fandomhigh | Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #2, Monday, 2-4pm

Tara looks more nervous than excited as students take their seats, but tries hard to school her face into a confident mask.

"Okay, first off - you've probably heard about the assignment. From the radio, if nothing else. I promise you, it's not anywhere near as bad as you're imagining. I won't keep people in suspense - we'll do the debate last, because I suspect no-one will be able to focus until this is out of the way.

Before I explain that, however, I need to make two announcements.

"First, Teacher's Assistants have been chosen. I have a carrot - Major K! - and a stick - Angelus. If you're having trouble grasping a concept, talk to Major K!. He'll guide you through the thinking. If you think you've got a hold on it, talk to Angelus. He'll challenge your thinking, give you the opportunity to clarify your position.

"Second, and related to the latter - this class is not an easy A. At some point in this course you will find yourself challenged and confronted. For many of you, that will be today. If you walk out of this classroom before class is over, and without checking it with me, I may be understandably upset. However, I recognise that if you get angry or upset, you may need some time alone, or away from the group. To that end, I present to you the ~~Emo Closet~~ Time Out Room." She walks to the back of the classroom and opens the door to what previously was a supply cabinet. Inside is what looks very much like a white padded room. "This room is soundproofed. You can cry, scream and punch things all you want, and I will not penalise you for leaving the class or the discussion. Major K! or I will come to check on anyone who goes to the Emo Closet Time Out Room, in case you need help or support. Feel free to tell us to leave you alone.

"Now on to the assignment. Yes, it's a Master/slave exercise. Please don't jump to conclusions about that. There is a difference between slavery and abuse, although the two do often go hand in hand. The rules for this assignment prevent any form of abuse - both Master and slave must have a safeword so that they can stop things at any time. What we're exploring here is slavery. That's all, and that's quite enough. Please, please try not to confuse it with other ethical issues, even the ones that often attend this one.

"The TAs will be handing out to you a copy of the rules, and the guidelines for your role, as well as a badge that will either declare 'I am an Ethics Class slave' or 'I am an Ethics Class Master'. These badges must be worn when you are in your role. If you're not in your role, life continues on as normal. As a further distinction, I urge all of you to adopt another name or title for the role you are playing. To that end, you may call me 'My Lady', Angelus 'Daddy' and Major K! 'Rabbit'."

Jonathan, Kitty, Chiana, Angela, Six, Allie, Lindsay, Shane and Veronica are given Master rules by 'Daddy'
Sydney, Stark, Rory, Archie, Hotaru, John Connor, Paige, Chloe and John Sheppard are given slave rules by 'Rabbit'.

"The pairings are as follows, Master listed first:
Jonathan/Sydney
Kitty/Stark
Chiana/Rory
Angela/Archie
Six/Hotaru
Allie/John
Lindsay/Joan
Shane/Chloe
Veronica/Lisa Cuddy (from Friday's class)
Piper (from Friday's class)/John Sheppard.
Quinn/Bridge (from Friday's class)

Please go with the relevant TA to discuss any concerns you have about this project, or clarify your instructions. In light of the furour from Friday's class, this will serve as today's discussion topic."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, Stark I...I know. 'Course I know.

::watching Stark lose it is *definitely* not helping her stay calm::

Stark, you have to blez out for a microt here, ok? I...I can't help you if you freak. ::starts looking around for help::

Yo... you two okay?

No. Not...not even remotely. Way, way, too close to the subject, ya know? Could...could you help me try an calm him down? 'least until the teach can get to him?

'Too close to the subject'? [thinks] OH! Okay...

Try looking at it like this: Those of us who have been fortunate enough to only know slavery as an abstract concept tend make comments that are... insensitive to say the least. Mostly because we don't get it.

This is your chance to teach other people what it was like to be you. A chance to really get some friends who understand where you're coming from. It's an exercise, where no one is in any kind of actual jeopardy, but a well run simulation can really teach people about an abstract subject.

I...I know. It's just. ::sigh:: You're right, it's good that other people can see it. But it's... it's kinda hard to see it as somethin' different than it's been in the past, you know? Knowing something and...and feeling something are usually completely different.

::looking over at Stark and seeing that Kitty seems to have calmed him down, she decides she needs to go calm down herself:: I.. I'm sorry, I just... Excuse me. ::heads to the emo room::

[watches her go, looking concerned]

Should I go after her? I know that's the prof's job... but she seems kind of busy.

I know I know I know! Supposed to stay calm. No freaking. Can't help it.
Supposed to be calm. Can't be calm anymore. Used to be. Not anymore. Not often. Remember too much know too much. Sometimes. I can be calm. I can. I think.

*He paused, closed his eye and muttered something that might have been a chant or might have been nonsense. He was trying. He knew it wasn't real but it still hit on far too many old hurts.*

Nothing will happen?

::if it was possible for her to get any whiter, she would be at that. Now she knew exactly how Beka had felt when she asked her to promise to make sure she didn't go too far::

Oh... oh, frell, Stark, don't... please don't ask me that.

You... you don't have to do this. Tara...the teach won't..won't make you. Just talk to, her, ok? She can't know what you're going through unless you tell her.

"You're Stark?" Kitty asks, rushing over to him. "Are you okay? We can switch, if you want."

*Whatever reaction Stark might have been expecting, that was certainly not it. He looked at Kitty startled and confused, nodding at her first question.*

"I'm Kitty," she explains. "We're paired together. But I can be the slave, if it's okay with the Professor."

If he lets her, she'll take his hand in hers.

Hello, Kitty.

What? No. That's...no. Can't make you, can't make anyone else do that. Wouldn't. Never.

*He jerked his hand back, and started wringing his hands without really realizing it. Then he looked down and saw what he was doing and gave what he hoped was an apologetic sort of shrug.*

John slowly eased over to where Stark and Kitty (and Wraithbait and the recently departed Paley McPale).

Staying out of lunging range, he asked, "Everything okay there, Sparky?"

*Stark shook his head*

No. Will be. I think. Probably. Not sure. Never sure.
Thank you.

*"Sparky" sounded like something Crichton would have said, at least the Crichtons he remembered, and that was familiar enough to be somewhat comforting.*

*John nodded, still staying out of attack range*

"It's just an assignment. It ain't real. Well, it's real enough bull, but that's it."

He murmured to Kitty. "Keep an eye on this one. Definitely set off his twitch switch."

Know it's not real. Shouldn't have yelled.
Bad memories. You wouldn't understand. Couldn't. Good. You don't want to.

"Buddy, you got that right. I want no part of someone else's memories. or futures. Just take it easy, catch a few breaths, and things'll get.. well, less bad."

"Hello, Stark," Tara says quietly. "I understand you've had personal experience as a slave? You don't have to do the assignment. It's your choice. But if you do, I need you to remember that you're going to set guidelines with your partner beforehand, and you're going to be able to stop it at any point. Just take off your badge, and it's over. If you'd like to swap places with Kitty, that's fine too. I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with."

*Stark shook his head. He had calmed down considerably now and it hadn't even taken anyone knocking him around to do it. That was always a positive thing.*

Can't swap. Might be worse. Wouldn't do that, no.

Didn't mean to yell you know. Know better than that, really I do. Know better than to freak. But why? What's the point? Not something to play with, not a game.

*He really hadn't meant to cause any trouble, especially not on his first day in class. It had just happened, and he hoped she understood that. Even if he was still deeply disturbed by the assignment.*

Philosophy classroom: Ethics class #2, Monday, 2-4pm

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