fandomhigh | Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 11 (Thurs/2nd Period)

The display screens at the front of the room were running a slideshow that consisted of images of fire, today, and to add to the effect Sakura had placed two small, ornate braziers one on either side of the screen, both of them flickering away.

“Today we'll be discussing the concept of fire and its role in the mystical consciousness," she said once the class had gathered. “Fire is one of the basic elements, held to be one of the classical elements of many philosophies, and as such plays a symbolic and ritual role in many cultures. Consider, for example, the concept of the eternal flame. For a few minutes, please discuss the concept of fire: what ideas and feelings does it evoke for you? What does fire represent? What are its uses, and what symbolism can be derived from them?"

She gave the class a short period of time in which to talk about the idea of fire before she continued. “The sacred fire of Vesta was a key part of ancient Roman religion. Vesta, the domestic goddess of hearth and the fire, was often personified as flame, and the sacred fire of her temple was believed to be tied directly to the fortunes of Rome itself. This isn't very surprising; in ancient times, allowing the hearth fire to go out was often a misfortune for the inhabitants of the household. If the sacred fire of Vesta was allowed to go out, it was commonly held as an omen of disaster for the city."

“An obscure text whose authenticity has yet to be determined tells of a fire that destroyed the Japanese town of Higuchi and killed 40,000 people whose souls were eaten by Lord Yodoshi," Sakura continued. “As I've said, we haven't been able to determine how much of this is fact and how much is poetic license, but it does seem to tie in, at least symbolically, to the Flame of the Ruined Country, whose name as you can probably guess comes from the fact that it is said to have destroyed an entire nation. Because it's so dangerous, I didn't get clearance to bring it to show you, but it is said to have been lit from oil made from the fat of cursed people and evil wizards, and burns eternally. It goes without saying that such a thing would be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands."

She looked at the class again. “So, for the second part of our discussion: what would you do with something like the Flame of the Ruined Country? Do you think it would be possible to use it for good?"

Once the discussion had subsided, she said, “Next week we'll be having a guest speaker; my colleague, Eiji Takaoka, will be coming to discuss the Hundred-Demons Mirror and the mythos of the demon race known in my world as the Ashu. I hope that you give him the proper respect . . . even if he doesn't appear to deserve it."

[OOC: Class Info Post is here, and OCD is up!]

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Dean couldn't help but notice the grinning. "I'm taking it that the grovelling worked?" he said to his brother.

Sam looked over at Dean, but the grinning didn't stop. "Uh, yeah, you could definitely say that."

Dean looked closer at his brother, glanced over at Dawn and back again. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Sammy, you dog! It's about time!"

"Dude, shut up," Sam said, but there was no trace of actual annoyance in his voice. "It wasn't about time, it was just...time. The right time."

"I told you grovelling worked wonders, didn't I?"

"It wasn't just the groveling. I mean, that helped," Sam admitted. "But we just...I don't know, one thing led to another, and Dawn said she wanted to, and I really, really wanted to. So we did."

Dean tilted his head to one side. "I'm not going to get any more details out of you than that, am I?"

"You don't need details," Sam replied. "You've had sex, you know what happens."

"I haven't had sex with Dawn," Dean pointed out. "Okay, almost, but..."

"But you've had sex with girls," Sam pointed out. "So, you know what that's like. Imagine your experiences being a hundred times better, and that's about how things went with Dawn and I last night."

"So you'll be doing it again?"

"I sure hope so."

Dean grinned widely. "That's my boy!"

Sam rolled his eyes and snickered. "I knew your reaction would be something like that. You're so predictable. And dirty. But mostly predictable."

"This is a rite of passage, Sammy. A step on the journey of growing up."

"I know it's a rite of passage - an important one," Sam said. "I just don't know if I feel as grown up as you seem to think I should."

"I said growing up not grown up. You've still got a ways to go, sport." Dean shrugged. "So do I really."

"Sometimes, I'm convinced you have farther to go than I do," Sam replied.

"I just know how to have fun," Dean said with a smirk.

"And now I know how to have fun too," Sam replied, letting the smug grin return.

"And just think -- you don't have to worry about anything looking for a virgin sacrifice anymore," Dean teased.

"Of course, that also means that if we end up in a horror film, I'm no longer safe," Sam replied.

"Dude, if end up in a horror film, we'd so be the ones kicking the monster's ass."

Sam snickered. "Good point. Maybe I should rephrase that: Dawn won't be safe. Because of me." And there was that grin again.

"Yeah, I can see you're totally broken up about it," Dean deadpanned.

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