Surviving (and Thriving) on Fandom Island, Week 9 (Wed., Period 3)
"So you've all experienced at least one bout of Fandom Strangeness," Ghanima began once the bell had sounded. "While the reaction of the vast majority of the student body during an invasion is typically to find something and punch it until it stops, what do you do if you're not one for physical confrontation?"
"Or if you just aren't up for it for some reason or another," added Tahiri. "A lot of times, during invasions, classes tend to get cancelled because, well, not only is it pretty hard to concentrate when there are things attacking outside, but we know how a lot of you work. Force knows, when I was a student I'd be one of the first ones to drop everything and run out to fight something." She emphasized the admission with a smile and a guilty-as-charge shrug.
"Whereas while I am perfectly capable of eliminating physical threats -- and often enjoy it -- I often find I am of more use with whatever group is researching," Ghanima said. "I have a rather long memory, and I speak and read a number of languages; living, dead, and yet-to-be. This makes me a valuable resource when something must be translated."
"Since it always helps to know why we're hitting the people we're hitting, and what we have to do to stop doing it. And if that's not your thing either, but you still want to help . . . we used to have a support group that met regularly to prepare for these things. First aid, teamwork, things like that." Tahiri paused to brush her hair out of her eyes (and made a mental note to get a haircut sometime soon). "Even just having drinks and maybe something to eat for people can make a huge difference."
"The Clinic is usually a safe place to gather, and the nurses enjoy putting people to work, I hear," Ghanima continued. "We keep those same nurses hopping, so it's not just students and faculty that often need to be reminded to eat."
"Caritas also has a non-violence spell cast upon it, so if you're caught out in town when something starts happening, you can always retreat there to plan what you want to do next."
"Which may just be staying out of the way until it's all over," Tahiri said. "And if that's what you're most comfortable doing, by all means do so. Just . . . maybe make sure someone knows, so people don't worry that something's happened to you."
"Notes are always good, even if you're just running to get groceries," Ghanima agreed, "--and keep your phones fully charged in case of emergency. For instance, our blackout last weekend. That sort of thing can happen even outside Fandom's boundaries, and a phone battery can provide light, information, and communication. And if you get in over your head, there's no shame in calling for help."
"So, what do you think you'd be most likely to do? If . . . let's say there are a lot of strange creatures wandering all over the island, and there's a good chance you'll get attacked if you go outside?" asked Tahiri. "Feel free to share if you want to, or just think about it. It never hurts to be prepared for this stuff."
"Or if you just aren't up for it for some reason or another," added Tahiri. "A lot of times, during invasions, classes tend to get cancelled because, well, not only is it pretty hard to concentrate when there are things attacking outside, but we know how a lot of you work. Force knows, when I was a student I'd be one of the first ones to drop everything and run out to fight something." She emphasized the admission with a smile and a guilty-as-charge shrug.
"Whereas while I am perfectly capable of eliminating physical threats -- and often enjoy it -- I often find I am of more use with whatever group is researching," Ghanima said. "I have a rather long memory, and I speak and read a number of languages; living, dead, and yet-to-be. This makes me a valuable resource when something must be translated."
"Since it always helps to know why we're hitting the people we're hitting, and what we have to do to stop doing it. And if that's not your thing either, but you still want to help . . . we used to have a support group that met regularly to prepare for these things. First aid, teamwork, things like that." Tahiri paused to brush her hair out of her eyes (and made a mental note to get a haircut sometime soon). "Even just having drinks and maybe something to eat for people can make a huge difference."
"The Clinic is usually a safe place to gather, and the nurses enjoy putting people to work, I hear," Ghanima continued. "We keep those same nurses hopping, so it's not just students and faculty that often need to be reminded to eat."
"Caritas also has a non-violence spell cast upon it, so if you're caught out in town when something starts happening, you can always retreat there to plan what you want to do next."
"Which may just be staying out of the way until it's all over," Tahiri said. "And if that's what you're most comfortable doing, by all means do so. Just . . . maybe make sure someone knows, so people don't worry that something's happened to you."
"Notes are always good, even if you're just running to get groceries," Ghanima agreed, "--and keep your phones fully charged in case of emergency. For instance, our blackout last weekend. That sort of thing can happen even outside Fandom's boundaries, and a phone battery can provide light, information, and communication. And if you get in over your head, there's no shame in calling for help."
"So, what do you think you'd be most likely to do? If . . . let's say there are a lot of strange creatures wandering all over the island, and there's a good chance you'll get attacked if you go outside?" asked Tahiri. "Feel free to share if you want to, or just think about it. It never hurts to be prepared for this stuff."