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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 2:03:41 GMT -5
The unassuming teenage girl stood by the luggage carousel, blond hair poking out of her hood and blue eyes taking in everything with warm fascination, dressed in an orange and blue dress under a green jacket. She smiled at everyone as she waited, alight with the causal confidence only the mostly-invulnerable could muster.
Susan's flight from Oregon had been an uneventful one, giving the Daunt scion plenty of time to look through Saint Dympha's brochure for the umpteenth time. It all sounded so new and exciting and different from the family homestead. And her parents had decided to send her *here* to test it out for future Daunts to finishing their training. Serious business to work hard at, but by no means serious business she had to not do with a laugh and a smile and dozens of new friends to Fight Evil with should the need arise.
She laughed to herself again and adjusted her grip on her backpack, content to wait a bit longer for her suitcase.
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Post by Shihab on Jul 8, 2010 2:12:11 GMT -5
Shihab left the flight with a loud yawn and a stretch, rolling his neck around. The plane hadn't been that cramped, but he was definitely glad to be off of it. Glancing around, he found a sign pointing to the baggage claim, and started off in that direction, his gait gravitating towards its usual swagger as his legs un-cramped.
He glanced outside, his gaze bright and a bit intense, and watched the wind swirl around the barren-looking ground. It was like a desert, he thought, except a lot less colorful. At least it was still warm in the airport; all his heavier clothing had been packed in his two duffel bags, and he was still wearing the black T-shirt, cutoff shorts, and sneakers he'd left the Egyptian airport with.
Susan caught his eye, as there weren't many people there yet, and he briefly wondered if she was a student at the Academy or not-- this place was in the middle of nowhere, he figured, why else would a mid-teen girl be just standing around alone, here? Didn't seem a likely spot for a summer home.
"Hey!" He grinned winningly, giving her a wave. "Are you new at St. Dymphna's, too?"
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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 2:25:05 GMT -5
Susan looked up at her interogator before busting out a ten-watt smile of her own and making one of her trusting snap judgements that had her tutors facepalming so often at home, "Yup! Waiting for my suitcase before seeing about finding a ride there if they aren't providing one. You can call me Susan."
Oh. This was going so well already.
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Post by Shihab on Jul 8, 2010 2:32:36 GMT -5
"Ah! Susan-- it's a lovely name." He gave her another grin, slightly more roguish, and a bit of a bow to go. "I believe there's a bus provided, which is nice-- I'd hate to have to walk there, in this weather." He stepped a bit closer, up to the carousel, and glanced upwards. "But I forget myself-- my name is Shihab." Extending a hand, he tapped the other absently on the rail. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Susan."
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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 2:44:21 GMT -5
She laughed and took the hand, resisting the impulse to test whether or not the whiff of something *other* about the taller boy meant he could take her strength, "No problem. You remembered quickly enough to please even my parents, and they're *all about* politeness this and manners that. It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Shihab. Is that name Arabic?"
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Post by Shihab on Jul 8, 2010 2:50:57 GMT -5
Quick as a wink, he raised the hand and lowered his head, planting a kiss on her wrist.
"Ah, but etiquette is of great importance the world over, no?" He grinned again, and inclined his head modestly. "It is indeed! As am I, in fact-- though I'm sure you could've gotten that without aid."
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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 3:02:59 GMT -5
The Daunt scion blushed a little before reclaiming her arm, "I thought so, but I've been taught to test assumptions before relying on them. Saves insult and injury for all concerned everytime. Hee hee. Not that I remember that good advise when my blood is up, so maybe I should apoligize in advance for being myself."
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Post by Laquinta Sebuz on Jul 8, 2010 6:09:42 GMT -5
Laquinta was a bit behind. Her suitcase had been a bit slow down the lane, and she was now dragging the one medium-sized piece of luggage after her towards the bus stop. She rearranged the scarf around her head to look a bit more like an actual piece of clothing than a hasty improv turban. She was wearing wide khaki trousers, topped by a white blouse with a desing of flowers and leaves in traditional style embroidered on the sleeves. The sight of others there made her frown, and she joined the group waiting for the bus quietly.
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Post by Mellianne Joss on Jul 8, 2010 11:43:26 GMT -5
Mellianne grabbed her luggage from the carousel and went to the bus stop like she did last year after remembering to buy a bottle of water at a vending machine real quick. If she had had the time, she would have shopped around for her favorite soda, but you never knew when the bus would come, or at least she didn't, so she didn't dare stop to look.
Wearing her normal blue shirt and her winter jeans, she glared at the thin layer of snow on the ground. Coming up to the bus top, she noticed a girl with her hair covered and in khaki's. "Hello!"
Hopefully this semester would be as fun as last semester.
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Post by Kahlen Jeanne Nox on Jul 8, 2010 12:28:38 GMT -5
Kahlen went up to the luggage carousel and pulled off her bags. She glanced at her left shoulder to make sure Mikhail, her lucky hedgehog, was still there. He snuffled her ear and she gave him a little pat on the head.
