Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice, Class Six

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Monday, October 9, First Period

Since it would be the first sign of the apocalypse if there wasn't a table laden with breakfast pastries and tea...there is indeed a table laden with breakfast pastries and tea. There is also a pile of review handouts for the students to pick up on their way in.

"Good morning everyone. I hope you all had an enjoyable time at the Homecoming festivities. Before we begin, I'd like to remind Miss Halliwell to please turn in your take-home test from the Lab." He smiled at Phoebe.

"Today we're going to have a review of the material we've covered in the first five weeks of class, followed by a test on that material. Your handouts should help you in reviewing, and this is the time to ask any questions you might have."

REVIEW:
Review of Class One: Definitions, categories of divination, prophecy in daily life
Review of Class Two: major historical figures
Review of Class Three: prophecy in legend and folklore
Review of Class Four: interpreting prophecy
Review of Class Five: dream symbolism

TEST: Test can be found in the OCD threads, handwavey or real answers as you like.

HOMEWORK:
"Your homework assignment is to consider how you would react to the following scenario: You have an acquaintance who is the subject of a personal prophecy. They are aware of this prophecy, and are unhappy with the predicted outcome. What sort of advice would you offer them, and how would you support them in their decision to either accept or reject their role in the prophecy? This assignment is only for personal contemplation, you are not required to submit any sort of written answers."

Syllabus
Class Roster
Classes Linkdrop

[ooc: Please wait for OCD threads are up and ready to be tagged!]

Comments

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Depends on how you look at it, I guess. I mean, is a prophecy something that makes you do something, takes away your free will, or is it just really really good at predicting how you will react?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"I think it's just a really, really good predictor," Dawn decided, "but it still feels like you're playing into its hands, I think. Well, if prophecies had hands, which is kind of debatable, except for this one..."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"I don't think I want to read a prophecy that has actual hands," Dean said, wrinkling his nose.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"I don't either," she laughed, "especially since they're apparently very strong hands."

"Thanks."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean smiled. "Any time." He shook his head. "Y'know prophecies are just another bit of information. Kinda like reconnaisance in time instead of space. Yeah, you should take them into account, but don't give them any more weight than any other bit of intelligence. In the end, I'd go with my gut. And that's what I'd tell any Chosen One or anyone else who asked me for advice."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn made a mental note to send Buffy to Dean if it ever became an issue. "So, you're gonna become a prophecy advisor?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean's eyes drifted over to where his brother was sitting. "Maybe. If I need to be."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn followed his look and sighed. "I can talk to Giles--my Giles, if you want, and have him send some beginning books, or anything he can find on seers. I'm not sure the rules will be the same, but they might help. Buffy can bring them if she comes for Parents Weekend."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"That would be great, thanks," Dean said, shooting her a heartfelt grateful look. "I just... I wanna be able to help him."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"I know you do," she said quietly. "And I want to help you both, if I can."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean grinned at her. "Always good to know you have backup."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"How could I not? The view's so pretty from back there," Dawn teased, then realized what she'd said and turned pink.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean chuckled. "Us Winchesters have good genes. That look good in jeans," he teased.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

She coughed. "No argument from me. Er...not that you couldn't have already guessed my opinion."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, you've been pretty clear," Dean assured her. He paused, before continuing. "And speaking about being clear about opinions, you know that Sammy's a little shy sometimes, right? Especially when he really likes someone. So... if he doesn't say everything you might want to hear, it doesn't mean he's not thinking it."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Huh?" Dawn glanced over at Sam. "Like what?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Like... girlfriend for example."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Unless you're telling me he's already got one, we've worked that part out," Dawn informed him with a dopey grin. "I am, and he is, and we're good."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah?" A wide grin spread across Dean's face. "That's great."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"So you can relax and stop being all nosy," Dawn teased.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, except when I'm not all nosy I don't find out things I need to know and do things like ask the girl my brother likes out. Not that I regret at all us going out," he added quickly. "But if I'd known, I probably wouldn't have asked. Well, except maybe asking for him, but..."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"Then I'm happy you didn't know," Dawn said stubbornly, jaw set, "because as much as I like Sam, I'm not sorry you and I dated. At all. There are things you and I did that wouldn't have been the same if I'd done them with Sam. Not bad, just different. And those things were perfect, and I wouldn't trade them."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean gave her a slow genuine smile. "It was a really good summer," he agreed. "I wouldn't trade it for anything now either. So yeah, okay bad example of Sammy keeping his mouth shut."

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"It was a good summer," she repeated, smiling just as slowly. "But I know what you mean, kinda. And I promise to keep what you said in mind. Soooo....how's Alec?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean chuckled. "That's not the least bit subtle, y'know," he pointed out. "Alec's good. We're good. And I talked to him about the whole making fun of Sammy thing; I think I've got him to stop. At least for a while."