Third incantation ϟ [video - day 357]

[albuquerque]

[Severus turns on the video feed, adjusts the angle a little - he's in one of the rooms in The Great Library - and clasps his hands together in front of him on the table. He has meticulously prepared himself for this announcement, right down to a list of points that he's written out that he wants to address. The list is laid out in front of him on the desk. It occurs to him to make the video filtered from the Dark Lord's prying eyes; he is not, however, addressing anything of a personal nature, and he knows the Dark Lord would find out the details of the school regardless.]

As some of you may recall, I made an announcement not too long ago concerning a proposal to establish a structured education system for the youth of Asgard. Due to… certain recent events [and by "certain events", he means being visited by the Gentlemen, not that he has any interest in discussing that matter], I experienced some setbacks in terms of organising things in a timely manner, hence the delay in my getting back to you all. However. A number of people expressed interest as a result of my last announcement and so I've decided to pursue with my proposal. The details I've worked out thus far are as followed:

[He pauses to glance down at the list. Just as he does so, a tall emu idly plods past behind him. It stops just short of disappearing from the video's field of vision; it cranes it long neck to preen its downy feathers.]

The library in Odin district was initially going to be the established location in which proposed structured lessons were to take place, however I've come to the conclusion that not only might that cause the library significant disruptions, especially once the school becomes busier and more active, it's quite probable that what the library has to offer in terms of functionality will become impractical. I have lodged a loan application with The Bank of Dvalin to be granted funding to either purchase or build a suitable school structure, and I'm pleased to say that said loan has very recently been approved. More details on this will be delivered at a later date. In the interim, classes will be conducted in the library but only as a transitory measure.

As for the school itself: given the diversity of educational backgrounds, all students will sit a standard across-the-board writing, comprehension and mathematics test. This will help me to determine what level each student is at, which will aid me in working out how best to cater for individual educational needs.

[Another referring glance down at his list.] Students will be sorted into Houses that directly correspond with the House in which they belong to in Asgard. Points will be allocated to individual Houses when students have demonstrated proficiency, success and excellence. Points will be deducted in the event of misconduct, tardiness or rule-breaking. The House that earns the most points in a given time will be rewarded with a prize. Again, more details concerning this will be delivered at a later date.

[Behind him, unbeknownst to him, the emu has stopped preening itself and has taken an interest in the video feed. It's slowly, curiously approaching over Severus' left shoulder, eyes sharply darting here and there. Severus pauses to turn the page of his list.]

A scope of subjects will be offered: literature and comprehension at remedial, general and extended levels; mathematics at remedial, intermediate and advanced levels; science-based subjects ranging from biology to herbolo--

[Suddenly, the screen is filled with nothing but a close-up of the emu's face. It's craning its head around Severus' arm and is pecking, rather determinedly, at his bracelet. (The emu has an irritating obsession with buttons, bracelets, jewellery and anything that looks like food. Which is basically everything.) Over the sound of the loud peck! peck-peck! peck!, Severus is impatiently berating the emu:]

Steven! Enough.

[He pushes the emu's head away with the back of his hand and shoots a sharp look off-screen at it.] Over there. Sit. [He remains glaring the emu for a long moment as it does as it's told. He finally looks back to the video.]

As I was saying, [another glance at the list to reorientate himself with what point he was on as he composes himself and quietly clears his throat] a range of subjects will be available, though it is only a preliminary list at the present time. I have plans to extend the spectrum of subjects offered.

Which brings me to my next point. As this is a venture I will unable to undertake on my own, I am putting forth a request for anyone who may be interested in teaching to approach me. I'm well aware that many here in Asgard have little, if not no teaching experience, and in any other situation I would strongly hesitate to hire anybody who is not qualified for the job. Unfortunately, we have little choice but to make do with what's available to us here in Asgard.

[Behind him, the emu has wandered back into view. It cocks its head towards the video, takes a cautious step closer, looks around, briefly preens its plumage, shakes its head, takes another step closer.]

I will therefore determine to the best of my ability, through interviews and peer observation of teaching methods, suitable teaching candidates. Bear in mind that, currently, all teaching positions will be voluntary; there will be no wage or salary until I'm in a position to be able to provide staff with regular, reliable pay.

On that note, however, if anyone is interested in pledging a donation towards school funding, be it a regular or a one-time donation, it would be most appreciated.

Now. With all that said, be you a prospective student, prospective teacher or interested in imparting a donation, I ask that you respond to this announcement--

[Standing directly behind him now, the emu boldly leans over and attempts to take a stabbing peck at one of the buttons on his tunic. Severus jerks back from the sudden and unexpected movement, a little startled, and the emu cranes its head in, this time to butt its head affectionately against Severus' cheek, wanting attention, from which Severus jerks back even further.] Not now, you wretched bird. I'm in the middle of--

[The feed suddenly cuts off; the last thing people will see just before it does is the emu's face looming in towards the bracelet to peck at it again, only to accidentally end the video transmission.]

