12078/Upon Reflection I

From United Heroes MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Upon Reflection I
Date of Scene: 25 August 2020
Location: Library - Xavier's School
Synopsis: A discussion in the library about Child Soldiers involves Shannon, Pixie, emma, and Piotr
Cast of Characters: Colossus, Emma Frost, Nightingale, Pixie




Colossus has posed:
    It is a look that folks have seen on the big man's face in the past. For all that Piotr is a simple man and not one to speak at length, he is not stupid. He might not be the genius that many about the mansion are, but he is smart enough to keep his mouth shut and let other people assume he is dumb because he is large and quiet. Piotr is Russian, and that is one of the most well-read cultures on the planet, largely because the winters are so cold. There are a few large, comfortable chairs here and there where Piotr can be found reading some tome. To be fair, it is usually a hefty novel.

This is different. He's carefully shelving books onto the library shelves and carefully arranging them. The Dewey decimal codes on their spines are new and are written in Piotr's precise, clean handwriting; that means that these are books he purchased and is placing in the library for others now that he has read them. They read: 305.906, which is the code for topics that include child soldiers.

Piotr looks troubled and thoughtful as he puts the books away, which is rarely a good thing. Piotr ruminating over books is more common than some like to pretend; thoughtful is a word to describe him and the word has several meanings. Piotr is silent as he methodically arranges the shelf. The arrangement itself is almost a tiny little insurrection of its own; it has bookends and the selection of six books is carefully separated from the other books on the shelf as if he is quietly highlighting the section.

His shoulders are tight, his posture, as always, flawless, but the set of his jaw is determined.

Emma Frost has posed:
Carrying a file with her as she steps in from the back lanai, Emma Frost's arrival is much quieter than some. Not that she's sneaking. It's just that the sound of her heels is muffled by the pad near that doorway meant for wiping feet. As the cool blonde steps into the room, her ice-blue eyes are drawn toward the massive figure shelving books. Curiosity is not usually left unsated when telepaths are around, and Emma's brows pull together just slightly at the sense she's getting of the Russian's state of mind.

"Piotr," she greets with a calm tone. "Are they books you enjoyed?" She doubts it. But it's the polite thing to ask when someone is setting books into a special aside. It implies they're being recommended. Even when a giant Russian looks rather like he might be grinding his back teeth.

Nightingale has posed:
     Perched in a very comfortable chair, Shannon's got her phone out in her hand, smiling a little bit to herself as she peers at the screen. Her posture is a bit more relaxed than it has been of late, and she is actually humming softly, a lilting little tune. Her wings are somewhat outspread to reduce bulk immediately behind her, the teen sitting with her legs curled up beneath her. She's in black leggings, a long black t-shirt with a bright pink sequined heart adorning the front, and black socks. Glancing up, she smiles, raising one hand as if to wave to Mr. Rasputin. However, Ms. Frost's entrance forestalls any greeting, the winged teen returning to whatever she was looking at.

     It was surprising, what one might hear, when thought to be in the background....

Colossus has posed:
Piotr replies, quietly, "More illuminating, Miss Frost." His tone is not cool, just reserved. He's not inimical to Emma, he simply is not close. His judgment is reserved. He lifts his hand to Shannon in a friendly manner. "They are not the sort of books to be enjoyable. They are more the sort of books that must be endured, understood, and even ruminate upon, and then shared."

The big man takes a step back to look at the little insurrectionist isle of misfit books. His teeth actually nibble on his bottom lip. "DId you know I was sixteen when I was brought here? Little Snowflake-- Illyana, was playing in the fields when Xavier arrived. The harvest was going on. I destroyed a tractor to save her. I had to flee." He sounds wistful. "Kurt was saved from a mob." His blue eyes search out Emma's. "It never once occurred to me just how convenient that was. Do you think me foolish?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Oh. Well.... That is interesting.

Emma's blue eyes flicker to the teen in the chair, but she doesn't suggest the girl remove herself. Instead, she steps a little closer to the Russian while still leaving room for Shannon to assume herself included in the conversation if she wishes.

