Orion
The crisp autumn air brushed against Orion’s face as he and Tsugikuni strolled through Karma’s sprawling courtyard. The sun hung low, casting a golden glow over the school grounds, while leaves, burnished in fiery reds and oranges, crunched softly underfoot. Around them, the energy of the first day buzzed like static in the air—students gathered in clusters, voices raised in excitement, some powers flaring, and a few already darting across the walkways in a frantic race to locate their classrooms.
Orion tilted his head back, taking it all in. There was something about the start of the school year that carried a certain promise, a sense that anything could happen. That, and an unspoken challenge:
Can you survive the gauntlet?
The two made their way through the main hall, trading casual remarks as they weaved between their peers. Orion caught glimpses of bulletin boards plastered with club posters—debate team, archery, something about “competitive sandwich-making.” He smirked.
"Good to know I’ll have options for when I decide to become the most well-rounded student this school's ever seen!"
He glanced at Tsugikuni, who was keeping pace beside him. The two shared an easy rhythm, their conversation filled with the kind of small talk that eased first-day jitters without ever needing to name them outright.
Eventually, they reached their homeroom. Orion stepped inside and gave the classroom a once-over, mentally cataloging his options - and, of course, surveying the eye candy. A handful of students had already settled into their seats, including—oh.
His gaze lingered for a moment on a familiar redhead by the window. She had a serene gaze, her hair catching the sunlight in a way that made it look like it might catch fire at any second.
“Well hello again, my steamy lady,” Orion murmured to himself. "Looks like destiny's already got plans for the two of us..."
Filing that avenue of investigation away for later, he made a snap decision and slid into the middle-most seat. It was perfect—center stage, prime visibility, and just close enough to Tsugikuni to keep things comfortable.
"If
this doesn't scream 'main character', I dunno what will!" he thought with satisfaction, leaning back in his chair. He draped an arm over the backrest, legs stretched out just so, adopting what he imagined was the perfect balance of "cool and unbothered."
The bell rang. Their assumed homeroom teacher, who'd been quietly watching the students filter in, then began to speak. Mr. Brooke, a measured, rather formally dressed man introduced himself in a tone that could only be described as “plain toast" - that is to say, kinda bland.
Orion, for his part, mimicked a lazy yawn, half-heartedly covering his mouth with the back of his hand. He slouched a little lower in his seat, though his sharp purple eyes scanned the room, cataloging faces - many of them familiar - and then filing away impressions. Introductions began soon after, each student rising to share their name and their power(s).
The parade of introductions was pretty diverse. For instance, there was one creepy-looking dude, Samael, who was from Russia and apparently owned scythes of the magma variety. Something about his cold, one-eyed stare gave Orion the heebie-jeebies - he made a mental note to hold onto his invitiation to the cool boys group for at least a month or two to see where his head was at.
Another girl, Melanie, had a power to do with spirits and this sword that looked like it belonged on a pirate movie set, but she didn't reveal too much. What had to be her sister then followed her up, displaying the dragon-like abilities given to her.
...but who cared about all that? They were both a real pair of lookers, and you can bet that was Orion's biggest takeaway from the entire debacle.
There were some oddities, of course - namely Miles and the two boys who went around the same time as him. Orion could barely keep up with their displays, if they could even be called that, though he did appreciate the web-slinger taking the time to apologize for yesterday's antics - even
if it was in front of the whole class.
When his name was finally called, Orion felt a spark of excitement ripple through him.
"Alright," he thought, rising from his seat with deliberate ease. Time to make an impression.
He strolled to the front of the room, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The room quieted as he turned to face the class, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He paused just long enough for curiosity to settle over the group.
He turned to face the class, a cocky smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and anyone in between,” he began, spreading his arms wide like a carnival barker. “The name’s Orion Cross. That’s O-R-I-O-N, like the constellation. Fitting, right? A star in the making!”
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the room settle. This was his moment.
“Now, powers. What’s my deal, you ask? Glad you’re curious. I’m what you’d call a ‘Transporter’, dig? I open portals, here, there, and everywhere! Late for class?
Boom. Forgot your math textbook?
Bam. Need to retrieve the pizza rolls you accidentally left in the oven?
Donezo. I’m your guy, baby.”
To punctuate his point, Orion dramatically waved his hand in the air and opened a portal just above his head. Out of it tumbled a single, sad pencil, clattering onto the floor.
Orion froze, before clearing his throat and quickly crouching to pick it up, holding it aloft like it was a prize.
“A-And yes, before you ask, I meant to do that! Gotta keep you on your toes! Don't wanna, uh, reveal all my tricks like that other guy said, you know?” He explained, desperately gesturing to Samael.
Still, Orion wasn’t done yet. Straightening, he leaned far too casually against the teacher’s desk, channeling the charming air of a magician about to perform his next trick.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking:
‘Wow, Orion, how the heck are we supposed to keep up with you?’ And to that, I say...hey, don’t sweat it! Stick around, get familiar, and juuust maybe...you might just learn a thing or two.” He winked at no one in particular.
With that, he tipped an imaginary hat, sauntering back to his seat with an easy stride. He dropped into his chair, exhaling as though he’d just wrapped up a grueling performance.
The next student rose to speak, but Orion barely noticed. He leaned back again, hands behind his head, and glanced sideways at Tsugikuni. He didn’t say anything—didn’t need to.
"Nailed it," Orion thought to himself, his smirk never faltering. "And this is just day one. Wonder how many groupies I'm getting after this one..!"
![-[ Just Vibin ]-](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/avatars/m/320/320749.jpg?1733687516){kind=avatar}
