outer_divide | (no subject)

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Has anyone from outside ever seen the inside of the domes? Do we know how many people are inside them?

[If someone could get out, then there had to be a way in. Charles was sure of that. Nem had said 'slipped through the cracks' and now he was wondering if that might not be more literal than he had originally thought. He should have gone and had a chat with Ezekiel but the poor boy looked so weak and ill, perhaps it was time to try and find some answers of his own.]

//Private - Erik//

What would you say to a bit of exploring, my friend?

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[The other Charles. She's a little too curious to resist, even if she has nothing useful to add.]

Besides what you can see from the outside? The odds are slim to none, and if someone has, they're sure as hell not going to go and broadcast it on the open network.

[Because no good conversation with Charles Xavier starts with anything but bitching.]

[Of course it doesn't. And he's still a bit uncertain about these networks and how much of the paranoia around them is based in fact rather than fear.]

If they have concerns over the network, then they are more than welcome to come and discuss with me in person. I prefer it to these devices, as it is.

So you're just... what, assuming they'll trust you? [It's in a 'no right or wrong answer' sort of tone, but she's obviously feeling out his stance in this mess.]

We have enough to go up against out here without dividing ourselves further. If we are going to survive we would do so better as a whole rather than as divided groups and individuals.

I would hope that they trust me, and if they do not, then they will not come forward, and any information that might benefit our survival will remain lost to only those who hold onto it.

That would be very unfortunate, don't you agree?

[She contemplates letting him know he doesn't have to bother with these tactics, since she has as little information as he does, but decides against it.]

Idealistic as that may be, we're divided already. Looking to fix that, but the fact stands that there aren't more than a handful of people here who know for sure that the can trust anyone. Let alone enough to out themselves like you're asking them to.

I am not asking anyone to out themselves. I was making a hopeful inquiry on the subject.

I am just trying to get a better understanding of the people who seem to consider us their enemies.

One would hope that our common enemy would be enough incentive to make people realise we have nothing to gain with mistrusting each other and much more to gain by risking enough to attempt to trust. If not trust, at least to accept the fact that we have to work together if any of us are going to survive out here.

We can not afford to stay divided when we know so little about the people who would call us their enemy.

[To the other Charles (the one taking partial residence in her skull), she sends something along the lines of 'you need to shut him up before he paints a target on his head', but out loud, her reply is simpler.]

I'm not sure if caution's a concept you've ever heard of, but in case it's not, charging headlong into a group of strangers and trying to circle them up for campfire songs isn't exactly going to go over too well with people any less patient than I am.

[ oh for god's sake fine yes he'll butt in.

To Charles alone: ]

/Caution, please. You're worrying her./

[ To Shep: ]

/I'm in contact with him now./

[He furrows his brow a bit, but he recognizes the voice and takes a moments pause.]

/Is this more of that network fear people seem to be so intent on?/

[And then back to her, with only a missed beat]

No, I suppose not. But it seemed like a good idea to try.

/It isn't secure. And the Outer Authorities take great exception to anyone with superhuman abilities. I've run afoul of them myself: trust me, it's something you would like to avoid./

Edited 2012-05-03 00:42 (UTC)

/Appreciated./

I suppose this relates to your interest in the domes then?

You assume correctly. I can not reach past whatever defenses they have. Sometimes I think I can almost reach the whisper of thoughts of some vast population, but it is too faint, and when I try to focus on it, it only becomes less obvious where it may be.

I thought perhaps a closer look.

There is a possibility there may be some weakness in the walls keeping us out. If that is the case, I believe it's worth a look to find out.

The closer we get, the more dangerous it will be, and the OA have already made it clear just how much of a threat they can be.

[It isn't his safety he's thinking of just now. Both Charles and Jocelyn have been collared, which means the OA must have some kind of immunity to telepathy.]

We can take a look, but that's it.

[It's his curiosity. He can't help but indulge it, and the idea that there might literally be cracks in the dome's defenses just fascinates and intrigues him. It's a possibility he refuses to leave unchecked.]

Just a quick look. Nothing more. A nice little stroll, yes?

[He tries to be easy and lighthearted about it. Not from blindness to the danger, but from a need to know and a refusal to leave it alone.]

A stroll. Of course. I'll be sure to pack us a picnic basket then.

[Oh he knows what you're doing there, Charles. But as far as Erik's concerned, it's still going to bring unneeded attention their way. If it was anybody else, he'd leave them to it and not think twice about it.]

[It's a risk that right now, Charles thinks he can afford to take. He just wants to have a look, after all. If he happens to prod at it a bit, he doesn't yet believe it will bring them down on his head. So he just smiles to himself and responds.]

We'll make a pleasant day of it.

[As though this is quite literally a walk in the park, and not an expedition into foreign and dangerous territory.]

As long as we're back in time to watch the sunset, of course.

[Or rather, as long as they get back before it's too dark to watch their surroundings properly.]

Of course. And a game of chess?

[He understands the reasoning. The plan is really just a quick look. Nothing all that dangerous, theoretically.]

Assuming we come back with our limbs intact.

[Because a little morbidity never hurt anyone.]

