The Art of Ma; Thursday, Second Period [09/03].

[sake_shinigami]

The students would find themselves instructed to meet in the danger shop for their first class, something that may have struck a note of amusement in Shunsui since the most danger he suspected any of them were likely to be in for this class (and most of his classes, really) was the potential threat of papercuts or vertigo. But where else could he so easily render the wide, open gallery space that they would find themselves in, sleek and modern with touches of Japanese aesthetic accents, art hanging or sculptures standing at wide intervals, with large plate glass windows overlooking a vista overlooking a lake in a grassy valley at one end, mountains wreathed in fog stretching to the horizon on the other.

And Shunsui gave the students a soft, sleepy sort of smile when they gathered, bowing his head with a tilt of his hat to get things started. "Ohayōgozaimasu, ducklings ♥," he greeted them, the acoustics of the empty space around them allowing his low, rumbling voice to carry like thunder, though he spoke softly, quietly, "and welcome to the Art of Ma ♥. It is the exploration of negative space in art, in culture, in the world, and in our lives ♥. It is an appreciation of the vastness of the world that surrounds us and an understanding of our own places within it ♥." He laughed, softly. "That is no small thing! Many people can find negative space to be confusing, or unsettling, or oppressive. It can feel empty, it can feel uncertain. We may feel the need to fill an empty space between two people with words or banter or an empty house with clutter of things that make us feel tangible evidence of the things we've experienced. Eradicate the empty space to fill it with things, rather than embracing it and discovering that an understanding of that empty space can set us at ease, if only you know how ♥."

His smile grew, warming a little more. "One of the easiest ways to comprehend Ma is through art, and that is where we shall begin, ducklings ♥. Here in this gallery are many fine examples of Ma as depicted through art, most of it Japanese, not only as a bias toward my own personal knowledge but because this concept itself is heavily rooted in Japanese culture, right down to its name, Ma, which means, simply, space or pause or room. What I would like to do today is to have you begin your journey into the discovery of Ma by taking some time, walking around the gallery, and trying to find which piece in particular speaks to you the most. Take your time. Use it, begin to cultivate it even now, as you explore and consider, and, at the end of class, I'd like for us all to come together and share which pieces spoke to us. You don't have to explain why, if you don't want to, but you are invited to, and you do have to choose something. Feel free to get ideas and inspiration from each other as well; after all, in order for there to be empty space, there needs to be full space as well. One can't have a glass half empty without it also being half full ♥.

"Any questions before we begin ♥?"

Functioning Governments, Thursday

[imafuturist]

Steve and Tony were at the front of the classroom and Steve had official-looking papers in front of him. "In a functioning democracy, the best way for ordinary citizens to enact their will is through voting. Some nations automatically register everyone as they come of age, some mandate the very act of voting."

"Some nations have political parties that do everything they can to remove the rights and capability of people to vote," Tony added dryly. "Up to and including trying to get rid of the postal service."

Oh, you kids were in for a fun semester here.

Steve had on his Extremely Disappointed Face. "And when the only way you can win is if you cheat, well, that's not very fair, is it?"

"So," Tony said, clapping his hands together. "We'll be doing a demonstration of how important voting can be by asking you all to vote on a few subjects concerning this class. In addition to asking for your names and what sort of governments you're all used to back home."

Steve nodded. "We'll start. I'm Steve Rogers, and I'm from the United States. I'm used to a representative democracy."

Which was why he was so annoyed right now.

"I'm Tony Stark," he added. "And I'm also from the United States and used to a representative democracy."

Intro to PE, Thursday Period One

[wrongkindofsith]

For once, Cara and Magnus weren't holding class in the Danger Shop but the gym. They had two large piles beside them, one of clothes and one of balls. Probably nothing to worry about.

"Hail and well met, new class!" Magnus said. "This is gym class and I'm Magnus Burnsides."

"Cara," she said for the benefit of those students who couldn't make the logical leap themselves. "According to the office, there's a uniform, and luckily we found a few sets for you."

Cara didn't specify who was supposed to be lucky in this situation.

It was just some far too loose basketball shorts and jerseys with 'Fandom High' proudly emblazoned on them. There was even a little cartoon gremlin! They also smelled like death! Because no-one thought to wash them first.

"And its day one, so we should learn who you all are, but we're gonna make it fun." For them. Fun for them.

"After you get changed, you're going to do introductions while running laps," Cara explained, not mentioning what the balls were for. They'd find out soon enough.