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Jacks White Oak Fall Semester Mixer 240804
At the Fall Semester Mixer at White Oak Union's cafeteria, students and alumni of White Oak College gather to mingle and share their experiences. The event provides an opportunity for new students like Ash Starling, a senior transferring for their last year, to introduce themselves and make connections within the college's community. Various characters, including Freya, Elias, Matthew, and faculty members like Professor Juniper Anderson, engage in light conversation amidst the scent of food and a mysteriously thick mist that has descended upon the evening. The mixer serves not only as a social gathering but also as a venue for both new and returning members of White Oak to express their expectations for the semester, reminisce about their time at the college, and discuss their aspirations and interests, including art and language studies.
The story concludes with the attendees engaging in discussions about personal interests, such as art and languages. Ash expresses excitement about making new friends and experiences, hoping to channel them into his art. Matthew talks about his interest in possibly studying linguistics, and Kimberly, another student, shares her background in English and literature, hinting at a desire to continue in that direction despite the college's medical focus. Conversations about Latin classes and the opportunity to display art in local cafes suggest both the academic and creative opportunities awaiting the students in the coming year. The gathering highlights the diverse interests of the student body and the supportive and engaging atmosphere fostered by the faculty and alumni, even as the mist outside hints at the unique and possibly mysterious nature of their environment.
(Jack's [White Oak] Fall Semester Mixer)
[Sat Aug 3 2024]
In the Cafeteria of the White Oak Union
This spacious layout accommodates a diverse array of food stations, each adorned with vibrant signage and enticing displays of freshly prepared meals and snacks. Soft, ambient lighting bathes the area in a warm, inviting glow, complementing the modern, sleek design of the serving counters and seating arrangements. The cheerful hum of conversation and the clinking of trays create a lively, communal atmosphere that resonates throughout the bustling dining hall.
It is night, about 87F(30C) degrees, There is a new moon.
Ash smiles at Jack, taking the hand and giving it a firm, short shake. "I'm Ash, Ash Starling. Senior." They glance at Viktorin, raising an eyebrow, but doesn't take the bait.
Freya smiles and nods at Jack, "Hello Father. I graduated but social events are still nice." She turns to give Matthew a wave before walking up to Juniper to give her a hug. "Hey!" She greets Elias and Juniper happily.
Ash explains to Jack, "I transferred in for the last year, so these next two semesters... or one, if I *really* get on it... will be my first and last here. I'm sure it'll be memorable!"
"Did I understand you've left the college, Miss Joyce?" Jack asks Freya. "Well, perhaps you'll have some lessons for students." Then he turns to look at Juniper. "Professor Anderson, it's good to see you." Back to Ash. "Mr. Starling, welcome. I'm glad to meet you." Then Elias. "Mr. Elias, can we help you? It's nice to see you -- or are you Professor Anderson's date?"
Matthew strolls in casually, eyes flitting about before they fall on Jack and Viktorin, where he gives a fingerwave and a short, cordial smile, then providing the same with mild cheer as Elias and Juniper arrive, then addressing the same towards Freya. "Hello, hello.", he offers breezily to nobody in particular.
Jack greets someone, "Mr. Demirjian."
"Hey Matt, thanks for having brunch with us earlier," Viktorin intones, smiling towards the man. "I'm hoping Harry and I can bring it back. At least, little by little."
Jack greets Matthew, "Mr. Demirjian. How are you?"
"Good evening, Freya." Elias says as he flashes a small smile to Freya. He turns his attention away from the graceful woman, settling it upon Jack, "Yes, I am accompanying the lovely Professor Anderson. She is wonderful company and it helps me get out to meet people. I couldn't ask for a better companion to come to such an event with."
Matthew hums, nodding a few times to Viktorin with some cheer. "It was quite nice; I'd love to make it a recurring 'happening'.", he agrees, before glancing to Jack, offering a smile. "Doing well, Father - thank you for asking. Yourself?", he inquires lightly.
Ash takes a pastry from the table, taking a seat as they eat up, letting out a soft "Mmm-" as they do. They glance around, as if considering who to start with.
Juniper joins the group in the cafeteria of the student union with a fresh and bright smile for those gathered. She greets Matthew first, one of her regular students with a fond, "Hi Matt, good to see you again." And then she nods politely to Jack in turn. "Thank you, Father. I figured if this was where the new and the old students would be gathering tonight - I should make an appearance so they know where to find me." She smiles in a an obliging sort of way as she adds, "I hope you don't mind. I don't intend to outnumber the students with guests."
Freya finishes offering Juniper a hug and then turns back to Jack, "Sure I should probably hold some first aid and cpr classes for the masses..."
Juniper takes a few steps over to greet Freya then, offering her the only hug in return with another warm smile. "Hey, Freya."
Jodie makes her way into the cafeteria and looks about idly. She wears a little pout on her lips but thats natural for her face. Each step into the room makes noise as the heels of her bumps click on the floor
Freya turns to wave at Jodie as well, "Hey." She greets cheerfully, "You here to hit on...." Her voice fades before she can give the game away and she flashes a fanged grin towards Jodie.
"Miss Moore," Jack tells Jodie when she walks in. "Another returning graduate. How is the real world?"
"Jodie," Juniper calls to Jodie with an almost impish grin. "It looks like this mixer got us both out in heels."
Ash turns to Matthew, holding a hand out. "Hey, I'm Ash, Ash Starling. Are you a student? Seems we've a lot of graduates today."
Jodie gives a well meaning middle finger to Freya and a grin, looking to her then past her to Jack, answering him with a shrug of her bare shoulders. "The real world is shit, but I get by." she smirks then and clarifies, "I never graduated."
Jack stands near the entrance, greeting students and guests as they come in.
Freya makes her way over to Viktorin, looking him up and down before tilting her head. "Hey you feeling better?" She asks softly.
Matthew beams, looking over to Juniper. "Good to see you, Professor June.", he chimes, before his eyes flit over to the refreshments, grabbing a cup and sipping away, letting out a relaxed sigh, then looking over to Ash. "Oh, um. Matt Demirjian. I'm a new student, but they did a transcript evaluation which puts me as a sophomore, I guess? Mm. Anyway.", he relays with a nonchalant lift of his shoulders.
"Never better," Viktorin snorts, leaning against the table bearing all that food. "Doesn't take too long for bones to pop into place. In fact, I think that was a new record, if I'm honest."
Also looking to Viktorin, Juniper joins Freya. "My apologies for having to cut our conversation short yesterday afternoon," she begins to Viktorin. "I was having an important conversation. Or rather. Had only just begin it. Officially - I'm Juniper Andersen, but you can just call me June."
"Well, it seems like a pretty good turnout." Elias notes to Juniper as the room starts to fill up with people as he makes his way to her side.
"You did look well yesterday too, come to think of it, that must be nice to not have to be holed up for so long," Juniper remarks to Viktorin.
"I hope more come out of the woodwork," Juniper admits to Elias. "It's always so much better for all of us when the students and teachers can mingle together and get comfortable."
Jodie gravitates towards Freya and Jack, thoughtful as she looks towards the punch and food. "I don't know why I thought there would be free alcohol. This is the most boring school in the world." the complaint in her husky voice is childish
Kimberly looks around the crowded cafeteria with a little fear, then beelines for the food. She looks around, not introducing herself to anyone.
Jack looks to Kimberly as she comes in. "Hello, Miss," he addresses her. "I am Father Jack Francis, and I've not seen you before." Steely eyes evaluate her. "What's your name?" he asks her. "Are you a student here?"
Esmeralda gives a nod to Viktorin, "Hola. How have you been doing lately?"
"That's good." Freya flashes Jodie a grin at the comment about the alcohol. "Doesn't the punch have any?" She asks as she makes her way over to the food to take a look.
Ash declares, raising their voice to be heard, "I'm a senior, but I'm a new student, too. Transferred for the last year - not sure if you overheard. New to Haven, as well." Over to Juniper, they offer their hand to her next. "Ash Starling, do I get to call you June, too?" They offer a soft smile. "Oh, wait - yours is the class I missed, right? I think that was moving day, for me."
"That's always good." Esmeralda says, nodding again to Viktorin.
Jack says, "This is a college, not a beer hall. Most of our students are under twenty one." He shakes his head. "If you graduates want to go booze it up in an impromptu reunion, the town has no shortage of bars and other dens of vice."
"Mm?", Matthew hums idly to Freya. "No alcohol.", he informs her after taking a sip, giving Viktorin a little smile after his relaying of no complaints.
"I was pre-warned not to spike it, so no." Jodie tells Freya as-a-matter-of-fact. She sighs then says, "Whatever I'll endure sober for a little while." she wrinkles her nose at Jack's words showing displeasure but saying nothing
Kimberly speaks up when Jack addresses her. "Oh," she says. "Well ... I'm a student." She smiles. "I'm Kimberly White. I transferred in this summer as a sophomore."
Juniper turns to face Ash fully when they introduce themselves to her. She flashes a friendly and confident smile, reaching out with a slender and firm handshake in return. "Ash," she repeats with a little nod. "You may of course call me June. I don't fall on formalities unless the situation really calls for it." She flips her hand in a dismissive motion. "It's alright. There'll be others. And I'm usually down for any impromptu tutoring sessions as well. Can't miss a chance to hear myself yap, ya know?" There's a little grin and then soberly she adds, "Welcome to Haven, and White Oak. We hope you feel a part of the community."
"You could bring your own," Viktorin suggests to Jodie, he himself not partaking of the refreshments. "I'm at least minutely interested in seeing what classes come next. I should come to town far more oft."
From the center of the room, Jack glances at Tabitha with a little concern. "Miss Matheson," he says. "Another graduate misses the academic life," he jokes. "What happened to your leg?"
Ash says more quietly, "Well, not everyone has made me feel welcome. But, I hope I'll get to that point soon."
There's a look of disappointment at Jack's announcement and Matthew's confirmation it hasnt been spiked. Freya's eyes flick to Elias and she flashes him a look before making her way towards him. On the way she's distracted by the way Tabitha limps in and she waves a hand at the other woman.
Kimberly looks at Ash with a little curious concern.
Ash frowns as they see the injured lady, brows furrowing, but doesn't speak up.
