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Post by skybright on Oct 18, 2008 23:01:40 GMT -5
Beaudry worried his bottom lip between his teeth. "I guess I . . . never really thought about it like that before. Most of the papers make a cure sound like it'd be a good thing for mutants."
Daws snorted with derision. "Most of the papers would make anything that'll make us shut up and go away sound like 'a good thing for mutants'."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 18, 2008 23:09:51 GMT -5
"Suppose the media and the popular culture, and the rest of the powers that influence the way things are in this world, wanted African-Americans to change their skin color in order to 'fit in' with society," Vance remarked. "I'll bet you can imagine how people would react then."
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Post by skybright on Oct 18, 2008 23:18:15 GMT -5
Beaudry grimaced. "Yeah -- that makes sense."
He examined the carpet thoughtfully for a few moments and then added quietly "This is gonna sound really bad, but . . . I guess I never thought about mutants being . . . well, being regular people. I've never known one, or even really talked to one -- not before now." He winced slightly. "Sorry."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 18, 2008 23:30:17 GMT -5
"We're used to that," Vance replied dryly. "Those same powers are out to drill it into the heads of ordinary people like you that mutants are 'dangerous'. I don't know what's behind that agenda, but that's what it is."
He sighed and shrugged. "If mutants do get in trouble, usually it's because they're just trying to survive--or because they've been pushed too far by the hate, and they can't take it anymore without hating back. There's a few real bad eggs in the bunch, alright, same as with any part of society... but if we had the chance, most of us'd a lot rather be helping people with our powers, instead of using them to hide and protect ourselves."
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Post by skybright on Oct 18, 2008 23:39:47 GMT -5
"And a lot of us do try and do that -- when we can, anyway." Daws pointed out.
She shrugged and perched on the edge of an empty chair. "Truth is, Beaudry, you probably have known at least one mutant. It's just that he or she didn't feel safe letting people know about it."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 22:25:54 GMT -5
Vance sighed and stretched, then glanced at Handy. "You bring that food I told you to?"
"Sure, Boss." Handy turned and dug up a paper bag from the corner behind him.
With a nod Vance took it. He peered inside, then looked up at Beaudry. "It's not much, but we've got some sandwiches and potato chips, if you're hungry."
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Post by skybright on Oct 19, 2008 22:32:33 GMT -5
Beaudry brightened slightly. "Oh, uh, yeah. That's nice of you, thanks."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 22:49:25 GMT -5
Vance handed the bag across to Beaudry. "Help yourself."
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Post by skybright on Oct 19, 2008 22:52:51 GMT -5
"Thanks." Beaudry grinned crookedly as he withdrew a bag of potato chips and tore it open. "Glad you guys came prepared."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 23:04:04 GMT -5
The Major grinned wincingly. "Well, I'm sorry to say we've had a little experience at this. Long story, but all I can tell you is our drastic measures have saved a few lives--whether they wanted us to or not."
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Post by skybright on Oct 19, 2008 23:10:14 GMT -5
"Oh." Beaudry glanced around at the other masked figures in the room. "I've gotta say, it seems like kind of a strange way to spend your evenings."
Daws grinned. "It's a living."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 23:19:08 GMT -5
"Like I said, it's not our career of choice," Vance sighed. "Actually, until the creeps who hired you turned up, we were spending most of our time dealing with other mutants who want to do some damage to you norms. We're not exactly thrilled to get this kind of gratitude from your mad scientists."
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Post by skybright on Oct 19, 2008 23:26:37 GMT -5
Beaudry frowned and munched thoughtfully on his potato chips for a moment. "So you guys are sort of stuck between the mutants who hate humans, and the humans who hate mutants?"
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 23:33:51 GMT -5
Vance grinned wryly, glancing around at Daws, Proteus, and his men. "Us and the vast majority of mutants, pal. But yeah--we're a bunch that's been nuts enough to stick our noses square in between the two."
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Post by skybright on Oct 19, 2008 23:39:41 GMT -5
"Jeeze." Beaudry stared at his potato chips with a faintly bemused expression. "Things in this city are . . . obviously a lot more complicated than I though they were when I got up this morning."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 19, 2008 23:56:51 GMT -5
"Not just this city," Vance corrected. "Things probably aren't much different anywhere in the world. We're just lucky to have an important political ally here--and we can only hope there's other people fighting the fight elsewhere."
"And it's not just mutants, either," Nate added. "We've got a few norms on our side too, doing what they can."
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Post by skybright on Oct 20, 2008 0:00:12 GMT -5
"Really?" Beaudry glance up at Nate with a startled expression. "How? I mean . . ." He shrugged, "What can a regular human do in the kind of work you guys are in?"
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 20, 2008 22:33:58 GMT -5
"They can do a lot," Vance replied. "Living normal lives, they can help give us the shelter and support we can't always get for ourselves. Sometimes a little food and money and a place to hide can go a long way for a lot of mutants."
He shrugged. "Besides that, just knowing there are a few norms who accept us and care about us makes it easier. Gives us a reason to keep trying to bridge the gap between us and the rest of your kind."
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Post by skybright on Oct 20, 2008 22:42:39 GMT -5
"Yeah, I guess I can see where it would." Beaudry withdrew one of the sandwiches from the paper bag and peeled back the foil it was wrapped in.
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 21, 2008 22:44:19 GMT -5
Vance watched Beaudry with a smile. "I'm glad all this hasn't spoiled your appetite."
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