Dark Clouds, Silver Linings

[astonishing_xmods]

Who: Everyone!
What: The news of the day, brought to you live.
Where: Around any TV screen, computer, radio, or newspaper.
When: All week.
Warnings: Reference to major NPC death. If a thread goes into warning territory for anything else, toss it up in the subject line or take it to a new log.

"...not the cure that everyone has been hoping for, but researchers working with the virus ravaging mutant enclaves around the country claim to have reached a breakthrough -- a treatment which can stop the contagion from spreading from person to person. For more on this, we're joined by our medical specialist..."

"...ravaged by riots for the second time this year, District X citizens have been organizing to repair the damage that's been done not only the the buildings and infrastructure, but also to their sense of community. Several people are in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody in connection with the recent outbreak of violence, but few details have emerged so far..."

"...outpouring of grief from mutant communities and their supporters internationally after a high-profile member of the X-men's death was confirmed. Kurt Wagner, known to the public as 'Nightcrawler', was a long-time staff member at the Xavier Institute, rumored in recent months to have been suffering from the virus affecting mutants around the nation and the world. When asked for comment, a representative of the school asked for peace and privacy, and declined any further discussion..."

"...slight drop in mainstream support for candidates Norman Osborn and Graydon Creed attributed to their well-publicized outbursts against, among others, the mutant and pro-mutant protest groups that have been dogging them on the campaign trail. A video taken just last week of Osborn's rambling and incoherent response to a question posed to him by a mutant attendee of a meet-and-greet event went viral, prompting mockery even from some of the other candidates in the primary..."

"...international news, President Kelly has set a date for a new round of discussions with Genoshan leadership. Speaking with the press this morning, he said that he wanted to give his thanks to them personally for the help that their researchers have provided in the past weeks, and to continue making steps towards the normalization of relations..."

[OOC: As always, feel free to react to any of these prompts or even to related things that aren't explicitly posted here!]

Comments

Grounds

[koukai_kirai]

[As she's running, a small orange cat rushes up to her, mewling to get her attention and following along on her run if she doesn't stop.]

[A few moments later, a deep, gruff voice calls out from a nearby garden:]

Mikan? Where did you go?

[colorfulbrilliance]

[She does stop and kneel down, curious as to why she was being followed by a cat. Meiling smiles softly and reaches out, letting there be a chance to be sniffed before trying to pet the cat.

Although once she hears the voice she calls out curiously.]

Um..Are you looking for someone?

[koukai_kirai]

[The cat sniffles at Meiling's hand for a moment, then begins to rub her head against it, demanding to be petted.]

My cat. She's usually out here somewhere, if she doesn't come right back in after I let her outside.

[colorfulbrilliance]

[Pets are happily given and it's making her smile for now.]

What does your cat look like? There is a cat over here if you want to see if this is her?

[Because kitties are nice, it's taking her mind off of everything.]

[koukai_kirai]

[The cat lets out a little mewl, purring as she presses her face into Meiling's hand.]

Smallish. Orange.

[Hijikata steps around the garden wall towards the track, looking rather less put together than he typically does.]

...That would be her.

[colorfulbrilliance]

Ah..Well at least she didn't get far from you.

[Happily petting the cat

She's a sweetie too. Although I see she's shirking her duty to help you out sir. It's been a long day I see.

[No sarcasm behind the words, just truth. Although Meiling isn't one to bend it often.]

[koukai_kirai]

[It's always a long day, he thinks, but there's no use complaining about it, either.]

I think she thinks it's her duty to get me out of my office more often, between the two of us. That's what she seems the most interested in.

[That and being petted, obviously.]

[colorfulbrilliance]

It isn't good to stay cooped up inside all the time though. She's smart to try and help out with that.

[Like she takes her own advice at this rate.]

[koukai_kirai]

It's a distraction from my work. I don't think she's doing it for my benefit, either.

[The cat has now flopped over onto her back, and seems to be angling for a tummy-petting.]

[colorfulbrilliance]

[Careful tummy pettings are a go!]

Some animals can sense when a change of pace is needed. Maybe it's her way of making sure it happens?

[Optimism from a 19 year old who can't finished high school yet.]

[koukai_kirai]

If that's the case, there's a remarkable overlap between my need for a change of pace and her need to go chase birds and get students to pet her.

[colorfulbrilliance]

Maybe there is another reason as well then? I mean...Have you ever asked her?

[Of course cats don't talk but details!]

[koukai_kirai]

...She's a cat.