#the lecture

[photozoi]

The Lecture

The Prince lets the young whippersnappers know that his is the opinion that matters.

Period.

They are actually unimpressed as they outnumber him two to one. Kind of them to let him think otherwise.

[sidewritings]

The Lecture

Prompt:  Logan creates an entire presentation. There’s a PowerPoint. There are diagrams and charts. He uses a Lazer pointer.Virgil still isn’t 100% sold. He could be misinterpreting something! Maybe that graph doesn’t mean what he thinks it does??? (It’s not really a prompt, just an awesome comment @tinysidestrashcaptain posted on this post)

Pairing: Analogical

Genres: Fluff, romance, education

Warnings: None come to mind, let me know if any are needed, will add

Word Count: 978

Author’s Note: Coming up on the end of the semester at my University and I am swamped with homework, studying, etc. but this little ficlet demanded to be written and I couldn't say no.  It may be a while before I’m posting content regularly again, but I have lots of fun fics in the works for you guys. Love you!

Logan had worked for the past month on this project, the most important lecture he would ever give.  He had spent hours doing research, editing, making graphs, charts, and diagrams.  There were parenthetical citations next to bullet points and a full bibliography to lend greater credibility to his final point.  He had triple checked for spelling and grammatical errors and made sure to include points that would appeal to his audience’s logos and pathos.  The PowerPoint was as good as it was going to get, and he was ready to present.

Logan looked at the lecture hall he had created in the mind-scape for this presentation, or rather, the section of a lecture hall.  There was only one comfortable chair down in front with a flip up desk for taking optional notes.  There was a small table in front a large projection screen for his laptop, laser pointer, and the follow-along packet he'd made to accompany the lecture.  It was dimly lit, bright enough to take notes but not overwhelmingly bright, his audience would be most comfortable that way.

Satisfied, Logan sank out of his lecture hall and rose up in the living room where Roman was taking selfies on the couch.  He could see Patton in the kitchen, baking and generally getting flour everywhere, but his focus was on Virgil coming down the stairs, his hair in that slightly ruffled state that either took seconds or hours to achieve.  He looked relatively well-rested and relaxed, which was precisely the state of mind Logan had hoped for.  

“Virgil?” Logan called softly, hoping not to startle him.

Virgil looked at him as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

“If you have some free time available today I'd like to share some valuable information with you.”

“Sure,” Virgil said with a shrug, “I was just going to get a cup of coffee.”

Patton came out of the kitchen holding a Nightmare Before Christmas mug full of coffee fixed the way Virgil liked it.  He beamed a terrific smile at both of them, practically vibrating with happiness.  A bit of flour fell out of his hair and dusted the carpet as he handed the mug to Virgil.

“Here you go, Virgil! One hot cup of coffee just the way you like it, and it's in a cool Nightmare Before Christmas mug, that was Roman's idea,” Patton exclaimed, clearly trying to keep a lid on his excitement.  “You two have fun sharing that knowledge!”

Patton turned back to the kitchen with a wink at Logan that made him blush.

“Are you ready?”

Virgil looked in confusion from the mug he held, to Patton humming in the kitchen, and the blush creeping across Logan's cheeks.

“Uhhh, sure.”

Logan took Virgil's free hand and suck them out of the living room and into the lecture hall.  Had either of them looked at the other two occupants of the mindscape, they would have seen Roman and Patton exchanging gleeful looks.

He held Virgil's hand for a moment after they'd arrived under the guise of making sure he wasn't too dizzy from rising up.  Logan released his hand when Virgil started looking around.

“So, what are you teaching me this time?  Breathing techniques?  Zen meditation?  Visualization exercises?”

“Ah, I see you're under the misapprehension that this lesson is centered around a technique to help you manage yourself.” Logan adjusted his glasses and turned on the projector, “This lesson is something a little different, but it is information I hope you'll find useful.”

Virgil sat in the plush chair and Logan handed him the note-packet that accompanied his power point.

“Please hold all questions until the end of the lecture.  Feel free to take notes if you see fit.”

The title slide appeared in large letters on the projection screen 'Logan Loves Virgil'.

Virgil looked gobsmacked and Logan adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat, picking up his laser pointer.

“Let's begin.”

“And that concludes my presentation on why I, Logan, have strong romantic feelings for you, Virgil.” Logan switched off the laser pointer and faced his sole audience member. “Are there any questions?”

“Uhhhhhhhhhhh,” Virgil tapped his fingers on the armrest and fidgeted in his seat, likely unhappy about being put on the spot, even if Logan was the only other person there.“Could you explain the diagram again?”

Logan did not sigh or protest, he knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but his projected outcome is more than worth a little extra effort.  He went to his laptop and clicked back to slide 84 to review the diagram.

“This should appear on page six of your handout.”  Logan said, turning on his laser pointer again, “This diagram illustrates my relationships with each of the other sides and Thomas, in order to give a clearer picture of why my feelings for you are different...”

Logan checked his watch when he heard Virgil's stomach growl. It's five pm, they've been at this for four hours.

“We should break to refuel and hydrate.  Would you like to have dinner with me?” Logan asked, looking a bit apprehensively at Virgil.

“Did, did you just ask me on a date?”

Logan smiled a sweet genuine smile.

“Yes, I did. Will you accept?”

“Yes!” Virgil slapped a hand over his mouth.  His response had been loud and fast, similar to when he'd revealed his name.

“Excellent.  Perhaps we can skip the presentation on why you should go on a date with me and move on to the more advanced lecture on why you should be my boyfriend.”

Virgil rolled his eyes at that and stood up, taking Logan's hand.

