driftfleet | [Video] 2nd Form

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[Video] 2nd Form

Who: Mystique and you (she supposes)
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Golden
When: 17 May

[You would think someone was holding Mystique at gun point with the initial look she gave the camera, looking none too happy to be making this broadcast, but a huff of a sigh and roll of her eyes later and she managed to compose herself to a more neutral expression. She of course could fake a more fitting emotion easily, she was well versed in acting a part but since this wasn’t a mission she saw no point in pretending to be something she isn’t. Others would just have to deal with that fact.]

After being in talks with other occupants of our current predicament, it seems the best way to past time here between our semi regular stops is to take up a hobby or something of the likes. And considering I came here with practically nothing, [Not that Mystique needed much, yet she certainly had been missing her weapons until she was on board the Golden and had gotten access to guns again, sating her need to be constantly armed.] And I have been told my typical actions are not the most practical choices here, [There was a pause as she seemed to struggle with saying the next words, as if the entire idea disgusted her.] I would be interested to know what others do as hobbies or to past the time. [That may be the closest to her asking for help that most here are going to get out of her.]

I am willing to swap information. I may not be practiced in more mundane activities but I do have a wide knowledge on more specialized topics if someone wants practice on how to arm and protect themselves.

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[ For a long, long time Raven just stares at the other woman - but eventually she comes to a decision. There's no real point in her pretending to be something she's not in front of someone that knows who and what she is and, so, slowly, her body shifts. Pale skin turns back to blue and she tilts her head up, proud and defiant in the face of someone identical to her and, yet, at the same time, so rapidly different. ]

Everywhere seems friendly at first. People like to play games. [ Crossing her arms, Raven shakes her head. ] I only trust what I see for myself.

[That, that was so not expected, that ripple that only occurred with a shapeshifter, a shimmer to the form, but Mystique recognized it immediately as this girl's body changed.

And she was young. So very very young.]

Are you Raven, the one Charles has talked about? [Her voice was level, neutral, not requiring the same need of show Raven was putting on, the defiant stance and almost asking to be challenged. Just calm, careful studying, suppressing any real emotion for now, but still needing to ask.] How old are you?

That's me. [ There's no shame in that, not really. Once Erik had asked her if she was still Charles' Raven, and she's starting to learn that, maybe, she can be Charles' Raven and be Mystique too. She can change and become someone better; if Erik can do it then she damn well can as well, just watch her.

There's no shame in how she tries to keep herself strong, head held high; she's not blue to most of the world but there's no need to hide from yourself, really. ]

I'm old enough. [ Which is true, really, and she can't help the rest - ] Not as old as you, though. Younger than he is.

[No, no she wasn't, not with that kind of answer. That was an answer of someone who was still learning, still working their way through and needing to be something, to stand for something, and to prove it to others. Mystique could remember that time for herself, even if she tried to ignore that it ever happened, saying those same words with that same tone. So very long ago.

It didn't however stop a twitch to her jaw at the 'not as old as you' part though, yet trying not to let her own gaze turn too stony just yet. It was tough, it was like dealing with Tabitha when she 'joined' the Brotherhood, the girl lacking any brains to show a healthy level of fear, not realizing what Mystique could do.

Then again, she was trying to avoid doing that here...] He's spoken fondly of you.

[ Raven isn't afraid to see Mystique because she knows, from personal experience, what it means to have the kind of power the other woman has. If they share more than just their shapeshifting then there's something to be said for her strength and her ability to fight, too, as well as the ability to read people. That means there's more than meets the eye, and Raven isn't afraid to keep her head high and show she's not afraid, certainly not of a woman that's a little like herself. All she can do is shrug off her own doubts and watch her, carefully.

The reminder of Charles makes her huff a noise, though, and she shakes her head before she smothers down the messy emotions that come to light as soon as her brother is mentioned. Her voice is quieter, now, and she nods once. ]

He would, considering we're family. [ She's heard of other worlds from Kitty; she has a good idea of what Charles might not mean to this woman. ] We care about each other.

[That little huff and shake of her head was registered by Mystique with barely a blink of her eyes, Raven's actions speaking so much louder than her softer tone.] So I have come to see, at least from his side. [Mystique left the rest of her sentence hanging for a moment, not saying it just yet as. Instead she eyed Raven, as if she could see those cracks in the girl's shield, what was going on in her head as her own thoughts turning inwards to place pieces together.

What held her tongue wasn't the plan of being nicer than she normally was, but how much it showed about herself that she even thought of a possible answer. Yet, as she had to keep reminding herself, what had made her step out and talk to Charles in the first place, or Hank, or even reveal herself to Rogue... she was dead back in her world, she had nothing to lose.] But he doesn't understand, does he? It doesn't change if you care for him or not, he just doesn't get it.

[ Raven lifts a shoulder, watching her carefully. ] There's no reason for him to hide it, is there? You're not me and that's fine but he does care about me. He's never been particularly subtle. [ The quick defence for her brother comes easily enough - because, really, only she's allowed to say bad things about him most of the time. Complete strangers have no right to try and act as if they understand, at least in her mind, because they don't know. They weren't there.

Tilting her head up, she watches, waiting for whatever else the woman wants to say. She doesn't expect the rest of the words, though, and she swallows, pursing her lips. Of course someone that was her would know just what to say to get under her skin, undoing the layers and years of work she had put in to make herself stronger, prouder. Shaking her head, Raven steels herself. ] No, he doesn't always understand. But he tries. He tries with everything he has and that is what matters.

