Full Disclosure

[x_maker]

Yes, I'm back. No, I'm not seeing any more visitors right now. I don't need anyone telling me everything's going to be okay. I don't much feel like making jokes.

In the interest of full disclosure, and to probably quiet a lot of the rumors going around, what Dr. MacTaggart said is true. Yes, I built a machine that took away my mutant powers. Magneto wanted to use it as a weapon. I built it to work once, then blow up, and it did. As usual, I didn't document anything, so there's no worries about the Brotherhood running around with it. And if anyone thinks I'm still harboring some sort of Stockholm Syndrome or that I did it all willingly - I've already convinced the Professor when he came down to talk to me, I don't need to convince any of you.

Jay says I should stick around, despite now being basically just the token normal. And I'm sure a lot of you are going to say the same, that I'm your friend, that I deserve a place to be happy here. But not a lot of you know why I'm here - and it's time for that secret to stop.

Back in school, all the way since I started going, I was the small kid and the smart kid. And in any social group, those are the first two differences that become evident. And in any social group, people like to cast out those that are different. Sometimes it's through exclusion and social pressure, and some times it's just plain violent. Lucky me, I got the full package.

High school wasn't any different. Wasn't acknowledged as anything, unless it was to be pushed around to make other people feel better about themselves. It was my place in the system, apparently. My parents - well, at the time, I didn't think to talk to them about it, because they wouldn't understand. They didn't ask how I was getting along, I didn't bother to tell them.

Finally, I got sick of it. I got sick of being invisible, sick of being pushed around, and sick of being ignored. This is the part in the story where the mutant powers kick in full speed.

So I made a bomb, plain and simple. I brought it to school, and I put it in my locker. And something happened and it went off early. You wonder why I carry around sixty-plus pounds of metal and a matching set of scars? Because I tried to blow up my school. [link: South Dallas Tribune, September 2002]

Go ahead. Read the news about it. Gas main explosion, they said. But the truth is, I did it myself. No one else hurt but me, but that wasn't the intent. And as I'm seeing argued around the journal system here, intent seems to count for a lot.

So, through chance or fate or whatnot - I'm here instead of dead or in jail. Trying to make up for what I almost did. Trying to do the right thing. I can say that being here has helped teach me that.

But if I don't belong - then I don't belong. Whether it's because I don't have my powers anymore, or because of the things I did, or because some of you probably still think I'm going to turn around and start marching to the beat of Magneto's drum; it doesn't matter.

But like I said, now you know. Make your own decisions.

JHF

Comments

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

So, anyone who thinks you're evil? Stupid. I mean, Forge, man? That'd be hypocrisy like whoa considering.

Also, if you leave? Totally hunting you down and thumping you lots. I smelled you out at the mall, I bet I could do it again. Also I know where your parents live.

So, are your powers coming back, or what?

Also-also, you need to come back and live up here with everyone else, because I'm not doing your laundry more than once.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

To hell with anyone who thinks that you fell victim to Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe that's not a very teacherly thing for me to say, but as far as I can tell from the reports you made the best of an untenable situation and paid a very high personal price for trying to do the right thing.

As for what's in the past... I happen to live in a glass house, so even if I was inclined to throw stones, I wouldn't.

This is probably not my place to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I'm proud of you, and as far as I'm concerned, you belong here for as long as you want to belong.

When you're feeling up to visitors again, let me know.

[x-foliate.livejournal.com]

And here I was under the impression that you were never allowing visitors in the first place. Love how that works.

What's passed is past. It's your decision; either way we'll accept it and you.

That Wasn't Forge...

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

That was me still keeping the visition off-limits until this morning because there were still tests to be run and exhaustion to be factored in. Once he was awake this morning and asked for visitors, we opened the doors.

I probably should have made that a little more clear in my original post.

Re: That Wasn't Forge...

[x-foliate.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Maybe.

Re: That Wasn't Forge...

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Still, in the end, no visitors means no visitors, no matter who said it or their reasoning.

Re: That Wasn't Forge...

[x-madelyn.livejournal.com]

And considering we've had four new patients in over the past week, I think a little miscommunication can be forgiven, once you factor in the exhaustion of the doctors and the work still needing to be done. Moira's post did indicate that anyone who wanted to see Forge ought to email her or respond in-journal and she'd get back to people.

[x-roulette.livejournal.com]

Forge you big......dummy.

Okay, first off, you are in a place that has the world's leading experts on mutants. Just because you think you can't fix you, doesn't mean that they can't. It's your DNA, you can't undo DNA. Even you aren't that smart.

And point b)

The difference between you and Anamnda is that while you both esentially had no choice, you are still repentant for what you did. You are sorry.

If we should hate people for shit that they did in their past, then I should be locked up right behind you. A bunch of people should.

Look, I'll be down there later so I can shake some sense into you.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

I'll help! I'm bigger than he is, even with sixty pounds of his metal parts.

[x-roulette.livejournal.com]

Yes, but he's thrity pounds soaking wet with the other stuff, I can take him. But you're more than welcome to stand there and glare at him.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

I glare real good. I also growl pretty good too.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Actually, you can "undo" DNA. That's how mutation works. But even if you do "undo" DNA, you can always "redo" it.

