xavier_institute_logs | Opening Day [OPEN]

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Opening Day [OPEN]

WHO: EVERYONE
WHAT: Mingle/Figure out Room Assignments/Meet old friends again
WHERE: The whole campus.
WHEN: September 1st, 2018
WARNING(S): None. If anything goes into warning territory, please create a new log for it.

For all of the newcomers, welcome to Professor Xavier’s Institute of Higher Learning! For all of our returning students and staff, welcome back! Once Professor Xavier’s welcome speech wraps up, it’s time for everyone to get themselves situated in their dorms and, more importantly, get to know your fellow mutants! Even if you’re not sharing rooms, you’ll still be sharing the same campus with each other, so don’t be afraid to get used to all of those new faces! Or even catch up on old ones! You have options; don’t be afraid to use them.

[[ ooc: This is the general mingling post for all of our characters to get settled into their rooms, get to know each other, reminisce with old friends, all that jazz. The log will be split into multiple locations. ]]

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Ethics are still an amusing notion to Laura she has not completely grasped, but she is doing much better with them then she did five years ago.

"You are very sure of your choice to join the X-Men." Laura closed up her empty suitcase and slid it to the bottom of her wardrobe. She ignored the comment about bullies, she never had a problem with them... of course she had a reputation.

"Non-combat applications?" Energy manipulation generally had more positive applications even if most thought they were best served with violence. As opposed to Laura's own powers, which were honed into a deadly edge. Literally, for her claws.

Joining the X-Men was better than her other two options. It was also an honorable position and the closest to modern knights Saber could find. They protected the innocent, and that was what she did, despite knowing the path will continue to only bring her despair. And being one of them gave her access to resources where she might be able to find wondrous things she'd always thought were fairy tales. After all, if mutants were real, who is to say something like the Holy Grail isn't.

"Some, though most of that is passive and sensory-related. The other non-combat applications I have lost access to. Such as healing."

Laura had similar thoughts five years ago, minus any concepts of fairy tales. Most were most likely a variation of interdimensional or interstellar travel. Which were theoretically more credible than magic. But Laura did not want to be used as a weapon, even a weapon for good... not unless it was on her own terms. Maybe after she explores the options that are not as violent she will reconsider.

She does not want to look for more trouble.

"Lost? How are abilities lost?" She could understand losing her claws... she's done that before, it is very hard to find a doctor willing to re-implant metal blades onto someone who is immune to most forms of anesthetic. But an ability to manipulate energy is pretty hard to steal or cut off with a meat cleaver.

Saber stated at Laura for a long moment. Did she want to explain to her what happened? Well, as best as she could explain. She didn't think she would get pity from Laura and given the genetic manipulation that had been apparent in the other girl's existence, perhaps she might understand better than others.

"One moment. I have to get something from my room," she said and then left Laura's room without giving the girl a chance to respond.

When she returned a few moments later, she had one of those standing picture frames that folded closed like a book with two photographs, one on each side. [ooc: the second one does not have Shirou showing any magecraft, but fanart limits, blerg.]

She held the frame out for Laura to take. "Those were taken two months ago when I was visiting a friend in Japan," she said without elaborating further. The differences in her appearance were very apparent. Her skin was paler, red lines scrawling up the side of her neck, eyes an unnatural yellow instead of the bright green they were, and her hair washed out to almost white as opposed to cornsilk blonde.

Laura took the pictures into her hand and examined them quickly, then glancing over the very clear physical difference that has happened in a relatively short span. She sniffed the air, naturally her first thought was a pathogen of some kind, this level of physical damage isn't easy to cause. Stress, naturally, could maintain it if left untreated.

"Have you spoken to Dr. McCoy about remedies for your current condition?" She figured, if Saber wished to share the specifics, that she would. But the pictures were enough to answer that Saber was damaged in ways that could limit the variation of her powers.

"I have been placed through numerous exams by both human doctors and by Dr. McCoy," Saber replied. "Something was done to me while I was in Japan. We do not know what it is, or what they did to me."

