Private The Diffusion Of Knowledge

Lich King · Apr 16, 2020

Vlad looked down at his exam grade with a from expression over his face, another 55. Now, normally he would pass these low scores off as meaningless and pointless but with his master taking a greater interest in his school life he had to show his results to her whenever he got a test back. In fact, she had even wanted as far as requesting his teachers send her his scores whenever they got the chance. That paired with his step-parents hounding for him to do better in school he was fighting a war on all fronts.

It wasn't his fault that the countries laws were so backward he couldn't just drop out and pursue the career he wanted. At no point in his life would the make up of a cell be necessary. The sheer thought of all the useless stuff he was learning put him on edge and turned his mood fouler then before. His eyebrows made a strong V as he flipped the example close and place it into a folder.

As the bell rang signaling the end of their class he watched as everyone sprang off to discuss their results and answers. Before he could make a swift escape to his dorm room the clacking of heels grew closer to him and the shadow of his elven teacher loomed over him. Her face had a frown that foretold his impending doom and like clockwork, he sat back down in his chair.

"You can come now Ava." she said calmly and with a sense of pride.

@EmiRose

EmiRose · Apr 17, 2020

Ava wasn't really a person you'd think was good at school. She really seemed like the typical "meathead"; she was loud, occasionally rude and loved sports. Ava was even the founder of the sparring club. But if you knew her, actually bothered to get to know her, you'd find out that Ava was actually smart and she got excellent grades at school.

Ava grinned down at her test paper. A nice and shiny 99 looked back at her. Ava had expected this result, but it was still a nice feeling. Ava took joy in proving the people who thought she was stupid wrong, but mostly she just liked succeeding. Winning was a drug and Ava was addicted. Plus, biology was one of Ava's favourite subjects and necessary, since Ava wanted to be a vet.

Ava stuffed the test in her bag, she didn't even need to show her tests to Titus anymore 'cos he knew Ava did well at school. Ava got ready to leave early, she had to get home to feed Sauron, Cleopatra and Ben. But before she could Ava saw her teacher approach. Ava frowned slightly, this teacher thought of Ava as her "star student" or some shit, but Ava could tell the woman didn't actually like her as a person. She only liked that Ava lifted the class average.
"Ava, could you please stay after class?"
Ava blinked, and then nodded. She lowkey felt like whining or leaving anyway, but this teacher could really be a pain in the ass when angered.

Ava chilled at the front of the class while the class finished up, sending Orsick a message to feed the pets when he gets home.
Ava was in the middle of watching martial arts videos Kalvin had suggested when the teacher asked her to come over. Ava looked up and saw that she was by one of the desks, which had one of the guys from the class sitting in it. Ava didn't know him all that well.

"So, what's up?"
Ava asked as she sauntered over, hands in the pockets of her harem pants. She was itching to tie her hair up, it had been free since this morning and was starting to irritate Ava.

Lich King · Apr 17, 2020

Ohhhh shit really was the thought that came into Vlad's head as he saw the fire headed girl the teacher had called over. It didn't take biology for him to figure out what was about to happen. Ava Drakenhardt, one of, if not thee, top student in his biology class. From his position in the back of the class, he'd often heard some of the other kids talk about her. Some said she was super smart others said she was just a cheater who coasted on her family's money. Vlad had no semblance of what was true but he knew that she was doing far better then he was in the class.

"Ava this is Vladamir. I was hoping you'd be open to helping him with the topics we've covered in class so far. He's been having some difficulties and I thought it'd be best if someone around his age worked with him."

Vlad noted how she didn't introduce Ava to him. His teacher was so sure of her star students clout that she needed no introduction to who she was. It was a slight but not one he felt any ill will toward. His teacher looked down at him with demanding eyes forcing him to act as if he was fine with this.

"Nice to meet you." He gave a nod and a smile that breathed authenticity. The monastery had taught him other life skills beyond the philosophical.

"If you would be a dear and help him I'd be more then willing to write you some glowing recommendations for college and veterinary school." The teacher's words picked up a charm as if she was offering Ava a full ride through to her career of choice.

Vlad remained silent more out of mental contemplation than a social nicety. He wanted to leave, he technically could, but the thoughts of his masters kept him seated in the chair. Maybe tutoring wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it gave him more breathing room.

@EmiRose

EmiRose · Apr 17, 2020

Tutoring? What the actual fuck made this teacher think Ava would be a good tutor? She should've asked one of the other two of three smart kids in this class to help out, Ava might have been the smartest but she was also the most volatile. Her personality didn't exactly match with most people.
Ava eyed Vladamir, the guy was hard to read and she couldn't tell whether or not he was okay with this arrangement or not. Probably not, this teacher had the tendency to do what she wanted.

