Event: The Talk Part 4, The Quest for Knowedge

[Event !]

In which Dr. Neville wants to keep up the pattern from last year and avoid any major incidents.

This event is open only to students age thirteen and above, and a few staff from the school officials or teaching staff. If your character is a senior, the event is mandatory, but you do not have to post. It will just be assumed that your character attended and didn't do anything noteworthy while there.

By all means, enjoy yourselves.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Last year had gone well; there had been no major incidents, and awkward moments had been minimal. Sean expected that there would be awkward moments when he gave this lecture. After all, the culture of the United States had an unhealthy relationship with sex, particularly with accurate descriptions of sexual relationships and with gender and power dynamics. He was also old enough to be the father of every single student, although he wasn’t yet at the grandfather mark, not with how family planning occurred with the Neville clan.

There was only so much that he could do to minimize awkwardness. He could minimize pranks and cruelty, and to that end, he had requested a security presence at the doors, as well as having Cee monitor the technology this year. As always, he had a few faculty volunteers as well, to aid him in keeping an eye on the students, as he would have other tasks ahead of him.

Considering the questions that he had received in his question box, this would be an interesting lecture. Several of the students seemed emboldened, but not in a disrespectful way. The psychiatrist had hopes that this lecture would go smoothly, and he intended to everything in his power to ensure that while simultaneously imparting wisdom and treating the students like mature adults while remaining mindful of the fact that they were, in fact, minors, some of whom were sheltered and had little, if any, experience in these matters.

To that end, he was prepared for the Talk. As he did every year, he had placed the anonymous question box outside of his door for the week before the lecture was scheduled. He had then sorted them, the serious and the absurd, and had copied down the serious questions to be answered during the question and answer portion of the lecture. He had prepared his slides and updated his materials in anticipation of the lecture, which would focus a bit more on non-traditional relationship arrangements than he had in previous years, based on general interest. He wanted the students to receive the most accurate information possible, while being non-judgmental of their developing needs and inclinations and while properly warning them of potential dangers. There had been unplanned pregnancies last year. He didn’t want the students to have to cope with unplanned pregnancies, which was why he provided free contraception to anyone who wanted it.

Today, he had cleared his schedule of appointments and had arrived at the auditorium early to set up and to conference with the other chaperones. While it had been very hot and there had been a draught this summer, rain had come through to cool the temperatures a bit. That called for actually wearing suit jacket. The students arrived, the seniors to satisfy their graduation requirement and others thirteen years and older by their choice, some from curiosity, others from boredom, and others from peer pressure.

Stepping onto the stage, he tapped the microphone attached to his shirt to test it, and then, satisfied, he turned to the audience to begin. “For those of you who may not know me, I’m Doctor Neville. Let’s talk about sex.”

He set up the first slide, the one of standard female and male anatomy. It was always necessary to cover the basics. He then continued, “Some of you are veterans of this lecture, but for others this is your first time. As such, I will say this once. There will be no euphemisms or slang in this lecture. I don’t want to hear anyone say ‘boobs,’ ‘tits, ‘thing, ‘pole,’ ‘lady parts,’ ‘meat,’ ‘dick,’ ‘cock,’ ‘pussy,’ ‘twat,’ ‘balls,’ ‘jizz’ or anything similarly crude. If you are old enough to be here, you are old enough to speak like an adult when discussing this subject.”

The psychiatrist stepped back to make sure that everyone could see the slides clearly. “Additionally, many of you have either heard rumors or were privy to last year’s lecture. As I’m sure you’ve all been warned, none of that behavior will be tolerated. Particularly in a lecture about the importance of respecting ourselves and one another’s boundaries and comfort.” Between that and the administrative warnings, he believed that was enough on the subject, and they could move on to the prepared material.

“Is anyone here unfamiliar with basic mechanics of anatomy? If not, you can think loudly and let me know that way, rather than speaking aloud. There’s no shame in not knowing the basics. But, if everyone is familiar with that, we can do a truncated lesson in basics and move on.”

[Jayden "Jay" Hersch]

The Talk. Ooh, the Talk. Jay remembered his experience quite well, about six years ago. He had been totally embarrassed at the time, especially considering how much he was questioning his sexuality, but he could now look back on his memory with a laugh at just how nervous he had been about it. And now, having been back at Hammel to work for nearly a year, he had decided to volunteer for the event. Why not? He had quite a bit of experience, and he wanted to make it as easy on Dr. Neville as he could manage. If he could keep some kids from misbehaving, he would have done his job.

