❝𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕖𝕔𝕙❞

My Graduation Contest entry: #AOTGRAD

Inspired by Pyxis’s speech in season one, parodied through AOT in 9 mins. (My chosen character to talk is Dot Pyxis. R.I.P.) the high/middle school name is Rose Paradis School. It is just like most schools, 7-12. Graduating INTO college not from.

Symbols credit

Tools: ibisPaint X, Book Covers, iPhone 8

I am sorry for all the (12th graders & college seniors especially) people who lost an important part of their school year to this pandemic. I hope you all stay safe; you need to be around to watch season four. Take care of yourself :grin:

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“Ahem!” High pitched from the years-old microphone spilled into the sweaty summer air.

Mr. Pyxis frowned, tapping his fingers cautiously over the mouth of the device. The quiet noises rang out at a satisfactory level, and the principal retreated a step, straightening up. “Good morning, family...friends...trustees...alumns...fellow teachers...and, of course, our lovely students of Rose Paradis School. Today, we are gathered here under the presence of numerous events. The most important one being the send-off for our very special class of eight fifty. I’m honored to be the one chosen to deliver this speech today.”

His gaze rose from the scratched, wooden lectern, surveying his audience. He was met with confused, strained stares, each member of the copious crowd all leaning in, breaths held as if they thought they might blow away the man’s words with a simple exhale. Heaster Dot Pyxis furrowed his brows, but continued, taking another step farther from the sound amplifying device.

“Now, before I bore you with these trivial school matters, let me dedicate some—“

“I can’t hear him,” there was a ripple of mumbling throughout the group. Mr. Pyxis took no heed of their complaints and sucked in a breath, ready to move on, when another voice collided with his.

“WE CAN’T HEAR YOU!” A man stood from his plastic foldable chair and cupped his hands around his lips.

“Hm?” Mr. Pyxis was too far from the mic for his timbre to carry. Shrugging, he scanned his list of names, arranged alphabetically by last name, scooting closer to the microphone.

“As I was saying. Let me start off with Miss Mikasa Ackerman. Your helpful contributions, your willingness to aid even the misguided, the presumptuous, has earned you quite the name within our school. Despite the high bar your cousin left behind before moving on, you have worked hard to sur the impossible, and I’m sure he’s happy to see the family name accumulating within Rose Paradis School. Your journey of RPS will not be forgotten, as you have ingrained every bit of yourself into this lucky school. We will truly miss you.” There was a heavy silence. The spectators watched the man, still wondering what in the world he had said.

He frowned at his silent viewers, then cleared his throat and beckoned Mikasa forward. There was sliver of peace crammed in before a roaring thunder of applause as the muscled girl approached the stage.

She received her gifts, cheers, and so on with a dead-eyed look, her only emotions a tint of blushing embarrassment when she was complimented time and time again by her close friends.

“Next, Mister Armin Arlert.” Mr. Pyxis stepped closer to the mic, rasping loudly. “I’m sure we are all awed by your steadfast iration for education, your thirst for knowledge, explanations, and a deeper understanding. You have taken common logic, common reason, and transformed it into something purely unique. Over the years you have spent at RPS, you have enlightened so many others, teachers and students alike, which is why your presence will be missed vigorously.”

Armin shyly walked you and took the paper bag by its woven handles, eyes latching on to the amount of books squeezed into it.

“May I address Miss Sasha Blouse?” Mr. Pyxis smiled at the brunette girl as she pulled away from her Subway sandwich. “Your creative wit has stunned us all with its new, odd advances. Sasha, you are known for your originality, raw, untainted spirit, and a source of thought that can never go dry. Your amazing social skills, adaptable survival instincts, and overall ideas have impressed so many. You have left an indelible mark on our lives, and we shall never forget the girl who dreamed, tried, and succeeded.”

Sasha beamed broadly, and even through a mouthful of crumbs and puffed cheeks, the sun on her face lit up each expression that ed over.

“Thank you Mr. Pyxis, sir!” She laughed as she took her stand. Hoots and cries colored the June setting.

“Ah, let’s see.” The heaster glanced at his papers, shuffling them ostentatiously. “Mister Marco Bodt.” The elder found the boy with his sight before speaking of him. “I do recall, if this shattering noggin can retain ever so sharply, that once upon a time you told me that you were nothing. ‘A helpless nobody being swept away by the current’ to be exact. You spoke so sadly, almost as though you honestly believed you were a mere stone of hundreds. But amidst your gloomy self was a warmth.