"Okay, fine. I'll help the guy out."
Ava merely answered, fighting to keep his tone pleasant or at least neutral. Ava really didn't like going along with what authority figures she didn't respect or like told her to, but if she had yet another teacher to call home about her Titus would definitely punish her in some way. Ava wanted to avoid that.
But when the teacher called Ava dear (ew) and attempted to bribe her with college recommendations her brow twitched once.
"You can take your recommendations and shove 'em right up your-"
Is what Ava would've liked to say, but alas, she still wanted to keep her record from getting any dirtier.

"No thanks teach, I can get in just fine on my own. Come on Vlad, let' s go. The library's better than studying here."
Ava gestured for Vladamir to get up and follow her, and she walked over to the door. Ava would wait for Vladamir for however long it took him to follow, and then she'd steer them towards the library. Though the moment they got far away enough from the class Ava groaned.
"Did you hear her tone? Like she was telling me her recommendations would basically guarantee I get into vet school. The moment I get in I'm gonna hunt her down and shove my acceptance letter down her throat."
Ava grinned slightly evilly at Vladamir, like she was actually gonna do it. Then she took another moment to take the guy in.
"So, how bad did you do on the test for her to get so desperate that she shoved us together?"

Lich King · Apr 17, 2020

Reading people, another skill picked up from living a life detached from the constant pressure of society. From the moment she stepped up Vlad could tell Ava was hating this far more viscerally then he was. His displeasure came from having to learn hers seemed rooted more with everything that was going on. When she repulsed their teacher's recommendation he could see a sense of pride in her words as she was sure of herself. It was a common trait for brainiacs he felt. His old roommate was the same.

When Ava gestured for Vlad to follow her he simply recollected his things and moved from his desk at a calm pace. As bad as he wanted to leave he was not as enthusiastic about spending time studying. He'd surely have to push back his meditation hours to later in the day. As he passed by his teacher one more time her whispered word of "Focus." hit him like ice-cold water. If he failed to show improvement then word would surely get back to his masters.

Joining Ava at the door he would follow her tit for tat with their steps being in unison. It was a mental game he liked to play when he was younger and now he mindlessly did it. Her words filled his ears but as one half of his mind focused on her the other was reforming his training schedule for the week now that things had a red-headed wrench in them.

He was right in believing Ava and the teacher were not in agreement on the situation and that Ava wasn't particularly pleased with the situation either. He took some strange comfort in that as they continued along. Though when the question of his grade came up he was reminded that Ava was a star student and he was not.

" I got a 55 on this one and the last one. If the goal was to keep receiving the same score then I'm baring a perfect 100% accuracy rate." He rubbed the back of his head. " If I show improvement though then I'm sure she'd be happy to brag about it to my folks."

Vlad could care less about that. Teachers were just existing beings with a different set of experiences and talents. The thought that they would brag over their achievements was a normal one which didn't push his emotions any which way.

@EmiRose

EmiRose · Apr 17, 2020

"Oof. 55? Barely passed then. 'Kay, we'll get your next test grade to at least 70 so your dumbass self can get that bitc-, I mean, teacher off your back. Sound good?"
Ava grinned, not really meaning the dumbass comment just like she rarely meant any of her insults. Insults were more like nicknames for Ava, though of course Vlad wouldn't know that. Just like Vlad wouldn't know that Ava didn't really judge a person's intelligence based on school grades. The schooling and teaching system had all kinds of holes and errors in it and Ava would be stupid to think that someone who got a 55 in a biology test had a low IQ.

"I gotta tell you, that teacher pisses me off. It's clear she's only nice to me 'cos I happen to know that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell."
Ava laughed and slipped one of the scrunchies around her wrist off and tied her hair into a ponytail with it.
"Listen, we might both have better things to do, like, I wanted to feed my dog, python and scorpion and go for a run, but let's try to at least make the best of this."
Ava had nothing against Vlad and it wasn't like he was probably enjoying being treated like an idiot by the teacher. Condescending adults were what Ava hated the most. Ava stopped in the middle of the hallway and put out her hand, grinning at Vlad.
"So, I'm Ava. You already knew that, but it only matters when I say it to you and not that pain in the ass of a teacher. So, who're you?"

Lich King · Apr 17, 2020

She was one of those then.

Vlad expression didn't change when the word dumbass came out of Ava's mouth. Mostly it was because he didn't care. A farmer was smarter than the average city person on how to run a farm, and a city dweller was more in tune with the nuance of a concrete jungle. People had different talents and his didn't lie in what school deemed mandatory knowledge.

