n=1 {Video}

[mentalisolate]

[The tablet has been carefully propped on a library table against some books in order to capture video of Charles from the mid-chest up. Or, initially a close up of his face all frowny and concentrating and then he pushes away to lean back again.]

Hello. I'm Professor Charles Xavier, something of a recent arrival, although, it seems as if I've been here previously. If you happen to remember me from before the beginning of this month, I'm afraid I don't remember you, but I'd be fascinated to know anything you can tell me, if you don't mind.

I'll return to that in just one moment, but there's a rather important thing I have to get to first. The locals, those who have been living in Exsilium long before we were ever summoned here, are not happy with the current state of affairs. And can you really blame them? They've been told we're here to help, but they've no proof of it, not when it involves time travel and reality modification. All they can see is the negative attention we draw from the United Earth, and the preference given to Transports over them. So, this is my proposal: we form a team to protect them. A team that visibly makes an effort to prevent harm from coming to the Exiles, that protects them where the Initiative might not. It won't be easy, especially right now, at the beginning. They don't trust, or like us. But with time, if we demonstrate our willingness to coexist and use our resources to help them, there is no reason for us to remain at odds. Now! What is a volunteer service without volunteers--which is where you lot come in. If any of you are inclined to help, or even if you only want to ask questions, do speak up. The more of us there are, the better use we'll be.

As for my previous self, it seems as if he'd, or, I'd managed to secure funding, and a building of some sort for the purposes of, well, creating a school. I've really no idea if any of his arrangements carried over to me, but before I go looking into that, I'd prefer to know how far he managed to get. Did any renovations occur? Where is the building to begin with?! If any of you know anything about this school, I'd be terribly grateful for your help.

[He smiles, and then leans forward again, to switch it off.]

Comments

[allucinator]

You know, there's already a radio show goin' on that you might be interested. Sorta about propaganda and all that shit.

Why the hell do you want a school? We all get trainin' from the people here. And I don't think there's many who wanna crack books or whatever.

[mentalisolate]

I'm...I can see the potential benefit of propaganda, but I'd rather be more straightforward about my help, when I can be. I'd like them to have a reason to like us. [Because otherwise he treads towards the concept of fixing minds so they all like the Transports and then he won't know himself anymore.]

Training is one thing, but learning for the sake of knowledge is another. You might be surprised at how many people are interested. Is there nothing you want to learn?

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[lazyinlove]

they're nice if you don't look like you're from space. I hang out with them all the time.

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[mentalisolate]

Yes, well, I'd quite like to achieve acceptance for those who "look like they're from space" as well.

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[charming_jerk]

Dunno about anyone else, but I'd already been doin' that. I was fightin' off UE bombers for both us 'n' them. We all put ourselves through hell too. The thanks I get now? I get spit on when I walk down the street, and half the places in town won't even let me in.

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[mentalisolate]

Thank you for doing that, and, I know. It's hard, and thankless, but we can't give up before we've barely even tried. If we demonstrate a united front, if we show them definitively we're concerned for their safety as well as our own, they'll begin to understand that we're in this situation together.

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[sithiche]

I'd give you the school's address, but. Well. Good luck finding street signs that aren't scorched.

If it means anything, it looked pretty intact, last I saw.

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[mentalisolate]

So it wasn't bombed into oblivion, that's definitely a good start.

[crocodilesmiles]

Charlie!

( Oh, stars, he's back! Well, a version of him. It's just that she's so excited to see him for a moment that she laps her hands and beams at her angled camera like it ain't no thang, and as if he's supposed to have any idea who she is.

(He doesn't, she knows, but she figures he might, at some point, if his mind turns that way.) )

We totally had the building fixed up, but it fared a little worse for the wear after the last bombings. But it's a very nice green! I think you'd like it if you saw it, with the white trim and everything. Or wait, did we go with red... No, I swear it was green!

( Maybe it's wishful thinking. )

You want to directly protect the Exiles? From... um. I guess what I want to ask is what from, especially? Stuff like the monsters last year? More of the United Earth when they send in ground troops? How do you protect people from carpet bombings and germ warfare?

[mentalisolate]

Ah...yes, hello. I'm afraid I haven't even the faintest memory of you, but I'm sure I'm not all too different from myself.

[His smile has a very slightly anxious edge. Perhaps he'll be a disappointment. He doesn't like feeling like he's competing with himself.]

Oh sod, it was renovated after all? Nothing for it but to start from scratch, and hope my past reputation remains relevant to who I am now. I assume that means you know where to find it? I'd like to take a look, if it's reachable.

And that's exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of. The Initiative brings us back when we die, and provides us with weapons, and if we don't use those allowances to protect the Exiles from attacks they have no such protection against, what worth are they? Or...so I think. I'm not so foolish as to imagine everyone is inclined to help a group of people who, er, dislike us rather a lot. And perhaps we can't stop bombings, or infection in the same way we might stop United Earth troops, but we can help rebuild, we can treat illness, we can treat Exiles exactly as we would each other in those same scenarios. I know there are people already helping, but I think a regular concerted effort in the form of a team would at the very least be rather good PR.