[[OOC:
1. This is the ooc info post about the school! Please leave your character's name if they want to be a student at the school!
2. The ooc post I made about the school in which you can ask questions!
3. Unless specifically requested, all teacher interviews and peer observations will be handwaved, as I simply won't have time to role-play all of them; unless you want to consider your interaction with Snape in this post to be the interview, of course! More information on this here!
4. …I think that's everything. c:
5. OH. Unless threads are marked as private, or unless someone specifically says they don't want to be threadjacked, feel free to threadjack in this post!!]]

Comments

video

[liquidsky]

I'm responding.

[Read: I'm freaking you out and very eager to watch your reaction as I'm a sadistic troll.]

video

[albuquerque]

[For just a split second, it's almost as though Severus doesn't recognise who he's looking at. He's shocked at the sight of Barty Crouch Jnr. looking back at him to the point of blankness. And then, he tightens his jaw as a heavy sense of dread immediately follows in the wake of shock. Sick, cumbersome dread, which has him fixing Barty with a pinched but otherwise carefully schooled expression.]

You.

video

[liquidsky]

[He just nods in answer to that, his own face a careful mask of pleasant nothingness, as if talking to Snape doesn't put him anywhere near any edge, as if, in fact, they're old friends and talking is nothing unusual.]

We could be colleagues again.

video

[albuquerque]

[The smugness in that remark: we could be colleagues again. Barty seems so congenial, and yet Severus can just hear the smugness.

It's sinking in, too, that Barty appears to be the same age Severus last recalls seeing him: before he was escorted off to receive the Dementor's Kiss. This is not good. This is not good.

It's only by sheer force of habit that he manages to remain composed.]

Rather presumptive of you.

video

[liquidsky]

[That smugness is there, alright. In his posture, in the situation. In how he chose to make contact with an unsuspecting Snape instead of the other way round, how he took control and intends to keep it.]

That's a harsh judgment. Not presumptive, Severus. Merely hopeful. Finally we could work together without either of us pretending.

video

[albuquerque]

[The emu seems to pick up that something is wrong; it stands to vigilance at Severus' side and snaps its beak, attempting to get Severus' attention. Severus ignores it for the moment while he stares stonily at Crouch's face peering back at him with such artful satisfaction. He's not going to take the bait, and he can tell that Crouch is very much attempting to bait him.]

How long have you been here?

video

[liquidsky]

Did you miss me? [His eyes flicker to the emu, but he doesn't show much more than an eyebrow lifting slightly as a reaction.]

Long enough to take stock.

video

[albuquerque]

Hardly. You won't find anything of interest here.

private video

[liquidsky]

You really don't know me very well, do you?

private video

[albuquerque]

I know you well enough. That's all I need to know.

private video

[liquidsky]

See, I don't think that's true. I think I know you a lot better than you know me. And that is all I need.

[albuquerque]

[The problem is, he's not surprised Crouch thinks he knows Severus well enough. He successfully managed to pose as Mad-Eye for almost a year, after all; he became privy to many Order secrets as a result.

But Severus is not going to admit anything.]

I'm touched that you've been thinking of me. I truly am. [Said in a flat, snide tone.] Must be liberating, being able to think without your father doing it for you.

[liquidsky]

[Of course, a lot of Barty's insanity is tied to his father and the issues between them in one way or the other, but even so they were never really a weakness. Strengthening his convictions, making him more sure of his goals.

And now, his father is dead. He has killed him. He doesn't rise to the bait.]

Actually, my father never thought for me, he just tried to keep me from thinking. And when that didn't work, he tried to keep me from acting instead.

Quite reflective of his politics, really.

[albuquerque]

He should have left you to rot in Azkaban.

[liquidsky]

I might have agreed with you at times.

[albuquerque]

Do tell me you at least received the Dementor's Kiss before the gods were stupid enough to bring you to Asgard.

[liquidsky]

I was going to ask if I seemed particularly soulless to you, but then that seemed to just hand you a joke and I know how much humour pains you.

[albuquerque]

You've never had a soul to speak of, Crouch.

[liquidsky]

See? It's actually painful to listen to, too, I should have taken that into account.

Witty, Severus. Very witty.

[albuquerque]

You've wasted enough of my time. I have nothing of interest to discuss with you.

[Severus knows that's a lie - the Dark Lord is a matter of huge mutual interest, though for very different reasons. And it's not something he cares to get into conversation with Crouch about.]

[liquidsky]

You didn't tell me what I should teach yet.

[albuquerque]

What makes you think I'm going to hire you?

[liquidsky]

Why wouldn't you? I have teaching experience and, between us, what are a few murders on the record?

[albuquerque]

[Severus sets his jaw.]

I can think of quite a number of reasons.

[liquidsky]

[In answer to that, he smiles.]

I'd just love to hear all of them.