driftfleet | A call in the dark

[It won't be long before the Marsiva leaves the system. Not once has the fleet's Host Ship gone near the green, mysterious planet, choosing instead to keep it only at the far edges of her reach. All the while, the party deck has remained open and welcoming, tempting passengers to stay and try their luck for last-minute prizes.

And just when it seems like the fleet may leave the Lagan system without incident- a sudden rush of energy flares out across the green planet's surface and beyond, rippling far past its atmosphere until it reaches every ship in the fleet. The energy buffets the hulls and scrambles the instruments for one or two very dramatic minutes - just as it had before, but much more powerful in its reach. The wave is still invisible, save for a confusing warp in the way light describes shapes, but those who are sensitive to various energies--psionic, magical, life-force, or otherwise--will be able to feel an overwhelming force comb through their entire being, before the phenomenon passes over and ends.

However, unlike last time, this wave of energy is not silent. Across both the speakers of every communication device and console, and in the minds of anyone sensitive to the energy, comes the message:]

Yei equoa seh ouat ti unduo ti akun. Yiat deht quoi yiat seh kiskhan. Yiaht seh yesui ti yiat seh enduan, tal yei vissai atuav yei ti esat yiat lehir hanui. Esat yiat lehir evess. Esat yiat lehir illua tal giskat deht. Wes sahat lehir enila yei, wes yei vissai seh nan sahat ista, sahat yayet quoi adaht woru vitsahn. Hanui gisketi ideht yesui ti tokia gisketi ideht uaru, tal adrifa deseht adtah.

[Those who had been investigating the wreckage's systems may notice that this message is the very same as the one coded in the distress signal. Perhaps the Virsua was trying once last time to communicate.]

[OOC: Feel free to use this post as a mingle--either for broadcasts over the network or in-person interactions. The Marsiva is still within range of the planet for another day or two, so any in-person threads can be on the planet's surface, aboard various ships or stations, or in the Marsiva's party room.

For those who had learned a translated word before, now is a great chance to put that knowledge to use!

While the mods continue to sort out the upcoming happenings with the Drift Fleet, we thought a final themed mingle would be fun to play with in the meantime. Enjoy!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It was a reasonable enough assumption.

[ Raven moves as close as she can get, her eyes still searching his face. ]

I heard it too - all of us must have. It was worse for you.

[ He shakes his head, unwilling to admit weakness. ]

I'm just - I'm still recovering, that's why.

Charles. [ Raven strokes a hand over his, gently. ] It's okay. It's just me.

[ He doesn't meet her gaze. ]

I just need time.

Charles. Will you look at me?

[ Her voice is soft and quiet. She might have been at odds with Charles' telepathy for a long time, but she still knows him. ]

[ Finally, he meets her eyes. ]

Hi there. [ Softening, she leans up to kiss his forehead. ] I'm not going to judge you, alright? It's okay not to be perfect all the time.

It's not the same.

[ It's never the same. ]

Then how about you try explaining it to me?

[ He really doesn't want to. But Charles tries, for Raven. ]

Making a mistake - not being perfect as a telepath means I renegade on the promises I made. Even if it's involuntary, the trust is always tentative. And it falls apart very quickly.

Charles... [ She knows what he's talking about. She is - was - one of the people who would react badly. At least that was in the past for her now, and she could try and be more rational about it. Try. ] Everyone knows this wasn't your fault. The Atroma are screwing with us again, and it's... It's not fair for you to carry the weight all the time. You deserve more than that, and I trust you.

[ He breathes out quietly. Charles doesn't feel like he's in the right mindframe for this conversation, but he doesn't want to hold back. ]

I know it's not. I know I have some trust and I know I deserve . . . more. And . . . deep down, I want more.

But that's not what people look for in me. They want someone to let them know things will be all right. They want to know that there's hope for them. They want me to keep it alive. They want the school, the chance, the dream.

[ His voice catches. ]

They don't want me.

Do you think that's why I decided to stay, Charles?

[ Raven's hand brushes over his cheek gently. ]

I didn't come back because I wanted to believe in your hope. Not really, I think we both know that. It's not that simple, and I didn't believe, not for a long time. I came home because you asked me, because you wanted me, because you accepted me. Because I know you missed me, and I missed you as well.

[ Her fingers move and slip away. ]

I came home for you. I wanted you, Charles. Just you. Not the telepath, or the Professor. Just my brother.

[ His expression crumbles at that. ]

I asked him to. I asked and I woke up - and it was just over. And everything feels so breakable.

How can it be better and I still feel like I lost?

Oh, Charles.

[ Moving closer, she wraps her arms around his neck, drawing him close. It hurts, and her heart aches, and she doesn't have an answer for him, not really. She understands, though, but she wonders... How long has Charles been holding this back? ]

I know it doesn't help, but that's - it's what happens sometimes. Seeing things better, or fixed, and knowing that you had to pay the price for it... It doesn't make it better. You still lose. I know it's not fair, but it just needs time. So much time that it'll feel like an eternity.

[ Too long. Too long of trying to keep it down, trying to keep it in perspective. He wraps his arms around her, trying to smother a sob but he clings tightly all the same. It was hard to reconcile the work, the conversations, the hopes. It was hard to reconcile the man who asked him what Charles wanted with the man who left. The man who sold him to En-Sabah-Nur to the man who came back.

Charles made Erik a part of his family. But it feels like Erik never made Charles a part of his. ]

[ Raven doesn't do more than hold onto him, at least for now. Charles needs this, and she knows there are few people in the world he would be this open with, this vulnerable - she doubts he would share this with Erik, and she can't even imagine him showing Hank. Not really. It might just be here, and she doesn't mind baring it - she doesn't mind letting herself be the one he leans on. She's his sister, and the love she feels for him outweighs anything he might give her to carry on her shoulders.

Her fingers rub against his neck and just below the back of his head, her own face tilting against his as she holds onto him. ]

I'm sorry.

[ It's the only thing she has left to say, to offer him, and she is. She's so desperately sorry that he has to go through this. ]

[ He tries to shake his head, say don't be as he usually does, brushing it aside and he finds that he just . . . can't.

He can't. ]

[ Raven keeps holding him, at least until she manages to move back to look at Charles. ]

Lie down with me?

[ He clears his throat, sounding hoarse. ]

Of course.

[ Kissing his cheek, Raven shifts up and moves away, settling down and waiting for Charles to join her. When he does, she's wrapping an arm around him instantly and holding onto him. ]

Is it okay if I stay here tonight?

[ He nods, feeling clingy. He draws in a shuddering breath. ]

Thank you.

[ Raven just shakes her head, her hand pressed over his heart. ]

You don't have to thank me for being here for you.

No, Raven.

I think I really need to.

[ She closes her eyes, swallowing a little. ]

... Fine. You're welcome.

(no subject)

axiomed - 2016-11-27 23:57 (UTC) - Expand