[IC] The Gifted

[Amastacia]

Friday, August 16th, 2019

On Alistair Island, the sun shone down warmly in a beautiful blue sky obscured only by cotton candy clouds. With the smell of fresh cut grass and aromatic flowers on the breeze, the Promise Institute was ready to welcome its freshman class of 2019. The returning seniors, juniors, and sophomores had settled into their dorms earlier in the week. Today was all about making the freshman class feel at home and excited to start the semester.

Orientation Day was a huge deal at the Promise Institute. Staff and students alike teamed together to help the incoming freshmen learn about the Institute and start the semester off right by making friends and having fun. A full day of exciting events was scheduled and sent out to the new students so they knew what to expect for their first day.

10:45AM - 11:45AM : Orientation Meeting (Auditorium)
12:00PM - 1:00PM : Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:15PM - 2:15PM : Guided Tour (Front Entrance)
2:30PM - 3:30PM : Club Fair (Ballroom A)
3:45PM - 5:45PM : Dorm Move-In (Dorm Building)
6:00PM - 8:00PM : Dinner and Pool Party (Aquatic Center)
8:15PM - 8:45PM : Fireworks Display (Front Lawn)

Up to two family members or friends were allowed to accompany freshmen to help them move into their dorms, but besides that their schedule for the day would be different, leaving the students free to start forging new connections. Students were encouraged to show up as early as they please as long as they were in the Auditorium by 10:40AM. Upperclassmen were stationed around the campus to help the new students find their way to the appropriate locations.

At 10:30AM, a voice rang out of the campus intercom system. "Good morning students! Welcome to the Promise Institute. In ten minutes, please come to the Auditorium for the Orientation Meeting."

---

OOC

Welcome to the IC! I'm really excited to start this adventure with you all. I will be serving as your GM by posting prompts like the one above. For the first day, these will function to move the story forward. There will be times I let you all take the action into your own hands, but for the time being I will be leading you through the first day of the RP.

This doesn't mean you can't RP as you please! Everything in this world is adaptable to the will of the players. If you guys decide to take a different direction, I can make the necessary adjustments. I will also be playing as a handful of NPCs, such as teachers and other students. You can interact with these characters as you would a player character and I will respond in a separate post. Prompt posts like this one will be marked with a date (and time, if necessary) so you can tell the difference.

If you have any questions please post them in the OOC thread! This is the only time I will speak out of character in this thread. Start posting and have fun!

[pokkie]

“Always better to be early to things than late,” Pike repeats to herself. Sagely words of wisdom from Abuela- or just some pretty damn good advice. Rather than checking out the campus or chatting with student volunteers, Pike walks along the path directed straight to the auditorium. Sure, she MAYBE could have taken a second to see if there was a place to put her several bags, a decision that is totally weighing on her, but she is dying to get started. Besides, getting there early would present its own gifts, maybe she’d make a friend or two before the orientation meeting. Finally, she reaches a concrete staircase that seems to lead right to her designation.

Glancing up at the towering building ahead, she reminds herself to take a few deep breaths. She couldn’t help but be in total awe at it’s sight; she had never seen something with such decadent architecture. There must be a thousand different windows, huh. Must mean that inside is something more special than just an auditorium.

Growing up on a small island had its perks, sure, but when introduced to a new environment like the one in front of her, she finds herself completely disoriented. This would definitely take some adjusting to. Pike had always been accustomed to a hot climate surrounded with colorful buildings and beautiful creatures. This was a whole other level of new. Kids with gifts like her… a school that would help her harness that gift… not feeling like a complete abomination. Despite it’s foreign nature, this was where she belonged.

She skips up the steps to the building and enters it’s heavy doors. Being an hour early, it wasn’t crowded at all. Sure there were a couple of stowaways like herself, but there was some time before the orientation and before it started getting crowded. Pike plops down in the very front row, pulls out her journal from one of her various duffel bags, and begins writing frantically. Just something to do while she waits...

[Hellion]

Promise Institute | Parking Lot

“Are you sure you're up to this?”

There were a few moments of silence between the two of them as they sat in the busy parking lot of the Promise Institute, the windows down and engine off, as a gentle cross breeze carried with it the coolness of the morning.

Alex, a petite young girl, dressed in a mostly darks: a pair of skinny jeans, hoodie, and ash gray Converse, sat in the passenger's seat staring blankly out the window at the teens and adults passing by on their way to the large school ahead. It seemed an almost ominous building, but still felt non-threatening with its beautiful architecture and lush vegetation. The girl gave it a glance, but her thoughts were, honestly, of home. Of being back in her room, with no one around to bother her. She needed that. But at the same time, she needed…this.

