MarinaNova Asylum

[As disconcerting as yesterday was, it's a new day and there's no reason for Sam not to have class. Besides, Quinn's mixed holiday party a few days ago gave him an idea for a topic or at least the case study. Which he has been having on schedule whether I post or not and which everyone is welcome to attend and would know about because of mail and the welcome basket and what not.

( Paranormal Studies Class )

[ audio - locked to Gon ]

[ Haruka has been promising Gon to show him her cool hobby for quite some time now. And it's finally a day ending in 1 or 4 again. So: ]

I'm ready. Come out to Sector 4.

[ action - open ]

[ That's right, it's time for driving class! Haruka has dirt bikes ready for anyone who wants one, as well as a lone motocross bike she'd found in the bike shop. The engine isn't great, though. It won't take her much faster than her motor scooter, which is parked off to one side.

There's a lot of puddles on the streets and in the parks today. What better time for a lesson on hydroplaning...?

She's putting one of the dirt bikes through its paces on a grassy spot, both wheels leaving the ground on occasion as she jumps puddles. The bike is splattered. The bottom of her riding jumpsuit is splattered.

But when she takes her helmet off and shakes out her bangs, her skin and hair are still impeccable. ]

[ The Wardens would mess with everybody on the day of Haruka's driving class. This makes teaching motorbikes rather complicated, as Haruka is currently leaving a trail of roses sprouting in her wake everywhere she goes. She'd hoped that if she took her feet off the ground it'd stop, but it doesn't seem to be bound to commonsense measures like that.

So come along, anyone interested in motor scooters! Bring yourself however you are. Just don't drive directly behind the teacher. That would turn into a lesson on emergency evasion fast. ]

What a farce.

[ Maybe they should cancel? ]

[Video/open]
Class is happening soon. If you're not an engineer or computer genius you should probably check it out.

[She lifts up a camera.] We're going to learn about these today. [The class originated for people from worlds or times where technology wasn't as developed as it is in the prison, so it's to help them close the gap, but she's not picky.]


[Beginning Technology Class Mingle/open]
[There's a camera—each different than the one before it on each table and Kitty is sitting on the desk. Chairs are for losers!]

This is a camera. It's great for artists, people who like looking at things forever, and stalkers.

[She goes on to explain the basic parts and the concept of how it works. Then she picks one up, balancing it on her palm.] Give it a try. See if you can figure out how to use it. We'll go from there.


[Video | Closed to Reid]
[Instead of seeing Kitty you're just going to see this at first. Kitty can be heard humming the Jaws theme though.]


(OOC: Respond to video to Kitty here. Mingle everywhere else! Before, during, after class. Whatever you like!)

Hi. Today, we're talking about witches and witchcraft. We have a guest co-lecturer, so I'll be going over how things work where I'm from and Piper Halliwell [nodding over to her] will talk about her world's human-created magics.

( Witchcraft )

Questions & Discussion

[He looks at Piper again to see if there's anything else she wants to add.] Okay, so questions for either of us?

(OOC: Mingle style. Sam's comments are black. Piper's comments are in orange. Notifs are off so tag Sam and Piper during class with questions or catch him or her before or after class. Use your discretion with the links provided. They didn't necessarily cover every detail, but feel free to bring more into it. Please note Sam's canon point is toward the send of season 5, so nothing beyond that.)

[ It’s been 20 days since the last Criminology class. Almost three weeks since he returned to Marina again. He wasn’t sure about starting up the classes — still isn’t — but routines are good and so here they are. Maybe he should’ve picked a milder subject, but… hey. Why not kick it off with something properly gory and horrifying? ]

First of all… I apologise for the delay in starting the classes up again. They should resume according to schedule from now on. As always, there are copies of the topics covered in previous classes available for those of you that weren’t here at the time.

In today’s class, we’re going to talk about anthropophagy, more commonly known as cannibalism. This would be the time to leave if you’re easily disturbed.

