[OPEN]

[defibrillating]

WHO: Zian & any visitors
WHAT: Loud music in the med lab, and one bored eggplant nurse.
WHERE: Nurse's office, ground floor
WHEN: Today!
WARNING(S): Currently none. Just bad taste in music.

After the U-Men incident and the follow-ups, it had been rather calm in the medical department. A few scratches, sprains and a belly ache had been the only thing Zian had to worry about. Instead, he had taken time to familiarize himself with both the ground floor office and med lab, as well as the infirmary and research labs down in the sub-levels. The nurse's office was kind of his home, however, leaving the more serious stuff to the doctors.

That meant that he also ended up personalizing it a bit with some nice, comic-book posters to make the kids feel more at ease, as well as his precious water boiler for the days he just wanted something warmer in his feeding tube. (Though he usually said it was used for tea just in case he'd gross anyone out... plus some might actually want tea while talking symptoms.)

It also included one technopath-made boombox, because his dad had been awesome. It was currently playing rather loud music, easily heard in the corridors outside the nurse's office. Someone liked ridiculously chipper pop songs, right?

Comments

[knighterrantofthedragon]

Alric chuckles, scratching at the back of his head lightly.

"...well... that isn't... particularly a 'thing,' as they say, but I certainly do sincerely appreciate the sentiment."

He pauses a moment as Zian speaks up once again, shaking his head lightly... then smiles to himself and continues in a half-jokingly playful tone.

"Not to my knowledge. Although, if you should ever tire of the clinic and thirst for adventure and daring deeds, I am interested in assembling an X-team for the purposes of helping people where we can, and improving the public perception of the 'mutant' community. The medical expertise might be valuable. Not to mention having someone who'd 'vote for me.'"

[defibrillating]

Listening, Zian shakes his head a little bit at Alric's offer. "I appreciate it, but I'm not exactly a good addition to human-mutant relations. People tend to view this," he gestures to himself, "quite the opposite way."

The medic shrugs a bit, somewhere between sad and mildly frustrated. "Besides, my call is here. I want to help the kids above all."

[knighterrantofthedragon]

Alric nods and smiles, unfazed.

"Mm. I anticipated you'd feel that way. But I'm not certain I agree with your estimation of your appearance."

He pauses a moment.

"I'd be lying if I denied that it's... startling, and could even be disconcerting, and I'm sure you know that well. But I believe that to convince the rest of humanity that 'mutants' are not evil, and are in fact no less human, will require... in somewhat crass terms, spectacle. Specifically, those who would be most easily outcast demonstrating their humanity."

He smiles a little sheepishly, pausing a few seconds, mulling over how best to express himself, and holding a hand up slightly to indicate that he's doing so.

"In the simplest terms, the more different someone seems, the more they appear to the senses along to typify some particular class, the greater the impact of their actions. The kindness of the obvious working-class mutant speaks far louder than that of the wealthy, influential mutant who could spend his entire life unnoticed. To prove that those who can escape notice should be allowed their privacy, we need first to demonstrate, to implant the notion in public discourse, that those who can't help but be noticed must absolutely be acknowledged in their humanity."

He pauses again, momentarily, and smiles a bit more sheepishly.

"...or, at least, so goes my thinking on the matter."

[defibrillating]

Zian could understand where Alric was coming from... but he also knew the lives the morlocks lived, how they had to move into the sewers to get away from hatred and violence. How he had never been able to walk on the streets without being covered from head to toe, heart beating in fear every time someone passed him. He didn't hate humans, but he was afraid of causing a scene that could spin into violence.

"It does make sense, and I partially agree... but I'm not the right person to ask. I grew up fearing humans and their reactions to how I look. I don't want to jeopardize any of the good you guys are doing by possibly drawing violence from crowds." There were a lot of odd-looking mutants, but he kind of hit the top of the line before taking a turn to the completely inhuman.

"I want to help people... but right now, I think my most important work can be done with the young mutants here. Making sure everyone is healthy... and heal those that are injured while learning about their powers or fighting to protect both humans and mutants alike." The medic smiles a bit under the mask. "Thank you for the offer, though. It means a lot to me."

[knighterrantofthedragon]

Alric nods and smiles a little, reassuringly.

"...mm. I understand. However... insulated I've been, I know, myself, the kind of rejection and violence you wish to avoid, and I cannot reproach anyone for that wish. Consider it an open door, should you change your mind, one day."

[defibrillating]

"Thank you." Zian replies with a small nod.

"You're all set, now, and you're in great shape. Nothing I really need to tell you other than go easy on the bruises and ice them. I have your information, your blood group and you details. Everything is just perfect." He stands up, offering Alric a hand to get up as well.

[knighterrantofthedragon]

"Ah, yes. I'll take care."

He takes the hand, standing--and shakes it lightly.

"Thank you."

[defibrillating]

Shaking it back, Zian's own hand kind of engulfs and hides Alric's nearly completely. "Good. I hope I'll not see you again for a while!"

[knighterrantofthedragon]

Alric blinks and chuckles at that.

"...or, at least, not in a medical context. Have a good day."

He nods, at that, and heads out if Zian has nothing else to add/ask!