“Marco, your sweet kindness has filled these halls with a special sort of love. A type of caring that flows with acceptance and diversity, a unity of separation, such an abstract notion that you found to be the most simple moral. Your virtue. When you are long gone, wrapped up in your studies and personal life, I know that you will still, always and forever, find time to help the fallen. Because that is what the boy who fought the current does. The boy who charged upstream, Marco Bodt.”

“Sort of like a salmon, Mr. Pyxis, sir,” Marco meekly joked, rising from his chair. Dot chuckled, eyes briefly closing.

“Yes, indeed.” He handed the Bodt boy the necessary items and freed a cough from his throat. Worrisome looks were traded within the crowd alongside noisy clapping to rival an earthquake. Rushing, blurry sound clogged the damp atmosphere, but even through that, the principal’s hacking and coughing was visible.

Mr. Pyxis’s age was showing, alright. “Mister Reiner Braun!”

The burly teenager gave a great grin, his broad shoulders and chest puffing up with pride.

“We all know you as the big brother of RPS. We may not be related by blood, but you made us kin through your undying friendship.” Mr. Pyxis returned Reiner’s toothy smile. “You have a created a family out of strangers, a full puzzle out of pieces. Bonds now keep us close. An enormous heart is set inside you, and I know, down to the core of this school, that you will use your strength and honesty to better our world.”

“GO, REINER!” A little girl amongst the sea of visitors stood up on her chair and waved her fists wildly.

“Now, allow me to introduce the gentleman Bertholdt Hoover. At first, you are shy, quiet. But once you have found trust, you are bold, daring, witty, and friendly. You taught us all the power of patience, mercy, and the ability to let go. Your aloof attitude hints at a far more complex personality that everyone here at Rose Paradis School never wants to release. But alas we must allow those we love to move on and become stronger, heartier people. Ask as you continue this adventure, I’m confident that although you may start quiet, you will never go silent.”

This time, the uproarious congratulations were withheld for a mere second, almost like the people were holding their breaths as their brains furiously took in the words that parted Mr. Pyxis’s lips. But soon after, hands met hands, palms crashed together, and a chorus of yells formed a clamoring din that muted all else. Dot cleared his throat into the microphone accordingly, awaiting silence.

“Mister Jean Kirstein! The epitome of balance. School and home, work and play, strict and lax. Your silver tongue weaves diplomacy and authority with expertise, your eyes see depth and shallows.” Mr. Pyxis pursed his lips, eyes crinkling with a smile. “You are a voice of reason. An act of caution. Carefulness without over-analyzation is rare, I’m afraid to say, and yet I have found so much new skill on your plate. Which is why I know you can adapt readily as life raises it’s highest hurdles. Accept the challenges you face not with fear or courage, but with quick thinking. I’m sad to see such a bright young man leave us.”

An explosion of acclamation took place, and Jean was obviously flustered by the attention.

“Miss Annie Leonhart, you have shown us all what it means to look beyond ourselves.” Mr. Pyxis cleared his throat of emotion. “You have shown us that acceptance comes in many diverse forms. That even the small, and struggling, deserve a pedestal on occasion. You have made us so proud, of you and of what our school has become due to your powerful, good-willed influence. To speak is one. But to listen? That’s even more powerful.”

Annie didn’t smile as she was called forth. All she did was calmly tucked a lingering strand of hair behind her prominent ear tips.

“Miss Historia Reiss? Ah, there you are. If humanity were compressed into a single person, I’m sure you would be the chosen representative. Your kindness has been a blessing. Your protection a gift. Your ferocity an asset. A dome of peace has encomed RPS all thanks to you, Ms. Reiss, and we would surely be lost without it. Conflict is a rare thing amongst our students due to your forgiving traits. Goodness was never something so defined until you came along and showed us how we all are worth a different way.

“An evaluation ed through each of us, and yet we all left it with a similar smile, because you taught us that everyone deserves a little love, despite their actions, upbringing, heritage, appearance, legacy, or heart. Such a wide spectrum, one that we could never have imagined without our glorious student. A view we thought broad enough was spread take a look at everything and respond with equality, diversity, and strength.