( In today's lecture... cannibalism. cw for rape and gore )

(( The Criminology Class is held in an open lecture format, meaning that there's no ic signup process involved! Feel free to mingle at your leisure — email notifs are off but Reid has a thread HERE if you wish to hit him up. For more information about the setup and purpose of the class, go HERE. The attached links are a full account of the entire lecture so feel free to use them as topics of discussion! ))

[Piper had the cooking lab set up and ready to go. She was nervous as all heck, but she was as ready to do this as she was ever going to be. She found herself questioning why she was doing this, but no point in running that through her head now.]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Cooking Class.

[She gave them all a somewhat nervous smile.]

This is a first for me, so I'm looking for a lot of feedback on this one. What are you interested in learning? What are you current skills? Stuff like that. We can do recipe courses, like what you see on a cooking show, or we can teach specific techniques for people who are looking for something more rudimentary.

[She picked up her apron.]

I have some extra aprons in the back, so grab one if you didn't bring your own. Cooking can get pretty messy, even when you know what you're doing.

[She put the apron on, and, while everyone was getting theirs, handed out a sheet of paper with a recipe on it.]

We're going to start with a simple recipe today so I can figure out where everyone is in their skill level.

{OOC: MINGLE IT UP!! I'll make a comment below so people can thread with Piper specifically. I'm also going to set up a feedback thread so characters can leave feedback. There's also a post on Piper's journal for the class where people can leave recipe requests for future classes, as well as questions for future classes about techniques.}

[ You may have seen this AWESOME POSTER plastered around the dome. You may have heard Aidan fretting about the name and the content and oh god can he really do this? But here it is, the very very first...

LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOP

Since this is the first class, there'll be a questionnaire for everyone to fill out that'll be the basis for the rest of the classes. This is explained repeatedly by Aidan who will be on stand-by to explain what this is about and also direct people to a modest snack table. ]

((OOC: This is set up as a MINGLE and the class itself relies on tagging around! Please fill out the questionnaire for your characters if they attend so I have something to build future classes around! Notifs will be off but if you want to tag Aidan, he has a thread HERE ))

[ video ]

[ Here's Haruka atop a bicycle again. Must be class day. ]

Hey, just a reminder. If you want to stay in Driver's Ed, bring your own bicycle today. Or take one of mine. [ She laughs, shrugging. ] Apparently they're not playing nicely with the horses.

[ action ]

[ Haruka has her Driver's Ed class out and about in each Sector today, teaching them about traffic safety, hand signals, etiquette, etc. in addition to basic bicycling skills. She wants to make sure everybody's reflexes are where they need to be before sticking them on something with an engine. ]

Good. Now faster.

[ She will keep urging this to every pupil as she judges them ready to push themselves. Unfortunately, this means she's also spending a lot of time checking behind herself, so distracted pedestrians had better watch out....

But that would just be ridiculous, right? There's no way she's going to encounter a person in the middle of the street right as she's lecturing everyone on distracted driving! ]

[ having had no desire to be locked into kissing whoever entered his classroom on day 255, toxicology was not held for a day— but now it's quite back in action, and with a particularly special topic. he's also considering incurring a ban on tribbles in the classroom, and any present will be thoroughly side-eyed. ]

I have made a point to familiarize you with foundational toxicology "classics"— hemlock and arsenic, thus far, and I assure you that strychnine and nightshade and their many fellows will be given their opportunity in due time. Today, however, I shall address a man-made toxin.
( ❝The absence of a thing: this can be as deadly as the presence. The absence of air, eh? The absence of water? The absence of anything else we're addicted to.❞ )

video

[ Waking up to Haruka is always a great thing, right? Just ask Michiru. Despite having been here for a few weeks, Haruka hasn't formally introduced herself over the network, so when she starts the feed up she coughs to clear her throat and gives the camera a smile. She's leaning on her motor scooter, and she's surrounded by bicycles. ]

Yo, everyone. If we haven't met before, I'm Tenoh Haruka - your new Driver's Ed teacher. We'll be meeting days 1 and 4 at 11, outside the sports center in sector 1. [ She laughs. ] Sure, we can't drive anything too fancy here, but I think we'll make do!

[ But enough cryptic references to her souped-up Vespa. The grin returns. ] Today we're playing with bicycles, so if you've never seen one of these before - [ she pats the handlebars ] - or never learned, or just want some exercise, we'd love to have you. I'll bring the bikes. You bring the balance.

