(no subject)

[beathach]

Who: two nerds and you
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: now!

[ The audio comes on sharply, but everything is still dark as two people discuss their situation.]

Is that the camera? Can you get it to work?

I - think so? Here, push this --

I am pushing it, Hank. I thought you knew about these from that show you keep watching. Space Trek?

It's Star Trek and that isn't exactly - you know, the same thing as this.

Right. . . . Wait, I think I see something on the side.

[ And the video flickers on, the red light glowing softly. It focuses on two men. One in a wheelchair and the other right next to him, peering curiously at the camera before they step back satisfied. ]

Well, that’s over and done with. Hello to anyone who might be out there. My name is Charles Xavier and this is Hank McCoy. Apparently we’ve been kidnapped again, by an unknown force again for some mysterious reason.

[muttered:] Again. [and louder] So if anyone would be kind enough to explain exactly what's going on, we'd appreciate it. You have our thanks in advance.

But do keep it pertinent.

Comments

video

[brainiest]

[ It takes Hermione a moment to actually put her own brain together to try and figure out some kind of response. Charles is here, but some deep, sad part of her knows that this isn't a Charles that will recognise her. This isn't the Charles that was her Second, one of her best friends, one of the people she relied on the most - the Charles that she loved, even now, like the family she had left behind in her own world. It hurts, just looking, and she has to force herself back together.

He had helped her so much in the Drabwurld. She was going to help him on the Fleet. ]

You're in space, on a fleet of ships run by some form of ruling body called the Atroma, or Atroma. Um, you're on the largest vessel now but, eventually, you'll be shuffled onto a smaller one where you'll become part of the crew.

[ It's probably disconcerting, the way she can't stop looking at Charles, but she refocuses quickly enough. ]

I'm Hermione Granger. Welcome.

Re: video

[axiomed]

[ Erik had looked at him that way - once. When he had given up something precious in order to ensure someone's life. He hesitates before pressing on, gentle. ]

And the rest of you are on these . . . smaller ships?

[brainiest]

[ She is trying, valiantly, to keep it to herself - would Charles' telepathy even reach this far? Does he have it, if he's from another world? - and so she smiles, nodding her head. ]

That's right. I'm currently on a ship called the Vanquish, working as Lab Support. Have you found your Augment yet? It's a thing on the back of your neck, it should've given you some education if you needed it.

[axiomed]

[ He reaches out to touch it, suddenly apprehensive. He quells the urge brutally. ]

I suppose I'll have to put it to the test once I'm assigned somewhere.

[ He pauses, as if waiting for her to say something more before continuing. ]

Have we met?

[brainiest]

[ She is about to warn him about the dangerous of it, she really is, but then - ]

I, um.

[ She curses. She's already spoken to Blade about this - and now she feels like a complete idiot. ]

I've met you. I don't think you know who I am.

[axiomed]

That's true.

[ There's no point pretending otherwise. ]

That's always difficult, I know.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione breathes out a sharp noise and nods her head. ]

I'm sorry. I don't want to put this all on you, it's not fair. I just want to help you settle in.

[axiomed]

[ He waves a hand, flippantly. ]

I can assure you, I will have no problems settling in. As for fairness . . . surely, something needs to be fair to you as well. And I can imagine this isn't.

[brainiest]

No, not really. I didn't expect it to be - you're not the first person I know who has no idea who I am.

[ It's obvious that it hurts, even if she's keeping her head up and her chin high. ]

I was Hermione Granger, Marchioness of the Citadel, Sorceress and Protectress of Caer Glaem and Lioness Courant. You - you were Charles Xavier, Second to the Marchioness and Whispermage.

[axiomed]

[ Well. That was a lot of titles. Was he in Lord of the Rings? ]

Once, I was Janus of Fawn. Then I was Miles of Ometotchtli. Now I'm only Charles Xavier.

I think that gives us a fair idea of who we are. Who we decide to be is our decision from here on.

[brainiest]

[ Just a rather mad fantasy world. ]

I think that's - you're right. I'm none of that anymore, not here, and I -

[ She breathes out. This is hard, but there's no reason she should go out of her way to make it harder for Charles. ]

It's nice to meet you, Charles Xavier.

