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."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I've exceeded everyone's expectations so far," Emma replied smoothly. "As long as I have a clear set of goals, and know what I'm willing to do to accomplish them, I see no reason why I cannot continue to astonish the masses."

Being called 'arrogant' was a compliment, so far as Emma was concerned.

"Oh, I can see enough reasons from here," Kerrigan replied, equally smoothly. "Namely keeping your eye on the prize so long you don't see the knife in your back -- although I assume you have plans for that, too."

"If they're close enough to knife me, they're close enough for me to know about it, and anything else they're planning." That wasn't a nice smile. "That's what powers are for; why else would we have them if we aren't supposed to use them?"

Um, probably not the lesson you're supposed to be learning at Fandom, Emma.

"Even the best telepath can get fucked over if she isn't listening in the right direction." Probably not the lesson she was supposed to be learning, but not a lesson Kerrigan felt any need to unlearn; she did it herself.

"That's why I keep pushing my limits, and listening to everything around me." Emma shrugged. "Life without risk is boring, and if they manage to pull it off, I probably deserved it."

"I just won't make the same mistake a second time."

Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Tuesday

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