fandomhigh | Entries tagged with war & peace

"And so, my little peaceful ducklings ♥," Shunsui was saying, once everyone arrived and got settled in their usual cushion circle around the tea set, "we find ourselves here on our very last class of the semes--"

It was then that the door to the classroom was suddenly thrown open, and the tall, imposing figure of an imposing man in far too much fake black pleather and wallet chains, darkened its frame.

"Shunsui Kyōraku..." he intoned darkly.

And Shunsui, straightening up from where he'd been slightly slouched and prepared to give his final little lecture, may have gawked, just slightly.

"Eh?" he asked, blinking a little. "Didn't I already defeat you?"

There was...a pause, the man's gun lifting, but only to settle on his shoulders. "I'm here...for a rematch."

Shunsui had a pause of his own, considering the classroom, considering that man. "Ara ara," he said, "surely you don't really want to fight, Starrk-sama....Not again, anyway. You remember how drawn and obnoxious the last one was ♥! You didn't really want to fight then, either, but we were given no choice, neh? So let's not repeat the same mistakes again ♥! Come," he gestured toward the tea, "have a seat, have some tea ♥. This is, after all, a class on the art of peace, Starrk-sama ♥. Allow me to practice what I preach! Besides....you know how I feel about fighting around children..."

Starrk stood there for a moment, frowning deeply underneath the black lipstick that was probably really unnecessary; he definitely didn't need the gothy makeup to begin with. "I'm here to fight you," he said, although there seemed to be a certain sense of....reluctant obligation to it.

"Ahhh, but you don't want to, do you, Starrk-sama ♥?"

Another long pause, a hard stare with that one eye, before Starrk took a few steps forward, toward an empty spot in the circle, and folded his legs to sit down with a creak of all his pleather.

"No," he admitted, "I don't."

And then there was suddenly a teacup in his hand, and he was staring into it for a long moment before having a sip while Shunsui smiled pleasantly at this turn of events. "Much nicer than the last time we met, Starr-sama," he gushed, "and truly the Art of Peace in action before our very eyes ♥. Really, couldn't have asked for a better final lesson than that ♥! So, let us take our time together for our final class to discuss what we've learned, ducklings, and how much nicer this is than how it could have gone ♥."

Despite his sing-song, lilting, and carefree voice, though, he was absolutely giving Starrk a hard look over his own teacup, feeling tense and ready for anything. Somehow, though, he just knew, whatever was going on to bring Coyote Starrk, of all people, back to his door again, it was hardly as...urgent...as the last time.

sake_shinigami

The classroom was set up just a little bit differently that day; instead of the usual circle of cushions and pillows around a teaset, there were several little stations of two cushions flanking a chess board.

"Good morning, ducklings ♥," Shunsui greeted them cheerfully. "I hope you're all in a playful mood today, because today will be all about a classic game of strategy, although we will be giving it our own particular Art of Peace twist today ♥. Chess is often considered a bit of a wargame, in that it involves strategy, invasion, and capturing prolific pieces of your opponents symbolic little army. All the pieces are the same, so the factions are evenly matched. What makes the difference is how you play....and," he chuckled faintly, "some may argue, who gets to make the first move ♥."

He took a moment to go over how to play, with a few examples and calling some willing students over to help him provide some examples of gameplay, for those who weren't already familiar with it, all the while musing over the symbolic real-life equivalent when it came to moving ones own troops in war.

"Obviously," he added, toward the end, "it's not a perfect parallel, but I do believe there's a lot to be said about a mind for chess being able to translate in interesting ways for war. You may be wondering, though....but Kyōraku-sensei! This class is about the Art of Peace!" Here, he chuckled again. "And you are very right, it is, which is why we will be taking a particular approach to our games this morning.

"Your goal today," he said, "is to match up with your fellow classmates, and attempt to win a game of chess without taking or sacrificing many pieces. Whoever manages to win with the least amount of captured or lost pieces will win.

"Sacrifices," he then grinned, "will doubtless have to be made. But can you still win without making too many? Let's find out, shall we, ducklings ♥?"

sake_shinigami

"Good morning, good morning, my little peaceful ducklings ♥!" Shunsui smiled from the discussion circle with his hot cocoa contentedly, lifting up his own little mug and having a sip. Sure, he would have preferred to have had the eggnog for himself, but this was class, and there was no reason he couldn't enjoy a bit of that later. "This week, we are going to have a look at the particular brand of pascifism known as being a conscientious objector. In brief, this is technically an individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion, though it certain bears some principles that can be carried over into every day life ♥. Some countries will allow a conscientious objector serve through civilian services; some countries will allow them to serve not at all...As far as this world goes, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights have roundly agreed that an individual has the right to be a conscientious objector to military service if it goes against their beliefs ♥.

( OBJECTION! )

"And so ♥," said Shunsui, finishing with a smile, "let's hear your own thoughts on the matter ♥. Or, of course, you can always conscientiously object and keep your thoughts to yourself ♥."

sake_shinigami

Even though he had been incredibly successful in his quest for napping at the store yesterday, Shunsui was still feeling....well, perhaps tired was not exactly the right word, but he'd just come from a weekend of training with his Division, and so his enthusiasm for doing more training with his students was leaving a lot to be desired. Thankfully, he'd set himself up nicely for a very easy and effortless class today.

There were pillows, there was tea, there was an instructor sitting comfortably among both of them with his usual sleepy smile seeming a little more genuine this week. He waved a hand in a gesture to invite everyone to get settled if they haven't already (they certainly knew the drill by now), pouring and distributing cups as wanted before getting started.

"Last week," he began, "we focused on getting to know your enemy ♥. This week, let us put those efforts into action. Take turns working with each other; one of you is to be threatening violence above all things; the other must try to placate that violence by offering more peaceful negotiation, and see how successful you are in convincing your classmates....or me, if you feel so inclined ♥....to choose peace not war in these scenarios. Pretty simple, neh ♥?"

