Shop Class; Friday, First Period [01/31].

[special_rabbit]

Amaya was not exactly her usual chipper self today, because radio was right, she did have a hangover yesterday, but, being Amaya, she went about her business as if she didn't have one, which meant she was hardly up to snuff that morning. Because Amaya's usual business included hammering on stuff loudly in a very physically demanding fashion. And she was just the sort of person to see it as a sort of victory that she'd managed to somehow pull through anyway, even though she really, really shouldn't.

Needless to say, if anyone wanted coffee that morning, they'd better get to it before the teacher herself drained it all. She was making really good progress on it so far.

But first things first! There was a class to teach, and Amaya had lugged large bungled up to the school, which she then dropped onto some of the worktables and rolled open to reveal what she had been working on all day yesterday: very basic, rudimentary forms of weapons, from daggers to broadswords, hatches to halberds, maces to machetes. Nothing fancy, definitely nothing you'd actually use in a real fight, but steel all the same, and they didn't need anything fancy for what they were working on today, anyway.

There was one weapon among the bunch, though, that had obviously been made with more love and care, which she held now as she addressed the students.

"Morning, class," she greeted them with a slight nod, which she mildly regretted. "I'd like to keep working a bit on some welding today, because I had a bit of inspiration on Wednesday regarding hybrid weapons. Now, for example, take a look at this beauty. Bludgening and slashing? Yes please! And while the spiked knuckles do make mobility a little bit of a challenge, they're a wonderful addition for particularly close combat, if I do say so myself.

"Now, I know this isn't a weapons class," there would always be at least a little disappointment in that fact, "but that doesn't mean we can't do the occasional weapons lesson. So, today's challenge, in addition to really honing up your welding skills, is to make a hybrid weapon to really give this bad boy a run for its money! I've made some basic prototypes of most weapons that you can pick and choose from, and, at the end of the class, we'll take a moment to share our creations. And maybe discuss a little which might win in an actual fight. We're not going to test that...not this week, anyway, but it could be a good thought exercise.

"And," she added, "as an added challenge, bonus points for keeping the weapons as much in their original states as possible. Yes, yes, we definitely can use the heat to bend and reshape the steel to interesting new shapes, but that also requires hammering, and, well...

"It's just good to challenge ourselves, right? Right!" Even the usual pound of Amaya's fist into her palm was a bit softer than usual. "So, if there aren't any questions, grab your gear and let's get to work!"

Strategies for Maximum Media Absorption (Binge Watching 101), Friday

[stickitupmyjinx]

It was just Vanessa today, as Wade was probably off murdering someone for fun and/or profit. On with the show!

"One thing you may not have thought about, because you go to a school where if you play it right you can have five days a week off, is blocking off time to watch your shows. But if you don't play it right, you sit down to watch that hot new show where Henry Cavill has a sword--and I do mean hot--and just when it's getting good, you have to go to class, or you have a doctor's appointment, or you promised your friend you'd cover her shift at the strip club...uh. Not that last one! None of you are going to become strippers unless you really want to, right? Right. Anyway, my point is, make sure you have time before you get started.

"Now, I was going to put on the show where Henry Cavill has a sword, but apparently there's a lot of nudity in that show and we're not supposed to show you guys all that. So instead, enjoy that other hot new show with the baby alien! It's by Disney, so I'm almost certain there's no nudity in it."

How To Be Civilized, Friday, Period 3

[1000yearstoolate]

"Every young Radchaai is expected to write poetry," Seivarden said, standing in front of the class. "The result is of course endless amounts of bad poems being sent to friends and family, possibly becoming an embarrassment years later. Only a few have the talent or learn to develop the skill ot actually write something good, of course."

 

She looked at the students.

 

"Understanding and appreciating poetry, even if your own writings are terrible, is fundamental to being civilized. That's why you're going to write a poem today, as long or as short as you like, read it to the class and then be prepared to discuss it. Apparently this planet has a lot of different poetic forms that you can try, or you could use something from your home. It can be as long or as short as you like."

 

She paused. "No, actually, not as long as you like, a maximum of two pages. It should be directed towards someone you care about."

 

"Pens and paper are over here, unless you've brought your own," Seivarden said. "Same with gloves." She glanced at Mae. "Please help yourself to some tea."

 

[Wait for OCD OCD is up]