You Better Have Done Your Reading...

[arcadianvampire]

Who: Valvatorez and You
What: [A] Lecture Time! or [B] Office Hours! Join Valvatorez for one of his (in)famous lectures in Daemon Defense, though before the Practical classes have begun. Alternatively, if you're seeking academic help, have a question, or want to get to know one of hte professors, you can reach him at his office hours. Faculty are welcome to both attend his lecture or come to his office. His door's open to everyone.
When: ....Whenever in January fits.
Where: The classroom, or Valvatorez's office
Warnings: Lots of ham, most likely. And Defense Against Vampires and Daemons Class.



[A: The Lecture]

[To those who are attending the class for the first time, many of the rumors you might've heard about this class quickly turn out to be true: Valvatorez hands out a syllabus to anyone attending his class, and it's packed. The homework demands are pretty rough, requiring quite a lot of reading outside of class, and if people are considering the practical portion of the class, there's even more. Worse, the works are that much more difficult to digest at the higher level. Breakdowns of the lectures are included in the syllabus as well... but with a proviso that information might change on a moment's notice. And being a Daemon, this is not an idle threat: rumors will have persisted about Valvatorez changing lecture subject matter entirely, and while it seems like a whim, it's actually more calculated than that. In truth, it's his way of ensuring his students are not inclined to skip his class.

If this happens to not be the first class of the term, the lecture will start going over the required reading very early... and Valvatorez will be quick to keep an eye out for weakness: students who have not done the reading will find themselves singled out to answer questions unless their poker face is perfect. He will not be making deductions for lack of performance in class yet, but he definitely keeps notes as to who might be slacking or simply falling behind.

For the lecture's part, Valvatorez is quite an orator, and delivers his class with intensity and a controlled enthusiasm. If there's one thing you cannot accuse him of, it's being dry or boring. Peppered throughout his lecture include personal anecdotes and experience; actually useful bits of information, given the context. While the early part of the lecture might come off as more stern, this part has him more at ease, so long as no one's causing trouble. You're not causing trouble, are you?]

So then, I hope you have all learned something valuable today. Remember, what vampires are weak to can vary greatly from instance to instance: some are vulnerable to sunlight, some are not. Some can be turned by religious imagery, others, like myself, will simply laugh at you if you try it. The required reading for the next class will cover these differences in greater detail, and because vampires are such dangerous and cunning foes, you would do well to read and reread the section. Make flashcards or a mnemonic device for them if you must. Anything it takes to help you retain this information.

And importantly, if you are confused, do not be afraid to come to my office hours and ask for additional instruction. My door is open for a reason.

[He then quietly claps his hands in front of him.]

Now then, are there any questions? And do not be shy. If you do not ask, I cannot help you.


[B]

[Valvatorez's office hours are posted, and as promised, while he is present in his office, his door is open. The inside of it is filled with several bookcases, stuffed to the brim with magical tomes, grimoires, Hunter manuals, monstrous bestiaries, scientific journals, and scientific books on the ocean and marine biology. The aesthetic of the office might not appear terribly inviting however, as it is... well, somewhat Gothic in nature, including... well, gargoyles, mounted on the walls and magical torches that burn with smokeless and heatless flame. In front of his desk sat three large, stuffed chairs with bright red fabric; they actually looked comfortable, though the backs of the chairs appeared to sprout carved bat wings made of a dark wood. His own chair, though, was reasonably sized, with a back shaped more like a coffin sprouting similar wings.

Mounted in various places around the room include several trophies of dead monsters; often skulls of fantastic, dangerous beasts that are known to terrorize humans that Valvatorez doubtlessly brought down. There was even what appeared to be a dragon skull mounted above his desk. ...Though it was truthfully just a replica, as the original was too large and too valuable to keep for a trophy when the Academy had more use for it.

Suffice it to say, his office was truly as extra as he was. But he liked it that way, and he wasn't going to change it for anyone. The only thing seemingly out of place is a surprisingly plain assortment of soft drinks and bags of snacks in a basket on the corner of his desk. ...That, and the floor-to-ceiling cylindrical aquarium filled with sardines and other fish in the rear portion of his office. What? You didn't think he'd have something like that?

Upon someone coming into the door, Val's red eyes would dart from the book he was reading and meet his visitor squarely... and with it, a surprisingly sincere, if small, smile.]

Ah, hello! Do come in, and have a seat, and help yourself to something in the basket, if you would like.