"I don't think you foolish," Emma replies carefully. "I think... Charles had a need to help all of you. And that... it perhaps suited his own need to make a difference in the world."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's brows furrow, and her smile fades, as she listens. The Professor was someone she'd come to respect a great deal, as was Mr. Rasputin. Yet even she had encountered this very question, grappling with it alone in the night when there were none to listen. It hit particularly close to home, in more ways than one. The ripple of tangled emotion radiating from her seems more suited to someone at least five years her senior. How could one even begin to formulate a reply, without denigrating one side or the other?

     "I don't think you foolish at all," she finally offers, her voice soft, her words measured and oddly thoughtful. "If we never question these things, we follow blindly, and that's a recipe for trouble. It's a question I ask myself every day. And there's no easy answer."

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn is not keen on starting up her first college year and with the last few weeks of summer nearing it's end, she'd rather be outside enjoying the warm weather, than cooped up in the mansion. But she had some important research to do. For...Some extra curricular activity perhaps.

Which brings her here, to the library. Although she's not entirely sure she will even find such obscure works here, but it's worth a try. She'd been in the back during most of the conversation, not really eavesdropping as she peered at the history section of the library, but being particularly quiet at this hour of the day, she did catch a few words regarding Xavier.

The mood seems kinda sombre and she frowns softly, stepping out to peer at them. "Huh, the professor you mean?" Megan bites her lip, thoughtful, concerned. "But I'm sure he had your best interests at heart?"

Colossus has posed:
The big man just looks at Emma as if he finds that unsatisfactory. "You are trying to 'handle' me. I am Russian, not some spoiled Atlantean prince." Well. That was said. T cannot be unsaid. Piotr pulls in a breath, "That was beneath me. I allowed my distaste for your past behaviors to color my perceptions of him. I am a hypocrite. I will correct myself, and I apologize." Whether that is better or not, it was said. Piotr digs in deeper, doubling down. "I am sure he is lovely person?" Well, that is not going as well as he meant. Instead he merely thinks upon how sorry he is, which he genuinely is. "I deal with realities. I am not one to just simply 'handle'. Speak your mind or do not speak." That is not meant nearly as harsh as the words indicate. The tone is patient. "You have insight. Share it. I do not hate messenger, if the message is truth. I know Xavier meant well. I am ashamed that it is only as a grown man I worry that I am perpetuating his mistakes. I was weaponized, but I do believe in the cause. What I struggle with is if I am different than subject matter of these books."

Emma Frost has posed:
It's funny... that the eldest of Charles's student might resist this questioning of themselves but the younger of them? He's doing it. It's about damn time.

Emma folds her hands in front of her, still with the usual regal bearing but with something a little softer in her expression. "It was convenient as hell," she finally agrees quietly. "He had reasons... horror at what he'd already seen in the world, a need to build a group that would continue to fight that fight when he was gone." She pauses. "However, if you're asking me if it's okay? The answer is no. It is one thing to approach an adult, even a young one, and offer such a mission, idealized as it perhaps was. It's another altogether to recruit children to such a mission. To train them to fight from young ages... because by the end of that training, they know nothing else. No other way than war. Diplomacy, nuance, compromise... those options are lost when all you know is the fight. It is something Summers swore to me would not be perpetuated here." She slants a brief look toward the young women. "Though I'm not entirely convinced."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's eyebrows loft as she listens to the conversation, turning to look squarely at Emma. Was this the same person she had met in the medbay months ago? It was like night and day. Giving a flick of her eyebrows, she shrugs, settling back into the chair. "Funny you should talk about child soldiers. One of my best friends in the entire world -was- one. Operative word. And while he never shied away from a fight if need be, he actually would remind me that it wasn't all there was. Much the same as you're doing, Ms. Frost."

     Glancing over at Mr. Rasputin, she lets out a little sigh. Without a single word, she pushes herself from the chair, her feet barely whispering along the floor as she moves over to join the two adults. If not prevented, she draws Mr. Rasputin in for a brief hug. "Sounds like you need that," she says, smiling a little bit.

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn blinks slowly at Piotr's sudden apologies. But of course, that is him, through and through. And though she doesn't know him well, she knows enough to know that he is a much kinder, more humble person than his sister, much like night and day.

