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

I know you posted to my permissions post, but if there's any problem with this, I can change it

[martyrerkomplex]

Krista shook her head, smiling a little as she rose up to her feet. "It's fine. I promise, you didn't bother me!"

And then it occurred to her -- she didn't have to let the stranger's feelings be a possibly-dangerous, unknowable variable, did she? She hadn't really tried using her power yet, but...

Well, this was a harmless way to try, right? It could really only help...

She made eye contact, and projected: relief, gratitude, calm. If the girl felt safe and secure, then Krista was safe from her, too, right?

It's fine, Eli could USE the calm!

[eileaneathompson]

Eli found herself calming down. "Thank you," she said softly. At least this girl wasn't laughing at her. She could have, but she didn't. Eli gave her a warmer smile. "I'm Eileanea Thompson. But my friends call me Eli or Leana."

[martyrerkomplex]

That was easier than she'd thought. She'd worried that perhaps the other girl would notice, but it seemed to have gone off without a hitch! Krista smiled, relieved herself.

"Which one do you prefer?"

[eileaneathompson]

"Which... ever you feel more comfortable with," she said softly, nervous. Well, almost terrified, would be terrified but... calm. Would she choose the friend one? Did she dare hope?

[martyrerkomplex]

Krista watched her, curious. This would all be a lot easier if she could read emotions in addition to manipulating them, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

"Would it be all right to call you Eli?"

[eileaneathompson]

She smiled a bright smile that bloomed on her face, lighting it up. "It... would be wonderful," she said softly, nodding. Did this... mean that the other girl wanted to be her friend?

[martyrerkomplex]

She just smiled, warm and gentle, and reached out a hand in offering to her.

"Eli, then. It's so nice to meet you! I'm Krista."

Would the calm be wearing off yet?

[eileaneathompson]

"Hello Krista," she said happily, shaking her hand. She smiled brightly at her.

Probably not; it takes a while for her power to wear off naturally.

[martyrerkomplex]

Was it really just that easy? Krista felt an odd sort of thrill. She could do this. She really could just... make people like her, even without her power or with only a little.

"I just transferred here recently. Have you been here long?"

Okay, so probably not doing a mental little happy dance yet, lol.

[eileaneathompson]

"A few months now," she said, nodding. A whole term, really. But if Krista knew that, she might wonder why Eli had no friends yet. Might see Eli as this school's Andrea.

"How are you liking it so far?"

She's mostly just using calm to suppress negative emotions; strong positive ones should be okay

[martyrerkomplex]

"It's been wonderful so far," she said, voice quietly grateful. "Everyone has been so kind to me..."

Re: She's mostly just using calm to suppress negative emotions; strong positive ones should be okay

[eileaneathompson]

"How wonderful!" she said happily. There were little mental Elis running around inside her head squeeing over having a new friend potentially. She hoped... oh how she hoped. "Have you gotten all settled in?" Do you need help settling in?

[martyrerkomplex]

"Yes, thank you. I didn't bring very much to school with me!" Which was to say that she didn't have much to bring, but that sounded pitiful, didn't it? More pitiful than she wanted to sound.

"And my roommate's been very helpful... Maybe if you don't mind, though, you could show me around the town a little?"

[eileaneathompson]

"Sure!" she said, on cloud nine. This was the happiest she'd been since coming to this school. "We could go shopping, and there is a cute little cafe. Whatever you want!"

[martyrerkomplex]

She was about to admit nervously that her grandparents didn't give her spending money -- but she had money from her mother's life insurance now, didn't she?

"I'd love to visit the cafe, I think! It's been so cold this winter, but... maybe I could use some new Spring clothes soon, too?"

[eileaneathompson]

She nodded happily, unaware of the other's concern. She had been in that position so often, never before had she been the one leading the way, though. It was odd, and she was terrified she was pushing too much, but not too terrified, because she was still wonderfully calm; and oh god why did it feel like she just drank about a million coffees all at once.

Her mind was racing racing racing. So happy, so happy, so happy!


This is Eli without being able to over stress and wallow in fear. This is Eli full of hope. This is Eli near to exploding from keeping herself from dancing happily around the room.

"You just say when, and we'll go! Wherever you want. And I'll even treat for our first lunch out!"

[martyrerkomplex]

Krista let out a soft, happy laugh. She was so energetic... Was she normally like that, or had she done it? (Was it bad, if she'd done it? It wasn't, right?)

"That's so kind of you... It's alright, if I can treat you the second time! That's fair, isn't it?"

[eileaneathompson]

"Deal!" She said with a huge smile. "You just tell me when!" She was so thrilled.