Braig Dougherty's Story

The front courtyard was busy with crowds of girls and boys, running about with duffel bags, suitcases, and backpacks. It was the start of the year; returning students were eager to reunite with friends under the warm sun, and first years wanted to make good impressions with their new class. None were clad in uniforms yet- colors and fabrics swirled as excited girls squealed and clasped each other, and at least one or two boys flipped colored hair as they exchanged high-fives.
Despite the commotion outside, the students were making good time into the school. Seraphic Academy of Zodiac Magic was a large piece of land, located 20 miles from the middle of nowhere. The building itself was all red brick and large windows, with a double staircase leading up to the main entrance. Between the grand stairs was an open gate, leading into the inner patio. Though this was also a means of getting into the school, (directly accessing the classrooms,) older students stood at the foot of the stairs, ushering the kids up them and discouraging entrance to the patio.
Once inside, the students found themselves in the entrance hall, or commons. It’s all high ceilings and benches, and could be fairly comfortable for students to hang out in if they so wish. The main offices were directly to the right of the main doors; straight ahead was the auditorium. The auditorium was one of the biggest rooms in the school, nearly matching the gym. The seats aren’t permanent; rather, they’re long benches, almost akin to pews, that were currently being filled with students. Most held their bags with them, though some upperclassmen deposited them in the corner, knowing they would be safe.

All of this, Mira Hampton watched with a keen eye from her seat on the auditoriums stage. She didn’t need to be present in any of these locations to supervise clearly; her Zodiac gifted her with sight. Through her parasight power, it was easy to switch between any of her upperclassmen’s eyes. Of course, they had given their permission. Being prefects of sort, they were her primary means of keeping an eye on everything at the academy- literally.

Mira, the headmistress, gave everyone time to make their way to the auditorium and settle down before standing. She was glad everyone was getting along- the school had never had to much drama or physical altercations, and she hoped to keep it that way. Still, as much as she loved to see the socializing, they all needed to quiet down.
She stepped up to the microphone, tapping on it to get everyone’s attention. Luckily, they all quieted.

“Good morning,” She began, smiling kindly as her voice rang throughout the room. “I’d like to say a few words before we officially begin the school year. Foremost, welcome back to our returning students-“
Mira was forced to break off as a few boys began ‘whooping,’ chanting something about the fourth years. Others joined in until there was a full out round of applause for the upperclassmen. She rolled her eyes, but waved down their noise good-naturedly until they stopped.
“Yes, we do have a bit of enthusiastic upperclassmen, and I’m just as glad to see all of your smiling faces here as the rest of you. But, we can’t forget to welcome our first years, our fresh Zodiacs, here to learn and prosper- let’s show them a kind hello!”

As the thundering applause took over, Mira joined this time. The older kids had always been accepting of the first years. There was absolutely no hazing permitted on her school grounds, and rivalry between years was prohibited with the exception of sports. Still, it always amazed her how the fourth and third years could welcome the younger kids with open arms. When she had been young, there was always a senior superiority complex at her Zodiac school- not having that had been a goal and she was glad to have accomplished it.

When the applause verged on a full minute, Mira waved her hands to quiet everyone down.

“Thank you everyone, and thank you first years for taking the first step the better understanding your Zodiac. This school is dedicated to helping you as an individual, rather than as a member of your class- never forget that you are special, and you deserve individual attention! You have a real opportunity to join in here, and be a part of something great. Of course, dedication to studies is expected, but joining sports, clubs, or electives is encouraged! Here, you will gain the confidence to be risk takers and face the challenges of modern living, whether you aim for the Earth Plane or the Celestial Hierarchy….”

Mira continued with her short beginning of year speech- these portions never varied much from year to year. Encouraging the new students to get involved, and the old students who weren’t already to give it a shot. It only took a few minutes or so to make her points, and then she moved along to what everyone was really curious about.

“As is customary to my beginning of year speeches, I’ll be taking the time to introduce our new and noteworthy teachers this year. This isn’t nearly all of our staff- a few are loitering around by all of you, and some are still preparing for tomorrow. However, I’ll still be doing what introductions I can for the new staff.” She gestured the male sitting to her left, who stood. His frame was slim and his face pronounced; shaggy blonde hair fell unkemptly over the glasses perched on his nose. He looked either uninterested, or about to pass out.

