fandomhigh | How to Win Friends and Influence People

Kanan had a hangover. Kanan was not talking about the hangover, okay? It was just that going by the island's schedule, he'd had one day left to try to win against the ryncol, and the ryncol had won the best two out of three.

So he was looking a little bit bleary as he looked at the class and said, "What week is it? Last week nobody had thumbs, so this week we're talking about fundamental techniques in handling people? That's what this is?"

He really should have taken water with that Krogan liquor. Or basically anything that wasn't ryncol. Everything tasted purple again.

Bob rolled his eyes. He had no sympathy; at least Kanan could drink. "Yes, techniques in handling people. The first thing you should learn about that is that there's no one technique that'll work with everybody. Convince them logically - you'll find someone who doesn't care about that and makes decisions emotionally. Tell them a sob story - you'll find someone who doesn't care. Beat them up, and you'll find there's always somebody bigger."

"The trick is to make them want to open up to you," Kanan offered, because he could be hung over and at least slightly functional all at the same time. It was a special talent he'd been honing for years. (Also he felt like something that a nexu had coughed up, but that was irrelevant. Really.) "And to do that, you need to listen, pay attention to the person you're dealing with. Do they seem like the sort of person who wants to talk, or fight, or empathize? Do they just want their space? You can learn a lot about a person by paying attention to them, instead of trying to get them to pay attention to you."

Okay, that was a lot of words all at once. Kanan was reaching for his bottle of water and downing about half of it, signalling that it was Bob's turn again.

"Not to mention the more you're learning about them, the less they're learning about you," Bob pointed out. "Knowledge is very much power." He clapped his hands together. "So, put that to use. Pair up, talk. See how much you can learn about the other person or what you can get them to do, without them getting the better of you." He shrugged. "We may drop by and offer suggestions."

Or just enjoy the show.

"Oh, and Lucille," Kanan said, snapping his fingers and pointing her way. "Luck of the draw says that you're our TA for the rest of the summer. Congratulations. You get to carry things for Bob."

Bob grinned.

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Tip shrugged. Lucille didn't seem like much of an easy target, either, but they could at least have some fun being cagey at each other.

"Sure," she said. "So. What're you reading, these days?"

"I'm reading a novel Cassandra gave me when we visited her world," Lucille said, polite if a little reserved. "An you?"

"I'm between books. Do you like the one you've got? Maybe I'll try that one next."

She was not likely to try that book next. She wasn't nearly as into romance as Lucille was.

Besides, Lucille wasn't going to lend Tip her copy.

"I believe it's not in the library."

"That's too bad." This conversation wasn't going to go anywhere fast, was it. "What's it about?"

Lucille's talents lay elsewhere, and as much as she liked the novel, talking about it in class with someone who didn't come across as interested was quite boring. "It's a love story. I'm sure listening to me talking about the plot will be quite boring for you. I think finding a more interesting topic would suit us both. What is most important to you?"

Not a particularly elegant change of topic, no, and Lucille didn't expect Tip to suddenly open up, but she was curious to see the reaction.

Tip huffed a laugh and smiled wryly. "Hey, we're both in the romance writing class. It's not my favorite genre, but it's worth learning about." She shrugged. "But sure, we can talk about something else. What kinds of music are you into?"

"That wasn't the topic I suggested," Lucille replied. "But, as you ask: I enjoy what is now called classical music, although I am not opposed to learning more about more recent music. I play the piano, and Dr Lecter is teaching me to play the harpsichord. I work at the Groovy Tunes once a week, which gives me opportunity to widen my horizons when it comes to music."

"You asked about things I'm interested in," Tip pointed out. "Music is something I'm interested in." Read between the lines, Lucille. "That's really cool, about working at the music store. I've only been in a few times, but they seem to have some good stock. Has Mr. Starsmore got you listening to grunge, then?"

He's practically cradled his Pearl Jam album when she was there, after all.

"Is music the most important thing to you? And I thought I was devoted to my playing," Lucille replied. "Mr Starsmore has been very helpful and generous, but I don't believe he has mentioned 'grunge'. Is that a band?" That was what the small orchestras today were called, she knew. "He did play Metallica to me."

"It's a music genre," Tip said, choosing to ignore the ridiculousness of thinking they'd leap immediately into what was most important either of them. "He really likes it. Lots of gritty guitar and guys pouting into the music. It's alright, but I like stuff you can dance to better. What'd you think of Metallica?"

Of course they wouldn't have been truly honest about it, but it might have been more interesting.

"I enjoyed the songs that had melodies," Lucille said, "and less guitar solos. What kind of dancing do you prefer?"

Modern dancing, no doubt.

Tip wouldn't know where to start with the non-modern styles. "I dunno if it really has a type," she explained. "I don't do any specific steps or anything. I just like moving to the beat. Do you ever do that?"

"No." It would probably require a gremlin bite for her to try.

"That's too bad. It can be a great stress reliever. What kinds of stuff do you do instead? Other than play harpsichord and read."

"Isn't that enough?" Lucille countered. "What else do you do?"

"Sure, but I'm betting they might not work too well if you're so frustrated you can't concentrate. Dancing doesn't need thinking, you know? You just move around, get out of your head for a bit. And it beats the heck out of stomping around and screaming." She did that sometimes, too. "What do you do when you just get so worked up you want to scream? I'm guessing they probably weren't very into girls throwing tantrums when you're from, either."

"I play the piano." Lucille looked at Tip, thinking that she probably didn't understand the power of Beethoven's sonata no 8.

How to Win Friends and Influence People | Friday, period 1

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