Thank you, Mr. Wagner. I'm not going to let you get out of a proper reward, but that's an argument we can have later.
[It's much easier to work with those he already knows, and who already know him and his business; he doesn't have to worry quite as much about directions.]
To start, you'll find a crate of nonperishable food in my warehouse, second row from the back. Can you bring one of the cases inside to Willow Clinic, please?
[While he hasn't had the chance to build up as large a stockpile of things as he might like, it's something. He'll be meeting Kurt there, not yet having a reason to leave when things are still so uncertain.]
[Altius doesn't smile back, but he does offer a grateful nod and a:]
Thank you.
[He doesn't waste any time taking the case from Kurt and moving towards a more utility area with it. He hasn't bothered trying to clean all of Fauna's blood off of the front of his shirt, though he's removed his jacket and washed his hands, sleeves rolled up. Between that and the way his hair is a little out of place it's clear he's already been busy.]
Hopefully we won't need more than this, but there's no telling how long it will take to stop that thing. [He sets the case down and pauses before turning his attention to the mutant properly.] What are you thinking you'll do?
Whatever I can. [He says, with a more determined expression. Kurt then thinks to add, remembering the last time they met up during a crisis-] Don't worry. I'm in full form this time! First I'm going to focus on support and getting people to safety. Then I'll see if I can help take on any of those monsters.
[But as he speaks, he looks more at Altius and takes in how disheveled he looks - and the blood on his shirt. He goes on to ask with concern:]
Wait, what happened to you?
[How many times must he find this man in bloody clothes-]
[Eyebrows raised, he glances down at himself, and—oh, right.]
Ah, it's not mine. I found Fauna injured and brought her here.
[he doesn't care about things like that a few smears on his clothes in crisis mode okay!!! Moving on to what he wanted to respond to, though—]
I'm glad you're not having to deal with anything like that again, but I hope you'll be careful. [He pauses for half a second, then,] Actually, can I ask you for a favor?
[He nods faintly, though his expression tells a slightly different story, a slight furrow in his brow and his eyes momentarily tired.
But first:]
Along the way, if you see any major damage that could block people traveling through... or anyone affected you can't easily rescue. Can you let me know when you get the chance? I'm trying to organize a larger volunteer effort with Colonel Miller.
[Kurt's ability is impressive and terribly helpful, but there's only one of him. Other people will need to move throughout Aldrip, too, and Altius will need to adjust his suggested routes based on what's happening out there.]
[Kurt tries not to read too much into his expression. She's probably fine! He should just focus on the favor. Kurt nods along.]
Yeah, understood. Sounds like a good idea! [It'll definitely ease his conscience about people he can't save by himself if he can pass along word to others who can.]
I'll make sure to pass word along whenever I'm in a situation like that. [He snaps a quick salute.] You can count on me!
[With a smile partly pushed through his apparent anxiety over the situation, he replies,]
Thank you, Kurt. You're a great help. [He pats the young man's shoulder, keeping his hand there for a moment.] Hopefully we can offer you the same if you find yourself in trouble.
[He says we, but even he'll admit the people potentially helping only vaguely includes him. He's not planning to do much of throwing himself into the fray, to say the least.]
Thanks, I appreciate that. As long as we've got each other's backs, that's what matters, right? [He does have his fellow X-Men too if he needs back-up, but it doesn't feel like a bad thing to have multiple options, especially given how widespread this thing is.]
As long as we all stay in touch, I'm sure we'll all end up where we're needed when we're needed.
[He returns his hand to his side and glances over his shoulder, through the doorway into the infirmary. It's not that he doesn't think the other workers aren't doing their job, but—well, all the locals have locked themselves away, so they're going to be understaffed, and he doesn't trust that the girl won't try to shuffle her way out as soon as she wakes up...
A breath almost like a sigh leaves his nose, but he turns back to Kurt. There's a sense of hesitation in his question.]
I don't suppose I can do anything for you before you go?
[He doesn't want to dawdle given the urgency of the situation, but he takes the moment to think about it. He does want to give Altius a chance to be helpful too.]
Well I guess I could use some hydration before I go poofing around. Got anything to drink?
[Altius gets the impression he's being humored, but that's fine with him, ultimately. He smiles a little, expression implying he knows he's being a bit ridiculous.]
Of course. [He turns towards the cabinets nearby.] Coffee or tea? Or we have juice and water, if you prefer.
[Kurt takes a moment to relax and smiles gratefully as they chat.]
Sometimes. It'd definitely not an everyday thing! And not on this scale. Most of the time we go into action, it's to stop rogue mutants, but we save people from disasters too. We even stopped a train collision once! No giant monsters, though - just a giant robot once!
