Video

[thefuzzyguy]

[As he speaks he holds up what looks like a clunky digital watch from the late nineties with too many buttons that don't do anything. It is slightly smashed.]

So this is probably kind of dumb, since I barely use it anymore, but my image inducer broke... back in one of the other timelines. Not important. It's a pretty weird piece of technology und I totally have no idea how it works, but I know there are techy people here. Sometimes from the future in space. I know back home the professor can usually fix it, but once in a while he sent it back to... whoever made it for him? I don't get all the secrets. I just get a hologram that can sometimes keep me from looking like Satan started a line of plushies.

Comments

[hypospraying]

Well... I don't blame you for that.

[Action]

[nodavinci]

[The doors open onto a space that at first glance probably seems an unnavigable maze of tools, workbenches, and half-completed projects. There's a logic to the setup, but it's particular to Tony's own methods. He tips his head towards a nearby workbench, with a stool that is - amazingly enough - not being used to hold anything.]

Have a seat. Let's get a look at the damage.

[Video]

[genoshas_general]

...[Wanda turns on the video feed, but she doesn't actually say anything. She's caught between her usual impulse to tell him he doesn't need it and the memories of what happened to him when he lost it.]

[thefuzzyguy]

[He just assumes it's lecture time.]

Ja, ja, I know. It's just it's super useful sometimes, und why shouldn't I get it fixed if I can?

[thefuzzyguy]

[The room's almost reassuring. It could be any number of rooms in the basement of the Institute, and very possibly the garage after Scott had gone on a car kick.]

Uh, pretty bad. It got smashed between me und a brick wall.

[Kurt holds out the broken watch a little sheepishly. He knows it wasn't his fault this time, but the image inducer acts up constantly, and always to the effect of near or total disaster.]

[thefuzzyguy]

[Sigh.]

I know. This is my life...

[hypospraying]

Would it be any help to say: well at least you're stronger and wiser for having gone through all that?

[thefuzzyguy]

Maybe, even if I'm not so sure that's true. Und, uh, I'm probably one of the people who get screwed over least on that, since everyone knew the me who went to school, not the me that wound up on TV. I think I'm still officially unidentified.

[hypospraying]

Well hopefully that doesn't change for you if you and Todd return and he tries to change events.

[nodavinci]

Yeah, you probably shouldn't do that.

[That might actually be the world's most useless advice - but at least it isn't said like Tony actually expects it to do Kurt any good. He takes the watch carefully, and angles over to a magnifying array set up on one of the workbenches to get a better look.]

Did it cut out entirely on impact, or was it still trying to fire off after?

[thefuzzyguy]

Usually when it breaks it flickers a little on the way out. I was kind of busy this time, though, so not totally sure.

[It breaks a lot. He tries not to complain, because it makes sense that weird, futuristic technology that barely makes sense would be prone to bugs, but it's still pretty annoying.]

[thefuzzyguy]

It might not have been the best plan, since apparently screwing with the past changes pretty much everything?

[hypospraying]

Most everything, though there'll always be constants.

[thefuzzyguy]

Well, maybe it'll work out halfway okay.

[hypospraying]

Yeah, I hope so too.

[nodavinci]

What's cause the previous malfunctions?

[He flicks through lenses before settling on one that seems to have appropriate magnification, and flips the watch over to analyze the back panel.]

[thefuzzyguy]

Getting bumped even a little will usually do it, but sometimes it just goes on the fritz. Usually it just blinks und I quick find an excuse to go home...

[Now he feels silly for not knowing more about how the stupid thing works.]

[nodavinci]

Sounds like some crosswiring...huh.

[He gives Kurt a sidelong glance, brow furrowing slightly.]

Where'd you get this?

[thefuzzyguy]

It was a gift from the guy who runs my school when I started. A going out in public without being thrown into Area 51 or set on fire gift. I don't think he made it, though he does know how to program it... The Professor has a whole bunch of connections.

[He sounds a bit proud. Being an X-man is cool, yes.]

[genoshas_general]

[Wanda's quiet another few seconds, with absolutely no eye contact.] No, I know. It could've helped with...

[thefuzzyguy]

Kind of something I've been expecting... you know, always.

[genoshas_general]

I know, and I should have listened. I almost...

[Confession time. Rationally, it might make more sense to confide in Kerra, but this is based much less on rationality and much more on guilt.] I was ready to kill everyone who had hurt you.

[thefuzzyguy]

Ja, that's... [Yeesh. Sometimes he forgets he's not talking to the X-men and all, but that's way beyond Brotherhood nastiness as he knows it. But she didn't do it, so he tells himself she's just venting.] Not such a useful impulse... Anyway, it happened because my inducer failed, not because I didn't wear it at all...

[genoshas_general]

It happened because of their ignorance and their spite. [Hardly venting. Her goals are substantially more altruistic than the Brotherhood's, but she can be crueler than all of them combined when she feels it's warranted. Right now the look in her eyes suggests she may be regretting her decision to have stayed her hand, but... she did it for Kurt.] Not because of you. [Her voice softens immediately and the murderous look in her eyes melts as she turns to smile protectively at Kurt.] I'm just glad you're alright.

[thefuzzyguy]

[Well, that's... really scary.] Right, ja, so... [It's probably not worth it to point out context or the fact that he looks like most people's idea of a demon.] They're not likely to stop being that if you turn around und terrorize them, you know?