sketchycharacter

See, you say that like it's a joke, but after getting teleported into space, it wouldn't surprise me.

[He chuckles, but he's not really joking.]

Maybe a little. Something behind the overcompensation?

[ She shrugs slightly. ]

Mostly just that this is the first place we've stopped where we could restock and I figured overdoing it was better than the reverse.

[ Who knew when they'd have another chance like this? ]

Fair enough.

[He remains more than a little curious about what things will be like later, since this apparently isn't the norm.]

So, tell me about this school thing. Because I'm honestly pretty clueless.

[ She tilts her head slightly. ]

Well, to be honest, we're treading into new territory now. I didn't agree with the way the other teacher—who just disappeared—preferred to run things, so I was kind of hands-off until now. She did structured lessons and homework and tests. She was against any kinds of truancy measures, though, which meant nobody ever showed up. Why would they?

My plan is for lessons to be self-directed—the kids can pick something to learn that interests them. And then we just do an in-person question-and-answer assessment for their grade. I figure it's more important for the kids to be actually trying to learn something than to make a big deal over what they're learning or when. You know?

Wow. I didn't think school could do that sort of thing. Maybe I would have stuck with it if mine did.

[...nah, he totally would have run away with Sam anyway. But he might have regretted it.]

But still, it seems a little strange to focus on general education versus...I don't know, space skills? I mean, are Earth languages going to be much help here?

[ She smirks, amused. ]

What are space skills? How to run the ship?

[ She turns to get one of the tablets she had purchased. ]

All the texts are from this universe, anyway. The most relevant subjects are universal—writing, math, art, music, science. I don't really see the point in teaching history or languages from this universe.

Among other things, sure.

[It's not that he doubts the value of the "softer" subjects. Hell no. But education for the sake of education just seems weird for what are technically abductees.]

I figured I'd start with Latin, and then try out whatever languages the kids are interested in that I know anything about. But I doubt any of it will help them communicate with aliens.

[Though so far on vacation planet, communication hasn't been a problem.]

[ Another shrug. ]

There's a universal translator on board anyway. I'm not sure how teaching another language would work with it in operation.

[ She reaches for a tablet to hand him. ]

You can look through that later and familiarize yourself with the material I bought, if you want.

I just know they specified an emphasis on languages. Maybe they want us to be more well-rounded. Or maybe they're worried about the translator breaking.

[He hopes not. They could end up in a real mess if they had to rely on his patchwork teaching. Nate takes the tablet, looking down to examine it.]

Sure. Can't hurt.

Mm, well, that wouldn't be without precedent. I suppose I can understand that.

[ She grabs another tablet and flicks through the menu. ]

I bought those tablets just the other day, so I'm getting familiar with them same as you.

Oh, good, we'll be equally clumsy then. Unless you're naturally more talented with this stuff than I am, which is a distinct possibility.

[It's not that he's tech-dumb. He just likes solid things, not digital whatsis.]

Mm, probably.

[ She's not planning to drop the whole fact that she's an AI on him at this point—she keeps it from most everyone, actually—though she really doesn't have any more skill using a tablet because of it. Just in fighting. ]

I won't tell anyone about your learning curve, though.

Good to know you can keep a secret. Though I'll probably out myself sooner or later anyway.

That's usually how things come out.

[ She sits down with the tablet she had grabbed for herself. ]

Feel free to stick around as long as you like, take a look around or whatever you need to do. Do you think you can cover the afternoons starting tomorrow?

Yeah, sure. Not like I have a strict schedule now that I'm in space.

[Or ever.]

I'll take this back to my room and figure it out, I think.

Fine with me. I come around here at 0800 and leave by 1200 if no one's shown up, but I know I've missed people who decided to show up in the afternoon before that way.

[ Of course, since Alice's disappearance pretty much all of this is still up in the air, but she likes it to sound like there's a routine. ]

They must be the non-morning people. My kind of students.

Anyway, thanks for helping me out here—seriously. I'd be a little lost on my own.

It's what I'm here for. Just ask if you need any more help, and I'll do what I can to see you find an answer.

I will. See you later.

[And he's out, feeling slightly more confident about this whole teaching thing than he did before.]

[ She gives him a final nod, returning her attention to reorganizing the cabinet. ]

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