[He doesn't remotely try to make his response a few moments later sound as lighthearted as the words might imply.]
It sounds like you're practically an expert.
[In how many universes must children end up with the responsibility of so many lives on their shoulders? Children, whose most significant concern should be homework, or deciding what kind of work might interest them...]
[He does sound like he's not that chill about it... but Kurt just doesn't pay it mind, while sipping from his tea.]
The X-Men. They're the team of mutants I'm with back home. And kinda here too! There's a few of us here, just everyone else is from different versions of our world.
Exactly. And yeah, we kinda do. It's not as formal as it is back home. A lot of the time we just coordinate while doing our own things, but it depends on the threats.
[Altius still thinks of it as haphazard... but no matter; his tone is plain, rather than an expression of his doubt. He's made a specific request of Kurt, and he'll reach out to Scott to see what the other mutant is planning. The others will perhaps find some way to be of use. Or perhaps not.]
Well. I'm no X-Man, but hopefully we can work together well enough, hm?
[He's fetching that bottle of water for Kurt now; when he hands it to the young man, it will be accompanied by a pat on his shoulder.]
Of course! Getting along and cooperating with others is another part of being an X-Man, after all. And it's part of being me, too! So we're totally cool to team up.
[He accepts the water bottle with one hand and smiles while giving a thumbs up with his other hand.]
[He says his goodbyes then, getting to work at the clinic as Kurt gets to work with his patrolling and deliveries of things and people. When the young mutant sends whatever information he finds, Altius responds promptly, sharing how any of his friends who've ended up at the clinic might be faring with him in exchange.
But in the middle of the week, he simply stops responding, and disappears.
It's probably not hard to guess what's happened to him, given the circumstances. But he's not easy to find, even if anyone specifically goes looking for him. It's probably only by coincidence that Kurt finds himself in a part of town that looks partly eaten away, holes in the shadowed street and an entire chunk of bricks missing from the darker side of a building.
The darkness seems thicker here, though as more of a force than a substance. A deep voice calls from somewhere that seems close—very close.]
[Kurt was on high alarm after Altius went missing, after how actively they were coordinating together. There's not many possible explanations, none of which are good ones.
Kurt has found no sign of him, and now he's in a particularly unsettling part of town. He keeps his eyes peeled for any civilians in danger - but he stops in his tracks, a chill in his spine as he hears that voice. He immediately whirls around as he tries to identify the source.]
[The only thing Kurt might immediately spot is some sort of dark mist that had risen behind him—but almost as soon as he turns, it also starts to move in a half-circle, slowly swirling as if to retake its place behind the mutant.]
You can calm down, it's alright.
[There's little chance he can't identify it as Altius's voice, though perhaps he hasn't heard this level of consolation before. Some of the mist curls over his shoulder, bringing a numbing chill with it.]
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expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am
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[It's much easier to work with those he already knows, and who already know him and his business; he doesn't have to worry quite as much about directions.]
To start, you'll find a crate of nonperishable food in my warehouse, second row from the back. Can you bring one of the cases inside to Willow Clinic, please?
[While he hasn't had the chance to build up as large a stockpile of things as he might like, it's something. He'll be meeting Kurt there, not yet having a reason to leave when things are still so uncertain.]
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[Time for a series of bamfing! He finds the crate in question and teleports the case on over towards the clinic. He smiles when he sees Altius.]
Hey man! Special delivery!
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Thank you.
[He doesn't waste any time taking the case from Kurt and moving towards a more utility area with it. He hasn't bothered trying to clean all of Fauna's blood off of the front of his shirt, though he's removed his jacket and washed his hands, sleeves rolled up. Between that and the way his hair is a little out of place it's clear he's already been busy.]
Hopefully we won't need more than this, but there's no telling how long it will take to stop that thing. [He sets the case down and pauses before turning his attention to the mutant properly.] What are you thinking you'll do?
no subject
[But as he speaks, he looks more at Altius and takes in how disheveled he looks - and the blood on his shirt. He goes on to ask with concern:]
Wait, what happened to you?
[How many times must he find this man in bloody clothes-]
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[Eyebrows raised, he glances down at himself, and—oh, right.]
Ah, it's not mine. I found Fauna injured and brought her here.
[he doesn't care about things like that a few smears on his clothes in crisis mode okay!!! Moving on to what he wanted to respond to, though—]
I'm glad you're not having to deal with anything like that again, but I hope you'll be careful. [He pauses for half a second, then,] Actually, can I ask you for a favor?
