➻ one | introduction to 1960s vernacular

[unwheeled]

[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.]

Comments

[hulkbusted]

That's an accurate summation, not that I've spent any time on the subway to experience any hysteria-inducing qualities.

The Underground is not a hospitable area for most individuals, although apparently it's more friendly if you are undead or of demonic origin.

And in general, one weekend a month, the curses occur on both days, rehashing old curses in an even more random fashion than usual. This would be one such weekend.

[unwheeled]

It's terribly unpleasant, and I wouldn't suggest it if you can manage on foot.

Monsters were mentioned to me, in regards to the Underground. Also going in unarmed or alone was advised against. Seeing as how I'm neither undead or demonic that's...probably not terribly helpful to me, but it's definitely something of note.

...that explains so much.

[hulkbusted]

I do my best to avoid enclosed spaces when I can help it. Can you help me understand what's so unpleasant about it?

I've been tracking the curse activity since I got here. There are few patterns to be seen, but the one weekend a month of random activity has been consistent.

[unwheeled]

The subway stops seem to inflict a state of anxiety upon everyone who uses them. Of course, that anxiety has various effects depending on the personality of the affected and how prepared they are but it is definitely a highly unpleasant experience.

Maybe it's meant to keep people from crowding the stations in some bizarre way.

How far back do your records go?

[hulkbusted]

Huh. Maybe that explains why people don't talk much about the subway. That also puts it out for me.

My personal records and experiences go back to August 27, 2012, but it's not that difficult to cull through the network for an extended period before my arrival. I have friends and acquaintances who have been here for as much as three years.

[unwheeled]

It doesn't seem too difficult to manage on foot, so at least there is that option. I'm glad the information was useful.

Do you mind if I ask what other information you've been tracking?

[hulkbusted]

I've gotten by with little difficulty for five months. I have some friends who take care of Underground errands for me.

I've been tracking radiation, electromagnetic, seismic, and temperature data for most of the five months I've been here. I make that data publicly available if you have any use for it.

[unwheeled]

[Charles' open admiration and respect - you can has it.]

I don't at the moment, namely because I haven't entirely settled; however at a later date I definitely would be interested...[Charles casts about for his little pad of paper, oh there it is.] in looking at this information and possibly asking you questions about it.

Ah, can I get your name?

[hulkbusted]

I know the feeling. With such a transient population, people are always getting settled. If you have a scientific background, you should look into City Solutions, there are facilities available here. I... am not really sure how they're assigned. I was kind of a special case when I got here.

My name is Bruce Banner.

[unwheeled]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Banner. [So his name, and City Solutions, get written down.] Facilities? That's definitely of interest, the Academy was practically a ghost town. Do you work there, then?

[hulkbusted]

Dr. Banner, actually, but Bruce is fine, Mr. Xavier.

The facilities include fully equipped labs suitable for a variety of research. My own specialty is particle physics, but I've been refocusing in quantum physics since arriving here.

[unwheeled]

[Charles laughs a little.] In that case it's Charles, Bruce, and a pleasure besides; Mr. Xavier seems reserved to strangers and distant relatives, and only my sister has ever called me doctor.

Who would you suggest I speak with at City Solutions to inquire about laboratories for genetics and biophysics? I'm certain the technology has advanced quite beyond what I'm used to besides.

[hulkbusted]

Okay, Charles.

City Solutions provides facilities for more than just physics and engineering, and as for why - your introduction shows you're able to think on your feet even in a bizarre new situation and you bring useful skills.

On a personal level, I might want to pick your brain about your passion.

[unwheeled]

Bizarre new situations are actually quite thrilling for me; I'd always rather be doing something than not.

On a personal level, I see nothing wrong with this idea. Should I call you, then? Likely sometime next week.

[hulkbusted]

To each his own. I could do without the thrills, but I'll make the best of it while I'm here.

Next week will be fine. Good luck getting settled, and feel free to give me a call if you need any other questions answered.

[unwheeled]

That's perfectly fair. [He won't accuse you of being a stick in the mud, or anything.]

Thank you very much, and I will, surely. I've enjoyed this conversation. [Which isn't to say he hasn't enjoyed the others, but.]

/threadjack

[threeolives]

[Pepper has an alert set up for when people mention City Solutions, so she notices Bruce's conversation with this newcomer.]

That would be me. Pepper Potts, pleasure to meet you.

why hello thar

[unwheeled]

Nice to meet you as well, Miss Potts. I have questions about what it would take to have access to the laboratory spaces at your company.

[threeolives]

I suppose the first step would be to ask what you would need them for?

[unwheeled]

Do you mind if we make this conversation private, Miss Potts?

private;

[threeolives]

But of course.

[She turns on Tony's strongest filters.]

There. You can speak freely now, it's just us.

private;

[unwheeled]

Thank you, Miss Potts.

My interest in a laboratory would be to further my research in genetic mutation. This research would actually be studying my own mutation to begin with as opposed to, say, unwilling or uninterested parties but...

Well, to be frank, people here seem a bit more embracing of the concept so I wouldn't likely turn down anyone who was interested.

private;

[threeolives]

Genetic mutations? Sounds fascinating. As long as you can word it on paper in a way that sounds beneficial to the City as a whole, I'm sure we can find room in the budget for an empty bio lab for your work.

private;

[unwheeled]

I can have a grant proposal in your hands by Friday at the latest.

private;

[threeolives]

Wonderful. Have it sent up directly to my office and I'll put it through.