Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Folken Teaches the First Grade ❯ Folken Teaches the First Grade ( Chapter 1 )

Ramblings: Okay please don't kill me for writing this craziness; the idea just would not get out of my head. Yes I know this doesn't make sense, some things really don't make sense, but bear with me. All of the songs in the story are real, I had to sing one in my high school chemistry class. At least it isn't the chemistry Christmas Carols. As for the other songs I have no idea who came up with those and uh... may God have mercy on their souls. As for the children: I know some of these kids. Heck, I used to be some of these kids.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Escaflowne, they belong to Sunrise and Bandai Entertainment. Unfortunately I do own the crazy children and know some of them. Their names have been changed for their protection.

Italicized text = thoughts

Folken was walking to the 'Communications' room for his daily report to Lord Dornkirk. What was he going to say? Well basically the same thing he says everyday. "Yes I'm making steady progress on the Fortune's Blood(tm), No Dilandau hasn't burned down the (insert various location on the Vione), we will capture the Dragon, My Lord, blah, blah, blah."

While standing in front of the large projection screen, Folken mused about how traumatic his introduction to Zaibach was, but now it was the same crap everyday. How... ironic. Dornkirk appeared right on schedule, his wrinkly, crusty visage larger than life. Their conversation went exactly as expected-Well up to a certain point.

"Folken," Dornkirk called in his dry commanding voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Folken replied respectfully.

"It seems that one of the instructors in the Children's Center has taken ill."

"Do you want me to announce the cancellation of the class?" Folken asked.

"Heavens no! It would not do to have children running underfoot," Dornkirk exclaimed.

"Well I can have a substitute sent over-"

"No Folken, I wish for you to teach the class."

WHAT!?! "My Lord?" Folken asked diplomatically not blinking an eye.

"Folken, you were the most intelligent of the Madoushi, that is why you are now Strategos. I want the children to be taught by the best in their teachers stead," Dornkirk said, laying the praise on thick like peanut butter.

"Yes, My Lord," Folken acquiesced.

"Remember Folken everything leads to our Ideal Future and the children... are our future." With this said the image faded to black.

"This is going to be an experience," Folken said dryly. Sometimes I think that the Emperor throws that 'Ideal Future'(tm) phrase around way too often. Folken now resigned to his fate started his journey to the Children's Center.

"Oh, how I love messing with the minion's minds," Dornkirk said with reserved glee. A old geezer that lives in a metal contraption with green blood flowing through his veins has to get his kicks somehow.

******

Many of the scientist and soldiers stationed on the various floating fortresses, including the Vione had families. The responsibilities of these positions didn't allow for vacation time and many families were separated, with spouses and children still on the Zaibach mainland. This lowered productivity, which Emperor Dornkirk strongly disapproved of, being the taskmaster that he is, so he immediately commissioned the construction of the Children Centers. The centers catered to children from newborn to age 13. After that... well they were S.O.L. and needed to get a job.

Folken arrived at 8:40. Ms. Millard, the teacher he was substituting for was in room 135. He took in his surroundings and a faint smile appeared on his face. It was amazing that part of the Vione could be this colorful. On the floor there was industry grade tile, the kind that's 1/4 inch thick, the kind that one has to take a sledgehammer to in order to crack it. Unlike other parts of the ship it was not the usual slate gray; this tile had swirls of pastel colors. The walls are a surprisingly-clean eggshell white. There were several bulletin boards, bordered with trim in bright primary colors-easy on the yellow-that showcased the exemplary work of the students. How... motivating. The color scheme was definitely like a breath of fresh air. Thank goodness the Emperor gave the construction team free reign on the design of the Centers because while he is a brilliant man, interior designer he is not. Folken spotted numerous teaching aides such as number and letter charts. There was a sea of little student desks arranged in six rows of five desks.

He was starting to become more comfortable with the idea of teaching the kids temporarily. The feeling of oppression that was tangible everywhere else in the Vione was virtually nonexistent here. Class would be starting in twenty minutes. I suppose I should write my name on the board so the kids will know how to address me. Folken walked up to one of the three nice and clean chalkboards and wrote 'Strategos Folken'. He did this even though he is one of the most famous and respected men in all of Zaibach.

He then sat in the teacher's desk at the front of the room and began rummaging through the drawers to find the necessary information such as the roster and lesson plan for the day. Why did he only find one of the two and not the important one? Oh gods! I'm going to have to play this by ear!

******

After a few minutes many children began flooding the classroom and take their seats. They are so little, just like how Van, Naria, and Eriya used to be. There was plenty of noise as the children shuffled around their book bags getting their school supplies and greeting their friends. Eventually they settled down and looked toward the front of the class. What's going on? Folken could almost hear the collective thought.