She held her hand out for the photos back. "The best way I can describe it is that there was some kind of... corruption done to me X-gene. That is why my abilities have altered. Along with..." She made a gesture to her face, specifically the red lines.

There were plenty of people X-23 has not killed who had a hand in the game of mutant genetic manipulation. She did not have access to intercontinental travel methods, so she had to settle for killing the ones in North America. Plus that was a decade ago, there were surely more scientists trying to make the perfect tool again. She just... did not have the energy to go and detain each one.

"Understood. Is there a theory as to their intentions?" Some people were just interested in seeing what happened, others had very specific designs in mind. She has not been 'in the game' for some time, so her information on Japan was almost certainly out of date. "You seem... strong, considering."

"I do not know who they are. I do not even know how they managed to knock me out. I was fully armored and engaged in combat with... I think it was another mutant, but I cannot be sure. He was cloaked in shadow with his face covered by a bone mask," Saber replied, looking down at the photos.

"Over the years, I have drawn a fair amount of attention in the anti-mutant circles across Europe. It could have been one of them." She shut the frame closed and looked back up at Laura. "My body is fighting the corruption. Dr. McCoy has said that is why I do not have access to the healing I used to be able to do with the mana. It is also not contagious, or they would not have allowed me to attend classes. I do ask that you do not spread this information around. I just thought that perhaps you may have a better understanding than others considering what you revealed regarding your genetics."

"Most organizations with the required expertise would use mutants in the field." There was definitely something about her tone that said this was not up for debate.

Laura listened to the girl and studied her for a few moments as she considered. The contamination was being fought, but Saber's body was not equipped to overcome the affliction, merely prevent it from doing further damage. "I understand. You should understand if your body is still fighting this contamination it is dangerous for you to to be an X-Man. Not just you, you do not know what the end result of this corruption is, and if you are too injured in combat, your body would be unable to continue fighting."

She left out that, in that situation, the optimum result would be Saber's death. There are far worse things that can happen when genetic corruption is involved.

Saber wasn't going to argue the point regarding mutant use by those kind of organizations or groups that could do whatever they did to her. After all, mutants weren't morally separate from humans. There were always people that would do just about anything if the price was right.

"I am aware of that. I have been told by Professor Xavier that there will be continued research into my condition and those responsible. I believe him," she replied. "But telling me things I already know will not dissuade me from continuing to train and prepare as I have been. It is important to stand against those that would do this kind of thing to others. I will not step aside because of the danger."

Saber clenched her jaw a bit. "I feel the effects within me every moment. When I know I am a danger to others, I will take measures to ensure no innocents are harmed. If you are asking me to stop being who I am, you are speaking to deaf ears."

"I am attempting to determine who you are. I still train, and I still fight if challenged, but I do not wish to be an X-Man," Laura found it very concerning to see someone acting so close to herself. The situations were different, in many very important ways, but there were enough commonalities she was feeling... things. She didn't have names for them. "You wish to fight, and protect, but you cannot be prepared for all possible situations, and you could become a threat before you can safely prevent it."

"I am not asking you to stop training. I am informing you that a possible result is you will kill the innocent." Laura paused for a moment, she was not very big on secrets but she has discovered she has a slight... shyness, when it comes to certain specific aspects of her past. She goes to the door, inspects the hallway, and closes the door. "Like the ones I have killed."

"We all can become threats. I know that now more than ever." Anyone could be taken and not been able to resist what was done to her.

"And I know that the possibility is there. I have... different reactions to things than I used to. I have already limited myself on many things I used to do. Sports and other competitions." The Danger Room also gave her a wonderful outlet for the anger she felt all the time anymore.

Saber moved out of the way when Laura came to the door and choose to lean against the wall, arms crossed. "And you are telling me this... why? I can already tell you regret it. I have been the cause of innocent deaths before." And it would always linger in her mind. "I derailed a subway train once."

"There is a difference between known and unknown variables. Your corruption is known, your choice is... 'informed.'" Laura picked her words carefully, because it was very hard to be clear when humans used the same word for many things, and some words for nothing at all.

