Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.”Would you calm down? The toneless words were spoken, not without emotion for there was a smile on the lips of the speaker, but with that tell-tale indicator of deafness. The words themselves were directed to a more than enthusiastic creature, whose nose seemed glue to the floor as he moved, flag of a tail waving high behind him as the golden retriever explored the corridors of this new building. Occasionally, deep, soulful brown eyes would turn to his mistress, a smile like expression to the friendly creature’s face as he ensured she was there, safe. And a laugh escaped the blond haired woman as the look seemed to indicate another thing. ‘This is a new place. I must know more. Calm down?’
Walking gave the newest teacher to the school time to think. To work out what had happened the afternoon before. Not that her meeting with Mrs Jean Gray-Summers had gone badly. No, Jean had been polite, informative and no different in her manner to their last meeting. But… Most wouldn’t have seen it. Perhaps close friends but not a nearly perfect stranger. But then, Sue wasn’t most people. Sight was the most important thing to this deaf teacher, and those small signs were noticeable. Attempts to hide the weariness, the strain the acting headmistress was putting on herself. And Sue being Sue had immediately sought for a way to help. But it seemed that a simple offer had opened a door to an unknown road.
Student Councillor. Her new title it seemed, but then it wasn’t one she was unknown to. She’d had basic training which allowed herself to put herself forward, in the hope to relieve some pressure from the red haired woman. But it seemed the pressure would not only be removed from her, but another ‘high-ranking’ member of staff. Teacher and school doctor, a certain Doctor Henry McCoy. It was a name she had heard of before, if you pardoned the pun. He was mentioned as a researcher, and she was impressed that such a highly ranked doctor was residing as a school doctor here. But then… she had been forewarned by Jean that the doctor was a unique individual, though no details had been raised, she guessed that he must be a mutant of some description. But it wasn’t just because he was the doctor that she was off to see him. No. According to Jean, there was more to her offer than met the eye, though she suggested the doctor might be more… capable of explaining it. Possibly it might have just been that he was in a better state to. Whatever had upset the woman was deep set, and Sue’s heart went out to her.
Of course, the history teacher could have no idea of what was ahead of her, of this world she had stepped almost blindly into. She knew that some of the problems would be different from those of the ‘normal’ teenagers, but then so where some of the problems suffered by those dubbed as disabled. She supposed that, in away, she would just have to readapt. She was adapted to a world for the deaf, a world for the ‘normal’. Now she would adapt again for these mutants. Another world she didn’t fully belong to. Those thoughts made her pause, a brief loneliness coming to her. Once more she had placed herself in a position where she was unique. A deaf human amongst a majority of hearing mutants. True, she had heard of some exceptions, but each exception was even more unique in their own right. This had become their home and she was a stranger to it. But swiftly she pushed those thoughts aside. She was being a fool, she was in her element, dealing with unique individuals as a teacher and counsellor. And that soft smile graced her lips as she watched Levi pause as they reached the doors leading to the medical bay. Jean had suggested that this was her first point of call in trying to find the doctor. Well. Second really, since Jean had phone him the afternoon before only to discover that for.. which ever reason it was a bad time for him. But that seemed almost expected. It seemed like the doctor was a very busy man.
“You better stay out…” She started to say as she opened the door, but Levi was already pushing through, tail wagging. A new room to explore, and besides. He was special, he had to stay with Sue and make sure she was okay. “Levi!” She gave a slow sigh, shaking her head with a smile. “You won’t be popular if you get hair all over the place…” She often had trouble with the hospitals and Levi. Unlike guide dogs, Levi only had the smallest tag on his collar identifying him as an aide dog. Still, her eyes lifted slowly to look around slowly, standing there as she waited, wondering who and where this doctor was. She’d never seen him before, but at least the call should allow him to expect her. Whether he expected her rather energetic companion was questionable. But either way they were here. And Sue was about to get the shock of her life. In one form or another!
