Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 3]

[atreideslioness]

When students arrived, they'd find Ghanima's classroom in the usual set-up, filled with oversized pillows and cushions and plenty of divans and other comfortable seating options.

"It sounds like you all had an utterly wretched weekend." Ghanima, don't sound so cheerful about that. "So, since we talked about Hinduism last week, you can watch a movie about one of its great epics today."

She gestured around the room, where there were plates of fresh fruit and various types of teas available. "Get comfortable, or if you really do need to retreat to another space and leave class today, you have permission."

Comments

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

Well, that was a clear invitation. Liam took a few tentative steps inside, smiling shyly up at the- human? person? Who had invited him in.

She looked human enough, but her eyes were that bright Taelon-blue. Was she a hybrid as well?

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

Usually the skittish children came in waves, as the island decided to swap around ages of entire populations. But by now Ghanima was quite used to dealing with them.

She gave her little guest an impish smile and leaned over to grab a pair of apples off the closest table. She dropped one on to the cushion next to her in invitation, and proceeded to bite into the other one, enjoying her snack.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

Well, this small person was the same age as the one he'd replaced... give or take nine months, anyway.

He glanced at the apple on the cushion, and then back at Ghanima.

"Is that for me?" he checked.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"If you want it," she said agreeably, giving him another smile. "--or anything else, really. The snacks are for everyone."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

That seemed like permission enough, so Liam made his way over and picked up the fruit, settling in on the cushion. "Thank you," he said, remembering that that was a thing you were supposed to say when given something.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"You're welcome," she replied, tossing her apple between her hands. "My name is Ghani, what's yours?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

“Liam,” he told her, around a bite of apple. “My name is Liam.”

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

Oh. Oh my. Ghanima was going to commit this to memory even more than usual, because if she and Liam ever decided to be Bad Ideas Bears and try the Sharing, THIS was what she was going to use as a test memory.

It was possible she was a terrible friend.

"It is lovely to see you, Liam," she said with all sincerity. "Do you live here, or are you visiting us this week?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

The wooooooorst.

"I am visiting," he told her. "Verity informs me that I am here to learn about how humanity lives."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

Ghanima snorted in amusement. "Humanity is both incredibly varied, and utterly ridiculous," she informed him. "I have been here awhile, and doubt I shall ever understand them."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

He cocked his head at her, at an angle that was just a little too sharp. "Then are you a hybrid as well?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"Of a kind, yes," she said, before taking another bite of her apple. "Different-and-not-different from you."

"The eyes gave me away, didn't they? I suppose I could wear dark glasses to hide them, but I don't like to do that."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[firstofitskind]

"You should not hide them," Liam agreed. He liked them. In this strange place full of strange people, they were... familiar. Comforting.