http://walter-n-wires.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] walter-n-wires.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-08-18 11:10 am
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Constant Vigilance, 8/18, A classroom

Rather than the Doctor, a rumpled Walter is at the front of the room examining a small device that is clearly labeled "Push here to start." Simple enough, and with a quick push of the button, a projection of the Doctor appears.

"Hello class," the projected Doctor said. "Sorry I couldn't be with you today, but I had a sudden bit of urgent business to attend to. Hopefully, Mister Dornez has properly started the system to play this recording. Today's lesson is one that I understand our Miss Rosenberg has some experience in, so I recommend that you direct any questions in her well learned direction, given my absence Now first off, there is no such thing as your average werewolf. There are common tropes, certainly, but if you put all your eggs in one basket that wolfsbane will protect you or that silver is your sure bet, you might end up playing a part in a very grim fairy tale."

"One of the more memorable encounters I had with a creature of this type was a girl named Mags. She's now travelling with a circus, actually. Not as some sideshow attraction, mind you. Mags is the perfect example of why the first reaction to a werewolf is not find silver bullets and prepare to fire. Mags is a wonderful, funny, clever girl. In the light of the full moon, however, she tranforms into a creature that may end up harming others. Precautions can be taken, and everything works out well."

"However, Mags is not the only type you may end up with. Other werewolves may be perfectly aware of their actions when transformed. Those are the dangerous ones. Where the beast and the man are one. In these instances, you have to do your best to outwit them. As in most case scenarios, they'll be stronger, faster, with bigger teeth and claws. As the myths say, wolfsbane, misteltoe, silver, all of these things may be the way to combat it. Try them all, and hope. In many cases, these types aren't only around during the full moon. They're self controlled, they are. Able to transform at their own will. The lunar cycle is not their master."

The holo-Doctor cleared his throat. "Moving on to Vampires. Bela Legosi type, not really what I'm talking about. As much as the camp vampires exist in this world, they're usually just the spawn of greater Vampires. Vampires that my people once waged war against. The Great Vampire, in all capitals, I should add, was a right evil bastard, he was. Huge, too. It took a stake the size of a spaceship to put an end to him, it did. But that's the thing, how many of you keep a handy spaceship sized stake around with you? I'm guessing none. And so what do we do in that case, boys and girls? You guessed it, run."

"Stakes to the heart will kill a lot of things, and it might have to be cold iron, silver, gold, wood, something along those lines. Garlic might help, it might not, if anything it'll be tasty as part of your dinner. Hopefully it won't be a tasty addition to the vampire's dinner. Now, I've had more than my fair share of run-ins with these classic vampire types, and half of what the movies tell you works in these cases. Running water? Crucifixes? Sunlight? Most likely it'll save you, but always have a backup. And when all else fails, run."

"As for non-traditional types, you've got Haemovores. Bloodsucking beasts that are no longer amongst the living. They fear not the rays of the sun, and a cross will do you no good if you don't believe in it. Your best bet if you stumble across one of them is your strongest faith. That's right, your faith. A soldier warded them off with a simple hammer and sickle pin, because he had faith in his motherland. I, well, I had faith in something else, and that drove them away from me. A companion of mine had faith in me, and that protected her. Faith generated a psychic barrier they could not penetrate. The vicar at the local church tried to ward them off with his bible. But he didn't have true faith, and it cost him his life. But, of course, stakes through the heart are your means for a violent end, here, as well. But, suprise, my best advice is run."

"Now, I want you to pair up. Discuss what you have faith in. Discuss Vampires. Discuss Werewolves. Discuss what really scares you, and who you trust. Build your friendships, because that's the real tool to universal survival. Friends. Miss Rosenberg and Mister Dornez probably have some related stories to share, and anyone else feel free to speak up as well. And now Mister Dornez or whoever can feel free to switch off the projection. And in case they don't. . ."

The sounds of the song 'The Monster Mash' fade in, and the Doctor projection begins to dance.

Walter hit the off button and looked at the class. "And there you have it."

[ooc: My apologies for the delay. I lose today.]

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Pippi is sitting quietly scribbling in her notebook.

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] chasingsnitches.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hello," Cedric says politely. "Would you like to pair up for this exercise?"

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure." she said. "That would be swell. I... I think we may have met at the beginning of summer but I don't think we've done much together... Cedric. Right?"

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] chasingsnitches.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good memory," he says and takes a seat. "And from this class, you're Pippi. It's good to re-meet you."

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Pippi smiled and held out her hand.

"Likewise!" she said.

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] chasingsnitches.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Cedric shakes her hand and smiles brightly. "So, to start off with, I can tell you I once had a teacher who was a werewolf."

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"I got in a fight with one." she said. "But I didn't know that's what he was at the time. Was your teacher nice?"

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] chasingsnitches.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"He was," Cedric says. "He taught one of the more difficult classes but he knew the subject well. Why did you get into a fight with a werewolf?"

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"There was something weird going on in the sewers. Some of us went to investigate... There were some bad people here doing bad things and he was with them."

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] chasingsnitches.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Cedric frowns and says, "Since you're sitting here, I imagine you were able to defeat this werewolf. And it sounds like a good thing too."

Re: Pair up

[identity profile] strongestgirl.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, sadly. He pounded us, we were trying to stop him from his objective. Which he achieved. We couldn't stop him, and when he was done he just left. Or at least, that's what I was told. I was unconscious when he went. We were lucky, he didn't feel like bothering with us."