Hannah: In this world we're forced to make choices everyday. We don't always know the consequences. But it's how we react to them which makes us who we are
A student councillor! One that Jean strongly recommended! *Someone pinch me I must be dreaming* Hank thought with a grin as he sorted through the papers that, despite the wonders of computer technology, still seemed to find their way onto his desk. To say that such an addition to the staff would be a godsend was a vast understatement. With more students flocking in every day, most of them with enough problems and emotional baggage to keep a whole team of psychiatrists busy for years to come, he and Jean were seriously beginning to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task.
Not that either one of them could even devote all of their time to the psychological welfare of these troubled youngsters. There were medical issues to be dealt with and a school to be run. Not to mention life in general and the surprises both good and bad that it tended to spring upon them when they least expected it. And lord alone knew, the last couple of weeks had held more than their fair share .
But this surprise, finding someone willing and capable of taking on such a vital job was definitely one of the better ones! * Not that Ms Thompson fully realises what she’s let herself in for* Hank reminded himself. *Though she is about to find out.* It was after all only fair that she be shown what lay at the heart of the Institutes existence. For how could students speak freely to her of their problems if they had to hide the fact that they were on a team, training to use their powers to protect mutants and humans alike from the myriad of menaces that threatened their existence every day?
And that too was a subject that had to be broached. The true nature of some of those menaces! Demons! Vampires! All the dark creatures that hell could let loose or that man could create. Each and every one leaving a scar on the minds and spirits of those who came into contact with them! Scars she would be expected to help to heal.
Hank sighed , suddenly sobered by the enormity of what he was about to reveal to this unsuspecting young woman. Though from what Jean had told him he felt sure that she would be able to handle it. Overcoming a handicap as successfully as she had managed to do was a tribute to courage and perseverance. *And* Hank reflected * she will need both for what lies ahead of her here at Xavier’s Institute, of that there is no doubt!
One of the stray pieces of paper chose that moment to slide unhelpfully to the floor. Instinctively Hank made to catch it, the sudden movement bringing a gasp of pain to his lips as he felt the stitches in his damaged side protest. Clamping a hand to the wound he noticed a spot of blood staining the immaculate whiteness of his lab coat and gave a growl of displeasure. Damn it all, this was just plain bad timing. Still he could hardly greet the new councillor looking like this. It would seriously give the wrong impression. Ok less than having her come over the previous day when the med lab had looked like a scene from a bad teen horror movie but still. Patching up was definitely in order. He only hoped he would have time before she arrived.
There was more bad news in store. His little escapade with Zia the previous day had seriously depleted the stock of supplies he always kept in his office. “Wonderful” Hank grumbled as he made his way into the lab and delved into the supplies there “So much for my legendary organisational skills… ah no wait.. its Scott who has those.. somehows that makes me feel better!” The bandages beneath his coat needed changing that much was obvious. Hank hauled one of the screens round to conceal his plight from the eyes of passing students and set to work, cursing himself again for having been so careless. Still all he needed was a few moments and noone would be any the wiser.
He almost made it! He was just pulling on a fresh coat when the door opened and .. “You better stay out…” The voice held the trademark overtones of the deaf, but muted to a degree that had to impress. And despite that it still more than managed to convey the affection she felt for her companion. “Levi!” Yes indeed, who else would it be? Jean had told Hank about the dog, her own strained face softening as she spoke of the dedication he showed to his mistress and the obvious love that they shared for each other. “You won’t be popular if you get hair all over the place…”
Hank pulled back the screen and stepped forward, all to aware that this wasn’t exactly the least shocking way to make an entrance but then again when you looked the way he did that first moment of visual contact always going to be a challenge. “ Actually” he said, hoping that unconventional lips and fangs didn’t make his words too hard for her to grasp “he probably sheds a lot less than I do. In any case Levi is entirely welcome. Provided that is… that he doesn’t feel a compulsive need to chase cats!”
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
Having called Levi, who paused, tail wagging to look back at her, movement caught the corner of her eye as a screen moved and instinctively her eyes turned towards the screen fully, as Levi hesitated, ears perked high, nose twitching. Sue couldn’t help but just stare at who was revealed from behind the screen. And it was only when a slight movement caught her eyes that her focus readjusted, automatic for a moment before her brain could absorb it all, eyes narrowing a little, struggling a little to get used to how he spoke, or more importantly how his lips moved. The fangs weren’t exactly a problem, it just wasn’t the easiest thing to read. Still, she managed. She rarely had too much problem at least.