Tabitha wanders into the cafeteria with a fair bit of a limp. There is a gash on one leg, looking red and angry. She lifts a shoulder at Jack's question. "Not something to get into right here and now, but needless to say, someone's a rat terrier..." She wiggles her fingers to Freya on her own wave. "Hi."
Matthew looks over to Tabitha, lifting a hand to wave once or twice. "Hey, Tabs. Everything alright?", he greets her, eyes drifting towards her legs for a moment as she limps in, before she responds to Jack's question, which gets a little hum of "Mm." and a lift of his shoulders in response, exhaling softly from his nose, still providing a cordial smile.
Ash smiles over at Kimberly. "The situation was handled, fortunately, I'm over it. Ash, and you?" They don't offer their hand, noticing the skittishness.
Juniper nods encouragingly at Ash as she also then brings her attentions to Tabitha for a moment, her gaze traveling to the leg revealed by the minidress and a small pull to her brows. "Good to see you Tabitha," is all the blonde woman says though, with a warmth of welcome nonetheless.
Ash says to Tabitha, seeing the open wound, "Do you need a bandage? I happen to have one on me."
Freya who can neither confirm nor deny if she was on her way to solicit alcohol makes her way to Tabitha, studying her leg. "You want me to treat that?" She asks gesturing at the gash.
Jack glances towards Jodie. "You clean up all right, Miss Moore," he tells her.
"Better watch it," Tabitha warns Juniper with a light smile. "Father Francis will start chastising you to call me Miss Matheson." She winks and turns that light smile onto Ash. "It's not bleeding... is it?" She looks down, extending her bared, pale leg outward to get a better look, twisting it at her knee.""
"Hey at least I didn't use a nickname," Juniper retorts with a wink and a smile for Tabitha. "I can pull up the formality if it's essential, Father," she says though with a gracious nod to Jack.
Ash frowns, saying, "It looks all red such... but I think it's clotted? I'm not medical expert... I'm an art student." They sigh, recognizing that their desire to help outweighs their ability.
Jodie smirks faintly and replies to Jack with a compliment of her own as she shimmies just a bit closer to the man. "You look sharp as always. I think its the collar Father."
Freya looks down at Tabitha's wound, "It's a bit red and angry and you probably shouldn't expose it to getting infections like... It's also liable to getting bumped without a dressing. Want me to..?"
"You would like collars, Miss Moore," Jack quips back to Jodie.
"Ideally a medical dressing, not a salad dressing. No ranch on open wounds.", Matthew adds on dryly.
Jack raises his voice to reply to Juniper. "I think there's some value to dignity, especially with so many non-traditional students, Professor Anderson." It's a gentle chide, though it is a chide.
With everyone mingling around the room, Elias seems to be more interested in people watching. Making his way over to the refreshment table, he picks up a cup of punch. Not really taking a drink from any of it, just soaking in the environment for now.
"I wouldn't want to pull you away from the party, Freya," Tabitha says to Freya at the offer of treating the angry gash. It is clotted, at least, but it is loud and proud. "It's on the mend." She remarks, not really wanting to let everyone dote on her at a mixer. Matthew earns a little laugh. "No, no ranch dressing please. I don't like that stuff anyway. Except on certain things. Like buffalo wings."
Jodie's brow lifts with surprise at Jack's comment and a faint blush comes to her features. Jack's probably not lying.
Kimberly reaches out to get a weenie, chomping on it. She looks at Juniper. "You're a professor?" she asks. "Uh ... what do you teach?"
"I probably shouldn't be talking about ranch dressing anytime soon," Viktorin smirks to Matthew, before realizing, "Oh, I think you might've missed that part."
Juniper moves herself casually to be within conversation range with Kimberly. "Miss, White, is it?" she asks kindly, shooting a pointed glance to Jack across the room. Then she's back to smiling at Kimberly. "Yes, I'm here for the environmental sciences. I run a variety of courses. We'll call it Ecology for now."
"Or on the crust of pizza when you're done with the rest." Tabitha adds. She limps her way over toward the food to see what is being offered. She pauses a moment, when Freya asks again, and she smiles, and nods, "Alright, okay. You're probably right."
Freya nods at Tabitha, "Sure well I can take a look at it after if you like." She gives Tabitha a gentle hug as they both make their way back to the food. She picks up a filo triangle and stuffs it whole into her mouth
Ash shrugs, putting the bandage back. They turn back to Kimberly, but doesn't try to steer the conversation back.
Matthew blinks, tilting his head to Viktorin. "Mm? You'll have to fill me in.", he hums amusedly, taking another ladle of punch in his cup to sip at idly, swishing the cup to-and-fro before he looks back to Tabitha with a flash of his brows. "Ranch is... Eh? I'm not super partial to it, honestly.", he admits breezily. "It's alright though."
Freya chews the filo nodding thoughtfully as she turns towards Elias and makes her way over to him. "How's things Eli." She asks once her mouth is empty.
Ash leans over to grab a cup, ladling themself a drink as well, drinking it down pretty quickly.
As the mists roll in, Jack comments, "Well. It seems we have a Haven fall after all, don't we?" he says. "Students, there's a stack of extra credit assignments on the table," he says. "Not only will they give you a leg up, I think they'll also help us all settle in for the Fall semester."
Kimberly says to someone, "It's nice to meet you, Professor." She looks at Ash. "Did you ask me something? It's so loud in here," she admits.
Kimberly says to Juniper, "It's nice to meet you, Professor." She looks at Ash. "Did you ask me something? It's so loud in here," she admits.
"I can't complain. Just letting everyone mingle, since it is more of a meet and greet for staff and students. I enjoy watching the interactions anyway. It is always interesting to see how people interact with each other." Elias says to Freya, still holding his untouched cup of punch, almost serving as a prop for the man at this point, "How about you, enjoying yourself?"
Ash smiles softly, explaining, "I just said that I'm Ash, asked your name, is all."
"Uh. Probably not appropriate for the setting. But it had to do with salad," Viktorin remarks with mischievous twitch of his lower-lip. "Anyways, I may bounce soon. Soonish? I dunno. I have things to do."
Kimberly say to Ash, "Oh! I'm Kimberly." She blushes. "I'm at Tri-Delta."
"I got to step out for a moment." Jodie says, clearly distracted by something
Ash nods, saying, "Nice to meetcha, Kimberly. I'm at Alpha Gamma Omega."
Freya looks down also distracted by her phone but doesn't leave like the other woman did. She turns back to Elias, "Yeah I like meeting people and getting to know them." She tells Elias, "You settling into town well?"
Matthew gingerly retrieves a sheet from the table, giving it a pleasant smile and a nod, meandering his way over to mingle at the nearby table then, before snorting at Viktorin's remarks. "I see.", he chimes breezily, before nodding. "Nice seeing you, Vik; Stay in touch." His eyes glance down to the ankle-high mist that's rolling into the room with a brief quirk of his brow and a short "Hm."
Unlike Elias, the cup of punch Tabitha ha poured for herself has been sipped upon a few times as her gaze drifts over the students. "I don't miss the homework assignments, Father," she says to Jack with a loft of cup in his direction.
"Yeah, things have been going pretty good. Nice and smooth." Elias says to Freya with a small smile touching his expression, "I mean, some unexpected turns on that road, but nothing I am unhappy about." He states as he gray-blue eyes focus on Juniper as she does her thing, interacting with people in the room.
Ash says to Matthew as he comes closer, "I forgot to say, I think we're in the same dorm. I haven't put my name in, barely even set up my room."
Juniper appears momentarily distracted by her phone, but ultimately ignores it, lingering to give a nod to Viktorin. "Glad you stopped in, even for a little, Mister Teptic."
Ash glances over at Viktorin as he announces, but doesn't wave or send a farewell, turning back to the others at the table.
"Hi," Kimberly says to Tabitha. "I'm Kimberly."
Matthew gives a flash of his brows to Ash. "Oh. That's nice to hear - always nice to meet a new brother.", he replies breezily, giving a cordial smile as he meanders about, taking another ladleful of punch.
"Of course Matt," Viktorin states before throwing the fore-named a glance. "Let's get in some practice tomorrow. Get you up to speed." Towards Juniper, the dusky thing merely bobs his head. "Sorry for missing your lesson by the by. I was distracted by a brawl. And obviously getting my ass kicked after kicking ass... which is far more embarassing."
Viktorin says "See you lot later."
Ash murmurs, "Does that door close? I'd ask him to close it on the way out, but I'm apparently easy to misinterpret, and I *know* that that would sound bad."
Freya follows Elias's eyes and bumps him lightly with her elbow, "Busy being distracted by my friend I see." Shs teases lightly before gesturing towards the triangles. "Try a filo.. They're pretty good for something without meat."
Ash stands up after the other student leaves, seeing if they can close the door and stop the mist.
"Hello," Tabitha says to someone, in return, holding a hand out after she's wiped bbq sauce from her thumb and index finger on a napkin. "Tabitha." She shifts her weight from a foot to her other, trying to find a more comfortable stance to take.
Jack greets Amelia, "Hello. I am Father Jack Francis, Vicar here. Are you a student?"
"Hello," Tabitha says to Kimberly, in return, holding a hand out after she's wiped bbq sauce from her thumb and index finger on a napkin. "Tabitha." She shifts her weight from a foot to her other, trying to find a more comfortable stance to take.
Ash grasps around before taking a look... no, there's no door, and they're looking pretty silly. They move sheepishly back to their seat.
"That's what happens when you miss my classes, let it be a lesson," Juniper quips as the dusky male leaves but she laughs and shakes her head. "It's a joke. A joke." She repeats herself with seriousness while looking over at Jack. By Jack, the new arrival Amelia has her attentions next while she waits to hear the introduction.
Ash fiddles with their bracelet, watching the mist with concern.
Kimberly shakes Tabitha's hand with a smile. "It's nice to meet you. Are you a student?"
Freya peers around as the mist reaches waist height levels and reaches her hand down to scoop at the mist. "Mists very um....voracious today." She comments to Elias next to her
"Not since 2005," Amelia says to Jack as she steps closer to the table with food. "Amelia Arkwright, former student, new nurse," she answers simply for her introduction. Her hands are trembling a bit, though the cause is not really discernible.
Ash glances up at the name, eyes looking over the new girl carefully.
Tabitha shakes her head at Kimberly's question. "I'm not. I just graduated, actually."
