Not So Light and Fluffy || Kiersa / Mikhail [Interview]

Mikki was all smiles and showmanship, even up to the point where the individual interviews got started. He slithered back and forth between his two pairs of students, clipboard in hand, scribbling notes and giving encouraging nods. This was his kingdom, his arena, his calling--a battlefield he knew far better than all the knowledge he had to teach in Support Studies. This was what he could bring to Heroism.

It was a class that was long overdue considering the disasters that had been wrought upon UA’s reputation since he’d begun work there. A year ago, he’d have not cared a fig what happened to the school, but Tsutsuji Hachi had brought him in, and turned him into a teacher, and by god, the students were going to learn before they caused another scandal with their callow, uncaring view of the world. It was unfortunate--he didn’t like putting students under pressure, but they’d signed up here for a reason; To become diamonds or coal. Or dropouts.

Mikki opened his first page, writing down “Chimera Roads/Keirsa” in flowing script at the head of his rubric, shaking his head in amusement. This was the pair he was most interested in--his protege (or one of them), and a challenge.

Unfair as it was to Keirsa, he was using her--forcing Chimera to confront her, to open himself to her, and ask questions of her, knowing both of them had battled not too long ago. She was a tool to chisel at his student’s weakness. Manipulative of him? Absolutely. But she’d drawn out Chimera’s bloodlust, and that was something he needed to handle before he could go pro. Her mere presence was likely to set his pupil on edge, which was what he wanted.

Still. Even if Keirsa was a tool in his hand, he didn’t intend to overlook her. He intended to grade, mentor, and evaluate both students fairly and precisely.

Both students had dressed appropriately, to their credit. Chimera had anticipated the trap hidden at the start of the lesson, and Keirsa had picked up the hint in his email that he expected everyone there to look like a hero.

Chimera started well, setting her at ease, and launched into the first question--basically an ice-breaker. That was fine. It set the dynamic.

He scribbled down a few more notes as Keirsa responded. That stutter really was awful. She could cure it through vocal lessons. However...it did lend a little charm. Maybe she could learn to use it. As she finished, he tapped his pen on his clipboard, and cleared his throat, slithering over.

“Not bad, Keirsa. You took something personal, and tied it into a broader concept of heroism--healing and helping people loved ones. That fits your image, and the personal touch grounds it.” Mikki said, opening with the good. None of it was a lie. He wasn’t one to mince criticism. “I won’t discuss your stutter--it’s charming in the right places, and vocal coaching is beyond the scope of this lesson. Learn to use it to your advantage, or train it out. If I were listening, however, I’d be interested why you chose hero studies, and not support.”

Mikki shrugged, no judgement in his question. He didn’t really care himself which class a student chose, but it was something to incite curiosity. “However, take a second longer to organize your thoughts--next time, start with the broad concept “I’m a hero, because I’ve been blessed with the power to heal--then make it personal--What you said about your father--and finally, repeat what you started with, and tie them together--about not wanting anyone to lose their loved ones. I’d be careful with words like “obligation” too. It’s a...courageous stance, but one that invite argument.”

Mikki paused, not sure he wanted to untangle his own thoughts on the matter, and wondering if he sounded too manufactured.

“I’m simply saying that if you were talking to someone hostile, they’d press you on that." He said, changing his voice to a sing-song, gossipy tone as he imitated a petty critic. “Do you think every quirker should try to act like a hero?! Are people being irresponsible by wasting their quirks!? Is she blaming the government for not letting people use their quirks?!'"

Mikki spread his hands in a helpless shrug.

"Of course, if you're trying to include a call to heroism in there, that's not the worst tactic. Just don't do it half-heatedly. Oh! And use the term "Pro Hero," I don't ever want people to think we don't consider doctors and nurses heroes. Just. With a smaller "H.""