this is the story of a girl named lucky;

phoebe hughes / deputy dean & performative arts professor / probability manipulation

[cryokin3sis]

"Standing there in shock isn't going to do a BLOODY thing," they spit. "Shall I go in or was I mistaken and that's a look of determination."

[phoebehughes]

"Forgive me if I'm not rushing in without another thought, Sarin. Look at what's happening in-," she gestured towards the screen, swallowing back the dread in her throat. "If we're going in, best we volunteer only if we can handle whatever trauma this bloody machine is going to throw us in and out of. I'm fine with that, yes. My hand is up, but I also want to try and not add too much fuel to this fire. Agreed?"

[l-yndsygutierrez]

Despite the pounding headache, Lyndsy smiled brightly up at Professor Phoebe Hughes. "This is why you're everyone's favourite." She was so dramatic–even out of the classroom–and she could honestly listen to her all day. "Do you think you could get me that printed on an inspirational poster? Live life to it's fullest and most regrettable." What a motto to live by! "But yes, I am. I think I behaved too much over summer and my tolerance has plummeted. How has your first day back been?"

[phoebehughes]

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Phoebe responded with a dramatic hand over her heart. Admittedly, she was actually rather touched by the sentiment. She loved to be loved, but the idea that she was really making an impact was rather special. "Oh, of course! I do have an in with the big boss, you know. I'll have it sent off to the printers, and before you know it, there'll be inspirational merch galore. Goodness, you'll have to work on building that back up. No shame having a break, though, of course. Summer is for indulging in whatever you like. It's been wonderful, thank you! So happy to be back and in action again. And it's a treat as ever to see so many new and old faces. Are you glad to be back, Lyndsy?"

[k-aiwestlock]

Kai noticed the twitch of her lips and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. He didn't like it when professors looked at him like that, but Phoebe Hughes had never let him get under her skin; frankly, that got under his. "Flatter me all you like, professor, it's not going to make me sign up for your class again." Once was enough. "No offence, but I'd rather focus on something that matters."

[phoebehughes]

"King Lear, Julius Cesar, Romeo and Juliet... Your resistance to ever return to the stage will be added alongside them as a great tragedy. You will let me know if you have a change of heart, hm? Such things do have a way of playing on your mind," she grinned, as if she knew some great secret he hadn't quite figured out yet. "Pah!" Phoebe scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Like what? Fisticuffs?"

[evigh3t]

a  laugh  sounded  from  søren’s  mouth,  something  loud  and  booming  but  warm  at  the  edges.  “i  think  we  should !  i  would  love  to  be  a  fly  on  the  wall,  just  being  able  to  see  her  do  what  she  does  best.  i  have  no  doubt  that  she’s  as  incredible  as  her  students  say  she  is,  but  seeing  it  for  myself  would  be  something  else.”  they  would  look  quite  out  of  place,  sitting  at  the  back  as  though  they  were  the  cool  kids,  but  he  wouldn’t  pass  up  the  opportunity.  strong  friendships  at  vanguardia  were  cherished and  søren  knew  that  it  wasn’t  just  a  saving  grace  for  the  students,  but  amongst  the  faculty  too.   phoebe  was  somebody  that  he  valued  beyond  their  professional  relationship  ;  he  saw  her  as  a  firm  friend.  “you  know  i  would  love  to  win.  to  make  it  fair  we  only  count  the  sign - ups  for  her  specialized  course.  i  need  to  find  some  of  the  science - y  minds  in  the  new  cohort.”  his  blue  eyes  narrowed,  as  though  he  could  pick  them  out  by  sight  alone. 

[phoebehughes]

phoebe let out a delighted laugh, just imagining them whispering at the back of the class, undoubtedly the coolest kids there. søren was such a welcomed sight at the start of a new year, and a dear friend. it simply wouldn't be the same without him, or sigrid. "i think a little slacking off, a little troublemaking perhaps, would do us good. we'd have fun, respectfully. and then leave nothing but five-star reviews across the board for her class! i can attest that we are all rather dazzling in our element." science, to put it so simply, wasn't really phoebe's greatest interest, but she did enjoy performance. charisma. the way one's eyes would light up in the middle of a seemingly rousing lecture - that she could appreciate from anyone. "ah, yes, that is fair. i'm sure you'll unearth them. i mean, you know how it is with certain powers... some students are simply so curious over how they work - how they work. i'm sure you'll have more than a few interesting additions, along with some old favourites."