And hopefully nothing that would escalate into actual violence, but he had confidence in this particular group that this would not be the case.

sake_shinigami

Everyone was back in the classroom again, which meant back in the circle of comfy cushions and pillows, and back to having some nice tea to accompany their ensuing discussion. Shusnui sat comfortably and contentedly, cup cradled in his hand with a few sips every now and again, as everyone got settled, nodding to them as they sat down and offering tea, so that anyone who wanted some would have some by the time had come for class to begin.

"Our last few classes," he started, "had us exploring some ways of physically deflecting an attack of violence, but today, ducklings, I would like to discuss verbal efforts of doing the same ♥. Diplomacy. Negotiation. Bargaining. All tools that one might hope to use against a violent enemy...or even a non-violent one!...to avoid conflict. There are many ways to go about doing this, and one of the key things to bear in mind is an infamous quote from our dear Sun Tzu: Know thy enemy.

"Of course," he continued, "the meaning in such a small phrase is quite nuanced. It regards more than just a passing familiarity with your enemy as a person. It means knowing not only their goals and motivations, what drives them to action and what may sway them, but also what is their style? How does what they desire affect their strategy? What influences their decisions? Do they value kith and kin, or are they more moved by victory or reputation? Why do they fight? And how can that be used to sway them out of it?

"These are not answers easily sussed out in most cases," Shunsui admitted. "We have a whole division of the Gotei 13 that is dedicated entirely to studying our enemies, understanding their motivations and researching their tactics, so that we may better be prepared for when that enemy strikes. To find their weaknesses, to spot those gaps in the armor. Naturally, this could mean a way to exploit their weaknesses in battle, but, obviously, for the purposes of this class, I should like to put that focus into negotiations, so that we may avoid conflict, and reach a peaceful solution before blows.

"Consider today your research day ♥," he said, waving a hand idly in the air to indicate the class as a whole. "Take some time to get to know your classmates, as well as myself, who I should hope are not currently your enemies, but, next week, surely will be, as we will put into practice what we learned today. Can you manage to find something that can be used to negotiate peace with them in the future? Let's find out ♥."

sake_shinigami

More heart-laden notes had been sent and another one was posted on the door to the usual classroom to direct the students to the gymnasium again this week, which they would find laden with mats once more and their teacher smiling beatifically, contentedly at them.

"Hello again, ducklings ♥," Shunsui said, "and welcome back to the gymnasium ♥. My apologies for another foray into something a bit more straining and physical in our journey to peace, but there is another form of martial arts I would like to introduce you to this semester. I hope you're feeling limber and, if not, then you can use this time while I talk to stretch out a bit ♥."

With that, and an idle pace around the gym, Shunsui continued with the lesson proper.

( Sort of like airbending.... )

"So," Shunsui paused, long enough to tuck his swords away again and give the class a lazy smile, "allow me to lead you through learning some moves, and then I will let you all take a chance to practice on your own ♥. If you would like to partner up, please do, but remember, this is not a fight, but an evasion of a fight ♥. No weapons in partnered Bāguàzhǎng, either, please, although I do have practice swords if you'd like to extend your circles with their use ♥."

sake_shinigami

The class would be returning to their classroom again this week, with its circle of comfortable pillows and pot of tea, which was not the tea Shunsui had intended to make, but it was still tea all the same. And Shunsui sitting in his usual spot in the circle would be a good indication to the students that another discussion class was in order.

Although, really, he'd gone and taught an actual lesson that involved doing things last week. The fact that they didn't just have a movie today or an unexpected free period was a miracle in and of itself.

"Welcome back, ducklings ♥!" Shunsui, of course, greeted them with a smile as they got settled in. "Today I'd like to have a discussion," surprise!, "about last week's class, where our very own lovely Rosa-chan," and here he spared a small little pout for the current lack of her radiant and cheerful presence again this week--maybe he should, at some point, pester her about doing a joint class; that should go over beautifully!, "and I taught you about Aikido ♥, so this week, I would like to hear your thoughts on it ♥. Things like Aikido have its roots in the non-agression principle of pacifism, which can tie into peace. While nonviolence rejects the use of violence, non-aggression rejects the use of aggression ♥!" He chuckled faintly. "Makes sense, neh ♥? Aggression is generally defined as the initiation of a physical force against person or property, and does not reject the idea of self-defense in response to aggression initiated against yourself, as non-violence sometimes might.

"We saw in class how something like Aikido can be used to still be fairly non-violent while also being non-aggressive, but is it truly non-violent? Can it be considered peaceful ♥? Must true peace absolve itself entirely from all physical conflict? Or are there exceptions, as just remaining passive in the face of violence only propagates the violence, and therefor could be considered to be inspiring more violence elsewhere ♥? Can you truly fight for peace? What are your personal thoughts on the self-defense philosophy of Aikido and how it applies to your own perceptions of peace so far? There is certainly no lack of topics we can discuss on this matter, so let us do just that ♥."

Or just nap.

Napping will always be a valid option in this class. In fact, Shunsui would enthusiastically support the idea that it was one of, if not the best, example of peaceful resistance he could think of.

sake_shinigami

Unfortunately, there would be no comfy cushions and tea for the students that week (unless you were particularly fond of gym mats, anyway). There was, regrettably, a note on the door, a note that was clearly from their teacher by the liberal use of hearts scattered across the pink flowery paper, to cover the bases in case they had missed the ~~handwavey~~ message to be prepared for movement in today's lesson, as well as to dress appropriately for such a thing.

