The X-Project

Glad to hear about these developments. I've been telling Tandy and Maddie to get her to speak to you about you helping her find some way to say no to her mother but Tandy seemed worried Hope wouldn't open up to an adult about things at all, so I'm very glad you did manage to have a discussion with her and that the Prof's intervening.

Oh hey, so did the Prof manage to rule out the possibility that Hope's mother wasn't transplanted here from the Victorian era in some weird Jules Vernean escapade? Or is that still up in the air?

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I second that theory! Dude, that girl is just really uptight, and ... well, it's like she's got like fifty things on her mind at any time, and forty-nine of them are being some freaky like 1900's Little Women view of what ladies are supposed to be and it is really easy to tell how much of that isn't actually HER. It's like she's got this fricking like, looming specter of her mom's voice in her head going HOPE YOU SUCK HAVE GOOD POSTURE BECAUSE AT ANY TIME WE MIGHT RESSURECT A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WALK AROUND WITH BOOKS ON YOUR HEAD

okay, League of Their Own was WWII and all, but you know what I mean. It's like she's really the pitcher chick from that movie and wants to be the catcher chick but isn't Geena Davis shutupmydadlovesthatmovie

Edited Date: 2012-10-03 12:29 am (UTC)

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If I read the pamphlet right, the book thing was in her future and the reason I found her having an out of body experience in the middle of the hall.

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... I was kidding, but seriously? Fucking seriously? I just know she's about 99 thousand times more polite than all the other kids put together. All I get is occasional overhead snips of conversation from the kids and that every time Hope says "My mother" she.. okay, okay, I don't go around sniffing the kids but I can't really turn the nose off and Hope -smells- keyed up and scared half the time.

and no, I haven't entirely disclosed to the kids that I can overhear them or that they all smell like Axe half the time. Figured that'd be creepy if they knew their English teacher know which of them actually had the farts that day - I don't make a secret of it but I'm not gonna announce it either

Edited Date: 2012-10-03 12:40 am (UTC)

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Her mother, who I don't have an opinion on, was apparently concerned she was being exposed to bad influences here. I think the professor may have stymied that by subtly namedropping some of our more renowned alumni, students and staff. I contributed a very brief concern that placing a girl with uncontrollable power manifestations, even a harmless one, in an unusual but "prestigious" environment might cause some embarrassment. For Hope of course. Then I left the room to continue having no opinion somewhere less flammable.

Edited Date: 2012-10-03 12:50 am (UTC)

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that's a good idea. I might go have no opinion with a heavy bag.

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Bad influences?! wtf?! Kyle's been wearing ties sometimes! And not sniffing students! And I have *not* been formally charged with embezzlement! And I've been sober for... okay, yeah, I give up.

Glad you sold her on the power manifestations. And did not set anything on fire.

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I think the professor sold her more than anything. You not being formally charged with embezzlement probably helps, as do things like Warren's alumni status, Sue's family name and Betsy's extremely British "ladyship" title.

Well . . . didn't set anything on fire during the phonecall. A now-ex lampshade during the initial conversation with Charles may have contributed to his assertion that I strive to have no opinion on Catherine Abbott.

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Betsy's a lady? For real? Or is this one of those sexyfuntimenicknames you two have for each other? (If the latter, I really don't wanna know.)

You sound like you're in need of someone to get you really liquored up.

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Betsy's title is hereditary. I think it came with the manor. I would definitely not share what we may or may not call each other on the staff comm.

It's just been a tiring week or so.

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Yeah, none of it seems to actually be her, it all seems like Mommy Dearest's influence to me.

Uhhhh.... How the hell did this become a discussion on League of Their Own? Also, who the hell DIDN'T want to be Geena Davis in that movie?

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Is there a rule that says that if you go here, at least one of your parents has to be an ass about the mutant thing?

I was trying to come up with a good metaphor for someone who fit that super mega classy without working hard at it sort of thing that was from like my grandparents time.

dude, don't look at me. I don't wanna be a girl. I like being a dude. But Geena Davis is mega hot.

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Yeah, of course there is! Haven't you read the rule book?

I would have gone with My Fair Lady if I were you.

I just meant her baseball skills...

