CHAPTER ONE... Meet the Teachers
"...I hope y'all got yourselves well braced for the beginning of another long year!"
And thus were the ominous words Principle Nick Fury began, greeting the room of his acquired staff, some of whom seemed rather bright and cheerful, others their usual stoic selves, and the rest looking as if they wanted a cup of coffee or to just crawl into bed and sleep for another long summer.
Fury's dark eyes ran over his gathered staff, or one should say eye since a black eye patch covered one of his injured orbs that had been lost in an accident when he had worked in a much rougher, uncontrollable school. Some had been present last year in the trial run of the school who chatted now amongst each other in hushed tones of what they were expecting now, and other newer members stood sheepishly by and slightly nervous. This was their first day of school too, after all, and being called to such a prestigious place was probably giving them butterflies.
You see, SHIELD Academy although just facing its second year, had proved quite a success in its first trial run. The idea was to gather exceptional students, regardless of their age, intellectual level, class or status. It was a school as much about trying to get them to pass exams as teaching them valuable life skills and how to interact with people in various walks of life though all around the same age. As a private school, it was still often only kids who could afford it who would secure a place, but this year some had been lucky enough to be invited and sponsored by Professor Xavier, the Biology teacher, and his excessive fund provided some poorer, struggling kids a chance. Other scholarships were available too, Fury himself having issued one to another interesting student... He had no idea how the old fashioned kid would cope, though, but he had hope.
And for those who had nowhere to board or lived too far away to attend? The Academy even had up to date boarding facilities. A three story boarding house, the first consisting of on-campus teacher's dorms and common areas for dinning, studying and entertainment. The second floor was then assigned for the boys seven ordered rooms designed for two students per dorm. A shared bathroom, study space and recreational space also existed, as was identical for the girl on the third floor. The girls also had seven dorms designed to house two student each. Thinking to himself, Fury remembered something of importance, glad for the pause to gather his thoughts and address the distracted teachers present.
His entire staff were not present, but enough to get the message around. He knew those not here today had their reasons and that they'd be ready tomorrow for the big starting day.
"...This year we have a current total of forty four buzzing students... Most are fresh new faces except for the few at the end of last year who we gave the option of repeating in a hope for better grades. Girls and boys are an equal split, though as for class sizes... Some of you will be getting nearly the whole lot while others may be lucky and only have a class of high twenties or low thirties depending on the subjects students chose to drop..." Some of the teachers seemed interested, and hopeful, at hearing those last few words. Fury's right hand woman, Maria Hill, in charge of all administration, paper work, message delivering and time tabling at the Academy took this as her queue to sort through the stacks of files she had brought to the meeting and slowly walk around, handing out timetables and roll lists to the teachers.
Phil Coulson exchanged a smile with her as he received his, already used to this schools bizarre way of running things being a long-time friend of Fury's. He was responsible for Homeroom, which also doubled as a half an hour session every morning to help with tutoring or teaching basics like essay structure, what words really meant in questions, and how to put ones key arguments into a response. Oddly enough, SHIELD Academy didn't offer English as a subject, so this was basically what Coulson was left doing in the morning, making sure the kids were literate enough to express themselves. Last year the class had often turned into a verbal debating session, and that was with much smaller numbers. Now, confirmed by a glance to his paperwork, he would be handling forty four dynamic students each and every morning, but if anyone could keep a handle on them it was Phil, with his cool, calm, collected and down to earth approach. He also doubled as the school's counsellor, since he would be seeing each kid every day and know them by name probably within the first week. He had a bit of a passion for working with so many interesting young adults, and although might come across to them as a little blunt at first, underneath he was probably the coolest, most approachable teacher on campus. Taking a long sip of his coffee, he poured over the updated curriculum, clearly one of the few organised and comfortable teachers to be back and ready for a new year.
Coach Laufey, however, was his usual scowling and grim self as he regarded the paperwork Maria handed him with narrowed ruddy eyes, not pleased with the idea of teaching thirty seven ungrateful teenagers PE as well as having to teach twelve bumbling idiots how to play football properly. Icy by nature and very much not a people person, it was easy to wonder if the Coach had been high when deciding upon teaching as the career of his dreams. Many rumours surrounded the grumpy veteran sportsman, but Fury hadn't given a damn when he hired him. Be as unpleasant and cold as he liked, Laufey filled the spot of teaching the rather popular subject of PE and had steered the Academy's football team to a rather inspiring victory last year even if his training methods were questionably harsh. Had to break a few eggs to make an omelette as far as Fury was concerned, so Laufey stayed no matter how grudgingly. The man always did stop complaining when reminded he was getting paid quite handsomely to be here... eventually.
