Sooraya and Angelo: Malala's Rose

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Sooraya comes to Angelo with a project she really wants to do...



"Sorry... I am a little late... I only just got back from Empire State." Sooraya stated, still a little out of breath when she hurried inside Angelo's office. "Traffic out of New York was not really cooperating..."

"It never does", he said wryly, leaning back in his chair. "So you've got me intrigued, what'd you want to meet about?"

"Well..." Sooraya took a few moments to take of her coat and put it away neatly with her bag. "Do you remember the shelter project in Afghanistan while we both still worked at Elpis?" She figured it would be just as easy to cut to the core of the subject.

"Yeah", he said after a moment's thought.  "I didn't really have a lot to do with it, but it was your pet project, right?"

"I was only helping out mostly, but yes..." Sooraya's eyes became distant as she thought about it. "It was very important for me. But to get to the point... I am still in touch with some of the people who worked on it with me. It was put on hold because of the problems with security after a risk analysis. However, the risk analysis has been done again and the results are different this time..."

Angelo nodded, eying her thoughtfully.  "So if I had to guess, you're going to ask if you can start it up again here?"

Sooraya had to smile. "You know me too well. But yes, that was what is was going to ask. They cannot manage it at Elpis right now. I have left, the project manager has been reassigned and so have many of the other people... And the need is still high and so much of the preparatory work is already done..." Sooraya only had to think of all the work she had done with selecting the appropriate educational materials.

"And you're right here with time to work on it", he said with a nod. "Plus we've got support staff and resources to hire more if we need them. I don't see why not."

"I have the time to work on it... and I certainly plan to be involved." Sooraya hesitated for a moment. "But I am not yet ready to lead it, Angelo. I have only just started doing this... I know bits and pieces, but I have I don't have the complete picture yet..."

He tilted his head, acknowledging the point. "Well, I can't. The big boss doesn't get to be too focused on any one project... you want John, maybe?  He's been in this field almost as long as me."

"If John is willing, I would be okay with that." Sooraya thought quickly for moment. "Do you think he would be willing to teach me things along the way? That was the idea back at Elpis... working with the project manager so I could learn what managing a project entails."

"Yeah, he would", Angelo said confidently.  "You might have to put up with him being snarky, but you'll learn things anyway."

"Snarky I can deal with. His bark is far worse then his bite. I have known him long enough to know that." She had always liked him ever since they went undercover in the madrassah together. "Do you want me to get in touch with him and John and I can contact the appropriate people at Elpis?"

"Sounds like a plan", he agreed.  "They can send over the files you left behind.  Or maybe we can even poach them."  It was mostly a joke.

"If we really want to start up things quickly and efficiently, we will need them. But I am sure we can work something out with Elpis." Sooraya hesitated for a bit. "I also had an idea for a possible name..."

"I'll leave the name completely in your hands", he said cheerfully. "What were you thinking?"

"Well... there is an folk heroine in Afghanistan... Her name is Malala... I figured she might serve as an inspiration... So... I was thinking of Malala's Rose or Roses. Because I hope every girl and young woman there will have the chance to bloom. Just like I was given a chance."

Angelo considered this, then nodded.  "Sounds like a pretty good choice.  You'll be running a girls' education project as part of it, then?"

"Yes, that was part of the original plans. We can shelter the mutant girls and young women for a while... But in the end it would be best if they were able to stand on their own two feet. I think the basic plans were powers training, the three R's and some kind of vocational education, so they will be able to earn there own money. On the to do list was also talking with organizations who work on micro financing, so that some money for the women to start up with was available."

"Powers training might be the hardest part of that", he said with a pensive frown.  "Literacy and skills training, you can find people to teach that in any city, but powers, beyond the most basic control..."

"I know it is, but it must be done. If there they don't manage control at the very least... they remain a danger to themselves and there surroundings. Acceptance will be impossible if they are a risk. But the mansion is not the only place where powers training is taught. In the other cities and in other projects training must also have been done..."

"It's definitely not impossible", he agreed.  "But you might have to bring people in from outside for some things, to help them get fine control.  Just see how it goes."

"That is true." Sooraya pulled out a little notebook and a pen from somewhere, making a few quick notes. "My hope would be that we would be able to find people who are not only willing to train the girls, but also who would be willing to work with the staff to improve their knowledge."

"As I say, knowledge-based teaching shouldn't be a problem.  It's just the best powers training comes from someone with the same powers, or at least close."

"Doctor Moira always seemed to do quite well, despite the fact she is not a mutant herself. Still, we can work on some form of database with female mutants who would be willing to do something like this for a short period. Even if it is not on a permanent basis, some time is better then none."

Angelo nodded.  "There is that, pretty much anyone can help in establishing people's limits and maybe work on control with the less dangerous powers.  But anyway, yes, you can start things going and we'll bring in whatever help we need."

Sooraya nodded as well. "I agree with you there. I think we can make a good start and it makes no sense to go borrow trouble that isn't there yet."  

"You've got my backing", he confirmed.  "One thing I would recommend... have at least one telepath on staff if you can get one.  It's one of the commonest powers, so they'll likely be needed for training, and also if anyone does have a manifestation meltdown, a skilled telepath can put them to sleep or help them calm down, whichever's needed."

Quickly making yet another note, Sooraya nodded. "That is a very wise idea. And a well trained telepath would probably at least also be helpful with teaching the basics to other psi's." She regarded her notes for a moment, but then looked up, her eyes twinkling excitedly. "So much to think about, but I look forward to working on this. I was lucky that Nathan found me and that I could come here, but there are many more who do not have that chance."

"And even teaching non-psis how to live <I>with</i> psis", Angelo said with a nod.  "Basic shielding so they're not broadcasting 24/7, that kind of thing.  Nate taught me some techniques, there are ways.  And... yeah.  I think that's why we're all in this line of work, in the end."

Making yet another note about the telepath and the non-psi's living together, Sooraya smiled at him. "Thanks Angelo. For giving me the chance to this. I was sad when they decided to cancel it at Elpis."  

"Any time."  He smiled back.  "If there's anywhere else you want to take it, later, expansion or new branches, just let me know."

"I think I have still plenty to learn about managing just one shelter, especially in an area as Afghanistan. Later on though... I am definitely keeping it in mind." Sooraya checked her notes and tucked her booklet away. "It is almost six though... I was going to make chicken tikki massala. If you want..."     

Angelo blinked and looked at the clock. "So it is.  I was going to... not work late."

"Well, why don't you stop now then? Six is not yet too late..."

"I've still got things to catch up on.  Buuut I have a feeling you're not going to let me do it tonight anyway."

"Unless there is something so urgent it cannot wait till tomorrow... yes, then I am not going to let you do that tonight." Sooraya stated with a small grin on her face. "You know that by now."

"Yeah, yeah."  He pushed himself up from his chair.  "Chicken tikka masala it is."

"Excellent." Sooraya stood up, gathering her own bag and books. "I am going to put this away upstairs, but I will see you in a few minutes in the kitchen?"  

"I'll be there."

"Great! See you in bit then." Sooraya let the door fall closed behind her, smiling happily. Having classes late was not the only reason she had planned the appointment so late in the day...