𝖡𝖫𝖠𝖢𝖪 𝖲𝖳𝖠𝖱 - 𝖫𝖮𝖦𝖠𝖭 𝖧𝖮𝖶𝖫𝖤𝖳𝖳 [𝖷-𝖬𝖤𝖭 𝖴𝖭𝖨𝖵𝖤𝖱𝖲𝖤]

𝐈. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬

Elena couldn't help the gnawing pit that was growing in her stomach with every second that passed. Watching Jean at the podium felt like watching a public execution, in a way.

Being in this place, surrounded by prejudiced government officials, was nerve wracking. All these people that feared her, feared Jean, and Scott, and Ororo.

She hated being here. This wasn't her thing. She was better out in the field, dealing blows that could knock people's teeth out.

"These are but a few of the reasons we are seeing what some are calling the beginning of another stage of evolution. These mutations manifest at puberty and are often triggered by periods of heightened emotional stress."

Jean picking her presentation back up makes her drift back out of her thoughts, blinking suddenly and focusing her attention back to her friend.

But rather than Jean continuing to speak, the banging of a gavel interrupts her, echoing through the room. Elena didn't even need to guess to know who it was.

"Thank you, Ms. Gray. It was quite educational. However, it fails to address which that is the focus of this hearing. Three words: Are Mutants Dangerous?"

That question makes her tense up. Were mutants dangerous? Was she dangerous? As much as she'd like to say no, there were some mutants who could be uncontrollable, or had ill intentions.

But that didn't mean it didn't make the pit in her stomach burrow deeper, building a rancid nest inside her.

"I'm afraid that's an unfair question, Senator Kelly. After all, the wrong person behind the wheel of a car can be dangerous."

"Well, we do license people to drive."

There's just been one off-handed comment after another from him, all to try and appeal to the common people that mutants were far too different from humans.

"Yes, but not to live. Senator, it is a fact that mutants who have come forward and revealed themselves publicly have been met with fear, hostility, even violence."

Fear. Hostility. Violence. All of those were true. They always had been, and maybe always would be.

"It is because of that ever-present hostility that I am urging the Senate to vote against mutants registration. To force mutants to expose themselves will only further-"

"Expose themselves! What is it the mutant community has to hide, I wonder, that makes them so afraid to identify themselves?"

𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳, she thinks to herself. Xavier seems to sense her unease,  and gives her a reassuring nod.

"I didn't say they were hiding-"

Jean starts to say, but Senator Kelly is having none of it. He basically takes over the presentation, revealing an entire list of mutants living in the United States.

Elena sighs under her breath, leaning back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. Typical. All Senator Kelly wants to do is talk about how dangerous mutants are, not even considering any possibility of them being members of society.

Are mutants dangerous? Mutants. Dangerous. Mutants and dangerous, dangerous and mutants. Two words that were commonly associated with the other.

The sound of clapping startles her slightly, and she feels a slight frown start to tug at her lips. So much for the hearing being a first step towards a better future.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the truth is that mutants are very real, and they are among us. We must know who they are. And above all, we must know what they can do."

The spectators begin clapping again, and she has to resist the urge to knock all of them off their feet with her mutation.

Instead, she grumbles quietly, sinking down further into her chair as Jean steps down from the podium with a slightly resigned expression.

There's no need to say anything, really. They can both feel the negative outcome of the meeting weighing down on their shoulders.

When she comes down from the balcony seat, Jean hands her a few things to help carry from her presentation, with an underlying air of silent tension.

Neither of them knows what to say, or rather, neither of them wants to say anything.

"Calm down."

Elena blinks out of her stupor, not quite sure what her friend is talking about.

"What? I am calm."

Jean raises her eyebrows, looking around the room, and then down to Elena's clenched fists. She follows Jean's line of sight to see the light in the room flickering excessively. She uncurls her fingers sheepishly, taking a deep breath.

"Sorry. I didn't realize I was doing it."

Jean chuckles quietly, shaking her head. It's definitely not the first time it's happened. Usually, it wasn't too bad, only when Elena was highly emotional did her mutations tend to get out of control.

"Don't worry about it. It happens."

Elena nods, starting to walk alongside Jean out of the room. Although Xavier isn't present with them at the moment, she had a sneaking suspicion he'd had another matter to deal with. But he'd be back.

"Do you think things will be different someday?"

"For mutants? I hope so."

She nods again, not sure what else to say. Jean senses her unease, and sets a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"We'll figure it out. We always do."

"Yeah, yeah, I, uh... I know. I just wish it was easier, you know?"

"I do too. But we have to keep fighting for this."

Elena makes a small noise of agreement, agreeing with her sentiment but not up to saying anything else about it.

It's a quiet walk out to Jean's car, the only sound being their footsteps and the sound of outside traffic nature.

They set a few things into the trunk of the car, and Elena bids a temporary farewell to Jean as she pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

She heads off with a few teasing remarks, trying to ease her nerves with nicotine. Which isn't a healthy habit, but, she supposes it's better than what she used to do.

Being a mutant was something it'd taken her a long time to come to terms with. The constant judgement, hostility, and yes, sometimes even violence.

The world doesn't like those who are different.