Chapter 11: Show A Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night (Nori)
She holds Gambit's hand and pretends it's only to assuage his male ego, but honestly, it's her tether to the world right now. After months in the Brotherhood house, and even longer months under mind control in Stryker's base, she's feeling incredibly skittish about her new surroundings, and secretly she still worries that soon she will wake up and be back in her fucking cell.
At least it's warm inside, though. She hasn't had bare arms in quite some time. When they get downstairs, she smiles at the rest of the Brotherhood.
"Hey, Echo, Gambit," Pyro says.
"Hey, brother," she says.
Gambit nods in response.
Mystique has made a surprisingly elaborate breakfast—eggs, pancakes, sausage, fruit. Nori watches Mystique watch Magneto eat. She takes pancakes and fruit and enjoys her first bites of food outside Stryker's base. But then, he's behind her, no doubt with another dose of his drug. "Please, no," she says, and shrinks in on herself. There's no point fighting him.
"Um, sorry, I was just... trying to get to the sink..." Pyro says.
She turns and looks at him. It's not Stryker with a syringe behind her. It's Pyro with a sticky, empty plate.
"Of course," she says. "Sorry, I thought... I thought you were someone else."
Gambit and Magneto look at her with sympathy. Mystique's expression is unreadable.
"It's all right, cher, nobody here's gonna hurt you," Gambit says.
She nods. "I know, I know. I just... I was just mistaken." She feels her face flush with embarrassment. She makes it through the rest of breakfast uneventfully, but when she washes her plate after breakfast she gasps in terror when Gambit sidles up behind her to rub her shoulders.
"Hey, hey, it's just me."
"Sorry, Remy, I'm just... just please don't come up behind me like that, okay?"
"Of course, cherie. Je suis désolé."
She spends much longer than necessary scrubbing her plate.
"So, what do you want to do today?"
"I need to talk to Magneto," she says decisively.
"Well, I'm sure he's already got an office set up somewhere in this house. What d'you need to talk to him about?"
"I want to tell people what happened to me."
"You sure about that?"
She nods. "Yes. People need to know what our own government is doing. And I think... people would listen to me. Some of them, anyway. I made a name for myself by telling everybody all about my life, even the parts that nobody likes to talk about. And... well, people are afraid of Magneto. And I think that is good, it's good that people who would hurt mutants are afraid of him. But people aren't afraid of me. They should hear this story from someone like me."
Gambit looks thoughtful. "Well, you may be right. You know, when you... when you were with Stryker... I went and read your website. And all the messages people left for you there. There were a lot, cher. People love you."
"Ah... they love what I do. Did."
"Maybe. But I think some of what you do is just being you."
She grins. "Anyway, do you think that Magneto would think it's a good idea?"
"Maybe. Even if he doesn't, don't mean it's not a good idea. But I think you can persuade him. I think he's got a soft spot for you. You want me to go with you?"
"No, thanks. I know where he is. And I think I should talk to him about this by myself." She puts her hands on his shoulders and rises onto her toes to kiss him. "But I'll talk to you later, love."
She sets off confidently down a hallway and knocks on the door she knows Magneto is behind. After a short pause, he opens it.
"Hello, Echo."
"Hi, Magneto." He looks at her shrewdly when she says that. It's a signal that she wants to talk to him about Brotherhood business, which she almost never did before.
"Come in," he says, leading her to a desk with a laptop on it. It's funny—this office has a metal desk and chairs like his last one, but no books on the shelves. She wonders if he'll replenish his stash from Amazon or what.
"How are you, my dear?"
She looks at him solemnly. "Magneto, I want to apologize to you."
He looks genuinely surprised. "Whatever for?"
"Before... I never really believed you about Stryker. I thought maybe you just wanted to keep me around for my power. I mean, I wasn't sure either way. But I had doubts. But clearly, you were right about Stryker."
He gives her a sad smile. "I can hardly blame you for that. Did you come to ask forgiveness?"
"Not exactly. I came to make penance," she says with a slight grin.
"That isn't necessary."
"Hear me out," she says earnestly. "Look, Magneto, I really appreciate what you and the Brotherhood have done for me. And I want to help. And I think I can. I'm not sure how much you know about my life, before... but I was this kind of popular musician. I mean, I wasn't like Ani DiFranco famous, but I had fans. Oh," she says, noting Magneto's blank face, "You don't know Ani DiFranco, do you? Well, trust me, every college student knows who she is. And you should know her too, because she's a mutant rights activist, even though she's human. And people listen to her. And people used to listen to me, too. I had a blog I used to update a lot, well, two blogs actually." She pauses. "You know blogs, right?"
"They are online journals, correct?"