♥♥♥♥♥
Please meet me in the gymnasium, little ducklings!
I hope you're feeling limber this morning!
♥♥♥♥♥

( Let's get ready to rumble. )

Shunsui smiled again, bobbing his head in a nod. "So let us think about these things as I'll teach you a few more Aikido moves, and then I would like you to pair up and practice with each other ♥. If you'd like, you may also choose to work either myself or Detective Rosa-chan, whichever of us if the better match ♥. Remember, we are just diverting energy and the point is to avoiding harming the other person, even if they may intend to harm you ♥. Please ask any questions you may have, and allow me or Detective Rosa-chan to demonstrate more should you feel you need a bit more guidance on the moves ♥."

sake_shinigami

"Good morning, ducklings ♥!" The classroom was in its usual state of desks pushed back to make room for a comfy circle in the middle with the requisite hot tea, but there were also several other boxes scattered around, and Shunsui had in front of him a pile of paper with something that looked like a list.

"So far in this class, we have had the opportunity to discuss a some of the ideas behind pacifism," he started, "and after the break, we'll be exploring some methods, as well ♥. But since we are so close to the break, I certainly wouldn't want us to get too involved in anything too deep ♥. So today, we shall turn our attention to the art of some may say distraction, other may so of productivity," certainly not him!, " but what I shall call simply the Art of Hobbies ♥.

"Now," he continued with a faint chuckle, a small, serene smile on his face as he ducked his head slightly, "I'm sure you can all take a guess as to what my hobby is ♥!"

If you were thinking drinking or sleeping or womanizing, you were wrong.

Those were lifestyles, not mere hobbies.

"Writing ♥!" Shunsui announced proudly. "I am the author of two published books, you know, and I am working on a third ♥." The same third book he was working on last time he taught this class, no less! Both a few semesters ago and several years ago! You couldn't rush art, after all. "To me, writing is like releasing the poetry of the soul onto paper so you can share it with others ♥. But that is just one example of a peaceful hobby, or a hobby in which one can engage as a sort of self-meditation, as a centering technique to remove oneself from the insanity of life and absorb themselves in the tranquility of creation ♥. I'd also like you all to meet Nanao-chan VII ♥."

Here, Shunsui scooted forward a small bonsai tree.

"The art of maintaining a bonsai is quite a relaxing, peaceful hobby as well, and I've had this one for quite some time now, actually ♥ ! One of the kindest and most peaceful women I know, for example, is an expert at Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement ♥. One of the less peaceful women I know turns to organization to calm her down ♥. One could maintain a zen garden, or knitting, I hear, is still quite popular! Make scarves, not war ♥! There are, of course, traditional forms of art, from painting and drawing to sculpture work and pottery. And, speaking of women I know," of which there were clearly many, "I can think of at least two who would insist wholeheartedly that shopping is a hobby, though having seen one of them engaged in such actions, I would argue that it is hardly a peaceful one ♥."

With that, Shunsui began to pass around the papers.

"On these papers is a list of various hobbies to give you some inspiration ♥. Of course, you are not limited to these options, and you are to avoid any of the violent ones, such as hunting or lawn darts..." The latter of which had actually been outlawed at Shinigami picnics... "But these boxes in the classroom today have anything you might need to get you started on exploring a new hobby, and that is what today is for ♥! Try to find something that you think sounds relaxing, meditative, productive, and most importantly new to help keep you away from the ever present sway of negative influences ♥!"

"Go forth, my little ducklings, and discover something new ♥! Or if you already have a hobby you're quite fond of, feel free to share it with the class and let us all know about it. And, of course, if you've got any questions, I'll be happy to help if I can ♥."

sake_shinigami

"Welcome back, ducklings ♥," Shunsui once more greeted the class with a nod of his head and the distribution of some tea around the circle of cushions as everyone came in and got settled. "It should be a rather easy one for us today ♥..."

You know, since most of his classes were already so taxing and demanding to begin with.

"But hopefully, you've all had a chance to read through the play you were introduced to last week a bit more thoroughly, so that we may discuss it a bit more thoroughly ♥. How did you like it, as a literary piece or otherwise? What did you feel Aristophanes was trying to say in this comedic venture, if anything? Do you feel that it's a good philosophy for maintaining peace? It is also considered a feminist tract; do you see that, as well? Do you approve of the title character's strategy in getting the soldiers to peace, or does it tread on other moral questions that should be in consideration as well? Is peace something that should be achieved by any means necessary, or is war sometimes better than peace? Can you think of any other works, literature or otherwise, that propose a similar solution? Or a better one ♥? Are there any other questions I've forgetting ♥? Is it really just a piece of comedic junk just for giggles and not at all worthy of all this discussion in the first place?

"Let's begin, shall we ♥?"

sake_shinigami

When the students came into their classroom today, they'd find some books piled up beside the teapot at the center of their cushion-circle. "My duckings ♥," Shunsui said with a pleased smile once everyone got settled, "Today, we are going to be beginning a small little unit on one of my favorite pieces of literature, besides, of course, my own book ♥, that has quite a lot to do with the prevue of our class ♥! Written by a very smart and clever Greek by the name of Aristophanes, this play is a political satire against the Peloponnesian War of Ancient Greece, where the illustrious woman of the play's title comes up with a most intriguing solution to peace: she rallies up the women of the Grecian world to form a pact to finally bring an end to the war by withholding sex for their husbands, lovers, and soldiers. Devastating, I know ♥! But incredibly effective; as the play itself points out, a man cannot concentrate on swinging his sword when his other sword needs swinging ♥.

"It's a classic example of the 'make love, not war' philosophy that had such vital life in the 1960s ♥. It was the Vietnam War rather than the Peloponnesian War, then, and it was an actual movement instead of a parody play designed to make a point, but the idea is the same: it is much better to offer our fellow brothers and sisters love rather than war ♥.

