World History - Fortitude

[koyo]

Characters:
Format: Prose or [action]
This log is: OPEN
Location: Fortitude School
Summary: World History with Spain. Your choice of before, during, or after.
Notes: If you want to play before or after class, feel free to mingle with others. The after class option is open to everyone, not just students.

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( Why are you in class? Oh, does this mean class should be starting already? Unfortunately, it looks like your teacher is running very a little late. )

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( About fifteen minutes later, Spain will waltz into class, unaware of how late he is. It isn't until he's half way into the class that he'll notice that everyone is pretty much settled down and ready to which he'll remark, )

Ah, good! Everyone is ready.

Today in class we'll go over. . . ( Staring at the board. And at the map posters on the wall. ) Oh, well, this is a bit embarrassing.

( You see, he hasn't really thought this far ahead. So he turns around to the class with a smile and says, )

What do you want to learn today?

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( Class really shouldn't be over yet but it is. It looks like Spain has ended class about twenty minutes early and he insists he ended class on time. You can talk to him after class or mingle with others. Spain will be cleaning up the room as everyone leaves.

Also, there is no homework tonight. )

Comments

[traces]

E-excuse me, sir, but did you say "he"?

[koyo]

I did, yes.

( This is totally normal. )

[traces]

...That's a little strange, isn't it? Countries don't have genders.

[koyo]

Of course we do. And even if you aren't talking about us, many people like to talk about our houses as if they were women.

[traces]

...

E-excuse me?

[koyo]

Yes?

. . . Oh, you didn't know? ( How does he explain this. ) Are you familiar with the concept of national spirits?

[traces]

...What are you talking about?

[koyo]

National spirits! Poetic names and personifications for nations of the world like Columbia in America and Marianne in France. . . some times they're animals too! Like the bull or eagle or dragon.

[traces]

So... like Uncle Sam? But those aren't real people. They're metaphors.

[koyo]

Yes, exactly-- Well, you're right, they might not be real but what if I told you something like them did?

[traces]

Well... I don't mean any offense, sir, but I'm sure I would think you were insane.

[koyo]

( Laughing, )

That wouldn't be a nice thing to say! How would you feel if I told you you weren't who you were?

[traces]

I'd be rather offended, sir, but I'm just an ordinary human being.

[koyo]

Don't say that. Every person is special, trust me.

[traces]

Ah-- I... I didn't mean that.

[koyo]

But I meant what I said! You're a special person, Dahlia.

And I'm me. See?

[traces]

Th-thank you...

But... just who are you, Mr. Antonio?

1/3

[koyo]

Antonio Fernandez-Carriedo! But most people know me as--

[koyo]

( There goes that feeling again. A word is on the tip of his tongue, the thing he wants to say is in his head, he can't seem to get it out. )

[koyo]

( And then it's gone. )

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

[traces]

I was asking who you are. Are you, by chance... one of these national symbols?

[koyo]

Ah, yes. . . or no. It's a little different. Symbols mean things, you see? And I don't really mean anything. . . Or well, I might. You would have to ask one of my people.

( Spain is the worst person to explain these things. )

[traces]

Oh... I see.

And what were you saying people call you, sir?

[koyo]

They call me-- ( He can't think of it. ) Ay, I'll show you, it'll be easier.

( And he turns to one of the maps in the classroom, trying to find his home. No, it isn't China or Russia, God forbid he become even related to England, not France, and then he stops again. Staring at the map, trying to remember what he was doing. )

[traces]

[ She doesn't say anything, just watches as he struggles. What a moron he must be to not have even thought this through before telling such a ridiculous lie. ]