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

[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.