"Naturally, thought the play is short, I cannot expect for you to all have it read by the end of the class and still have time to discuss it, so I have given you each a copy to take home and read over the week. We will discuss the idea of love over war today, and then again next week after you've had a chance to read through the text and see if it manages to influence your opinion any ♥. Today's discussion, then, shall be a broader one: does love have any place in war? Is it necessary to have love to keep a war humane? Or is there no such thing as humane war, and therefor, love could only interfere with the success of a war? The play was written to make people laugh, but it suggests that the world is a better place when people spend more time with each other than with their weapons ♥. The war is a senseless waste of time, money, and resources, when peaceful times are spent building the nation; wars not only break the nation, but it also disturbs families and relationships. And, of course, in unity, there is strength ♥. This could be said for either side of the coin, but isn't it much better to have that unity in peace rather than war ♥?

"When the Chorus of Men claim, 'There is no beast, no rush of fire, like woman so untamed. She calmly goes her way where even panthers would be shamed,' the Chorus of Women proclaim in response, 'And yet you are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.' Perhaps it is just me, but it seems to ask, Why go into war when peace could easily be an option ♥? Or is it not so easy? Is holding back something...anything...that the other party might need, be it sex or be it goods or resources or hostages or treasures, and refusing to give it back without the promise of peace a nefarious course of action ♥? Or is any means of achieving peace through acceptable means ♥?

"'We love peace, but not peace at any price,' says Douglas Jerrold, and Marvin Gaye, another personal favorite, informs us that 'War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate.' But where do you stand on the place of love in war ♥?"

sake_shinigami

"Welcome back, ducklings ♥!"

The class would, once again, find their circle of cushions and some tea waiting, for another edition of listening to Shunsui ramble on about some concepts of peace.

"Today," he told them, with a grin, once they all seemed quite settled, "we're going to discuss a little bit the idea of 'Do No Harm' and what it might mean in the context of the Art of Peace ♥.

"More specifically, I should like to have a look at Mahavira ♥, the ancient reformer of the Jainism religion, which prescribes its followers to take the path of nonviolence toward all living beings ♥. He was born as Prince Vardhaman in a place called Kundgraam ♥. It is said that, even in the womb, he brought wealth and prosperity to his kingdom, like the abundant bloom of beautiful flowers in the springtime ♥. He did not let his status as a prince allow him to fall into the spoils of royalty and privilege, though, adopting practices of meditation and self-contemplation even at a young age ♥. Still, it took him until the age of thirty to renounce his kingdom, release himself of worldly possessions and went into life as an ascetic ♥. That was twelve years spent mostly in meditation and dedicating himself to not harming a single person, animal, or plant ♥. He gave up all possessions, including..." Please, forgive Shunsui the eyebrow waggle, " his clothing ♥. He earned his name of Mahavira and spent the rest of his life preaching the things he'd learned on his spiritual journey ♥. He attained the state of Nirvana at the age of 72 and 4 months."

Which was a blink of an eye to Shunsui, really, but he didn't have any intention of giving up worldy possessions anytime soon.

( Except maybe clothing... )

"Which is rather a lot," Shunsui passed around an apologetic, somewhat exhausted look around at the students, neh ♥? Who knew peace could be so involved? But it all comes down to one thing, as far as this philosophy is concerned: Intention ♥. Even if one does not succeed in killing, if his intention was to kill, he is still a killer. If one pursues something in good faith, and there is still a death as a result, that person is absolved from being a killer as there was no true intent.

"One may claim, then, that a pacifism of the Jaina vein is a pacifist through the utmost awareness of his or her surroundings and actions ♥. They are constantly vigilant on what actions might cause violence in even the slightest ways, and strive to avoid them. But enough talk from me ♥. It is now your turn, ducklings ♥, what do you think? Is the Jaina concept of Ahimsa a realistic or reachable goal? In which ways would you say it succeeds or fails? Is this a realistic path to obtaining peace?

"No wrong answer, of course, no strict order of discourse, just a discussion to consider all the variety of opinions that are sure to exist with such an eclectic group ♥. Who wants to start ♥?"

sake_shinigami

The students would enter the classroom to find that all the usual desks had been removed or simply moved over to the side, replaced instead with a ring of various cushions and pillows arranged in a circle at the center of the room. And already sitting on one of those cushions, of course, was a rather large man with a very pink kimono draped over his shoulders and a straw hat on his head, hunched over slightly as his sipped as a cup of tea. As they came into the room, he would look up with a crooked, sleepy sort of a smile and invite them in with a rumble of a voice that matched, gestures for them to come have a seat and offering a cup of the tea for themselves.

"And now I believe," he said, once it seemed anyone who was going to show up had, those who were going to get settled were settled, and it was probably a few minutes past the starting time by now, anyway, "it's time for us to begin ♥. Welcome, my ducklings, to the Art of Peace, wherein we shall, together, go on a journey through a gentler, more pacifist approach to life, especially when all signs may otherwise point toward war ♥. It's a rather broad topic, sometimes a rather difficult one, as well, and it will not all be just sitting around and waxing intellectual about such concepts. But that is, mostly," here he passed them all a grin, "what we will be doing today ♥.

"With it being toward the end of the week," he continued, "I've sure none of you will be surprise to hear that I would like to use today to get to know each other ♥. More importantly, though we may all indeed be sitting, I'd like to know where you stand on our topic at hand. Are you a staunch pacifist, much like myself? Do you tend to lean more warlike, but you're interested to see a different perspective? Are you here because someone out there clearly thinks they're very funny?" He chuckled softly. "Whatever the reason, it'll be good to understand where we're all coming from, to better see where it is we might be able to go ♥."

He took a slow sip of his tea, and then softly set it in front of him.

"I'll go first ♥," he said, and thus the class began in earnest.

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

When the students arrived, they would find that their instructors had once again provided ~~moddable~~ treats from JGoB and the Perk, all of which were piled on tables against the back wall of the classroom. And, it being the last day of class, at least one of their teachers might have a little something extra for anyone who was either clever or silly enough to ask him for it.