See you then! [ A wink, and she cuts the feed. Wow, advertising feels weird. ]

action - driver's ed class

[ As promised, Haruka has something like half a dozen bicycles, complete with helmets and water bottles, lined up outside the sports center. She's in a tracksuit and is doing stretches while she waits for her class to convene, and she's also brought along a toolkit and enough training wheels for everyone, if necessary. Plans for the class involve getting everyone a bike, finding out who knows how to ride one and who doesn't, showing the different parts of a bicycle and how it works, and then practicing by riding around the area. She'll save taking a bike tour of the dome for the next class, unless everybody who shows up already knows how to ride.

Also, students beware. She's friendly for one-on-one, but Mentor Mode!Haruka can be a little strict.

((ETA: A mingle thread for riding around in class has been added!)) ]

[Sam looks over the class. There's someone missing. He knew Reid would be gone from Kitty's announcements earlier, but maybe he was still hoping for something else. He hasn't really allowed himself to get close to people here—not many anyway. Reid was getting in that circle.

But life and class goes on, right? He clears his throat.] Today, we're going to talk about the djinn. Some of you might know them as genies.

( Djinn )

[ Another day, another criminology class. Even though this is his eleventh class, Reid is noticeably nervous today. Sensitive subject. Also a potentially fuller class than usual, thanks to the school fair. ]

Today marks the beginning of a series of lectures on mental illnesses and delusions common to serial killers, starting with schizophrenia. Those of you who weren’t around for our neuro-psychology class on day 247 or who need a refresher course are welcome to grab handouts with the relevant information. It’s not necessary, but I recommend that you study up on basic neurology as these classes can get a little technical?

Thank you.

( In todays lecture... schizophrenia )

(( The Criminology Class is held in an open lecture format, meaning that there's no ic signup process involved! Feel free to mingle at your leisure — email notifs are off but Reid has a thread HERE if you wish to hit him up. For more information about the setup and purpose of the class, go HERE. The attached links are a full account of the entire lecture so feel free to use them as topics of discussion! ))

|[ EDUCATIONAL FACILITY: ROOM 5 ]|

[The truth is Rudy really doesn't know the first thing about teaching, and he doesn't particularly care to figure it out; but this is a good excuse to set up a studio and get some brownie points with the powers that be. He's got to keep busy, after all.

He's in the studio early, setting up a few simple tableaux of items for his 'students' to draw or paint-- the ubiquitous bowl of fruit; a collection of random, mismatched glassware; a tumbled pile of loose fabric, draped over a wooden box; a bouquet of cut flowers laid on their sides.

As for himself, he's got a large pad of paper off to the side of the room, and by the time the class officially starts, he's already sketching vague charcoal lines.

Now it's a matter of seeing whether anyone shows up.]


|[ooc; backdated to early this dayweek~ this will be a bit more of a mingle, please feel free to bounce around in threads and do whatever! I will get around as much as I can and hopefully class on 258 will have a bit more substance.]|

[ It’s the tenth criminology class. That deserves something a little different and Reid has been wondering for a while about whether or not he’s gone about this the right way. These people aren’t law enforcement and even if they are, their worlds are so different. He’s been making it up as he goes along so far, but maybe… maybe it would be a good idea to go back to the basics.

So that’s what he’ll be doing. ]

Good afternoon. [ A small smile and some awkward shifting. ] We’re going to do something different today… I thought it would be a good idea to go back to some basic psychology. It’s a necessary requirement to understand why people do what they do, whether it’s due to biological, environmental or societal causes.

There will be handouts at the front of the classroom for those that want them. We’ve also copied up some for the previous classes… at least the ones I held. You can pick them up at the end of the lecture. And for any new participants… please remember that whatever I say in a lecture may not apply to your world. I can only draw experience and knowledge from the research that has been done back home, so… your mileage may vary.

Alright! Let’s begin!

