fandomhigh | Supernatural Studies, Wednesday, Period 1

Jack was standing at the front of the classroom as the students filed in. He didn’t look much older than they did, but between the natty blue suit and his general air of authority it was clear he thought he was in charge of the classroom. It was his first time ever in front of a class in this way, but he refused to be nervous.

“Welcome to Supernatural Studies,” he said, once everyone was in their seats. “I’m Jack Priest. You can call me Jack, or Mr. Priest, or even Professor Priest if you’re the type. I graduated in 2010, so some of you may still remember me as a student.”

He rather hoped not; it might get awkward.

“And this” – and now he smiled – “is your official scholarly introduction to things that go bump in the night. For the purposes of this class, we are defining supernatural as anything that cannot be entirely explained by science or the laws of nature, or that goes beyond baseline human experiences and abilities.”

“Some of you are no doubt from home worlds where there’s nothing supernatural at all. Others are from places more like my home world, where magic is accepted to the point of seeming a bit dull. Whatever your world is like, I guarantee you there’s at least one thing you think is absolutely true about the supernatural that someone else in the classroom would swear is totally false. I trust you’ll all respect the diversity and not waste time arguing about it; I also trust no one here will make things up for fun.”

“The second thing I’d like to request is that we don’t, as it were, ‘out’ each other as being supernatural. It’s fine to talk about your own special skills and background, but if you happen to know the person sitting next to you is a shapeshifting imp, please keep it under your hat. It’s important to me everyone feels comfortable here, and that means respecting everyone’s privacy.”

Including Jack’s. He had no intention of discussing his own lycanthropy with the class unless he had to.

“That’s what I have for now,” he concluded. “And as this is the first week, I suspect the world would end without introductions. Please state your name, grade, and one thing that’s true about supernatural forces in your home. If your universe has nothing supernatural that you know of, share a common myth or legend about a supernatural creature. If your universe has nothing supernatural and no myths or legends, explain why you’re here to start with.” He pointed at a student. “Begin.”

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"Sounds good. Be nice to put on a college application and, wow, I'm turning into my dad," Stiles said, making a face. "Quick, change the subject, what was the other thing you wanted to talk about?"

"Derek," Jack said, wincing a bit. "Have you made up, or does he still want to -- not to worry you -- tear you into tiny bits?"

Stiles wasn't worried about Derek wanting to kill him. It was almost familiar, really.

"Made up?" Stiles repeated, looking at Jack like he was crazy. "Making up is not going to happen. I'm pretty sure we're both more than happy not speaking to each other for the rest of our lives while having shared custody of Puppy Joe."

"A broken home for Puppy Joe," Jack sighed. "All right. I suppose I'm just glad you didn't tell me about Laura and drag me deeper in than I had to be."

"Sorry," Stiles said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It'll be fine. This is the kind of relationship with Derek that I'm more used to."

He was only just slightly mopey about the whole thing. Just slightly.

"I'm sorry I made things so weird."

Jack shook his head. "No, you didn't do anything wrong," he said. "I'd hate to be in Derek's place, but trying to save his sister might have sent a thousand other things wrong."

That was time travel 101. Jack didn't like it, but he'd accept it.

Stiles visibly relaxed, relieved that someone actually understood. "Thanks, Jack. I hope Derek understands that someday."

"It'd be nice, but I doubt he will," Jack said, because he couldn't lie. "I'm not sure I'd be as calm if it were my sister."

"Yeah, I get it. I wouldn't have liked it if it were my dad. Which I told Derek when he brought up the same thing," Stiles said. "Didn't exactly help things. Neither did fessing up to the fact that I'm a selfish asshole."

Jack thought it unwise to say he didn't think anything would have helped.

"What was selfish about it?" he asked. "I won't argue asshole, everyone's that."

"I'm beginning to realize that," Stiles said, huffing out a laugh. "And I am selfish. I pretty much purposely made Derek's life miserable so I wouldn't have to lose him."

That was like Jackson level evil right there.

Jack chewed on a thumbnail. "You did," he said. "You also kept him from getting himself killed. You might have been kinder to avoid him entirely in Fandom, but --"

He shrugged. He wouldn't have done especially well with that one either.

"Is the worst of it over for him?"

Edited 2013-01-09 21:55 (UTC)

"Not by a long shot," Stiles answered. No use lying to a werewolf, is there? "But he gets out of it alive, which is what matters to me."

Stiles had Issues with death. The capitalization was completely necessary.

Edited 2013-01-09 22:06 (UTC)

"At least that's something."

Which didn't mean Jack didn't want to know more. He stretched his legs, leaned back against a desk. "I'm reminding myself not to ask if he at least catches the bastard who tore Laura apart."

"It's fine to ask, I don't think saying that we got the alpha is too much of a spoiler." The fact that he didn't stay dead and Stiles regularly texted him however... "It's a group effort, which is why I'm hoping Derek isn't completely ignoring the other me and Scott. He's going to need us."

"I don't know. I haven't talked to him about it since New Year's," Jack said (and now it was his turn to look relieved). "I can try to hint him in that direction, at least."

"Good luck with that, really," Stiles said. "I wouldn't be surprised if one mention of my name sends him into a growly rage."

"Well, at least that won't be anything new for him."

Stiles smirked. "True. Sometimes I forget he's the guy who threatened to rip my throat out with his teeth and to cut my head off in the same afternoon. And this was when I was still scared of him."

Supernatural Studies, Wednesday, Period 1

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