➸ TEST DRIVE MEME #001

[hall_monitors]

TEST DRIVE MEME



Welcome to Clarion Preparatory Academy for Young Ladies and Gentlemen, where you'll be given (or be giving) the finest education money can buy. Come from a poor family? Don't worry, that's what scholarships are for. Just don't be surprised if the old money kids look down their noses at you.

The Headmistress is preparing everything for the start of the semester, so now is the time to have a look around the school and grounds and to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. It might be best to get all your mischief-making out of the way now, before the teachers can give you demerits for bad behavior. Teachers and students alike are given the day to relax and get settled in.

Maybe you'd like to get settled into your dormitory room and meet your roommate and the other occupants of your floor? Or perhaps you've been there, done that and you'd rather poke around the drafty attic in search of those ghosts you've heard about.

Once that's done, you can take a look around the grounds, say hi to the horses in their stables, or play croquet with a new friend. The lunch ladies are in a good mood today, so you could pop into the cafeteria for a cold glass of lemonade. Or maybe you're lured in by the library, preferring to while away your free hours between dusty, sweet-smelling stacks of books. Just don't investigate the sounds coming from behind those stacks too closely...

The school is yours for the exploring. Your Clarion adventure begins today!

———

Feel free to tag around and get a feel for the setting and prospective game mates! If you'd like, you can take a look at this 1920s slang guide to help you get into character.

Comments

Cassandra Cillian | The Librarians | Professor of Mathematics (Mathemagics?)

[tasteslike]

Cassandra always looks forward to a new school year. The prospect of opening the eyes of her students to the secrets of the universe and unlocking the language of math keeps the nigh permanent smile etched on her face all throughout the first day of school. And if she's especially pleased that her recent visit to the doctor has affirmed there's been no change in her tumor, Miss Cillian can at least pretend for a few moments at a time that she's nothing more unusual than a woman with a supreme intelligence and interest in math and science, and ignore the fact that certain equations are as equally certain to leave the sensation of sandpaper rubbing against her forearms as they are certain equations smelling like a ripe vineyard at the height of summer as they appear before her eyes only like her own private cinema show. She's done well enough to hide her condition so far, and she's avoiding the realization that it's just a matter of time. But it doesn't hinder her per se, and Cassandra wants to spend as much time enjoying her life as she can...before it comes to its presumably abrupt end.

She is absolutely delighted to aid students as they arrive, directing them to their dorms and answering questions. Despite the approval (or lack thereof) of other faculty, she remains approachable during luncheon, takes a few moments to offer the horses some treats, and tidy up her classroom to her precise specifications. Evening will be a joined venture to both common area and library.

Effusive and enthusiastic, she cannot wait to discuss the latest discoveries in technology, science, and mathematics with her contemporaries as well as the young minds she is determined to see blossom with knowledge.



(Prose or action spam style upon request!)

[needyourhope]

"Miss Cillian," Charles greets warmly. The maths professor's enthusiasm is always a welcome experience. He stops his chair in the doorway of her classroom, watching her prepare for a moment before he spoke.

"Ready for the mayhem?" he asks, his smile crooked. The beginning of the semester is always a bit chaotic, isn't it? But, he would argue, a good kind of chaos.

[tasteslike]

She beams at the sight of him in her warm, open way she has with everyone. "Headmaster," she greets. "I'm absolutely ready for it. It's been an exciting year in the field; did you know Hilbert finally got Brauer disregarded for his silly game theories. I'd be curious to see if there's order in the chaos."

There's a brief pause as Cassandra's mind starts to escape into a mathematical tangent and the strong odor of oranges flits across her nose. She's had practice not letting on that she's a synesthete, so there's only a brief inhalation and a tightening of her knuckles around the edge of her desk before the sensation passes.

"What about you? Ready for a new crop of children to wreak havoc?" she inquires. "Will you be teaching a class this year? I hope you do. It alleviates some of the dreary elements of administrative work." A pause, and her eyes go wide. "Not that what you do is dreary, Ch - Headmaster! On the contrary. It's very important."

Oh, dear.

[needyourhope]

Eyes narrowing - Charles didn't miss that little moment - he keeps his smile in place, especially when she nearly calls him by his first name. "I would hate to be called dreary," he replies, his smile growing. "I am as ready as I can be, I suppose, both to teach a course and for the inevitable administrative work. Will you teach of the game theory?"

[tasteslike]

"What have you decided to teach?" she asks curiously, and then with regard to game theory, "Well. Brauer's whole mathematical principle is that the nature of mathematics is solely the invention of the human mind and not a naturally occurring phenomenon of the universe." She holds up her hands, making an oh, puh-leeze! expression. Totally exasperated.

