It's All Earthy...and Sciency... [Class RP!]

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

Earth Science was Felicity's favorite class to teach. She enjoyed Bio as well, but Earth Science encompassed so much more. Earth Science could include biology as well as geology, meteorology, and all sorts of other branches of science. It was all related to the Earth, and in Earth Science she felt that almost every student could find something that they enjoyed, because so much was covered.

Another thing that Felicity enjoyed was that Earth Science was an elective class that was open to all ages, freshmen through seniors. Some were taking it out of a genuine interest, while others were simply doing it for a science credit, but she made it her mission to do her best to educate both areas of students. Obviously it was easier to reach the students who were actually interested in the class, but Felicity did everything in her power to keep her students interested. Even if some of her methods were a tad bit...controversial.

In this case, she was going to assign her students to make their own, fully functioning volcanoes - the typical, vinegar-and-baking soda model. She encouraged creativity though, and also posed a challenge at the bottom of her instruction list, challenging her students to think if there were any other mixtures that could produce a reaction similar to that of baking soda and vinegar. Note that she wasn't outwardly encouraging the usage of other materials - That was important. However, she wasn't actively discouraging them either. Go figure.

To go with the general theme of the class, the redhead was in style. She wore a shirt captioned 'rock and roll' with a picture of a rock next to the world roll. On her skirt were pictures of volcanoes. Students often questioned her as to where she bought her skirts, but she always kept mum. In reality, if one thought about it, it wasn't all that hard to realize that the woman ordered them custom-made online. Behold the wonders of the internet!

Also to go with the theme, Ms. Hoffman had crafted her own volcano. It wasn't the sort of volcano her students would be building though, oh no. Take a student volcano and put it on heavy duty anabolic steroids and you might get a volcano like the one that Felicity had sitting on her desk in the front of the room. Yet she stood next to it as if it was no big deal to have a giant volcano replica sitting on one's desk. Then again, it wouldn't be surprising if this woman wore the same nonchalant smile on her face as she stood at the mouth of an active volcano. Danerous? All in the name of science, folks.

She turned toward the door as her first students came in, ready for the fun to begin. She just hoped that her students would be just as excited.

Word count: 478
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: She needed a class thread, so...feel free to post, folks!

[Iskander Rafel Azizi]

Iskander hated a few things in life. He hated how his religion had become, the fate of the holy lands, various political situations, and the like. He also hated his father, and while he didn't often hate thieves, he hated who had taken the RSOR keys. Not who had found the stolen property. He couldn't put blame to their curiosity, he knew this. But he wanted to get them back, if he could. He wasn't out for the glory of getting them back, but who, save for the anti-rsor, were out for glory? No, he was out to get them back for every one's safety and the sanity of the world was they knew it, same as almost everyone in RSOR.

He also hated science projects. He really did not want to do this volcano crap that you saw on kids shows. He knew how it worked. He could read how it worked and know it well enough. He wasn't a very hands on person at times. He liked the art of war, and gym class, but when it came to science, he'd never been much for labs. Unfortunately, he'd ended up with a teacher who appealed almost totally to the kinesthetic learners. He had a feeling it was coming, just with the assignments they'd been given. So he entered the class with feelings of mild dread, but he needed to pass the course. He liked the course, and he also endeavoured to pass it, no matter how stupid he found the projects.

Iskander walked into the class, books in arm...and saw the redheaded Miss. Hoffman looking at an object, which she stowed in a pocket. A key. And in four years of RSOR, he knew they keys. He knew exactly what that was, and it was unlikely that Hanston would give the keys to staff for safekeeping. No, she had lost them all...and now the staff were in on this key-game too? Without saying a word, the dark-haired, aloof teen plopped his things down on his desk and sat there, leaning back and studying his teacher's fashion sense. It was amazing, he'd give her that, he did enjoy seeing her dressed to theme. He tapped his fingers on his desk, pondering his next move. He was the only one to show up thus far, but that could change in an instant...he'd have to bide his time, he supposed. Or he could go to Hanston, but he didn't want her fired for this. Nah, she was nice, even if he didn't always agree with her teaching style.

