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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"He called me that damn name!" Aravis protested. "Clearly there isn't a lot of thought happening, no."

"I heard it on the radio!" Gavin exclaimed. "I thought it was your nickname!"

"The radio cannot be trusted," he pointed out. "It lies. Gavin did not deliberately insult you, and so the gracious and noble thing to do would be to forgive him. Please?" he added hopefully.

Aravis pouted. "Don't use it again," she told Gavin, trying to be gracious.

"You either," she added to Seely, scowling. "I don't think nobility need apply towards you at the moment, all things considered."

Seely grinned charmingly. "But it suits you." Note how he didn't actually say it.

"Does not," she said coldly, glaring.

Karal hid a smile and moved a little so he was between Aravis and Gavin, and waited to see what she'd do to Seely.

This was even better than having Altra jump him into a lake.

"But how couldn't it suit someone so sweet and kind and generous and snuggly?" Seely asked, puppy eyes at full power.

"I am not any of those things," she protested.

Seely reached out to brush his hand down her cheek. "You are," he said softly. "You're the most amazing girl I've ever known."

Aravis grabbed his hand and attempted to drag him away from Gavin and Karal, since that was not a moment she felt like sharing, really. Especially considering why she was so annoyed.

Seely let himself be dragged like a good idiot boy.

Aravis found a spot away from the others and turned to face him. "You are not to compliment any aspects of my anatomy on the radio again," she said angrily.

Seely at least had the grace to look slightly ashamed. "...oops."

"I would take Cuddles on its own over that," she said, bright red. "Not an invitation."

Seely flushed red. "You know, I just didn't want it to seem like I was interested in someone else's, or that I thought they might be better than yours."

Aravis facepalmed. "...no, but now other people might take an interest in them."

"But you'll be able to beat them up if they do."

"I don't wish to have that sort of reason to beat people," she told him, sighing.

"They probably won't anyway," Seely said. "They already know you're scary."

She smiled a little. "Some things are private," she said, her tone a bit more gentle than earlier. "Most things are, actually."

"I know that," Seely said. "It's not like I told them what we did the other night."

"If you had, I would have been very sad to have to kill you," she said.

"I would have been sadder to be killed," Seely murmured.

She eyed him. "Did you really trick Gavin and Karal into wearing hideous clothing? I didn't even tell you it was them."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

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