video

[whosafraidofthe]

So… this is going to be an awkward introduction.

[Enter a big scruffy man on the comm, looking pretty meek for how gruff and manly his appearance is. And then he clears his throat, and the authority kicks in.]

My name is Bigby Wolf, and I’m a combat trainer here for the older kids starting this semester. A little higher level than what Beifong's teaching, but it should be easy to pick up. Some of you may already know me as, uh… [He hesitates a bit.] …The Big Bad Wolf. And there are a lot of rumors circling because of that, but I assure you I wouldn’t get a position here unless Xavier trusted me. He especially wouldn’t let me near kids if he thought I was still…

[Eating them. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.]

Let’s see, what can I tell you… I was a sheriff over in District X until I came here, so I’ve got plenty of experience catching criminals. Even caught a few of… well, I guess around here you call ‘em supervillains. I guess you could kind of call me one of those two… or an ex-villain, at least.

[A nervous chuckle ends in him popping out a carton of Huff’n’Puffs and lighting himself a cigarette.] I understand a lot of people are going to be nervous around me, I’m not going to stop them from voicing complaints. But the class is optional, so you don’t have to be near me if you don’t want to be. For whatever reason.

Comments

[knighterrantofthedragon]

[Alric smiles a bit sadly at that first observation.]

...mm. I... have certainly seen the effect... capricious powers can have on a person's life--and the lives of others, for that matter.

As to 'Mutant Town'... [He says it like he's not sure it's exactly the most polite term there is.] ...I've heard of it, of course, but I can only imagine the version I received was... sanitized, somewhat. I'd be curious to hear it, if you could tell me more about it, from your understanding.

[He smiles a little more.]

You strike me, if I may, as having a certain willingness to face harsh realities than most people I've met.

[...of course, he suspects that might have something to do with Bigby not knowing him as anything but yet another student, but he can work with that.]

[whosafraidofthe]

[It mostly has to do with Bigby not being used to human conventions, honestly.]

Mutant Town, well, District X is a lot safer during the day. But it has criminals just like everywhere else and when those criminals have powers...

[He groans. Fighting those criminals was such a pain. Even comforting Feliks is more fun than that.]

I grew up on harsh realities. Took me a long while to find out there was anything else. So there's that.

[knighterrantofthedragon]

[He offers a reassuring smile at latter comment--sympathetic, without wilting, as though projecting a certainty that matters shall be rectified.]

I'm certainly gratified to see you've found a way to transform that into a strength, here, offering a perspective from which many of us have been partially or wholly sheltered, and a... comfort with it that can be difficult to cultivate.

As to District X, though... certain people will take advantage of whatever capabilities they have to do well by themselves at everyone else's expense--some due to poor character, and others are driven to it by the cruelties of fortune. But having been sheriff, there, you must have seen more than the criminal aspect.

As far back as I can remember, I've never really known anyone else with such 'gifts' as those of us, here... at least, not to my knowledge, at the time. [He smiles a little to himself--perhaps a bit of a mysterious gesture at that point in the conversation, without its context.] I can scarcely begin to imagine an entire community...

[whosafraidofthe]

Honestly? The legal system there was corrupt beyond belief until recently. But, well... I helped fix that. Life is getting better for them, so it's not just criminals now.

[He sighs.]

Still, the laws aren't perfect. There isn't much legroom for someone forced into the life they have. And I know some people in Mutant Town who won't get anywhere just because they don't have the means to hide their mutations. Sad, really.

[Poor Mr. Toad.]

[knighterrantofthedragon]

Is it so widespread..?

[He seems a little taken aback at that. Obviously slums developed and tended to concentrate people of the most disadvantaged sort, both socially and economically, which tended to breed higher crime rates for a host of interrelated reasons. Sure. ...but in a community of mutants... He pauses a couple of seconds, contemplating that.]

...I suppose it's a place one only goes when one's options are... sorely constrained, already pushed onto an unfortunate path in life, and in a.. most difficult position from which to improve matters.

I know how difficult it can be to find a place in society, even with every possible advantage. I can only begin to imagine how it must be for those deprived of such advantages...

[whosafraidofthe]

There's always problems with growing up mutant. You're very lucky not to have had to face them head-on. But, well... I've even seen mutants get up in arms about their children not being normal.

You're lucky to be going here. I would have killed to be somewhere like here when I was younger.

[...That was worded badly.]

[knighterrantofthedragon]

[Alric mostly sidesteps that particular Lecterian Slip--partly to be polite, and partly because he's visibly a little preoccupied with the prior statement that he didn't have to face them head-on. He doesn't look exactly like he's affronted, but there's a definite tension and a darkening of his expression for a second or two before he restores his composure; Bigby could easily miss it if he's not really paying attention.]



Mm. I imagine there are, and, yes, I know well how fortunate I've been--and am, to have this opportunity. I can only hope I'll find the means, here, to return some dividend on my good fortune to those who'd otherwise have no opportunity to enjoy it, themselves.