fandomhigh | Seven Easy Steps to Being Able to Convince People You're a Spy : Week 1, Period 1

The class today was held in the Danger Shop for no other reason than it would make a list that Aly didn't actually have to write up. Which was good because she got to class just before the students and was carrying a larger box that she was glaring at upon occasion. She set the box down to the side with a strict admonishment to the inhabitants not to cry during class.

With a final glare at the box, Aly turned to greet the class. "Morning all," she said with a bright grin. "I'm Aly - which most of you already know, I think so I'll spare the usual speech about how if you call me Miss Aly, I'll be forced to make you very sorry." She wrinkled her nose. "It sounds like a Madam or something. Professor or duani is fine if you'd prefer a more formal title. The class we're in for the next seven weeks is 'Seven Easy Steps to Being Able to Convince People You're a Spy.' If that's not something you're interested in, you're probably in the wrong class so check your schedule or get interested fast."

"No one can learn how to be a spy in seven classes. Which is probably good because otherwise I'd be out of business both on the teaching end and the spying end. But we're going to talk about how to mimic a spy and some of a spy's basic skills that can help you give a certain impression. Unlike the class, last fall, we're barely going to touch on theory." She grinned. "Which makes me happy."

She hit a button and a list was projected by the

1. No matter where you are, act like you belong.
2. Behave purposefully. Especially if you have no purpose.
3. Blend in. Become a "gray man."
4. Develop assessment skills by practicing even in circumstances in which you are merely a bystander.
5. Learn to trust your instincts to make decisions. Right or wrong at first, they will get better.
6. Never second-guess your decisions at the time. Do analyze them later.
7. Be aware that you may be overlooking things in your surroundings, especially if they are familiar to you.
8. Accept the fact that some level of deception is a necessary part of the job.
9. Don't be embarrassed to be suspicious of other people's intentions.
10. Improve your memory.

"So here you go. The ten basic rules to being a spy. Easy right? Or maybe not quite so much. There could just as easily be twelve or seventeen or a hundred and fifty rules, but ten is such a nice round number. I'd like to spend today talking about these rules. Ask me questions or discuss them with a partner. Which one do you think is the most important?"

"Also so we all get to know each other, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves and tell a few things about yourself as well as your interest in spying. And if you know anything about cats? Throw that in too please." She eyed the box in the corner.

[OOC: The ten rules were taken with gratitude from the Handbook of Practical Spying by Jack Barth. OCD ~~will be coming~~ is up!]

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Karal ducked his head, smiling shyly, because this was the first time anyone had been so accepting of Vkandis' existence. "The Sunlord can be tricky," he said. "Though it is not His purview."

Altra was already trotting over to the kittens, ears slanted to the side. :Get them young, teach them proper respect,: he was muttering, and Karal stared after him as if he had lost his mind.

:Right, you two, behave.: He poked his nose in the box, and one of the kittens promptly bit it. :OW! What is it with the cats on this island?: One large paw flattened the kitten and Altra shook his head.

Karal was trying not to laugh, but at least the kittens seemed to have stopped crying.

She smiled at Karal. "And any knowledge is good for a priest."

Looking over at Altra, she beamed with pleasure. "Oh, they're quiet. That's fabulous. Are you a cat that likes shrimp or should I be insulting by offering?"

Altra just looked at her, the bitey kitten having squirmed out from under his paw to gnaw on his ear, and the other lying half-draped over his neck. :Shrimp. Lots. Or possibly a recipe for kitten stew:, he muttered, but gave the bitey one a surreptitious groom. Which he would forever deny doing.

"It is," Karal replied, still staring at Altra. "And he says shrimp would be acceptable." He was not repeating the other.

Aly smirked as she watched the cat grooming her kitten and thought just how much he reminded her of Faithful. Except bigger. And not black. And, you know, not a God.

"Shrimp it is then," she said. "With my gratitude."

Seven Easy Steps to Being Able to Convince People You're a Spy : Week 1, Period 1

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!