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

[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.

[thisvorlunatic]

Well, then, by all means introduce me to your sister. I don't have another class after this either.

[poll_the_stars]

Okay then. Sisterly introductions. I'll let her know.

Convenient thing about having computer terminals in class: she can send a message to her sister, asking if she wants to meet Miles.

Answer: why yes! Yes she does.

[aestrix]

Class discussion continues.

"... Well, I think," says a student rather loudly, "That the ideas behind the poem are pretty telling of the technology level of where it came from - if they had implants and sexuality therapists, I bet the poem wouldn't be half as against the subject."

[thisvorlunatic]

"LPSTs and contraceptive implants aren't some kind of inviolable magical charm against anyone ever having bad experiences with sex," says Miles, finally goaded into speaking up. "I think you're all vastly underestimating the complexity of the writer's intent if you interpret the poem as a straightforward assertion of universal fact. The point is not that it's like this for everyone all the time; the point is that it can be like this for many people some of the time. Regardless of the presence or absence of therapists."

[aestrix]

"I mean, maybe it happens sometimes but it can't be as common anymore, the poem's lost a lot of the applicability in this modern age," says the loud student.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Speak for yourself," he says, with an edged smile.

[aestrix]

"Well!" says Frank, to a stunned classroom. "Why don't we remember this as a reason to not make assumptions and also move onto the next poem now please!"

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles snickers to himself.

[poll_the_stars]

Yvette quietly winces. At all of this. Augh.

[thisvorlunatic]

Sorry, he messages her. Lost my temper a bit.

[poll_the_stars]

It's all right. I'm not upset with you, she clarifies. Nor do I disagree. Just the - situation is unpleasant. I wish you were not in a room full of Betans try to tell you that - I don't even know how to word it, 'We are better and so the things associated with this poem do not happen, you do not exist, all is well, the delusion is secure.'

[thisvorlunatic]

I confess I actually kind of enjoyed the opportunity to make everyone in the room deeply uncomfortable.

[poll_the_stars]

Snort.

I'm - glad? That you're having fun?

[thisvorlunatic]

I should probably be kinder to the poor sheltered Betans who don't know any better, but God, it's just so satisfying. If they insist on denying my experience then let them reap what they sow, you know?

[poll_the_stars]

Hm, I don't know. I'm more concerned about what they might take away from it? I'm worried that they will think it's Barrayar that is responsible for your experience, and use that to feed the delusion some more.