Solomon Academy was just as grand as its namesake upon first laying eyes on it, with numerous large buildings, massive open stretches of green, and statues built in the likeness of famous thinkers and explorers from throughout history. The entire vibe of the school from the first look seemed to be reaching out a hand to anyone who walked in as if to say 'You are the next one'. Some people would stay tranfixed amongst the crowd for minutes at a time simply breathing in the atmosphere the Academy let off, far beyond a simple private high school it seemed to have the air of a monument toward humanities potential.

Which for the regular students of the Academy it certainly was. But a few select students who had arrived in the crowd of teenagers looking to visit their orientation would find a different fate awaiting them. The moment they began moving a person, because certainly it had to be a person put a hand on their shoulder and said they could show them the way to the orientation hall. Maybe it was simply the atmosphere of the school, but most would simply go along feeling nothing was strange. Not even when they no longer found themselves on the grass of the Academy but within a room pulled straight from a fantasy movie.

The hallways were grand and regal, a number of banners and stained glass windows depicting myths and legends from around the world and throughout history. A wise spider winning the right to all the stories in the world. A demigod facing monsters on all sides with a confident smile, and a man whose face was hidden by a skull mask banishing various evil spirits with nothing but a tap of a cane.

The grandeur of the hallway however paled to the room they entered, a massive auditorium filled with various clay statues of heroes in full regalia, numerous tables and chairs set up with food from around the world and with the food still having steam coming from it. Ahead there was a raised stage with its curtains drawn and a large banner stating that the orientation would begin in roughly an hour, and that students should mingle amongst themselves until then.

All in all, there were worse ways to start off a school year.

Blanche

The little Fae has been recently accepted into the Solomon Academy. However, she didn't expected to receive any form of special treatment but she figured that she got some when she was led away from most of the other students and was placed with a smaller group.

She floated down the hallway, looking at it in awe.

"Oh my, this looks so wonderful!" She uttered to herself.

Eventually, she went inside the actual classroom. While not as impressive as the hallway, she was still excited about it. She's still in wonder. Blanche explored the classroom for a bit before settling down in a seat.

Edited by Cutegirl920fire on Aug 19th 2022 at 10:36:35 AM

Olivia had felt like she was in the belly of the beast long before she stepped on campus. Jet lag was plaguing her right now; the charter flight had been long and between the shuddering of the lightweight aircraft and keeping her knife and gun strapped up tight against her side just in case she wasn't capable of getting any sleep to adjust to the timezone differential. The gun was still there, a presence in her side while the dagger was sitting in her pocket where she could easily pull on its odd aura to help her slip past students and faculty and the things her mind screamed were completely ordinary people. Given how her gut was reacting to how unable to pick out their details her mind was, she chose to follow the path the latter group was taking some of the new arrivals; slipping through the door deeper into the school once the coast seemed clear.

For a moment as she stepped into the hall, Olivia thought maybe it would have been more fitting for her to bring a broadsword than a Walther. Of course, the next moment she stifled that thought with how stupidly impractical that would be. She took the briefest glances at the windows as she slipped down the hallway as quickly as she thought she could while maintaining a stealthy approach to what was starting to feel like a secret sanctum: Spiders and skulls and monsters... Spooky. And then she stepped into the auditorium and immediately flinched to the side to avoid anyone who might have been watching the doors. She had never expected grandeur of this scale and with all the weird statues and the too-good-to-be-true buffet this all felt like some kind of trap...

But there was an hour before orientation according to that banner, an hour to make allies.

Hikari Mochizuki: Auditorium

The external part of the school had been grandiose enough. With those fine statues posing, and the decorations carefully spaced apart in the perfect way to generate a feeling of size, Hikari was familiar with the tactics. So she smiled softly as she took in all that was around her, gently touching the guiding feeling on her shoulder before allowing it to take her elsewhere.

To a hallway even more spectacular. Of course. Already the dick-measuring contest had begun, and it was internal. She couldn't help but let out a hum of amusement. Almost a chuckle, but it wasn't that funny. It was just like home. Propping up gods, and yet...

As they entered the auditorium, she looked around to assess its layout before nodding in satisfaction. They were looking to impress, to make the kids feel something. Well, it wouldn't work on her, but it was a sweet sentiment nonetheless. She idly passed by a statue, patting its foot with her hand as she gave it a knowing smile. She'd count the seconds before the facade was dropped.

