#overwatchu

It had been quite some time since the end of Null Sector's invasion of Earth. While the world was not entirely in agreement, but then, would it ever be?, humans had accepted Omnics as equals to them, and provided equitable changes to their lives via parliament. Hate crimes occurred less, it was safer at night, and omnics were treated with more respect as a whole. Human and omnic friendships were more common, etc... (I'm terrible at writing this part).

Ramattra had been promised many things from both Overwatch and political leaders as a result of his efforts. Rewarded would not be the correct word, however he had certainly been mostly satisfied with the outcome for his people. Of course, he still had goals, he still had problems, and fury - but life was just a little bit more tolerable. Each day he saw something that would make him smile inside, and it wasn't of a violent nature. Infact, he had found more wholesome discoveries quite enchanting; simple things like people holding hands walking by, omnics and humans getting along, etc.

He was well looked after, living in a penthouse apartment (with what furniture who knows honestly), and regular income and access to technology/upgrades at no cost. He had many teams available to him, need he only ask. His status was that of a highly respected omnic, however unlike before he was not invoking terror on anyone he saw. Omnics and humans around the world eventually felt empathy for the Null sector leader, understanding where he came from, and even more so, expressing appreciation for the outcome.

About a year or so after peace had been achieved, a university had been started up in (fuck knows where? England? near Overwatch etc) London, with intent to educate more people in the defenses, in the areas of tech and fighting, omnics and humans, and hero abilities. Of course, any university starting up would need well established teachers - mentors, leaders - to get people to actually sign up. Ramattra had been surprised to receive a letter offering him a job as head of History at the university. He would be in the position of lecturing students - humans?! How fun, he thought - as well as omnics, should the university attract them.

Of course, this would mean he would no longer be as secluded in his daily life; the most of his socialisation was with his cats, Meowttra and Catnyatta, and an occasional caffeine run down the road. He had grown very comfortable to a lifestyle such as this. And now, if he were to accept... this very generous offer, he would be forced to speak with the likes of Overwatch agents, past present and future; regular humans; and scientists. Part of him felt genuine excitement, as his research and ideas could potentially be broadened; however, he felt an immense sensation of fear - him, fear? - of teaching others. His method was simple: order, discipline, or congratulate; the latter rarely occuring. But if his job was mostly lecturing and organising class topics, he couldn't see too much of a problem.

The thought of creating strong values, not hateful ones, but fair ones - in a whole fresh generation post-war, also made him feel a spark of hope. Perhaps this war could've been avoided, had there been more resources for the public before - but there was no use thinking like this now - he had a chance, a real chance, to embody himself as a leader and role model to others. To start them off right, and possibly prevent the reoccurence of discrimination; or at least, more realistically, educate enough people to take a stand, omnic or human.

You sit down in the buzzing cafe and take a sip of your favourite drink order; its so delicious, surprising you for a cafe at a campus. The warm liquid fills your mouth, waking you up and refreshing your mind. You look around - and you think how lucky you are to be here, how grateful you are - the scenery is beautiful, it somehow feels both brand new and having been there a long time aswell - you notice in the distance a beautiful garden and wonder if that adorable Thai man had created it; it was absolutely huge and bursting with colour and variety.

You read the map in more detail and then realise you hadn't even checked your schedule first. Time... 12pm, okay, not bad. Class - 1230, building C, what did the numbers mean? There's no way there were 1200 rooms in one building?! You keep checking the map, going back and forth to the map and then the schedule, until someone taps your shoulder, another student; and says

"Don't panic, kiddo. The first number is the floor, the second is the area, and the last two are the room number. See?" He points to the building across from the cafe and shows a room on the second floor. "That would be 2203, for example. You got this."

"Thank you," what a kind stranger. Everyone here seems to be so friendly! You smile and then realise after he leaves to get a coffee that he was actually kind of cute, if only you'd noticed earlier so you could've slipped in some kind of compliment - too late now.

Your class is about healing and medicine, held by Angela Ziegler, although each class is to be held by a different guest speaker. You pay attention closely, occasionally taking notes, trying not to allow distractions so that you truly take in what is being taught. *It is hard*. You have memories of being in class back in school, where you'd be distracted and then have to ask many questions at the end, not PURELY from being distracted, but also from misunderstanding... You were younger then, though, and you knew you could do it this time.

Angela was a very warm presence, calming and reassuring. You could see why she was a regular pick on Overwatch missions; simply being near her brought you at ease. She mentions that some of the guest speakers will be notoriously known, and your ears perk up when you hear Zenyatta's name mentioned. Yay, more omnic teachers! you think to yourself. You love to see it and you can't help but smile again.

The class finishes and you have a break for about 30 minutes, probably enough time for a quick snack, but nothing more considering the large walks between classes and food locations. Your next class is history, which you are sure is taught by none other than Ramattra, and your nerves spike. Something about him just made you... nervous. It wasn't a fear nervous. It was something else... you just couldn't put your finger on it.

You also couldn't wait to see how this would turn out.

You manage to get to somewhere for lunch, but being late is not something you want to do on your first day; so you only buy a small sandwich and another coffee. You eat half sitting down, and the other half while walking; trying to balance holding your ice latte in one hand and your sandwhich and bag in the other. You seem to be managing just fine, as long as no one walks too close to you. Sadly, though, you can't check the time like this, so you just hope that you get there in time... You kind of get the feeling that, while he might not hate humans as much as he used to, he would not be impressed with lateness.

Practically running, you make it to the lecture hall, proud of yourself for remembering the room number (and floor). You've finished your sandwich, and about 3/4 of your coffee remains; fuck it, it'll be fine, it's coconut milk anyway - plus its so unlikely you spill it - but it is a brand new classroom...

