[28: writing class with Meltzah]

[paper_knight]

You know those teachers who always somehow manage to force their students into a circle, no matter how many desks are involved or how large or small the classroom is? Mark is one of those.
He's mild-mannered--never angry so much as disappointed with poor work--and always looks a bit frazzled. The kind of teacher you might try to push around. Try being the operative word--he's tougher than he looks, and obnoxiously passionate about academic writing, to boot.

He's pacing the classroom now, a sheaf of papers in one hand.

"I understand there was some confusion last class about the deadline for the persuasive essay assignment. For those of you who turned it in on time, I have your graded work ready. For the rest of you, I'll accept them anytime today--just bring them by my office. We'll call it a grace period. In the meanwhile, I'd like everyone to partner up for peer critique on the journalism drafts. I'll be coming around to answer any questions you might have."

His first stop in his circuit of the classroom is Terezi. He's got her essay in hand, but he hesitates before giving it to her.

"Miss Pyrope. I'd like to discuss this after class."