Intro to Fandom, Monday 11/28, First Period

[stykera]

"Very shortly here," said Summer, getting class started with the usual straightforwardness that would no doubt dissolve entirely by the time they reached the conclusion, "we will be entering the month of December. In addition to being the last month of the calendar year here on Earth, it's also a rather concentrated collection of various holidays that people typically go pretty balls-to-the-wall about celebrating…..and so does the island."

"December is…a lot," Stark agreed. "A lot happens. Sometimes too much. But it usually isn't harmful. Usually." Sure, last year there had been a lot of excess deaths but they hadn't really stuck. "But it's still better not to be surprised about all the things that are coming. And there are so many things."

"Those of you already familiar with the winter holidays here on Earth," Summer continued, "are going to be at an advantage, because you have a better frame of reference and experience. For those of you who aren't...a lot of this stuff is going to seem pretty random and nonsensical and hard to predict. But, usually, during December, every day leading up to Christmas….which is December 25th….will be a different sort of take on some kind of holiday theme or trope. We're talking everything from eggnog in the pipes to polar bears flinging around Coke bottles, from marzipan rain showers to…" Insert obligatory sigh, "aggressive mistletoe."

Stark felt a sudden urge to look anywhere besides at his co-teacher, for some reason. "Yes, there's always mistletoe but it doesn't always bother everyone. Sometimes there are other animals, not just the bears with the sodas. And sometimes it snows sugar. And there have been fireplaces that just appeared, some years. And once the gremlins were singing at doors because sometimes people do that here, on Earth, I think."

"It's called caroling," Summer offered, helpfully, with a nod. "Basically, we're in for a wild month ahead of us, unless for some reason, the island decided to troll us all and have it be a totally normal December. There's no way we can properly prepare you for what exactly it's going to throw at us, but we can at least try. Every day is likely to be something different, something new, and something strange…sort of like the week leading up to Halloween, only it's a lot longer and the theme is different."


“Usually it’s nothing harmful. Except the time the reindeer tried to eat me but that shouldn’t happen again. There was a satellite,” Stark said, very helpfully. “Usually nothing attacks except the mistletoe which isn’t trying to hurt you.” Except maybe emotionally?

"It'll just put you in awkward situations where your only recourse is to kiss a squirrel," said Summer, sending a slight glare toward whether she suspected Leroy definitely was, before sighing and turning to the board, and starting to put some of the things they discussed onto it. Also, helpfully, she drew a few pictures for those who wouldn't know mistletoe or a snowman if they came right up and bit them on the ass….which was entirely possible.

"So now's your chance," she further explained, "to try and prep yourself for what may come, especially if you're not already familiar with this planet and its December holidays, but I will say one thing about the holidays here: at least Fandom's never made me have to deal with a giant homeless exploding Santa Claus in the sky."

Stark gave her an odd look for that but opted just to nod rather than question it. For now.

Diplomacy, Monday, November 28, 2022

[sith_happened]

"Right, we're about to head into the holidays on this planet, many of which revolve around the giving and receiving of gifts," Anakin said. "So today we're going to work on faking sincerity about receiving gifts we don't want."

He gestured to a pile of colorfully wrapped presents. "Open one and pretend to be thrilled! We'll judge you on your facial expressions."

Fight Stuff- Monday

[solo_sword]

Welcome to the Danger Shop exterior of a big box store with a very long line around d it. Just... a very long line.

"Tis the season, and do today you're going to have to fight for toys," Jaina announced. "Half the people in this line are going to be looking for one specific toy, called a Tickle Me Elmo. Your objective is to get in when the doors open and get out with one of the toys. People will be vicious. It's weird how mean they will be. Good luck."

And then the doors opened, and the line of people started rushing in like in that really fast zombies movie.

Non-Deadly Heroics, Monday, Period Two

[good_for_six]

Today the class had been told to meet down at the causeway. "We're going an an adventure today!"

Aphra started passing around folded sheets of flimsi. "And in the grand tradition of many starting adventures it's a fetch quest," she told them. "You each have a randomised list of items and once we get where we're going your job will be find find everything on your list. You can work together or alone."

"And there's just enough danger to make everything terribly exciting," Isabela added.

With that they led everyone across the causeway...to the isle of IKEA.

"Also there'll be lunch after."