fandomhigh | Horror 101, Monday

"Horror," Mitchell told the class, "Is about fear. I know that's patently obvious, but sometimes people forget and make it all about what cool new prosthetics they can put on a rubber mask." Mitchell's eyes: rolling a bit. "So today we're taking it back to the source. To fear. All those small, everyday fears that can cripple us, make us leap at shadows, make our lives run another course just to avoid them. The best horror films and books are based on these fears, on these innate terrors that make us shiver and turn all the lights on in the house, cram ourselves up in tiny spaces or big ones. Those kind of fears. Phobias."

He unfurled from the couch. "I've got a little homework assignment for you all this week," he said, distributing a list.

Acrophobia
Aichmophobia
Anthophobia
Astraphobia
Chiroptophobia
Coulrophobia
Emetophobia
Entomophobia
Ergasiophobia
Erotophobia
Gerascophobia
Haptephobia
Necrophobia
Nosophobia
Triskaidekaphobia
Trypanophobia

"On this list, you'll find a number of phobias. I want you all to pick one and work out what it is. Then find me a film or a book or a series that has something to do with it. It doesn't have to be literal or anything. As long as you can explain it to me, I'm happy."

He sat back down. "That's your belated midterm," he decided. "As a start, we'll be watching The Way Down. If nothing else, it helps stir our claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed spaces, and our nyctophobia, our fear of the dark. Anything could be going on in the darkness, the caves..."

He smiled. "Get to work!"

[[ up and at them! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

<<No, just keeping me awake,>> she pouted. Emma was perfectly innocent, thank you! She wasn't plotting anything!

...maybe dyeing some of those curls with Kool-Aide, should he ever do something to rouse her wrath again. It might be Great Justice.

Anything but Kool-Aid! Jack had looked absurd with pink hair.

<<I'm doing you a favor,>> he argued. <<Mitchell might throw something at you if you fell asleep, and then you'd just be embarrassed.>>

It was a nonsensical argument, but Jack reached over to poke her in the side as punctuation anyhow.

Edited 2010-03-15 17:37 (UTC)

<<He would not, unless he wanted a pissy little telepathic monster on his hands,>> she yawned, nudging at his leg with her foot. <<And then he'd have more to angst over if I scared the children, and we can't have that.>>

Jack nudged her back. <<And that wouldn't be overreacting at all?>> he asked skeptically. <<But fine. So stay awake because I want to talk to you.>>

<<I never overreact, I make a statement,>> Emma huffed indignantly, but she obligingly rearranged herself to dump her feet in his lap. They were cold, Jack was comfy, and it was the closest she got to cuddling in public.

<<So talk. What's got you all a-buzz this morning?>>

Jack gave her a surprised look at the contact, but reached down to try to knead her ankles.

<<Terrifying the class is not exactly a statement justified by an eraser being chucked at your head,>> he claimed.

<<Nothing in particular.>> Such a lie, but, even silently, he wasn't starting on what was bothering him in the middle of class. <<I was wondering if the lady might favor me with an evening out this week.>>

<<Terrifying the class is always justified,>> she sniffed. <<It develops character.>>

Or something.

<<And you're a horrible liar, you know, if one knows what to look for.>> Emma just brushed lightly against the outer edges of his mind. Not peeking, just the telepathic equivalent of playing with his hair. <<But the lady would be honored, Mr. Priest.>>

<<Why should Effy have to get her character developed because you're upset with Mitchell?>>, he volleyed back at her. <<Hypothetically.>>

He pressed his thumb into her ankle bone as distraction from the silly conversation. <<I'm a very good liar. You're just too nosy. Dinner, Friday night? You can pick the place.>>

Edited 2010-03-15 19:31 (UTC)

<<Because I find Effy unobjectionable as a person, and if she's going to get upset when I use my powers, I'd rather have her do so sooner rather than later so I don't get my hopes up,>> she drawled, not letting him distract her. <<Hypothetically, of course.>>

Except that was very distracting, and he got a happy telepathic purr for his efforts as she wriggled her foot. <<Not too nosy,>> Emma objected. <<I'm perfect just the way I am.>>

<<I picked Effy as a random example and you know it, but I assume you'd say much the same for anyone else in class,>> Jack pouted at her, pressing his thumb down again and working it slowly around the slim joint.

<<I can think of a few ways that you're less than perfect.>>

Emma gave him a mental raspberry. <<Practically perfect in every way,>> she disagreed. <<That's me.>>

Humility was still not Emma's strong suit.

Horror 101, Monday

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film

Re: Watch The Film