After class

Iskander normally left with the crowd. There was little reason to hand about, after all. But this time, he just sat there, looking at the rubric for this volcano he knew was coming. Once everyone filed out, and only he and the teacher were left, he got up and went to the desk. "I have a problem, Miss. Hoffman." Iskander began, tone even and face neutral. "I think you might be able to help me, although it has nothing to do with the project, which you likely know I don't want to do...but will do anyways. No, I have a different problem. And I think you can help me."


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words| 577
tagged| Felicity / Mandee
notes| none

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

One thing Felicity did not realize in her scramble to make things more 'fun' for her students was that not every student learned in the same way. She wanted to teach in a different style than most teachers at Riverdale, and she succeeded at that task, hands down. The unfortunate truth, though, was that Felicity catered the way she taught her class to people who learned in the same way that she did.

It wasn't that Felicity did not want her students to succeed. To the contrary, it sincerely bothered her if any of her students were struggling. It bothered her even more when students weren't even bothering to try in her classes. She poured her heart and soul into her lessons. Therefore, high school might not have been the best choice for her, but for the most part it was rewarding. It certainly helped that she had Jethro on her side now. Even if she had a hard time at work (it was rare for Felicity, who tried to remain upbeat at all times, but she was human, and she did have off days), she could meet up with Jethro and they could both relax after a hard day's work. Provided that Claudius didn't get loose and send Jethro into cardiac arrest.

Class went by with a reasonable speed. Some students looked excited, while she caught a few rolling her eyes. She tried not to let it show, but it actually hurt when she witnessed acts such as these. Some of her fellow teachers accused her of being too sensitive to work in such a high stress environment, and at times, it seemed as though these accusations were correct. If there was one thing that Felicity was, though, it was persistent. And she wanted to get through to these kids who weren't interested. She would do whatever it took. She was surprised to see a student that she did not see participating much come up to the front to talk to her after every other student filed out of the room.

"A problem?"[/color] Felicity inquired, cleaning up the remnants of 'lava' (a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and orange food coloring) that had spilled on to the floor. When Iskander indicated that it had nothing to do with the project, and that he didn't want to do the project in the first place, she turned to Iskander with a frown. "Is there any other project you would like to do? I'm open for suggestions. As long as you're learning..."[/color] She smiled. Really, she wasn't that hard to bargain with. She just didn't pay much attention to obvious signs. Maybe Iskander had made it pretty obvious that he didn't learn the best through hands on, but Felicity failed to notice. Admitting that he would do the project even though he didn't exactly want to showed that he was willing to learn, and she was willing to work with that.

To the point where she almost failed to notice that there was more to Iskander's comment than that.

The smile on her face turned into a puzzled look at once. A problem? What sort of problem did her student have? Felicity's helpful nature came out at once, and she was all ears. Well, not quite. Even when Felicity stopped to listen she would inject her own words quite a bit. But it was a start. "I might be able to. What is the problem?"[/color] Clean clean clean...

Word count: 595
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: This came out longer than I expected. XD

[Iskander Rafel Azizi]

Iskander wasn't sure why Ms. Hoffman was keeping the key, but then, she was human. She was doubtlessly curious, same as everyone else as to the key predicament. But it needed to be returned. And after class, Iskander would see if he could do anything about it.

When he went up to his teacher he was, at first, a bit vague as to his problem. He ignored her first words about switching the project, looking stern. He didn't think she'd be willing to grant him any favours after he confronted her like this. He was, after all, not one of the most advertised members of RSOR, to be doing this, nor was it technically his place, but he didn't care. With a knife stowed away on his person and general knowledge, he could prove he belonged there, at least, and that this was not a game. If she wanted to help him, she'd do well to give the key back.

