nextgenerationmarvel | American History with Professor Franklin

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American History with Professor Franklin

Dolemeck had finally gotten settled into life at the Xavier Institute. He was getting a little stronger and able to walk to his classes without feeling like he was going to drop dead too often. He still wore his old school uniform from home to class, but that is what made him feel comfortable. A small reminder of home.

He walked down to halls, trying to find Professor Franklin's office. He desperately needed his help for his citizenship classes. Dolemeck was worried about failing them and being deported after his schooling was over (and not just because he wanted to see Professor Franklin because he was cute). His eldest brother continued to pressure him to get his citizenship as well, saying he would be happier living in America than at home.

With all of that weight on his shoulders, he wanted to lift some of it off. The best way to do that was to ask for help. Once he found Professor Franklin's office, he gave a gentle knock at the door.

"Professor Franklin? Are you in there?"

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Professor Franklin was hard at work. Watching Game of Thrones. He'd been working all day, and it was time for a bit of a break. Needless to say, it took him a moment to realize someone was knocking on the door.

"Yes, I am. Come in." Franklin paused the playback and minimized the window. The trial scene would just have to wait. A student needed him. He pushed the candy bowl towards the student's end of the desk space, as opposed to where it had been right beside him. He reminded himself that maybe he shouldn't be getting Sour Cherry Blasters so much.

He liked them entirely too much.

After closing the door behind him, Dolemeck hobbled in on his leg braces, and then took a seat in front of professor Franklin's desk. he set his books neatly in his lap, sat with his back straight... and felt nervous as hell.

"Professor Franklin, I am sorry if I interrupted you, but I have been having some issues with my Citizenship class and was wondering if you could help." He kept his eyes on his feet, not looking up at the desk or the candy bowl. He was afraid to look up. "I did not realize how difficult it was to remember certain periods of American history."

"Of course I will." Franklin answered without hesitation. He pushed the candy bowl a little further forward, in case Dolemeck might be interested. "Was there anything in particular that you're having trouble with?" The more details he had to work with, the easier it would be to give Dolemeck the help he really needed.

"And you didn't interrupt anything important, I assure you." He smiled, hoping that Dolemeck would relax a little.

"I am having issues with parts of the Constitution. There is so much to remember about it. That and the Civil War." he sighed, finally looking up as the candy bowl was pushed closer to him. he reluctantly took one of the candies and unwrapped it carefully before popping it in his mouth. "Thank you, Professor Franklin."

"It is just very important I get this situated as soon as possible. Me brother is going on and on about it."

"The Constitution can be quite a bit to get through, I can give you some mnemonics and abridged versions of what you really need to know." Franklin smiled slightly, hoping that Dolemick would relax just a little. "As for the Civil War, probably first thing I'd do is hand you my highlighted version of Battle Cry of Freedom. Best text you'll ever get about the American Civil War.

The thing is, that a lot of these citizenship tests are going to ask you really surface questions about things like the Constitution and the Civil War. What the Bill of Rights is. When did the war start and end? Who was President during the war?

They usually build up these citizenship tests as way more difficult than they actually are."

"I find it a bit fascinating, honestly. Even though we still have royalty in my country, they are just figure heads. We have a parliament, but nothing what the States have." He admitted, finally warming up and taking another piece of candy. "Learning a whole new system as been challenging. And learning that there was a war that could have torn this country apart, barely one hundred years since it was founded, is quite shocking."

"Wars of the Roses? The English Civil War? The Norman Conquest?" Franklin teased slightly. "I'd say that you've had your fair share of apocalyptic wars in Britain over the centuries. The American system seems really neat and simple until you really poke at some of the wrinkles. The Electoral College, for example. If you can actually wrap your head around that, you're head of ninety percent of us."

Franklin took one of the candies himself. "You'll have to tell me what you think of everything as you get into it. It's interesting hearing an outsider's perspective."

"Aye, we've had our share... but our country had been established for over a hundred years before we entered such wars." He smiled. "Monarchs and blood lines were all that mattered in the past. It was probably the reason so many wars incurred. Because of all the inbreeding and craziness that it created."

He was trying to make light of his own country's history. His hand reached for another piece of Candy, before answering Franklin's question on his views on US History.

"Well, I am on the fence, really. The people who came to found America escaped here to escape persecution in my country. They had every right to establish their own Government and do as they wished. I personally think the taxing on tea was just retaliation for these people leaving the country and establishing this one. It just... it is petty. I understand some people were still loyal to the crown, aye. But if they were so loyal, why not just return home?"

"Yeah, but when does one consider a country like the United Kingdom to actually be established? The Act of Union? The Norman Invasion?" Franklin smiled slightly. "If we're gonna have a comparison here, we need some parameters."

"Some of the people who come to America were escaping religious persecution, but a lot just came for better opportunities. Even more came over as punishment for mostly shockingly petty crimes, as indentured servants. As for the tea tax, Britain basically expected the colonials to pay for their own defence. But with New France having been taken over, the colonists didn't have enough to fear anymore. And the fact is that, well, it was impossible to really rule the Thirteen Colonies from London past a certain point.

