fandomhigh | Coping With Change, Friday, Period 3

//Change,// Jonothon said, stepping into the classroom and starting his lecture without preamble today, //happens. Winter turns to spring, puppies turn into dogs, people come and go. There are very few constants in the world. But, I hope, you knew that. Anyone who's had me as a teacher in semesters past can likely see that I'm no stranger to the idea, either.//

He leaned back against the front of his desk, arms crossed over the bandages that kept his flames from licking out from his chest and face into the room.

//If you're in this class, it's likely you've either recently gone through a major change in your life, or else you're expecting one.// Pause. //Or else you'll be telling me the office has made a terrible mistake. In which case, congratulations on having some stability in your life. We're all terribly jealous.//

And also, your teacher was a bit of a snarker. You'd have to cope with that on top of all of that change in your lives.

//For those of you who mean to be here, expect this class to be just as much theory as candid discussion of how you might apply it to your own life. I'm not going to make anyone discuss what change they've been through if they're not comfortable sharing with the class, mind, though obviously anyone is welcome to come talk to me if they need someone to confide in. I respect your right to privacy and I do keep rum on hand for squirrel bribes if need be. And, for what it's worth, this telepathic voice of mine doesn't mean that I'm rooting through your brains looking for your deepest secrets. I have much better things to do.//

Much, much better things. Like keeping his own brain in order.

//Today we're going to start off simple. Introductions, because there are new faces here I'm not familiar with. Name, class, and why you're taking this one. Feel free to share any recent changes you might be adjusting to - coming to this ridiculous bloody island absolutely counts - and we'll get into the real meat of dealing with those changes next week. For example, I'm Jonothon Starsmore, Fandom High graduate, 2011, and it's been a very long three years since. Call me Jono or Jon. Please. I'm here teaching this class because when I was your age, I was stuck figuring out how to handle everything that had turned upside-down for me on my own. And if you're wondering just what I know about change…// His psionic voice took on a wry tone. //Remind me to bring a photo album with me to class sometime.//

He waved a hand at the room.

//Any questions or volunteers to go first? I'll pick for you, otherwise.//

[OOC: Open! Have at!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"My name is Cosette, and I've only just moved here from France," said Cosette, with no sign of any earlier surprise. "My father and his brother were gardeners at the convent where I was going to school, but then his brother died, so Father and I left. We've come from 1829 -- that's quite enough of a change as it is, isn't it?"

//It's more than a little,// Jono replied gently. He'd noticed her staring earlier, during his lecture. That sort of thing was difficult to miss. But he was going to let it slide. He knew how shocking his voice could be. //How are you finding 2014 so far, Cosette?//

"Strange. Not overwhelming, but I feel as though it could very easily be," Cosette admitted. "Though being outside the convent at all was strange, even for the few weeks before we came here."

//'Not overwhelming' is a good start,// Jono offered. //The strange never really stops, but people tend to get used to accounting for it with time. Is there anything you've found particularly jarring about Fandom?//

Cosette bit her lip and hesitated briefly, then laughed. "Only that it's so very different from what's on the other end of the causeway! There, I know for certain that it isn't 1829 any more but here, when I'm walking about town, I could almost believe that I never left home. It certainly looks similar enough, and then I'll run across something that runs on electricity or the like. That's quite jarring, I have to admit."

//Something so close to home, with something so fundamentally different?// Jono considered that, and then nodded. Yeah, he could see how that would be jarring. //It gives you just enough time to feel comfortable with your surroundings again, before jumping up with a reminder like electric light bulbs or television.//

Cosette nodded eagerly, grateful that he understood what she meant without her having to elaborate; she wasn't sure she could, just yet.

"It isn't unpleasant," she was quick to amend. "I like it, truthfully. It's only that it all sometimes feels like a strange dream."

//That's fairly normal, for around here,// Jonothon offered. //Honestly, I haven't found many people who don't feel the same way. So, if nothing else, you'll at least have that much in common with most of the people around you.//

"Thank goodness for that, at least!" Cosette laughed. "That does help. Do you still feel that way sometimes?"

//More often than I'd care to admit.// Jono's own voice carried a slight lilt of amusement. //I suppose one constant around here is that there'll always be something that still manages to surprise you. I've found that it's more often pleasant or harmless than not, at least. I hope you'll find the same.//

Coping With Change, Friday, Period 3

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!

Re: Introductions!