Sitting in the driver's seat, a tall, thin, late-thirties man, with glasses and fairly common features, was looking over at his daughter and smiling so proud, even though she herself wasn't paying attention. It was tough for him sure, to be sending his little girl away to a place he didn't fully understand because of abilities his child possessed that didn't seem at all possible. But life was always full of wonder he supposed, and while his wife -her mother- didn't share those same sentiments, he knew Alex needed the support one way or another. She had to know that she wasn't doing this alone.

“Yeah dad.” The girl finally responded in a low, rather monotone voice, continuing to stare out the open window. “You've legit asked me that like six times on the way here.” She allowed a bit of a snicker to escape. “I mean, it's not like a have a choice in the matter. I'm a ‘freak’, remember?”

Her father sighed, shaking his head in protest, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Look, Ally, your mother didn't mean that. We’re just processing a lot and-”

“Then why isn't she here?” Alex interrupted in a broken voice, turning to face the other as a few stray tears ran down her cheek, which were quickly wiped away by a sleeve. “Because she's ashamed of me, that's why.” Her tone was flat, and the emotion in each word carried quite far. “It's not like I asked for any of this...”

Just as her dad was about ready to respond, the echoed voice from the PA system blared across the parking lot area, announcing the orientation would be starting shortly.

“Anyway, I gotta go.” Alex gathered a few small items and tossed them into her Army green backpack before leaning over to hug her dad. “I'll see you later for the move-in this afternoon.” She said with sigh, opening the door and stepping out of the car before she had to endure any further emotional obligations. The girl just wanted it to be over with.

Several people passing by hurried their pace after hearing the announcement, and Alex -not bothering to look back at the car or her dad- followed the herd toward the auditorium, popping in her wireless earbuds to allow My Chemical Romance to drown out the ambience for awhile.

---

Promise Institute | Auditorium

“Shit…”

The girl mumbled under her breath, seeing the massive amount of students and faculty squeezing into the auditorium closer to the time of its start and realizing how stupid it was to have made it to the school later than planned. But, she could only blame herself. Alex had too much on her mind this morning, and the emotional toll it took not seeing her mom or really being able to say goodbye to her made the tension even worse. She hated feeling like this. To be honest, she hated “feeling” in general, and whiched emotions could be turned off like any computer. Wishing her own source code could be altered in such a way that would simply make the pain nonexistent.

Alex plopped down in a seat situated along the wall on the left side of the room, which also seemed to be the more tame area, lacking any rowdy teens and their idiotic friends to get up in her space. This was a struggle for the young girl though, being an introvert, but also the fear of anyone being near her, sucking up her own oxygen and replacing it with their carbon filth. But it was also something she had to overcome if she was to survive even a day at her new school. High school was the same, but probably worse, and while she had her moments of doubt, she made it through four years without falling completely to pieces. Thoroughly reading up on the Promise Institute helped ease some tension as well, and the prospect of being enrolled in strong Computer Science and Networking classes should prove a nice distraction from the mundane of core studies.

Hugging her backpack and fidgeting with each of the dozen or so patches and metal buttons from the various music, art, and comic genres, she gazed around the room waiting for the thing to start so she can finally get the hell out of the crowded space and somewhere else.

[Carlyle]

---

Promise Institute
Front Courtyard

---

There had been a lot to process, but so little of it did Josiane understand.

To begin, there was the matter of her Gift. Josiane had struggled to become less of a hoodlum and more of a civilized kid, yet now she felt more of an outcast than she had previously. Could she still be considered human? Only a small fraction of the world had access to these powers, and yet whatever force behind the Gifts had chosen to bestow one upon a runt from Haiti. Her world had been completely turned upside down, but at least Josiane—and anyone else with a Gift—were to receive a free college education in exchange for their assistance in future Gift research.

It was an offer Jackson would've wanted Josiane to take, after all.

Standing before the front of the school, Josiane looked upwards, gazing at the ivy-covered walls. She had been overcome by a wave of nervousness ever since she had left Haiti, and it certainly showed. Josiane repeatedly shifted her rugged duffle bag over her shoulder, fidgeting in place as she tried to work up the courage to enter the building. Everything seemed so new; the city, the people—it was all something Josiane had yet to grow used too, but perhaps that was just her inner foreigner talking.

