fandomhigh | Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

Aly perched on top of her desk, watching her students enter the classroom with a bit of a smile. She nodded to those she knew before and smiled at the ones who looked like they were probably brand new. Once everyone was seated, she stood up and leaned against the desk.

"Good afternoon. Some of you know me already, but for those of you who don't, I'm Alianne of Pirate's Swoop. You all can call me Aly, but if you're uncomfortable with that, duani is also acceptable." She grinned. "First person to call me Miss Aly, I get to demonstrate on. This class is 'So You Say You Want a Revolution.' If you're not interested in revolutions or you thought you were taking Home Ec - that was first period. You missed it."

"During the term, we're going to talk about why formenting revolution can be a good thing. We're going to discuss what revolutions can be used for, how they can be put together, and why a failed revolution can be just as effective." She gazed at all of them with a slight smile. "And yes, I still hate theory so practicalities will be covered. Demolitions, weaponry, organisation, magic - or not, tactics." She grinned. "And my favourite, intelligence."

"Seven years ago, I helped organise a rebellion that put my Queen in power and have served as her Spymaster ever since. Almost everything I'm going to be teaching you is what I learned during the rebellion and in the years since. And if I didn't learn it there, it's something that was useful to me at the time." She paused thoughtfully, stroking her black beaded necklace. "In spying, your brain is almost everything - half of spying is half mental as I've said before. But a single person can't put together an effective revolution. But a single person can destroy one. And a failed rebellion feeds only the ravens and Stormwings. It's a dangerous game. And one you have to commit to fully if you're going to succeed."

"So today, I'd like to get to know those of you I don't know already, and I'd like to hear what you think about revolutions and rebellions. When are they appropriate, what would it take to rebel against the current power structure of your home country, society, or even this school." She smiled mischievously. "Zuko and Bridge are your TAs for this class. They'll help me with many of the aspects so if you have any questions and I'm not around, feel free to ask them."

[OOC: And OCD is coming up...]

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Zuko was pretty sure that whatever the pictures were about, it wasn't about revolutions. He also wasn't dumb enough to not realise that he probably shouldn't have this in class.

"Yes..." He was a horrible, horrible liar.

"Parker. ~~My head explodes with some provocation.~~ I manage a rock band - Teal Dear, live, this weekend! - and I was once kicked off the isle of Ikea."

"You're not a prince, you're just delusional."

"People die during revolutions," Aly said soberly as all trace of the smile was gone. "That can't be helped. When is the 'profit' worth the innocent lives?"

"Of course," Anders said under his breath.

"I will not stand for this disobedience," Jamie said attempting to do an imitation of Zuko. "I'm a firebender. Bow before me. Grr."

"You don't feel it would be appropriate before that?" Aly asked. "To save people from getting to that point of desperation?"

Parker took a long minute to think about this, then decided, "When the current government structure is not complying with their own stated aims, has contravened previously guaranteed citizen's rights without sufficient cause, and refuses peaceful elections or a change over in power. At least, that's the beginning of my analysis. I hope to have a better idea through this class. As for me..." Parker frowned, thinking of various Centre atrocities, her mother's death, and then forcing herself to concentrate on government, "The belief that not only would our current power structure be inherently corrupt and unresponsive, but that there is no check or balance, no hope for future reform through the system."

It was probably good that the 'grr' at the end make Zuko just stare at Jamie as if he were insane instead of try to flame him.

"What about if the interest of the people conflicts with the rulers?" Jamie asked.

"It was on the radio," Aly said, trying not to grin.

"Sucky..." Aly repeated. "Give me something a bit more concrete?"

Parker glared at Anders. He was supposed to be *better*, damnit.

Then she turned around and shot Bel one glare, when she was pretty sure he wasn't looking.

Grrrrrr.

She tilted her head towards Anders. "Okay. Answer me this then, do you think that a people have the right to rebel against the government?"

"It won't," he argued, refusing to acknowledge the possibility.

Parker took notes on other people's answers, and started writing her own encrypted notes:

Incentives for Centre employees to overthrow current paradigm:
- fear (FBI, each other, management, me)
- $$$
- humanity???

Incentives to maintain current structure:
- fear (management)
- $$$
- status quo

So. She needed more money, and more fear... and possibly an appeal to atrophied consciences....

"Probably," Alec agreed. "But sometimes you don't have the ability to recognize your position until it gets that desperate."

"I don't listen to the radio," he replied. "It doesn't count."

Aly watched Zuko carefully for a second. "How should the Lord define 'best interest'?"

She flipped through her paperwork. "See, right here. One magical lock. Broken. Payment - Teaching Assistant in class."

"You made that up," he argued.

Bel glanced at Parker, missed the glare, and gave her a neutral smile in return.

That was a lot easier. "Yes," Anders said without hesitation. "If there's a situation where what they expect of you is unreasonable, and there's no other way to change things? Rebellion is totally acceptable."

He . . . may not necessarily have been talking just about the government.

Parker gave him a quick, mild smirk, and looked away.

Then broke a pencil lead, writing too hard. snarl

Bel might've begun to consider illicit uses for his TK powers in class.

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Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

Re: Rev 1/9 - Introductions

Re: Rev 1/9 - Introductions

Re: Rev 1/9 - Introductions

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture (NFB OMG)

Re: Rev 1/9 - Introductions

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Introductions

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Talk to Aly After Class

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Talk to Aly After Class

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Talk to Aly After Class

Re: Rev 1/9 - Talk to Aly After Class

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture

Re: Rev 1/9 - Take Notes/Chat During the Lecture (NFB OMG)