fandomhigh | Traditional Fairy Tales, Class Three

Monday, January 22, Second Period

Aziraphale really wished he could have stayed home, preferably hiding someplace very dark where no one would know to look for him. Especially he wasn't looking forward to facing his students on this Monday morning. Which was why there was a huge television screen on one wall, and the furniture was all arranged so that it could be easily seen. There were also handouts and books available for the students to borrow. Aziraphale stood near the screen, and looked mostly at his chair when he spoke.

"Today, er...we're going to be seeing a film. It's called The Royal Fiancee, and it illustrates much of what we've been discussing in class about character archetypes. Particularly, I would like you to pay close attention to the secondary characters -- the ones who might fit the roles of 'helper', 'parent', or 'lover'. In this film, since the two central characters do fit the mould of hero and heroine, I would like you to consider how each could also fill the role of lover. Your handouts will help you with the definitions.

"Also, next week we will be meeting in the Danger Room, and the following week we'll have our first exam. Yes, Miss Stewart, before you say anything, I do know that I said we wouldn't be seeing any films. But I still expect you to do the reading, regardless."

Then he went off and found a dark corner to hide in.

Handouts: Definitions

Assignment: "The Dancing Water, the Singing Apple, and the Speaking Bird" and "Sleeping Beauty"

Extra Credit: Write a brief essay identifying the roles of helper, parent, and lover in "Mr. Fox" and "John the True".

[ooc: Aziraphale is attempting not to die of embarrassment over the weekend's activities. Feel free to hinder his attempts. ~~Kindly wait for~~ OCD is now up.]

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Evie started giggling, even though she was blushing very hard, and had her hands on her face. "I never, ever would have guessed. Do you sing that well when you're human?"

"People seem to think so." He carefully started tugging at her hands, trying to get her to take them away from her face. "And I should hope not! I'd be insulted if you had recognised me."

"Oh, but I -- she-- was so rude! Telling you to sing! And, and, asking all those questions!" And being so much braver than Evie. She sighed. "The beast-man was very patient, really. When he was in such a bad mood, poor thing."

He wanted to laugh, but he didn't think she'd take it well. "It's fine, Evie. Really. It wasn't you. It was the daughter of a god, or something. And she was nice enough, mostly."

"Daughter of the Pharoah," Evie said distractedly. "Who were considered representatives of the gods on Earth... oh!" She started digging for a pen. "I have to write it all down before I forget it! Do you think she was? I mean, she believed she was Nefertiri! Oh, but it can't be used as research, no one would believe me."

"I have no idea, but write it down. I believed I was a beast," he grimaced, "an overly sappy one at that. In this place it's just as likely that you were the real one."

"You weren't sappy," Evie said, immediately defensive. "You were just... emo." Her lips curved up in a tiny smile. "And growly."

Beyond grateful that most of the sap had been internal, he rolled his eyes at her. "You'd have been emo and growly, too, if you looked like that."

"Oh, now really, Jack." Evie bounced a little in her seat, glad to be herself again. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You had great appeal, still. Despite being morose. Nefertiri wasn't lying, you know." She slumped down a little. "But oh, lord. You are the person who it is *least* embarassing for me to encounter. The rest of the week shall be so much more difficult."

Excellent, subject change opportunity. "What else did she do? And do I have to kill anyone?"

"It can't really be called flirting when she was so appallingly direct," Evie said, blushing again at the memory. "She asked everyone where the naked dancing boys were. She was very familiar with Seely in Detention-- poor boy, I must apologize for what she said. And to Anders. And Dean. And Conner." She put her head down on her desk, voice dropping down to a mumble. "And for what almost happened with whoever that Tyler boy was, dear lord."

"See, that's just not fair. Fandom got naked dancing boys and nobody told me?" He grinned at her, but he was very glad the almost happened wasn't an actually happened, because she was Evie, and no one was allowed to take advantage of her while she was temporarily somebody else. "I'm sure no one minded, Evie. And as long as it didn't go past suggestions and request, I wouldn't worry about it. It wasn't you."

Evie might be hiding more in her jacket now. "...maybe it counts, I don't know, more than a suggestion...."

"Hmmm." Jack pressed two fingers against the back of her neck. "If there's anyone you can tell, it's got to be me." He tipped his head down so it was right next to hers, wondering who he was going to have to hurt. "Right?"

She sighed, and just turned her head to the side. "Layla interrupted us. Them. Nefertiri and-- and Layla made him leave. For which I'm terribly grateful. I don't know who he was, I'd never seen him around here before." She sighed. "My first kiss, and, and, touching, and -- it wasn't even me." She put her head back down again, banging it a few times for emphasis.

"Stop that," he said firmly, putting his hands between her head and the desk, and made a note to kiss Layla next time he saw her. Or something. "It's okay, Evie. It really is. It wasn't you, so it doesn't count as your first," he knew her well enough to know that would be important, "you just remember someone else's experience."

"Really?" she asked, feeling a little pathetic. "Truly?" Evie perched her chin on her hands. "Although I suppose it would be Seely who counted, and that was a Detention assignment. That would be even worse." She sighed. "That boy was very-- well, I don't know if he was nice. Pleasant. He took me-- her-- seriously. And he was beautiful." Evie looked sad. "I don't know if my real first kiss will even be as nice."

Considering what he'd done in Detention? "Detention doesn't count," he told her in a tone that left no room for argument. "But about the other," he tilted his head, smiling at her gently, "if you want to make sure your first kiss is memorable, there's always me."

Evie resisted the urge to awwww. "That's very, very sweet of you, Jack. But it wouldn't really count." She smiled at him, though, feeling better. "It wouldn't be at all romantic. Although I'm sure you're a very good kisser."

"Okay." He grinned at her. "Just a thought. And I'm an excellent kisser. At least when I'm not pointy and covered in hair."

Evie laughed, and managed to straighten up, smiling again. "I'm certain you are, Jack of two lovers and infinite charm." She shook herself. "Right, then. It was a very, very nice dream... that someone else had. That's all." Evie looked wistful. "But it was lovely."

"Exactly." Jack nodded and sat back, happy she was smiling. "It was a dream you shared. And you'll have dreams of your own, whenever you want them, charming and beautiful, Evie."

Traditional Fairy Tales, Class Three

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