fandomhigh | Ethics [Tuesday, January 20, 2nd period]

"Today we talk about envy," he said quietly. "There's always something that someone else seems to have that we want: clothing, grades, family, love, looks, acclaim...their achievements remind us of something we don't think we have enough of."

He began pacing as he warmed to his subject. "A wise man once said that envy is the art of counting the other person's blessings instead of your own. An entire industry has sprung up and flourished exploiting the idea that we envy those who have achieved fame." Anakin made a face. "With the equally charming dark side that we'll take joy in watching their failures."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Normally that means that today we would start false rumors about people as an exercise in what not to do. If your voicemail was anything like mine on Sunday, though, you already have more than your fair share of factoids about your fellow students and teachers that ventured way over into the realm of oversharing."

He didn't make eye contact with Ino. "So today, pair up, talk about one of the messages you received that made you wonder something unflattering about a fellow member of Fandom, or one that made you defensive that someone might be believing a falsehood about you, and decide what you will do the next time the phones go insane." He smiled. "It's happened three times since I've been here, so there will be a next time."

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"Yep," Triela nodded sharply. "Just over a year now."

"And where are you from?" he asked, curious as usual.

"Rome." There was a brief pause before she added "Italy."

"Rome. Italy." The words weren't completely unfamiliar. He nodded.

"How about you?" Triela asked, gaze shifting to his eyes. She was clearly expecting an interesting answer.

He smiled. "I'm from the planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune. I believe not many people know of it here."

"And I'd be one of them," Triela nodded in agreement. "Is that what's up with," rather than finish the sentence, she just gestured at her eyes.

He laughed. "Spice addiction makes our eyes look like this," he told her.

"Spice addiction?" Triela's voice rose curiously. "That sounds interesting."

"Interesting?" Leto laughed, curious. "Why is that?"

"Well," Triela smirked, "I always find drugs interesting. Probably because I'm on so many myself." She shrugged and grinned. "Maybe it's just familiar or something."

"And what kind of drugs are you on?" He asked.

"Mostly stuff I'm not allowed to name. The Agency doesn't want people getting their hands on their conditioning drugs." She shrugged. "I can tell you what they do, if you want? That part's no secret."

"Their purpose is more interesting than the name," Leto replied.

"Fair enough." Triela leaned back and closed her eyes as she brought up a mental list. "There's a memory suppressant. A cocktail to regulate nerve impulses that heightens senses while increasing tolerances for pain and temperature extremes. Endorphin regulators combined with some sort of stuff they cooked up in the lab to make sure I continue to obey orders."

She tapped her chin. "Those are the high points, I think."

Clearly she was undertaking some kind of training. Leto nodded. "What happens if you stop taking them?" he asked.

"I'm not entirely sure." Triela glanced down at her hands. "It would probably depend on which things got out of my system first. I could end up with loss of motor control or return of memory or, well, as far as I know they haven't done any tests with that."

"Return of memory?" He raised an eyebrow.

"The memory suppressants are part of the program. It's a lot easier to shape someone's personality if they don't remember their childhood." She flashed an ironic grin. "I've only got about four years of memories myself."

Ethics [Tuesday, January 20, 2nd period]

Re: Pair up and talk!

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Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

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Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!

Re: Pair up and talk!