Shiro Academy

Roleplay Library
1

((Welcome one, welcome all! Feel free to ask questions on the out-of-character thread http://theeastpacific.com/topic/5227711/1/! This post only contains reference information about Shiro Academy, Tilden Island, etcetera; feel free to just skip down to the next post to get right into it.))

Shiro Academy is a world renowned research university with campuses in Infinite Loop and the Free Pacific States. Founded as a war academy in 1783, Shiro grew to become a diverse educational institution over the next 150 years, and became a formally non-military college in 1953. Packilvania destroyed the Cupertino Campus during the 2005 Packo-Looplite War, prompting the Shiro administration to relocate “temporarily” to Tilden Island in the Free Pacific States. Shiro reopened its Cupertino Campus in 2009, but continued operating its Tilden Campus, which had became quite profitable. Shiro today offers secondary, undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and military courses, all world-class, and proudly hosts many of the smartest young minds in the East Pacific, along with the children of many of the most influential families in the East Pacific.

Shiro Academy Tilden is located on Tilden Isle, the tropical Free Pacifican island in the Bay of Joy. The Shiro Academy shares its campus with the University of Tilden, a mid-tier public college. The 40,000 Shiro students dominate the campus, but UT’s 5,000 students possess the advantage of being able to audit Shiro’s classes for free. Tilden University legally owns the campus, and handles all law enforcement, emergency services, facilities, and utilities. The two universities generally operate in harmony, largely by maintaining completely separate apparatuses for housing, academics, and student services separate.

The Shiro-Tilden Campus is absolutely stunning, and well connected, but surrounded by an unsavory area. The Academy is right on the beachfront of the tropical Tilden Island, making it a bright, beautiful place to attend, especially for those that enjoy a good swim. The booming metropolis of Garneldo is just an hour away by car or train (with a intercity train station just off campus), and students can fly anywhere from Garneldo International Airport, or sail anywhere from Garneldo’s booming port. But the Shiro-Tilden Campus is surrounded by abandoned homes left behind after the tech bust of the mid-1990s, and crime is rife in these old houses despite the best efforts of the well-funded University County Sheriff’s Department. Of course, many college students also enjoy booming parties in the shuttered mansions along the coast, despite the threat of being mugged on the way back to campus. Campus itself is quite safe.

The dormitory that serves as the setting for this story is the Wachin Dormitory. A five story structure, Wachin Dormitory is the Southernmost residence hall on the Shiro Academy campus, the closest to the Pacific Ocean, and it faces South towards the ocean. The dormitory features a bath house, located in the courtyard formed by the “L” shaped dormitory, and a parking lot on the North-Western side of the building. A circular driveway is located on the North-Eastern side of the building. There are both singles and doubles on the floor, so students may or may not have a roommate ((by roleplayer choice)). There are only public bathrooms on the floor.

((Please note that the below image is of the fifth floor, where our characters are all going to happen to live. The first floor features a lobby instead of the kitchenette, bathrooms, and communal area. To make up for this, the first floor also features a small computer lab where several rooms would be located, and a small lounge in the place of several other rooms. Please feel free to check out the OOC thread http://theeastpacific.com/topic/5227711/1/.))

2

Aksynia Ilstroviyey arrived earlier in the day en route from her home province of Provinsk in Vekaiyu to Free Pacific States via an airplane. A quick ferry ride took her from the mainland to Tilden Island, where she would (hopefully) spend the next two semesters learning various foreign opinions, military tactics, and familiarizing herself with the common language, of which she had a firm grasp on, but never actually needed to really practice it. While it wasn’t her first time away from an Unonian-speaking nation, it certainly was the first time she’d spend an extended period of time on a foreign soil. She hoped she hadn’t already become homesick.

