2010-07-28: What Can Xavier's Do For You

Players:

Emma_icon.jpg Robyn_icon.jpg

Summary: Emma has a few questions for Robyn.

Date: July 28, 2010

Log Title: What Can Xavier's Do For You

Rating: PG


Xavier Mansion - Emma Frost's Office

Miss Frost's office is not as white as one would expect, however it does present an overall theme in the room. Using a classic den/office style structure from the building, the hardwood floor has been mostly covered from entry to desk with a white carpet that has been decorative bordered in an ivy-pattern, with the center having a delicately done floral arrangement. Two plush white leather chairs sit slightly staggered and angled facing a white marble topped desk of dark-stained oak, the Xavier Academy logo in front emblazoned in a polished steel. Atop the desk is materials for physical writing as well as a dual-monitor computer system that seems keyboardless, instead having a single mouse-like interface device. To the right are a pair of striated white marble book-cases filled from top to bottom, in the center of the pair a marble fireplace that burns sedately despite the time or season.

The left wall has a series of file cabinets sitting next to another computer desk, this one with a standard keyboard and mouse with the academy logo floating sedately on the screen. Next to those is a table where mail seems to be laid out next to a carafe of what is either coffee or tea, and a small pile of cookies, which seems to vary day by day. Behind the carafe is a small containers for sugar, fresh cream, and honey.

Behind the desk is a bank of windows facing northwards, running practically from wall to wall, bordered on both sides by silver-embroidered sheer silk cloth, so even when drawn you can make out details outside, and so long as day is present, line pours in to give the room a sense of warmth. For the times when more light is required, it comes from the vaulted office ceiling from a tasteful-looking light and fan combination. Just behind the desk and on the right side is a second door with a hand-print scanner.


It's afternoon time, and Emma returns to her office, checking a PDA in her pocket for meeting times. Opening it up, she moves to the center of the room and turns the two white leather chairs towards each other, and shifts the small table between them so it can be a 'coffee table' of sorts. Once it's set up, she moves to her desk and opens up her file on the next student she's been meaning to talk to. Robyn Larkin. Student records, powers listings, notes from mentors… all well and good, but telling her little of the real young man.

There's a knock on the door followed by a voice "Ms. Frost, you wanted to see me?" Robyn asks as he waits for a 'come in' or the door to open. He's not about to barge into the headmistresses office without the okay, even if she did ask to meet him. He has no clue what this is about is wondering if it's cause he hasn't been sleeping in his room but James' lately.

Emma looks over at the available foods, and sees it's mostly finger foods more to her taste, but there are some sweets available. A mild frown and a mental reminder to update based on who's coming is given to herself before she replies, "Come in, Mister Larkin." And then she moves to sit down in one of the chairs, leaving the other for Robyn to take. She's not behind her desk, instead in front of it, sitting casually and facing towards the fireplace, "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Robyn walks in the room and awkwardly sits down in the available chair and his eyes glance around the place for a bit, anywhere but Emma at first. "Um…your welcome. Ms. Frost." He says as he doesn't think there's really much 'agreeing' when the headmistress tells you to come to her office you listen. "Um…why did you want to see me? I'm not doing anythign wrong am I?"

Emma shakes her head, and then tilts it to one side, crossing her legs in that rather prim fashion, "In fact, no… I wanted to see how you were doing, and I wanted to know if there was anything we might be able to do as the school, or I myself might be able to do to help." Pausing a moment as she stands up and walks around the young man to get a glass of water from the table, "Would you like something to drink, at least? It's ice water, with a hint of lime."

There's a shake of Robyn's head. "No..I'm fine, really." He says and he's quite adamant about that, he doesn't need the help of Emma or any other adult he really doesn't know. "There's nothing you can do to help but thanks." He says as he really doesn't think there's anything the school can help at the moment. "Sure, thanks." Is said to the offer of water. "Really though, I'm fine." He's not one hundred percent honest though.

Emma returns with the ice water and sets it down in front of Robyn, nodding once before she then says, "Very well then… would you perhaps be willing to help me, then? I have a problem that I am afraid I cannot solve on my own." Sitting back in her seat and then resuming with the leg-over-knee, she sips her glass and waits.

Robyn holds the cup of water in both hands, taking a small sip before taking a while to answer. "If I can help, maybe? I dunno, I'm not usually good at that sort of thing." Robyn admits as problem solving isn't his forte, art is. At least that's what he thinks right now.

Emma sips from her own glass to hide the smile as the bait is somewhat taken, and then leans in and sets it down, smiling gently, "What can we do to get the trust of the students back, Mister Larkin? I am finding myself rather well stymied in this regard. I feel as though when walking around this place that our presence is almost… unwelcome. As teachers, you seem not to mind our presence, but anything beyond that seems more as an intrusion than anything else."