"Oh no..That's not what I meant. You have nothing to apologize for. I mean..I get it, for the original Xmen, it was different than it was for me. I *volunteered* to join, wished and dreamed of being a superhero since I was young. But for you..It was like a war. A desperate war that needed to be fought, perhaps..?"

Megan frowns a bit, taking a step towards him, reaching out to lightly touch him on the arm, sincerity in her voice. People always assume she's just some shallow, flighty hyper faerie girl. But she can be thoughtful, sympathetic too. "Perhaps Xavier DID mean well, but perhaps you didn't entirely know what you were getting yourself into either?"

Glancing at Emma, she smiles and nods in agreement. She does not know Emma that well, except that she was perhaps one of her favorite students in business class perhaps. Or so it was rumoured. "Ms. Frost is right. Wise words."

A glance is given Shannon and she takes a step back so that she can give Piotr a hug. "Oh right..Bean..Wonder how he's doing these days?" she bites her lip. Yeah, she can talk a lot. Time to shut her mouth perhaps.

Colossus has posed:
His voice is not sarcasm. "You think you can do better?" Piotr's brows narrow a little as he asks Emma this. "I doubt this. Not unless this new gentleman caller has you questioning your own ethics." The mansion rumor mill is real. Walk an Atlantean prince around the mansion and everyone assumes she's bumping guppies with him, or something. There is no antagonism in Piotr's voice.. In some ways it is both better and worse than simple antagonism. This is his unfettered, frank, and unfiltered opinion. "I doubt this, Emma Frost. I do not doubt you also mean well now. I have great faith in Jean and Scott. They would not have you here if you were not an asset. I am certain, though, that you are here to learn from us as well." Piotr simply drops his chin to her. It is not a dismissal, it is his unvarnished opinion.

Piotr sweeps his arm out. "Megan is now an X-Man. A success or a failure? One can argue great success. After all, where else would she go? But did we program her into being a soldier? " He gives Megan a gentle look. "You can do and be whatever you want to be. I will work to make certain of that. My family owes you a debt. I am not sure though, that we are doing this right. But, I am not sure there is a right. I need to think about it a lot more." Guilt weighs upon him as he considers it. Piotr shakes his head at Shannon even as he fiercely squashes her to his side in a fraternal, protective, and maybe even paternal bear hug. It does not take too much imagination to conjure the sound of ribs popping, although it is not that fearsome a hug in actuality. Pete doesn't understand how to receive comfort, only deal it out. "You want this life. I cannot argue against it more. If you want to help the cause, be a lawyer. Be a doctor, like Henry. He strong, upright, and moral citizen. Be the example other mutants can point to. I believe in this cause, but I have doubts now. I am not sure there can be peace. If you three did not know me, my abilities are terrifying, da?" Piotr tilts his head. "I am an unstoppable man of metal capable of tearing through walls, ripping through tanks and generally doing whatever I please. If we are objective, is it not right that I am feared? You fear a gun for what it might do, da?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma's chin comes up and she acknowledges Shannon's words and Megan's observation with a simple nod. Being here, among them, is difficult for her. Her demeanor is always reserved and slightly cutting, but this conversation appears to mean something to the woman most consider cold and sharp.

"My *ethics* are the same as they have always been," she tells the Russian candidly. "However, the Hellions and what happened to the New Mutants? It taught me a few things as well." Losing those children to a war they weren't even really old enough to comprehend fully hit the telepath in places she lets no one see. "Teaching them to defend themselves and the people around them is not the wrong thing. But... teaching them team tactics as if they are a cadre of young soldiers? Yes, Piotr, I do disagree with that. And I opted to take the job here only with the understanding that we needed to be teaching the students be *better* than what Charles taught the original X-Men. There is a time and place in this world to fight for mutant rights. But they are not required to always be the ones stepping up. They should not be required to step up at all, if what they want is a quieter life. And they should not be taught team tactics -- programmed, in your words -- until brain development is complete." Which is 25, people! Not that she'll be able to convince the students currently here of that.

