Tyrrin smiled. That had been her favourite response when she was younger as well. "Right, and that's how most people live, otherwise you wouldn't be able to function. And while you're right, thinking about questions like these lead to more important questions, like what can we be justified to believe? It means that we can't always take people at their word, and we have to realize that sometimes our senses fail us. It means we have to be skeptical about anything presented to us."
"You mean like 'Everybody lies'? That's what my pack leader always used to say," she said, trying to puzzle out what Tyrrin was getting at.
Hugs back
"Ok, sure, what's up?"
"So...I kind of suggested to Uncle Ryo that it would be a good idea to expand Avalon to include an elementary school. And I kind of volunteered to do most of the paperwork involved in getting it started. So, instead of getting new classes to replace the ones I was dropped from, that's what I'm going to be working on....I probably should have talked to you about this first. I'm sorry."
"You have to include even yourself in that. Even you lie to yourself." The pair entered into the student lounge, the pool table wasn't being used. "I think you set it up like this." Tyrrin sets up the triangle and the balls, and places the cue ball at the right point. "You want to start? We're supposed to pick one of the types of balls and try to sink them before the other."
Wyrd trails after Ehos cautiously, keeping a tight rein on his emotions. At the kitchen, he notices a distinct lack of rare metals and gems offered as part of the meal and foregoes taking any food.
"We don't have to stay here Wyrd. We can get food to go and go to the auditorium. There's some sort of show going on."
Ponders that for a bit
"He'd have to be a very impressive goblin indeed."
"I suppose. Mezzenbone isn't a saint, and I'm sure things would be better under a Silver or Gold. But it is what it is, and the Emporer's time is short. He will not rule forever. A metallic will take his place in time."
He laughs
"Why would you have to ask me first? I trust your judgement. I think it's a good idea.
People will need to get used to alot of new things, best to start young."
"You have to include even yourself in that. Even you lie to yourself." The pair entered into the student lounge, the pool table wasn't being used. "I think you set it up like this." Tyrrin sets up the triangle and the balls, and places the cue ball at the right point. "You want to start? We're supposed to pick one of the types of balls and try to sink them before the other."
"Okay, sure. Which are the types of balls? They all look the same to me," she said, holding the pool cue like it was a baseball bat.
Ponders that for a bit
"He'd have to be a very impressive goblin indeed.""I suppose. Mezzenbone isn't a saint, and I'm sure things would be better under a Silver or Gold. But it is what it is, and the Emporer's time is short. He will not rule forever. A metallic will take his place in time."
"Well, he is a mathematical genius."
"And whether someone is good or bad as a person or a ruler...it hasn't got anything to do with the color of their scales."
He laughs
"Why would you have to ask me first? I trust your judgement. I think it's a good idea.
People will need to get used to alot of new things, best to start young."
"Because making plans that effect both of our futures should probably get input from both of us. I was thinking about our kids and what I wanted for them. I want them to be free to be themselves, but I also want them to be able to have playmates. More than just each other. But if we want a place like that then we'll have to make it ourselves. And then I was thinking that my little cousins are already that age, and I can already tell that they're lonely for other kids their own age. So the sooner this new division of the school gets up and running the better."
"I agree on all counts, but no apology is necessary."
She laughed. "Alright then, no apology."
"Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. But then, I appreciate a challenge. I have to admit, though, trying to start an elementary school was not really what I had envisioned for my future. Life takes some interesting twists sometimes."
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"We should probably be heading back." Michael says as he pick a protesting Saffire out of his food box. "It's getting closer to the show time."
"Oh, I've definitely got to get back then! I need to get ready too."
"You entered?"
"Yep. I'm really gonna light up the room too."
"No puns related to your ability."
"Awww, why not?" D:
"Oh, my goodness! Yeah, I need to get my stuff ready, and get into my yukata, which isn't exactly a quick process...well, it's quicker if Okaa-san or Onee-chan are there to help me, but putting it on by myself is hard! Let's hurry back." :)
"I'll h-" Anthony's cut off by a forcefield keeping his jaw shut.
"I'm sure they'll have some one who could help you put it on." Michael says as he waves the mermaid over.
"How is everything? Does he want to order something too?" She asks, gesturing to Anthony.
"Okay, sure. Which are the types of balls? They all look the same to me," she said, holding the pool cue like it was a baseball bat.