"No, no, it's nothing ado with the class. See, this is a more personal problem, but it's not, you know, gross or anything." Iskander told her calmly. He felt he should offer to help clean, but saw nothing extra for him to clean with, so settled or making the piles of paper neater, to keep his hands busy, and not feel quite so useless while demanding something she didn't know he knew she had. "It's a big problem, but I know for a fact you can help solve it. You have a key to solving it in your possession as we speak..." He trailed off, looking back at his teacher. It was funny to think he was older than she was, in his own way. "As we speak literally with one another."

Maybe she'd clue in what he was after now. There was no way she could be oblivious to it at this point. "RSOR needs those keys back. Give it back." He said bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest. It was clear he was not moving anytime soon from the classroom. He was not going to leave his teacher alone without fighting to get it back. Not literally, though if need be, it was unspoken that they'd have to. Why else was the LP armed and camping at the top of the stairs? There was no safe place to keep the stuff n the school, other than the attic, and Hanston couldn't keep the stuff at her own home. Her family was all normal, she couldn't smuggle a clubhouse of stuff in, he didn't think. Extremes were extreme, but not always unaviodable.

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words| 491
tagged| Felicity / Mandee
notes| None

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

Why did Felicity Hoffman still have the key on her person? Simple - She didn't know what else to do with it. She was still debating with herself on that one (and to some extent with Jethro too, who was the only person, to her knowledge, that knew she had a key). She didn't think that she would use it to get into the RSOR room, but she couldn't help but keep the key for now. She could still change her mind if she had the key. If she didn't, then she would never get the chance to check out one of the best kept secrets at Riverdale High.

The redhead was surprised to hear that Iskander was coming to her with a 'personal problem'. She did not mind counseling her students, but Iskander seemed like one of the last people who would seek her out for that. She finished wiping off her desk and took behind her desk, inviting Iskander to take a seat as well, very much curious at what he had to say now.

Felicity clutched at her purse as Iskander mentioned the word 'key', all but giving away that she indeed had a key in her possession. The redhead almost constantly wore a smile on her face, but for once she was eying Iskander with curiosity. Not suspicion, not just yet. He was just the last person that she would think would be coming to her about this. She did not know of his involvement with RSOR, nor whether or not he was involved with Anti-RSOR. She couldn't be sure what to say or do as a result. As a woman who would have certainly appreciated a haven to be herself when she was in high school (before she found that friends that were that haven), she didn't want to give the information that she had away to the wrong person.

"Of course RSOR wants it's keys back. That's part of the reason why I have one in my possession! I'm trying to keep it safe, from it getting into the wrong hands."[/color] Felicity was ill-equipped for this, however. She knew her students were serious, but she didn't understand just how life and death this situation could truly get. So she was hesitant. "How do I know that you're involved with RSOR? I don't want to go and give my key to someone who's not going to return it to Hanston or the RSOR."[/color] Then again, he didn't really have much of a reason to trust her either, did he?

Word count: 436
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: Darn mosquito bites. =(

[Iskander Rafel Azizi]

As egotistical, smug or full of himself as Iskander might have sounded, he knew he had the upper hand. He was a tactical genius, the likes of which his teacher would never accomplish. He did not mean that in a demeaning way; instead he meant it in his mind as motivation. If he could not at least spook her, he was losing his touch. He might have told Oliver had had to adapt, the Crusades were over, but that didn't have to change the fact he was a sultan, and he had power. Power was what you made of it. In the Crusades, it was a divine mission on both sides. Now? It was a mission of "I know something you don't know", and how to use what he had learned in his past life, how to tap into it properly to get his way.

He was the unknown in this situation, and Saladin decided to come out strong. "That's a lie, Miss. Hoffman." He said in response to her saying she was merely keeping it safe. "You may not mean as ill with it as some other factions, but the fact remains that in your hands the key is not in right right hands. It is not safe with you. I cannot discern your intentions totally, but I know what is correct in the situation. You possessing the key is not right, it is merely a different shade of wrong." Too bold, perhaps, to approach a teacher with? If she was merely a teacher, and he merely a student, yes, but Iskander's dark eyes had gone darker, as though the body of the boy was drawing on something more. As though something - someone - older and more experienced, was dwelling him him, though this person had always been there, it was evident now, in the way he stood and in the commanding, even tone of his voice.