Matthew glances over to Ash with a quirk of his brows. "Everything alright..?", he wonders gently, eyes flitting to the rolling mist before returning to them, then looking to Amelia, giving a short cordial smile and a lifted hand in greeting. "Matt Demirjian. Sophomore, charmed.", he introduces himself breezily.
Freya lifts her her head at the word nurse. "Hey Amelia, I'm Freya also another nurse. We gotta catch up sometime!"
"Well, yes it is. You know what they say about mist like that?" Elias says to Freya, a grin slowly creeping across his face, "Isn't that like when Frankenstein's monster comes out of the tower looking for some maiden to accidentally kill?"
"Something like that, yes," Tabitha remarks off Elias's quip. She sips the punch, eyeing it a moment before hand.
Ash nods to Matthew, saying, "Yeah, that guy... and then the mists, they're... dangerous. But, going outside is only more so, so it's... fine."
"Nice to meet you, Nurse Arkwright," Jack tells Amelia. "Don't trust Greg, who apparently gave Nurse Joyce her onboarding."
Juniper moves back to join Elias by Freya. "Accidentally. Is that what we're going with?" she muses to the raven-haired man.
"Well franksteins monsters might reconsider if it walked into this party looking for a maiden." Freya quips back, "Plus who says Frankie isnt in it for the men..."
Ash raises a hand to Amelia, saying, "Heya, I'm Ash Starling!" They glance around, saying, "Who else haven't I introduced myself to...?"
"Mm? Vik? He's just a student.", Matthew suggests lightly, eyes flitting up towards the ceiling as his fingers tap idly at his cup, now empty of punch yet again. "...Just like any of us.", he tacks on. Another ladleful of punch poured in. Sip sip.
"I think I can handle most men that want to cross me," Amelia assures Jack with a small nod. The greeting from Matthew draws her attention though. "Nurse Arkwright," she repeats, since Jack used that too. She accepts the hand for a simple, quick shake. Then she nods toward Ash and says, "Nice to put a face to the voice."
"Oh?" Elias asks as he turns his gaze to Tabitha, "Do you fear that the monster will be coming after you?" A tinge of mischief in his tone as he continues, "I mean, you do look like a young maiden. I forget really though, how did Frankenstein's monster kill? Or did it kill? You know, frankly, I don't actually think I ever read the book." Chuckling, Elias holds a hand out to Tabitha, "Name's Elias."
"I am glad," Jack tells Amelia. "We should have a meeting soon perhaps."
Ash shakes their head to Matthew, saying, "No, that's not what I mean. I just mean... one thing after another, you know? But, maybe I'm just paranoid. Espeeeecially with this guy," they gesture at Elias as politely as they can, "Telling ghost stories!" They chuckle, apparently countering anxiety with humor.
"Me? Telling ghost stories? It helps if I actually remember how the story went. So I mean, it is probably just mentioning ghost stories or rather monster stories, because I don't really even remember how it went." Elias offers to Ash, shrugging.
Tabitha holds a hand outward to Elias to offer as greeting. "Tabitha Matheson, and I don't know that I would admit to being afraid, but I don't truly want to be thrown down a well, so we can skip that part of the book, yes?" She smiles a bit broader for the mischief. "It's a pleasure, Elias."
Kimberly asks Elias, "Ghost stories?" She introduces herself. "I'm Kimberly, by the way."
"You're just giving him material," Juniper tells Tabitha with a playful smile. "Since he claims he can't remember the story."
Apparently having finished her introductory moment in the spotlight, Amelia starts to meander and weave her way around, making sure she gets other names and such along the way, making small talk, and generally being as personable as she can be without becoming bothersome or a nuisance.
"Ghost stories... mm.", Matthew says, eyes drifting down for a moment as he swishes the cup of punch he has, before downing it. "Part of me wishes we had jungle juice, or something.", he mumbles half-to-himself, eyes flitting over between Ash and Elias quietly.
Ash chuckles, saying, "Oh, I wasn't literal... sometimes 'scary' stories are called ghost stories, regardless of if they're a ghost or not. I don't remember *how* he killed Frankenstein, either. But I know that the story was that Frankenstein isn't the monster, but at the same time, Frankenstein *is* the monster. The creation was far more humane than the creator."
"Me? Needing material?" Elias asks Juniper, raising his punch glass in her direction, "I am full of stories, I can always just go towards a book I actually read. Or movies, movies are easier." He shifts his attention back to Ash, "Yeah, I know. Frankenstein is a classic though, I am not even sure it is that scary. I do agree, I think you are supposed to feel bad for the monster."
"The monster was just a child, born out of the brasen and crazed ideas of a madman. Frankenstein the doctor was the true monster." Tabitha agrees with Ash. "Or it is really Frawnkenschtein?"
"It looks like I might have created a monster by hijacking the conversation." Elias says a touch sheepishly as he rubs the back of his neck, "I mean, I was just enjoying the scene I was setting since we have all this mist coming in. Considering it is an obscenely dense fog out right now."
Ash decides to speak on the topic a bit more loudly, saying, "I wish I remember the book better - I may need to reread it, now. But yes, it's the fleshformer, as it were, who played God and created something born to hate itself. And that act, in itself, is unforgiveable." To Elias, they say, "What conversation? This is the conversation, now." The last sentence is said in the cadence of a meme, 'I'm the captain, now.'
Jodie shuffles back in after a while then sheepishly tells Jack, "Someone needed my help."
Jack looks around at the rising mist. "Students," he says. "Be careful journeying home, tonight. Does anyone want to share what they are excited about for the semester?" he asks. "Any graduates want to share their favorite memories of White Oak?"
Jack turns to look at Jodie. "Well," he says to her, reaching out to squeeze her bicep. "I'm glad you came."
"Does graduating count?" Tabitha asks Jack, with sweetness in her tone.
Juniper laughs out in a short, surprised sound despite herself. "Ah, Miss Matheson. Not in front of the new transfers."
Jack rolls Jack's eyes at Tabitha. "Don't think that graduating leaves you entirely out of my reach, Miss Matheson," he tells her. There's a thankful nod to Juniper for her support.
Matthew clasps his hands behind his back, standing up on his tiptoes for a moment before dropping down, glancing over to Elias and Ash, giving a little lift of his shoulders and not commenting before looking around for a moment or two, remaining quiet for a time, snorting after Jack and Tabitha's exchange.
Jodie glances to her phone after briefly pulling it from her pocket. She doesn't answer any text or anything and slips it away. When Jack squeezes her arm she smiles briefly at him, "Yeah? I'm not exactly a good example for the students. Unless you want to show them what not to do."
Ash chuckles, observing the banter as one of the new transfers mentioned.
Tabitha gasps softly at Juniper's wise words, "I mean... Who doesn't go to school to graduate? It is the end goal. But I think that you will all find the classes here enjoyable if not the teachers teaching them." She winks at Jack and brings her drink to her lips. "Shame the fog is so high. I was thinking of taking my leave, but ... I suppose I can fill up on a few more pastries first."
Amelia becomes a relatively silent viewer of the event, only having shown up as part of the White Oak staff. She keeps out of everyone's way, not even bothering with the food. Any time her hands are not clasped in front of or behind her, they tremble. She occasionally slips them into her pockets to prevent the tremors being visible at least.
Kimberly looks at Amelia. "You're a nurse, Miss Arkwright?" she asks politely.
"Miss Matheson," Jack tells Tabitha. "You are incorrigible," he tells her, shaking his head. "Anyone else -- any of our new students? Mr. Starling, what are you excited about?" he asks Ash.
Jack turns to look at Jodie. "You were a terrible student," he tells her. "But if you're helping someone, Miss Moore, you got the right lessons all the same."
Amelia lets out a squeaked flinch of surprise when Kimberly addresses her after the lengthy time of being relatively under the radar. She blinks a couple of times, then swallows whatever she was about to say. She takes in a breath and says, "Hi. Yes. Nurse. I was going to become a doctor, but ... life happened." She just trails off at that, like there is no hope of picking it back up. Despite the fact she still looks young enough she could easily complete medical school.
Freya is relatively silent too walking over to stuff more filo pasteries into her mouth as she just listens to everyone. Occasionally she kicks at the mists as well
Ash chuckles, as if expecting it, before saying, "Making new friends, new memories, new experiences. I look forward to channeling them into my art so that I can be sure that they'll last. But more than anything, probably just learning. White Oak is a very *unique* school, and I was sent here for a reason, and that's to learn about things my uncle couldn't teach me. It's all very exciting!" They sit back, good boy answer out of the way.
"Yeah..well, seeing as there's no booze..music..or any fun of any kind." Jodie tells Jack, rapidly changing the subject, they seem to be talking amongst themselves though the messy haired woman speaks too loudly to be private "I'm going to piss off home sooner rather than later."
"What's your medium, Ash?" Juniper asks, dropping the honorific for specific purposes this time. "Will you be displaying anything here?" she keeps an interested expression on Ash.
"What, the company isn't fun, Miss Moore?" Jack asks Jodie, needling her. He turns to look at Ash. "New friends and new experiences -- and art -- are all things that are worthwhile," he says. "We've had some excellent artists come from White Oak." A pause. "Admittedly, most of them are a little tortured, but."
Ash turns their head to Juniper, saying, "Paint, classic medium. Though, my canvases vary... I'm not a tagger, though, to be clear. But if you ever see Voltaire, you'll see what I mean. And I hope to do so! Is there a school gallery? I haven't been to the art room yet, still getting settled."
Jodie limply shrugs her bare shoulders at Jack's statement, "I never do well with too much company unless I'm hammered." she's honest, too honest.
"All artists are tortured." Tabitha says, likely her, herself. "Though, I haven't picked up clay in a while, nor taken a photo..." She walks over to where Jack and Jodie are standing to speak to the Father. "I'm going to take my chances, I think, and also head home."
"Many of the best artists are.. Somewhat tortured.", Matthew observes, squinting in thought, before he tilts his head. "If it counts as art, I did doodle two crabs dueling, one with a banana and one with a plantain, and one was a pirate.", he offers with a sheepish grin. "It maaaaay or may not have been during a lecture."
"I understand, Miss Moore," Jack tells Jodie. Then he turns to Tabitha. "I'm glad you could stop in, Miss Matheson," he shares with her, taking a cup of punch.
