driftfleet | (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

[ He shakes his head. ]

I don't remove memories. [ not anymore anyway ] You wouldn't have to forget it.

I'm not sure I want any of it.

[She looks away. There are important things to see here on her knees.]

Sometimes I think the pain is the only thing I get to keep. The people die or disappear or leave. I can't control where I go anymore. Possessions are wiped out anytime some new powerful overlord wants to grab me. Memories fade. But the pain's always there.

There's more to us than pain. Even when it seems like the only steady thing in our lives, it doesn't define us.

[ At least in this, he is competent at. Charles can take away anyone's pain but his own. ]

And I can help you remember that.

Okay. Maybe. [This is the closest she's ever gotten to asking for help before. Back home they were all going through bad shit constantly. There was no "post" for reflecting on any of it. Then in the prison there was a counselor but only briefly. She'd only started warming up to her enough that she might have considered something for herself when she disappeared.]

...What about you? Would you see the things I've sen if you did it? Feel them? Because...it's a lot. And you have your own stuff I'm sure. [She doesn't want to hurt you with her bad memories, Charles.]

[ His lips twitch. ]

I've taken on a whole lot more than that.

So who helps you?

[ The question takes him aback and for a few seconds, it's clear to anyone that he doesn't know the answer. It doesn't take him long to school himself. ]

We help each other.

[As luck would have it, Kitty is anyone!]

For something you just made up it sounds pretty good. [Especially since the opportunity to help him in return makes the whole thing a lot more palatable even if she doesn't know how she'd be doing that.]

[ He shrugs. ]

My telepathy is strong. But it's not what keeps me strong. I can handle it. And it does help me . . . to help others in turn.

And how would I help you?

If someone benefits from my powers, doesn't that help me in turn?

[ One person out there who can look at him and not be scared. ]

[She raises an eyebrow with a "that's cheating" look.]

Uh huh.

[She's already not scared of him. She has limits with what she'd be okay consenting too, but he probably wouldn't want her reaching in to pull out his heart either. Her ability to trust has been damaged, but she doesn't need the vast emptiness of space between them, dulling his range, to feel comfortable with the man.]

Honestly, I don't have an answer.

[ We need you to hope again, we need you, his other self had said. And the memories of a school, of children, mutants who found themselves there - it had meant so much for a Charles Xavier who lost it all. ]

It's who I am.

[Her look turns thoughtful.] Hmm, don't forget about yourself and what you need too.

...But if you wanted to do this with me...how would we start?

I won't.

[ Charles considers this, his brow furrowing. ]

I think we should start with talking about the memories. At least in person. Then I'll know how intense they are and move on from there.

[She nods] Let's try it.

...And maybe don't mention it to Kurt. I'd rather him not try to murder his reality-displaced uncle.

[ He sighs. He can never catch a break. ]

Dare I ask why therapy would end in murder or is this another personality quirk?

He's protective of me. I was the youngest on the team for awhile, so he's always been protective, but then I died and now we're the only ones here from home. He just doesn't know you as well and maybe he would just applaud my efforts to work on bettering myself and not be freaked out by someone he barely knows poking around in my mind.

But also if you want to resend the offer I'd understand.

[ He softens a little. Charles has always been protective of Raven and vice-versa. He understood, even when he didn't agree with it anymore. ]

It's fine. As I said, privacy is important.

Thanks. So, would your ship be okay? And when do you want to do it? [Also feeling more nervous as it's getting more real with plans. At least the nerves have nothing to do with Charles and his powers.]

The Iskaulit would be a better fit. As for when, that's up to you.

[ Since Charles can't force her in any way. ]

Next week? [She should probably just be saying as soon as possible so she doesn't have time to talk herself back out of it, but she and Winn also need to get their project to a point where they can test it while they still have the moon available, so that is going to eat some time and also she wants to put it off of course.]

Next week it is.

I'll call next week. [She offers him a soft smile.] Thanks.

You're welcome.

(no subject)

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