Madin, Alani and Terry: Money?
Feb. 23rd, 2024 10:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsBackdated to Friday 23/2.
Still burdened by Hope's offer of money to prove that Madin can do better than the community centre can, Madin finally seeks assistance from Terry and Alani.
Madin jiggled from one foot to the other, anxiously. Terry was... an unknown and Alani was a total sweetheart but this was a gamble and fuck. This was stupid.
Hope had said go away and figure it out. Well, They were going to. Probably. "Hey. Thank you for. Yeah. Thanks. I wanted to talk to you both?"
Alani offered a smile, Madin's anxiety not what she'd expected after they'd asked to meet but she could work with this, through this. The last time they'd come to her with nerves had ended up with them being lied to, and she had no interest in repeating that, this time she'd brought car keys with. "Of course, I didn't wanna pry, but I hope everything's okay?"
Madin nodded tightly. "Yeah. It's not like, like the other time. It's um. You know Hope? Ghost Hope, not goose Hope?"
Chuckling quietly, Terry nodded. "Yes, Miss Abbott and I are acquainted. She and I worked together several years ago on a few galas and the like, fundraising for the Xavier Institute," she said. "I'm happy to offer whatever assistance I'm able." Nodding encouragingly, she finished, "Please."
"Hoookay. So, just after I come back from Haven, right, Ghost Hope bailed me up with a cheque for a fuck ton of money which, apparently came from, you know, them. She basically said, like, fine, I'm not happy about the community centre and how you shouldn't be directing resources to humans and, like, I'm still not happy about that. They can go to places that won't serve mutants. They don't need to be taking stuff from our tiny share as well." Madin paused to breathe. "Anyway, she gave me a cheque for all this money and said that I should put my money where my mouth is and deliver the services myself since I think I can do it better than everyone else can. God, she's such a dick, you know? All fucking rich bitch passer privilege. I actually really hate her. And, like, I don't know how, okay? I don't. I apparently don't know the difference between a murder cult and like, a bunch of hippies, so I don't know how to hire good social workers and youth workers and lawyers and all. Or housing people and everything. It's just. No." Madin took another breath, the torrent of words stopping.
Alani nodded as Madin's words winded down, an easy understanding on her face. "Yes, I can understand hesitancy with that, especially when you're redistributing funds. And you mentioned youth workers and social workers. There are groups that can work with underserved mutant populations, so, if you had any specific ideas of what you'd like to put it towards, I think the two of us could come up with a decent list of places to start. Or if you want to help with certain situations, like, mutants looking for somewhere safe to live or first manifestations coming into their new life, the things that entails? Helping provide legal support to mutants in need? Hell, ya wanna see if we can do it all?"
Madin shook their head. "See, that's the problem. I've dealt with social workers. You think they're okay but they've always got a bigger agenda, things to sign off, policies, and things. So you're putting people who've got all this stuff - jobs, money, quals, hell, even just the authority that comes from being an adult out there working with mutants in a community centre that's not safe and will never be actually safe because you won't ban humans from it. So, yeah, it's what I've got the money for but obviously I can't use it there. You haven't even banned police from going on site. But. um." Madin paused. "I know you both work with. Um. Other channels, I guess?"
"Ah," Terry said, leaning back in her chair. She kept her body language open and her expression interested, because she was, but she was also a little more wary. "So you'd like t'see what mutant-exclusive thin's might be needed in the Underground? Are y'lookin' t'help here in the States specifically, or more Austra-Asian/Pacific Islander?"
Madin shrugged. "I don't know. I. Oh, Jesus. So, really, I don't know. Back when I was with the Brotherhood, we worked a bit in Canada and a bit in LA but honestly, we really were trying to help and just had to pass on names if they had good powers and were angry and I swear to god, I don't do that now. But I don't know. I mean, it seems like seppo mutants have everything they need but," Madin gave a crooked smile. "I don't go to places with republicans and stuff, you know? I guess American, because I can't travel easily and - like, it's a lot of money but if I had to spend it on plane tickets, it really wouldn't go far."
