003. video.

[sorrycharles]

Prior to the jump, an emissary of our local human population melted the door to my quarters shut.

[ Erik glances aside and then back again. Terse. ]

Accidentally, [ he qualifies. He does not make much of an effort to look (or sound) convincing on that account. ]

If anyone has a means to forcing it open again, I have my favor to offer in return. Contact me via this message or in private.

[ There must be an implied thank you somewhere in his reach cross-body to terminate the transmission. Surely. Those with prying eyes may notice an off-color tinge under his arm, and there’s a glimpse of faded blood stained brown at the sleeve. Even after frequent washing, it looks as though he’s been wearing the same shirt for several days. ]

Comments

video » comm encryption

[unbalancer]

[ Bonnie's still sitting at her console, this time without a bottle in front of her. And she is sober by now. Day-drinking had ended. ]

I could be of help.

encrypted;

[chuffle]

Do I want to know how someone accidentally melts doors shut?

video » comm encryption

[sorrycharles]

How might you be of help, [ Erik doesn’t-quite-echo back to her, flat affect devoid of optimism. It’s hard to tell where he’s at, exactly. Someone else’s quarters, perhaps. ]

drifting obliviously on your encryption bc 60s

[sorrycharles]

[ Erik rolls a toothpick through his teeth.

He looks like he's only just finished trying to get in himself, worn down. ]

Thermite.

video » comm encryption

[unbalancer]

I think I could open it. If not by forcing it open, by fire. [ When she says the next part, it's clear this information is privileged information. ] I'm a witch. [ So, there you go. ] It might be too stuck, but that's what heating it up would be for, right? [ Not that she was an A+ chemistry student. ] I've done smaller spells on board. [ Including a botched locator spell. ] But, I've opened doors before. [ Giant stone doors. ]

excellent

[chuffle]

Thermite.

How did-

You know what. I don't know, I don't need to know.

[Consider, consider, consider.]

I could take a hand at it.

text;

[redhotsummers]

I can.

text

[sorrycharles]

I know.

At your earliest convenience.

text

[redhotsummers]

You could have just sent me a message privately you know.

Just saying.

text

[sorrycharles]

The thought had occurred to me.

text

[redhotsummers]

[And yet--you know what, he isn't going to ask.]

What floor are you on again?

[Faster than looking it up.]

text / private

[sorrycharles]

026 >> 001

drifting obliviously on your encryption bc 60s

[sorrycharles]

[ Oh. Well then. Exhaustion aside, Erik manages to look passably impressed. ] I’m a mutant, [ he says, matter-of-fact. ]

Would you be willing to meet me there?

Room one-thirty-two on the twenty-fifth floor.

∞

[sorrycharles]

[ Pick turned, pried, dug in, once Daphne has finished considering, Erik stills to consider her in turn.

Exhaustion isn’t enough to smother his curiosity. ]

By all means.

[chuffle]

If I totally fail I reserve the right to pretend that I never tried in the first place.

[sorrycharles]

[ Erik is earnest, past the plastic point: ]

Mum's the word.

[ Two of his most persistent companions are telepaths. He hardly has to tell anyone anything. ]

HA. he can feel free to think they are public as anything

[unbalancer]

[ There you go. ] I... don't know what that means.

[ But good for you? ]

Sure. I can meet you there. I'm on deck one so, give me - ten minutes? [ Eleven, maybe. ]

[mindtricks]

How did that happen?

( the raised eyebrow is not so much out of curiosity but because of his phrasing. an emissary of our local human population — anderson considers herself human despite her mutation. )

action

[redhotsummers]

[Alex isn't really sure why he's doing this. It's to help and...well he doesn't know. Because even if Erik is an ass, he deserves to be able to get into his room. And Alex has the ability.

Getting up to the correct floor, he double checks the containment wrist braces he's wearing, making sure they are in good working order.]

Erik?

[chuffle]

Give me a few minutes, I'm stopping by the gunnery.

[klutziness]

First off, how do you accidentally melt a door shut?

ooc heads up: he is lying/intends for her to wreck bucky's door

[sorrycharles]

It's complicated, [ Erik smooths over (and commiserates), brow knit in earnest apology for having made the comparison at all. He won't bore her with an explanation while he's in a hurry to make a mess.

Science. Who has time. ]

Take your time.

[sorrycharles]

No rush, [ says Erik, listing into a drawl as the twists the pick back into his teeth. ] I've survived this long.

( video. )

[overthought]

Is it something that someone could just pry open for you or do we need to get it welded off the frame?

[tools tools tools say tools. she's going to rope the master chief in, no matter what.]

Either way, I have someone just right for the job.

∞

[sorrycharles]

[ Black scorches mark the floor around 026 >> 001 where sparks were cast off by the Winter Soldier’s thermite reaction. There’s even darker oxidation around the side of the door that’s supposed to slide open, alien metal warped thick to fuse with the frame.

It looks like a grizzly bear has been at it: broad slashes of silver clawed into soot and ash are evidence of Erik’s (so far futile) efforts to force his way in.

He emerges from 026 >> 002 hardly a second after Alex has said his name, glancing first to the bracers and then to his face. Erik's expression is difficult to read. He seems wary. ]

Thank you for coming. [ Formally. Before they get started. ]