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I got the version that said "Don't sniff your students" and "You should probably make up for the lack of shoes by wearing a tie. Maybe."

no, that's a musical. I'm not referencing anything that'll result in musicals.

.. okay, those I want.

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Ties are overrated in high schools.

Are you afraid of musicals, Shoeless Joe?

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Yeah, but I don't wear shoes and I'm not that much older than some of these kids, so I wear either ties or vests depending on if I can get someone to tie the tie for me that day.

No, I'm afraid of my own singing.

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She is very private. We've spoken several times about her powers, and I still have a feeling the only reason I got anything out of her this time is because I found her in a moment of distress. It's tough. It was hard enough for her to admit she wanted something other than what her mother was pushing her towards, and I don't think this is something that can be rushed. Or at least not without completely alienating or terrifying her.

I have no opinion on Hope's mother. That is what the professor has advised me to say.

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Well, at least you got *something* out of her. All I got was 'I'm happy with what I'm doing' over and over again. No I don't think this can be rushed, either. I think you're right there. I was just hoping you could, y'know, teach her (eventually) how to get to that place inside her head where she'd be okay with saying no to her mother. That's what shrinks do, right? Get people to face their problems and be okay with doing so?

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Theoretically, but my concern is that I don't become just one more adult telling Hope what to do. I want to help her, but I want to work with her, not over her head. Maybe doing so would be in her best interest, but I'm sure her mother feels what she's doing is in Hope's best interest too. For the moment all I can think to do is support her and tell her that what she wants does matter, and that we will help if she needs us. We're not here for her mom, we're here for her.

I think what Hope would benefit most from is an example, honestly. Her mom's spent so much time cultivating her that she doesn't have a lot of exposure to "normal" behavior, or any conception that it's okay to have different opinions from people she respects. I was hoping she'd learn a little from her peers. Which is why I absolutely didn't bribe Maddie into being her roommate.

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I feel the same way. When Tandy asked me to intervene I said I'd rather she be taught how to stand up for herself instead of others always standing up to her mother for her. And I do feel like her mother's concerns are valid- I mean she seems like a freaking loon, but she does seem to want what's best for her daughter.

That sounds like a good idea, being a good example. Y'know, for other people. Who are actually good examples. And yeah, I think you're right about the peers. Maybe Maddie and Tandy can loosen her up a little.

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I said something similar to Maddie. I'm also reluctant to infringe on a parent's right to raise their child. The fact she's um, old-fashioned may be stifling, but we've seen so many bad or absent parents over the years I guess I feel uncomfortable about coming out directly against a parent who's actually concerned, even if that concern is warped. I don't know, I just don't have a lot of experience with this kind of situation.

I don't know, you're proof a woman can own and manage a business. Jean's a doctor and active in politics. Lorna is equally comfortable using knives to cook at a professional level and stabbing evildoers. So we do have a few examples in the adult contingent too.

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Hey lets just introduce her mom to Emma Frost. That'll fix the whole problem.

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I think that would be a tremendously bad idea.

If traceable back to the school, anyway.

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I bet if you asked her real nice she'd make it so no one could trace it back to the school.

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Yes, because my sister loves this school and would do anything to help preserve its reputation! Hey Kyle, did you eat psychedelic peppers for breakfast this morning?

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Hey, that was totally last night, not this morning. Not confirming one way or the other on the peppers though. I did have some bananas, and you know, those have ergot in them if they're bad or... something I think I read once?

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Really? Huh! Interesting! Okay I need to go now and buy some bananas. Not to test this theory at all. Just to eat.

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Exactly. While her ideas for helping her child achieve success are not ones that I think any of us would share, what she wants for Hope is not illegal and there does not seem to be the specific intention on her part of putting Hope in danger or distress. So it seems to be more a question of balance, since of course Hope *is* becoming distressed.

Yeah, and then have said business pulled out from under myself by the damn Black Court in an incredibly ill-conceived bid for power. I managed that great! My vote's going for Jean if we're handing out props for good examples. WIth an honourable mention to Lorna.

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I'd prefer to get the woman's head screwed on straight about what is and isn't "appropriate" for a woman in the 21st century. And about how mutancy works. That would also be helpful.

I'm pretty sure the professor didn't mention that the guy assessing Hope's mental status has been institutionalized and still has the odd backslide, either. A lot of us look better on paper.

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