Maths For Real Life, Period 1, Class 7 [2/18]

[notanactualfairy]

Today, the computers were back on one side of the room, and on the other side of the room were paper forms on desks. "No one told me they were from anywhere else last week," Jean-Paul began, "so I have assumed you are all subject to the United States tax system." His smile? Kind of evil. "Today you will be doing your taxes. Whether or not you actually must file is of course your own business, but this time next week I want to see completed tax forms for all of you. You may use either the paper forms or an electronic system. You will have the rest of the class period to work on this. Begin."

Comments

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir hadn't had time to do much of anything about his color before the first class of the day, but he'd taken some measures.

A long-sleeved black sweater that he was keeping his hands in.

His hair was even wilder than usual, covering the top half of his face and he tilted himself so that the bottom wouldn't be as visible.

Just keep working and pretend it isn't there.

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Michael glanced at him sideways, at least once, more curious than concerned.

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

The note was thrown perfectly, but with a bit more force than usual.

Stop gawking.

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Cut that out or I'll stare at you right in front of everyone. What's wrong?

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Look at my desk in three seconds.

And three seconds after Michael read the note, he let his hand slip out of the sleeve.

Then it went right back.

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

That got a blink, but no reaction more obvious.

Tonight, after I see Cable. Your room?

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

I won't be anywhere else. Why?

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Might be able to do something for you. No promises.

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

...do something about this?

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Like I said, no promises. But I can try.

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

How?

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

I can do stuff. I'll show you later.

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. 316.

Re: During Class

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

See you there.

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

Jean-Paul said in a perfectly neutral voice, "Is there a problem, Liir?"

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He kept his head down.

"No sir," he murmured quietly. "Everything's fine, sir."

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

"You will forgive me if I do not believe you," Jean-Paul said, somewhere between gentle and wary. "When everything is fine my students do not usually appear to be hiding."

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Begging your pardon, sir," he said, just as quiet, without looking up, "but if I really wanted to hide, I wouldn't be here."

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

"We seem to have differing opinions of what necessarily constitutes hiding." Jean-Paul sighed. "If you are that determined not to be seen, take your assignment and go."

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He finally looked up, his eyes black where normally they were green, his skin green where normally it was nearly white.

"I'm not missing class because of this... foolishness, sir," he said firmly. "Unless there's some rule as to students having to sit upright to military standard, I see no reason why I should leave. Sir."

He breathed out.

"Sorry, sir."

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

Jean-Paul turned his head and slowly, deliberately, tucked his hair behind one very pointy ear before he turned back to Liir and answered him. "There is no such rule. Is this a recent change?" He understood sometimes that could be a shock. "If you need to not be here, Liir, you have signed in, and you can do your assignment as well elsewhere as here. But I would ask you to remember that you are hardly the only green child in the world."

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I woke up like this," he said carefully. Liir didn't even notice the pointed ear as Oz had it's share of odd-looking people. From Munchkins to Quadlings to elves to the Yunamata, a 'normal' Ozian was a strange idea.

"As for being the only one, it's news to me. The only other person I've ever known who was green has been dead for near a half a year now and Nanny was quite clear on it being an oddity even in Oz."

"But I'm not leaving."

He wasn't letting this drive him out of class. Whatever need he'd felt to hide earlier, now he stubbornly felt the need to stay put.

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

"Very well, then," Jean-Paul sighed. He kind of wanted a word with this person's Nanny, but that wasn't a possibility, so. "Do as you will."

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said.

But when he ducked down to do his work again, he let his hands out of his sleeves.

Re: During Class

[notanactualfairy]

"You know where to find me if you want to," Jean-Paul said before leaving him to it.

Re: During Class

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nodded to that before getting back to his taxes.