oo1. video.

[forgodssake]

I'm sure you must all see a lot've messages like this.

[ The man who appears is one who has appeared on the network before -- soft-faced and earnest, anxiety tested in the lines next to his eyes and a direct sort of stare that manages not to miss the tiny camera embedded in the device he's holding. Still, he smiles, just a little.

His address is slow and not exactly formal, just considered. ]

My name is Charles Xavier, and I'm newly arrived. You'll have to forgive me if I ask any questions you've heard before, though I'm doing my utmost to gather what I can on my own. I believe I've got the basic picture, although any advice is of course appreciated.

What I would most like to know is how many are here that had some sort of... [ He hesitates. ] ...gift. A natural ability of some kind, beyond the usual human faculties. A conversation would be of great interest to me.

Thank you.

Comments

[thebreakingwave]

Hullo. I'm Harry Potter and, well, I'm a wizard. That is, I can do a certain sort of magic.

[He wrinkles up his nose, annoyed at sounding like he's come to an AA meeting.]

[forgodssake]

A pleasure to meet you, Harry. I might need you to define magic, please, it isn't entirely my area.

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[redhotsummers]

...[First Erik, now Charles.

So just give him a moment.

Or two.

Or three.]

permavideo;

[redhotsummers]

Charles?

[Third one. This one doesn't seem to remember this place, either. But that's fine, that's okay. It just means--he isn't alone.]

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[uncurse]

You do realize how sketchy a broadcast like this sounds, right?

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[forgodssake]

Well, no, apparently not.

[ :)? ]

But do enlighten me.

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[inafadingcrown]

A curious inquiry for a new arrival. [She leans slightly forward, just enough to show interest.] Most ask first of their surroundings or if their kith and kin have also found themselves here.

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[forgodssake]

Ha, yes, somewhat curious, I suppose. The topic of special abilities is one that's dear to my heart, and also more difficult to discern on my own without the use of this, er, televising device.

[video]

[summerlord]

Welcome, Charles Xavier. That is not a question I have seen on this device before.

[video]

[forgodssake]

Most might be a little more hush hush about it. Given unusual circumstance, I thought it a fair query.

And thank you, for the welcome.

[atent_dead]

Ain't any sense dancin' about things.

[She doesn't specify anything. But she is wearing a rather pointy black hat.]

[forgodssake]

I think so too.

[ Despite the affirmation that he's into not dancing, there's a puzzled pause, as if trying to decide if he should infer what he might infer from a pointy hat. ]

And I take it you have an avocation of some sort, ma'am?

[emergingspirit]

[That is...an odd question. Connor responds in kind, slow and measured, the sound of a man thinking his answer over carefully.]

You may wish to be more specific, as there are a number here who are not exactly human.

[forgodssake]

Alright, [ is spoken somewhat gamely. ] I suppose I'm referring to people characterised by an ability that normal humans would consider extraordinary. In my world, it's a genetic trait that sets us apart.

But given the setting, I suppose that now includes humans with a learned, fantastic skill. Or other species entirely.

I'm not doing very well, am I? [ There's a growing smile along with that. ]

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[gothchicklit]

[ Charles. Charles. There's the possibility this isn't the guy Alex mentioned to her (honestly, she's surprised she remembered, considering the circumstances) but since he's asking about gifts and abilities... ]

Not to get off on a bad foot here, but that's a pretty personal question. Do you really expect to get that many responses?

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[forgodssake]

I did, as a matter of fact, but in retrospect, I could have worded my intentions a little plainer. Where I'm from, most of us are rather fascinated at the concept we aren't alone.

But garnering a response at all is its own answer.

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[indestructigirl]

[Sure. Why not? It's not like Claire is trying to hide what she can do, these days.

She gives him a small smile.]

Hi there. I'm Claire, and I'm pretty sure I fit that description.

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[forgodssake]

Lovely to meet you, Claire. How do you fit that description, if I may ask?

[invisibilitea]

Natural...ability?

Wouldn't that be supernatural?

[forgodssake]

Not a word I'd use, honestly, but I'm sure the meaning and intent of my request has some overlap.

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[faderbroderson]

You may wish to broaden your inquiry.

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[forgodssake]

Very well. [ There's a slightly patient note to his voice, as if he isn't prepared to agree without a reason why. ] What else would ideally be encompassed?

[mindtricks]

[ she's talked to him about this before, but another him. he probably doesn't remember. so: ]

I'm a mutant. I can read minds.

[forgodssake]

[ He probably does not -- especially from the way he peers curiously into the communicator, a light of shared intrigue behind his eyes that is reserved for someone who isn't a witch or an elf or even a mutant with an unfamiliar power.

And if he's wary, given past experiences, it doesn't show. ]

Then it's especially nice to make your acquaintance. It seems we have something in common.

voice »

[rancorously]

A conversation about gifts would be of great interest to you. You'll have everyone flocking to you with an introduction like that.

[ Which is to say, yeah, this is just a little creepy. ]

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[forgodssake]

It isn't completely my intention to have people flock to me.

[ This is interrupted with a tap-tap to his screen, a distracted look about him. ]

Sorry, it appears my device isn't showing up picture anymore.

( voice )

[sleuthtastic]

"Usual human faculties"? Like, knowing how to throw a killer sweet sixteen?!

( video )

[forgodssake]

[ Resigned to his communicator having clearly malfunction and only sending him audio, he continues on undeterred. Upon receiving this message, he laughs. ]

As loathe I am to detract from that particular talent, I'm afraid not.

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[parallels]

Special gifts? Interesting point to bring up in an introduction.

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[forgodssake]

Why do you find it interesting?

[ NEW TACTIC, although there's a genuine note of curiousity in his voice. ]

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[servant]

Do you mind if I ask why you have an interest in such a thing?

Video

[forgodssake]

Not at all.

In particular, I'd like to make my inquiries regarding whether or not their abilities are working exactly as they ought to be, while on board. Broadly speaking, I suppose I'm just curious.

That, or I thought it'd make a good ice breaker.

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[target]

less than a week and you're already back to this shit again

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[forgodssake]

[ Text? Text! Slowly, but surely-- ]

care to elaborate ?

[nightblogs]

wat r u askin that for

[forgodssake]

Research regarding the ship's effects on mutant ability
Curiousity

video; hello i'm really late because i realized how great this cr could be

[ex_striking429]

Why do you care what other people can do?

[ forgive her if she isn't lining up to list all her skills and talents publicly. she prefers to keep things mysterious. and she knows this isn't the games and they're supposed to be working together and blah blah blah, but she's still skimming the replies and thinking competition. ]

Let me guess. You're hoping for an alliance.

video; hello i am late to reply so we're even.

[forgodssake]

I'm-- well.

[ He squints a little at the communicator, a smile breaking brief across his face as he tries to puzzle out that assumption. ]

In a manner of speaking. I suppose. But I care because I'm curious, and I'm curious because I believe this ship may have had an effect on certain sorts of gifts.