fandomhigh | Communication, Thursday, Period 5 (Week 6)

Hades was in the classroom when everyone arrived. "Hey, how ya doin? Hades, Lord of the Underworld, God of the Dead, Vice Principal and," the corner of his lip curled up. "Substitute teacher. Today you're going to learn the art of obfuscation. There is nothing in this world - NOTHING - that can be said that can't be confused and twisted to the point where no one understands what the heck you're on about.

Politicians and lawyers do it all the time. If it's not worth being a soundbyte, obfuscate it to the point where people don't care what you do as long as you shut up. Get it? For example, the question could be 'do you agree that the school's security staff is acceptable?'. The answer to that would be 'if you ask me for a straight answer, then I'll say that, as far as I can see, looking at it by and large, taking one thing with another in terms of the average of departments, then in the final analysis it is probably true to say, that at the end of the day, in general terms, you would probably find that, not to put too fine a point on it, there probably wasn't very much in it one way or the other as far as one can see, at this stage.' Huh? Huh? That was a doozy.

Now you try it. Team up. Someone ask a simple question like 'what's your favorite color?' and someone else answer it being as a much of a pain in the rear as possible. Go on. Do it. Don't bother me."

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"No, not at -" Naminé interrupted herself with a smile. "That is. I couldn't say. How are you defining 'working together'? Are we to have a conversation, or are you asking for obligations that extend past this class? I don't know if I 'mind' per se, so long as that expression is taken as neither implicit approval nor condoning of whatever you may have allegedly suggested. As we are both here, I suppose that you may take my agreement as a tacit acceptance in lieu of any other stated objections."

She blinked, and then giggled. "Am I doing this right?"

"Well, if by 'doing this right' you mean to ask whether you're behaving according to the accepted standards of behavior for this class, I couldn't presume to judge you, as society's norms change at a whim, and individuals have to decide for themselves where they slot themselves into the schema of human interaction," Inara told her with a grin. "How have you been?"

Naminé laughed. "One never knows for sure. Is there some standard accepted trope to compare against? Every day that one is healthy and whole, one is far better than many in this world, and yet far worse than others. Setbacks may prove to be a blessing in disguise, while other joys may sour. To give you a listed ennumeration of my delights and sorrows would take far longer than your question implies. To simply state that one is happy or sad or angry doesn't do the question justice, however."

My, this was dizzying.

"Hypothetically, if I were to allow the possibility that I were wonderfully delighted with life as of late, might I inquire the same of you?"

A little worried and lonely with Gavin out of town, actually, but she wouldn't admit that even if it wasn't for the assignment. "One of the wonderful things I'm learning about this time is its emphasis on personal freedom, which is both exciting and terrifying--one's self-esteem is bound up in their choices, which are extremely varied. That being said, however, it's gratifying to know that there is a universe where the potential for happiness is so close at hand."

"Is there anything in particular that would cause you to make the conclusion that you were wonderfully delighted? Hypothetically, naturally."

"Hypothetically," Naminé mused. "Let me see. Hypothetically, I might allow for a number of reasons for that supposed state of contentment. It has been stated by authorities on the matter that many feel that this island is a safe location, which could prove reassuring to any individuals who may or may not have experience with its inverse. Unconfirmed rumors allege that this is a place where one may, if they so desire, discover like-minded individuals and form bonds of acquaintanceship, to be ended at any time should both parties decide. And ... hypothetically, if one looked at the matter closely, one might find someone discovering feelings that he or she may not have known previously that he or she was capable of. If these were, even more astonishingly, returned in some manner, should they involve another person, that is, then that might lend the potential for a great deal of happiness, should such a thing be desired."

She looked at the other girl for a long moment. "One might say that, contextually speaking, it seems as though you're not exactly what one might call in a state of delight yourself. Is anything the matter?"

Inara sifted through the language and smiled as she realized that Naminé felt both safe and happy here, just as she did. Unfortunately, this method of conversation was just as exhausting as she remembered. "Is that the appearance I give off to others? How extraordinary. I'd always wondered, but it's not as if you can randomly approach someone and solicit their opinions when they've never previously made their acquaintance."

"Delight is in the eye of the beholder, and I am beholden to no one at this juncture. I find that more honest, don't you?"

"If my words improperly gave the implication that I consider your mannerisms any less than charming, then I must apologize," she said quickly. "I only meant to say that you gave the impression, to someone such as myself, as being somewhat more reserved at the moment, which may be caused by the mode of our communication. My failings at interpreting it are not to be laid at your doorstep, as I'm certain you are an excellent linguist, but this conversational method seems designed to cause such misconceptions. I hope that you are every bit as content as you would like to be. As for honesty ... I find it difficult to be honest, in such matters, because stating what you feel implies knowing that you can feel, and for one such as myself, that may be a basic mis-statement. Thus even simple conversations are clouded in odd ways."

She shook her head. "Is this as circular as it sounds? Why would this be an assignment, if it seems to be promoting the opposite of the class's title?"

Communication, Thursday, Period 5 (Week 6)

Re: Obfuscate!

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