ataraxion | Ω 1 Ω [Video]

[The device crackles on, and a young blond with a scar running down one side of his forehead comes into view. He might look like someone already here--one Alex Summers. But this? Isn't the one already existing.

This one? Looks more than a bit annoyed, but he’s attempting to control it. The muscles in his jaw flex as he presses his lips into a thin line. Once or twice he nearly talks, but stops himself, as if he’s rethinking what he was about to say.

Alex knows the consequences of flying off the handle. It’s happened before; it’s gotten others hurt.

He’ll keep this short, and to the point. Because that’s what he does.]

Look, I don’t know if Genero is running this show or not; I don’t care. I’m tired of the bullshit, and I just want answers.

[He holds up a black mask.]

And this? I’m not wearing this again.

[He tosses it down, then leans forward slightly. There are more troubling things to deal with, than a damn mask. Like after a quick survey of the room, he didn't see Sean, Teddy--any of the others. Maybe he missed them, but he has a sneaking suspicion he didn't.]

I want to know where the others are, and I want them awake.

We’ve been dreaming long enough.

[And as he reaches out for the device, he mutters under his breath, softly]

This is bullshit.

[The feed ends.]

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[ He's heard him mention something about dreams before... ]

That's what they told you? How'd you get scars if it was just a dream?

[ Because yeah, he noticed those. He's trying to think up the connection as he's walking. He's still not entirely certain he believes him, but... Why would someone bother making up a story that specific?

Alex was only coming from within the 005 quarters, so it doesn't take too long for him to get to where Alex is, and he's pretty easy to spot, considering. He comes jogging up and slows when his eyes actually land on him. It's one thing seeing it on the screen, but in person it's another. There's just a short burst of an exhale like a minute disbelieving laugh. ]

...Shit.

Yeah that's what they told me. But I always kinda figured it was more real than they let on.

[That it transferred over to their real bodies, somehow. Mind over matter or some ridiculous crap like that.

Seeing Alex, he gave a slight shrug. It was weird, to see his mirror image...but there were differences, even if they were subtle.]

Surprise.

[It's a dry comment, but at this point, he's just going to act as if this is normal. Because apparently, according to Teddy? Some of this shit is.]

[ The fact the other Alex isn't as weirded out by this as he is unsettles him, as well as brings to mind what he must have seen in the dream place that made this something he could be chill about. If there even was whatever other place, seeing as demon entity is still on the table as a viable explanation. Regardless, Alex's jaw tightens, and he mutters, echoing the dryness of the other Alex's tone. ]

Awesome. [ His arms fold over his chest and eyes narrow for a moment as he surveys the other, picking out scars and whatever else. ]

Four months hanging out in dream world, right? What happened? [ Seems like a broad kind of question, but he motions to his face where Alex has the scar. Obviously some very serious shit happened if he's got battle wounds, so there ought to be something to share. ]

[He stands still, Bozo already falling asleep, curled up in the crook of his arm. He knows the other is watching him, studying him, picking out the differences. He quirks an eyebrow, lips pursed, waiting.

He has more patience than he used to, but he isn't a saint.]

Some of us got kidnapped or some shit, placed in a forced dream state and experimented on.

[He smirks a bit, and shakes his head, slightly.]

I don't think you're really prepared for the details.

[ Okay, and now he's got the serious urge to call himself an asshole. ~~This must be what other people feel like.~~ He gives a derisive snort, titling his head in a 'really, man' expression. ]

Who are you, my guidance counselor? I wouldn't ask if I didn't wanna hear it.

[ Though, they're sort of... out in the middle of the ship. And that's sort of awkward. Especially if we're talking kidnapping and experiments, so Alex jerks his head back towards the hallway he came from. He can talk to him along the way, and Charles is right next to Alex's room, so he can take him there after. ] Come on.

No, I'm a version of you that has seen a lot more shit than you have. So I suggest you listen.

[Alex snorts, but follows anyways, a hand holding his stuff, the other keeping hold of the cat.]

[ Muttered under his breath as he turns to walk back down the hall: ] So were the lessons on being a jackass before or after...

[ Alex, look at yourself. :| His hands get stuffed into his pockets as he walks, glancing over at him and down at the kitten again. So bizarre, seeing the scarred up version of him talking about seeing horrific shit, and then... kitten. He shrugs and casts his eyes back in front. ]

So? I'm listening.

[Alex just forces himself to not comment back to the other mutant's snide remark. He cards his fingers through Bozo's fur, giving a low snort.]

Let's start with the big one then. I pissed off Genero, the guy who ran the shit hole I was in, within the first week. He, in return, tortured me for three days and forcibly and slowly ripped all the plasma out of my body.

It was a fucking blast let me tell you.

[ Once they come up on Alex's room, the door slides open and he walks in, assuming the other Alex will follow in behind. It'll at least be a place he can put the kitten down without him running out.

He listens quietly, for once, as the information is given. Tries to imagine it. The energy ripped from his body... His power is so much a part of him, he can't think how painful that would be. ]

Yeah, fucking sounds like it. [ a hand runs over his hair and he drops himself to sit on the edge of one of the mattresses. ] Shit...

How'd you piss him off?

[Once he's inside, and the door is closed, Alex sets Bozo down. The cat moves over to the other Alex for a moment, looking slightly confused...but then proceeds to snake around the mutants legs before jumping up on the bed, curling up. It smells like an Alex, so he doesn't really care.

At the question, Alex shrugs, leaning against a nearby wall.]

During the day, everyone was supposed to wear a mask. It was supposed to promote 'equality'. I thought that was bullshit--and I didn't want to do whatever our captors were telling us to do.

I was warned but.. [He looks over at Alex, smirking.] ...we aren't really known for listening well, sometimes, are we?

[ He looks down, watching the kitten weave around his legs, and there's a slight smirk at the action before her goes to settle on the bed. He... might have to play with that kitten. Later. When no one is looking and can judge him for playing with a kitten.

In the mean time, he glances back over to Alex, a line forming on his brow as his eyebrows knit slightly. ]

Yeah, never did do compliance too well. Fuck... [ He can barely wrap his head around being in space, let alone a dream world where you're tortured for not being in proper party gear. ] Why? They just really hard on their dress code? Who really gives such a shit about masks?

It was just a way to control the population. Like tattoos. [He taps his arm.]

By forcing people to do something, by striking fear in them, by making a fucking example of those who don't follow the rules [Like him], they get to control the captives better.

[Alex rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.]

Kept trying to get the name of the Resistance we ran, but fuck if I told them shit.

[ He glances down to the tattoo at the mention of it, running a thumb over the inked skin before he glances back up to listen to the rest ]

Your resistance do any good? [ Not said spitefully or overly cynical, honest curiosity. He hadn't heard mention of any here and hadn't particularly gone looking with all the in-fighting with Erik going on thus far. ]

Mixed results. [He gave a slight shrug.]

I think we were getting somewhere, but sometimes it's so damn hard to tell. Waking up here didn't really help things.

Could try to start one here.

Doesn't look like there's much you could really do in the middle of space, though.

Getting control of the ship might be nice.

Ω 1 Ω [Video]

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action btw are they inside Alex's room yet?

action sure! I'll put it into this tag.

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