Still, Josiane hoped that she hadn't stood out enough to be labelled the weird kid. She certainly didn't want to be pinned as an outcast on the first day of school, especially when her outfits consisted mainly of either worn out or baggy clothing. Being from Haiti, Josiane couldn't exactly buy new clothes every other day and had to make due with what she could find.

Hearing a male voice speak from the campus intercom system, Josiane finally made the decision to enter the building, and followed the crowd entering inside. Several students had already formed their individual groups of friends whereas others stood alone and away from the busybodies, but they all seemed to be heading towards the same direction—to the auditorium. Snaking her way through the steadily increasing foot traffic before it could clog up the hallways, Josiane soon found her way to the the auditorium, and took a seat next to a girl who seemed to be as nervous as she was.

At least I'm not alone in this. Josiane thought, watching the center stage for the orientation meeting to commence.

---

^{Mentioned — @Hellion}

[Cerces22]

Relka Livens Promise Institute Parking lot

The Telsa car made its way silently through the crowded park lot of the school. The woman behind the wheel frantically trying to find space to get around all the other students being dropped off.

"I told you we should of left earlier, we didn't have to stop by the rez, no one wanted to see me off." A girl with bright purple hair said.

"I am sorry dear. I know I am always behind, but someone I had a house viewing, and I am sure everyone just couldn't make it." The smartly dressed woman said as she pulled up to the curb.

"Oh yes, no one has talked to me in weeks, I am sure they would of jumped at the chance to say goodbye if they could of." She said heavily with sarcasim.

"Now listen here Relka Livens, what happened wasn't your fault. You had no control what so ever and they were able to save her in time. And you would think the reservation would be more open and understanding to your gift since a lot of the family still practices the old religion." Her mother reached out to touch Relkas hand but the young girl flinched away.

"I am sorry mom, I just don't want to take a chance that I hurt you. Can't have my first day here and already hospitalized my own mother. Anyways I have to get going, I will call you in a few days." Relka pulled a paid of leather gloves from her pocket and slipped them on as she exited the car. She gave a weak smile to her mother sending her love, and to make many friends.

Relka dragged her suitcase behind her, basking in the warmth of the sun as she walked up to her new home. The green tint of her skin becoming ever more noticable in the daylight, the young woman did her best to put a smile on her face. Relka ran a hand through her pixie short hair as she made her way to the auditorium. As she entered the large room she was taken aback but the sheer number of students. Unconsciously she pulled at the long sleeves of her Poison Ivy shirt and double checked her gloves making sure as much skin was covered.

Relka hunted for a spot with as few students as possible. Eventually finding a place on the left hand of the room with only two other girls sitting down. She moved up a couple of rows and sat down keeping her head low. She needed to get through this as fast as possible, large crowds like this made her a nervous wreck. And she didn't want to starting sweating with nerves.

[Hellion]

Promise Institute | Auditorium

The girl leaned her head against the back of the chair for a few moments as more people shuffled into the auditorium, and finding their seats wherever possible due to the fact that it was filling up fast. How many people can this place hold? She wondered, now staring more at the ceiling than anything else. Her head hurt a bit, not as bad as the usual migraines due to the telepathic connections she’d experience with various electronic devices, but it was still there. Although she wondered, if the school itself had safeguards in place mitigating the frequency of each student’s power so some idiot wouldn’t accidentally destroy the buildings, or for that matter, someone else. Even Alex, with varying degrees of sensitivity to such things as smartphones and laptops, her mind wasn’t really feeling overwhelmed despite the fact that she was in a huge room with several hundred others most likely carrying those devices. But, all in all, it was a relief to have some quiet going on in her head at that moment.

Her eyes flicked to the side as the dark-skinned girl took a seat nearby, her clothes a but unusual, not at all stylish like a lot of the others in the room. In fact, they were fairly plain for the most part. Plain was good though. It meant maybe this girl wasn’t so much into herself like Alex imagined most of the kids would be at Promise Institute. Maybe some of them just wanted to fade into the background, while others hoped to shine so bright you needed sunglasses. Speaking of which, it wasn’t hard for Alex to notice the girl with the short pixie hair walking toward the same section she was sitting in, and what was up with her skin? It kind of appeared on the greenish side, but she wasn’t sure as it could have simply been the overhead lighting. Either way, Alex was slowly realizing that her space was going to fill up rather soon, and that raised the tension level just a bit higher than she’d been comfortable with.

