Chapter Text
Monday January 9th 2006, 10:00am, Principles of Paleontology 101
"Good morning everybody, as a bit of a reading check do I have a volunteer to tell me what the law of superposition is?"
A girl sitting near the back of the class shot her hand up instantly. "Go ahead Ms. Scarlet." The teacher responded.
"The law of superposition states that if rock layers are undisturbed then the oldest are on the bottom and the youngest are on top."
"Show off." Vodka grumbled at Daiwa.
"Excellent job Ms. Scarlet! This law is one of the guiding principles to geology and paleontology. It helps ground us." A collective groan was let out from most of the class and a hearty chuckle from the teacher. "Would anybody like to remind the class why I am giving a geology lesson in paleontology class?" The teacher scratched his hairy face while waiting on another hand.
Another student near the back raised their hand. The teacher nodded at them. "Because fossils are found in rocks!"
"Very good Ms. Machan. If we find two fossils in the same formations, we understand that the one deeper in the rock is older than the one on top! That is the entire concept of superposition." The teacher started to walk around the classroom as he continued talking.
"The law of superposition isn't a very complex idea. If you made a sandwich you wouldn't put down a piece of bread, then put peanut butter under the bread on the counter." The teacher looked at Vodka. "Right? I hope you wouldn't. The rocks are deposited in layers. This law is my personal favorite one. Anybody have any guesses?"
A student raised their hand and blurted out: "Because it shows the history of the rock?"
"Pretty close yeah! You can look at rock layers and see their journey. Maybe this place was really dry for a while and you get coarse sandstone. Or it got really wet allowing a mudstone to form. Maybe you're in a desert and you see the literal lines the wind left solidified in the rock! It tracks the history of the formation. Things can happen to you in life. Embarrassing things, happy moments, sad times, everything. Your own personal mental rock layer captures all of this. Show of hands, has anybody ever been happy before?"
Every hand in the room went up.
"Thank goodness. Was worried somebody was going to be left out. Those happy memories you have are etched into your own rock formation. Without past events, good or bad, you wouldn't be the person you are today. That is the beauty of this law. Now, I'll get off my soapbox and get started with the lesson today. What is a dinosaur? Well if we all look to the board with me…"
12:00pm
"Don't forget to grab your textbooks! Reading assignment on page fifty eight tonight!"
"Machan never forgets anything Mr. Bennett!" The trio of Daiwa, Machan, and Vodka filed out of the class last.
Food time was one of Michael Bennett's most favorite parts of the day. He strolled to the cafeteria making light conversation with a few students along the way. Michael started at Tracen only a few weeks ago and has already made a little bit of a name for himself. While he is an adequate teacher, his true strengths are shown in the cafeteria. Still nothing compared to the Umamusume he taught, but for a human it was impressive. Mr. Bennett filled his plate high with salmon, miso soup, rice, brussell sprouts, and of course a big carrot. Michael maneuvered to the edge of the cafeteria, trying to sit out of the way of traffic. I really should try to make some friends with other staff members. Michael mused to himself. As if on queue, a friendly face in a green suit approached him.
"Mr. Bennett, would you like some company for lunch today?" Tazuna Hayakawa asked.
"Why of quartz I would! What a gneiss day for some company." Michael chuckled.
Tazuna gave her usual faint smile and sat across from Mr. Bennett. "You really should share those jokes with the Director of Student Affairs. Rudolf has always enjoyed puns. She would no doubt steal them to tell students."
"Maybe I should go and bother her at some point. Surely she can't be that busy right?" The two humans shared a laugh. "While I have you here can I ask you a work related question? It is a fun one I promise."
"I usually find work related questions fun, but go on."
"I have some researchers who I am close with here in Japan. I met them during a conference a few years ago. They are currently stationed up in Hokkaido trying to dig up more information on an animal called: Paralitherizinosaurus. It's only known from a few bits of the claws and hand. Hokkaido is quite a trek, but it's early enough in the semester that students shouldn't be too busy. What would your thoughts be on a class trip up there to help out the researchers? Give the students a little hands on experience?"
Tazuna looked down at the table, pondering the question. "I would need to speak with the Director. A trip like that would take at least a week. Given your entire class have not debuted yet, it shouldn't be much of a problem. Let me see what I can do."
"That would be amazing! It would be great for Tracen to be involved with other forms of research in Japan. Plus Umamusume are fantastic prospectors. They certainty can move a lot faster than I can."
"That does bring up another concern of mine. I do not think it would be wise for you to handle fifteen Umamusume all by yourself. It would be a safety concern. How would you feel about a second adult coming? I haven't been up to Hokkaido in some time."
