Magical Ethics: Week 8, Period 1

[justagalegirl.livejournal.com]

The handwavy email that went out asked the class to meet in the Danger Shop.  When the students arrived and filed in, they found Alysha scowling at the controls and really, really wishing she'd brought more coffee.  It was the Danger Shop that apparently needed coffee.

"You all look tan," Alysha commented, smiling at the group once they were all there.  "Except for the ones of you who don't in which case, good on you for not damaging your skin."

She turned back to the Danger Shop controls and keyed in the entry code.  The Danger Shop morphed around them until the students were all standing on the top of what looked like a very high cliff.  Also on the cliff and possibly looking like they might be considering jumping off were a bunch of - ponies.

Red and white ponies to be clear.  With a red maple leaf on each of their butts.  Apparently the Danger Shop had taken that humming of O Canada under Alysha's breath as she came in seriously.  (But really, after an ending like that to the Olympics, what was she supposed to be humming?)

She frowned at the ponies but shrugged, turning back to the class.  "We're putting what we've talked about into action today.  Today a total stranger - a pony is going to jump off this cliff.  It's your job to stop him using any means you consider ethical."  Alysha looked around, making sure everyone was following.  "We've talked about a lot of different scenarios so far this class, and a lot of you seem pretty confident that you know what to do in a given situation so - let's do it.  You can find a partner or you can work alone on this.  The ponies will jump in 4 minutes so you have some time to discuss what you want to do.  You can act while they're still on the cliff or while they're in the air.  The one thing I'm going to ask is treat the ponies like they're sentient creatures, like they're humans.  I don't want to see anyone putting a halter around the pony's head and trying to lead it away because I'm pretty damn sure you're not doing that to another person."

Alysha glanced around.  "Any questions?  Then pair up and go for it."

Comments

Re: Team Up and Save the Ponies! [3-2]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund stepped slightly off to the side and placed a firm but careful hand on the pony's neck. Thankfully, Edmund knew horses, so he had a slight advantage here and was able to convey a silent, calm reassurance for the pony. "We'll go and get something to eat and," he agreed, "and then we can work out the rest. You go on ahead and collect yourself. We'll be right behind you."

The pony looked torn between wanting to skitter back to the edge and wanting to go the way Edmund had gestured.

"This will be fine," he reassured the pony. "Go ahead."

The pony nudged Tara some more and then, head down, started to walk further away from the cliff. Edmund gave Tara an impressed look and a nod.

Re: Team Up and Save the Ponies! [3-2]

[life_inshadow]

Tara managed not to grin until the pony was safely away from the cliff edge. A suicidal pony was very serious business.

Then she quietly whispered a triumphant, "We did it! You were awesome."