What he wasn't expecting, however, was for Zack to volunteer too.

Now they were both standing to the side of the auditorium, listening as Dr. Neville began his speech. Jay was trying his best to watch the audience for any potential troublemakers, but his eyes kept drifting down. Zack was standing in front of him, facing away, and Jay's attention kept faltering because he couldn't keep his gaze off of his roommate's beautiful backside, made ever so much more distracting by the tight jeans he had on.

Don't think about having sex with Zack, don't think about having sex with Zack... He knew the psychiatrist would be listening in on people's thoughts, but as much as the trainer was trying to avoid thinking about pushing Zack against the wall and taking him right then and there, it just wasn't working. He had enough tension and frustrations around his roommate as it was - having to be near him while an older gentleman discussed sex and similar topics was just pure torture.

He heaved out a breath, making himself look back to the audience. "Um, so, I don't see any potential trouble so far," he muttered to Zack, hoping to keep his mind off of dirtier subjects by talking to his friend. Yeah, like that would help.

[Mia Bell]

Mia sat in one of the rows in the middle of the auditorium. She didn’t need to be here, unlike last year.. She had graduated this past year, except she was still at Hammel because of her training. Dr. Neville had given her quite a few choices to make about what she could do now, though the one the stuck out the most was the internship choice. However, she was still thinking about it, she wondered if River could help her decide. The boy had quickly become her best friend, and right now, he was her only peer to talk to. The only reason why she was here, was because of her one question…

Sean started talking, only about the basics, who he was, and what they shouldn’t call certain body parts, and how bad behavior won’t be tolerated. She sat back, waiting for the actual lecture to begin.

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

Monroe sat back in his chair at the auditorium. Come the fall he was going to be a senior here and the talk was mandatory for him so he had to be here. Of course the topic was about sex and while Monroe wasn't oblivious, he really didn't feel like being around a bunch of teenagers while Dr. Neville went on about sex and hormones and urges. Some were bound to be so immature and others were bound to fall asleep in their chairs and Monroe really didn't feel like falling into someone's dreams especially if sex is what happened to be on their mind at the moment.

So he sat there, apathetically, hoping that it would go by fast and that nobody would decide to take a random nap. He was tired enough and knew that he had visible bags under his eyes. It took all he could not to shut his eyes sometimes.

[Deleted]

Brooke stepped in like she owned the place, or like a Russian soldier, marching with her arms and legs taut and her chin held high. Long threads of red hair flew behind her as she walked aaaaaalllllllll the way up to the front and then aaaaaaaalllllllllllllll the way back to the back, turning around like she was a puppy trying to find a comfortable spot to sit before, finally, she found a seat 3 quarters to the back and flopped down into the aisle seat, hanging her legs over the arm of the chair.

This was the third time Brooke had attended this lecture and this year she came again, as she did before, for the entertainment of seeing the kids around her fluster and blush at the words "penis" and "vagina". She gave Sean, Doctor Neville, a little wave with a beaming smile as she waited for him to start talking about sex and condoms.

[River Tseung]

River, for once, was not his usual bouncy, energetic self. Instead, he had his hands in his pockets and kept his head down a bit as he entered the auditorium, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. He had avoided attending the Talk until now, but since he would be graduating the following year, he was required to come now. It wasn't that he didn't know about sex or was extremely naive - the subject just made him uncomfortable, mostly because he was a little uncertain of his own sexuality.

Well, he knew he liked girls. He just didn't know how much drive he had to be with them... That way, sometimes. That's why he had submitted a question to Dr. Neville, and he really hoped the psychiatrist would answer his question.

He spotted Mia's pink hair in the crowd, and immediately winced. Especially after his talk with Zack, he was becoming more aware of his growing feelings for her, and the fact that she was here at a talk about sex was the only reason he didn't run right over to her and plop down. He didn't know what he would do if his thoughts turned to... Less than pure images. It just wasn't his thing. So instead, he tried to remain invisible as he found a spot to sit some distance from her, pretending not to have noticed her. He felt absolutely terrible, but he was just so out of his comfort zone at the moment, he couldn't force himself to greet her.