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Oh. Is she doing okay?
[He has to ask that much before addressing Altius's request.]
Don't worry, I do always try to be careful. But, um, yeah, ask away!
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But first:]
Along the way, if you see any major damage that could block people traveling through... or anyone affected you can't easily rescue. Can you let me know when you get the chance? I'm trying to organize a larger volunteer effort with Colonel Miller.
[Kurt's ability is impressive and terribly helpful, but there's only one of him. Other people will need to move throughout Aldrip, too, and Altius will need to adjust his suggested routes based on what's happening out there.]
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Yeah, understood. Sounds like a good idea! [It'll definitely ease his conscience about people he can't save by himself if he can pass along word to others who can.]
I'll make sure to pass word along whenever I'm in a situation like that. [He snaps a quick salute.] You can count on me!
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Thank you, Kurt. You're a great help. [He pats the young man's shoulder, keeping his hand there for a moment.] Hopefully we can offer you the same if you find yourself in trouble.
[He says we, but even he'll admit the people potentially helping only vaguely includes him. He's not planning to do much of throwing himself into the fray, to say the least.]
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Thanks, I appreciate that. As long as we've got each other's backs, that's what matters, right? [He does have his fellow X-Men too if he needs back-up, but it doesn't feel like a bad thing to have multiple options, especially given how widespread this thing is.]
As long as we all stay in touch, I'm sure we'll all end up where we're needed when we're needed.
no subject
[He returns his hand to his side and glances over his shoulder, through the doorway into the infirmary. It's not that he doesn't think the other workers aren't doing their job, but—well, all the locals have locked themselves away, so they're going to be understaffed, and he doesn't trust that the girl won't try to shuffle her way out as soon as she wakes up...
A breath almost like a sigh leaves his nose, but he turns back to Kurt. There's a sense of hesitation in his question.]
I don't suppose I can do anything for you before you go?
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Well I guess I could use some hydration before I go poofing around. Got anything to drink?
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Of course. [He turns towards the cabinets nearby.] Coffee or tea? Or we have juice and water, if you prefer.
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A little spot of tea sounds cool. And a bottle of water for the road? Please?
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[And so he gets to busying himself with that. But after a minute or so...]
Do you have to manage dangerous situations like this, where you come from?
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Sometimes. It'd definitely not an everyday thing! And not on this scale. Most of the time we go into action, it's to stop rogue mutants, but we save people from disasters too. We even stopped a train collision once! No giant monsters, though - just a giant robot once!
no subject
It sounds like you're practically an expert.
[In how many universes must children end up with the responsibility of so many lives on their shoulders? Children, whose most significant concern should be homework, or deciding what kind of work might interest them...]
Who is "we"?
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The X-Men. They're the team of mutants I'm with back home. And kinda here too! There's a few of us here, just everyone else is from different versions of our world.
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[It's not a question; even without his tendency to read everyone's public communications, the young man told Altius about it himself.]
Do you work as a team here as well?
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[Altius still thinks of it as haphazard... but no matter; his tone is plain, rather than an expression of his doubt. He's made a specific request of Kurt, and he'll reach out to Scott to see what the other mutant is planning. The others will perhaps find some way to be of use. Or perhaps not.]
Well. I'm no X-Man, but hopefully we can work together well enough, hm?
[He's fetching that bottle of water for Kurt now; when he hands it to the young man, it will be accompanied by a pat on his shoulder.]
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Of course! Getting along and cooperating with others is another part of being an X-Man, after all. And it's part of being me, too! So we're totally cool to team up.
[He accepts the water bottle with one hand and smiles while giving a thumbs up with his other hand.]
Thanks, man. I'll keep in touch!
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But in the middle of the week, he simply stops responding, and disappears.
It's probably not hard to guess what's happened to him, given the circumstances. But he's not easy to find, even if anyone specifically goes looking for him. It's probably only by coincidence that Kurt finds himself in a part of town that looks partly eaten away, holes in the shadowed street and an entire chunk of bricks missing from the darker side of a building.
The darkness seems thicker here, though as more of a force than a substance. A deep voice calls from somewhere that seems close—very close.]
Kurt.
no subject
Kurt has found no sign of him, and now he's in a particularly unsettling part of town. He keeps his eyes peeled for any civilians in danger - but he stops in his tracks, a chill in his spine as he hears that voice. He immediately whirls around as he tries to identify the source.]
Who's there??
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You can calm down, it's alright.
[There's little chance he can't identify it as Altius's voice, though perhaps he hasn't heard this level of consolation before. Some of the mist curls over his shoulder, bringing a numbing chill with it.]
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