Philosophy Classroom, PW office hours, Sunday 1-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara Maclay is in her office (well, okay, at her desk in the classroom. Who needs a separate office?) should parents wish to speak to her this afternoon.

Comments

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

Widow Twanky sweeps into the classroom. "Professor Maclay, I presume."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara stands, smiling politely. "You presume correctly. And you are...?"

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

Twanky beams at Tara "I am the Widow Twanky, also known as Keen Holly Bramble across the far shores of the Indian Ocean, and simply charmed to make your acquaintance."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara's smile grows to match Twanky's own, her friendliness just too infectious. "Likewise, Mrs. Bramble. And which of my students do you belong to?"

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Call me Twanky, darling. I, as a part of the Thracian Women's Guild's War Orphan Resettlement and Education Program, am the sponsor of a delightful young lass named Callisto." Twanky frowns. "Of course, apart from a brief moment at check-in, I haven't actually been able to find the dear girl."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry - Mrs. Twanky," Tara corrects herself, blushing a little. "I honoured to meet you. Callisto is one of my best students. She's been very supportive of her schoolmates over the last few days, so I wouldn't be surprised if she's gotten caught taking care of someone."

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Nothing at all to be sorry about, my dear. To tell the truth it makes me recall my own wild and reckless youth." Twanky reassures Tara. "I must say that is a welcome thing to hear. I must admit to being worried prior to coming here that the young scamp had gotten herself into all kinds of trouble."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara shakes her head, smiling. "Mrs. Twanky, I can't tell you what a pleasure Callisto is to have in my Ethics class. She's extremely intelligent, her observations are unique and deeply insightful, she is respectful to me and friendly with the other students, and her behaviour in the recent class assignment showed compassion and leadership. In fact, Callisto is nothing short of an exemplary student. You have every reason tp be proud of her."

*giggles madly*

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Indeed, the things I have been hearing about Callisto have nearly caused my heart to burst with pride. Especially considering the effort it took to pry her away from that band of ruffians. Would it be possible to tell me more about this assignment."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Certainly," Tara nods, gesturing to one of the large, comfortable armchairs. "It was an exercise to help the children understand slavery - an issue I understand Callisto already has some passing familiarity with. Callisto took the submissive role with good grace, and used her prior experience to support several of the students who were having troubles adjusting to their roles. She also organised a passive-aggressive slave rebellion, which reminded the students in the Master roles of their responsibilities without confrontation or humiliation."

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my." Twanky says in tones of And you survived this, how? "Passing familiarity, you could say that..."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara nods, biting her lip with another smile. "I think Callisto understood the point I was trying to get across better than the students for whom slavery was only a theoretical concept. I don't think I have words for how proud I was of her."

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Yes, indeed, I suspect she did." Shaking her head, Twanky smiles at Tara. "It was am absolute pleasure meeting you, Professor Maclay, but I really shouldn't be taking up any more of your time. Until next we meet, my dear."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"The pleasure was all mine, Mrs. Twanky," Tara replies. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Fandom."

[sfarrell.livejournal.com]

Shawn waddled in between his six body guards, like an ant on a huge piece of food that they couldn't carry. They didn't even knock as they entered the poor womans room, they barged in like a thousand rhinos to line up against the back wall. "Sorry about that, the calavary is hungry." he grins, "Shawn Farrell."-- holding out a hand --"Tara..Maclay, right?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Right," Tara says, taking Shawn's hand with a nervous glance at the large men. "You're Maia's friend?"

[centre-sydney.livejournal.com]

An older gentleman knocked on the doorframe with his knuckles, one eyebrow raised in inquiry. "Professor Maclay? I'm Miss Parker's godfather, Sydney LaVert. Do you have a moment?"

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Of course, Mr. LaVert," Tara smiles. "I'm very pleased to meet you. Would you like to take a seat." She gestures to the large, comfortable armchairs that sit in a circle around the classroom.

[centre-sydney.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me." Sydney makes himself comfortable in a chair with a view, and studies Tara closely. "If I understand correctly, you teach Ethics? How would you say Miss Parker is doing in your class?"

Sam the Bodyguard stands outside the classroom door, his back to Tara and the classroom-- but definitely noticeable.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara bites her lip, trying to find an appropriate way to phrase her response. "Parker has a very strict moral code, and she articulates herself well, but she can be... reluctant to accept other people's views."

[ooc: repost because I am a doofus.]

[centre-sydney.livejournal.com]

Sydney smiles at this, clearly amused. "You mean she is stubborn, and argumentative, perhaps?" He cocks his head. "Is it a problem in class? Or is she allowing others to at least speak their minds?"

_{[ooc: I am a bigger doofus. *headdesk* Thankyou!]}

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara laughs. "Yes, she's actually very active in class discussion. I think it's good for the other students to have someone to challenge them, but I think she's finding the class quite emotionally demanding."

[ooc: Thank *you*. All fixed.]

[sfarrell.livejournal.com]

"Yes, her guardian, her friend, confidante." he shakes her hand lightly, like a politician would, "So, how is she doing here in class?"

[centre-sydney.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Sydney's face sobers, and he puts a finger to his mouth for a moment, clearly thinking. "Yes. She finally confided in me about her health problems yesterday. Would you say the class is too demanding? Parker has...." He sighs, clearly at a loss. "Many difficulties, in her life. I wouldn't want her to put any more undue stress upon herself."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Mr. LaVert, to tell you the truth the class would be less demanding if Parker didn't keep so much to herself. If I'd known she wasn't well - particularly stress related - I wouldn't have asked so much of her. I'm afraid I inadvertantly added to her stress by assigning her to debate last week."