Towards her question, Iskander smiled. "I will show you." He told her simple, reaching to his belt and pulling out a dagger, which glimmered in the classroom light. Its hilt was blue and gold, the blade shining white in direct light, with an eagle, emblazoned upon it. If she was good at lag, she'd know the eagle was on the Egyptian flag, but it also was his crest. He held it out to her, though in no threatening way. "Non-RSOR students are unlikely to possess such instruments, or know how to store them in one's pants without causing severe injury. I have been in RSOR since I was a freshman, though have felt no need to advertise it until now." He placed the knife on the desk, though where he could grab it faster than she. "The key, Miss Hoffman, is essential to the preservation of matters more important than your curiosity."

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words| 508
tagged| Felicity / Mandee
notes| If I were Felicity, I'd be scared right now. XD

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

Unfortunately for Felicity, she was not prepared for what Iskander had in store for her. She might be naive for her age, and she might act a little too silly and happy go lucky at times, but she was not a stupid woman. She'd studied her subjects and was fully qualified to teach her subject. Had she known that Iskander was a reincarnated sultan, she would have showed a lot more respect from the get go. As it was, she tried not to put herself above her students too much, hence why she was trying to talk to Iskander on a more personal level.

The fact also remained that she had no idea whatsoever if Iskander was telling the truth about his position in RSOR or not. Ironically, her hesitance was in an attempt to help RSOR, even though it was truly delaying an RSOR member's progress in trying to get the keys back. Really, as long as RSOR had at least one key in their possession out of the 14, their secret was safe. Felicity might not have been in the RSOR, and she might be very curious as to the secret, but she recognized enough to know that the one key that she did have meant nothing on it's own. It was part of a set.

Felicity was no longer smiling, but frowning in contemplation. It was a look that one did not often see on the redhead's face, at least in class. Her eyes unmistakably widened as Iskander, this student of hers, pulled out a knife. She clutched on to her purse ever closer. As the senior explained, Felicity listened, realizing that Iskander did have a point, but also not wanting to give in that easily. She knew from her discussion that both sides were playing dirty, and while Hanston allowed weapons for RSOR members, that didn't mean that Iskander hadn't snuck one past her.

She eyed the knife that was on the desk, turning her gaze back to Iskander. She looked calmer now, even smiling slightly, but her eyes betrayed that her mind was still going on this. She tapped her nails against the desk. Although they were not too long, they were a sufficiently length to make a tip tap noise each time a nail hit the desk. It was clearly a nervous habit, something that Iskander would likely delight in seeing, as it meant that he was getting to her. "I have an idea, if you are willing to listen to it, Mr. Azizi."[/color] She cleared her throat. "We could travel to Hanston's office and she what she thinks on the issue?"[/color] It seemed like the best solution to Felicity. She wasn't simply trying to fend Iskander off, but was actually trying to heed what he was saying, without making too rash of a move and giving her key to the wrong person. With Hanston possessing keys to the RSOR room, she would likely know who was a member and who was not. If she traveled to the office with Iskander, she could hear exactly the words she needed to hear to feel safe handing the key over to Iskander. She waited for the senior's reaction.

Word count: 541
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: Now I have even worse mosquito bites than before. WTF?

[Iskander Rafel Azizi]

Technically, as long as no one group had all the keys, RSOR was safe. But just barely safe. That was not what any secret organization wanted. It was like having a tank. Yes, it took a lot to destroy a tank, but if it was hot pink, it wouldn't be hard to find and keep a missile trained on that tank, right? Sure, the tank was safe. But it would always be obviously venerable. The same went for RSOR. Being "just" safe, well, that wasn't enough for them. It couldn't be enough, given the secret they had. And if that meant he had to draw his knife on one of his teachers, so be it.