"Excuse me, sir. Where is Ms. Millard?" A girl with wavy black hair asked politely.

"Your teacher is feeling under the weather today so I will be taking over for the time being."

"Aw man!" A blonde boy said abruptly; apparently not happy with the recent developments.

Folken pointed towards the board and said, "My name is Strategos Folken."

All of the children knew his face but couldn't remember the name and it wouldn't be appropriate to call him 'That Scary Dude'.

The children in the class rolled the name off their tongues a few times for familiarity.

"Well since all of you know my name we're going to take attendance so I can learn yours."

It took another four minutes to take the roll call of the thirty students and commit their names to memory. He then recited them and managed not to mangle too many of the more exotic looking names. That linguistics course came in handy. When he did the children laughed good-naturedly. Hmm... they're not too bad.

******

Folken being the clever man he is decides to find out what the children have been doing for the past few days. This semester just started so that can't be on anything too difficult. "So what did you guys work on last week?" That was a safe question.

"Well, we were wrote about what we did over summer vacation?" an olive-complected boy by the name of Armand supplied helpfully if not a little hesitantly.

Are you asking me or are you telling me?" Folken asked, not liking the lack of confidence in the boy's voice.

"I'm telling you!" the boy said more assuredly. Folken smiled down at him.

"Did you all have fun over the summer?" Folken asked kindly. The room was filled with mostly overwhelming 'Yeahs', a couple 'It was okays' and one heartfelt 'No!'.

What was so disagreeable during your summer vacation?" Folken asked a brown-skinned girl name Jasmine. The girl had a scowl on her face.

I had to go to day camp with my fathead brother. It was horrible. I wrote FOUR whole sentences about it!"

"Well you don't have to write about that again," he then corrected himself, "At least not this year." Folken took a deep breath and stood up. "This is the first thing you have to do: I want you to write about what you had for breakfast today. Include the following information, whether you liked it or not and what is your favorite meal for breakfast." He waited a moment and then asked, "Does anyone need me to repeat the instructions?"

"No," The class answered.

Folken began to hand out the 'practice' paper that all little children use, with the rule that looks like:

Brings back fond memories. Folken had a strong dislike of this kind of paper, it made him think of the private academic tutor he had when he was a prince in Fanalia. She would always gripe about my d's and b's, saying that I always went above the second line.

***

A good amount of time had past and Folken figured the children were done with their assignments.

"Students, are you finished?"

"Yeeessssss," was the choral response. How did kids do that? It was a puzzling thought that Folken really didn't have time to deliberate on.

"I would like for you to read your sentences out loud." That will kill a lot of time. Folken looked around. "Who wants to go first?" No one raised their hand. "If no one volunteers, I will have to pick someone myself," Folken said with a hint of threat.

Okay-Okay I'll go first!" a red head girl named Teresa said grumpily. "I had malted cereal with bananas and it was, okay. My favorite are frosted corn flakes." She sighed. "But my mom doesn't let me have them often," she added as an afterthought.

"Very good, Teresa." Sugar crazed children are the last thing I need. "Who is next?" A boy with straight jet-black hair raised his hand. "Okay Ling."

"I had oatmeal with apples and honey and it was delicious. It's also my favorite."

A child that likes oatmeal. Amazing."Would you spell delicious for me Ling?"

"Delicious. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Delicious."

"Excellent Ling." Folken commented. That was quite impressive spelling from a six year old. The boy beamed.

"How about you... Harold?" Folken asked a husky, shaggy brown-haired boy.

"I had beans!" He then took his left hand and put it under his right armpit and produced an unsavory sound. The class busted up in laughter. "They were great! My favorite!" Folken was not amused, his face turned to a stern cast. "That little 'sound effect' you made was quite disruptive. Do not do that again."

"Yes sir," Harold said repentantly.Folken went around the class and heard the remaining twenty-seven students sentences. He collected their papers. All this talk of food made him regret leaving out with only two cups of coffee in his stomach.

******

The kids were now on their first recess break. When the bell rang, Folken had no idea what was going on. All the children looked at him expectantly. He then heard the children from the other nearby classes outside in the hallway. Oh, I see.

Teresa raised her hand and started waving it rapidly.

"Yes, Teresa."

"I have to use the washroom."

"Okay, does anyone else need to go to the washroom." Folken looked around, all of the children had their hands raised. Great.

"Line up at the door please. Boys on the left girls on the right."

"Do we have to line up by height, Strategos?" a small girl asked.

Folken quickly thought of the logic behind that and said, "Yes that would be best." He would be able to account for all the children with just a glance.

After the kids assembled, Folken lead the them down the hall to the washrooms. While the kids were handling their business Folken heard a piercing sound.

TBC