fandomhigh | How To Be Civilized, Friday, Period 3

When the students arrived, they found the chairs rearranged in a half-circle and with a small table to one side. An elegant Japanese tea set was placed on it, along with a basket with gloves.

"So," Seivarden said when everyone was gathered. "Welcome to the class. I'm Seivarden Vendaai, and I currently live on the island. Sadly Portalocity is a wonder of technological malfunction as it has been unable to open a portal back to my own universe, but while I'm here the school decided to invite me to teach you how to be civilized."

There had been an... argument with the moose when Seivarden had found out she had been assigned this class.

"I'm Radchaai, and one thing we do when annexing other worlds is to make sure they get the benefits of civilized life and are able to take part in society without their previous limitations. Even if you're not from my universe, I'm sure you will find this useful."

Seivarden gestured towards Tisarwat. "My TA, whom most of you probably know, is also from the Radch, and she will be happy to answer any questions you might have."

"This is the first class, so let's start off easy. Put on a pair of gloves if you haven't already," she gestured at the basket, "and you," here she gestured at one of the students, "please serve everyone some tea."

"Yes, tea. It's a fundamental part of civilization. Now, we are all lucky here, because the tea on Earth is one of the few things that are actually up to standard here, so we will be able to try out a few different kinds during this class. For today I've chosen a rather nice Yunnan tea, not a too fancy, but it would definitely work of you wanted to have a small tea party with friends whom you value but you might not have to impress. We'll get to tea parties in a later class."

"Since I don't know any of you, I would like you to tell me your name and which tea you prefer and how you usually prepare it."

Mention tea bags and you will be judged.

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"I'm Mae Borowski," Mae said, waving. (The fingers on her gloves were too long, wobbling like wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men.) "Um. My mom likes the bed time tea with the sleepy bear on the box?"

That's right, she meant Celestial Seasonings. Not only was it in bags, it was herbal tea. . . .

"Sleepy bear?"

Seivarden looked unimpressed and a little confused.

"Are you having a problem with the gloves."

"They're all shaped funny." Her hands looked like paws. "Also, why are none of them motorcycle gloves?"

"Why would they be motorcycle gloves? This is a class," Seivarden pointed out.

"Perhaps you could go shopping for a pair that suits you. I'm sure the school will reimburse you."

She had no idea if they would.

“I don’t carry money.” Because she didn’t have any. “It’s . . . uncouth.” And she was broke. “Motorcycle gloves are cool. You can be cool and civilized at the same time, right?”

Mae was absolutely not passing this class.

"They are definitely not cool," Seivarden said firmly. "Perhaps Tisarwat can help you find something suitable."

“Okayyyyyy,” Mae said slowly. “They are cool, though. Ooo! What about work gloves? Work gloves could be cool!”

"Work gloves are only acceptable if you actually use them for work," Seivarden said.

They also shouldn't be worn outside of work, but Seivarden felt she had to make allowances. It wasn't like she could tell Amaya to change gloves.

“Used work gloves. Got it.”

Seivarden was about to say something, not sure if this student actually understood what she had been saying.

"I'm sure you'll find something."

How To Be Civilized, Friday, Period 3

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