fandomhigh | 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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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.]

"Yes, Peyton." Algren was frustrated enough to throw away any shred of formality, now. "You're in trouble. Get. Out. Of. My. Classroom. And report to detention on Saturday. That is an order."

No formality, but apparently some old habits dying hard. At least he wasn't yelling. Yet.

[Thank you.]

Peyton shoved her chair back with a bang as she stood up. "Fine! ...Jesus..."

She collected her stuff muttering under her breath. "I swear, he's as freaking horny as Arthur. Damn, if he was a little nicer I'd offer to help him out with that."

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

Yeah, she could glare too.

...That would be Francine, once she'd managed to lift her head from her desk at the sound of Captain Algren raising his voice at them, staring at the very end of that exchange, which was all she caught.

And then at, you know, their backs, as they left. She wasn't about to go after them, not after hearing Peyton get detention, but she certainly spent the rest of class... confused.

Edited 2009-06-04 17:52 (UTC)

Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/04, Period 2

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