[video]

[selfgovernance]

Right, ah, the first order of the day, I suppose, is to introduce myself. We've had rather a lot of new people show up in the last two weeks and I'm afraid I've had my head a bit buried in the sand. Hello, everyone, my name is Charles Xavier; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

The second order is-- ah. Hm.

[he coughs and adjusts some

Comments

video; 100% encryption

[fuckinghubble]

I might require a moment...

[Says the asshole who sounds haggard as hell.]

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[selfgovernance]

[ruhroh.]

Of course, Raimi. Would you like to meet?

[BRB, FRETTING.]

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[fuckinghubble]

Yeah, I would -- if it isn't too much trouble.

[/being marginally more neurotic than usual lately... which isn't saying much because Raimi is always neurotic]

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[selfgovernance]

Nonsense, my friend, it's never any trouble at all. Drop by my residence when you have a moment, and we can discuss whatever you wish, yes?

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[fuckinghubble]

Will do... thanks.

[He'll make a moment and be on his way over.]

--> action!

[selfgovernance]

[And Charles, as usual, is in his office. It's changed a bit - the desk has been pushed closer to the wall, and there are schematics of all sorts hanging from lines stretched about the room. It was clear earlier, but-- well. Charles likes his research.

There is also an empty pizza box on the desk!]

action;

[fuckinghubble]

[This worn disposition is nothing unusual for Raimi -- a byproduct of sleep deprivation, among many other things that have factored into the situation. The only reason he hasn't croaked by now might be because he's learned to cope with this quite frequently for well over half a year now. He's used to it. Hell, it's practically normal for him.

[It's definitely why he's able to carry himself into Charles' office with no trouble, in any case. Have a brief, albeit awkward, wave.]

Hey.

action;

[selfgovernance]

[gently,]

Hello, Raimi.

action;

[fuckinghubble]

[Raimi falls silent at first as he quietly shuffles into the room. He has never been one hundred percent sure just how safe it was for him to even be around Charles. His head wasn't exactly the most quiet place, but perhaps the professor knew this already.

[For that reason, he feels as if he needs to get something out of the way. Whether if it's for the sake of some kind of internal peace or not...]

You know, I've been meaning to ask you something for awhile now -- do you mind if I sit?

[The rate he was going, it just sounded like a good idea.]

action;

[selfgovernance]

No, by all means.

[He gestures at a nearby chair, his expression carefully neutral. That Raimi is serious goes without saying. But the matter of what exactly he's serious about remains to be seen, and Charles isn't going to go poking about in his mind to find out. He owes the boy that much, at least.]

action;

[fuckinghubble]

Thanks...

[He takes off his hat and sits down in the chair.]

I want to know if there's ever been a point in time that you've read my mind.

[He say this plainly and completely devoid of suspicion. Raimi has known about Charles' telepathy, and that's never bothered him.]

action;

[selfgovernance]

[he exhales.]

There has been, yes.

[he matches Raimi's tone exactly.]

action;

[fuckinghubble]

Did you ever see the Other?

[Raimi didn't necessarily have a name for the giant, screaming eye in his head, but that's what Oran had called it. Seemed fitting.]

action;

[selfgovernance]

I--

[yes. briefly. that night that Raimi had returned-- Charles hadn't known what to make of it then, and that still stands. The fact that Raimi calls it an 'Other', something separate from the self, though, that is worrying.]

I believe so, yes. Why do you ask?

action;

[fuckinghubble]

Then you might know what it was like, if even a little.

[There's nothing else to call it. Something had hacked into him, ripped him apart, and speaks to him, through his gray matter. Godless. A lonely place. No hope.

[Fuck. The one person he had to reach out to, that made him realize he wasn't utterly fucking alone in this, isn't even here. Could be dead. Just like him.

[Doesn't make for a night and easy night's rest.]

It's been two-hundred thirty-one days since I came here. And four-hundred-seventy-two hours since I've last slept -- give or take a few one-hour siestas I've been able to sneak in here and there. I can't describe it. Shit, I can't even think of anyone I would wish this on.

Not here, in any case.

Well, except maybe a few.

[You get what he means, right?]

action;

[selfgovernance]

[... he does. After a fashion.]

I-- offered to help you before, Raimi. That does still stand.