“Dammit girl.” She mumbled to herself, pulling the dark hoodie closer to her face. “Don’t spaz out now. They're people. This school is full of them. Get over it.”

Again, she sunk back into her chair, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone around her as best she could.

[Otterpop]

"Oh Sienna, doesn't this place just look beautiful? I just knew it would look this good." A woman with short black hair stepped out of a sleek vehicle, her eyes dancing around the campus as she ushered her very unhappy daughter out of the car. "Yea...it looks...alright I guess." The younger girl mumbled, she was obviously un-pleased with being there.

"Cheer up, this place will help you in the long run." A man got out of the driver side of the car and laid a gentle hand on the older woman's back, smiling encouragingly at his daughter. "Please just give it a try Sienna." The younger girl sighed as she opened the trunk and grabbed her suitcase and a full backpack, slinging over her shoulder. "I'll be fine, I just need to get used to it." She honestly didn't want to be there at all and didn't know why her parents thought it was such a big deal for her to go, she could control her gift just fine. Sienna hated the idea that she had to go to some special school to help her with a gift that she hadn't even wanted in the first place, now all the dreams and aspirations she had would be put on the back burner while she was stuck here. She was only doing this to make her parents happy.

Sienna and her parents left the car in the parking lot and made their way towards the building where the Orientation meeting was supposed to be held, her parents stopped at the door and gave her hugs. "We're a phone call away if you need anything, alright?" Sienna shooed them away, they were being incredibly annoying and overbearing. It wasn't like this would be her first day of preschool, she was nineteen for crying out loud, she would be perfectly fine here on her own. "I will, now I have to go." She said giving them both a peck on the cheek and rushing inside, sapphire eyes gazing around for a place to sit. There were already quite a few people there.

Eventually she just chose a random spot, Sienna didn't care who she sat by she just wanted to get this done and over with. The Japanese girl plopped down in one of the seats and crossed her arms across her chest, a small frown on her face as she waited for the meeting to begin.

[Amastacia]

Friday, August 16th, 2019

As the time drew nearer to 10:40AM, young adults from every corner and crevice of the globe filled the large auditorium. They filed in through the two main entrances located in the auditorium lobby, each handed a program by a volunteer upperclassman. This program held list of the orientation meeting's speakers and coordinators as well as a copy of the day's schedule and a map of the campus. The eloquent sound of a piano and violin duet flowed throughout the space, produced by a pair of students positioned on the left side of the stage. Warm lighting and colors added to the refined atmosphere of the room. The chairs were coated in velvet fabric and the stage was a polished mahogany, shining under a grandiose chandelier. Despite the institute not having a uniform, the student performers and volunteers all wore dark green blazers with the school's insignia on the breast.

The duet came to a mesmerizing climax as the doors to the auditorium closed. The students poured over their instruments, their passion reflecting in the music they created. Gently, their song came to an end. They went to center stage and took a bow, both smiling pridefully. The pianist made his way offstage and into the wings, while the violinist remained on stage, a spotlight illuminating her. "Welcome to the Promise Institute," she spoke, her voice amplified throughout the auditorium by a microphone on the lapel of her blazer. "I'm Meili Song, the senior class president. It is my honor to share your first day as students of this incredible institution with you. I remember being in your position three years ago; nervous, angry, and hopeful.

"I had never left Beijing before I boarded a plane to come to the Promise Institute. I was alone and horribly afraid of heights and the ocean, which made for a sickening plane ride over the Pacific. I didn't know a single person on this island and couldn't speak English much better than a six-year-old kid. My parents resented my special ability and were relived to send me far away. I was heartbroken. I hadn't asked to be different. I felt robbed of my life as a normal woman, career plans put on hold indefinitely and estranged from all my previous relationships.

"But I still had hope. I kept my heart open, even though all I wanted to do was brood, and I'm so glad I did. I found a home in the Promise Institute. I became friends with my classmates, was mentored by my professors, and learned to view my ability as a gift. I've been studying to become a surgeon with some of the best medical professors in the world, so that I can use my gift to heal in order to help improve the world. Keep hope in your hearts and I promise you will find a way to use your gift to help everyone."

The young woman had tears in her eyes but still smiled widely as she left the stage the same way her duet partner had. As she left an older woman walked on stage from the opposite direction, smiling warmly and clapping. "Thank you so much Meili for sharing your story with us. Every student at this school has their own unique and inspiring story, and I hope you all will hear them as you get to know your peers." This new figure appeared to be in her late thirties, wearing a smart green dress and a black scarf. She took her place at center stage. "I am Anya Belsky, the president of the Promise Institute. I look forward to seeing what your class is capable of."

