The Multiverse is F'd, Y'all; Wednesday, Second Period [09/06].

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer's multiverse class was going to be held in one of the classrooms, but not her Danger Shop classroom simulation, as funny as that always was to her, because they would usually not be staying there for very long. Just a little preamble, until they whisked away to the lesson in question, and this first week was going to be no exception...although they would likely spend a bit more time than usual here today than other classes.

"Hey, everyone," she greeted, leaning against the desk in front and tilting her head with a smile, "and welcome to the revival of my class looking at the multiverse in quite possibly the least comprehensive way imaginable, since, you know, it's kind of infinite, and we're only pulling from my small little infinitesimal sliver of experience. Since there's just the three of you and I know who all of you are, we're going to skip the introductions, especially since, well, you'll have more than enough of those this week anyway, I imagine. I don't know how well you know each other, obviously, but hopefully, if the answer is 'not very much,' that'll change as we work together through the semester.

"Now," she continued, "we are going to talk about what this class is going to entail, first and foremost, though. As I'm sure you all know by now, we live currently in a multidimensional nexus, where a good deal of the people here are from different universes and realities, some similar to the plane of existence in which this version of Fandom University, née High, sits, some wildly different. And if there's anything I want you guys taking from this class, it's this: the multiverse really is infinite; if you can think of it, it exists out there somewhere. You know, kind of like the Rule 34 of Realities.

"If you don't know what that is," she added, her smile going extra sweet, "I suggest you google it only in Incognito Mode.

"But, moving on, we're going to be exploring a lot of really weird, quirky, and, to be quite honest, sometimes disturbing corners of the multiverse in this class, so, in lieu of a normal introduction, I just want to take a moment to get to know a little bit more about what you guys are comfortable with. I'd like to know what your experiences with the multiverse beyond being here on this island might be, what you'd like to know more about, if there's anything that is an absolute no-go that you'd like to absolutely avoid, if you have any allergies, phobias, or just personal hang-ups you'd like to get out there so that I can help avoid some really awkward situations. It...can sometimes be an issue, to have something I didn't know was a trigger sprung on someone suddenly, but I'm learning and doing better, so speak now, or forever hold your piece.

"Well," she amended, "not really. If there's something you're uncomfortable mentioning here now in class, for whatever reason, feel free to talk to me in private or just send a text or email about it, and your privacy will be respected. And, once we're done going over boundaries and things like that for the class, we are going to start out with a little bit of a simple jaunt between two dimensions to showcase how different two seemingly similar dimensions can be. Sound good? Okay. So, who's got some multiverse experience already and who's got some things that mmight be concerns> or, like, hell, if you've got a wish list of things you'd like to see, I'll take those now, too."

The History of Assassination. Wednesday, First Period [9/6]

[atreideslioness]

Those returning to Ghanima's classroom would find a surprise today.

While the classroom was set-up in her usual arrangement of floor cushions, huge pillows, and an assortment of chaise seating on lush carpets and with a hydration station over by the door, the surprise was Ghanima herself.

Instead of being clad in her usual formal Imperial gowns, with an impeccable hat or complicated hairstyle, the Ghani sitting on the teacher's desk was clad in a Fremen tunic, pants, and her hair braided back sensibly.

...And with a sleeping infant strapped to her chest, small wisps of red hair poking out the top of the sling.

Her blue-on-blue eyes still sparkled with mischief, despite all the other changes.

"Good morning," she said crisply, once the last student had made it in. "And welcome to The History of Assassination."

"For those of you who do not know me, I am Lady Ghanima Atreides. Princess Royal of House Atreus, and Empress of the Known Universe. You may call me Ghanima, or Miss Atreides if you must, but I do not answer to 'Lady Atreides.' That is my grandmother, and I am nowhere near as dignified as the Lady Jessica."

She grinned impishly. "Suffice it to say, I have survived more than my fair share of assassination attempts -- over three hundred, last time I bothered checking -- and the fact I am standing here today is proof I have thwarted each of them so far. In my role as Empress, I have also ordered an assassination or two, though it is not my preferred form of statecraft."

If only because Ghanima preferred to do it herself rather than delegate to staff. If something is important enough that the assassination was the only route forward, then it was her responsibility to handle it herself. It was the only way to make sure it was done right.

"To be explicitly clear: this class is discussing the history of one of the oldest political tools on this planet, and on many others. Your final will be you presenting on an assassination of your choice to the rest of the class; be it one we cover here, or one you find particularly interesting yourself."

"We are not here to cry about ethics, or moralize at each other. We are discussing the lives -- and deaths -- of real people. Respectful debate is encouraged, name calling will get you detention. With me."

"So, I would like to hear from you! Please share with us your name, and why you are interested in this class or what you hope to learn from it."

She pointed to a person randomly in the room. "You first."

Rube Goldberg and You, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

[meepmeepmeep]

"Meep meep meep meep meep mee!" intoned the felt teacher standing in the center of an absolutely enormous, overly complicated, machine that took up most of the Danger Shop. "Meep meep meep meep meep meep!"

There were accompanying gestures, though how helpful they might be were anyone's guess. The explanation, such as it was, went on for several minutes as Beaker walked around the room, pointing to parts of his machine--a chandelier, a giant net hanging from the ceiling, and then to wall of crazy in the back of the room that held a map of town and Stark Industries circled in red with multiple strings leading from it to the school, the lighthouse, the beach--

"Meep!" Beaker concluded grandly. Yes! You would spend the semester coming up with an overly elaborate machine designed to break you into Stark Industries' Maker's floor, a space Beaker was specifically banned from for good reason!

"Meep meep mee," Beaker said, fishing a golf ball from his pocket and holding it up. Now to see how this first Rube Goldberg machine worked!

The ball went through several tubes, knocking over dominoes and setting various other sections whirling, spinning, and ticking, all heading to the center to light the, yes, indoor fireworks.

Those of you who'd taken Beaker's classes before were probably already looking for cover, huh? Good. Because the machine worked!

...and so did the fireworks.

Welcome to Beaker's class, everyone.