Logs:Q&A

Q&A
Dramatis Personae Ryan, Steve
In Absentia	2019-10-16 "Captain Rogers, I'm sure you of all people can understand..."
Location <NYC> NYU Kimmel Center - Greenwich Village
The room is packed, still. Reasonably calm, all things considered, especially given several earlier disturbances where the security guards entirely failed to remove a set of students yelling anti-mutant chants over Ryan's speaking but quickly evicted several mutants who yelled back. Now there's just a host of people through the audience with some very targeted signs, largely staying quiet to -- more or less -- let the question and answer session go on unhindered (save for a few outbursts when clearly sympathetic questioners direct their queries towards Ryan directly.) It's about on par with how the panel has gone overall, really. Though billed as a conversation on mutant rights, the vast bulk of the time has gone -- with considerable assistance from the moderator -- to the three human panelists, who seem to exist somewhere on a spectrum from "of course I'm an ally, I've never used a slur in my life" to "why haven't we executed Ryan and rounded all the rest of them into a camp." One of the three, though, stands out among the rest. Scott Wiesman, the current director of outreach for Themis House, has been extremely focused on the need to save mutants from their own mutations -- on the service that his organization provides -- on the responsibility mutants have to neutralize themselves if they want to be allowed to live out in society. Time after time after time his soliloquies on The Mutant Problem have delved heavily into the need for the country to do something to either nullify or eradicate mutants -- time after time after time, Ryan's firm and increasingly ardent rebuttals have been cut off by the moderator. "-- You won't find a stronger support of mutants themselves than me and all those working at Themis," Wiesman is currently replying to a young woman standing at one of the microphones. "Of course we want to see those people thrive. Safely -- for them and everyone around them. If any mutants aren't willing to make sure they can do that --" His hands spread, his eyes wide. "At that point it's their own choice not to live in society. I just think our laws ought to reflect that." Steve has been waiting patiently in line for questions, his hands clasped in front of him in such a way that minimizes his considerable stature without slouching. He nods and flashes the young woman a smile as he replaces her at the microphone. His hands unfold to adjust the microphone to his level, and the rest of him unfolds, too -- not very much, but the effect is dramatic. Where before stood an unobtrusive, if tall, young man, suddenly there is Captain America. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." He bobs his head to the entire panel, then turns his gaze on Ryan, his expression neutral but a smile in his baby blue eyes. "I do apologize if this is a tall order, Mr. Black, but would you mind telling us what kinds of public policy you think we need to help mutants thrive on your own terms, while keeping everyone safer -- powers or no powers?" Ryan has been very slightly braced in his seat, but there's the slightest easing of his shoulders, a faint warming of his smile as Steve steps up to the microphone. "No, thank you, I think it's an extremely relevant question. And honestly, like many places in our society, a lot of the things that would be helpful policy in keeping us safe are common-sense approaches that would improve life for everyone. Some of the biggest issues affecting our community right now -- poverty, homelessness, a lack of medical care or mental health services, discrimination that keeps us out of jobs and education where we can --" Wiesman jumps in here, with a soft huff and a small shake of his head and a brief cut of his eyes to Ryan. "Okay, but you of all people can't possibly pretend that putting more weapons in our schools is going to fix these problems. Captain Rogers," he's looking out to the audience, now, his tone level and agreeable as he turns his attention -- first to where Jackson has been sitting in the front row but ultimately settling on Steve. "I'm sure you of all people can understand that the security of our country needs a firmer approach than -- what? Sending your children to schools with teachers who can light them on fire with a thought? I see the services that we and others working with us provide as a shield that helps keep all of us safe." Steve has actually broken out a notepad and ballpoint pen, jotting down key phrases as Ryan speaks. His jaw tightens and his hand freezes in place when Wiesman cuts his co-panelist off. He slowly flips the notebook shut and twists his pen to retract the nip, tucking both into the pocket whence they had come, lifting unimpressed eyes to the doctor. His jaw tightens. Then tightens further as his breaths come faster. "Me?" he asks when Wiesman finishes speaking. "Of all people?" Color rises to his cheeks and his eyes blaze with indignation, but he keeps his voice level. "Doctor, do you somehow believe that my powers give me authority to speak on these issues while Mr. Black's disqualify him?" "Weapons in our schools?" Ryan's expression is a little bit incredulous, eyes wider and his tone just a bit sharper. "Mr. Wiesman, if that's the way that you think of children trying to access an education, I --" This time it's the moderator who cuts him off. "Mr. Black, you're going to need to get control of yourself. Mr. Wiesman, the question --?" Wiesman's smile is carefully, neutrally small. "Of course. It's a good point you make, Captain, but unlike the current invasion we're seeing, you went about this the right way. I don't think the existence of law-abiding veterans like yourself means that we need to flood our streets, our schools, our homes with dangerous and frankly unpredictable firepower. All I'm saying is that I'd like to see our elected officials a little more proactive about containing the threat --" Steve's brows furrow, deeper and deeper, as Wiesman speaks. He opens his mouth several times, but conquers his urge to interrupt each time. But at the word 'containing' he goes still, eyes narrowing. When he moves it's almost too fast for the human eye to follow -- sidestepping the microphone, crouching ever so slightly upon touchdown and vaulting effortlessly onto the stage. One more step and he's upon Wiesman, his fist winding back and swinging in an arc -- languid by Steve's standards, but lightning-fast by most -- toward the other man's temple. He pulls the punch as soon as he makes contact, but even that single swift blow is enough to stun, and probably unseat, his target. There's an immediate uproar from the audience -- which seems a little conflicted as to how to respond to this. Some applause, some shocked gasps, some angry yelling though the words are kind of lost in the overlapping tumult of voices. The moderator has jumped to her feet; the woman sitting beside Wiesman jerks her chair back hastily as her co-panelist slumps to the floor. Ryan has leaned slightly forward in his seat, one of his elbows propped on his knee and the slight splay of fingers across the lower half of his face doing -- not very much to cover his slowly spreading smile. When he speaks it sounds crisp and clear to all in the room despite the tumult -- which has, oddly, faded into a vaguely muffled background din. "Sorry, Mr. Rogers, what were you asking again? I didn't quite get a chance to answer." Not the least short of breath, Steve makes eye contact with the three other humans before turning back to Ryan. Blinks at the question. Opens his mouth to reply, but stops short. Reaches the hand that had just struck down a distinguished panelist to turn Wiesman's microphone around. Stoops to speak into it, "May I take you out to supper sometime, Mr. Black?"