“ Actually … he probably sheds a lot less than I do. In any case Levi is entirely welcome. Provided that is… that he doesn’t feel a compulsive need to chase cats!” It should be noted that normally, no matter what was thrown at her, Sue didn’t stare. She accepted people for who they are, however they looked. But this was an exception and for once, Sue was honestly speechless. Sue just didn’t know what to say, what to do. The human part of her wanted to slowly step back, out the doors and just run. But as soon as that thought came to mind, she spurned it. How dare she think like that! Whoever this was, they were still.. well perhaps human was the wrong word, but surely no less human than the other mutants she had come across? Not that in that moment it made it any easier.
Levi, however, had no such concerns. He had thought he’d smelt something odd! Again he sniffed the air, ears twitching uncertainly, giving a single bark, fur bristling for a moment, before relaxing, looking to Sue for guidance. It was a giant cat! A giant, strange coloured cat who could talk! What on earth was he supposed to do? He could try to chase it. But would it eat him? Maybe he should run away? Or.. maybe it wouldn’t hurt him. After all, it didn’t smell completely of cat. It was odd. But there was certainly a strong feline essence. Gaining no immediate guidance from his owner, he had to make up his own mind. Not an easy thing to do when you’re used to having someone lead you. Still, curiosity finally got the better of him, and he slowly lowered a little, ears twitching constantly, as did his tail, as he moved forward, sniffing at him curiously. He smelt like vets as well. He didn’t like that. And blood. That wasn’t good either, but for a different reason. In the end, Levi was at Hank’s feet, sniffing them rather enthusiastically. That, at least, brought back Sue’s mind.
”Levi! Stop that…” Sue’s soft cheeks flushed a little as she realised she had managed an awkward, staring silence. It took her another moment to try and gather her thoughts. ”Sorry.. I didn’t mean to…” She paused, re-gathered herself, and slowly gave an awkward smile. ”I’m Sue Thomas.. and I’m going to guess your Dr McCoy.” It had helped that he had mentioned that Levi was welcome, surely something only the doctor would be allowed to decide. Plus it would explain the rather vague warning from Jean. ”And I am sorry. Normally I would never…” How could she make it sound better. ”..be quite so, thrown. I’ve made it a passion to never judge another. But, I have to admit, among all the different people I’ve met, you are unique in your own league” She managed a slight chuckle. And how awkward did that feel. Of course, it then hit her. He would have faced so much prejudice. Enough to make her own seem rather insignificant. But wasn’t that always the way, no matter who was placed before you, there was something which made your own problems seem smaller. She had battled with prejudice from hearing and the deaf, in some ways it was prejudice which now allowed her to speak to him. That was the key. No matter how badly it hurt, you could use it to make you stronger.
There is more than one way to be different in this world.
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
She did well. In fact they both did. But then again he had expected them too. Otherwise Jean wouldn’t have proposed this young woman for the job of councillor. Still neither she nor her canine companion could completely keep the shock of his appearance from showing in their eyes. Hank waited patiently for them to take it all in. The fur! The fangs! The golden eyes. Hopefully the humanity that lay inside!
Levis was the first to react instinctively moving to his mistress’s defence with a bark and a raising of his hackles. Hank couldn’t help but admire his courage, after all the odds in any fight between the two of them were never going to be in the retrievers favour and the look in his intelligent eyes said that he knew that all too well. But he stood his ground, gaining a little more confidence as the expected attack failed to materialise, edging his way forward to size up this new adversary in the only way he knew how.
Hank kept still as the dog began to snuffle round his feet, hands held open at his sides ready to receive the same treatment if Levi was bold enough to try.Before he could get that far though Sue found her voice again if only to call of the rather enthusiastic attention Levi was now paying to this new creature his noses had just discovered.
”Levi! Stop that…” she said reddening a little as if embarrassed by the dogs reaction and more importantly by her own. . ”Sorry.. I didn’t mean to…” she started, then stopped , with the unnecessary apology half finished and had another go, this time managing a very acceptable introduction. ”I’m Sue Thomas.. and I’m going to guess your Dr McCoy.”
