What other reason is there for a student to visit Scott Summers?



Even though classes had ended Scott felt like his workload hadn't been reduced one bit. Instead of spending all day working on preparing lesson plans and grading exams he was preparing training plans and writing reports. All the work that he'd put of dealing with the end of term had to be sorted out at some point, and sooner was always better than later. The X-man was so focused on the report in front of him he almost didn't hear the footsteps approaching his desk, he looked up just in time to see the redhead who'd entered drop a sealed manila envelope onto his desk. 

Maddie stood silently before him, hands resting on the edge of the desk. As soon as she caught Scott's gaze she she tilted her head down slightly, an indication that he should open the folder she had so unceremoniously dropped on his desk. She had been around long enough to be fully aware of the "open door policy" and knew that because Scott's door was open, he wasn't doing anything that he didn't want interrupted.

Scott picked up the folder turning it over as he looked up at Maddie with raised eyebrow, "What's this Miss Pryor?" he asked leaning back in his chair as he opened the folder his eye flicking over the piece of paper inside. "Consent forms?" He set the folder down on his desk and nodded to one of the seats, "Take a seat," he offered gesturing to the papers lying on his desk, "do your parents understand everything this entails?"

Maddie felt like she was moving in slow motion as she pulled out an open chair and sat down. "They do," she said in a factual manner. She crossed and uncrossed her legs, settling into a comfortable position, a small release of excess energy and nerves so they did not betray her overall zen-like calm. It wasn't like she wasn't sure of her decision to join the X-Men, but it was still a big decision. So she was nervous. Nervous that, you know, Scott would tell her "thanks but no thanks". But excited too. She really really wanted to do this.

"They kinda had been expecting something like this for a long time. I mean, they were relieved when we found out I'm a mutant; they no longer had to worry about me joining the Marines and getting sent to some conflict zone in Africa or something. But now there's this."

"To be honest, I don't think they have any idea what to do with me any more."

"You might say joining the Marines is safer than what we do here," the X-Man commented as the looked at the girl across the desk from him. "It's my experience that no parents know what to do with their teenagers; it never seems to work out quite how they had expected it to." As a teacher Scott had seen countless students and parent passing through the halls of the school, and if anything was a universal truth it was parents never knew what to make of their teenagers.

Flipping the envelope closed Scott gave Maddie a wry smile, "I guess I should ask the question" he allowed, "So why do you want to join the X-Men?" It was perhaps the most basic of questions, but also the most important one. The reality of an X-Man's life wasn't as glamorous as it seemed and Scott had always it was important that any new recruit understand that, especially the high schoolers.

Despite having answered that very question countless times in discussion with her parents, Maddie had still to figure out the best way to explain the reasoning behind her decision. And although she knew she would be asked the reason behind her wanting to join the X-Men, she had no rely prepared. Or at least no reply that would adequately sum up her thoughts on the subject without launching into a monologue of Shakespearean proportions. So she would just have to wing it. Which still left her sitting silently for several moments, head cocked in pensively.

Finally she decided to just go for it. "Because I can. And it's the right thing to do. I'm here. I don't have to worry about being in danger every time I leave my home, at least not compared to some of my classmates. I was in Genosha and I saw what can happen when there is no one willing or able to stop someone who thinks the best way to handle mutants is to turn them into slaves. Or when some jackass with super hyped up power set decides to go on a power trip-slash-tantrum and destroy everything because if he can't have what he wants, then no one can. And I'm here. And I can do something. I know I am capable of doing what's required. And to ignore all that would just be completely wrong."

Scott nodded slowly, "You've obviously spent some time thinking about this," he acknowledged, "And there are no other students at the school who could have your perspective on the X-men and what we do. I've been expecting this conversation for a while," he admitted. "At the same time, no other students here are as aware of the price that we pay as well," he told the teenager gesturing it his artificial eye, "Have you considered that? Not just the physical but the mental and emotional trauma as well, none of us are entirely unscathed. I know you've wanted to join the Marines since you were young, but there is a world of difference between dreams and plans and reality." Scott paused for a moment catching Maddie's eyes, "Are you sure this is what you really want?"

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't." She straightened slightly in her chair and met his eyes unflinching. Her nerves had settled as they conversed, replaced with a sense of conviction and certainty that came from knowing her decision was the right one. "I don't have any delusions of being a hero, riding in to save the world. People don't know we exist, the dangerous missions, or the threats we stop. We don't get medals from the president or parades in our honor. For all intents and purposes we don't exist. It's not glamorous, it's thankless, but it has to be done. Else the world goes to shit a lot more and a lot faster than it already is. We're a stopgap measure, not the solution to problem. But we're necessary."

