BACKDATED TO YESTERDAY ➔ 1ST MUTATION ➔ VIDEO

[accesses]

Better late than never, I'd say.

[ Charles has been trying to adjust to life in Asgard. He was pulled out of his world, at the worst possible time only to arrive to the fact - he was void of his telepathy. Adjusting is a work in progress. But he's treating this thing like it was a presentation or a lecture, so he's doing his best to look adequate. Like it's not getting to him. The smile he passes is an easy one. ]

I suppose, it's common courtesy to introduce oneself over the network. My name is Charles Xavier. Before arriving in Asgard, I was a professor of Genetics. I had written a thesis on genetic advancements, mutations. People with gifts. Gifts that were very much so similar to the 'powers' bestowed to us by these gods. Gifts with untapped potential to be the catalyst for a better world.

In Asgard, we are a put at a point - where everyone is put on equal footing. Everyone is in possession of these gifts and we're capable of having peaceful cohabitation. But it does beg the question, before Asgard - was anyone in possession of gifts?

[ FILTERED | ERIK LENSHERR ; RAVEN DARKHOLME ]

Are you two here as well? Your names showed up on the directory.

Comments

[holmes_fanatic]

Mm! Xavier-san lived in Odin, Room 401. He worked in the Hospital Forensics Laboratory.

Ne ... it might be that you don't have anything to jog. It's possible that the gods took Xavier-san from a time before the last time he was brought here ... They often play tricks like that with people.

What else are you wondering about?

[accesses]

Do you think the current resident would let me take a look?

{ he wasn't expecting himself to be roped into forensics - but perhaps there was some need of his expertise then. ]

I'd still rather like to take a look. A number of things. Mostly how people get on in Asgard. There are honestly, worse places to be transported too.

[holmes_fanatic]

I'm afraid I don't know who the current resident is! Sorry, Xavier-san.

Mm, that's true -- although Asgard would be a lot better if it wasn't for the war.

[accesses]

Oh, no. No. Thank you. You've been terrific help already. That's honestly a good amount to go on.

What is this war? I've heard talk of it but I don't see any soldiers on the streets. Exactly, what are we supposed to do?

[holmes_fanatic]

The gods called it 'Ragnarok.' They say it'll bring about the end of not just this world, but all worlds. So far, there have only been three attacks on the city -- the first when the Dragon that declared war started fires throughout the city, the second when creatures made of ice roamed the city attacking people, and the third is called 'the Darkness' now ... that one's harder to explain.

[accesses]

Sorry, I know you've just declared it hard to explain but could you try? The darkness sounds quite foreboding.

[ a beat. ]

Have the 'Gods' tried aiming for the lines of negotiation? I mean, I'm sure there are some ways that these dragons can be reasoned with.

[ Charles no ]

[holmes_fanatic]

I'll do my best, but it might be better to look up a man called Alan Wake. The Darkness came from his world; no one knows more about it than he does!

Anyway, the first night it started, people started acting weird. I got followed home by a friend from the hospital, but she sounded creepy when she talked and there was this dark shadow over her. There were other people like her, and some attacked people -- but they stayed away if you had a light. The next day my friend wasn't at the hospital, and other people were missing or dead. There were more shadowy people around attacking people at night. We discovered that if you shone a light on them, the shadow left, but they were still weird and wanting to hurt you ... but you could fight back! Before the shadow protected people.
The third day, about lunchtime, the light went. Even though it was day, it was dark as night all over the city. The darkness lasted until about lunchtime Day 4. We were able to free enough people from the shadow that I think the Darkness was driven away ... but I'm not really sure what happened.

Ah ... well, we haven't heard of any negotiating, but it might be the gods wouldn't tell us that! When it delivered the declaration of war, the dragon flew around the castle for about an hour. It might have been talking to the gods then.

[accesses]

Oh, so there's a possibility - you mean to say, of something from our previous world entering this one and wrecking havoc?

[ his first thought is shaw. shaw was dangerous and he could see how someone like him would take advantage of this world. especially with the lack of governance. there's also the possibility of other mutants, who are capable of so much more dangerous things. ]

Wars can be solved with words. I think any talks of peace should be discussed in the network, to at least ease the minds of travelers. Are they truly expecting us to fight?

[ you're too young to go to war, he thinks. ]

[holmes_fanatic]

We were told it was impossible that our powers in our original worlds would work here -- those of us who had powers, at least! So for this to happen ... well, it's pretty weird! It sounds like it was caused deliberately ...

They're really expecting us to fight. I hope that Xavier-san pursues diplomacy. It'd make me feel better, for one.

[accesses]

Well. I'd like to keep blind faith in our captors for now. They're rather accommodating and it seems like nothing too awful has transpired.

[ Nothing too awful, he said. Right before the plague, he said. ]

I'm a firm believer in that nothing good will come out of violence. Diplomacy is a tool that should be sharpened and perhaps - I think, if we took the time to understand the causes of this war - maybe, maybe common ground can be met.

[ a beat. ]

Conan, you seem quite intelligent for your age but you are quite young. Do they truly expect children to partake in the battles?

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah -- there are some bad things the gods have done. But ... [How do you tell a guy he was horribly murdered?] Maybe you should look into them once you've had the chance to get settled in.


... um, well. A few months ago, I was part of a group that was forcibly sent camping in a small forest outside the city. While we were there, a scouting party from the Fire Giants came upon us and attacked. They -- definitely didn't hold back 'cause I was there or anything so ... I think they don't have the same ideals that Xavier-san does.

[accesses]

Alright, thank you. You've been an excellent source of help. I will take you up on that offer.

[ it puts him off, learning that they're expected to fight these things who clearly aren't capable of the slightest shred of mercy. It makes him feel odd. Like he shouldn't be encouraging anything. ]

That's not a reason to send children to war however. Conan, can I ask how old you are?

[holmes_fanatic]

Anytime, Xavier-san!

[Oh good. This question again.]

I'm seven.

[accesses]

[ a w k w a r d. ]

And your parents aren't with you?

[holmes_fanatic]

[Very.]

It's just me.

[accesses]

I really do hope you have no intention of fighting this war. Children aren't meant to be soliders.

[holmes_fanatic]

I don't really plan on fighting so much. I'm pretty sure that I'm not cut out for that.

[accesses]

I certainly hope so. I realise the gods have their methods and their purposes but sending a child war doesn't end up good no matter how you cut it.

[holmes_fanatic]

I'm a little worried about that ... I'm not the only child here.

[accesses]

So it seems. I've met a Lucy Pevensie, upon recently. It's quite worrying.

Has anyone addressed this situation?

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah ... Apollo-san wanted to start something to make sure we got properly fed but he left before that could happen ... I think that's it!

[accesses]

I realise it might not hold much value coming from someone who's properly arrived - but perhaps this is something I could address next? It seems like a cause that's certainly worth attention.

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah ... I think that the children who are here now all have found people to look after them, so we might not need meals so much now ... but I think it's definitely worth investigating if Xavier-san is interested! There might be other problems we have that we need help with.

[accesses]

Such as? I'd like to get on board with anything I can help with it. Provided, I'm not stepping on anyone's toes.

But I think that's a fairly good cause. We should probably organise something.

[holmes_fanatic]

Well, right now I'm fine! I have lots of friends and I moved out of the Welcome Hall in with some of my friends, and I even have a job so I'm learning too! But I guess it's scary for kids who first arrive here ... a lot of them don't know how to go about finding a job or basic things like that.