|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 2, 2006 6:52:58 GMT 7
Joseph had spent the weekend before the opening day of the semester preparing his lesson plan. Not just for Alice training but for normal education as well. It was important for the students in the academy to become well rounded and safe members of society. They had to read, write, do math just like in a normal school. The only thing was that the students here had to learn to harness and control their gifts. Joseph was an older man in his sixties. He had lived through several wars including a draft. He served as a sniper in Vietnam and had developed patience which was good when dealing with students. He also had to deal with the dangerous kids so he was also able to handle himself.
By looking at him you would never say anything special was with Joseph he was of a normal height and build and was starting to bald. He had an air of respect about him but many older gentlemen had that too. What you would not say about Joseph was that he had powers. Well he couldn't fly or anything but he could stop others from using their powers. He was able to put up a barrier that could weaken others powers or cut it off for as long as he wanted. This was useful during the riots as he was able to hide and hide others that couldn't control theirs yet. And, it made it ideal for him to teach at the academy which was made to help young people learn to control these gifts in a safe environment.
Walking in to his classroom he waited for the students to come in moaning about it being the first day of school. There was no need to introduce each other since they all knew each other from the academy having spent three years together. Joseph simply wrote his name on the black board behind him and turned to the class holding up a book. The book was of course of Mice and Men. A classic book from America written by John Steinbeck.
"Greetings class I hope you all had a nice break. I regret to inform you that we have an assignment that I am required to give you from the higher ups. Now I need all of you to read this book and write me a report on character analysis. On the bright side in my old age I may forget to collect them on time if the class works hard and is well behaved."
Joseph gave the class a small wink and smile as he began to pass out the books to the students. He loved being with the children and was normally the 'fun' teacher but he was still strict when it came to important things. But this would stop some of the pain of having to start he semester with a book and essay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Magdalena Rosenfield on Jan 2, 2006 10:21:32 GMT 7
A young woman of about 20 years of age entered the classroom without so much as a knock on the door. Her eyes mimicked her lips, both gave her the look of being bored and not wanting to be there at all. Her hair was long and black, tied in random spots with purple satin-sheen ribbons. Her striped purple and black tights matched her hair, and she truly looked more like a student belonging in the class Joseph was teaching rather than his peer.
Stepping forward she approached the older man. "Excuse me, Nohman-sensei. It seems the additional limiters were mixed up my bag. I thought it would be best to bring them to you now rather than when you'd need them. I'm not sure about you, but I have a few new students who have not attended in the past years. They might come in handy, though not more than a time saver for you I'm sure." She said in an offhanded tone, handing him a small brown paper bag that jingled when it moved. Inside were about a dozen various pieces of what appeared to be jewellery: bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings.
Leaning in slightly she lowered her voice slightly. "I know that you could not be disobeying school policy by being too lenient with these students. So please, refrain from causing any disturbances within the faculty with your flippant attitude towards education."
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 2, 2006 19:04:08 GMT 7
Joseph had a small gleam in his eyes as he took the bag from Ms. Rosenfield. There was a reason she was a Ms. and not a Mrs. in his opinion and that was she seemed to be made of ice. She was all about the rules and never seemed to give anyone a break. So it was only natural that he clash with her a little bit but the administrators hired her for a reason. Just that reason was certainly not to tell him how to do his job. He knew just what to do though to lighten the mood and warm up this room again.
Joseph was a funny man at times and probably able to entertain his students more then any of the teachers here with the exception of Max with his random effects which amused Joseph as well. Once he even puked out butterflies which was an odd experience to say the least. He put on a sarcastically hurt tone as he spoke. Meanwhile the children stated to gin knowing full well what was going on. Joseph did not like being questioned and he did his job well enough to not be questioned.
"Now I can assure you I am not lenient at all in fact I am a very strict person I mean look how distraught the kids are as they already have an essay to do."
The children's grins were even bigger now. There was a reason his classes were the most well behaved in the academy because everyone liked extra time to do work and the way Joseph saw it. As long as it was turned in when he wanted it turned in then it was fine. After all he was the one the dealt with the students.
"I know! Why don't you sit down and watch the class I know this is your break period and all but I would just love for you to be reassured on my teaching method. After all you went to the trouble of criticizing me without any clue on how I work and the fact that it turns out perfectly fine. So you should watch. Just to give you the full experience of being in my class I will even do what I do for my students to make sure there is no trouble. Since this is not an Alice using period it will not be needed."
Joseph smiled as he slid a barrier around her Alice cutting her off. He was trying to hurt her ego a little bit and doing so in front of the students would only hurt it more. He had no worries about it not working because the only one it didn't work on was Max for some reason. He had some theories but that was off subject. Seeing as he had over fifty years of training with his Alice it was incredibly strong. One of the strongest in the world since he is one of the first to develop one.
"There you go now I can make sure you see exactly what it is like to be in one of my classes. I know this should reassure you greatly"
He handed her a book and guided her to a seat before heading to the front of the room.