[ Now, at least, now that she can look back and understand. ]

[Brushing aside that little outburst of Raven's as nothing important, Mystique instead focused on the rest of her words. Yes, she was all too good at getting under others' skins, able to pick them apart and find their insecurities and use them against them. But this, Raven, struck too close to home.] Yes, it is. [And somewhere in the deepest, darkest parts of her mind, of her past, which was buried so deep under layers of anger and rage and duty flared a spark of jealously. That this girl got a family, even if only in one person, when Mystique never had that. Yet it was quickly snuffed out, ignored and locked back away once again.

Her yellow gazed locked onto Raven's own for several long moment, Mystique eventually spoke up.] I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you or another would show up here, considering I have already seen it happening with others.

[ If only Mystique knew, Raven thinks. If this woman knew how much Charles had hurt her, over time, how he had made her feel small and worthless while at the same time worshipping her like she was some kind of prized goddess - the twist and shame of a thousand emotions all tied up in the knowledge that she was loved, but that the love he gave her came at the price of hiding... Maybe she wouldn't think Charles cared at all. It's a difficult situation and she and her brother have been working on it, not just at home in the barest moments of being together but here, too, when they're not busy with other things, but it's not the same.

It's not easy anymore. ]

I didn't ask to come here, and neither did you. Don't worry, I'm not going to steal your scary thunder. [ Raven shifts, awkward and uncomfortable. ] We're not the same person, but at least we can talk to each other and figure out who we are before things get even crazier.

[Wait, no, hold up, that needed more addressing.] 'Scary thunder'? [A moment longer staring at Raven for the comment before Mystique gave a shake of her own head and a sigh. Youth, really.]

No, we're not. One day we might be more so, whether you or others would think that is a good thing or not. I am not sure what I can offer you, or the vice versa, but considering we all are stuck in this place I can certainly try to offer aid or information you might want. [With a point of clarification to it.] Certain information.

I think you know what I mean. [ Raven wasn't here to stand up and be some kind of frightening presence; she didn't really want to be here at all, not until she realised Charles and Hank were here too. She doesn't want to be what she sees on the camera right now either - someone that has the confidence, yes, but also has some kind of aura about her that makes her feel uncomfortable, as if she has to keep proving herself, as if she has to fight for the right to hold her head up high, to be proud of who she is now and not who she might become.

Raven doesn't think she'll end up like this Mystique, but she can't predict the future. ] Information. [ She purses her lips and leans back, breathing in for a moment before she looks forward to stare at Mystique, no hesitation in her gaze. ] I suppose that depends on what you want to tell me. I know about keeping secrets.

[Mystique purposely ignored the whole 'scary thunder' explanation, not feeling a need to push that any further, her previous question having been more rhetorical than anything. Instead she made a conscious effort to counter Raven's movement, leaning in as she brought her hands up in front of her face, one rest over the top of the other as she leaned her chin against the top of them.] Ideally I wouldn't say anything, to anyone. [Just so Raven didn't think it was just about her.] However I am also aware of the need to get on for the sake of being stuck here together. So I can't promise I will answer everything, but I am, [Ugh, it took so much effort to not roll her eyes and to keep the condescending tone out of her voice as she said this.] Willing to try if you have questions.

I don't think our worlds are similar enough for it to matter. [ Raven shifts, awkward and uncomfortable, and her eyes dance over Mystique before she breathes out. A part of her doesn't want to know anything else, she doesn't want to even consider how their worlds might line up, but it's hard not to talk about it. It's hard not to ask. ] I don't know what I should ask. I don't know what will matter in my world, or in my future. Things are already different. [ She lifts a shoulder, shaking her head. ] I know about Kurt, and I know you're not interested in the Hank McCoy of your world. I know we have the same skin but not the same family. I'm not sure what there is that could be the same.

[Interested in Hank McCoy? Hm, well that might explain a few things.] You could do worse, [Even if there was a chance that Kurt might not exist in her world without Azazel being around,] You could also do better. [And that she might miss out on meeting Irene, Irene who was so very special and so very important, to Mystique and the world itself.

Inhaling deeply, Mystique let it out in a long breath before she shifted back in her seat, not commenting on Raven's movements and signs of discomfort.] In that case don't ask. It doesn't effect me either way. You being here doesn't effect me either way. I'll keep doing what I am, and same for you. If our paths cross, then so be it.

There's no one better for me than Hank. [ She's sure of that. She's certain of it and she tilts her head up and she watches, stern and - trying not to let herself be bitter. She's frustrated, mostly because this woman knows things and doesn't know at the same time, and it makes her uncomfortable. Besides, she had seen other people - she had been with Azazel. She knew Hank was the best person for her and she welcomed it. ] He's best for me.

[ Because Mystique didn't know her Hank, and that was fine.

Leaning back, she turns her gaze away with a frown. ] Then go ahead. I thought it would be a good idea to say hello, not become your new best friend for life. I don't need that and I'm sure you don't either. [ She stares, before she almost, almost rolls her eyes. ] Have a nice day.

[Well that certainly ruffled some feathers, hadn't it? It took Mystique a bit of effort not to smirk at Raven's bite back, that look on her face, it too easy to antagonize her. Instead she followed Raven's example.] And to you.

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[Video] 2nd Form

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