How To Look Like You Belong: Week 1 Period 3

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

New term, new students, first class.  It was, if Aly had to really consider it (and, sadly, she had), her second favourite part of teaching.  The first, of course, was actually seeing the students flail about trying to get whatever it was she was teaching.

So for this class, Aly had thrown a cap (hockey, of course) over her hair and dressed like a student.  She mingled with the students, body language saying she was a teenager, and found a seat, apparently waiting for the teacher to come in.  With any luck most of the students would be too involved in their own dramas or just simple boredom to notice.

She waited for a few minutes then pulled the cap off, leaning back in her chair.  "So I guess the teacher isn't coming," she teased.  "Five minute rule."  Aly stood up and made her way to the front of the class, completely herself again regardless of the clothes.  "This class is about blending into your surroundings no matter where you are.  It's about being alert enough to pick up on the social and cultural cues needed to avoid standing out in the crowd and getting as much information as you can without giving yourself away."

Aly grinned, lounging back against a chair.  "But for today, I want to get to know those of you I don't, and welcome others of you back to my class.  Why don't you all introduce yourself, tell me a few things about you, why you took this class, and, oh, one time you really, really failed and blending in.  I can start.  My name's Aly.  Feel free to call me that, I won't have a problem with it.  If you need something more formal, let's go with duani.  I've been a teacher at Fandom for almost two years, my mother attended Fandom - and graduated with last year's class so you can do the math on how much fun that was - for me, at least, and I'm spymaster for my Queen in the Copper Isles."  She paused for a moment, thinking.  "And my time of really failing was when I was sixteen and dyed my hair bright blue because it was the fashion at Court.  That part was fine.  Going home to my family's home on the coast?  I stood out more than a crow in a nest of songbirds." 

She gestured to the next student.  "You, go."

[OOC:  Wait for the OCD if you pleeeeeeeeez OCD IS UP!] 

Karaoke For Fun and Profit #1 [Tuesday, Period 5, 5/13]

[mike-cannon.livejournal.com]

Mike had informed the students that the first class would be meeting in the Danger Room, which was set up to look like a familiar Las Vegas night club with stage, DJ booth, plus small tables with two chairs apiece surrounding the dance floor. As students filtered in and took their seats, Mike jumped up on stage and tapped the microphone. "Testing, testing, one two thr..." *FEEDBACK*

"Okay, looks like everything's working," said Mike. "Welcome to Karaoke For Fun and Profit! My name is Mike Cannon and I'll be your instructor for this workshop. If you're not a professional performer, karaoke is a great way to experience the thrill of being on stage without having to memorize lyrics. But, if you do have dreams of signing professionally, karaoke nights at clubs are a great way to get discovered by people in the music industry, and sometimes bars and clubs offer karaoke contests with cash prizes. Over the next seven weeks, we're going to make you the best possible karaoke singer you can be."

"Let's start by getting better acquainted. Name, year in school, why you want to take this class, and what your favorite song is. And then, if you're feeling up to it, you can go ahead and sing your favorite song."

"Why don't I start everyone off? I have a little bit of experience in the entertainment industry thanks to my aunt, Gladys Knight. I was working in the security office of the Montecito Las Vegas when the hotel was sold and the new owner wanted to implode and rebuild from scratch. I was worried about losing my job, so when Auntie Gladys impulsively asked me to join her world tour as a back-up singer, I said yes." Mike cringed slightly before continuing. "Folks, I've got to be honest with you here. The music business is tough. The first problem I ran into was the fist of one of the other back-up singers. Turns out his cousin had auditioned and was supposed to be the one going on tour, and Auntie Gladys offered us both the same spot without realizing it. Sharing a tour bus with a guy who hated me from the start wasn't my idea of fun, especially when I could make more money parking cars at any casino on the Strip. So I left and got a job as a valet to tide me over until the Montecito re-opened. The cool thing about karaoke, though? It's fun and you don't have to don't have to deal with the negative aspects of being in the business."

Having finished his introduction, Mike gave a signal to the DJ, who started playing something. "My favorite performer is probably Stevie Wonder, so I'm going to perform 'Superstition.'" Mike did a good job with the song, and he had the moves.

"Alright, who's up next?"

Library [5.13]

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

Classes were in session, and it was a Tuesday.  That meant Anemone and Gulliver had the library open bright and early, for any newbies who felt the need to hide. 

Not that the library was safe, but it was always funny.

Intergalactic Justice: A Crash Course, Tuesday First Period

[notjustaworm.livejournal.com]

Upon entering the Danger Shop, the students would find a severely disinterested-looking worm sulking somewhere in the corner.

"Oh, hellooo, students," Jim said, when they'd all managed to make their way in and he could manage some scrap of enthusiasm. Some. "I'm supposed to be teaching you. You want a lesson? Community service SUCKS. I mean, what's their problem?! You don't surgically implant fish heads in the middle of an invasion from La Planeta de la Agua (arriba!) or you're going to end up shot, it's not rocket science or anything."

He took a moment to consider it. "And in terms of fashion it's reeeeally gauche." Ew. Fishheads. "Unless you're a Giant Furbearing Trout. Oh!" He leapt up to his feet, "Teaching. Riiiight. So going by the radio I figure you'll all be wanting to tell me stuff about yourselves. Be a little quick about it or I'll miss the first few minutes of my show and then I'll be really CHEESED OFF."

He took a breath to compose himself. "If you look at the table in front of you, you'll find a couple of blasters. If we're going to be dealing with Intergalactic Justice, you're going to want to figure out how those work. They come in really handy, kind of like this--"

A target in the shape of a cow popped up out of nowhere.

"EAT DIRT, YOU BOVINE INSULT TO ALL THINGS NATURAL!" Bursting into a round of malicious laughter, he reduced the target to a smoking crisp in a flurry of blasts.

Then he put the blaster back. "Alright, now it's your turn, kids."

More cow targets popped up. Jim just threw himself back in his chair and tried to look bored.

[ OCD up! ]

Mad Kings and Queens: Raving Royals and How to Survive Them. -- Wednesday, May 14th, 2nd Period

[atreideslioness]

Ghanima was sitting on her desk, absently eating lemon drops as she watched the students wander into the room.  Once the last of them had arrived, her face lit up with a smile.

"Good morning," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly.  “I am Lady Ghanima Atreides, and this is Mad Kings and Queens: Raving Royals and How to Survive Them.  If you have not had one of my classes before, you may call me Lady Ghanima, Miss Ghanima, or Miss Atreides, whichever you are more comfortable with.  The first person to call me Lady Atreides gets detention," Ghanima announced, smiling.  "Lady Atreides is my grandmother, and I will not answer to it.  I am much younger and prettier than Jessica."

( The Throne raises the majesty of kings above scorn and above laws. )

"Now that all of that is out of the way, I am in the market for a TA or two," she said.  "Hands up, those of you whom have already had to deal with a power-mad leader of some sort or another."  The grin on her face as she took count was not exactly reassuring.  It was not meant to be.  "Fantastic.  Now, out of those of you who raised your hands, anyone interested in the position can come see me in a few moments." 

"First, however, I will bow to tradition, and ask you to introduce yourselves to your classmates.  Why don't you give us your name, summer cabin, and the reason you signed up for this class?"

[OOC:  Please wait for the OCD is up!  Go mad!  If more than two people want the TA job, it will be chosen OOC by the RNG of DOOM.  His name is Fred.  Go Fred go!]