There was still the scent of fear around her but it was fading as her mind took control and told her he couldn’t be the monster he seemed . ”And I am sorry. Normally I would never…” Hank smiled wryly as he waited for her to finish the sentence this time, sensing that this was something she needed to say even if he didn’t need hear to say it. ”..be quite so, thrown.” Diplomatically put but honest none the less. Which was, as far as Hank was concerned, always the right way to go in situations like this. After all there was no point in trying to pretend that he was Joe Average. And it was good that neither one of them was going to try.
Sue had recovered well though, even so far as to see the humour in the situation. I’ve made it a passion to never judge another. But, I have to admit, among all the different people I’ve met, you are unique in your own league” Her chuckle was joined by one of his own “
So I have been told” he replied good humouredly “What can I say. My boyish good looks are equalled only by my winning personality. I realise that it is a heady mixture. In fact some maidens have been known to swoon but you, I see are made of stronger stuff. Which is good to know” he went on, dropping slowly and carefully to one knee and extending one hand out for Levis approval, though he took good care to raise his face towards Sue as he added, still smiling, “because believe me when I say that I shall, in all probability, be the least of the surprises that lie in store for you today.”
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
Slowly, the smile on the blond woman’s features grew more confident as the creature… no, the man’s chuckle joined her own. It added a strength to her heart, to know he wouldn’t take ill of her reaction. However, unlike her lips, her brow furrowed as she watched those lips closely. So different, not easy to read, not yet at least. If she could over come accents, even languages at times, she could do this. But for now she’d struggle.
”So I have been told” Sue relaxed a little as she read the words. Well, she could understand she wouldn’t have been the first to freeze upon the introduction to the doctor. Unfortunately, she could recognise how often it probably did happen. With every new person who came through these doors expecting to see a ‘normal’ human.
“What can I say. My boyish good looks are equalled only by my winning personality. I realise that it is a heady mixture. In fact some maidens have been known to swoon but you, I see are made of stronger stuff. Which is good to know” The smile remained on her lips, even as she struggled to follow the words, having to sometimes piece it together. But it made sense in the end, and that was what mattered. Swoon.. perhaps not a word Sue would have used in this situation. Faint or pass out, but swoon. Well, it showed the doctor’s good nature at least.
As the large feline-man knelt, the golden furred canine’s ears twitched, watching the blue furred Beast as he reached out his hand.. paw?.. out towards him. Glancing briefly to his mistress, sensing no ill towards this man, he slowly moved forward in a half crawl, sniffing tentatively at the other. So many new, strange smells to absorb off of him. Slowly the flag like tail of the retriever wagged, good naturedly nudging the hand with his muzzle, a definite sign that he wanted attention off the other. He was a friendly canine at least, and fairly quick to relax provided his mistress was. Which she was. Just.
“because believe me when I say that I shall, in all probability, be the least of the surprises that lie in store for you today.” Really, Sue scolded herself, she shouldn’t be so surprised. But truth was, she had offered her support in complete ignorance of what was to come. And the further she went, the deeper this mystery seemed to go, the more she wondered if she should regret this decision. But she felt her heart, everything, guiding her down this route. She would just have to learn to cope. Wasn’t that what she always did? Still, his words invoked little security.
”Jean warned me I might be in for some.. surprises.” She said slowly, though her wording was careful, and not exactly how the head mistress had put it. Still, by now she’d relaxed par from the uncertain wondering about what she’d gotten herself into by offering herself like this.
”I do have one favour though..” She said slowly, a faint blush coming as she tried to find the words, fingers moving a little as if in thought to merely sign it. Signing was easier, but she wanted to say the words. ”Could you just speak a little slower. I think I caught and understood everything.. but.. it’s not as clear as sometimes and it may take a little time for me to get used to it.” She admitted slowly. ”Like people with strong accents” She managed to chuckle softly, smiling at him, watching Levi’s friendly manner towards the man. Just as Levi trusted her judgement, so she had learnt to trust his.