Heading out to the bus stop, Kahlen said to Mikhail, "Ready for a new adventure?"
She grinned as she spotted Mellianne at the stop, standing next to a few people she didn't recognize. "Hey, Mellianne!" she shouted, waving. She smiled at the new kids and waved.
"How was your break? Mikhail's been doing great. I'm sure he'd like to say hello." Kahlen lifted the hedgehog from her shoulder and cradled him in her elbow.
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Post by Less Than Beta East Tundra on Jul 8, 2010 12:31:54 GMT -5
Though Less wasn't new meat in any sense of the term, he had been staying with his pack over break and thus had arrived at the same time as the newcomers. He was getting used to plane rides, though he still didn't like them. With his head held high he bounded into the group of students and nearly ran into the girl with the scarf on her head. "I'm sorry, new person. I didn't mean to do that," he apologized.
It was only then that he noticed Kahlen and Mellianne. "Oh, hey! It's been a while," he called to them.
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Post by Kahlen Jeanne Nox on Jul 8, 2010 12:38:40 GMT -5
Kahlen waved and also moved one of Mikhail's paws in a waving motion. "How was your break, Less?"
She reached up to untangle her headphone cords from her glasses. After a moment of fidgeting with one hand, she plopped Mikhail on her head to free up her right arm. "Sorry I couldn't plan any sort of meetup. Perhaps we can hang out this summer."
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Post by Manuel Alvarez on Jul 8, 2010 12:55:46 GMT -5
Manuel shifted his bag so that it was balanced better; he did not want to disturb its contents any more than they would have been in the cargo hold. His bag wasn't smoking, so he figured that none of his jars and ampoules had broken during the trip. He was still a little worried about them, though. He hoped the bus would hurry up and arrive so he could check on them.
He wandered over to the group of students, but ended up standing next to an adult. Well, he supposed an adult could be a student. It was more likely that this was a teacher, though. Since it was always good to befriend those with authority, Manuel decided that he ought to make conversation with this person.
How did conversation go again? "Hello," he started. "I'm Manuel Alvarez. Call me Mannie, though. What do you teach?" Please be chemistry, please be chemistry, please be chemistry...
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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 13:11:55 GMT -5
Having moved away when the luggage carusel vomited up her suitcase, Susan returned with the heavy item to find a cluster of other assumed students, many with obvious or subtle signs of *otherness* about them. Okay. Be friendly but be on her toes it was.
Never one to be daunted by an active conversation, she commented brightly while indicating her conversation mate, "A pleasure to meet you all. Please call me Susan. And this is Shihab. We're new."
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Post by Mellianne Joss on Jul 8, 2010 13:17:41 GMT -5
Mellianne grinned as she glanced at Mikhail. "Hey cutie!" She turned to Kahlen and Less. "Hey guys! And I just hogged the pool the whole time."
She glanced at the new girl. "Hello. I'm Mellianne."
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Post by Jim Modest on Jul 8, 2010 13:18:41 GMT -5
The tall pillar of man craned his stony neck neck down to the mouse-like boy Mannie and gave a suave, starry smile.
"Hello, Mannie," he responded with a sonorous, dramatic resonance. "My name is Jim - Jim Modest. And what drives you to take me as a teacher? Perhaps I work in the town." The muscles of his arms and chest became prominent through his blue and red skinsuit as he pointed to the edge of the airport to where Port Virtue's city proper was splayed out.
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Post by Kahlen Jeanne Nox on Jul 8, 2010 13:30:57 GMT -5
Kahlen waved to Susan and Shihab. "Nice to meet you, too! I'm Kahlen." She held up Mikhail, who was snuggly wrapped in a scarf. "This is Mikhail."
She thought the new students seemed nice. Nothing like Verin, at least. "Where are you guys from?"
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Post by Susan Daunt on Jul 8, 2010 13:34:07 GMT -5
The Daunt scion grinned at Mellianne, positively bubbling with good cheer completely unaffected by the cold, "So you were at the Academy in the first semester, right? Is it as nice as the brochure says it is, or is it even better? How long till everyone is supposed to get here and we can go there?"
"Oregon," she added in response to Kahlen, "At least that's where we live most of the year."
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Post by Kahlen Jeanne Nox on Jul 8, 2010 13:41:15 GMT -5
Kahlen nodded. "Ah. I've never been to Oregon. I'm from Alberta."
She stamped her feet on the ground a bit to keep warm. "The bus should be here relatively soon. Last semester we waited until everyone was here before the bus left. Quite an interesting ride..."
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Post by Parum Callidus Diabolus on Jul 8, 2010 14:20:21 GMT -5
A woman stood by the luggage carousel, watching over the new students walking off the plane and collecting their luggage. She had a number of very large suitcases behind her, and seemed to be a tiny bit worried.
"I hope they have room for all my things. Now, where are some people to carry them for me...?"
She decided the very large, blond haired man would do. She stepped up to him with a small flutter in her wings in order to reach his height.
"Excuse me, sir! Would you mind terribly helping a lady with her luggage~?"
