driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Charles Xavier and YOU
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Heron
When: July 13th

[ Video ]

[ The video starts, shaky before it focuses on Charles. Well, Charles and the suddenly large box that drops in his path, effectively blocking him. For a minute, he glances around, surprised before he tentatively opens the box --

And the music starts, tinny and loud. He winces as he pulls out the swimming caps from the box. The note attached says, "Congratulations on getting closer to baldness!". Charles drops the caps back in the box. ]

Charming. I don't suppose anyone wants these? Free of charge

[ Action - locked to Erik, Raven, Hank and Moira ]

[ They had decided on the beach . . . though it seems that as though the plans were made ahead of time. Charles isn't bothered, more amused and touched by the amount of preparation and dedication that had gone into the event. He hadn't celebrated his birthday in years, years spent with Hank in an empty mansion, trying to down out each other's mutual sorrow.

Now . . . he's not sure how to feel about it, but the feeling of appreciation hasn't wavered yet. It's close to late evening and the sun is setting over the vast sea. ]

( Charles can be found on the Heron for most of the day, save for the evening )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Erik extends his hands, and lifts Charles's chair off the ground slightly. There's a clinking sound as a number of screws unwind themselves and land on the blanket beside him. The wheels slides off their spokes, then circle around to place themselves in the sand. Arcing one hand lower, Erik straightens out the footrest slightly before lowering the rest of the chair onto the ground.]

Thank you, Erik.

[ He presses his palms against his knees and breathes it in. How long has it been since they've been on a beach like this? . . . Charles knew the answer. ]

[Best not to think about that. For Erik, this is so far removed from that day - both in time, and in location - that it's easy enough not to dwell on it. Had this been on Earth, maybe he wouldn't have suggested it. A perfect storm of circumstance has lead them to this moment.

He pulls one last item out of his bag, and holds it out to Charles. It's a rectangular package, wrapped in paper.]

Happy birthday.

[ He turns his head to smile at him. ]

You're all spoiling me rotten at this rate. I'll turn into an absolute beast.

[ But he takes it gratefully, affection humming through his skin. ]

I thought that was the idea of birthdays. But I'll throw all your things into the ocean if it makes you feel more modest.

[When Charles unwraps the package, he'll find a lacquered wooden chess board, all made from local materials. The chess squares are alternating dark and light wood, and the pieces are carved from the same. The date and the name of this world have been burned into the side.]