[@KRAZY J][@liferusher][@Kalleth][@CriticalHit][@Old Amsterdam][@Arya10108909][@Raptra][@Aquanthe][@Regitnui][@Pseudo Stygian][@Hammerman][@Lord Orgasmo][@Ayame][@Zelosse][@Kalleth]

Catherine surreptitiously came onto stage to sit with the other teachers. It was one thing to show up fashionably late for things, but something else entirely to be asked to scour the perimeter for any straggling students. Having assured herself that no first years were still wandering the grounds, Catherine was able to make it in time to catch the entirety of what passed for a speech issue from Jordan's flapping gums. When he finished she stood up, ready to give the new students some inspiration. She smiled slyly at Jordan as they passed each other, a smile that was distancing from the mischief in her smirk, yet warm in the recognition and gratitude in her eyes.

Standing at the podium, she wondered what dark paths some of the less fortunate would walk. Would their education keep them from straying? Or perhaps the education would crush them and push them towards unsafe alternatives. Who wanted freedom? Who wanted security? What would they be willing to do to get it? She remembered being indoctrinated, being told to follow a strict set of beliefs and rules, to obey, to not question. Today, she stands here as educator, yes, but also as enforcer, disciplinarian, judge, and executioner. The power she would hold over her students was enormous, though nowhere near the level of power she had held before. But could she bend their minds? Should she?

[color=f49ac2]"I would first like to thank Headmaster Hargor for giving us, the faculty, the freedom to volunteer to give these speeches,"[/color] She said in a crisp, clear, elegant voice, pausing to let the last part sink in for Jordan, [color=f49ac2]"And that is my theme for this speech, and for the rest of the year: freedom. Everything is a balance between chaos and order. The main goal of your education is to teach you control, which requires order, and the Academy is an environment of order. But you are still young, and you are still growing. If you grow a watermelon inside a square container, you will get a square watermelon. So we need balance, we need a bit of chaos. That's where you come in; take your self-expression, your rebelliousness, your energy, your curiosity, and push against your constraints. This Academy can't teach you everything, some things must be experienced, and the best ideas come from innovation rather than paradigm. But. Do not bring harm upon yourselves or upon each other. Exercise your freedom, but know that guilt is the heaviest shackle you can bind yourself with. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful time at our Academy!"[/color]

And with that, she stepped down and returned to her seat.