Terry cast a glance toward Alani, then said, "I'll no' lie and say the Underground in the States is perfect. It's taken five years t'get it t'where it is now, but I'm just one person who does one thin' in particular. There's loads of others - an' I can't even express how important it is t'get mutants out o'the situations the Australian government's put them in. Alani'll have more information on that area o'the world than I, but don't discount what an influx of cash well-spent could do for the Underground there." She paused for a breath, then continued, "Mind, I'm no' sayin' we couldn't use the investment as well, just that it might mean more t'you if y'do somethin' closer t'where y'came from?"
"It's a lot, I know," Alani spoke to Madin, eyes on them as she offered a reassuring smile. "Really any amount of money can do the right thing in the right place for some people. We have the very," she blew out the air in her lungs as she searched for the word, "we're lucky enough to not deal with a lot of problems that face the average mutant in America, even out mutants. We could show you places that could use funding, or that could help outsource things that I think you're describing wanting to put money towards, we could start a seed for a mutant only space, or resources, or funding, but I'll be honest, on that front? No amount of money's gonna make that happen overnight, it'll take time and more money and more money, and it's entirely possible, it's just gonna be a program that you have to stay on top of. If that's what you decide to do. The Underground is vast and honestly a number of us have contacts that the others don't, so people like Angelo, Jean-Phillipe, and Sooraya might also be good notes to touch on. Sorry to add more to the 'it's a lot,' but I really want you to think about what you want to do with your money, because so much is possible, we just need to know what it is you want to do."
Madin shrugged. "I don't want to just be 'here's this $8000 Hope gave me, go have fun." They bit their lip. "I actually want to be involved and do something. I can't. Don't ask me to run a program. I don't know how to do that. But maybe I can help with the Underground directly? I don't know. I need to do something, though, but I can't just do this shit Hope said, and start my own fucking centre because I don't know how to do that." The resentment Madin had been carrying over this for the last six months spilled out in their voice.
"Then we'll teach y'as y'go or," Terry said, sitting forward so she could meet Madin's eyes. "Or I could... well." She frowned slightly, then asked, "What would've made the most difference for y'growin' up? What would've helped y'or at least let y'live some way other than what got y'involved with the Brotherhood? Because I... think that'd have more meanin' for you. Right now, the money's... it's a burden, maybe? You're no' quite sure what t'do with it, but it seems like y'should be doin' somethin'? Aye? What if y'invest it for a mite, get to know the Underground an' how it works a bit more. Figure out what y'like and what you're good at, how y'like helpin' other mutants best. While the money grows, y'get your feet set on solid ground, as it were."
"Can you do that? With the money?" Madin looked relieved at the thought. "What would have helped me? Not being such a fucking dickhead, mostly. I'd get in fights and pull you know, knife hands. That's how I got expelled and arrested and then took up with like, a bad crowd. I'd get angry and like, threaten to stab people or knife their car and shit." Madin paused. "I didn't know how to not be a dickhead, you know? And like, one thing after another and then when they attacked Woomera, I couldn't really see any other options that didn't involve doing more crimes, I guess."
"Absolutely!" Terry said, smiling. "Investin' the money puts it outta sight an' mind for a bit but keeps it from gettin' dusty under a mattress or in a safe. An' it... sounds like maybe youth counselin' might've been good for y'when y'were young? Somethin' like outreach t'help y'sort through everythin' y'were dealin' with? So mayhap we set y'up with Sooraya an' Kyle or maybe even somethin' involvin' social work? T'help give y'the skills and the knowledge t'do for others the thin's that nobody did for you?"
"I mean, I had a court liaison officer and a youth worker sometimes but they weren't... I can't do that stuff, Terry. I didn't even finish school. I don't know how to be a social worker or do the right thing and help people through court and housing, and children's services and Centrelink and... I don't even know what you call Centrelink here." Madin stood. "I should just go. You all keep trying to get me to do all this shit I don't even know how to do. Here's the cheque, but. I'll give the community centre another chance but I need you to invest it and stuff, please." Discomfort was radiating off them. "I was pretending to know what to do when I was with the Underground and the Chicago guys after I left the Brotherhood, okay? I really don't know what I'm doing."
"Madin," Alani blinked up at Madin, brows furrowing in concern as she watched them, hand reaching towards them, "please don't go." She stopped short of touching them, though, well aware that her own drive for physical touch was not the norm. "I'm sorry, this isn't an attempt to get you to do anything you don't want to do, I promise, and of course you can leave this conversation. We really just wanna help you, and, well, I'll be honest, a lot of this isn't stuff that gets taught. It's a learning experience."
