fandomhigh | Ethics [Tuesday, January 13, 2nd period]

"Today we discuss lying," Anakin said as he closed the classroom door precisely on time. "Everyone lies. 'Of course that doesn't make your butt look big.' 'You like her, I like her.' 'I'm totally okay with you moving on.' 'Everything's fine, why do you ask?' It's how the world goes around because no one wants to be trapped in a conversation where someone whines at you for hours on end about how awful their life is."

He looked around the room. "Trust me. Everyone's life is terrible. They're just not telling you about it. Be grateful."

He reached onto his desk for a piece of paper. "Today we're conducting an exercise to see how well you pass this particular social ritual, then we'll discuss whether you think it is necessary. We're playing two truths and a lie. I'll tell you three things about myself and you have to decide which one is the falsehood. Then you'll all tell three things and we'll see how well you can either read each other or keep things hidden."

He gave them a small smile. "I'm very good at this." He schooled his face to absolute neutrality, put his mental blocks up to bar any psychics in the room from gaining an advantage, then recited: "During a war at home I was known as 'The Hero Without Fear.' I've been married twice. I was the youngest Jedi ever to join the Jedi Council, which governed my Order." His eyes challenged them to call him out. "Who's next?"

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She nodded. "Jason doesn't always believe in it. We just kinda don't talk about it, really. They all just say I sometimes just know things."

Anakin twitched slightly at the name. "And that's more comfortable for them than the term 'psychic'?"

"Telepathic," she corrected. "I can't do anything else. I just hear people's thoughts. And...yeah, I s'pose so."

"Can you block other people from reading yours?" he asked.

"I haven't tried," she admitted. "I'd never met another telepath until I came here."

"Would you like to learn?" Anakin offered.

She gave him a curious look. "Really?"

"Really," he replied with a small smile.

Look, he can smile!

"I'd appreciate it," she said, blushing a little. "I'm getting a little better about making sure I can't hear other people, but some people are kinda...really loud, y'know? And it doesn't work right if I'm nervous or scared or not paying attention."

"A lot of people are really loud," Anakin agreed with a bigger smile. "When I was here as a student, I felt like a human barometer. Their moods would affect mine."

"I don't have that," she admitted, "but I know all about who's cheating on their wives at home, and who's fond of wearing ladies' underwear, and who's secretly racist or homophobic or anti-vampire. I've heard enough secrets to choke a camel and not a one of them's ever done me a bit of good."

"I am so sorry," Anakin said, honestly sympathetic. "It will get better, I promise. With enough practice, the walls become second nature."

There was a pause.

"Vampires?"

"They came out of the coffin two years ago, on international TV," she said, nodding. "Basically, they're the latest minority."

"I know vampires," Anakin said. "As far as I know, that hasn't happened in this reality yet. Why'd they come out?"

"The Japanese invented a synthetic blood," she said, shrugging. "I guess it's just like the real thing, and they don't have to drink from people anymore."

"Think I could buy some?" Anakin asked. "We have a vampire puppy at home."

"Vampire...puppy?" Sookie echoed, wide-eyed.

Anakin grinned. "A Papillon who's six weeks old forever. And can fly. I don't pretend my life is normal."

Sookie grinned in spite of herself. "Awwwww! How darling! I'm sure I can get some, sure! Shouldn't be a problem. And maybe the local bar could start stocking it, too?"

"When you go in to suggest it, make sure it's a cranky old guy that you ask," Anakin said mischievously.

Ethics [Tuesday, January 13, 2nd period]

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