His silence continued as Ava went on about their teacher and her disapproval of her. If he knew any better it would seem this was a much a punishment for her as it was a forced task for him. If getting a perfect score on all his teacher's tests didn't make her swoon with appreciation then what was the point of him improving his grade. Vlad felt the urge in his chest to just leave and head to the monastery but he knew the first question he'd receive would be on his exam score.

In fact, Ava was right the only thing he wanted to be doing right now was meditating and trying to pinpoint that strange feeling he'd been having recently. With his little sister beginning to date he'd been feeling more discomfort then he was used to and needed to focus on that impurity. It may not have been as life-sustaining as feeding another creature but it was equally as important to him.

His eyes drifted to Ava's hand as it outstretched toward him. The ease at which his body reacted and quickly took hold of her hand may have made her jump or more alert but he greeted the outstretched hand with a gentle shake from his own " You can call me Vlad. I've never cared for people using my full name." He put on his usual charm when greeting people and his close-mouthed smile curled at one end before he finally released her hand.

@EmiRose

EmiRose · Apr 17, 2020

"Was gonna call you Vlad anyway. It suits you better than Vladamir."
Ava answered and chuckled, returning the gentle shake with a firm and energetic one. Ava hadn't thought much of how quickly Vlad had returned the shake, since many people automatically grabbed a hand if it was presented to them in a handshake.
"Okay, now that we've made the introductions that matter let's do this. The quicker I can pound some biology into your head quicker we both can go do stuff we wanna do."
Because Ava didn't believe for a moment that Vlad wanted to study. The guy was smiling, but Ava got a feeling that it was just learned politeness, like the handshake. Not genuine. But Ava didn't mind or care, you didn't need to be genuine to learn.

Ava lead them the rest of the way to the library. She didn't go there often, but she knew where the study area was.
"Okay, let's start with comparing tests. You can see the right answers from my paper."
Ava suggested and pulled out her test paper. Reviewing was important and it'd be helpful if Vlad could right his wrongs. Though Ava did get the second part of question five wrong, but that didn't matter.

Lich King · Apr 17, 2020

"Agreed," he said as their hands released from each other. Maybe if he tried applying himself as his step-parents constantly said he would be able to pick up the topics as quickly as he picked up other things. He could perfect a breathing technique in an hour but not memorize the function of the lymph nodes over the course of a week. Maybe the pushing he was receiving would hold some benefit in his life....maybe...he really doubted it.

Vlad kept pace with Ava all the way to the study are before he sat down and crossed his legs into the chair he was sitting on. Like a beacon, his eye immediately shot to the 99 on Ava's paper again reminding them that he wasn't being paired as a punishment but because this was meant to help him. He let out an impressed "Wow." before pulling out his own exam and placing it next to hers.

From the jump one could see the stark difference in test application. Whereas he had left some answers blank on the first page Ava's seemed filled and detailed. In truth, Vlad was surprised he did as well as he did given he had studied for the exam a few weeks back. He had a strong disbelief in cramming as nothing forced would ever provide decent results. He may pas the test but he'd have learned nothing and that was more meaningless than the class itself.

" So you want to be a veterinarian huh," Vlad would flip both their exam pages marking the differences in their answers on a separate sheet of paper. " I don't hear that very often. It's no wonder you are labeled her best student."

@EmiRose

EmiRose · Apr 17, 2020

Vlad got to work on reviewing his test answers and Ava observed the way he did it, moving to sit in a chair next to his. She also peered at Vlad's exam paper to look at his answers. He had left a lot of empty space, which was his first mistake. One thing you should always do in tests is to try to get an answer to every question, even if it's something dumb. You don't get minus points for wrong answers but you might get in a lucky guess, after all.

"Huh?"
Ava had been focused on watching Vlad work and looked up at him when he spoke. It took her a moment to process his words.
"Oh yeah, I do want to be a veterinarian, and a forest ranger."
Ava confirmed, and then frowned a bit at the best student part.
"Please don't call me best student or think of me like that. I just do well enough so I can do what I want. That's the only reason I even bother getting good grades, anyway. School's just one more challenge to conquer."
Ava waved her hand dismissively as she explained her view. Honestly, if she could become a vet and a forest ranger without having to know all the sciences, math and geography she wouldn't give a fuck about school. But alas, being good at them was the key so dammit, Ava was gonna be the fucking best at them.
"Besides, I like winning."
Ava added with a grin.

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Private The Diffusion Of Knowledge

Lich King

Well-Known Member

EmiRose

The Shipping Enthusiast

Lich King

Well-Known Member

EmiRose

The Shipping Enthusiast

Lich King

Well-Known Member

EmiRose

The Shipping Enthusiast

Lich King

Well-Known Member

EmiRose

The Shipping Enthusiast

Lich King

Well-Known Member

EmiRose

The Shipping Enthusiast