Ash then nods to Jack, saying, "Well, I've already had a little of that, but hopefully, the torture's over and done with." They laugh, likely referring to paperwork or carrying furniture to their dorm. To Matthew, they smirk, saying, "You'll have to show me that one!"
"I was just about to ask if that was during mine, as I recall plantains coming up, Mister Demirjian," Juniper scolds playfully. "I'm glad something came out of it at least."
"Matt's crab obsession aside," Juniper returns to Ash. "I'd like to see your artwork. I won't be able to offer any professional criticism or advice but I'd like to see it all the same. If you wouldn't mind that is," she adds politely.
Matthew grins brightly. "If it makes an impact, my headcanon is that the plantain-wielding pirate crab beats the picklehaub-wearing banana crab, and then he goes on a quest across the Seven Seas to find the Golden Banana.", he chimes, before glancing over between Juniper and Ash with a flash of his brows.
Jodie retreats from the cafeteria just a little bit awkwardly with the way she walks in heels as if she's not quite experienced in them. The only people to get a parting nod are Jack and Freya, she hasn't exactly interacted with many others this evening
Ash gives Juniper a cheerful nod. "Sure thing! Voltaire's the easiest - I left my canvases behind, but never Voltaire. Everything else, I wanted to make based on my new experiences here." They grin to Matthew, saying, "Oh, a whole fucking story? Hell yeah! Ya gotta show me now, man. I *need* to witness the legend." They ignore any flashing brows, laughing instead, impressed.
"Before I head out..." Tabitha says, turning back to where Freya is chilling with Elias and Juniper. "Could you take a look at my leg? Unless you are not ready to leave. Otherwise, it will heal on its own. I planned on treating it when I got home. Get off of it for a little bit."
Esmeralda yawns a bit and makes her way over to give Jack a nod. "Good evening Father. Seems like quite a few showed up to this little party, no?"
"It's nice to have a good attendance," Jack tells Esmeralda. "How are you, Miss Rivera?"
"Doing well." Esmeralda says with a smile to Jack, "Hopefully you have been as well." Glancing out the windows she adds, "And glad I don't have any plans to drive anywhere tonight."
"We'll take some time on another day when you can get set up maybe in the art space?" Juniper suggests to Ash. "We should get you your own work space really. There's room here I think with not too many art majors floating around that I'm aware of."
"Mm? Oh, um. They're, like, ephemera. Just little doodles on my phone.", Matthew opines with a little lift of his shoulders to Ash. "I'll have to do the storyboarding for a realization of the idea. The story of Crab One is truly tragic.", he dryly quips, swishing his cup of punch before taking another sip, his eyes flitting between someone and Ash idly.
"Mm? Oh, um. They're, like, ephemera. Just little doodles on my phone.", Matthew opines with a little lift of his shoulders to Ash. "I'll have to do the storyboarding for a realization of the idea. The story of Crab One is truly tragic.", he dryly quips, swishing his cup of punch before taking another sip, his eyes flitting between Juniper and Ash idly.
"I'd also like to see local artists highlighted in our cafes with some works. Either for sale or just for appreciation," Juniper adds to Ash with an outward gesture. "If you'd be up for it."
Kimberly nods to Juniper. "That would be really neat, Professor."
"We'll put Matt's banana wielding crab pirates up at Hometown or something," Juniper says with a begruding smile and subtle eye roll.""
"The Pirates of Pinchzance.", Matthew titles the prospective work with raised hands in mock-awe. "Perfection."
Juniper bursts into laughter of appreciation for Matthew.
Seeing as Freya is tied up in conversation, Tabitha raises a hand in a general wave to indicate her departure, while saying to Juniper, "I'll have to see if I have any photographs to put up. Its a nice idea."
Ash grins to Juniper, eyes lighting up. "Are you serious? That's legit, June! Thank you! And yeah, fo'sho! I'd be honored!" To Matthew, looking more pleased than the drink in the bowl, they say, "Now, you have to tell me if you're playin', yeah? You legit making a comic book out of this? Because I am *ready*, man! That would be *lit*! Like, I hope I ain't geeking out too much for you, but that sort of shit is an absolute delight to watch happen, you know? The passion put into it, the laughter - that's what I live for, man? Y'know?" Their more polite matter of speaking falls away as slang takes over more of their speech, unable to code switch properly from their subdued Ebonics out of cheerful hype.
"I'm glad you think it's worth pursuing, Miss White," Juniper tells Kimberly. "I think it'd be easy enough to implement and is just a win-win all around."
"Have a good night, Miss Matheson," Jack tells Tabitha.
Freya waves at Tabitha, "Sorry Im a bit sleepy still. Night."
Freya reaches over to pop another triangle into her mouth, "Sorry Im zoning out a bit.."
Ash speaks a bit quietly to Kimberly, saying, "Are you an artist, too? I hope you can share sometime. But, no pressure, no rush. I just think it's pretty cool."
Freya reaches out to waft her hand through the mist everywhere. "I haven't seen mist this thick in town since I arrived.. There's bound to be car accidents today."
Confidently, Juniper rubs her hands together and addresses the students while also giving a small dip of her head to Jack. "It's been really great getting to see the new faces and a couple familiar ones tonight but I'm going to leave you guys to hanging out together and getting to know your classmates. If you ever need to find me try the chatroom or my office is at the end of the hall off reception."
"Professor," Jack tells Juniper. "I want to thank you for being so involved as a new professor. Are you going to be scheduling some more classes soon?" he asks her.
"Mmmmm.. I start a lot of things and never finish them. Sooooooo, we'll see where things go. I think it might just end up with me putting little crab pirate stickers all around Haven, or at least around campus.", Matthew opines with a shrug. "Buuuuuut.. Assuming I actually commit to something for once? Yeah, that'd be neat.", he decides on breezily, before lifting a finger. "Ooh! Crab One marketable plushies.", he adds on with a snicker. "That sounds perfect." He lifts a hand to wave once or twice to Juniper with some cheer. "Oh, alright! Later, Professor June.", he adds on lightly.
Kimberly says to Ash, "Not really." She shrugs. "Like, I doodle sometimes a little?" she says. "But ... like, I'm not any good."
"I'm planning to, certainly," Juniper informs Jack with a pleasant enough nod and smile. "I enjoy our discussions and forays into questioning the nature of the world around us too much to not."
Ash waves to Juniper cheerfully, saying, "Great meeting you! I hope to catch some of your classes!"
"It was good meeting all of you and thank you for allowing me to tell ghost stories." Elias says with a touch of amusement, he makes his way to Juniper's side as she prepares to leave. He smiles to her, "Shall we?"
Jack tells Juniper, "I usually teach Latin and some special seminars, but I am considering a Philosophy 101 class for the semester." He considers. "I just don't want to disrupt my regular Latin rotation. The students love learning Latin so."
"We'll be walking for sure, thanks Freya," Juniper assures the woman as she slips in stride with Elias. "You may always organize with me so we aren't trying to overlap. I'm pretty flexible as far as things go."
Ash nods to Matthew, snickering. "ADHD? Me too, bruv. Shut up and take my money anyways. And better to start and not finish than never to start at all. It's all about the journey, you know? The experiences you get by doing! So yeah, lemme know!"
Juniper says all this to Jack before leaving.
"Have a good night, Professor," Jack tells Juniper, and then he turns to look at Esmeralda. "Miss Rivera!" he says.
Ash says to Kimberly "How do you think we start? And Matt just said the crabs were a doodle. Buuuuut, like I said, no pressure. But if you ever decide you want to show off said doodles, I'm always open for it."
Kimberly says, "We really have to go to Latin?" She looks over at the teachers. "Why?" She bites her lip. "I'd kind of like that," she tells Ash. "I'll try to maybe like. Put something down."
"What?" Esmeralda asks Jack innocently. "I'm sure not everyone enjoys learning latin."
Matthew nods a few times to Ash. "Yeah.. And, like, I totally agree.", he supposes with a grin, swaying lightly before he glances over to Kimberly. "Yeah, the crabs were just, like, on my phone.", he supposes, before looking between Esmeralda and Jack curiously. "I think it could be neat, I s'pose?". he says with a little smile. "Caecilius est in horto, and all that good stuff?"
Ash meanders thoughtfully, "I think most colleges let you pick your classes? And White Oak is primarily a medical school, I figured. But yeah, lemme know." They give Kimberly an encouraging nod before glancing over at Esmeralda. "Fuck, man... I'm feeling like a nerd now. Latin's great for chanting nonsense from a hidden spot, and writing in caligraphy as a backdrop on your paintings. If someone pissed you off, just point at them and say, 'I think cat soft pet all day!' And they think they're cursed!" They cackle, letting their mischievous side out as they relax more and more.
"Exactly that!" Jack tells Matthew. "We use the Oxford Latin series in class," he tells him. "I like that it is as much about history as it is about the language -- you can't understand a language without understanding the place it was spoken."
Ash glances at Matthew then glance over the food, covering their mouth thoughtfully. "Mmm... blabbermouths get thirsty faster...."
Kimberly says to Ash, "I was studying English at my old school. I was thinking I'd still do lit here. I'm not, like, great at science."
Freya pops another triangle into her mouth as she goes over to the people still chatting. "Most of the medical stuff is self directed learning." She makes a face. "But I'm glad there's more teachers around now."
Matthew snorts after Ash. "I've drank so much punch.", he admits with a little lift of his shoulders. "It's goooooood, though.", he protests amusedly, before looking over to Kimberly. "You can keep things kinda, like, open if you'd like. I was originally looking at, like, business or polsci, but now I'm like, hmmmmmm, maybe linguistics, y'know?", he supposes, eyes drifting up thoughtfully. "And aren't most medical degrees advanced degrees?"
Kimberly says to Matthew, "I didn't get your name? I'm Kimberly."
"Oh! Um. I'm Matt.", Matthew introduces himself to Kimberly with a cordial smile.
Kimberly says "It's nice to meet you, Matt."
Kimberly looks at Esmeralda. "We haven't met, either. I'm Kim White," she introduces herself.
Matthew says "Nice to meet you too, Kimberly!"