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Post by Less Than Beta East Tundra on Jul 8, 2010 14:42:51 GMT -5
Less cocked his head to the side. "This is a nice place. It is warm, and there are many deer and rabbits in the forest. It is very different from home, though. See, I have brought things back from the tundra." He rummaged through a freshly-made caribou skin bag and pulled out a set of bone leather working tools. He held up an awl for examination. "Here, these are made of wood and metal. Better materials."
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Post by Jim Modest on Jul 8, 2010 14:47:17 GMT -5
"My lady," Jim turns, his eyebrow arching as he turned to look upon Parum. "My eyesight must be going since I did not spot your dazzling brilliance sooner." He goes to one knee, and takes her hand to gently kiss it.
Before she can finish blushing, he's back on his feet, hands on hips and elbows extended in action pose. "Luggage, you say? Which ones are yours?"
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Post by Manuel Alvarez on Jul 8, 2010 14:49:20 GMT -5
Mannie stared up at Modest for slightly too long before a very wide, somewhat manic grin spread across his face. "You're with the students, so I assumed you were a teacher." his voice began to take on an unusual tone as his brain started working in overdrive. "What are those clothes made of? What makes them that stretchy? Can I have a sample?" At he spoke that last sentence he pulled open his luggage bag and began looking through it. "I bet I could make it better."
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Post by Parum Callidus Diabolus on Jul 8, 2010 14:57:45 GMT -5
She giggles for a moment, then points to the small mountain of heavy suitcases behind her.
"They're all over there, if you don't mind. They all say Parum on them."
She turns to young boy that the man had been talking to, and floats to the ground.
"You must be a new student! What's your name?"
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Post by Jim Modest on Jul 8, 2010 15:01:34 GMT -5
Jim's eyebrow returns to it's regular position and his other eyebrow arches as he turns back to Mannie. "I'm not aware of what it's made of," he replies, thoughtfully. After only a moment he snaps his fingers in a large, overly exaggerated motion of his entire arm. "But I know who might!"
He pushes a large blue button on a device wrapped around his forearm, and a blue and green soccer-ball shaped machine appears in his hand. "Hyperball, why don't you keep Mannie here occupied while I help this lady." The ball starts glowing bright blue as a robotic voice emits from it.
<First you check me for the flight so that I have to spend hours - In a box - with only some woman's PDA for company, and now I'm to entertain some child? He's not snotty is he? I bet he is. Just my luck. He'll probably be all grabby with his snotty hands.>
With a laugh, Jim sets the ball on the ground beside the boy. "Mannie, Hyperball. Hyperball, Mannie. You two get along now." Then, with a nod to Parum, he heads towards the carousel.
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Post by Manuel Alvarez on Jul 8, 2010 15:11:36 GMT -5
"You're flying!" Mannie squealed. "I'm Mannie Alvarez, and those wings look too small to hold you up. How do they work?" One could almost hear his brain shift gears as he turned to face this new person. "But you're hovering without flapping them, so it has to be a different mechanism, right? I doubt you're using electromagnetics, given the composition of the ground. I suppose you could be made of stuff other than flesh, but that's useless without the right surroundings..." His voice trailed off into barely coherent mumbling...
...which stopped when he spotted yet another thing to latch on to. "A robot? You're talking. Are you an artificial intelligence, robot? How are you made?" Mannie began looking through his luggage bag again, and pulled out a screwdriver. "Hold still."
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Post by Parum Callidus Diabolus on Jul 8, 2010 15:17:05 GMT -5
Parum looks at the odd robot, and back at that boy, not sure what question to answer first.
"Well, yes, I can fly, and I'm certainly not a robot. Maybe you shouldn't tinker with the...strange, talking orb. In my experience, talking orbs never seem to be friendly or safe."
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Post by Mellianne Joss on Jul 8, 2010 15:21:38 GMT -5
Mellianne smiled. "Whoa, on the opposite coast from here. I'm from a small town in Missouri."
She took a sip of the water bottle she was holding for lack of anything else to say or do then looked at the tools that Less was holding. "Oh, I bet it will be easier to use those than ones that were made in a hurry last semester right?"
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Post by Jim Modest on Jul 8, 2010 15:23:45 GMT -5
<Sharp metal objects. I'm not sure if that's worse or better than snot. Since he might be able to use the metal to disassemble me.>
As the screw driver gets within a few inches of Hyperball, one of the hexagonal segments of it's surface open up and two metal prongs extended from the hole, with an electric current running between them. The spark jumps from the conductors to the metal screwdriver, instantly super-heating it and setting fire to the handle.
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Post by Less Than Beta East Tundra on Jul 8, 2010 15:38:07 GMT -5
"Oh, definitely. It was Maker who made these." Less placed the tools back in the bag, then pointed at the bag itself. "This, too. I helped him wind the drawstring, though. There's no way to build a forge or even collect ore so we have to rely on bone and hide, but Maker's amazing at getting things at the right strength to work with. He uses magic to help, of course."
Less turned to the new girls. "Alpha gave me some raw leather, too. Want to help me make some stuff?"
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