<div class="floatleft">(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k512/MissF1R3/ArtemisFalkmore_zps6v0v2idu.jpeg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Headmaster Falkmore<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Main Concourse<br/><strong>Activity:</strong>Giving A Speech<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>All<br/><strong>Other:</strong>Falkmore's Theme: Jack-A-Dandy (https://youtu.be/MaBwDzONtq0), Verrater's Theme: Spider Dance (https://youtu.be/3U3TMMLHMpU)<br/><br/>Bridgette turned and eyed Mari as the other Kalosian brushed by her. A look of recognition washed over the ashen-haired girl's face and she opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by an announcement from staff. The staff members were saying that the welcoming ceremony was taking place and students should begin gathering at the steps. Everyone started heading that way, so she followed.<br/><br/>Up on the top of the steps stood a tall and refined-looking man with white hair and a neatly trimmed white beard. He was an older man with a weathered appearance and laugh lines by his eyes and mouth. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Just behind him and to his left was a slender man with a labcoat and a brace (http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k512/MissF1R3/Steven_zps5tcysmub.jpg) who seemed a bit anxious to leave, if the tapping of his foot was any indication. To the refined man's right and just behind him were Lark, Shan, and Samuel. Lark had her arms folded across her chest and looked rather bored. Shan had her hands clasped behind her back, chin up, looking very regal (or pompous, depending on your viewpoint). Samuel was sitting on the top step, looking ready to fall asleep. Seeming blissfully unaware of all of this was Falkmore, smiling and waiting for the students to settle. Once they did, he began.<br/><br/><em>"Hello!"</em>he said in a surprisingly chipper tone for a man with a deep voice and imposing build. He lifted his hand and smiled. He needed no microphone to make certain he was heard. His voice filled the air and reached every student. The gathered students fell quiet. Falkmore frowned a moment, then lifted his hand again.<br/><br/><em>"I said hello, lads and ladies! When someone greets you, greet them in return! So I say; HELLO!"</em>he said, loudly.<br/><br/>This time, a few students answered back. A couple waved. Some of the returning students laughed. Falkmore seemed pleased with this. He smiled again and clasped his hands behind his back once more. He spoke in a loud and booming fashion, excitedly emphasizing key words.<br/><br/><em>"My name is Ser Artemis Falkmore, I am your headmaster and I am ever your friend and guardian while you attend my academy. It is ALWAYS a pleasure to address young minds. I see gathered before me the SEEDS of the future. Some of you may blossom and some of you may wither on the vine. Some will be the next generation's champions, rangers, scientists, authors, and scholars. Some of you will become a burden on society. It is my job to encourage the former and prevent the latter. I firmly BELIEVE that EACH and EVERY one of YOU has LIMITLESS potential! All you have to do is allow myself and my staff to nurture it."</em><br/><br/>He pauses, looking over the crowd.<br/><br/><em>"But you have to be WILLING to let us help you. We have chosen you because we believe you have the capacity for great good in this world. BELIEVE in yourselves! You CAN make a difference! You CAN be the best, like no one ever was! REACH for your potential and GRASP it! We will give you the tools to craft your own glorious path in life, take them and use them! Strive ever for greatness, my students, and the possibilities are LIMITLESS!"</em><br/><br/>The crowd applauded and cheered. Falkmore smiled.<br/><br/><em>"Thank you. I am always available for council, students. My office is always open. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to do the boring administrative part of my job!"</em>He laughed.<em>"Allow my capable assistant, Professor Verrater, to get on with the ceremony."</em>Falkmore smiled and waved to the man in the labcoat. He waved to the crowd again and departed.<br/><br/>Steven Verrater hobbled up to the edge of the steps. He moved his mouth, but was unheard over the quiet rumbling of the crowd. He sighed. He motioned to a staffer, who ran up with a microphone. Steven tapped it and feedback made him cringe and the crowd jump. He smiled faintly.<br/><br/><em>"Uh.. sorry,"</em>he spoke in a quiet voice,<em>"Hello."</em><br/><br/>The crowd yelled 'hello' back at him. He seemed annoyed by this and frowned, pushing up his glasses. He opened his mouth to continue by saying 'hello' again but thought better of it in time and instead skipped ahead.<br/><br/><em>"I'm Professor Steven Verrater. I'll be handing out dorm assignments for new students. Returning students, you may head to your rooms and unpack. Your class schedules will be on your desks as per usual."</em>He waited for the older students to file out before continuing,<em>"New students, at the Academy we pair you up based on a number of criteria. Home region, personality type, major, and so on. We do this to ensure you have to associate and learn to work with someone you might normally disagree with. We want you to work together and foster teamwork and cooperation in every situation. When you get to your rooms you will find a special gift that helps you with this team-building. It is for the good of us all that we work together or we face certain peril."</em><br/><br/>He seemed to recognize the last bit was a bit grim, so he faked a smile and cleared his throat.<em>"Uh... yes. Anyway,"</em>he waved to the three RA's,<em>"...these are your RA's; your residency advisors. They're here to help you fit in. You can see them if you have any questions. They are.. Lark Enciel..."</em><br/><br/>The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Lark grinned and raised her hands, waving and shouting thanks in the bubbly tone that Diana knew was fake. When the crowd settled again, Steven continued.<br/><br/><em>"...Uh.. yes. She's the RA of the first floor for you ladies. Next we have miss Shen here, the RA of the senior floor,"</em>he said, motioning to the green-clad young woman. She only offered a curt nod. Nobody applauded. Steve continued,<em>"Lastly, the RA of the boys floor, Samuel Serif. Sam?"</em><br/><br/>Sam was asleep with his head tucked against his chest. Steven frowned hard at this, his mouth a grim line. He cleared his throat but Sam didn't move. Lark kicked him sharply in the side. He yelped and looked around, eyes wide, almost as if he didn't know where he was. The crowd laughed. He grinned sheepishly and waved. Steven adjusted his glasses, a clear sign of his irritation.<br/><br/><em>"...We have a special rule here. If you can beat one of the RA's in a pokemon battle, you can have their room for a year. The RA rooms are larger, private, and feature their own bathroom and kitchen."</em>The crowd murmured in excitement. Steven leaned in to the mic and uttered in a dark tone,<em>"...do not challenge them. You won't win."</em><br/><br/>He crowd seemed to snap out of it's excitement, eyes looking up at the professor. He met the gazes back with an uncharacteristically hard glare.<br/><br/><em>"...You won't."</em>he said, reassuring everyone, "But try if you like." He cleared his throat and leaned back again.<em>"Now, without further ado.. the pairings will be.."</em>And so it went, the professor announcing the roomate pairs and the rooms they'd be in. Students filed out one by one, heading to their rooms and to meet who they'd be spending the coming years with.<br/><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><span class="bbc_u">Pairings</span><br/>Lydia St. Madeline and Bridgette LeFeu in Room 1A<br/>Sabine Lane and Mariko Kimari in Room 1C<br/>Diana Solan and Miki Foret in Room 1D<br/>Oliver Finch and Victor Cypress in Room 2E</em></span><br/>