“Food first, lectures later.” Virgil said, tugging Logan toward the door marked 'EXIT', “And be patient with me, I'm a slow learner.”

Tag List: @aikogumi , @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch , @analogically-prinxiety @tinysidestrashcaptain , @justanotherpurplebutterfly, @anxietyisahufflepuff @logan-must-be-serious, @myspace-anxiety, @andy-the-anon, @starving-for-stability, @celiawhatsherlastname, @emo-space-trash, @silver-owl413, @sanderssunshinesides, @bubblycricket, @bbcanimephangirl, @puns-and-patton

[eclairer-le-ciel]

La Soirée (detail) by Vittorio Reggianini.

[no-cool-writing-urls-left-blog]

First Gen Gems - Short #3: The Lecture

STAR DATE 180360534/13:34

DIAMOND SHARD/CAPITAL UNIVERSITY/VARISCITE BUILDING/LECTURE HALL 104

BEGINNING TRANSCRIPTION

Csarite: Settle down, everyone. Settle do-hey! What did I say about shapeshifting in the lecture hall? *pause* Good. Now, then. Normally I’d continue from where we left off last week about inherent Gem abilities, but we’ve gotten a rare opportunity to speak with one of the His Sovereign’s personal researchers about one of the most interesting subjects concerning Gemkind: Pure States. Prehnite?

Prehnite: Yes, well, His Sovereignness heard about the interest that your class held of Pure States and wished to help clarify certain questions you may have.

Csarite: And don’t ask foolish questions, either. This is being transcribed to be placed in the Glass Archives, so I expect your best behaviors.

Prehnite: Now, then, first question. Yes, you.

What is a Pure State?

Prehnite: A rather basic question, but a good one to ask. Most of you would assume a Pure State was a weapon or an ability summoned from the gem, and you would be partially correct. It does indeed come from the gem, but it is not as simple as a weapon. It is a manifestation of an aspect of the Gem that uses it, usually a feeling or idea.

Can any Gem have a Pure State?

Prehnite: It would seem that due to the way that we Gems are conceived, it is impossible for any Gem today to receive a Pure State. All attempts at recreating the phenomena in Growths have ended with said Growths shattering instantly. Unless we are certain a Growth could handle the effects, no attempt will be made on actual Gems.

What does a Pure State do?

Prehnite: What does it do? Well, no Pure State is alike. It solely depends on the Gem utilizing it. They could influence Gems, Growths, flora, fauna, space, time, anything really. Not all Pure States are the same strength, however. It is possible that one could override another, though there are very few reliable records backing this up.

Do they have any side effects?

Prehnite: From what information I am allowed to share, yes. It would appear that overuse has an effect on the mind, slowly changing it into a mindset that would use the Pure State more. An example would be if a Gem’s Pure State was based out of kindness: the more they use that Pure State, the more their mind would change into a more peaceful disposition, thus if they were to get into confrontations, they would be more likely to use their Pure State.

Are any Gems that can use Pure States still alive?

Prehnite: Yes, but I’m not at liberty to discuss names. There used to be many more, but through various catastrophes, most have died. The ones still living have claimed to seek nothing more than to live a quiet life, something His Sovereigness allows.

Do those catastrophes have anything to do with the Exodus?

Prehnite: I believe those are enough questions. If the rest of you still seek answers, then I would recommend combing through the Glass Archives. There are various historical examples of Pure States being utilized and interviews conducted with those Gems. Now, Csarite, I would ask you how one of your students came to find information on the E-we’ve finished our job here. End transcription.

END TRANSCRIPTION

[dag--dag]

"Here is the point: Look at us. We are ninety feet of intergalactic awesomeness. Look at you. You guys are a mess. Have some dignity for shit's sake. And you're welcome."

[acidshaman-blog]

"Film arts — a voyeurs neurotic Utopia. Gods' most prized possession. Why did the cosmos set me on the path of psyche enlightenment through a hazy lens set to capture moments like a time capsule. — UCLA Film School was where it was groovin', a hot joint in between the lips of 'should be', 'gonna be' graduates, degrees that in the end wouldn't have any substance in endeavors of the heart, they will get tangled up in greed and shitty intellectual parties that can only be surrounded by kiss ass directors and what not. Not my type of party, mine consisted of freshly rolled joints, acid tablets that seemed to never melt against my saliva, girls in some foreign draperies that barely cut the colleges dress policy and nights on rooftops that cleansed my tragic soul. Looking back I see it from a clear mirror instead of a cluttered one, my time at UCLA was important but wouldn't define my future (my life's fiery journey into the ether). UCLA is where I made poetry, where I made my name, where I sought forgiveness and where I left my legacy. To the ones in college, never give up, never give in to the lies you are spoon-fed either, whether that be about yourself or your views. Take time to find you, to watch the stars dance for you and nobody else, enjoy the rooftops and walk the platform into the future with bright eyes — most importantly, don't forget your roots and keep your hands on the futures heartbeat. — Things You Need To Read; Love, 'James'

[jasontylerchan]

The Lecturer

I saw a flash light as you walked on stage Worshipped you from afar with only a glaze Your foreign beauty spoke to me deeply   Your power and strength was visibly seething Your charisma was like thunder without the rain

Half the age of those around you Yet you awed the whole range that surrounded you Your life energy eclipsed the mediocrity beside you

Like the man once said They read a lot of books But you lived a lot of life Now you echo the stage as the epicenter Teaching and enchanting in that voice That voice, that fashion That sexy accented voice with notes of passion You are forever locked away in the deepest valve of my heart Even though I will never see you again