Yet she reminded herself why she was here. She knew what great responsibility attending this academy was for a Vekaiyun. Many famous figures have come and gone here. Why, even Premier Levinile was a graduate of the academy. She was certain there had to be thousands of applicants in undergraduate courses who applied here. The fact that she was not only chosen, but received the news in the form of a hand-written note by the General Secretary of the Vekaiyun Union, Lso Yiskevi, made it all the more special.

Truth be told, however, there wasn’t anything too special about her. Despite her good grades, three senior high school sporting events (underwater hockey, judo, and swimming), noted community service, and attempts at running for class president (but falling short each time), she considered herself an introvert. Perhaps that’s why she chose mathematics as her major, with a minor in political science. As far as she was concerned, she was the typical Vekaiyun vulpine female - sans a tail, standing at 5’3’’ with a thin build but good balance. Her red and white fur markings were fairly typical as well, along with short black hair parted down the center.

She actually once cared little for foreign conflict, but the Vekaiyun victory in Dveria changed all that. It was like the world was once black-and-white then, with a sudden blink of the eyes, she could see color. Never before had her nation actually routed their capital, something that all Vekaiyuns had been told would mean and end to all major conflict. Even her bishop said it could have been a sign of the end of times. Perhaps that’s what compelled her the most to sign up to a military academy. Yes, she was more about math and diplomacy, but there was just something fierce about the fight. The competition. The potential for great victory, and great justice.

A foreign feeling would do well in a foreign country, she mused. As she rolled her suitcase along the hallway of the Wachin Dormatory, she wondered exactly what she could expect to do once she was here.

3

“Yes. Mhm. I just landed, Mutti. Warm, very warm. Uh-huh. Tell Vati I said hello. Love you too.” Vitya Travkin hung up his phone and placed it back into his pocket as he boarded the ferry. It was nice to get out of the cold - his outfit of shorts and a t-shirt seemed normal in Free Pacific States, but back home in northern Kekur Province, it drew plenty of strange looks. While he suffered through the cold for a short time back home, he was now loving the weather. As the ferry pulled out of the harbor, he leaned over the railing and took a deep breath. He wasn’t used to the smell of the sea, but he enjoyed it.

Being from the Travkin family, he was used to traveling outside of the Federation. He only visited a handful of different nations, but never to somewhere so warm. His family enjoyed the mountains and snow, and skiing trips to some of the best resorts in the world were always part of the itinerary for family vacations. While Vitya loved the snow, he was really loving the warmth here in Free Pacific States.

He was among the top of his class in high school, and played soccer. While there, his high school won one provincial championship and two regional championships. They made it into the national bracket twice, but were defeated both times in the semi-finals. He maintained excellent grades, which allowed him (as well as his family’s oil money and connections) to get into one of the most prestigious private schools in the nation, Malykhin University. He decided to major in International Comparative Studies after interning with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other countries always interested him.

He had heard of the Shiro Academy before through some brochures at his high school. He had heard very good things, and decided he wanted to spend his junior year abroad. He had the full support of his family and his academic adviser, and now he was on his way to becoming one of the few Laiatanese citizens to attend the school. He looked much like typical lupine with ancestry from the Wahyas, roughly 5’10" and a larger build. His fur was a bright white.

Vitya arrived at the school, rather impressed. Papers in hand, he made his way into the dorm with his suitcase trailing.

4

Eighteen year old (soon to be nineteen!) Jeymi Harrington looked out the taxi window as the scenery changed. The hour long trip in the cab taking him to his dorm at Shiro Academy.

Hearing the distinctive ring tone of “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, he quickely answers his phone with a smile. “Hey Bro.” … … “Yes I’ve landed.” … … “I’m in a taxi on my way to the Wachin Dormitory.” … … “No, no problems with the flight.” … … He laughs, “yes, I know, ‘don’t do anything you wouldn’t do’”, … … “but Bro, there isn’t nothing you haven’t really done or did not do yet,” he laughs again.