"We can't just fix all the problems out there," Scott agreed, "We can't just change society and everything better. That's going to take time, and examples people can point to. That's part of what we do, act as examples of what could be. Mutants acting to help everyone who needs it, whether they're human or mutant,  even if they don't know who we are or why we're doing it. It's a different side of the coin from Magneto and all the news stories you see out there."

The X-man leaned back in his chair, "I know you've probably thought about this but let me ask the same question that all students get asked. Next year is going to be a busy one for you. Are you sure you're going to have enough time to give? Becoming a trainee isn't a small commitment. Between the training and reports you need to read, it can really eat into your day, or so I'm told. Are you sure you're going to have the time to give this on top of everything else you're going to be doing next year?"

Maddie smiled wryly; protocols were protocols and even though they both already knew the answer. "Already ahead of you, bossman," she nodded to the envelope on Scott's desk. "Already drew up a contract with my dad to make sure I don't shirk my other responsibilities. School comes first." Plus it helped that she wasn't totally insane like Clint what with the taking classes at a college. Senior year was meant to be enjoyed; the only requirement she really had to focus on was that English class. Her dad was still making her take science and math classes, but still. She could totally handle that. "Plus, I've been reading about the major modern wars for ages. I love all that stuff. So I am like super excited to read the reports."

"Just, please don't tell anyone I said that, please?"

"You made a contract?" Scott asked in surprise before leaning back in his chair and shaking his head, "Of course you did. Why wouldn't you?" he asked rhetorically giving the teenager a wry smile. "It's good that you have your priorities set out, though perhaps you could do me a favor and explain something to me." the X-men nodded at his desk, "Why is it everyone seems to like reading reports now? 5 years ago you had to force people to read them and now, they can't wait."

"I don't think they're the normal, sir." Of course Maddie herself was exempt from this analysis of the latest bunch of recruits. After all, she had grown up sharing her father's interest in the Second World War. Her mother liked to tell her about how her father would sit and rock her and read from his many books on the subject. "They just like to read, or at least Clint does, and study to do well in school. I don't know if they believe that if they read these reports it'll help them be better X-Men." She shrugged and gave a small shake of her head. "All I can say is that I want to read them so I can get to know who I'm working with. Strengths, weaknesses, what went wrong and where mistakes were made. And you most of all, sir. You led the team once, and you still have a major commanding influence. I need to know what kind leader you are, sir, plain and simple."

"You need to know what kind of leader I am?" Scott queried, "Ok, I'll bite, why do you want to know that? I'm hardly the only leader we have here, there are countless senior X-men who have lead missions before" He picked up a pen twirling between his fingers, "Reading reports is important, and it tells you a lot about what happened in on particular mission, and even lets you examine tactics and decisions. But it doesn't tell you what they were thinking or why they reacted that way. To know your team you need to know both the history and who they are." He gave the girl a wry smile, "you're good at history so I'm preaching to the choir. You can't learn everything you need to know from a report Maddie. But that's where practice comes in, by the end of the training you'll know exactly how everyone is going to react before they do."

Another shrug. "As I said, you were the former leader and still command a lot of respect. The fact that I'm here with you shows, that, you know, it may not be official but as far as folks are concerned I bet a number would vote you 'de facto' leader. You have seniority and experience, sir, and from what I can tell a lot of people still look up to you."

"And as for the others: I don't like going into things blind, sir, even if it's only training and not on a mission," she continued. "Some folks I know only on sight, and even the ones I've done powers training with I don't know much about how they can use their powers. At least not to the extent needed for this type of work."

Scott nodded slowly, "You can never have too much information," he agreed, "Well gathering it and being able to use it," he amended. "I'm not sure perusing reports is the best way to get to know your teammates and their powers, but it's a good start. Besides, I'm sure we can get you into a few danger room sessions and so oyu can see how people use their powers first hand and get some experience working with them." Scott noted his customary danger room twinle in his eye.

Maddie smiled and chuckled; she recognized a look of mischief when she saw one. "I look forward to it, sir."

"Excellent," Scott smiled as he stood up, "I'll need to talk to the professor of course, but I don't see any problem with it." He extended his hand to the teenager, "welcome to the team Maddie."

She rose from her chair, clasped Scott's hand firmly. "Thank you, sir," she said as she looked him straight in the eye. "I won't let you down."