"Welcome back," Ghanima said brightly. "You've managed to make it all the way to the last class, and hopefully you even picked up a thing or two along the way. We've made it almost all the way through Tzu's Art of War, minus one or two pi'en due to Fandom, so today you'll get a bit of a break on the note-taking aspect of class."

"And we'll get a more...hands-on approach before delving into going over what we've learned and experienced thus far ♥," said Shunsui, with a timely waggle of his fingers from his reclined position behind the desk. It might have been then that the students would notice the faint mewling sound emerging from somewhere in that general area and Shunsui, unable to keep his giggles down, decided his was going to be rubbish at holding back the fun. "Ducklings ♥," he said, standing up, "prepare to meet your armies ♥."

From behind the desk, over the desk, from out of Shunsui's robe and somehow one of them even managed to get on top of his head, was a swarm of fluffy, adorable kittens. Some of them even had little helmets on them, and they meowed happily, excitedly, as they began prancing forward, on the large desk at the front of the room, over to the smaller desks for the students. Some of them were trotting on over to the snacks table to see what might be yummy in their tummy, and others were already starting to rumble and tumble with each other without the direction of their assumed warlords.

"Kitties ♥!" said Shunsui, clearly melting into a tall, hairy puddle of kitten-loving goo.

Kitties they had collected from shelters on the mainland, who would be going back to Dune with Ghanima to terrorize the palace staff. Desert mice always infested town and seitch alike. "Hold off on organizing your soldiers for a moment," she said, picking one up off its attempt to chew on her boots. "These are your troops. Love or war, how do you motivate them? If you don't understand the heart of something, you'll never achieve your objective."

"So now I am going to ask you to indulge my curiosity one last time. Afterwards, I'd like each of you to tell me what you learned this semester. It can be something about class, something about yourself, something about your own ethical outlook, it doesn't matter, so long as you have learned something. In return, feel free to ask us any question you like. We will do our level best to answer you honestly."

[OOC: Last verse, same as the first, but a whole lot louder and whole lot worse. ~~Please to be waiting for~~ the OCD be up.]

atreideslioness

As the students arrived today, they'd find the usual desks shoved aside in favor of large cushions, blankets, and large vats of coffee, tea, and hot cider.

"We are assuming none of you have slept recently," Ghanima said, gesturing for everyone to grab a spot, "--and so we are going with a movie today. One that incorporates both military strategy and victory against impossible odds: Crimson Bluff."

Shunsui, standing behind her as usual, did his best to look absolutely angelic. "Even during conflict, there is beauty in unexpected places ♥," he said, as Ghanima fiddled with the remote to press 'play', fully expecting the movie to start.

What she got instead was something else entirely.

She turned around to glare at her co-teacher, hands on her hips, as Shunsui giggled into his sleeve. "But ♥ Ghani~chan ♥!" he protested, "-we've never gotten to see the ending ♥! And this world needs all the love and beauty it can get ♥!"

Ghanima just sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Never say that in public again," she requested. "Students, please enjoy the film. If you feel you cannot stay to watch, you are dismissed on the condition you go straight to the library."

Current Mood: embarrassed

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

"Are you all here?" Ghanima asked abruptly as the bell rang. "Anyone dead? Anyone kill anyone else?"

"Anyone break any hearts ♥?" added Shunsui with his usual grin slightly lighter than usual.

But Ghanima didn't wait for any sort of answer to any of the questions, though she did smile impishly. "Good enough," she announced, hopping off her desk. "Today, we have two parts to our class. The eleventh chapter of Tzu's book speaks of both the varieties of ground found within terrain, and of leadership styles."

"I do not feel like going over territory disputes, I've done that enough this past week dealing with treaties from home that my brother has been kind enough to ask me to handle. Instead, we will look at the leadership aspects of the chapter. There are as many different styles of directing people as there are people in the universe. While Tzu has some very good, and very bad, ideas, I'm curious to see what qualities you look for in a leader."

"There are many different types of leaders in this world, and in others ♥," Shunsui mused, again his smile still light and his eyes trying not to drift to his co-teacher with concern. "After all, someone out there even considered myself good enough to be a leader of a whole faction; yes, that's right, I don't just have captain in my name because it picks up all the ladies ♥. I come from a place where there are thirteen captains to protect a whole society. Thirteen ♥, and we each have our own lieutenants in the ranks, too. You can imagine that leads to quite a variety of leadership styles, and I can promise you, very rarely do we all agree on something, either ♥. Is such a variety in leadership good, do you suppose, or does it just sort of muddle up the chances of things being done productively?"

[[ OCD ~~on the way~~ up! ]]

atreideslioness

Ghanima was sitting on the desk at the front of the room today, legs swinging slightly as she drummed her heels against the sturdy wood. The Atreides Prescience was itching under her skin worse than usual lately, and her hands kept reaching for the Dune Tarot the moment she let her focus lapse.

"I am aware tomorrow is a holiday," she said, giving the students one of her rare, bright smiles. "So I shan't be too hard on you today."

"I'd like to hear how your assignment went for the last week, then we shall speak a bit on the concept of terrain."

"Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy."

"Terrain is vitally important. Which I am sure you are all dreadfully sick of hearing me talk about," she continued. "However, if you do not know where or how you stand, in any battle, you will lose. I cannot stress this enough. It doesn't matter if you're facing a troop of Sardaukar on Salusa Secundus, or trying to make dinner plans with a cranky significant other. If you cannot understand the terrain under your feet, you will find yourself on the wrong end of a metaphorical or physical blade."

"This all goes back to what we discussed that first week of class, "'Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.' To know your soldiers, you must know yourself. You must be able to assess both the capabilities of your fighting force, and your own ability to command them in terrain before you. If you cannot give the soliders what they need, even the most elite squad in the Empire can fall against a small handful of women and children." Not that Ghanima would know. At all.

