somethingwithturquoise: (happy chatting)
Summer Smith ([personal profile] somethingwithturquoise) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2023-04-10 04:55 am
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Life Skills; Monday, First Period [04/10].

"Sorry for missing class last week," Summer said, from the front of the classroom sim in the Danger Shop, "but, well, I was kind of a squirrel. Which, if you haven't already personally had experience with it before, is something that can happen around here, by the way, and something I figured might not be a bad topic of discussion for our class as a whole. Generally, with a few exceptions, I'm sure, handling when you or a friend turns into an animal isn't a Life Skill for most people have to deal with, but around here? Eventually, it probably will be, so let's talk about it.

"For the most part," Summer continued, "there's never really been an established rhyme or reason why it happens, when it happens, or how frequently. A good deal of it seems entirely random and without logic, a fact that has driven many an intellectual," or, well, just the one , that she could think of, "crazy. Sometimes, it happens in waves, where it's a bunch of people that it happens to at the same time, although no discerning connection between those people can really be made. Sometimes, it's just a few people. Sometimes, it's even just one person and no one else. Like I said, random. Unpredictable. But just because you can't predict something doesn't mean you can't be prepared."

From there, she pushed off the desk she was leaning on to go to the board to start jotting down points as she went through them: types of animals (any, really), the varying levels in which people seemed to retain their own personalities and thoughts through the process, the average length of a transformation, and, most importantly, the sometimes awkward nature of when you change back. "Hopefully," she said to confirm this fact, "you'll have changed in the company of someone you trust, who will keep you out of public spaces to avoid a lot of embarrassment, but if not, it's always good to have a plan in mind. I have a lockdown procedure I usually initiate once I turn into a squirrel, that keeps me safe from venturing out and catching myself in an awkward situation, but, then again, I do also have the added hurdle of the squirrels on this island," well, one squirrel in particular, but she wouldn't say names, "are terrible. I also have a few spots around the island where I have emergency clothes stores, just in case. Having some sort of emergency post-transformation kit on hand is never a bad idea, either."

She extrapolated a little further on that, and a few other finer points, before turning to the class.

"So," she said, "now that we have the basics laid down, any questions? Other ideas to better prepare yourself for when you or a friend turns into an animal? What about your own experiences, with turning into an animal or taking care of a friend who has? I know for a fact some of you have stories on this one, so let's just really open it up to a conversation and see where it leads us, especially if you have any theories or thoughts on why this might happen in the first place, and if you think it's inevitable or maybe there's a way to stop it. Let's get philosophical all up in here, sure, why not? Who wants to start?"
onlyajones: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Discussion! - Life Skills, 04/10.

[personal profile] onlyajones 2023-04-10 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I turned into a pug for a week last year," Jo revealed, "that has been the only time it's ever happened to me, even though Libby made sure I didn't turn back in a public place when I did turn back,"

Which Jo was always going to be extremely grateful for.
noonedecidesmyfate: (Default)

Re: Class Activity: Discussion! - Life Skills, 04/10.

[personal profile] noonedecidesmyfate 2023-04-10 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"I enjoyed being a sugar glider at the time," Belle said. "I leapt off all manner of things. It was quite fun. It's happened twice now. I didn't particularly enjoy changing back."

Especially the first time.

"I've had someone change back in front of me as well and that was also quite the interesting experience."