But then she concedes, "I'll offer it as an approach to mathematical theory if nothing else than for the students to understand the nature of pure poppycock."

[needyourhope]

Poppycock. That makes Charles smile more brightly. "I must admit, I cannot describe biology quite so colorfully, however, there are great advancements, especially in surgery and the treatment of disease."

Quite remarkable, really.

[tasteslike]

"Really?" There's a tilt of her head as she studies him in surprise. "There's still a great deal of argument within the biological sciences. Have you read Levene's work on the four nitrogenous bases of living cells? Four pillars forming a basic unit of support for a nucleotide," her gaze momentarily drifts; she's seeing the science in front of her and it makes her smile, "Attached to sugar and a phosphate group."

A hand drifts toward something in front of her. "It's going to be so beautiful."

And after all, it will only take Watson and Crick another thirty years or so to discover the elegant simplicity of the DNA double helix.

Her eyes dart toward Charles, and she looks sheepish. She rather forgot that he was there. "Oh. My apologies, Headmaster. I do get caught up."

[needyourhope]

Charles is smiling indulgently at that. He does love getting lost in the science as well, though perhaps not quite so literally. "That's a bit beyond our student's field of study," he reminds her, "Though you've no need to apologize to me, of course. I do hope your students appreciate your enthusiasm, professor."

[tasteslike]

She'll find the opportunity to be embarrassed retroactively later. "Well, they keep signing up, so that's something." Of course, math is something of a requirement, but they do have options. "I hope to make them equally as enthused, especially the young ladies."

[needyourhope]

How very forward-thinking. Charles very much approves, never seeing the reasoning behind the belief of some that women are inferior. Far from, even genetically and biologically speaking ....

Anyhow. "Your students in past terms have always spoken very highly of you, too." Not something that can be said for all of the instructors.

[tasteslike]

"Well, that's very kind of them, considering." Cassandra admits with a rueful expression. "Higher mathematics isn't for everyone. Nor is Advanced Biology, but on the brighter side, all of your students want to be in your classroom."

There's no trace of resentment there; if anything it's admiration.

Re: Cassandra Cillian | The Librarians | Professor of Mathematics (Mathemagics?)

[gonna_miss_that_hat]

He's a new hire this year, and feels right out of place in this upscale, bluenose boarding school...but the pay's good, and the curriculum's got him drooling. He can really sink his teeth into the classics here, long as he's careful about dipping his toes into the stuff that will set many a student's parents and the occasional faculty member to swooning.

He settles in quick, and he keeps to himself during luncheon...but he sees her. He notices that bright little redhead right quick, and though he keeps his own counsel, he likes how approachable she is. He's fair certain she don't even see him, but it's all for the best. He can dress the part, but the second he opens his mouth, everyone in the place knows he don't belong.

When his time is his own, he swaps out his pressed suit and starched collar for some denim and flannel so he can head to the stables and maybe take one of the horses out for a little taste of home. He's just heading for the stall of a big black stallion that'll give him a good run when he sees her there, winning the big animal over with a little sugar and a few pets along his glossy nose.

"Think you just made yourself a friend for life there, Miss." he remarked with a little smile as he took a few steps closer, making his presence known.

[tasteslike]

"Oh, you think so?" If she has an aversion to his Texas drawl, it's not evident in her behavior, or her tone. In fact, she gifts him with the same sunny smile she offers all of her contemporaries and the students. "I like horses. I never learned to ride, but I do like them. They have such variations in temperament. Just like people, but with less expectation."

She distracts herself by stroking the stallion's nose. "You're new?" she knows it's true, yet it comes out like a question.

[gonna_miss_that_hat]

The question makes him pause. For a second, he thinks she's mistaken him for the help, but who'd notice another new stablehand? Then again, she's a conscientious one, he saw it at luncheon...she might.

He decides not to make any assumptions and simply nods as he reaches her side, giving the horse his attention as he reaches up to scratch behind one of the stallion's ears.

"Yes'm. Just signed on with the faculty." he replied simply, gauging her reaction out of the corner of his eye.

[tasteslike]

He's rewarded with nothing less than a perfectly amiable smile and the offer of her hand to shake - very progressive, for a lady! "Well then, welcome to Clarion Academy." she offers brightly. "What subject will you be teaching?"

That thing about not making assumptions goes both ways, it would seem.

[gonna_miss_that_hat]

The offered hand makes him smile--he likes a forward-thinking woman. Hell, he's given enough of his precious dollars to the NAWSA...

"Glad to be here." he replied, accepting her handshake with a firm one of his own, resisting the urge to wince when he feels that soft, delicate little hand and imagines his own callused palm and fingers manhandling that peaches and cream skin.