For now, she politely took a snack from the table and sniffed it on instinct, overturning it before taking a slow bite as she flicked her eyes between the others present. So they were waiting for direction. There'd be someone to provide it onstage, and from their elevated position so would the kids be obligated to follow their words.

It was clever, she could appreciate. If she weren't so cynical she might've clapped for it, but she was curious to see if it'd end up akin to her family. Perhaps it'd diverge, and be a nicer experience in the end.

It'd certainly give her an excuse to be away from her clan, but she had some doubts. Then again, her expectations were probably not the same as her contemporaries.

“You look anxious. Nervous...?” she mentioned aloud to Olivia after swallowing down the snack she'd given herself from one of the tables, moving to approach the other girl with mild curiosity in her eyes. “It's too big, isn't it...?”

Edited by Enirboreh on Aug 20th 2022 at 8:17:19 PM

"So, this is the place" A voice commented, giving the place a good look. This place really knows how to make itself stand out. It feels more like the entrance to a massive museum than anything else.

But the teenager seemed to be glaring at the place, as he made his way through. He was tall, fit, with his bright red hair tied in a ponytail. Most of him seemed to try and make distance from everyone else.

He still really didn't understand what he was supposed to be doing here, the link to Thor is not something he is used to thinking about, nor his own purpose and future. What will happen once things get going here?

Time to find out It's time to find out what his fists are good for.

Marlon

As a showman, Marlon could appreciate a bit of flashiness. But the sheer opulence on display here was almost annoying. Solomon Academy was clearly loaded, and clearly rubbing it in.

And then there was the subtle magic, underlying everything. He was technically a novice in the spellcrafting arts, but even if he didn't know exactly what the magic here did, he'd still be able to feel it.

The only saving grace was the free food, which Marlon flocked to almost immediately. As he munched on various snacks, he eyed what he assumed were his future classmates, idly trying to guess what legendary figures they descended from.

He could certainly feel a familiar tingle coming from them, some more than others. He noted a particularly strong sensation from the tall red-headed boy, one that practically made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Marlon approached, raising a gloved hand in greeting. "Hello there. Marlon's the name. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He scratched his chin. "You've got quite the aura about you. One of the stronger gods, I'm guessing. I'm from Merlin's lineage, myself. And before you ask, no, the name thing wasn't intentional."

Setsuna Kagura — Auditorium

As the students began to gather, stuffing their faces or mingling, Setsuna found herself at a loss. As large as an ox and red as a beet, she stood out like a sore thumb. Even her garments were a bit strange in this day and age. But as monstrous as she appeared, she didn't have the confidence to match. Lumbering into the auditorium, she inched past the statues and towards the food tray, unsure what to choose or if she should choose at all. It was the story of her life, but there was no guarantee of a happy ending.

"Uh, does anyone maybe have recommendations? They all look so good... (N-not that I know what 'good' is...)"

Edited by kkhohoho on Aug 20th 2022 at 12:16:00 PM

The teen saw one of the other students approach him, and raised an eyebrow. Flashy guy, but then, he decided to come here with a leather jacket and jeans, so who was he to talk?

And apparently, he was really hard to ignore, even without really doing anything, but what he was supposed to do?

"...Axel Sieg" Axel said, a bit wary, but he didn't need to start hostilities against anyone yet. And Merlin, huh? That name basically means 'magic' for anyone in the world.

"Descended from Thor, as it turns out" He admitted, with a shrug. No need to hide it, after all. It's just something he'll have to get used to.

Blanche

As Blanche inspects the food buffet, a particular magician catches her eye. She floats over to him but social anxiety catches her in the arse.

"O-Oh, bonjour..hahah..." She runs her hand through her hair as she looks away from Marlon out of shyness. "You look quite, um, nice? D-Defineity looks like someone who uses m-magic."

Olivia almost jumped as she was approached and asked about being anxious. But she quickly calmed down, she needed to if she was going to get allies.

"Just a little. Yeah uh... Place is very big, kinda like it's not built for regular-sized people yaknow?"

She tries to brush off that remark with a half-hearted laugh.

"I'm fine. It's fine. You're fine? I'm just... Nervous, don't really get why we're all here. Hey if this turns bad can we work together to get out of it?"

Hikari: Auditorium

"It's good to have friends. Of course we can work together," Hikari nodded in response to Olivia, giving the other girl a reassuring pat on the shoulder as she smiled beguilingly at her. "My family grows taller than normal people. Maybe in a few years I'll be the right size for this auditorium."

