[Riven]

(OOC: Just so everyone knows, there's no posting order for this thread -- feel free to pop in or bow out as you see fit.)



Beacon Academy... how many years had it been since he'd walked these hallowed halls? Memories seemed to wash over him with every step, every sound. To think, once a transfer student from a foreign land, that he would now serve here as teacher to many of Remnant's most promising. It was enough to bring a soft smile to his wrinkled old face.

First day. First day teaching. This would doubtless prove to be quite an experience. Walking stick in one hand and lecture notes in the other, Budonoki looked every bit the far-eastern sage turned professional educator in his earth-tone slacks and wooden sandals, forest green shirt, black tie with subtle leaf emboss, and rice hat. Some might even think his appearance comical, and truth be told he wasn't quite sold on the color scheme himself. One had to make due, however; much of his wardrobe was still being shipped over from Mistral, and he wasn't quite sure if a combat gi was proper classroom attire. The students had to stick to a dress code, after all, so he would respect them with efforts towards the same.

Reaching the classroom, he stepped inside to find the risers were nearly full with students chattering away. Ah, how it brought back memories. Quietly sliding the door shut behind him -- and taking a moment to place his staff upright in a large dirt-filled planter near the door -- Budonoki made his way to the lectern and cleared his throat.

"Hello." Waiting a moment for the chatter to subside, he let his eyes and smile travel from face to face, sweeping the room. "Welcome students, to Practical Medicine and First Aid 101. I am Doctor Sophos, your instructor for this course. The goal of this course is to equip you future Huntresses and Huntsmen with the knowledge and skills needed to tend to both ordinary and combat-related wounds, injuries, and ailments when your Aura fails, or in the event of another person needing your care."

Removing his hat and hanging it on the corner of the desk, he looked around with an amicable, welcoming expression. "Now, I am new on the school's staff, but once I was a student here much like yourselves. Does anyone have any questions, about the subject at hand or myself, before we get started?"

[nathan67003]

Not exactly contrasting with her extremely properly worn uniform, Helena's eyes were shining. Well, not quite literally, but it was that sort of light that doesn't really exist yet is somehow perceived by most people. After all, this was one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, why she'd decided to go down the Huntress path instead of the physician one. Her notebook was open on the first page, three pens - one black, one red, one blu - standing at the ready at tis right. She almost couldn't wait for this. Sophea was very nice and held the occasional formation once in a while, but they weren't exactly regular. This may very well be the source of knowledge she'd been looking for, amidst the myriad of books and occasional visit to the hospital.

While musing on her future classes, something few of her comrades seemed to be doing at the moment, she noticed that what was most likely the professor had walked in, unsurprisingly unnoticed by the majority of his future audience. She eagerly took hold of the pitch-colored ballpoint, ready to note anything. She frowned a bit, though, when the man appeared to plant his staff near the door. Was that some sort of plant?

After the class quoted down, the professor greeted them and did a sort presentation of himself and the course. Her first action was to note down the name - Dr. Sophos. Good, now she knew how to refer to him. She always had trouble with that, not knowing what to choose between the dozen or so options that usually presented themselves.

Her second action was to raise her hand straight at the roof at the adult's inquiry, as if she attempted to stab a hole into the ceiling with her pen by sheer willpower. I have a question!, she thought.

[Riven]

Seeing an eager hand shoot up near the front of the class, the elderly teacher smiled and nodded to Helena. "Yes, young lady? Go ahead."

[jjb2158]

Seated in the back row of the class so as to not attract attention, Rackley was content with reading a book while he waited amidst the loud chatter from the other first years in the class. He wasn't the biggest fan of taking this class, but it was one of many classes that he was more or less required to take if he was to progress in Beacon. Regardless, he had to concede to the fact that this type of class would be knowledgeable on missions should things go awry and either himself or one of his teammates got injured.

His thoughts were immediately interrupted by the quieting down of the class and the announcement of the man standing before the entire class. At first impressions, Rackley couldn't help but wonder where the professor was from. His clothing gave off the impression that he was not from Vale, but Rackley simply couldn't figure out where. Maybe he's from Vacuo or Mistral? he wondered as he absentmindedly listened to the professor talk. Guess I'd better get ready to take notes he thought as he placed his bookmark in the book and pulled out his notebook. As he opened up to start taking notes, he looked up towards the direction of one of his fellow classmates who had raised her hand as if trying to rip a hole in the air above her. Not paying her too much attention, he went back to his notes and began to write down in preparation of the class.

