driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Charles Xavier + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Heron
When: Right now!

[ The video starts with Charles sitting on his wheelchair, his hands neatly folded on his lap. He rubs faint circles on his legs for a few seconds, the only real sign of tension. ]

Hello. My names is Charles Xavier. I am a geneticist graduated from Oxford. I -- [ ran ] -- run a school in Westchester for the Gifted. Mutants. People with abilities. My focus is the training and control of abilities we do not always fully understand, abilities that are gifts but can often run amok.

[ He pauses, catching his second wind before continuing on, poised. ]

I am also a telepath with a full set of abilities in aiding the mind and extremely . . . proficient. I do not read minds without permission, because honestly, I really don't care.

[ Charles pauses again, wondering if he should say more and dismisses it. People can ask him if they need details - which they will. ]

If anyone would like to make use of my abilities and skills, they are certainly most welcome to. Confidentiality, of course, is key and you need not make anything public if you do not wish to. If you have any questions for me, the floor is open for you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ With the curiosity of a child, not at all hostile: ]

Just like that? Do you have to put any effort into it, or is it just like-- something you can hear all the time? What about emotions? Sorry, it's just-- you're the first person I've met from Earth with any kind of ability that sounds similar to how we use the Force. Can you sense what people are going to do before they do it?

[ The Force? . . . That sounded familiar. He scratches his beard as he parses that. ]

I can do all of those things. And then some. There's very little effort involved. And . . . I can hear things all the time, but I try to limit it.

[ Ahsoka thinks about that for a second before giving a low whistle. ]

Wow. And nobody in your world knows how to shield either, huh. Isn't that crazy overwhelming?

[ There's something jarring about someone understanding what it feels like. Charles isn't sure how he feels about it. ]

It was, when I was younger. I learned how to control it over time.

Yeah... I mean, you'd have to. Otherwise you'd go nuts...

[ His smile is brittle. ]

Thankfully, I was spared that particular fate.

Well, you're welcome to hang around me if you ever want a change of pace. Anyone who's been Jedi-trained is used to shielding their thoughts.

[ Jedi. This was a real Jedi. Charles opens and closes his mouth abruptly. ]

That -- would be lovely. Though I really am quite all right.

[ Ahsoka shrugs. ]

I'm just saying.

Oh yeah-- I'm Ahsoka, by the way. Ahsoka Tano. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier.

Charles. Charles Xavier.

So, what else can a Jedi do?

I don't think our telepathy is as strong as yours, for starters. We can't pick things up without trying-- it's not passive, we have to actively try. Feelings are much easier. Mostly though, sensing the Force is about sensing energy. That's what the Force is! The energy of the universe. What's about to happen, what's happened in the past, what may happen far in the future. Where someone is, the trajectory of a blaster bolt, whether you're being lied to... that kind of thing!

I mean, there are physical uses too. The same energy can be used to move things without touching them, to augment our strength or speed, to cushion a fall... well, you get the idea.

[ Charles nods slowly. ]

So you tap into this field that you're sensitive to.

[ He hesitates briefly. He doesn't want to mention where he has heard of the Jedi, especially since they seem very real. ]

Someone told me once that my powers resembled those of a Jedi. But it's not the field. It comes from . . . well, me. And they only deal with the mind. Lying, instinct, memories, thoughts . . . I can see all of it.

That's right! [ it's refreshing when someone not from their world gets it so quickly. ]

And yeah. Kurt told me you don't have the Force in your world. Though-- that still seems weird if you ask me! I mean, a world without the Force would be a dead one. How do you know that it isn't just the Force manifesting itself through you guys differently? Like... I don't know. Pushing humanity forward or whatever.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No, I'm afraid our abilities are purely genetic. Even though the variations seem strange and confusing, there is a reason for why and how those abilities work. Whether there is a more . . . divine purpose behind it, I couldn't say. I certainly haven't found proof of it.

Huh. [ Well, she won't argue the point, though she's clearly not entirely convinced. ]

Well, either way, I hope you're able to help the people here who need it.

[ There's a lot of them. Anakin included :/. Not that he'd ever sign himself up, or let someone else sign him up either. But maybe she can find a way somehow to get them in the same room one day in a way that seems coincidental. Time to get to scheming. ]

I've gotten a lot more offers than I thought I would. It seems there is a great need for these kind of services. And my abilities can help out a lot easier than simply talking to someone.

... Mm. It's a common thread I've noticed. Almost nobody here has lived a normal civilian life, or comes from a world at peace. I know math was never my strong point, but even I can work out that that's statistically improbable.

It is a common thread with these places. The more dysfunctional, the more likely we cause enough drama and amusement.

[ Charles is rolling in money lately, just from talking to the other mutants alone. ]

Ugh, I know! It makes me so mad! Profiting off other people's personal problems... it's sick!

And yet, oddly popular.

[ He pauses. ] Has no one seen the Atroma?

They've spoken to us a couple times. But never in person. Cowards.

[ Odd. But unsurprising. ]

So they're not near the Fleet. Technically.

Well. That's the logical assumption. But they could easily be on the Marsiva. That thing's huge after all, and I don't think any of us have ever seen more than five percent of it.

... Though between you and me, I kinda doubt it.

I certainly didn't sense anyone else there.

[ He rubs his beard. ] But they could have shielded. They've also altered the limits of my powers. Normally, reading people between ships shouldn't be an issue.

What?! ... Wow. That's rude.