fandomhigh | Living With Difficult Women [Tuesday, Period 5]

When Max arrived for class today, he wasn't alone. "We've discussed a number of generalities, and talked in pretty broad terms about what we're doing in this class, but today I wanted to delve into things a bit more concrete. So, as you've probably noticed, I brought an assistant. Some of you might know Sophie already. She's an accomplished actress, and she's generously agreed to play the part of a difficult woman for today's class."

Sophie was looking at this as both helping a friend, and a demonstration exercise in manipulation. Because really, students shouldn't let themselves be taken in by someone trying to play them, male or female... but she felt young female students should have every advantage possible, should they need to use these techniques. She wasn't going to ask Max if he'd realized that.

"Thank you, Max. It's lovely to be here." She shot him an amused look. "How quickly do you wish me to become difficult?"

Max chuckled, flashing her an amused grin. "Would you be willing to wait until I explain today's class activity?" he asked.

"Nooo, I don't think so. I'm the guest. Really, you should be catering to my whims already," Sophie said, looking pensive. Then she blinked. "No, I've changed my mind. Go ahead. I'll wait. I can do that." She sighed long-sufferingly.

She was already doing a great job! Max resisted the urge to beam as he nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate it." He turned to his students. "With Sophie's help I'll demonstrate a couple of different techniques. I won't be pointing them out, so you'll need to be paying attention. After that we'll split into groups, one lead by me, and another by Sophie. You'll each pick one of the groups to join for some discussion of the techniques used and what else might have been done instead."

With a grin, Max turns back to Sophie. "Whenever you're ready."

"Keeping in mind that you have every right to be 'difficult', and that not only can it get you lovely things, it can also preserve your safety, I will now demonstrate one of the most important techniques: evasion." She smiled sweetly at Max. "Hello. So lovely to meet you. I'm Catherine D'Medici."

Really, you'd think it was her real name.

"Catherine," Max repeated thoughtfully. "Ah, forgive me, I thought you were someone I knew." See that? He didn't contradict her there.

"Is she prettier than me?" Sophie asked, giving him another coy smile.

Then she gave him Crazy Eyes. "She is, isn't she."

"What? Don't be silly," Max shook his head emphatically. "It's clearly a ridiculous idea that anyone could be prettier than you." Outrageous flattery. A particularly dangerous technique since it was so obvious. If you misjudged your target and she didn't find it amusing...

"That's adorable of you to say so." Sophie smiled brightly. "Where shall we hold the wedding? I'm partial to gazebos."

"Oh, er... yes." Max blinked a couple of times. Wow... he hadn't had to deal with that particular question in years. "I've been meaning to bring that up... You see, I'm... um... being relocated. For work." It was a terrible lie, but if you'd really found someone who was truly crazy, often you could get away with those.

"You will write every day though, won't you?" Sophie looked mournful. "I'll treasure the special time we had together."

"Of course I will!" Another outright lie, but one that wouldn't be revealed as such until he was a long way away.

Sophie turned and smiled at the class. "And he has now utterly forgotten that he intended to buy me a drink."

Max blinked. Then laughed. "Layers upon layers of difficulty. Well done!"

"Now," he turned to his class. "You've seen a couple of different techniques. Both from Sophie, which gives you some examples of, admittedly extreme, behaviors you might have to deal with. And you've seen a few of the ways to do that. Now, there are always other things to deal with, and other ways to deal with them."

"So, those of you who want to discuss my technique, join me over here. And those who want to get some pointers from Sohpie, well, she's right there."

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Oh please, like Leia wasn't going to get pointers on being difficult. It might come in handy with her father, after all. She was totally in for Sophie's group.

Sophie smiled at the students, then nodded to Leia. "What is your usual reason for being difficult? Or are you not difficult at all?" Right. If the answer was 'never difficult', there would be many, many suggestions.

"My father must think I'm difficult," Leia said, leaning back in her seat and smirking. "He tried to stop me from having a kissing booth at the carnival and doesn't want me to date boys."

Sophie put on her most interested, rational expression ever, and said, "Does he have some reason to want you to date girls? Or does he feel that you should be celibate your entire life?" Her lips twitched. "That last would be a rather silly argument, since here you are. Are you enjoying his reactions?"

"I think he expect me to be celibate," Leia said, rolling her eyes. "And I've only known him for a few weeks. I thought he died when I was born. It's extremely annoying, and yes, I enjoy seeing him sputter and flail."

"Ahhh. So he's assumed a parental role, despite the shortness of your acquaintance," Sophie said, nodding. "Understandable. I'm sure he has the best of intentions. But boundaries must be drawn, yes?" Her lips curved in a smile. "Brava for using lipstick to draw yours. Property destruction or personal fashion can also be used with a parent, but can bring in *so* many complications."

"Personal fashion?" Leia said, perking up. Complicated or not, that held possibilities. "What kind of suggestions do you have for that?"

"Well, as I see it, your father feels entitled to an opinion about what you do-- possibly what you wear," Sophie said, smiling slightly. "Some fathers find tattoos, piercings, or revealing clothing to be ... trying. Now, I don't know your father, and while we don't want his head to explode, hinting that you're considering piercing or tattooing yourself should at the very least get a reaction." She paused. "Or doing something strange with your hair."

Leia made a face. "I've had enough strange things done to my hair, thanks," she said. "But those others sound like good ideas to make him want to tear out his hair. Is there a place to get those kind of things done in Fandom?"

"I believe there is, yes-- I can't recall the name. Oh! I'm certain Priestly could tell you, if you're at all acquainted with him. Sweet young man, lovely cook. He works at the Diner on Thursdays." Sophie cocked her head, and added, "That might also help with your father. Consorting with boys who pierce and tattoo themselves. They always seem to believe the worst of them."

Leia couldn't help but grin. "Thank you," she said. "That may definitely come in handy the next time he tries to tell me what to do."

Living With Difficult Women [Tuesday, Period 5]

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