Video

[abetterway]

[the image flickers into focus to reveal a woman from the waist up, staring into the device with a calm intensity belied only by the fingers tugging continually at her collar; she appears to be in her thirties, the dark hair that spills over her shoulders only slightly softening sharp, angular features]

Hello. From what I've gathered, I've awoken on an alien world. [a moment's pause; she's accepted it, it would be counterproductive to dig in her heels, but it's still an absurd thing to say] What I can't seem to discern is how and why.

I have my suspicions, but I suspect they're narrow in focus. I must admit, this is all a bit outside my expertise. [a sudden, wry smile] I suppose I do like to broaden my horizons.

[the smile fades as she leans forward] I'm asking for any information you've gained, and what you intend to do with it. If you don't believe this to be a safe venue, I'm more than happy to meet in person.

Comments

[radars]

We would have been there to greet you, but it's impossible to predict which pods will open at any given time. Or, at least, it's impossible with our current understanding of the wreck.

[abetterway]

That might have been for the best, to be honest with you. I was...rather distressed. [she still is - she feels trapped inside her own head - but she has it under control]

What have you managed to discover about it? It's... [she shakes her head, smiling despite herself] It's like nothing I've ever seen.

[radars]

To be honest, I don't know. What seems of more pressing concern is the potential for war between the -- then, it might not be best to spring that on you right away.

Have you a place to stay?

[abetterway]

[her smile twists, then, into something weary and bitter] A war. I should have guessed.

I - no, I suppose I don't, unless the ship has stable amenities.

[radars]

Isn't there always some sort of war?

-- I don't know. I do know there's a place to stay, in town, that doesn't charge. Of course, the amenities are dingy, to say the least, and there's no privacy to speak of.

[abetterway]

People are always fighting over something.

[with a slight nod] I've endured worse conditions. My one real concern is accessibility.

[radars]

Accessibility... to what?

[abetterway]

[with a wry smile] To anything.

[her hands drop, and she wheels herself backwards in one swift motion, revealing her wheelchair]

The ship was kind enough to supply me with my chair, but I foresee some difficulties.

[radars]

Ah, I see.

I think... well, I think you have a difficult time ahead of you. This place isn't designed for ... accessibility.

[abetterway]

Few places are, I've found. I'm sure I'll manage.

What would you say this place is designed for? Is the ship native to this world?

[radars]

No. Alien, crashed. One of two, evidently, but the other's in the domed city, and might as well be a few planets over for all the good that does us.

If you need help, I might -- I could ask Erik, if that chair is metal.

[abetterway]

That complicates things. [finally, she pulls her fingers away from the collar, to steeple her hands on her lap] The dome has proved impenetrable, then.

...Erik is good with metal? [there's a wry sort of wistfulness to her smile]

I don't suppose he could do anything about this blasted collar.

[radars]

Very good, as it happens, though not as good as--... not that it matters.

Is it -- the collar, I mean -- one from the authorities? They're removable, but it requires three people and a bit of coordination.

[abetterway]

[she arches an eyebrow at that, but she doesn't press] If he accepts, I wouldn't mind trying. What does he do, precisely?

[mildly] Is that who they were? [she hadn't intended to admit the encounter in public, but - Shepard was right, and anyway, it might be to her advantage] They're very aggressive, aren't they.

[radars]

To be honest -- I don't know, really.

[ He kills Nazis? He goes around making friends with the wrong Charles? ]</small Very. I've ... heard that the collar is a very unpleasant experience. We'll try to get it off of you as soon as possible.

[abetterway]

[with a slight, knowing smile] It's complicated, then.

I'd...certainly appreciate it.

/slides in here

[lehnsherr]

If you're quite done offering my services to complete strangers.

[abetterway]

[friendly grin is go] You must be Erik, then.

[lehnsherr]

[:| Smiles. He's just going to stick with text.]

Clearly I must.

[abetterway]

[she doesn't begrudge him the secrecy, and she can only imagine it galls him for her to know his name and not the other way round] It's a pleasure to meet you, Erik. So to speak.

My name is Joceyln Xavier.

[lehnsherr]

Xavier.

[That's all he sends at first, the irony not lost on him. But eventually, he sends a second message through. Even he can't subdue his own curiosities.]

There's a reason they chose to use that collar on you.

[radars]

Then I suppose I am to believe that your Charles wouldn't have done the same thing.

[lehnsherr]

Him, I trust.

[Sort of.]

[radars]

By extension and implication, you don't trust me.

[lehnsherr]

You've given me no reason to.