walks_two_paths

"Today we're going to talk about stress," Don told the class as he passed out handouts on the topic. "Now, stress is a normal part of life, caused by changes or challenges we experience, but sometimes you can experience too much of it, and your body can't handle that very well. It's bad for it. Especially when it's over a long period of time. There are physical symptoms of stress, such as high blood pressure, chest pains, headaches, digestive issues, and mental symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. Over the long term, stress can damage your body and your mind, and it can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking too much, so it's important to manage stress in a healthy way."

Or you could retreat into the void of nonexistence and make your other self deal with the problem. That was totally a healthy way to manage stress, right? No? Just Don?

"Now, what can we do to manage stress? First, while it's impossible to avoid stress completely, it's important to be able to recognize when it is avoidable. Don't invite unnecessary trouble, right? Learning when you need to say 'no' is an important step. Then, if you take care of your body and make sure to make time for things you enjoy and staying connected with others, that can help. And it's always important to know when to reach out and ask for help, whether that's from a friend or a medical professional. Humans are like anything else: if you stress them enough, they snap.

"And on that cheerful note, I'm at the end of our lecture for the day, so does anyone have any questions, or want to talk about any stresses in their lives?"

It’s been so many years and I still don’t understand why the time changes twice a year. At least the days don’t suddenly become different days? Except for the usual way and it is Wednesday so time to talk about Tuesday.

At the school we had 2 classes. Diplomacy talked about giving gifts even though we’re not at that holiday yet. And in Dealing With Other People’s Trauma we talked about ways to remind others about good things.

Nothing from the dorms but the porg still seems very happy from yesterday so time for the town.

Kitty had Christmas decorations already and Halloween candy at Caritas. I should have gone for a drink and candy. And, finally, Lucifer was drinking at the Devil’s Nest and not playing piano. All right. That seems to be everything from yesterday. I hope you all enjoy your Wednesdays.

The kids were at tutoring, and had been to the gym for training, run errands, and she still had time before she had to get back. She could waste some time at the Perk, then, checking news from home on her datapad.

She also spotted that one of the baristas kept staring at her, but anytime she'd look up, the barista quickly looked busy. It wasn't making her self-conscious, but she was kind of counting down to when she finally asked what was up.

[Open!]

Only one of your teachers was present today, and there was the projector set up. It didn't take a genius to figure out where this was going.

"Chelli had something terribly important to do," Isabela informed them. "So, sounds like a perfect time for a movie day."

Even if Aphra hadn't been absent, it would have rapidly become clear that Isabela had picked the movie.

Hello folks! It's time again for Homecoming! Homecoming Weekend will be this coming weekend, November 7th through 9th.

Friday will be the Fall Carnival (Kisses and pies!)
Saturday will be the Homecoming Dance (Bad music and tainted punch!)
Sunday will be Homecoming Brunch (Pancakes and... more pancakes!)

Everyone is welcome back for the fun and merriment and glitter. If you'd like to be part of the carnival, leave a comment below!

"Piano? Not tonight," Lucifer said, stretched out in his favorite seat at the back of the club, near the piano. "I am tired and I wish to drink."

Tiny shrugged. If Lucifer wasn't going to be difficult tonight, far be it from him to make things worse.

He even came and brought the angel an entire bottle of his favorite scotch. There. Stay put.

The Devil's Nest was open and the Devil was in. Drinking.

Anakin and Ahsoka were at the front of the class again. The desk behind them was stacked with frames, various pieces of statuary, hats, pens, and jewelry.

"Gifts," Anakin said. "As a Jedi, I think part of our 'no possessions' lifestyle was specifically to avoid amassing vast collections of diplomatic poodoo."

Very diplomatic, Anakin.

"The symbolic exchange of gifts between leaders can become an enormous headache," he explained further.

"All gifts carry a message," Ahsoka said. "And in delicate situations those messages can rapidly become complex."

