Paschal: Unit for Academic Pressure (Emy!!)

Poppy · May 6, 2015

"Augh, technology might as well be magic. I mean, it glows a lot and most people don't really knows how it works either." For someone who grew up in a secluded mountain area, this logic made perfect sense.

He kind of hovered near this 'photocopier', watching as Paschalis mass produced a scroll that took decades of loving labor. He wasn't sure how he should feel. On one hand, things would get a lot easier in the village if they could mass produce their literature. On the other, technology might encourage sloth. No wonder Wei didn't bring anything from SA other than books.

"Copyright Laws are ineffective, though. Do you know what criminals do to movies on the internet?" he asked like it was scandalous news. "They download it. For free."

Emy · May 9, 2015

Paschalis de Santis

"Yes, most people do tend to do that these days," Paschalis said over the sound of the machine going. It was actually rather interesting to see the craftsmanship of the scrolls. As a member of a family which thrived on that sort of profession -handicrafts, essentially- it was rather hard for him to not take notice.

"True criminals will take those downloads and sell them for their own profit." He figured, fine, give the boy enough information to avoid going to prison. "Most people to download off the internet do so only for personal use. In the latter case, hardly anybody will persecute them because that would be too much work and they aren't making money off of it anyways."

"Just how cut off from the world is your village? What would you say is the most advanced technology there?" Because from the looks of things, Paschalis was thinking medieval times. Maybe Victorian if they were really advanced. Maybe, if it weren't so much work, he would file a petition for a culture shock class. Welcome to modern day Earth or something along those lines.

Poppy · May 10, 2015

Lei would twitch and wince whenever the scrolls would fold, even though it was made from thin fabric and not paper, making it harder to destroy. He wanted to snatch it back but he stayed put.

"Wait, so illegal downloads are technically ok as long as you don't sell them?" He paused, seemingly awestruck by this information. "Wow."

He rubbed his chin. "Some of us have guns, others bring back books, we have a water wheel, a sawmill and a fancy granary. Sewing machines? I remember this dude had a cool forge... which doesn't sound as cool considering you're using a magic box that mass produces text. Our village is kind of, uh... behind on the times. So to speak."

Emy · May 10, 2015

Paschalis de Santis

"Just don't start mass distributing anything and you should be fine."

It was actually a relief to hear that Lei knew what guns were. That was usually the gateway to explaining modern day technology so if the people in his village already had those, well. Explaining everything else was only made easier for it. The sewing machines seemed a little out of place with everything else but it was enough for Paschalis to rethink his previous conclusion. Victorian, then.

"There are people who are far more time displaced than you," he told the boy. "For example, the spirit of Lake Tai in China is in the student body. I would imagine that those sorts would have a more difficult time adjusting."

Poppy · May 11, 2015

That was iffy. If he was allowed to illegally download for personal enjoyment, why even bother releasing movies in cinemas at all? How would the companies profit from that? It made no sense. If everyone watched movies illegally, movies would stop being profitable and the world would run out. But somehow, the movie was business was alive and thriving.

"I've heard about the spirit of Lake Tai. I thought they were a myth. I guess I owe Wei an apology... and the kid that said they were the second coming of Christ."

The kid might've been high. Or overwhelmed with the power of God. Did it matter? Did anything ever matter in this place? He felt like everything he had known and thought as true all his life was constantly tested, and it was just a matter of time before he snapped because he ran out of solid ground to base reality out of. But for now, he was taking the information in stride.

They were nearing the end of the scroll. Lei moved closer so he could take it back.

"I think it might be a good idea for you to give the copies to Wong and... uh, update me on what you find. I guess." He nodded. "And then we can start training maybe?"

Emy · May 24, 2015

Paschalis de Santis

When the last copy had been made, Paschalis used a pen to mark off the page number, as he had been doing for the others, and stapled it all together. Keeping two of the copied texts for himself, he handed the third one to Lei along with the original. "I'll try and let you know in a week," the man said. If Wong couldn't translate it all in time, then he supposed that he might have to see if any other students would like some extra credit.

"Depending on how things go, I may or may not have to redirect you to a different teacher, or even be a student who specializes in this sort of magic." Unless his control proved to be so awful even with the new approach that Paschalis actually needed to go through with private lessons himself. "In any case, don't try too hard and don't think you're going to see significant improvement immediately. That is only setting yourself up for disappointment."

Poppy · May 26, 2015

"Um. Uh. Should I... Should I text you? Or — should I go to your office?" Lei said frantically as he took the copy and the original scroll with him. He carried them both in his arms as he supported his backpack against the photocopier and stuffed the contents inside, taking care not to wrinkle either. He zipped the backpack close and slung it over his shoulder.

He nodded. "Hey, works for with me as long as I improve. My mentor's going to piss himself in joy if I can lift water off a puddle without using a cup." He blushed, realizing who he was talking to. "...sir."

Emy · May 26, 2015

Paschalis de Santis

Paschalis gave him a look so cold that it could have frozen ice. "How nice for your mentor," the man said. "If I were you, I would inform him that his methods are outdated and would benefit from exchange. Those who do not learn to change with the times will be broken in half by them." Not in those exact words but that should have been clear so he felt that it was pointless to vocalize it.

Tucking the copies under his arm, he went to the door and held it open, giving off the stern understanding that Lei was to leave immediately. "Come in person unless you are physically unable to," Paschalis told him. "Important matters should not be left to emails or texts." Not to mention, he received his fair share from the administration and his family already. Anymore than that he would probably check off as spam. Letters were fine but after that day, he was thoroughly sick of them and it was hardly like Lei would actually end up doing that anyways.

Poppy · May 26, 2015

Lei rolled his eyes. Geez, what crawled up Paschalis' ass and died?

"All right. Good idea. I never really liked texting anyway so at least we're seeing eye to eye on that front." Actually, Lei liked his blunt and ruthless teaching method. All his other teachers treated him like glass. It's okay, honey, they'd say. Everybody goes in their own pace. If they could just tell him what he did wrong, he'd be so much better now.

Lei walked over to the door before pausing. Paschalis was an asshole, but he was an asshole that was going to help him. Manners only dictated he show his gratitude.

"Hey, sir. Thank you." He nodded. He didn't want to piss off the man more than he already did, so he headed back.

He was going to see him again one week from now.

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Paschal: Unit for Academic Pressure (Emy!!)

Poppy

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Emy

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Poppy

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Emy

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Poppy

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Emy

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Poppy

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Emy

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Poppy

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