There is more than one way to be different in this world.
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
Decidedly the dog had a big heart. And more than his fair share of courage. Like his mistress, Hank though, as he watched Sue readjust to the situation, relaxing almost as much as her canine companion. ”Jean warned me I might be in for some.. surprises.” she told him, thoughtfully, obviously realising that perhaps these surprises were rather more radical than she may have anticipated but nevertheless ready to face them. Hank just hoped that he could break things to her gently. Or indeed at all.
She was doing well understanding him, her lip reading skills nothing less than impressive, but it was clear that it was far from being easy. Which given the circumstances was only to be expected. Hank was just glad that she had the good sense to admit it and ask for his cooperation. “I shall make a point of speaking more slowly “ he answered. “And if at any time there is something that you have any particular difficulty with then please don’t hesitate to ask me to repeat myself. Especially as some of the things I’m about to tell you may seem very strange indeed and you could very well believe that you have misunderstood when in fact you have not ”
Hanks smile was nothing less than reassuring, his great hand stretching down to gently caress the dog’s ears as he spoke. “But let me start at the beginning. When you applied for the teaching post here, Jean no doubt told you of the origins of the Institute. Of how Charles Xavier founded it to be a refuge and a centre of education for young mutants! A place where they could come to learn, amongst other things how to control and to safely use their powers!”
If the doctor’s humour had been obvious earlier, now it was his devotion to this dream that shone through inhuman features. “ Jean, Scott and I were amongst Charles’s the first students.” Hank offered her a wry smile, adding “And believe me when I say that we all in our own individual ways had need of counselling.
Being a mutant brings its own inherent set of problems, as you are probably beginning to realise.” he continued earnestly. Dealing with the stress of being different, handling the way so called normal people tend to react to us. It all takes its toll. And without a refuge like this such pressures can easily drive even the best of us to excess.”
This wasn’t just the professional opinion of a physician. It was all too obviously something that Hank had lived through and battled with in his own life. Which only gave his words all the more authority. “Charles had the vision to see that somewhere like this would be necessary if young mutants were to be given a chance to flourish rather than to become a danger to themselves and others around him. What he, or anyone else for that matter, could not have predicted was that it would become a sanctuary for others as well.”
“ The students here may already seem rather out of the ordinary, Sue but you have no idea just how special some of them actually are.” There was fondness in his voice for these strange youngsters he was talking about and pride too that they had managed to create a place where they could begin to feel safe. “ Mutants we have in abundance but also within these walls reside vampires, fairies, people from different dimensions or far off planets, clones……. Anything and everything you can imagine has come to the institute at one time or another. And most of them have stayed. “
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
Despite the fact she felt her body settling from the instinct to run, she could still feel her heart pounding in her chest. Like the moments after someone has jumped out at you, it seemed to refuse to calm even as the surge of adrenaline lowered. In some ways it was embarrassing, but she also knew she shouldn’t linger on it. It takes far more than goodwill to stop and instinctive reaction. It could almost be acquainted to those moments where someone asks you not to look, and until that moment you’d not even considered it, but those words seem to cause your eyes to turn to whatever is forbidden. A reaction in anyone, human, mutant, even animals. Instinct could never be completely quelled, merely caged.
“I shall make a point of speaking more slowly “ A smile passed across Sue’s lips as he spoke, a grateful nod given, though her eyes never lost their keen focus, not wishing to lose a single word if she could help it. In time she would adjust to his pattern of speaking, and she could watch him with a greater degree of normalcy. He spoke clearly though, not shouting or unnaturally slowly. Merely allowing the movements to be easily picked up. But his next words would make her somewhat uncertain if she could translate what was to come.
“And if at any time there is something that you have any particular difficulty with then please don’t hesitate to ask me to repeat myself. Especially as some of the things I’m about to tell you may seem very strange indeed and you could very well believe that you have misunderstood when in fact you have not ” Perhaps it was a little strange, that instead of the deeper meaning of the words, the warning of what was to come, it was the fact she might be incapable of working out what might be said. It was something she’d come across before. Scientific words were the regular culprits. But anything not used in common, everyday language could pose a problem. And now she feared that in fact, that would be her biggest obstacle.
