fandomhigh | How to Make Friends and Influence People [Tuesday, April 15, 2014]

How to Make Friends and Influence People [Tuesday, April 15, 2014]

Anakin was typing as angrily as someone texting with two thumbs onto a comlink could when the class arrived. People were being Wrong on the Internet about The Amazing Race, Anakin's favorite show, and that couldn't be allowed to stand...and Rory had taken a hard line years ago about giving people migraines by thinking very hard at them. Typing in all caps was all he had left.

"Sometimes people are stupid and wrong," Anakin began, finally looking up, "and no amount of sweet talking will fix that. Today you have three scenarios to work through: one online, one using a telephone, and one in person. Think of this as prep for your final exam: break some truth to these people."

He went back to texting. Angrily.

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Tell Anakin that he's wearing mismatched boots. To his face.

Mwahaha.

Oh, Cosette would totally do that. She thought of it as a considerate gesture, granted.

"Pardon, Monsieur Skywalker," she said, quietly, so as to not draw undue attention. "But I think you may have had a little bit of a mishap with your shoes today."

"How so?" Anakin asked, eyebrows drawing together.

Cosette hesitated for just a moment while she fought off a faint sense of apprehension; it might have showed as a brief flicker in her otherwise steady expression.

"Well. I could be mistaken, and if I am I'm very sorry," she said carefully. "I'm not up to date on the latest fashions just yet, and of course there are just so many to keep track of around here, everyone coming from so many different places and times as they do. It's just that you seem to have two completely different boots on, that's all."

"There's no way I'm--" Anakin began, staring down at his feet. "Oh."

Cosette half-smiled at him. "It's hard to notice sometimes, I know, when one's in a hurry, but just think if you'd only remembered to put on one! That would be far less pleasant."

"And soggy," Anakin said with a tiny smile of his own. "Thank you for pointing out my mistake."

And there was a sentence he wouldn't have said five years ago.

Somewhere, Tahiri was keeling over in shock.

"It's only right," Cosette answered, because while she might be good at managing her father when he was being unreasonably stubborn she also took all his good traits to heart. "I'd hope someone would do the same for me."

She paused, laughed softly, and added, "Either way, I'm glad you didn't end up soggy as well."

"Me too," Anakin admitted. "This weather has been ridiculous. At least we can dry out this time, right?"

The look on Cosette's face was almost an extremely faint smirk, or it would be from someone a little older and more self-aware. Mostly, she just looked amused.

"Ridiculous even by this place's standards?"

You had to make sure of these things.

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

sith_happened - 2014-04-16 08:53 (UTC) - Expand

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

wildandbrave - 2014-04-16 16:17 (UTC) - Expand

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

sith_happened - 2014-04-16 18:42 (UTC) - Expand

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

wildandbrave - 2014-04-16 19:22 (UTC) - Expand

"PSSSSST!" Joker hissed at Anakin, in the loudest stage whisper ever. "BOOTS." He pointed down at his own feet, by way of explanation.

"Yes, I am wearing some," Anakin said. "Why?"

Never let it be said that Korra backed down from a challenge. Even when that'd be a good idea.

"So, rushed morning, huh?"

"Fairly," Anakin agreed. "Did you know it can take a toddler forty minutes to eat a small bowl of oatmeal?"

"That I did not." Mostly because oatmeal wasn't that much of a thing in her world. "Though I'd believe it after being around Meelo."

"Who's Meelo?" Anakin asked.

"One of Tenzin's kids," Korra explained. "He's five, and an airbender so when I say he whooshes about the place..."

Yes, Korra was making 'whoosh' gestures with her hands.

Anakin laughed. "I know the feeling. Both of my children are strong in the Force. It makes for a messy meal if they decide something is gross."

"Tenzin's got three others," Korra said with a grin. "I mean Rohan's just a baby, but sometimes I'm surprised he can manage to dress himself properly."

"It takes a certain skill," Anakin agreed, "especially when everyone's screaming and ten minutes late."

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

failsatspirit - 2014-04-15 19:30 (UTC) - Expand

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

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Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

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Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

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Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

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Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

sith_happened - 2014-04-16 10:12 (UTC) - Expand

Re: People Are Being Wrong: In Person

failsatspirit - 2014-04-16 10:13 (UTC) - Expand

"Eff why eye, your boots don't match," Jessica said, sticking with directness. "Sorry, but it was hard not to notice."

"They're supposed to be like that?" Anakin tried.

"Sorry, but I don't buy it," Jessica said. "The rest of your outfit is way too precise. But don't worry, it happens. Last week I wore a shirt backwards for half the day before realizing it, and I don't even have kids to use as convenient scapegoats."

"Was it a button-up shirt?" Anakin checked, smiling.

"Fortunately, no," Jessica said. "But that would have been impressive."

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