It barely counted as humour, but Hikari was busy listening to the other students. Big names were being thrown around. A descendant of Thor, named Axel. A boy named Marlon, descendant of Merlin. A tall kijo, with red skin. She wasn't unattractive despite the stereotypes, and she seemed nervous. Deciding she'd found her next target, Hikari tilted her head back at Olivia before winking and blowing a kiss.

"I'm going to make more friends. Please excuse me. You can come with if you want."

Then off she walked, towards Setsuna. She found her head tilting further and further back as she neared the female oni, but she smiled pleasantly regardless. Searching around the food tables briefly, she picked out a tray of takoyaki and offered one up for Setsuna on a toothpick.

"Sumimasen. Try this. It might taste good. Are you from Japan, miss...? Or are oni more international than I thought?"

Rachel

Rachel wished she could have entered through the front door with everyone else, but given what she was, that obviously wouldn't fly. Besides, it was enough to get out of the basement that was all she'd seen for the last two years, even if her parents had had to rent a moving truck to actually get her here, why she had been hurriedly ushered into a side door.

And as for here... wow. Rachel had no idea places like this could actually exist. The grandiose hall with its banners and stained glass windows. The banquet in front of her when she entered the auditorium... The other people! It had been so long since she talked with anyone other than her parents! That girl was red! She might really get answers here!

Rachel ran toward the red girl and her friend at full speed, never quite considering the imposing figure she posed, pale as a ghost, dressed in all black, and with the lower body of a spider.

"Hi! I'm Rachel! What's your name? Why are you red? Where's your shirt? Do you you want a shirt? I can make you a shirt! I made this shirt, see?" She turned to the girl who wasn't red. "You can can have a shirt too! I'm really good at making things!"

Marlon

"Ah, Thor." Marlon smiled. "Your presence did strike me as... electrifying."

It was unclear whether that was meant to be some kind of joke, or just an offhand comment. In any case, Marlon pulled off his silk top hat and tipped it. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, thunder child."

Then he turned to Blanche, having felt her approach. "Bonjour to you as well, mademoiselle." Marlon's tips his hat again, his smile unflinching. Then he set it back on his head and flourished his cape. "I am indeed a magician. Marlon Elliot, magician extraordinaire. Descended from Merlin himself, if you hadn't heard. Not that I put much stock in bloodlines, mind you. Prestige is something earned, not born into."

He glanced at her wings. "Call it a hunch, but I'm guessing you're a fairy of some kind. I'd love to talk shop with you about magic some time."

Having been selected to be a student at Solomon Academy, young Glenn Niteray didn't know rightly what he should be expecting as he walked into the hallways - only to then be transported into a place right out of legends. The country boy, having spent the last few months and more fighting - and nothing but. He initially gripped at the handle of the Necroblade when he was taken by surprise in such a way, but considering how the demons and monsters he fought were...?

Well, it wasn't that surprising he was wary, now was it?

He looked around and saw more than just him. Numerous other students all gathering here in a number that again almost made Glenn jump. So this...this was the Solomon Academy he'd been called to participate in. He was told by Myus that it was where he needed to be to move forward with acquiring justice for his family...

And really, Myus hadn't led him wrong before. Choice spirit nothin'! Guy was solid, a real angel of the lord!

Seeing someone already doing introductions, he approached Marlon and said in an awkward tone, "Y'know, this is just plum the first right proper big school I ever went to. Biggest thing I ever went to prior is like, my ol' high school..." He rubbed his forehead and looked around at the others gathered nearby, "Oh! Oh uh, now where'd I put them manners? I'm Glenn. Adoptive family name Steward, name left on my crib Niteray."

He rubbed his forehead, the farm boy hoping he wasn't misplaced here...

Setsuna — Auditorium

The oni shut her eyes, reaching out for a random morsel, unable to settle on just one. But she needn't have worried. As soon she opened them up, Hikari was waiting, holding up a delicious sample.

"O-oh! Arigato, madam, um... wait, I don't think I got your name? (Not like it matters, does it?"

Shaking her head, she took the toothpick, pinching it between her fingers and snatching the octopus with her teeth. She wolfed it down, her barbaric lack of grace betraying her timid demeanour.

"I-it is good! Maybe better than my mom used to make..."