The ideologies of liberalism and democracy may have been the spark, but the tinder and firewood was sitting there ready."

"It makes me wonder why I was sent over here." He mumbled a little, taking another candy and eating it. "What did I do wrong to have my brother send me over and want me to stay. I miss home."

He then snapped out of it and put a smile back on his face as he finally looked up at Franklin.

"Ah, so there were many factors going at once. The Support of the French, liberalism, and democracy... I thought it was just retaliation to be honest. And the Civil war was because the States wished to be two separate entities?"

Franklin didn't miss that and his face got a little serious for a moment. It seemed fairly clear that there were family issues with Dolemeck, that would have to be addressed at some point in the near future. It might have been due to his mutation, or something else.

"Very few people in the United States really truly wanted a dissolution of the Union, except perhaps a few radicals. The Southern states saw succession as the only way of keeping what they saw as their way of life. Which included the right to own other human beings as property. Don't let revisionists tell you any different- slavery was at the heart of the Civil War."

"Indentured servants and slaves had such terrible fates." He admitted. "Indentured servants were practically slaves themselves, even if historians will not admit it. Many were promised a better life in America, higher status, a better education, or proper freedom if they worked for so many years. Most of the time it was just a lie, and their work was never enough. Look at all the girls who went to work for Lady Bathory. Who is to say that the indentured servants who came to the States did not suffer the same fates? Abuse, neglect, horrible working conditions."

He shook his head.

"The only difference I fear between a slave and an indentured servant was that the servant went willingly, the slave was sold against their will. They both had it hard, and I understand why many wished to end the practices in the States. I just do not understand why someone would support to mistreatment of other people. All for the color of their skin or their lowly status."

"Indentured servants could earn their freedom after a time, though. And it was also a lot easier to escape terms of servitude than it was for most slaves." Franklin took one of the candies and ate it thoughtfully. "It isn't all that different in some ways, though."

"I don't either, but it's not like the mistreatment of other people for being different or less fortunate has stopped in our society. Look at the experiences that mutants or disabled people face in our society, even today."

"Aye, I know about the two first hand, and perhaps a third. You are either used or something to be pitied. Like, there is something truly wrong with you... but not really." He had a bit of a grin on his face, taking another candy from the dish. This time when he ate it, he nearly choked. Who put a sour apple warhead in there!? The poor kid was having a bad coughing fit, now.

Franklin nodded. He could've spoken about people with mental illnesses too- something he'd had some experience with in his life. He frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry if I brought something unpleasant up for you. But I think that's part of the reason why history is so important." Franklin thought for a moment. "And that's part of the reason I was so drawn towards history."

It took he a moment before he got himself under control. The warhead finally was starting to taste like apple... and not like some horribly sour mess. He looked over at Franklin, able to give him a small smile.

"You did not bring up anything unpleasant. I am constantly asked about my leg braces." He stood up from behind the desk and walked over to where Franklin could see him. "I'm asked why I need them. Do they hurt? Is it hard to put them on every morning and take them off every night? And those are the "nice" questions. Others will ask me if I am capable of having sex one day or have children of my own. What it felt like to get hit by a car going 80 kilometers per hour? The worst questions were the ones I was asked before I left..."

Dolemeck swallowed hard, looking a bit upset, now. "I was asked... if I used my powers to cause the accident that did this to me, for the sake of getting my Father's attention. I was asked that by my own brother. You cannot imagine how that feels."

Franklin listened calmly and carefully to Dolemeck, keeping his reactions in check and just letting the younger man speak. However, when he mentioned with his brother, he was shocked and couldn't entirely hide it.

"... I have to admit that I can't." Franklin took a small breath. "I do know, though, that a lot of people here have had, not the same experiences with family- but similarly terrible ones. If you ever need to talk about those issues, I or one of the other professors would be happy to listen.

It goes without saying that we will make any accommodations you need, either physical or otherwise. And of course, that anything you say will be kept confidential."

"He... was not quite the same after I was hit by that car. He avoided me when Mum and Da were spending time helping me heal and get used to the leg braces." he admitted. "After they left to go back on tour, Charles became so... different. He stopped wanting to spend time with me, or play games. My eldest brother, Dayton, he just filled the gap Charles left. I guess it was just the shock of it all."

It felt natural to make excuses for things. Excusing it didn't make it as bad. It did not make it real.

"I mean... that was the most time I spent with my parents. They tour so much, because people in Europe love Da's music. He makes them happy, so I'm happy."

It was natural to make excuses for things. It wasn't really the time or place to push on those, though. Franklin mostly just listened, remembering, of all things, his mother telling him about people having two ears and one mouth, back when he was a terrible loudmouth.

He nodded. "It's often crisis that brings families closer together. I'm glad they took the time out." He didn't add anything about it being sad there wasn't more time earlier. He know exactly what that was like. His parents tried hard, but Reed Richards and Sue Storm were busy people at the best of times. Especially his father. "What kind of music does he play?"