"Of course! I would love the help on the trip. Trying to run after Umamusume when they push forty kilometers per hour is a bit much for one person." Michael started to laugh, but quickly stopped at Tazuna's glare.
"Are you assuming I have that ability?" Mr. Bennett appeared to have touched a sore spot, best to avoid that in the future.
"No, no, I just meant I have never seen a student disobey you is all. I'm new so they are more likely to pull one over on me."
The two of them continued chatting until all the food was eaten. Michael said goodbye to Tazuna and started to head back to his office. Unlike the other people at Tracen, Michael walked in the cold January air without a jacket. His claim to fame was wearing sandals the entire year, no matter the weather. This was so important to him that Michael brought it up during his entry interview to make sure it would be fine. As he walked, Michael picked up on some noise heading his way. Before he had a chance to react, somebody ran directly into him.
"CHOWA! So sorry! I was not expecting somebody walking in this area!" Michael stands back up and looks at the extreme ball of energy in front of him. Her eyes were like flowers. "Hello?! Are you okay?"
"Uhm yes, quite fine. I'm sorry for getting in your way, it won't happen again." Michael slumped over feeling terrible that he would inconvenience somebody.
"WHAT?! I ran into you! I'm Trainer Sakura Bakushin O! Pleasure to meet you!" Bakushin O grabbed Michael's hand and started shaking it vigorously.
"Yes hello, I am Michael Bennett, new teacher here."
"Very nice meeting you! I must be off again!" The Uma on a dime turned and started running away, chanting their own name.
This school is definitely interesting. Michael thought to himself as he continued towards his office.
Mr. Bennett unlocked his office door and is greeted by an ever growing stack of papers. I hate grading so much why do I even assign work? Michael thought to himself. Luckily for him as a first year instructor, Tracen only assigned him a single class. As he proves himself, more responsibilities and pay will be added.
After a few hours of work Mr. Bennett locked up his office for the evening and headed to his apartment. Teachers and trainers have on site apartments for ease of access to the academy. A great perk especially since the rent in the area is so high. As Michael fumbled with his keys to unlock the door he could make out scratching from the other side.
Michael opened the door and was greeted by his roommate who moved with him from America.
"HELLO SLATE DID YOU MISS ME I MISSED YOU!" Michael scooped up the grey cat. Slate responded with strong purrs.
Slate loved to sit on Michael's shoulders. He hopped up to his perch as Michael moved about the apartment. Michael moved towards the kitchen, preparing Slate's dinner. The can being opened caused the cat to hop off and patiently wait at his bowl. With the cat taken care of, Michael went to his room to check his fitness calendar.
"Thirty mile bike ride today huh? Not too bad." In college Michael picked up triathlon as a way to stay in shape. While he has not officially competed in years, it is important to him to keep up the training. He quickly changed into his gear and wheeled the bike outside.
Michael loved riding his bike, it was a pain getting it here from the States, but oh so worth it. The only time where he felt he could achieve the speeds of his students was on a ride. Today he was shooting for a time under two hours so the pace was brutal as he weaved in and out of traffic. Even while averaging twenty kilometers per hour, Michael was still only about half the pace of an Umamusume's jog. Their lanes averaged fifty kilometers per hour. The young man smiles all the same as he finishes his ride, stopping by the Three Goddesses statue.
"Hello again you Three." Michael respectfully bowed. "Just here to thank you all again for watching over this place. I know I'm just a human man and not your usual visitor, but I hope you still enjoy the offerings." Michael placed a small piece of olivine into the pool. "Maybe someday I might be able to bike as fast as an Umamusume. That should help with their training right?"
As Michael turned away to pick up his bike, a small flash of light caught the corner of his eye. He spun around to see nothing other than the statue. Michael squinted and rode back to his apartment.
As he cleaned up at home, he gazed at the razor wondering if now was the time to shave off his beard. No, men should have a beard. It's what I've always been told. Michael thought to himself and placed the razor back down. As he finished the cleaning routine Michael checked his phone and saw a new message.
Tazuna: Good news, your trip is approved! When works best for your class?
Michael: Awesome! Honestly next week would be perfect. We could leave Saturday then return the next Sunday? January is pretty slim for training and races so now works best.
Tazuna: I will ask the Director in the morning, but that should be fine.
With good news in hand, Michael headed off to sleep. His dreams were blurry that night. Just a dark area with a subtle voice. Urging Michael to seek greater speed. Unsure of the meaning of this, Michael assumed it was that strange strange trainer invading his sleep.