Players:
Summary: Erik and Clara meet and discuss teaching and powers.
Date: March 2, 2009
Log TitleMuch Ado About Teaching
Rating: G
Xavier Mansion - Courtyard
Surrounded on three sides by the school, a large courtyard forms the front yard. The courtyard leads right up to the door of the mansion. Yellow square stone slabs cover the ground where the grass would be. The most noticeable thing about the courtyard is the large statue of Jean Gray, aka Phoenix, in the middle as a memorial. Benches surround the outside of the statue so students can sit and hang out in the courtyard. There are two paths leading off the courtyard, one to the left and the other to the right..
It's Clara's first morning at the Xavier mansion, and since she has no student's until she settles in, the redhead has decided to go for a stroll along the grounds. It wasn't the wisest of choices without a map, as she soon discovered, having spent the last two hours, stumbling around searching for the courtyard. “Thank goodness,” she cries when she sees the statue near the center, knowing that she's made it back. Long hair swings unbound around her hips as Clara darts for the front door, happy to finally have found her way.
Erik steps out of the mansion, cracking his neck as he goes and rolling it around gently. He looks a little tired, ans blinks at the sight of the woman wandering around. "Are you lost, Miss?" He asks curiously.
Clara halts her jog as she nearly stumbles into Erik, backtracking a couple steps with a smile. "Not anymore, thankfully," she drawls in a soft, southern twang. "Was for about two hours though. Never expected for this place to be so big." She thrusts a hand forward with a warm smile. "Clara Matthews. New Drama teacher."
Erik chuckles a little bit and holds out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Leif Anderson, I teach Government and Politics." He introduces himself. "And we do refer it as to the mansion." He comments with a grin. "And I do hope you will forgive me if I say sometimes what the mansion needs is less drama, not more."
The hand shake is firm, smile never faltering. "Well, maybe we'll be able to put those teenage dramatic tendencies to good use, huh?" Clara laughs, tucking her thumbs into her back pockets as she studies Erik. "Government and Politics? The kids must LOVE you."
"Not particularly, but fortunately the signature on my paycheck doesn't come from them." Erik says with a grin. "And fortunately I don't get the really young ones. So first couple of days…yeah, they can be tough."
Clara grins. "Well, it's a solid thing for kids to learn if they'll actually listen. Though, if you don't mind my askin', how are the kids here when it comes to learning? I'm coming from teaching Inner City schools and moving to super powered kids. I have no idea what to expect."
Erik chuckles a little bit. "They run the full gamut, as normal children. Some of them are eager, some of them aren't; some of them are brilliant, some of them aren't, some of them are super brilliant but don't care." He grins. "Super powers do not change the fundamental nature of a person; circumstances and experience, what happens with the power, does."
Clara nods as she listens, quietly absorbing the information. "That makes sense. Just so long as I know what to go in expecting. It's goin' to be as much a learning experience for me as it will be for them," she says with a small smile. "I've never really been around others with powers before."
Erik gives a nod. "Again, if you focus on the powers you will set yourself up with unrealistic expectations. The important thing is not that they have powers, its' that they are children who still need to learn." Erik explains. "So sometimes you will have a student who should have a doctorate at 16, but more often they are just normal kids who can move things with their mind."
"I hear what you're sayin' and I know you're right. It's just goin' to be tough wrapping my head around the situation. You know what I mean?" Clara glances around the courtyard before settling back on Erik with a shrug. "But that's why I've got a few days without classes to adjust to everything. That way I'll be able to focus on the education."
Erik gives a nod. "It can be disconcerting to move in to people like you for the first time." Erik agrees. "And some students will be more blatant about it than others. Some can't be subtle."
"Well, atleast I'll be able to go in somewhat prepared for it. And being a drama major, I've got a game face like no other," Clara winks, laughing. "So atleast I can pretend like everything is expected. Even if it's not."
Erik grins. "Don't let them mouth to you about any obscure school rules or traditions. Get them convinced you're a telepath, that will keep them from trying anything." He says with a laugh, shaking his head. "Until they figure out you're not."
Clara smirks. "Rascals. I'll bet they try that, too." Her head tilts, lavender eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Telepath. That's the one that can read minds, right? That'd be a tough one to manage without actually bein' able to." Her lips slowly tug into a grin. "But I like a challenge."
"I certainly did." Erik says with a smile. "New teachers, or substitutes, always get it rough." He says before he nods. "Yes, telepaths can read minds, to varying degrees."
"Just like any school, you're right," Clara nods. Luckily I can give as good as I get. Wait 'til I start handing out hour long monologues for them to memorize and perform," she laughs before shaking her head. "Not a power I'd want. Not sure I'd really want to know what goes on in my student's minds.”
"Generally you learn to block out the thoughts and emotions or you go crazy." Erik says simply. "Every power has downsides. When I use mine, I have to buy a new cell phone."
"I'd sure hope so, being able to hear what everyone thinks, knowing all those inner most serets? No thank you." Clara tilts her head curiously. "Cell phones? Can I ask what it is you do?"
"Most telepaths, when unguarded, only get surface thoughts, at least in my experience. To get deeper than that they have to actively search." Erik explains. "Magnetism, which tends to much with electronics. And credit cards."
"Well, atleast they have that nice little safeguard. But surface thoughts would still be hard to deal with in my opinion," Clara shrugs before eyes widen. "Magnetism. That sounds kind of fun, actually. Except around a refrigerator," she grins.
"I haven't accidentally dragged something toward my own head in years. Or sent a safe into another zip code." Erik comments dryly. "Like I said, more of an issue with cell phones, and credit cards. And computer monitors. And flash drives. I have enough experience and control that I don't emit magnetism randomly, but if I get in to a fight with it, I can accidentally wipe them."
"I guess control is really the key with any power, huh? Took me forever to keep my hair from freaking out every time I got startled by something." Clara shakes her head, glancing over Erik thoughtfully. "How long did it take you? To get control, I mean?"
"Years of practice, the same as any other skill." Erik explains with a chuckle. "Like anything else, practice makes perfect." He offers as he lifts a hand and lifts, with his power, a soda can from the recycling bin nearby.
"Years huh?" It seems a bit daunting, but her face doesn't betray her concern as Clara turns to watch the can lift from the bin. She whistles her approval. "Very cool," she admits as her hair extends from where it rested at her hip, reaching out to wrap around the entire bin, lifting it up before lowering it gently back to the ground. "I was already an adult when I got my ability. I don't yet have the best control."
Erik chuckles and continues to hold it up. The can slowly unfolds itself, wrapping itself in to the shape of a flower, the silver inside now outside; the aluminum flower floats over to Clara. "That is rare, but not unheard of by any means, especially any more." He says, although a hand comes up to rub at his forehead. "I'm sorry, Miss Matthews, I seem to be coming down with a headache, and I am going to go lie down."
Clara's hair falls back to her hips as she watches the can peel back and shape until it becomes a flower, surprise writing itself over her features. "Very impressive," she mururs, reaching up to take the can flower with a smile. Concern touches her eyes as she glances from the flower to it's maker. "Well, don't let me keep you, sugar, go rest. And thanks for everything. I'm sure I'll catch you around."
Erik smiles. "You'll get there." Erik says with a smile. "It just takes time, and effort, and faith. Good day." He says with a nod of his head as he makes his way away.
