i - d. 339 - joint post - video

[leidenschaft]

[the video is a bit shaky because - well, it’s moving from one person to another. someone gruffly says,]

You do it.

[there is a rough, hurried sort of whisper from someone trying to be quiet but at the same time understandably frustrated.] Me? What on earth am I supposed to say?

I don’t know, Charles. I’ve spent the last few hours talking to people, I’m tired. Say something. Anything. [pause] Not …. regular things. [he looks at charles, expecting him to understand this just by looking. but when he doesn’t register a word, erik repeats, rather impatiently,] Things.

[the english voice again:] Oh, because I haven’t? For heaven’s sake - give it here - [and the video finally focuses on the man in the cardigan]

Uh - hello. My name is Charles Xavier and this is my - [a pause. they’ve only just met for the first time after the cuban crisis and while he agrees that they should put that aside to deal with the immediate crisis, yes okay, god - well. things.] - my associate, Erik Lehnsherr. Who some of you may have already met. As well as myself. And we would like to -

-- we? [wait. there’s something more offensive - ] Associate?

Look, you said I was to do the talking, I get to do the talking my way.

Yes, but - [slight growling.] We agreed.

I’m trying to sound professional. Will you just - [hushed whispering again] - yes I know what we agreed, but this is hardly the time to bring me to task over terminology.

That’s not what I’m doing. [and then - ] Fine.

[charles looks somewhat remorseful and returns to the video.] As I was saying, I’m Charles and this is my friend, Erik. [he is looking at this video camera with the most deadpan look he can manage despite thinking he sounds like a seven-year-old.] We come from the planet Earth in the year nineteen-sixty-two, for what that’s worth to anyone. And while we’re up to speed on the situation at hand, we - [turning to erik - erik turns the camera away again] - what do we want? I mean obviously we want to make sure we haven’t managed to miss anyone we know from home.

[erik is quiet for a bit, considering, and then he turns the camera to him and says,] We would very much like to talk to those who are familiar with our names and our work. [in a hushed tone to charles:] I don’t know if ‘work’ is the right word. But -- well --

No, work...works. Um. Oh! If there’s any more information on our new location, whether personal or from a third source --

-- I can tell you about that. [annoyed.]

You’ve been here all of five minutes, I was thinking more along the lines of a history book.

I’ve been around. [an annoyed huff.] I can tell you things. [wait, that’s not very eloquent.] I’d be glad to accompany you to the library. [THERE.]

Well. Thank you. And if anyone else out there has recommended reading or would simply like to say hello, then feel free. We’re - [oh no it’s too late and rude to switch to singular pronouns and let’s face it the next part is a blatant lie] - friendly. [he didn’t use ‘very’ on your behalf, asgard.]

[erik, on the background, looks like he was about to say something to that again, but decides not to. he turns the feed off.]



ooc; erik and charles will reply. rather slowly. BUT WE'RE HERE, WE PROMISE

Comments

Audio

[penitently]

Ah, well, of a sort, yes. Most that I know address you by your title, Professor. I do not think I know anyone that calls you Charles, other than Herr Lensherr.

[And perhaps Mystique, but he hadn't seen her speak of Xavier in his presence.]

There are others here, Professor. From the school.

voice

[leidenschaft]

Erik is fine, Kurt. Or Magneto, really. Both are fine, though I prefer the latter.

Voice

[penitently]

As you wish, Magneto. Are you finding yourself well here?

[leidenschaft]

Yes, thank you. I'll leave you to talk to Charles, now, unless there's something in particular you want to mention to me?

[penitently]

No, danke. You are always welcome to reach me through these bracelets if you need to.

[Though Kurt couldn't imagine what Erik would need him for.]

[leidenschaft]

[ah, oh no. slips into german;]

Alright. I'm glad you're doing fine, regardless.

[penitently]

[There is that small bit of relief to talk in a language he rarely gets to with others anymore. Slipping into German is easy and comfortable for him.]

And you as well, Magneto. I hope we all stay that way.

[leidenschaft]

[still in german.]

Of course. You're welcome to call, even if it's just to hear someone else in German. It's been a while for me since I could speak to someone else in another language, and I don't like being rusty at all.

[penitently]

[He found himself chuckling at that and responded still in their mother tongue.]

I would like that. It may seem odd, but it's a small bit of comfort in a strange place.

[leidenschaft]

Not at all that odd. We're all here for you.

[penitently]

It is good to know that. To know that we are not alone here.

[cerebral]

[There is just the tiniest long-suffering exhalation at the mention of the 'M' word. But he continues to address Kurt in warm tones.]

I'm afraid that's a very new development on my end. I only finished my PhD earlier this year. You can call me Charles, if you like. Or Professor. I don't really know if I mind it and I suppose I am a professor now.

[As for mention of the other students;] I'm getting acquainted with the others now. These bracelets are fascinating devices. I've spoke to two so far - Rogue and Bobby.

[penitently]

[Kurt had been getting used to addressing Charles as 'Professor', though he couldn't say for certain if that would continue with this new version of the man he'd known. He sounded much more energetic than the ones he was familiar with.]

Ah, yes. There is also John, or Pyro as he might prefer. He is somewhat... less open to conversation if he is like the one I remember. Are you well here, Professor? Do you need anything?

[cerebral]

Oh that's good to know. And - yes. [There's a bit of a pause there because right now he's being swung from the familiar to the unfamiliar, the questions he still wants answered, the lack of telepathy - ] For a given value of fine. [He trusts Kurt will know what he means.]

I would like to meet you in person at some point, if you have the time.

[penitently]

[Kurt didn't have a problem with that. With Charles being a mutant himself and his association with others such as McCoy and Mystique, he didn't think his own blue form would cause much of a stir.]

I would be more than happy to meet up with you somewhere. Perhaps for tea?

[Old!Charles liked having tea with him. Would young!Charles?]

[cerebral]

Tea sounds good. [Tea, in fact, sounds relaxing. He could do with a bit of that.]

I should probably ask, how long have you been here?

[penitently]

[It stood to reason that if the elder Xavier enjoyed it, he'd gotten that habit from his earlier years. He was pleased that Charles had accepted so easily.]

I have not been here long myself, having only just arrived a few days ago. I assume you have also recently been brought here?

[cerebral]

Oh, you too? We arrived today. It seems as though there's quite a lot of new people. [Thoughtfully:] How are you finding things?

[penitently]

Surprisingly well, actually.

[Meaning, hey, no one was running and screaming when they saw him, or trying to kill him. Always good things in Kurt's mind.]

And you and Magneto?

action | offscreen, to charles

[leidenschaft]

[mouthing the words: he's a teleporter. has a tail. and looking extremely worried.]

[cerebral]

[Charles does (some of) the math, then puts his hand over the bracelet and talks quietly, hoping that stops their conversation being heard.]

Well. I suppose we have to expect that, if we're going to meet people a few generations down the line.

[leidenschaft]

[erik purses his lips into a thin line]

But he's not on my side, and from what information I received about him - he didn't come to your school until later. Much later than any of the mutants talking to you here, right now.

.... which means, Charles, that something happened. [he doesn't know what to think about that.]

[cerebral]

[Charles reaches out and gently places a hand on Erik's forearm.]

It could be any number of things. Perhaps he stayed with his mother and her family. Or he didn't want to leave Germany. There may have even be a large enough group of mutants in Europe that he felt comfortable with. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation, but we'll want to be very tactful.

[leidenschaft]

[all of those sound perfectly reasonable, which is why he loosens up a bit and replies,]

Of course.

[regardless of how doubtful he sounds.]