At the question, Robyn tenses and a surge of anger flashes through him. He doesn't look at Emma but he speaks, very quietly. "I'm not the one you should be asking that too. Maybe ask James, who just got possessed by Selene. Or how about Jordan who just left the school cause it's 'poison'. Maybe you can ask Lucas, or Brian, or anyone else whose been possessed by a demon or kidnapped by Sinsiter? I'm not the one you should be asking that question to Ms. Frost, I'm not the person with that answer. Also…maybe you should make sure your staff is more aware of what's going on around here as well." He comes of sounding a lot more bitter than intended.

Emma makes no note or comment as the boy speaks, and then when he's done, she nods once and gives a soft exhale, "And perhaps I will approach them… save for Jordan… in time. I asked you for a reason, and your words put out there the very problem. This is supposed to be a safe haven, and that sanctity, that trust… has been violated on an elemental level. Students should not be here wondering when the next disaster will happen. This is where you should feel safe. Where you can be happy. Where you can trust if you meet another with a special gift… however slight… you can bring them because you recall the good it did for you. This is why I am asking, and why I wish the help." Steepling her fingers together, "Please… if you have more to say, I am willing to bear the brunt of your anger."

It takes a lot of willpower for Robyn to do what he does next, and that's not roll his eyes. "You want this place to be a safe haven, then stop letting super villains wander on grounds. Magneto is hardly a comforting sight. And knowing one of your teachers is out there taking lessons from him, really lets us student know what side we're on. Sorry but I've been here for over a year, nothing you can say or do will stop me from believeing when the next disaster will happen."

Emma continues to listen, only moving to take a drink from her glass, which remains perfectly chilled. A bare nod is given here and there, before she then sets the glass aside and ponders for a moment on things. After that she sits back, "Then perhaps I should leave as well? After all, I am guilty of much the same as Magnus. I am still the White Queen, despite anything seen to the contrary, some would have you believe."

Robyn bites his lower lip and his hands clentch a bit on the glass taking moments before he speaks. "So…what you're telling me is that, this school is run by mutant terroristis?" After all that's what Magneto is to Robyn, growing up and seeing this man's face as a criminal in newspapers in relations to many crimes. "So are you also going to tell me that because I'm a mutant, I'm stuck in this pattern that is mutant hate crimes and there's no way out of it? The same as Jono says?" After all Robyn didn't have any clue that Emmas was this 'White Queen' hell, he's not even sure what that is.

"No." Comes the word in a very flat, very steely tone before Emma adds, "And I do kindly suggest you not presume to put words in my mouth again, Mister Larkin." Her eyes then lock onto Robyn's as she leans forwards every so slightly, "Everyone has reasons for what they do. Not all of them are good, or make sense, but they are still omnipresent. When Charles Xavier founded this school, it was in the belief that one day the children he taught, who became his family, would be ambassadors to the world, to show them that this strange new generation could be responsible, and be a benefit to mankind. That mutation is neither a blessing, nor a curse… nor a new race… it simply is change."

Then she continues, putting up a hand to forestall further from Robyn, "Every word you spoke was deserved… not one untrue thing was stated. If that is how the world looks to you because of what we have done, or not done… then the fault is ours. But trust and respect is a path both parties must walk for it to be truly worth anything. We cannot do this alone. That is why it is important to know how you… all of you… honestly feel about being here."

Robyn puts down the cup of water and looks up at Ms. Frost. "You asked a question, I just answered honestly how I felt. I've seen too many friends become a victim, I've become one myself too many time. We're not teenagers here, we don't get the chance to be. We're mutants, mutants can't be teenagers. That's a part of what comes with being here and it sucks. Find a way to let us be kids, then I might not think about packing my bags and going back home on a regular basis."

Emma nods, "Thank you for your candor. That's actually a rather good idea. I'd had some excursions planned, but I was hesitant to announce them because I know so little of the current student body. I'm loathe to simply announce things, because I feel you would all consider it mandatory, or otherwise think that something bad will happen. But you also express a concern for safety… and safety is a tricky thing to provide while still providing freedom. A war of balances. If there was one thing you would want to do this summer, what would it be?"

"Most of the bad things that happen, happen here, on campus. Or we get attacked here. You're hording us into one spot and putting a target on us to keep us safe? It's not working." Robyn says as he takes a deep breath. "One thing I would want to do this summer?" That takes a while for him to think about before he looks out a window. "I guess it would be to spend time with my friends, away from here or something. Just..feel normal even if it's for a short period of time."

Emma stands up then and smiles at Robyn, "Thank you. Very much. I know honesty is hard with a stranger, let alone someone who is also an authority figure. You have given me a good place to begin working on things to make this place better. I will be speaking with others, staff and student, so that hopefully before you graduate, the changes will be seen and felt. This much I promise to do my best at. This is a school… a place to learn and to grow. And you should be afforded every chance to be the child you wish to be while doing such."

Robyn stands up and nods at Emma, the smile is returned but it's small and force. "Thank you Ms. Frost." Is all he says as he nods to her. "Have a good day Ma'am, I'm gonna get back to my room now." Or James' room or the art room, who knows. He nods again before making his way to the door.

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