How To Get By In A Hostile World, Wednesday

[suitably_heroic]

It was a miracle Atton was even here. He'd been sincerely tempted to stay in bed this morning and let Sparkle do all the work, but... some stupid sense of duty he didn't even realize he had anymore had kicked in and now he was standing in front of the class, looking casual because that was about all he could manage right now.

"...Welcome to We-- I mean, How To Get By In A Hostile World," he drawled. "My name is Atton Rand, I used to go to school here, so don't think I don't know what I'm talking about. Okay. If you're in this class, it's probably because you're from somewhere terrifying where you're not exactly on top of the food chain. That may mean being an unpowered person in a world full of near-gods, or somebody who has powers but not exactly the kind that'll shake the world, or maybe you're just some poor schmuck living at the bottom end trying to get by."

Beat.

"Of course, if you're just here to show off how special you are, you can get out. Now."

Another beat. He waited for anyone to get up.

"...Okay, good. Anyway, I have powers now, but I didn't use to - or at least I didn't have the training so I might as well not have had them. Growing up, there was war all around us, and the people who actually had the powers to stop it decided to sit at home and twiddle their thumbs because the situation was quote-unquote 'complicated'. I've seen worlds burn and friends die."

He took a deep breath. He needed it to keep playing casual. "The only way I made it through the first decade or so of being on my own was by thinking on my feet," he said. "Exploring the weaknesses of people stronger than me, figuring out how to squeak by unnoticed, that kind of thing. So that's the stuff we'll be covering."

Atton nodded at a random student. "Talk to me," he said. "Who are you? What situation are you facing? What are you hoping to get out of this class? That kind of thing. Introductions are useful here, because a technique is only helpful if it's tailored to your actual situation."

He planted his ass on his desk. "Oh, and that guy over there with the stupid hair? That's Sparkle. He'll be your TA. If you have any stupid questions, take them to him." You're welcome, Sparkle.

Comments

Sign In!

[suitably_heroic]

With stupid questions.

Re: Sign In!

[poison-princess.livejournal.com]

Evangeline Greene

Re: Sign In!

[giveherahand]

Mara Jade

Listen to the Lecture

[suitably_heroic]

Blah, blah day one.

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[poison-princess.livejournal.com]

Well, yesterday's class was normal. This one decidedly was not. Powers? Near-god? Worlds burning?

Maybe Mr. Rand had used to go to school here because he was crazy and now was back because he couldn't hack it in the outside world? But, then, why was he teaching a class? And it was a legitimate class; or, rather, it was on her schedule and looked like it was supposed to be a legitimate class.

Also, how old was this guy? He looked barely older than she did.

Evie was raising her hand. "Excuse me? Were you the original teacher assigned to this class?"

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[suitably_heroic]

"Oh, look, we have our first stupid question," Atton said. Why had he consented to work with teenagers again? "Yes, I am. Actually, I wasn't assigned it, I suggested it."

Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

At least Atton isn't getting you shot at.

... This week.

Re: Introductions

[poison-princess.livejournal.com]

Evie was still giving Atton dubious looks when she made her introduction. "I'm Evangeline Greene, but I go by Evie. The only situation I'm facing is that I'm not home, where I belong."

She wasn't even having hallucinations anymore! The only thing standing between her life and perfection was that she wasn't in Sterling with all of her friends.

"I didn't sign up for it, my doc--someone else did. I think maybe they thought it would teach some kind of coping techniques or something for when life got tough?" As it could for the life of the rich and pretty.

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

"Well, it does, but if this island's the worst you got--"

Atton threw a glance Sparkle's way if he was there. "...Good luck."

Re: Introductions

[giveherahand]

"I'm Mara Jade," Mara said, "and I'm from Imperial Center, where I'm one of the Imperial dancers. I'm surrounded by very powerful people who are playing a very dangerous political game and I don't want to end up squashed like a mynock on a snubfighter." She opened big green eyes to stare imploringly at Atton. "I'm hoping this class can help."

Might be pouring it on a little thick there, Mara.

