fandomhigh | Practical Philosophy, Monday

Last night, an automated message had gone out to everyone - by computer for those who could use one, and by printed, mailed note to those who couldn't - telling them to meet in a classroom instead of on the dorms this time.

It would swiftly become clear why, as a komodo dragon entered the room with a kitten sitting on his head. A few moments later, a nexu followed, grinning his intensely unsettling grin at the class. The nexu sat down in the corner and immediately began grooming his own behind.

The kitten hopped up on the desk and batted at the computer keyboard lying on top of it.

A projector beamed Ender's image onto the wall behind the circus.

"If you're seeing this," said Ender in the video, "I'm currently transformed into something else, most likely a komodo dragon - a large lizard - though it's entirely possible the island has come up with something else for me. My teaching assistant and my partner will also have been inconvenienced, or one of them would be the one teaching you today."

The Ender in the video smiled faintly.

"I think this is an excellent time to discuss the ethics of transformation," he said. "Learning experience? Drastic betrayal of consent by an omniscient island entity? An unfortunate consequence of living on this island, much like floods and earthquakes are elsewhere? Has it happened to you, or are you afraid it will, and what measures have you taken to cope with it? Are you considering taking some now?"

There was a short pause.

"I'll be attempting to communicate with you through a translator, who will digitally print my answers on this very screen," he said. "I hope that she will remain true to the actual meaning of my words and not play tricks on you, but be forewarned there is someone else paying some attention right now. She won't betray anything said in this room to anyone outside of it, mind, but I felt full disclosure was important here."

The projector clicked off.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's... different.

And yet somehow Ender has managed to drop sandwiches on a table near the front anyway.

Well. That at least answered some of Eleanor's questions, as to the nature of Elsa's transformation.

Elsa herself didn't seem all that concerned, as she snuggled into Eleanor's lap with a yawn.

Joker's gaze went back and forth from the creatures at the front of the class to the bear on Eleanor's lap. He leaned in close, so he could ask out of the corner of his mouth, "coincidental new pet, or is this an epidemic?"

"I don't think I'd pick a polar bear," Eleanor said lightly. "Elsa will be so disappointed that you don't recognize her. Say hello, Elsa."

It was hard to describe the noise Elsa made, in response. Something of a growl crossed with a honk, with a trill of her tongue. Indescribable, but hugely, amazingly adorable. Just like the big dark eyes that were now staring up at Joker like maybe, just maybe, he had fishies.

"Well, hello, Elsa," Joker cooed, reaching out a hand to scritch her head. "I'll bet Eleanor's been taking good care of you."

He gave Eleanor a grin. "She's even more adorable than usual."

"Isn't she?" Eleanor laughed. "You should see when she's more awake. Class is interrupting her nap time today, or else I imagine she'd be running excited laps around here."

Elsa for her part was growl-honking excitedly at Joker's hand. Hands! Hands were great!!! Hands should always be petting her. That was where they belonged. She nuzzled happily into his palm, fully willing to do the petting herself if need be.

Joker burst out laughing and petted Elsa more. "That sounds amazing. 'Course, now's probably not the best time for that. I dunno what that thing in the corner is, but nothing good can come of small fuzzy creatures scampering in front of it."

"If any of those creatures try anything, I'll set them on fire," Eleanor said firmly.

What? She totally could. No eating the Elsa-bear.

"Not the kitten," Joker insisted. "That's a good way to insta-fail the course."

"Do you know who the kitten is, usually?" Eleanor asked. "I'd never set a kitten on fire. I meant more the ... odd ... thing with all of those teeth."

"Well, he... recording-him, I mean... said 'TA' and 'partner', right?" Joker mused. "Do you think 'partner' means boyfriend?" He gave a shrug. "Balance of probability, I'd say the alien death-ocelot is Cade."

"You have a white bear in your lap," Celia greeted Eleanor, eyeing the bear curiously.

Given today's class topic, she was a bit more interested even than she'd already be.

"I have temporary custody of her," Eleanor explained. "At least, I've asserted temporary custody, and no one has challenged me. Would you be surprised to learn that you and this bear are acquainted?"

"Less surprised than usual," Celia said, glancing towards the creatures leading their class. She glanced back at the polar bear, then at Eleanor, then at the students present. "...it's not -- she's not Elsa, is she?"

The Elsa-bear appeared to know her name; she glanced up at Celia with her dark beady eyes and ... made that adorable honk-growl noise again. Celia ought to be petting her! Why wasn't Celia petting her?

Eleanor scritched under Elsa's chin. "Very good guess," she said. "She's far more affectionate than I had anticipated, in this shape."

Perhaps because it was safe.

Oh, don't worry. Celia would happily commence with the petting. "Of course she is," she said with a small smile, glancing at Eleanor. For the obvious reason, yes, but also -- "Look how darling she is! How could she not be affectionate?"

Celia was verging on using baby voices, here. She would deny it later.

Practical Philosophy, Monday

Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture