001: video. un: MagicMan

[immeasurably]

[ Settled into a corner of one of the smaller cafes that dot the Entertainment District, David sips on a mug of something warm and fragrant as he works on gathering his thoughts. He’s still wearing Cassian’s jacket, which he’s yet to return, but otherwise seems to be in good spirits despite a small lizard-like creature doing its best to gnaw on his fingers. ]

So, I figure this might be a shot in the dark — or maybe I’m better off looking around the Station — but I was wondering if there was any information available on the local celestial bodies, constellations, charts, that kind of thing.

It’s been awhile since I studied.

[ Years, honestly, but anything has got to be better than sitting around at the starter housing, twiddling his thumbs and waiting for inspiration to strike. That and there was a lot to be learned from things like this, from the names and the stories people spun around their stars and planets. ]

Don’t want to get rusty.

Comments

[immeasurably]

Well, you don't have any children kicking around right? [ It's said lightly, joking, because it's such an absurd idea that he isn't even going to entertain it. ] That kind of thing is tough to miss.

[axiomed]

[ Charles smiles faintly, a little pained. ]

No, I have no biological family.

[immeasurably]

[ Then, as it occurs to him how much of an ass he's been, David's expression flickers and he ducks his head, apologetic. ]

Sorry. You'd probably be great at it, actually.

And, really; I had — have — a family. It's not really that I missed out anything there, you know? It's just the not knowing that kills me.

[axiomed]

[ Lightly: ] I'll take your word for it.

[ But Charles can't find it in his heart to believe that. Not anymore. But he pushes through it regardless. ]

I can understand that not knowing is certainly far more difficult. Especially considering the circumstances. I wish I could tell you more. There was one other telepath, Emma. Perhaps she could be a link?

[immeasurably]

Well, I mean it's not like there's not plenty of time between your time and mine. Things could've changed.

[ It's not like he knew all that much about Charles beyond that paper.

He shakes a head: ] Doesn't ring any bells but like I said they didn't tell me much. Which is really annoying, actually.

[axiomed]

The school is — was my main concern. I didn't venture far away from it anymore.

[ He runs a hand through his hair. ]

No, I'm not surprised they would. As you said, there's no newsletter for mutants.

[immeasurably]

There was a school? Huh.

[ Then it occurs to him that there were any number of reasons why this was probably not brought to his attention, growing up. Amy had known, or at least suspected, something was different about him but his parents might well have existed in denial about it. Or maybe they had just hoped. ]

I don't suppose Division Three rings any bells?

[axiomed]

A CIA Division?

[ Charles hums quietly, tapping his fingers on the arm rest. ]

No. But they might have changed things around once I removed some of their schematics.

[immeasurably]

[ Brows lifting, ] Guess it's possible.

[ They were definitely some kind of arm of the government: they'd been too well-equipped, had carried themselves with too much authority to have anything but. ]

They're one of the groups looking for people like you and me, in my time.

[axiomed]

[ Charles snorts delicately. ]

The CIA would have a hard time getting near the school without me knowing.

[immeasurably]

Kind of pointless now.

[ On the off-chance Clark or any of them wake up it can be dealt with. It's not like the idea of anyone unsafe or unwelcome waking up is anything new. ]

Anyway, the point of this, aside from you maybe knowing something about my dad, was because — well, I guess there's the chance Lenny might be somewhere on the Station. Assuming she's Lenny anymore.

[axiomed]

Did you get any . . . impressions? Sometimes they bleed through when a telepath talks of a person. A feeling or a flash of an image. That might be able to guide me better.

[immeasurably]

[ Fingers tapping against the tabletop, David already knows what he needs to say to this but is dragging it out a little longer while he gathers his nerve.

Finally: ] I can show you. It would probably be easier for you to understand if you saw.

[axiomed]

Certainly. Where should we meet?

[immeasurably]

[ David rubs at his lower lip, ] Somewhere with alcohol.

[ A touch melodramatic, perhaps, but then it was telling that every time he'd seen the Shadow King in its natural form his mind did its level best to overwrite the memory. ]

[axiomed]

[ He restrains a sigh. ]

All right. I'm sure there are enough establishments here for that.

[immeasurably]

Unless you prefer I come to you, and we do tea instead. That is how the civilized folk do it, right?

[ Look, he's even managing to muster a smile. ]

[axiomed]

[ He shakes his head. ]

It has nothing to do with the stigma of drinking.

[ Briefly, Charles lapses into silence. He doesn't like talking about his long period of depression before he relaxes. ]

Drinks will be fine. Though I might not know where to go.

[immeasurably]

Well, then we're both in trouble. [ David sounds more amused than anything, though. ]

Tell you what: I live in house 71. Give me...say an hour, let's see what I can turn up on the drinking front and if all else fails we do a café instead.

[axiomed]

Sounds perfect. Let me know when you're ready and I'll meet you there.

[immeasurably]

Then I guess I'll see you in an hour.

[axiomed]

You most certainly will.