X3 Meme

[deathpixie]

So, in the wake of various thoughts on the movie and why I liked it (warning, post does have spoilers, so don't click on the link if you don't want to be spoiled), here's something of a meme-thing.

It's not a spoiler that one of the plots of the movie is that there's a 'cure' invented for mutation. At least it's not if you watch the trailers. *eeps* The idea of a cure developed for mutant powers is a really interesting one to me and I was wondering what sort of impact it would have in the XP-verse. So, here's the question:

If a 'cure' the same as the one in X3 existed in the XP-verse, how would it affect your character? How would they react to the news, would they consider getting it, how would it change their perspective of themselves and of being a mutant in general? What about relationships? If someone close to them did (or didn't) get the cure, how would they feel? And etc, etc.

I know this is a pretty big question, but I'm interested in seeing people's responses. And since I figured that maybe the readers would be too, I decided on posting here rather than the closed comm. If that's a problem, say the word and I'll shift it over. But basically I thought it'd be a way of getting a perspective on the situation, and maybe gauging by responses see what people might think of doing a plot.

Amanda's initial response is "hell, no!" Whilst she's had a lot of trouble with her powers, she's also seen the good they can do and how important they can be to her friends. It's a part of them, what makes them special. To take that away... Then on further examination she realises that there are those out there who would be better off without their powers, and who is she to take that away from them? She's had her shot at being 'normal', living a life without powers and it's done her more good than she thought possible. It wasn't her choice to leave that and she's accepted the fact she is a mutant, but still, there's a little part of her that misses the life she was building for herself.

As far as those close to her goes... Amanda's never judged her friends on their mutant abilities or lack thereof. It would worry her if some of those friends wanted it, since it would mean that they're unhappy, but she would try and see their persective and hear their reasons out. If someone like Angelo or Kurt went ahead with it, I think it would disturb her more than she'd let on - even them wearing image inducers messes with her head a bit, since she's so used to them being themselves and the inducer is like talking to a stranger. But she wouldn't disown anyone for it. People ought to make their own choices.

Comments

[aliciam.livejournal.com]

Nathan... would not want anything to do with the cure. His life's been warped in unspeakable ways because of his powers (see: Mistra) and part of him is still firmly convinced that telepathy is more of a curse than just about any other mutant power in existence, but he'd be quietly contemptuous at the idea that there's anything wrong with him that needs 'cured'. His attitude would be that the cure might be seen as liberating for a few (people like Marie or Kevin) but would be a means of oppression for most mutants. He would anticipate some government somewhere weaponizing it or enforcing its application at the earliest possible convenience (again, see: Mistra. Nate is an exquisitely balanced mixture of burning idealism and bone-deep cynicism these days.) He wouldn't stand in the way of someone he cares about getting the cure, but he'd make it clear to them that he doesn't respect their decision.

And if anyone came near Rachel with the cure, he'd turn them into free-floating oxides.

Scott... would feel more or less the same, heightened perhaps by the fact that he is someone who suffered a 'disability' because of his mutation for most of his life. He would be more understanding than Nate of the viewpoint of someone with a particularly difficult mutation - unless they're an X-Man, in which case he'd consider it a betrayal of everything the person in question claimed to believe in. In general, Scott wouldn't see mutation as something that needed to be cured, and he'd have the same fears as Nathan about weaponization/enforcement.

For myself, in terms of a plot... I've got to say, we'd have to come up with something that would avoid all the many, many tiresome stereotypes that could be involved in a Cure plot (both in terms of character reactions and the ultimate resolution). I mean, I have faith in our ability to be creative - just sayin'. ;)

(Also, to briefly don the mod-hat, we should probably keep this a meme and have any actual plot discussion on the closed community.)

[deathpixie]

For myself, in terms of a plot... I've got to say, we'd have to come up with something that would avoid all the many, many tiresome stereotypes that could be involved in a Cure plot (both in terms of character reactions and the ultimate resolution). I mean, I have faith in our ability to be creative - just sayin'. ;)

Which is what I was thinking - see my original post for thoughts on that. ;)

(Also, to briefly don the mod-hat, we should probably keep this a meme and have any actual plot discussion on the closed community.)

*nods* Fair enough. If there's enough demand, we can start a thread there.

[silensy]

Re: Plot

Agreed.