[Eloise Eaton]

It was only Eloise's 3rd day at Hammel, and she was required to go to an assembly about sex. When she had received the email that the talk was mandatory for her and all other seniors she had already begun dreading it. And now, sitting with her arms crossed over her chest, and her eyes focused downward in an isle seat. She tried very hard to block out the immature (although sometimes humorus) thoughts and just focus on getting through the assembly without a migraine.

Ella had gotten good at putting up mental blocks, but in a room full of people thoughts were bound to slip through. And so far, Ella was being made increasingly uncomfortable by a nearby teacher who was thinking about having sex with his colleague and a girl behind her with a huge ego. She was extremely entertained by the kids who were embarrassed to hear the words 'penis' and 'vagina'. And somewhere in the crowd a guy was daydreaming about having sex with his girlfriend in the janitorial closet. Eloise sank down in her chair and rubbed circles into her temples with the pads of her fingers. She wasn't sure she'd be able to handle the full lecture.

[Deleted]

This oughta be good. Phen had a harsh smirk on his face as he entered the auditorium, his arm wrapped over Kam's shoulder as he gazed around the gathering students. Random colors danced in his vision, along with sporadic shapes and patterns crawling along the floor and ceiling. He was, of course, hallucinating as usual, and he could only imagine just how interesting it would make the Talk.

He had attended them in the past out of curiosity and boredom, and so this wouldn't be the student's first time. However, he did hope there would be some sort of ruckus that occurred, and he wouldn't mind being the cause of it if things got a little too dull. He didn't exactly have a plan in mind, but it wouldn't be difficult for him to come up with something if the opportunity presented itself.

Phen let his heavy-lidded eyes scan for someone to sit by that he thought he would be able to make uncomfortable. "Hey, whadaya think about sittin' there?" he asked Kam with a wide grin, motioning towards a blonde girl that was already looking tired and uncomfortable, if her rubbing her temples meant anything. With his girl's consent, they made their way towards the student in question, where Phen plopped down unceremoniously beside her and kept his arm snaked around Kam, only now it had dropped to her waist. He rubbed her side and smirked, purposefully trying to show as much physical affection between the two of the just to make others uncomfortable. "I'm goin' t' take you back to my room after this," he murmured in Kam's ear, giving her a possessive nuzzle.

[Kamillia Engel]

Kamillia walked into the Auditorium with Phoenix, they had decided earlier that they were going to go together. Which was fine with Kam, she had to go to this thing, she was a senior; at least with Phen there, it might actually be fun. Maybe she wouldn’t even fall asleep, because really, she knew everything she needed to know about sex, she didn’t need some old guy telling her about it. If Phen did try something, Kam was up for doing whatever it was with him, she wouldn’t mind making this talk a little more entertaining.

Kam nodded, and shrugged “Sure” She really didn’t care where they sat. But she couldn’t help but be weirded out by how that girl was acting…She rolled her eyes, that girl must have to be there then if she was staying while that uncomfortable. Kam waved to the girl who was now sitting next to Phen, of course he would want to sit next to someone other than her, it gave him another ‘victim’ so to speak. As for Phen’s obvious displays of affection, Kam kind of liked them, however she was still a little surprised. She was use to his PDA of course, but figured he would try to be looking for someone else to play with, and wouldn’t be giving her this much attention like this. “Me?” She smirked “I’m flattered and can’t wait. Though I kind of figured you would look for someone else.” She winked at him; of course she would love to go back to his room with him.

[Deleted]

There was no way in hell that Oriel would admit to coming to this lecture for mere sake of learning more about sex and sexual practices. Nope, he was here today under the guise of wanting to be his ornery self and try to disrupt the Maester of Intimacy with outrageous thoughts...like a lot of other kids were probably going to do. Hell, the kid would've had a better cover if Madison had come with him, but....nah, while it might be a pastime the older boy would enjoy, he doubted the reclusive asshole would care for the crowd. Still, Oriel would save a seat for him in case he decided to show, though he was certain even if Madison did, he would probably take a seat somewhere else.

After all, it wasn't like they were friends or anything.