"First, however, I want to hear how you did over the last week."

Current Mood: uncomfortable

atreideslioness

"Congratulations, you've made it all the way to week ten," Ghanima said dryly from her perch on the desk. "So far, many of our discussions seem to have focused on physical engagements of force, mostly because many of you are all familiar with tactics in a military sense. While I am as much a fan of armed combat as the next Fremen, however, it is it necessary to learn how to apply the tactical ideas you are learning outside a battlefield."

"Last week, we tried to measure cost against outcome when weighing the human element," Ghanima remarked. "Today, we focus completely on the human component, and turn our tactical prowess to that most dreaded tactical engagement of all - relationships."

Please to ignore the good-natured chuckling coming from the man behind the desk. No, scratch that. Not chuckling. Shunsui was downright giggling.

"Each of you has a slip on your desk with an assignment. You must try and follow the directions to the best of your abilities, using the tactical ideas we have discussed in your negotiations. You are not limited to your classmates for this exercise, and indeed, I shall award extra credit for each successful 'mission' you undertake. I will do my best to listen to radio and chart your progress, but you will be expected to report on your varying levels of success next week."

"Especially," said Shunsui, in between very amused and very pleased giggles, "since I'm taking it on as my personal mission, in the spirit of the assignment, to do what I can to distract Ghani-chan from charting your progress too closely ♥."

Yes, boys and girls, you are going on dates. Ghanima just raised one eyebrow at Shunsui, since by now she had a rather good idea of what sort of 'distraction' her co-teacher had in mind.

...which was possibly more than you EVER wanted to know about your teachers and their extra-curricular activities.

"Get what you want out of the other person, without giving too much ground," she sighed, trying to not facepalm. "Do try not to end the world while you are at it."

"And, please," said Shunsui, lifting his hat to give them all a surprisingly serious imploring face, "remember to have fun ♥. While all is fair in love and war, you may find things even fairer in love and peace ♥."

Current Mood: amused

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

When the students came in this week, there was a passage from the eighth P'ien written on the chalk board.

There are roads which must not be followed,
armies which must be not attacked, towns which must
be besieged, positions which must not be contested,
commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

"Sometimes, we must allow the distasteful thing to happen to make way for a greater victory." Ghanima was leaning against the wall, watching them from behind her glowing eyes. "Sacrifices must be made. This is most easily seen in war; sacking an innocent town for supplies, or killing civilians to prevent your position from being discovered. However, it doesn't just apply to war. What do you do when your boss, or 'sovereign,' tells you to lie about something that happened at work? Or if you cannot report a crime, because it implicates someone dear to you? Today, we discuss those choices, and how we know which battles must be fought, and which ones we must let pass us by. Sometimes it is a matter of conscience, while other times is is the one against the many."

"And others still," said Shunsui from behind the desk with very little to add to such a succinct overview, "can simply be a matter of how much sake you have left ♥." His smile was a slight bit sad, though. "Sacrifices aren't easy; that's why they're sacrifices, but there's always something you may end up having to sacrifice eventually. So it can be good to know what you may have to sacrifice in times of war, and how far you may be willing to sacrifice to maintain peace."

"We've broken you into two groups," Ghanima said briskly.

"When you gathered yourselves, we'll give you the scenario on which to discuss," Shunsui added, and his smile gained its usual crookedness, "or politely debate ♥."

[[ ~~so please wait for~~ the OCD has made its choice! ]]

atreideslioness

When the students came in, they would discover that their teachers (yes, even Shunsui helped) had shoved all the desks back against one wall. Piles of pillows and blankets were tossed around the room in place of the desks, and tables along another wall filled with treats. That were no way an effort to get rid of some of Turtle & Canary's extreme overstock of candy. Really.

Those that had taken any of Ghanima's other classes might recognize the set-up as 'Ghanima is Showing a Movie' Day. Anyone who had taken most of Shunsui's classes would recognize it as 'How a Classroom Should Be Anyway.'

On the board, Ghanima had written one section from chapter seven:

36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

"As some of you may have learned in the past, a cornered rat will fight longer and harder than one with an escape route," Ghanima said clearly. "People will become vicious and do anything and everything if they think there is no hope left. This doesn't just apply to armies. People will also behave this way in regards to their personal lives."

"Which is why today, you all get a movie," she stated. "I had a lovely lesson all written up, but someone," she wouldn't say who (or how) "had spilled sake on it, and I want you to think about how some of the tactics we've discussed could be used in your interpersonal relationships, anyway. If we have time at the end of class, I'd like to discuss what you've just witnessed."

"And," Shunsui tilted his at to the students with a wink, "if there's any time after class, be sure to share with Ghani-chan what we talked about last week ♥. I'm sure she'd be quite interested to hear it ♥."

Oh, Ghanima could hazard a guess as to what sort of message of peace and love - and ♥ - Shunsui had been spreading last week, but she only raised her eyebrow at him slightly.

She was wise to your tricky wiles, shinigami. Still, she spread her arms to indicate the three tables full of goodies. "There's ~~moddable~~ treats from JGoB and Turtle & Canary, coffee, juice, and hot cider. Help yourselves."

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

For a pretty noticeable change of pace for the class, the students would file in today to find Shunsui leaning on the desk in the front of the room today rather than Ghanima, and, as a matter of fact, they would probably not see Ghanima there at all, considering she wasn't.

Shunsui dipped his head in greeting once everyone was settled, and then pushed up his hat so he could better talk to his students. "It fills me with great regret," he said, "to break the news to you that our lovely Ghani-chan will not be joining us today. You may have noticed that my feisty little teaching companion much better represents the war side of this class, and so, without her here today, we are going to have the opportunity to embrace the peace side a little more. We are, you might say, going to give peace a chance ♥.