“But let me start at the beginning. When you applied for the teaching post here, Jean no doubt told you of the origins of the Institute. Of how Charles Xavier founded it to be a refuge and a centre of education for young mutants! A place where they could come to learn, amongst other things how to control and to safely use their powers!” A smile passed over the deaf woman’s lips as she recognised the enthusiasm in his words. The same enthusiasm Jean had had in her’s when she first told her the history of the institute. And it was easy to see why, for it was a good, proud cause. To offer any youth who was struggling in this world because of society a lifeline, a way out of it. To use their skills, their gifts no matter what they may be.
“ Jean, Scott and I were amongst Charles’s the first students. And believe me when I say that we all in our own individual ways had need of counselling. Being a mutant brings its own inherent set of problems, as you are probably beginning to realise. Dealing with the stress of being different, handling the way so called normal people tend to react to us. It all takes its toll. And without a refuge like this such pressures can easily drive even the best of us to excess.” The smallest nod escaped Sue as she listened. Throughout the world’s history there had been difficulties with differences. Prejudice. Go back far enough, and it was everywhere. From small things, like the belief that all English drank tea at 11am, things that didn’t matter. To things that did. The slave trade, and soon after, where coloured people were considered second class citizens. Even the disabled had once faced the extremities of prejudice, considered possessed or dirty in the early centuries, and inferior until people understood that regardless of whether someone could walk, speak, hear there was still a brain behind it, a human. The difference, perhaps, with mutants was that any retaliation went far beyond protests in the streets. Mutants could cause far more damage to human lives. But just because they could, didn’t mean they would. They were still human. They had their morals. How much more dangerous were they than a gun? A bomb? Misunderstanding was dangerous. Fears were dangerous.
“ The students here may already seem rather out of the ordinary, Sue but you have no idea just how special some of them actually are. Mutants we have in abundance but also within these walls reside vampires, fairies, people from different dimensions or far off planets, clones……. Anything and everything you can imagine has come to the institute at one time or another. And most of them have stayed. “ All Sue’s thoughts seemed to stop at once. Silently her hands moved, slowly signing as if repeating the words in thought. She was frowning slightly as she did, trying to quietly work out if she had heard correctly The words didn’t come easily to understand. She knew the words on their own, but in the sentence it just didn’t sound right. Truth was, the more she thought about it, the more it sounded like a bad sci-fi book. Someone had shoved all these mythical characters together in the hope that people would look at them and not see the terrible story line. But this wasn’t a book. It was real life. And she was being told they were under the same roof as them.
”Vampires.. fairies..” She paused a bit, thinking. ”Aliens? Clones..” She shook a head a little. It was a lot to take in really. A lot to consider. ”Clones, perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised. After all, humans had already cloned practically everything else. And perhaps oddly I find less unusual. Whilst it seems like something out of childhood, at the same time it’s one of those things which stay with, a childish wish that it is real. Like unicorns.” As she concentrated on those she found less of a struggle, her voice was fairly soft, as memories of her childhood stories came to mind. But clearly the same ease didn’t come so cleanly to the others.
”I must assume what I read is right. Because despite the fact it seems… so implausible, I can’t see what else could work. Still…” She shook her head in thought. The words were unusual to her, and something about how she said them, they were far from comfortable words physically for her to say. ”Aliens.. different dimensions. And vampires?” Was she rambling? Or sorting her thoughts? She wasn’t sure how to respond to this. And silence reigned whilst she slipped into thought.
Levi had, up to now, been happily receiving the attention from the strange feline creature his mistress was talking to. But with Sue’s uneasy words, his head turned back to her, tail lowering as his ears perked. In an instant he was at her side with a soft whine, though it was the soft nuzzle to her leg which brought the hand to his head in comfort, reassuring him that, despite her discomfort everything was ok. She knew that, though she was struggling with the concept. His head softly pushed into her, tail wagging again, the bond between the pair stronger than might first be believed. And once more the teacher relaxed under her companion’s attention.
