As Esyla entered the Auditorium, she would see it filled to the brim with people, both teachers and students alike. The room itself was built almost like a stadium. Chairs lined the walls in a sort of semi-circle stairs leading down to more rows of seats until the stairs ended, and the room opened up like a basin. A stage sat in the center of the floor, and atop it stood the headmaster, whose body rested languidly against the podium in front of him. The Welcoming Committee seated just behind him in chairs.
Children, no younger than six ran up and down the rows of seats calling out to one another and laughing, while the older freshman stood, or sat, talking to one another nervously. A lot of them weren't told much about the school it seemed, they just knew they had to attend it for some reason. Closest to the door was a small group of teens all muttering about how their parents were probably worried sick. Rumors had spread to Galmisdale that this school wouldn't let its students return home, and this group was terrified they'd never see their families again.
"What are we supposed to do? Act like everything's okay?!" One of the girls in the group exclaimed, her bright green eyes glittered with fear, and a hint of anger. One of the boys who stood next to her shh'd her, but quickly pulled her to him in an attempt to comfort her. She was small and shaking, she couldn't have been much older than 12 or 13.
"Sophia, it'll be okay. The rumors can't be true, our parents wouldn't have sent us here if they were. They just want us to be able to grow up safely, and learn how to use our gifts." It was a boy who spoke this time, his voice deep and stern, while still holding a note of concern. He was tall, broad shouldered, but what made him stand out most was his eyes. They were in a constant state of fluctuation. Shifting from dark green to blue to even a bright pink. It seemed the colors would never stop.
Just as another of the group looked like they were ready to speak up, a voice echoed from the speakers.
"Everyone, if you would please take a seat, the Opening Ceremony is about to begin." An older woman's voice spoke gently, and a small old woman began to walk down the stairs with a microphone in her hand, her short silver curls bouncing along as she walked. Ms. Connors was her name. She had taught Preliminary Spell usage for most of last year when an accident occurred, leaving one of the other teachers injured.
At the old woman's behest, everyone in the room began to scramble for a place to sit. However, there were so many people that some were left sitting on the stairs.
Whyspe, who had been sitting quietly in her seat on the stage up until then, rose at a signal from the Headmaster. Slowly, timidly, she walked toward the podium as the head of the school moved to take one of the empty seats behind her.
"Hello, and welcome to Avisdale University." The vampire began, her voice soft and timid.
"If you've been accepted here, it is because you are special. A lot of people outside of this island don't understand what that means, they don't understand the students of this place, and some even want to hurt us. Her voice strengthened as she spoke, rose colored eyes dancing across the faces of each individual face in the crowd.
"It's okay though," She continued with a gentle smile.
"Because this school, this island, was built as a sanctuary for those of us with special traits, or abilities. We are safe here, from so many things." The girl paused for a moment, slipping a piece of silver-white hair behind her ear before continuing.
"Avisdale will try to prepare you for what you'll face once you leave this island after graduation, if you choose to. All the teachers, and other students will help you in your journey to learn how both to protect yourself, and give you the skills you need to live out in the 'real world' as well. So, I say again, Welcome to Avisdale University, may your journey here be a pleasant one." With that, Whyspe stepped away from the podium, and returned to her seat at the back of the stage.
As she sat down, the Headmaster took to the podium again, clapping cheerfully. Then, he began to speak. He talked about what Avisdale University was founded for, what it would prepare students for. He told them about where they could go and get their textbooks, dorm assignments, and class schedules. After all the explanations were over, he finally stepped away from the podium where Ms. Connors took his place. The old woman smiled warmly at the crowd, and informed them that they would be shown around the school by members of the Welcoming Committee. They could be shown any part of the school they wished, but she asked that they stay on task as best they could. A group of ten to twenty students would be assigned to each member of the committee, and the students were asked to be respectful as the committee was short handed. She went on to explain that committee members would be excused from school for most of the day in order to help their groups as much as possible.
Once she had finished, the Opening Ceremony was officially concluded, leaving the Welcoming Committee members to call for their groups to meet them in specified locations. Apparently, the students were given index cards with their committee member's name on them, as well as a picture, so they were supposed to know where they were going. At least, that was the idea.
When Whyspe called for her students, she asked that they simply meet her at school's entrance, since it was the closest, and easiest thing for them to find to start with. She then hopped off the stage and made her own way over to it, where she stood, waiting for her group to come to her.