The orientation meeting continues with speakers such as the president, freshman advisers, and other students sharing information about the Promise Institute and personal stories of coming to embrace one's gift. At the conclusion of the meeting the president stands center stage once again. "Please join us for lunch in the dining hall at noon. If you need help getting there or have any questions, ask a student volunteer in a green blazer. And once again, welcome to the Promise Institute."

The lights on stage dim and the chandelier overhead becomes brighter as the auditorium doors open once more. The students have 15 minutes before lunch starts, and may take this time to do some exploring, talk to other students, go to the bathroom, or whatever else it is they may desire.

[Cerces22]

Relka lucked out and no one sat next to her. She looked over the days agenda, noting that there was a club fair planned later. The socialite in her was excited, she wanted to be a cheerleader again. But her gloved hands reminded her why she couldn't. Dejectidly Relka sat through the schools concert, thinking to herself maybe she would learn to play the piano as an activity.

After it finished a young woman stood up and introduced heraelf as the schools senior president. She went on to say how she had been in their shoes at one point or an other, Relka quietly snorted to herself.

I dont know what HER gift is, but I bet her drawback isn't as bad as mine. She said to herself. After Meili was finished talking an older woman stepped on stage, she began directing students on to lunch and the auditorium began to empty. Relka waited just a few minutes for the crowd to thin so she could make her way to the café.

As she exited someone brushed past her, causing the young woman to jump back. A young man muttered an apology and caught up with some newly made friends. Relka lowered her head resigning herself to the next few years of forced social exile. She was afraid of becoming to close to someone and causing an other incident.

She stepped into the lunch room and got in line for food. By the time she had gotten her lunch her nerves had been pretty much frayed. Relka felt sweat starting to bead up on her face, forcing her to find a seat quickly. She found a table in a corner by an open window, the sun gave her some much needed renewed energy. The breeze from the open window cooled off her flushed face.

She caught the reflection of herself in the glass, the green of her skin seem to grow a bit more vibrant, like the leaves of trees as the weather grew warmer. Even among the other students she stood out, there wpuld never be any real blending in for her, she would never be able to lie about having abilitiea, it was forever etched on her skin, like a tattoo gone horribly wrong. Normally standing out was something was use to, but now that felt tainted with her curse. The young woman bit into her lunch, chewing slowly, lost in her own thoughts.

[Carlyle]

---

Promise Institute
Auditorium

---

If entering the building was enough for Josiane to feel awkward, then the show put on by the volunteers in the auditorium was on a completely different level. Student volunteers handed pamphlets to the freshmen, with everything accompanied by orchestral music played by a duet on the center stage. All of it felt rich to Josiane—this was not her element, nor would it ever likely be. Thankfully, as Josiane was able to tell earlier, there were others just like her; that she wasn't the only one struggling here.

Eventually, the auditorium meeting commenced, started off with the bows and farewells of the duet band that had just finished their piece. Whilst the pianist walked off stage, the spotlight shined on the violinist as she started to speak, and went on to introduce herself as Meili Song. The Chinese woman went on about her life, explaining her sorrows and dread before coming to the Promise Institute as if she was trying to help calm their anxieties. While others may have scoffed or remained a worried mess, the speech appeared to have a profound effect on Josiane, whom was quick to realize that her lifestory wasn't so different as she thought.

Once Meili's speech was over, another woman took the stage—Anya Belsky, the school's president. She soon dismissed the freshmen, sending them off to their lunch period as the clock had almost reached noon. Making a mental note to speak to the volunteers that the president mentioned if she required assistance, Josiane made her way out of the auditorium, and followed the map in her hands—and the crowd—to the cafeteria.

Still, even after Josiane received her lunch, there was the fact that she knew no one. Her eyes scanned the cafeteria for a more secluded location, though most spots seemed to be already taken. Nonetheless, Josiane had soon found an empty seat next to an undoubtedly green woman—as green as the grass outside! Shrugging to herself, Josiane went forth to claim the seat for her own. They were all weirdos here, with strange powers and everything, so what would be wrong with making chit chat (or a friend!) with the green woman?

"Hey there," Josiane spoke as she approached the green woman. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

---

^{Mentioned — @Cerces22}