http://brambless.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2005-10-22 11:53 am
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Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

After today's somewhat explosive Ethics class, Tara grabs lunch and returns to the classroom, anticipating fallout from various students... and questions from others.
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[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Whoa, Parker. Back up. If you stay in character - as a slave - what does defiance look like? How can you defy your Master, and be true to yourself, without incurring punishment? As a slave, you're not rich, and you don't have connections. But you're still forceful, and attractive, and smart. So use those smarts. How can you stay in character, and defy him?"

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
And again, this concept is so alien to Parker, she can barely encompass it.

"Compliance," she grinds out. "Duplicity. Lying." She folds her arms across her stomach, swallowing hard. "Acting. Looking for an opportunity to stab them in the back when they don't expect it."

[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
Tara crosses her legs. "So the way I see it, you have two options. The first would be to tell Logan that what he is asking you to do offends you on a moral basis, and that you are not willing to do it even as part of a class assignment. He will find something else to ask you to do. He is not allowed to force you to do anything - although I do expect you to be honest with yourself about your boundaries."

"Your other option," Tara smiles, just slightly, "is to take him on. Slaves survive by their wits. Pick your battles. Comply when it's not important to you, and find a way to turn things to your advantage when it is."

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:14 am (UTC)(link)
Comply when it's not important to you, and find a way to turn things to your advantage when it is.

But it's always important, Parker wants to say. Isn't it?

"Honest about my boundaries," she repeats instead. "If I'm honest, all I want to do is punch his face in and take the detention. Even when he was 'giving' me things, I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat. Except his girlfriend might not appreciate it."

[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Why did him giving you things upset you?"

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I have my own things," Parker says shortly. "Nothing he could give me would be worth being subordinate to him."

[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, you do. You don't need what he gives you, and he's not trying to buy you. But why does him giving you things make you subordinate?"

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
"It implies I couldn't get them for myself. Like I'm some child, that I'm not able to do things, earn money, that if I left I'd be helpless--"

Parker's face has gone white, and she cuts herself off. "An obligation. It implies an obligation. And it's hardest to fight things that no one says."

[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Parker, you didn't see the Master's instructions, but this is his responsibility. It's his obligation to you to make sure that you are fed, dressed, and comfortably housed. You owe him nothing. While the manner he has chosen to do this is a little unusual, he would fail the assignment if he did not make some provision for them - even if it was only asking you to confirm your comfort."

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
"I have to go," Parker says abruptly, checking her watch. "I have to meet Alex Krycek for a newspaper interview." She gets to her feet quickly, gathering her things, not looking at Tara until she's at the door. "Thank you for your time, Professor. I think I understand a little better. And-- I'll try." Her lips thin. "But I can't promise anything."

[identity profile] brambless.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Trying is all I can ask, and more than some have been able to do." She shrugs one shoulder. "Have a good day, Parker. And call me if things get out of hand."

[identity profile] mparkerceo.livejournal.com 2005-10-22 08:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Sure." Parker's feeling ill as she walks down the hallway outside Tara's office, and she stops at the corner to catch her breath, waiting for the nausea to dissipate.

Parallels are not empirical facts. Similiarities to your life, or Jarod's, do not mean *anything*, damnit. You are the master of your own damn fate. Got it?

She takes another breath, lets it out, and ignores the pain in her gut. After a few minutes, it goes away.

Good.

Then she continues down the hallway, back to the dorms.
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