Sixth Haiku [Voice, Locked to X-Men and Staff]

[koukai_kirai]

This is the moment where we have to ask ourselves:

Is sheltering her worth the trouble? We're at a very real risk of making enemies of S.H.I.E.L.D., which could compromise the safety of a number of people here.

Perhaps we've let her borrow enough time. She got herself into this mess willingly, after all.

[He'll be the absolute last to suggest doing anything against Xavier's orders or behind his back -- but he's more than willing, at this point, to question the decisions that have been made.]

Comments

private

[thirdarrow]

I am of the same mind as you, but our hands are tied as well.

[flamingfists]

We really only have two options. We give her up, in secret, away from the school, or we fight. Either way the public can't know she was here.

[S.H.I.E.L.D. worried her, but the idea of the public knowing? That was really frightening.]

[blooming_resonance]

I am... in general... against anything that endangers the students. And a direct... conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D. greatly endangers the students, for the chance to... protect one person. When it... may not even work.

There is... still danger in letting her into their custody, yes, but... I would rather that than have... another battle here. Those people are not like... the last ones to attack this place. The last ones were... misguided individuals. S.H.I.E.L.D. is far... far more dangerous.

[knowledgeandshadow]

There is no longer any need to keep her here. If this is about her safety, I'm sure SHIELD would be more than capable of keeping her out of harm's way.

[She is in a very foul mood. And is firm in the belief that Renko has to go.]

We have a duty to our students and their welfare, first and formost.

private

[koukai_kirai]

We don't owe her anything, do we? The best we can do is pass her off to S.H.I.E.L.D. quietly and try and get them to keep quiet about our involvement.

[koukai_kirai]

I'm not convinced fighting for her is an option worth considering, when it would put the students in danger.

[koukai_kirai]

If there's any potential of keeping good relations with S.H.I.E.L.D., we need to try. In this case, that means handing her over without causing too much trouble.

And it isn't as if she's a fugitive for no reason. We're not obligated to protect her from her own decisions just because she's a mutant -- certainly not at the risk of the students.

[koukai_kirai]

Most of us seem to be in agreement there.

We're going to have to hope S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to keep quiet about us holding onto her for so long in the first place, though.

[flamingfists]

Neither of us want to put the students in danger but we'd be fooling ourselves to not consider the possibility of the alternative.

[koukai_kirai]

Let me put it more bluntly: Why should we waste a moment fighting for her?

[Video]

[dandyelegance]

I don't believe it's worth the trouble at this point.

[For once, Tomas looks very sober.]

[flamingfists]

I wouldn't expect you to fight for her. I sure as hell won't. But if it comes to that, protecting the students is my priority.

[she shakes her head in frustration]

As I said, 2 options, and I'd much rather prefer we give her up well away from campus. If S.H.I.E.L.D. shows up here and she suddenly appears in their custody the media will put 2 and 2 together and we're known as the people who protected a terrorist.

[thirdarrow]

That may be the best in the long term.

But the students have been rather vocal as well. I fear this will influence the Professor's decision.

[koukai_kirai]

He'll decide what he thinks is right, either way. But it might not be bad for him to hear what's on everyone's mind.

[In a less literal, psychic-y sense.]

[koukai_kirai]

It becomes a security question, at that point. Bringing her away from campus for the handover increases the risk of her being able to make a break for it.

S.H.I.E.L.D. could always classify the details of her capture. They're liberal enough with that tactic, anyway.

[Video]

[koukai_kirai]

You're not alone in thinking that.

[blooming_resonance]

Yes... it seems we have a similar way of thinking. Were it... possible to better ensure her safety... as there is someone who clearly tried to take her life... perhaps I would agree with that method. But I can't... support anything that puts the students at... further risk.

I would not... like to make enemies of S.H.I.E.L.D., either.

Do you... trust Xavier to make a similar decision? [She wants to, but she'd rather like someone else to echo that thought.]

[Video]

[dandyelegance]

We should turn her over. I don't want to think about the consequences otherwise.

[voice]

[bluishgreymatter]

There won't be a battle. I know that much. You should, too. We've both known Charles a long time...

[voice]

[koukai_kirai]

[Hijikata sighs.]

...I know. I have every bit of faith in him.

I just hope he had good reason to put us in this situation in the first place.

[At the end of the day, he does believe in Xavier with the closest thing he has to religious fervor. But he's too cynical to do so quietly or without question, and always has been.]

[Video]

[koukai_kirai]

Even if we did have a reason to protect her, it's looking difficult to get around at this point.

[Video]

[dandyelegance]

Agreed.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. was to come here...

[He trails off as he's not about to finish that sentence.]

[koukai_kirai]

[He softens a little, at that last question.]

I trust him to do what's right. Not always what I'd choose, but what's best for this school.

[Video]

[koukai_kirai]

The security of this school won't be compromised.

[Video]

[dandyelegance]

If it comes to that, I will stand with you.