animus_network | [Video]

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[It has been a little while now, since things cooled down after everything that had happened. Charles' head didn't feel like it was going to cave in from everything he'd had to feel and hear in his mind anymore, which was a plus, but it didn't mean he wasn't working said mind into a migraine trying to think of anything or way to prevent the experiments from happening again.

He figured that it couldn't hurt to try and talk to them again. Them being the ones who brought them here. Who did those things to everyone.]

Dax, I believe it was? I would like to speak with you again, if I could. Or if you're busy, then I wouldn't mind someone else. I think you mentioned a Jason? Either way, I would like a word with someone.

[Charles will try to not seem like he's trying to pick a fight. As he isn't. He just wants answers. And maybe, just maybe, he can try again to peek into their minds.]

Erik, if you're also not busy. I would like to speak with you as well, please.

[He hasn't been able to keep track of him at all. He can no longer feel Erik in the Tower, but he's going to assume it's that helmet, before he worries something else has happened. No response to this and he'll worry.]

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Yes?

[And he's relieved to see his friend's face... even if that helmet is on his head. As he suspected. He'll try not to look disappointed, but it's obvious in his voice.]

Have you been avoiding me?

No, Charles.

I've been busy.

[He practically rolls his eyes. The helmet isn't for you, Charles. There are other things he has to worry about besides your own feelings.]

[He feels like he's nagging now. Being overly clingy. Demanding Erik's attention when he has no right to.]

Then I'm sorry for bothering you.

[Why is he behaving so bitterly? Sighing, Charles will try to collect himself and try again.]

Busy with what?

Trying to find a way out, Charles.

[Erik watches evenly.]

You know, while you are busy planning parties.

Then let me help you. I thought we would work together on this, Erik.

[It was a common goal, was was Erik keeping him at arms length? And he'll purse his lips a little at the last part.]

I'm doing more than that. She's a good girl, she's just trying to help.

Well you seem distracted. The party? Is a distraction. She's a mutant like us. You need to help her get out of this fantasy of hers, and focus her to the real task at hand.

She understands what is going on, Erik. Believe me, she's not trapped in any fantasy, she's just a child that is trying to help in her own way.

Don't worry about her, I will take care of it. But this doesn't mean I cannot help you, in fact if you listened I was trying to help already. [By talking to Dax and co again. If they'd answer. He couldn't read their minds, but that didn't mean he couldn't not talk to them. People here seemed adverse to the idea of speaking to them, which puzzled him as talking to someone was a good way to find out things about them. To learn.

What better way to learn about the ones who had them here than to speak with them, yes?]

I might not be kicking doors down and fighting fire with fire, but I am doing what I can with what I have. If you have a better way of doing things, do clue me in, my friend.

I did here you, Charles.

But this isn't about just helping me.

[Erik sighs, running a hand through his hair.]

Well her help is the wrong way. You're encouraging it--which you shouldn't be doing.

I know it's about more than that. It's about helping everyone. But we cannot just run in with nothing, not knowing anything. This is why I'm trying to learn what I can to be of help. My usual methods don't exactly work as they should I'm afraid.

[This was going to be a match of who could look the most disapproving, wasn't it?]

You're being too harsh. I understand that there is much going on here that we have to be on our toes about, but sometimes a distraction from what seems like an impossible situation isn't a poor thing.

And does that bother you at all?

That I can't rip out these walls.

[Believe him, Charles. He's been trying.]

This place knows us. We need to show them we aren't going to sit by placidly, waiting for them to do more to us.

[He raises his eyebrows, half laughing.]

I'm being harsh? I'm being realistic.

When did I ever say it did not? You keep suggesting that I don't care or I'm not doing what I should be. I notice these things and they do bother me, Erik. I will find out why and we will get out of here. I just have different methods than you, that don't involve running in unprepared.

We aren't sitting by waiting for them to do anything. We're surviving, some just do it differently than others. [And he'll sigh.] Tell me, my friend, when nuclear war threatened us, did we not stop to enjoy a game of chess? A few drinks? We could only do so much at that time, so there was no fault in doing something to calm nerves until we could act.

This is no different with the party Molly wishes to have.

[Erik glares--it could be daggers, really. 'Unprepared'? He's preparing, you stupid british bastard.]

We sat around because we had to--there was nothing to be done until Shaw surfaced again.

[He pulls out a chocolate bar, thrusting it at the screen.]

They know our past, Charles.

[He's just digging himself a deeper hole, isn't he?]

If we just throw ourselves at this full force with nothing in between to keep us sane, we'll go mad, Erik. You speak of being realistic, well then try to see it from your own point of view that you thrust at me.

[But then words catch in his throat at the sight of the chocolate. If he hadn't seen everything in Erik's mind that first night they met, it would seem to be just any bar of chocolate. But Charles knew that wasn't the case.]

... Dax did say they knew of us, they had to look back to apparently find the best time to pull us here. To keep us safe from when the world was destroyed. [There is no utterance of belief as he says it, just repeating what he knew.]

I guess I didn't realize just how in depth their knowledge went.

[He really is.]

I haven't gone mad yet, have I?

[There is an edge to his tone, a dare. But he has thrown himself full force at his goals all his life, since the camps. And having Charles imply that he's insane for it isn't appreciated.]

Well I'm sure that this is keeping me safe.

[And he throws the bar on the ground.]