Comments

B

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya pokes his head into the door first, waiting for Valvatorez's offer before he comes in all the way and closes the door behind him.] Thank you.

[He sits in one of the opposite chair, hands folded in his lap and much shyer than he normally is.] Um, Professor Valvatorez, I had some questions not... about the class, but about daemons still. You know a lot about them, right?

[arcadianvampire]

[The vampire's eyebrow raises in curiosity slightly, but not in such a way to suggest he was remotely put off by the question. No, instead, he actually gave the young man a sincere, almost sympathetic look.]

Certainly do. I am one, after all, and I've been around the block more than once over the centuries.

What's troubling you, Yuya?

[hippocarnival]

Is it possible for someone to have a contract and not know about it? [Yuya starts slow, brow furrowing uncertainly.] Maybe if they forgot or... someone else did it?

[arcadianvampire]

[His expression darkens into something more serious, his finger raising up to rest in front of his ear.]

It's very possible, yes. Daemons will strike all kinds of deals and contracts that they think they can get away with. In some cases, it's not unheard of for a contract to be brokered between a daemon and another individual over an unwilling or unknowing individual, if they have some measure of authority over them. And sometimes agreements in the contract may cause the Contracted to contract amnesia of the deal... rare, but daemons who are especially particular may attempt it.

It's a ghastly practice. Proud daemons shun that sort of thing, but there are others who would gladly take advantage.

[His expression softens into something closer to concern, and his tone grew quieter.]

Do you suspect something like that happened to someone?

[hippocarnival]

[If they have some measure of authority...

Yuya worries over his lip, sinking back in is seat.] I--might? How would you know if that's what it is?

[A: The Lecture]

[yokeye]

[Toki very much enjoys Valvatorez's outlandish tangents and dramatic lecturing, and that's the only reason he ever shows up. He has not done any of the required reading, nor looked at any of the syllabi distributed. Valvatorez may have already covered this in an earlier class, or in the current lecture even, but if it isn't part of an interesting anecdote, he hasn't been paying attention.]

The midterms are multiple choice, right!?

[He may or may not have actually signed up for this class. There's a strong possibility he entered the wrong room once and just kept coming back.]

[arcadianvampire]

[Valvatorez turns his eyes toward Toki, and just offers him an evil sounding laugh before giving him an answer.]

Mystery's part of the fun, isn't it? You'll just have to find out yourself.

[Truth of it was, that question is answered in the syllabus: they are not. They're short answer or essay. Valvatorez doesn't much care for multiple choice because a 25 or 20 percent chance to get lucky doesn't happen on the battlefield. There's a lesson even in that too.]

[yokeye]

Mystery would indeed be part of the fun under normal circumstances; I do grant you~! However, causing undue stress to students over something as insignificant to you as test formats is an unnecessary cruelty in these trying times as we approach the Nightfall~! It does nothing to better prepare your pupils, only tragically causes them to allot more of the precious little time they have left in this world to studying~! It's a travesty~!

[arcadianvampire]

[Oh, so it was going to be one of those kinds of things.

Valvatorez quickly drops the playful act.]

Lad, I am sure you are familiar with the fable of the ants and the lazy grasshopper. If you wish to die when Nightfall arrives because of lack of proper preparation, that is your prerogative.

Stop attempting to scaremonger your fellow students into the idea that failure is inevitable when the Night falls. Proper study and preparation will see you through so you may see the sunrise afterward. I have given you the tools you need to succeed. Use them.

[yokeye]

[He has no idea what the ants and the grasshopper fable is.]

I wouldn't consider it scaremongering so much as a realistic approach for those of us who will very likely perish in the upcoming war~! I have made my peace with that inevitable failure, as I'm sure several other students here have also done! Is it not unwise to build up their confidence with the idea that schoolwork can save lives!?

B

[spelleton]

[ There's a polite knock on the door, more like an announcement of his presence than an indication Valvatorez should get up and open it; Ekkehardt's quietly opening the door with a folder in hand. ]

Professor Valvatorez.

I've written up your official lesson plans for the next few weeks. Feel free to look over them and make corrections as you see fit.

[ Valvatorez's style of teaching is unpredictable, training students to pay attention no matter what the situation, but the amount of paperwork it takes is a little more than usual.

Considering the small stack of paper he's got in his hands for 'the next few weeks', it's a substantial amount of 'more than usual'.

