Video

[excessivehubris]

[Well, this would mark the first time this Charles had used his device to actually try to broadcast to the others trapped here with him.

For the most part he's been down in the Vault of Knowledge and yes, he's been down there for days upon days reading.

It is just recently that he's surfaced to get clean, find a little bit of food, though that had not been a priority with him and poke around a bit. Today, his curiosity had taken him out of the old city and off on a bit of a look about.

Translation, he's gotten himself hopelessly lost.

So the video. It clicks on, to show a Charles Xavier who looks a bit bedraggled with a leaf or two in his hair and caught on his sweater but otherwise he seems just perplexed rather than frightened or dismayed. The foliage appears dense around him but there is the definite sound of fresh running water in the background, most likely the Silver River.

He'll keep this short and to the point.]

Ah, I apologize for this, embarrassing really but I rather fear I have gone and gotten myself lost.

Does anyone know if the rivers lead back to the Old City?

[He'd try to get back to the Old City by following your thoughts but he is close enough to the dome that the non distinct hum of the minds within, combined with the din of thoughts coming from the Old City itself, are throwing him off.]

Comments

permalocked;

[lehnsherr]

[despite the message having been filmed, erik's own response comes as purely audio. he's still coming to terms with the idea of having lost yet another charles, so having this one return to the network pulls on every protective urge he has.

moreso than it usually does since meeting him.]

I need you to come back here.

permalocked;

[excessivehubris]

And I would very much like to come back, my friend. [He will assure the other mutant.]

Once I sort out exactly how I am going to manage it.

[He sounds more sheepish than panicked or worried, at least while it is still daylight out.]

[lehnsherr]

The river leads back to the dome. Don't- [okay, no. he needs to just focus on getting charles back safely. not worrying him about something that could easily be avoided.]

I can come and find you instead, if that'd be easier.

[excessivehubris]

Professor Lyall suggested I follow the southernmost branch to the fields north of the city.

[And from the sound of his breathing and crunching of underbrush, Charles is making an attempt at this.]

Though to be honest I am not sure I will recognize the fields north of the city? I ... [His voice hung a little as he felt bad asking the man for help when Erik had already been so helpful.]

Oh but you must think me a right scatter brain. If you could meet me at the fields, so I know not to go further, I would be once again in your debt.

[lehnsherr]

Just make sure you keep your head down.

[as long as charles keeps his distance from the dome, erik won't dispute the directions he's already been given.]

As soon as you're able to find me, head in my direction.

[he doesn't know quite how far this charles can reach. especially not when he's been forced to keep his ability hidden for so long. but at the speed erik's already moving, with any luck it shouldn't be too long before he's in range again.]

[excessivehubris]

[That will mark twice he's been told to watch himself and now Charles is not quite as relaxed about his situation as he had been when he first put out his call for help. Swallowing, he of course glanced around nervously before focusing on the river and moving, as quickly as the terrain would allow him, along its edge.

Forcing himself to focus back on Erik's voice, rather than his own predicament, Charles attempted to reassure the older mutant.]

I have fairly good eye sight, I should be able to spot you as soon as I break some of this cover, I hope.

[He missed that Erik was talking about using his telepathy. Unless Erik was projecting at him, it was unlikely that Charles could pick the metal bender's thoughts out of the cacophony of thoughts and emotions bombarding his unshielded mind at any one time.]

[lehnsherr]

I wasn't referring to your vision.

[his tone is a fraction lighter at that, regardless of just how serious this all is to him. he wants nothing more right now than to find charles again and bring him back to the house. if he has to move half the library to their home to keep him there, he will. but for the next few days, he has no plans to let any of his people out of his sight for long.

or jocelyn's reach.]

You have better methods at your disposal, Charles. I think it may be time to listen in again.

[this time there's a thought to accompany it, though it's directionless once again. until charles forms a connection of his own, he can do little more than just 'yell' the other man's name.]

[Video]

[professorwolf]

[Keeping daylight hours at least part of the time while Pepper is away means the old werewolf is actually awake to intercept this message. He's tired, and rather looks it on the screen, but that doesn't keep him from being helpful.]

Good morning. The southernmost branch of the river passes by the fields north of the city, but if you follow it too far, both branches lead directly to the dome. Do be careful following it.