“Yes, I’ve got a single dorm, no roommates,” he pauses as he listens, “no, it’s on the ocean side, right next to the restrooms, stairs and lift.” … … “Fifth floor.” … … “Will do.” … … “I’ll try to find a Dojo I can work with, hopefully nearby.” … … “Yeah, don’t wanna get rusty.” … … “Yep!” … … “You too.” … … “Give my love to the Family.” … … “Laters.” Ending the call, he checks his text messages, answers a few.

Feeling the taxi slow down, he looks up and takes his first look at Shiro Academy. “Beautiful does not do it justice!” he thinks to himself. Eventually the cab stops outside the entrance to Wachin Dormitory. Paying the driver and giving a generous tip, thanking him for the ride.

“Well ‘Jey’, your a long way from The Grand Duchy of Dragonia,” he whispers to himself softly as he calmly walks to his new life at college. Thinking of the long road it took to get at this point in his life.

Top 5% of his class in High School, athlete, he played rugby and was on the swim team in the off season. It kept him fit, even though he enjoyed the sports, it was not what he wanted to do, just what was expected of him, by his Father. He even ran for class president only because his Father pressured him to. He came close but did not win, which only had his Father disappointed with him. ‘Jey’ did not care, he was really glad he lost, he was not into politics anyway. He prefered his Architectural Engineering/Drafting classes than anything else, and loved his part-time job with the local nursury/landscaper.

When he saw the brochure on Shiro Academy, he jumped at the chance to go to an educational institute other than one in Dragonia. Especially when he saw it had an acredited Architectural Drafting class, and he hoped there might be a landscaper in the area he can get a part-time job with. Even though his family has never hurt for money, he loves planting and growing things, mostly as a hobby.

He applied without his parents (especially his Father’s) knowledge. A few intense weeks of waiting and worrying about it, a reply finally came, he was accepted! He just had to break the news to his parents. After a long intense argument, with the surprising backing of his Mother and Siblings, he won the argument.

Plans where made, finances checked, the day came and he flew out of the Dragonian International Airport in Weyrcliff to Garneldo International Ariport on Tilden Isle in the Free Pacific States.

Jeymi Harrington is a human male, standing 6’ 1.5" (without shoes on - 6’2" in shoes for anybody who asks, he jokes), athletic body, but not bulky. His dark brown/black hair is shaved on the sides and back, but very long on top, usually pulled back in a loose tail. He keeps himself clean shaven, but has been thinking of trying to grow a goatee, he has not decided yet. His hazel (green/brown) eyes look out at the world with a calm intensity. He walks with the grace of a dancer (or a martial artist for those who understand the art).

5

{{please excuse some of the shaky characterization been a while sinced I rped outside of something like dnd}}

Feeling drowzy from the numerous hours in transit, Nathan Kamaka was greeted by the warm sun and the smell of the salty sea as he stepped of the ferry. While the sight and smells brought him some comfort, they also served as a painful reminder of home which share many features of Tilden. Bednyjistan itself was an island though with the rapid industrial development the island found itself resembling more of a iron metropolis surrounded by water than the lush green and tropical isle it once was before the arrival of the men from the mainland. Nathan was excited to see more than just a few scant trees that his government claims to be a forest, it reminds him of his original home in the inland of Bednyjistan before it became the site of the island’s strip mining operations.

Nathan though himself lucky to be able to attend Shiro academy as seldom do people his age get to leave the island as they are often forced into the service of the church or become the labor force of the expanding private sector. He worked hard at his education as Bednyjistan offered very little advanced courses so Nathan had to work himself half to death to afford books imported from the mainland. But to him it was worth all those sleepless nights and the lack of a social life, once accepted into shiro(which applying to was an ordeal in itself) he was the talk of the town, especially since he showed great interest in computer science in a nation where computers were very new and very rare, and was invited to special galas and even had a personal meeting with the supereme leader of the island who lauded him as the glowing example of the next generation and that once he returned he will bring Bednyjistan into a new age.

