selfhelp | [voice/written/action]

Hey, ah... Vision - I mean, Jonas - of the Young Avengers got sent home. Sorry, if you knew him.

[Why is he always full of bad news? Ugh... let’s try to be less depressing for a while.]

There’s something else I wanted to talk about today: since I got here almost a year ago I’ve noticed how there’s this huge range of cultural norms across the multiverse- which makes sense, different worlds have different standards, I get it. People who are accepted in one world aren’t tolerated in another. Luceti’s kind of an anomaly, where there’s really not much, if any prejudice. I mean, there’s the whole Malnosso versus Us mentality, but that’s because of what they do, not what they are. Basically what I’m saying is that I think that’s great, and I want to do my part to keep encouraging that universal acceptance here for the people who might not be able to get it back where they come from, open up discussions to people who might not be sure about who or what they are, um...

Okay, this is a really roundabout way of saying I want to start an LGBT club. If you don’t know what that means, here’s a breakdown:

[Below is a jotted list-

L = Lesbian = girls attracted to girls
G = Gay = guys attracted to guys
B = Bisexual = guys and girls attracted to BOTH guys and girls
T = Transgender = People who feel like they were born in the body of the wrong gender (or genderfluid)
*Q = Questioning = Anyone not sure about the above or if they apply

And then it returns to voice.]

Those are really oversimplified, and there's still a lot of other words people use to define themselves, but you get the gist of it. I’d really like to meet up with anyone who matches any those descriptions, or feels like they might, or are just curious about it. I’m gonna put up some posters with suggested meeting times and places, but if you have any questions or just want to talk about it, you can use the journal (it’s okay to be anonymous!) or come right to the school. I’ve got a table set up and I’ll be here pretty much all day. I don't know if this is going to go anywhere, but it's worth a shot, right?

One last thing- we’re looking to make this a safe place, so if you plan to come just to make fun of people: we have a Hulk.

[And true to his word, Billy will be at the school, curled up in a chair at a plain table littered with papers. He’s designing posters and doodling various symbols to use for logos. Come bother him if you like?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I can't imagine wanting to be the first, either.

Nor can I.

[He really, really doesn't want to be the first. Sure, it might lead to good things for the world, but exposing himself to all of that... the thought terrifies him.]

On the other hand, though... you're in some kind of position of power, aren't you?

That's right. Assuming things go well, it could be an opportunity to bring attention to the matter.

But if they don't... well.

I guess it comes down to whether or not the risk is worth it, to be yourself.

[He knows it isn't, not for everyone. But for him there's only ever been one option.]

[He inhales deeply, then sighs.]

I'm afraid it might not be in my case.

[Ouch.]

Sounds like a rough life... hiding who you are all the time.

[He smiles a little, wryly.]

It's to be expected when you have a position like mine. The people are only interested in the me they see in public.

...What about if you kept it private? With, um. A select few, I mean.

[It occurs to him a little belatedly that he's not the only ruler with this kind of issue.]

There are already a select few from my world who know about it, ones I trust not to share that fact with anyone else. I would be far worse off were it not for them.

But I must still keep up the illusion for the sake of my people and everyone else.

Well, I mean- appearance is one thing.

But you're not the first ruler in history to be gay.

Were they expected to produce heirs?

[Because... yeah. Kind of an issue there.]

Some of them, sure. And some even pulled it off. But there's always loopholes. It's kind of the benefit of being in charge, I think. Lovers on the side were something a ton of rulers had in my world's history, gay or not.

I have no interest in having lovers on the side, or even any lovers at all. I just don't want to condemn an unfortunate woman to a loveless marriage. Any woman deserves far better than that.

It isn't always like that. I'm sure there's plenty of women out there who'd jump at the chance to live the life of a queen, whether they're loved or not. It might be a challenge to find the right person, but that sort of arrangement can be mutually beneficial.

That is exactly the problem. There are far too many people out there who are willing to do anything to achieve power. Those are the type of people who would be first in line to become queen.

[And quite frankly, he doesn't trust someone like that not to assassinate him in his sleep.]

It sounds like you're giving up before you even try.

[It's a risk, sure, but it's not like he can't take the time to get to know these people. And as a king he could make the rules, within reason.]

Perhaps I am.

[He doesn't see the point in trying, honestly. If there's one thing he's learned from his time in Luceti, it's that trying usually ends up being useless in the end. So why bother expending the effort?]

[Ouch. Defeatist, much? Still, at least he's admitting it. Some people would object to even that.]

At least... think about it. Your whole life is a long time to be alone.

[The smile he gives Billy in response is more resigned than anything else. If there's one thing he's gotten used to by now, it's being alone.]

It wouldn't be the first time.

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