"Now where was I?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Magdalena Rosenfield on Jan 3, 2006 3:17:36 GMT 7
Magda grimaced a little at her fellow coworker. "I do not appreciate your speaking down to me Nohman-sensei, though I'm both young and a new teacher here there is no reason to drop yourself to the level of your students when speaking to me. I'm sure you're a capable teacher, however I'm sure you - as well as I - were given instructions for a particular reason. To follow them." She crossed her arms and looked out to the class, many of which avoided her gaze and other simply stopped smiling. "There is time for everything and when in the middle of class I'm fairly certain these children should not be having time to slack off. There's enough of that in your class as it is I'm sure sir." Her tone was at it's utmost pinnacle of respect though her words were rude. She managed a quaint little smile at her elder, giving a small curtsy.
"If you'll excuse me, I DO have a class I need to attend to. Perhaps you should re-check the schedules as we teach the same class at the same time sir, or maybe that's your senility getting the best of you once again." Again the sarcasm snuck in with the respect as she was smiling a little more now. Leaning in to Joseph she added in a whisper. "And next time, I'll ask you politely to not try and nullify my Alice. I have more limiters on me than you have probably seen in your entire long and drawn out life.... sir." She was not smiling anymore, her eyes bore through Joseph to show him she was not kidding about that fact at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 3:29:50 GMT 7
Joseph watched as she walked out of the room then turned to his class with a big grin on his face. He really did hate uptight people. It was one thing to follow the rules but quite another to be so uppity about them. That was one of the few things he couldn't respect. Maybe it was because he was around the dangerous kids so much and didn't care about the rules as much because you had to have a special way to handle them. Women like that just didn't understand and she needed a good man to calm her down. Maybe that Max fellow. A little Chaos would do her good. Turning his attention back to the class he gave a small bow. He did love giving the new teachers a welcome they won't forget. Everyone takes it diffrent most in good humor but it seemed that this one was way to uptight. Well she would hopefully lighten up a tad since the kids have enough to deal with thinking they are freaks. They didn't need an overbearing teacher on top of it.
"So class make sure to be on your best behavior when around the new teacher. She is obviously very rule oriented and she will be shocked to find out in life that rules are not everything."
|
|
|
|
Post by Magdalena Rosenfield on Jan 3, 2006 10:55:25 GMT 7
The dark haired woman peeked her head back into the room. "I realize that you might have some problems with hearing sir, however for the rest of us it might be better for you to wait for us to vacate the premisis before you bad-mouth us." She gave him a smile to show that if he wanted to speak of her behind her back, she was willing to retaliate. Seniority or none, Magda was not willing to stand by and have her reputation slandered by greying men. Or anyone for that matter, but certainly not someone old enough to be her father.
"Rules are not everything, but you've been around long enough to experience just about everything first hand haven't you?" She laughed as she walked out and back towards her own classroom, her smile gone. She didn't like it here, not really. It was the second time and everything was the same. Some people just had it out for you from the very beginning, just because of who... or what, you were.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 11:06:15 GMT 7
Joseph was not likeing the girls attitude at all and he had no problem saying anything to her face so he walked out in to the hall to confront her.
"Listen I have no problem saying anything to your face missy. I think that you are an uptight little girl that is getting a taste of power. I did not tell you how to do your job and yet you barge in to my room and tell me how to do mine. I have been teaching here since before you were born and my methods have worked well enough. Now I understand that young people like you have no clue what manners are but you are the one that made the first move. And as for me bad mouthing you I believe that I warned my class not to get out of line with you. It is not like I told them what I really think of you so I would appriciate a more cival tone from you in the future unless you would like me to actually start to say what I think. Personally I think the staff should work together and not belittle each other including how they teach."
|
|
|
|
Post by Magdalena Rosenfield on Jan 3, 2006 11:20:22 GMT 7
Magdalena couldn't help it, she started laughing. It was a cross of humourous, embarrassing, and plain anger bubbling up within her. "Mister Nohman... please. You're making a spectacle of yourself." She straightened and turned to looked at the older teacher. "I don't work with people, they use me as they see fit. A sort of tool of the school, if you will. I'd appreciate if you don't assume you know who or what I am because of looking at me. I'm sure your 'experience' would not prepare you for what I have been through sir." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She walked back to close the gap between the two of them, only about a foot in between them.