"I'm not sure." Tyrrin said with a grimace as she examined the balls, counting and recounting. "There's solids colours and striped ones... but there's more solid colours than there are striped." Tyrrin glances around the room, seeing if anyone was watching them that might be able to help.
"I'll h-" Anthony's cut off by a forcefield keeping his jaw shut.
"I'm sure they'll have some one who could help you put it on." Michael says as he waves the mermaid over.
"How is everything? Does he want to order something too?" She asks, gesturing to Anthony.
"Well, if he does he would have to get it to go. We need to hurry back or we'll be late for the talent show," she said cheerfully. "If we could have the bill please? Today is my treat since I just got my allowance." ^.^
"Okay, sure. Which are the types of balls? They all look the same to me," she said, holding the pool cue like it was a baseball bat."I'm not sure." Tyrrin said with a grimace as she examined the balls, counting and recounting. "There's solids colours and striped ones... but there's more solid colours than there are striped." Tyrrin glances around the room, seeing if anyone was watching them that might be able to help.
"Maybe we should hit the striped ones first to get them out of the way?" she asked, confused. "And how are we supposed to hit them on the table and all bunched up like that?"
She laughed. "Alright then, no apology."
"Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. But then, I appreciate a challenge. I have to admit, though, trying to start an elementary school was not really what I had envisioned for my future. Life takes some interesting twists sometimes."
"You're telling me! I think you'll be great at it, and I will provide whatever support you need. Might also be wise to bring in others you trust to help out from the start, in case duty calls. Champions don't exactly get the option to retire."
Ponders that for a bit
"He'd have to be a very impressive goblin indeed.""I suppose. Mezzenbone isn't a saint, and I'm sure things would be better under a Silver or Gold. But it is what it is, and the Emporer's time is short. He will not rule forever. A metallic will take his place in time."
"Well, he is a mathematical genius."
"And whether someone is good or bad as a person or a ruler...it hasn't got anything to do with the color of their scales."
"I'm sure. There are always exceptions to any rule."
"You're telling me! I think you'll be great at it, and I will provide whatever support you need. Might also be wise to bring in others you trust to help out from the start, in case duty calls. Champions don't exactly get the option to retire."She laughed. "Alright then, no apology."
"Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. But then, I appreciate a challenge. I have to admit, though, trying to start an elementary school was not really what I had envisioned for my future. Life takes some interesting twists sometimes."
"Good point. Although even Kronos understands the need for maternity leave...not that he isn't being grudging about it," she said with a chuckle. "For now it's just paperwork to get the ball rolling, but yeah, that's going to have to be a priority, getting staff and administrators all lined up."
"See? You're already helping!" ^.^
"I'm sure. There are always exceptions to any rule."
"And whether someone is good or bad as a person or a ruler...it hasn't got anything to do with the color of their scales."
Jiminy looked thoughtful. "You know I think those 'rules' are more like self-fulfilling prophecies. I bet if they didn't know what their kind was 'supposed' to behave like, you'd see some pretty surprising results."
"Besides," he grinned, "you're in the middle of a place full of people who break all the rules. Smart goblins, civilized kobolds, good demons, well-behaved ogres....nobody here is exactly what they appear to be."
"Maybe we should hit the striped ones first to get them out of the way?" she asked, confused. "And how are we supposed to hit them on the table and all bunched up like that?"
"Ah ha! Look, they're all numbered. Maybe you get a point if you sink one, but you have to do it in order. As far as technique... I think it goes like this." Tyrrin bends down with one hand on the table behind the cue ball, rests her cue on it and hits the cueball towards the rack. The balls break and scatter, though the lack of technique and strength makes the break stick mostly to one end of the table.
"I don't know, Tyrrin. That way of hitting the balls doesn't seem to make them go very far...although I guess it does give you better aim....Okay let me try," she said eagerly as she tried to line up the stick the way that Tyrrin had....and ended up tearing the felt on the table when things didn't quite go right. "Oh, geez....that can't be good."
"Easy fix though." Tyrrin folds the felt back into place and casts Mending. The felt knits itself back together and looks brand new. "Maybe a little softer?" Tyrrin says, barely suppressing a laugh.
"Yeah," Jaiye said, a little embarrassed. "Hitting things not too hard isn't as easy as it looks."
