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

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

Marius would take the cure in a shot. He enjoys being able to experiment with other people's powers quite a bit, but his defective x-factor is the root of his marrow deficiency problems. If there were a way to completely remove it and repair the damage it's already done, he'd take it without a second thought and begrudge no one the opportunity to do the same -- although for the most part he wouldn't get why, since he sees mutation as a useful and interesting thing. Just not his own. And after living with people like Forge, who loves and basically is his power, the idea of having a cure forced on anyone would make him so angry he couldn't see straight.

Haller would refuse it. For all that his powers basically shattered his mind and drastically complicate his recovery, he considers them an integral part of who he is -- one of the few things all his personalities agree on. In the case of mutations so harmful they effectively cripple the wielders he would endorse the option of removing the power (and he's had enough experience with those on Muir and in the institutions to know what he's talking about), but he also believes that the treatment should be purely voluntary, even if the mutation the person is embracing is harmful. Some people would rather die than have to live without their power, and he respects that. He also doesn't believe "normal" reasons like not wanting to deal with prejudice and self-esteem issues are sufficient to warrant the cure. There's always conflict in life. It's not healthy to solve surmountable problems by simply pushing them away instead of dealing with them, especially by denying what's a part of you -- and often times the power itself isn't actually the root of the problem. Unless the situation was really severe, he wouldn't be hostile but would probably think a little less of anyone who took it.