fandomhigh | 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.]

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"And werewolves too?"

"We didn't have as many of those," Willow said. "But I knew some. Um. Some better than others."

Elizabeth nodded. "I grew up in a very normal college town, so this was all outside my realm of understanding until I came here," she said, shrugging and grinning slightly.

"I didn't know there were vamps and all until Buffy came to town," Willow said. "If I hadn't been nearly killed by a vamp I might still be in denial like everybody else."

"So it's not common knowledge then?" asked Elizabeth, frowning. "How can you be in denial over life-sucking al -- uh, creatures?"

"You'd be amazed what people don't want to face up to," Willow said. "People could see vamps right in front of them and come away from it thinking it was gangs on PCP."

"Right," she drawled. "That's absolutely insane."

"Welcome to my hometown," Willow agreed.

Elizabeth grinned. "The perfect place for a fieldtrip if this workshop had them, huh?"

Willow smiled. "You know? Probably. We could all go patrolling through the graveyards and Giles could be so pleased to lecture to some students who aren't American."

"Giles? Who's Giles and why does he lecture you?" asked Elizabeth curiously.

"Giles is Buffy's Watcher," Willow said. "Buffy's a vampire Slayer which means she's currently the one girl in all the world destined to save us from vampires. Giles helps train her, but really he helps all of us because we help her. Plus he makes good tea."

Elizabeth nodded. "Okay, gotcha," she said. "And good tea is always a very handy thing to have!"

"I've found it comes very much in handy when you're about to start an awkward conversation with your boyfriend," Willow said.

Elizabeth giggled. "Not had to deal with that thankfully," she said. "Have offered it to girlfriend in time of personal crisis though."

"Ice cream helps there too," Willow said.

Elizabeth nodded firmly. "Oh, yeah," she agreed. "Also vodka."

"I've never done anything harder than a light beer," Willow admitted.

"My grandmother was Russian," said Elizabeth, as if that explained everything. Well, to her it did.

"I get heritage loyalty," WIllow said with a nod.

Elizabeth smiled. "I'll introduce you to it someday, if you'd like," she said. "I've already introduced aliens to it."

"Would alcohol get aliens drunk too?" Willow asked.

"Well, I suppose it depends on the type of alien, but yes, it can do," said Elizabeth.

"I'm still getting used to that," Willow admitted. "You'd think the girl who lived around vampires and demons wouldn't blink at aliens, but it just goes to show there's always a little more strange out there."

"See, aliens are the ones I can cope with," laughed Elizabeth.

Re: Pair up

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