fandomhigh | Basic Cryptozoology - First Period

As her students filed in, Mike was curiously absent for the moment. Something was slightly different in her stance, in her tone, even perhaps the atmosphere in the room. She looked more serious.

"Today, class, we will be discussing demons and spirits. I was unsure if they should qualify, as they are largely though to be beings entirely outside of the animal kingdom, beings made of energy and magic and the aether, but as they are such creatures which some like to doubt in certain worlds.

"Not my own, I assure you.

"And because they are different from other creatures which we've covered though can have similar effects as ghosts and some of the other beings, I thought they were worth a class. I should like it known right this moment that I do not approve of demonology in the least, nor will I answer questions pertaining to it's practices. I will not preach to it's wickedness; I will only point out the stupidity of the school and the eventual fate of most who practice such a craft."

She breathed out and offered a smile.

"As for the spirits of nature and others such as these, I will only teach caution and to never think yourself too clever. Now, however, I think we should begin..."

[ocd ~~coming~~ up!]

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"Demons are to be found in many cultures, Christian and non-Christian alike. The idea of a personification of evil is a very old one and malevolent spirits, in various forms with all manner of names and explanations, have been blamed for any manner of terrible deeds.

"Some would call many of the creatures we've already studied 'demons' but one with a discerning eye would see that most exhibit certain traits which tie them to the physical, the natural in some manner. Demons, on the other hand, are creatures of spirit, though they can possess other creatures and use them to their ends.

"And I'd like to ask the class, because I'd like to know what you think: why do you think that such creatures tend to plague only humans? What is so intriguing about the idea of personified evil? Can a creature even be evil when it is only pursuing it's natural tendencies?"

She leaned back against her desk.

"Discuss with each other in pairs or groups, or raise your hand and I'll be happy to go over the questions with you."

To say that Sam hadn't been looking forward to this class would be a serious understatement. He was determined to not let his personal feelings prevent him from participating though.

"I think demons plague humans because we provide better entertainment than animals," he said, with only a small trace of bitterness. "We're easier to use for whatever purposes or plans they have, whether it's by breaking us or possessing us. And in my world, at least, some demons used to be human. But they got sent to hell and everything human got stripped away."

She looked to him curiously.

"And is it their nature to corrupt, to destroy? Or simply the remains of bitter humanity which makes them attack and play with humans. That we have what they squandered, what they will never have again?"

She leaned down to look him in the eye, one of her favorite students since he was so interested and she'd noticed his tendency to speak up. She had experience herself, scars on body, mind and soul.

It was difficult to meet her eyes, but Sam managed to keep it up. "I think some demons are definitely out to destroy. The ones who might still remember what it was like to be human...they could get so angry that they could fall into a mindset where if they can't live in this world, no one should be able to. But I don't think all of them are like that. Not while humans can serve a purpose for them."

"And what do you think is their purpose?" she asked, lightening up somewhat.

Sam couldn't help but laugh softly at the question. "Believe me when I say I wish I knew," he replied. "Maybe they want what everyone wants - to take over and rule the world."

"No one with any wisdom wants to rule the world. Rule is a heavy burden, a danger, responsibility. There's very little appeal...

"But I suppose you could ask that of humanity as well, our purpose" she said with a wry smile.

"Perhaps they are trying to figure it out even as we are."

Edited 2008-08-13 19:09 (UTC)

"Maybe it's the residual humanity that erases all wisdom when it comes to wanting to rule," Sam said. "It could also be about power. Most of the demons I've met don't have much power at all unless they've possessed a human. They're just a pile of thick black dust."

"A pile of thick black dust?" and now she was curious in another way. Demons in her own world were quite a bit different.

Sam nodded. "They're incorporeal until they possess someone," he explained. "Then, the only way to get them back out is to exorcise the demon. If you hurt them, you're only hurting the person they're possessing, which makes things really difficult if they're possessing someone you care about."

"That's always true," she admitted. "Concerning the damage done tot he possessed. I've had it come and bite me in the backside more times than I can count."

She looked at him curiously.

"But the pile of black dust is new. Usually, they are simply nonphysical entities, invisible unless certain rituals are performed. At least, in my world."

"Rituals performed to summon them, you mean?" Sam asked. "We have those too, but the demon still has to possess someone to show up for whoever was stupid enough to call them."

She shook her head.

"There are certain rituals which might allow one to see the demonic hiding in plain sight. And never make the mistake that demons must be summoned. Quite enough of them are pulled through the boundaries by the depths of human depravity."

"Oh, I know they don't have to be summoned," Sam said. He figured it was time to come as clean as he was willing to in front of his classmates, so she'd understand him more. "When I was a baby, my mother was killed by a demon. That's how my family got involved in all of this business, trying to track the thing down to destroy it."

She bowed her head.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I've heard similar tales from many, however."

She considered him for a moment.

"If you'd ever like to come examine the texts I have in my office, feel free to make your way there on Monday."

"Are you sure?" Sam asked. "I don't want to disturb you. I know some teachers actually use their office hours for productive things."

You mean other than kissing HM and scritching my dog?

"I tend to work on my next class," she said. "And they wouldn't exactly be work as 'office hours' unless I was making myself available to my students. Do feel free to come by."

Sam smiled. "I'll be sure to. Thank you, ma'am."

Basic Cryptozoology - First Period - Wednesday, 08/13

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