fandomhigh | Friday Ethics Class #3, 8-10am

Two boxes sit on Tara's desk. One is filled with homemade cookies, with a small placard labelled 'To all those who attempted the assignment - help yourselves!'. The other is a bin to return the Master/slave badges at the end of the class.

Tara smiles as the students settle down.

"I told you last week that part of the point of this assignment was to separate out the issues of slavery and abuse. There are many, many issues with slavery, even without abusive elements attached, and I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you for attempting the assignment - especially those of you who were uncomfortable with it. I have a lot I want to say, but I'm going to bite my tongue and let you all speak, first. Tell me about your experiences with the assignment - what was challenging for you? What was easier than you thought it would be? Do you have any insights you would like to share?"

[ooc: If you would provide linkage to any RPed assignment bits and pieces, I would be forever grateful when it comes time for grading. Also, those of you who made icons? I adore you, and worship your icon-fu.]

Before class lets out, Tara makes a short announcement.

"I would not ask anything of you that I am unwilling to do myself - including act as a slave. Anyone who completed the assignment is eligible to 'win' me as a slave, under the same terms of the assignment as you performed. I realise many of you are probably glad that this is over, but if you are interested, or want revenge, please put your name down on the sheet provided. I will post this as a voting list, and the involved parties will decide as a class who is to Master me, and what is to be done with me."

[ooc: Off to bed. Play nicely, see you all in the morning. Um, my morning. *as usual, kicks stupid timezones*]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Where I come," Belthazor said casually, "the old and the weak aren't a problem. Mainly because they're dead. If you can't protect yourself or provide a useful skill to someone who can protect you, you get killed. Children's treatment varies from demon to demon, but they're usually protected until they're old enough to train. After that it's survival of the fitest. Keep up with your learning or the other students or your trainer will kill you. Kill or be killed." He shrugged.

"Once trained, does the child owe anything to their parent or teacher? Or are they effectively free of ties?"

Belthazor shook his head. "A parent or teacher may demand respect and service, but if they show any signs of weakness, the child will take advantage of it to further his position. They'll serve if it suits their needs at the time, but you don't rise through the ranks by waiting too long."

"So why do they do it? Why teach a child if that child might one day turn your lessons against you?"

"It's a risk, and you have to be confident in your own power. You need minions to serve you, you just gotta watch your back, and if you spot someone who might be too ambitious, you deal with it before they become a threat."

"As a minion, what do you owe to your master? How do you negotiate your own survival with the knowledge that your master might 'deal with you' at any time?"

"Who you serve brings a measure of respect. If that's enough, you serve and you are rewarded for your loyalty. If it's not, then you keep your ambitions hidden from your master and wait for a chance to make a move. Take power yourself or betray him to an enemy. But you give the appearance of loyalty to protect yourself and your goals."

Friday Ethics Class #3, 8-10am

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