“Unfortunately, I must say farewell now, but I do hold a hope that you can connect all humanity with this magnificent, altruistic comion. Thank you, Historia Reiss, for fixing those who did not think they were fractured. For mending the unbroken, and healing the unscathed. Goodbye; and carry all of our love with you as your journey to bring global happiness continues.” Mr. Pyxis tipped a nonexistent hat, and Historia’s popularity became visible when she received not only a clamoring welcome to deafen, but a miraculous standing ovation. Cries of joy colored the afternoon, reaching up to hit back at the scorching sun.

Mr. Pyxis’s visage shifted to a bittersweet expression. A sheen rolled over his warm eyes, and a waver rippled through his voice as he called out Connie Springer.

“I will say that your famous cafeteria heist with...nameless...comrades-in-arms was a hallmark you bestowed upon your class.”

Everyone in the class of 850 had to grin at that, the memory rising. Connie, Sasha, Jean, and a few others had caused a huge ruckus in the lunch area, including various vegetables, breads, and private jokes.

“Reckless at first, people find that once they take the time to know you, a sharp mind whirs within that head,” Mr. Pyxis went on to say, coughing away the feelings in his heart. “A mature personality that kept in touch with youth...that is a one-of-a-kind thing. Such, you can understand this twisted world in with two views. The ones in charge....and the adults.”

Chuckles poured through the audience at that remark.

“I fear that the staff, including myself, have become detached from the younger generation’s reality, too caught up with ourselves to see the powerful advantages in you. I‘ve seen how faculty interact with yourself, Connie, and it appears that you have made allies of all ages. I congratulate you on not biasing any actions through society. What you have is a raw, untainted perspective. I ask, no, beg, of you to hold close to that. In a world of self-I forced rules, we need a fresh change to remind ourselves that no one can govern our minds or speech. Perhaps you can help humanity; we are fighting an uphill battle against ourselves, and the foreign is what we actually need.”

“Whoa, Heaster Pyxis genuinely believes I’m an intelligent life force,” Connie cracked a grin to hide the real happiness on his face.

“Never doubt yourself, Mr. Springer,” Dot patted his shoulder in a fatherly manner, then took a break to slide his eyes over his audience. All mischief had been relinquished to awe and impressed faces.

“Oh, of only I could think of a bold, daring, purposive, loyal person...my, my! You there!” Principal Pyxis pointed to Eren, who was sitting in the front row of chairs, alongside his classmates.

“Eren Yeager, was it? Yes, I do believe so. Defeat is not something you have in your vocabulary. Determination is your law. Whole-heartedness couldn’t define you quite enough. The undaunted pale in comparison to you. Nature will try to trip and trap, but you will not stumble. A fire sits, kindled, inside you. You need not motivation, Eren, other than yourself. You are your own fuel. Sustainable and eco-friendly if I may add, but alas humankind is yet to reach that stage.”

Less amusement ensued that comment, but their were some grave nods amongst the intense believers.

“At times that flame may seem scary...but taming and coddling is not the answer. Embracing it is.”

A flash ed through Eren’s eyes, and his fingers tightened into fists. His built-in frown curved up into a semi-proud smile. His steps were bouncing high as he stepped up to claim what was now his.

“I wish I could say more, but time is running short, and I assume as is your patience. Before I release you to your more interesting activities, however, allow me to give one more shout-out to Mr. Shadis, for drilling power into these lucky few. I’m sure we would all be lost without you,”

Several sarcastic coughs stung the moment, but it was all good and well when Kieth Shadis stood straight.

“Just you wait. You may be out of my reach now, but slack off once and I WILL find you...”

The teens of 850 seemed frightened, which put a stop to their implied words.

“With that done, I’m sad to say bye. I must do it annually...I’m afraid that’s an occupational hazard. Anyhoo, till we meet again. I may very well be long gone by the time you send your kids to RPS...oh yes, we’ll still be around, just not me.” Jovial wrinkles folded across his face.

“WHOOOO!!!!!” Yells formed a din, boots and screeches and shrieks as happiness exploded outward.

Dot Pyxis took in the community he had created. He let the warm sun sink into his wrinkled skin. He was letting this class, these children, this generation, all of, go. He was finally unstoppering the flood of their futures. Away they would take off, to be consumed by the ever-evolving experience puny humans liked to label life.

How arrogant was it of them, to try and name the unnameable, explain the inexplicable.

I suppose that’s the way it is.