"Yeah. Well, I had a music one, and like, a life and politics one. And I was always... I shared a lot. I thought it was important to talk about the things nobody wants to talk about. Depression, rape, abortion... I didn't want to gloss over my shit. I was so sick of this society that teaches people to suffer in silence. And a lot of people responded. And I think... well, I think the Brotherhood has a PR problem."
"Excuse me?"
"No, no, hear me out. Look, when I was with Stryker, I don't know about you, but I read tons of magazines. Mainly People and shit like that. And people are terrified of you, and by extension, the Brotherhood. And I think that's good! I mean, you... it's like the Cold War, or whatever, people should know that if they eff with mutants, you will eff them up. But, umm, okay, let me get to my idea. I think I should make a video, of myself talking about what happened to me. And my sister. And what happened with Stryker's machine. And how the Brotherhood saved me. And then if we could post it online, without anyone being able to track it, I think it would be a big news story. And obviously some people wouldn't believe it, or think I was just brainwashed, or whatever. But I think... I think people would listen. Some of them. And it might help them understand. And it might make some more mutants want to join us."
She bites her lip and continues, "I know... I know I don't know how to fight, or plan big missions, or whatever. But I spent 12 years as a touring musician. I think I've been to every college campus in America. I know how to promote myself, and the causes I believe in. I know how to connect to people. I know how to tell my own story."
He looks at her long and hard. "You think you're going to win the war against humanity with a website?"
"No, no. But I think that propaganda is an element of warfare. You take it on faith that mutants will understand that a war is coming. But people... don't."
"So, tell me, my dear, what do you want to tell them?"
She hesitates. "I would rather, if you could just give me a video camera, I'd rather just make the video on my own. And show it to you later. I think it would be more natural to me that way."
He looks at her long and hard. She meets his gaze levelly. "Very well," he says. "I'll have Mystique get a video camera for you. Do you need anything else?"
"Well, a computer, and something to connect the computer to the camera. And a secure Internet connection." She hesitates. "And I think I should do it soon. While I still look like this." She gestures at her bruised face and arms.
He nods. "Echo, I meant to ask you. Do you require any further medical attention?"
She shrugs. "I'll heal."
"I mean-"
"I know what you mean," she says sharply. "Yes, Stryker allowed his guards to rape me. But he also made sure I had decent medical care. He didn't want to deal with anything so unproductive as an infection."
His mouth tightens. "Yes, Echo, I'll make sure you get a video camera."
"Thank you, Magneto." She reaches across the table and squeezes his hand before leaving.
She paces around the new house, looking for Remy. She finds him smoking on the back porch.
"Hey sugar, can I bum a smoke?" she asks.
He smiles and lights one for her. "You smoke, cher?"
She takes a drag. "Nope, I quit a long time ago."
He laughs. "Me, too."
They smoke in silence for a few minutes. "God," she says. "I haven't had a cigarette in years."
"Why'd you quit?"
"After my niece was born, my sister didn't want me hanging around if I was gonna smoke. And she was right. And I love my niece. So I quit. How about you?"
"Me? Oh, I quit smoking whenever I'm not in a bar."
She grins and he stomps out his butt. She looks out at the ocean. It reminds her of Liberty Island, and she shivers.
"You cold, cherie?"
She shakes her head. "No." A strong breeze blows and she says, "Well, a little. But I don't want to go inside." She's gazing at the ocean.
"Here," he says. He comes up behind her and puts his leather duster over her shoulders. She stiffens in fear for a split second, then relaxes.
"Sorry," he says, helplessly.
"No, Remy, it's okay. You know I'm not afraid of you. It's just... just a reaction."
He nods. "You know, I spent some time with Stryker myself?"
She looks up at him. "You did? You never told me that."
"I suppose I didn't want to scare you, cherie."
"Well," she says. "I'm scared now."
She stamps out her cigarette, pulls the coat over her arms, and takes his hand.
"How long were you with him?"
"'Bout two years. But it was a while ago. Not at Alkali. He didn't have that mind control drug yet."
She shivers. "That drug was the worst."
"I thought you were gonna say that the worst thing was being away from me."
She laughs. "Well, that was second worst. What, what did Stryker want with you?"
"Same thing he wanted with you, I guess. Wanted to figure out how to use my power for his own advantage."
"I can't believe he's been doing this to mutants for so long and getting away with it."
"I think it finally caught up with him."
"Remy, can I have another cigarette?"
"Of course, cher." He lights two and hands her one.
She whispers, "I'm glad he's dead."
"Me too."
"Is that bad? I don't... I never thought I'd be glad that someone was dead."
"Stryker wasn't just anybody," he says darkly. "Him being dead means the world is a little bit safer for us. For mutants."
"When he died... did he suffer?"
"Yes."
"Good," she says, then covers her mouth with her left hand.
"Hey, it's all right, cherie. He deserved to suffer."
