Extra curricular

[aestrix]

The next class in pre-jump Earth literature occurs.

Frank is early, actually. He sits at his desk with a large smile on his face, greeting students by name despite the slight hints of red around his eyes and the prominent box of tissues that have mysteriously appeared within easy reach.

It is probable that he cried, but hard to prove considering the evidence.

Comments

[thisvorlunatic]

When Miles arrives and sees the - fairly conclusive, in his opinion - evidence in question, he can't help smiling. Success.

[aestrix]

"Good afternoon, Mister Naismith!" says Frank, smiling broadly at Miles with only a hint of watery eyes. Also with some - is that pride? That looks like pride. "I've updated grades for the week, essay included, with comments."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Ooh, comments," says Miles.

[aestrix]

"Yep!"

The comments are glowing and sympathetic and commend the ability to empathize with a villain - there is a tangent about how maybe empathy is all Richard needed, and something he never really got at all during the play, not even from his allies.

The essay also got extra credit points. Ten of them.

[thisvorlunatic]

Well if this is what happens when Miles tries to make Frank cry, clearly he should keep it up.

[aestrix]

Clearly! Frank comes across as quite pleased about the whole experience.

He greets Yvette with a similarly chipper manner.

[poll_the_stars]

Which she seems to be kind of bemused by, actually.

She gives Miles a conspiratory smile when she sits at an empty terminal next to him, though. Followed by a message that reads:

So, on a scale of one to ten, how smug are you?

[thisvorlunatic]

Twelve.

[poll_the_stars]

Ah, yes. Overachiever even here, aren't you.

[thisvorlunatic]

Get used to it.

[poll_the_stars]

Happily!

[thisvorlunatic]

[poll_the_stars]

[aestrix]

Class begins.

After gushing about the essays some more and stating how thrilled he was to read them, Frank explains what they'll be doing next.

"Now that we're all familiar with Shakespeare's plays, I'd like to introduce you to some of Shakespeare's other works. Unfortunately we don't have very much time to spend on them, but it seems a shame to just go, 'Here are the plays, and now we never look at anything else he ever did'! So just for today, we'll give some of his sonnets a read, and next class we'll get started on something else."

He directs the students to the correct file, and then asks for volunteers, while giving Miles a significant look.

[thisvorlunatic]

Well fine then.

He glances at the first poem, and snorts softly. Yeah, he can definitely put his heart into that one.

"I'll read it," he volunteers.

[aestrix]

"Excellent!" says Frank, pleased.

[thisvorlunatic]

It won't even hurt as much as the last one did. Although it will hurt some.

He sits up straight and takes a breath and glances over the sonnet to get a feel for the words; then he reads, with clear diction and genuine feeling.

"Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action, and till action, lust
Is perjured, murd'rous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,
Past reason hunted, and no sooner had,
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad;
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so,
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
  All this the world well knows, yet none knows well
  To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell."

(Given that this is a class on Beta Colony of all places, he expects very little agreement from his classmates; but the depth of emotion in his voice isn't there to convince anyone, just to illustrate a perspective.)

[aestrix]

"Excellent reading, Mr. Naismith," says the teacher, just a hint of smug.

And, this - seems to be a segue into Why Beta Colony Is Great And Everywhere Else Is Not. How fascinating.

[poll_the_stars]

... Miles's new best friend is not entirely convinced that this was just impassioned reading. She wonders if he's okay.

She doesn't ask this question, for fear of coming off too much like a mother hen, but she does send him a message.

So apparently today is Smug Betans 101.

[thisvorlunatic]

Ugh, no kidding. I'm tempted to destroy their cherished illusions of superiority.

[poll_the_stars]

Yvette frowns at her terminal.

I mean, yes. That. I am also annoyed by cherished illusions of superiority. But - I don't think this is either the best place for it or the best subject. They are - very Betan.

[thisvorlunatic]

They are indeed very Betan. It's very pissing me off. All the experience I drew on for that reading was gained on Beta Colony.

[poll_the_stars]

This causes her to wince.

I'm sorry. Um. Is this a thing you want to rant/cry on me about, or should I quietly forget you ever mentioned it and instead offer to introduce you to my sister today/figure out something else? I don't have another class after this.

[thisvorlunatic]

He smiles slightly. Thank you for your kind offer. I might feel the need to rant afterward if I make it through this whole class without verbally eviscerating these smug assholes. Should I meet your sister? Your sister sounds very cool, I would not at all mind meeting your sister.

[poll_the_stars]

I am available for ranting. And my sister mentioned wanting to meet you, and I mean. I like her. She is a good sister. But then I don't have any others to compare to her, so.