He's going to...uh, try to find a place to put this among Valvatorez's belongings where it won't get lost. ]

It amazes me how you managed to fit gargoyles in here among everything else. [ It's half muttered, but he knows the professor's hearing is good, so he wouldn't have said it if he hadn't meant for it to be overheard. ]

[arcadianvampire]

[The daemon offers Ekkehardt a smile when he comes in with the lesson plans, and he rises from his seat to approach.]

Ah, you have my thanks. You're as punctual as ever, Ekkehardt.

And it was much easier getting the gargoyles in here thanks to some shrinking runes. I must commend the runesmiths, they do impeccable work.

[spelleton]

[ He's just handing over the folder rather than visibly puzzle about where to even put it. ]

I'd be a poor assistant if I couldn't even do this much on time. [ Ekkehardt has standards in some areas that even the usual run of perfectionists might sort of shy away from, but it's fine, probably. He applies them only to himself, anyway. ]

That...makes sense. Sometimes I forget runes can be used for more practical applications, not just what I'm used to. [ Daybreak is simultaneously more mundane than he's used to and exactly the kind of environment he can thrive in to do his job. ]

How are your students settling in, Professor? Are they taking the lessons well?

[arcadianvampire]

[Even if Ekkehardt's habits and standards would be... unhealthy, for some, Valvatorez appreciated the dedication, and he was never afraid to show that. If it made him happy and wasn't self-destructive, that was all that mattered.]

The usual growing pains still apply. The occasional class clown, the ones who space out, and the ones who shirk their responsibilities. Nothing too far out of the ordinary; they'll either straighten up soon or they'll either fail or drop.

[Not that the latter was something Valvatorez was proud of. He did work very hard to make sure his students wouldn't fail, but even he had his limits. If the student didn't want to improve, there was only so much he could do.]

...I've got my eye on a couple of students who look like they're trying, but might be falling behind already. Slower learners, perhaps, or ones that might need specific counsel. Again, nothing too far out of the ordinary yet.

The only wildcard is this boy who does not appear on my class roster, but he has shown up to both major lectures. Bit of a troublemaker and a strange lad, but so far he's proven ultimately harmless.

[spelleton]

[ He simply nods, at that. Teaching is hard work, and if students don't want to learn, sometimes it's better to let them go...not that it wasn't a disappointment, of course.

He has to think about the possible student's identity, but since he's sort of nebulously around for most people's classes, it doesn't take long. (Plus, Toki's loud chatter is unmistakeable.) ]

Ah. [ He snaps his fingers as if to recall the memory through the motion. ] That would be Toki Rikugou, I believe. He's [ there's a slight pause as he thinks through the events of the last week or so ] rather eccentric, but I don't believe he means any harm.

[ That last part is said in a sort of 'well it probably won't kill you' sort of way.

Meaning harm and doing harm are, naturally, two different things. ]

A -- after class

[subconmodo]

[Though he waits until the last student has filed out of the room to make his presence known, Avery is certain that Valvatorez knows that he's been there the whole time. Despite his annoying eccentricities, the daemon is good at what he does. Very good.

Especially at making his students squirm.

It's just what Avery needs to see, especially after the hell that was that recent mission. Nothing quite like a little schadenfreude in the morning.]

I've gotta say, Val... No one here teaches quite like you do. You think they'd learn to pay attention by now.

[arcadianvampire]

[Naturally, Valvatorez knew Avery was lurking around his class; but like predicted, the vampire called no attention to it, simply because he knew there wouldn't be trouble. It wasn't the first time this had happened, and it certainly wouldn't be the last; not that the daemon even really minded at all.

As far as he was concerned, his colleagues were more than welcome in his classroom.

Val was finishing up gathering his materials and notes, and then turned to look at his visitor.]

One would think. It would definitely make the process for them much more painless. But weren't we all rebellious in youth? ...And some of us still are, I suppose.

[He slipped his binder of notes under his arm, and walked closer.]

[subconmodo]

[Was that a jab against him? He honestly couldn't tell. Probably better not to acknowledge it either way. Acting defensive would just slap s giant neon sign over his head.]

Rebellious or lazy. Maybe a little of both.

Makes for some great entertainment.

[arcadianvampire]

[Truthfully, it was more of a jab at both of them. Valvatorez did have a tendency to... work around rules, if it suited him, from time to time. A very lawful form of rebellion, if nothing else.]

