tradition to be friends with people.

Though, if I may ask, why do you believe that to be the case? We have all types here.

Welcome to the New Year

Minako Arisato || Second Year

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