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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.

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[...did he just. Really?

But at least she can tell it was more habit than actual superiority complex, so she clarifies:] I mean, what is it ya want to know?

[Well, also she meant: are you worth wasting my time explaining things to or should I just blankly inform you not to go outside. Congratulations Hank, you passed.]

We've heard about - the shuffle, and the augments, and the polluted moon so far. [and it's been a lot, and he knows there's a lot more to come] Ah - and the . . . er, reality show.

Whatever you think would be important? Or - [he pauses, thoughtful for a moment] Something people forget to tell others on the first day? Things like that, if . . . there is any.

[he's been through this before, so he's covering all his bases]

[Rogue considers for the moment. All she really has besides the basics are a bunch of suspicions that she wouldn't foist on anyone else without a decent amount of Good Reason.

So instead, she just goes for practical advice:] The ingredients an' food in general is a sight better on the Marsiva than what the ships get, an' this planet doesn't have much in the way of fresh ingredients. I'd stock up. An' the annoyin' elevator music is less loud in the hall.

[practical advice is more than welcome, and he finds himself grinning a little before he can stop himself]

I'll make sure Charles and I - er, stock up before we get sent to wherever we're assigned. Thankfully the music doesn't really bother me.

The Shuffle comes abruptly. Heck, I don't even remember the process. One minute I was on the Marsiva, the next I was covered in confetti. [So. Have fun with that.]

Oh, so it just . . . happens. That's nice. [he says it as if it isn't nice at all. Because it isn't]

[Dryly:] Consideration for our feelings is clearly their top concern.

Clearly. [he repeats, then just sighs, a hand coming up to rub at his face] Sorry - but thank you, that's good to know.

You've got no call ta apologize. [Simple, almost laconic really.] At least it looks like you're not here on your own. That's somethin'.

[And this is Rogue before she debates how direct to be. But this is really a lot of shock for someone on one day, might be better to leave alternate universes and timelines out of it.]

Mm, that's true. [his expression lightens a little] I think all of this would have gone a little differently if I was by myself.

[he surely would've overwhelmed the serum in his panic, for one. But even if there's a tension in his shoulders, he sounds a bit relaxed, too] I'd have a lot of explaining to do.

[he's already been warned and threatened, Rogue's explanation would be something of a relief compared to everything else]

Yeah?

[Why would he have explaining to do? Usually these things go the other way around.]

[he makes a gesture to his face]

Blue fur and fangs usually inspire some questions. [he says it so easily; he's proud of himself]

[That was quite the statement.

Her eyebrows raise slightly.]

So you've got fangs that come out when you're upset?

[She just wants to find out what interpretation of mutation this is.]

Edited 2016-04-11 02:11 (UTC)

Something like that. [he tilts her head at her reaction and smiles a bit, wry]

You don't look very surprised.

[There are half a dozen perfectly logical reasons for that.

She doesn't give him any of them, that's not her kind of dance.]

I'm not.

[no dancing is good. He's done enough of that today]

It's temporary. [he offers after a moment, taking a guess] I take it to look like - this, but it'll wear off in a few hours. And then I'll look more familiar, I'm guessing?

[Her brows furrow. Take 'it'? Take what? And would he be able to have it with him here? As Beast, his form does take up a lot of room...]

I guess we'll see.

[She hasn't seen 'her' Hank in... six years or so. But he is kind of hard to forget.]

Sorry. [he doesn't know why he says it; sorry for not being the Hank she knows? Sorry for hiding? He isn't sure how other mutants feel about that, outside of . . . really, Erik and Charles, Raven - he faintly shakes his head]

Mm. What's your name?

Rogue. [A pause, as if she was just going to leave it there. And she was, before she vaguely remembered the rules of politeness.] Nice ta meet ya.

It's nice to meet you too, Rogue. [as awkward as this all is, he's genuine. He hasn't met another mutant in a while, not since Logan and Peter] Uh - Hank. [he gestures to himself] A few people have been using my last name too, if that's - easier.

[She arched an eyebrow.]

What do you prefer?

[A name was a very personal thing. He had the right to set it.]

Hank.

[she has no idea. But he does appreciate her asking]

Alright, then. Hank.

[She wasn't going to push for much more. This was a lot on a first day.]

Thank you.

[a lot, and yet this is the easiest conversation he's had with another mutant so far] So if you know Charles and I, does that mean you're a . . . student? Or - ? [he leaves the rest open-ended; maybe she was a teacher as well, or something else]

[...she was twenty-four years old and had been in an alternate dimension for six years. She didn't really think of herself as a student anymore. So.

Or --] --or from an alternate universe.