Library, Wednesday [9/21]

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Ordinarily Gabrielle took it in stride when she came into the library to find some kind of stack of books or other in the returns bin or at her spot at the collections desk. Ordinarily she took a moment to guess if there was a theme involved, then went about reshelving.

Ordinarily the books she found weren't a giant stack of Bitterwoman comic trades.

"No, no, no," someone might hear her muttering if they passed by the desk while she was reading, "that was Xena's trademark thing! How could you -- argh!"

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 09/21 ].

[sake-shinigami.livejournal.com]

Ghanima was sitting on the desk as the students arrived, sans baby. Her niece had been returned to her parents for the time being, and today was exactly like any other day of class.

Sorry, Shunsui.

Somehow, he would survive; today's topic was guaranteed to help with that, since it was actually kind of his battle philosophy in a handy little nutshell.

The moment the last student was seated, she flipped her book open. "Good morning, class, and welcome. Today we begin today with chapter three," she said, holding up the book. "'Attack by Stratagem.'"

"Or, conversely," offered Shunsui from his usual reclined position behind the desk, "Avoiding Attack by Stratagem from my side of the fence. Which is a much quicker lesson than the Attack form, as it boils down to two things: Make Love, Not War and Drink Sake and Keep Calm ♥. Although, really, Sun Tzu-san had something to say about that, too, if you'll all kindly have a look at the following:"

"Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

He sent a crooked smile over the classroom. "Need I say more ♥?"

Especially since most of what Shunsui would have to elaborate on that topic was probably not appropriate for school.

No, no it would not be, and Ghanima quirked an eyebrow at him in silent amusement.

"Sun Tzu also said that 'He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.' I think this is a chapter after your own heart," she teased, pointing it at Shunsui. "And, of course, there's the phrase everyone knows, but rarely do they know the source. 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.' Know thy enemy and know thyself."

"And just think of how fun it could be to know thy enemy, too ♥," offered Shunsui, because he pretty much had to.

"So, how do you formulate a plan of attack, if are forced to fight? Resorting immediately to violent means is not always the best option. 'Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans;'" Ghanima recited, watching all of them carefully. "'The next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.' So speaks Tzu. I'm curious as to how you feel this reflects the every day world, and if you saw this applied at any time over our last 'special' Fandom weekend."

"And on the same token," Shunsui offered, "I'm always interested to hear of other ways in which one might prevent their enemy's attack ♥. I know my own methods of charm and drink and happier things has worked for me, but I must admit, they are not entirely effective. What are some other ways to gain your victories by preventing the battle? And when do you decide that the methods are no good, and you must engage after all?"


[[ please wait for the incoming OCD has come in! ]]

Strange Creatures of the Deep, Wednesday, Period 3

[takesaftermom.livejournal.com]

Summer had sent an e-mail to her students to let them know today's class was meeting in the Danger Shop. She had it set up to resemble the Pegasus sea base NUMA had created a couple of years ago.

"Sorry about handwavily canceling class last week," she began, once her students had settled in. "I'm trying not make a habit of it, I swear. Also, thank you Elle, for covering. I'm sure you all enjoyed what she set up for you." She'd heard about the movie and was tempted to watch it later.

"I thought we could get a little interactive today," Summer explained. "When I was working for the National Underwater Marine Agency, we had submersibles and labratories to explore the depths of the ocean where scuba gear could no longer handle the pressure. Welcome to the Pegasus sea base."

Summer found herself feeling a bit nostalgic as she looked around the sea base. "I thought, once you had your feel of exploring the base, we could take a submersible and check out some of the creatures we'll be studying this semester."

[OCD up!]