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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[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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