Charles Xavier took his timetable with a polite smile and gesture of thanks to Maria, the bald Professor clearly in his element now back in the grounds of the school. Where Laufey was all resentment and grouchiness for being kept in the halls of the Academy, Professor Xavier was clearly nothing but passionate about helping and guiding those he taught through life. Hell, the guy was even happy to dig into his own pockets to offer spots to at least eight of their enrolments for this year and get the ones who needed them a spot in the boarding house. Fury had no objections what so ever since Charles was paying, as long as the money was there to keep this place running that was all Fury had to worry about. Charles teaches, and is very enthused about, Biology. And has the record for the most students to pass a subject and the most students to increase their grade level throughout the last trial year. Already Fury was sure of one thing; the thirty seven kids enrolled in his class this year were definitely in capable hands. Xavier had a gift for teaching, and Fury knew he was one of the most reliable on his staffing panel.
Sitting near to Charles, having quietened his arrangements of meeting for a chess game with the wheel-chair bound biology whizz, Erik Lensherr too was polite as he took his time table from Maria if not a little disinterested. None were quite so sure why he had applied for teaching this year, when the grey haired intellectualist had many other more pursuits important to his life. Fury had an idea it was possibly to keep a closer eye on his two children, Wanda and Pietro, who were starting this year. Erik filled the hole in the Language department, as unexpected as it may seem. If being a fluent master in German, French, Polish and Russian was not enough, Erik had also learned enough of Spanish, Italian, even Asiatic tongues and god damn Latin to be able to teach high school level. Hell, English wasn't even the Polish-born's first language, yet he spoke it more eloquently and without accent, a feat for half the people even born in this damn country. Fury often wondered where he had found all the time to learn so many linguistics, but if one thing was clear from Erik's no-nonsense attitude, it was that he had the will power to pursue anything he really wanted to do. Why he was in teaching, Fury had no clue, but he had a feeling it had something to do with Charles, who was so very obviously a long time acquaintance of Mr Lensherr.
Over in the corner, rolling a cigar between his fingers that Fury would kill him if he dared to light, Mr 'Logan' pointedly frowned as he glanced at his timetable. When he thought no one was looking, the 'Art' teacher scrunched up the paper and tossed it with precision aim into the bin by the door. Almost as if having anticipated such a reaction, Maria appeared before him again and fished out a second copy, giving him a pointed stare, 'don't do that again'. Logan hated the idea of a whole year, his first at the Academy, teaching Art to thirty two snot nosed private school brats. But... He owed his placement here to Charles, trying to give the causeless rebel something to do to fill his time and the holes in his life that couldn't be patch with bourbon or smokes. Admiring Hill's tenacity, he didn't scrunch up the paper this time, but made a note to put it in some forgotten corner of his desk when he would go to check out... ugh, 'his' classroom for the first time. In a way he felt a bit just like another scholarship kid, brought under a roof and into a 'stable' environment by Charles. But hell, he wasn't going to kick a gift horse in the mouth anytime soon. Free rent meant more money for cigars, and now he was going to be making a rather pleasant sum pretending to teach Art to some kids... How hard could one year be?
Dr Eric Selvig was the next to get his roster from Maria, returning from teaching last year but picking up the extra subject of Chemistry to add to his already title of Physics teacher. With thirty two student enrolled in Chemistry and thirty four listed for Physics, he sighed, knowing it was going to be a busy year and wondering where the summer had gone. He had been so happy venturing on his own scientific studies rather than having to stick to a school based curriculum, but there was a bright side to this year. His ward, Jane Foster, who he had been taking care of since her father, his old friend, died... She was accepted into the Academy this year, the cost for her coming out of his substantial double wage rather easily. Selvig was always ultimately happy to get back to teaching when he met the bright, keen students in his classes. But until that began all he wished for was another hot pot of coffee and that today hadn't been the Sunday before the beginning of term tomorrow...
Charles might have been the master of suggesting possible teachers to Fury, but one of their newer staff, Miss Raven Darkholme, had actually been suggested by the equally as new Erik Lensherr when Fury had let him know he had landed the job. Clearly not passionate about teaching, it was the skills she brought to the profession that were rather more valuable and the reason she had been hired. With hair that seemed a different colour every day Fury had met her, today it was vibrant red locks that she curled boredly around her finger as her almost strange, yellow irises locked onto the sheet informing her just when her IT class was and who the thirty four enrolled student in it were. Having been an expert hacker in her last job, the elusive woman most definitely was qualified for the job which only required her teaching enough for the high school level. With no one else to fill the gaps, Fury was only too happy to let her have the job... She was just teaching computers, what real harm could be done? And, she had also been glad to accept the duties of the Drama Club's supervising teacher AND the Cheerleading coach. Fury would have been crazy to let her pass, no matter how mysterious and closed off she may be. Most women were like that anyway.
