fandomhigh | Diplomacy, Tuesday, September 2, 2025 [2nd period]

Anakin was wearing a fabulous gray hat while trying his best to pretend that he wasn't. "Hello, everyone."

Ahsoka was not wearing a hat, instead she had a garland of flowers draped around one montral. "Welcome to diplomacy, a subject we are both highly familiar with." Because that was something people needed to worry about when the moose was involved.

"We are also very good at it," Anakin added, which was a more debatable statement. "And because it's the first part of the semester, we're going to go with the more obvious first class assignment: small talk. Meet everyone in this class-it's not difficult--and come away with their name and something they think is interesting about them." He shrugged. "You don't have to agree that it's interesting, but you can't show that on your face or in your mannerisms. While you're learning this about others, you must also impart your name and something incredibly uninteresting to the other people. Faking being enthusiastic is also an important part of diplomacy."

"You will be quizzed on this next class," Ahsoka added, because it was the start of the semester and they got one warning. "Because another part of diplomacy is that you don't have to care about those little details, but you do need to remember them."

Anakin nodded. "Ahsoka and I will also be participating," he said. And no one could even curse about that today!

And it could have been worse, they could have had class tomorrow led by two Padawans.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lydia was here, with her lovely flower crown that had made doing her hair ever so difficult this morning, and trying to think of things about herself that were dull. It was harder than you might think!

"Hi! That is a lovely flower crown you're wearing. I'm Wilhelmina 'Billie' S. Logan. And you are?"

Did anyone think they were leaving this class without getting an introduction from Billie? They were wrong.

"Good morning, Miss Logan," Lydia said with a curtsy. "I am Miss Lydia Bennet. I trust that you are well?"

"Oh! Formality," Billie blinked, but nodded again. "I'm most excellent, thank you for asking. You can call me Billie if you like. Do you prefer 'Miss Bennet'?"

"I hail from England," Lydia explained, "where it is currently the year 1811. I am accustomed to Christian names being reserved for one's family and most intimate friends."

"Soooooo . . . yes to 'Miss Bennet'," Billie decided. "I've got you covered, dude!"

Where did things like 'dude' fall on the Regency appellation scale?

Completely unknown, but Lydia had been in Fandom long enough that she could just go with it. "I thank you," Lydia said. "And where do you come from, yourself?"

"San Dimas, California, modern era," Billie said. "I have it on good authority that that time and place is actually the center of reality for my universe!"

Was that a fun fact? Or was it terrifying? Maybe a little of both.

"I believe that would be London in my universe," Lydia said like a true Englishwoman.

"Maybe! Hopefully you never have to find out for sure. It was most harrowing."

Not that you'd be able to tell by Billie's response to it or anything.

Lydia hadn't the faintest idea why finding out where the center of the universe was would be harrowing, never mind most so, but she would take Billie's word for it. "I am sorry to hear that. London is splendid, or so I am told. I have not seen the best parts of it. But I was most fond of Brighton, the summer I spent there."

"Excellent! I was there back when my dad's band was touring -- but I was extremely young. I don't remember most of it. But it sounds like a good time!"

"Your father was a musician, then?" Lydia guessed. 'Band' could mean so many things in her time.

"That's right, with my uncle Bill. They're the leaders of the band that saved all of reality."

Brag much, Billie?

"What do your folks do?"

Re: Mingle!

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"Miss Bennet," Flint said with a tiny nod of his head. "How good to see you again."

"Captain Flint," Lydia said with a slight curtsy. "It is always lovely to see you, sir." Especially in a flower crown. Whimsy suited you, Flint.

Lies!

"What brings you to diplomacy class?" Flint asked.

"My schedule," Lydia said. "I suspect my patroness, Miss Lambe, signed me up for it." For some reason. And you, sir?"

"I suspect someone is being hilarious," Flint said. "Perhaps that's why Mr. Logan disappearded."

Mr. Logan was probably grumpily having a threesome with Deadpool and Mrs. Deadpool as they spoke.

"Ah, Mr. Logan," Lydia said. "I have worried about him since he disappeared from our club, but he seemed a most capable sort of man. Have you met Miss Logan?" Lydia asked, gesturing toward Billie. "I must confess I did not think to ask if there was any relation."

"I didn't either. She's very much his opposite in temperament," Flint said.

"Yes, I should say so," Lydia agreed. "Miss Logan seems a most pleasant young lady." What else could they small talk about. "Are you looking forward to the autumn? I am reluctant to part with my summer frocks, I must confess, but a refreshing of styles for the season is always such fun!" Flint could surely relate.

Flint had three outfits, plus shirts provided by Anakin and the Fandom Fire Department. Lydia would cry at the state of his closet.

"Ah," he said like a true aficionado would.

To be fair, that was more clothing than most men would own in the time they came from. But the quality of the clothing...

"Yes, well," Lydia said, and tried to think like Flint. "I imagine there are new books coming out for the season as well?"

"I believe so, though I cannot keep up with what I have already," Flint said. "I hope this means the end of the beach reads, whatever those are."