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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"A revolution through paperwork?" Aly asked, laughing. "My revolutionary days are behind me, I hope."

"You don't believe losses can be minimized through planning?" Tyler countered. "But if we have to assume there will be some ... I guess when the powers that be are intolerable."

Aly's lips quirked as she couldn't argue with that particular train of thought really at all. She was still going to, of course. "Could one argue that a government that was overthrown has lost its right to govern?"

She raised an eyebrow. "And you believe you are one of these elite class of people?"

Aly smiled. "Chaos can be preferable to tyranny?"

I'm Walter Dornez and I got my first job after unsuccessfully picking a vampire's pocket, and my second job after my mentor introduced me to The Perk's floor.

"He was born and raised with it," Zuko replied. "His entire life was build up towards the destiny of becoming Fire Lord. There is no one more qualified to lead the nation."

Balthier cringed slightly, he'd been thinking too much of home, where the government rule was nearly absolute. "Does it matter if it's true absolute power or not? As long as those who are in power believe that their power is absolute they will act accordingly and in their own best interests." He took a deep breath, realizing that he wasn't making sense.

"An example if I may. There is a large country that borders a very tiny country. The larger country invades; but to what purpose? The smaller country doesn't have any additional resources; it's not strategically placed for military operations, so why invade it? Because you can?" Balthier scowled in disgust thinking about it. "No, it was invaded and it's people and king murdered over a stone, that was wanted by the leader of the scientists from the larger country, who had whispered in the ear of the country's crown prince, who whispered in the ear of the Emperor, who ordered the invasion."

"Phoebe wasn't feeling well," Bel said. "So we left a little early. How did it go?"

Zuko managed to refrain from commenting on that. "I don't know anything on revolutions," he said.

"Depends on the tyrant," she says."People tend to go along with things until they're forced to make a change. Better chaos than a horrible status quo."

"I don't expect you too," Aly replied, stroking her necklace thoughtfully. "Or you'd teach the class."

*steals some from you and settles down for the show*

Aly stifled a sigh. "And what are his responsibilities when leading his nation?"

Number 6 narrowed his eyes. "I never said I was elite, madame. I am merely fulfilling one of the basic requirements of humanity. Those who forget themselves and give in to the machine have willingly revoked their right to make any such determinations."

"I had to teach classes last semester," he argued.

"I'm a monarchist," Walter said, uncomfortable with the idea of revolution. "I suppose I would support revoulution if an usurper were on the throne."

Aly grinned and leaned against the desk next to Anders'. "Now define unreasonable for me. And does the definition differ when we're talking about you as an individual to a group of people?"

Aly smiled. "I am as well. And yet, the tradition of evil kings and queens runs strongly through most monarchies. So, I suppose my question to you is could there ever a reason to overthrow the 'rightful' ruler?"

"And?"

Walter thought about someone he knew personally and the acts he'd perpetrated while ruling Wallachia.

"Yes. There could be," he said finally. Ethics class was easier. "But it's not as simple as just 'we don't like what he's doing.' I'd have to really believe that the damage to the kingdom outweighed my loyalty to the crown."

"Well if you weren't caught up in the drama that was Cal, Angel and Logan it was actually pretty nice," she said. "Cedric and I had a very nice time. How's Phoebe feeling now?"

"Does your loyalty to the kingdom outweigh the loyalty to the crown?" she asked.

"You might run off and leave me to teach classes, too," he pointed out.

She nodded. "And sometimes the hardest part is to stand up."

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Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

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