poly_chromatic | ➻ one | introduction to 1960s vernacular

[Have a video, Poly! Done in a rather typical sort of videoblogger format, although the man looking into the camera doesn't seem too certain that it's recording. Instead he peers at the screen for several seconds before moving his eyes to the upper right hand corner and...]

Oh! It is on. [Whoops. Self-conscious hair smoothing fidgeting happens. Also Charles' accent is some bizarre amalgamation of Queen's English and high society New York.] Ah-heh. Anyway: hello and good evening, denizens of the City! Some of you I've spoken to already, and the majority of you I surely haven't, but I just arrived today and I wished to make certain that I am properly understanding the predicament that we are all in for the length of our stay. Thus...

[He begins to tick things off on on his fingers.]

We are all trapped within the confines of an island, in a City literally called 'The City', run by "gods" who, while not terribly creative on the naming of locations front, have other much groovier ideas, including but not limited to:
Curses, or events in which people find themselves suffering from any matter of unwitting statuses, including but not limited to rapid aging or age regression (complete with amnesia), waking up with one's body changed to the opposite gender, and being constantly followed by an animal familiar or companion.
However, the City does have several social programs and the residents, despite not coming here of their own volition, are expected to contribute to the economy by either working or opening their own business.
Along that same vein, there is a coin system here that appears to be roughly in base-5 and despite the fact that there is no guarantee a business' debtors will still be here in a month, all businesses will allow you to purchase items on credit until you do find employment.
The Academy will hire you as an instructor on as little as your own word and several, rather basic, written tests on the Sciences. [Smirk.]
Several of you have been here for quite a long while, meaning a year or more and:
Several of you are possessing superhuman or mutant abilities.
We have no control over when we leave or arrive; however we are returned to the moment that we left and may return here with partial memory of our prior stay.
Everyone who spends time alone is affected by the same aural hallucination after several hours.
The subway system induces fits of hysteria.

[Ten items, ten fingers!]

Is there anything I've missed? Other than the undead construction workers currently beyond the city limits, anyway.

Oh! Other than introducing myself, which I suspect is only polite: my name is Charles Xavier and while teaching is my calling, helping other people reach their full potential, specifically in the case of powers and abilities, is my passion.

It's nice to meet you...all. [Such a cocky smile, really.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Why, sure! Considering you've just made the acquaintance of someone claiming to have them.

I've seen 'em in action here, so I can't really pretend they ain't real. I sure as hell know they ain't real back home, though.

[Charles pulls a face but nods.] Suspension of disbelief is probably very useful, then.

What's the face for?

Trying to imagine a world where it isn't real.

I had the same problem in the opposite direction when I got here. Took me seein' people doin' some weird shit for it to really sink in.

Mind if I ask what you saw?

I know someone who can do weird stuff with fire.

[Charles' interest, you have it Jimmy. Not that you didn't BEFORE, since he's actually really enjoying this conversation.] Create, control, or both?

Uh, I don't actually know. I would guess both?

Pyrokinesis is a very powerful ability. [Color Charles impressed!]

What do you do, for a living or otherwise?

[He laughs.]

Well, uh, in the City, I work in a store. A store selling magical stuff, actually. Back home, I'm involved in imports and exports.

[Yeah, that sounds totally legal.]

[This is the expression of a man who knows EXACTLY what imports and exports probably are.]

Can anyone use 'magical stuff' or is it just those who already have a proficiency?

Well, it's actually a magical joke shop, so pretty much anyone can use the products. It's a lotta fun. Not my normal kinda job, but...

[A shrug.]

It's nice to have somethin' to do around here.

I imagine there's not much room for import/export in such an isolated location.I am a huge fan of keeping busy, myself.

Somewhat obviously.

Yeah, I can tell. You seem like the kinda guy who always has to be doin' somethin'. What year're you from?

When I woke up...this morning it was 1962 where I was.

Is it that obvious?

[He shrugs.]

I dunno, it was 1920 the last time I checked.

Not bad. [Nodding.] But I was not alive at the time, I'm afraid.

Yeah, most people around here're from a lot later.

Though I'm sure there's more than a few from earlier as well.

Yeah, maybe. Doesn't seem as common, though.

I'll have to take you word on that one. Still, it's a learning experience either way. On the one hand: history. On the other hand: possible future. Not a bad deal.

[He's still baffled by this remarkable optimism, but he can't help but smile.]

Yeah, sure, you could see it that way.

[It's how Charles GETS YA. Optimism: super effective!

He laughs too.]

You remind me of a good friend of mine: he thinks I'm too optimistic sometimes too. So you're in good company, Jimmy.

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trenchknives - 2013-01-27 04:40 (UTC) - Expand

unwheeled - 2013-01-27 04:50 (UTC) - Expand