[fieldbox="GM post, goldenrod, dashed, 10"]
The warp pad whirred to life, emitting a white beam of light. The beam pulsed once, and a woman materialized into view. After another minute, the light turned off and the woman stepped down from the warp pad, smoothing the creases on her white, flower-printed skirt.
A small scanner beeped, instructions displayed on the screen above telling her to swipe her teacher's ID.
"Good morning, Ms. Yuliya Markov!" the machine greeted. A panel on the wall slid open, revealed numerous mailboxes with names printed underneath. A box with her name popped out, the flap opening to show a large stack of paper booklets inside.
Yuliya pulled out the stack, wondering why she was getting more than just her usual attendance sheets and weekly newsletter. When she flicked through the stack, she remembered why. The school had given her a stack of student handbooks because, for the first time since she started working at Hercules School, she would have her own homeroom class. And all of them would be freshmen this year.
I'm gonna need some coffee. With the stack tucked under her arm, Yuliya closed her mailbox and headed right for the teachers' lounge.
The teachers' lounge was relatively empty; most staff had either gone to their offices to prepare for the first day or wait outside for Savino's bus to drop off students. Yuliya went straight for the coffee vending machine and bought herself a cup. She sighed with content as she took her first sip.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she turned around to see a man in glasses and a lab coat glowering at her.
"Good morning, Professor Johnston," Yuliya greeted politely.
"Are you ready to take care of the students this year?"
The Professor adjusted his glasses. "The fact you asked such a question suggests you have perceived the notion of dangerous possibilities to come to our students." He jumped out of his chair and rushed towards the auburn-haired woman, eyes wide. "That's another ability of your special brain isn't it!"
Managing to not spill a drop of her coffee, Yuliya maneuvered her way around the school nurse and practically flew to the door, being careful not to stare too long at his sharpened teeth.
"Nope! My brain doesn't give me that kind of power," she replied quickly.
"I better get going. See you around!"
Once the door closed behind her, Yuliya let out a deep breath. Rhys Johnston not only served as the school nurse, but as a Crux Lab representative. Because of his curious nature and affiliation with one of the most famous super power research labs in the world, Rhys had an insatiable desire to examine anything that comes his way, including the workings of her brain. In fact, ever since she started working on campus, Rhys had bugged her about letting him look at her brain. While she respected the man and all he has done, Yuliya wasn't keen on the idea of having her brain being poked at.
Been there, done that.
Yuliya continued walking, making her way to her office. She placed the student handbooks on her desk, and picked up the attendance sheet. Nine students for her first homeroom class; a small, tight-knit group, almost like a squadron. She went through the list of names, remembering the student files she received a month ago that provided details on the students. Among the nine students, four of them struck out to her the most.
Willhelmina Washington, daughter of a famous superhero couple. Yuliya had never worked with Willhelmina's parents before her retirement, but has seen them in action. She wasn't even surprised to see this child attending HSSI; it was common to see the children of established superheroes attending HSSI. She was just shocked to see this girl was going to be in
her homeroom.
Washington. Her name alone brings about a reputation among those in the profession, a reputation this girl could live up to, or struggle trying.
Rei Arias, the eldest son of the Arias family and current heir to their business. Yuliya remembered the revelation of his powers was a hot topic in the press. Every form of media was all over his story, especially since nobody in the wealthy Arias family was known to have powers. It seemed everyone was trying to examine his abilities came about, picking through the family genealogy to the more distasteful rumors that his family 'bought' the powers using their earned resources. In short, Rei was truly the definition of an outlier.
Sam Kulka. Raised at home and schooled at home. Yuliya couldn't imagine how unnerving it must be for the young boy to suddenly be coming here. Especially after one incident involving him and another kid at a school he previously attended. To make the choice to attend Hercules was the right one. He can learn to control his abilities and Yuliya will help him wherever she can. She only hopes Sam is willing to step up to the opportunity.
And finally, Cora Kitonobe; the details in her file were strange. Her current age is seventeen, making her the oldest of the class; normally, she'd be a junior at this age. The brief summary provided was even stranger: Origins unknown, a habit of sporting spots on her body at random times, and her caretakers did not even provide an ideal home for her. Yuliya's heart broke at the thought this girl had spent most of her life being examined in a glass tube.
Loud chatter outside her office brought Yuliya back from her reverie. The time on her watch said 8:55am. With a sigh, Yuliya gathered the handbooks and a few other stacks of papers and headed for classroom W52. She said hello to former students of hers and fellow staff members as well. The bell rang and Yuliya entered the classroom, the students of her first ever homeroom already inside. Some chatting with each other, while others chose for a more isolated option.
Yuliya's stomach twisted as she looked at them all. She reminded herself she was just feeling first day nerves. She had her morning coffee already; she'll be fine. Putting on her best, brightest smile, she greeted,
"Good morning everyone!"
She moved to the front of the classroom, placing the papers and coffee on the desk. She wrote her name on the white board and turned back to the students.
"My name is Yuliya Markov," she gestured towards the white board,
"I'm an English teacher and I will also be your homeroom teacher for your time here. I'd like to welcome you all to Hercules School for Super Powered individuals and I look forward you helping you guys grow into the heroes you can be.
"Alright, now that I've told you who I am, why don't you introduce yourself? Tell me your name and something about you. Can be what your power is, a dream you have, or even a superhero you admire. Also, I'll be handing out these handbooks for you." She held up one handbook.
"They're basically a list of rules you need to follow, such as curfew time, taking the bus to school is the only way to get here unless you want to be zapped in the sky, or conducting matches in designated fighting grounds or outside the building. On the last page you will see a slip for you to sign. Turn it in to me later; it's pretty much to let us know you understand the rules we have here at HSSI. Alrighty then, who's first?"
A young girl was the first to raise her hand. "My name is Philomela Dean and my power is to produce a sonic
scream." Philomela's voice suddenly echoed through the classroom, causing Yuliya's coffee mug to bounce a little on her desk.
"Ooh, remind me not to get you angry." Yuliya handed Philomela a handbook.
"Next!"[/fieldbox]