xp_logs | Hungary, the morning news

Nathan and Kurt watch the morning news in Budapest, and see the events in Parliament live.

Kurt had taken the other bedroom in the suite, but had either not yet emerged this morning or had gone out before Nathan himself had gotten up. In any case, Nathan wasn't particularly troubled as to where Kurt was. He was sitting in one of the common room's armchairs, watching the morning news. In Magyar, of course, which mean he wasn't really understanding it, but there was enough footage for him to be able to tell they were talking about the Prime Minister's resignation.

He'd gone out, as it happened, being physically incapable of sleeping in when he wasn't ill. The suite door opened quietly and he slipped in, stopping when he saw Nathan in the armchair. "What are they showing?"

"Talking about the recently retired Prime Minister," Nathan said. "I'm not hearing Barath's name mentioned, so I'm wondering if they actually know he's going to be the candidate this morning." He chuckled softly, picking up the coffee at his elbow and sipping at it. "Makes me wish I understood the language."

"I might be able to understand a little more", Kurt offered, settling in the other armchair. "I do not speak Magyar, precisely, but Rom is my first language, and they are not so different..."

Nathan checked his watch. "The National Assembly should be gathering about now," he said. "I wonder if they'll televise it live." He looked up at Kurt. "So, what do you think of all of this?"

"It was unexpected, to say the least", Kurt said wryly. "I try to follow things in this part of the world, but I had not heard anything to suggest it was about to happen."

"I gather it was kept very quiet for a reason. There'll be enough alarming reactions after the fact, I'd think - no need to court them beforehand." Plus, he had to wonder how long it had actually taken Barath to make the decision. It was a hell of a step, and the equivalent of painting a bulls-eye on his back.

"To have an open mutant in a position of power?" Kurt nodded. "There are any number of people who will not take that well."

"Do you know what his ability is?" It was a rhetorical question, Nathan proved as he went on. "I asked him, last night. It's a sensory mutation. He can adjust his sight and touch, pick up on details like the texture of microscopic objects."

"So not something that would ever be harmful", Kurt finished. "I wish more people would stop to ask for such details."

"You have to wonder if that will impact how he's received, as Prime Minister. What would happen if he was, say, a telepath?" Nathan asked with a slightly whimsical smile.

"There would certainly be some who would claim he had influenced the choice", Kurt said, less amused. "Regardless of whether he would ever do such a thing."

"Well, one thing at a time. A mutant who's being open about who he is in a position like this is a great thing. I'll try not to wonder what might have happened if he hadn't been a 'safe' sort of mutant..." The news was showing the front of the parliament building, and Nathan shook his head. "That is a stunning piece of architecture."

"One of the best I know", Kurt agreed with a smile, letting himself be sidetracked from the topic of mutations being safe or not. "Any mutant in his place would be good, yes." His own wonderings were more to do with whether it would have changed anything if Barath was a physical mutant, regardless of how open he was.

The picture switched to an inside view, one of the Parliamentary chambers. The Upper House, Nathan recognized from some of the idle web-surfing he'd been doing last night, when they'd gotten back here after the dinner. Most of the members of the Assembly appeared to be seated, and the President of the Republic was visible at the head of the chamber.

"Well, here we go."

Kurt turned his attention to the TV screen, keen to see the ceremony that was about to happen.

It was very simple, in the end. The President made a brief speech in Magyar, was applauded, and then went on, his voice perhaps the tiniest bit unsteady as he said a few more sentences, the only recognizable words Barath's name.

A stunned silence fell over the chamber. It lasted a full five seconds before the members of the National Assembly reacted. At first, they applauded.

Then, they cheered.

The vote, in the end, was unanimous, and Nathan couldn't help but remember Barath wondering what the results would be. I wonder how surprised he is... The ceremony itself was brief; Barath, looking utterly humbled, took his oath of office, one hand over his heart, the other holding a corner of the Hungarian flag held by what looked like an army officer.

Kurt was beaming, even if this kind of vote was rarely taken without those initiating it knowing what the results would be. "There we go."

It switched back to the anchor desk, where both anchors were babbling excitedly, and Nathan raised an eyebrow. "I guess he doesn't make a speech," he said, sipping his coffee again, "or does it later."

"Possibly there is need for more ceremony first", Kurt commented.

"I suppose we could always turn on CNN, see how fast they pick up on it," Nathan mused, but rose from his chair, moving over to the doors to the balcony and opening them. He stepped out, gazing out over the island's green parkland and the Danube, in the direction of the Parliament.

Kurt followed him. "Are you hoping to see them come out, from here?" he asked lightly.

"No, I just don't actually want to watch CNN," was the humorous response. Nathan closed his eyes, letting down his shields, bit by bit. "This is going to be a rather remarkable day," he said. "I can feel it already."

"I cannot much blame you. And yes, I think it will. A day history will remember, as they say."