[retrocogniti0n]

"I'm glad. And as promised before the summer holidays, I'm taking Performative Arts this year." The act would have to be dropped then, as if Paloma didn't enjoy the dramatics, pomp & circumstance all around. There had been something equally refreshing and comforting about Professor Hughes, Phoebe was genuine in her care and encouragement -- something that though Paloma loathed to admit it, needed. "Oh, so you're saying, there is a possibility through the year that we'll get to see her killer moves? That may be my goal this semester. Get a hip popper outta Dean Rhodes. Get her to do a Tik Tok dance?" Paloma was grateful for Phoebe's excitement at the very least, it would be bearable with her and some of the fellow students she knew the professor was mentioning. "Maybe you've caught me there. There's a few..... yes." A hearty sip of her drink is taken, because Paloma was going to avoid the who that Phoebe was trying to imply until it was no longer implied. "Y'know, me and Kai Westlock were actually penpals over the summer so I'm excited to see him in the flesh. He's a secret fan of the Spice Girls."

[phoebehughes]

"Ah, music to my ears, darling! You should have led with that, I would have popped champagne and released a hundred white doves to mark the occasion. Next time," she added with a dazzling grin. Phoebe was genuinely delighted to hear she'd have Paloma in her class, though. She cared very much for them, and only wanted them to flourish at Vanguardia. Phoebe let out a delighted laugh at the thought of her beloved Maria in a Tik Tok. "I fear that sooner the sky would fall than Dean Rhodes go viral. I will hold it in my heart as a dear wish, though. Oh?" Phoebe prompted, raising a very interested eyebrow in their direction. Two things that Phoebe loved - gossip and encouraging her students to engage in meaningful relationships. Whether that was friends, enemies or situationships, she wasn't fussed. "No way! Are you having me on? No, wait, don't tell me - it's too good not to believe. I shall make a conscious effort to request more Spice Girls tracks at our next event. Or! Even better... I'll start singing over the speakers as a morning announcement."

[phoebehughes]

Bloody hell.

[evigh3t]

“that's  what  i'm  afraid  of,”  søren  joked.  he  didn't  blame  the  students.  he,  too,  had  been  enthralled  since  the  first  moment  he  saw  sigrid  all  those  years  ago,  so  much  so  that  he  bought  her  fresh  bouquets  each  and  every  morning  until  she  finally  agreed  to  take  a  chance  on  him.  by  some  miracle  she  agreed  to  marry  him,  too  —  he  was  still  unsure  how  he  got  so  lucky.  “who  would  pick  the  aging  doctor  with  a  limp  over  a  goddess ?  she's  so  brilliant,  too.  a  genius.  i  know  that,  if  i  had  the  choice,  i  would  jump  at  the  chance  to  sit  in  her  classes  all  year.”  he  matched  phoebe's  grin.  joking  aside,  having  a  smaller  student  cohort  suited  him  just  fine  ...  but  a  little  competition  never  hurt  anybody.  “we  have  to  stick  together,  you  and  me.  minor  courses  are  better  anyway.”

[phoebehughes]

"well, respectfully, you are aging like a fine wine at least," she joked. there was no doubt about it that søren and sigrid holmström were the perfect couple at vanguardia. if anyone was seeking proof that true love did indeed roam these halls, they need look no further. phoebe adored them both. they were both so impressive and unfairly gorgeous, she couldn't help but swoon. as professors, they were both deeply valued here at vanguardia. it wouldn't be the same without them. "do you think we should ditch our classes and just go crash sigrid's? i think i could approve that as the sort-of boss, you know. i think we'd have such a ball. then again... you must still want to win? we love a little healthy competition," she added with a grin. phoebe nodded, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "undoubtedly. we are the undisputed best."

[jennyslcte]

Gemma Arterton for Madame Figaro (2014) photographed by Gilles-Marie Zimmermann.

[retrocogniti0n]

Excitement wouldn't have been the emotion that Paloma felt walking through these hallowed halls or during their welcome party but it was a CONTAGIOUS one after Phoebe's display. So, Paloma smiled at the professor, an eye roll to accompany it, followed by a laugh and a box step to follow with jazz hands. "Excited to see you, sure." They conceded, "but the feeling of possibility? Like what? The possibility of the school ending as quick as possible? The possibility of this event turning into a rave? I think I like imagining the idea of Dean Rhodes shaking her ass to some EDM remixes of Britney songs."

[phoebehughes]

Phoebe let out a delighted laugh and a hearty round of applause at Paloma's fabulous display. For her, their preemptive eye roll had really been the pièce de résistance of it all. "Brava! Well, between you and me, I was so hoping you'd just be excited to see me specifically. I'll take it. The feeling is absolutely mutual," she added, hand over her heart. Phoebe then had to stop herself from snorting as Paloma went on. She really had to remember that she was Deputy Dean now, too. "There's no doubt that Dean Rhodes has moves like this world wouldn't believe, but I don't think it's in the cards tonight. I was thinking more the possibility of a meaningful, exciting, heart-stopping- not literally- year. Time will be moving at its usual pace, I'm afraid. I promise to make it as bearable as possible. And you must be excited to see some of your other fellow students, no?"

