Ethics, Thursday, September 1, 2016

[sith_happened]

"Hello, and welcome to this year's Ethics class," Anakin said, glowering from the front of the room. Don't you feel welcomed, kids? So welcomed.

"In this class, we will discuss a variety of topics concerning morality and ethics," Obi-Wan said. "Our goal is not to coerce you to give us the 'correct' answer, mind you. We are looking to help you establish your own moral code, and define its boundaries."

Anakin nodded. "And then learn to live with the consequences of the boundaries you've established. What might seem clear-cut in a classroom setting is seldom that easy to figure out in a real-world scenario. It's fine to say that you wouldn't steal anything, but when you're out of shampoo and your roommate's is right there--"

"--it may well seem tempting. Easy. And not a crime at all," Obi-Wan said. He cleared his throat. "We always like to start our first class with lies. Or rather, a lie and two truths."

Anakin smiled at Ahsoka. "And while we're aware that some of you have had specialized training in discernment, it's not always as easy to see the truth as we'd like." And Mr. "Secretly Married For Years" would know.

"I will go first," Obi-Wan said lightly. "I was once known as the Negotiator. I was born on an ocean planet in an underwater habitat. I once beat an enemy by surrendering."

Anakin smirked slightly at Obi-Wan. "I've saved Master Kenobi's life ten times," he said. "I drink my caf with sugar and blue milk, and I have four children."

Obi-Wan caught Anakin's eye as he was smirking and rolled his eyes. "And now it is your turn," he said, turning back to the class.

Comments

RE: Re: Two truths and a lie!

[era_two_triangle]

That... actually gave Peridot a moment's pause. She might have dismissed the idea out of hand, but her conversations with Ender last semester had been... eye-opening in terrifying ways. She could begin to guess at what the issue was, for once.

"But... they aren't," she hedged. "Not on Homeworld. Straying from what we're made for is more than just frowned at."

In hindsight, maybe the Pearl hadn't been a good choice of lie.

Re: Two truths and a lie!

[snipsnspecks]

More than Peridot knew, since Ahsoka couldn't (more importantly, wouldn't) exactly explain why it choosing it in Anakin's class was an even worse idea than in an Ethics class in general.

Though she could at least try the latter. "But you can see how claiming to be in a position to control someone who doesn't have a choice, even if it's untrue, might be unwise?"

RE: Re: Two truths and a lie!

[era_two_triangle]

Peridot was silent for a few seconds, carefully piecing together her reply.

"After... some time spent around organic beings who put such a strong value on individual will and an ability to choose one's own path, I... might be able to comprehend how what I said could be recieved... poorly."

It wasn't quite the same thing as saying she was wrong. She still had a long way to go before that. But she was making an attempt to meet somewhere in the middle.

Still not great, no. But progress, for Peridot.

Re: Two truths and a lie!

[snipsnspecks]

Ahsoka wasn't ashamed to admit that right that moment she was more concerned with heading off potential in-class explosions than convincing Peridot of the rightness or wrongness of her views, one could take time, the other not so much.

She let out a slow, relieved breath. "That's all I wanted you to think about."

Re: Two truths and a lie!

[era_two_triangle]

Seriously, Ahsoka was pretty much a hero, here. Because Peridot would have merrily barreled onward into deep trouble without the intervention, without even considering that she might be in the wrong.

As it stood, she was pursing her lips and furrowing her brow in thought, but she nodded all the same.

"Then... I will. That isn't a misstep I want to make again."

At least, not this far away from Homeworld.

Re: Two truths and a lie!

[sith_happened]

Anakin sent her a little nudge of gratitude through the Force.

Re: Two truths and a lie!

[snipsnspecks]

Ahsoka nudged him back the same way. She remembered Kiros and Zygerria, and the handful of times she'd been more worried about him... well, they'd involved believing he or Obi-Wan were dead.