“Good afternoon everyone,” Malcolm began, seeing the assembly gathered in the danger room. He steps forward as he acknowledges everyone, while Pierce remains behind with arms crossed. The Dean’s tone is relaxed with his hands tucked in the pockets of his sportcoat, though it appears he is wearing gloves. “I apologize for the crude nature of my summons, sometimes, even within our own small community here, there is a need for a gentle subterfuge.” He motions slowly with one hand calmly around the room revealing that he is indeed wearing what appear to be tight-fitting, leather riding gloves. “As you can see, the Danger Room does not need cleaning.” He tucks his hand back in his coat, scanning the faces of those in the large room, not focusing on anyone in particular. “I think some of you know what I brought you here to address, while I also see some new faces, so welcome to you as well, our topic already concerns you more than you have even begun to realize.”

Ashford begins to pace slowly as he speaks, as if giving a lecture, he’s a natural speaker, clearly contemplating the flow of his words, but delivering them with an air confidence that is easy to follow. “Last night, many of you here were involved in an incident outside the school grounds, downtown with an individual and an anomaly that you most likely did not understand at the time, and I assume, for some of you, that you still do not after the amount of copious amount of consumption you were involved with,” He gives a knowing, small smirk. “I want you to know, because of my intimate connections with LAPD, the City Council and others, these events have already been put to rest permanently, however...” He stops in his movement and looks only slightly harder at the students, still not as critically as Pierce, but paternally, as if he’s surprised and disappointed. It’s hard to tell for sure. 

“What I want you to take away from this,” He continues. “Is that we are not in a vacuum here.” He continues and begins pacing once more. Pierce is as firm as a statue in the background. “There are forces at work here, even within this city, that are already plotting, seething and redoubling their efforts to put a halt to what we have built- I will not allow that to happen.” He clenches his fist by his side at the proclamation. “However, I need your help in this work,” He again stops in his walk to turn and face the gathering directly, “I don’t feel that I need to shame you for your actions, most of you have already been through quite a lot before you even arrived here.” He glances back over his shoulder, “Though I believe AD Pierce may have had some rather extensive designs for your punishment, I overruled him.” 

Pierce snorted and gave a slight smirk of amusement.

“Mutant-kind is still only a small fraction of Earth’s population,” He looks down briefly and touches his chin for a moment in consideration. “A percent of a percent.” He crosses his arms in thought and you can see the room subtly react, like the texture of the floor shifting with his thoughts. “I envy you in some ways. Everything is new to your eyes… If you take nothing else away from this small meeting, I want you to consider [b][i]WHY[/i][/b] are you here?”

He looks at Daniella “Is it for protection?”

“Is it for confirmation of your beliefs?” He looks towards Nik.

“Perhaps self-preservation?” His eyes move towards Aya.

“Or is it something else?” He looks over Cleo, Ronnie and the others.

“I would say that if you are not happy with your own answer,” He continues. “Then you truly need to question whether or not you want to be here and what this opportunity represents as I can assure you that those you encountered last night understand it. The politicians that wish to segregate mutants understand it, the technocrats that see only profit by your enslavement understand it, other mutants seeking their own aggrandizement understand it- that in the history of this planet, there has never been a time like this.” 

His casual steps bring him back to the exact place where he started. “Don’t squander your opportunity.”  

Ashford calmly looks over his shoulder at Pierce once more, “Is there anything you’d like to add?” A question that only brings forth a shake of the head from the younger professor. The Dean looks back at the group, hands returning to pockets. “Then that is all I have for you.” The precise finality of his tone indicating their will be no questions. “If you will excuse us now, Professor Pierce and I have another matter of business which requires our attention, enjoy the rest of your weekend and I will hopefully see all of you next week.” 

And with that Ashford and Pierce leave the Danger Room leaving you and your fellow students to your thoughts.