[There's a marked difference from the Charles she met on arrival, and it intrigues Jocelyn enough to finally do more than observe]

I can't say I have, no.

[Charles]

I did receive an impression of - millions, even billions of minds, though I couldn't pinpoint an exact figure.

[He seems a bit startled for a moment, but he was not entirely unaware of the going ons of the rest of the population. It was just that his encounter with Kara had gone south so quickly he tried to keep closer to familiar minds and territory.

Still. This was. Fascinating.]

Yes. That seems to be a problem I am having as well. I was hoping to get a better impression, but I cannot pinpoint even a single stray thought.

I do not believe we have met. Charles Xavier.

Not - precisely, no.

[She wishes she could offer her hand; these devices are certainly convenient, but she vastly prefers true interaction.]

Jocelyn Xavier.

[Something they could both agree on. Charles much preferred in person communication to the impersonal feeling of the devices.]

That is-

Curious.

I have a feeling I may be looking for a more in depth conversation about this in the future. Perhaps not over these devices, however.

[With a slight, wry smile] That's one word for it, yes.

I've been staying in the Flop since I arrived, just over a week ago. Not the most glamorous of accommodations, but quite enlightening.

How long have you been here?

A couple of months, I suppose. I have been staying with a friend. I am afraid I left the flop nearly immediately and had no real desire to return. My arrival did not go over well with some of the other residents.

[She frowns at that, clearly concerned, but she doesn't want to push the matter.] No? Mine was - troublesome, as well.

[Her hands rises, then, lingering at her neck.]

[He catches onto the gesture. He can guess what that means. The other Charles had been collared as well. It seemed he was the only Xavier here who had evaded such a fate.]

I see. I am truly sorry. They do not seem to be very willing to sit down for a chat, do they?

[That draws a low, dark chuckle.]

No, they're clearly not the diplomatic sort.

I can't reach into their minds, either; the most I can manage is some misdirection. I don't know if it's natural or a function of the masks they wear.

Nor can I.

It is hard to say, as we have, to my knowledge, never had the opportunity to see them without the masks on.

It would seem the air out here is hazardous to their health.

That gives us a potential tactical advantage. Of course, it also works against any allies that may come from the dome.

And if we do indeed breach it, their atmosphere may be just as toxic to us.

Yes, well, the air out here is not always entirely safe for us, either. That fog, for one-

But that is a definite concern to consider.

Do you suppose that was a natural occurrence, or some remnant of past warfare?

I am no expert on the matter, but I would hazard a guess to say that it was not a natural occurrence.

The affect it seems to have on the mind-

It seems like the remnant of a strategy, if it is not still an active one.

Only one more danger for these people to face. [Her expression is harder, now, cast in determination.] I know we didn't choose to be here, Charles, but perhaps it's good that we are.

[After a moment, he gives a slight nod of agreement.]

I think you may very well be correct in that.

However, I am afraid, without their willingness to cooperate, I can do little more to aid the people out here than to search for answers or help them prepare against what we may face.

We'll simply need to earn their trust.

...Which, of course, will be anything but simple.

[He looks to the side for a moment, at that, and clears his throat, frowning just slightly.]

I fear I may have done more harm than good in steps toward that development, though it was not intentional.

Most of the people here are very reluctant to trust anyone, but I am hoping to change that. If we do not learn to trust each other, we will be far too divided, and they will find it a much simpler task to break us further.

[Her tone is gentle, now, if insistent.] I've found there are few mistakes that can't be rectified, at least in some fashion.

I agree completely - if we can't rely on each other, we're all the more vulnerable.

[She's silent for a moment, before she shakes her head.]

I...suppose it's easier for us to say. Not everyone can search a mind for deceit and betrayal.

[There's something darker there for a minute, and the betrayal he has shoved aside, that he does not even know the full extent of, tugs at his memories with the reminder.]

Sometimes even that ability does not help us. But we all have a common enemy now, whether we wish to or not. They do not differentiate between us, we should not differentiate between each other, either.

Whatever views or beliefs or desires we may have, we have to work past or around them. Set them aside.

[She looks down, then, as her voice lowers.]

And if those differences affect how we choose to defend ourselves?

[She meets his gaze with grim weariness.]

There are those, I'm sure, who wouldn't think twice of killing our foes.

[She's so very good at talking around a subject.]

[There is a topic he has been trying to avoid even thinking about, though it rests heavily always at the back of his mind. The first step was trying to pull everyone together. To form any sort of cohesive idea so at the very least they could look out for each other, instead of watching their backs against one another.]

Yes. I am afraid there are a number who likely feel that way. More than I wish to think on.

I had hoped we could negotiate. If we could just contact those within the domes, show them we are not looking for a war-

[Even he knows it is a half-formed and foolhardy idea, but they have to do something before this explodes into a full scale war. If it would even be that. Unorganized, he doubted they stood a chance.]

[She speaks quietly, her voice worn with experience of too much warfare.] How much power do they truly have? Can they overrule the Outer Authorities?

If we can't prevent it, then - we must minimise the casualties.

[She smiles, then, a thin, ragged thing.] I've some experience in that area.

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