It wasn't as though he was going to kill her with the knife, after all. One key was not worth killing over, certainly not in this day and age where he'd be caught without a hope. He wasn't some serial killed. But it was clear she was concerned as he drew the knife. Her eyes grew wide and she clutched her purse to her person. He couldn't totally blame her. It wasn't like he was holding himself like some mugger, but rather confidently and in a manner that suggested he knew very well how to use it, and perhaps even had. Hell, she would know he had; everyone at school knew what happened earlier in the year, when his estranged father broke in and tried to kill him. While he would have been dead if not for Jennah, once he was freed, he attacked with a rigor and skill that had been very difficult to explain where he learned it to the judge.

Putting the knife down seemed to ease her a bit, which was good. He wasn't much for giving teachers severe heart attacks. If Oliver was any indication, that sort of thing was deeply fatal. She might have started smiling, but a glance at hr eyes told him she was still deeply on edge, though he wondered why for, if her next words were to be believed.

"I would have no issues with that." Iskander said coolly. "But it brings up the interesting question of why you did not immediately give them back, or would give them to me upon learning I am RSOR, rather than Hanton, does it not?" Yes, Saladin was certain he had the upper hand here, and he felt it was confirmed in her body language, and her calling him "Mr. Azizi" - teachers either did that when you misbehaved, did something worth respecting, or in his case, both at once. Besides, it was worth thinking about. Why, if she had no true issues with going to Hanston about him, did she not go to her in the first place?


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words| 511
tagged| Felicity / Mandee
notes| None

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

This situation was starting to bother Felicity. Honestly, what was so important in the attic that students could literally carry weapons to protect it? Who wouldn't be at the very least curious about that? As it was, Felicity already had a penchant for curiosity.

That said, Felicity very much respected the power that Iskander yielded when he held that knife. She knew next to nothing about knives, so she would not have recognized if he was holding it correctly or not. The way he carried himself gave off the definition impression that he knew what he was doing, though, and that he could be a force to be reckoned with if need be. She kept her eyes on the knife. At one point she might have been serious about keeping the key, yes. Her motives were somewhat innocent when it came to the key, though, unlike those of the Anti-RSOR. Yes, part of her reason for keeping the key was a curiosity about the secrets that RSOR held. Would she stop at nothing to get those secrets, though? Of course not! She didn't care that much. Not when a student was pulling a knife on her, claiming that the principal would support him every step of the way.

Of course, he had to question her on her motives too. Felicity gave out a sigh of frustration. "I kept it because, honestly, who isn't curious about RSOR? This key clearly means something to my students, and I can't pretend that I wouldn't like to know what."[/color] She still did, too. They were staff, so why wasn't Hanston letting them in on the secret? Thing was, it seemed as though some members of the staff were in on the secret, and that was a bit frustrating as well. Would she gain knowledge as to what the RSOR was at her ten year anniversary at Riverdale? What made some people worthy of knowing but not others? Who wouldn't be in the least bit curios about that?

"It's not like you can do much with one key, though."[/color] She mused, removing the key from her purse and playing with the string that it was on. "And I think I'd rather see a safe haven for students that I don't think would socialize much otherwise than I would to let this key fall into the wrong hands. Thing is...I want to make sure that the key isn't falling into the wrong hands."[/color] She still had no outward proof that Iskander was an RSOR member. It was the only thing stopping her from handing over the key right then and there. The knife wasn't enough proof-wise, although it was all but impossible to stop herself from taking a glance at the blade every once in a while. Damn that was intimidating.

Word count: 484
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: Now I have even worse mosquito bites than before. WTF?

[Iskander Rafel Azizi]

To Iskander, Felicity was flailing around for straws she did not have. If he could prove he was RSOR, the battle was lost. If this went to Hanston, she probably knew some trouble awaited her. She had the key, but not the upper hand. All Iskander had to do was convince her to give over they key, which was a bit easier said than done. The knife proved a little, but not enough. The trick now was to convince her without spilling too much of rSOR's secrets.

