[B]Prof. Namashiya Kotori[/B] -- [i]A Meeting of Titans [/i]

She noticed when Mika disappeared in a burst of speed, only to return a few moments later. It was an interesting ability, really. But how it actually functioned drew upon her curiosity. Was it a localized telekinesis? Or was it simply juat superhuman speed? Both had the perpensity to improve, it was simply a matter of diffeeing methods for doing so.

Only time would tell, if he passed the examination of course.

Silence continued as they walked, until they ran headlong into Rouka and company once again. Of whom mentioned the impending commencement, and the trials which would take place shortly thereafter. 

Considering just for a moment, Kotori quickly came to a decision. Glancing between the small group that had now surrounded her in a way, she spoke quickly, but with distinction.

[I]"Alright. Well, Alkaev-san, eat your meal quickly and assist Rouka-san in helping Yagami-san corral the students into the meeting assembly for commencement."[/i] She began with, beginning to walk in a different direction. [I]"Once everyone is inside, I will begin the ceremonies shortly thereafter. Move quickly now, there is little time to waste."[/i]

Making her way down the hallway, this time free of students. She almost walked right into a new party as she turned the corner. Pausing for a brief moment, her gaze came to meet a duet of individuals who were obviously not students.

The first, a man that she could vaguely recognize spoke. Talking about how being a teacher was fitting in a way for her, before finally introducing himself. Mentioning of course that he had been featured in a few films.

Aiden Cross.

Where had she heard that name before? Using the opportunity to shake his hand warmly in response, and similarly with the woman who came with him. Yet it did not finally click unto recognition until she finished her own introduction, and mentioned that they'd like to observe the student trials.

[I]Aiden Cross....Aiden Cross....Oh![/i]

She had seen [i]one[/i] movie with him in it, though she hadn't seen many of the others. Now she finally recognized him, though his assistant bore no familiarity to her. Yet their wanting to see the prospect trials was rather curious; why of all people, did a movie star want to see the student trials?

Even still, it was irrelevant. The trials themselves were public. Broadcast nationwide in Japan and Internationally to boot. So wanting to observe in-person may as well have been just curiosity, to which Kotori would softly nod in response. 

[I]"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Cross, and..er...Madame Secretary."[/i] She fumbled a little at first, since Claire had not given her name. Even still, she resumed her normal state of grace.

[I]"Feel free to come and observe if you'd like."[/i] They both evidently knew all too well who she was, so her introduction wasn't necessary it seemed. [I]"The observatory for both the commencement and the trials are north of us. Down that hallway."[/i] She waved smoothly towards their left before continuing. [I]"It will be the eighth door on the left. With coffee and pastries available for free for guests. Feel free to partake, and I am sorry, but I must be going. I am due to start the ceremonies soon."[/i]

Bowing respectfully to the two, the Songbird turned on heel and headed in the opposite direction. Reaching into her pocket for a handful of folded, handwritten notes, she found the entrance to the backstage amid the dull roar of chattering students.

Once she walked onstage however, the dull roar ceased to a silence so deep, that the drop of a pin could be heard. After insuring the microphone was attached to the collar of her turtleneck, the Songbird began her commencement opening speech.

[I]"Welcome students, prospects, and distinguished guests to the beginning of another year in ENMA."[/i] She began smoothly, looking over the hundreds of faces, and even recording cameras. [I]"As this year begins, I stress unto you the importance of the tasks you accomplish here, as they are crucial to the future of this world. Each step you take forward here is a step towards an incredible potential that you must grow into."[/i]

[I]"It is critical that you do so, for you see, we are more than just young men and women from all reaches of the world."[/i] The Songbird continued, speaking with an impassioned voice.

[I]"We are Hope."[/i] She stated, as a holographic screen showed a view of two soldiers, worn, beaten and embattled with fear from the onging war. Only to suddenly smile as tbey looked skyward to see a streak of frigid ice tearing across the sky towards the conflict.

[I]"We are Honor."[/i] the Songbird uttered, and the screen flickered to an ENMA Esper defending wounded policeman from rioting derelicts in a godforsaken part of the world by creating a towering barrier of steel extracted from the earth.

[I]"We are Courage."[/i] The screen flickered again, changing to a video of a quartet of students blurring towards a monstrous mechanical behemoth. One blasting fire, the other hurling massive boulders, and the other conjuring up spires of ice as they assaulted what seemed to be an insurmountable task.

[I]"We are Justice."[/i] She added then, with a hint of fervor on her voice, whilst the screen changed to another ENMA student using his Super Speed to bring an ongoing Bank Robbery to an end. Moving in a literal blur across the screen so that each of the gunmen were knocked out in a matter of seconds before they could even react.

[I]"We are Compassion."[/i] The hologram changed again with her words, showing the up close back of the professor herself. Only to sharply pan out to view something that was difficult to imagine, as with invisible hands she had lifted the ruins of over a half dozen skyscrapers. Filling the air with billions upon billions of pieces of debris while she simultaneously extracted hundreds of survivors and wounded from the devastation of an earthquake.

[I]"And we are Harmony."[/i] Kotori stated in finality to this part of her speech. With the hologram howing an overshot of the student campus, where dozens of nationalities coexisted and worked together in peace. Which was such a stark contrast to the conflicts of the past, almost unimaginable to how things had once been.

[I]"This is why, as a representative of ENMA, you represent something far greater than your individual sum the moment you don the school's uniform."[/i] Folding her arms behind her back as she slowly paced along the edge of the stage, Kotori's eyes seemed to bore into the souls of every individual that was present. [I]"Even prospects are representative for us, and I, as well as the entirety of the faculty will hold you to a standard of excellence. Remember however, all great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words; Freedom, Justice, Honor, Duty, Mercy, and Hope. It will become your duty as Students, and inevitably Graduates, to insure each of those values are upheld."[/i]

There was a long, inexorable silence then, until the Songbird turned sharply to face them all directly instead of continuing her pacing.

[I]"That is all."[/i] She finished with curtly. [I]"Students may depart, Prospects are to remain here to be briefed as part of their trial."[/i]

A great jostling of bodies and footsteps occured then, as hundreds departed only to leave a few dozen  uniforms in white behind.

Kotori waited silently then, for the Dean to emerge and brief the new students on whatever task they needed to complete in order to earn their black uniforms.

(Finished!)