23 ❄ ( VIDEO )

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack has mostly been flying under the radar during the past month, keeping to himself. Though he's worked regular shifts at the Fishing Shop and at the Welcome Center, when he wasn't there he was often nowhere at all, away from the city. He doesn't intend to address the recent exodus of people from the city, even though he's taken many of them like punches to the gut. Instead he keeps his tone light, and focuses on something that almost never fails to put some lightness back into him. ]

So fun fact: turns out the kedan have something a lot like "Take Your Kids To Work Day" from back home and there's a group that still need some volunteers. Anyone want to help out some kids and let them shadow you for a day?

Comments

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack looks very approving of the suggestion. ]

I think that's a great idea, Clara. Who knows, maybe you could be a teacher here too.

[parallels]

[At that comment she brightens visibly, like a flower coming out to greet the sun. Teaching is her passion. She saw her future and remembers how her future self loved to teach and spent hours devoting herself to writing perfect lessons and engaging the students.]

That would be brilliant, wouldn't it? Don't think the kids here would want to learn Jane Austin but I could figure out other things.

[wintershepherd]

It would be! And how do you know they wouldn't? Everything we know from home, it's all new to them. I tell them stories like Hansel and Gretel or King Arthur and they're captivated.

[parallels]

You know I teach- will teach sixth form, right? It's a bit more than reading a story aloud.

[She shakes her head with a grin.]

I used to tell stories to Artie and Angie when they were little though.

[wintershepherd]

My point was that just because it's a well known classic where we're from doesn't mean they'll not be interested here.

[parallels]

And I'm just saying they probably don't want to write an essay on the themes of Shakespeare. You know, the strict part of teaching.

[She snorts softly. She's an engaging teacher but a demanding one all the same.]

Would be fun to tell them the stories though. See what they think. Or make them act it. Kedan children doing Shakespeare in the park sounds brilliant to me.

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, that does sound pretty good. Ororo was planning to do something like that, back when she was here. Not with the kedan, but the idea is still a good one.

[parallels]

I look through my books, see if I have any good stories to read to them. I have 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea which is all the sorts of adventure that's good for kids. But it's a bit much to cover in a day.

[She's excited. She is so excited.]

[wintershepherd]

I think there has to be one condition to all of this though.

[parallels]

Which is?

[wintershepherd]

I want to be there to listen too.

[parallels]

[Just the fondest look. She really did miss Jack and she's glad to speak to him again.]

You can have front row seats. Anytime you'd like.

[wintershepherd]

Sounds great. You get the books and I'll set up a visit for you.

[parallels]

Jack, please.

Of course I already have the books. Don't underestimate me.

[wintershepherd]

I stand corrected.

[parallels]

[She laughs and shakes her head in amusement, clearly pleased for him to indulge her.]

Now that we've got that sorted, you can set the visit for any time.

[wintershepherd]

It probably won't be until after this visiting, but I'll bring it up.

[parallels]

I'm patient.

I've got to start back at the welcome center and the bar and review the books I want to read so I can teach them properly.

[wintershepherd]

Next time there's an audience, I should ask the Emperor if he has any more books in the Library that you could use.

[parallels]

I've been trying to get into that library for months.

But I guess I'll be alright with getting books out if I can't go in.

[wintershepherd]

How come you've had to wait months? I thought all you had to do was ask.

[parallels]

The first time, I was too sick and Eshai didn't want me to enter until I was well. But then the next month she...

Well you know.

[wintershepherd]

Ah... yeah.

[parallels]

I'd love to go in though.

...But I might never come out.

[wintershepherd]

I'm sure I could find you, if it came to that.