fandomhigh | Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/04, Period 2

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culture shock

Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/04, Period 2

When the students entered the classroom today, they might, if they weren't too distracted by their own issues, notice that their teacher looked a little more disgruntled than usual today. He also looked cold. And wet.

Somebody had realized that it would be a very good idea to take a long, cold shower before work today, yes.

"Depression," Algren began, leaping directly into the lecture and apparently thankful that today's item on the syllabus was the most mood-killing one this term, "is probably the most common and definitely the most noticeable stage of culture shock. It tends to settle in around the edges, even while you're experiencing the other symptoms, and often manifests itself as a feeling of hopelessness and longing. It seems by that point that the only way to deal with it is to leave where you're at, go back home, and forget that you ever had the insane notion to leave in the first place."

Speaking from experience? Oh, yes.

"It doesn't have to be severe. It isn't always rational or even immediately explicable. But it can do a great deal of emotional and mental damage until it's overcome. A person might opt out of leaving home in order to socialize, or even to buy food. They might start doubting everything that they do, including tasks that are still familiar to them from home, while they're in their new surroundings. Know that none of you are inferior, simply different, and that if the insanity of Fandom Island is making you doubt yourself? We're all in the same boat on this one."

Pacing? Algren? How could he not?

"I've organized a couple of handouts on coping with depression. Look at them. Keep them, in-case you're feeling it yourself in this new environment. And discuss." Pause. "Keep it clean. And if anyone mentions crocodiles to me today? Detention. For life."

Probably not for life.

[~~OCD on the way.~~ Class is up. Have at thee!]

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Who, hopefully, aren't as uncomfortable today as their teacher is.

This wasn't at all a familiar story. It wasn't helping that by now Arthur was more than aware of the enduring heat, and that wasn't doing much for his own sense of 'hopelessness around the edges'.

He didn't look uncomfortable. He just wound up looking like a particularly disdainful, brooding statue.

"Problem?" Peyton asked. Damn, he was hot too. How did everyone on this island end up so freaking hot?

Edited 2009-06-04 12:34 (UTC)

Arthur would like to know as well, possibly so he could find the person who made it so and--

They'd most likely be attractive, too.

His head moved a fraction of an inch to accommodate. "No problem, thank you."

"You're doing better than me, then," Peyton muttered.

"I've been known to do well," Arthur said, very slowly, enunciating every word. "...You have any concerns?"

That was bloody chivalry for you.

"I just feel..." She shrugged. "Um... antsy and... you know."

"Ah."

Look, he was going to keep trying to keep to this statue thing.

"I see."

Do not look at her, Arthur. Not even if it's the chivalrous thing to do.

"Maybe it's just me, though," she said with a sigh. "Or are you feeling the same way?"

She tugged at the straps of her tank top, really hating the feeling of clothes on her body right now.

That wasn't helping. Now he was staring at the skin right under the straps. "No," he managed, "I'm perfectly fine."

He was, almost unrelatedly, trying not to think about stables.

She saw his stare which really didn't make her feel less... whatever.

She followed his gaze, tugging the strap off to look at her shoulder. "What? Is something wrong?"

Perhaps this exchange may not have been interrupted in a class without a manservant in it, but this was the reality of the situation.

Merlin put a hand on Arthur's shoulder and gave Peyton a look as though she may very well be less than considering. "I believe you should put your shirt back on and go away, m'lady."

Arthur blinked. "...Merlin," he said, managing about half his usual bag's worth of offense.

Mostly because he was more confused than offended, on the whole.

Peyton blinked at him. "Excuse me? I work in this class. I'm sitting here minding my business and he starts staring at me and now you want me to go away? Thanks, but I'm just fine here."

"Besides, if he wants to not be around me, he's perfectly capable of saying so. Or moving himself."

"Go away or I will make you go away," Merlin said calmly, eyes already turning gold.

Oh, as if Algren couldn't see what was going on, here.

"Is there a problem, kids?"

Students undressing and picking fights was not what he'd had in mind when he opened the door to the classroom today.

"Um," Arthur said, intelligibly.

Give him a few ticks, he was still getting over... everything. Ever.

The words May I leave the classroom? swam across his mind.

Peyton was looking utterly baffled and more than a little freaked out. "I have no idea what's going on!"

"Out. The three of you. Head off to cold showers or punching bags, I don't care, but I won't be putting up with this in my classroom. Come back when you can handle yourselves with a shred of self-control."

If he had to, his students had to as well, damn it.

"But I didn't do anything!" Peyton protested. "I was sitting here talking to Arthur and he started staring and then Merlin came over and started threatening me!"

Meanwhile, Arthur was scrambling up, his mind more than happy to take a direct order when it heard it and when said order sounded vaguely like common sense. "Yes, Captain," he said, respectfully, and he was... quickly heading for the door.

Not looking at anyone. Proud and head held high, thank you.

Edited 2009-06-04 13:58 (UTC)

Algren watched Arthur leave the room, and then turned back to Peyton, his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor every bit that of a military Captain.

"I don't take well to arguments, Miss Sawyer. You can leave the room and return next week, and we'll never talk of this again, or else you can stand here, continuing to argue with me, and we can see what can be done about putting you in detention this weekend, as well. I hear they're always looking for students to do whatever dirty work they need to get done on the weekends. And I have eyes. I know what happened here, which is why I'm merely requesting that you leave."

She just stared at him. "No disrespect meant, but are you kidding me? What, because these guys are being jerks, I'm in trouble?"

[ooc: *facepalms* Go ahead, give her detention. Pissy!Peyton is Pissy. And sexually frustrated. And still half considering hitting on Algren.]

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

shiroi_tiger - 2009-06-04 14:19 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

darkangelsawyer.livejournal.com - 2009-06-04 14:28 (UTC) - Expand

Merlin shot her one last look before going after Arthur. Something about this week was almost freeing.

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

darkangelsawyer.livejournal.com - 2009-06-04 14:42 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

thatsamilkshake - 2009-06-04 17:06 (UTC) - Expand

Peyton might just have been staring quite a bit at the teacher and thinking that now she was a graduate and 18 maybe, just maybe certain people weren't as out of reach as they'd once been.

She was ... uncomfortable and... wanting... and ugh, just wishing she could relieve some of this tension.

And okay, she had to admit to staring at most of the guys in the class if she was honest.

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