Ash nods to Kimberly, saying, "Lit's good, too. I love to read. And it's a type of art, you know?" To Freya, they say, "That's a shame. This big 'ole campus clinic, and it's self-directed? Crazy. But yeah, we seem to have a lot of neat teachers. I think I'm at... three? June, Chris, and the Father here." Back to Matthew, after waiting so as to make sure they're not inturrupting Kimberly's introduction, they say, "Oh, what languages do you know? I'm thinking of taking up a few!"
The story concludes with the attendees engaging in discussions about personal interests, such as art and languages. Ash expresses excitement about making new friends and experiences, hoping to channel them into his art. Matthew talks about his interest in possibly studying linguistics, and Kimberly, another student, shares her background in English and literature, hinting at a desire to continue in that direction despite the college's medical focus. Conversations about Latin classes and the opportunity to display art in local cafes suggest both the academic and creative opportunities awaiting the students in the coming year. The gathering highlights the diverse interests of the student body and the supportive and engaging atmosphere fostered by the faculty and alumni, even as the mist outside hints at the unique and possibly mysterious nature of their environment.
(Jack's [White Oak] Fall Semester Mixer)
[Sat Aug 3 2024]
In the Cafeteria of the White Oak Union
This spacious layout accommodates a diverse array of food stations, each adorned with vibrant signage and enticing displays of freshly prepared meals and snacks. Soft, ambient lighting bathes the area in a warm, inviting glow, complementing the modern, sleek design of the serving counters and seating arrangements. The cheerful hum of conversation and the clinking of trays create a lively, communal atmosphere that resonates throughout the bustling dining hall.
It is night, about 87F(30C) degrees, There is a new moon.
Ash smiles at Jack, taking the hand and giving it a firm, short shake. "I'm Ash, Ash Starling. Senior." They glance at Viktorin, raising an eyebrow, but doesn't take the bait.
Freya smiles and nods at Jack, "Hello Father. I graduated but social events are still nice." She turns to give Matthew a wave before walking up to Juniper to give her a hug. "Hey!" She greets Elias and Juniper happily.
Ash explains to Jack, "I transferred in for the last year, so these next two semesters... or one, if I *really* get on it... will be my first and last here. I'm sure it'll be memorable!"
"Did I understand you've left the college, Miss Joyce?" Jack asks Freya. "Well, perhaps you'll have some lessons for students." Then he turns to look at Juniper. "Professor Anderson, it's good to see you." Back to Ash. "Mr. Starling, welcome. I'm glad to meet you." Then Elias. "Mr. Elias, can we help you? It's nice to see you -- or are you Professor Anderson's date?"
Matthew strolls in casually, eyes flitting about before they fall on Jack and Viktorin, where he gives a fingerwave and a short, cordial smile, then providing the same with mild cheer as Elias and Juniper arrive, then addressing the same towards Freya. "Hello, hello.", he offers breezily to nobody in particular.
Jack greets someone, "Mr. Demirjian."
"Hey Matt, thanks for having brunch with us earlier," Viktorin intones, smiling towards the man. "I'm hoping Harry and I can bring it back. At least, little by little."
Jack greets Matthew, "Mr. Demirjian. How are you?"
"Good evening, Freya." Elias says as he flashes a small smile to Freya. He turns his attention away from the graceful woman, settling it upon Jack, "Yes, I am accompanying the lovely Professor Anderson. She is wonderful company and it helps me get out to meet people. I couldn't ask for a better companion to come to such an event with."
Matthew hums, nodding a few times to Viktorin with some cheer. "It was quite nice; I'd love to make it a recurring 'happening'.", he agrees, before glancing to Jack, offering a smile. "Doing well, Father - thank you for asking. Yourself?", he inquires lightly.
Ash takes a pastry from the table, taking a seat as they eat up, letting out a soft "Mmm-" as they do. They glance around, as if considering who to start with.
Juniper joins the group in the cafeteria of the student union with a fresh and bright smile for those gathered. She greets Matthew first, one of her regular students with a fond, "Hi Matt, good to see you again." And then she nods politely to Jack in turn. "Thank you, Father. I figured if this was where the new and the old students would be gathering tonight - I should make an appearance so they know where to find me." She smiles in a an obliging sort of way as she adds, "I hope you don't mind. I don't intend to outnumber the students with guests."
Freya finishes offering Juniper a hug and then turns back to Jack, "Sure I should probably hold some first aid and cpr classes for the masses..."
Juniper takes a few steps over to greet Freya then, offering her the only hug in return with another warm smile. "Hey, Freya."
Jodie makes her way into the cafeteria and looks about idly. She wears a little pout on her lips but thats natural for her face. Each step into the room makes noise as the heels of her bumps click on the floor
Freya turns to wave at Jodie as well, "Hey." She greets cheerfully, "You here to hit on...." Her voice fades before she can give the game away and she flashes a fanged grin towards Jodie.
"Miss Moore," Jack tells Jodie when she walks in. "Another returning graduate. How is the real world?"
"Jodie," Juniper calls to Jodie with an almost impish grin. "It looks like this mixer got us both out in heels."
Ash turns to Matthew, holding a hand out. "Hey, I'm Ash, Ash Starling. Are you a student? Seems we've a lot of graduates today."
Jodie gives a well meaning middle finger to Freya and a grin, looking to her then past her to Jack, answering him with a shrug of her bare shoulders. "The real world is shit, but I get by." she smirks then and clarifies, "I never graduated."
Jack stands near the entrance, greeting students and guests as they come in.
Freya makes her way over to Viktorin, looking him up and down before tilting her head. "Hey you feeling better?" She asks softly.
Matthew beams, looking over to Juniper. "Good to see you, Professor June.", he chimes, before his eyes flit over to the refreshments, grabbing a cup and sipping away, letting out a relaxed sigh, then looking over to Ash. "Oh, um. Matt Demirjian. I'm a new student, but they did a transcript evaluation which puts me as a sophomore, I guess? Mm. Anyway.", he relays with a nonchalant lift of his shoulders.
"Never better," Viktorin snorts, leaning against the table bearing all that food. "Doesn't take too long for bones to pop into place. In fact, I think that was a new record, if I'm honest."
Also looking to Viktorin, Juniper joins Freya. "My apologies for having to cut our conversation short yesterday afternoon," she begins to Viktorin. "I was having an important conversation. Or rather. Had only just begin it. Officially - I'm Juniper Andersen, but you can just call me June."
"Well, it seems like a pretty good turnout." Elias notes to Juniper as the room starts to fill up with people as he makes his way to her side.
"You did look well yesterday too, come to think of it, that must be nice to not have to be holed up for so long," Juniper remarks to Viktorin.
"I hope more come out of the woodwork," Juniper admits to Elias. "It's always so much better for all of us when the students and teachers can mingle together and get comfortable."
Jodie gravitates towards Freya and Jack, thoughtful as she looks towards the punch and food. "I don't know why I thought there would be free alcohol. This is the most boring school in the world." the complaint in her husky voice is childish
Kimberly looks around the crowded cafeteria with a little fear, then beelines for the food. She looks around, not introducing herself to anyone.
Jack looks to Kimberly as she comes in. "Hello, Miss," he addresses her. "I am Father Jack Francis, and I've not seen you before." Steely eyes evaluate her. "What's your name?" he asks her. "Are you a student here?"
Esmeralda gives a nod to Viktorin, "Hola. How have you been doing lately?"
"That's good." Freya flashes Jodie a grin at the comment about the alcohol. "Doesn't the punch have any?" She asks as she makes her way over to the food to take a look.
Ash declares, raising their voice to be heard, "I'm a senior, but I'm a new student, too. Transferred for the last year - not sure if you overheard. New to Haven, as well." Over to Juniper, they offer their hand to her next. "Ash Starling, do I get to call you June, too?" They offer a soft smile. "Oh, wait - yours is the class I missed, right? I think that was moving day, for me."
"That's always good." Esmeralda says, nodding again to Viktorin.
Jack says, "This is a college, not a beer hall. Most of our students are under twenty one." He shakes his head. "If you graduates want to go booze it up in an impromptu reunion, the town has no shortage of bars and other dens of vice."
"Mm?", Matthew hums idly to Freya. "No alcohol.", he informs her after taking a sip, giving Viktorin a little smile after his relaying of no complaints.
"I was pre-warned not to spike it, so no." Jodie tells Freya as-a-matter-of-fact. She sighs then says, "Whatever I'll endure sober for a little while." she wrinkles her nose at Jack's words showing displeasure but saying nothing
Kimberly speaks up when Jack addresses her. "Oh," she says. "Well ... I'm a student." She smiles. "I'm Kimberly White. I transferred in this summer as a sophomore."
Juniper turns to face Ash fully when they introduce themselves to her. She flashes a friendly and confident smile, reaching out with a slender and firm handshake in return. "Ash," she repeats with a little nod. "You may of course call me June. I don't fall on formalities unless the situation really calls for it." She flips her hand in a dismissive motion. "It's alright. There'll be others. And I'm usually down for any impromptu tutoring sessions as well. Can't miss a chance to hear myself yap, ya know?" There's a little grin and then soberly she adds, "Welcome to Haven, and White Oak. We hope you feel a part of the community."
"You could bring your own," Viktorin suggests to Jodie, he himself not partaking of the refreshments. "I'm at least minutely interested in seeing what classes come next. I should come to town far more oft."
From the center of the room, Jack glances at Tabitha with a little concern. "Miss Matheson," he says. "Another graduate misses the academic life," he jokes. "What happened to your leg?"
Ash says more quietly, "Well, not everyone has made me feel welcome. But, I hope I'll get to that point soon."
There's a look of disappointment at Jack's announcement and Matthew's confirmation it hasnt been spiked. Freya's eyes flick to Elias and she flashes him a look before making her way towards him. On the way she's distracted by the way Tabitha limps in and she waves a hand at the other woman.
Kimberly looks at Ash with a little curious concern.
Ash frowns as they see the injured lady, brows furrowing, but doesn't speak up.
Tabitha wanders into the cafeteria with a fair bit of a limp. There is a gash on one leg, looking red and angry. She lifts a shoulder at Jack's question. "Not something to get into right here and now, but needless to say, someone's a rat terrier..." She wiggles her fingers to Freya on her own wave. "Hi."
