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(no subject)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well. It helps that no system is perfect. Biding our time will have to do for now.

[ Until an opportunity arises. He notices that her stance has changed, but it's not his place to comment. ]

Do you have abilities?

I do! Not mutant ones, like what I know of you and some of your friends, but -

[ She reaches up her sleeve, drawing out her wand and smiling before she whispers lumos. ]

I'm a witch.

[ He peers at it, intrigued. This is the kind of discussion he enjoys. He has a little magic himself, a leftover gift from the library but he never fully understood the rules to magic, which seem to permutate with each person. ]

That was Latin, wasn't it?

Yes. Magical incantations in my world all have a basis in latin, put together with wand movements to create spells for us. Especially talented witches and wizards don't need to say the spells or use a wand, but it helps.

[ She shifts, almost awkward for a moment, before - ]

I can also turn into a lion.

A lion? Is that a spell or an ability?

[ He rubs the mark on his hand - the mark of a deer. Compared to a lion or a wolf, turning into an otter isn't all that remarkable. ]

It's an ability, given to me by the queen in the world I was in before now. Witches and wizards in my world can learn to transform into animals, and that's called being an animagus. I'm just lucky, I cheated the system.

[ It's a little sore, since she would love to be able to do it without the extra help, but all the same. ]

Fascinating. I don't normally see magic being done with wands or other objects. Usually it's with a wave of their hands.

[ He kind of prefers the wand. It seems to have some semblance of rules. ]

Wands are sort of like... A conductor? They help us focus our magic and direct it. Like I said, some people don't need to use one but it's definitely a comfort, especially since they're kind of like our partners. They choose us, after all.

[ Wait until she shows off, then we'll see about rules. ]

How do they choose a partner?

[ Wait, this is magic. This is a redundant question. ] I assume magic is the answer I should be satisfied with.

It is magic, but it is a little bit of who you are. There are certain wand types and cores that work better with the personalities of witches and wizards. If you're matched with a wand that's your opposite it doesn't really end well.

[ A pause, then: ]

It's actually rather logical.

How so?

[ Magic isn't something he's keen on studying and learning. Magic was the way of the library and Kyriakos, after all. But he still holds interest in the workings. ]

It's a little bit like a magnet, I suppose. You can try and force the opposite ends of the poles together, but they struggle against it every single way. A wand that doesn't approve of it's wizard is the same - you can force it to work, but it'll fight against constantly, or something violent could happen.

So the wand is more of an extension of your self rather than a tool.

[ Because the metaphor wouldn't work if it was just a tool to use. ]

It's very much like that, I suppose. They're a little more unique than that, though, as if they have a will of their own? It's difficult to explain - a wand can be 'won' from their owner in a duel, for example, so they'd then be loyal to whoever won them.

[ Her face twists - yes, a little complicated. ]

[ That seems a little barbaric. To win and conquer something and impose their will over them . . . Or he's thinking about this too hard. ]

I would have never considered the internal working of wands to be so complex.

[ It is barbaric, but hardly the most barbaric thing about the wizarding world... ]

Neither had I, until I had to. It might be why there are so few wandmakers in the world - it's incredibly difficult.

I can imagine.

[ He pauses before carefully speaking. ] I am sorry.

[ She pauses, starting for a moment before she frowns. ]

What for?

For not being him.

[ Which is pointless to say. But it's not really an apology, so much as Charles understanding that kind of feeling. It's never easy. ]

[ Oh. Hermione breathes out, sharply, before she shakes her head. She hopes it's not obvious that she's trying not to cry. ]

That's alright, it's not your fault. You're still a version of him, and that means that - that you're safe, even if you're here. You might not be the one I remember, or the one that remembers me, but you're still Charles Xavier and you're safe, and that means more to me than anything else right now. It's just a few silly memories, right?

[ Just the ones that she clings to when she's alone and has no one else with her. That's all. ]

In my experience . . . memories have never been silly. They've been precious and hurtful and often, you wish you never had them. But it's impossible to let go of.

[ He exhales, a soft sigh. ]

Fault or not, I am still sorry. Because it hurts and I know it does.

[ And that is so Charles that she has to wipe at her eyes, quickly, blinking rapidly before she breathes out. ]

It'll get better. I'll get to know you, and - and it won't be the same, of course not, but it'll be okay. If that's... Alright with you - I know your telepathy is a thing and - and with my memories and emotions it might be too much, sometimes. It won't be fair.

[ He blinks, a little surprised. That's not a sentiment he hears often. His lips curve into a fond smile. ]

I think I can handle it.

Only if you're sure. You - he... Shared his telepathy with me. I know it's intense.

[ And she's serious on this, too, her gaze set and determined despite how sad she is. ]

I'm sure. It is intense, I won't deny that but it is something I am willing to feel.

[ He doesn't waver and his tone is level. Compared to hearing people die in his mind over and over when there is a bad game, someone's strong feelings don't register as painful or overwhelming. ]