"I assassinated 65 people," Yeah, she said assassinated. No accidents, no loss of control, deaths designed in advanced. She did not want to share this information with new students it... colored things. She has been very lucky most of her friends have understood that what she was is not who she wishes to be. "Most I was aware of my actions, but unaware of my... choice. Some I was unaware of my actions, and could not make a choice."

"If I were to be a member of the X-Men, I would inform them of my possible threat to them, and if the situation arose they should kill me. I... do not want to be anyone's weapon. That is all I wanted you to be aware of. If you know you are a threat, you should take all precautions."

"If you were unaware of your actions and unable to make a choice, I would not call that assassination. That is all I will comment on."

There was a brief spark of anger inside her at Laura insinuating that she wasn't taking precautions. And really, none of them knew for certain if she was a threat. She was a giant question mark when it came to things. But, Saber knew herself well enough to know if she did nothing, she would turn into a threat. All that anger needed to go somewhere...

"I was trained to kill from birth. The moment you walked into my room I reflexively determined the best and most efficient way to kill you. They were assassinations. There was a monetary transaction and my services were paid for. Even if I did not benefit from this exchange."

Laura sensed the shift, a minor change in scent, and posture. Which Laura met with her own, she adjusted her footing slightly and kept a watchful eye on Saber after that. She has just finished unpacking you are not destroying her room. "It is hard, to ask."

Saber didn't move, remaining where she was leaning back against the wall with her arms crossed. She controlled her anger with a few steady breaths, forcing it back down inside where it belonged.

"And what should be asked?"

"To ask for assistance." Laura answered, her attention was incredibly disciplined. She was not moving either, she wasn't drawn into a combat stance but it was clear she would be in one well before it was needed, "The physical and psychological conditioning I was put through was extensive. I cannot be certain of my own self control in every situation."

Trying to carry everything yourself was, in some ways, less painful. You did not show anyone you had a weakness, you did not let anyone know something that could hurt you. And it was one thing to let a teacher know, to surrender to an authority as Laura has been doing her entire life... and another to tell someone something they could not forget, or ignore. "I... had to inform people. So if I could not maintain myself... they could stop me. That I wanted them to stop me."

That sounded an awful lot like Bigby, which was one of the reasons Saber had said she would be at his class. Even with all the uncertainty surrounding herself and her condition, there were things she would not do, would not allow to pass, and staining her honor was one of them. She was a knight and nothing would change that... even as much as she sometimes hated everything that came with being one.

"Then should you lose control, I will see to it that you will not hurt others."

She was pretty sure that wasn't the point Laura was trying to get across, but it was the one she was willing to openly acknowledge.

"It is appreciated. Stop evading."

Laura was well aware of this dance, humans did it. She occasionally did it too. to ignore the obvious because it is painful. But to avoid painful things causes you to take a slower path. When the faster choice is best, straight for the heart.

There was a long pause before Saber sighed and brushed some hair out of her eyes.

"What is it you want me to say? Death before dishonor? Whereas that is true, I do not exactly like the notion," she replied with a bit of exasperation.

"If you keep this secret from your teammates, you are choosing to put them in harm's way. And for the record, to stop me you would need to kill me. And I would prefer that to the alternative."

Laura was as practical as they came, the only reason her... specifics, were a secret was practical. Knowing of her creation was a danger. Knowing of her past was a danger. Being seen as someone she trusts is a danger. But she is also aware, if she joined an active team, that her teammates would need to know the specifics of her trigger scent the same way it is known to the X-Men. "Being an X-Man is no less dangerous than being a knight, or an assassin. You should be prepared to die."

"I do not recall ever saying that I was planning on keeping it from my teammates," Saber stated with some annoyance. "But I do dislike speaking of it."

She also disagreed with Laura's believe that death would be the only way to stop her. Especially with such a powerful telepath as Professor Xavier. Even if the body did not want to stop or could not stop, the mind could be influenced.

"And, for the record," Saber added on, using Laura's phrasings, "I was prepared to die two months ago in Japan. I did not expect to wake again."

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Opening Day [OPEN]

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