[Video]

[excessivehubris]

That could indeed be helpful, thank you. [He is genuine in his gratitude and will offer the old werewolf a smile, before pausing and catching his lower lip between his teeth.]

Though that does beg the question, do the points of direction work the same way here as they do on Earth?

[Translation, which was was north?]

[Video]

[professorwolf]

[As Lyall generally is only out and about at night, and thus is more knowledgeable about how to navigate by stars than by the sun, is momentarily stymied. Then again, it might just be the lack of sleep two days running.

He blinks a moment, then shakes his head a bit and comes up with an answer.]

The river flows south and east. Follow the direction it is moving.

[Video]

[excessivehubris]

[Give him a second to sort himself out here, Lyall he was not much of an outdoors type and it took Charles a moment to get a good feel for how the river was flowing. Okay south and east, just follow it. He could do this, it had been his plan once he'd realized he was lost in the first place.]

Ah, right. I think I have myself sorted now. Just have to hope that I do not run into any further obstacles along the way now.

I truly thought I would be fine if I stuck to the path but I suppose I took too many branches off the main to get myself back.

[Video]

[professorwolf]

You should be safe enough. I imagine the panthers are more interested in sleeping at this hour of the day than in hunting.

[And no, he is not joking, he's quite serious. Even if he somewhat belatedly realizes that probably isn't very reassuring. Then he even more belatedly realizes that they have not been introduced. How rude of him!]

I'm Professor Lyall, by the way. Randolph Lyall, of London, England, eighteen seventy-five.

[Video]

[excessivehubris]

I'm sorry, did you say panthers?

[No, not very reassuring at all! However the distraction of proper introductions works nicely.]

Ah! Yes. Professor Charles Xavier, recently of Oxford University and it is a pleasure to meet you, Professor Lyall. Did you say eighteen seventy-five?

[Video]

[professorwolf]

[Leaving aside the issue of panthers, since he's fairly certain he shouldn't have mentioned them to begin with, Lyall merely addresses the latter comment. Much less alarming than panthers, are differences in time.]

I did, I'm afraid. I am assuming you are not from that time period?

[At least he knows what Oxford is! This is a step in the right direction.]

[video]

[knightoflight]

You will need to be careful not to be spotted by the Dome.

[video]

[excessivehubris]

Would the Dome be looking?

[He may be a little less than completely up to speed on just how dangerous it could be to be seen by the Dome or those guarding it.]

[video]

[knightoflight]

I can't say for sure but after what happened with--to--Commander Shepard, they very well may be.

[video]

[excessivehubris]

[He is so far out of the loop and behind the times that the name does not mean anything too him but Charles does not want to admit that.

Instead, he'll nod.]

Thank you, for the warning. I'll try to be careful.

[video]

[knightoflight]

If you need any help, if you see them start to come after you,, please comm.

I can get you out.

[video]

[excessivehubris]

I ...

[Truly, he had not realized that his situation could become that dire and now he is starting to look genuinely discomforted.]

If I see something of concern, I shall definitely keep your offer in mind, yes.

[Wait for it ... ]

Oh! But I do not know your name? I am Charles, Charles Xavier.

[video]

[knightoflight]

Please. We need to help each other. Don't hesitate to contact me.

[Oh right.] Wing. I'm [He gives a rueful shrug.] the Cybertronian.

[femshep]

[....Hold the phone.

This isn't the same Charles, the one she's been arguing with since before the fire.

Why wasn't she informed?

And as if she hasn't opened her mind to too many people so far already, she's sending out a simple but distinct message and hoping it reaches: 'This way.' It's probably easy enough to pick up by the other telepaths too, but it's obviously not directed to them, so she's hoping they'll butt out.]

[excessivehubris]

[This Charles has been flying pretty low under the radar for awhile now. His attention caught and held by the Vault of Knowledge, he truly has not interacted with many in the Old City.

At least not directly.

Head down, Charles was picking his way over some rotting logs when the very distinct thought reached his normally chaotic mind. Head lifting, like a hound scenting the air, Charles' brows furrowed.]

Ah, hello?

[femshep]

To the city. You said you were lost.

[Here's hoping he'll just take her help at face value--let's not make her regret her decision to reach out to start with.]

[excessivehubris]

Well, yes ... yes I am. though I have been given some direction.

[He pauses and then, more cautiously.]

I am just, unused to people speaking with me like 'this'.

At least, not directly.