I13DT: Round Two, Fight

by **Sara Stanton** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:49 pm

"It's not really that simple... And I still don't understand this." she points at the crystal-gem-things. "You said different things need different treatment, okay, I treat people differently too. But that's something I decide. Professor McManus doesn't just... naturally deserve my respect for being... some kind of... goddess... person. No offense." she adds to Sam. "She deserves it because of what she's done for us and the school and mutants in general. If Will had done the same, why would he deserve anything less?"

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:50 pm

"It's not deserving less, its..."

Listen. How would you feel if I got a bunch of people to chant your name and dedicate deeds to you? Like, saying how you were the cause of what they were doing? Maybe make it an XI-school project?"

by **Sara Stanton** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:58 pm

"That'd be kind of awkward. But that's just me, some people would love that, people I'd have an even harder time believing they're some kind of deity."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:59 pm

Mira turned to look at Sam. "And you?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:04 pm

"I still think that would be rather awkward."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:06 pm

"Mmhmm," Mira said, disbelievingly. "I'd say more, but that would be invading YOUR privacy, wouldn't it? Your relationship with your teaching staff is your business."

by **Samantha McManus** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:51 pm

"I don't think that's appropriate at all, Altamira."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:53 pm

"No gossip for the Morrigan. Gotcha," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, then, Sara, NEW hypothetical. Want to come to class with me? I could pop you in my purse and take you out for my next text, rubbing your head vigorously on a piece of paper when I make a mistake, and tell you what a good pencil you're being. Would you like that?"

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:13 am

"That's just something Will enjoys. That doesn't mean he is a sentient pen or that he's in the same category as the lighthouse computer. Hell, didn't she pretend to be one of the highschool kids? How does that fit?"

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:14 am

"Sara, we've faced ethical issues and tried to respect the agency of ASHLIE as well."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:18 am

"Well that's kind of my point. If Ashlie might be a person then Will sure as hell is."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:19 am

"Oh, ASHLIE's not a person, either. But she's a lifeform, just like Will, and she deserves your respect.

If not your secret pen hanky-panky shenanigans."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:27 am

"Ignoring the question of how you even know about that, you can't put them in the same... category or whatever when your argument is that one wants to be treated as a pen while the other doesn't. They're not in the same classification, because they're two different people and they want different things. That's like saying that you and Professor McManus have red hair, that must mean you both enjoy... uhm..." she trails off, realizing she's backed herself into kind of an awkward corner because she's not really sure what kind of things Sam enjoys beyond the rumors that go around about her and Professor Weaver's danger room sessions.

"You see my point. I hope."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:34 am

"I think the whole CAMPUS knew that, eventually. Rumors get around, especially at this school.

And please, continue," she smiled. "What do the Morrigan and I enjoy, now?"

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:36 am

"I don't know. The point is that just because you have one trait in common doesn't mean you should be treated the same or enjoy the same things. At best that's stereotyping and at worst it's, well, dehumanizing if you use it to label someone as not a person."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:39 am

"So, you view not being a person as a bad thing. OK. I can see why you'd say that," Mira admitted. "I don't think it really is as bad as you're making it out to be, though. There are positives and negatives to everything.

Like, me, right? I'm the Phoenix, I'm the most awesome one here by, like, a mile, right? And yet, I apparently have boundary issues that come from having seen creation itself and then trying to pass myself off as normal. So, you know. Not great."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:45 am

"Being a person comes with a whole set of rights and moral implications. You can't just strip that form somebody because they enjoy being a pen. Maybe that doesn't matter all the way up there where you put yourself, but down here that arbitrary line you're drawing means hell of a lot."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:46 am

"Yes, you're right. The value system here does seem to draw lines places where they shouldn't be.

