fandomhigh | So You Say You Want a Revolution: Week 2, Period 3

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So You Say You Want a Revolution: Week 2, Period 3

"You all found your way back," Aly said with a teasing smile as the bell rang for the class to begin. "I'd be impressed, but I've met Fandom students before."

"Before we start, I'd like to introduce my TAs for this term - Ino Yamanaka, Rinoa Heartilly, Percy Jackson, and Nico di Angelo. Four isn't usual, I know, but we're trying something new this time around. I'd like each of the TAs to head up a small group of their classmates. When we work in teams or have small discussions, that's the group you'll be with."

She went to flip over the whiteboard to show the groups she'd set up.

*Percy Jackson
Cally
Faramir
Jason Todd
Makita

*Rinoa Heartilly
Cara
Kyle Reese
Leda
Proto

*Ino Yamanaka
Cloud Strife
Karla
Leia Organa
Shira

*Nico di Angelo
Elphaba Thropp
Katniss Everdeen
Luke Castellan

Aly glanced at the groups then back at the class. "If you hate who you're with, talk to me and - yeah, never mind. If you hate who you're with, deal with it. You don't always get to work with your friends when planning a revolution. Pull your desks together, and spend some time getting to know each other if you don't already.

"Last week we talked about the reasons why you personally would rebel against a government. What I'd like you to do today is to stay in the small groups and talk about why you - as a group - would rebel against something. You can look at it seriously or rebel against mandatory cheerleading uniforms for the whole school, but remember, revolutions aren't put together by one person. It's always a group effort. So today, let's start with that."

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Luke had what he thought was a perfectly good reason to rebel, but he wasn't exactly comfortable sharing it with Nico around. It was one thing to speak ill of the gods, but it was another to talk about overthrowing them. So he sat quietly while waiting for his group to assemble and tried to think of a different idea.

Still playing it cool, Nico joined the group he was assigned to and nodded at Luke. "What do you say to rebelling against our current town government for the lack of a decent burger? Pushing it too far?"

"I could get behind that," Luke said. "I think the awesome camp food spoiled me. It's just not as good here."

And he really missed those cups that poured whatever drink he wanted. Maybe he could steal one during the next trip home...

"I believe I am part of this group," Elpbaba said, joining them. "I... I do not think I know quite enough of your world to suggest something to rebel against."

But she certainly had ideas, based on her readings.

"He and I aren't exactly from the same world as these other people either," Luke said, nodding his head at Nico. "I'm sure you can suggest anything and we can fit it to make sense here."

"Well," Elphaba said, thinking out loud. "The way animals are treated in this world is awful. I mean, even in Oz we will raise animals for food, but not in the ways I have read about taking place on this Earth. It is something worth taking a stand against, I believe."

"That works," Luke told her. "So you'd rebel against the meant industry or something."

"Exactly," Elphaba said. "I'm not exaggerating when I say it's downright cruel what happens. It makes a little sick just to even think about."

There was a very adamant tone to her voice. She deeply cared about this subject.

"Well just don't get too overboard with it, even if it's a good cause," Luke said, thinking of crazy Peta people. "Otherwise they'll think you're just crazy and not take you seriously."

"I only was making a suggestion," Elphaba said. "You think believing it cruel is too much?"

She raised a questioning eyebrow. She was normally on the defensive.

"No, that's not too much," he said. "But there can be overdramatic ways of rebellion that hurt more than they help."

Pot calling the kettle black, there.

Re: Discussion Groups [9-8]

didntchewgrass.livejournal.com - 2010-09-09 00:08 (UTC) - Expand

"I have plenty of reasons to rebel," Katniss volunteered. "Just not here. And I don't have the capabilities at home."

Finding out she wasn't being watched had made her a little more comfortable in this class.

"I can relate to that," Luke said, unable to help himself even though Nico was there. "It is hard to rebel here when your home sucks in comparison."

Katniss arched a brow. "How much does your home suck?"

She had to use the unfamiliar word to mimic him. After all, Luke had known about Twinkies. His home couldn't be that terrible.

Luke shrugged. "I practically raised myself since my parents are...unavailable."

Yes. That's a good term to describe it.

"And I've been training my whole life to fight, and I make once little mistake and suddenly I'm metaphorically put on a shelf for life," he said. "I'm just supposed to sit around and train others to do what I should be doing."

That was a rant, but he was holding on to a lot of issues.

Katniss studied him for a moment before offering, "My father died when I was eleven, and my mother shut down entirely. I had to feed myself and my sister for years. It's not the same, but you have my sympathy."

The other part, she couldn't relate to. She was in the opposite position, herself -- wishing she could be put on a shelf for life, rather than in the spotlight, and the arena. Though she had her share of training to do, though she was likely dreading it for entirely different reasons.

"I'm sorry," he said immediately. Luke wouldn't describe what happened to his mother as shutting down, but he figured it was close to his situation. "This place is a lot better compared to both our homes I guess, huh?"

"Worlds better," Katniss said with a little smile. "Why don't you want to train others to follow in your steps, even if you can't fight yourself?"

"It's not that. I'm happy to train them if it means it'll give them a better chance of survival," Luke explained. "I just hate being left behind in a fight."

Elphaba nodded, empathetic to her plight. "I am sorry," she said. "But perhaps we could devise a way that others could help? I mean, with all the people from this school, the possibilities seem... unlimited."

"No," Katniss said shortly. "No one here is going to change my home for me. Thank you."

She didn't mean to be rude, but curtness was necessary. No one was going to go to Panem, for any reason. She couldn't allow it.

"I was only meaning in terms of the class," Elphaba said, being just as curt back. "As in theory."

"There's not much anyone can do in theory," Katniss said with a shake of her head. "And theory is useless without practice, anyway."

"Well, then I am sorry to have suggested it," Elphaba said, apologizing to be polite even though she thought the girl was being a bit pig-headed. "My aplogies."

"You don't need to apologize," Katniss said with a shrug. "But idealism won't help my situation. Thank you all the same."

That was Katniss' version of politeness. Pig-headed was just the start with her.

Edited 2010-09-09 00:23 (UTC)