“You all probably know Deputy Head Junko-“ Some girls in the audience broke into shrill yells of adoration, half jokingly, and Kaine Junko’s expression immediately changed, lighting up as he bowed and laughed, before sitting again. Mira calmed the girls down, wishing he wouldn’t encourage their admiration.

“Next, we have a new Nurse- Madame Humingbird, who I expect you to welcome with open arms. Heaven knows you kids spend enough time in the infirmary, so be sure to say hello when you end up there.”

The headmistress ran through the few others sitting on stage, then added on a side note that a science teacher was off on a research trip currently and would return the end of the week.

“Finally, I would like you all to pay attention please, and then I’ll get out of your hair. Boundaries this year have contracted slightly. The swimming hole out in the forest is now about the end of the grounds. Of course, the shields are up, so don’t expect to be able to pass the area anyway, but now you can avoid unpleasant surprises. If you need to travel off campus, please seek approval in the front office. Aside from college and business trips, fieldwork will be limited this semester. If caught loitering on the boarders or trying to break them, severe punishment will ensue.
“Lastly, be sure to stop by the designated tables in the commons for room and schedule arrangements. There are signs over the tables and prefects will be willing to direct you to dorms, so do try not to cause too much chaos. Belongings have been predelivered to your rooms, but don’t forget any carry-ons you brought into this assembly. Core classes start tomorrow; electives and extra power classes must be registered for by the end of next week. Dress code is in effect on weekdays as of tomorrow.”
Mira paused, glancing over the student body. The assembly hadn’t taken more than 30 minutes, so none were fidgeting and most had paid attention. Good. She sighed, hoping she hadn’t forgotten anything.

“I do believe that’s all- I hope you take advantage of today to take a look around the school rather than spend hours decorating. Please listen for announcements. With that, I bid you all a good year! Hopefully I’ll be seeing some of you in my classes!”

With that, the students were dismissed to go find out their dorm rooms and schedules, and Mira sat back down with a sigh. She hoped this year would be uneventful, despite the recent problems popping up on the Earth Plane. Hopefully, here would be safe.

He was waiting, but for what he wasn't exactly sure. His mind had been cloudy lately at best. He would dream of his mother often, and intermingled with her bright vibrant, almost screaming, memories were muddled black and white memories, or if they were actually memories, Raphael wasn't entirely sure. He would see people that he has never seen before, in places that he had never been. They wouldn't be detailed, they would be small flashes, dark, gray, and with no real purpose other than to pester his mind with a constant barrage of information.

Raph was pondering this while enjoying a final drag off of a cigarette, far away from the throng of students entering the Seraphic Academy. Smoking on school grounds wasn't something that Raph even bothered to look up whether or not it was permitted, mostly because he didn't care. Whether or not it was permitted, Raph was going to find a way to do it.

Raph put his cigarette out, crushing the remains under his shoe and proceeding to the entrance, which had already cleared out of students, only a few upperclassmen acting as ushers were still standing in the halls. Regarding them with a cold, nonplussed look, Raph walked directly passed them and into the auditorium.

He was late, as he always was. He found a seat towards the back easily enough and plopped down next to an upperclassman that looked to be a football player by his build, and Raph put his feet up on the back of the pew in front of him and leaned back, not afraid to make himself comfortable next to the larger framed classmate. He had entered just as Deputy Headmaster Junko was being introduced, and Raph heard girls swooning, so he pulled his glare from his neighbor and analyzed the lanky man standing before the students. He wasn't entirely impressed by the teacher that had the girls so smitten.

But, now Raphael's gaze tightened and like flicking a switch he went from his uncaring and smug self to one of intense inward thought, and analytic inquisition. He had seen that man before, only...not through his own eyes. And not through his mother's either. His face was black and white in his mind, and not he could see that this man, Deputy Headmaster Junko, had been standing with other people, and decided where he would be rooming, and with whom. He saw another boy, younger than himself, with a happy look on his face.

The future? Was that what I saw... This is going to be one long year.