ArchivedLogs:Brainstorm

Brainstorm
Dramatis Personae Marinov, Ororo
In Absentia	2016-12-12 "I don't really have a plan, to be honest."
Location <XS> Gardens
Marinov is on a mission! The catlike youth has been sniffing about (rather literally) for any adults to talk to. Or at least, any adults to talk to whose opinions they respect. The teen is presently wearing a school uniform with a pleated grey skirt, which might be odd because Xavier's doesn't use a school uniform, but it is an Xavier's school outfit of their own design. The teen walks into the greenhouse and starts looking at the plants here with a curious expression. If she's not teaching, in the Danger Room, or in her office, Ororo can usually be found in the greenhouse. As of right now, she's merely examining the plants, checking their growth, health, etc. Her hair is pulled up and held in place with a hair clip and she wears a baggy beige sweater with black leggings and brown riding boots. When she hears someone nearby, she glances curiously, smiling softly at the sight of Marinov. "Hello Marinov. I hope the semester's treating you well." "Eheh, well, you know," says Marinov, "I'm almost sure that I'm gonna pass all my classes this semester, unless I choke real bad on the exams..." says Marinov, rubbing the back of their neck lightly, "I've started recording lectures and listening to them on runs, works better than falling asleep in class and then falling asleep trying to read and catch up. Ever since I manifested I've been a bit... eh, narcoleptic? Not exactly that..." The teen scuffs their foot across the ground of the greenhouse and says, "Heh, anyways... uh, I was looking for you. Or I guess someone. I was sort of looking for Mr. Wagner too, 'cause... well. I dunno. I guess you probably find it easy to go around without anyone knowing you're a mutant, yeah?" They seem to want to ask something, but need to first dance around it a bit. "Well, passing classes is usually the goal," Ororo says with a faint grin. "Though that's good to hear. And I'm sure you'll do fine on your exams." She nods along gently as they discuss their studying 'techniques'. "I'm glad to hear that seems to be working for you. Side effects of mutations can be difficult to find work arounds for." A brow goes up and her lips press together in concern as Marinov awkwardly changes the conversation to a different direction. Once she gets an idea, she ah's softly. "Mr. Wagner would probably have better advice than me. Unfortunately, I don't know where he is at the moment. I can try my best though you are correct. I don't have much experience with looking like a mutant." Marinov shifts slightly from one foot to the other awkwardly and says, "Heh, well, I mean... it's not really all about that. It's related. I have a friend who I've been talking to sometimes in the city, yeah? She's cool, but she's got the whole mutant look. Sort of like me. Maybe a bit more unmutant looking than me, but still, she's got horns and stuff..." They shake their head and say, "It's tough, you know? I come across protestors and sh- and stuff sometimes, and I don't really get what they're protesting? But I think, you know, that maybe there's ways of helping with things. Not that I think I can solve all the bullsh- uh, baloney?- on my own. But maybe... I dunno. I could help." They cross their arms around themselves uncomfortably, starting to second guess their plan. Ororo nods. "It's...a bit fuzzy," she agrees, regarding what protestors are actually protesting. She tilts her head slightly once Marinov begins discussing helping. "Did you have a plan in mind?" she asks, genuinely curious what the student might have come up with. "Yea, I know what they're protesting is a bit fuzzy," says Marinov, tapping the center of their chest with a light thudding sound. The teen leans over one of the plants to try and determine what it is. Some kind of bean? They tap at one of the pods to check. "I don't really have a plan, to be honest, I need to make one... I was just thinking like, positive representation in media can be a big thing. I never found that... I had that, and even less so now, with the physical mutation. 'cause people out there look at people like me, people who look... really different. They think, 'monsters'. There's no actors, no models, or sports stars... no people who are visible, you know, in the media. I know there are some mutants in the media, but they are... uh, I dunno. Not different looking?" They continue harrassing the bean plant while speaking, "I was just thinking about what I can do. I can do designs, and sew and make clothes and stuff. I'd like to do a... uh. I dunno, a fashion show? Or maybe some kind of arts festival, if there were interest. Sort of... showcasing those of us who can't blend. Just... something to normalize it. 'cause it's hard." Ororo can't but chuckle a bit as Marinov points out the play on words. She remains quiet, listening to Marinov discuss their ideas. Her smiles grows brighter as the idea, however vague, is described. "That's a brilliant idea Marinov. Maybe a photography project with physical mutants as the models. You may be on to something. I'd be glad to help. If that's what you're looking for, that is." Her mind wanders for a few seconds, contemplating the possibilities. When it returns, she looks down to Marinov with a pleased smile. "You are right. Physical mutants do need more representation. People fear what they don't understand. Educating people that physical mutants are not, as you said, monsters, is the only way to change that. I assume you know this won't be easy?" "Yeah, I figure that it's gonna be hard to do something like that... and I figure it'd take years of doing it consistently to get a proper amount of attention. But... at least I could be doing something that would be good for me. I've sort of been dreading what my career prospects might be," says Marinov, nodding, "So if I'm not gonna live the glitzy life I wanted, may as well do it for people like me." They shrug lightly and say, "But yeah, it would be good to have your help, 'cause... well, I think I need help and advice, right? 'cause it's gonna be more work than I can do on my own. I'm glad you're willing to help. I mean, it's not the slick stuff that the X-Men get up to, but it could be rewarding..." "Nothing good in life ever came easy or quickly. But if you're willing to put the time and effort into this, I don't see why this can't work. And maybe you could make a career out of it," Ororo says. "And I'm sure most of the X-Men would enjoy the break from fighting. It's been a rough year. But yes, I'd be glad to help you however you need, and I can share the idea with some others I think might be able to help." "Yeah, if you know anyone who could help, that'd be great..." says Marinov with a nod. They blink their eyes slowly and say, "But yea, I was thinking that I was always sort of interested in a career in, uh, fashion and the arts I guess, so... I just thought, maybe I could just use what I already know to help." They consider for a few moments and add, "I guess I'll figure out how to get the word out there. Maybe I'll need to talk to people who sort of organized the mutant olympics thing. That was cool and seemed to get a lot of attention." "I think the Olympics did a lot of good. I can see if I can get ahold of the organizers and see if they'd like to help or offer advice. A fashion career. A tough career to break in to but I'd say you have the talent for it," Ororo says, her piercing blue eyes briefly flitting over Marinov's attire. Marinov laughs awkwardly at the compliment from Ororo, "Ah, thanks. I used to make some of my own clothes, but now, I feel like I've gotta make almost all of 'em in order to have stuff that fits me right..." They nod a couple of times, "Anyways, I guess I've gotta get planning if I'm gonna get anything off the ground... I appreciate you reaching out to those folks. I don't really have, uh, the contacts in the community, so anything that can help me with getting the word out is gonna be great." They step away from the plants that they were bothering, "But... I should prepare for my finals first, I guess." "Mutant or not, sewing is a useful skill to have." Ororo smiles and nods, gently adjusting the plant Marinov had been fiddling with. "I'll leave you be to plan. You know where to find me if you need help. And...yes," she glances towards Marinov with a faux-stern look, softened by the gentle curl of one side of her mouth, "classes come first. I expect you to ace all your exams." "Heh, well, I'll be lucky if I beece them," says Marinov sheepishly, backing off towards the door, "Thanks again, and I'll probably talk to you more when the holiday starts... Have a good night." They put one of their earbuds in their ear to start listening to their review material on loop and head out of the greenhouse.