fandomhigh | Living on Your Own, Friday, Aug. 15, period 1

Tyler didn't seem especially inclined to chit-chat as he started class today, but that wasn't so far from his norm.

"All right," he said, once the students were all seated. "So you have a house -- decorated to your specifications -- and a job, and what you need is something to do in your down time. Drinking yourself into a coma is always a popular choice, and so is watching TV until your brain turns to goop. But on the off chance you need something more active to do and don't already spend all your time on the Internet arguing about plot holes in the new Z-Cases Movie, hobbies are good things. And knitting is a really popular hobby."

He held up a skein of gray yarn with knitting needles through it. "I learned to do this here. Eleven years ago, I could make a scarf. Right now, I can make a slightly better scarf. Here's how." He explained and demonstrated knitting, looking oddly proud of himself as he finished a few rows.

"The other popular thing to knit in Fandom, and I do not wanna know why, is dildo cozies." He held up one that looked like a very long, very skinny sock made from neon purple yarn. "There are patterns for those on your tables, should you feel so inspired."

"And that is it from me for the day, go ahead and knit. I'll be around."

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He is, as he says, around.

The butterfly that had been lingering on Alice's shoulder for most of class was now on her hand.

"Excuse me, I believe Anemone is ..." She nodded to the butterfly. "Not able to participate in this week's activity."

Tyler looked from Alice to the butterfly.

If he hadn't been listening to radio, he might even have been surprised. "That's probably a good guess," he said solemnly. "The needles are too big. How long's she been like that?"

"I'm not certain," Alice admitted. "I noticed on Tuesday I hadn't seen her in a few days, so I've been watching Gulliver as a result. Her pet."

She had no idea what sort of creature Gulliver was, for that matter.

"This butterfly seems fond of her alcove. I might be wrong; perhaps she's a cat, out stalking mice in the woods. But it seemed likely. If she isn't, she may have a new pet."

"I don't hear much about butterflies as pets," Tyler noted. "No, if you think that's her, it's probably her. She's pretty trusting for a bug if she's the regular kind."

"Either way, when you see her tell her she's excused for the week."

"I shall," Alice said, smiling. "I can teach her to knit, if she likes. And if she's some other creature this week" -- which seemed likely, given her absence and the sudden outburst of student-animals -- "then you may both have a hearty laugh at me for guessing wrong."

"I wouldn't do that," Tyler protested. "Nice job in class, by the way. Thanks for sorting things out for Ichigo, I think he understood you better than he did me."

She flushed, bowing her head to the compliment. "It's astonishing the things you remember," she said. "I don't recall the last time I knitted. Perhaps I should start again, it's rather soothing to let your mind wander around while your fingers click-click-click. I thought perhaps Ichigo was having the same difficulty I always did; always in a rush, Alice. Can't walk for running, can't sit for leaping up and dashing around. It was terrible, having to sit very still and learn like that."

"It's a reassuring thing to do," Tyler said. "Most of this class is -- it's almost all stuff that always works."

He tilted his head. "Is it easier for you to sit still now?"

"Which is terribly helpful of you," she said, dipping her head again. "Especially to those of us who shall be living on our own."

She considered the rest. "Somewhat," she admitted, blushing. "Older and more mature and yet I still want to chase after every gust of wind. I've spent too long, being still."

Living on Your Own, Friday, Aug. 15, period 1

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