See, Dr. MacTaggart? I listened in class.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a non-issue. You're here as long as you want to be, and you're welcome. I'm saying that as myself, the headmaster, and Cyclops, just to make that perfectly clear.

Nathan's right. What you did while Magneto had you took a lot of courage, and I imagine that any of your fellow students who might take issue with it are doing so because they don't have the foggiest idea what it took, and couldn't have managed it if they had.

Of course, I also doubt that many, if any of your fellow students are going to take issue with it.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Can I kick anyone who does, because they're dumb?

... Just little kicks. With claws in! I promise!

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

No violence, Kyle, but you can feel free to tell them they're dumb, without worrying about hurting their self-esteem. You have my blanket permission.

[x-siryn.livejournal.com]

I'd like to take issue with it. I'd like to take issue with the fact that somehow we're supposed to ignore an attempt to blow up a school when in the real world that gets you locked up for years and years and your family is never allowed to visit. Can I get one of those passes too? I know someone who needs it.

I don't disagree that it's good that he saved himself and Lorna but I don't like being called stupid for not understanding why that gets him a free out on trying to kill people because he wasn't liked. He's grown out of that, sure. So what?

Yeah, I know. Off the journals. Whatever.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

And if I've learned anything from Law & Order, attempted murder has no statute of limitations, so now that Forge has confessed, he should be imprisoned.

On the other hand, if we let ourselves be bothered by the trivial details of law, then almost everyone at this school should be incarcerated as well.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

And how many people here have done far, far worse, Theresa?

By all rights I should be locked up for the rest of my natural life, or in front of a firing squad somewhere - there are a number of countries that would still like very much to see me in that position. Mostly for things that I not only intended to do, but did, and generally in the most destructive manner possible.

Besides... Scott was referring to people taking issue with what Forge had done to get him and Lorna away from Magneto. Not about his revelation about the past. I think you need to read a little more carefully.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Sir, I'm sure you will find few who think that Forge shouldn't have done everything in his power to escape from Magneto. That ought to be the non-issue.

The issue, though, is why you agreed to house and give a clean slate to a Columbine knock-off. Or why, for that matter, this school continuously offers thieves, terrorists, and murderers multiple chances for redemption. I understand that the nature of American mutantcy is one of perpetual danger and constant vigilance, and you will not find me claiming that the X-Men should not be based out of this school. But I do often wonder what the thought process is in admitting new students and staff despite their histories.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

There is a study on the first floor of the house. In that study is a telepath in a wheelchair who makes these decisions.

Knock on the door, take the cup of tea, and broach the issue with him. He can explain the philosophy of the school and his reasoning on individual cases far, far better than I can.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

because, Shiro, this place is about second chances. and sometimes, third and fourths.

because people here believe in the inherent goodness of other people and that they can change. because they believe that people, when given a chance, can accomplish great things. because someone has to stand up for what is morally right when no one else will, especially when it is the unpopular choice. because America allows for unpopular opinions, no matter how much we sometimes wish otherwise.

because.

and that's enough.

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

I am not sure how Forge has managed to not be convicted of attempted murder, but I am not a lawyer, and even if I were, it would not be on American law. I am certain that television shows are not accurate representations of law.

Shiro, you are one of the recipients of that second chance. Would you leave then, to not be a hypocrite?

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Too many of us believe in redeption and forgiveness not to give people a second chance when they are honestly regretful of their actions.

[x-juggernaut.livejournal.com]

Because half the time, you don't get here without going through some rough spots, Shiro. And it's not human nature to stay squeaky clean when you've been walking through a shitstorm. I'm not making excuses for anyone, but I know there's folks come from all sorts of backgrounds that've made better.

Anyone remember the year or so of shit I gave Espinosa for being a good-for-nothing greaser gangbanger? And look where he is now. All respectable with a job and a tie and everything. If he'd been turned away from here, where do you think he'd be?

Look at Amanda. Yeah, the 'taking in strays' philosophy's bit us in the ass on that one - but imagine the damage she'd be doing elsewhere without this place to keep her in check.

If anyone ain't comfortable with this place being the halfway house for the black sheep of the mutant world, it's me. But we've got to suck it up, because by and large, it's for the best.

With regards to our little mad bomber - try this scenario. He sits in jail. Then Magneto picks him up ANYWAY, and he's got a mad on against society in general. Instead of risking his neck to get out of there, he cooperates. And we're all one step closer to losing ground.

I ain't saying not to pass judgement. You got every right to. Hell, I think the little bastard's still creepy, and now he's probably a closet arsonist and psycho to boot. But here's still the best place for him.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

you are a good man, Hahkota. and brave. and I am glad you are back with us.

[x-jubilee.livejournal.com]

So, people were picking on you and you decided to blow them up as a way of dealing? You idiot.

Seriously dude, where the hell was your head?

But, considering I did something extremely similiar, albiet with a demon rather then a bomb. I'd be damn hypocritical to condemn you for it.

Don't agree with what you did, think it was stupid but you got punished for it enough, and I think you've made up for it.

But the whole not seeing us thing? You're being a dick. Did it ever occur to you that we might want to make sure you were okay? That being told you're okay sometimes doesn't mean as much as actually seeing it?

I'm fine with not telling you that everything is going to be okay. I don't do the coddling thing. But I'd at least like to be able to come see you.