Detective Crown Investigator Abigail Irene Garrett watched her students as they filtered into the room, her eyes keen and her expression thoughtful. Once they'd all sat down, she started to speak.
"Cryptozoology. Literally translated, it means the 'study of hidden animals', the study of and search for animals which fall outside of contemporary zoological catalogues. It consists of two primary fields of research: the search for living examples of animals taxonomically identified through fossil records, but which are believed to be extinct, and the search for creatures that fall outside of taxonomic records due to the necessary inclusion of magic in their creation or evolution. These are the types of things you'd find in myths, legends, or undocumented sightings.
"I realize that this subject might become quite varied depending on the world that each student comes from, but I have hopes that we can instead use the wide range of experience and experienced environments to benefit us all instead of to hold us in an unnecessary stranglehold based on a limited definition."
She took the opportunity to walk out from behind her desk to instead lean against it as she addressed the class.
"My name is Lady Abigail Irene Garrett. You may refer to me as Doctor Garrett, Professor, or DCI Garrett." She smiled at the class as if sharing a private joke. "To be honest, I'll probably respond most quickly to the last. In my own world, I work as a forensic sorceress for the British Crown, which more often than not leads me to handling such creatures as we'll be discussing in the coming weeks.
"Today, we won't really be covering all that much. I'd much rather learn a little about all of you, as well as a little about the places you're coming from and your own practical experience with our subject. So let's get some introductions accomplished while I hand out the
syllabus and a small
survey I'd like each of you to complete for the sake of everyone's comfort. I will also be waiting after class for anyone interesting in being my teaching assistant."
She smiled again.
"Mary, my maid, would no doubt appreciate it most heartily if someone was interested in the position."
[ocd coming up!][back a lil' bit later have some work to do]