I'm not going to stop, Charles, until I tear this place to the ground.

... that could be argued.

[Don't think he forgot that night you came to him, Erik. What happened.]

And I will help you, Erik, but we have to do this without running in headfirst, or we'll get ourselves hurt. Or worse.

[And there's an awkward pause before he leads into something he's wanted to bring up with him. He just hadn't known how to.]

And we cannot help each other without first being able to speak plainly with one another. About everything, Erik. Like what happened that night.

[And he shoots Charles the look he shot him right after he said 'just following orders.' Erik can't believe you just said that.]

Really? I'm so glad you're willing to help a madman, Charles. How magnanimous of you.

You'll even kiss one back, to attempt to calm him down.

I'm impressed at how selfless you are.

That's enough, Erik.

[Charles is surprised at the anger in his own voice, but he can't help it. He understands Erik is under a lot of stress, that he's not handling any of this very well at all. In all honestly Charles isn't either, but he choices to put on a face that shows otherwise.

It forces his friend to take everything he says the wrong way, though at times Charles does deserve it.]

You're still recovering from what happened not long ago, your obviously paranoid wearing that thing. Paranoid of the tower of me-- [It hurt to say it, but he always thought it. Every time Erik wore that it was a slap in the face, even if he didn't mean it that way.]

And I know we have to get out of here, but we can't keep tearing at each other like this.

And the fact you still think I did that for that reason...

[And he realizes perhaps he's reacting badly, but it was tiring having Erik come at him like this. Accusing him of doing something because he thought he was so better than him, so selfless and perfect. But he'll calm himself a little, running hands through his hair, looking away from the screen. His lips twisted into a displeased frown.]

If you really believe that, Erik, then I'm afraid to ask what else you believe of me.

I'm not paranoid of you, damn it.

[Erik clenches his hand.]

But I'm not going to let this tower in my head. With whatever they might attempt.

[Erik runs a finger along the bridge of his nose; he wants the helmet off, he does. It's heavy, makes his head hurt. But he just can't right now. But he does soften, slightly.

And no, Charles wouldn't want to know what Erik thought of him.

So instead...]

I'm sorry.

Well you act like it.

[He'll snap back. And instantly he's trying to calm down, deep breaths, fighting won't get them any where. Much like he himself said. Helped if he took his own advice.

Blue eyes glance up at the apology, and he'll lift his head a little.]

... as am I. I seem to keep saying everything but the right thing as of late.

Sure you aren't projecting, friend?

[Erik falls silent for a few moments, looking down. His eyes are regarding the chocolate bar for a while.]

We've both been put under a lot of stress.

I'm certain. But perhaps much like you I'm... paranoid.

[Paranoid that Erik wants to keep him out, push him away. For every little he lets him back in, the next day it feels like they take a step back.]

So we have.

[And Charles is quiet for a moment, before he tries to bring certain things up again.]

You do understand why things happened as they did that night, don't you Erik? You don't actually think those things you said do you...? [He really hoped not.]

... did you regret it?

[Erik sighs, and finally takes off the helmet. He needs to run his hand through his hair.]

I don't understand, actually.

[He looks down, pressing his lips together, as he struggles. He regrets it...and he doesn't. It's complicated. So instead he'll take the easy way out for now, a rarity.]

Do you?

You look much better without that on you know.

[A soft smile, and he'll run his hand through his own hair.]

So you think I kissed you just to kiss you? Erik... [A sigh. But it isn't so easy to just come right out and admit things. Erik is really the first person he's felt a genuine attraction to. More than just physical. It was everything, it was why even though he drove him crazy and they argued and bickered... why he could still come back every time and still manage to smile. To enjoy time with him. To enjoy Erik as a whole. Even with the flaws. Erik wouldn't be him without them.]

No. No I don't. I regret things I did that night, but that was not one of them.

I don't wear it for fashion.

[A strange wash of emotions flash over Erik's face, but then it settles on a hesitant, guarded look of hope.]

And what exactly do you regret, then?

Am I not allowed to tease?

[He's trying to ease the mood a little.]

I regret causing you pain, emotional or not. I regret hurting you, Erik.

You're allowed to do whatever you want.

[Erik flexes and clenches a hand once, twice.]

I shouldn't have done it--kissing you.

[Honesty.]

But I don't regret it.

[And at this admission Charles feels lighter from this whole conversation.]

I'm glad. I would have been rather disappointed if you did.

What, because you want to do it again?

Now you're just putting words into my mouth.

[But he's pleased that things seem to have finally settled... they're on good ground again. He's trying not to smile right now, and it's all Erik's fault.]

[He could say something about other things in mouths, but he doesn't.]

Now why would I do that?

Why would you indeed.

[Erik. Erik you are lucky he's not close by, getting that little thought would just "GOODNESS ERIK".]

... so can I hope to see you sometime soon, then?

We'll see.

I will see you around then.

[Because Charles is sure he will.]

For what purpose do you wish to speak to our jailers, what do you wish to accomplish? Or more, if you are successful in calling them out could you pass on a message for me, one who was experimented on?

I wish to learn. [A simple answer, but he doesn't want to come out saying he's trying to learn all the little secrets. Would kind of look bad if Dax or the others were watching this some how.]

I just want to know about the people who have brought us here, I think that's fair enough, isn't it? [And he'll nod at her last question.]

What would you have me say to them?

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