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(no subject)

Who: Leto Atreides the II
Broadcast: Video
Action: Hospitality Deck, Marsiva
When: Feb 4th

[ The video activates itself to reveal a young man staring into space. His eyes are probably the most startling thing about him. Bright, eerily blue eyes that seem to pierce the fabric of reality. You may also see brown flecks of creatures embedded into his skin, near the neck and face.

And suddenly his gaze snaps back to the camera and he is all smiles and good intentions, as if a switch had been turned on. He sits on one of the many beds on the Marsiva Deck and kicks his legs, caught between the impression of a boy and a man.

( or something much older and far more dangerous ) ]

I do not need the spiel and I'm sure you are all quite thankful for that, but I am curious to know what qualifies as entertainment for our most benevolent hosts?

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[ Curious. In his mind's eye, he peers through time. Ah. A man who resembles him. Strange and yet not so strange. Perhaps they are linked through universes. Maybe. Perhaps. ]

Charles Xavier, was it? I'm afraid we're not related.

You know him? Were you in a place like this before with him? [She's noticed she's far from the only one who had another stop between home and here.]

[ He shakes his head. ]

No, I do not know him. Not in the manner in which you do.

It is an uncanny resemblance but one that tends to happen when universes mirror each other. Certain aspects are carried along. Though I'm quite sure our resemblance remains only on the surface.

How did you know his first name then? [Uncanny resemblance and you both read minds?]

I have the ability to perceive timelines. Whether it is yours or mine. So I looked into yours and saw him there.

[ Is it creepier than reading minds? Could be! ]

[Well, that sounds useful. And she's wondering how much he saw though she's never felt much of a need to hide things. If anything she can be confrontationally honest at times.]

Shouldn't you buy a girl dinner first before doing something like that?

If I was a decent example of chivalry and society, perhaps.

[ There's no point saying he can't fully control it, simply exist along with it. He used to try and repress that power when he was younger, but it only took a stronger hold. Better to accept and deal with the indignation than to explain it. ]

Sadly, I am not. Though perhaps I can pay for half a dinner?

At least you know your limits.

[Looking kind of amused. He still reminds her of Charles. Though the eyes remind her of someone else. She isn't placing it yet.] Your half or half of mine?

[ They both possess a sense of polish and wisdom, though they try not to overwhelm others with it. ]

That is the question, isn't it? I'm afraid we will only know the truth once we have dinner.

[Still smiling, but not affirming anything.] Is reading timelines common where you're from?

Yes and no. With the use of Spice, few people can look through the veil of time, though I would not recommend it.

It is also a matter of genetics. The right bloodlines are afforded certain . . . privileges with this power.

[ Privileges . . . more like a curse, a burden he has tried to shake off his entire life and never managed it. Despair of it nearly crushed him. ]

Yeah, genetics are funny that way.

[Wait.] Spice... [That's who it reminded her of.] Do you know Piter de Vries?

[ Piter. Now there's a name he has not heard in years. Piter de Vries, the Harkonnen Mentat. The instrument that orchestrated their brief downfall.

Somewhere, in his mind, the ghosts are cackling. ]

I did not know him personally. Though I should be thankful for that.

As someone who did know him, I agree with that. [Not her favorite person. And normally she likes anyone with a name that sounds like or translates to Peter.]

[ Faintly wry. ]

It would be hard not to. The man was an addict, desperate for wealth and power. You could play him like an instrument and get nothing but the worst chords.

He also killed my grandfather, my namesake.

Oh. [Her expression softens at the mention of a dead relative. She has a thing about family. Her thing is mostly that she doesn't have any anymore.] I'm sorry.

[ Neither does he, which is why he's so protective over his. ]

Don't be. He died as well in the same moment. If that is not poetic justice, nothing else is.

[He gets a nod.] I should be more careful about what I bring up. I've given a few people unwanted surprises already.

You couldn't have known. I know, but I would trade that luxury for the absence of knowledge.

People may not want the surprise or appreciate it, but it is important to keep that feeling of surprise alive in the universe.

Well, sure, [agreeing though she's never really thought about surprise being something that might just cease to exist] but you could probably do it with a birthday cake instead of harsh realities.

Perhaps. Though if we had a birthday cake every time a surprise was called for, we would fall sick of the sweetness.

[ He's not being deliberately challenging. Just that it is his way. To challenge and question the precepts. ]

I think I'd take that risk. [She has a sweet tooth.]

So, why do you want to know what kind of entertainment they like? Are you hoping to make the big bucks? [Happy enough to lead the conversation away from dead relatives.]

[ As do many. Disappointing, but he should know better. ]

No. Curiosity rather than monetary wealth drives me. I feel the more we know, the more we learn of our mysterious captors.

It's a good theory. The same kind she employed at her last—more literal—prison.] I've only been here four days, so I don't know what they're looking for.

It is a theory, at least.

[ Arbitrary things like good or bad are not his purview. ]

And I'm sure you'll learn of many things soon enough.