Practical Mythology, 1/4/12, Period 2, [Class Session 1]

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Hercules was not a man of subtlety. Despite not needing it at all this week, he had the class meet in the Danger Shop. Once the students entered, they'd find themselves in a replica of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. A place long lost to decay and ruin in modern times, but this was all shining marble, dazzling gold, polished ivory. Classical decadence combined with the finest of architecture.

In front of the giant statue of Zeus was a series of plush cushions. In front of the cushions, at the feet of the statue, sat Hercules himself. He wore not the modern outfit of micro fibers and dragon skin armor plates. Today, it was back to the classics. The sash, the battle skirt, the long sandals with leather straps that went up to his thighs.

Once the class had gathered, he clapped his hands together and spoke in his booming, happy voice.

"I am Hercules," he greeted the class. "Some of you already know me. For those that do not, I must make it clear I am... well if not the Hercules, I am definitely a Hercules, in this multitude of multiverses. The son of Zeus, the conqueror of the twelve labors, faithful Argonaut, hero of Brooklyn, former star of my own reality television show, and so on and on. This class is called practical mythology because I want you to know two things. One, these myths are not merely story, for they have actually happened. Two, the lessons they teach are real, and ones that you can apply to your lives, even in this modern world of iPads and Snookis and occupation movements."

He cracked his knuckles and pointed behind him, up at the face of the statue of Zeus.

"This is a statue of my father, the lord of Olympus, the sky father, god of lightning. We will learn more of him next week. Mostly, he's a stubborn ass who cares more about wetting his whistle than anything else. We are here in a replica of one of his temples, because I thought it fitting. But before we can learn the lessons of the past, I would like us all to learn about each other. Camaraderie, knowing your fellow student, this is important not only for this class, but for life. The bonds of friendship are some of the most important, and I do hope to forge bonds that go beyond merely student-teacher and fellow students. Today we start forging friendships and learning more about one another. To that end, I want everyone to introduce their self. Give us your name, your grade, why you signed up for this course, and one interesting fact about yourself. Then, after introductions, I want you to pair up with another student and just talk. Find some common ground, perhaps you both enjoy the same television or book, or perhaps you come from the same country or something of that sort."

Hercules cleared his throat. "I will start. My name is Hercules, as I have said. I am not a student, so I have no 'grade'. I teach this course due to my personal knowledge of having either been there, or having spoken with most of the figures involved in classic myth. Through my time in Olympus and other travels. It seemed natural for me to share this knowledge."

Pity he didn't actually remember it all due to the whole 'getting hit on the head for a living' thing. But that was a problem for the coming weeks.

"For one interesting fact, I am currently a fugitive from Olympus itself." He grinned a bit at that. "I may have broken into an armory of the gods and taken a few items to use in the battle against those who would do evil. Hardly a true crime."

He pointed to a student at random. "You, you can go next."

[ooc: OCD coming up! Class is in session.]

Comments

Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Name, Grade, Why You're Taking the Class, One Interesting Fact.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com]

"I'm Percy Jackson, I'm a junior and I'm taking this class because mythology's one of the only subject that interests me."

And because he was kind of involved in Olympus and all himself so. "Uh, one interesting fact? My half brother is actually a cyclops."

Hi, Tyson!

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Oh, if only I could keep track of all my half-siblings," Hercules said with a chuckle. "Heck, the Perseus of legend is one of them!" He chuckled.

"Family reunions for those of us with gods as parents are particularly... dramatic."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[hasadestiny]

"Lex Luthor, I'm a junior, I'm taking this class because mythology interests me, and my interesting fact is that I've been bald since I was nine."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Well, this means you are a prime candidate for adopting little orphaned redheads when you are older and richer," Hercules said with a nod. "It is good to have you in class, Lex."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"I'm Gabrielle, I'm a senior," she began, waving one hand (the tattoos hadn't faded, so she had to be retouching the henna) at the class. "I'm taking this class because I'm interested in seeing how other people remember these stories, and how much they've changed over time."

And if anyone else in the world remembered Xena, for the love of gods. Although that was likely to be a futile pursuit. (So unfair.)

