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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Ceiling cat iz watchn u.

"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."

"These are the things that come from the earth, or the air, or the sea, beings which have never been human and never will be human. Some, such as the Bon practioners, would say that each spirit comes from an individual place or features, whereas others would claim that elementals have no specific place but are beings of that sort of matter, that a salamander would be as happy in one fire as another.

"The most important thing to remember about them, however, would be that their morality and their view is so vastly different from a human one that their actions are very hard to predict in some cases. There are usually certain boundaries that dictate their behavior, but they are hard to tell and harder to think around as we are only human and will never truly understand them.

"Specifically, matched to their element, salamanders live in fire, undines in water, sylphs in air, and gnomes in the ground. Other such beings include those known as faeries or the Fair Folk."

She smiled at her class, glad to be off of the more serious subject.

"Now what I would ask you this time is this: what is it about human beings that make us so different from such creatures, do you think? And why do you think we find them so fascinating? For that matter, why do they very often find us so fascinating? And how much does form, environment, and make up create one's perspective?

"Once again, pairs or groups, or raise your hand to discuss it with me or ask any questions."

Can haz teachin assistants!

She's in her classroom, teaching your class.

...and waiting after class in the back, if you should need her.

...don't ask me why the cat macro speak. I don't know.

Also, ZOMG so sorry about this getting up later than usual cause my office is made of dork and forgot to put our desks together.

Anyway, I'm here all day and into the niiiiiiiight so feel free to ping in whenever.

Cindy Mackenzie

Two classes in one day, and Mac had at least found her way to the first one, which was promising considering she couldn't see her own feet.

Or anything else, really.

Jo Harvelle

Hyuuga Hinata

Marco

Reno

Romeo was waiting for the instructor after class, stroking a rabbit who had been paying as much attention to the lecture as her rabbity brain could handle.

"Miss Garrett?"

Ella of Frell

Ella was intrigued by spirits, so she listened closely and took careful notes.

Ella raised her hand, puzzled. "But that's not what the fairies I know of are like at all," she said.

Edited 2008-08-13 17:12 (UTC)

"Oh? Well, I'm always happy to learn something new. What are they like in your world?"

She's genuinely curious.

She looked at the rabbit.

"One of my students, isn't it?"

After Marco and his 'vending machine' issue, her guess made sense.

Ami Mizuno

Romeo nodded as Dojima twitched her ears in greeting. Hi, Garrett-sensei! "Yes, this is Yurika Dojima," he explained. "She's been like so since Friday."

He looked slightly exasperated as he added, "They say it will wear off."

"They're like people," Ella frowned. "Short-statured people, but people all the same, and they can look however they wish. They can do any sort of magic they wish, but their ethics usually forbid it."

She added, "They're all but immortal, but there are very few left."

"I've heard it usually takes something like a week from another student," she admitted. "And I appreciate you coming by. She has been well, I should hope. For a rabbit."

"Ethics? Hmm... there are few ethics to the fae of my own world, except for their inability to lie to any degree. They can twist the truth like a cat about their legs, however.

"A very different breed indeed."

"For a rabbit, quite well," he said, a fond hand patting the creature. "She sleeps, she begs for treats, she hops about and tries to lose me. All the same, I should rather have my girlfriend."

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Basic Cryptozoology - First Period - Wednesday, 08/13

Sign In - Basic Cryptozoology - Class Six

Listen to the lecture/ Chat amongst yourselves

Demons

Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

TAs

Abby Irene

OOC

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Re: Abby Irene

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