Nathan was shaking in exciement when he saw the gates of Shiro academy; finally a chance to make some real friends and help put past worries behind him. Though at the same time, he was nervious as one could physically be. He never wasn’t the most handsome guy(but by no means bad looking) standing at a modest 5’ 10’’ he was taller than most of his peers but he never leveraged his size in the realm of sports preferring the calm air-conditioned public library of the sweaty national soccer stadium. He was also afraid people might pick on him for his more tribal appearance even by Bednyjistan standards. But he pushed aside these fears and made his way to his dorm and the rest of this life

6

Aksynia entered her dorm room, though it was empty. Still, she decided she could choose which bed was hers. Naturally, she chose the one closest to the window. After opening up the front pocket, she removed scotch tape and began hanging posters above her bed. The first one was that of St. Aiya, the patron saint of Vekaiyu (and all non-humans everywhere). No bedroom would be complete without some kind of homage to the ideal Vekaiyun saint. Next in line was the flag of the Vekaiyun Union - the golden cross against a background of pure white and bloody red, both significant in the deliberate conquest of Vekaiyun unification. At least, that’s what she told herself. She couldn’t understand why a group of people wouldn’t unite under such a perfect flag, in all honesty. Was there ever anything so sincere? Was there a flag ever so telling? A cross splitting the flag into four quadrants, with blood and purity at ends with one another? The dichotomy couldn’t be more perfect. Finally, she taped a final poster to the left of the flag - one of Ikrisia Levinile. She figured it was only proper to hang an image of the Vekaiyun who made the most out of her studies in Shiro. While she herself would be studying foreign policy, language, and tactics, she figured Premier Levinile would be showing the world how a strong Vekaiyun demonstrated passion and civilized society to a world that at least appeared to sorely need it.

At least, that’s what she felt other nations should feel. How could Vekaiyu not be well-loved by most. Oh well. She would have time to sort out her clothes and journey to the student union to buy her textbooks. In the meantime, she decided to venture out of her dorm room and see who else had arrived. Perhaps it would be someone else from her parts? She didn’t quite know, but she was at least willing to see who else was on her floor. For now, that is.

7

After spending more time than he cared to admit finding his floor(he was always bad with following even the simplest of directions), Nathan was filled with excitement as he finally made to his room while along the way he noted the various name tags on the dorms. His head filled with curiosity to who his fellow students could be but he was sure the night’s ice breakers will help fill in the gaps.

Since the ferries from Bednyjistan don’t allow for much room, Nathan was only able to bring the bare essentials and had to wait at least another week to get his other thing. However, Nathan made sure to bring his most prized possession- a small statueof his clan patron goddess Ithnō. He made sure to place in a secluded location worrying that her alien visage might scare away anyone who cared to enter his dorms and Nathan needed all the opportunities to make friends as he can get. Once the statue was taken care of, Nathan leisurely put away the clothes he had and wondered how the others on the floor might receive him and his idiosyncrasies. Would they be open minded or set in their ways? Nathan tried his best to suppress these thoughts and focus on finishing his minimal unpacking.

With the bare minimum done, Nathan decided the best course of action was hang around the floor’s lounge to see if people have congregated there as well as taking a sneak peek at the other students moving in. He was unsure if he would even have the guts to speak to anyone in the lounge but he decided that he might as well at least try.

8

After getting to his room, ‘Jey’ unpacked his clothing and put them in the provide closet space and drawers. When that was done he took a look at his room and shook his head and moved the desk around so it faced the room, so when he sat at it, his back would be against the wall and he could see out the window easier to the wonderful view of the beach/ocean. Setting up his new laptop, an early birthday gift from his Mother, making sure he was all hooked into the net with the information he received in his Academy packet.

Going back to his luggage, he pulled out a wrapped package. Very carefully unwrapping it, he pulls out a picture from. Slowly moving his fingers over the people in it. “Father, Mother, Companion Sarri, Joshuan, Jeramy, Lillian, well I’m here,” he pauses as he looks out the window. “I don’t know where my life is going to take me, but my journey has just started, I’ll make the family proud of my accomplishments.” Again, he pauses, looking back down to the picture in his hands, his eyes lingering on his Father’s face, he states firmly; “how I make it will be my way, not yours!” With that, he gently places it on the shelf on the wall where the desk was before it was moved.