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

Juuust a bit. What was it with everybody in his class lying to him? "Aren't you a little young to be a dancer?" Atton asked. "I mean, I've seen plenty of them, and they're usually at least old enough to fly."

Please, Mara. He'd invented that approach.

Re: Introductions

[myownface]

Sparkle was side-eyeing Evie a little, mostly just looking smug. Ah, yes, there was the spoiled brat of a rich kid coming out. He'd have to smack her upside the back of the head later.

Or quietly and maybe sadistically just wait for her class with Pam and Cheryl.

"Sparkle, like Atton said," he announced once his turn came around. "Queer street kid from Toronto, history of getting in trouble with the cops, pretty sure I've been fucked over by coming to this place, but I graduate in a year so I guess we'll see."

The Sparknotes version. Atton already knew it, and he didn't particularly give a shit if his classmates had all the details, so.

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

"He does have a history of getting in trouble with the cops," Atton confirmed. "So I don't know anybody who's as good as squeaking out of that kind of trouble as this guy."

You know, consider that a recommendation or something.

Re: Introductions

[gavegoodface]

"I'm Garik Loran, though most people just call me Face, and I'm from Pantolomin by way of Lorrd," Face said. "I'm taking this class because back home's kind of in a bad way and I'm a big fan of not getting shot at."

He thought about adding 'Again' but that would probably be redundant considering the scar and all.

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

"Lorrd? Huh." Beat. "What year are you from?"

Re: Introductions

[notacokeperson.livejournal.com]

"I'm Karina Lyle," she said, once it was her turn. "I'm from Sternbild, which doesn't really matter in a place like this."

Well, it didn't.

"I'm here because I thought this sounded useful." Which was true! "The island's kind of a menace, you know?"

Which was also true.

The fact that the island being a menace had little to do with her reasons for picking this class, well, that was her business. So there. At least she hadn't lied?

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

"Oh, I know," Atton said, relieved that at least this one wasn't trying to mess with him or pitch a fit or anything. "Good as reason as any."

Well, better than all the other reasons he'd heard here so far bar maybe Face's.

Re: Introductions

[fly-so-serious.livejournal.com]

"Good to see you back," Joker said, with a wave. "You look like you've had a long summer. So... My name is Jeff Moreau, but I go by 'Joker'. I'm from 36.7 light years and 158 years away, and I'm the only normal person in a world full of mutants with the superpower to not break when they fall down." He waved a crutch in the air, so everyone could see. "I mean, seriously. Stairs count as a 'hostile world'. So... I'm the best damn pilot in the galaxy, and I'm going to join the military and fight pirates in the Skyllian Verge... so long as I can convince a ship's captain that I'm not a liability."

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

"Little stubbornness goes a long way in that situation, at least in my experience," Atton said. "Tough, but we can handle that one. It just takes a little more thinking and a little more yelling, though at least you've got the 'people underestimate me' angle covered in spades."

Re: Introductions

[notamascot]

"My name is Kaylin Neya and I'm from Elantra, now." She considered. "I suppose I would like to make sure my life doesn't end with me being eaten by the Dragon Emperor. Or just killed to make him happy. In the meantime I plan to be a Hawk for the Halls of Law. I don't know what I hope to get out of this class, but I assume Marcus or the Hawklord had some reason for choosing it for me."

And yes, she's telling the truth about that dragon thing. Even someone without Atton's internal sensor for lying would quickly discover that Kaylin was a terrible liar.

Re: Introductions

[suitably_heroic]

Atton blinked. "Okay, seems like a decent enough life goal," he said. "So how likely is this Dragon Emperor eating you?"

Talk to the TA

[suitably_heroic]

Y'know, the guy with the funny hair.

Re: Talk to the TA

[myownface]

Hey, Sparkle's stupid hair was fantastic, Atton. And he was here in case anybody had any questions for him. Or just wanted to shoot the shit. Or whatever.

Talk to the Teacher

[suitably_heroic]

Who doesn't seem to care that he has a chair.

OOC

[suitably_heroic]