[ The video clicks on and you're treated to a puff of smoke, obscuring Erik's face for just a second. When it dissipates, you can tell that - well scruffy is probably the nicest way to put it it. He has some stubble on his chin that can't quite decide if it wants to be a beard yet or not. There are dark circles under his eyes, and his lip was split recently.

The cigarette hangs in his mouth, and he eyes the camera with a bored expression before he let's out another puff of smoke and lifts the cigarette. He has a very faint Irish accent, if you're listening close. ]

Looks like it's speech day, and here I am without one prepared. Y'ever have that dream about showin' up to school bare as the day you was born? Bit like that, I suppose.

But all right. Since we ain't got much else to entertain us, how about a story? Me mam and father and me, we all lived in this town called Limerick, see? Now I was just a boy then, didn't know shit about shit. [ He waves a hand, as if to apologize for his language, but he definitely does not care. ] They sold all sorts of things back then, tchotchkes, we called 'em. Business was good, but never great, you know how it is. I used to sweep the floors, even though the damn broom was taller'n me. Father always laughed t'see it.

Then some piece of shit preacher man got it in his head that we ain't good and godly enough for his town. Musta been pissed we didn't spend Sundays in his church, huh? [ He chuckles, takes another puff off his cigarette. ] Me mam didn't want me helping out after the store got sacked. Scared for me, y'see? But I wasn't scared. [ Still holding the cigarette, he lifts his chin, and trails his finger along a faint scar across the left side of his jaw. ] When you get pushed, you do some pushin' back.

Parents, though, they wasn't the pushin' type. So they packed up and headed out to New York. Soon as I was big enough, I packed up myself, and headed out here, to good old Redemption. Like the name. Good place for fresh starts.

[ He spreads his arms expansively, a smirk pulling at his lips as he inhales, and let's out a quick jet of smoke. ] And here I am, livin' the God damn dream, ain't I? Right here in Mostly-Free-Redemption.

[ The cigarette's down to the butt now, and he stubbs it out. ] Anyone selling cigarette's cheap?


(OOC: BREACH HISTORY: lol this post. :c He seems to be a loyal and ambitious goon working for Prefect, but in actuality he's a fed deep undercover, trying to expose Prefect. He's been under for a couple years now, and it's started eating at him. He walks a very fine line between pretending to be one of them and actually being one of them. He drinks and smokes a lot because it's the best compensation. This is Departed in the 20s. Oh also will be tagging with eachpassingday!)

[People have been taken, by now; not Erik, he was able to make it back before getting nabbed, but enough. And let's be real, he's only actually concerned about one person, here. Charles is not around the Barge, and Erik is Not Happy. When the video clicks on, he even looks downright outraged.]

Once more the Admiral's deposited us in the middle of devastation and hostility. Worse, he's seen fit to strip those of us who are more than human of our gifts, beyond the limits of the Barge.

[This is the only PSA he's giving. Because he's still furious that he couldn't just rip apart those land rovers.]

These...creatures have taken people. I'm not waiting here to see if the Admiral will think to retrieve them before he decides to leave. [So he's...implying that maybe they'll be left behind, but he's talking about running out there and being left behind himself, if that's the case. Logic!!]

I'm going. Anyone with weapons is welcome to join me. [Since...he has none. But whatever his anger is his weapon, duh.]

[Filtered away from Ivy]

[And early evening on Saturday, when he's sure he'll be able to catch the majority of the student body, everyone's device is going to light up and make noise. Because there will be no claims of ignorance on this since Erik has to give this speech; if he gets to deal with this subject, then so do you.]

Attention, students. Yes, all of you. Put down your video games and, yes, even your homework for the next five minutes, or I'll be forced to call an assembly. I know you don't want to waste your Saturday night in the auditorium anymore than I do.

[He clears his throat, and looks awkward for just a moment before rolling his eyes. How he pulled this lot he doesn't know, but he's going to have a little fun with it. Maybe a tiny bit unprofessionally but WHO'S JUDGING.]

You can all thank Mr. Kirk for this lovely discussion we're about to have, but it's come to my attention that the start of year request to avoid overly friendly interactions with our current forest protector wasn't quite enough for your simple minds to grasp. It's fallen to me [for some reason 8|] to remind you all that it would be best to stay out of the forest entirely. She does not take well to harm to her plants, and the school does not take well to calls from hysterical parents, asking how their perfect darling could possibly have developed poison ivy down there.

[And a pause where he pinches the bridge of his nose because maybe you assholes still aren't getting the picture, AND HE IS NOT DOING THIS AGAIN.]

Once more, students: Do not have sex with Ivy. Do not have sex with her in the forest. Do not have sex with her outside the forest. Do not find a loophole in which to have sex with her. Do avoid the forest all together. Do attend class, and study, and get back to your homework.

[And though he would DESPERATELY LOVE to leave it at that, he has to tack this on:] Are there any questions?

[He somehow sounds incredibly bored while managing to get across that anyone who actually asks may find themselves shoved off the roof in their next flight lesson.]

