First Lecture

Oct 11th, 2010 01:16 PM

Abeona hadn’t expected to be hit up for a couple guest lectures on mythology and culture so soon, but it was something she knew forwards and backwards. It would also be a good way to get a feel for the type of student populace at this university that would be interested in subject.
She scribbled some quick notes on some cards, especially as mythology pertained to Greek culture and Mesopotamia. That was always easy to lecture on in a pinch. She finished her shorthand notes and then headed out the door to the Auditorium.
She quickly surveyed the students. They were all pretty much what she had expected. Liberal arts students mostly, and certainly the only thing that changed from college to college about liberal arts students were the names…and sometimes they didn’t even change that much. The professor began her introduction “and received her doctorate degree in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School …”
She never could get over the nervousness of the first class, and that was the problem with guest lecturing…it was always the first class. “…has been recently been hired by the University of Sacramento as an associate professor for her extensive knowledge…”
She looked at her notes one last time to make sure they were in some cohesive order. “…and it is my pleasure to present to you Dr. Krista Reynolds.”
She stepped up to the podium and cleared her throat. “Thank you Dr. Dundan for that flattering introduction..”

(Abeona rolls 7 to Lecture (presence + expression, teaching) (10 Again)
6, 8, 5, 9, 3, 8, 5
3 successes

**West** · Oct 11th, 2010 07:57 PM

West slipped in to listen to the talk, slightly interested but more as a favor to Tyria. He sat off to the side in the rear, his rumpled suit giving him the appearance of one of the legion of real estate agents going back to school for an education, forced to pursue and actual career.

The lecturer looked younger than her biography stated, and he spent a few moments examining the resonance of the Shield as he listened. It came as a small surprise at how good of a lecture it was, and the people skills that rivaled Eclipse's -- minus the ravings of the Silver Dream.

Curious, he looked around to see if any other Awakened had attended.

[banner]west[/banner]

**Yog-Sothoth** · Oct 11th, 2010 08:59 PM

In one of the seats near the front sat a girl with pink hair, dark colored clothing, and boots. On her head rested her usual accessory, which was a pair of decorative goggles.

Aurum sat in her seat listening to the introduction and despite how her appearance caused others to make negative assumptions about performance she was actually an excellent student. When one looks like she does you typically have to work twice as hard to overcome negative impressions even from her professors. However, most of her professors once they got to know her and how good a student she was warmed up to her, others never over came their prejudices. It was just something else she learned to deal with and it taught her a lot about people and society as a whole in the process.

She glanced around and noticed West in the room, lingering on him for just a second as a silent greeting without drawing attention to the fact that she knew him. One never knew if he was here on business and didn't want to be identified after all. At least she hoped that her message was received properly and he didn't think she was rudely ignoring him.

Then the fact that her guest instructor was awakened was not lost on her. While she didn't know the woman from around the councilum she seemed a nice professional sort and Aurum seemed to like her for some reason. Perhaps she was just a people person.

Taking notes and listening to the lecture, Aurum considered the implications of the unknown person. She found herself not only noting the content of the lecture and keeping up with that, but also the information she noticed about the woman's behavior and appearance as well. One never knew when or what knowledge would be needed after all.

**Firebringer** · Oct 11th, 2010 09:57 PM

After his Change, Matthew had known he couldn't continue in college. He never questioned the necessity of leaving, but sometimes he wondered if things couldn't be different. Recently those wonderings had come to a peak again, and this particular guest lecture had piqued his interest. Mythology, tales of the past, all things that had a good deal of meaning to the Cahalith. And perhaps it would give just a little insight into Sally's roots.

He listens attentively to the lecture, listening, drawing parallels to the tales of the People, and often pondering how much truth traditions held. Is the question even meaningful? Perhaps that there are those of us willing to pass down the tales gives them enough weight.

The uneasiness of the students nearest him does not go unnoticed, but he pays it little heed. He had long grown used to the reactions of the herd.

