Welcome to Gaia! ::

The announcement of a large school assembly didn't come as a surprise to anyone in the aftermath of the first year's trip. Events had taken a very dark and serious turn for the students, with the teachers only appearing in the very end. So far the faculty had been rather tight-lipped about the island, and it was to be hoped that the time for explanations has finally come. As the auditorium slowly filled to capacity, so too did the volume of the students' curious and excited chatter. It was at an impressive roar when the shadows began to grow. The more experienced students in the crowd grew quiet at the sight, and still more as they noticed one particular shadow grow and detach itself from the wall to begin adjusting the podium's scamplifier.

More than a few first years startled in recognition as several figures stepped onto the stage and sat down in the perpetually uncomfortable metal chairs. Two were a total mystery (though definitely worth a stare or three) but Conquest and Famine had left quite the impression on a number of people, and not an overly positive one at that. The scamplifier gave a piercing shriek that left a few ears bleeding and Red cursing outside the doors. Satisfied, the shadow drifted back to the wall.

A bit of purple moved behind the podium, and several students sniggered, wondering if Arel had forgotten the headmistress's stepstool again. Then it shifted again, flapped, and suddenly the podium was occupied by...something. Something that smiled horrifically at them and began speaking in the headmistress's voice, "Well, snots, you have been here quite sometime now, yes? Are you feeling very much educated?" The chatter rose in places, and it's expression twisted, "A RHETORICAL QUESTION! SO SHUT! IT! UP!" That's right. Congratulations, Amityville students, your headmistress is now even more terrible to behold.

Once the noise had reached a more acceptable level, she went on, "There is much to explain, but also much that is of the confidential. Do you understand? That island held things that are of importance beyond the scope of this academy. Things which are of concern to all of Halloween." Her voice was grave, and the usual tone of total disdain was for once, absent. "There were beings there, beings which you, yourselves fought against. Not those behind me, but...I have heard them referred to as 'reapers' but they are no such thing. They are the remnants of a war long past, an enemy most thought defeated many centuries ago. More than this, I cannot say. Take what you have learned of them on that island, and be careful. Avoid strange portals. Avoid strangers with weapons that seem to leech away at the very fabric of your existence. Should you see any such occurrences, or anything strange and out of place, report them to a teacher immediately."

She paused, as if considering something, and then went on more slowly, "Some of you may have found pendants on the island. For the sake of your personal safety, please hand them over to one of the administration staff. You have all conducted yourselves well in a place created to entrap and break our kind. We....I am proud to have you as students of this school." Praise...was this actual praise? "But do not take any foolish risks at this point! You are not so great as to be invincible, so leave the rest to those trained and able to handle such things! One day you may be one of them, but not yet." Well. It was kind of praise, at least.

"But yes, it appears a number of you have grown to the point where you are snots so longer. The exam sheets will soon be posted for those of you ready to go up to the next level of learning." The smile returned in full force, "I am most looking forward to testing your abilities."

There was a bit of movement behind her, and with a sigh and roll of her eyes, Hellma continued, "Behind me, you see several faces, both new and familiar. These are the academy's new teaching assistants. Do try and be slightly respectful of them, as they do have a certain amount of authority over you and your continued well-being. You may also notice several missing faces among our staff in the coming months, but do not worry for their safety or your grades. My secretary has made sure that every grade was filed properly before any faculty member was recalled into service." The smile had turned into more of a pained leer, as if anyone actually believed that Arel filed at all, let alone properly.

"One final thing and then you may all go away and attempt to learn: next week in the annual Amitville Academy Open House. Prospective new students will be on campus, and it is expected that you will all show examples of exemplary behavior and education." The or else remained silent but strongly implied. "If you have any questions, you may stay and ask, otherwise you are all free to go."