The last, and clearly most nervous, of the staff in the room was also the newest addition and the youngest to boot. Desperate to find a Mathematics teacher, Fury's search had brought him to the attention of Reed Richards, currently a student at a near University though he was well ahead of his course. For his age, barely at 20, he had almost complete his degrees in various forms of astrophysics and mathematical genius. He had been the only choice, and despite his clear nerves at being back in a school environment (though Fury had a feeling that was because Reed was most likely the bullied, nerdy type during his own high school experience), all of Reeds understanding of the curriculum was flawless, he would do fine if he could get confident. However, the young barely-not-a-student teacher seemed to pale as he spotted his high class number of forty three. Only one less than the number of enrolments. Oh Lord, watch over the young genius so that he may get through the year... It wasn't like he would have been the first of the Academy's staff to have a meltdown. Speaking of which, Charles strange ability to almost eerily read minds had sprung into action as he asked slowly, noticing how Maria still held two sheets.
"...Did we find someone to replace the music teacher who abandoned us last year?" He inquired smoothly, taking a thoughtful sip on a brewed cup of tea as his alert gaze met Fury's single serious eye.
Grimacing, Fury gave a mental shudder as he recalled the incident, apparently Hill remembered it to, and she clutched her hand which gave a ghost of a throb which echoed how much paperwork had needed her attention after that.
"...We've got a casual, Allfather's wife Frigga volunteered, I think she'll have the temperament to deal with a class of noise makers, she'll just consider their attempts at driving someone to insanity; 'youthful exuberance'. Besides, after news of last year got out, she's only got twenty eight kids to keep a handle on."
Laufey had hissed audibly, in perfect time for all to deduce it was because of the name 'Allfather' being uttered in his presence. God only knew the feud behind all that, the haughty cold coach and the wise, aging political leader weren't exactly keen to pour their business forth for the world to see. And only the spiteful coach seemed bitter enough for still cursing the name of his rival. Everyone else seemed rather pleased by the idea, knowing from the general gossip of the area that Frigga Allfather was a rather pleasant woman and would be little problem to work with.
Counting around the room, Dr Selvig was the next to pose the most obvious question after seeing the number of subjects on the timetable and the number of teachers in the room. "...Where missing someone else. Who's the unreliable bloke we've got for History that can't even turn up today?"
Fury raised a brow at the assumption, actually knowing the person he'd hired for the job to be quite reliable through his contact with him in the Summer, and his latest message which had only been days prior.
"...Heimdall's his name. A little odd, but a good man. He's already had his paperwork faxed to him, and couldn't make it today since he is also in the middle of further study himself and on top of that working part time as a security guard. He's a history whizz though, I assure you, almost as if he watched every god damn thing over the last 4000 years occur with his own eyes."
Seemingly appeased by that answer, all the staff settled now as they saw Fury stand, readying themselves for his news and all the need-to-know notices. Even Logan found himself glancing up from the origami he had turned his timetable into, pausing mid fold as the Principle of SHIELD Academy addressed them.
"...We've already got the numbers and classes covered now, but I'll remind you again that some of you volunteered in the bliss of your summer holidays for some extra duties. Full-time staff as they stand, the ones who can't skip back home at the end of the day and will be boarding here, will be myself, of course, Hill, Coulson, Xavier, Logan and Richards. This means it's our job for enforcing all the dorm rules, being there if the kids need us and so on and so forth..." Fury took a breath, keeping his face stony though he felt much the same displeasure as was clear on Logan's face at having to slap kids on the wrist for breaking the rule and wiping their noses every time they got the sniffles. "...Boarding kids are gonna start pouring in late this afternoon sometime, any time after 4, I expect all our boarding staff to be here in case they need help. No exceptions."
"Laufey, you're got the Football team, obviously... Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Richards and Selvig, you've got the Science/Computer Club... Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Darkholme, Cheerleading is on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and Drama is held on Wednesday and Sunday. Charles, you've offered to start book club, we've got a spot for you on Friday. On the back of your lesson timetables are extra-curricular sessions organised for you, pick a spot you have free to offer tutoring if you want to give your kids that opportunity... I'll leave that up to you people to sort out. Why? Cause I'm stuck with two programs of my own this year. Supervising the School Rep Council in their meetings and the less enjoyable Troublesome Students Program in which I gotta try and put dodgy kids on the straight and narrow. So don't even think about complaining what I've asked of you..."
Wondering what else needed to be addressed, Fury glanced at Hill a moment who slowly shook her head, unable to think of anything else either. This meant that finally they could all get the hell out of his office and enjoy their last day of freedom before the beginning of term. Settling back down in his seat again, he gave them all a dismissing nod, watching with one eye as his new staff team began to rise from their seats and inch towards the door.
"...Oh, and ladies and gentlemen..." He spoke quickly, amused as they all turned their heads and froze like deer caught in the headlights. Logan grumbled something under his breath about what kind of sadist plays around with people at 9 in the morning. Fury would have almost been ominous if not for the rare twitch of a smile he couldn't fight away from his lips.
"...Good luck. Most of you are gonna need it."
Author note: Hey everybody! Finally decided to get my sorry butt to be brave enough to upload something on fanfiction!
Please please please let me know what you think, feedback would be great. I intend to make this a long running series with many plot twists and this chapter is probs the shortest/most boring... But at least you've met the teachers! :'D
Students are in the next one, I promise.