xp_logs | Mondo and Garrison, after Self-Defense Class (Reply)

Mondo's despairing about what has happened to his suitemates and friends. Garrison suggests a course of action more productive than violence to the heavy bag.

Mondo was becoming something of an unholy terror in his Self-Defense classes. He was putting people into the mat too hard, applying too much pressure on his holds, and pushing himself far harder than, strictly-speaking, he had to. Gone too were his easy manner and his big smiles - he was thin-lipped, concentrating hard, and he barely said a word.

When the teachers finally called a halt to the class, Mondo had stayed behind, working on the heavy bag in a determined fashion.

"You know, the bag isn't likely to hit back. I don't think beating it to death is all that necessary." Garrison said from the corner of the room, where he'd slipped in unnoticed. He's heard the wet slap of fist against the bag after everyone had filed out, and walked in to double check on his old class.

Mondo scowled at Garrison, then remembered his manners and lightened his expression to something more friendly. "Mr Kane." he said with close to his usual smiles. "I've been practicing what you showed me." he said cheerily. He stepped up and hit the bag a few more times. "See?" he said proudly.

"I can see that. You're keeping the extra force off that bad knee. I'm assuming it hasn't been hurting as much either." Kane said, walking over to where he could lean against the wall across from Mondo. "You taking some extra practice?"

Mondo nodded at that, firing off a few more shots on the heavy bag. "Yeah." he muttered towards the bag, imagining for just a moment that the bag was whoever'd taken his suitemates. His friends. He gave it an extra punch, then grabbed the bag to stop its wild swing. "Thanks a lot for helping me with it." he said to the older man. "It really helped."

"That's what we're here for." Kane said lightly. "Look, bashing the heavy bag is both fun and cathartic, but sometimes it's better to talk about things. Before everything starts to look like a heavy bag to you."

He crossed his arms over his chest, settling more comfortably against the wall. "So what's got you out here looking like you want to take a swing at the whole world?"

"Well, sir, I don't understand. Why do these horrible things keep happening to us?" he asked confusedly. "We never hurt anybody! All we want to do is just be like anybody else."

Because you live here was what Garrison wanted to say, but he wisely filed that one away. He was sure it would get asked again soon enough. "It's a hard question to answer, Mondo. There are people who will do these things because they think the school is dangerous, others because they either hate or are afraid of mutants. Some have personal reasons that they want to drag more people into. It's hard because it's not because of anything that you did, but simply for who you are."

"It's not right." he said stubbornly, giving the bag another vicious shot. "I think that all we really need is to be left alone. Treated just like anybody else." he said. "We're not scary!"

"It's not that you're scary, Mondo. It's that you're simply different. There's always going to be people that hate you solely for the reason that you're not like them. Some will because you live in a big mansion, and they live in a tiny apartment. Or because you're going to school and they have to work." Kane said. "I know, it doesn't make any sense and it isn't right. It's just the way things are sometimes."

He came over to put a hand on the bag, stilling it for the swinging. "Whatever happened to your friends, it wasn't their fault either. I guarantee when we get them back, we're going to find out they did everything they could to not let it happen."

"I feel so helpless." he said, face screwing up. "I don't like it. I want to do something. To help." he said. "But I don't know how! I can't find them with my brain and I'm not an officer of the law. I don't know any super-spies or professional killers." he grumped. "All I have is me."

"You know, there's a lot of ways you can help just being you." Garrison said. "This thing has freaked out a lot of the other kids. It's got everyone nervous, and worried and tired. Why don't you see if you can take some of the pressure off of them? Make sure the younger kids here are alright, keep them distracted."

He shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans, trying to ease some of the frustration out of his own voice. "It's hard not being able to help directly, running after what happened feels like you're doing more. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is try to make sure that the super-spies and cops don't have to worry about anything else, and can just focus on what only they can do."

Mondo thought about that for a moment, and then slowly nodded. "Maybe you're right." he said dubiously. "I'm just not sure what I can do. Now is not the time to try to relieve tension via my kazoo." he said dubiously. "Yvette's so spooked she's hiding."

"Go get her to go down for laser tag. Grab a ball and convince them to run around outside for an hour. Find a movie." Kane suggested, slapping the teen on the shoulder. "The best thing that you can do for them is let them forget for a couple of minutes about what's going on. Get them to have a little fun, distract them from things that they can't do anything to help. That goes for you too."

Mondo looked dubious, but finally he nodded to Garrison. "All right. We'll try it your way." he said slowly. "Maybe it'll help a little."