"I've found that there are two things in the world I cannot stand no matter how hard I try. Those things Nohman-sensei are people who make assumptions and limitors. You not only make assumptions but, I realize ARE a limitor in yourself. I did not speak either of these things myself as it would have been rude... but since we are sharing." She smirked a little, her faint glossy lips turned just enough upward to show she was both amused and pissed off at the same time. "Do not let my age fool you, I was quite powerful. Then it was people.... things like you that decided they couldn't allow that. You have to control everything... can't let ANYTHING be on it's own. Some things are better left alone... Alices and rules alike. Some rules were made for a reason, and not meant to be broken. Some Alices were not meant to be limited with such... horrible conventional means. Though someone like YOU would never hope to understand that." She could feel herself growing angrier, and Magda's arm reached up conconsciously to hold her arm right under the shoulder. It was habit now, talk about something and have to make sure it's real, tangible. The truth was just that, it was only less tangible now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 19:41:51 GMT 7
Joseph was a little shocked to hear what she said. She hated him for his power that was not a good quality in a teacher. He had taught kids with his type of power before. If we had another would she lash out at them? That was certainly not a good thing. All the students powers needed to be treated the same and one should not be singled out and treated badly because of their powers. He now had no idea why she got a position if she would be so prejudice to the students. Who knows what other powers she would hate.
"You need to listen to what you are saying child. You say you hate me for my power well what are you going to do when we have a student with the same or similar power to mine? I have taught a few I am not the only one. This is a place to nurture and teach the students not discriminate against them because you don't like their powers. You say you don't like limiters thats fine quite a few people don't but you are the first one closed minded enough to hate me for my ability. Did I choose it? No. But I learned to harness it like you learned to use yours. I have seen things you cannot imagine during my time. I lived through the riots I say them take people they thought were like me and hang them, burn them, shoot them. They had no proof of it just a thought."
Joseph had no respect for the women before him now as she had proved her incompetence as a teacher now. He still spoke in a cold tone not letting his anger get ahold of him.
"And you know limiters do a lot of good things. What about the kids that emit natural radiation? Without them they are a danger to themselves and others. It is not because they try to hurt people but being close to them does that. Should they be confined to be alone rather then wear a limiter? What about the physics that can's sleep cause of their powers? We have a teacher right now that when was a student I used to stay up at night to keep her power cut off so she would not be haunted by dreams of what was to come. What of the kids that choose to use their powers to hurt people? Should they be allowed to be set loose unrestrained? That is the same as giving a criminal a gun. An Alice is a gift but it can be used as a weapon and I do not want to see Innocent people get hurt. If you have a problem with limiters deal with it but you seriously need to think about judging people based on their powers. How can we expect the outside world to accept these children for what they are when the staff of the school can't do that. I think you should take a break from teaching for the day and take another look at your reasons for teaching here Ms. Rosenfield."
|
|
|
|
Post by Magdalena Rosenfield on Jan 3, 2006 20:03:20 GMT 7
Her eyes were cold, her stance rigid. She didn't want to move, didn't want to speak at all. "I know... why I'm here Mr. Nohman. And I highly doubt... that I'm as predjudice as you think. I said that -some- Alices were meant to be left alone, I never meant all should remain untouched. However, my opinions apparently do not mean much here for many reasons. I used to be a student here, and was given the same treatment then as I am given now. Too young, too brash, too a million things that deep down everyone knows I am not... do you not think I was discriminated against for have SHADOW powers sir?!" Her teeth became clenched, as Magda pressed her eyes shut at the memories that slowly returned to her. She raised her palm to look at it, the power she possessed was probably being sedated just standing next to the old man.
"To be labelled as something evil... something dark and something bad because of what you can harness. THAT sir is prejudice. I may not have been around for all the riots but I saw some... and I was in some... " Her hand was shaking and the memory, she couldn't help it. A tear formed in her left eye before she knew it. It was such a horrible time for her. "And I don't appreciate you trying to TELL ME what I am sir... because I have been through many things and seen many things though my years are few. Look in your records. I doubt you remember me... but I'm fairly sure that I was a student at this academy way back when. Because of an incident in my first year here, they threw me into the Dangerous Type category, threw some limitors on me and called it good. And you sir... I still haven't blamed for that. But you wouldn't notice that, would you?" Magda turned, and started walking away again. She really had no wish to continue this path, it was all too reminiscent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 20:28:20 GMT 7
Joseph was fine with seeing the new teacher go. He didn't need to talk to someone with such a huge stick up their ass. She needed to think about her reasons for being here even if she didn't think so. She thinks she had it bad with her power well so does everyone. They all have their problems but the students do not need staff hateing them for it. The teachers had to be there for them not to bash them. Class had been efectivly ruined by her though and a day wasted. Instead he would allow the students to speak freely and ask him questions or just enjoy themselves. After all it was the first day back.
"Ok seeing as the atmosphere is ruined the rest of the period is yours do as you wish but I would sugest reading the first three chapters of the book because if my memory doesn't fail me we may have a test on it."
Joseph gave the class a warm smile and sat down in his desk looking outside at the window. The lady would learn soon enough the only people he put limiters on where the radioactive ones. He held the other kids himself since he trusted them. He would let them go when they calmed down. He had his own way with dealing with people. Since he had declared it free time he let the students use their Alices and soon people were laughing and enjoying themselves while Joseph did some paper work on his desk.
|
|
