fandomhigh | Practical Philosophy, Monday

The sky was overcast, but the temperatures weren't terribly low and the threat of rain not so high that Ender opted to stay indoors. Instead they were out on the dorm lawn again, a bag of sandwiches sitting in what would soon be the center of a circle of students.

Before he started talking in general, he glanced towards Yeul and said, "I'd like to see you after class, please."

Then his attention shifted. "Last week, we experienced some interesting events," Ender said, only a little dry humor obvious from his tone of voice. "The peppers were a nuisance, that's for sure. I hope all of you made it through unharmed and unsinged." They usually did at Fandom-- he didn't think he spotted any major injuries.

"Now, the phones are a semi-annual problem. I've experienced that one several times since I came here. I always don't realize what is going on until I've already made a few calls of my own - and I'm always left wondering what prompted me to respond in the first place," he said. "What is it that makes us want to say something back when someone says something to us? Why can't we just let obviously confused, crazy people be?"

He shrugged. "Maybe it's because our lives are built and supported by our ability to communicate, so when someone communicates oddly at us, we're alarmed," he said. "Maybe we've just all got tempers. Maybe we're just trying to turn a freak occasion into some amusement for ourselves. Or maybe it's just human nature for the entire tribe to start shouting when one member does."

He stretched his legs out. "How was your week?" he asked.

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Or if it was requested?

When class ended, Yeul remained seated on the grass until it was just her and Professor Wiggin left. Her next class was not until period four, so there was plenty of time.

"You wished to speak with me?" she asked, smiling slightly.

"Yes," Ender said. When he looked her way, he wasn't smiling back - he looked pensive. "You enjoyed questioning the other students last week."

She looked thoughtful.

"I suppose so," Yeul conceded slowly. "I understood that the exercise was to discuss with others and once I talked to a few, I wished to draw everyone into conversation so that no one would be left out."

Except, perhaps, herself. She'd had very little conversation about herself last week.

Ender had noticed, if simply because it was a familiar strategy. He merely hadn't thought it the time to push through.

"I know," he said. "You grasped the full purpose of the class and acted accordingly. I'd like you to continue doing so as my assistant."

"As your assistant?" she echoed, which was the only indicator of her surprise. "I do not mind, I suppose." Though 'talked the most' was a curious qualifier. "Will I have other duties?"

"Should ever a reason come up that I can't run this class myself, I'll expect you to do so," Ender said.

And that was why 'talked the most' was a relevant qualifier.

Another person might have protested their complete lack of experience at being an assistant or teaching.

"That would be interesting," Yeul said agreeably. "Though I will not hope for it."

Yet another reason why she was perfect for the job, honestly.

"Neither will I," Ender said. "But if such a thing occurs, just look to the past week and do as you did last class. And don't forget the sandwiches."

"I will not forget the sandwiches," she said, solemn except for the smile in her eyes. "I do not think I would have much of a class if I did."

"I'm fairly sure they're the only thing that keep some of my students coming," Ender said, offering her a faint, friendly smile and a hand to shake.

"Then it would be a shame not to have them," she replied, reaching to shake his hand. "I will do what I can."

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