She pauses and sighs quietly. "I don't know if we'll do it right either. It is a question that the leadership of this school will continue to wrestle. But going forward, I do know that the intent is to expand the students' perspectives about what this fight is... and what it is not. It's not us versus them, Piotr. It is a fight against a mindset. A fear of the unknown. A hatred of the Other based in fear. Mutants are just the latest in a long line of Others. And it must be fought in ways *other* than the ones we currently use. That said... right now, those current ones are all we have. I *hope* that we can build better."

It's more insight into the Ice Queen than *any* of them have ever had.

Nightingale has posed:
     There's a cute little squeak from Shannon as she gets the stuffings hugged out of her, but it brings a huge smile to her face. Hugs were a good thing. "I'm already planning on being a doctor," she replies. "If Mr. McCoy can do it and still be part of this kind of life, there's no good reason I can't. He actually sets a very good example. Remind me to tell you about the project we're working on sometime."

     Her smile doesn't fade as she peers up at Mr. Rasputin, canting her head slightly to one side. "Someone who didn't know you, sure, they might be scared. It'd be natural. But do I fear a gun for what it might do? No. Sure, I might be cautious. One could argue that it would be smart to be afraid of a stick, or a rock, or even empty hands wielded just so."

     Only now does her smile begin to fade, and a light sigh escape the younger woman. "You're right. Some -do- want a quieter life. Mason was one of those, and he took that option. I bet he's doing well at Julliard, and really hope he's happy. Then there's Bean. He was a child soldier. I'm pretty sure you either know his history, or can look it up. He's never shied away from a fight, but he's taking the time to go to MIT these days to pick up some additional courses there, in relative quiet. Can't blame him one bit. Everyone's got that same choice, no matter what they're taught here. He was on the New Mutants with me, too, and I won't even begin to get into half the scrapes we've found ourselves in." She smiles faintly, chuckling. "It's that team training that saved our necks several times. Call me biased, but I'd argue -for- it. Like each one of you, each of us who's had that kind of training, it's not -all- we are."

     Perhaps she had misjudged Ms. Frost--who was to say? This definitely was -not- the same person she had met months ago. Perhaps one day soon, she would have to sit down and re-evaluate her opinion at closer range.

     However, something that was said a bit ago has her quirking her eyebrows. "Wait... an Atlantean prince? Is Mera still on the throne, then?"

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn blinks slowly in surprise. "But..But..We do..Good stuff? We save peoples' lives? We..We help people to understand that mutants can be good people too..Right? Isn't that a good thing?" she smiles faintly. "I'd say that makes us a success, yes?"

Megan shrugs, "Honestly, what is the alternative? Once my mutation set in, I was pretty much ousted by my own family, hidden from the world..It..It was not much fun, being ashamed of who and what I am. At least here, we are safe, we are free.."

As for the soldier bit? Another helpless shrug. "But that's our choice too, isn't it? Some of us come to the school to learn how to use our abilities, without fear or shame from others. Not all of us choose to be superheroes, to become soldiers. Maybe it was like that in the beginning but not anymore. And..And even now, you could always step down, become the fulltime artist you always wanted to be right?"

Oh yes, she is pushing it a bit here, and Megan takes a deliberate, cautious step back. If he speaks of Illyana, how she forced *her* to become one of her soldiers, to fight a war in an hell dimension, to give up a part of her innocence for her sake..Well, it may well strike a nerve. But her animosity, what is left, is aimed towards his sister and not him.

Still, Megan clenches and unclenches her fists as she looks away from him, doing her best not to take her anger out on him. "You know..I still feel a bit bitter for her part in..Changing me. Forever. But in the end, I couldn't regret the fact that I helped to save my peers and friends from certain death. Sure I was forced into her war, forced to fight, to kill even. But..I'd probably do it again if it meant saving lives."

Colossus has posed:
He has many flaws, and Piotr will own up to them. Being a good, active listener is not amongst them. Piotr does listen to Emma as he squashes Shannon to his chest in his bear hug. He is quiet a moment after she speaks to consider her words. His reply is simple. "I cannot argue with your sentiment, reasoning, or conclusions. I do think you have changed though." Piotr says quietly. "For the better. You would not be here if you did not want to be a good person." The statement is firm but said with a quiet strength and certainty. "I am not a telepath, but it seems to me that wanting to be better is what we are asking of people. That they want to be open-minded. That they want to grow. Perhaps I should start considering you as the Emma that is trying, rather than the Emma who tries us." that is about as clever as Piotr's wordplay gets. He gives her a curt, respectful nod.

