http://saveyoulater.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] saveyoulater.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-05-10 11:14 pm
Entry tags:

Spy Games, Monday, Period 5

If Sarah didn't seem nervous as she waited for the class to assemble, that was only because she'd spent the last decade keeping cool on the outside no matter what went on underneath. Just teaching for the first time would be bad enough, but there was one student name on the roster that she had very much never expected to see here.

"Welcome to Spy Games," she said with a smile and a twist of her sweaty palms against her skirt as the time came for the session to begin. Her voice came out calm, sure, self-confident as possible. Thank God. "I am your instructor for the next two months. My name's Sarah Walker and, to get this out of the way, I am qualified to teach this class because I worked for the CIA for the last several years. My main focus was protection of national security data."

Anyone at the CIA could say that, but Sarah was hoping to ward off questions.

"If you're here," she went on, "I'm going to assume you want to be a spy, or at least want to know how to be a spy. Maybe you want to work for the government; maybe you just know a lot of people you don't trust. Whatever your experience, there are all kinds of applications for the stuff we're learning here. The syllabus and rules are on your desks, but some of the things we'll cover are lockpicking, disguise, persuasion, and weapons."

"But today, we're talking about basic undercover work," she went on. "If you're undercover, you're lying to everyone all the time. You lie about your name, your family, what you do for a living, maybe your politics, maybe your religion. But under all that, you can't change who you are. You're still you, but the details are different. And the secret of good undercover work is using that."

"For example, I'm not exactly the chattiest person in the world. If I go undercover for more than a few hours and I decide I'm going to be someone who can't keep her mouth shut, I'm going to get caught fast. I'll always have to think about the part I'm playing, and that's when people make stupid mistakes. And a big part of your job as a spy is not making stupid mistakes."

She cleared her throat, finally relaxing into this. "I understand the tradition for the first week of classes is introductions. We're doing that, but with a twist. If you've heard of the game 'Two Truths and a Lie,' we're going to play that -- except you must make one true statement about yourself, one false statement about yourself, and a third statement that can be either true or false. Your fellow students will guess how many lies you told, and which they are."

"Remember that if you're undercover, you're lying for a reason. And in this class, you have a purpose too. Tell lies -- and truths -- that will make me think you have it in you to be a good spy." She pointed out randomly. "You first."

Once the students were done with the game, she smiled before dismissing the class. "Your assignment for the week is to tell one lie. It doesn't have to be a big one or about anything that matters. Just tell it and see how it feels; we'll report back next Monday. And if any of you want to be TA, I could use one. And Miss Bartowski, please stick around too -- I have a quick question for you."

She was impressed how level her tone sounded on that last bit.

[OOC: First posted class of the semester! I will pick up tags in the a.m.]

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
Claire considered her options and decided to go with things that were close to true.

"My name wasn't always Claire Butler, I collect teddy bears and I'm an only child."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"My dad traveled a lot when I was growing up and he would bring me back teddy bears from different places," Claire explained. "And you're right. I have a younger brother."

Since Sarah didn't mention the name thing, Claire decided not to bring it up either.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela's head snapped around at that second one.

She cocked her head curiously, trying to catch Claire's eye.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Claire caught the other girl's glance and raised an eyebrow.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Teddy bears?" she asked. Anyone who actually knew Triela might be surprised at the lack of sarcasm or condescension in her tone there.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, my dad traveled a lot for his job and they were my souvenirs," she explained.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"What kind?" Triela leaned forward curiously. Then she remembered to add, "I collect them too."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Really? Cool."

Claire had never met a fellow collector.

"I have all kinds. From all over the world. What kind do you collect?"

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mostly Steiff bears." She shook her head. "I complain that Hilshire doesn't have any idea how to shop so he always just buys bears, but I actually like them." A tiny smirk made an appearance, "Don't tell anyone, though."

Triela wouldn't normally be so open with someone she didn't know, but a fellow bear collector couldn't be too bad a person, right?

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Claire chuckled. "Your secret is safe with me. Do you have your bears here? I brought a couple, but I left most of my collection at home."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela nodded enthusiastically. "It's not a huge collection, so it's easy to travel with them."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe after cabins, I could stop by and see them?" Claire asked. "And you are welcome to come see the ones I brought with me."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think that's a great idea."

Triela flashed a grin. "I'm Triela."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm Claire," she said. "Where are you in the dorms?"

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm in room 409." Her grin flickered for just a moment at the reminder that her roommate was leaving soon.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm in 312, with Dinah Lance," Claire said. "Do you know her?"

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're with Dinah?" Triela asked, grin back in full force. "Dinah's great!"

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Claire returned the grin. "Yeah, I'm glad that I got such a cool roommate. We're supposed to go shopping this afternoon."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm glad you did too." She shook her head, "Dinah and I go rappelling sometimes. If you wanted to join us sometime..."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Rappelling? Where? It sounds like fun," she said.
glacial_queen: (Default)

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-11 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think you're telling the truth about Claire Butler not always being your name," Karla said. Amongst the Blood, it wasn't unusual for a witch to follow the matrilineal line, even if paternity had been acknowledged. As names were recorded in the register at Ebon Askavi at birth and after the Birthright Ceremony, entries often had changes. "And also about having no siblings."

Multiple children were rarer in Kaeleer, especially among the short-lived races.

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was adopted when I was a baby," Claire said. "So, yes, I used to have a different name." No need to mention that Butler was a recent name change. "But I do have a younger brother."

And two half-brothers that she didn't really know.
glacial_queen: (Friends)

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-05-11 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"My best friend was recently adopted." Well if you counted two years ago as recent. "What's it like, having a sibling? Most of the people I know are only children."

Re: Activity - Truths and Lies [Spy Games, 5/11]

[identity profile] wantstocheer.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's okay, I guess," Claire said. "He's kind of a pain sometimes, but we have moments where we get along."