She sighs, shakily. "I guess... I have always believed in nonviolence, in forgiveness. But I guess I have never really had to test myself. I don't know if I could ever forgive him."
"He wouldn't have asked for your forgiveness."
"I guess not."
"Hey, cher, you got to play the hand you were dealt. You've forgiven almost everybody. Just one exception. That's pretty good, right?"
"Guess it's the best I can do at the moment."
"Nori, you listen to me. You came out of six months of imprisonment and torture with your spirit intact. That is an accomplishment and you should be proud of it. Don't you feel guilty about nothing."
"I'll try," she whispers.
"Any time you need a reminder, you just ask me. You didn't do anything wrong. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Now let's go inside. I am freezing," he says melodramatically.
She hits him on the shoulder, lightly. "Take your coat back, love. I think I'd trip on it if I tried to walk in it." She shrugs out of it and adds, "Anyway, it looks better on you."
"Not true."
They head inside and find Pyro hanging around the kitchen.
"Hey, Pyro," Nori says.
"Hey."
"What'cha doing?"
He shrugs. "I'm not really sure what to do."
Gambit grins. "Don't worry, mon ami, I am sure that Magneto will have a project for you soon enough."
"Let's play cards," Nori says. "But not poker, though."
"Non? What other game is there?"
"Ahh, let's play euchre."
"You need four for euchre, ma cher."
She shakes her head. "No, you can play with a two on one rotation. Whoever calls suit against the other two."
"What the hell is euchre?"
"Card game," Gambit says.
"I think Gambit might cheat less at it," Nori says with a wink. "We'll teach you."
Gambit pulls out a deck of cards and removes the low-value cards with dizzying speed. He hands Pyro and Nori each a four and a six, and she explains scorekeeping and point-taking.
"I'll take first deal," Gambit says, and Nori laughs.
"Of course you will," she says, fondly.
It takes Pyro a few rounds to get the hand of euchre, but Nori and Gambit are fairly evenly matched. By the time Magneto comes to the kitchen for lunch, Nori and Gambit each have 9 points and Pyro has 6. Pyro calls spades, but only gets two tricks.
Nori and Gambit high five each other.
"Not bad for a beginner, though," Gambit tells Pyro.
Pyro shrugs.
"I am glad you are all finding productive ways to stay occupied," Magneto says acerbically. The three other mutants look up at him, stung.
"Sorry, boss, was there something you wanted us to be doing?" Gambit asks.
"Perhaps training your combat skills, rather than your card-playing skills?"
"Just thought maybe we'd earned a morning off," Gambit says.
Magneto opens his mouth to say something, but Nori focuses on him and uses her power to convey her hurt and disapproval. He frowns at her and she raises her eyebrows.
"Perhaps you are right, Gambit," he says. "But this afternoon, we will begin training anew."
"In the mean time, do you want to play with us?" Nori asks.
He smiles. "No, thank you."
Gambit is shuffling when Mystique walks in with two grocery bags. "There's more in the car," she says.
Pyro, Gambit, and Nori all get up to help. She picks up a bag that turns out to be mostly caned goods and grimaces. "Hey, let me get that one," offers Pyro.
She almost refuses, but instead she good-naturedly thanks him and hands over the bag. They're both looking at how thin her arms have become. She carries in a few bags of clothing.
"The groceries can go in the kitchen, of course," Mystique says when everything is in. "And I trust you can sort out the rest."
There's a fair amount of clothing for Nori, including a few dress suits and a pair of glasses with black plastic frames. She looks up at Mystique quizzically. "I thought those would be a good way for you to blend in."
Nori takes a moment to process that, and beams. Now that Stryker is dead, maybe she can actually leave the house.
"Of course, you should all lie low for the next few weeks or so," Mystique continues.
Since no one really feels up to cooking, Nori makes several boxes of macaroni and cheese after everything's been put away. The meal is uncomfortable. Magneto is on edge, which makes everyone else nervous.
"Gambit, Pyro, Mystique-I'll see you in the training room in the basement in thirty minutes. Echo, you may spend the afternoon on the project we discussed earlier. You'll find everything you need in my office."
She nods. After lunch is cleaned up, she heads down to Magneto's office and finds a pretty nice digital video camera in a blue Best Buy bag. She sets it up on a tripod, hits record, and starts crying. Not a great start, she thinks. She turns the camera off and takes some deep breaths. She decides to make a few notes to organize her thoughts. Finally, she connects Magneto's laptop to the Internet and pulls up her old Flickr gallery. She finds a family picture of-her mother, herself, her sister, brother-in-law, and niece-and leaves it on the screen, which she places behind the tripod. Looking at the people she most wants to communicate with gives her strength.
She checks the first footage to see if she's too close to the camera. She wants people to see her arms-both how bruised and weird-looking they are, but also so her tattoos are visible, in case there's any question that it's her.