"And, uh...I'm teachin' art history." he replied, feeling a little lighter for her lack of judgment. "Least 'till I catch hell for some of the works of the Masters. Parents can be downright puritanical 'bout the damnedest things--'scuse the language, Miss."

[tasteslike]

"Oh," she breathes, looking envious. If she's bothered by the roughness of his hands, she doesn't let it show. "Have you been to the Continent? I've never made it beyond the Eastern Seaboard in either direction." She also desperately wants to, so she adds wonderingly, "Are you from Texas?"

Visions of cowboys and cactus and the like are dancing across her imagination.

[gonna_miss_that_hat]

The question, and the tone, make it easier to smile as he chuckles a little, gaze darting away and back again to hers.

"Oklahoma, actually." he admits. "My family's in oil--I work the rigs, from time to time, but things are pretty stable at home, so...puttin' my education to good use. Least I hope so."

[tasteslike]

"You're helping young minds open up to the beauty of the world." says Cassandra quite earnestly. "So you're without a doubt putting your education to good use." She wants t ask him all kinds of questions about what it's like to be a cowboy, but it seems awfully personal, so she restrains herself.

"Is there a particular period you favor? I saw an exhibition of Mr. Mucha's work ove the summer. It's very...umm. Lush." Some of it made her blush, actually.

[heavenonearth]

It rarely dawns on Castiel to offer niceties even to his own friends, let alone the staff as a whole, but science and mathematics are fast allies as a rule, and despite his generally lacking social prowess, Castiel has at least made it his business to acquaint himself with his fellow professors in these analogous subjects. He's been here long enough, after all, to have no real excuse for not knowing who they are, or what they're like.

He's far too busy and distracted with his own preparations to think about visiting her specifically, or any of his fellow faculty, to be fair, but when he passes her open classroom door to catch a glance of her back while she straightens the folders on her desk, he thinks, perhaps, it would be proper to at least try to remember to be sociable, now that the new school year has begun.

"Hello, Cassandra," he says, briskly, from where he's haunting the doorway in his rumpled overcoat. "I hope the break treated you well."

[tasteslike]

Science and mathematics are fast allies, and astronomy and math are practically kissing cousins. Cassandra smiles right away when she sees the rumpled man loitering in her doorway. Perhaps they are not fast friends, but Cassandra has always been eager to cross the bridge between their respective focuses and has never hidden her interest in the movement of the heavens. Considering that she can calculate projected star positions without needing pen or paper on a whim, perhaps she'll have a better opportunity to get to know Castiel this year.

But even if they were on more friendly terms, she'd be slightly flustered at him using her name so familiarly. "Professor Novak!" she greets brightly in return, refusing to let her mild surprise set them up at odds. "I had a lovely summer, thank you. But I'm excited to be back. Did you get a chance to read Mr. Einstein's newest paper over the summer? Tesseracts are absolutely fascinating, don't you think?"

[heavenonearth]

Unfortunately for her, certain social mores elude his grasp, up to and including what is and is not appropriate when it comes to addressing your colleagues and peers. Perhaps someday, he'll remember. That day is not today.

"I did, and I do," he answers with a quiet smile, his hands slipping into his pockets for lack of anything to do with them. Castiel may very well not keep up with trends or fashions, but you can be sure he certainly follows any and all scientific journals all but obsessively. "I hear he's going to be traveling to America this spring, and offering lectures at Princeton." He tries to hide it, but there's no mistaking the hint of pride in his voice; that Einstein should be visiting so near is exciting enough, but to be offering receptions at his very own alma mater is especially thrilling.

[tasteslike]

He could only have done better if he'd told her Santa Claus was real and there was going to be a trip to the North Pole for a meet and greet. Her eyes light up, her smile a mile wide. "Truly? It would be amazing if we could take some of the students to one of his lectures. We should try and arrange it. Do you think we could?"

[heavenonearth]

Her excitement is nearly palpable, and Castiel can't help how infectious it seems to be, how it spreads to him in his own albeit muted way. It's no surprise that she might be interested, and he's sure she's not the only one who will be. "I don't see why not," he offers, with a listless shrug. "We certainly have enough time to arrange it."

[tasteslike]

It's alright, Castiel. Cassandra apparently never went through that period of adolescence where it was important to be non-plussed and unimpressed with everything. "Oh, that would be amazing if we could! I'm sure Professor Xavier would have no problem with it. Though I'd certainly rather take interested students who'll value Professor Einstein's attention. Shall I put the inquiry in then, or would you like to?"

The deferral is out of politeness, rather than his gender. Her fingers are twitching just a little, as if she's a cat planning on pouncing a mouse.