fandomhigh | Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 2]

The class met in the Danger Room today, which was set up into a series of different rooms. Most of them were full of very heavy furniture. The last one was full of low tables with tea kettles resting on top.

"Your professor asked me to come in and discuss my time in Afghanistan when I studied under one of the magi and learned the Tao," Biff said, smiling at Ghanima. "I might have forgotten to mention that Josh learned about the Tao. I learned about feng shui, which is dependent on something called qi, and then the rest of it I ignored because I was being taught by beautiful Chinese concubines and I got distracted easily."

Ghanima, meanwhile, was sitting in the back of the room. To any outside observer, she looked quite studious and duly interested in what the guest teacher was saying.

To anyone that actually knew her - Biff included - she was actually dying of amusement.

He pointed at a series of small brass scales on a nearby table. "What I do know is that the qi in all of those rooms is totally screwed up. You take these brass scales and someone who looks good at lifting heavy objects and start moving things around until the qi is balanced again. When the little brass scales balance, you've completed the task. When you're done, come back and have a cup of tea and I'll tell you more about the Tao as I read from the Book of the Divine Elixirs or the Nine Tripods of the Yellow Emperor."

He certainly hadn't messed with the tea, as a subtle manipulator of the elements might do. Except for how he had.

[OOC: Major props to the always-awesome

nojesusfreak for humoring my request. OCD is up, and see the OOC note.]

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"Of course," she answered, smiling at the younger woman. "What can I do for you?"

"Professor Skywalker suggested I speak to you," Raven said. "I am in need of learning to defend myself."

"I assume physically, since Master Skywalker is equally as-suited to teach mental discipline and defense as I am, if not more so in certain areas," Ghanima mused, giving Raven a considering look.

"While I feel wholeheartedly that everyone should be capable of self-defense, what is it that makes you want to learn this skill now?"

Raven nodded at Ghanima's first statement. "Professor Skywalker is training me to shield and protect myself against emotional attacks," she said, "but he thought perhaps I would be more comfortable learning from another woman when it came to physical defense. I have no training at all. My home, Azarath, is a place of peace and does not believe in any sort of physical violence, but since I have come to Fandom I have learned that sometimes it is a necessary thing. I need to be able to defend myself against those who seek to harm me." Or kidnap her to an evil cult and make her his bride.

"I respect such pacifism, even if I do not understand it," Ghanima admitted. "My homeworld is often seen as a very brutal and violent place to outsiders."

"What we can do is focus on methods of defense that allow you to flee, or to simply disable the other person, without requiring a maiming - or killing - blow." Ghanima met Raven's eyes firmly. "I will never insist you do something you are morally opposed to doing, but I will push your boundaries. It is the only way to find where your limits lie, and to uncover your full potential. Does this sound acceptable?"

"Yes," Raven agreed. "I do not think I could ever bring myself to cause lasting harm or death to another." Physically at least -- she knew very well now that she was capable of it with her powers if she lost control, but she did not want to rely on that as a defense because it would too easily twist her. "I have been learning to tolerate some amount of violence, for I know I must to be able to help others if the island is attacked. But my freedom has been threatened recently, and I have accepted that I must learn to defend myself."

"We'll start with the most basic of unarmed defense, then," Ghanima assured her. "Breaking out of holds, pressure points, that sort of thing. That way, you need never depend on a weapon."

"Thank you," Raven said, still nervous but strangely eager to learn. "When may I begin?"

Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 2]

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