fandomhigh | Ethics [Tuesday, November 25]

Today the desks in Anakin's classroom had been pushed along the walls and replaced with cushy pillows and blankets. There was a giant table in the front of the room creaking with the weight of Thanksgiving treats. Fear not--it was all ordered in. Anakin wasn't a fan of ovens.

"Today we talk about sloth," Anakin said, holding himself even more carefully and clearly uncomfortable with the very idea of relaxing. The students were certainly not expected to be held to the same standard. "Originally, sloth was described as 'an uneasiness of the mind'," Anakin continued. "Apathy. Melancholy. Joylessness. And importantly, the decision not to do anything about it."

He shrugged. "The modern view understands that the mind is slightly more complicated than that and sometimes it is impossible to will yourself not to be sad. Instead, this sin focuses on the failure to utilize your talents and gifts."

He gestured at the table. "This Thursday, there is a holiday celebrating sloth--or at least the lethargy that comes from overeating. Millions of people in this country will spend time ignoring their relatives and watching football. It's a national holiday." He shrugged again. "I don't pretend to understand it."

He lit his lightsaber and began slicing the turkey, mostly because he would never, ever, ever get away with that at the Thanksgiving he'd be going to. "So today, embrace your inner sloth and eat until you're ready to take a nap. But first find a fellow student, tell them one of your talents--and no one is allowed to cop out and say they don't have one--and how you use it here at school."

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"I don't," he said and shrugged. "I don't care what you look like. People are from different places. I'm not going to run away."

"Thank you for that; it's appreciated. Most people here feel the same way you do. It's only a problem at home, but since I'm here, I shouldn't think about it."

"This place is a little different than most places," he said and smiled. "That's why I'm hesitant to even think about leaving."

Penelope grinned. "When my time is up here, I'm think I will feel just as you do. Are you going back home?"

"Good question," he said and poked at his turkey. "I don't want to. There are...things that make me want to stay here."

"Am I being nosey by asking you what those things are?" she asked.

"There's people I care about here." One in particular. "And I like it here."

Her smile widened. "Two wonderful reasons to stay. It would be why I wouldn't want to leave either."

"I've still got a few months to finalize things so who knows if I'll go home or not," he answered.

"You at least have a choice," she said.

"You don't?" Lee asked.

"No," she answered. "I'm lucky my mother allowed me out of the house to come here. She wants me back just as quick as she can get me."

"I didn't think I did either," he told her. "Things change. Trust me."

"I hope that they might, Lee, I really do," she replied. But then Penelope managed to look sheepish. "I'm usually not so talky. I would hate for your food to get cold."

"It's not," he said and laughed. "And don't worry, boys will eat anything, cold or warm."

She laughed. "I assumed as much."

"As long as it's on the plate, it's good enough to eat," he said and laughed. "I'm not picky at all."

"My favorite? Are Ho-Ho's. I usually eat them every day. Sometimes if I'm feeling adventurous, I will eat two packs a day."

"Ho-Ho's are...sweets, right?" Lee asked. "Kind of like Twinkies?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed brightly. "But chocolate cake instead of yellow. They are absolutely brilliant."

"I think I've had them maybe once," he said. "Or twice. I tend to stick with donuts."

"I do like powdered donuts, though I like to think I get enough sugar with my chocolate. My mother keeps me stocked with boxes."

"Any reason why or because she knows you like it?" Lee wondered.

"She knows I like them and in her own way, she wants me to be happy," she answered.

"She's got one up on my dad then," he said. "He doesn't send me anything."

Re: Get food and pair up! [11/25]

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