fandomhigh | Polar Opposites, Tuesday

As the students grouped into the classroom for the first time, those familiar with Alistair and Morrigan's general modus operandi would have made note of the familiar twin expressions of distaste on their faces.

For Alistair, that had kind of become rote - the scowl in question was getting to be about as familiar as his favorite pair of leather trousers. "Good morning, and welcome to... this class." Ugh, the name. Was that really necessary? "I'm Alistair, of the Grey Wardens, and this is Morrigan. We're glad to see you lot. It's going to be an excellent semester, I'm sure."

~~Someday, the hatesex between these two was going to be epic~~

"We are here to teach you the fine art of debating or disagreeing with someone, without resorting to a sword in the gut," Morrigan said smoothly. "For instance, there is no reason a templar should stab a mage first, and ask questions later."

"Nor," Alistair said, "Is there any reason for a mage to turn a templar into a toad just because she happens to disagree with his opinion." This came out... not so smoothly. More catty, in the fashion of a fourteen-year-old boy.

You just keep on being excellent examples, Alistair and Morrigan.

Well, he WAS barely out of boy's breeches, at least from Morrigan's oh-so-informed opinion of being about a year his elder.

....this is what happens when the school board lets teenagers teach teenagers, people.

"Introductions are boring," Morrigan continued, as if Alistair hadn't said a word. "One topic you're passionate about, and your argument for or against it in one minute, or something along those lines. You. Start."

"Everyone else is of course allowed to discuss along," Alistair interrupted. "I mean. You don't have to be as taciturn as good old Morrigan over here..." Was that an emphasis on the word 'old'? Wasn't it? Mystery!

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"But your death won't stop the cycle of violence," Karla pointed out. "To many, the death of an unarmed female advocating peace will be used as a rallying cry. Or, at least, a cause for more violence."

Did Gabrielle really think that Xena would let her death go unavenged? Even if that was what Gabrielle really wanted?

Gabrielle had made Xena promise not to become a monster if anything happened to her. She honestly believed Xena would keep that promise.

No one ever said Gabrielle let practicality get in the way of her ideals.

"I'd hope the people I care about would honor my memory by not using my death as an excuse for war," she insisted.

"So where does justice work into this system of yours?" Karla asked. "People like that don't surrender themselves without a fight."

"That's the question, though, isn't it?" Gabrielle persisted. "What is justice? Bringing one evildoer down, or something greater than that? I used to think that was enough, but now I'm not so sure. There will always be those who try to do harm, put their own gain and motives above anything else, but . . . as long as we glorify power and victory, won't that always be the case?"

Oooh, that was a good question. "I used to think it was something like the restoration of balance," Karla said slowly, putting her thoughts in order. "But a lot of crimes aren't as simple as replacing something that was lost or broken."

How could you restore of balance a broken body? A broken life? A broken witch.

"Part of it is making sure that whoever does deliberate harm to one is no longer able to harm another," she said. "But the how of that is not as easy to answer."

"And not everything is replaceable," Gabrielle supplied; she'd listened intently throughout Karla's argument, because even if they disagreed there was no way she wouldn't take her roommate seriously.

"It's a tough question. I won't disagree with that. There are still a lot of things I'm working out. I'd like to say that taking a dangerous individual out of a position to harm others without causing harm yourself ought to be enough, but there are still so many questions there . . ."

She smiled, apologetically. "I've only just started on this path. I still have a lot more to find out."

"I'm interested in what you learn as you continue," Karla said, because if anyone could make it work, it was her roommie. "You should talk to Raven; she feels similarly about things."

And caused Karla no end of confusion and frustration because if it.

"I just hope you don't end up in more danger because of it. I'd hate to see you hurting."

Gabrielle looked down at her hands and bit her lip, but didn't volunteer what she was thinking; a flash of the vision Alti had shown her was playing in her mind, though.

"I might do that -- talk to Raven," she clarified. "And of course you know I'll keep you up to date."

"You'd better," Karla teased, mostly to keep the worry out of her eyes. "A courtesy from one Queen to another."

She reached out for Gabrielle's hand.

"One friend to another."

Gabrielle really had no compunction about moving to take Karla's hand in both of hers.

"Then as a fellow Queen and a friend, I give you my word," she said formally. But smiling.

Polar Opposites, Tuesday

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