Matthew looks over to Tabitha, lifting a hand to wave once or twice. "Hey, Tabs. Everything alright?", he greets her, eyes drifting towards her legs for a moment as she limps in, before she responds to Jack's question, which gets a little hum of "Mm." and a lift of his shoulders in response, exhaling softly from his nose, still providing a cordial smile.
Ash smiles over at Kimberly. "The situation was handled, fortunately, I'm over it. Ash, and you?" They don't offer their hand, noticing the skittishness.
Juniper nods encouragingly at Ash as she also then brings her attentions to Tabitha for a moment, her gaze traveling to the leg revealed by the minidress and a small pull to her brows. "Good to see you Tabitha," is all the blonde woman says though, with a warmth of welcome nonetheless.
Ash says to Tabitha, seeing the open wound, "Do you need a bandage? I happen to have one on me."
Freya who can neither confirm nor deny if she was on her way to solicit alcohol makes her way to Tabitha, studying her leg. "You want me to treat that?" She asks gesturing at the gash.
Jack glances towards Jodie. "You clean up all right, Miss Moore," he tells her.
"Better watch it," Tabitha warns Juniper with a light smile. "Father Francis will start chastising you to call me Miss Matheson." She winks and turns that light smile onto Ash. "It's not bleeding... is it?" She looks down, extending her bared, pale leg outward to get a better look, twisting it at her knee.""
"Hey at least I didn't use a nickname," Juniper retorts with a wink and a smile for Tabitha. "I can pull up the formality if it's essential, Father," she says though with a gracious nod to Jack.
Ash frowns, saying, "It looks all red such... but I think it's clotted? I'm not medical expert... I'm an art student." They sigh, recognizing that their desire to help outweighs their ability.
Jodie smirks faintly and replies to Jack with a compliment of her own as she shimmies just a bit closer to the man. "You look sharp as always. I think its the collar Father."
Freya looks down at Tabitha's wound, "It's a bit red and angry and you probably shouldn't expose it to getting infections like... It's also liable to getting bumped without a dressing. Want me to..?"
"You would like collars, Miss Moore," Jack quips back to Jodie.
"Ideally a medical dressing, not a salad dressing. No ranch on open wounds.", Matthew adds on dryly.
Jack raises his voice to reply to Juniper. "I think there's some value to dignity, especially with so many non-traditional students, Professor Anderson." It's a gentle chide, though it is a chide.
With everyone mingling around the room, Elias seems to be more interested in people watching. Making his way over to the refreshment table, he picks up a cup of punch. Not really taking a drink from any of it, just soaking in the environment for now.
"I wouldn't want to pull you away from the party, Freya," Tabitha says to Freya at the offer of treating the angry gash. It is clotted, at least, but it is loud and proud. "It's on the mend." She remarks, not really wanting to let everyone dote on her at a mixer. Matthew earns a little laugh. "No, no ranch dressing please. I don't like that stuff anyway. Except on certain things. Like buffalo wings."
Jodie's brow lifts with surprise at Jack's comment and a faint blush comes to her features. Jack's probably not lying.
Kimberly reaches out to get a weenie, chomping on it. She looks at Juniper. "You're a professor?" she asks. "Uh ... what do you teach?"
"I probably shouldn't be talking about ranch dressing anytime soon," Viktorin smirks to Matthew, before realizing, "Oh, I think you might've missed that part."
Juniper moves herself casually to be within conversation range with Kimberly. "Miss, White, is it?" she asks kindly, shooting a pointed glance to Jack across the room. Then she's back to smiling at Kimberly. "Yes, I'm here for the environmental sciences. I run a variety of courses. We'll call it Ecology for now."
"Or on the crust of pizza when you're done with the rest." Tabitha adds. She limps her way over toward the food to see what is being offered. She pauses a moment, when Freya asks again, and she smiles, and nods, "Alright, okay. You're probably right."
Freya nods at Tabitha, "Sure well I can take a look at it after if you like." She gives Tabitha a gentle hug as they both make their way back to the food. She picks up a filo triangle and stuffs it whole into her mouth
Ash shrugs, putting the bandage back. They turn back to Kimberly, but doesn't try to steer the conversation back.
Matthew blinks, tilting his head to Viktorin. "Mm? You'll have to fill me in.", he hums amusedly, taking another ladle of punch in his cup to sip at idly, swishing the cup to-and-fro before he looks back to Tabitha with a flash of his brows. "Ranch is... Eh? I'm not super partial to it, honestly.", he admits breezily. "It's alright though."
Freya chews the filo nodding thoughtfully as she turns towards Elias and makes her way over to him. "How's things Eli." She asks once her mouth is empty.
Ash leans over to grab a cup, ladling themself a drink as well, drinking it down pretty quickly.
As the mists roll in, Jack comments, "Well. It seems we have a Haven fall after all, don't we?" he says. "Students, there's a stack of extra credit assignments on the table," he says. "Not only will they give you a leg up, I think they'll also help us all settle in for the Fall semester."
Kimberly says to someone, "It's nice to meet you, Professor." She looks at Ash. "Did you ask me something? It's so loud in here," she admits.
Kimberly says to Juniper, "It's nice to meet you, Professor." She looks at Ash. "Did you ask me something? It's so loud in here," she admits.
"I can't complain. Just letting everyone mingle, since it is more of a meet and greet for staff and students. I enjoy watching the interactions anyway. It is always interesting to see how people interact with each other." Elias says to Freya, still holding his untouched cup of punch, almost serving as a prop for the man at this point, "How about you, enjoying yourself?"
Ash smiles softly, explaining, "I just said that I'm Ash, asked your name, is all."
"Uh. Probably not appropriate for the setting. But it had to do with salad," Viktorin remarks with mischievous twitch of his lower-lip. "Anyways, I may bounce soon. Soonish? I dunno. I have things to do."
Kimberly say to Ash, "Oh! I'm Kimberly." She blushes. "I'm at Tri-Delta."
"I got to step out for a moment." Jodie says, clearly distracted by something
Ash nods, saying, "Nice to meetcha, Kimberly. I'm at Alpha Gamma Omega."
Freya looks down also distracted by her phone but doesn't leave like the other woman did. She turns back to Elias, "Yeah I like meeting people and getting to know them." She tells Elias, "You settling into town well?"
Matthew gingerly retrieves a sheet from the table, giving it a pleasant smile and a nod, meandering his way over to mingle at the nearby table then, before snorting at Viktorin's remarks. "I see.", he chimes breezily, before nodding. "Nice seeing you, Vik; Stay in touch." His eyes glance down to the ankle-high mist that's rolling into the room with a brief quirk of his brow and a short "Hm."
Unlike Elias, the cup of punch Tabitha ha poured for herself has been sipped upon a few times as her gaze drifts over the students. "I don't miss the homework assignments, Father," she says to Jack with a loft of cup in his direction.
"Yeah, things have been going pretty good. Nice and smooth." Elias says to Freya with a small smile touching his expression, "I mean, some unexpected turns on that road, but nothing I am unhappy about." He states as he gray-blue eyes focus on Juniper as she does her thing, interacting with people in the room.
Ash says to Matthew as he comes closer, "I forgot to say, I think we're in the same dorm. I haven't put my name in, barely even set up my room."
Juniper appears momentarily distracted by her phone, but ultimately ignores it, lingering to give a nod to Viktorin. "Glad you stopped in, even for a little, Mister Teptic."
Ash glances over at Viktorin as he announces, but doesn't wave or send a farewell, turning back to the others at the table.
"Hi," Kimberly says to Tabitha. "I'm Kimberly."
Matthew gives a flash of his brows to Ash. "Oh. That's nice to hear - always nice to meet a new brother.", he replies breezily, giving a cordial smile as he meanders about, taking another ladleful of punch.
"Of course Matt," Viktorin states before throwing the fore-named a glance. "Let's get in some practice tomorrow. Get you up to speed." Towards Juniper, the dusky thing merely bobs his head. "Sorry for missing your lesson by the by. I was distracted by a brawl. And obviously getting my ass kicked after kicking ass... which is far more embarassing."
Viktorin says "See you lot later."
Ash murmurs, "Does that door close? I'd ask him to close it on the way out, but I'm apparently easy to misinterpret, and I *know* that that would sound bad."
Freya follows Elias's eyes and bumps him lightly with her elbow, "Busy being distracted by my friend I see." Shs teases lightly before gesturing towards the triangles. "Try a filo.. They're pretty good for something without meat."
Ash stands up after the other student leaves, seeing if they can close the door and stop the mist.
"Hello," Tabitha says to someone, in return, holding a hand out after she's wiped bbq sauce from her thumb and index finger on a napkin. "Tabitha." She shifts her weight from a foot to her other, trying to find a more comfortable stance to take.
Jack greets Amelia, "Hello. I am Father Jack Francis, Vicar here. Are you a student?"
"Hello," Tabitha says to Kimberly, in return, holding a hand out after she's wiped bbq sauce from her thumb and index finger on a napkin. "Tabitha." She shifts her weight from a foot to her other, trying to find a more comfortable stance to take.
Ash grasps around before taking a look... no, there's no door, and they're looking pretty silly. They move sheepishly back to their seat.
"That's what happens when you miss my classes, let it be a lesson," Juniper quips as the dusky male leaves but she laughs and shakes her head. "It's a joke. A joke." She repeats herself with seriousness while looking over at Jack. By Jack, the new arrival Amelia has her attentions next while she waits to hear the introduction.
Ash fiddles with their bracelet, watching the mist with concern.
Kimberly shakes Tabitha's hand with a smile. "It's nice to meet you. Are you a student?"
Freya peers around as the mist reaches waist height levels and reaches her hand down to scoop at the mist. "Mists very um....voracious today." She comments to Elias next to her
"Not since 2005," Amelia says to Jack as she steps closer to the table with food. "Amelia Arkwright, former student, new nurse," she answers simply for her introduction. Her hands are trembling a bit, though the cause is not really discernible.
Ash glances up at the name, eyes looking over the new girl carefully.
Tabitha shakes her head at Kimberly's question. "I'm not. I just graduated, actually."
Matthew glances over to Ash with a quirk of his brows. "Everything alright..?", he wonders gently, eyes flitting to the rolling mist before returning to them, then looking to Amelia, giving a short cordial smile and a lifted hand in greeting. "Matt Demirjian. Sophomore, charmed.", he introduces himself breezily.
