How to Make Friends & Influence People | 4th Period | Monday

[merciful_parable]

Carter had spent probably too long writing notes, on paper, and having them delivered to each of their students so that they would know to meet on the beach today. He'd also left a note taped to the door of their classroom as well, just in case, since it wouldn't do for anyone to miss class because they hadn't known where to go.

"Hello everyone," he said, once everyone had gathered. "I'm sure you're wondering what we're all doing out here today. While the calendar here continues to elicit some confusion, we did note that today in many places is something of a holiday."

Though exactly what said holiday entailed... ? No idea.

Yeah, don't ask Fjord, either. He wasn't even from an Earth. Still, he was here, looking fairly game for basically whatever. Possibly because there was going to be grilled meat.

He wasn't difficult to please, sometimes.

"We figured," he said, "it would be as good a time as any to do some socializing. And eating. And... whatever else you want to do on a holiday in the beach."

He had a complicated relationship with the beach himself, lately.

Grilled meat (beef, chicken, and fish; since Carter might not understand different worlds but he could make accommodations his students), grilled vegetables, chips, juices, sodas, and water to drink. And cookies, of course. Carter had baked peanut butter cookies today, since no one had mentioned anything about being allergic to peanuts last class. Either way, there wasn't much for people to complain about.

"Make an effort to talk to one another," Carter urged. "You can't learn to make friends without talking to one another, even if a conversation doesn't go your way."

"It's a party," Fjord agreed. "If you can't find something to have a conversation, then..." He frowned for a moment in thought. "Play tag or something."

... Was that a thing kids did at this age? Hell, he had no clue.

... Carter was glancing askance at Fjord for that one, yes. Tag? May and Stu considered themselves too old to play tag and they were much younger than these children.

"If you know how to swim," he said, "feel free to do so. As this is the last class of the day, once the period is over, you're free to remain here," with the free food, "or go about your business elsewhere. We do ask that you stay in this area for the class. But enough talk--come and eat. Enjoy yourselves!"

Comments

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Ah, yes," Sidon had to laugh a little, "a very astute observation, Sidon!" No sarcasm; it was positively dripping as a genuine compliment. "For you see, the Zora, my species, are an amphibious race. Back home, our Domain is awash with water at all times, which we find very comfortable. Though I do not find it unpleasant here, I do find the standard of living on the land here quite dry, so any opportunity to submerge myself in water is quite the treat! You seem quite comfortable yourself, if I may say so. Are you also from a place with a good deal of water?"

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[hourtohour_notetonote]

"We've got lakes," Simon explained. "And my family used to take a week every summer to rent a cottage on the beach. So not, like, what you described, but we've got some water, yeah."

His grin widened; Sidon's enthusiasm was infectious. "I think I'd find your home a little wet, kind of the way you find Fandom dry, but it sounds like a cool place."

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"I can see why you might say that!" Sidon's chuckle was good-natured and understanding, though talking about home made him feel that ever-so-occasional twang of missing it. It hadn't been that long since he'd last been there. "It's truly wonderful, and it might sound like I am biased, because Zora's Domain is very clearly near and dear to my heart, but I like to think a few of my friends here would agree with me. I was lucky enough to bring them with me on a visit earlier in the year, so they have had first hand experience there. Perhaps you've had a chance to meet some of them? Have you yet had the opportunity to be acquainted with Norman, Tip, Paris, Uma, Peridot, or Breq?"

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[hourtohour_notetonote]

"I've met Tip!" Simon was glad he'd met one of them; oddly, he almost felt like he'd be letting Sidon down if he had to say no. "She's my roommate. She's been great for helping me adjust to Fandom."

By explaining things like, yes, people are here from many worlds, oh, and also, gremlins are a thing.

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Your roommate!" Sidon enthused, sounding positively delighted by the news. "How very fortunate for you, Tip is excellent! She is truly a paragon of helpfulness and encouragement, especially when you need it most. Oh, and just wait until you meet J.Lo, he is an absolute delight!"

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[hourtohour_notetonote]

"... J.Lo?"

On the one hand, sure, Tip was awesome so her friends probably were, but... something about Sidon's enthusiasm combined with 'absolute delight' made Simon a little nervous.

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Oh!" A flash of confusion and surprise crossed Sidon's face for a moment, but he quickly laughed it off. "Has she not told you of her friend J.Lo yet? Well, I suppose she's had more than enough information about this place to fill your head without trying to jam more about other places in there, too! If you get the chance, you simply must ask her. I'm sure she'll be truly tickled to tell you more about him. He's a fine little fellow, didn't even hold it against me that my advisor had attempted to eat him."

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[hourtohour_notetonote]

"To... eat him?"

Simon really didn't know what to do with that.

Re: Enjoy the Cookout!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Yes," Sidon sighed a long-suffering sigh and shook his head, "I'm afraid dottering old Mizu had mistaken poor J.Lo as a morsel of food! Now I must admit that the fellow does look a bit...froggish, so I can perhaps sympathize a little on where Mizu was coming from, but I do not mean to excuse such barbarous behavior! This was at a Family Weekend function, and he should have known better to engage in such a churlish attempt! Especially when all the consumable food had been so clearly laid out for everyone on designated tables. Luckily, I was able to step in an exert my authority before things got out of hand, and J. Lo was most magnanimous about it, so now we are able to laugh about it as an amusing anecdote, but can you just imagine? I sincerely hope, should he be visiting me again on the next such event, that he has learned his lesson. Elders!"

He scoffed faintly.

"Just as bad as the hatchlings they complain about, I swear to Hylia."