Two logs set Thursday afternoon, part 2

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Following Alison's advice, Shiro walks back to the mansion and down the hall to find Xavier's office. It takes quite a bit of time, seeing as how he still feels lost in the labyrinth of a mansion. But he finally spots it about ten minutes later, and knocks softly on the door.

Xavier looks up from his paperwork at the knock. "Come in, please."

Shiro doesn't enter the office when he opens the door, but rather stands just outside. "Anoo, Professor, I have some questions, and Ms. Blaire said I should direct them to you," he explains, trying to keep his accent as thin as possible.

"Ah, Shiro, yes, I've been expecting you." Xavier smiles. "Please, come in and have a seat."

"Domo." With a slight bow of his head, Shiro closes the door behind him and sits down across from Xavier. "Etto . . . I guess I'll start off with the simplest question. What are these 'X-Men' I've heard about?"

"A simple question with a rather complicated answer, I'm afraid." Xavier steeples his fingers thoughtfully. "I founded this school in order to teach mutants how to control their powers, provide them a safe haven from the prejudices of greater society, and to search for ways in which mutants and humans can coexist peacefully. Not all mutants share this ideal, however; there are some who believe their gifts entitle them to rule over what they consider the lesser race. It is these mutants--whose powers make them too dangerous for the legitimate authorities to deal with effectively--that the X-Men were formed to counterbalance. The team is comprised of volunteers from the staff and the older students; they train together in a special facility beneath the school and go on missions when the need arises."

Not quite the response Shiro was expecting. "Sou ka?" are the first words that escape his lips. "So they're like . . . Kuso, what's the word? Vigilantes?"

"That is one way of looking at it, yes. Until the law treats mutants fairly, we must at times work outside it. I take no joy in the necessity, but the cost of inaction would be too great."

Shiro can't help but wonder if Keniuchio had known about this when he enrolled his cousin. Something he'll have to ask about. "I understand. So, what about this teacher who has been kidnapped? Frost? Have the 'X-Men' gone to find her? And these Sentinel things . . . I don't understand that."

Xavier stifles a chuckle at the mental image of Pete Wisdom's likely reaction to being asked to join the X-Men. "At the moment, the search for Ms. Frost is being conducted by friends of mine who are particularly suited to that sort of investigation; the X-Men stand ready to assist them if needed." Xavier pauses and sighs. "The Sentinels . . . are a recent development; mutant-hunting robots that a business rival of Emma's developed for the government."

"The government?" Shiro asks, surprised, his accent thickening before he regains control over it. "So this sort of thing is acceptable in America? To just . . . send mecha to search out and kill? Please tell me I'm mistaken." Not that I'd put it past the Americans, but even so . . .

"It is not acceptable, but there are factions within the government--and particularly the military--who see mutants as a threat, and I'm afraid they possess a dangerous combination of too much money and too little supervision."

Shiro is so tempted to say something derogatory about America, its government, and its people, but (wisely) keeps his mouth shut. "Anoo . . . So what is the purpose of this school, then? Are you recruiting us all to be your 'X-Men'?"

"Not at all. Those students who wish to join the team may do so if they meet the requirements, but this is and has always been primarily a place of learning. Over the course of your studies here you will learn the capabilities of your mutant powers, but just as importantly--if not more so--when you eventually leave this school you will do so with an education that will prepare you for whatever you choose to do with your life. While mutants are feared and hated, the X-Men will be needed--but they treat only the symptoms of the disease for which education is the only real cure."

Preachiness was never Shiro's style, and it's all he can do to not roll his eyes. "Any other, anoo, subversive activities going on here I should know about?" he asks with a slight grin.

Xavier returns the smile. "Apart from the snacks hidden in the upstairs kitchenette freezer, nothing comes to mind. How are you settling in? Alex and Angelo have made you feel welcome, I hope? And the other students?"

"Ee, I guess," Shiro responds, shrugging. "I've not spent much time with anyone here yet. I'm mostly just walking around on my own and trying to acquaint myself with the mansion and campus."

Xavier nods. "It's quite an adjustment for you, I'm sure, and I know the mass of students can be somewhat overwhelming."

"The biggest adjustment is discovering that most of the English I learned in school and from my father is actually not the way that Americans speak," he explains wryly. "I have more trouble understanding Alex and Jamie than with jet lag."

Xavier chuckles. "I am happy to say from experience that practice helps, although I'm sure Alex would still lose me rather quickly if the subject turned to surfing."

"It's all very different from Tokyo," Shiro admits with a glossy, longing look in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he shakes himself out of his reverie and looks mildly embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I should be going now. Thank you very much, Professor."

"You're welcome, Shiro. And my door is always open if you'd like to speak again."