1st Howl [Text]

[professorwolf]

[Not all of the new forays onto the network are as exciting as the old man with his fax machine. This one, in fact, is really pretty boring. Randall Lyall is on his lunch break, sitting in his classroom with his laptop open, editing his notes for tomorrow's classes between bites of lunch. And, because it keeps getting stuck in his head, he idly types out those numbers that had been cycling around in there again, in the hopes of maybe this time getting them out.

Instead, anyone else who happened to be connected gets a screen-full (or paper-full, depending on how they're connecting) of notes about photosynthesis. The page is complete with page numbers in the textbook (most of chapter 8), notations on what slide numbers to use where (slide number 82 is apparently a picture of a plant with a high chlorophyll leaf compared to one with low chlorophyll), a list of questions to ask the class at various points (difference in chlorophyll function between pine and deciduous? anyone?), and the following line:]

Chloro-fill joke stop using this, never gets a laugh

[Enjoy the inner workings of a high school teacher's class, network. For those who have actually had his class, this should look somewhat familiar.]

Comments

Cool to assume this is still the school day?

[shiromadoushi]

[[...wait. Was this...?

...

Two minutes later he's talking the long way to the bathroom to go pause in the doorway of one of his classrooms, looking in. If his hunch was right...]]

quite! it's during lunch break, so he's even free :D

[professorwolf]

[Mr. Lyall is there, all right, sitting on one of the lab stools at the desk-slash-counter at the front of the room. And he is staring at his laptop (a rather older model, but it works for what it's supposed to be) as if it might be about to bite him. Or at least as if he expects it might have a virus.]

[shiromadoushi]

[[Bakura watches a long moment before finally speaking.]]

....Something the matter?

[professorwolf]

What? Oh!

[Lyall finally realizes he's being watched, after making a few typed out replies in the meantime, and he looks sheepishly over at Bakura.]

Hello, Bakura. No, nothing's the matter. Just a little computer trouble, that's all.

[shiromadoushi]

Working on the notes for chapter 8?

[[He was pretty sure he knew what the answer would be. And likely, it showed in his face.]]

[professorwolf]

Yes, in fact, since that is--

[Lyall pauses, parses that, and turns an expression both mildly suspicious and a little disappointed on Bakura.]

Please do not tell me this is a prank that I am the butt of, here.

[shiromadoushi]

Of all the days for something like this to happen and it has to be the one day no one would believe? [[it's half muttered with a sigh as he finally steps inside the classroom.]]

If it's a prank, it's not one of mine. I pull much better pranks than that...

[professorwolf]

I'm sure you do.

[Lyall looks back at the computer and sighs, scratching his head.]

Then how did you know about this? You and apparently half a dozen other people...

[Okay, so he's exaggerating. But still! This is really rather frustrating!]

[shiromadoushi]

[[In answer, he holds up his phone where the connection is still live.]]

First my notebook started writing back. Then I texted a number that hadn't worked before and found multiple other people replying. Then there was this.

[[a slight pause]]

Is there a number you remember that you don't know where you know it from too?

[professorwolf]

[Lyall glances at the screen again, frowns at a message there-- the same one Bakura just asked, in fact-- and types a very brief response.]

In fact, yes. And someone else who apparently saw this, as well, just asked me the same question. It still makes no sense. I only know the basics of computer networking, but this is still... impossible.

[shiromadoushi]

It is, isn't it? Remind me next period to show you my math notebook, it's even better.

[[Oddly enough, he seems far more cheerful now that things have been called impossible.]]

It's sort of like the start of a video game or TV show, isn't it?

[professorwolf]

[Lyall, who has indeed played some video games in his time, gives Bakura a definite look.]

I doubt any video game would have a protagonist who was a biology teacher in a high school, Bakura. This is probably just some... very elaborate hoax.

[Though he couldn't explain how it possibly worked, it's the only reasonable explanation. Lyall is a reasonable sort of person, after all.]

[shiromadoushi]

That's what the mentor role is for!

[[...yeah, you just kinda got called old. Sorry about that, teach.]]

