divide and conquer

"Gorg brought some delicious-looking pastries for us all to share-"

(he made sure to note in no uncertain terms that each participant was allotted one and one only)

"-and I made up some flash cards to start our discussion."

Floren sighed. "I suppose flash cards are better than going around in a circle saying fun facts about ourselves."

"Ooh! You know what, that's a great idea!" Finally, Agate dropped down into their folding chair, completing the circle, and cleared her throat. "Ahem. I'm Agate, my pronouns are she/they, and I'm studying geology. There isn't a great history of women in geology, especially trans women, and I was actually just reading an article on the Speaking of Geoscience blog abo--"

She was interrupted by another percussive swallow, this one from Roc. Roc was supportive of the group bonding technique, but wouldn't it be in the general best interest to move things along?

"Roc. Nonbinary. My pronouns are actually he/him, but I say they/them most often because it's easier for folks to understand - not that everyone needs to understand me, or us, but if you want somebody to at least get that you're not identifying the way they think you are, and you haven't changed your name, well..."

He trailed off, flashing keen eyes to Sheba.

"We're Sheba. We are most comfortable referring to ourselves in the majestic plural, but again, most refuse to recognize practical use of nosism."

Seeing the blank but well-meaning faces around Sheba, we added, "And we like girls."

Godfrey spoke next, offering: "I'm Godfrey! Transhet, he/him, so not very interesting, but the fact that my identity is more common and, I guess, easily digestible for your average allocishet person, means I can more easily educate on the behalf of other queer people!"

A noble and just cause. Still, silence descended upon the basement classroom as Floren willed the time for introductions to come to a close and Gorg regretted letting Godfrey twist him into attending.

"I'm a man. I bake. It's tough."

"Really?" asked Agate.

"No. I'm gay."