fandomhigh | Adventuring Survival Tactics, Period 4, A Classroom, 1/19/07

The Doctor had upgraded from carpet swatches to bean bag chairs, this week. There were a multitude of colors and patterns. He was sitting in one himself, that was bright pink with big white polka dots.

"Today, we're talking about a very, very important tool. That is running away. Also known as the tactical retreat, skidaddle, and vamoose. You may think that facing up to something involves standing your ground and not backing down, but that's just completely nutters, that. You stand your ground when you're ankle-deep in quicksand, you've doomed yourself. Now, retreat a few steps and get your enemy there, well, congratulations. You've used running away to your advantage, you have."

He clapped his hands together and smiled.

"Now obviously, this topic could have a lot of debate. And that's exactly what I want you to do. Pair up, and do a bit of pro/con work. Think about how you can use retreat for good, and how it might not work out. Also, think about any adages and sayings you know. Living to fight another day is much better than dying a brave man, I've found. I'll be happy to debate this point with anyone, but the main lesson here is this: There is no stigma to running away. It does not make you a coward. A coward dies in the face of horrible odds. A brave man retreats to live under opression until his true opportunity presents itself."

"Also, I want you to think about the importance of proper footwear, how high heels will be the death of all of you, the ability of women to find the one pothole in an open field, and why twisted ankles are completely and utterly inevitable. Go on. Discuss."

He felt rather smug.

Even though he'd really just succesfully taught... almost nothing at all.

[ooc: OCD ~~a-comin~~ up.]

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Jack, ensconced on a lime green and yellow pinstriped beanbag, just sort of stared at the Doctor through the lecture.

When it was done he said, "Huh," and looked around for someone to pair up with.

Gwynn smiled at him. "Need a partner?"

"Hey, Gwynn. Absolutely." He grinned and waved at the space next to him. "Pull up a beanbag and tell me what you think of running away as a survival tactic."

Gwynn smiled and got comfortable on a bright blue beanbg.

"Well, in some instances it does make sense to beat a hasty retreat."

"Especially if you're outnumbered. Hanging around when you know you're going to lose is not the brightest thing to do." Jack thought for a moment. "Plus if you run you might find better ground, maybe set up an ambush."

Gwynn nodded. "Oh yes, especially if you can get to the cover of the forest and then get the drop on your enemies."

Gwynn sounded like she just might be speaking from experience.

"Forest, huh?" He looked at her closely, and smiled. "That's very specific to just be a random example. I'm guessing that's something you've done before?"

Gwynn gave him a sheepish smile.

"My father and the Uncles are not exactly favourites of those who would usurp the throne from the rightful king."

[[OOC:Apologies. I didn't realize this hadn't posted the first time.]]

"Now I'm intrigued," he said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees, chin on his hands. "You're family is trying to stop someone from taking over the kingdom?"

[ooc: no worries!]

Gwynn nodded. "Yes, we are. My father spent most of his life serving King Richard. Now Richard's son sits on the throne." She ran a hand through her hair. "However, some of the people who woud rather another person on the throne."

"So you help your father and uncle stop them, and along the way pick up ambush techniques." Jack grinned. "I really love this school sometimes. But that sounds like exactly the sort of situation where hit and run tactics would be the best option. Do some damage and bolt before you can get caught."

Gwynn nodded. "Exactly. My father and the Uncles have no desire to see me put to death by our enemies. So, sometimes ambush and retreat are the best survival tactics to have at hand."

"Getting put to death is definitely a bad idea. So, yeah, running away from stronger forces, I don't think there's any doubt that's a good idea. Survival is the most important thing." He tapped his fingers thoughtfully against his chin. "I guess another reason to run would be if you don't want to kill anyone, but it's the only way they're going to stop fighting."

Gwynn let out a breath. "This is a very good point. Running away is sometimes the only way to keep people from getting themselves killed."

"Whether it's you or someone else," he agreed. "Those are good times to run. Any ideas when it would be a bad time to run?" He smiled. "Since the Doctor said we're supposed to be doing a pro/con thing, even if this is pretty odd topic for a class."

"If running would leave an ally or a helpless bystander behind and endanger them."

"Hmmm, I'm with you on the allies," mostly, "not so much on the helpless bystander thing." He paused, remembering the trolls and Evie, and added, "Unless there's some reason you're responsible for them. But if not, then they can get themselves out of trouble."

Gwynn thought about that. "It's usually my allies that I refuse to leave behind in any kind of danger."

"That's a good way to make sure they stay your allies," he observed. "Word gets around you leave people behind, and it would be a lot harder to get help next time."

"This is true and no one wants that kind of reputation in a time where cooperation is needed."

"Okay, so I think we're getting some guidelines together. Run if it'll avoid you or someone else getting killed, don't if it would mean you'd have to leave someone behind." He frowned. "Except what do you do if staying to help an ally means you're probably going to end up dead?"

"That would be where it all gets murky," Gwynn sighed. "How do you decide whose life is worth more? Are you a dead hero or a dead martyr?"

"Mine," he replied with a small smile. "It's always going to be mine. I don't want to be a dead anything. Once I know that's safe, then I'll look at saving anyone else."

Gwynn smiled. "Mostly? I feel the same way. However, when my father and my Uncle got arrested when I went to rescue my best friend from Nottingham's dogs, I did retreat and then I planned on how to best get them out alive."

Adventuring Survival Tactics, Period 4, A Classroom, 1/19/07

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