Philosophies of Mana, Thursday, Second Period

[deathsmajesty]

When the class opened the doors of the Danger Shop, they were greeted with an idyllic rolling grassland, the air warm with the occasional refreshing breeze scented by the wildflowers growing in profusion by the babbling stream. Nearby a small stand of trees where there were equal parts shade and sunlight to sit in, was a large circle made of colorful blankets, complete with cushions to either sit upon or rest against, and cunning little lap desks to enable people to take notes even while lounging in this impromptu picnic. A low elegant table with a basketful of various fruit-filled pastries, next to several rustic charcuterie boards, with meats, cheeses, breads and the like. There were also several glass decanters, one full of pure spring water, another with milk, the third with a green juice with an almost iridescent sheen. And, of course, enough fine dishware, utensils, and glasses for the class.

The only thing out of place of this little idyllic countryside picnic was a whiteboard behind one of the blankets. Much like the first week, there were multiple questions written on it, but instead of a star with words written at each point, there was only one word written at the top of the board:
Peace

"First of all, class, I apologize for the abrupt cancellation of class last week; I was a cat." What a purely Fandom sentence that was. "My appreciation to Mr. Scientia for informing you all. And, secondly, welcome to a small slice of Lorwyn, a truly lovely little plane I lived in for about a decade or so, some fifty or so years back. Had we the time and I the inclination, I could have programmed in my tower, a half-hour's ride to the northwest from this exact spot. Furthermore, while our surroundings are a simulation, the food on the table before you all is real, fetched this morning from a kithkin marketplace. The cloudgoat milk is fresh, I have extensively tested the briarberry tarts to ensure their quality, and the rowan treefolk nectar is tangy and quite refreshing. If you are confident in your ability to eat and drink while taking notes, please feel free to help yourself. Otherwise, it would be wiser to wait until we enter the discussion part of the class. Unfortunately, my unexpected transformation left us with less time that I had anticipated, so we're diving into the material immediately."

( Peace Through Structure )

"But when those systems and structures work, white is unparalleled. It understands the need for both moral and civil laws - moral laws shape how people think and the civil laws control how they act. Together, these two forms of structure create a framework that helps ensure individuals are working for the benefit of the group. There is a reason that the concepts that white values most are the underpinnings of most societies; more than anything else, white wants us to succeed as a group. To set aside selfishness, recklessness, and carelessness, and truly embrace our fellows, to care about each other as we care about ourselves, and to ensure that everyone has a chance to live peacefully, with their needs met - not simply physical, but emotional, spiritual, and mental, as well."

[Sorry for the late, brain would not cooperate]

A Shot in the Dark: A Comprehensive Guide to Coffee; Thursday, 4th Period [05/30].

[chef_chocobro]

Holding one of the lessons for a class on coffee at the Perk was, of course, inevitable, and that inevitable day was today. And so the proper information had hopefully gotten to the students about today's lesson location and, expecting everyone to have arrived on time, Ignis did not wait past the start of class to get started and just assumed that everyone was there and anyone who wasn't would catch up quickly enough.

"So far in this class," he began, "we've discussed a little bit of brew methods, why we drink coffee, and how it is grown and processed. Today, I'd like to take a moment to look at some of the variations of popular coffee drinks beyond your trustworthy basic brew. A lot of times, especially to someone new to the world of coffee, the parlance of coffee shop lingo can be a bit overwhelming. What exactly are the differences between a latte and a cappuccino? How does an Americano compare to a Vienna? What's makes a Red Eye Black? I will be taking a few moments to break down a variety of popular coffee shop drinks, go over their differences, and then our lovely staff here at the Perk will prepare several for you to try ones that may spark your interest or that you'd perhaps like to compare and contrast.

"So," he said, "without further ado, let us begin with simple, straight-forward espresso...."

Was the emphasis a subtle hint to anyone seeking to test his patience by calling it expresso? Did you really want to find out?

Well, either way, Ignis was leaving little room to do so with the lecture, because there was much to cover, and his desire to get to the testing stage of the lesson was going to grow stronger with each explanation.

Arts & Metal Crafts; Thursday, Fifth Period [05/30].

[special_rabbit]

"Today," said Amaya, as soon as everyone was there and she hit them with a bright grin as she smacked her hand on one of several heavy-duty hydraulic presses, "we're going to be doing something a little different."

See? Told you it was research for class!

"This," she said, with a sigh and a fond look at the equipment beside her, "absolute beauty of a machine is a hydraulic press. Which basically means it's a means to allow this here heavy cylinder in the middle here to express an impressive amount of pressure onto whatever you go and put into its way. Great for when you've got a lot of scrap taking up too much room, or lots of other functions, like forging, clinching, molding, blanking, punching, deep drawing, and metal forming. You can also used for stretch forming, rubber pad forming, and powder compacting, of course, but more importantly...."