Oct 11th, 2010 10:07 PM

"...so you can see, mythology, even in the earliest days was used as a method to control the populace. But to dismiss the power of mythology solely as a method to control the masses would be a fallacy. You have to search deeper. Every story has some roots in truth. And as they say, 'never let the truth get in the way of a good story.' Thank you all for your time, it's been an honor. I'll be available at the side if anyone has questions or thoughts"

Abeona took a deep breath. It was amazing how the nervousness faded after the first sentence or two. She gathered her notes and took a look at the crowd milling away. You could always tell a good lecture if people stopped to chat before they got to the door. And smiles were always nice too. She stepped off to the side. She did much better speaking to a crowd than with the one-on-one interaction afterwords, but sometimes a student surprised her with insight and interest.

**Yog-Sothoth** · Oct 12th, 2010 06:15 PM

When the lecture was over Aurum sat for a moment to let the crowd exit some before finally standing up. The goth girl made her way over to the guest lecturer stopping at a repectable distance.

"Dr. Reynolds, I enjoyed your lecture today. I agree with your conclusions regarding religion and myth being used as a means of control. There is a lot of evidence to support this. However, what about the origins of myth in tribal enviornment and prehistory periods? Doesn't myth in that regard also help fill in the gap in human understanding helping us define or come to terms with those things that we do not understand or are not ready to accept for what they are? Helping a person deal with the fear of the unknown?" Aurum asked in a genuinely interested manner. While silently hoping the woman would not think she was being argumentative or a smart ass.

Oct 12th, 2010 08:07 PM

Abeona loved students who prided themselves being on the fringe. She had often felt that way in her youth. Though certainly never goth, she often wondered how she would have interacted with some form of the counter culture.

"I would never argue anything different. Myth's started out as exagerated stories most of the time, though sometimes maybe not. You see, its my belief that all myths started with one person who either understood human fears, or someone who had a greater understanding of broader realities and truths than most, and then had their stories robbed and and doctored for the same ends. You see, you control a person's reality to even a small degree, you can control a person to a great degree. And what better way than to form a persons perspective of the unknown? Fear is a powerful motivator. People will always hear things go bump in the night or attribute miracles to some entity. What would you have them to believe and to what ends?"

She really did love when students seemed interested in the subject. On some level she had hoped for a group to come up and want to go out for an informal coffee date. Those were the best days at the Divinity School. And the days where she met the most interesting...people.

**West (The Mage)** · Oct 13th, 2010 12:11 AM

"Like Mithraism and Christianity?" West added, approaching.

What? The Magister has religion? It was a loaded question, and he was curious to hear the response.

"Hi," he added to Aurum, not knowing her beyond a few brief meetings, but returning her earlier courtesy.

**Firebringer** · Oct 13th, 2010 08:39 AM

Matthew quickly approaches the group at the front, curious as to where the discussion might lead. "What of wars fought over beliefs. Do you feel those serve a purpose?"

His glance lingers on West for just an instant before turning back to the professor. Why do I almost feel like he reminds me of someone?

Oct 13th, 2010 09:05 AM

"Ah, one of Christianity's dirty little secrets if you are to believe that Christianity stole it's concepts" she smiles at West "Even the educated Christians don't really like to mention Mithraism....but almost all pagan religions have the concept of a deity reborn. To say Mithraism was the sole source if Christianity would be over simplifying. But Christianity was certainly awesome at shaking up the theocracy that the Kohanim had. Essentially incorporating the pagan rites and beliefs, they were able to offer a way for people not to have to rely on their priest for salvation. That was HUGE! It's all about the shift of who has control. Sometimes to start over you have to offer it back to the people...I'm rambling." She said almost glowing at the talk.

She turns her attention to Mathew "Absolutely. You can't control anything without the threat of violence. Sometimes you have to do more than threaten.

"What are your names by the way? Are you students here?" She looks at West for a moment. "Not the usual type I see in my lectures." she thought herself.

First Lecture

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