School of the Shark [Open]

"Yes... Yes..."

Lelei nodded along with Sylvia's answer, but not looking all that convinced.

"What you speak is true, Miss Cogman. Empathy is indeed a tried and true path to keeping one self from harming others, deliberately or otherwise. Knowing how another must feel were it you is a powerful motivator.

BUT... How does that help a victim? Remember: The best answer, the answer that leads to your answer, is true for both an aggressor and a victim..."

He let his words hang in the air for a moment as he looked about the class, trying to make eye contact with every student as he tried to spot the kids who were trying to figure out the answer as well. As he did so, he stepped right up to the front row of desks, towering over both Alfredo and Sylvia with his arms crossed, shoulders back, and chest out.

"The true answer was given when class began. To believe in yourself!"

His stance became even more powerful and intimidating as he raised his voice to let all the students see the answer as well as hear it.

"A victim is no longer a victim when they believe themselves to no longer be someone to simply be pushed and shoved around. They show the strength to stand up and face down the inevitably weak-willed bullies, whom were only hiding behind a facade of intimidation.

A bully is no longer a crime-causing miscreant when they believe in themselves enough to NOT need to stoop to such low means for self worth. They will no longer have to pick on others and break the law to flimsily prop up their confidence.

THAT is the secret, young ones. And I know I make it sound and look easy, when I also know it is incredibly difficult for some. But that is why this class exists, to aid you on that front.

And our first less will begin with everyone standing up and moving all the desks to the edge of the room. Then you all will stand up tall where you would have seated. Then we shall have our first test of inner strength!"

"Nicely done. Now I want you all to form pairs with each other. As pairs, you are to face each other and take turns trying to SHOW your strength, inner or otherwise. You are not allowed to touch each other nor move too far from each other. Remember: This is about confidence and presence.

I will be around to check on all the pairs."

Lelei's arrangement had, coincidentally, paired up Sylvia with Alfredo.

At first, the students were naturally a little confused and, perhaps, a little shy about the lesson Lelei was trying to give. A lot of pairs stood in awkward silence for a few moments or simply began to talk to each other, trying to discern what he meant. It was only natural. That was why Lelei started walking around to the group and speaking to them, watching them. After a few minutes, the students started to get into the swing of things, and in ways Lelei had anticipated.

Many of the students took the obvious route of intimidation or demonstrations of strength or their powers. They boasted and bragged while flexing and posing, and for some it was difficult to discern if they were being playful or really turning up the douche factor.

Some began to hurl insults and put downs, going the route of the bully, and that was when Lelei would step in and get them back on track, after settling any disagreements if their were any.

The jist of his lesson seemed to be that a person need not use arrogant words or prideful shows of strength to actually FEEL strong. He demonstrated that well enough whenever he approached a group and just gave them a hard stare to quiet them.

"Notice how I instantly got both your attention? It was my presence. My, as some would say, my aura that got your attention. My posture, my look, the steely gaze of my eye. It comes together to show that I am strong with no words, and that I am to be respected."

Finally, he got to the pair of Sylvia and Alfredo, waiting to see what they could do.

What Lelei was hearing from the pair was something he had heard many times before. Hearing it again did not diminish his confidence in them nor did he feel annoyed, as some instructors are prone to doing. It was but the first lesson of the day, and he only expected their kind of reactions, which would give him plenty to work off of if he hoped to turn their attitudes around.

"Nonsense! You two just need pointers!"

His arms uncrossed and he put his hands on his hips while giving them whatever facsimiled of a smile he could muster. The odd shape of his head and his anatomy somewhat limited his expressions, especially if he wanted to control how much teeth people saw.

"Who said you needed to look intimidating to be so, Mr. Summers? I will grant you that my size is a boon, but it is not core of my presence. Observe."

Lelei demonstrated what he did for the others. He gave a single hard stare at the two of them, with no other movements. Without moving, it felt like he had stepped right up to within an inch of their faces with teeth bared. When the stare ended, so did the feeling.

"See? Presence! Now try it on me. Stand up as straight as you can. Shoulders back, chest out, hands on hips.

Look me in the eye and try to make me feel small. Imagine yourself as tall and strong. A giant. A commanding giant. You don't need to convince me that you are strong, you need to convince yourself. Try to feel--for just an instant--like you could take me."