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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After class ended, Karla walked up to Francine. "Here," she said sharply, calling in her vial. "For the Reserves. I tried to ask your boyfriend" she made the word sound like a curse "to bring it to you last night, but apparently, he couldn't be bothered."

Grumpy Karla is grumpy.

Said boyfriend was nowhere in sight, and Francine hadn't a clue what had got into him today, let alone yesterday. Since she hadn't actually seen him yesterday. "I don't know what's up with him," Francine said a little blankly, holding out her hand. "I didn't see him last night, though."

Knowing that Merlin had been right and Karla had seen Francine first didn't make Karla's mood any brighter. "Well, if our conversation was any indication, he was probably off being rude and unhelpful at someone. Thank you, Francine, for being willing to overlook idiotic prejudices about poison in order to make sure that if I need it, there's some handy. See you at the meeting."

"Okay," Francine said slowly, then, because she was Francine, had to add, "I'm sorry. He's usually really sweet."

Edited 2009-06-05 02:04 (UTC)

"He'd better be," she muttered. "You're too sweet and pretty to put up with the grubby-minded prick he acted like yesterday." Francine's outfit was very...snug, Karla couldn't help but noticing. And there'd never been a more tempting-looking cupcake.

Francine's eyes widened slightly, about half at the language and half at the compliment. "I don't know what's up," she said again, "but something's weird this week."

"Huh?" Karla wasn't paying attention to much beyond the cupcake. "Yeah, right, weird. Mostly by becoming jerks."

Francine... shrank back a little. In that NO HUGS, DINAH WTF way. "That time of the month?" she joked weakly. For the boys, she meant.

"...Sorry. Your outfit is" distracting "odd. I don't think that's a fabric found in nature."

Good cover, Karla.

"...No. It's spandex. It's from my last class." And Francine was just going to find a blanket or an elephant to hide under now.

Or better yet, find the one person she actually trusted to help her take it off.

"Well, for an unnatural fabric, you wear it very nicely," Karla offered, trying to dig herself out the hole she was in. "And the cupcake is quite adorable."

An elephant. Definitely an elephant. Where could she find one of those?

Aside from, you know, in rooms 511, 407, 505 and 303.

"Um. Thank you!"

"Welcome." There was no saving herself. "Oh, well, anyway, I've got to get to class. I'll see you at the Reserves, Francine. Good luck with..." she waved around vaguely "...everything."

Karla fled.

Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/04, Period 2

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