Still burdened by Hope's offer of money to prove that Madin can do better than the community centre can, Madin finally seeks assistance from Terry and Alani.
Madin jiggled from one foot to the other, anxiously. Terry was... an unknown and Alani was a total sweetheart but this was a gamble and fuck. This was stupid.
Hope had said go away and figure it out. Well, They were going to. Probably. "Hey. Thank you for. Yeah. Thanks. I wanted to talk to you both?"
Alani offered a smile, Madin's anxiety not what she'd expected after they'd asked to meet but she could work with this, through this. The last time they'd come to her with nerves had ended up with them being lied to, and she had no interest in repeating that, this time she'd brought car keys with. "Of course, I didn't wanna pry, but I hope everything's okay?"
Madin nodded tightly. "Yeah. It's not like, like the other time. It's um. You know Hope? Ghost Hope, not goose Hope?"
Chuckling quietly, Terry nodded. "Yes, Miss Abbott and I are acquainted. She and I worked together several years ago on a few galas and the like, fundraising for the Xavier Institute," she said. "I'm happy to offer whatever assistance I'm able." Nodding encouragingly, she finished, "Please."
"Hoookay. So, just after I come back from Haven, right, Ghost Hope bailed me up with a cheque for a fuck ton of money which, apparently came from, you know, them. She basically said, like, fine, I'm not happy about the community centre and how you shouldn't be directing resources to humans and, like, I'm still not happy about that. They can go to places that won't serve mutants. They don't need to be taking stuff from our tiny share as well." Madin paused to breathe. "Anyway, she gave me a cheque for all this money and said that I should put my money where my mouth is and deliver the services myself since I think I can do it better than everyone else can. God, she's such a dick, you know? All fucking rich bitch passer privilege. I actually really hate her. And, like, I don't know how, okay? I don't. I apparently don't know the difference between a murder cult and like, a bunch of hippies, so I don't know how to hire good social workers and youth workers and lawyers and all. Or housing people and everything. It's just. No." Madin took another breath, the torrent of words stopping.
Alani nodded as Madin's words winded down, an easy understanding on her face. "Yes, I can understand hesitancy with that, especially when you're redistributing funds. And you mentioned youth workers and social workers. There are groups that can work with underserved mutant populations, so, if you had any specific ideas of what you'd like to put it towards, I think the two of us could come up with a decent list of places to start. Or if you want to help with certain situations, like, mutants looking for somewhere safe to live or first manifestations coming into their new life, the things that entails? Helping provide legal support to mutants in need? Hell, ya wanna see if we can do it all?"
Madin shook their head. "See, that's the problem. I've dealt with social workers. You think they're okay but they've always got a bigger agenda, things to sign off, policies, and things. So you're putting people who've got all this stuff - jobs, money, quals, hell, even just the authority that comes from being an adult out there working with mutants in a community centre that's not safe and will never be actually safe because you won't ban humans from it. So, yeah, it's what I've got the money for but obviously I can't use it there. You haven't even banned police from going on site. But. um." Madin paused. "I know you both work with. Um. Other channels, I guess?"
"Ah," Terry said, leaning back in her chair. She kept her body language open and her expression interested, because she was, but she was also a little more wary. "So you'd like t'see what mutant-exclusive thin's might be needed in the Underground? Are y'lookin' t'help here in the States specifically, or more Austra-Asian/Pacific Islander?"
Madin shrugged. "I don't know. I. Oh, Jesus. So, really, I don't know. Back when I was with the Brotherhood, we worked a bit in Canada and a bit in LA but honestly, we really were trying to help and just had to pass on names if they had good powers and were angry and I swear to god, I don't do that now. But I don't know. I mean, it seems like seppo mutants have everything they need but," Madin gave a crooked smile. "I don't go to places with republicans and stuff, you know? I guess American, because I can't travel easily and - like, it's a lot of money but if I had to spend it on plane tickets, it really wouldn't go far."
Terry cast a glance toward Alani, then said, "I'll no' lie and say the Underground in the States is perfect. It's taken five years t'get it t'where it is now, but I'm just one person who does one thin' in particular. There's loads of others - an' I can't even express how important it is t'get mutants out o'the situations the Australian government's put them in. Alani'll have more information on that area o'the world than I, but don't discount what an influx of cash well-spent could do for the Underground there." She paused for a breath, then continued, "Mind, I'm no' sayin' we couldn't use the investment as well, just that it might mean more t'you if y'do somethin' closer t'where y'came from?"
