fandomhigh | Ethics Class [Thursday, September 10, 1st 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 have three children. I am 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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Karla was all set to guess correctly, but his question made her pause. "No," she said, "because I think I know the answer. And you wouldn't let me win so easily."

"I'm that nefarious?" he replied, eyes twinkling.

"I'm friends with your grandson," Karla replied, grinning a bit. "Skywalkers like to win."

Which made her think of something. Behind the strongest shields and blandest expression she could muster, she sent out a psychic thread to Ben.

*Ben? Was your grandfather ever nicknamed anything? During a war?*

"I've decided that losing as a learning experience is overrated," Anakin declared.

"Since we all agree that winning is fun, I suppose I can take a guess," Karla said, trying not to grin. "I don't think you were the youngest Jedi on the Council."

"How did you come to that conclusion?" Anakin replied.

Karla was tempted to lie--in the name of the class, of course--but quailed a little under Anakin's stare. So she decided to go with the next best thing. "I told you, I'm friends with Ben."

It was like an answer! And completely true!

"And my history came up in conversation. Interesting," Anakin said. "You're correct, by the way."

"I don't sit at Ben's feet and ask for Anakin Skywalker bedtime stories," Karla said, laughing a little at the very thought. "But sometimes things come up in conversation. We talk about the wars at home, sometimes," she said, voice dropping. "His and mine."

Anakin's lips pursed. "There's far too many students with similar backgrounds here," he said a little vehemently. "His, at least, is over. Is yours?"

She shook her head. "It began--not that anyone realized it at the time--when my uncle Hobart killed my parents and set up a the Ruling Council and a puppet-Queen for Glacia." Her face twisted with loathing. "It will end when I go home, make my Offering, and form my Court."

And bring a civil war to her people. Details.

Anakin made a placating gesture. "Not so angry," he said quietly. "That will only cloud your judgment."

"You don't know what he's doing to my people," Karla said quietly. "You don't know why I'm here."

"True," Anakin said, "but I do know a thing or two about wars. And the one in charge has to be absolutely in control of her emotions or things end in disaster."

"I've got four years to learn how not to be angry at him," Karla retorted. "I'm probably going to need all four of them. He--" she shook her head. "Never mind."

Anakin gave her a penetrating look. "My office hours are on Tuesdays if you feel I need more information."

"Thank you," Karla said. "I appreciate the offer."

It was one she wasn't certain she'd take up yet.

Ethics Class [Thursday, September 10, 1st period]

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker

Re: Two truths and a lie: Anakin Skywalker