”I’ve only read fiction on such things. And that was a good ten plus years ago..” It had been during some of her teenage years. There had been a series of books which had drawn her in, a silent world she could enjoy as much as the next person. Slowly, once more her brain took control, trying to work out this seemingly impossible situation. Except it wasn’t impossible, because it was here, real. She had to trust that. Fingers moved slightly in thought, almost as if her lips had parted instead, but no words had escaped so her fingers hovered there. She so easily slipped between speech and signing, she’d often use one to compliment the other, as if hunting for a different way to express herself. But, what could she say? Nothing, there was nothing left to say. She just had to let it sink in. And she had to learn. Because if she was to help them, she had to find out how.
There is more than one way to be different in this world.
Re: Meeting the Doctor: Sat 17th March, Morning.
Despite all his good intentions to take things slowly, in the end the only way Hank had found to break the news of the complex and unbelievable mixture of challenges that Xavier’s presented was to cut to the chase. And so he had ‘told it like it was’ to use the vernacular, or as he preferred to think of it, painted the portrait of the school ‘ warts and all’.
Not that he considered for a moment the diversity of the students under their roof to be a blemish on the face of the Institute. Rather it was living, if not always breathing, proof of their success. Still, it was bound to come as a shock, that much he had to admit. He only hoped that it was a shock that the new student councillor could come to terms with even if it was too much to ask that she took it in her stride. Still all in all she made a valiant effort to do just that.
”Vampires.. fairies..” She didn’t sound as if she was about to head for the hills which was already good news. ”Aliens? Clones..” All Hank could do now was to confirm that she had really understood what he had said . Well that and look unphased by the whole business. ”Clones, perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised. After all, humans had already cloned practically everything else.” Sue was at least trying to rationalise those things that seemed , well, less unbelievable he supposed. He too would have started there..even if he was less sure that in her place he would have got much further.
Sues however had an open mind. Open enough to encompass even the unbelievable. And perhaps oddly I find less unusual. she went on Whilst it seems like something out of childhood, at the same time it’s one of those things which stay with, a childish wish that it is real. Like unicorns.” Hank sighed. Unicorns he might get round to another day. At least they would be a pleasant surprise. Now though Sue had taken the upside of things on board. Which only left…..
‘Lions and tigers and bears ! Oh my!’ Or in this case the vampires she had so far glossed over not to mention the whole can of worms that alternative dimensions inevitably opened up. ”I must assume what I read is right. the newest recruit on the teaching staff at the Institute remarked Because despite the fact it seems… so implausible, I can’t see what else could work. Still…” Implausible was a kind word. A word that held out hope .So much better than crazy or any of its synonyms any of which Hank had to admit would have been appropriate. ”Aliens.. different dimensions. And vampires?” This was the crux of the matter and from now on there were only three possible solutions.
One! She would think they were crazy and put as much distance between her and the institute as she possibly could. Because after all Jean had referred her to him as the resident expert and if that was the case then they all had to be equally mentally challenged. ! Two! She would believe every word he said and then, being an intelligent young woman, likewise put as much distance between her and the institute as she possibly could.
The third possibility was a long shot. But one that she had given them hope to believe was just imaginable. That she would believe and stay all the same. And incredibly for now that didn’t seem to have been entirely written off. ”I’ve only read fiction on such things. And that was a good ten plus years ago..” she said , her brain still visibly playing catch up on all the possibilities that had suddenly opened up in front of her.
“Lets just say that as far as such things are concerned we are on the cutting edge of any discoveries ‘ the doctor assured her wryly. “Please believe me when I say that I myself have no idea who is going to cross our threshold. And yes that puts us right out there sometimes beyond the realms even of imagination. But every student at Xavier’s no matter what race they belong to or whatever extraordinary place they come from finds both support and help here whether or not they decide to stay.”
“That is what makes this place so special.” Hank smiled in understanding at the young teacher. “And so scary. But….. his face lit up once again in enthusiasm. “There is nowhere else like this. Nowhere else these lost and desperate souls can go to for shelter. And there are no other students like them, being given this opportunity to live freely and without fear, anywhere in the world. Isn’t that something that we should all want to be a part of?
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