1963-06-21 - Cultural Evolution
Summary: Armando and Nancy meet again and have a chat.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
darwin nancy 


It was a bit like the mansion, really.

At least, that's what it felt like to Nancy.

People did give her gauntlets a glance or two - but it was out of novelty, rather than out of fear. She was just… accepted here. In the poorer part of town, perhaps. Hairband pulling her hair back, and a little bit of a curl to the ends of her shoulder-length hair, Nancy was dressed in stockings, tallish boots, and a green dress that had white trimming along the lapels and buttons.

And she was, admittedly, enjoying a bit of soda, chatting animatedly with another woman - a more obvious mutant, her hands gesturing - with wide gestures - with each point she was making.

All mutants are welcome in the Eight Ball- Darwin included. He's not in a full business suit today, but nice and new stylish clothing of the day- a pair of black slacks and a button-up shirt with a pair of simple shoes. He pauses at the door to talk to the bouncer, giving the big man a pat on the shoulder- he's far thinner, but has the same height as the man- over six feet. He takes a moment to scan the place, noticing Nancy as a familiar face.

Armando approaches, giving a wave should he catch her attention- along with an easy smile. He doesn't, however interrupt her conversation- coming to stand at the bar to order a bottle of cola.

As it turns out, it was ending, anyways - the bubblegum pink skinned woman latches onto the arm of a man coming out of the restroom, with a wave farewell, that Nancy returns. Of course the end of the conversation and that little exchange gives Darwin time to order his cola. Nancy turns about in place, facing the bar entirely.

"Thought I saw a familiar face," she says.

"Happy day to you, Darwin," she says. "Do you live here?" A beat, and she makes a wide gesture with her hand, "I meant… in the area?"

"I really do prefer Armando." he begins, not sounding upset whatsoever at Nancy going by his 'nickname'. "No, I don't live in Mutant Town. I visit frequently, though." he offers, as he takes a step closer to occupy the stool recently vacated by the woman with pink skin. "Its not nearly as bad a neighborhood as people try to make it out as. Its a little less safe these days, but not for people like you or me." he says, "So- how's the day finding you?"

"Armando, right," says Nancy, a bit of color touching her cheeks. Eyes flicker down, and then back up again, the woman looking earnest for a moment. "You even told me that the other day - I apologize for not remembering," she says. "What I am doing with my day is…" she pauses a moment, and glances around, "Well, it is summer, so my duties at the mansion are lighter, without education being so stringent. I am still taking some remedial classes, but I felt…"

A pause more, and she purses her lips, tilting her head just so.

"I have been avoiding coming here. I have heard the stories - how dangerous it is, how bad it is here, and I felt that it would be better not to rely on stories, and see for myself."

Another moment. "To find the fear unfounded. Like so many things in life, yes?" she says, teeth showing with the hint of a grin.

"Quite alright." Armando assures Nancy, with a quiet smile. He takes a sip of his cola. "Its not really a big deal. Good to hear you've got ample free time, though." he offers with a smile, "Yeah. Mutant Town isn't the safest place in New York. The statistics don't lie- but more and more people with obvious mutations are being ghettoized and forced to live here." he says, with a smile. "Fear is natural. Unfounded or appropriate- its good, though, to face fears with eyes unbiased, certainly."

"It is the difference between feeling and action, I believe, it is okay, to feel fear - less okay to force you to act in ways that are… inhuman," says Nancy, leaning forward a bit over the bar - she draws her widely gesturing hands in, and tucks one at her belly, the other, around the cola. "I am happy to have time to live, as opposed to just bettering myself all the time," she says, with just a little note of wryness to her voice.

A beat.

"What do you feel will be the negative consequences of forcing mutants to live… in a spot away from the rest of humanity?" she asks.

"Its important to have balance in one's personal life." Armando agrees with a quiet smile. "Well, Mutant Town isn't a proper ghetto, yet. Not in the sense that people are *forced* to stay here. However, the fact is that should it come to that- the forcing of mutant communities that are put on reservations or into ghettoes it will cause a great deal of anger and resentment between mutants and non-mutated humans." Armando begins, "It would be bad all around. For everyone, things would be worse."

"It be the death of the American Dream, and liberty would weep."

"That sounds like you are quoting from something," asks Nancy gently of Armando, lifting her chin - and the little bottle of cola as well. "Or perhaps, that you have seen such a thing done yourself," she adds. A moment's motion, and she leans back against the bar a little more, her eyes drawn away from the other mutant only a fleeting moment, by a raised voice at one of the pool tables. A missed shot, apparently, and someone taking that with a little bit of drama, all done in fun.

"I do a lot of reading, true- but that's a statement that's all me. Anyways, its a matter of history- people have been put in those situations before." Armando states with a nod of his head. He takes another short sip of his Cola. "The problem is that we represent something far more frightening than any other minority. We are an evolutionary trend that puts into question centuries upon centuries of human arrogance- namely, the idea that humanity is somehow special. That people as they exist are above, and not a part of nature."

Armando takes a sip, as he continues. "Its a comforting thing to have that kind of belief- to think that you're not some kind of animal. The idea that we're the center of the universe- that the stars shine to improve the view from earth. We're proud- and its frightening to give up the sin of Pride."

"I do not feel as though humans and mutants are so different, but…" A pause from Nancy then. "If those of other skin colors are considered so different - why wouldn't these differences - having powers, abilities - curses…" she considers, "Likewise be considered the same?" she says.

She considers his points carefully. Eyes narrowed, head canted just a touch to one side, one of her leather gloved hands coming up to stroke at her own chin.

"So what do you believe is the cure? To bring humanity back together?" she asks.

"We have to evolve socially. Our society is as much a part of our evolution as the physical, naturally selected parts are." Armando states. "For us, that means to show that we are a boon to the world, and not a burden or worse." Armando replies, "And for those humans who are not mutants, to see that we are simply the newest step in human evolution- just as Homo Erectus was before modern man. That at our very core, we're all the same. That our differences are the thing that defines us as an individual, but not as a species." Armando finishes his cola, putting a few coins onto the counter- "Hopefully, we'll all survive to see that."

"But we all know what happened to neandrethals," says Nancy at that moment, a touch of wryness in there as she lifts her bottle as if making a point. A beat. "I will hope that I will survive, if nothing else," says Nancy. "And I wouldn't mind you catching a seat on the survival train, Armando. You're a good guy," she says.

"Thanks, Nancy." Armando offers with an easy smile. "I will. That's my thing- I evolve." he notes, "To survive any situation." he stands, "Well, I should get going- you don't need to worry about Mutant Town. People look out for other Mutants here- and even the bad ones don't go after their own." he says with an easy smile, "I'll see you around- I'm going to visit the Institute soon to talk to the Professor. Should be later this week. Good seeing you."

"I'll see you at the Institute, perhaps - at least, say hi. And try the cafeteria there! The best food I have had yet in this country," says Nancy, giving Armando an exaggerated thumbsup, a little smile dancing upon her cheeks. "And thank you for always been so kind, and conversing with me," she says. "Farewell, and have an excellent evening."

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