driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Heron crew + visitors
Broadcast: no
Action: the SS Heron
When: November

[Those spooky scary skeletons are back in the cupboard for another year, but the ship cruises onward. Whether the crew is taking a break from the planetary mystery and waystations, or just generally hanging around the ship mingling, the Heron is here for you.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I suppose that's good enough for anyone.

You haven't missed much anyway.

No? I see the ship is more or less in one piece.. Though we lost a few.

How have you been? [ It's good to see you. ]

It certainly seems quieter around here.

I'm fine. [ Charles is always fine these days. ] Mostly finding ways to keeping myself busy.

You won't see me complaining about the quiet.

[ He takes a moment to look over Charles to see if he's telling the truth. ]

What have you been doing?

Erik and I might start a small garden on the Heron. It's a good way of keeping ourselves busy.

[ Well. Keeping Erik busy, but Charles is looking forward to it as well. ] And I'm hoping to have my lecture done this month.

Oh. A garden is actually a good idea. If you need me to get you anything for that, let me know.

What is your lecture going to be on?

I appreciate that.

Literature, mostly. The humanization of mythological figures and role models. I doubt anyone is that interested but I offered.

It sounds interesting. Are there a lot of figures like that?

Yes, in fact. A lot of stories, especially during the early days of classical literature made their heroes to be greater and bigger than others. Demigods, special lineages. The Illiad and spoken stories often did this to keep the story flowing rather than getting bogged down by the details.

[ He pauses. Magneto. Mystique were legends now, in their own right. He wonders if he'll leave something like that behind. Charles can't say he cares for it. ]

But newer stories tend to inspire a fresh take, going into what might have been in the character's minds.

Is there a particular reason that these stories have changed narrative? I mean, I get that people are less-inclined to believe in things like gods anymore.

The desire to find more stories that mean something to them is the most likely reason, to be honest. It has little to do with godhood.

[ He makes an agreeing noise in the back of his throat. ] Easier to connect with a character who isn't other-worldly. Who has flaws.

Yes. But at the same time, we do need other-worldly characters sometimes. To remind us of what we can be.

They're not always the ones that should be looked up to. Power corrupts.

Of course, but we always tend to view our role models through a lens anyway. Corruptible or not.

You're right.

[ Wryly ]

When it comes to human nature, I usually am.

You've had more experience in that particular field.

Mm, in a manner of speaking. Most would say seeing the mind isn't quite the same as the experience itself — and they're not wrong. But they're not quite right either.

It's a peculiar thing, telepathy.

I imagine it is. It's a heavy burden disguised as a gift, I'm sure.

Worse people would use that ability for their own gain.

[ Charles is special, and a damn good man. Bucky's lucky to have him on his side. ]

Possibly.

[ There's no denying the possible evil uses for such a power. ]

I still struggle with seeing it as a gift, but I know it's important for me to do so. I can't tell students their powers are gifts if I can't see my own in that light.

It looks different to the people that possess them. I don't see by abilities as a gift, either. There's not really a way for me to accept them as a good thing, yet.

[ He softens a little. ]

But you said yet.

I want to be able to see the good in it, but might be an impossible task.

[ The hate is strong. ]

Nothing is impossible.