Act 1 | text

[poisoninmypocket]

Who: Monty Navarro
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: SS Heron
When: September 16th

[Monty isn't a complete stranger to being one place and then suddenly being another. This typically has some element of delusion or other magic involved, though. Suddenly finding himself aboard a random ship in the fleet is disconcerting. But Renart's given him a basic rundown of what's going on, and he's glanced through this latest communications network. There's far too much to take in. But there is one matter he's been wondering about.]

To All Souls Present,

My name is Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro, most recently of the Fortress Between. I should extend my apologies if this is a query that has been answered before, but is there, perhaps, a list of persons who once were held within the confines of this fleet who have since departed? And is it known where these disappeared persons might go?

Regards,
Navarro

ACTION - SS Heron

[Monty's not entirely sure how much he should go just wandering about a strange ship when he's just arrived, really. He probably ought to introduce himself to the captain, find out if there's some place for him to actually sleep, where the food Renart mentioned might be... But, well, a man does get distracted. Specifically, he's been distracted by the Med/Science Lab. Everything in it should, by rights, be absolutely foreign, but his hands seem to know what they're doing when he picks up devices, and he knows what the different medicines he finds are and what they do.

It's unnerving, disturbing, whatever had he done to be so deserving of such an augment? And how in god's name is this possible? He's really trying to take it in stride, but he's back to being a no one, stranded away from all the people he's known for more than a year, except Renart, whom he hasn't even found, yet.

Anyone stepping into the medical lab will find a young gentleman dressed to the nines in a suit from a bygone era, moving around and trying desperately to keep himself distracted from... everything by mucking about with the equipment.]

Comments

[ action ]

[axiomed]

[ Charles sigh. He wishes people would ask first before fiddling with the lab. Even though he lacks the augment for it, Charles maintains the lab and keeps sensitive equipment locked away.

So he clears his throat pointedly. ]

[poisoninmypocket]

[ Monty startles, but manages not to drop the scanner in his hands as he spins on his heel to face the disapproving tone.

Which appears to be attached to a man in a hovering chair. The young gentleman can only stare and blink in confusion for a second or two. And then he realizes how incredibly rude that is and redirects his gaze from the contraption up to the other man's face. ]

I'm so sorry, sir. I was... [ He looks at the scanner in his hand and sets it aside on the bed he's standing nearby. That's probably not where that goes... ] I've just arrived. I wasn't entirely sure where I ought to be, but I have an augment for this room, I believe. I think I'm meant to be here? [ His posture is impeccable, but Monty does shrink a bit under the steady gaze. Is this the captain? ] Are you in need of medical assistance?

[axiomed]

[ He softens slightly at that. ]

No. I manage the labs in my spare time since my academic work has to do a lot with biology and chemistry. I'm a geneticist.

[poisoninmypocket]

I see, sir. Ah, perhaps you would be better off with what someone with a very poor sense of humor has granted me. Forgive me for not introducing myself. I'm Navarro, sir. Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro. [ He offers the other man a bow as he says this. ]

I fear my life was that of a stockbroker and a historian more recently. I've only stepped foot into a chemist's once... and it was as very young lad. Everything here is... quite a bit beyond my day. Do they do this often to us? Just put things into our heads with these augmentations?

[axiomed]

[ He chuckles. ] That's quite the name. I'm Charles Xavier, the communications officer for the Heron.

Apparently, they do, though they don't play around in there all that much.

[ And he would know. ]

[poisoninmypocket]

Mr. Xavier, it's a pleasure. And I can only say that my mother gave me my name. [ He smiles ruefully. ] Navarro will, of course, suffice. [ He'd prefer his title be used very much more, but such is life. He's playing the humble, wide-eyed newcomer at the moment. Well. Not having to play too hard at that. Demanding that wouldn't endear him to his shipmates, in any case. Of that, Monty's certain. ]

I say, though, talking of communications, I hear by your accent you are a fellow countryman, sir. Might I inquire when you might be from? I hail from the Year of Our Lord 1909.

[axiomed]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I'm afraid not. Though I spent a great deal of my time in England, I am from Westchester, America. Around the year 1983.

[poisoninmypocket]

Oh! My apologies for the assumption, then. I've never been to America, but I've heard excellent things. [There's a pause.] Is Westchester... near New York City or California?

[Please forgive him his geography.]

[axiomed]

[ He smiles faintly. ]

It is fairly close to New York.