She reached back in her mouth, breaking the toothpick between her fingers as she pulled it out. She flicked away the remaining bits and pieces, not even getting a splinter.

"..but, uh, n-no, not really? I think we're from Japan, but most of us keep to ourselves. We have a few villages in the wilderness, though it's not like anyone visits these days. B-but I think we prefer it that way? (I mean, I wouldn't mind letting a few humans visit every now and then, but it's not like anyone listens to me..."

And then came the spider. Or was it a jorugumo? It was either a really big, really weird spider or a jorogumo, but it didn't like act a jorugumo. Way too friendly. But it hadn't seduced or swallowed them whole or anything, so maybe it was okay?

"U-um, I don't have a shirt? Like, if you want to make one, I guess I can't stop you? B-but this is how most of us dress, so I never thought I needed one or anything..."

She was about to walk away, but she soon turned around in embarrassment. She'd forgotten to introduce herself! Even if she hadn't been asked, it was only proper.

"A-ah, gomensai! Y-you can call me Kagura. Setsuna Kagura? But most oni are red or purple or green? Or a bunch of different colors. My mom's blue, but I think my great ancestor was red, so I'm red too. Does that help? (O-of course it doesn't help, it never helps, don't see how it would have helped...)

Edited by kkhohoho on Aug 20th 2022 at 8:56:37 AM

Axel managed a calm nod at Marlon, before other people arrived, and he felt out of place. Bigger groups weren't his thing, and he noted how long it's been since he had been in a group not working out.

...Aaand the girl seemed the shy type with someone seemingly a bit too forward. Fun combination.

"Easy there, cowboy" He muttered, with his usual look in place.

Next, comes a seeming farm boy carrying a sword, but refrained from saying anything else, just deciding to grab some food. Sometimes, it's good to enjoy simple pleasures.

Grim - Auditorium

The skeletal man, in a room full of many, was basically squashed oddly among the people. "...I've seen more roomy closets." He prepared himself for what's to come, staring at the clay statues. What the heck are those...?

It's been quite a while since he left his Farmland. He always kept his Scythe on his back, though it has a nice covering to keep it from accidentally hurting someone.

"Wait, an hour. I could get a lot done in that time. Oh, right, talking to myself looks more odd than I already am." He waved to anyone nearby, trying poorly to make friends.

Kotone

"Wow, this place is so cool" Kotone gleamed, looking around in awe. Kotone was primarily homeschooled before this point, so seeing a school as grand as this was certainly new to her.

As she entered the auditorium, she saw a few students already chatting, so she rushed up to them after picking up various foods,

"Oh hi! Are you all new too! That's cool, me too! I'm Shinonome Kotone"

Edited by eido-natokun on Aug 22nd 2022 at 5:24:00 PM

Hikari: Auditorium

"My name is Hikari Mochizuki. Hajimemashite. It's a pleasure to meet you," Hikari politely nodded towards Setsuna, turning slightly afterwards and quietly assessing the others as they made their introductions. She backed off slightly, leaning against a table as she scanned her soon-to-be classmates from head to toe.

"Then stop talking to yourself," she said automatically in response to one that was muttering in the room, idly pushing herself off from the table and strolling up to Grim in order to give them a handshake and a smile. "Talk to me instead. Hello. Nervous about class...?"

This person wasn't human. She could feel it. Exposed bones. This one had no flesh.

More, more, more people. Hikari's eyes lit up with barely-perceptible glee. This was a lot of bodies, a lot of voices she could take for herself. The likes of the oni could be useful, though it might be difficult given the sheer size difference. Same with the spider. The skeleton she was curious about, and she wondered if they'd be even possible for her to mimic. Then again, there was no harm in trying once she got a handle on their form.

"Where're you from, if you don't mind me asking...?" she inquired of the skeleton after a moment's pause, shaking off her temporary delight at seeing so many people to copy. "I don't see many skeletons around. Not living, anyway..."

Edited by Enirboreh on Aug 22nd 2022 at 8:14:46 PM

Grim - Auditorium

Grim smiled, which still appeared as a human-like one. "Hello, miss. You may call me Grim Anubis Reaper. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. As for my lodgings, I am from Hell. ...Michigan." He also introduced himself in a similar way to Kotone, bar the location mentioning.

"Well, I'm pretty new to these places, though I've been taught to always address people in a respectable manner. I'm not nervous about class, I'm just... not out much. Skeletons aren't too popular, nor are 'monsters', if you will."

