How to Develop a Personal Style [Tuesday]

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"I thought," Irene said, greeting them in their normal classroom, though there were both stacks of magazines and racks of clothing distributed about the room, "that what with this being the last week of class before the exam, we might do something fun."

Because usually the fashion class was so hard, you guys.

"We've mostly talked about functionality in this class," she explained, crossing her legs as she perched on her desk. (And Irene was dressed normally today, despite the subject matter. "But fashion almost never starts at function. And thus we have haute couture -- the sometimes over-the-top presentations from the major fashion houses that sort of...start trends. Think of couture as a great big lake at the very top of a mountain -- as it trickles down into rivers and streams and makes its way to the ocean, it morphs and changes and splinters off, but never stays quite as impressive or grand as that initial lake. And thus, something like this amber outfit," she said, holding up a sweater and skirt, "trickles down to inspire these flowered skirts, which are perhaps a touch more wearable."

"What I'd like for you to do today is to peruse the couture, see how it could transition into something wearable, and maybe boggle a little at what goes through the average designer's mind," Irene smiled. "I've got magazines and lookbooks to peruse, if that's more your speed."

Ethics, Tuesday, April 14, 2015

[sith_happened]

"Last weekend saw you with an influx of potential children from your futures," Obi-Wan said. "I am led to believe this is not an unusual occurrence..."

Anakin shook his head. "It happens annually, or near enough. Some of those children are more likely than others. Some are practically impossible."

Sorry, Tebb.

"Whereas others might be almost unavoidable," Obi-Wan said wryly. He had had none, which suited him fine. Minding Anakin's children from a distance was enough for him. "Normally, prophecy does not take such... practical forms. But regardless of what form they take, notions of what the future might be are often vague, and easy to misinterpret. It is such ideas about the future we would like to speak of today."

"Precisely," Anakin said. "And prophecies are notoriously unhelpful and stupid about such things."

Not that he was suuuuper bitter or anything.

Obi-Wan began to pace around the room. "So now that you have met these children and seen these futures, my question is: would you work towards them? Work away from them? Do you believe it is even possible to do such a thing? And if you had no children, do you believe that says anything about your future?"

Defending Yourself Against Magic | Tuesday, 4th period

[nuclear_snide]

"So far," Bob said, in full-on lecture mode, "we've dealt with a number of potential dangers and responses. Now, while getting to blow up things that are trying to blow you up can be incredibly cathartic, sometimes the greatest danger isn't other things."

He gave them all a stern look. "If I had a dollar for every time I've seen someone get into danger, then overexert themselves and get into even more trouble...well, Harry wouldn't need to work to pay his rent. Even if I just used him as an example."

He shook himself. "Never mind. The point is, you need to know precisely what you can and can't do, what your limits are, and how not to reach them. Even the most seemingly effortless magic takes a toll over time, and small magics can build up. Sustaining a spell or ability takes additional energy, too. And it all has to come from somewhere. Unless you're doing nasty things to get it, which," he nodded at Anders assuming he's here "is often where blood magics come in, it mostly comes from or is channeled by you."

Looking them over, he shrugged. "Since I can't exactly ask you all to push yourselves to sheer exhaustion as an experiment, I'll simply suggest that you work at finding out what you can comfortably do. On your own, or I'm pleased to help. What we're going to learn today are methods to counteract or extend those limits. Namely, feed yourself properly, get enough sleep, work regularly with your magic the same way you would a muscle, and above all exercise a bit of common sense. A bit of common sense goes a very long way in any sort of defence.

"So. Any questions?"