Rhodes Island was a harmonious, friendly place.
At least for children, it was a rare sanctuary. War orphans could receive a normal education here, without being brainwashed as reserve cannon fodder. The teachers were generally normal people, too, and would not look down on quiet children.
But some teachers had peculiar quirks.
They were not bad things, merely certain special hobbies. They liked sharing those hobbies with others as though sharing treasure, with warm-hearted goodwill. But sometimes, they carelessly forgot about the limits of what the other people at Rhodes Island could handle. Sharing a hobby then became a one-person indulgence, while everyone else suffered.
For example, the film appreciation teacher.
Rhodes Island had not originally had such a class, but when Feater, a patient, came here, Rhodes Island gained a film appreciation class.
"Today, we'll be appreciating Saw. Your teacher did not act in it, but I still like this kind of movie. It contains an extraordinarily ingenious twist..."
She went on and on. "I can only keep the details secret. Spoilers are uncouth."
To be honest, Feater did not have many students. Compared to her former fan meetings, this could practically be called deserted. Among the small number of students were even adult Durins pretending to be elementary schoolers to watch the movie for free, but Feater's enthusiasm had not diminished in the slightest.
These were the hope of the future.
Adjusting her little round fortune-teller sunglasses, Feater watched the students below gradually become engrossed in the film, a sense of accomplishment naturally rising within her. She quietly stepped down from the platform, not wanting to ruin their viewing experience, only to discover a student who seemed utterly out of place among the others.
Shamare?
And her good friend, the plush teddy bear Shamare called Little Morte. Shamare