Practical Diplomacy, [Wednesday, January 3, 2017]

[sith_happened]

Anakin came sweeping into the class, Jedi robes swirling behind him, three minutes after class was due to start. "Well, we're halfway through the week, so I'm assuming many of you are already very tired of introductions," he said, "and that's too bad because doing repetitive things you're secretly sick of is about 80 percent of diplomacy."

He gave the class a rueful smile. "I'm Master Anakin Skywalker, and I'm a Jedi: in my home galaxy, that means I'm something like a priest-diplomat with superpowers. Those of you who are from home know that's not entirely accurate, but diplomacy is also about making yourself understood to different cultures, so it's close enough to be a useful working definition, at least for now. Today is introductions, of course, but also your first lesson. You need to tell us who you are, but in a way that makes it memorable--no pyrotechnics or weapons displays, please, this is a class on diplomacy. There are different ones on weapons and making bad decisions this semester. You can explore those kinds of options there. So, as we go around: who you are, what makes you stand out. And the rest of you, you must find a way to remember everyone, and also look interested in the information you're being given. You are absolutely allowed to take notes because there is a quiz at the end: you must recite back everyone's name in the correct order and with proper pronunciation."

He quirked up an eyebrow. "I'm assuming you've already remembered me."

Comments

Re: Introduce Yourself

[snipsnspecks]

How, oh how, were people going to remember the nearly six-foot (plus montrals) orange, blue, and white Togruta?

Maybe the way she seemed to be on the verge of giggling as she said. "I'm Ahsoka, and I'm very interested in learning about diplomacy, Master Skywalker."

Re: Introduce Yourself

[sith_happened]

Anakin snorted. "This class should be quite easy for you, Ahsoka, because we both know I am excellent diplomat."

He could only get away with that because Obi-Wan was gone for the semester. "Ahsoka was my student back in my home galaxy," he explained to the rest of the class. "I've known her since she was a much shorter Togruta."

Re: Introduce Yourself

[snipsnspecks]

A joke about his teaching skills would've been the appropriate response, but as ever, Ahsoka remained the only being in two galaxies with complete faith in said skills.

"At aggressive negotiations maybe," she said instead, like she didn't cheerfully follow his example.

Re: Introduce Yourself

[sith_happened]

"Well, it's not my fault they kept sending to to the really obnoxious planets," Anakin said.

Re: Introduce Yourself

[snipsnspecks]

"Suuuuuuuure it wasn't."

Ahsoka, it was very mean not to back up your Master when he said things like that.