Philosophies of Mana (Extended Edition), Thursday Per 3

[deathsmajesty]

Another day, another new topic and new location. This time, the class found themselves sitting amongst the clouds--quite literally. They were perched on a long, arcing skybridge that rose up into the sky past the cloudline. To either side, they could see more bridges making their way through the sky. All the bridges converged at one point: a giant stadium hundreds of stories tall, the two statues that stood outside the entrance visible even from this distance. Closer to their spot, was the omnipresent cushions and blankets to sit on, and the whiteboard showing the five mana symbols. This time, there was a line drawn between blue and white.

"Welcome to Kylem," she said, sounding fond. "That stadium there is Valor's Reach, a gladiatorial arena where individuals travel from all over to test their martial prowess in - usually - non-lethal combat. For wealth, for glory...and, honestly, it's a great deal of fun."

She would know, being a several time Grand Champion. Of course.

( The law is meant to ensure that the gears of society turn smoothly and quietly. )

"And, finally, while it is very easy to see where white and blue are similar, it is important to note their differences as well. This time, the best way to find that is to look to their other allies: black and blue and green and white. So how do green and black differ? Black is all about free will and individualism, while green believes in destiny and interconnectedness. Therefore, we see the differences between blue and white as tension between those ideas. White, like its ally green, believes that everyone has a role to play in society, and, for the good of society, they should remain there selflessly, regardless of their own wants and desires; white's take on destiny and interconnectedness. Blue, on the other hand, believes that every individual has agency and control over their own actions, which they should spend on perfecting themselves, which will, in turn, lead to perfecting their surroundings; their take on black's free will and individuality. So, together, blue/white will struggle to properly define where a person's duty to their society ends and their duty to themself begins, how much control over their own life and future each person should have, versus how they should be bound by the good of the group." Liliana couldn't help but grin. "Blue/white working in harmony is a marvel of peaceful productivity; blue/white at odds with each other gets spicy."

Library, Thursday 3/5

[noonedecidesmyfate]

Arden had made such progress on spring cleaning yesterday that Belle felt compelled to contusion the task.

As soon as she finished picking up the pile of books that some gremlins (presumably) had knocked over before she arrived. And the pile of plastic building bricks. She really wished those would be strewn about les often!

Cupcakes of the World(s), Friday 3/6, Period 3

[stykera]

Once again, cupcake class was meeting in the Home Ec room because that was where the ovens were.

“France today,” Stark said, pointing to the map. “I went there once, on a trip like last week’s but not exactly the same. They’re never exactly the same. I don’t remember ever seeing this sort of cupcake but there were things with the same flavors. There were lots of very good things to eat there. So many pastries…Pastries and very good butter and of course there’s the wine…”

A week of warmth and sun had done wonders for Stark but he was still going to wax nostalgic about trips and treats past.

“So. Today’s cupcakes are Monte Blanc cupcakes. A monte blanc is a french dessert but not usually a cupcake. There’s chestnuts, it’s very good. I think it is anyway. You may not agree. There’s some that I’ve already made for you to try, of course.”

They were not as pretty as the ones in the photos on the website but it was sometimes difficult to get the frosting to be tall.

“I’ve done some of the steps already or we wouldn’t have time but there’s time after class ends if anyone wants to try to do all of the steps yourselves. And…of course…you can just eat cupcakes if you’d rather.”