( In today's lecture… Neuropsychology: The Functions of the Human Brain. cw: brains and teal deers.  )

(( The Criminology Class is held in an open lecture format, meaning that there's no ic signup process involved! Feel free to mingle at your leisure — email notifs are off but Reid has a thread HERE if you wish to hit him up. For more information about the setup and purpose of the class, go HERE. The attached links are a full account of the entire lecture so feel free to use them as topics of discussion! ))

[ ooc: A little forward dated so that this is an early evening edition of class in keeping with Eric's hours. Treat this as a mingle. Notifs are off so if you want to speak with Eric directly tag into one of his threads. I'll make him available for chit chat after class and for a Q&A]

[ Eric steps up in front of the class. He’s dressed in a grey pinstriped suit and black shirt. The collar of the shirt is open at the neck. It’s something he’d wear for one of Nan’s PR campaigns, and truthfully this feels much like one of those, with one exception: he doesn’t intend to pander to anyone. He’d gotten the impression Spencer wanted the truth, and he intends to give it to these people as well. When he’d begun discussing vampire psychology with Spencer Reid a couple of weeks ago, he’d never expected it to turn into a class. The idea of it amused him, as did the idea that he could be honest about things rather than read a script and smile charmingly until someone yelled cut. He looked out to the crowd, picking out the faces he knew then put on that oh-so-charming smile.]

Some of you know me, but I’ll introduce myself for those that don’t. I’m Eric Northman. I run the Blood Shack here in the dome and I’m a thousand year old vampire. [ Never let it said that Eric doesn’t like to be dramatic. His fangs descend at the last bit and he grins, letting everyone get a good look at them. Seconds later the fangs are gone and the charming smile is back. ]

I’m here today because Mr. Reid requested that I talk a little bit about vampire psychology. Apparently this is a topic of discussion among the Defense Force. I’d like to set some misconceptions right. I suppose, first and foremost, I should acknowledge that the bulk of my knowledge deals with vampires in my world. I realize there are different types of vampires here in the dome and there is the possibility of the psychology, as well as “the rules” [ yes, he did use air quotes] varying. That being said, I’m going to jump right in.

I believe the most interesting question Mr. Reid and I discussed that day was whether vampires could be held to the same lawful standards as human, from a psychological point of view. The simple answer is yes. As you will be able to see in a demonstration I’ll conduct in a moment, I do not turn into a raving monster around blood. I do not lose control and I don’t slaughter willy nilly. [ There’s a smirk, a look of amusement. Sookie might’ve helped him with this lecture. Willy nilly was her contribution. ]

We discussed the idea that humans are cattle to vampires and just as a human would not be held responsible for the slaughter of a cow, we should not be held responsible for the slaughter of a human. While that idea isn’t entirely wrong, [ He pauses, as if considering his next comment ] many of you are cattle as far as many of us are concerned—that idea is flawed. I’ve actual experience with actual cattle from my days as a human and I’ve yet to see cattle redeem their entire races with one action as I’ve seen the occasional humans do. Humans are capable of much more than they generally accomplish. Cattle are not.

[ He looks directly out to the crowd. ] You are food, but a few of you have the ability to be so much more. Enough about you, on to more about vampires. [ He dismisses the subject with a wave of his hand. ] People forget that vampires were human once. I had a wife, I had children, I had parents and subjects and friends and enemies. [ So yes, for any of you wondering, he is a king, or was at one point] Because we were once human, we’re like humans in some ways. There are vampires who enjoy the arts, those that enjoy being social [ He’s thinking of Caroline here ] and those of us that enjoy mayhem and murder. Yes, being a vampire does allow you to get in touch with the mayhem and murder side of things. Blood is intoxicating in a way that alcohol wishes it could be. A flood of blood is enough to make one practically giddy and to be honest, I spent my younger days knee deep in it. However, I was fortunate to have a maker that instilled humanity in me and showed me the benefit of controlling my urges. Humans are brilliant inventors. The world has come a very long way since I was human, and I’d like to enjoy those advances. Controlling my urges allows me the ability to do just that. Are there days I’d still like to kill everyone in the room? [ A smirk, a glance about the crowd and a wink]

Of course.

In short, yes, we can control ourselves and yes, control generally comes with age, but there are some of us born with extraordinary control. I need approximately two pints of blood a day. Anything more is just gluttony.