"My companion also has a penchant for filling the boards with words, and with good reason. She is working for a text that exists, a document that has for centuries been considered a guide to the art of war. But while we spend so much time considering the words of Sun Tzu, why not spend a little time considering the works of all of you ♥?"

Yes, he was terribly proud of that one.

"Today, I would like us to compose a response to Sun Tzu-san; I would like us to compose our our guidebook, The Art of Peace ♥. What would you put into your Art of Peace? What are the truths and aphorisms and suggests you might make toward someone hoping to accomplish peace in their life? Let us just throw everything out there ♥. I shall like to have a volunteer who will jot everything down for us, and, next week, when our dear Ghani-chan returns to us, we can have her look it over and tell us what she thinks ♥."

"Any questions ♥?" he asked. "Or shall we begin ♥?"

[[ OCD ~~on the way~~ is up! ]]

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

When the arrived at the classroom, they would find a note tacked on the door directing them to the gym. The note was littered with hearts, making it quite clear exactly which of the teachers had left it. When they arrived at the new location, they would find both of their teachers there; a blackboard on wheels stood ready to be filled with information, while mats were spread around, waiting to be used.

"Have a seat, my little ducklings ♥," Shunsui started class with a beaming grin, his hands tucked comfortably into the sleeves of his robe. "Get comfortable ♥. We have an exciting class for you today, but, first, I must let Ghani-chan teach you the war side of today's topic before we get to have fun with a more peaceful interpretation of it ♥."

( Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy. )

[[ ~~please wait for~~ the OCD has deftly redirected its energy to be up and ready! ]]

atreideslioness

"Good morning. Today, we work with chapter four, often known as 'Tactical Dispositions'," Ghanima said, smiling at them as she hopped off her desk and walked over to the chalkboard. Shunsui, for what it was worth, was behind the desk as usual, though this time with a little bonsai tree. "Sun Tzu said: 'The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.'"

She picked the chalk up and began to write. The cantor of her writing seemed to provide the harmony to the melody of Shunsui's trimming shears. "First, he claimed that 'to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.' This is excellent advice, as it reminds us that the enemy is never perfect, and that everyone, ourselves included, has a weakness. 'Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.'"

"'Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive,'" she recited, writing quickly. "'Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.'"

"Naturally," Shunsui finally offered, "such a belief can extend beyond the art of war ♥. For example, one may seem to merely be partaking in the relaxing activity of keeping a bonsai while the more quick-minded instructor does all the hard work, only to then choose the right moment to chime in with a pointed comment about when to step on up ♥."

"So, how do we reconcile these differences?" she asked, looking at them. "One could even say that bonsai keeping is a constant war of knowing when - and how - to cut back. How can you create a plan of attack for anything, not just combat, using Tzu's ideas? Wooing a romantic partner by using almost defensive-only tactics seems doomed to failure, as does using that mindset during a business transaction. We know from our earlier lesson that a prologued engagement benefits no one in the long run, why do you then think Tzu advocates waiting here?" Ghanima set down her chalk and turned around to face them fully. "I'd like you to get in small groups of two or three and discuss this, and try to come up with a non-combat situation where this would be a viable, and indeed desirable, strategy."

"And I brought bonsais for everyone, should you like to partake yourself while you discuss ♥."

Current Mood: content

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

Ghanima was sitting on the desk as the students arrived, sans baby. Her niece had been returned to her parents for the time being, and today was exactly like any other day of class.

Sorry, Shunsui.

Somehow, he would survive; today's topic was guaranteed to help with that, since it was actually kind of his battle philosophy in a handy little nutshell.

The moment the last student was seated, she flipped her book open. "Good morning, class, and welcome. Today we begin today with chapter three," she said, holding up the book. "'Attack by Stratagem.'"

"Or, conversely," offered Shunsui from his usual reclined position behind the desk, "Avoiding Attack by Stratagem from my side of the fence. Which is a much quicker lesson than the Attack form, as it boils down to two things: Make Love, Not War and Drink Sake and Keep Calm ♥. Although, really, Sun Tzu-san had something to say about that, too, if you'll all kindly have a look at the following:"

"Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

He sent a crooked smile over the classroom. "Need I say more ♥?"

Especially since most of what Shunsui would have to elaborate on that topic was probably not appropriate for school.

No, no it would not be, and Ghanima quirked an eyebrow at him in silent amusement.

"Sun Tzu also said that 'He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.' I think this is a chapter after your own heart," she teased, pointing it at Shunsui. "And, of course, there's the phrase everyone knows, but rarely do they know the source. 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.' Know thy enemy and know thyself."

"And just think of how fun it could be to know thy enemy, too ♥," offered Shunsui, because he pretty much had to.

"So, how do you formulate a plan of attack, if are forced to fight? Resorting immediately to violent means is not always the best option. 'Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans;'" Ghanima recited, watching all of them carefully. "'The next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.' So speaks Tzu. I'm curious as to how you feel this reflects the every day world, and if you saw this applied at any time over our last 'special' Fandom weekend."

"And on the same token," Shunsui offered, "I'm always interested to hear of other ways in which one might prevent their enemy's attack ♥. I know my own methods of charm and drink and happier things has worked for me, but I must admit, they are not entirely effective. What are some other ways to gain your victories by preventing the battle? And when do you decide that the methods are no good, and you must engage after all?"

[[ ~~please wait for~~ the ~~incoming~~ OCD has come in! ]]

atreideslioness

It was once again Wednesday, but this time Ghanima had a weetiny baby tightly swaddled and bound to her back. The child, for its part, did not seem to mind, and Ghanima did not seem to be giving it a second thought.

