Fandom High School

"I was going to do a final today, I remember that was the sort of thing we did," Edward said, leaning easily against the wheel. "But that's not quite in the spirit of this class, is it?"

He motioned vaguely at the sea ahead. "No, I'll leave today's class in your hands," he said. "You've got this ship at your disposal today. What would you like to do with it?"

Pause.

"The one with the best suggestion wins."

The Edward that came wandering out of the Jackdaw's main cabin, some five minutes after class was meant to start, did not look like he was terribly awake.

"I need you to raise the sails," he said, "And, er, tell me a method by which you wish to pursue your goals."

Beat.

"But also the sails. Grim'll help."

Edward still didn't have the foggiest what he was supposed to teach, but he was content to keep making it up as he went along. So for today, he asked the class to meet him aboard the Jackdaw. It got them a fair few odd looks from the lads, but Ed was also content to ignore them.

"Welcome to the Jackdaw," he said. "She used to belong to a Spanish treasure fleet, but we liberated her recently. They weren't using it well, after all."

He leaned on the wheel. "So before we begin I should tell you all, I'm a pirate, and if you've got a problem with that, you might want to leave," he said cheerfully. "See, our homes and families can have a habit of telling us that there are rules, that there are things we cannot be and ways we should behave. A pirate rejects such foolish constraints in favor of something better. So."

He pointed at the nearest student. "If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?" he said. "Is there anything that stands in your way to get there?"

He paused. "And while you tell me, help the lads on deck raise the sails, will you? Just as a trial, of sorts."