fandomhigh | Discovering Earth

"So," Kanan said, arms crossed over his chest and looking fairly amused as he looked at the gathered students in the Portalocity lobby, "last week we took in the coast of... Australia? That's what it's called? Australia. So, this week I challenged Dr. Lecter to show me some of that variety he'd been talking about, on the same continent." He chuckled and shook his head. "How was I supposed to know from the place we were at that there's a huge chunk of desert in the middle of that continent, huh?"

So, yeah. This week you were all taking in the Australian outback. You're welcome, class.

"I hope you all have good hats, cool clothing, and plenty of sunscreen," Hannibal said. He himself was in a light linen suit instead of his usual wool or silk, because he wasn't actually insane (he'd only claim that if he got arrested). "We'll not only be in the desert, but it is currently summer there."

"Weird planet," Kanan singsonged, not for the first time since he'd found that tidbit out. "Next you'll be telling me there are parts of it that are always winter, too."

Just wait until Kanan's first introduction to penguins.

"That will be a future week," Hannibal promised. "Some of us have planets with axes at an angle to the sun." Honestly, it was just weird none of the planets in Kanan's entire galaxy did.

"This week, we'll be visiting Uluru. It's -"

"A really big rock," Kanan supplied.

Hannibal sighed. "- a world heritage site, meaning it's been acknowledged to be of importance to all of humanity. In this case, because of its geological and archaeological significance."

And yes, it was a really big rock.

"So, the really big rock in question," Kanan said, "stands 348 meters above the desert surrounding it, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometers. Which might just sound like numbers to some of you guys, but trust me, it's big. And it's considered sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people."

Which he said perfectly on the first try. Because Kanan was a good-for-nothing roustabout, but he did take this sort of thing far more seriously than he let on.

"Fortunately, they lease it back to the state, and together they have opened it to the public," Hannibal said. "Although we won't have the time to walk around the base - it's far too hot to begin after early morning - and they ask that nobody climb it, there are still a number of hikes and other activities."

"If you do decide to go out hiking," Kanan said, "be mindful of the local wildlife. Respect it. Apparently a lot of it can kill you? So if you see a pretty snake you like, it's probably best to appreciate it from a wide distance and not try to take it home as a pet, even if there's probably antivenin somewhere so we don't have any fatalities on this trip."

Kanan was super nurturing. It was the Jedi in him.

At least one of them was.

"Much of the fauna of Australia isn't found anywhere else in the world," Hannibal noted, "so enjoy it. Carefully. You can also take in the cultural center and learn about the history and customs of the Anangu - the local aborigine peoples," Hannibal said. "Please be respectful."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Looking at a big rock!

Ada Miller

Kaylin Neya

Mara Jade

Wonder how many of the fauna are actually that deadly.

(Spoiler: it is all of them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdihHnaOQsk).)

Hike, visit the cultural center, or just boggle at the Very Large Rock. Just drink plenty of water.

Kaylin, as always, was completely covered from her neck to her toes. Except for her hands. They were uncovered.

And since it was her usual heavy dark tunic and pants, she was dying in the heat. Still, she wasn't about to expose the runes on her skin.

Hannibal couldn't help but wince a bit at Kaylin's clothes. "If you want to stay covered, lighter fabrics are better." He gestured at his own suit. "Do you have things suited for warmer weather?"

Well, warmer, desert in summer, something like that.

Her hands automatically went to her arms as if to cover them. "This is what I wear," she said. "I like to... be covered."

Hannibal smiled. "That's fine. But you can remain covered and still not be too hot." He held out an arm. "You've seen the suits I usually wear. This is a similar cut, but the fabric is much lighter, you see?"

He gave her a mildly curious look. "Does Elantra not get very hot, then?"

"Not hot like this," she said. "Not that I've ever experienced at least."

Kaylin looked at the material. "But lots of the light stuff people wear you can kind of almost see through - especially if it gets wet or something. I don't want anything like that."

Not to mention that she didn't exactly have the funds to get new things for her wardrobe,

Hannibal nodded. "Dark colors help with that, and patterns make it more difficult to see through than solid colors."

Said the man who preferred plaid and paisley.

"Patterns?" Kaylin looked moderately horrified. "Oh, I think I'll just stick to blacks and browns."

"Is there a significance to that, or merely personal preference?" Hannibal asked.

"They're cheaper and they don't show the dirt as much."

Ever practical.

And not always good about getting her washing done.

Sigh, Kaylin. Still, Hannibal could appreciate the practicality. "But if you were wearing a pattern, the dirt could simply be a part of the pattern," he pointed out. "Very difficult to see."

Maybe something in a nice paisley?

Mara, with her pale skin and red hair was not best pleased at this change in climate. She was staying inside so as to not die of heat stroke.

Guess who would also be trying to give Tatooine a pass in her future life.

Sorry, Mara. Last week had traumatized Ada; this week was apparently your turn.

Maybe you could buy a hat (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AN6gxyeXL._SX342_.jpg).

Once they ping in.

Hannibal was here. He'd probably just do one of the short hikes, hang out in the cultural center, and sketch a lot.

Kanan could be found checking out the local wildlife, and squinting at a dingo in the distance.

... That was... just a dog. Why didn't people just call it a dog?

Earth continued to make no damn sense.

Australia! Australia! Australia!

Discovering Earth | Friday, period 2

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OOC!