Video: 003

[hatestrashcans]

[ Marco's video opens on him sitting in a computer chair, which isn't unusual. What is unusual is that he's not wearing anything ridiculous (no Spiderman T-shirt here) and that he actually has a serious look on his face. ]

So since apparently we're doing this the absurdly complicated way:

If you're under 18 and want to work on this whole 'not letting the multiverse destabilize while we're living here' thing, let's coordinate.

Oh, and for all the adults who want to complain about this: I'd much rather work under the leadership of more experienced people. I think leaving us to do our own thing is stupid. But, I also know that there's a zero percent chance we're all going to stay out of it and coordinating minimizes the risk of something going wrong. Consider it harm reduction.

Or, you know, living in the real world.

Comments

[fridgeflower]

Yeah. I get it.

My reservation is, like... If they're already viewing this as a needed rebellion, will they accept guidance when it clashes with what they think is best?

I mean, they're obviously keen to act, regardless, so leaving this alone is impossible and abhorrent. It's good to understand what's at play, though, personalities and all. That's where the real harm reduction's going to lie.

[helpdesk_hero]

I understand the concern. But frankly, Laurie? This is a situation that they can't be expected to stand by during. These distortions could catch them unaware. Could be a risk to people around them. And could end this world. They need help.

All I can do is help.

I have asked Marco to get me details on any young adult he's in contact with. I'm... going to see how we can best manage this.

[fridgeflower]

I'm not saying we ask them to stand by. I'm saying... Once we figure out a management strategy, it's going to be important that it's abided by. That's all.

Otherwise, this is just going to slide to the opposite extreme and it's not going to end well.

Taking stock of what we're working with is probably the best start, though, so... Good on you for that.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Laurie... are we turning into our teachers? It's a concern David definitely has.]

I... got a lot more experience at handling situations like this after you died. Scott basically made me a teacher and responsible for training and management of younger mutants for when the main team was out. But I definitely would appreciate someone smart to help, who I trust. And who can keep me from being like Scott.

[fridgeflower]

I was gonna say... From what I've been learning, I'm not totally sure Scott Summers is what we're going for.

So, yeah. I'm down for tempering that impulse.

[helpdesk_hero]

I... don't want to be like him. But it's easier when I know someone around me can catch it.

[fridgeflower]

Seems like we're squared away pretty easily, then.

Should we tell Josh?

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm definitely considering it. I just don't know how he'd take the whole kids in combat thing, after everything.

[fridgeflower]

Yeah. There's that.

On the other hand, there's... You know, the safety net of having Josh on call.

Which might involve forcing him to into a situation he's uncomfortable with in order to basically exploit him for his powers.

So, yeah. It's potentially a complicated quandary, but-- I don't know. I'd rather stack the odds in our favor, for sure.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm going to tell him about the situation. That's all. I'm not going to ask him for help, just ask him to watch to see if I'm becoming Scott. He'll know even better. But he gets to choose what he does.

[fridgeflower]

Seems the best way to go about it.

Once he knows, though, it's not like he'll hang back, even if it is difficult for him. So telling him's recruiting him, basically.

[helpdesk_hero]

Then we don't tell them.

[fridgeflower]

We'd have to plan around it, if we go that route.

I don't want to be in a position where he could make the difference, life or death, and then we just... Don't. To spare his feelings? Is that even what it is?

[helpdesk_hero]

I don't want to manipulate him, Laurie. Not after what Scott and Logan did. Using him isn't okay. I've put myself into bad situations here, but I'm trying to keep him out of getting hurt or used.

[fridgeflower]

I don't want to manipulate anybody, either. There's just not a perfect way to deal with it.

If we tell him, he's in for everything. If we don't, he's in for nothing and it's potentially discovered as a total dick move, to say the least.

Either way, it's potentially not great, but... There you go.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'll see about bringing it up. But you know I don't want to cut him out of this. He needs it.

[fridgeflower]

I mean, he probably needs a therapist, but... Sure. More super-heroics.

Not that I'm pro-exclusion, just-- I hope it doesn't end poorly, but that applies one way or the other and on absolutely all fronts. So, y'know, what're you gonna do?

[helpdesk_hero]

Trust me, I absolutely think he needs to be seeing a professional, and that's my opinion as a professional. But I swore not to pry into that.

I'm going to talk to him. He... has as much reason as we do to want to help these teens.

[fridgeflower]

Yeah.

Let me know, I guess. And if we need to meet up... My place isn't much, but it's mine.

[helpdesk_hero]

Trust me, I'm jealous. Thanks, Laurie. I'll hit you up if I need to talk.