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[fintastic]

Oh!

[ She remembers this guy. She liked him! Which, in her mind, means she will definitely like this him. ]

I remember the school, but I don't remember where the building was.

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[mentalisolate]

[There's a brief moment in which he appreciates this girl's appearance, new to him as it is. And then continues on normally.]

Oh, excellent, would you mind telling me what you do remember about it?

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[fe_male]

[ Oh look you're back. This is fun. He loves that one movie, what was it. Fifty first dates. This place is like living in that movie. ]

I rigged up a lot of the electricity for it, ran a bunch of general wires and tubes. Probably wouldn't be too difficult to get you back over there, but I haven't seen it after the most recent attacks. Might need a little repair again. [ He says, with the tone of a man who is like 'pft i built it it's probably fine i built it ]

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[mentalisolate]

Well, then, thank you for the second time, and my first time saying it in my memory. I had a much more dire picture of the situation than seems to be actually true. I suppose I left previously just prior to actually opening the school?

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[taggingwomprats]

That's kind of what we're supposed to be doing already, isn't it? But a visible effort wouldn't hurt.

[Luke pauses and mulls over something on the other end.]

What about smaller stuff? Like just helping out with repairs or other problems? It doesn't look like we're under attack all the time, so a defense team might not get immediate results.

[Another pause and then Luke gives the verbal equivalent of a shrug.]

Count me in.

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[mentalisolate]

Exactly my thought. Just being seen to help and be helpful, something visible, immediate gratification. And you're entirely right, I really would like to involve whoever wants to volunteer, and take advantage of any skills anyone might have.

That said, thank you, and is there anything in particular you can do that you think I should note down?

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[100hearts]

Why, exactly, do you believe integration is a priority? Do you plan on staying indefinitely?

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[mentalisolate]

Not at all, but I'd rather comfortable coexistence to hostility. Wouldn't you?

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[boughtabookstore]

I see you've been informed where the school was already. If you wish, I can put you in contact with Initiative officials who might be able to give you more information about the plans had for it.

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[mentalisolate]

That would be incredibly useful if you could, yes. Thank you very much.

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[hyanaimne]

[there are probably some important things in this transmission, but the only thing she really focuses on at first is—]

You are a professor? What do you teach?

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[mentalisolate]

I'm technically a Professor of Genetics but really I teach whatever is required, and within my capability to teach.

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[ensorceler]

Professor Xavier, you are well met. I am Anne Boleyn, and I must say I could not agree with your harmonious suggestions even more if I should will it. Though my methods may differ from what you suggest, I attempt to remind these people that we are the same in the eyes of Almighty God, as Englishmen.

I am seeking a hall for a different matter, but I think a school to be of much grander significance, and should I find a location that seems fitting, I will be certain to inform you.

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[mentalisolate]

[Oh. Oh wow.]

Likewise a pleasure, Miss Boleyn, and it's good to hear that your purpose aligns with mine. May I ask what you've been doing?

As for finding a place for my school, wherever you next find is yours: I already have a building, apparently. It was determining the exact location which was the trouble. Thankfully, I've found people who know.

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[freewoman]

Why would I help someone who doesn't like me? [Keep it simple, Charles.]

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[mentalisolate]

I suppose "because nearly everyone deserves help" won't do, will it. [He smiles at her.] It's showing you're trustworthy. It's giving our group a helpful face, so that Transports can see we're people just like them, not an uncaring concept. It's developing trust, and community, and making life easier and less hostile for everyone.

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[taggeda0]

Wont work

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[mentalisolate]

Really? How odd, I'd thought I looked for a previous or existing group for this purpose and hadn't found one. I must not have searched well enough.

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[khajidont]

Not that I'm against, you know, being generally helpful... but help the Exiles how? All the hospitals were already full with Transport volunteers a while back, and pretty much everyone who was helping people evacuate helped them out too.

[...he's not going to comment on the school bit. No thanks.]

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[mentalisolate]

I've truly no doubt that people have been trying their hardest. But it does help to have a group specifically for the purpose, for organisation and to have a specific group to be able to look to, and perhaps even contact. I'd be looking to help everyone exactly as people have been helping, really. I only thought to make everything a little easier, and more official.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Oh, Barbara is definitely intrigued, and she makes absolutely no effort to hide it.]

From what I've seen, a lot of people do attempt to help the Exiles, either through protection or aid, but an organised effort definitely can't hurt. It'll keep everyone on the same page, and show the Exiles it's not just some disparate individuals.

As for a school - I've been wanting one myself, I think it's a great idea.

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[taijiya]

It's a good sentiment, but... it's really not as simple as you're making it seem.

[Sango is a little weary of this. She's had her share of mistreatment from Exiles, even though she literally went blind trying to help them during the UE bombing.]

I'm not going to stop helping them when they're in need, but there's too many of them that are too hateful, too many Transports that will take the opposite direction. Unless you can convince every Transport to be helpful and kind, they're still going to have and use their scapegoat.

[justgo]

Rather big proposal for some, all things considered. Any offers for help, yet?