[nathan67003]

Her smile surging forth on its own, Helena lowered her hand and asked, in her usual bright & cheerful tone, "What is the extent of the injuries and illnesses we'll be covering in this class?"

[Riven]

Budonoki nodded thoughtfully. "A very good question. I'll try to keep my response brief."

"Most of you already know some amount of basic first aid, even if you don't realize it. I doubt there's anyone here who doesn't know how to wrap a wound with gauze, or knows that any sort of bleeding injury ought to be disinfected. Those of you who grew up outside the kingdoms likely learned far more as a simple matter of survival. So, our focus will be chiefly on the practicals -- how to quickly and accurately analyse a patient's situation and determine the proper steps to take from there. Since Beacon's mission is to train Huntsmen and Huntresses a good deal of our effort will be spent on combat injuries, but not all. A Huntress or Huntsman afield ought to know, for example, if the sickly people in the village they pass through are contagious or simply had some bad stew -- if the wounded man in the road has indeed been attacked, or is simply play-acting while bandits move to surround you. There are many practicalities."

Looking around the room, he added. "I know that, for some of you, this may seem silly. You're here to fight monsters, after all... but have a care: the creatures of Grimm are drawn to suffering. If, by means of a little knowledge, you can help alleviate even small sufferings in this world, then you have saved lives by throwing the dark predators off the scent."

[Vision]

Diana had arrived early for the class and had taken a seat that was in the front row but to the side so that she was still out of the way. She had placed a stack of three notebooks on the desk, one of which she was skimming through now, containing her own notes from the semester she trained to be a paramedic. Although she wasn't expecting to have any new material covered she was incredibly excited to have a class that was about helping others without, a class that wouldn't just end up being about fighting.

As Doctor Sophos entered the room, Diana put down the notebook she had been reading and opened one of the others. She found an empty page and titled it Doctor Sophos before starting a quick sketch of the professor. His closing statement to Helena about how treating injuries could save lives by preventing more Grimm attacks struck a cord with Diana, she quickly opened the final notebook which was entirely empty and wrote down the quote.

She raised a slightly meek hand, waiting for a response from the professor before speaking "Excuse me doctor Sophos. You said you had been a student here, but you're also a doctor? I was just wondering how that came about?"

[jjb2158]

Quickly taking note of what Dr. Sophos said, Rackley did his best to keep up with the questions. Alleviating even small sufferings in this world, you have saved lives by throwing predators off the scent... he quickly finished writing as another girl in the class also asked a question, one more personal than the last. Well...perhaps it's part of why he wanted to be a huntsman? he thought, scratching the back of his head before adjusting his braid slightly. Finishing with that, he continued to quietly take notes of the class, trying his best to not draw attention to himself.

[arcus_gray]

Sandy had been sitting next to his teammate with his typical barely permissible style of wearing his uniform and his feet on the desk and leaning back on the two rear legs of his chair as he waited for the class to begin. As the teacher entered he retracted his legs and adjusted to a more normal sitting position with a small thud sounding out as his chair legs impacted the ground. As talk with the teacher began Sandy followed Rackley's lead and opened his notebook and pulled out a pen leaning over slightly to peek at his notes and copy them.

[Riven]

"Excuse me doctor Sophos. You said you had been a student here, but you're also a doctor? I was just wondering how that came about?"

Budonoki nodded understandingly -- it was, admittedly, a rather extreme life transition to go from a professional monster hunter to a professional surgeon. His life had been one of several similarly winding paths, however: from farm boy to student, from Haven to Beacon, from Huntsman to Faunus freedom fighter, and from secluded meditation mats to sterilized operating tables, to say nothing of the new role he was stepping into today. "The short answer is: medical school." He allowed himself a good-natured chuckle before continuing. "But I understand what you really mean. Life, much like medicine, is both simple and complicated. Who you are will always be the same, yet the person you are can change just as much as the face you see in the mirror. My journey has been a long one, and I have both seen and done much over the years. Along the way I discovered that preserving life was just as important to me as fighting to protect it."

"Now then, one more before we begin today's lesson. Anyone?"

[jjb2158]

Continuing with his note taking, Rackley saw from the corner of his eyes that Sandy was trying to peek at his notes. Smiling slightly, he moved his notes closer to Sandy so it'll be easier for him to read them.

