driftfleet | (no subject)

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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

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. ]

I respect that. It's one of the things that made us work so well together, you know. We helped each other, and - and leant on each other.

[ His determination and the fact that he always said he was strong enough to carry all the burdens placed on him - it was one of the things that made him heroic in her eyes. ]

I would be happy to try that again, if you want to.

[ His offer is genuine. ]

I... [ She's a little startled, before she shakes her head with a smile. It's Charles; why would she expect anything different? ] I would really, really like that.

Splendid.

[ He rubs his chin lightly. He's not sure how much else he should say. This is a new form of communication for him and he can't tell whether he's coming off too strongly for a conversation that's best done face to face. ]

I heard I'll be assigned a ship soon. Perhaps you'd like to continue our conversation in more private quarters?

Yes! I would love that.

[ And now she's worrying about coming on too strong, especially when she's already swinging between giddy and something a little more depressing. ]

I'm on the Vanquish right now, but I can keep an ear out for when the shuffle happens? I promised Hank I would show him the library, so I can definitely make time for you, too.

[ That might be a tease. ]

Certainly. I need to visit Erik as well.

[ Though he suspects the minute he's shuffled off, Erik will come find him. ]

We have a library?

Erik? I'm not sure if I've met him yet.

[ Still, at least she can handle the other question. ]

Yes, there's one on the Iskaulit. I haven't had the chance to go yet, if only because I might never leave.

What is the Iskaulit?

[ He doesn't recall hearing that name. ]

From what I've seen, it's sort of a hang-on ship that has all sorts of things made by us on it. There's a few bars, and a gym, but a library, too.

[ That would explain what Kara meant by keeping herself occupied. That comes to some relief. Also the existence of a bar, yes good. ]

It makes sense to have some way to entertain the masses.