You start to notice the anxiety already brewing in your mind. *Maybe I have had too much coffee today,* you think, sadly - but you love coffee - you take another sip and gather your things, and walk into the room breathing deeply, noticing the way that the room is silent. You flick your head around to check that the class hasn't already started, and thankfully, it hasn't.

But... you *are* forced to sit in the front row.

Ramattra eventually walks in the room, and, *he* was a minute late... the room is tense, unsure, quiet. He looks around the room briefly and of course, there is no expression readable - he simply walks to his stand-up podium desk-thing projector combination and turns on his laptop. He looks up again, as if he forgot something, and says,

"Hello, everyone," his chest rises slowly as if he's *breathing*, and maybe he's even more nervous than *you*, which to be honest makes sense, this can't be easy if you've never done this before.

"I am sure all of you know who I am, and if you don't, then it's a good thing you are in this class." He would probably have smiled if he could. His voice commands the rooms attention with every word, extremely precise and sharp, but not too loud. "My name is Ramattra, and I am - or rather, was? - the leader of Null Sector, the omnic rebellion group striving for equal rights some time ago.

"As you know, the war was won and peace was achieved, and that is why we are all here today, sharing this space, human and omnic," He seems much more relaxed now, you notice; and it calms you aswell. "A dream that seemed far from reality when I first began conducting the movement.

He continues,

"While I am happy this is the case, and yes, I can feel happiness, despite what you may have heard," and now you KNOW he would be smiling, because he sort of *laughs* at the end of that sentence; "There is still much we must come to terms with, and much we must learn about... Ourselves, eachother, the world around us, the world that once was, the history we come from.

"And that is why I am here, to teach you these things, well I guess talk about them and hope that you pay attention."

You swallow a dry lump in your throat. You cannot believe how powerful this man is, this *omnic* man, standing so close to you, directing this class. How he can deliver such a speech, AFTER a war,where the motive is not to recruit, but simply to educate.

And it excites you (^^).

You only hope that you can pay attention, because not only was history one of your worst subjects in school, and not only did you always struggle to learn subjects that weren't second-nature (you found them boring), but you realise that up close, Ramattra is actually *extremely attractive*, and you worry that being metres away from him for 2 hours will prevent you from learning a single thing...

The class starts and you manage to take down.. One page of notes. You catch yourself daydreaming plenty, scribbling side notes, and lightly tapping your feet (quiet enough so that students hopefully can't hear it). By the end of the class, you have a beautiful border of symbols and flowers on your page surrounding your notes, however you have probably missed about 80% of the content. *I'm sure it'll be online anyway,* You think, and then you remember WHY you couldn't focus, and that hearing his voice even without seeing him is probably enough to distract you...

"Hello," a calm voice says to you... voice box... Ramattra's. You instinctively bite your lip as if you were talking out loud, and have the urge to apologise...

"Um, hi," you smile, snapping out of it. *be professional, be polite, don't be weird, this is your career... your future.*

"If it is okay, I would like to speak with you," he isn't looking directly at you, he is looking instead at the several students exiting the room, acknowledging each one, leaving himself approachable incase anyone has a question. "Alone."

You feel entirely confused; what? Is this real? How...

"Sure," you say calmly, FAKE calm, of course.

"Not long now." He waves to the last student leaving and faces you, and for the first time you realise he has your attention, and you have his, and you think back to how many times you have wondered what this would be like, to be face to face with him...

"I apologise if this comes across harsh," he says, sighing. "I don't mean for it to be. But I also don't know how to ask such things...

"Do you... need some help? I cannot help but notice you didn't really... pay much attention. And I am not criticising you, I just wonder if there's anything I can do."

He waits for your response, but you can't think of anything to say. He continues

"Um, I heard that there is a department for people with neurodiversity, you know, attention-difficulty related... I'm not really sure how these things work, I am sorry."

He lowers his head and puts a hand to his head, clearly he is stressing about this; you instantly recognise this and speak up.

"No, no no. Please. It is okay." You smile and shake your head, "I totally get it. I was... you're right. And yes, I do struggle with those things, and I didn't know about that department, so thank you," you push your lips together and think of how to finish the sentence... "Ramattra."

He looks up at you at the sound of his name and you can tell that he is at ease; and possibly even... respectful? He doesn't seem like one to give respect *easily*, but...

"Okay, great. Look, I don't mind at all, I'm not offended if you can't keep up, I'm sure you're not the only one too. Just please let me know if you need help or any questions. I am new to this myself and don't want to neglect anyone."

You smile at him and start to gather your things. You're relieved that you could reassure him; but also sort of surprised and grateful that some one had reached out to you this way, especially on the first day.

"Everything's online these days anyway, right? I can just re-watch the lecture..." you say, faintly smiling, wanting to slide in a joke but not wanting to be too awkward...

Ramattra chuckles. "Yeah, like anyone would want to hear my voice twice. You do know I am the only omnic teacher here, right?" He doesn't mean it rudely, you know this, but you can tell he is slightly on edge about his own first day, let alone being the only one of his kind on the teaching list...

"I think your voice is lovely," you say quietly, and the dry swallow is back; butterflies fill you and you *immediately* regret it.

He isn't aware of the intent of your compliment, so he ignores any possibility of flirtation, and simply says "Then I'm sure you won't struggle too much with the content, if you can stand to hear me talking even outside of the classroom. I have full faith in you, student. Now, I must leave, and walk for 15 minutes to my next class. It was nice to talk with you."

You nod and get out of your seat while he packs up his things. As you leave, he adds,

"I am grateful," and you know what he means; the tricky conversation he had to initiate, possibly for the first time in his life; and your help.

You simply smile and nod, walking out of the room, hoping that he goes in a different direction when he eventually leaves.