The Last Stand [OPEN]]

[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: Today
WARNING(S): if a thread goes into warning label territory, either throw it in the subject line or take it to a separate log.

"... sweeping victories in both the House and Senate. Creed and his fellow Last Stand congressmen celebrated today, eager to begin the new legislation they promised in their collective campaign. Senator Creed enthusiastically exclaimed that the era of letting mutants go unchecked were finally going to come to an end..."


"... calling themselves the 'Mutant Liberation Front', or MLF, the campaign of vandalism and propaganda has been extensive in Europe and has started to appear in the United States and Canada as well. The MLF are most recognized by their tag sign of the double helix, along with the word LIBERATE. Most authorities are not incredibly concerned, as the group has been non-violent so far..."


"... as talks have broken down with Genosha. A special ambassador from the United States has been assigned to speak with Genosha on behalf of the US government, Gabrielle Haller, has stated that she will ensure that peace between the two nations will be assured. Haller and President Kelly left for Genosha this morning..."


"... Mutant Arts Council of Greater New York reported record setting turnout for their Halloween charity events in District X and are now focusing on their next seasonal event for the coming holidays. The Council is also looking for volunteers for District X soup kitchens for the winter months..."


"... making her the only platinum record seller in 2018. Industry analysts say that the hype that came as a result of Dazzler's coming out spiked the sales of her album well past anything else that's been release this year. Billboard expects "Mojoworld" to make the double platinum certification before the end of the year, with the Christmas shopping season approaching..."


"... projecting the coldest winter in the last twenty years for much of the United States. Certain voices outside the scientific community have gone from denying climate change to accepting it, under the caveat that climate change is now being blamed on possible mutant interference... "

[[ 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

[sugoooi]

[ And on reflex Sam reaches out to take it...but hesitates. He's not sure if touching someone he doesn't know the power of would be a good idea--what if the guy suddenly liquefied??

Very quickly he gets himself back on his feet with a flustered, apologetic look. ]

I'm fine! Just hit my nose is all, hehe...

[vermis]

[Kariya doesn't seem to mind when his hand isn't taken, drawing it back without comment. It's not unusual for students to have powers that are related to touch, to be wary of contact with others. He would notice a loss of power, but it wouldn't affect him in any significant way. However, he'd agree that it's better to be cautious.]

I'm sorry. But it looks all right.

[He would offer to take Sam to the nurse, because he tends to worry, but he does seem fine, and he said he's all right.]

I'll have to be sure to make more noise next time.

[But he's just joking a little. It's not so serious.]

I'm Kariya. It's nice to meet you.

[sugoooi]

Oh! Nice to meet you too, sir! I'm Sam... [ Should he give his last name? This guy could be a professor or teacher or something. ] Grigory.

I just got switched here a little while ago from my old school. [ "So I'm not really sure who everyone is and if I'm supposed to know you." ]

[vermis]

[Kariya doesn't give his last name, but he rarely does, in unofficial settings. He prefers to be on a first name basis, and he wants to avoid being called Matou, like his father.]

It's nice to meet you, Sam.

Oh, another new student! Welcome to the school. I'm one of the counselors here. And I also do some of the gardening.

[sugoooi]

Whoa...a counsellor and a gardener?? You must be pretty busy... [ The janitors at his old high school always seemed to be (mind you janitor and gardener are not exactly comparable professions, but). He'd never actually seen any of the counsellors there besides the usual ones for career paths and guidance. ]

[vermis]

You could say that I am! I like to keep busy, though.

[Sadly, the school needs additional counselors because of the number of students who come from abysmal situations. It's Kariya's life work to help children like that, having once been one of them himself.]

So it's not bad at all, since I like people and plants. And I'm only a part time gardener... my power does a bit of the work for me.

[sugoooi]

Do you have like, Poison Ivy powers?? Like you can control plants and stuff?? [ He's still not great on the whole mutants not equalling superheroes thing. But he's trying--everyone seems to have cool, neat-o powers at the school. ]

[vermis]

[Kariya doesn't mind the comparison at all. It's actually amusing, even if it's not what he does.]

No, nothing like that. I don't do anything to the plants—well, except with my own two hands. I control and communicate with worms.

[sugoooi]

Worms...as in... [ ???? ] the wiggly things?? In the dirt?

[ That is a lot less glamorous (and sexy) than he was imagining. ]

[vermis]

[It's all right. Kariya is used to people not thinking his power is glamorous! Or impressive. Or good at all. He doesn't mind.]

Yes, they are in the dirt. As well as in the water. There are few places in the world without worms.

[As usual, he tries to be polite and doesn't mention the parasites. That part is kind of embarrassing.]

There are currently several million in the vicinity. They're very good for the soil.

[sugoooi]

[ That part is kind of terrifying also. Sam will be happy to never know of it, please and thanks. ]

And you can just...sense them?? With telepathy or do you like, have a worm-brain mind link?? [ Worms in general may be kind of ick, but mind-linking and telepathy's pretty darn cool. ]

[vermis]

[Sam doesn't need to worry, Kariya will never talk about it! Parasites are a touchy subject with him to begin with.]

Yes, I can sense them. They're like—my friends. Or that's what I always thought. It's hard to explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it. Their minds are so different from ours, but I can understand them.

[sugoooi]

Do they think and stuff?? [ Not to belittle animals minds and stuff but he's never actually considered what it would be like if bugs thought. or even had thoughts. Dogs and cats and birds sure, but worms...? ]

[vermis]

Not like you or I do, but they're aware of their surroundings, and they're aware of me in the way, but in the same way they're aware of the sun or the rain. They don't understand what humans are.

[sugoooi]

Oh... Well that's still really cool! I've never telepathy'd anything before.

[vermis]

I like it. I'm very aware of the outdoor environment and what's happening in it. And it's nice to think that no matter where I go, I'm never alone.

Everyone's power is useful and special.