Fandom High School

"We hope you had a nice holiday last week," Tony said once class arrived. "Even if it's not one where you're from, there's usually a lot of food around on island."

Because he'd learned all about the delivery people, yes.

And just wait until stuff started falling from the sky in December!

"And we're heading further into the holiday season as well," Steve said, "which a lot of people get really excited about. But I'm not sure we need to start decorating for it in September."

"It's festive," Tony chimed in. Because someone had to take that position. And that someone was him. "How else will we know the holidays are approaching? I know I gauge my passage of time by the Starbucks cups."

Tony was possibly not taking this seriously.

"I know it's old fashioned," Steve drawled, "but maybe a calendar?"

"Never heard of it," Tony replied, pretending to give it serious consideration. "Does it also provide coffee?"

"No, but there might be an app for it in your phone," Steve teased.

Guys, class.

Tony stifled a laugh before turning his attention back to the topic at hand. "It's another easy topic--" That would become more personal once the island went Advent happy. "--so, try to have fun with it."

Despite the debate on television last night, there was nothing for the students to watch today. No, they were saving all that crazy for the next presidential one. Because it was more fun to make people watch those. Share their pain, kids. Share it.

"Hopefully you all had a nice weekend," Tony said. "Or, barring that, one that ended quickly for you."

"I had a very nice time," Steve said with a smile. "It was nice to see your friends again, Tony. And learn what hammer pants were."

"They were from a dark, dark time in history," Tony joked. Then clapped his hands together. "Today we're going to be going a little easy on you guys. Nothing that needs research, just a snap judgment on the matter."

Steve nodded. "Should people be allowed to visit Fandom?" he asked, "or is it just too strange to explain in a weekend?"

For reasons like why there were alternate reality versions of your friends running around? "Easy, right?" Tony asked. "If you didn't have guests to draw experience from, just imagine if you had someone from home here and had to explain why there were psychic frogs yesterday."

Yeeeeah.

"Fury probably sent them, now that the squirrels are gone," Steve muttered.

Tony tilted his head, considering it. "...I would not even be surprised. Okay, pick a side. We'll see what you think is best here."

"Alright, welcome back," Tony said cheerfully. "Today we'll be sort of branching off the debate from last week into the question over whether or not GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. In this instance we're addressing it in regards to food production."

Wow, wouldn't this be fun, kids?

"And not, say, me," Steve said dryly. "I think I probably fall under genetic modification."

Tony considered that for a moment. "Technically me too. Though it's really more of a cyborgization... not important now." Because no need for a nerdy little rant there, Tony. "Many plant species have been altered over the years to produce a particular look or taste or hardiness for human or animal consumption. These days it's been taken to a more scientific level and many people have objected to that."

"Is it because sometimes they taste bad now?" Steve asked. "Because sometimes they taste bad."

Steve Rogers: looks 26, sounds 145.

"Captain Rogers will be taking the anti-GMO stance," Tony announced, giving Steve suuuuch a look for being an actual grandpa here. Next thing you knew, he'd be demanding to eat dinner at 4 pm.

Well, first dinner, maybe. And then another at 6:30. And a protein drink around nine! "And Mr. Stark, surprising no one, will argue in favor of scientific meddling," Steve said with a quick grin.

Which just made Tony laugh. "Just a little bit of meddling. Biology isn't even my area of expertise!" Then turned to address the class, "Research your side of the topic and we'll begin."

Steve was up at the front of the room as usual, standing behind a star-spangled rostrum...which was new. "Hello, class."

He wore his spangles out of self defense, kids. It was purely out of self defense. Tony's version of that was a smile that leaned a little toward the plastic end of the sincerity spectrum. Which would be what he had going right now. Because apparently both of them were incapable of saying no to a challenging topic. "We're starting you off in the deep end of the debate pool now that introductions are over with."

Aren't you all lucky?

So lucky!

Steve squared his shoulders. "We decided who would argue each side through a coin flip," because a tickle fight was just undignified, "I am against. Tony is arguing pro. Today. As we mentioned before, arguing for a side you may not agree with can be helpful as well."

"It can cut down on some of the emotions involved when you feel strongly about a topic," Tony added. "It also prepares you for the ability to see an alternate point of view. You don't have to agree with it by the end of the class, but it can help you later on in formulating arguments."

Steve nodded. "We'll give you some time to get through the research on both sides, and then you get to debate with us. Should it be okay all the time? Some of the time? Only when the interrogation can't be traced back to you? How high would the stakes have to be on a scale of localized explosion to alien invasion?"

"Should there be rules? Is it a violation of international treaties? Does it work as a deterrent or encourage retaliation?" Tony chimed in. "We've provided tablets for you to do your research on. Please don't throw them at your teacher or anyone else you're debating, okay?"

Steve nodded. "We're starting with something important and controversial--" and painful for both teachers to talk about, honestly, "--because we think you can handle it. If it doesn't go well, we'll have to scale back to debating about the quality of food in the dorm fridges or something, and no one wants that."

Seriously, no one wanted to debate that.

"Keep it civil," Tony said because it hilarious without him realizing why.