fandomhigh | Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Tuesday

"All right, children," Kerrigan said, standing straight up in front of the class. "Today's your last class in this module. I hope it's been a little educational." The corners of her long lips tilted up a little bit. "What we've been talking about is the essence of how to deal with a world that's pitched against you. I hope by now you've also gotten the idea that trolling message boards and getting indignant is fun, but it won't help you get by."

God only knew how little being indignant had done for her.

"Sometimes you have to get dirty," she said. "Messy. Foul. When you're at the bottom, you have very little left to lose but your own life - use that. After all, no one is going to give you any respect if you keep your head down solely to make sure you don't get stomped on."

"But that obviously makes this a little... complicated," she continued. "Keep in mind that everyone and anyone can try to use who you are against you, even when they don't mean to. Even when they're friends, or you think they're friends, even if you think you have an insight as to who they are and what they do. Some of you know this. Others..."

She raked her eyes over several members of her audience. "I want you to tell me now how you plan to fight. If you plan to fight. Why you do. Because there's nothing I can tell you that's a magical fix-it. Some of you are going to get kicked down without a single thought into your head as to how things might get better. Trust me. It can happen to anyone. Anyone at all. No matter how... noble... you think you are."

Her mouth evened out. "Go ahead and talk," she said. "If I see any of you in my class next semester... there will be a lot less of that-- so do get it all out now."

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"Thanks?" Tara shrugged one shoulder, embarrassed.

"And ... maybe not, but I'm not going to restore peace and justice to the galaxy, either," she said softly, eyes flickering over to Leia as she went pink. "My universe isn't like that."

Edited 2010-06-22 15:36 (UTC)

"Restoring peace and justice is overrated," she said, flatly. "Most of us should feel lucky enough if we manage to dig our own foxholes without anyone claiming that makes you their property."

It took a moment for Tara to process the analogy, mostly because she wasn't terribly clear on what a foxhole was.

"That's what I want," she finally said. "My own foxhole. I think ...? "

"A hole dug out in the open to serve as shelter during an offense," Kerrigan explained, idly. "Finding one outside of anyone's army is... rare."

Which was about what Tara had figured it was, so it was good to have it confirmed even if she hadn't realized she looked that confused.

"So ... either I'll look for a long time or I'll find an army I like." It wasn't a challenge, just a statement of fact.

"I'd say 'look for an army that likes you'," Kerrigan said, dryly, "But those are... rare."

~~Well, actually the U.S. was supposed to change that policy....~~

"Maybe I'll get lucky?" Tara offered, a bit feebly. The class always gave her things to think about, but she was never quite sure where to follow her thoughts, except toward a vague feeling of relative luck.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Tuesday

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