"Alright, let's try this again," she said, this time managing to hit the cue ball. It smacked into other balls so hard that some of them bounced off the table. "Ummm.....I'm guessing that's not supposed to be how it goes either?" she said, actually blushing now.
Tyrrin put on a straight face (with some difficulty). Perhaps this Jaiye wasn't as cocksure as Tyrrin originally thought. She was showing vulnerability right here, perhaps because she was out of her element, but still. Jaiye talked big, but she might truly be self-conscious. "That's alright, it does seem a bit silly. We can stop if you want." Tyrrin is busy replacing the scattered balls back on the table.
"Well, I guess it's no good without someone to explain the rules, right?" she said, laughing to try to make light of it. She didn't really like making a fool of herself in front of others.
"Hey, I know...we can go to the library....yeah, I know, I know. Not what you'd expect from me. But I founbd this spot when I was chasing down some kid where they have books that are almost all pictures...not like little kids books. The stories are pretty interesting. Some of them have lots of fighting. I don't even mind reading too much if it's that kind of book."
Jaiye's description of the books piqued Tyrrin's interest. "That sounds okay to me. We'll have someone teach us later, mkay?"
"Yeah. It's probably more fun if you know how to play anyways," she said, more cheerful now that there was a good excuse for being so bad at the game.
She led the way to the library and got hushed by the librarian as soon as they came in, before she even had a chance to make noise. She stuck her tongue out at the librarian as soon as her back was turned.
"It's this way," she said, leading the way through the maze like stacks until it seemed like they'd been going much too far to still be inside the same library. In front of them was a sunny reading nook surrounded by shelves full of the picture books Jaiye described.
"See? Pretty cool, huh? And they have all kinds of picture books here so you should be able to find something you like."
"I think the rules exist for a reason. As do stereotypes about a dragon's color. My master may have been less quick to anger than a normal Red, but it would be best for a stranger to assume they will kill without thought."
Jiminy sighed, obviously exasperated. "But if he hadn't been raised around other reds...if he didn't know that they were supposed to be like that, would he have been the same? What if he'd been raised to believe that reds were wise and patient? How different would that have made him? People make assumptions and then they make those assumptions true, interpreting everything they see in the light of what they already 'know' without ever stopping to ask why."
Jiminy looked thoughtful. "You know I think those 'rules' are more like self-fulfilling prophecies. I bet if they didn't know what their kind was 'supposed' to behave like, you'd see some pretty surprising results."
Jiminy sighed, obviously exasperated. "But if he hadn't been raised around other reds...if he didn't know that they were supposed to be like that, would he have been the same? What if he'd been raised to believe that reds were wise and patient? How different would that have made him? People make assumptions and then they make those assumptions true, interpreting everything they see in the light of what they already 'know' without ever stopping to ask why."
"Dragons generally inherit their knowledge and personalities from their parents on an instictive level. Like I said, there are probably exceptions to the rule. A Black could run an elementary school, it still doesn't mean it wouldn't be wise to give them a wide berth when encountered."
"Well, if he does he would have to get it to go. We need to hurry back or we'll be late for the talent show," she said cheerfully. "If we could have the bill please? Today is my treat since I just got my allowance." ^.^
"If he was going to order he would have done so before he used my head as target practice." Michael says happily as Anthony tries to free his jaw.
"Okay then, I'll just be a sec." She clears the table(leaving a shrimp for Nova and Saffire) and swims away to the kitchen. A few seconds later she returns with the bill and hands it to Kitty. "I hope you enjoy the show as much as your meal, or vice versa."
"Dragons generally inherit their knowledge and personalities from their parents on an instictive level. Like I said, there are probably exceptions to the rule. A Black could run an elementary school, it still doesn't mean it wouldn't be wise to give them a wide berth when encountered."
Jiminy cracked up laughing. "Oh, man. I've got to introduce you to my brother-in-law. I can sooo see him doing that."
"I dunno. Maybe we're different from that, closer to humans. We don't have that instinctive thing. Or maybe it's just a myth. Haven't been around enough hatchlings of other colors to know for sure."
"Well, if he does he would have to get it to go. We need to hurry back or we'll be late for the talent show," she said cheerfully. "If we could have the bill please? Today is my treat since I just got my allowance." ^.^"If he was going to order he would have done so before he used my head as target practice." Michael says happily as Anthony tries to free his jaw.