"He's... well, he would be considered metal in America. But because he's been around for so long in my country, he's kind of considered classic rock, like the Stones." His leg braces made a somewhat loud creaking sound as he made his way back to the chair behind the desk.

"Da has done a few power ballads back in the eighties that were really popular, and he was known for refusing to cave into that new "Brit" sound that plagued many bands back then. He was outspoken about it, too. He said he played what he liked, and if the record companies did not like appreciate that, then they could "sod off". At least that is what the video documentary about him said."

He cracked a small smile, all of a sudden.

"I honestly could not imagine him performing any music like "Duran Duran". The thought of Da going up on stage, in his leather get up and belting out music like that... it is kind of funny."

Edited 2014-05-18 23:37 (UTC)

"I'll have to check them out sometime." Franklin shuddered a little inwardly at the sound of creaking metal, but didn't betray a bit of it openly.

"You mean Britpop? Like Oasis or Blur?" Damn, Franklin liked those guys. Though Radiohead was better.

Or oh, maybe he meant like that. Eighties, not Nineties.

"It's probably for the best in the long run that he didn't. Quick bucks today often comes at the price of long-term credibility."

"I mean like the pop music Blur was forced to make by their record label, before they created their own sound with songs like "Coffee and TV" or when their lead singer created "Gorillaz"." he pointed out. "I consider Oasis rock music, not pop, by the way. I also enjoy Noel's new band, "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds", better than whatever his brother is doing."

He wanted to curse about his leg braces creaking. He hated the noise as well, and tried to remain as still as possible, so they stopped.

"Sorry about that. They tend to do that every now and again." He apologized to Franklin. "If anything, the documentaries tell me that my Da always stayed true to his form of music. I know he writes all his own music, because when he is home on rare occasions, I see him do so."

"I guess it depends on your definition of pop music, really." Franklin replied with a slight smile. "In the most literal sense, anything that's popular and doesn't involve orchestral instrumentation should be pop music.

It's okay. Don't worry about it." Franklin replied with a slight smile. "You sound like you're very proud of your father."

Franklin just hoped that Dolemeck's father could be proud of him.

"I am." He admitted.

"He does what he loves for a living, he makes people happy, what is not to admire?" Well, other than dumping Dolemeck on his eldest brother and barely paying attention to him. But if he said that, then that would make it true. It was best to focus on the positives. "My Da is a wonderful man. Doing concerts for charity, performing in all sorts of weather conditions, and keeping his promise to remain sober after the accident."

"But I am also proud of my eldest brother, Dayton, too. He took care of me while Da did all those things... and he still managed to complete Uni!" He smiled more, thinking about Dayton. "He's a crown prosecutor, now. That is a very admirable job! And umm... Charles... has a band of his own."

"Sounds great." Franklin replied with a smile. "So what do you want to do? And if you haven't figured it out yet, don't worry. It took me ages to realize I wanted to teach."

Franklin and Dolemeck probably had more in common than they realized. It was very easy to live in the shadow of famous parents and brilliant siblings. It was much more difficult to stake one's own life out from that shadow.

"I am VERY limited on what I can do and what I cannot do." He hated to admit that. He tried to sit in the chair so he was more comfortable. "The doctors fear that as I get older, I will have more... "health issues". They fear I will eventually be confined to a bed or a wheelchair if I am lucky. It's like a ticking time bomb, and I do not know if it can be defused. That knowledge makes me not want to pursue anything that I could one day not be able to do."

He looked solemn for a moment, before looking back up at Franklin.

"I love history, and I love sewing and making things. I wish I could combine the two, making costumes for plays or operas..."

"With due respect to your doctors, we have access to expertise that they cannot even dream of. If there is anything that can be done to help you, Dolemeck, it will be done."

Franklin's expression relaxed a little. "That sounds awesome, actually. And hey, you're pretty close to the theatre capital of the world. I'm sure there's people here that could hook you up with what you need to learn and do with that."

"I can home, Professor Franklin." He smiled. "When I was first admitted to the hospital, the doctors told me I would never get out of bed again. But I proved them wrong, and I want to keep doing so. I want to be able to do everything I can... just in case the worst happens."

He smiled more. Hearing that people could help him make costumes for theaters in New York City was exciting.

"I would enjoy that very much. But small steps, first. Like becoming a legalized citizen of this country." Carefully, Dolemeck got back up again, offering his hand to Professor Franklin for a shake. "Thank you for listening to me... and for helping me. I think that is the most I opened up to for anyone here."

"The door's open, any time you want, Dolemeck." Franklin smiled. "And agreed, we can work on the citizenship stuff first. Keep in touch if anything else comes up."

Franklin took the hand and shook it. "It was nice talking to you. Feel free to take some candy to go, too." He laughed slightly. "I've got plenty more where that came from."

"Thank you, but I think I had enough." He smiled. "I do not need to have a sugar rush... I may end up all jumpy and causing things to go flying with my mind."

Dolemeck gave a wave as he started to head out of the door. "I shall remember that your door is always open to me, Professor Franklin. Thank you."

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American History with Professor Franklin

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