Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts Week 4 [Thurs/2nd Period]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Sakura had a stack of handouts to give the class upon arrival today. "This story is in your textbooks as well," she said wryly, "but in order to ensure that everyone has read it, please take a few minutes to review the handout."

She waited about ten minutes before continuing, "Taketori Monogatari, or the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, is considered to be the oldest known narrative in Japanese culture; it's not known who originally wrote it. Tibetan folklore contains a nearly identical story, and certain elements of this tale can also be found in folktales around the world. Wayland the Smith from Norse myth and the Russian tale behind the ballet Swan Lake feature otherworldly princesses with mystical robes; countless stories tell of princes or commoners who must fulfill impossible tasks to win the princess." There was the slightest hint of distaste in Sakura's voice when she mentioned princes. "Similarly, the story of Thumbelina tells of a girl born from a plant. And then there's Momotarou, but . . ."

For a very brief moment, it might have looked like Sakura's brain was breaking.

Moving to the lockbox on the table, she opened it to reveal the wooden box from last week's class, the one they weren't supposed to open. Sakura did open it, and reached in to retrieve a large chunk of what appeared to be dull yellow quartz. "At the end of the bamboo cutter's story, the potion of immortality was burned on the slopes of Mount Fuji -- the mountain of immortality -- giving it its name. I found a copy of some notes in my office, left by the previous occupant, apparently a translation of a tale about two ancient Greek women in search of a fountain of immortality on Fuji. We haven't found any such thing, but as you can see the mountain's link to eternal life is widespread." She placed the rock on a scanning platform set up on the table, and its enlarged image appeared on the triple display screens. "This rock is . . . synthesized from the ashes that were in the box when it was found, and has the same effect, which isn't true immortality but a temporary boost of life energy."

Carefully, she put the rock back into its box, which in turn went into the lockbox for safekeeping. "With the Potion, when it was located, was the garment known as the Angel's Raiment of the Moon, used by Kaguya-hime to return to her people. We don't have it in our possession -- but I believe it's safe with its owner."

Sakura let them consider the implications of that statement for themselves. "All right. Since different people may have different motivations to acquire something like the Potion of Immortality, I've divided the class into three groups. Group One and Group Two are each to come up with one selfish reason to obtain the Potion; Group Three, your intention should be a well-meaning one. Once you've all decided on your reason, try and figure out why all of them could ultimately lead to trouble."

Beat.

"And no, none of you are actually going to get the Potion at the end of class."

Group 1		Group 2		Group 3
Evie Carnahan		Wyatt Halliwell		Dawn Summers
Phoebe Halliwell		Walter Dornez		Balthier
Pippi Longstocking		William Kessler		Elizabeth Delgado
Dean Winchester		Carmela Rodriguez		Haruhi Fujioka
Matilda Wormwood		Kyo Sohma		Tori Hanson
Kabuto Yakushi		Stark		Jo Harvelle
Chris Halliwell		Sam Winchester		Valentine
				Ronald Weasley

[OOC: Class roster and info post. OCD is available for your pleasure not dirty!]

Comments

Sign In [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Slowly collapse, like a flan in a cupboard.

Re: Sign In [FaF, Week 4]

[water-wonder.livejournal.com]

Tori Hanson

Re: Sign In [FaF, Week 4]

[indebttocrazies.livejournal.com]

Haruhi Fujioka

Re: Sign In [FaF, Week 4]

[dark_slippy_thing]

Valentine

During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Talk, take notes, have -- other things -- happen . . .

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[water-wonder.livejournal.com]

As the lecture began, Tori took notes, making sure to get everything down that she could. This class was really interesting, not that the other sessions in the past hadn't been.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[indebttocrazies.livejournal.com]

Haruhi had a notebook open but didn't pay much attention to the lecture about the tale-- she was already familiar with it, as it did come from her culture. But once the quartz was brought out, Haruhi did lift her eyes, caring to listen in on the things she didn't know.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

Pippi nods and take notes. Possibly doodling.

When the rock comes out she raises an eyebrow and tilts her head.

"Pretty."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is sort of taking notes. She's distracted.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Chris was shooting nervous glances in Phoebe's direction.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[multiplez]

Z scribbled in her notes. They might be legible. But then they might not.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[strahl-pirate.livejournal.com]

Balthier raised an eyebrow at the stone. It was similar to the one that his father had posessed... He took down notes furiously. The first time ever in any of his classes.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 4]

[fh-kyochan.livejournal.com]

Kyo doodled in his own notebook. He was familiar with the tale; he just wondered if there could be any clue to breaking the curse in the class activities.

Discussion Groups [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

.

Group 1: Discussion

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Selfish motivation ahoy!

Re: Group 1: Discussion

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Selfish, huh? Dean considered. "If it gives you a temporary boost in life energy, maybe it could make you strong enough to do something that would probably get you killed otherwise. Like, say, get revenge on the demon that killed your mother. Just to pull a random example out."

Group 2: Discussion

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

You? Are also selfish.

Re: Group 2: Discussion

[likethegun]

Sam thought for a few moments before suggesting, "Maybe you could use the extra life energy for committing crimes? I imagine robbing a bank or something would be easier if you don't have to worry about your own health."

Group 3: Discussion

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

You are well-meaning. But you know what they say about the road to hell.

Re: Group 3: Discussion

[dark_slippy_thing]

Valentine was a selfish coward at heart.

This could make for an interesting conversation, really.

Talk to the TAs [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

After they ping in, of course.

Re: Talk to the TAs [FaF, Week 4]

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn's here and mostly alert.

Re: Talk to the TAs [FaF, Week 4]

[fh_extras]

The soft murmur of students around Dawn seemed to slowly die down even if no one actually stopped talking. The temperature in the air around her desk suddenly seemed to drop rapidly.

Talk to Sakura [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

This week? Before class miiiiiiiight be better.

OOC [FaF, Week 4]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

*watches Task 13 again*