Freya lifts her her head at the word nurse. "Hey Amelia, I'm Freya also another nurse. We gotta catch up sometime!"
"Well, yes it is. You know what they say about mist like that?" Elias says to Freya, a grin slowly creeping across his face, "Isn't that like when Frankenstein's monster comes out of the tower looking for some maiden to accidentally kill?"
"Something like that, yes," Tabitha remarks off Elias's quip. She sips the punch, eyeing it a moment before hand.
Ash nods to Matthew, saying, "Yeah, that guy... and then the mists, they're... dangerous. But, going outside is only more so, so it's... fine."
"Nice to meet you, Nurse Arkwright," Jack tells Amelia. "Don't trust Greg, who apparently gave Nurse Joyce her onboarding."
Juniper moves back to join Elias by Freya. "Accidentally. Is that what we're going with?" she muses to the raven-haired man.
"Well franksteins monsters might reconsider if it walked into this party looking for a maiden." Freya quips back, "Plus who says Frankie isnt in it for the men..."
Ash raises a hand to Amelia, saying, "Heya, I'm Ash Starling!" They glance around, saying, "Who else haven't I introduced myself to...?"
"Mm? Vik? He's just a student.", Matthew suggests lightly, eyes flitting up towards the ceiling as his fingers tap idly at his cup, now empty of punch yet again. "...Just like any of us.", he tacks on. Another ladleful of punch poured in. Sip sip.
"I think I can handle most men that want to cross me," Amelia assures Jack with a small nod. The greeting from Matthew draws her attention though. "Nurse Arkwright," she repeats, since Jack used that too. She accepts the hand for a simple, quick shake. Then she nods toward Ash and says, "Nice to put a face to the voice."
"Oh?" Elias asks as he turns his gaze to Tabitha, "Do you fear that the monster will be coming after you?" A tinge of mischief in his tone as he continues, "I mean, you do look like a young maiden. I forget really though, how did Frankenstein's monster kill? Or did it kill? You know, frankly, I don't actually think I ever read the book." Chuckling, Elias holds a hand out to Tabitha, "Name's Elias."
"I am glad," Jack tells Amelia. "We should have a meeting soon perhaps."
Ash shakes their head to Matthew, saying, "No, that's not what I mean. I just mean... one thing after another, you know? But, maybe I'm just paranoid. Espeeeecially with this guy," they gesture at Elias as politely as they can, "Telling ghost stories!" They chuckle, apparently countering anxiety with humor.
"Me? Telling ghost stories? It helps if I actually remember how the story went. So I mean, it is probably just mentioning ghost stories or rather monster stories, because I don't really even remember how it went." Elias offers to Ash, shrugging.
Tabitha holds a hand outward to Elias to offer as greeting. "Tabitha Matheson, and I don't know that I would admit to being afraid, but I don't truly want to be thrown down a well, so we can skip that part of the book, yes?" She smiles a bit broader for the mischief. "It's a pleasure, Elias."
Kimberly asks Elias, "Ghost stories?" She introduces herself. "I'm Kimberly, by the way."
"You're just giving him material," Juniper tells Tabitha with a playful smile. "Since he claims he can't remember the story."
Apparently having finished her introductory moment in the spotlight, Amelia starts to meander and weave her way around, making sure she gets other names and such along the way, making small talk, and generally being as personable as she can be without becoming bothersome or a nuisance.
"Ghost stories... mm.", Matthew says, eyes drifting down for a moment as he swishes the cup of punch he has, before downing it. "Part of me wishes we had jungle juice, or something.", he mumbles half-to-himself, eyes flitting over between Ash and Elias quietly.
Ash chuckles, saying, "Oh, I wasn't literal... sometimes 'scary' stories are called ghost stories, regardless of if they're a ghost or not. I don't remember *how* he killed Frankenstein, either. But I know that the story was that Frankenstein isn't the monster, but at the same time, Frankenstein *is* the monster. The creation was far more humane than the creator."
"Me? Needing material?" Elias asks Juniper, raising his punch glass in her direction, "I am full of stories, I can always just go towards a book I actually read. Or movies, movies are easier." He shifts his attention back to Ash, "Yeah, I know. Frankenstein is a classic though, I am not even sure it is that scary. I do agree, I think you are supposed to feel bad for the monster."
"The monster was just a child, born out of the brasen and crazed ideas of a madman. Frankenstein the doctor was the true monster." Tabitha agrees with Ash. "Or it is really Frawnkenschtein?"
"It looks like I might have created a monster by hijacking the conversation." Elias says a touch sheepishly as he rubs the back of his neck, "I mean, I was just enjoying the scene I was setting since we have all this mist coming in. Considering it is an obscenely dense fog out right now."
Ash decides to speak on the topic a bit more loudly, saying, "I wish I remember the book better - I may need to reread it, now. But yes, it's the fleshformer, as it were, who played God and created something born to hate itself. And that act, in itself, is unforgiveable." To Elias, they say, "What conversation? This is the conversation, now." The last sentence is said in the cadence of a meme, 'I'm the captain, now.'
Jodie shuffles back in after a while then sheepishly tells Jack, "Someone needed my help."
Jack looks around at the rising mist. "Students," he says. "Be careful journeying home, tonight. Does anyone want to share what they are excited about for the semester?" he asks. "Any graduates want to share their favorite memories of White Oak?"
Jack turns to look at Jodie. "Well," he says to her, reaching out to squeeze her bicep. "I'm glad you came."
"Does graduating count?" Tabitha asks Jack, with sweetness in her tone.
Juniper laughs out in a short, surprised sound despite herself. "Ah, Miss Matheson. Not in front of the new transfers."
Jack rolls Jack's eyes at Tabitha. "Don't think that graduating leaves you entirely out of my reach, Miss Matheson," he tells her. There's a thankful nod to Juniper for her support.
Matthew clasps his hands behind his back, standing up on his tiptoes for a moment before dropping down, glancing over to Elias and Ash, giving a little lift of his shoulders and not commenting before looking around for a moment or two, remaining quiet for a time, snorting after Jack and Tabitha's exchange.
Jodie glances to her phone after briefly pulling it from her pocket. She doesn't answer any text or anything and slips it away. When Jack squeezes her arm she smiles briefly at him, "Yeah? I'm not exactly a good example for the students. Unless you want to show them what not to do."
Ash chuckles, observing the banter as one of the new transfers mentioned.
Tabitha gasps softly at Juniper's wise words, "I mean... Who doesn't go to school to graduate? It is the end goal. But I think that you will all find the classes here enjoyable if not the teachers teaching them." She winks at Jack and brings her drink to her lips. "Shame the fog is so high. I was thinking of taking my leave, but ... I suppose I can fill up on a few more pastries first."
Amelia becomes a relatively silent viewer of the event, only having shown up as part of the White Oak staff. She keeps out of everyone's way, not even bothering with the food. Any time her hands are not clasped in front of or behind her, they tremble. She occasionally slips them into her pockets to prevent the tremors being visible at least.
Kimberly looks at Amelia. "You're a nurse, Miss Arkwright?" she asks politely.
"Miss Matheson," Jack tells Tabitha. "You are incorrigible," he tells her, shaking his head. "Anyone else -- any of our new students? Mr. Starling, what are you excited about?" he asks Ash.
Jack turns to look at Jodie. "You were a terrible student," he tells her. "But if you're helping someone, Miss Moore, you got the right lessons all the same."
Amelia lets out a squeaked flinch of surprise when Kimberly addresses her after the lengthy time of being relatively under the radar. She blinks a couple of times, then swallows whatever she was about to say. She takes in a breath and says, "Hi. Yes. Nurse. I was going to become a doctor, but ... life happened." She just trails off at that, like there is no hope of picking it back up. Despite the fact she still looks young enough she could easily complete medical school.
Freya is relatively silent too walking over to stuff more filo pasteries into her mouth as she just listens to everyone. Occasionally she kicks at the mists as well
Ash chuckles, as if expecting it, before saying, "Making new friends, new memories, new experiences. I look forward to channeling them into my art so that I can be sure that they'll last. But more than anything, probably just learning. White Oak is a very *unique* school, and I was sent here for a reason, and that's to learn about things my uncle couldn't teach me. It's all very exciting!" They sit back, good boy answer out of the way.
"Yeah..well, seeing as there's no booze..music..or any fun of any kind." Jodie tells Jack, rapidly changing the subject, they seem to be talking amongst themselves though the messy haired woman speaks too loudly to be private "I'm going to piss off home sooner rather than later."
"What's your medium, Ash?" Juniper asks, dropping the honorific for specific purposes this time. "Will you be displaying anything here?" she keeps an interested expression on Ash.
"What, the company isn't fun, Miss Moore?" Jack asks Jodie, needling her. He turns to look at Ash. "New friends and new experiences -- and art -- are all things that are worthwhile," he says. "We've had some excellent artists come from White Oak." A pause. "Admittedly, most of them are a little tortured, but."
Ash turns their head to Juniper, saying, "Paint, classic medium. Though, my canvases vary... I'm not a tagger, though, to be clear. But if you ever see Voltaire, you'll see what I mean. And I hope to do so! Is there a school gallery? I haven't been to the art room yet, still getting settled."
Jodie limply shrugs her bare shoulders at Jack's statement, "I never do well with too much company unless I'm hammered." she's honest, too honest.
"All artists are tortured." Tabitha says, likely her, herself. "Though, I haven't picked up clay in a while, nor taken a photo..." She walks over to where Jack and Jodie are standing to speak to the Father. "I'm going to take my chances, I think, and also head home."
"Many of the best artists are.. Somewhat tortured.", Matthew observes, squinting in thought, before he tilts his head. "If it counts as art, I did doodle two crabs dueling, one with a banana and one with a plantain, and one was a pirate.", he offers with a sheepish grin. "It maaaaay or may not have been during a lecture."
"I understand, Miss Moore," Jack tells Jodie. Then he turns to Tabitha. "I'm glad you could stop in, Miss Matheson," he shares with her, taking a cup of punch.
Ash then nods to Jack, saying, "Well, I've already had a little of that, but hopefully, the torture's over and done with." They laugh, likely referring to paperwork or carrying furniture to their dorm. To Matthew, they smirk, saying, "You'll have to show me that one!"
