[Drama] The Beast Complains

[Leo Eskandari]

Leo took a few calming breaths before knocking on the headmaster's door.

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"Please do come in.

Mr. Eskandari, was it? A pleasure to meet you for the first time. Have a seat."

[Leo Eskandari]

Leo looked at the chair and decided to stand next to it.

"Not sure I'll fit," he explained.

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"Well, we don't know what we can do until we try, can we?

What can I do for you today?"

[Leo Eskandari]

He gave the chair a try. It was tight and it creaked but he managed not to break it.

"I want to ask you about the dorm reassignments. My original roommate and I got along really well and I was hopin' I could talk you into lettin' him stay."

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"Is there a problem with your new roommate?"

[Leo Eskandari]

"Haven't actually met him yet so it's nothin' against him. It's just me and Ainsley already kinda knew each other and I'm just animal enough that his powers let him talk to me. He's mute otherwise."

[Ballinger Lippincott]

The headmaster nodded.

"I understand that your mutations were particularly aligned...and that's one of the reasons we wanted to try you out with different partners.

Most people Mr. Green meets will not be able to understand him via his powers. It's important that he continue to practice his ability to interact and communicate with others without resorting to his mutation. But more importantly, it's important for you to experience life with someone who isn't immediately aligned with your very new mutation.

You've gone through some very big changes -- not for good, not for ill, just changes. And you're still coming to grips with what that means. I understand, from your psychological profile, that you're concerned with losing some of your humanity, or surrendering overly much to the beast. If you're constantly around someone who talks to animals, and uses that ability to talk to you, don't you think that might be damaging in your attempts to define yourself as somewhere on the human-animal spectrum? Placing a finger on the scale, so to speak."

[Leo Eskandari]

Leo hadn't thought of those things, and grudgingly admitted to himself that the man had a point.

"Well... maybe..." he said, sounding just a little like a scolded child. A big, hairy child.

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"Besides, you can still hang out with your friend plenty of times, between classes, in the common rooms, and the like.

And perhaps Mr. Freud will become a new friend; someone who you can connect with without relying on either of your mutations."

[Leo Eskandari]

"I... guess I'll give it a try. Maybe the idea of one more change freaked me out a little."

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"And that's more than understandable," Lippincott said, with a thin smile. "But university is a time to face changes -- that has always been one of it's major selling points to me. To get out of your comfort zone; to interact with people you wouldn't have had a chance to interact with otherwise. Staying in your own little safety zone is a long-term recipe for...xenophobia. If more people in Britain had spent time overseas, we would still be part of the EU. If more people in America knew mutants in their every day life, the MRA may never have been passed. Intermingling is important to all of a long-term growth."

[Leo Eskandari]

Yet again Leo could find no argument against the headmaster.

"You've given me a lot to consider... thanks," he said, clearly at a loss before the wall of logic.

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"And any time you feel concerned or confused, come on in and talk to me about it. I understand the transition from Minamida's more...laissez-faire style to one based on research and good practices is a sudden and jarring one. Or, if you prefer to talk to someone your own age, we have three prefects at the moment, and possibly more in the pipeline. I'm sure they'd be glad to help you through things, as well."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Alright," he answered, prying himself out of the chair, "Sorry if I wasted your time."

[Ballinger Lippincott]

"Wasted my time? This is what I'm here for, Mr. Eskandari. Never feel like you need to hide something from me, or that you can't speak your mind."

[Leo Eskandari]

"I'll try to remember that," he smiled.

"Have a good day."