The Fate Algorithm ~A Dystopian Role-play~ discussion

Mrs. Zathure's Class

Zathure double-checked the lesson plan for her class that started shortly. She sighed, still unhappy with the rigid curriculum she had to teach.

Ash opened the door and stepped in. She sat down and greeted the teacher with a wave, "Hello, Mrs. Zathure."

Zathure greeted her with a smile and replied "Hello Ashlynn, how has your day been going so far?"

Shrugging, Ash replied, "Same old same old. How have you been?"

"Still trying to transform the curriculum into something interesting, which has been slightly successful, otherwise it's the "same old same old" as you put it. Just so you know, today we will be doing something different," Zathure said with a smile, she constantly changed her teaching method so her kids would never be bored for long.

Ace sat in the back playing with her knife. It had been a gift from her old best friend. He left and she had no idea where he went. The mark on his hand looked similar to her own so she was hopeful she would meet him again but that was a stretch. She yawned and slipped out of class unnoticed.

"Class is starting. Attendance: Ace Blake." (This is in alphabetical order by last name of the kids registered)

"Oh, Mrs. Zathure, your teaching is always interesting," Ash assured her teacher, "You shouldn't worry too much about it. Everything always works out in the end."

"Thank you Ashlynn, and I assume by your lack of response that Ace has decided to skip class again," Zathure said

Zathure sighed and realized that no matter how hard she tried only a few students even started to go to her classes. "Never mind, anybody else here except Ashlynn, who I thank for actually coming"

Zathure smiled "Ah Ambel, thank you for joining us! Just so you know, trying to sneak into a nearly empty room is futile. Do you mind telling us where you were? No, you won't get into trouble for being late"

"Okay if you do not wish to speak of it, I will not further question... This time. But if you are late next time make sure you have a thorough explanation thought out," Zathure stated sternly reminding Ambel of her policy to tardiness. "Now, onto our discussion topic of the next bit of time, the first three world war"

Perseus came to a screeching halt inside the classroom entrance. His eyes widened as he saw Ashylnn and Ambel already in their seats. "I'm gonna make a stab in the dark and guess that I'm late," he said as he walked to his seat nervously.

Zathure sighed, "Perseus what is your explanation this time," she asked strained from asking him this way to many times.

"Okay, well then, I'm not alone then. I'm really sorry. I wasn't doing it on purpose! It's really easy to mix up the numbers on a digital clock when you have dyslexia," said Perseus, fingers crossed under his desk that ms. Zathure wasn't to annoyed with him.

"Do you need to borrow an analogue clock? I have one you can use for a bit," she gestured to her desk.

Seeing Ambel's "hidden expression" she said, "No I am not joking, however we should probably get back on topic"

"That would be great! Thanks Ms. Zathure," Perseus gave an inner sigh of relief. He was so glad he wasn't being marked down for being tardy.

"But, I'll need a volunteer today so since you were kind enough to be tardy, you volunteered yourself for the role" Zathure said with a small smile

"Yes Ambel?"

Perseus nodded agreeably. "Fair enough. What do you want me to do?"

"If you say so. The world wars were lengthy wide spread catastrophes millions died in each and the total casualties for the three combined almost hit a billion. That is a third of the current population. Imagine your dorm. Fourteen of those people. Dead or injured."

"Oh and Perseus, the volunteer is for later. We may not get to it this class but you will be called later," Zathure answered

"sure, whatever works for you. I don't mind. And that's a LOT of dead people!" mused Perseus.

"Yes Perseus it is. The first was caused by alliances between countries and a killing of a leader. When the Austrian archduke was killed by a Serbian, what would have been a simple war between countries exploded into a war throughout the world as one allied group fought another," Zathure lectured

"And Ambel, do you have a question?"

"I do Ms. Zathure," said Perseus raising his hand.

"You looked a little lost," Zathure tried to get Ambel to ask her question that she could see in her eyes

"Think about Ambel and Perseus, what is it?"

"Pardon me I meant to say think about it Ambel. Perseus what is your question?

"What are the people in those countries doing now? Did they recover? Are they close to the NAC?" Perseus wanted to know more about this catastrophic war.

"Perseus, the war I am currently speaking of happened over 500 years ago."

"Ambel, you look lost, what don't you understand?"

Perseus looked puzzled. "but we're still here, soooo, wouldn't they still be around somewhere, wherever those "countries" are?"

"Perseus if you have another question, please wait a moment."

"I am going to explain the concept and if any of you have a question feel free to interrupt"

"No Ambel further explanation will probably help all of you and my statement remains feel free to interrupt" Zathure explained calmly

"Hundreds of years ago, before NAC, before Fotavis, there were many countries, each was almost completely separate from the next. Each country was ruled by a different person. Make sense?" Zathure lectured

"Good. You do know what war is correct?" Zathure double checked

"Are you sure? What confused you that you finally understood?" Zathure made sure she was caught up

"Okay I will make sure that I will talk slower and make sure everyone understands more often. Okay with you?" Zathure asked

Ash sat in awe. It was hard to imagine anything besides Fotavis. How could so many countries with multiple people ruling at once? It seemed impossible.

"I'll take that as a yes, and back to the lesson. These countries numbered up to the hundreds. Some giant, bigger than Fotavis. Some tiny, smaller than NAC. But they each ruled independently from most of the other countries." Zathuee explained

The bell (?) rang signaling end of the class. "Time did fly this time, Homework: ponder the pros and cons of having so many individual countries and leaders. One each please and it doesn't need to be written just have it in your head. We will continue our lesson on World War 1 next class. Goodbye," Zathure called out as the class left her room.

Ash gave Zathure a small wave and a smile before leaving.

Zathure gave a sigh of relief, everyday seemed just like the first, except she had someone watching her, learning, instead of the other way around

Zathure suddenly remembered something. She pressed a button on her desk and clearly stated, "Perseus Jackson to Mrs. Zathure's class. Repeat Perseus Jackson to Mrs. Zathure's class. Please note he is not in trouble." Her message echoed through the halls from the PA system.

Perseus poked his head back into the classroom. "I'm hoping that since I'm not in trouble, it's something good..."

"I forgot to give you this" Zathure said grabbing the clock and giving it to him, "Don't lose it or else."