Leonard

Though Leon had come to Solomon Academy to prove himself, he didn't give off the feel of someone like that. Rather than confidently stirring into the academy. Leon seemed as closed off and distant as he always does whenever people who aren't close to him are around.

The transition from the 'normal' academy to the 'real' academy was sudden, but Leon handled it better than most. It didn't even really break his stride as he walked into the auditorium.

Looking around, it seems that a group of students had gathered around the food trays, introducing themselves and trying to get acquainted with each other before the school year officially started. Forming connections wasn't strictly a bad idea, but Leon never really felt comfortable talking in the middle of a crowd.

Still, he could do with some refreshments, and Leon wasn't really the type to let a few strangers get in the way of food. So, he headed towards the food trays and the crowd surrounding them, not really aiming to be noticed but not bothering to be all that stealthy.

Olivia had no reason not to follow her only pledged ally into further interactions. She kept her head down for the most part though, just in case things popped off and someone noticed she didn't belong; however keeping her head down meant the first thing she saw of this new larger group of people was that there was some kind of giant spider here. And then everyone started talking over each other about 'Oneys' and Thor (what, like from the flicks?) and... Hold up straight up Merlin?

"... What?"

She looked up to try and take stock of who else was in this room and a number of things stood out to her: That spider? Attached to the upper half of a person. One of the girls was straight up red. That guy had a spear! Someone straight up called Grim Reaper (with a vaguely familiar middle name) had made a joke about Hell, Michigan and... Olivia was starting to feel like she had stepped into a whole host of monsters who were startlingly friendly with each other.

"I'm just going to... T-take a seat and wait."

She tried to flash a smile at the group and push past the scythe-carrying dude in the robe. However when she tried, her hand went past where she thought his shoulder was and touched something cold and hard. Bone. Olivia flinched back with a soft screech before...

~Thump~

Eyy, that gal there's lookin' right overwhelmed here. I should prolly head over 'n' help 'er out.

I mean, I m'self couldn't hardly believe what I'm seein' when I jus' started.

Friends are wise at this stage, young master Glenn. You're yet inexperienced among your kindred.

And there was Myus, letting Glenn know that he was making the right call. He walked over to the overwhelmed looking girl, who was presently trying to take a seat...

And then she just out and out passed out right now! Glenn was in much faster movement before he even realized it - not even thinking as he pushed on to try and get to the girl's side. He knew he'd tried to strike up some conversation and all. But his momma always taught him that if he saw a gal laid out on the floor in such a state, it was the right thing to do to help her out.

"Ma'am! Ma'am! Ohh gosh!" Glenn started hurriedly checking to make sure if Olivia had any injuries incurred to her head or back during the course of her fainting episode. "'cuse me uh, teach? Teach? She's right clunked on the floor! I think she needs a spot'a help! I'unno if she might'a hit som'thin!"

Sheeeeet...I hope she ain't injured none...

Edited by NickTheSwing on Aug 22nd 2022 at 10:44:10 AM

Grim - Auditorium

Grim looked down, and frowned. "T-this is why... I'm rarely out. I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause any harm..." He turned around and sighed. "Thanks for helping her out. Hopefully I didn't just lose another potential friend or colleague, or otherwise."

Hikari: Auditorium

“Grim Reaper...? I think we've met before...~” Hikari chuckled to herself, tilting her head slightly with curiosity as her smile widened at Grim. “I'm very happy to meet you. My name's Hikari.”

She heard a soft thump, and turned to find Olivia having fainted off of her seat and onto the floor. One of the boys was next to her, somewhat panicked, and she could hear Grim lamenting over himself as if it were his fault.

“Don't be dramatic. She's passed out,” Hikari rolled her eyes after a moment, seeming completely unconcerned as she strolled over towards the unconscious Olivia and knelt down beside her. She gave Glenn a gentle pat on the back of the hand, glancing up at him briefly.

Why was her expression so... dead?

“Good job for checking her head. Put her in the recovery position. Like this,” Hikari mentioned, looking back down towards Olivia and repositioning her into a more comfortable state. “If it's low blood sugar, there's food on every table she can have. The best thing is to ask her why she fainted once she wakes up. If she doesn't wake up, then we panic.”

It was supposed to be humorous, but it was so matter-of-fact that'd it might as well not have been.

Edited by Enirboreh on Aug 23rd 2022 at 12:19:56 PM