[k-aiwestlock]

Kai did as she said and stopped dead in his tracks, looking around them to see if he could figure out what the hell she was talking about–he could feel nothing. About to open his mouth to say so, he was cut off as she continued; it was all far too optimistic for his liking, and his discomfort was apparent as he deadpanned, "Absolutely fucking tickled."

[phoebehughes]

A smile tugged at her lips at Kai Westlock's typical response, while she fought off a laugh. Instead, she canted her head and raised an inquisitive brow his way. "Continue as you may with this deadpan bravado, I know there's a star waiting to be born in there yet. You just need to focus that energy, Kai."

[danxryder-deactivated20260318]

"Are those not the same chefs that work here?" Nate asked curiously, finally picking out another appetizer for himself and cautiously trying it out. The food was good, there was no lying about that, but the circumastances of tasting it weren't all that great. "Never, Ms. Hughes." He offered her a smile back, his words sincere, albeit lacking malice. "Are you ready for another year of broken hearts and chaos?"

[phoebehughes]

"Well, if anyone listened to me, they're extra special for the occasion. Not that our usual chefs aren't to die for - we love them, we appreciate them - but this is the start of the year. Shouldn't it have a little extra razzle-dazzle? Although, come to think of it... I do remember something vaguely about 'blah blah... budget... blah blah'," she said, drifting a moment before shaking her head. "Ah, and yet you persist. We must move ever onwards, even if it is into the unknown." Phoebe let out a little laugh at his question. It was so shameless, but she did enjoy the gossip about what was going on with her students. "Always. The more plot twists, the better."

[aireborne]

ale let out a quiet laugh, more a release of tension than amusement. she shook her head, gaze falling back to her phone before she forced herself to lock the screen and tuck it into her pocket. “ i’m fine, aunt phoebe. ” a little white lie. orientation week always felt like standing in the middle of a storm, trying to look composed while everything spun around her. “ you know how chaotic it gets for students around this time of year. and i like to suffer like everyone else. ” the words came out with a soft sigh, her shoulders easing just a little. she tilted her head, a flicker of playfulness slipping through the cracks. “ so what were you saying earlier, about guest speakers and gifts ? ” her lips curved, teasing now. “ please tell me you’re not gonna try to bribe your students again. ”

[phoebehughes]

"of course you are, darling. better than, even," phoebe grinned brightly. she appreciated the strength it must have taken for ale to lock her phone and put her endless worries on pause for a moment. it was admirable, of course - the way she didn't want any preferential treatment. to be just another normal student, in a manner of speaking. phoebe couldn't relate, but she appreciated it. "oh, very much so. that is why we like to kick things off with a party, though. there's so much to do this year, you might as well let your hair down just once. there must be something - or someone - you're excited for this year, hm? no stress necessary. well, whatever makes you happy," she chuckled, always happy to indulge the drama. "i'm aghast you'd say such a thing!" she gasped, barely fighting off a grin. "while i think you ought to try anything, the 'free gifts' this time were an example of what i want my students to be able to get themselves. talk their way into getting. negotiation, preparation... fashion, cadence... it's all in the mix."

[oneshot-fb]

If asked later, Franky would deny the small jolt that surged through his body as he heard Miss Hughes voice from behind him. But he did in fact jump, even if just a little, before he turned around. "Jesus!", he complained. "Surely there's a rule against sneaking up on students!" Not that Franky himself spend a lot of time thinking about such arbitrary things as 'rules'. The shock definitely didn't last long, and he shrugged with a smirk. "I would say it's more like a hobby. Someone has to keep those kids on their toes, right?"

[phoebehughes]

"Not officially, no. Shall I have it pencilled in?" Phoebe asked, fighting off a teasing smile as she opted not to comment on Franky's wonderfully dramatic jump. Luckily, he recovered without further ado. It was nice to see that he was on full form, ready to cause trouble for another year, she had no doubt. "Right. And it may as well be you imparting these important life lessons. I know it's all in good fun, but do remember to throw them a bone every once in a while. We do want them to come back after this week."

[l-yndsygutierrez]

Okay, so maybe staying out all night before having to attend your first day of classes had been a bad idea. Lyndsy had barely made it through the day and now found herself slumped over a table at the café, clinging to her cappuccino for dear life. "Next time I insist on shots of tequila, can someone please be a dear and knock them from my hand?"

