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] - Sign In!

[identity profile] sixstandingby.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Gavin Darklighter

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] thebluespirit.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Zuko

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] thebluespirit.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Zuko crossed his arms. "You already know who I am."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] socksofcool.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Seely Booth

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] socksofcool.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Seely grinned. "I'm Seely, don't know if I've got too great and interest in spying, but I've taken Aly's classes since she got here and it seemed a pity to end the streak. Three things, I'm a dog person, even though I like most animals, my dad's a cop, and I'm dating the most fantastic girl ever."

That last one had nothing to do with the fact said girl was in the class, nope.

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] blackmagic-eve.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Eve Levine

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] notqueenyet.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Aravis Tarkheena

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] walks-two-paths.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Savannah Levine

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] sixstandingby.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm Gavin," he said, rapidly trying to think of three different things from the last time he did this exercise. "Seely has terrible taste in clothing, I'm not allowed to brush my hair anymore and I used to live on a moisture farm. As for spying, last mission I was on before coming here, I had to infiltrate a planet as a con man. I didn't do too well."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] socksofcool.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Fourth random thing, I have great taste in clothing," Seely added without skipping a beat.

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] notqueenyet.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"My name is Aravis Tarkheena," she started, and no, she didn't look grumpy. Really. "I'd rather be on horseback than on foot, I hate the wet air, and I wish they let us keep weapons in the dorms. I once traveled through the capital city of my land in disguise, and was able to detect information that eventually saved an entire country by doing so. I'd like to hone this skill if possible."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] sixstandingby.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"You do not!" Gavin shot back. "Horrible taste in clothing."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] blackmagic-eve.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm Eve," she began. "Three random things... Okay. I practice magic, I'm thinking of getting a tattoo, and I'm still not sure how I've managed to be here this long and only get detention once." She grinned. "And hand over a kitten. Sometimes they just want a cuddle."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] socksofcool.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have awesome taste in clothing," Seely said. "How else do you think I knew that outfit was terrible?"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] sixstandingby.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, thanks for letting me in on that information," Gavin grumbled. "Oh wait, you didn't. I found out later!"

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Sign In!

[identity profile] saltandammo.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Dean Winchester

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] socksofcool.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"That kind of was the point," Seely pointed out. "Revenge."

Re: [Spying 7/11] - Introductions!

[identity profile] sixstandingby.livejournal.com 2007-07-11 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Revenge for what?" Gavin asked even though he pretty much knew what Seely was referring to. "I didn't do anything to you!"

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