Issue 1 Downtime

In an attempt to not let the school make too much of a 'weird' impression on her parents Sara has decided to show them the more academic parts of campus and where most of her classes take place, so they're wandering through the northern part of campus, headed for the science department.

Amanda was heading back to her office, after having been at the lab to discuss some of Stan's test results "Hello Sara!" she said, smiling cheerfully at the girl.
She was dressed in a navy blue skirt and cream sweater, with brown boots, along with a heavy leather jacket. Her scales, which were normally a warm brownish green flecked with gold seemed rather milky and dull today, and along her hairline her skin was visibly peeling and flaking.

"Hello Professor Weinrich. I was just showing my parents around campus. Mom, Dad, that's Professor Weinrich, one of the mutant studies professors."

Sara's father mostly just raises an eyebrow at Amanda's appearence and extends a hand towards her while her mother rather openly stares at her. "Hello Ms Weinrich. Robert Evans. Mutant studies, is that what Sara wants to do? With the genetics and cells and things?" It's pretty obvious that he isn't entirely sure what exactly Sara is studying.

While her husband is talking Lucy leans her head towards Sara and whispers "Are those scales?"

Amanda, who had gotten used to people staring at her by the age of seven, smiled warmly at Sara's parents and shook her father's hand "Its a pleasure to meet both of you. For the most part, Mutant Studies is branch of the humanities, although our department head, Dr. Bowen, is very much involved in the study of the genetics and classification of mutations. Myself, I'm an anthropologist by training. Sara, I believe is involved in the 'hard science' end of things, although she has been a pleasure to have in my class." she paused for a moment and looked at Sara's mother "And yes, they are scales. My skin isn't looking its best at the moment, I'm afraid. I'm shedding."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... it's just... Well, there aren't that many mutants in Cardiff. I didn't mean to be rude." She hesitatingly extends a hand to Amanda as well.

"So that deals with what? Forming communities? Historically it can't be much of a difference, right?"

Sara just stands there and does the usual child thing of making a mental note to apologize for her parents later, just smiling a little wryly at Amanda for now.

"Its quite allright, Mrs. Evans" Amanda said, shaking her hand. "It deals with all sorts of things, really. My own work is on the Morlock communities of New York, who have built an entire subculture, literally 'underground', generally because of difficulties they had surviving in mainstream society. And there are large differences in the experience of mutants, most of which relate back to how their culture regards mutation."

"I wouldn't say that they are 'forced' to live underground" Amanda replied, her voice getting a hint of the 'classroom' tone "The Morlocks make a choice to live underground and join the Morlock world. Often their other options aren't particularly good but its still a choice. And yes, some of them live in the sewers. The sewers are actually pretty desirable pieces of real-estate, because you can use them to move around the entire city." she smiled a little "They're actually quite pleasant."

"But it's where everyone else dumps their... waste. That doesn't sound very pleasent at all."

"Wait. Aren't Morlocks those deformed things that were in the news a while back?"

Sara visibly cringes.

"The smell isn't wonderful, but most of the Morlocks live in the dry areas on the side that are intended for maintainence workers." Amanda elaborated. When Sara's mother spoke her cheerful expression became a trifle more forced and she said "Quite probably. Most Morlocks have fairly obvious physical mutations, and the media usually focuses on the least photogenic Morlocks they can find. But 'deformity' isn't quite the right word, since people with physical mutations have 'normal' bodies, for someone with their particular mutation. And 'things' isn't quite the word I'd use to talk about my friends." she smiled a little, her amusement more genuine "Unless you're talking to 'The Thing' of course."

"We should propably get going..." Sara tries to defuse the situation before it gets too bad and is promptly ignored by her father. "Media portrayal or not, they didn't seem like particularly friendly fellows, so I can see how they wouldn't be very welcome in normal society."

"A lot of them aren't particularly friendly to non-mutants, or even to mutants who have the option of 'passing' or who choose not to live with the Morlocks. Of course, they're unfriendliness is a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing." she smiled sweetly at him "As your wife said, there aren't a lot of mutants in Cardiff. Thats fairly true of a lot of smaller towns and cities."

