fandomhigh | Adventuring Survival Tactics, April 13. Period 4

The classroom was all paint-splattered walls and bean bags again this week. After everyone entered, the Doctor began his lecture.

"How many of you have watched Galaxy Quest?" He waited for a show of hands. "That line, 'Never give up. Never surrender. How many of you know that?" He again waited a show of hands. "Well I'm here today to tell you that it's only half right. Never giving up, that's a good motto, good idea, great in practice and the focus of today's lesson. Never surrendering? That's rubbish, that is. That's like saying you never need to tactically withdraw or avoid a situation. Playing life with proper tactics is the only way to help assure you'll win, in the long run. Last stands are for idiots like Custer. And we only remember him because of what an incredibly stupid ape he was." The Doctor paused.

"Now, what does it properly mean to never give up? I mean, there's lots of situations where conceding is to your benefit. Winning the war is more important than an individual battle, and that's not giving up, in the big picture. Think what would've happened if the British gave up just because some ruddy Germans were dropping bombs all over the country. Or if the Americans had said 'oh well, we've lost most of the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, no way we can win now, let's just give up to the Japanese'. Sure, two World War II examples, but you catch my meaning." He started pacing a bit.

"Now let's say your entire race is wiped out in a war. Does that mean you have the right to just camp out somewhere, ignore the universe about you, and be a bloody hermit the rest of your life? Of course not. That's giving up, that is. So your girlfriend leaves you for the man you were having a homosexual affair with. Do you swear off all relationships forever and become a priest? No, again that's giving up and frankly, no one should take up a life of religion as a result of extreme trauma. Only messes with your head, in the end. Now think about this. You're all very gifted people. You'll be encountering lots of strife, because that's what the universe gives to people who are special. Heartbreaks, dead friends, lost bits of anatomy, torture both physical and emotional. I want you all to keep one thing in mind, when you do encounter all this. There is always something worth living for. When all seems lost, you're letting yourself be blinded to what is truly out there. This universe has a multitude of wonderful things, all worth fighting for. All worth living for."

The Doctor cleared his throat. "And that brings us to the discussion topic of the day. Try and figure out what it is you live for, in this universe of ours. What's that thing that keeps you going. And if any of you say your sodding significant other, you're taking the cheap answer and lying to yourself. I'm sure they're all well and good, but love is temporary and fleeting. Emotions are a rollercoaster, not a rock to stand on. Think harder."

And with that bit of, well, bitterness really, the Doctor clapped his hands. "Alright, get to it!"

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What is that thing that you live for?

"So is saying family the same as saying significant other?" Dean asked. Because family was always his first answer and he never really had looked much beyond it.

"Familial bonds are much more real than the love for another," the Doctor replied. "In my early days of travelling, when my bones were old and weary, it was my granddaughter that kept me going."

"That's crap," Luke ~~whined~~ said. "I've been orphaned three times in a year. If I were living for my family, I'd never have left Tatooine. I live for me."

"Crap or not, it works for those it works for." The Dctor paused. "How exactly does one get orphaned more than once?"

Luke ticked them off on his fingers. "I grew up knowing that my father had died before I was born. The aunt and uncle who raised me were killed by the Empire, so I went with my father's best friend, who was then killed in front of me by Darth Vader." His eyes filled with pain. "And then I watched my father--who hadn't been quite as dead as I originally thought--die over Spring Break." He stared down at his hands. "That one didn't stick, but forgive me if I'm not exactly filled with the love of all things familial."

Re: Class Discussion

saltandammo.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:06 (UTC) - Expand

tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:21 (UTC) - Expand

sarcasm-guy.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:36 (UTC) - Expand

tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:51 (UTC) - Expand

Nadia? Still quiet. Still emo. "Why does there have to be something to live for?" She asked finally. "Why can't the answer just be life, without big noble reasons attached to it?"

"That," the Doctor said with a smile, "is exactly the right answer."

"Oh." Nadia nodded. "Okay, then."

"Something wrong?" the Doctor had to ask.

Nadia just kind of shrugged.

nine-and-ears.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:14 (UTC) - Expand

nadiathesaint - 2007-04-13 16:16 (UTC) - Expand

River wondered if mentioning a sibling was as bad as mentioning a partner. On the other hand, it might actually be a cheap answer. She thought of things that made her happy, but were they things she lived for? She tilted her head. "Curiosity?"

"That there are more mysteries to unfold, more things to learn, and the infinite universe has infinite possibilities?" the Doctor elaborated, questioning.

"Something like that," River replied. "Or just to experience the taste of popcorn in the morning."

"I like the way you think," the Doctor said. "Popcorn. Fantastic."

moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 15:56 (UTC) - Expand

"Because it's the only option?" D said. She really didn't have an answer.

"So not living isn't an option? At all?" the Doctor said.

"Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of living?" D asked.

"Depends on the sorts of afterlives you let yourself believe in," the Doctor said.

dbiers.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:30 (UTC) - Expand

nine-and-ears.livejournal.com - 2007-04-13 16:31 (UTC) - Expand

"Food," Sokka answered, without hesitation. "... And having fun. And making dry, witty remarks. Oh, and family, friends, all that sort of stuff."

Pippi gave it some thought.

"I dunno... I suppose finding that out is part of the whole thing."

Alanna didn't look like she wanted to be participating much and kept fiddling with a pen. "Family. Biological and not. And duty to the kingdom and king."

Lana figured she'd better not answer, because honestly, at this point she wasn't sure she really wanted to go on living much longer. And other than not wanting to hurt Jim...

"Because up and dying would be stupid?" Z said. This was one of those things she'd never really had much time to think about.

"I don't know that there is just one thing," Stark said finally. "It changes. Mostly though, I would just rather be alive than not." Not that death was always so terrible, but he still preferred being alive to the alternative.