http://olympian-herc.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] olympian-herc.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2012-01-04 04:24 am
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Practical Mythology, 1/4/12, Period 2, [Class Session 1]

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.]

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know..." Darcy fished around for a topic. "Where are you from? How long have you been here for?"

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uh, from New York and I'm going on my second year now," Percy said, nodding. "It's pretty different from New York but no place is really New York."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Okay, so we both come from the same country, imagine that." Darcy commented. "What do you around here?"

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
Argued with Luke lately.

"Uh, I do a lot of training," Percy said, nodding. "And I hang out with my dog. I like to swim too. Actually, I'm pretty darn good at swimming. What...about you?"

Small talk wasn't Percy's greatest strength. He was trying though.

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that was something they had in common.

"What kind of dog? My swimming is mostly recreational. And, you know, Arizona. You either swim or start an affair with an air conditioner." Darcy made a face at that image. "That needs a different description."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
The description amused Percy and he did crack a smile because yeah. "She's a -- " Hellhound. " -- poodle, actually. And before you laugh or make jokes, I inherited her from someone that's no longer with us. She's a good dog."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Poodles can be cute!" Darcy defended. "As long as they're not pink or named Tuffy or something. Those are big no-no's."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
"She's Mrs. O'Leary which is what her previous owner named her," Percy shared, nodding. "He was a...strange guy but he loved the dog and she likes the name so who am I to change it on her now?"

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
"That is a very unusual name." Darcy admitted. "Is the dog Irish?"

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] seaweed-demigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't think so," Percy said, shaking his head. "She just had a strange owner. I never did ask where he got the name and he never explained so I just went with it."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] taseredagod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Darcy nodded. "That seems like a wise decision."