The Liberation Begins

[astonishing_xmods]

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: The news of the world, brought right to your school!
WHERE: On any television, radio, or computer screen (assuming they're on a news site)
WHEN: All week
WARNING(S): if a thread goes into warning label territory, either throw it in the subject line or take it to a separate log.

"... have declined significantly. Experts say the lack of activity from the formerly aggressive group may indicate a change in gameplan for the Friends of Humanity. Rather than taking to the streets and participating in violent confrontations with rioters, the Friends of Humanity have become much more visible on the internet and in social media. "A Voice for Humanity", a gathering spot for many FoH supporters, has branched itself onto Facebook, Twitter, and other social media spheres. Paul Stacy, the creator of the website and noted anti-mutant activist and writer, has stated that in the modern world, social revolutions aren't won on the streets, but on the web..."


"... resulting in the death of five officers and six others so far, the riots in San Francisco continue as masked members of the Mutant Liberation Front fan the flames, violently fighting off any attempts by city officials to regain control of the Castro Street neighborhood, also known as "Mutant Town West". The mayor has pleaded to the state and federal governments for aid in order to restore order..."


"... Reverend William Stryker, uncle to the late Donovan Zane, was finally forced to end his vigil today as a young man identifying himself as a member of the Mutant Liberation Front rushed the capital steps today, using an unknown mutant power to injure the reverend in what police are calling attempted murder. Reverend Stryker was rushed to the nearest hospital and is said to be in critical condition..."


"... President Kelly and special diplomat Gabrielle Haller left for Genosha again for another round of peace talks, but were stopped and forced to turn away as Air Force One entered Genoshan air space. There has been no word from the mutant nation as to why, specifically, US officials were invited and then summarily dismissed before they even reached land, but many in congress are claiming this is a clear sign from the Genoshan government that they are not interested in peace talks and are preparing to invade the US..."


"... holding rallies in known mutant neighborhoods in major urban centers across the US. In District X specifically, one of the masked speakers declared that they had claimed District X back from the human hands that had left them to starve and to freeze. Several food and clothing supplies, believed to be stolen and hijacked by MLF factions working in the Atlantic, were then delivered to the district's residence..."

[[ ooc: Students and teachers are free to start their own threads in this log in response to one or more of these news clips, or even to things related but not specifically posted here. ]]

Comments

Afternoon in the classroom OR evening in the kendo club's training area

[koukai_kirai]

[Hijikata was in the same place he always was after soaking in a day's worth of news -- in front of the whiteboard in his most usual classroom, scrawling away in Japanese, drawing all the connections he could, thinking about the questions that really jumped out from them. It seemed like all he could find, though, were conclusions he didn't like, and questions he knew he didn't want the answers to... Still, he couldn't just give up, could he? He had to understand more...]

[He hardly seemed to notice the little orange kitten at his feet, who'd grown worried at his sudden inattention to her and abandoned her catnip toy to paw in concern at the hem of his pants.]

[Later in the day, still frustrated with his lack of answers, he scooped up the kitten into his winter coat and made his way out to the gym, setting her in a little playpen so he could change clothes and fetch his training sword. The age-old, familiar movements of the kata he'd studied and memorized for years were soothingly thoughtless when his thoughts offered him no refuge; he could lose himself for hours in his training, if he wasn't interrupted.]

classroom

[seduceme]

[Chris figures he'll be off trying to puzzle out everything as always. Honestly, Hijikata seems almost obsessed with conspiracy theories.

She stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame and watching the man with wry amusement.]

You'll go grey early at this rate.

[koukai_kirai]

[They're only conspiracy theories if your night job doesn't actually involve going after the leaders of actual conspiracies. And if you believe the stupid ones.]

I'll make it look distinguished.

[He's vain, but not concerned with things like that -- at least, not yet.]

[He doesn't interrupt his writing to answer her. If the earliest reports of MLF activity surfaced here, then...]

[seduceme]

[You're bringing your work home- to your other work, sir.]

Or you'll be cranky about the first white 'airs that begin sprouting and then end up disemboweling a few students and faculty members in the process.

[koukai_kirai]

If it looks that bad, there's always dye.

[No, no, this is his free time. This is totally how you spend free time, right? Obsessively trying to make sense of your work?]

[seduceme]

Knowing your luck, it would turn out bright orange.

[Sauntering in and just... casually adding extra comments and data around what he's written. She might as well help if he's going to be like this.]

