atreideslioness: (Actually?I'm plotting to kill my husband)
Ghanima Atreides ([personal profile] atreideslioness) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2010-05-17 06:25 am

Surviving & Thriving -- Monday -- Second Period.

Students met in the Danger Shop this week, which was set-up to resemble a regular classroom. "You've made it back," Ghanima said, looking over the class as people arrived. "Today we're going to go a bit more complex than last week; we'll be looking at what makes Fandom different from most other schools. Namely, the prevalence of parallel universes, the school's propensity for being invaded by hostile entities, and our mascot, the Gremlin."

If she shot Algren an amused glance on that last part, it was purely the class's overactive imagination.

"You may have realized over the last week that there are students here from the past, from the future, and some that look familiar but are not quite who you think they are. A friend, perhaps, but slightly different from the person you know, or a complete doppelgänger wearing a familiar face, but with a different name, different personality, and from another world altogether. These are not uncommon occurrences, and can be blamed on the fact that Fandom High acts as a multiversal nexus, connecting with several parallel universes."

"Parallel universe or alternative reality is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. While the terms "parallel universe" and "alternative reality" are generally synonymous and can be used interchangeably in most cases, there is sometimes an additional connotation implied with the term "alternative reality" that implies that the reality is a variant of our own. The term "parallel universe" is more general, without any connotations implying a relationship, or lack of relationship, with our own universe. A universe where the very laws of nature are different – for example, one in which there are no relativistic limitations and the speed of light can be exceeded – would in general count as a parallel universe but not an alternative reality. The correct quantum mechanical definition of parallel universes is "universes that are separated from each other by a single quantum event." Ghanima quirked a slight smile. "Which is a headache trying to sort out, so we'll stick with using them interchangeably for this class, unless anyone has objections."

Algren was smirking a little as he stepped forward, possibly because if he attempted to look pleasant, it would hide his (still obvious) distaste at the subject matter that he was about to discuss.

"Another aspect of the island that you may or may not already have some experience with would be the local wildlife," he stated. "Last week saw a newcomer to the island in the form of those... hairy buffalo-dog things." Alots, Captain. Alots. "You might have also heard about the teal deer, which are, as their name suggests, deer. Deer that happen to be teal. But the one creature that calls Fandom Island home that you'll most certainly hear the most about would be the gremlin. They're more than just our school mascot. They're a relatively sentient species that lives wherever it can find shelter, and they've come to the island's aid more than a few times. They're really quite harmless, when you get right down to it, and they're possibly the most beneficial creature to call this island home once you take into consideration their role in saving us on more than one occasion, from zombies, and even from other gremlins."

A beat, and then he couldn't help but wrinkle his nose in distaste.

"They're also absurdly annoying. Their bite contains a highly hallucinogenic venom, and they use it when they feel threatened, aggressive, or just plain bored. If you happen to see somebody parading around, convinced that they're somebody they're not and acting altogether insane, look for a gremlin bite. And pull out a camera. The venom's effects will wear off before too long, of course, but the humiliation that it causes can be lasting."

And he should know.

"Just be aware that if you document it for the yearbook, your classmates may do the same to you," Ghanima pointed out.

"The last subject we'll touch on today is Fandom's history of invasions," she continued. "From time-to-time, hostile forces have attempted to claim the island for their own. Or worse yet, sometimes the enemy has been one that has no soldiers to fight; a plague, or a magical happening."

"Some of the island's invasions have been a result of parallel realities," Algren added. "A rival island looking to overtake this one for its own purposes, a sleeping sickness that pulled the consciousness of a good many of our population over to another, parallel Fandom. There's a ring of statues in the preserve that abducted people and rocketed them back in time. Some seem less serious at a glance, like simple monster attacks, or even hungry vegetables, but all have been dangerous. When the island is being afflicted with an invasion, your best bet is to stay inside the dorms, the school, Caritas, or the clinic, which are all considered safe places. And, if you're not the sort to hide inside," because he knew the island's population better than that, "then make absolutely certain you don't travel alone, and you treat whatever invading force you encounter with the utmost caution."

"Today, for your practical, we'll be combining parts of what we've talked about today," Ghanima said. "We are playing a game of Tag against a special guest.. Please stand."

[OOC: OCD up! Tag in!]

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shriek and run?" Rilla suggested nervously.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Please," Christian said, trying very hard to look like someone who would never shriek and (almost) succeeding. "I'd ... throw a shoe to distract it."

He was hardcore.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mine would have to be unlaced first," Rilla said. "Perhaps a hat pin instead?"

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"If one comes within jabbing distance," Christian said, stepping back away from one who was shambling towards them. "Or we could sing. Isn't music meant to sooth the savage beast?"

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"It is," Rilla agreed nervously, wielding her twelve-inch hatpin before her like a really, really skinny sword. "And I've never seen anything so savage. Or smelly."

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm trying not to breathe in," Christian whispered, then straightened again and turned to Frank. He tried to think of the most peaceful song he knew, opened his mouth, and came out with:

"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
-- "and whatever you are" - he interjected --
Living life in peace...."

[OOC: Want to Frankmod, or should we ask for an NPC? Also, yeah, not John Lennon.]
Edited 2010-05-17 17:11 (UTC)

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
He could sing. Sigh. Rilla was too busy staring starry-eyed at Christian to see what the gremlin was doing.

[OOC: Let's get a Frank!]

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Christian grinned at him and crouched down to the creature's height "La la la," he continued, trying to guide Frank into the song.

"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one...
"

He'd noticed the effect the song was having on Rilla; he was hardly displeased by it, though he hoped she knew the words and might be able to join in.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla didn't recognize the song and didn't have nearly the voice Christian (sigh) did, but she could certainly repeat what he was singing:

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one...


It was certainly quite catchy!

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Christian wasn't much of a dancer, truth be told, but if the gremlin could make an attempt, so could he. He added in some handclaps and twirls as he kept repeating the last few lines of the song.

"You're getting it!" He encouraged the gremlin. "Good!"

He felt half insane and half exhilarated.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla could dance, so she--probably unwisely--held out her hands to the gremlin, asking him to be her partner.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Rilla," Christian tried. He was hesitant because he still wasn't totally certain about the rules, but -- "I don't think you want to do that."

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla's eyebrows arched up. "Oh?"

Think, Rilla. Think.

"Oh, it's tag!" She snatched her hands back.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Christian came around Rilla and kicked out at the gremlin's head, hoping to bat it away before it made contact.

It was a flailing attempt, but at least it was an attempt.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla let out a shriek and tried to flee.

Re: Activity! : Tag! You're It!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-05-18 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
He succeeded.

Christian would spend the rest of class as a very cartoonish zombie.