Players:
Summary: Forge gives Robyn some much needed advice.
Date: September 8, 2010
Log Title: Teacherly Advice
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Kitchen
This kitchen was designed to feed large numbers of people, and looks it with its bright white walls and stainless steel appliances. The stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher are all larger than normal. There is an island with stools around it for people to sit and eat around along with a table for twelve by the windows in back. Along the wall is a hole in the wall looking into the dining room so food can be passed back and fourth. Anything you want to cook or eat in the kitchen you will find the food and supplies to do so.
Even though it's the afternoon it's obvious Robyn's just woken up, that or he didn't sleep. He's sitting at the kitchen table with a soggy bowl of frosted mini wheats in front of him and he pushes the wheat squares around with his spoon. He's just been thinking about a lot but he's not really sure who to talk to. Sure he can talk to his friends but he's not sure if they'd really understand.
In an uncharacteristic move, Forge has left his workshop and joined the world of the living. Sporting a set of blue jeans and a black t-shirt, the X-man heads straight for the kitchen and the coffee it hides. Reaching for a cup with a gloved hand, he sets to the task with his usual single-mindedness before turning to give a student a friendly enough nod, "Good morning, Robyn, how's things?" Because, to Forge it might be morning still, as well.
Looking up at Forge, Robyn lets out a sigh and honestly answers. "Not so good. It's the first day of school and I can't really concentrate." So it probably goes to stand that he didn't sleep last night. "Do you know about this whole squad thing…the thing with Selene leading?" He just cuts to the chase about what's bothering him after all Forge is his squad leader.
Judging by the eyebrow twitch, something in what Forge was just told surprises him. Probably the fact that it's fir first day of classes. Thank god his don't start until tomorrow. "I do," he says in response to the question, his answer devoid of approval. "Have you met with her yet?" He walks around to the table Robyn is at and takes a seat across from him. Still sporting the clean-shaven and shorter-hair look he adopted during this recent visit, Forge gives the student a long look, waiting to hear the rest.
Looking up so his eyes do meet Forge's, Robyn nods. "Yeah, met up with her yesterday. Didn't…go that well. I'm debating if I should just turn down the offer. How can I work with someone like that." He doesn't know if he can stand being stuck in a danger room with her once a week and have to deal with anything she throws at them. "I don't know, I don't want to leave my friends with her incase something bad happens but I can't trust myself not to lose my temper around her either."
Forge leans back a little, putting on his best 'serious thinking' expression. "There have been very few people in my history that I would trust my life to. Even in the best of times." he starts, "Logan's an example. Jean Grey was another. Sadly, Jean is no longer with it, and it's arguable if Wolverine ever is, even when he's here." He smiles at that last part, indicating some sort of in-joke perhaps. "I haven't worked with Emma long enough to develop the same level of faith I had with some of the other X-men. But, she's in Jean's position now, and has the same amazing ability to do good as Jean had to do bad." He shifts in his seat, moving forward a little, "That being said, regardless of how bad her decision seems to keep Selene around and on staff, I trust that she's got the situation fully under control. Meaning, that, at the end of the day, you've got very little to worry about. And that what ever I see in her— someone who was once an enemy of the school —she may see in Selene." Cryptic:on/y
Robyn pushes his cearl lunch aside in rests his hands in his hair and sighs. "I don't know, the problem is I have no one to really talk to cause I know what all my friends would say." Which is common among teens, they think they know everything. "I mean, she tried to kill me and if it weren't for you, who knows. She doesn't even care about us and she's been left in charge of training us? What's the purpose behind it if someone like…like her is gonna be teaching us. Aren't we supposed to something like the good guys?"
"That," Forge starts, "is where trust in Emma comes into play. Her and Selene have a very long history together. Out of all of us on staff she is the only one qualified enough to— for what ever reason she has —to allow Selene on staff. And, all told, she may be as happy as you are about this." He pauses for a second, "And the issue here, Robyn, is that we 'are' being the good guys. And sometimes that means holding out an olive branch to your enemies. Even the one with an affinity for chainsaws." He shakes his head, keeping his own opinions vague to the student, "No one is expecting you to forgive her. However, teacher aside, if you believe this team will help you be a better you, then you should consider her no more than an obstacle in your path."
Robyn takes Forge's words in and nods slowly. "I'll think about it but..that makes sense." He admits. "The main thing stopping me so far is if she does something to my friends and I'm not there…." He doesn't finish the rest of the sentence figuring Forge and figure it out. "I can't guarantee that I'll be nice to her but I'll try to keep my temper if I go through with this." The fact that Forge says that he's not expected to forgive her is reasuring. "I was just really looking forward to this and when I heard she was in charge, I'm not happy about it."
The X'er and part-time teacher smile, "I'm happy to hear you say that, Robyn. That's exactly how teammates should think. And no one is expecting you to be nice to her. Sadly, I'm pretty sure the same is true about her. But, from her perspective, I bet she doesn't want to do this either." He takes a long drink of his coffee, "One of three things will happen. It'll blow over, she'll quit, or you and your friends will hand her rear to her when she steps out of line." Of course, the latter is an exaggeration that makes Forge grin, but he ends up taking some of that back, "I'm not saying I condone violence against her. Actually, I hesitate its use in this instance since it could get you thrown out— which, be warned, she may be banking on. Just take it one day at a time, and realize it's only a couple hours a week."
"I already know I'm not a match for her." Robyn says as he really does think he's out of Selene's leauge when it comes to powers and challenging or attacking would probably be really bad for him. Though verbal defiance is another story. "If she doesn't want to do this then why are they making her. It doesn't make much sense putting a group of people in a room who don't want to work together, not much is gonna get achieved."
"Maybe that's the point of the exercise?" Forge offers. He knows the circumstances behind Selene's extended stay. But, as a teacher, it's not his duty to impart potentially sensitive data onto the students. Especially onto those that have a dislike for her. "But that's Emma's department. And it's her you really need to trust because she's trying to do good and would not risk Selene without just cause." More coffee. "Look at it this way, at the end of the day you'll be a stronger person for it. So says the man missing limbs.
Robyn nods but doesn't look to convinced it's the point of the exercise, mostly cause he's convinced it's a horrible idea. "I'll stick it out for now." Robyn says making his decision final. "I'm not worried about Emma, she's really never done anything wrong that I've seen. I've heard stories and she told me she used to be a 'bad guy', but never seeing it, it's different. I don't know her that well but you are right that she is trying." He can't deny that after she's conversed with him.
Forge smiles at Robyn, "Fair enough." He steps arounf th table and give the boy a pat on the shoulder with his gloved hand, before walking off, ""I'll see you at practice tonight. Try to get some sleep before then."
Robyn gives Forge a small smile and nods. "Yeah, sleeps not a bad idea." He says as he knows he's horrible about it. At least he'll have three danger room sessions a week he'll look forward to and one he won't, three out of four isn't too bad. "Thanks a lot Forge."