"One interesting fact . . . hmm. I'm the worst dancer in my whole Amazon tribe."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"We will actually be covering the Amazons in this class!" Hercules said with a grin. "It is good for you to be here, Gabrielle. I look forward to you sharing your own versions of how you know the stories."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[wesleynotponcy.livejournal.com]

Wesley stood up. "My name is Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, I'm a senior, and I'm taking this class because in addition to being rather fascinated by mythology in my home world, I'm always intrigued by other dimensions' myths as well. And one interesting fact about me is, ah... I work in the library?"

Not terribly interesting, Wes, no.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"...that is your interesting fact?" Hercules said. He was really about to just shout 'Neeeeeeerd' at the top of his lungs, but he thought that might be inappropriate on day one.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[taseredagod.livejournal.com]

Darcy stood up awkwardly. "I'm Darcy Lewis, a sophomore, and I'm kind of interested in mythology, especially after some stuff that happened to me this summer." Darcy said vaguely. "And uh, I worked for an astro-physicist this summer."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"...what happened to you this summer?" Hercules asked, because it seemed an important question.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[endsthegame]

"My name is Andrew Wiggin, I'm a senior, and I'm here because I maintain an interest in classical mythology," Ender said simply. "Since my old school didn't have much of a library."

There was your fact, too.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"What is it with you all thinking libraries are interesting?" Hercules said. "Especially 'not having a library'. Is it interesting that I... do not have pigtails and a lollipop? Not really. But, it is good to have you in class, Andrew."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[trickydemigod.livejournal.com]

"I'm Luke Castellan, I'm a junior. I'm taking this class 'cause some of it is actual history for me rather than mythology," Luke started. "I fought a dragon before."

There. That was interesting and didn't mention trying to take over the world.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"How big was the dragon?" Hercules had to ask. "Was it... bigger than a barn?"

Hercules had once single-handedly taken down Dragon Man, so he was looking for a bit of a measuring contest here, yes.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[taseredagod.livejournal.com]

"You lied!" Darcy hissed at Luke after he did his introduction.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

"I'm Cassidy. I'm a sophomore and I'm taking this class because I'm curious to learn about the belief and stories of others." She smiled. "Oh, and one interesting fact? In the world I'm from, I'm a Queen with the ability to heal the land and the hearts of people."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Hercules gestured at Karla with a quizzical look on his face. "I don't suppose you come from the same world as Karla, do you?"

Because that set of information sounded quite familiar.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[abitlowkey]

"I am Loki," he said. "How many time will these introductions be necessary?"

Cranky.

"If you must know, I am a freshmen and I believe my brother chose this class for me. Something of interest about me... I have a pet bird."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Hercules paused, then carefully asked the next question. As he was ready to burst out laughing at one of his students, and that possibly wouldn't end well if one truly was a tiny Asgardian.

"Who is your brother?"

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

"I am Blysse Norwood, and he is Blind Seer," Firekeeper introduced herself and her usual companion. "We is both in senior grade, and take this class because I enjoy stories." She tilted her head slightly, as if listening to something, and then continued: "Blind Seer wish you to know an interesting thing about him is he reads some human words, even though wolf eyes is not made to do such things. An interesting thing about me is once I were kidnapped because some foolish people wished me to teach them things." Since 'I fought a dragon' was already taken.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Well, it is good to have you both," Hercules said with a nod. "Blind Seer is not actually blind, then?"

What with being able to read words and all. He'd touch on the kidnapping in a bit.

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[selfhelphero]

"I'm Billy Kaplan, I'm a sophomore, and I'm taking this class because I have an interest in mythology. Most of my knowledge is in the Norse stuff, so I figured I should branch out."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[glacial_queen]

"I'm Karla, I'm a junior, and I'm taking this class because my roommate is from ancient Greece, my old boss was the Greek goddess of love, I went on an adventure last semester that involved an ancient Greek feud, and I once got sacrificed by a maenad. Learning more about the stories might not be a bad idea," Karla said with an impish grin. "And I feel like any one of those might count as my interesting fact, too."

Re: Introduce Yourself!

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Bruce Wayne. Senior. It sounded interesting. And I own a private jet."

Somebody was cranky after a quiet night of recon on the mainland last night. Sorry for any attitude.