(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

[complicatedliar]

[He doesn't recognize one of them, but he does the other. Oh, ugh.]

Oh, you.

Though which you, I wonder. [Is he going to have to threaten this one? And he helpfully doesn't specify which he's talking about, because that's part of the test. He's sure Charles remembers him, if this is the one he met in Luceti.]

Re: video

[axiomed]

[ He shoots a look at Hank before speaking. ]

Not the one you're familiar with, I'm guessing.

video

[complicatedliar]

It would seem not, Charles. [A very cool tone, though neutral. Dangerously so.]

I wonder if you are so cavalier as the other I knew when I came to poking about in someone else's mind.

Re: video

[axiomed]

[ Ah. That kind of interaction. Charles isn't sure what his other self did, but reading minds does tend to invoke strong feelings. ]

I try not to make a habit out of it. It's easier to give people the benefit of the doubt.

video

[complicatedliar]

One might hope.

Let this be a polite warning to go with a... fresh start. Should I feel you intrude upon my thoughts without my express permission--and trust that I will, for I am not of your realm--things will go very badly between us.

Re: video

[axiomed]

[ Politely. ]

That seems fair.

video

[complicatedliar]

[No need to explicitly say that going badly means your blood in a rapidly expanding pool on the floor.]

Good.

[He smiles, amused.] I care not how you comport yourself otherwise. Have fun.

Re: video

[axiomed]

[ So scary. Much terror. ]

Ah. Thank you?

video

[complicatedliar]

[Some day he will just snap and start murdering people again. About the time he no longer cares if he gets laid any more.]

You're welcome.

[Call ends.]

[beathach]

[why this. He's glancing at Charles before addressing this new person]

Uh - do you mean me or Charles?

[complicatedliar]

Charles. I do not know you. [Should he want to?]

[beathach]

[well do you like nerdy mutants]

Oh. [he tilts his head, brows furrowed in curiosity] Are you - uh. Another mutant?

[complicatedliar]

[He actually does have a soft spot for nerds in a general sense.]

Perish the thought. Nor am I human.

I am of the Aesir.

[beathach]

Ah. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that. [and he looks apologetic about it too] Is it . . . another world? Realm?

[complicatedliar]

The word you are looking for is realm, yes. And in this case, my realm of origin is Asgard.

[beathach]

[his eyebrows furrow]

That's . . . Norse, isn't it? That sounds more familiar.

[complicatedliar]

Your people did worship us as gods. But the words are ours, borrowed by the humans.

[beathach]

[he tilts his head]

That's - huh. That's really fascinating. [mythology was only ever an idle interest, but he sounds no less genuinely interested] So that means you're people have been to Earth - er, our realm, then? If you ended up being worshiped.

[complicatedliar]

Yes, we once frequented Midgard and had it under our protection.

[beathach]

But not anymore? [he pauses, winces a little, then waves a hand] Nevermind, sorry, I tend to ask before - anyway.

[change the topic, Hank]

How do you know Charles, if I may ask?

[complicatedliar]

The king, in his infinite wisdom [So much withering contempt packed into a few words.] decided that you ought to fend for yourselves.

There was a place, before here, that I found myself in. I met a version of him. [He smiles, showing his teeth.] We didn't get on.

[beathach]

. . . ah. [well that. Sort of makes sense, he thinks. He isn't sure]

Another place? [he was finding that surprisingly common here] Er. That's a shame. I'm sorry? I - don't think this is the Charles you know, at least?

[complicatedliar]

A village, named Luceti.

No, it is not that Charles. Lucky for him.

[beathach]

["lucky for him". His expression doesn't change, but he stands up a little straighter, out of his usual slump]

I'm afraid it doesn't sound familiar. But I'm only familiar with a few - other places anyway. [a future project, maybe, once he was done with all the others he'd already gathered]

But - mm, lucky for him. I hope you'll - keep that in mind. Should you two talk again.

[complicatedliar]

I wouldn't expect it to.

I shan't be seeking him out for conversation. I consider the inside of my mind entirely private.