Looking around the room, he smiles, pleased with the results, he likes that he still has plenty room to move around comfortably. Getting changed into some cargo shorts and a muscle-tee, putting his sandles on, he walks out of his dorm room with the map of the campus to do a walk-about.

9

Vitya found his dorm room easily enough, and stepped inside once the door was open. Shutting it carefully, he allowed his eyes to gaze around the single room. He was rather pleased with how it was set up - as well as the amazing view of the ocean. He cracked the window to allow the fresh, salty air to take hold in his room while he began to unpack. Like your typical college student, he brought plenty of things to plaster on the walls to remind him of home. He affixed a national flag to the wall above his bed, and placed some newspaper clippings of various events; such as the capitulation of Dveria, the creation of the Laiatanese Republic of Dveria, and the restoration of Laiatanese control in the Kazakavo Province. It was obvious he was quite proud of his country and her accomplishments.

After maneuvering around on a chair, he managed to hang the symbol of his religion above his door. The crescent moon and paw appeared to fit perfectly in the space between the ceiling and the door, and he felt as though the room truly came together. Granted, there were still a few areas that needed touching up. For example, his clothes needing to go in the closet and drawers while the photos of his family needed to go on the desk. He figured he’d only need about an hour to get everything else touched up. He’d do that later, though.

He had heard doors starting to open out in the hall, so he got himself cleaned up a little before heading out into the hallway to meet his new dorm mates.

10

Lily Pamona sighed in contentment as she surveyed her dormitory room, which she had just spent an hour carefully organizing. Arriving in the university had been incredibly stressful for Pamona, who struggled with light social anxiety. Cleaning, unpacking, and arranging her room had made her feel better, though – giving her a true home base from which to operate. Pamona silently thanked the stars that she had, somehow, gotten a single room.

But now she needed to leave that room. As much as she dreaded meeting new people, Pamona knew that she needed to go make friends. She’d be miserable here otherwise – just as she’d been in her senior year of high school after he family moved. So, steeling herself, Pamona stepped out into the corridor, closing the door behind her.

Pamona immediately felt a wave of doubt. She did not hail from royalty or riches, though her family was obviously well-off. But would she fit-in here? Or would she be looked down on as someone not quite at the level of the children of presidents and kings? She had been disliked in her senior year of high school, spent in posh Liberty City. What if that happened again?

Lost in thought, Pamona did not even see Vitya in the hall until she was about a half-meter from him. Coming to a sudden stop, she steeled herself for her first college introduction. She had practiced this again and again at home. Now she just needed to do it. Taking a deep breath, she thrust out her hand, and smiled, trying to appear confident. “Hi, I’m Lily. What’s your name?”

11

Vitya was in his own little world, staring at his phone and checking the latest social media app to take hold in the world. Pamona tore him from that world when she suddenly stopped rather close to him, causing him to jump lightly. He didn’t recognize her accent, and offered a little smile once he recomposed himself. “Oh, hello there! I’m Vitya. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said, offering his hand to shake, not entirely sure if her culture used handshakes for introductions like his did. “Where might you be from?”

12

Pamona happily shook the offered hand, glad that Vitya hailed from a culture with a similar customary greeting. “The pleasure is mine. I’m actually from Garneldo originally, though I spent the last year in Liberty City. How about you?”

13

“Okay, she knew what to do for a handshake. Dodged a cultural bullet.” Vitya thought to himself before listening intently, nodding along with Lily. “Oh, interesting! Where’s that close to? I’m from Vasilyev, Kekur Province.”