"Well I don't know of any city besides New York that have mo---rlocks living under them, so I wouldn't say it's a 'smaller' city thing." He replies, narrowly avoiding calling them 'monsters' out loud.

"I'm sure you don't." Amanda replied, catching the correction, but deciding to ignore it for the moment "Public assistance is much better in the UK, so the mutants that in America would likely join one of the Morlock groups in New York, or Chicago, or LA or Seattle or Phoenix instead move to London or one of the other major cities and go on the dole when they can't find work."

"True, people tend not to be forced to live in the sewers here."

"Dad!" Sara frowns.

"Seriously, Robert... I'm sorry Ms Weinrich. He's propably just still a bit ruffled from finding out he's going to be a grandfather." She tosses her husband a glance that practically screams 'Stop making an ass out of yourself'

"Congratulations!" Amanda said, smiling at them "When is the baby due, Sara?"

"Thanks. It... wasn't exactly planned though... And end of June apparently."

"Even so, planned and wanted are different things." Amanda said cheerfully "Has Dr. Crusher talked to you about being part of her study?"

"No... What study?"

"Well, the way that mutation affects pregnancy is still very poorly understood." Amanda replied "She's trying to fix that. If I understood it right, it'd just mean a few extra tests, and permission to use the medical data from the pregnancy in the study."

"I guess I'll talk to her about it if she brings it up."

"I'm not sure I like the idea of you letting yourself be poked and prodded to appear in some study, Sara."

"It's not like she'd publish any names or details, Dad. Besides, she hasn't even brought it up yet and I didn't say I'd definately agree if she does."

"I just thought I'd mention it." Amanda said smoothly "In any case, the school will take care of Sara's prenatal care."

She nods. "Dr. Crusher pointed that out. To say the truth, without the help from the school I doubt Will and me could do this or, well, afford it..."

"Don't be silly, Sara. We would have found a way. But yes, the school's support is going to help alot."

"Well, it only makes sense for the school to support the next generation of mutants." Amanda said, smiling sweetly.

"Neither is parental support." Amanda said pointedly "Sara is lucky to have parents that are so...supportive."

Speaking of the next generation of mutants, Binary moves along the hallway, holding hands with her son. As usual she is dressed in a rather severe skirt-suit, apparently heading to her office after a lecture. When she notices the small crowd she alters path to greet them.

"Hello!" Amanda said, smiling at Binary "Dr. Chronopolis, this is Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Sara's parents. Mr and Mrs Evans, this is Dr. Chronopolis and her son, Primus. She teaches computer science."

"I thought I saw a family resemblance," she smiles faintly, "Welcome to the campus. And please, simply Binary is fine." Primus grins and gives an over-enthusiastic wave, perhaps compensating for Binary's reserved manner. More likely, he's just being a kid.

Sara's father is still busy glaring at Amanda over the thinly veiled insult before pulling himself together at the arrival of Binary.

"Hello Mrs Binary." A little disdain over Amanda's comment still swings in her voice.

Sara just smiles gives a small wave at the teacher and her son.

"I am not married," she chuckles, "but if you insist on an honourific, Doctor is indeed most appropriate. I tend to avoid them myself. I am certain you have heard this already, but your daughter is a most promising pupil. From what I have heard she is excelling in her studies."

"Oh. I just assumed. And that's always good to hear, even if it makes it a bit of a shame if she has to start cutting back on her studies..."

"It'll just take longer, Mom. I still need to talk to Dr. McCoy about it... And... thanks, Binary."

"I'm sure you'll do it, Sara." Amanda said encouragingly "You're a very dedicated student."

"It is always difficult to balance different responsibilities. It certainly can be done," she adds, looking down to her son with a rare display of fondness.

"Well I can't do more than try and do my best to make it work... Just with a different priority..."

"Are you thinking of changing your major?" Amanda asked

"Propably. A double major isn't really a good idea with a child to take care of."

"You might want to talk to Stan about switching to Mutant Studies." Amanda suggested "If you go for the B.S. still mainly hard science, and the focus is on mutation and genetics."

"I'll think about that. Thanks, Professor Weinrich."

"You're welcome." Amanda replied. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to get to my office...it was a pleasure to meet you two."