[koukai_kirai]

In case you hadn't noticed, my hair is black.

[It would take a lot of effort to get a bright color like that.]

[She probably can't read most of what he wrote, since it's largely in Japanese. Names are in English, though, as well as acronyms, so she can at least get the gist here and there.]

[He looks a little surprised when he notices her writing, but... well, it's a lot of work for one person, and her perspective could be useful.]

Don't erase anything without asking.

[seduceme]

You should write more in English. Or learn French - it's more elegant.

[Satisfied with the little she can tweak here and there, she leans back on one of the desks and sighs.] You need a social life.

[koukai_kirai]

I have a social life.

[Well, a sex life. And colleagues, and proteges, and Souji, and a cat.]

[seduceme]

Yes, you are obviously quite the social butterfly. It's a wonder you 'ave time for anything. [she's rolling her eyes so hard it's practically audible. 10 points for you, Hijikata.]

[koukai_kirai]

Don't tell me you're concerned about me, all of a sudden.

[That's not something he's ready for in their friendship -- though he hasn't lashed out at her yet, somewhat surprisingly.]

[seduceme]

Why on earth would I start now? You're a grown man that can usually take care of 'imself, even if 'e is woefully inept at managing 'is personal feelings.

[koukai_kirai]

[She's definitely pushing his boundaries further than he's willing to have them pushed. There's a sharp flick of wind through the room, and he sets his pen down on the little ledge attached to the whiteboard.]

Did you want something?

the second thing

[diamonds_forever]

[He could probably feel her presence before he saw her. That perpetual chill that always seemed to accompany her, one that only really seemed to be felt in the mind. There were still days she wish she could turn it off... it made it impossible to be conspicuous sometimes. But in this case, well... She sort of hoped he'd notice her. He had to know she was back in town. He was always on top of those kind of things. So she just stood in the doorway, watching him work, and waiting for when he was ready to acknowledge her presence.]

[koukai_kirai]

[It would have been pretty impossible to miss that network post, even if he hadn't been the sort to keep careful tabs on the comings and goings at school.]

[And knowing she was around, it wasn't hard to guess why the air suddenly felt so much chillier. Still, he made no sign of noticing her -- not until he finished the kata he'd been working on, and straightened up.]

It's been a while.

[diamonds_forever]

Too long... I didn't give you much of a goodbye, back then. I wanted to take a chance to make up for it, now that the academy isn't taking up so much of my time...

[koukai_kirai]

[His day is looking up, unexpectedly enough. He brushes his hand through his hair, and sets the practice sword back on the rack.]

Gracious as ever, I see. I don't recall you owing me any apologies, but I wouldn't mind catching up.

[diamonds_forever]

You have troubles with people owing you anything, if my memory serves me right.

So you ready to play five years of the catch-up game? We might want to get dinner, if that's going to be the case.

[koukai_kirai]

[Hijikata gives her a small smile, somewhat rare for him.]

I wouldn't mind that. I'll have to get cleaned up first.

[And find a babysitter for the cat. Some of the other staff seem fond of her, so it shouldn't be too difficult.]

[diamonds_forever]

I'm guessing I'm not allowed to help with that, this time? [Mostly teasing... Mostly.]

[koukai_kirai]

There's nothing stopping you if you're inclined.

[Look, whatever direction things between him and Souji have been... slowly and sort of inexorably moving, they're not back together yet, so he's still single and free to do what he likes with who he likes.]

[diamonds_forever]

Oh you do tempt me, darling. [She practically purred, pausing a moment to think it over...]

But... I'm trying to be good. Rushing back into bed with you is probably ranking pretty high in terms of irresponsibility. Just dinner... for now. [If it lead to getting heated after that, she'd invite it then.]

[koukai_kirai]

[Speaking of tempting, that warm tone in her voice does bring back memories. Hijikata shrugs slightly at her ultimate answer, faintly disappointed, but not the sort to make a fuss about it. What happens happens, and it isn't as if he's entitled to her.]

You'll have to give me a little while to get cleaned up and changed without your help, then. Where do you want to get dinner?

[diamonds_forever]

Is that one cafe I always liked still open? I haven't actually gotten a chance to go into town.

[koukai_kirai]

Last I saw, it was.

Meet you there at... [He checks the clock on the wall. How long was he training, again?] ...half past 7, or should I pick you up on campus?