It was perplexing to be sure as to why Dr Sophos would want to change his profession. I wonder why he's a professor now? he thought, wondering if he should raise his hand and ask or not. Not sure if it would be a good idea or not, he simply remained quiet and looked over at Sandy. "D-does that help?" he asked quietly, stuttering slightly over his words. Despite rooming together and being on the same team, Rackley still found it a bit difficult to be comfortable around his teammates.

[nathan67003]

As Doctor Sophos started his explanation, Helena dutifully started taking notes - not everything word for word, though. Only the important or significant parts, such as the answer to her question as well as the tidbit about easing suffering. She continued doing so when a second question came, this one from not too far on her right.

As the professor announced that this'd be the last question, she resisted the urge to raise her hand once again, wanting to give the chance to someone else to ask a question. She'd already had her turn, after all.

[Kaliot]

Sophea sat in the very back of the class, the top-right corner from the professor's perspective. Her sight was strong enough to read the board clearly, but she planned on being mostly ears anyway. She sat cross-legged with a pen tapping against her notebook laid atop the desk in front of her. Beside her notebook was her scroll, just in case she was needed for an emergency.

As one of Beacon's nurses, Sophea really had no need for the class. Instead, she was taking the opportunity to observe the mindsets of the prospective field medics--Helena and Diana--as well as Dr. Budonoki Sophos himself. Despite being 'just' a professor, Sophea considered him to be her senior in terms of experience and academic rank at least.

Sophea raised her hand. "Yes. Despite being a licensed physician, is there a reason why you are not part of the medical staff here at Beacon?"

[Riven]

Budonoki raised an eyebrow in curiosity at the question, both surprised and impressed. "Well, now. You're quite well informed, miss..." He glanced down at the class roster but failed to find a name or photo that matched. Still, she looked familiar. It took him a moment, and a bit of squinting, to realize she wasn't in a student uniform -- that's when it clicked, his memory jogged back to the school's staff orientation. "Ah, nurse Visorith! I had no idea you'd be joining us today. Delightful!" His smile beamed upwards at his coworker.

"Well, from what I understand, you have done -- and continue to do -- quite an outstanding job." After a brief, thoughtful pause, he added. "I wasn't quite sure that it was... proper... for me to assume a medical staff role; one could see a potential for undue influence, given my ties to the LifeWeave company. Nevertheless, I promise that should you or any of the other nursing staff ever have need of me I shall endeavor to be only a Scroll call away."

"And, with a little luck," He turned and glanced across the attending students' faces again. "What our young Huntsmen and Huntresses will learn here should keep them from needing the attentions of a surgeon, or so I certainly hope."

"All that said, let's begin." Shuffling his papers briefly, Budonoki pulled out a small remote control. With it he dimmed the lights and activated a video projector mounted into the ceiling, causing a loading screen to be projected onto the back of the classroom wall. "As this class will be focusing on practicals, our first exercise will be to examine and discuss a series of probable scenarios you might encounter in the course of missions. None of this will be on any test and your participation won't be graded -- all I ask is that you think."

"Now, fair warning to you all: you are about to see images of real injuries incurred by Huntsmen and Huntresses. It's not pretty, but medical care seldom is. If any of you start to feel queasy or faint, please speak up; I'd like to avoid becoming known as the teacher who caused students to throw up or pass out on his first day."

Using the remote, the doctor brought up a photograph that immediately justified his warning: it was a close-up on someone's lower leg with the shaft of a crossbow bolt sticking out of it. Dry blood coated the skin around and below the injury; it appeared that the bolt had gone in but not through. Giving the students (and attending nurse) a moment to take in the image, he explained.

"Our first scenario is this: while travelling between villages your team was ambushed by bandits. One of your teammates was hit in the leg, like so, by a crossbow bolt before they could get their Aura up. After fighting off your attackers you must see to your teammate's injury. What are your first thoughts? What is your first impulse?"

[arcus_gray]

At Rackley giving him a better view of his notes Sandy gave him a nod, a smile and a quick "Thanks." before putting his head down and racing to copy the notes and catch up with the class. "All caught up. Thanks again Rackl- huh? What'dya think the nurse is doing on a beginners first aid course? Shouldn't she already know all this?" As Budonoki continued Sandy failed spectacularly in his attempt to contain his laughter in response to a statement that seemed ridiculous. "Um sir. How is a student that passes out going to be able to speak up?"