Iskander was silent for a few moments as he listened to her words, and then for a little bit after. His expression neutral, he walked up to the whiteboard and took a marker, writing down a few phrases from the Qu'ran down on the board - In Arabic. Impressive, but he knew it wouldn't do the job in and of itself, so he then nodded to the computer on her desk. "Go onto Gamerscore. Look up Skimitar 'Scander. That's me. And while it's possible to say 'oh, you're just good at video games' look at the Call of Duty Modern Warfare team leaderboard. You'll find my name, along with some other RSOR members at the top of it, without a single loss to our names. It's one thing to be good, but we're almost too good - to be...normal, if you will, and presuming this team wishes to keep the score, only RSOR members enter. I should know, I run the team." Of course, this wouldn't be enough, exactly.

"Do you know much of philosophy, or world religions? Quiz me, if so, you'll find yourself more than satisfied with my knowing." Everyone knew plenty of RSOR's kids excelled in places where they had no real reason to. Anyone knew Oliver build things with skill, everyone knew Isabella was an athlete, that Chelsea was deeply politically opinionated...only glaring exception to the talent - RSOR correlation was Errol, as far as Iskander saw it. Of course, the last option he had to him would be the angry rant about modern Islam, the kind that got him into RSOR in the first place; but given it was almost impossible to calm him, and tended to scare people, he was saving that as a last ditch attempted.

"Let's also put it another way, Miss Hoffman." Iskander said grimly, looking at his knife. "I'm willing to be here for a very very long time to prove it, if need be. Because those keys could change the world as I know it." And her world too, and the world as anyone knew it, but that would sound over-dramatic. He only wished it was.

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words| 482
tagged| Felicity / Mandee
notes| None

[Felicity Anne Hoffman]

As far as Felicity was concerned, there was no battle. She was perfectly willing to hand over that key, she just wanted to go to Hanston first. Go to Hanston or find some other proof that Iskander was actually in RSOR, and that she wasn't handing this key over to someone who would further this madness.

Felicity was puzzled at Iskander's next instructions, but decided to go along with it. Felicity was adept enough at using a computer that it took only a moment or so for her to reach the website that Iskander instructed her to visit. Indeed, Iskander voiced Felicity's comeback almost as instantly as it popped into her brain, and her mouth stayed open in an almost stupor. She followed his next instructions, and his next words...well, he certainly wasn't making things up. She could recognize some of the names listed. Not the usernames, of course, but the real names associated with them. Plenty of them were students in her own class. One was, in fact, Isabella Avadore. The fact that so many known RSOR members were on there were odd...and the fact that Iskander was among them certainly helped to boost his credibility.

Philosophy and world religions. Neither of these were Felicity's strong points. "I'll take your word for it, Iskander."[/color] She bit on her lip as she eyed him, clearly uncomfortable.

She couldn't pretend that she wasn't surprised (and a little confused) at the gravity of Iskander's next statement, and the look on her face showed this. A set of keys owned by the principal could change the world as he knew it? What the hell was in the RSOR room? Felicity's eyes widened a little at this realization, which in any other circumstance might have led to her gripping on to the key tighter. One look at the knife, though, made her loosen her grip on the key once more. She let out a long, almost whistling sigh as she tried to think of the proper next course of action. She had not stopped to think of how Principal Hanston would respond to her bringing in the key, and still wasn't, truthfully. She still thought it to be a valid solution for their problem, and couldn't understand why Iskander wasn't accepting this idea. Felicity leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and tapping her high heeled shoes on the ground in an almost melodic fashion. "I can't do much with this key on my own..."[/color] She murmured.

Word count: 430
To: Earth Science students of any grade (it was an elective at my school, so I'm making it one at Riverdale too for ease of posting XD). Also, if anyone wants to bop in with any staff members. *Shrug*
Notes: She needed a class thread, so...feel free to post, folks!