001. video.

[sorrycharles]

[ Erik does not introduce himself, but appears hard-faced and grim on the readout. He does not smile; his eyes (an affable blue) are set dead on the camera at an apathetic remove. The lines around them are matter-of-fact. They look like they’ve been there for years. ]

For those of you with a ‘gift,’ who rely upon -- or even value -- the courtesy and discretion of their peers in keeping such matters beneath the radar,

[ there is a distinct clink and slosh when he reaches out of frame to tip an invisible bottle over an invisible glass ]

I advise you to think twice before placing your faith in my erstwhile colleague.

He is passionate, but not always in possession of the best judgment.

[ A wind upward at the corner of his mouth fails to reach his eyes. ]

This message has been brought to you by ‘Magneto,’ and half a bottle of chardonnay.

[ The video cuts out before his voice does. ]

Enjoy your stay.

Comments

voice; private

[redhotsummers]

[And he just sighs.

He just found out Charles is here, but already, this has started up again?]

Can you guys please stop this?

You don't--

--you don't understand this place, Erik. I do. And this isn't going to help get us out.

It never does.

[This is the second time he's seen it. but it has to be just the way they are. No matter what, they can't seem to find compromise again.]

Re: voice; private

[sorrycharles]

Oh hello, Alex. Stop what?

[ There’s an earnest nonchalance that translates just as well as assholery in voice as it does in a slant at his brow while he sips. ]

I’m not sure I follow.

perma private voice

[redhotsummers]

Oh I don't know, trying to talk people off Charles's post?

[He snorts.]

Look I know you don't agree with him. But are things that might happen soon, terrible things, that will probably need for you both to work together.

I've been here for nearly two years. Trust me, I know.

[He knows that this is probably not going to talk any sense into Erik. But he has to try.]

video;

[naytheist]

Discretion and wine: your priorities are well placed.

Re: video;

[sorrycharles]

[ Cheers to that. Erik tips his glass, wrist rolled lax in lazy evidence of his having already consumed the claimed half. ]

And who might you be?

video;

[naytheist]

[He reaches behind the camera for a second, picking up his own glass and taking a swig before holding it up with a smirk and a nod.]

A man of similar interests, it seems: Cesare Borgia. In Italy I am a duke, though that appears to warrant little power or authority here, unless I have merely yet to find it. [He deliberately forgets to mention his father. There is no was little place for religion in Italy and there is no place for it here.]

video.

[forgodssake]

[ frkfdf trying to operate one of these infernal devices is hard when he's mad, and at first, the picture transmitted to Erik is upside down as Charles takes a breath to yell at him.

And stops, thins his mouth into a line, rights it again. ]

For god's sake, Erik.

Re: video.

[sorrycharles]

[ There’s a delay in return of picture, as if Erik was tied up speaking to someone else. All things considered, this is probably exactly the case. ]

Yes, [ he says, brow furrowed seriously, as if he tuned in too late to register the spoken message so far, ] Magneto speaking.

[forgodssake]

Magneto.

[ That's not a hissed threat, or admonishment, that's pure exasperating parroting what is, frankly, a stupid name back at him. ]

You know as well as I do that I'm trying to help.

[klutziness]

Maybe the other half will help you loosen up.

[sorrycharles]

...My other what?

[ Miscommunication stalls Erik out of condescension for a single, precious moment. ]

video;

[thebreakingwave]

Any other warnings I ought to take heed of?

[sorrycharles]

That depends, [ says Erik. ]

Are you one of us?

not actually here shhh

[emergingspirit]

[Wow, Erik, way to sound like a Templar.]

not actually here either

[sorrycharles]

.^.

[boogiewoogiebugleboy]

Did you two plan this?

[sorrycharles]

Plan what?

video;

[allfatherissues]

How very cautionary. The effort is a fair one, but also moot. You may find that this ship is divided into those that value discretion, and those that see little need for it here. Whose advice they will follow undoubtedly depends upon their disposition.

[All that may sound very critical, but there's something about Loki that exudes an air of ambivalence about it all.]

[sorrycharles]

If that is the case, [ says Erik, whose own ambivalence is the product of long-standing disagreement without give on either side, ] and this place is as dangerous as they say

I trust that Darwin will settle the matter for us.

[ He tips his brows up when he says so, as immune to critical reception in practice as his initial broadcast might have implied. ]

oops tl;dred on you sorry not sorry

[mindtricks]

What if I do not rely on anyone's discretion in keeping it under the radar?

[ she doesn't know you. she doesn't know charles, either, not really. all she knows is that you must be from alex' world and having two people from his world here fighting each other can't be easy on him.

that, and anderson has never tried to hide her mutation. it's saved her life several times and it's the very reason the hall of justice gave her another chance at becoming a judge. it's an asset rather than a liability, and if her world hates mutants, well, there are good people in it regardless and maybe she can change their minds.

her parents didn't love her any less for what she is, at least.

so her words aren't a challenge, precisely, just an honest question. ]

onnom tldr

[sorrycharles]

Well then, [ says Erik, ] I suppose you’re free to pave your own way.

[ A squint betrays inebriate interest beyond what he’s investing in many of these returned messages. Granted, most of them haven’t been from mutants. He sizes her up through the screen at an inscrutable remove, wine temporarily forgotten for all that its effects are plain in the drowsy delay about a slow blink and a work at his jaw. So casual. The most casual. ]

Have we met? [ he hazards.

No telepathy is required to see that he knows damn well they haven’t. ]

voice;

[cargojet]

Discretion is an excuse employed by those unwilling to commit themselves. It didn't get me anywhere, and it won't do anything for you or anyone else.

[ He never gets on well with Erik. It's a thing. ]

Re: voice;

[sorrycharles]

[ Erik is a long time in answering, for all that the device projects every indication that communication is live. There is some background noise: glass scraping over a table. The leg of a chair pivoting further away, on his way to settling into a more comfortable sit. ]

Do I strike you as discreet?

( voice )

[sleuthtastic]

Wow. Trouble in paradise?

Re: ( voice )

[sorrycharles]

Why, are you interested?