Oriel didn't have many questions, there was little about sex he didn't know. Not since before he came to Hammel and asked his wannabe porn-star friend(Ok she didn't want to be a porn-star) to teach him. And now he'd gotten himself into a completely different kind of sexual relationship than he ever expected and, well, questions needed to be asked. After all, there was only so much he could learn from Youtube videos, especially on the content filtered server at the library. And damn him if he ever thought asking Madison to look it up for him was a good idea, that was just an invitation for mutiny from the other boy.

Oriel took a seat on the left side of the auditorium, towards the back, but far enough up to be noticed by the lecturer.

[Lyra Caruso]

Lyra watched the start of the lecture with visible boredom. She was pretty sure she already received The Talk before by her parents, however, this was mandatory to attend. Her eyes shift to the left and right of her, surveying those sitting around her. Some were paying attention, a lot were not and a few juvenile ones snickering or outright blushing at the Doctor-thing's uses of slang.

God, as if they never heard any of those words before.

Lyra rolled her eyes: anatomy. Who the hell does not know anatomy at this point? She sinks in her seat and sighed in annoyance, hoping that something interesting will come up. Personally, she had nothing to ask or say so it feels like a wait. Worst of all, no one around her seemed too interesting to converse with as of yet. This was going to be the longest talk ever.

"He better not forget trannies in all this, they need love too."

[Deleted]

Junpei had no idea what he was getting himself into. He had heard there was a lecture going on today, but he didn't really know what it was supposed to be about(darn this language barrier!). But he figured that it would be good for him to show up and pick up as much listening practice as he could get before classes officially started up again.

Junpei kicked his skateboard up as he approached the building with the auditorium and headed inside. The boy still didn't have many friends, and so wasn't sure where to sit. But since he needed to hear and see(he had to wear glasses sometimes, much to his dismay), Junpei supposed it would be better to sit close to the front.

As he thought, Junpei was having trouble understanding the what this whole lecture was about, though he was sure he heard the word "sex" in the lecturer's opening statement. Was this some sort of biology lecture? It wasn't really a subject he was interested in. Maybe he should leave before things got too far in. It'd be disruptive if Junpei tried to leave right in the middle of the lecture.....maybe he'd stay just a little longer, he decided.

[Yue Hirai]

Yue didn't need to be at The Talk, not for another year. At first she hadn't been interested in going, having no reason to listen to an old guy talk about sex. She hadn't really been taught anything about the subject before, so most of what little she knew had been learned from class and the internet. However, she began to realize that she was probably less knowledgeable about the topic than most people her age (because these days, a lot of sixteen-year-olds already knew way more than they should from personal experience, in her opinion). And, realizing that, she decided she needed to learn more. Because, the competitive girl she was, she didn't like being behind in anything.

So now the small girl was stepping into the auditorium, looking around curiously to see if she saw anyone she knew. She saw a couple girls from the track team that she wasn't really close with, and walked past them to find another place to sit. Her eyes fell on a familiar face from a few days ago, close to the front of the audience. It was Junpei! He looked a little lost, and Yue had to wonder how much of everything he was actually understanding. Taking pity on the guy, she quietly sat next to him, giving his shoulder a small nudge.

"Hey," she whispered to keep from attracting attention. "Good to see you again... Even though this isn't exactly the best of places to do so," she added with a quiet, embarrassed chuckle. Dr. Neville had begun speaking, and she looked at the psychiatrist for a moment before glancing at Junpei again. "Do you know what's going on?" she had to ask.

[Mia Bell]

Mia saw River walk in, and she instantly lit up, she felt a little weird sitting by herself, granted it was a sex talk she was going to feel weird regardless. But at least now she wouldn’t feel alone, everyone was sitting next to someone, and she was all alone. She hadn’t known River was going to come to this, and if she had she might have asked to go together. Even so he was still there, she waved to him, but frown at the realization that he hadn’t seen her. She sat back in her chair and looked at the ground. She kind of felt stupid for waving now, of course he hadn’t seen her; she really wasn’t sure why he thought he would have. Although, she couldn’t help but watch as he sat next to someone else, and there was a slight jealousness in her that wanted to be that person he was sitting next to. She looked at the ground, and started to play with her shirt. She had no clue what she was feeling or why she was even feeling anything, this really shouldn’t have been a big deal, but she was making it one… Mia sighed, and looked back to Dr. Neville, yet she couldn’t help but glance at River, a lot.