The feeling of being watched, being examined for weakness or flaw--this was a familiar one to the Tailor. They'd passed the point where their master checked every cut and stitch half a year ago, and earlier than that there'd been the scrutiny of children, and of adults, and of the barrister, and of many, many others.
This was to say nothing of the way predators watched those they suspected to be prey. Hunting had taught them what it felt like to be watched by those creatures. It was only a slightly different sensation, but one could learn to tell the difference. Which was why it was jarring to feel this second type of sensation, to look up, and to meet the eye of their esteemed professor.
The Tailor did not blink, because experience had taught them not to blink in the face of that second type of stare (a blink is all it would take for teeth to be at throat) but their shoulders did tense. The Academic's expression was bordering on hostile. Oh good, their professor had decided to hate them on sight. This was shaping up to be an excellent first day of class, wasn't it? Fantastic.
Instinct kept them from breaking eye contact, so peligin stayed locked on the single exposed eye, before the Tailor said, in a voice that was far too light, "Professor, I couldn't help noticing there isn't an atomizer by the podium. What will you do if the board catches fire? Have we got--Excuse me, do someone have permission to douse you?"
It was meant to be a joke first, and an excuse for the Academic to look to the front of the class second to break the thread of tension. Someone else to aim the ire at, preferably. Oh, what had they done to get on the professor's bad side so immediately?
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Re: Lecture
Date: 2025-06-10 09:03 pm (UTC)This was to say nothing of the way predators watched those they suspected to be prey. Hunting had taught them what it felt like to be watched by those creatures. It was only a slightly different sensation, but one could learn to tell the difference. Which was why it was jarring to feel this second type of sensation, to look up, and to meet the eye of their esteemed professor.
The Tailor did not blink, because experience had taught them not to blink in the face of that second type of stare (a blink is all it would take for teeth to be at throat) but their shoulders did tense. The Academic's expression was bordering on hostile. Oh good, their professor had decided to hate them on sight. This was shaping up to be an excellent first day of class, wasn't it? Fantastic.
Instinct kept them from breaking eye contact, so peligin stayed locked on the single exposed eye, before the Tailor said, in a voice that was far too light, "Professor, I couldn't help noticing there isn't an atomizer by the podium. What will you do if the board catches fire? Have we got--Excuse me, do someone have permission to douse you?"
It was meant to be a joke first, and an excuse for the Academic to look to the front of the class second to break the thread of tension. Someone else to aim the ire at, preferably. Oh, what had they done to get on the professor's bad side so immediately?