[poisoninmypocket]

[As that is the beginning and end of Monty's relative knowledge on America, he presses on.]

You mentioned you were a geneticist, sir? Are you conducting any experiments in this laboratory I might be able to assist you with? I was living with a scientist for a time, though I would need some guidance on anything you'd like me to do for you.

[axiomed]

[ Charles blinks, surprised by his interest. ]

Well, if you're invested in learning about it, then I see no reason not to oblige. It might be a steep learning curve as I'm still learning myself.

[poisoninmypocket]

[Monty just smiles back, a little rueful.]

Steep learning curves happen to be a specialty of mine. The place I was in before had call for skills that I had never had before. I should like to make myself useful to our crew in whatever way I can.

It should help with ratings if we're doing something interesting, right? And that's to the benefit of all of us.

[axiomed]

Which place would that be?

[ Another person from a pocket dimension, like Charles had been in once? There seemed to be multiple versions of those. ]

Yes, though it might not be suitably dramatic.

[poisoninmypocket]

The end of reality, as we were told it. [ Monty offers the other man a wry smile. ] Every reality. It was a barren wasteland with a ruined fortress we made a home of after trekking the deserts for several months with... less than ideal guides. [ He is rather tan for an English nobleman, even if his clothes look impeccable. ]

We managed to scrape along. I'm rather concerned that this- [ Monty gestures broadly ] -is all entirely fake and will collapse at a moment's notice. It would not be the first time we've been tricked as such. It is a pleasant fantasy, if that's all it is, in the meanwhile.

And one that I'm certain we can find suitably dramatic experiments for.

[axiomed]

[ He folds his hands over his lap. ]

Well, they do say many things. I doubt all of them are true. As it stands, I don't think it is fake, just highly controlled.

[poisoninmypocket]

Controlled by the Atroma? I'm given to understand our lives are being sent out to people as some sort of real-life play. How much do they control us? I know they've put these skills into my head... do they manipulate our minds beyond that?

[axiomed]

It depends on the mind. I believe they can influence it, but our choices still very much remain our own.

[poisoninmypocket]

Hmm... [There may be something just a little too calculating in Monty's expression for a few moments. If there is anything about these augments they can figure out how to harness, perhaps they can turn it back against their captors. But it likely won't do to talk about that openly where they might be listening in. He offers a small shrug and a rueful smile, returning to something more earnest.] I suppose there's little we can do about that for the time being. I shall do my very best not to think on it.

[He spreads his arms wide to the room.] In the meanwhile, perhaps you'd like to tell me what experiments you're keen to start on, Professor. [A pause.] Charles - Mr. Xavier. My-my apologies, sir. One of my cottagemates... Um. I'm sorry. [The memory of Carlos and his Laboratory in Between flares bright in Monty's mind for a moment.]

[axiomed]

[ He shakes his head loosely. Charles considers taking a deeper look and dismisses it. There's no point doing so until he feels there is a need for it. ]

You have the right of it. I am a professor and I run a school.

cw: mild ablism in the narration

[poisoninmypocket]

[ Monty's brows rise, and he touches his hand to his head briefly before offering Charles another small bow. ]

My compliments on such an achievement for one so young, Professor.

[ And one with Charles' apparent deficits, if that chair is something he requires all the time. ]

Was it some manner of science academy?

[axiomed]

[ Charles swipes his thumb over his chin. ]

Yes, especially since I got it twenty years ago. But, no, it's not that kind of academy. It's for people born with special powers.

[poisoninmypocket]

[ An inheritance, then. At least Monty assumes inheritance given how youthful the other man appears.

Unless he's immortal.

And that may very well be a possibility with the mention of special powers. ]

Oh? Do you have special powers of your own, then?

[axiomed]

Yes. I can read minds.

[ And much more, but Charles is no longer applying for full disclosure. ]

[poisoninmypocket]

[ There's a drawn out pause as Monty's own thoughts grind to a halt before kicking up and running away at a frightened rabbit's pace. He shouldn't assume this man is reading his mind right now. He might be joking. Or there might be some limitations. Or he might be polite enough not to without permission. But dear god is that ever unnerving. How can you tell?

Can you tell? ]

I see. [ His voice is a little faint. ] Is there some indication for when you're doing that?

[axiomed]

[ It's always the same. Charles is actually kind of darkly amused by it now. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. ]

I'm afraid there are no red flags. At the most, I don't. You'd be surprised how dull a person's mind can be.