"Okay then, I'll just be a sec." She clears the table(leaving a shrimp for Nova and Saffire) and swims away to the kitchen. A few seconds later she returns with the bill and hands it to Kitty. "I hope you enjoy the show as much as your meal, or vice versa."
"I'm sure we will," she said, still smiling cheerfully as she counted out the money plus a generous tip. She did bring live shrimp for Saffire after all, that was worth a lot.
"Come on, guys. We'd better get going or Anthony-kun and I won't have enough time to get ready to perform." ^.^
Saying goodbye to the mermaid and finally releasing his brother's jaw from the force field, Michael gets up to the hold the door for Kitty. Once they are all outside they feel the sensation of teleporting and are back in the school.
"Hurry up if'n yer gonna make it." The dwarf grumbles.
"Come on, Nova!" Anthony says as he takes off running, his familiar dashing along beside him. "See ya soon, Kitty!"
"Yeah, see you," she said as she took off running herself, hurrying to get back to her room so she could get ready in time.
Suddenly alone and shrugging it off, Michael heads to his room. He might start wearing something other than the school's uniform now that the danger of his own clothes getting ruined was diminished.
There was still some time before the talent show, so Michael sat down as his desk and started writing a letter explaining what was happening to him to his parents, how he had a seed of madness that needed to be romoved and how everything was going to be fine...
Feigns an expression of shock
"You mean you're making assumptions based on your own experiences? Oh my, we can't have that." He teases.
"If it makes you feel any better, I can indeed confirm that you are unlike any dragon I have ever met or studied about."
"No, dimwit," he said with an answering grin, "I'm saying I don't know enough about that to make assumptions. We haven't had a lot of contact with the other colors of dragon since they started with the whole genocide thing way back when. It's kind of hard to socialize with people who are trying to kill you," he added a bit sarcastically.
"Well....there are some circumstances behind those changes. Our ancestors might have been closer to the norm in that respect."
Tyrrin perused the shelves for a while before finally pulling out a book called "The Last Men". A story about how, one day, every male member of the intelligent races all died out at once, except for 1 of each. Naturally, society quickly corrodes and falls apart. Tyrrin gets so lost in the story that she loses track of time.
"Good point. Although even Kronos understands the need for maternity leave...not that he isn't being grudging about it," she said with a chuckle. "For now it's just paperwork to get the ball rolling, but yeah, that's going to have to be a priority, getting staff and administrators all lined up."
"See? You're already helping!" ^.^
"Just doing my part, my dear. I tidy'd up the room a bit, and put your things away while you were talking to Ryo. If you're wearing any of what you bought to the show tonight, you'll find it neatly arranged in the wardrobe. Now, let's see about that nap." He gets Ephebe up on the bed and tucks her in, kissing her gently on the forehead, and lays with her till she's asleep. Then he'll reach over and grab one of his tomes and read while she naps. He'll wake her up in time to get ready for the show.
"No, dimwit," he said with an answering grin, "I'm saying I don't know enough about that to make assumptions. We haven't had a lot of contact with the other colors of dragon since they started with the whole genocide thing way back when. It's kind of hard to socialize with people who are trying to kill you," he added a bit sarcastically.
"Well....there are some circumstances behind those changes. Our ancestors might have been closer to the norm in that respect."
"Well, I'm a font of knowledge on the subject of Dragons, being a subject of Dragons. I've not met many chromatics who didn't fit the bill, is all I'm saying. I can't speak to gems, as I've not met any of them at all until I arrived here.
Your mother was kind enough to show me her true self, and I must admit it is shameful your species was hunted almost unto extinction.Are all of you that remain, remain here? Are there no others? Do you have any hope that others went elsewhere but survived?"
Jiminy shrugged. "If any of them survived the destruction of Ianthe - that was our original homeworld - anyways, if any of them survived that we don't know about it. As far as we know, our ancestors were the only survivors. If there were other survivors they were either hunted down or they found ways to hide so well you'd never know they were there even if you walked right by them."
"Like in a school for gifted children...?"
"Now you're getting the idea. Really, if there are others out there, we don't know about it. Anyways, you coming to the talent show? You can hang out with us if you want. People will accept you faster if they think you're my friend...Besides, you know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," he said with a wink.