"Hi everybody. My name is Noriko Oyama. Some of you know me as Nori Oh, the musician. I guess a lot of people probably thought I was dead, and I want to say how sorry I feel for any pain this caused. The truth is, nine months ago I went into hiding because I learned that a man named William Stryker wanted to kidnap me and use my latent mutant abilities in experiments." She pauses. "I apologize to anyone who feels misled by my previous denials that I was a mutant. In fact, due to the passive nature of my abilities, I had no idea myself until Stryker infiltrated my doctor's office and had my blood tested, which is itself a massive violation of my rights. Six months ago, Stryker succeeded in his attempt to capture me. For six months, I have been tortured and experimented upon, leading up to a terrible plan. Yesterday, whether you are mutant or human, you probably felt an intense pain in your head and throughout you body. Stryker forced another mutant and myself to power a machine that caused this pain. If Magneto and the Brotherhood of Mutants had not broken in and saved us, this machine eventually would have killed all mutants on earth."
"William Stryker was a colonel in the United States army. When I was imprisoned by him-when, by the way, I had committed no crime and had never been given a trial-I was repeatedly raped by men wearing the uniforms of the United States Army. I am an American citizen. I had no idea such crimes were being carried out by our own armed forces, but they are. My sister, Yuriko, has been missing for three years. I learned that she has also been taken by Stryker, as have a countless number of other mutants."
"I know that this is difficult to believe. I had trouble believing it myself until it happened to me. Please. Demand answers. Hold the United States government responsible for what has been done to mutants in this nation."
"And please, remember the wise words of Martin Niemoller. 'First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.' They are coming for the mutants. Speak out for us."
She looks down and takes a deep breath,, then looks back up at the camera and smiles. "Finally, I just want to tell my family and my friends that I miss them and I love them. Thank you for listening."
She stands up and turns off the camera. She watches the video back, and edits out herself sitting and standing. She notices the She makes sure to clear the browser history and close her family picture. She leaves the file on Magneto's empty desktop.
It has only taken her an hour. She's sure the others will still be training for quite some time.
In the Best Buy bag she also finds some books about computers, which she assumes are for her. She'd almost forgotten Mystique's discovery of Nori's surprising aptitude for hacking, just before the attack on Liberty Island. She starts skimming Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems.
She jumps when Magneto opens the door, and she's sure he noticed, even though she's regained her composure by the time he makes it from the door to his desk. She could really do without receiving a dose of adrenaline every time she hears a loud noise.
"Echo. How are you doing, my dear?" He seems calmer now than he did at lunch. She guesses he probably has a lot of nervous energy right now himself.
"Okay," she says. "I made my video. It's on your desktop."
He nods. "Would you like me to watch it now?"
"Yeah. I mean, if you're not busy."
He opens the laptop and watches her video. Afterward, he looks up at her sympathetically. "Perhaps you're right, my dear. Perhaps this is the kind of thing people need to see."
She smiles. "So, can I post it?"
He nods. "Mystique told me that she installed an IP blocker and set up a proxy server for our connection, and just to be sure, right now we're connecting with a cellular modem that cannot be tracked back to us.."
Those words sound familiar from Nori's skimming. "Great," she says. She sits down and logs into her YouTube account for the first time in nine months. She uploads the entitles it "Show a little faith, there's magic in the night" and in the description box she writes, "Please watch. May all beings be free from suffering. XOXO Nori." She tags it, "mutants" "mutant rights" "mutant equality" "freedom" "nori oh" "noriko oyama" "attack" "stryker" "us army."
Magneto, glancing over her shoulder, asks, "What is all of that supposed to mean?"
"Just another way to convince people that it's really me."
She logs into her WordPress account and creates a blog entry with the same title and embeds the video. Below it she writes, "Hello all. I am still alive and I miss you. Please watch this. It's important. XOXO Nori." She also launches her remote FTP client and uploads the video directly to her website and provides a link from the blog for people to directly download the video, in case YouTube took it down. She hits "post" and taps her fingers nervously on the desk.
Magneto places a hand on her shoulder. She refreshes the YouTube page and finds that it has received a few dozen hits already. There are a few comments-
"OMG NORI ARE U OK"
"LOL IS THIS REAL?"
"Super scary! Nori, we're so glad you're okay."
"Die mutie bitch."
"Nori! We missed you!"
She folds down the laptop. "Let's look again in a few hours and see if any news outlets pick it up."
"I confess I'm surprised by how many people have already seen it."
"I had a lot of subscribers on YouTube, so they'd all get notified that I had a new video."
"I'm proud of you, Echo. I know this couldn't have been easy for you."
She smiles. "Let's just hope it works the way I think it will."
NOTE: Title is from "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen.