Sept. 16th- 1PM: Survey and Investigation of Mutations

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:58 pm

On the first class day, things were set up a bit sparsely. The chairs were arranged in a semicircle around an electronic blackboard, providing enough room for everyone while bringing everyone close to each other.

There was no teacher present as the students started filing in.

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:31 pm

David takes a seat near the front of the room, but not actually in the front row. While he waits for the professor to arrive, he gets out a notepad, and chats with the other students.

by **Juma Ngomo** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:22 pm

Juma moves in and takes one of the seats near David. He pulls out a notebook and pen of his own, eschewing the general trend of laptop computers. "Hello Dave. How's it going?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:54 pm

"Pretty good, how's your day been?"

by **Juma Ngomo** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:32 pm

"Good. I am a little sore from training yesterday but I am holding up well. The reading lists so far look interesting. And you?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:49 pm

David yawns. "Little tired from the early shift at work, but I think I'm gonna work mostly afternoons soon so it's all good."

by **Ayami Morita** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:16 pm

Ayami shuffled in and took a seat in the general direction of the front.

by **John Hino** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:20 pm

John also entered. He took a seat near Ayami.

<"We meet again Miss Morita.">

by **Ayami Morita** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:21 pm

Ayami turns to smile at the newcomer.

"<Good afternoon, John-san! You're taking this class, as well?">

by **John Hino** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:23 pm

<"Yes. It sounded quite interesting.">

by **Ayami Morita** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:23 pm

"<It certainly should be, at that. I've never had anything quite like this before.">

by **John Hino** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:28 pm

<"I hope to learn a few things about the more extreme mutations like my own.">

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:28 pm

Dr. Bowen entered, heading to the front of the room.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to day 1."

He put down his backpack, and headed to the chalkboard.

"We'll wait a few more minutes for everyone to arrive, then we'll dive in."

by **Kevin Gravis** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:32 pm

Kevin took a seat near the back. This had sounded like an easy elective.

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:58 pm

David spins his pen around his thumb and waits.

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:04 pm

After a few more moments, Dr. Bowen took a piece of chalk, and wrote the word 'Mutant' on the chalkboard in the center, circling it.

"Okay, to get us started, I want at least three different definitions for this word. Lets hear them."

by **John Hino** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:13 pm

John raised a hand.

"For the purpose of this class, I would define a mutant as an individual who possesses a genetic trait called the X-gene that allows them to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:18 pm

"Ok, that's a good start. We'll ignore the X-Gene for now, and save it for later.."

He wrote an abridged version of John's definition on the board, joining it to the word 'Mutant' with a line.

"Anyone else? don't just think the textbook definition."

by **Ayami Morita** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:19 pm

Ayami stood up.

"The next step up? From non-mutants, I mean?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:22 pm

"People with powers."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:23 pm

Ayami Morita wrote:Ayami stood up.

"The next step up? From non-mutants, I mean?"

Stan smiled, pointing his chalk at Ayumi.

"That's good.. the newer, superior version. Care to elaborate, Miss..?"

by **Ayami Morita** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:25 pm

"Ayami Morita", she said with a bow.

"I say the next step up, because we can do things that they can, plus more, right? So, it's a level up."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:26 pm

David Hollifield wrote:"People with powers."

"Very succinct.. often the simplest definition is a good one. But does every mutant have powers, or is everyone with powers a mutant?"

Stan wrote Ayumi's and David's versions down as well.

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:30 pm

Ayami Morita wrote:"Ayami Morita", she said with a bow.

"I say the next step up, because we can do things that they can, plus more, right? So, it's a level up."

"Well, we should be careful about that.. I know plenty of people who can do things I can't and it has nothing to do with a genetic difference. But it's a good thought."

by **Sara Stanton** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:35 pm

Sitting in the back row Sara raises her hand.
"It's a mutation in region 113500 to 435900 of one or both allels of chromosome 18, around 40% alignment between known and categorized mutations. Commonly referred to as the X-Gene."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:37 pm

Sara Evans wrote:Sitting in the back row Sara raises her hand.
"It's a mutation in region 113500 to 435900 of one or both allels of chromosome 18, around 40% alignment between known and categorized mutations. Commonly referred to as the X-Gene."

"That's very detailed and specific, Miss..?"

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:39 pm

Will just glances at Sara, sighs, and starts furiously copying something down in his notebook.

by **Sara Stanton** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:41 pm

"Miss Evans, Professor."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:44 pm

"Miss Evans. It's a very good definition.."

Stan writes it down, joining it to the original word with a line.

"But let's keep with generalities for now. We'll save the chromosomes, alleles, and X-Gene talk for later. Anyone else?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:04 pm

David spins his pen again, and draws a picture of an elephant with eye lasers on his notes.

by **Juma Ngomo** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:55 pm

Juma listens, taking a few painstakingly clean notes, but he doesn't feel confident enough to speak up.

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:13 pm

Stan smiles and looks around the room, stopping at Juma.

"Okay, whats the first thing that pops into your head when I say 'Mutant'?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:17 pm

"Uh, myself I guess."

by **Juma Ngomo** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:20 pm

He blinks, looks over his shoulder in the hopes that someone behind him raised a hand, then back to the prof. He clears his throat and smiles sheepishly, "Honestly? Gifted people. I do not understand the science behind mutation and part of me doesn't believe that anyone else does either. But, it is a word used to describe people with gifts, and so I use it for the same meaning."

by **Rick Ferguson** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:23 pm

Rick scribbled a few notes concerning what was on the board so far, but for now, he spent for of his time simply listening.

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:29 pm

Stan nods at both David's and Juma's definitions, writing 'Me, myself, and I' and 'Gifted people' on the board.

"That's a good point I'd like to persue, and was alluded to a bit earlier. Are all gifted people mutants? And are mutants all gifted people?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:33 pm

"Sure, why not?" David's skin darkens as he creates a little X of frost on one of the windows.

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:39 pm

"So, I read Tony Stark is in town this week. Would you call him gifted?"

by **David Hollifield** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:41 pm

"Not the way Xavier is."

by **Stan Bowen** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:50 pm

"Ah, but he is a brilliant scientist and engineer. I'd certainly call him gifted."

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