In collaboration with Jinny <3
Sasha listened patiently to Sophia as she spoke, bowing her head for a moment at the mention of the deaths. She already knew, as much of Puck and Circe Covens did. She wasn't sure who else knew. When the question of Divinia came up, it seemed like everyone except for Erik and Olgues had to protest against it. Her brow pulled down some and her lips formed a tight line, no dimples in sight. There were few times when Sasha was completely serious, even during her classes.
But now seemed like the perfect time to get serious. “How about we pull our heads out of our asses and think of this from a professional standpoint.” She stood up from her perch and allowed herself to lean against Olgues. “Most of us have known Dimka since she was nine. She's never left this school since she first got here. She's like a little sister to most us. We can trust her, especially in this situation. Preparing students for fights against Sons of Eden is what she lives for.”
Looking over to Sasha, Leo held in a chuckle as she pleaded with them. Personally, Leo knew the Divinia for many years but, he never truly got to know her like some of the other teachers. While Leo wanted to interrupt he just looked up at his close friend, Nic already knowing he felt the same way about the girl as he did. The man didn't hate her, he just didn't believe that it was a good idea to let her teach.
“I'm not asking you to pity her, but remember what she's been through. Remember that she survived for two years by herself against the Sons of Eden. Yeah, she's harsh towards the other students, but look at how much the kids that she's tutoring have improved. You and your wards don't like the way she teaches? Your kids don't have to take her classes. There've been zero complaints from Circeans about her. Sophia wants us to prepare the kids for a fight. Whether you want to admit it or not, you all know Div can do it. When's the last time someone beat someone she's tutored in a fight? Tough and harsh is what we need right now.”
"Sasha, I understand what you're saying but there's a difference between tough and being psychotic. This girl has killed people, have you forgotten about that? I'm not saying she's not powerful, I'm not saying that she's not good at tutoring because she is, I'll give you that. But, is it the right thing to give her complete control of a classroom filled mostly with people who already like to harm others?"
“Uh. So, you're saying that everyone - or mostly everyone - who takes courses in Curses and Necromancy is sadistic?” Sasha lifted a brow as she called Leo out on his profiling of the students, her look ever darkening. “She's not psychotic. She's been through a lot and has developed her own methods. Methods which helped her survive, made her strong, and are making her students strong. Or are you saying that you're afraid of putting her in control of a class because you think the "evil Circeans" are going to get worse under her influence? Don't forget that there's at least fifty of your kids, probably about a hundred of Nic's kids, and even some of my kids that take Necromancy. Are you afraid that she's going to "corrupt" your precious and oh-so-innocent wards?”
Was he somewhat afraid of that? Yes, he was. But, he wasn't going to let Sasha know that. Seeing that, she probably wasn't going to let this go easily. "Sasha, we're not talking about my students, we're not talking about Nic's students, or even Erik's students. We're talking about Divinia. And is she sadistic? Yes. She is.", he pointed out, focusing on Divinia and avoiding the point she made about students of other Covens in the currently teacherless classes.
It almost seemed as though she were going to sneer, but she instead had stopped leaning against Olgues and clenched her hands into fists so tight that her knuckles were becoming bone white. “This isn't just about her, you made it about the others in those classes. She has more knowledge and experience in Curses and Necromancy than anyone else at this school except maybe Soph. Are you saying that we should deny her what she's been busting her ass to do for the past decade? Sadistic. Yes. But she's honest and respectful.”
"What? You don't think I know that there are more than just Circeans in that class, Sasha? Of course I know that. And I get that she's had a rough life, a lot a people have gone through shit in their lives and a lot of other students work hard too. But, I don't see us going up to them like, 'Hey, go teach this class that gives you a huge influence over your peers.'"
“Whether she's formally placed as the Professor and Mentor or not, she's still going to have influence over her peers. She has every damn right and you can't stop her. She's earned her place and has been here longer than any other student. And need I remind you that none of the Curses classes nor any of the Necromancy classes are required? They're completely optional. How many students every year drop out of Battle Magick class because they can't handle it? If students can't handle the class, then they don't have to take it. Yeah, other students work hard. But they aren't fucking qualified. She is. She's been qualified. Have some faith. Most people don't think any one of us should be teaching. Nic's a perverted manchild. Erik scares the shit out of everyone and looks like a rapist sometimes. You're a manchild. Soph acts like a sixteen year old. Olgues and I smoke pot with our kids. And how many of us have had a drink with our students under twenty-one? I recall you and penny sharing a glass of bourbon some time ago with a few sixteen and seventeen year olds. Okay - So she killed some kids. They all made it back and none of them filed complaints. What did they do? They worked harder to better themselves. Alex didn't make it back because he didn't want to come back.”
She was really getting worked up now, throwing everyone under the bus and pointing out that there were a lot of people against them being in their positions as well, gusts of air whipping around the office as she took a strong step forward. “Go ahead and name one person more qualified to teach those classes. Name one person from Circe with the qualifications for the job and the respect from the students of Circe needed to be a Mentor. People are dying, Leo. Merlin's dead. Ariana's dead. They're closing in on us and it's about time that we all buckle down and nut up. If you're so scared for your kids, advise them not to take the class. Either way, it's not up to you. I agree with Sophia full heartedly. If Divinia was as much of a threat to the students and the school as you think and say she is, she would have been expelled and most likely killed by now. But she's still here and she's still alive because she knows what she's doing and she is especially valuable in this particular time of need.”
As Sasha took a step forward and the wind started blowing around the adults, Leo just tried his best not to get blown away. He was a small man and if the wind got any stronger, he would be pushed down. He was about to say something else before he started thinking about what he has done for the past twenty nine years. Giving in just to make to arguing stop. While he hated giving in, he knew that he wasn't going to win this argument.
Leo took a sharp sigh before running his head through his hair and looked at the shorter woman in the eyes. "Just suck it up, Sport and get it over with.
"I just don't want anything happening to these kids, Sasha. Okay? But, if you and Sophia truly think that letting the girl teach will help protect us, then fine. Let her teach. But, if it blows up and ends up going wrong, it's on you, not me."
“Nyeh!” And it was over just like that. Valid points made and argument won, the serious Sasha faded along with the win and the more childlike Sasha came out once more, sticking her tongue out at Leo as she mocked his last words much like an eight year old child before turning to the others. “If you cared about these kids, you'd be tougher on them. I'm going to follow Erik and Divinia's example.” She crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin a bit, having to look up at Leo [and pretty much everyone else] as she dared them to start up with her. “I second the motion.”