"I was just about to ask if that was during mine, as I recall plantains coming up, Mister Demirjian," Juniper scolds playfully. "I'm glad something came out of it at least."
"Matt's crab obsession aside," Juniper returns to Ash. "I'd like to see your artwork. I won't be able to offer any professional criticism or advice but I'd like to see it all the same. If you wouldn't mind that is," she adds politely.
Matthew grins brightly. "If it makes an impact, my headcanon is that the plantain-wielding pirate crab beats the picklehaub-wearing banana crab, and then he goes on a quest across the Seven Seas to find the Golden Banana.", he chimes, before glancing over between Juniper and Ash with a flash of his brows.
Jodie retreats from the cafeteria just a little bit awkwardly with the way she walks in heels as if she's not quite experienced in them. The only people to get a parting nod are Jack and Freya, she hasn't exactly interacted with many others this evening
Ash gives Juniper a cheerful nod. "Sure thing! Voltaire's the easiest - I left my canvases behind, but never Voltaire. Everything else, I wanted to make based on my new experiences here." They grin to Matthew, saying, "Oh, a whole fucking story? Hell yeah! Ya gotta show me now, man. I *need* to witness the legend." They ignore any flashing brows, laughing instead, impressed.
"Before I head out..." Tabitha says, turning back to where Freya is chilling with Elias and Juniper. "Could you take a look at my leg? Unless you are not ready to leave. Otherwise, it will heal on its own. I planned on treating it when I got home. Get off of it for a little bit."
Esmeralda yawns a bit and makes her way over to give Jack a nod. "Good evening Father. Seems like quite a few showed up to this little party, no?"
"It's nice to have a good attendance," Jack tells Esmeralda. "How are you, Miss Rivera?"
"Doing well." Esmeralda says with a smile to Jack, "Hopefully you have been as well." Glancing out the windows she adds, "And glad I don't have any plans to drive anywhere tonight."
"We'll take some time on another day when you can get set up maybe in the art space?" Juniper suggests to Ash. "We should get you your own work space really. There's room here I think with not too many art majors floating around that I'm aware of."
"Mm? Oh, um. They're, like, ephemera. Just little doodles on my phone.", Matthew opines with a little lift of his shoulders to Ash. "I'll have to do the storyboarding for a realization of the idea. The story of Crab One is truly tragic.", he dryly quips, swishing his cup of punch before taking another sip, his eyes flitting between someone and Ash idly.
"Mm? Oh, um. They're, like, ephemera. Just little doodles on my phone.", Matthew opines with a little lift of his shoulders to Ash. "I'll have to do the storyboarding for a realization of the idea. The story of Crab One is truly tragic.", he dryly quips, swishing his cup of punch before taking another sip, his eyes flitting between Juniper and Ash idly.
"I'd also like to see local artists highlighted in our cafes with some works. Either for sale or just for appreciation," Juniper adds to Ash with an outward gesture. "If you'd be up for it."
Kimberly nods to Juniper. "That would be really neat, Professor."
"We'll put Matt's banana wielding crab pirates up at Hometown or something," Juniper says with a begruding smile and subtle eye roll.""
"The Pirates of Pinchzance.", Matthew titles the prospective work with raised hands in mock-awe. "Perfection."
Juniper bursts into laughter of appreciation for Matthew.
Seeing as Freya is tied up in conversation, Tabitha raises a hand in a general wave to indicate her departure, while saying to Juniper, "I'll have to see if I have any photographs to put up. Its a nice idea."
Ash grins to Juniper, eyes lighting up. "Are you serious? That's legit, June! Thank you! And yeah, fo'sho! I'd be honored!" To Matthew, looking more pleased than the drink in the bowl, they say, "Now, you have to tell me if you're playin', yeah? You legit making a comic book out of this? Because I am *ready*, man! That would be *lit*! Like, I hope I ain't geeking out too much for you, but that sort of shit is an absolute delight to watch happen, you know? The passion put into it, the laughter - that's what I live for, man? Y'know?" Their more polite matter of speaking falls away as slang takes over more of their speech, unable to code switch properly from their subdued Ebonics out of cheerful hype.
"I'm glad you think it's worth pursuing, Miss White," Juniper tells Kimberly. "I think it'd be easy enough to implement and is just a win-win all around."
"Have a good night, Miss Matheson," Jack tells Tabitha.
Freya waves at Tabitha, "Sorry Im a bit sleepy still. Night."
Freya reaches over to pop another triangle into her mouth, "Sorry Im zoning out a bit.."
Ash speaks a bit quietly to Kimberly, saying, "Are you an artist, too? I hope you can share sometime. But, no pressure, no rush. I just think it's pretty cool."
Freya reaches out to waft her hand through the mist everywhere. "I haven't seen mist this thick in town since I arrived.. There's bound to be car accidents today."
Confidently, Juniper rubs her hands together and addresses the students while also giving a small dip of her head to Jack. "It's been really great getting to see the new faces and a couple familiar ones tonight but I'm going to leave you guys to hanging out together and getting to know your classmates. If you ever need to find me try the chatroom or my office is at the end of the hall off reception."
"Professor," Jack tells Juniper. "I want to thank you for being so involved as a new professor. Are you going to be scheduling some more classes soon?" he asks her.
"Mmmmm.. I start a lot of things and never finish them. Sooooooo, we'll see where things go. I think it might just end up with me putting little crab pirate stickers all around Haven, or at least around campus.", Matthew opines with a shrug. "Buuuuuut.. Assuming I actually commit to something for once? Yeah, that'd be neat.", he decides on breezily, before lifting a finger. "Ooh! Crab One marketable plushies.", he adds on with a snicker. "That sounds perfect." He lifts a hand to wave once or twice to Juniper with some cheer. "Oh, alright! Later, Professor June.", he adds on lightly.
Kimberly says to Ash, "Not really." She shrugs. "Like, I doodle sometimes a little?" she says. "But ... like, I'm not any good."
"I'm planning to, certainly," Juniper informs Jack with a pleasant enough nod and smile. "I enjoy our discussions and forays into questioning the nature of the world around us too much to not."
Ash waves to Juniper cheerfully, saying, "Great meeting you! I hope to catch some of your classes!"
"It was good meeting all of you and thank you for allowing me to tell ghost stories." Elias says with a touch of amusement, he makes his way to Juniper's side as she prepares to leave. He smiles to her, "Shall we?"
Jack tells Juniper, "I usually teach Latin and some special seminars, but I am considering a Philosophy 101 class for the semester." He considers. "I just don't want to disrupt my regular Latin rotation. The students love learning Latin so."
"We'll be walking for sure, thanks Freya," Juniper assures the woman as she slips in stride with Elias. "You may always organize with me so we aren't trying to overlap. I'm pretty flexible as far as things go."
Ash nods to Matthew, snickering. "ADHD? Me too, bruv. Shut up and take my money anyways. And better to start and not finish than never to start at all. It's all about the journey, you know? The experiences you get by doing! So yeah, lemme know!"
Juniper says all this to Jack before leaving.
"Have a good night, Professor," Jack tells Juniper, and then he turns to look at Esmeralda. "Miss Rivera!" he says.
Ash says to Kimberly "How do you think we start? And Matt just said the crabs were a doodle. Buuuuut, like I said, no pressure. But if you ever decide you want to show off said doodles, I'm always open for it."
Kimberly says, "We really have to go to Latin?" She looks over at the teachers. "Why?" She bites her lip. "I'd kind of like that," she tells Ash. "I'll try to maybe like. Put something down."
"What?" Esmeralda asks Jack innocently. "I'm sure not everyone enjoys learning latin."
Matthew nods a few times to Ash. "Yeah.. And, like, I totally agree.", he supposes with a grin, swaying lightly before he glances over to Kimberly. "Yeah, the crabs were just, like, on my phone.", he supposes, before looking between Esmeralda and Jack curiously. "I think it could be neat, I s'pose?". he says with a little smile. "Caecilius est in horto, and all that good stuff?"
Ash meanders thoughtfully, "I think most colleges let you pick your classes? And White Oak is primarily a medical school, I figured. But yeah, lemme know." They give Kimberly an encouraging nod before glancing over at Esmeralda. "Fuck, man... I'm feeling like a nerd now. Latin's great for chanting nonsense from a hidden spot, and writing in caligraphy as a backdrop on your paintings. If someone pissed you off, just point at them and say, 'I think cat soft pet all day!' And they think they're cursed!" They cackle, letting their mischievous side out as they relax more and more.
"Exactly that!" Jack tells Matthew. "We use the Oxford Latin series in class," he tells him. "I like that it is as much about history as it is about the language -- you can't understand a language without understanding the place it was spoken."
Ash glances at Matthew then glance over the food, covering their mouth thoughtfully. "Mmm... blabbermouths get thirsty faster...."
Kimberly says to Ash, "I was studying English at my old school. I was thinking I'd still do lit here. I'm not, like, great at science."
Freya pops another triangle into her mouth as she goes over to the people still chatting. "Most of the medical stuff is self directed learning." She makes a face. "But I'm glad there's more teachers around now."
Matthew snorts after Ash. "I've drank so much punch.", he admits with a little lift of his shoulders. "It's goooooood, though.", he protests amusedly, before looking over to Kimberly. "You can keep things kinda, like, open if you'd like. I was originally looking at, like, business or polsci, but now I'm like, hmmmmmm, maybe linguistics, y'know?", he supposes, eyes drifting up thoughtfully. "And aren't most medical degrees advanced degrees?"
Kimberly says to Matthew, "I didn't get your name? I'm Kimberly."
"Oh! Um. I'm Matt.", Matthew introduces himself to Kimberly with a cordial smile.
Kimberly says "It's nice to meet you, Matt."
Kimberly looks at Esmeralda. "We haven't met, either. I'm Kim White," she introduces herself.
Matthew says "Nice to meet you too, Kimberly!"
Ash nods to Kimberly, saying, "Lit's good, too. I love to read. And it's a type of art, you know?" To Freya, they say, "That's a shame. This big 'ole campus clinic, and it's self-directed? Crazy. But yeah, we seem to have a lot of neat teachers. I think I'm at... three? June, Chris, and the Father here." Back to Matthew, after waiting so as to make sure they're not inturrupting Kimberly's introduction, they say, "Oh, what languages do you know? I'm thinking of taking up a few!"