Fandom High School

Vala wasn't at all downcast as she watched her students arrive in the Danger Room Shop as she'd handwavily notified them to, for the last class of the summer. Really.

"Good morning, everyone. Before we start, I'd like to say how much I've enjoyed teaching you and hope you've found it to be as useful as I'd hoped you would. Also, I know this is a vast area, especially for those of you who may be more inexperienced, so if you ever have any questions, I have two ears and they're both mostly sympathetic. It also turns out I have an office, so you can find me there occasionally as well."

She cleared her throat. "At the end of class, there will be an opportunity to ask for answers to questions that are still bothering you. First, however, I'd like you to attempt a simulated date. No," she glanced at Jeff, "you can't have safety padding this time. But this isn't a high-pressure situation, either. You're just having a nice, quiet dinner in a lovely little bistro with someone whose ship you hijacked you saw on the street, thought looked interesting, and asked to join you. Your job is to make conversation and leave, without getting food dumped on you or a drink thrown in your face."

A fire extinguisher was also in a prominent and visible place next to every romantic candlelit table for two, just in case.

She worried at her lower lip, uncharacteristically solemn. "Now, as I ruin the mood completely, I'd ask you to please stay away from the woman who's squatting in Principal Washburn's office. If she calls you down there, don't go. Don't pull stupid pranks and don't vow eternal revenge. She's very definitely unbalanced and needs professional help. You have teachers--let us take care of the problem, just this once. None of you should be hurt."

"Thank you all for a wonderful class, and I hope you have fun."

[ooc: OCD is up in a minute! Dating ho!]

Vala might have been looking more mischevious than usual today. "Today, you'll be dealing with awkwardness. Not because you're dating someone, but because you're dating someone and you remembered you weren't dead."

"So," she grinned, "I want you to pair up. You've done something with another person that is not the person you're dating. The first person--your significant (or insignificant) other--asks you an innocent question that relates tangentially to the event. Do you lie to cover it up? Pretend it never happened? Tell the truth and hope for the best?"

"Interesting choice to go with the third one, by the way. It's not what I would necessarily recommend, but everyone has their own techniques.'

This morning, Vala was clutching a cup of coffee like it was a lifeline. More coffee and an assortment of danishes were also set out. Students would probably notice the stitched scar on her face, as well as the one on her arm. Both were dinosaur-inflicted, but she wasn't overly bothered by them.

"Good morning," she yawned and gave a listless wave, "Today we'll be discussing the opposite sex. Which, since this is the title of the class, you can't say is a big surprise."

"Before we can develop a plan of attack and help you get over the stark terror of stepping into the dating pool, I'd like you to make a list of what scares you, confuses you, or annoys you about the opposite sex. Then I would like you to pair up--with someone of the opposite sex--and trade lists. Hopefully a lively discussion will ensue. Try to help them understand the differences, if you can."

Another yawn. "Please hand in all lists at the end of the discussion to either myself or Jack, so that we can decide how to better structure the class for the rest of the summer."

[ooc: Posted extremely early because I will be AFK until Friday night, EDT. Obviously, there will be SP. And possibly Jack-pinging. Not dirty. I think]