Amaya took a moment, reaching behind one of the work tables and hauling up a large watermelon, which she then placed into the press. With a grin, she pulled down the goggles that had been ready to go on her head, shrugged on a clear plastic raincoat, and then motioned to the students.

"Might want to take a big step back for this one, everyone, but...."

And now she pulled the lever, so that the press slowly worked its way down and crushed the watermelon in a glorious bursting display of fruit-related blood and guts.

"It's a lot of fun. So, today, we're exploring the art of crushing things with metal! Definitely suit up for this one, you guys, and take advantage of the face shields, too, probably, while we're at it, because this one can get a little wild and unpredictable. But most of what I've got for you to crush today should be relatively on the safer side and not likely to fix anyone up with a new eyepatch," and good thing, too, since not everyone in this class could afford being down one more eye, "but better safe than sorry!"

Booze Tasting & Drinking Games - Thursday, Period 1

[single_man_tear]

"Today our drink of choice is whatever beer we have on tap," Dean said once everyone had arrived at the classroom/Caritas. "Not because I'm lazy but because I thought we'd give our livers a break this week."

Actually it was because he was lazy.

"Our drinking game today is called Paranoia. One of you will whisper a question to another member of the classroom and the person receiving the whisper will then point at someone else in the room that best answers the question."

Dean began to start filling everyone's mug. "Every time you get pointed at? You have to drink. And I cannot be the person you point at because I'm the teacher and I said so."

[OCD is up]

Cultural Appreciation, Thursday, May 30, 2024

[meepmeepmeep]

Class today was being held in the Danger Shop which was set up to look like a lovely, if somewhat steep, English hillside. Specifically one in Gloucester.

“While I do not appreciate much of what England has to offer,” Sam began (he was still bitter about the Revolutionary War despite being created 200 years too late) “but I will concede that they do have an interesting and varied history and culture. Today we are here to participate in a reenactment of an important cultural event!”

That’s what Sam had been told, anyway. It was an event, certainly.

Beaker was probably demonstrating how this was maybe not the most normal of celebrations to be learning about as he popped out from behind a fake tree wearing a foam wedge of cheese on his head and meeping helpfully. "Meep meep meep meep meeeeeeeeeeeeeee--"

See? So helpful!

Extremely helpful. Always. “Beaker what is on your head? You should remove it this instant.” The hat, Beaker, not your head. Please. “What does a cheese hat have to do with culture?” Oh, Sam. Just you wait!

Oh cue, a voice announced the start of the first cheese roll and encouraged participants to take their places. "Meep meep meep!" Beaker said, racing to the top of the very steep hill.

“What is a cheese roll?” Sam demanded as he stomped ineffectively (and slowly) up the hill.

Sam was moments away from being taken out by a wheel of cheese. Get your cameras ready!

"Meep meep meep meep meep," Beaker said as the signal to start was sounded and the cheese went rolling down the hill, swerving towards Sam.

Who was, of course, not paying attention and went flying into the air, landed on the cheese, and continued rolling down the hill in a feat of ridiculousness worthy of Beaker!

Beaker was too busy laughing to notice that the entirety of the programmed participants were racing down the hill and right into him.

"MEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee--" Beaker cried, crowd-surfing down the cliff.

Lucky for the class, the next cheese race will be starting very soon! Surely it can't end more badly for you than what you just watched!

Arts & Crafts For Beginners [Thursday, Period Three]

[needsacatchphrase]

The glitter was still there. The glitter would honestly never not be there for this class.

But there were also other supplies at least.

"So, today is space themed," Jane said, actually kind of into this one. It was cute!

"After all, what are the stars except natural glitter," Cara read off the instructions that had come with the supplies. "Have the squirrels branched out into other kinds writing?"

"It's not bad," Jane remarked. "You know. For a squirrel."

"Maybe they didn't get paid in rum for this?" It was the only reason Cara could think of to explain it.

"Either way, let's get started, okay?" Make them squirrel themed now, folks. For funsies.

Library, Thursday 5/30

[noonedecidesmyfate]

When Belle arrived in the library she found Fosse carrying out a bag full of books.

"Where are you taking those?"

"Quarantine," was the ominous reply. "They need it. And don't use that book return bin right now."

Belle was feeling somewhat unsettled when she sat down at the desk. Why would books need to be quarantined? Why was the book return out of service? Why was there a sign about the dangers of pesticides?