    He reaches for one of the books to hand it to Shannon as he releases it. "That Team training is supposed to make you feel that way. Read this. It is homework." Abuse of power mode engaged.

Megan gets a gentle nod and he lifts hand. "It is okay to feel what you feel. It is even okay to act as we act." Piotr has his tone carefully in control. "We need only be aware of it, and be aware of why we make the decisions we make and question our motives. We must examine our lives and think critically of our thoughts and actions. I am not saying we stop. I am saying that we should be mindful."

Emma Frost has posed:
If this were a comic book, the Hallalujah chorus would be lined up behind Emma Frost singing for the fact that the towering Russian -- one of Charles Xavier's staunchest -- finally understands just a little. And clearly Summers and Grey are, in fact, doing what they claimed... because if they weren't, the two teens standing in front of the telepath would likely have reacted exactly as Katherine Pryde once did, defending a 14-year-old's position on the X-Men with fervor.

A faint quirk of her lips betrays Emma's genuine pleasure at what she's seeing if one knows what they're looking at. And in the meantime... Emma doesn't rise to the bait. "Of course Mera is still sitting the throne. Some of you will be taking a field trip to Atlantis in the not-distant future, as well. We're working on an exchange program for students to get a better international experience as Atlantis takes its place in the world stage." There will be homework! Count on it!

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon nods, and smiles somewhat. "I'm glad to hear she's well," the winged teen replies. "She was very kind to me not long after I arrived here. Remind me to tell you the story sometime." It seems perhaps the young woman has her share of tales to tell already, if any ever asked! The mention of a possible trip to Atlantis elicits something of a secret little smile, as if there, too, there were more to tell. On this, however, she remains silent.

     The book is accepted with good grace, and another hug from Shannon. While her strength is nowhere near Mr. Rasputin's, neither is she any slouch for her age. "It's good to be mindful. Yes, I do want this life. It's difficult to express why. But I'll remember to... question ideas." Her smile is wry, and she shakes her head, with a short little laugh. "I've had to do quite a lot of that the past few days."

Colossus has posed:
"Plato wrote, though he attributed it to Socrates, 'The unexamined life is not worth living'." Piotr recites the simple dictum. "Just.." He considers for a moment. "...think?" He finishes a little lamely. "Just think about things. That is all. Do what I did not do and consider your choices. You have them. Make good ones."

    He clears his throat. "If this is what walking about the ground with an Atlantean results in, I should ask you in your companion has a sister." Piotr sends Emma the best compliment he can. "Spaceba, Miss Frost." He gives her a slight chin bob in a respectful nod. Shannon gets another squeeze. "Actually read it. Pay attention to the parts where he is exposed to team building, an us versus them mentality then think about our danger room." Piotr wrinkles his nose. "I should go. I have spread enough disharmony for the nonce."

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn draws a deep breath, still clenching and unclenching her fists. Piotr's words reach her though and she nods, biting her lip. "I know..I get it. We shouldn't be mindless soldiers either, you're right of course." he's given a faint smile. "Thank you.."

A curious brow is arched at Emma however, at all this fish talk. "Oooh, Atlantis? Like the mystical underwater kingdom? That'd be super cool! Oooh, sign me up!" and just like that she's back to her old, hyper self again. Enough of this serious talk.

She just gives Shannon a look and rolls her eyes. "honestly Shannon, are there any famous figures in the world that you aren't best buddies with?" Megan makes a face and chuckles, yawning a bit as she finds a couple books that might prove useful and heads for the circulation desk.

"Well as fun as this was, I need to catch up on some much needed reading. See you all later!" she waves as she heads out.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Hey, I'm not best buddies with her, Megan! I just wound up meeting her once at a charity event for a children's hospital. She happened to be very kind, that's all!" Shannon rolls her eyes and chuckles, shaking her head.

     Indeed, there was some reading to do! Nodding once, she smiles at Mr. Rasputin. "I will. Though I've got my thoughts on the danger room as it is. It is what we make of it." Pure, simple, to the point. "Our lives are what we make of them, too."