driftfleet | (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

[he's blue is the very first thought he has and it even surprises him how relieved he is that there's someone else here like him. Really like him, other than Mystique]

I'm older than I look. [he offers, eyebrows raised. It's said in a joking tone]

But sorry, I'm really Hank McCoy. A Hank McCoy, I should say.

[Sounds like that really blue him away.]

A...? Aw man, don't tell me it's another parallel world! Are you sure this isn't a joke?

[p l s]

I'm positive. [he looks amused, a little bit, but also apologetic. He can only imagine what this is like for everyone] I'm really bad with jokes.

[Kurt snorts.]

Now that's a good way to match up to Professor McCoy! [He says as if his own sense of humor is much better.] Well, you know what? I'll buy it.

Um... Hey there. Hank McCoy... I'm Kurt Wagner, at your service.

[professor. He's heard it already, but hearing it in this context gives him just the slightest pause. That was his near future, if all went well. Still, it's so strange to hear it like this]

I'm going to worry if my sense of humor is what gives me away as the real deal.

But - it's a pleasure, Kurt. Please, call me Hank.

To be honest, it's not that bad. But good thing the fuzzy man's here to help you learn the ropes! [He crosses his arms smugly.]

Alright then. Hank it is. The pleasure's all mine! [It's weird to just call him by his first name. Hank McCoy had been their high school teacher on top of becoming an instructor at the Institute, after all. He feels like he can see some similarities in this Hank, although he also looks like he has a different build. It's confusing to Kurt.]

["the fuzzy man". Hank keeps his expression straight]

Ah. So the student has become the teacher? [he tilts his head] Should I continue worrying or should I look forward to it?

I- I guess I have! [This is so weird...] Well I'm the teacher, so I say should look forward to it! It will only help you to be even more awesome!

I wouldn't go that far. [Hank holds no illusions over how awesome he is, or in this case, isn't] But I'll look forward to it with only a little bit of worrying.

I'll settle for that much! [Kurt holds every illusion about how awesome he himself is, or in actuality isn't.] So, um, how's life? [He's not sure what to ask him that wouldn't risk spoiling Hank's future. So he'll just keep it vague.]

[don't worry Kurt Hank thinks you're awesome]

Life? Well - we were setting up the school before we came here. That's what we've been doing for the last month since things - settled. [that's a nice way to put it]

May I ask how long you've been here?

[Thanks Hank, he knows you were his favorite teacher for a reason.]

Whoa. [He presses a hand on his forehead.] It's hard to imagine... that must have been so long ago. [And it sounds different then what he's thought. He's pretty sure Hank wasn't one of the institute's founders, after all.]

Um... It's been about half a year now. Talk about a vacation!

Is 1973 a long time ago? [he asks, raising an eyebrow. All he really knows so far is that he's "old", which . . . well, he knows teenagers. That's subjective at most]

That's - one heck of a vacation, yeah. [that's longer than he spent in Kyriakos, even if it felt like much longer]

Well... That's almost thirty years ago, but not as a long time ago as I first pictured... [He gives a meek shrug.]

You're telling me! And there's still plenty of space for more!

I'm almost afraid to ask what you originally pictured.

That's—. . . [that joke] . . . that's - yes. [oh my god is he dealing with someone who likes puns]

...I always pegged the professor more of a- a 50s guy, you know?

[He grins obnoxiously.]

Ha! You get it? This is your first lesson, my grasshopper!

[he snorts]

That's accurate in some ways.

And yeah, I got it. You should consider it an advanced lesson, though - I've already been exposed to some pretty bad puns.