[professorwolf]

[The look gets rather more pronounced at that, and Lyall pointedly closes his notes out.]

This is the real world, Bakura. As exciting as you might think it to be, to be part of a video game ensemble, remember that people do tend to die regularly in video games. And in the real world, there are no resurrection spells. I would much rather this be an intricate prank.

...how nerdy is it that my brain is writing out a 504 plan for this kid? :)

[shiromadoushi]

[[aaaand there goes his good mood. The bright and bubbly atmosphere is swiftly replaced by that restrained irritation that marked a bad day.]]

People die regularly no matter where they are.

[[moodily shoves his phone into his pocket, turning away.]]

At least in a video game, you get a chance to fight back. And if you can play with any skill, you don't lose any of your party.

I think it's kinda cute, actually ^^

[professorwolf]

[And he really should have expected that. Lyall sighs a bit, dashes off a quick message on the laptop, and then moves away from the desk towards the door and Bakura in it. His voice is a little more gentle now: focus on the student, not the weirdness.]

You must be a lot better at video games than I am, then. I tend to die off quite a bit.

Side effect of working in a school :) [Especially in the EST/504/SpEd parts]

[shiromadoushi]

[[Bakura stills, looking down slightly as he almost visibly pulls his emotions back under control.]]

...I have a lot of practice. [[his tone is still pretty stiff, but he's not being snappy any more. A slow, deep breath.]]

...sorry.

sounds practically automatic, then XD if you do, share, so Lyall knows? ;)

[professorwolf]

I'm sorry, too. This is very confusing for me, too, you know, and I don't mean to be short with you just for that.

[He comes to lean on the doorjam, resisting the shoulder-pat he's always tempted to give to upset students but knows he shouldn't do. He doesn't apologize for bringing up the real world, though, considering... that's still his opinion. But he definitely should have been nicer about it.]

See the link below and click the "504" tab! Though I mostly write EST so the format's off.

[shiromadoushi]

[[OoC: Work in progress, obv.]]

Yeah. I know.

[[he sighs softly, deflating.]]

...It would just be really cool if it were something like that. [[finishes, voice soft]]

hey, I've never seen one before, so it works for me XD

[professorwolf]

Maybe for the heroes. Mentors, after all, often die rather unpleasant deaths, and a threat on the level of most video games is a serious thing. Just remember that there is always more than one way to look at something.

[And Lyall is something of a realist, despite his own occasional forays into video games. For now, though, he suggests,]

If this is still around tomorrow, then I'll take it more seriously, how's that? You can come talk to me after class, then, and we'll see what we can make of it together.

It's got the important bits :D Basically the area of disability and the accommodations.

[shiromadoushi]

[[Whereas Bakura is an escapist. Reality can go jump into Mount Doom as far as he's concerned.

He nods]] And I'll show you my notebook. That's where it started.

But I know this isn't a prank. It's got to be something much more.

it's got what Lyall needs to be aware of :D

[professorwolf]

Then we'll have to decide just what to do about it then, hmm? Go on, go finish your lunch and I'll finish mine. I'll see you in class, all right?

[He's hoping against hope that this is all gone tomorrow, and he can just assuage Bakura's disappointment, rather than deal with the potential excitement that might come with something showing this many signs of trouble.]

Pretty much! Bakura mostly keeps it under control, buuut... 3 in 1 is tough when 2 are nuts :D

[shiromadoushi]

English. Lunch is next period. Before your class. [[Why yes, he is skipping. And he can get away with it too. Especially with English. He actually gets good grades in there.]]

most certainly :B Lyall will totally understand once he goes wolf >.>

[professorwolf]

Bakura Ryou!

[There's fond exasperation, there, and now he does touch Bakura, a hand on his shoulders to gently but firmly propel him out.]

Back to class with you. We'll talk later.

Hehe. Different instabilities~ Also, I totally do that with one of the kids I sometimes work with :D

[shiromadoushi]

[[And he gets such an impish grin at that reaction.]] Right, right~ Until later~!

[[and with a wave and smile, out into the hall he goes.]]