✘ | 001 | VIDEO

[wecanavenge]

[The video clicks on, and Erik is sitting at his desk, looking calm, but angry. He might start shouting, he might have a reasonable debate. It's hard to tell. He folds his hands on the desk top, and leans toward the camera.]

My name is Erik Lensherr. [Reasonable debate it seems, but there's a challenge in his face, his eyes, his voice as he goes on:] I am a mutant. I am a Jew. [He pauses for a fraction of an instant, like he's daring anyone to say anything. The instant passes, and his jaw tightens.]

I will not be remaining in your prison. You will release me, or we'll have a problem, you and I. Is that clear?

[He reaches off to the side, out of frame, and when his hands come back into view, he's lowering his helmet onto his head. (Still silver, he didn't have time to make it fabulous.)] And Charles? I hope you don't plan to spend your time here blending in. [Guilty spite. Sorry bro. :c]

Comments

[wecanavenge]

Please, educate me. [He's putting on a pleasant persona. This is dangerous.]

[yourunichase]

[Parker doesn't trust the pleasant persona all that much, but hey, she's still Parker.]

The Admiral doesn't give a damn about pleas, protestations of innocence or whatever. He thinks your here because someone thinks you deserve a second chance and because back home, you're dead.

[wecanavenge]

I'm not.

[wtf back home, dead, this will never compute.] Does the Admiral get to decide this, or should I be aware of one more unnamed [asshole] entity?

[yourunichase]

Apparently you are and just don't know it.

The Admiral decides you deserve to be here, and you have a warden who helps make it happen. It normally takes a fucking while.

Wardens have deals they make in order to stick around here.

[wecanavenge]

Ah. There's the truth of it. One group is rewarded, the other punished.

[yourunichase]

It's not about fucking being punished. I was an inmate too.

[wecanavenge]

Ah. I suppose now I'm supposed to rethink my hastily made decisions, is that it?

[yourunichase]

[Sigh.] Nope. Doesn't work that way, I'm not stupid enough to even suggest it.

[wecanavenge]

Howe long have you been here? How long before you became a warden?

[yourunichase]

Two and a half years. More than. And I was an inmate for eighteen months.

[wecanavenge]

Rehabilitation happens very quickly here. [NOT BUYING WHAT YOU'RE SELLING.]

[yourunichase]

[Just have a snort, Erik.]

[wecanavenge]

[She's getting an eye roll in return. He has so many feelings about this place already. Most of them disgust.]

[yourunichase]

Yeah, I've been there. This place is hellish. Do you need cigarettes?

[wecanavenge]

No. [YOU WILL NOT BRIBE HIM though he doesn't really smoke often anyway so it's not a big deal.]

I'm more interested in what keeps you here.

Private

[yourunichase]

[When Parker speaks it's matter of fact.]

Someone who I love died because of me. I want that undone.

Private

[wecanavenge]

[The tone is impressive, but he doesn't waver.]

Want it enough to come back, despite being a prisoner here.

Private

[yourunichase]

He fucking deserves it.

Private

[wecanavenge]

Someone you cared for?

Private

[yourunichase]

Did you miss the part about it being someone who I love?

Private

[wecanavenge]

[Dryly:] Apparently.

And once you've held up your end, you go home and forget you were ever here. Is that how it works?

\Private

[yourunichase]

What would be the point of redeeming someone and having them forget what they learned?

Private

[wecanavenge]

I find it had to imagine universes filled with people keeping this particular secret.

Private

[yourunichase]

Who'd believe it?

Private

[wecanavenge]

How many insane asylums are full of former Barge occupants, do you think?