ext_31317 ([identity profile] tricksy-spy.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-07-11 09:09 am
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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!]

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] vkandis-son.livejournal.com 2007-07-12 08:11 am (UTC)(link)
He studied her, and decided she didn't want to hear about Vkandis manifesting in the world. "Faith is a comfort," he said, and smiled gently. "You were not a jerk, merely cautious, and I can understand that. If you have been subject to persecution, it is not surprising that you would expect it."
the_merriest: (broken)

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[personal profile] the_merriest 2007-07-12 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
"I kinda was a jerk," she said, shrugging with a wry smile. "I, uh, maybe religion's different here, too. Professor Lyman said government was. I mean, maybe it's not ... as bad, or whatever." She was really skeptical on that one, but he seemed nice enough, and it wouldn't hurt to say.

"How is it ... a comfort? I mean, Yevon was all 'the dead have reached the Farplane, therefore it's okay' and you're still going, 'yeah, but they're dead and they should be alive and it's not okay, it's never gonna be okay, you can't just ...'" She swallowed hard as she realized that was probably louder than she meant it to be.

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] vkandis-son.livejournal.com 2007-07-12 08:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Religion is, well, religion is what men make of a god's will. Sometimes they get it...very, very wrong," he said, voice carefully neutral. "And sometimes the god may not be a god at all, but a demon or a mage." He shook his head, not wanting to subject her to a lecture. "Let us call the matter even, yes? Either we were both a jerk or neither of us was."

Looking at her closely, he considered her words, her tone, finding it familiar. It reminded him of the time after Ulrich's death, when he had...No. "It is a comfort if you believe that they continue on, but it does not lessen the pain of losing someone you love. Only time, I think, and allowing people to care for you, can do that, but yes, I...it is never okay that they are gone."

the_merriest: (please stop talking now)

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[personal profile] the_merriest 2007-07-12 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
"That's what Ares said. That since we killed Yevon, he must not have been a real god." She folded her arms. "Maybe they're all fake. If they're not, why does it even matter? What did not using machina and killing off Summoners have to do with him being fake? Would it have been suddenly a really good idea if he was real? No, it wouldn't."

She looked down, still flushed with anger. "I used to be better at this. You move on because you have to and ... that's all there is and I used to be better at this."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] vkandis-son.livejournal.com 2007-07-12 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
Karal's huffed at the mention of Ares, but he didn't say anything, completely focused on Rikku, certainty crystallising. "Rikku?" His voice was very soft. "Have you lost someone...recently?"
the_merriest: (resigned)

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[personal profile] the_merriest 2007-07-12 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Rikku stilled for a long moment, closing her eyes, and then nodded slowly. "I ... I kinda meant it. Earlier. About ... having a really bad week."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] vkandis-son.livejournal.com 2007-07-12 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Karal bowed his head. "I am truly sorry," he said quietly, and tentatively went to pat her shoulder, wanting to offer comfort but not sure it would be welcome.
the_merriest: (broken)

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[personal profile] the_merriest 2007-07-13 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
She closed her eyes when his hand touched her shoulder, shaking her head quickly. "N-no, I'm sorry, I ... that's why I'm so ... weird today. I'm not usually like this, honest, I mean okay I don't like priests or whatever but ... I'm kinda not me." She took a quick breath. "It's so stupid and unfair and I'm just ... so sick of it."