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

[garganteren]

But you weren't kidnapped, so it's different. And I bet you can go back sometime, if you want. And you get to talk to your friends, on your phone. And things like that.

[sugoooi]

That doesn't mean I don't miss my home... Or that I don't feel lonely. I don't really know anyone here 'sides you. [ Sam looks down at his plate and crosses his legs at the ankles. ] You're the first friend I've made.

[garganteren]

Yeah... I guess. You should find a real friend, then.

[Eren still doesn't like mutants, but why would some mutant want to be spending time with him? He nods toward the other students, eating their lunches or just talking. Lots of them seem to have friends.]

All these kids would be friendly with you, because you're like them.

[sugoooi]

....? From Seattle? [ You have to give him a more bigoted scope to work with here Eren, Sam is GENE-BLIND. ]

[garganteren]

No! I mean they won't care if you're a mutant, because they're mutants!

I don't think they're all from Seattle.

[How would that even make sense?]

[sugoooi]

[ Exactly. That is why Sam didn't get Eren bringing that up!! ]

Well...I don't think it's because I'm a mutant that they'll like me. I'm pretty sure it's because I'm nice. If you were nice they'd like you too!

[garganteren]

You know what I mean. I mean because you're not like me. I don't belong here.

I'm not going to be nice to them. You're the only one who doesn't get pissed by my opinion and start calling me a Nazi.

[sugoooi]

...Oh. Well. I guess I can see where they're coming from...

But I don't think you're a Nazi. And even if I don't like it you're still allowed to think whatever you want... I just think you shouldn't be mean about it! So I can disagree about what you think, but I can't treat you mean because of it. That's when you become the bad guy.

[ He loves you FLAWS AND ALL. Look at him lead by example and be inspired to goodness, Eren :c ]

[garganteren]

I'm not being mean. I don't want to round everyone up, and I only want to get rid of the dangerous mutants.

[Like himself!]

The ones who kill people.

Humanity is in danger, and I'm going to help them.

[He has kind of a one-track mind.]

1/2 I am giving you all the split tags tonight

[sugoooi]

....

2/2

[sugoooi]

Pop quiz! A man with a gun robs a bank and holds a person hostage! Who do you rescue??

[garganteren]

If this is some dumb hypothetical question, I'm not answering it!

Hypotheticals don't count because they're not really happening. You can't use them as examples!

[sugoooi]

Shush, answer it!

[garganteren]

Hey! You can't tell me to shush! I'll say what I want, and hypotheticals are dumb.

Okay, is the hostage a mutant or something, is that it?

[sugoooi]

Why would that matter?

[garganteren]

Because that's the kind of stuff people always say to argue with us. 'Oh, what if the hostage was a mutant and the guy holding up the bank was a normal human? But that's missing the point!' Because what if there was a mutant who could rob banks by moving through walls? He could ruin the economy! Or a mutant who blew up the bank? They can get away with more things, and they're harder to stop.

If the police came to stop the ordinary human robber, everything would probably be fine. If it was a mutant, it could be a bloodbath.

We learned about these things in school.

[sugoooi]

[ AHA. GOTCHA. ]

"Hypotheticals don't count because they're not really happening. You can't use them as examples!" [ Yes he did just mimic your voice Eren. In a mighty awful impersonation mind you, but he did it. ]

[garganteren]

[Eren huffs in irritation. BUT HE HASN'T BEEN DEFEATED YET! He will fight to the death. Or until he passes out.]

It wasn't examples, it was to prove that your hypothetical was stupid! Because it misses the point. Mutants rights propagandists always talk about how there are some good mutant exceptions and how there are bad humans, but that isn't our point at all!

I have a lot of actual, factual examples. I could tell you.

[Because he basically went to the school of How Bad Mutants Are.]

[sugoooi]

Okay fine, gimme facts! I have tons of facts and stuff too!

[ EREN STOP BEING A BUTT. ]

[garganteren]

[Well, since Sam asked, Eren is going to start to recite a list of violent crimes perpetrated against humans by mutants! All gleefully gathered from the news by the Friends of Humanity and lovingly taught to their children.

POSSIBLY ALSO EXAGGERATED but based on true events.

Eren feels more comfortable when he can spout the party line.]

[sugoooi]

[ Oh my god Eren this is like the most frightening and dramatic thing ever. SAM DOESN'T HAVE FACTS ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. He actually had has zero exposure to mutant prior to the one girl he'd met. She was the whole reason he'd even found out he had a power; prior to that...it'd just been the news. Mutants had never significantly affected his life at all.

Not like the way Eren's describing them, and by the end of it he's left feeling rather defeated, staring down at his half-eaten stomach with precious little appetite left. ]

...I don't th-think it's right... Thinking everyone's--everyone's like that, just because they're different...

[garganteren]

[IT SHOULD BE FRIGHTENING, MUTANTS ARE FRIGHTENING, and Eren intensely believes every word he spouts, since this is what he's been taught for the past seven years.]

I don't think everyone's like that. Like you, you're not a bad mutant.

But this is the danger faced by the human race, which could end in its extinction!

[sugoooi]

It won't--! If people work hard to get along with each other instead of fighting then there--there doesn't need to be a war or anything like that!

You're not...you're not a bad mutant either okay??

[garganteren]

When have people done that? Just look at history!

I know I'm not a bad mutant. Because I believe in the Friends of Humanity, and I'll do what's best for humans everywhere!

I am a dangerous mutant. My powers could cause significant fatalities.

[sugoooi]

But what about the mutants? The ones who aren't violent or dangerous and stuff--if you only save humans, who saves them?