"This certificate, for instance, has Ahsoka's name spelled wrong," Anakin said. "That conveys 'I don't know your name' or 'I was too rushed to double check' or 'I don't respect your culture enough to learn your name.'"

"And of course, 'I'm deliberately insulting you but playing dumb'," Ahsoka added. "Similar pitfalls can occur if you're careless about learning about what a culture considers valuable and why."

"Gifting a crown to a democratically elected leader, for instance," Anakin said, "or some sort of ceremonial weapon to a planet you've waged war against would both be terrible ideas."

"Or gemstones acquired by pillaging sacred places. Especially if your people were the ones doing the pillaging."

"So there are a lot of potential gifts on this table," Anakin said. "You are a junior diplomat in charge of picking out the gift for your leader to present to, let's say, a nation of middling importance to you. You have not visited in person on a high level in fifteen years. You need to convey 'yes, we remember you exist' but in a cost-effective way. Pick something out and explain why you chose it."

"There are a number of suitable options." That was incredibly vague, Ahsoka. "You just have to put some thought into it."

“I hope you enjoyed visiting the animals last week,” Stark said once everyone had arrived back in the usual classroom. “I did. And I’m sure the animals enjoyed the attention. They’d enjoy future visits as well, I’m sure. Should any of you feel inclined to do that. It benefits everyone, really, if you’re someone who likes spending time with animals. I’d be happy to go back there another week if anyone likes. Or see about bringing a dog or two here for an outing.”

They could take dogs to the park! Or if the weather was terrible maybe to the Danger Shop for a nice fake park!

“Sometimes, this time of year, in this place, people do more to help others than they might otherwise. And they think about things they are thankful for. That can be helpful, sometimes.”

He sighed, a little, maybe wishing there was a dog to pet right now.

“It can be hard to remember, when you're hurt or grieving, that there are still things in your life that aren't terrible. Maybe because the things that hurt hurt too much or maybe too many things hurt or maybe you just can't see past the hurt for a time. It can be helpful to remind people that not everything is terrible. Just so long as you do it carefully. Do not just tell people ‘cheer up’ or ‘other people have it worse.’”

No, really. Never do that.

“But you can gently remind people. Or show them. That some things aren't terrible. That you're still their friend. Things like that. This can tie into what we've said before, about doing small or large things to help others. That's a good reminder but sometimes it helps to hear it spoken, too. I have a friend who is very good at reminding others that she cares and that other people care. And reminding me, particularly, that there were still good things in my life even when I was hurting very much.”

“So…I suppose, let's try to think of ways to remind others that not everything is terrible even if it seems that way?”

The bar had gone from looking like Halloween threw up to looking like Christmas was about to up at the same time. The tree was up, there was some kind of white snowflake garland all around, it smelled weirdly of peppermint in here.

Kitty was... just gonna let it happen. Pick your battles. She'd still be in a fall mood, with a bowl of extra candy out on the bar because Lexi's haul had been ridiculous. And she was mostly excited about the potato (??) she'd gotten.

[Open!]

What up island? It's me, ya girl Arden Finch, bringing you the news from yesterday which was the second of November and how the hell is it already November?

*chittering*

I do not sound like I'm in my forties asking like that! It's a legitimate question! Err, not that there's anything wrong with being in your forties, I'm just saying I'm not and--you know what? Let's just get to the notes.

School started with Flight and Flying letting us play around in zero-G and that was pretty baller, actually. Stop looking at me like that, yes Gen Zers say 'baller' too, shut up. Cryptozoology learned about the--okay, that's not the real name. Who took this note? Jimothy? You've gotta come up with a better fake name than 'the Pope Lick Monster,' my guy. What did he really--

*indignant chittering*

Wait, for real? And y'all are vouching for it? Hmm, I'm still not entirely convinced but in an effort to stave off getting any impassioned speeches about journalistic integrity by a bunch of rodents, I'mma just go along with it. So, yeah, Cryptozoology talked about the Pope Lick Monster and its obsession with...trains? Sure. Why not? And How Not To Drown had a pool noodle fight because Officer McGarrett is--whoa!