@vanguardiastarters

[phoebehughes]

"Oh, never, darling! You must continue to live life to its fullest and, often, most regrettable. It'll only build your character arc and develop your plot lines further. If we're not doing it for the drama, then what's the point?" Wise words, as always, came spilling from Phoebe's lips as she passed by Lyndsy. She took a thoughtful sip of her iced latte then, adding with a kind smile, "Are you really feeling it today, though?"

[evigh3t]

「  ✴  」  STATUS ﹕ open  . 

「  ✴  」  LOCATION ﹕ vanguardia orientation week .

「  ✴  」  WITH ﹕ @vanguardiastarters  ! 

søren  remembered  his  own  orientation.  thirty  years  had  moved  past  him  in  a  flash  ;  as  the  lost  faces  of  new  students  moved  past  them  he  offered  a  warm  smile,  an  assurance  that  things  weren’t  as  scary  as  they  seemed.  or  at  least  they  wouldn’t  be,  once  the  fresh  faces  settled  in.   he   once   wanted   to   be   a   real   doctor,   to   make   a   difference,   to   help   and   heal   beyond   the   gifts   he   had   been   born   with.   sometimes   he   missed   it,   the   bright   lights   and   clean   whites   of   a   hospital   bay,   the   long   shifts,   the   grateful   patients   after   a   miraculous   recovery.  as  he  gazed  out  over  the  new  recruits,  he  turned  to  the  presence  beside  him.  “do   you   think   if  i  ask  nicely  these   new   students   will   sign  up  to   my   classes ? i bet my wife i'd get more students than her this year.”

[phoebehughes]

phoebe loved orientation week. there was something so enthralling about the whole thing, the whispers of possibility and general unknown of it all. a new year, a new you. she couldn't wait to sink her claws back into a fresh start. most of all, she was looking forward to seeking out the potential in what were, hopefully, her new students. it was with that thought, she turned with a dazzling grin to søren who looked to be doing the same as her. "oh, sure! i think they'll be instantly awed by your gravitas. although, i would try and strike first. if i was met with sigrid before you, my knees would already be too weak and my thoughts too incomprehensible to hear what you were saying," phoebe teased, sure he would agreed. "it is hard out here for us and our specialised courses, isn't it? the majors don't know how easy they have it."

[ofwritersandsociety]

Maria stopped short at her friends word, a sudden flicker of worry crossing her usually unreadable features before she took stock of the rest of Phoebe's sentence and relaxed even allowing herself to smile.

"You are horrendous, I don't know why I put up with you." Even as she spoke though she looped her arms into her friends as they looked over the crowd of both familiar and new faces. "Mm, I don't know, I feel it too, just not sure I'm anticipating the same positive possibility as you."

[phoebehughes]

"Oh, please. You find me endlessly endearing and utterly irresistible," Phoebe countered with a delighted laugh as Maria looped their arms. She squeezed her arm affectionately, looking over the crowd with her. Phoebe looked over at her with soft eyes, the worry clear as day on Maria's face. Maria was over-serious, Phoebe was under-serious - they were the perfect combination. A team. "You shouldn't worry so much, we've only just got here. And it is a party, you may even be obligated to have a little fun. For the sake of morale, of course. The faculty - nay, the whole student body - need you, Maria Rhodes. You're our only hope."

[bloodlvced]

event: orientation week @vanguardiastarters

Brooke hadn't left Vanguardia ever since arriving, unwilling to return home. Here she could finally be free in a way she hadn't been able to anywhere else. This, and the fact that she worried for the safety of others with her around. Uncontrolled, suffocating, she didn't want to be responsible for even more destruction (well, destruction she herself wouldn't have chosen herself). Staring at the new students from the side, Brooke casually took a sip from her drink and just nodded towards the newbies. "Fresh meat. Who do you think will break first, mh? The little manic pixie dream girl or that guy who decided to look all tough with a fuckin' toothpick hanging out of his mouth?" She laughed.

[phoebehughes]

Brooke Monroe was a familiar and fabulous face at Vanguardia. It wasn't entirely uncommon for a student to opt to stay, even when they were free to go home, until the start of the semester. Phoebe certainly wouldn't point it out, instead greeting her with a dazzling grin. "I couldn't comment on such a thing," she faux-gasped, scandalised by the very idea. She was, after all, Deputy Dean. After another sip of her drink, though, she added, "I mean... who walks around with a toothpick hanging out of their mouth, though? What is this, a modern take on a western? Not to mention the health and safety of it all. Interesting choice. I'm sure they'll all be fine," she added. "They have you to be inspired by, too."