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[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.

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[Yes, Elissa is using the com more of late in order to try to learn how to use the Maker-damned thing. Thus, she replies to complete strangers like Wes and now Kurt.]

I fear that I know nothing of such devices, but... What is a plushie?

[He may find it harder to laugh lately, but he can't resist a little snort. It's not intended to ridicule. Just a really funny question.]

Um, a mass-produced cutesy stuffed animal.

Like... the head of a deer over a fireplace?

[Elissa's question is genuine, but even she is looking amused.]

And what is an 'image reducer'?

Uh, nein, it's a toy. Made of cloth. Usually to look like an animal, though. Und an image inducer is a thingy that makes me look like a normal human instead of me.

Ah, like a doll. I understand.

Admittedly, I had never met any living person with blue skin until I came here, but I am not sure why you would find much need to change your looks except not to alarm others by your skin color.

You have quite a nice face. When you are older, you might be as dangerous to women - or men - as a certain suave Antivan that I know.

[He'll just ignore that last part and be glad the fuzz hides almost all the evidence of blushing. Though the very observant have been known to notice that the very thin fur at the tips of his ears lets a little touch of purple glow through.]

Mostly to not get torn apart by mobs or kidnapped for dissection back home. Stuff like that.

[Actually, being embarrassed about the weird compliment kept him from immediately withdrawing or getting panicky in thinking about it. There's that.]

[Elissa can definitely be outspoken, but she was genuine in trying to tell Kurt she thought he was cute instead of scary. She just didn't go about it very well. Cute is not a word used often to describe people in Ferelden - unless they are very young.]

Have you faced such danger here?

[He's a teenager with more than the usual self-image issues. In all likelihood, there wasn't a way to go about it that would have worked.]

Nein, it's pretty safe when there are aliens und giant robots around from the ship. But I couldn't leave my parents' house during the day until I was fifteen. Kind of hard to shake the paranoia habit, ja?

It sounds akin to what some mages go through in my homeland, if their family tries to hide their powers from the Chantry.

Just how old *are* you?

Sixteen.

[Almost seventeen, but it sounds petulant to say so.]

I am twenty. I.. think. Tis hard to tell after sleeping so long in that vessel.

My name is Elissa, by the way. Elissa Cousland - Grey Warden of Ferelden.

Um, Kurt Wagner.

[Eh, why not?]

Also known as the Amazing Nightcrawler of the X-men.

The Axe Men? You are a soldier, then?

[Elissa is definitely not from any form of Earth.]

Tis a pleasure to meet you, Kurt. It seems there are many here with names and titles aside from their given name. I knew a Clint who was also called Hawkeye.

Nein, X-men. X for Xavier. He's our teacher. Und the callsigns are for combat stuff. A lot of people will come at mutants with blunt instruments if they know about us, plus we do secret missions a lot. Code names. ...So kind of a soldier.

[Nice that she's not getting bent out of shape because he's a teenager. Though since she's not that much older, makes sense.]

[People get *married* in Ferelden at sixteen. Pfft. He's grown. Elissa nods as she considers what Kurt tells her.]

So, mutants are those with powers different from ordinary men. And they are persecuted for it.

[The Warden gently frowns.]

You have my sympathies. Tis indeed much the plight of mages in my homeland. Those with the ability of magic are rounded up as soon as they are found out and sent to be trained in the Circle of Magi - which is little more than an elaborate prison. I had an ally who grew up in the Circle and another who had managed to avoid the Circle for her entire life. Those who manage to avoid the Chantry's notice are called apostates.

Had I remained in Ferelden, I'd intended to do what I could for the rights of mages.

[He appreciates the sentiment and softens a bit.]

The school is kind of our safe spot. Professor Xavier's a mutant with the money und connections to keep the rest of us out of trouble, mostly. Plus most mutants look normal, so they don't have as much trouble hiding unless their powers are screwy. I got the short straw.

[Elissa grins at that.]

Did you? At least you do not have tentacles growing from your face. Truly - you are not hideous - tis merely your skin that is different. Although, I agree that even in my homeland you would draw notice. Most might think you a Qunari since their people are shades of grey or purple.

You cannot help that you were born how you are. It angers me when people are treated differently because of something they did not *choose*.

Actually, I'm furry. Guess it doesn't show up on video so much.

[It's very short fur in most places.]

Plus totally looking like a demon from a lame comic book.

[Elissa snorts.]

You look like no demon that I have ever encountered. They were all twisted, melted flesh and madness - but for the desire demons. You do not look like those, either - you lack breasts.

Well, that's kind of sexist.

[It's supposed to be a joke, if not delivered with all his usual energy.]

I totally look like the stories there are from my world, though, und that's what people think of. Pointy ears, pointy tail, fangs, glowy eyes. I even smell like sulfur when I port.

Pointy ears usually belong to elves in my world. Pointy tails to dragons. Fangs - well. All manner of things. Canines and other wildlife have eyes that glow in the night when the light strikes them just right.

And... isn't telling me you get gassy when drinking port a bit much?

...It's a side effect of my powers. Port is short for teleport. The smoke smell doesn't come out of my fur very easy.

[The Warden's voice is wry when she responds.]

You know, I was fairly well-educated for someone who wasn't a mage, but the more I speak to the people of Verdana, the more I realize I need to learn.

Tis a wonder I haven't yet accidentally cut off our conversation while trying to use this Maker-damned box.

I hate phones, too. My fingers are just the wrong size.

[His texting usually looks like a cat walked on the keypad.]

Twas a pleasure to speak to you, Kurt. Perhaps we shall meet face-to-face some day, hmm?

Until then, keep safe, my friend. I hope you find someone to aid you in repairing your device.

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thefuzzyguy - 2013-05-31 19:29 (UTC) - Expand

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