Shunsui, on the other hand, seemed to be a little less invested in the fact that they were in a classroom and more invested in the baby strapped to his fellow teacher's back. The students might find themselves as amused as the weetiny baby at all the faces he was making at her, trying to get her to giggle behind Ghanima's back.

"'There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare,'" she announced once everyone was seated. "So speaks Sun Tzu in the second Pi'en. In it, he speaks of provisioning an army, and managing your resources."

"Again," Shunsui offered, between finger waggles at the tiny one, "we're still working from the file of Things My Lieutenant Does ♥."

"Your poor lieutenant deserves a raise and a very nice gift," Ghanima replied, not bothering to hide her smile. She knew perfectly well what he was doing. "Shunsui, did you want to take a turn holding her?"

Cute little baby that wasn't even remotely his. Shunsui offered out his hands. "If only to help relieve you of the burden, Ghani-chan &hearts."

Relieve her of the burden. Yep. That was totally it and it had nothing to do with it being so much easier to make faces at the baby and make her giggle. Really!

"You are going to spoil my neice for other men, and she's not even a week old," she sighed. "But today, we should look at it from non-combat viewpoints," Ghanima said, unwrapping the baby sling and handing her over to Shunsui before turning back to the class. "If you're conducting a business merger, you should approach it the same as any other battle. Prolonged negotiations are something to avoid at all costs, since you usually end up losing something the longer you are engaged. As a member of the ruling Royal Family, I cannot think of a single instance where anyone's fortunes were improved through a lengthy process, be it trade agreements, warfare, treaties, or even waiting to cook dinner."

"Romantic relationships are the same way; as much fun as the chase can be, a prolonged pursuit of your target increases the chance of them slipping away," she teased, eyes flashing with amusement. "How can you apply the suggestions made in the second Pi'en to these two situations?"

"I, however," Shunsui offered, with a grin of his own, "may have to disagree with my beautiful coteacher on this one, though perhaps she had not had the pleasure of the prolonged pursuit of a particularly challenging romantic interest ♥. Sometimes, it is not the destination that is the fun, but the journey; when one spends a great deal of time on a battlefield like that, it makes the victory all the better ♥. And should they slip away, well...there is always another battle to pursue ♥. I should also note that this maintaining the battlefield of love is yet another thing to file in Things My Lieutenant Does ♥." Because, yeah, Nanao-chan was having none of that, but that didn't seem to bother Shunsui much. It was all part of her charm, really.

"So, yes," Shunsui waved his hand a little, ready to let the class get to work so he could stop doing his job and play with the baby. "Let's discuss, as Ghani-chan said ♥. After all, bringing a quick end to war is a good way to start peace ♥."

[OOC: OCD up!]

Current Mood: chipper

sake-shinigami.livejournal.com

"Good morning, students," Ghanima said as the class started. "Today we are starting with the first chapter, 'Laying Plans.'"

"Or, as I like to call it," Shunsui offered helpfully, "'Stuff my Lieutenant Does ♥.'"

"War." Ghanima surveyed them sharply, making sure she had everyone's full attention. "The term calls to mind battlefields and generals. The most successful battles, however, are not fought with soldiers, but with words."

"There is the war of the sexes, the war between companies and corporations, economic wars, ideological wars, political wars, and wars between the social classes, all of which tend to start on a more basic level, and escalate to the stereotype. Whether you are wooing a romantic partner or a business rival, or meeting an enemy with your weapon drawn, the same principals hold true."

"Though one must certainly wonder....is it always a war of battles or a war of words?" Shunsui proposed. "Are there more peaceful approaches, or is it just in most people's natures to find these conflicts best resolved with more conflict? I know I, for one, would much rather take a lover who is willing than one I must fight against or for, just as I would rather meet a man over a peaceful drink than over a bloody battlefield. But let's see what our dear Sun Tzu-san has to say on the matter ♥."

( All War is Based on Deception )

"And which," said Shunsui, almost lazily, with a wave of his hand, "can be applied to peace as well as war ♥?"

"Or love, for that matter?" Ghanima asked. "Now, we would like you to pair up, and discuss which of the five constant factors you feel to be the most important, and why."

[[ For those of you reading along at home, here's a condensed version of Art of War. ~~And please to be waiting for~~ the lovely OCD is up! ]]

atreideslioness

Another semester, another batch of bright and shining students.

Each desk had a copy of the syllabus ready and waiting, and Ghanima sat on her desk, hiding her smile behind her tea as they filed in; mentally cataloging the new and familiar faces. Apparently, a few of them were gluttons for punishment. And Shunsui, for what it was worth, was behind the desk, testing the limits of gravity as he tilted it back and put his feet up on the desk. He passed on the tea, but at least he wasn't hitting the bottle, though it was certainly there.

( Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate. )

"Know thy enemy, know thyself. We'll cover it more in-depth later, but for today I would like you to go around the room and introduce yourselves. Give us your name, class, and some random fact about yourself. Pay attention to what your classmates have to say, you never know when such information could come in handy."

"And whether you use that information for war or peace," Shunsui added with a grin from behind the shadow of his wide-brimmed hat, "we'll leave that entirely up to you ♥."

[OOC: OCD ARRIVED.]

Current Mood: amused

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Entries tagged with war & peace

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [12/15].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [12/08].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [12/01].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [11/17].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [11/10].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [11/03].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [10/27].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [10/20].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [10/06].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [09/29].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [09/22]

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [09/15].

The Art of Peace; Thursday, Third Period [09/01].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 12/14 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 12/07 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 11/30 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 11/23 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 11/16 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 11/09 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 10/26 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 10/26 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 10/05 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 09/28 ].

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 09/21 ].

The Art (s) of War and Peace / Wednesday / Period 2

The Art(s) of War and Peace; Wednesday, Second Period [ 09/07 ].

The Art (s) of War and Peace (ATREIDES/KYŌRAKU) / Wednesday / Period 2

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