fandomhigh | Art Appreciation and Protection (Week 6, Period 2, 8/10)

"Today is our next-to-last class, so I feel I should tell you that next week's class will not take place in the Danger Shop here, but at a gallery in town. Be prepared to bring any tools you believe you'd need to stage a break-in." Sophie's smile was wide.

"Now. Today's assignment." She hit a button and the setting changed to an opulent palace, Tibetan and Chinese in design, with a ceremonial dagger encased in glass on a raised dais in the middle of a throne room. "The Phurba, or kila, from Tibet. Currently in the possession of an insane warlord. The three sides of the blade represent the blade's power to transform negative energies known as the "three poisons" of attachment, delusion, and fear. Only those who are initiated in its use can wield it. His possession of this artifact gives him great symbolic power inside his domain." Sophie's eyebrows went up. "Get into this palace, and past his guards, to retrieve the dagger, and the people of his country go free from his brutal reign, as the loss of the dagger and status will turn his own men against him."

"Good luck."

[OCD ~~on the way!~~]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The dagger vibrated slightly as the bubble was lifted, and Shiwan Khan's eyes widened. "NO!"

And yet another vibration. And the eyes on the dagger flew open.

That was...unexpected.

Raven wrapped part of her skirt around her hand and picked the dagger up.

The Dagger giggled again, metal eyes wide and shiny. It looked toward Shiwan Khan, then back at Raven. It tugged inside the part of the skirt Raven had wrapped around it. *Free me!*

Shiwan Khan lowered his sword, and held out his hands toward Raven and the dagger. "Come to me. To me!"

After having her mind and spirit worked over by other Max, it took a lot more than the scary eyed man to bend Raven's will, though it helped that at the back of her mind she knew it was all an illusion.

"No," she said. "I have what I came for. Your reign of terror here will now end."

So, so, so the right answer.

Because the dagger rose, out of Raven's grasp, and started to spin, faster and faster.

Shiwan Khan's eyes widened. "NO!"

And the Phurba flew across the space and buried itself in his heart.

A happier and more confident Raven was definitely a not-so-scared one. Apparently getting laid did wonders for her schoolwork.

It didn't change her aversion to violence, however. She had to look away and close her eyes as the dagger struck Shiwan Khan. Just an illusion, she had to remind herself lest she rush to his side and try to heal him.

The body of Shiwan Khan melted away, and the Dagger rose, giggled, then winked out of existence.

Sophie walked into the room, and smiled at Raven. "You did excellently. Are you well?"

"Violence is abhorrent to me," Raven said quietly. "I am a pacifist. I know it was only an illusion, but...."

"It was, although Shiwan Khan existed, and the dagger still does as well. I apologize, though; a violent outcome is not guaranteed." Sophie shook her head, regretting Rachel's upset. "Take as much time as you need. But you did handle it well; your carefulness and lack of fear allowed you to not become a victim of the dagger yourself."

"If it were real I would be compelled to heal him," Raven said. That really was going to get her in trouble some day. "I cannot let anyone suffer when there is something I may do about it."

She did smile shyly at Sophie's compliments. "Thank you," she said. "I think I am more confident when I am happy."

Sophie smiled back, reassured that Rachel was mostly well. "I think everyone is. I'm glad to hear that you're happy this week." She felt a brief sadness for Maron, and Max, and the lingering effects of the other world. "So few people are."

"Last week was very difficult for me," Raven said quietly. Ironically, she was thinking of Max as well, not that either of them knew it. She hesitated, mulling over the appropriateness of it along with Joan's plea that she talk to an adult, then added, "I think I would still be feeling badly but that I have fallen in love."

There. She'd told an adult. That would make Joan happy, right?

It would make Joan so happy. Except for all the things she was leaving out, of course.

"That's lovely, Rachel." Sophie's mood shifted to pleasure, and relief for the girl. "I'm glad for you. This is very recent, then?" Good, a distraction from the hologram scenario.

"Yes, and unexpected," Raven said. "But it is so wonderful. I have never felt this way before."

She could sense Sophie was pleased, which made her feel Joan's worry was unjustified. Of course, she wasn't mentioning pertinent details like the fact that it had been her first time, with Chuck Bass, and he had been distant and cold the next morning. Because those weren't important. What was important was she had banished the sadness and guilt about the other Fandom.

Sophie would have so agreed with Joan, had she but known. Ah well.

"First times are lovely," Sophie said, happy for Rachel. "I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to take your time to enjoy it. That seems to be the first impulse though. But if it's made you centered enough to succeed in this class, I can only be happy for you."

"Thank you," Raven said, smiling. She wasn't deliberately trying to mislead Sophie, she just wanted to focus on the positive, right? "I was raised to deny myself love, but now that I know it, I cannot understand why. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I feel like I can do anything now."

Art Appreciation and Protection (Week 6, Period 2, 8/10)

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!

Re: Get the dagger!