*CRASH*

Oooookay then. Apparent we have a note from the Dorms today, and the porg was so excited that it ran into me full force and knocked me over. And now it's furiously going through the notes because it dropped that one and now can't find it. It sure would be a lesson in not slamming into people if it didn't and the Dorms notes couldn't get read on-air. Oh? You found it? The second floor common room had Billie blasting Mozart - oh! That's who that was! - which, of course, summoned a Charlie. Hi Charlie! And they talked about all the famous dead musicians Billie's met.

And lastly, we've got Town. At Magpie Emporium, Vi was enjoying candy and leaving the Halloween decorations up, while at Pizza Planet, Raiden was arguing with the staff about not putting decorations up. It's too soon for Christmas. Sorry Gray, but that's just facts. Anyway, at the Clinic, Professor James Stark had pumpkin spice for the nurses while Stabby filmed a video.

Anyway, that's all my notes! This is ya girl, Arden Finch, signing off. But not before I leave you with this absolute bop, Inferior by Shiyui.

The Danger Shop today looked... different. It looked as if they were in a tunnel with both sides closed, with different buttons and levers on the walls, and a bolted down table, with snacks and plastic silverware on it, with bolted down chairs around it.

"We're doing a different kind of flying today," Jaina told the class. "On Earth, astronauts have to train in zero gravity before they go up into space and get away from the planet's gravitational pull. They have to figure out how to move around, have to account for how to do basic things you take for granted. Thats what you get to play in today. I'm going to turn off the gravity, and you'll get to float around. Try to do things. Figure out how to eat. Play around and see what it feels like. Race each other. Have fun."

And with that, Jaina turned the gravity off. Wheeee!

"He's making a video to invite the lobsters to Homecoming."

Stark hadn't even had a chance to ask about Stabby or the lights shining on his tank.

"To the dance?" Stark asked. "I didn't know the lobsters danced. Or maybe i did and I forgot. Or maybe they don't... I suppose it doesn't really matter. Anyway. I have coffees."

It might be the last of the PSL. It was going to disappear one of these days.

The clinic was open, the crab was busy, and the alien was in.

"Today we're covering the Pope Lick Monster." Jon held up a hand to forestall questions. "So named because it apparently lives on the Pope Lick Creek. I have no idea why the creek is called 'pope lick', and I am desperately doing my best not to think about it too hard, lest I find out."

Please don't tell him, Beholding.

"The monster in question is said to be a kind of man-goat-sheep hybrid. Its purported origins include an actual hybrid - presumably that one was proposed by someone unaware of how biology works - a circus freak, and a reincarnated Satanic farmer. Presumably that one was proposed by someone unaware of how Christianity works. In any event, it either leaps down on cars from its railway trestle, attacks nearby people with an axe, or uses hypnosis or mimicry to lure people to it. Some accounts say the sight of it is enough to prompt people to jump off the trestle. Honestly, if anybody came at me with an axe, cryptid or not, I would be tempted."

Jon was in a salty mood today.

"While no deaths are reliably attributed to the monster by legend, a number of deaths have been reliably attributed to people attempting to view it and being caught by trains or falling off the trestle.

"Before we discuss this one, I thought we could watch the short film made about it. Apparently the railway operators insisted a disclaimer be read when it was initially aired that people should under no circumstances attempt to cross the trestle, because it is still in heavy use, so please do keep that in mind."

Billie had a class today, and she'd probably make it there! But at the party last week, too many people hadn't known who Mozart was and she simply could not let that continue to be true.

So she'd pulled some of her massive stereo system out into the common room as was currently blasting Eine Kleine Nachtmusik while pretending to conduct.

You know, just normal college student stuff.