[axiomed]

And it is a pleasure to meet you, Hermione Granger.

[ He hopes this helps. There's little else he can do and honestly, he can't blame her for being upset. ]

[brainiest]

Is there anything else you'd like to know about the fleet? I haven't been here too long, but i've picked up quite a lot.

[ Best to get along and do what she can, she thinks. It's still Charles and, even if he doesn't know her, she still cares. That will never, ever change. ]

[beathach]

[he can't help but tilt his head, curious, at the way she's looking at Charles. Does she know him? But she isn't a mutant from the school, and he doesn't recognize her from Kyriakos, so then . . . ?]

Thank you, Hermoine. [he rubs the back of his neck, a bit awkward] Will we be separated? Ah - me and the pro—Charles?

[brainiest]

Oh, um, you might be.

[ Like she and Harry had been, and she tilts her head, looking at Hank. Something about him tickles something in the back of her mind and she knows, instinctively, that Charles must have mentioned him. ]

But you can always transfer ships so you can be on the same one as him, if you want.

[beathach]

Oh - that's . . . that's good. [he looks far more relieved than his tone gives off, his shoulders slumping as some of the tension leaves them. He'd have to look into that as soon as he was allowed to]

So we're shuffled . . . randomly, then?

[brainiest]

Yes. I think it's mostly to fill in any gaps that are in particular ships, or if you have an Augment that the ship itself needs. That's the thing on the back of your neck, by the way.

[ She reaches up to touch her own, as if to prove it. ]

My ship didn't have anyone in Lab Support until I joined it, so I assume that's why I was put there.

[beathach]

[he copies the gesture with a frown, then drops his hand]

How nice of them to give me something I likely didn't want. [he says it a bit dryly, before he sighs and runs a hand over his face] Necessity, then. Got it.

[brainiest]

It does give us a lot of information we might not have had before, at least. I knew nothing about spaceships or muggle technology before I realised the Augment had given me it all.

[ She considers, for a moment, before she smiles. ]

You're Hank, then?

[beathach]

Whatever happened to studying things the old-fashioned way? [it's a lighter tone this time, before he tilts his head] Muggle technology?

[he nods and smiles back, a little wider and more genuine]

That's me.

[brainiest]

Tell me about it. There's only one library here and I haven't even been able to go yet. [ Huff.

As for the rest, um - well. ]

Muggles are non-magical people, as in people that aren't a witch or a wizard like I am.

[beathach]

There is? [he perks up, before he realizes what he's doing and clears his throat, awkwardly] I'll have to remember that.

[at least he doesn't look surprised. Kyriakos helped with at least getting used to the concept of magic]

Ah. So then you're a . . . witch. [it feels weird to call someone that, but he's trying] So I would be a muggle?

[brainiest]

I can show you one day, if you like. We can experience it together. [ Because libraries are the most important thing, of course.

She has the decency to look a little sheepish before she draws out her wand, holding it up with a small smile. ]

I'm a witch and, yes, you'd be a muggle in my world. At least I don't have warts, right? Just the scars.

[ And, when she tilts her head, the light betrays the truth of that; she has a long, drawn out scar along her face, silvery like the metal, from her eyebrow down to just above her lip, with what seems to be scratch marks along her jawline, less clear but still there. ]

[beathach]

I'd like that. [libraries are absolutely important, he's in full agreement.

At what he says he leans a little closer to the screen, squinting a little before he leans back]

I didn't know witches were supposed to have scars. My, uh, witch knowledge is a little lacking. [it comes out lightly, an attempt at a joking tone] I can't say I knew many magic users, though.

[brainiest]

Then as soon as you're shuffled we'll organise it. I can message you? [ It takes the pressure off him, at least, especially when he's a newcomer to the fleet.

She tilts her head, smiling even as he squints, strangely unashamed of the rather grotesque scarring. ]

I'd rather people assume I have scars than green skin or boils. [ Muggle fairytales, honestly. ] You know one now! If you have questions, I mean.