✘ | 012 | VIDEO

[wecanavenge]

[The video clicks on, showing an uncertain eye and not much else, because the video is held much too close. The camera flips and jostles a few times, before it's held back enough to see a young boy. He looks much younger than he really is, rake thin in a very unhealthy way, but still more than skin and bones. He's pale, and he's scared. When he speaks, it's all in German; which, usefully, is the only language he knows.] H-hallo? [Tosh has already assured him that Herr Doktor is not around and there won't be any tests of any kind today but...he isn't entirely convinced and is more than a little nervous to direct more attention to himself. So he's hesitant, but tentatively giving into some curiosity?] Is this one of the SS buildings? [He pans the camera around the room quickly; partially visible, as he tries to gesture with his other hand, is the silver helmet he holds.] I have never been here before. [And he heads to a couch, looking uncomfortable, but...maybe a little pleased. This is more comfort than he's known in - well, ever. He manages a little smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, and falters at the edges.] It's very nice. Thank you for letting me stay here. [His attention drops back to the helmet, now in his lap, and he holds it up for the camera after a moment - the look on his face says he probably shouldn't play with it and he's sorry, but he's drawn to it nonetheless.] Does this belong to someone? (OOC: And tags will come from einzweidrei because I'm a bad person. :c Blanket content warning, again, for possibly in depth discussion of the Holocaust.]

Comments

[burnmythoughts]

[Her eyes do widen this time, because - yeah, that has to be Charles. Her smile doesn't waver, though.]

That would be great, if Erik doesn't mind.

[stripedpajamas]

[Charles glances over at Erik briefly before looking back at Jean, still smiling.]

He doesn't. Who are you?

[burnmythoughts]

[Jean just nods, because of course he would know.] I'm Jean Grey. I'm - basically a counsellor, here.

[stripedpajamas]

A counselor for what?

[burnmythoughts]

People who need some help working through their problems.

[einzweidrei]

Es sind kranke Menschen hier? [He glances at Charles at that; he isn't sure he likes the sound of that. There were sick people in the camps, too, and he'd heard about what happened to them.]

[stripedpajamas]

[Charles glances over at Erik and takes a moment to reassure him again that that's not going to happen here, this wasn't like the camps before looking back at Jean.]

He wants to know if there are sick people here.

[burnmythoughts]

[Her chest constricts and it's an effort to keep her smile steady, but she just shakes her head.] Not that way. This is a place for people whose lives get - turned around, and they do bad things. So we help them sort things out, and then they go home, or wherever they want. [She wishes it were that simple, but she's not going to go into the Barge's various issues.]

[einzweidrei]

[Erik nods, satisfied enough; he doesn't ask why they are there, because there is still the strange feeling of belonging.]

Ist es schwer?

[stripedpajamas]

[Charles still wants to ask more questions about that - like why they're here, that sort of thing - because while he, too, feels like this is alright, he's supposed to be here, at the same time, he's always been ridiculously curious about everything.

But he'll translate before asking any questions of his own.]

Is it hard?

[burnmythoughts]

[Her smile turns rueful.] It can be, yeah. But it's worth it.

[einzweidrei]

[Erik nods, once it's translated, satisfied - but he looks at Charles again, because he can feel how his friend wants to ask questions, too.]

[stripedpajamas]

[See, this is why telepathy is the best way to communicate. :C Charles grins appreciatively at Erik before looking back at Jean.]

So, why are we here? I mean, I don't think it's a bad thing, and I'm certain my mother won't miss me particularly while I'm here, but Raven might worry.

[burnmythoughts]

[...Oh. That - that makes Jean's smile falter, for a moment. And she can't even tell him she's sure he's wrong, because...she really doesn't know. So she just answers, voice softening again.]

I'm not sure, honestly. Sometimes strange things just happen here, because of how we're travelling.

But we're put back right when we were, if we go home, so Raven won't have to worry. Is she your sister?

[stripedpajamas]

Yes. She'll be cross when she finds out I got to come here and she didn't.

[Not that he really had any control over this or anything, and she was going to be even madder when he left to help Erik and everyone else escape, but there was really no helping that.]

[burnmythoughts]

Maybe, but I bet she'll be more happy that you came out okay. [Jean can say that with a bit of confidence, at least. She's a sister, after all.

And there's that pang of loneliness, again. She doesn't even see Sara much at home, but at least she can call whenever she wants.]

[stripedpajamas]

[Charles almost considers cutting Erik off from understanding the next part, but that seems unfair and it's not like Erik won't notice he's doing it anyway.]

... Is there a reason why we wouldn't?

[burnmythoughts]

[She hates to lie, she really does, and if she thought this would last for more than a few days she wouldn't, but - she wants to feel safe, as long as they can.]

No, it's just that you're a long way from home in a pretty strange place.