14

Lily smiled as she shook the Vitya’s hand, enjoying the feel of his fur for a moment. The Federated Alliance had a very open policy towards non-humans, but there were still few non-humans in the population. Shaking the hand with one was…well, a bit of an experience, as such. Lily tried (without complete success) not to let her fascination show.

“Well, Garneldo is right by here. If you came in by air or space, or on one of the major ferries, you would’ve gone through there. If you came in on one of the smaller ferries, though, you might’ve missed it. It’s really a beautiful city. Liberty City is the capital of FPS – its on one of the other islands. Nice place, but, Garneldo is pretty much the best place in FPS to be.” Lily realized she was rambling a bit, and tried to refocus the conversation. “Where is Vasilyev? I’m a little embarrassed to say that geography was never my best subject.”

15

He was rather pleased to meet someone so friendly. Coming from a predominantly non-human nation, he was rather used to humans that were accepting. After all, most that lived within Laiatan were accepting. Of course, he did have run-ins with those not so friendly. He took note of Lily’s fascination with a slight grin, but didn’t say anything.

He listened intently, nodding as she gave him a rundown on Garneldo and Liberty City. “Yeah, I came in on one of the smaller ones. Might’ve seen it though!” He replied, taking control of the conversation once Lily handed it off. “Vasilyev’s in sourthern Kekur Province,” he began, recalling that she probably wouldn’t know where that is either. “Northern Laiatan, it’s one of the larger cities in the Province. It’s up in the mountains, great place for skiing. Lived there my whole life.” He continued with a smile.

16

“Wow,” Lily said, reassured that she seemed to be making her way through the conversation normally, “that sounds beautiful. You must miss the snow – I’m afraid you won’t get much of that around here. Any of it, actually, unless you’re up in the mountains.” Pamona wondered if having fur made being in a warmer climate more difficult, and made a note to herself to google it later. As she was thinking that, she noticed that several people seemed to be gathering in the lounge, and she motioned towards it. “Do you think we should head down and meet everybody?”

17

“I certainly love the snow, but I do enjoy a change of scenery every once in a while.” Vitya couldn’t help but chuckle, nodding in agreement with Lily. “Yeah… Figured there’d be no snow down here. It’s really warm, and the ocean looks really nice though.” He turned his eyes towards the others starting to head towards the lounge, and then nodded in agreement with Lily. “I think we should. I’ll let you lead the way.” He told her, moving out of the hallway and motioning for her to lead.

18

Aksynia was quick to lock her door behind her, after brandishing the brand-new brass key that would surely become an afterthought as the school year progressed. It was… very different being alone like this. She wasn’t quite sure how one could introduce one’s self. After all, she and everyone else were from completely different nations. While it’s true they may not have been from a morally-superior nation like Vekaiyu, she mused, perhaps they too had something at least interesting to share. Luckily for her, she spotted a group of students in the hall as they appeared to be heading towards one of the exits. Now was her chance to show off her English skills and show Vekaiyuns could speak more than just Unonian.

“Allo, Axkuse me, good peepul. Do we… reh-quire to going to the lobby ah-rea?” Flawless.

19

About to turn to where the lift was, ‘Jey’ noticed out of the corner of his eye, several beings going towards the Communal Area. Deciding that going on his walk-about was less important at the moment than meeting his floor mates. He turned back around and headed towards the Common Room.

Smirking slightly at hearing the butchering of the Codexian language by the vulpine female. He pauses for a second and thinks to himself; “‘Jey’, get a grip, not everybody is blessed with living in a Bilingual nation. Your just lucky you grew up speaking Dragonian and Codexian at the same time.”

Walking up to the group with a slight smile on his face, he says in codexian; “G’day! Y’all goin’ ta the Common Room for a meet-an-great?”

[edit_reason]Codexian = English[/edit_reason]

20

Lily smiled broadly at both the newcomers. “We were just heading to the lounge to see if we could meet anyone from the floor,” she said, trying to speak slowly and clearly, “but I do not think it is required or anything. I’m Lily – I’m from FPS. What about you guys?”