( Backdated spam for Wanda )

[Video]

[And here is flood!affected Erik, who escaped the Holocaust, who was never tortured or experimented on by Shaw. He can't really control his powers, but he's kind of a chill guy, now, and that isn't actually a problem. He only sort of notices the dampening effect that's on him. So when the video flicks on, he's smiling, looking fairly pleasant and very very curious.]

Hello, I'm Erik Lensherr. I'm a graduate student at Yale, pursuing a degree in genetics. And this - well this isn't the vacation to Hawaii I'd been hoping for, but I'm not certain I can complain, really. The view is utterly spectacular. [He pauses, looking around the room - because this Erik has never been to Charles' mansion upstate.] Are all the accommodations as lavish as this? It's much more than I'm used to, really. I'm afraid I could get used to it.

((OOC: Yup, Flood!Erik had Shaw picked out of his life, so he's actually a very chill, easy going guy. He'll be your best pal for the next few days. And then hate you for it.

Four days of freedom, and we're dragged back kicking and screaming, like children gone astray.

[He pauses, and though he sounds calm, there's a lot of anger bubbling beneath that facade.]

I spent a lifetime trapped by the ideals of other men. When I first came to America, they promised more ideals: freedom. Peace. [There's derision in his voice.] America's ideologies are as flawed as Germany's; both professed freedom and prosperity, but only so long as they were in control.

They made the same mistakes, and underestimated their enemies. [His voice is cold, now.] And they paid for it.

But not enough.

[There's a shift, of weight, and the sounds of pages being turned.]

How many wardens will decide that their deals aren't worth it? How many will decide to walk away, knowing that no inmate has that right? [A chair creaks, like he's too angry to sit still.] And when they've all left, where does that leave us? At the mercy of a madman who can limit our very selves, with no hope of escape.

[Something heavy and papery slaps down against a hard surface, and a rattle starts, like the communicator is shaking. When Erik continues, his voice is lighter and so, so mocking.] But I suppose that's too dim a view, isn't it? No, I should be grateful for the opportunity I've been afforded here, hm? Thank you, for taking my abilities from me, Admiral. Thank you for taking my ability to control my mutation. And thank you, for giving me the opportunity to earn back a part of me.

You're too kind.


((OOC: Erik pretty much spent the Gotham Port saying PEACE OUT and flying away with all his nice powers, so between that and Parker leaving he is NOT HAPPY. This is also backdated to late last night, so if anyone feels up for late fourth walling, have at!))

[Sup Barge. This is the one time you will see Erik without his helmet on. His hair is a little mussed and he looks more than a little frazzled. He doesn't like this kind of constant mutation okay, it's not really his thing. He liked just catching every piece of metal in the corner of his eye.]

When is this damn flood going to be over?

[Yeah Erik is super talkative. He is, however, broadcasting and receiving, and right now, he's broadcasting a hell of a lot of frustration, and under that some serious yearning. He wants his repo family, even if he doesn't want anythign to do with that world, and he can't stop wanting it. :c]

Is this what it's always like? [He's talking to Charles, sort of, but he realized he didn't make it private and...doesn't care.] You other psychics, is this what it's like all the time?

[Private to Parker]

I want my powers back. [Lol it is not a request. :c]

[There's a strangled, muffled scream when the audio clicks on, which is abruptly cut off by a wet sounding thump. Erik's cheery when he finally talks. NOTHING WRONG HERE, EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURTS except for the poor bastard he's repoing.]

They get so loud sometimes, don't they. Sorry about that, I know how delicate some of you new folks can be. [He laughs, and it's not. particularly. pleasant. He starts whistling to himself, and other sounds fill the audio for a few seconds; very unpleasant, scalpels-meeting-skin sounds.]

The faire has been a nightmare in traffic. Some of us have kids to pick up from school, you know. Can't wait for that opera though, hm? Blind Mag's last show, it's bound to be a real smash. Did anyone get tickets?

[That was the sound of bones breaking; he's still whistling, still sounds like this is the most normal thing in the world.] There you are, you little fucker-- Spine replacements are always tricky. So many bones and nerves relying on one flexible bit of skeleton, mm? Terrible thing to lose one. [Erik laughs again, and this one's outright eery.] But that's debt for you. Every society needs its rules. [Another scream tears over the airwaves, but it's cut short with a few wet gurgles.] Shame.

Magda, sweetheart, if you're listening: do we need milk?


((OOC: Since it's all voice I can't add this in but Erik had some aesthetic/useful enhancements to his teeth. Because he's a shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaark, duh.))

[Filtered to INMATES, excluding Wanda and Arthas]

Some of you have been here for years. I want to know what you've learned. [He's testing the waters here, putting out feelers. Who's into this redemption line they're spoon feeding us, and who's willing to fight for their freedom. Just not in so many words.] Have you allowed them to try and change you? Do you believe everything they've promised?

[Private to Arthas]

I'm told you hate this ship and everything it claims to stand for. Was I misinformed?

[Private to Ivy]

I think it's time we find out just who sees reason among us. [A pause, and an afterthought:] It would be prudent of you to avoid a man named Charles Xavier.

[Private to Charles]

Pyro. [What is up with this future kid mutants knowing us thing. :|]

[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]