How are mutant rights in America, by the by?" she said, pointedly.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:51 am

"That doesn't mean we can't be better. It's the gamble we took when we took in the Institute's students."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:53 am

"Those assholes over there are doing exactly that! They're trying to other us and make us out to not be human anymore so they can strip those rights away! They draw arbitrary lines maliciously. Just because you do it out of... I don't know, misunderstanding maybe, doesn't mean it's any less arbitrary. Will is a person and no government or secret agency or evil telepath should take that away from him. That's wrong and that's why everyone gets upset with you. You're accidentally taking the side of everyone who tries to hurt us."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:54 am

"I'm saying that here, of all places, we should accept every living thing for what they are. Whether that's a goddess, or a robot girl, or an agnry wife. We may all be different, and we may have different wants and needs and desires, but we can all respect one another, can't we? That's Charles Xavier's message, is it not?

I'll admit my failings since I've returned. Just...believe what I'm saying now."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:01 am

"I think there's progress here, but ultimately I think I'm not the one you need to convince."

"I think Sara is one of those you need to convince, but I don't think she's the only one."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:02 am

"She's first. And you're second. And I want to know HOW I can convince you.

...OK, you're second and third, but I talked to Kevin on the way in." Mira admitted.

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:06 am

"You don't have to convince me of anything, I agree that we're all different and that we all need to respect each other. I just also happen to think that everyone you mentioned and everyone on campus and, in fact, everyone in this room, is a person. Maybe they're also a goddess. Or the Phoenix. Or a pen. Or a robot. Or a rock. Or a dragon. But we are all people."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:07 am

"And you would treat us all the same, regardless of our needs?

Let me show you. Maybe we could take a trip, you and I."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:19 am

"Even two people who aren't mutants have different needs from each other. Hell, Will's wants and needs regarding me are different than with other people."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:21 am

"What do you mean by that last bit?"

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:28 am

"There's somethings he enjoys doing that he enjoys doing with me that he wouldn't with somebody else. I'm not saying we should blindly treat everyone the same, but the basic assumption is that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity and like a human being first. I can't instantly learn everything about someone. I have to start somewhere in how I treat them. And that starting point is what I call treating them like a person. Do they like being called by a nickname? Maybe only by their friends? If I treat everyone like family then I upset the people I'm not actually close enough with to do so. I invite someone poor and hungry out for dinner they'll be thankful. I invite someone out for dinner who prides themselves in their ability to take care of themselves I'll offend them."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:30 am

Mira nodded.

"Then, your main objection to me calling Will not a person is that you feel that, by proxy or comparison or what have you, that I do not treat Will with the respect and dignity he deserves.

And, furthermore, you believe that being baked into a muffin was undignifying, in the specific.

I'm not so sure I can think of things he'd only enjoy doing with you, but that's another story."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:32 am

"That's... close enough. And I'm talking about sex, Altamira."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:35 am

"I will, then, apologize again for baking him without permission. I understand why that upsets you, now.

I will also stop referring to him as not a person, as long as YOU'RE willing to accept that his needs might be different than p...average people's needs, thanks to his....unique situation," she said, trying to hedge her words some.

"Also, that's a pretty bold claim that he wouldn't enjoy sex with anyone else. You must bring something awfully special to the party," she teased.

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:38 am

"He wouldn't enjoy it for very long long." she says, scrunching up her face.

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:39 am

"Ooh. Well don't worry, many men have that problem. That's why you swear off them, right, Sam?" Mira teased.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:40 am

"Must this get overly personal?"

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:42 am

"See, Sara, the Morrigan might be a pagan goddess, but she's also Catholic," she stage whispered into Sara's ear.

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:51 am

"Pretty sure not wanting to discuss your personal life in detail is just another one of those 'human' things for some of us."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:52 am

"See, that's how you know I'm not evil. If I was, that's the first thing I would get rid of. All this 'oh, I can't talk about this or that because I'm embarrassed' causes more trouble than it's worth.

I don't mind telling you Kevin's good in the sack."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:53 am

"It's particularly not something I feel comfortable having dragged out in front of students."

by **Sara Stanton** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:55 am

"I'm fine pretending I never heard certain parts of this conversation if you are too, Professor."

by **Altamira Vazquez** » Wed May 14, 2014 1:55 am

"What about in front of friends? If we're all equal, and you want me to drop the Phoenix bit and work with you, why not just be Sam and Mira and Sara here, instead of Morrigan and Phoenix and ... Sara.

...You need a better nickname, Sara."

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