"It's a lot, I know," Alani spoke to Madin, eyes on them as she offered a reassuring smile. "Really any amount of money can do the right thing in the right place for some people. We have the very," she blew out the air in her lungs as she searched for the word, "we're lucky enough to not deal with a lot of problems that face the average mutant in America, even out mutants. We could show you places that could use funding, or that could help outsource things that I think you're describing wanting to put money towards, we could start a seed for a mutant only space, or resources, or funding, but I'll be honest, on that front? No amount of money's gonna make that happen overnight, it'll take time and more money and more money, and it's entirely possible, it's just gonna be a program that you have to stay on top of. If that's what you decide to do. The Underground is vast and honestly a number of us have contacts that the others don't, so people like Angelo, Jean-Phillipe, and Sooraya might also be good notes to touch on. Sorry to add more to the 'it's a lot,' but I really want you to think about what you want to do with your money, because so much is possible, we just need to know what it is you want to do."
Madin shrugged. "I don't want to just be 'here's this $8000 Hope gave me, go have fun." They bit their lip. "I actually want to be involved and do something. I can't. Don't ask me to run a program. I don't know how to do that. But maybe I can help with the Underground directly? I don't know. I need to do something, though, but I can't just do this shit Hope said, and start my own fucking centre because I don't know how to do that." The resentment Madin had been carrying over this for the last six months spilled out in their voice.
"Then we'll teach y'as y'go or," Terry said, sitting forward so she could meet Madin's eyes. "Or I could... well." She frowned slightly, then asked, "What would've made the most difference for y'growin' up? What would've helped y'or at least let y'live some way other than what got y'involved with the Brotherhood? Because I... think that'd have more meanin' for you. Right now, the money's... it's a burden, maybe? You're no' quite sure what t'do with it, but it seems like y'should be doin' somethin'? Aye? What if y'invest it for a mite, get to know the Underground an' how it works a bit more. Figure out what y'like and what you're good at, how y'like helpin' other mutants best. While the money grows, y'get your feet set on solid ground, as it were."
"Can you do that? With the money?" Madin looked relieved at the thought. "What would have helped me? Not being such a fucking dickhead, mostly. I'd get in fights and pull you know, knife hands. That's how I got expelled and arrested and then took up with like, a bad crowd. I'd get angry and like, threaten to stab people or knife their car and shit." Madin paused. "I didn't know how to not be a dickhead, you know? And like, one thing after another and then when they attacked Woomera, I couldn't really see any other options that didn't involve doing more crimes, I guess."
"Absolutely!" Terry said, smiling. "Investin' the money puts it outta sight an' mind for a bit but keeps it from gettin' dusty under a mattress or in a safe. An' it... sounds like maybe youth counselin' might've been good for y'when y'were young? Somethin' like outreach t'help y'sort through everythin' y'were dealin' with? So mayhap we set y'up with Sooraya an' Kyle or maybe even somethin' involvin' social work? T'help give y'the skills and the knowledge t'do for others the thin's that nobody did for you?"
"I mean, I had a court liaison officer and a youth worker sometimes but they weren't... I can't do that stuff, Terry. I didn't even finish school. I don't know how to be a social worker or do the right thing and help people through court and housing, and children's services and Centrelink and... I don't even know what you call Centrelink here." Madin stood. "I should just go. You all keep trying to get me to do all this shit I don't even know how to do. Here's the cheque, but. I'll give the community centre another chance but I need you to invest it and stuff, please." Discomfort was radiating off them. "I was pretending to know what to do when I was with the Underground and the Chicago guys after I left the Brotherhood, okay? I really don't know what I'm doing."
"Madin," Alani blinked up at Madin, brows furrowing in concern as she watched them, hand reaching towards them, "please don't go." She stopped short of touching them, though, well aware that her own drive for physical touch was not the norm. "I'm sorry, this isn't an attempt to get you to do anything you don't want to do, I promise, and of course you can leave this conversation. We really just wanna help you, and, well, I'll be honest, a lot of this isn't stuff that gets taught. It's a learning experience."
