002 ♛ video

[superieure]

[ Monet is seated, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, lips curled into a smile, immaculately dressed as always, regarding the camera with a critical eye. In front of her is a chessboard, all set out for a game. She’s chosen black, so white faces the viewer. ]

I require an opponent.

Comments

[baniichan]

Yes. We both worked as heroes back home, so he continues to use the alias Wild Tiger.

[superieure]

[Worked? That meant professional, and she hadn't heard of anyone doing that much around here.]

For whom, if I may ask?

[baniichan]

That depends on who you ask, I suppose. All heroes are cleared by the Justice Bureau, so you could say we work for the city. While we're on television, however, we work under the program's producer. But if you want to get technical, my partner and I are officially employed by a corporation called Apollon Media.

[superieure]

Registration?

[Oops unexpected button with a Marvel character, but Monet's expression is more pensive than annoyed. She herself is a registered mutant, as is Ric. They both disagree that everyone should do it - it needs to be a free choice.]

It must have a good health plan, then.

[baniichan]

Yes, there's registration too, but the government requires that for all people with unusual abilities, not just heroes.

[Barnaby is matter-of-fact as he speaks. It's not an issue of whether it's fair for NEXTs or not. It's simply the way things currently are, and he doesn't see that changing anytime soon.]

It does. We seldom have any out-of-pocket medical expenses. Our equipment is paid for and maintained by our respective companies as well.

[superieure]

[Not only is that considered unfair in Monet's world, there was an entire crossover event. However, she shows only a mild reaction to a vaguely intriguing piece of news.]

That must go well with plenty of people.

[However, she's not interested in airing out personal issues (especially not when a certain Tony Stark is around) in front of a relative stranger.]

What percentage of the population possesses these abilities?

[baniichan]

It could be worse. Compared to how it was when NEXTs first started appearing, things have gotten a lot better.

[That was essentially one of the main function of heroes -- to put a positive face to the growing NEXT population.]

It's difficult to know for certain. The number probably rises every day, and I doubt everyone is accounted for. Estimates are in the 10-15% range, though.

[superieure]

[And dressing of you up makes it better?, she thinks, eyeing her empty wine glass. Oh, people would say it was better now than when there were less mutants, but Monet disagrees. Anything less than acceptance was inexcusable.]

I see. Your abilities all vary, as ours do?

[baniichan]

That's right. Pretty much any power you can think of, a NEXT somewhere probably has it.

[superieure]

[A nod.]

Same with mutants. They don't ask us to register, however.

[Not anymore.]

[baniichan]

I suspect legislation like that will become more rare after a few more years. You could say our television program was designed to push the city into becoming more accepting of NEXTs, and so far it's been working better than anything else.

cw: mention of genocide

[superieure]

[Monet's never quite been able to grasp the concept of an easier world, for mutants. It's Xavier's dream, true, and in some ways it's hers, but she's far too pragmatic to allow herself to drift there, because of Genosha, and Decimation. A population of millions reduced to mere hundreds, and it seemed to her that the only people who cared about that were other mutants, or the humans who lived in Mutant Town.]

I suspect so as well. [Though for different reasons. She rises.] Thank you for your company, I'd be delighted to have you again.

[baniichan]

[Since the conversation has reached its natural end, Barnaby rises along with her.]

It was my pleasure. I enjoyed our game.