http://hera-rises.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] hera-rises.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-05-16 11:05 am
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History in Action, Wednesday, 3rd Period

While a morning wake-up call from Galactica had started her day early, the power outage had tossed a serious kink in Laura's plans for class. Rather than meeting in the Danger Room, which had miraculously survived the alien attack, the class today would meet at a clearing she had discovered in her wanderings. A tall cherry tree grew just across from the path which led the students there.

As the students arrived, they would find her standing just beside this cherry tree, leaned against a shiny new axe. "Bring it around here, if you would." She noted some eyeing of the axe and grinned. "I promise I'm not an axe murderer...unless you count cherry trees.

"There's a prominent saying here about 'to the victor, the spoils,'; the victor also gets to write the history books," she continued. "So how do we know what really happened? And what about those times where little more exists than the myths and artifacts? This seminar is going to help us examine those questions. We're going to do this by revisiting key events in various histories. A few of them will be from Earth -- the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Magna Carta, for example -- and a few will be extra-terrestrial, such as the departure of the Tribes of Kobol."

She shifted her weight and brushed her hair back behind her right ear. "That brings us to today's lesson: George Washington and the cherry tree. For those of you who don't know, George Washington was General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, here on Earth. His home is actually across the river, a former plantation named Mount Vernon. He eventually went on to become the first President of the United States.

"Years ago -- and where this fable begins, no one is really sure -- a story circulated about young George chopping down one of his father's cherry trees. When asked about it, the young man was said to reply, 'I cannot tell a lie. I was the one who cut down the tree.'

"Looking at the story, it's possible it happened; it is, however, unlikely." Laura leaned the axe against the cherry tree, leaning over and picking up a stack of papers. She then handed a copy to each of the students. "What a young Washington did do, however, was develop his 'Rules of Civility', which he used to govern his actions from a young age throughout his adult life. Take a look at these, and we'll discuss them as we go around and get acquainted."

Once discussion drew to a close, she dismissed the class. "Provided that our power is back up and running, we'll be in the Danger Room next week. Now, get out of here and enjoy your afternoon."



[OCD coming up!]

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-16 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Now Evie's just staring at him, not sure if she should be insulted or worried or disbelieving. "I never thought you... Right, then. Well! It's not as if... I mean, I'm in Chimera cabin. For the next two weeks. Surely they'd let us switch roommates in that time?"
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-16 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, sure, yeah, definitely, it'll all get fixed,"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-16 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Evie so wished she really believed that.
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Warren had no idea whether to believe it or not. "Geez, what a mix up. Man. I'm sorry about that, really, I don't know, did they think I was a girl or something?"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
"I shouldn't think so." Evie blinked at him, then looked him up and down. "You don't *look* like a girl. And there's several other people who ended up with co-ed roommates. But-- did you check the wrong ticky box, maybe?"

Evie was always intimidated by those.
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't know, it was awhile ago!"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Breathe! Breathe." Evie took a deep breath herself. "I'll tell my boyfriend, and then, we'll ask if it can be changed, and, and, it'll be fine. Fine! Yes. You'll see." She looked at him anxiously. "And I hope you don't take offense that I'd rather not room with you, it's just the boy thing. I'm sure you're very nice."
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, no, that's-that's okay." He hadn't thought to take offense until she said that. "I mean, I'm sure it would work out okay if they don't fix it, but if you really don't want to, then I completely understand,"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
And now she's worried she hurt his feelings. "I'm sure it would work out fine too! I mean, it does for my friend Door and her roommate Seely. And Dawn and Sam--" Are not a good example. "I'm sure it would be fine!"
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not like we'd be spending all of our time there, right?"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
"No! Of course not! We have workshops and friends and oh, clubs and things." Evie took a breath, then another. "Yes, so no matter what, it should be fine. Should be." She smiled a little weakly. "So. Um. Where are you from, Warren?"
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Um, Stuckeyville. Ohio. You?"

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"London and Cairo. Cairo was a while ago. And, well. 1917." She squinched her eyes up hopefully. "People have told you about the time travel, haven't they?"
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Time travel. Chyeah, right, come on, I'm not an idiot. . . ."

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[identity profile] bookyeve.livejournal.com 2007-05-17 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
Evie sighed, then studied him. "Hmm. Yes, well. I know it sounds unbelievable, and I wouldn't believe me either." She patted him on the arm. "Never mind. But, the first time something truly deeply *incredible* happens to you on this Island, promise you'll come find me, all right?"
stuckeyboy: (Default)

Re: Sidebar Discussion

[personal profile] stuckeyboy 2007-05-17 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Um, yeah, sure." Warren's expression pretty clearly said he thought she was nuts. "It's a deal."