All of that being said, vampires shouldn’t be governed by humans. In my world, we have the Authority of which I happen to be a Chancellor. We deal with vampires who get out of control, lay down a series of guidelines and provide a chain of authority for vampires. We’ve got the ‘muscle’ so to speak to enforce the guidelines. Humans simply don’t have that, nor do humans garner enough respect from the vampires to enforce anything. After all, you’d hardly take orders from your hamburger. [ By the grin on his face, it’s meant to be a joke. ]

Now, I did promise you a demonstration. Once that’s over I’ll open the floor for questions. Don’t bother asking how to kill me because I won’t answer those.

[Today is the first day of Lelouch's Cooking and Baking class! Yaaaaay.

As characters enter the cooking labs, they'll find each station fully equipped with stuff that look brand-spanking-new. Also of note are the fact that each slot in the butcher blocks are numbered, and the fridges in each section are stocked with fruit and a few odd dairy products. Just what they'll need for todays lesson: Fruit Parfaits with some decorative garnishes.]

Welcome, I am Lelouch, and I have decided that I am going to be teaching some cooking classes here. I've been cooking for myself and my sister since I was 10, and while I have had little formal training, I'm going to be showing you what's considered best practice in a professional arrangement where I come from.

Most of what we'll be making will come from most versions of Earth. If you have something you know of from home, we may be able to try it at some date in the future once I am able to obtain whatver the crucial ingredients are.

I'm going to start this class at a rather basic level, so I will not be leaving anyone behind. If you're looking for more of a challenge than this, let me know and I'll do something else for you.

If I'm going to go to all this trouble, there's going to be some rules. The most important one is that if I'm going to give a dome full of criminals access to knives, they will be treated with care and no one will leave this room until every single one of them are accounted for. If you must hurt someone, don't make me responsible for providing the weapon. You will regret that decision. [His face grows more grave during these last couple points, but then settles back into something approaching friendly once he moves on.]

Further, the most important thing is to be safe. Take your time, and try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

[And then ever the showman he spins the chalkboard around, and on it are three different recipes. One berry parfait, one apple cinnamon with (premade) caramel, and one with citrus and some other more exotic fruits.] We'll be starting with fruit parfaits. These will require some knife work, and some basic terms and equipment. If you feel like challenging yourselves, I encourage you to try some of the fruit garnishes I have on my table. Pair off, read through the information you've been given, and I'll be around to help.

((OOC: Each pair of characters will have a stack of papers each with some basic terminology explained and some helpful clipart illustrating some of the harder to succinctly describe terms. There's also a pictorial guide to knife types and sizes and their use, as well as paper copies of each of the recipes, along with suggested layering. He's actually taking this fairly seriously.))

[ another day, another tox lecture. piter is his usual self today, observant and enigmatic; though he may not particularly enjoy all that tox entails, he quite likes speaking, and his voice has its usual resonant, melodious cadence as he speaks. ]

( ❝my heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains/my sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk❞ )

(( ooc: apologies for the delay; irl classes resuming really kicked me in the pants!! ; n; in any case: tox is held in an open lecture format, so feel free to mingle, even if your character has never attended before; everyone is welcome! piter also tends to pop into mingle threads himself, curious jerk that he is. q&a is here, piter has a thread here, and there's more information on the class here. ))

[Sam Winchester is a tall man under any circumstances, but he might seem just a little extra tall while he's standing for the lecture and everyone else is seated. It's probably less imposing since he is wearing plaid though. It's hard to be imposing in plaid.]

( Demons : Crossroads Deals )

[Kitty wastes no time getting started with today's exercise. She's more into practical applications than lectures most of the time.]

We've had some fun with hardware games. Today, we're playing network wars.

We'll take turns setting up private calls on the network to people in this class or outside of it and then breaking into those encrypted calls. Share notes. Discuss. Get better at both sides of it, and try to say something worth hacking into while you're at it.

(OOC: Tag into the mingle by setting up a call with someone. You can prearrange who that call will be with and thread it out or handwave it and just show your side of a conversation. Then people will hack/threadjack their way in. Please give people some idea of difficulty for how hard yours should be to hack. And, of course, you can always talk before and after class, outside of the exercise!

You can assume your character has been to this class many times before or it's their first time. You can talk to Kitty here.)