Meeting the King

Posted on Wed Mar 22nd, 2023 @ 3:51pm by Eli King & Rebecca McMillen & Duke Drake

1,192 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: 1. Year One
Location: Dr. Drake's Office
Timeline: August 29, 1992

Dr. Drake stood as Rebecca led in another teacher prospect, Mr. King's application was quite intriguing, and Drake was rather anticipating meeting him in person. He straightened his ever-present lab coat and horn-rimmed glasses, before extending his hand for a handshake, "Welcome Mr. King, Please have a seat."

Eli wore a grey sweatshirt and navy athletic shorts with Converse high tops. Probably not the most professional look for a job interview, but it sure was comfortable. “I appreciate you seeing me today.” He said taking the offered seat.

Rebecca offered up a smile and a nod towards Eli as well. The mousey blonde was dressed simply: Grey blouse and a matching long skirt. Floofy, flowing, especially in the southern heat. "I'm certain I speak for everyone when I say, thanks for making the trek out."

"We appreciate having you out here, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?" The Doc asked.

Shifting uncomfortably, Eli always had trouble talking about himself on the spot."I grew up in Chicago, until I made my way here years ago with a touring theatre company." The memories weren't pleasant. "I am first and foremost a performer. I like to make people enjoy themselves." Finally, he smiled a wide toothy smile.

Rebecca smiled at this, "I really like that. The performer and the entertainer part, I mean. Nothing bad about Chicago. I'm a New York Girl so, I think there's SUPPOSED to be a rivalry there, but I'm not really a sibling rivalry kinda girl." she shook her head. "Besides, I'm sure there's one thing that the two of us can certainly agree on... the pizza here is garbage." she giggled.

"Oh the worst." Eli said with exaggerated disgust before allowing his mouth to pull into a smile . "Can I know more about you both? And like what you're doing here? Nurse Reynolds was a bit vague." He was clearly interested and curious.

Rebecca gave a giggle along with. She had found a kindred pizza spirit. Shame about deep dish being second best, though that was a war to be fought later. "A little more about me? Well, I'm a New Yorker originally, hence the pizza dig, but I've been here on campus since it opened. I would have beaten the doc here but there was traffic." she joked, "As for a little more about me..." she relaxed her posture, and the belt at her waist that looked like a belt uncoiled from her waist. It wasn't a belt at all, but instead was a thin, lithe, mouse tail.

"I'd say I'm like you, but you got that already. I talk to mice. Well, mice and rats. VERY helpful to a girl lost on the streets of New York, let me tell you." she offered, trauma but with a smirk. Live through it, smile through it. "I heard about this place, a haven, a sanctuary or whatever else you want to call it. A place for people like us, and I made my way down here as fast as I could. I walked, I ran, I think I stole a bike once, I hid on busses, anything it took to get here. To get to safety. I was worried I'd hit thirty before I found sanctuary, but made it with time to spare." she giggled.

"As for what I do here, no. I don't go around campus every night like a Disney princess asking all the mice to do my chores. Like they could hold a broom." she giggled again, clearly in good spirits. "No no, I'm an art teacher. I'd say it's part of the humanities, but that sounds a little specific these days. So, I teach art."

Eli nodded. It always made him feel at ease to be around other mutants, but he already felt a kinship with Rebecca and that made him feel at home. She seemed to have a similar story to him, and he could certainly see them becoming close. He smiled at her and then turned his attention to Doctor Drake.

"My name is Doctor Duke Drake. Yes I'm actually a Doctor, no I'm not actually a Duke." he started, with the air and weight of someone who had heard, and made, that joke a thousand times. "I'm like you, in that I'm a mutant. My talent is that I can destroy matter with a touch." he paused, "Relax, I'm not going to demonstrate it. It's troubling to watch. It's actually because of this power that I went into the medical field. I decided to balance out the destructive nature of my talent by becoming a Doctor. It took years of hard work and diligence, but I earned my title."

"It's that same diligence and hard work mentality that I'm bringing here to this place. To this Academy. My goal is to have this place be a safe haven for our kind. A light in the dark, so to speak. But at the same time, I want to at least try to afford them what they were probably denied. Friendship, Understanding, and an Education. So that should they decide to return to the world that turned its back on them, they'll be at least on even footing educationally, and prepared to defend themselves should society turn from ignorant to ugly."

"That's what I'm here for. The nurse was vague because, well, I ask those who are out in the field to be as careful as possible. If someone got hurt simply because they were helping light the way for another, I'd be beside myself."

A lot of what he was saying made perfect sense to Eli. "I'm not entirely sure what use I could be to what you're doing here, but I'd be honoured to help in anyway."

"There will be lots of ways for you to help. With your experiences you can help others who may be dealing with similar problems. I also think a bit of stage craft may come in handy. I'm afraid the way things are progressing with mutant hate, we may need to get better at hiding our abilities. I can think of no one better to assist with this than an actor such as yourself. I'm blessed enough to be able to blend in with no issues but some of our students, aren't that lucky. I'm assuming that you are also good with stage makeup?" the Doctor asked.

"You could say that." Eli said with a smile. He reached in his pocket and proudly presented a polaroid of Eliza Doeslittle. "I've picked up a thing or two in my short time."

"Well then the last thing we need you to 'pick up' is the offer." with that, the good doctor rose to his feet to reach across the desk to offer his hand. "I'd say something ominous like 'this is your last chance to run' or something but..."

Rebecca giggled, "He tried that with me and it didn't work then." she shook her head. Duke gave a chuckle, "No more running. Not for any of us."

"That's something I can definitely get behind." Eli said with a nod and a slight smile.

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