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] kestrelswolf.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have also fought a dragon," Firekeeper offered, by way of a conversational opener. There! They had something in common already.

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] trickydemigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow, that makes three people in here," Luke said. "Did you kill yours?"

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] kestrelswolf.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not quite," Firekeeper admitted. "A friend binded the dragon's power to his own life, instead."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] trickydemigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-04 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"That sounds pretty cool," Luke said. "Unless that's a bad thing, then I'm sorry about your friend."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] kestrelswolf.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Is both good and bad," Firekeeper admitted. "Grateful Peace," because the New Kelvinese had odd naming conventions, "stop a very wicked sorceress from getting the dragon's power herself, but it have a price. For every year he live with the dragon, for his body, it is as if two pass. And the cost for using the dragon's power is even more."

Re: Grab a Partner and Talk!

[identity profile] trickydemigod.livejournal.com 2012-01-05 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah. Should've expected a catch like that," Luke said. "There's always one with something that sounds that cool."