fandomhigh | Ethics [Thursday, March 20}

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Ethics [Thursday, March 20}

Today Anakin's desk was covered with droid babies in bassinets.

Each baby had a tiny stuffed Ewok tucked next to it. Shh.

"Today we talk about lust," Anakin said. "Or rather, the unintended consequences that can happen when you take action without precautions."

He smiled. "Meet your little projects for the next week. They're heavy, they cry, and they will record everything you do with them. So if you stuff them into a closet for a week, believe me, I'll know."

He reached for a list of paper. "Some of you I've paired together, some of you are single parents." His smile turned a little evil. "Some of your babies are a little fussier than others."

He was a petty, petty man.

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"I'm not sure what that is," he admitted. "But it's not important." Karal took a deep breath, sorting it all out in his head, then began to explain. "Gabriel is not a man at all, or at least, he didn't used to be. He was an angel. He was made human as punishment, for failing his god, and he ended up here in exile. The task he failed in was part of a larger whole, a war between angels. One side wishes to obliterate humanity from their world, and the angel who leads them, Pyriel, is genocidal and homicidal and insane. Gabriel tells me he has stands a good chance of succeeding."

He knew how this sounded, and he kept his eyes fixed on the edge of Anakin's desk, determined to simply get all of it out. "There is one person who can stop him, a boy, who is something called a Nephilim, who had an angel father and a human mother. There may come a time in the future where he needs to be protected, as Pyriel will try and destroy him once he realises the threat. When Gabriel told me that, I thought of you."

Anakin nodded, accepting the story completely. "You'd like me to protect a chosen one?"

Karal sagged with relief. "I, yes. Yes, that is what I'm asking," he said, amazed and grateful that his story had been so easily accepted. "If it becomes necessary, which Vkandis willing it won't."

"Just in case Vkandis decides to sit out the affairs of a different god, then," Anakin said with a very small smile. "How old is the boy?"

His smile was just as small as Anakin's. "Before I left Karse, I didn't believe there were other gods. Now I am wondering if there protocols between them for situations such as these." They weren't comfortable thoughts. "I think he is eight," he replied, a little sadly. "So young to carry such a weight of responsibility. It is a comfort that he's not aware of it."

"He might have an idea," Anakin said quietly. "I wasn't much older when I was found on Tatooine. I knew I had a destiny, just not what it was."

A muscle on his jaw twitched. "Regardless, this boy's destiny isn't going to be as a sacrifice."

His smile faded and he looked down at his hands. "He's just a boy. I don't want him to die. I don't want him to be afraid because he doesn't understand what's happening to him," he said softly. "Thank you."

"Karal," Anakin said quietly, reminded--and not for the first time--of Obi-Wan. "The boy will be fine."

He looked away. "Thank you for trusting me with this."

"There was no one else I thought of," he said, looking up. "Who would be strong enough to help, and compassionate enough to do so."

"Most people wouldn't jump immediately to 'compassionate' to describe me," Anakin said.

"It is not all of what or who you are." There was very little of the nervous student left as Karal looked at Anakin, everything about him in that moment was simply priest. "Not even most. But it exists at the core of you, no matter how it is hidden away."

"A true Jedi is selfless," Anakin said very quietly. "One of these days I might work my way back there."

Karal's smile was bright, his eyes very warm. "I believe you will."

Anakin gave him a small smile. "I wouldn't hold your breath on it. I'm a long, long way from perfection."

Karal laughed quietly, looking away, just a student again, and a much relieved one, at that. "The Writ says life is striving. If you think you have achieved perfection, you have missed something. So open your eyes, and look again."

"I'm going to have to remember that," Anakin said. "It's very good advice."

"When I finally finish translating The Writ into English, I'll make a copy for you," he offered shyly. "It may take a number of years."

"I would love that," Anakin said honestly. "Jedi weren't big on large tomes, but I miss the philosophy discussions."

Karal's eyes lit up. "Glory, I miss that as well! Evey is the only person I can have them with," he said. "The first time we ever spoke we talked about the difference between someone who has lost faith and someone who never had it." His smile was warm verging on dopey. "It was fascinating."

Something pained flashed in Anakin's eyes before he ruthlessly quashed it. "Sounds fascinating."

Karal saw it, even if he wished he hadn't. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I forget." He folded his hands in his lap. "I should probably go. There will be some work to do to make Edgar comfortable."

"No reason to apologize," Anakin said. "And Edgar will behave like any normal baby--just keep her fed, warm, and dry and you'll do fine."

"I spent Trenor's first two years doing all those things. I think Edgar and I will do all right." He stood, but paused before leaving. "Thank you, again. I don't have the words to say how much it means to know I'm not trying to do this on my own."

Anakin smiled. "It's what I'm here for."

Karal gave him another shy smile and a quick nod, and slipped out of the office.

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Ethics [Thursday, March 20}

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