Oh, it certainly does. Some of the rebellion is just... adorably quaint. Not that I'm against trying to assert oneself, but many think we haven't seen it before. Honestly.

...Though I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge some cleverness in some of these kids. They do keep getting smarter every year. I appreciate that.

A

[tiredcharmer]

Tyzias's hand shoots up. During the entirety of Valvatorez's lecture, she took pages and pages of notes at a furious pace, not making a peep of noise the entire time. But now she had questions. Best prepare yourself, teach, Tyzias is not going to go easy on you.

"What kinds of wood are optimized for making stakes? For vampires vulnerable to sunlight, would refracted and amplified sunlight focused through a magical aperture work, or is that too many steps far removed from sunlight? Similarly, hypothetically does Earth's sun have specific properties that combat certain vampires or would other stars also work? Do different vampire types have different origins? How quickly are most vampires able to close medium-to-long range sight distances? How many vampires have amplified magical ability? Would heavily daemon-tainted human blood be toxic to vampires?"

that sure is a lot of questions

[arcadianvampire]

It might be a lot of questions, but Tyzias will see the professor's eyes light up like a fire got lit beneath him.

"Oh ho, quite a lot to unpack there. All right, best get that note taking hand of yours ready."

A quick flourish of his cape gave her just a moment to make ready, before the vampire took a deep breath, and started quickly rattling off answers.

"Number One: The harder the wood, the better, though that sometimes makes stakes harder to produce. I am fond of simple Live Oak. Readily available, sturdy, reliable, and workable. Number Two: Typically, pure, non-directed sunlight is the most effective against vampires. Weaker ones may be vulnerable to directed sunlight, but straight sunlight is usually the most effective. Number Three: As we have not been to other planets, we have not yet been able to ascertain the effectiveness of other stars. Stars in the Outlands have no effect on most vampires, but the Sun here can. Nothing is conclusively proven, however, to indicate Earth's star being special, just that it works. Number Four: They absolutely do. I am both a vampire and a daemon, for example, so I am not the same as a vampire from a clan. And even then, vampires from clan to clan can vary significantly depending on the source of the vampirism, so yes, vampires can come from different origins with vastly different powersets. Number Five: It varies wildly based on powerset. You are best to assume they can move faster than you think they can. Almost all vampires possess some form of supernatural speed or agility, though how much is a variable. Number Six: Again, it strongly depends on their origin. Some are gifted with more magical talent than others, while others may inherit more brute strength. Some vampires have both in spades. However, if an individual possessed magical potential before turned, odds are, their abilities will be amplified as a vampire. Number Seven: Usually not. Vampires are born of either Blight or Daemonism, and thus, that sort of 'taint' is not anathema to them. However, speaking from experience, it does not usually taste as good. There's a reason why we prefer untainted humans if given a choice."

And that sure is a lot of answers.

A

[prisoneroffate]

[Ren will politely raise his hand and wait to be called on]

[arcadianvampire]

[Ah, well, this one's got enough manners not to blurt out in class. That wins points, not that Val really minds the outspoken ones most of the time. He spots Ren's raised hand and dramatically points to him.]

Yes, Ren? What is your question?

[prisoneroffate]

What are reliable ways to tell what a vampire is weak to?

[arcadianvampire]

Ah, that's a very good question, but it is incredibly difficult to answer succinctly.

[Valvatorez straightens up and paces a few steps to the side.]

The best thing you can rely on is experience and preparation; which is why there are so many readings on this subject. There are reasons why there are Hunter clans exclusively dedicated to hunting vampires: those two factors matter more than almost anything else, and are by far your most reliable tool.

In an ideal world, you will not confront a vampire without knowing exactly what you're up against. Unfortunately, the world isn't an ideal place.

[He frowns a bit, his expression turning a little dour.]

Very few vampires will strike if they believe the deck is stacked against them. Odds are, if the vampire you encounter appears to try to actively thwart you, you can assume they are in a position where they don't believe their weakness is in play. And there's a good bet you won't have it on you if they catch you unaware. Worse, especially skilled vampires will not telegraph important information about themselves.

At that point, it will be a battle of predators. And without knowledge, you will not have the advantage. However, the quickest way to expose the threat you might be dealing with is to try to force the vampires to use their supernatural abilities somehow. Knowing what they can do can help you deduce their weaknesses quickly, so long as you remember what vampires do what.

Assuming you survive.