Dealing With Other People's Trauma, Tuesday 12/16

[stykera]

The classroom was set up with something of a feast today. No terrible fancy foods. Nothing like what, say, Ignis and Liliana might have provided, or the caterers for one of Tony and Steve’s parties. But there was takeout from a variety of Fandom restaurants and there were baked goods provided by the teacher himself. He wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to make cupcakes for a group, now was he?

“Welcome,” Stark said. “As you can see, there’s plenty of food. Plenty to take with you for later if you need, as well.”

“We’ve talked about how holidays, and winter itself, can be hard for people. Sometimes a gathering like this might help. Or just having someone bring you food might help. Sometimes it’s the small things, like a bit of company or a meal, that really make all the difference. And sometimes…sometimes it’s just a nice thing, a good thing, to spend some time with others. Especially in a relaxed way. Parties like we often have here can be overwhelming, sometimes. This ought to be less intimidating.”

Especially since he had no idea who might even show up to this.

“So…let’s eat? Unless someone has something else they’d like to say. I’m always happy to listen.”

[Things have been a bit weird the past few days and I meant to post something about this being VERY OPEN earlier. Ah well. VERY OPEN! If you think you might possibly have heard about it from Stark or a squirrel or a student or a chicken in a cape or whatever please stop by for some free food and company!]

Diplomacy, Tuesday, December 16, 2025

[sith_happened]

Have you heard George Michael's Christmas song yet? Because now you will! All. Class. Long.

Your teachers were from a galaxy far, far away and didn't know about such things, of course.

"For your final exam, we are throwing you a party," Anakin said.

"We both worked very hard on it." This was technically not a lie. "And our feelings will be hurt if you don't like it." This was a lie.

"I chose the music," Anakin said proudly because he was slightly evil sometimes still, "and Ahsoka got the food. It will arrive at some point. Wasn't it supposed to be here?"

"It will be here when it arrives," Ahsoka said, with the calmness of someone who knew exactly how late the food was going to be. "I spent all the catering budget on it after all."

You know in case anyone was foolishly hoping there'd at least be an open bar.

"And then we'll have a white elephant swap," Anakin said. He'd wrapped a rotisserie chicken because there was something quite wrong with him.

"Remember, a lot of thought has gone into these presents." Terrible, terrible thoughts.

Reclaiming Your Childhood, Tuesday [12/16]

[atreideslioness]

Posters had handwavily been up across the island for a week, advertising a free snowball fight getaway, and now a giant portal was waiting on the front steps to the same winter wonderland that Ghanima's students would recognize from last week.

This week, however, anyone who ventured through it would find a few pre-made snow barriers set up around the hills. Not full-on snowforts, people would have to build those themselves, but drifts large enough for a person to take cover behind in a pinch.

"Welcome to our final class for Reclaiming Your Childhood, and welcome to our friends and neighbors who opted to join us," Ghanima said cheerfully, nonchalantly holding on to the back of Trebor's jacket as he lunged for the portal, giggling, straining against his mother's grip. "--no, not yet, dearest. Spannungsbogen."

"--as I was saying. Welcome to the All-Fandom Snowball Battle! Your rules today are this -- have fun. Let go of your inhibitions. And do your best to let your inner child free." With that, she let go of Trebor, and let him go tumbling through the portal, squealing in delight. "The child is not off-limits, he will put a snowball down your jacket if you let him. He's as rude as his uncle."

"Have fun!"