I have apparently completely lost my sense of humor...

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Or maybe it's just the precognitive hangover. Either way, I didn't find this latest prank particularly funny.

Practicing pop psychology via hair dye. What on earth are the little darlings going to come up with next?

Comments

[x-kylun.livejournal.com]

None of the children seem to have taken offense, if that helps ease your concern.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Lasting offense, you mean - but it does. Which is why I'm not making more of an issue about this.

I'm just concerned. What the other kids see is that Kyle's having issues with his mutation, but the rest of us know that's only part of the story. We can hardly say to Clarice 'Please lay off your classmate - he's getting over partial brainwashing', can we?

[x-kylun.livejournal.com]

As I understand pranks, the momentary offense is one of the goals of the joke, and it is only if the offense becomes lasting that there begins to be a serious concern. The students seem to be--ah, the phrase is 'policing their own?' adequately enough, although I am glad the aftermath occurred where we could keep watch.

Kyle's own resilience seems up to the challenges he has faced so far. I will not say, 'do not worry,' but as yet, though I am conscious of my own relative ignorance in such matters, there does not seem to be sufficien cause to act on his behalf.

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

Otherwise said, Nathan, kids poking fun at other kids with the intent to laugh with them about it is a signal of social integration and actually a good thing.

They like him so they bother with teasing him.

[x-kylun.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly. They are accepting him as one of their own, in their way, and that process is one I remember well, and fondly. The methods may differ, but the intent is the same, and a wholesome one, and I am unwilling to believe it will reap ill, begun thus.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

I'll defer to the people who actually have healthy experiences of teenaged behavior and interaction.

I was about to type 'normal', but then I remembered where I was.

I need more aspirin...

[x-madelyn.livejournal.com]

*pats the poor hungover pre-cog* You should leave the chocolate to those of us trained to handle it, Nathan.

As for Kyle... I can understand the worry, but for now Alison and Kylun have said it. Although I'll probably be dropping 'round to make sure the mall trip went off without hassle.

You know the amusing thing about all this? Last year it was Clarice in a similar situation, bemoaning the state of her purpleness and refusing to go anywhere without an inducer. Her methods leave a bit to be desired (and you can bet I'll be checking my shampoo and showerhead for a good few weeks in case of spillover pranking), but I think it's a sign of how far she's come that she's thinking along these lines...