She'd at least been wise enough to purchase a veritable mountain of ~~moddable~~ baked goods, in return for probably waking at least one poor person up when shit inevitably got loud.

[omg, I remembered we have a dorms comm. Open!]

"No," Raiden said firmly when he saw the boxes the staff were hauling out at Pizza Planet. "Absolutely not. No Christmas until after Thanksgiving." He was going to have enough to do with fending off Gray over at Over Easy; he didn't need to be waging the real war on Christmas on two fronts. "Come on, guys, give me a break here--no, we're not putting a peppermint mocha pizza on the specials board? What is wrong with you?" In more than one way.

Specials
Pizza Capricciosa
Spicy Korean Kimchi Pizza
Apple Crisp Pizza

Pizza Planet is open!

Good morning, everyone. This is Jaina, who only just now realized the date, am wondering where time went since May, and now you should, too.

Not a lot of notes again. Gregorith was at the museum checking out portraits of former students- Questions about that- before reporting home, and Steven came in to bring food and answer some questions about things. And at Stark's, Rey was dealing with what the notes call "Christmas creep," but Grandfather invited her to Thanksgiving so at least he's got the order of holidays right.

And that's all. See you next week, and enjoy probably drowning in Halloween candy.

"Commander McGarrett is away in London on some sort of assignment right now," Anakin said, "so you only have me today."

He gestured at all the pool noodles and grinned. "Therefore, he can't see us playing noodle jousting. Everyone grab two noodles, one to sit on and one to hit each other with. The last one not knocked into the water wins."

The Halloween decorations were still up, because they were too cool to take down right away, especially with Little Bot still showing off his glow-in-the-dark paintjob.

Besides, Vi had an equally important holiday to observe. Half-price candy week.

The last couple of days had been... weird. A tension in the air, that wasn't really Jack's to break, but that no one else wanted to break either. So he was glad when they finished their last show and piled up into the van. Relieved.

Many hours later, having been forcibly talked out of the driver's seat yet again, he found himself in the back seat. Still tense. Not sleeping.

Everyone else was silent. There was rain ticking against the windows of Trent's van. And he reached for his phone, and turned it on to the new Yellow Eyes album. Let himself get lost for a while, then.

( It had stopped raining by the time they pulled into the Waffle House parking lot. )

[[ nfb, nfi, unless you're dying to call him at 3 AM ]]

Oh, c'mon. I helped out yesterday!

*chittering*

The party notes were at least half Liliana's fault too, you know. Just because you're afraid she'll make you squirrel zombies or something... Just. Just give those and we can get this over with quickly. We had Riri taking advantage of the elusive Waffle House with Erasmus while discussing future holidays here. Raiden, unsurprisingly, also took advantage of the Waffle House. Steve and I took a morning to recover from the party. All the better to be ready for the week ahead.

And that's all there seems to be. Hopefully everyone is just in a pleasant candy coma.

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Savannah Levine

August 2020

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Page generated Nov. 5th, 2025 07:37 pm

Savannah Levine

Reading

Health Education, Wednesday, Second Period

Fandom Radio, Wednesday 11/5

The Perk- Wednesday late morning

Space Pirates! (Pirates in Space!) [Wednesday, 1st Period]

Homecoming 2025 Information and Carnival Signups

The Devil's Nest, Tuesday Night

Diplomacy, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 [2nd period]

Dealing With Other People's Trauma, Tuesday 11/4

Caritas- Tuesday

Fandom Radio, Tuesday, November 3rd

Flight and Flying- Monday- 1st period

Fandom Clinic, Monday 11/3

Cryptozoology, Monday period 2

2nd floor common room, Monday morning

Pizza Planet, Monday

Fandom Radio- Monday, November 3

How Not to Drown, Monday, November 3, Period 3

The Magpie Emporium, Monday [03/11]

A Waffle House Somewhere In The Middle of Pennsylvania, Who Knows O'Clock, Sunday Night

Fandom Radio - Sunday (11/2)

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August 2020

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