Competitive Team Building, Tuesday, Period 1

[geniuswithasmartphone]

The inside of the Danger Shop was set up to look like a roller rink when the class entered today. Not an old-fashioned one like out of meta for Xanadu or anything; no, this was high-class, state-of-the-art skating rink with a laser lightshow on the ceiling, speakers to pump out adrenaline-pumping music, and more shiny chrome than you could shake a stick at.

...It was entirely possible Hardison had no idea what roller rinks built after the 1940s normally looked like. But he'd remembered to program in a circuit track and everything else was just gravy, right?

Eliot was side-eying the place like crazy, but, well. It was actually pretty fitting, when you got right down to it. "We're doin' something a little different this week," he said. "For one thing, team three, you're gettin' split up. Kira, Cosima, you're joining team one this week. Edward, Ringo, you're on team two. Roller derby just works better as a two team sport."

"Each team puts five people on the rink at one time," Hardison added, glad to be able to use the one bit of information he'd learned about the sport. "So this works out!"

“You need to pick names. And costumes. And figure out who’s playing jammer, and who’s the big … elbow?” Yeah, Parker wasn’t as familiar with all this.

"Blocker," Eliot said. "A roller derby team consists of one jammer, whose job it is to navigate through the other skaters. Every member of the opposite team they pass scores one point. The other four team members are blockers. They're there to stop the other team's jammer from getting through, and help their own get ahead. One blocker from each team is your pivot. Pivots control the pace of the pack." He went on at some length, including covering the way a jammer could become the lead jammer and end a "jam" at a strategic moment in order to keep the opposing team from scoring points.

He'd swear up and down this was a very simple sport. There were a lot of people who would vehemently disagree with him.

Like Hardison, for example. "So, uhh, yeah," he said after the lecture. "But you also get to come up with fun personas and wear cool costumes. Before doin' all that...jammin'. An' stuff. That he went over. Skate, uhh, hard, y'all?" He had nothing. Parker, help him out?

What, her? “Don’t kill each other. ‘Cause that would be real easy. And!” She paused, and said very seriously, “Nachos after, whether you win or you lose.”

Deception for Fun and Profit, Monday, Period 2

[doubleohblonde]

Bond had the movie projector set up again today.

"Good morning, I trust you all enjoyed your break," Bond greeted them. "Now as you might guess, we're going to ease back into things with a film. So far we've been looking at why and how and when a person might lie, today's film looks at what can happen when you're caught out lying, especially when you've chosen to do so over a prolonged period of time in a situation that might be called ill-advised at best."

Sex Ed, Tuesday, 3rd Period

[so_hawkward]

"Hey guys, I hope you had a great break," Clint said, grinning at everyone from where he was standing next to a bucket of stuffed animal-looking things. "This week, we're going to talk about sexually-transmitted diseases. I was debating doing this whole lecture thing for you, but I don't think any of you want to sit through me just standing here and talking for that long. So, that's where these guys come in. Every one of them represents some kind of disease. Pick one you can get from having sex, go online to see what it's all, and then you're going to present to the class. Cool?"

Magical Bestiary | Tuesday, period 2

[nuclear_snide]

"I hope you all had a good time with the dinosaurs last week," Bob started without preamble. "This week, we'll be discussing their cousins of a sort." He wrote in the air: dragons.

"Now," he said cheerfully, "fortunately there's only one thing you really need to know about dragons. Don't piss them off." An illusion - Danger Shop, Bob, or both - appeared, roared and breathed harmless flame at them, then dissipated. "They're almost all much larger than a human, range from incredible animal cunning to genius-level intelligence, and depending on the world and region, may breathe fire, acid, or lethal gas, and may be able to perform magic.

"If you've got the time and need to deal with them for some reason, again - find out what they want. Research what sort of dragon they are, and what their weaknesses might be. There are an infinite variety. Be polite. Be helpful. Many of the more intelligent ones can be reasoned with, so long as you don't give them reason to hate you. If you're short on time or they're short on patience, for the love of god, run. Or sneak. Or hide. Give them whatever they want, unless it's you as dinner. Just don't piss them off, and get out as soon as you can."

He really hoped that part had sunk in.

"I know some of you have dragons in your own worlds, so let's talk and compare notes. What are yours like? If you don't have them or haven't met any, what do your legends say that they're like? And what sorts of strategies are supposed to work for them?" Bob would grade your legends happily. Anything other than "leave them the hell alone" was getting an F.

Speech, Tuesday, October 20, 2015 [4th period]

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Right, so Homecoming is this weekend, which means it's time for Homecoming Court. Today I want you to give a speech about why you are stunningly qualified to be on the court and why no one else in your grade and gender is. Smear campaigns are trendy!" Josh said. "Make stuff up! It's not like anyone fact checks any more."

Someone turn off Josh's Fox News. He's getting depressed.

Pony Express: Friendship is Cultural Exchange! Wednesday, period 1

[locointhecoco]

"So last time, before we all had our super duper fun fall break vacations, we went to Manehattan, the glittering jewel of Equestria's east coast and home of some of the hottest fashions and best theater in the whole land! This week, I thought we'd swing on over to the west coast and check out some fun in the sun in Laaaaaaas Pegasuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!" Pinkie flung her hooves in the air with her traditional cheer and lead the class through the portal into a bright, sunny city lined by mountains, desert, and ocean. "Now, some ponies have been known to think of this place as the gambling capital of Equestria, but that's Las Haygus, not Las Pegasus. Las Pegasus is better known for its most famous neighhhhhborhood, Applewood! Where all the most famous pony stars of screen go to work entertaining and educating all of Equestria with their funny little moving pictures!"

That's right, the world of ponies had a film industry, but no lightbulbs. Also, the trains were pulled by horses. Because what even is technology?

"Now, there's all sorts of things to see and do around here. So many I don't even know where to begin! You can go see the hoof prints at the Saddle Arabian theater! Or go shopping along Rodeo Drive! Or spend some time catching some rays on the beach! Or go up into the mountains for some skiiing! THERE'S SO MANY THINGS!" Pinkie bounced around an overstimulated, gleeful circle for several moments, then stopped dead, staring at the class. "Well? What's everypony waiting for? GO EXPLORE!"

And she bounced away with a gleeful squee!