Mingle ∞ Log
No Lifeguard on Duty
Summary
What's going on?
An
unexpected heat wave in mid-June, coupled with the cycling shutdown of all air conditioning units in motels across the Blocks, has made the summer unbearable. Meanwhile, the ever-eager
storm chaser,
Felix Bjurstrom, has uncovered a
fancy resort with a pool in a diffusion zone only 1 hour out from Panorama. Lucky, right? Well...kind of. It's got some quirks.
When is this happening?
June 10 - 30
What should I know?
- This area is one of many diffusion zones that appear throughout the planet.
- A storm chaser is someone dedicated to studying the cosmic phenomenon in the Diadem. Felix is a pioneer in his field.
- A winding highway filled with old empty barrels will take you to the zone.
- Characters can travel with a friend to save on gas! Parking's limited, so it might not be a bad idea.
- At any given time, there's max several dozen visitors. Most work long hours, some are traveling through the diffusion zones, and others prefer not to risk the drive or waste precious gas, so it won't draw a huge crowd (but there's still a crowd!).
- This is a mingle rather than an event. Plot-heavy elements will be minor. The game's first proper event will be posted in July!
What does my character know?
- Having lost his phone, Felix will spread the word using good old-fashioned printed posters that he's put up around Panorama. A young woman is seen helping him. They appear to be close. Some say that's his daughter.
- Though the timing is impossible to predict accurately, Felix believes that due to this zone's unusual proximity to an anchor point, it has a high chance of persisting for 2-3 weeks.
- Directions are printed on the posters, though characters are also free to stumble across the zone by accident.
∞ Links ∞
Introduction
The resort looks like your typical upscale vacation spot: a beautiful pool, lovely cabins, and plenty of pool chairs. The sky is
perpetually nighttime and there are
two moons. One moon is smaller than its sister and glows purple. The other looks like the Earth's moon. The weather is
pleasantly warm. In fact, conditions are almost
too perfect.
Other
fluxdrifts are here, too, and you might come across them, all of whom are taking advantage of the pool. They'll converse superficially with you and will come and go randomly. You'll want to keep a close eye on your belongings. Other than cooling off, this isn't a bad place to start making connections. Life in the Diadem is better when you've got allies if not friends.
Just outside the resort is a
spacious parking lot, designed for visitors. Nobody's following parking rules so put your car anywhere it fits. If you get blocked in, well, that's a problem for when you leave.
At the end of June, the diffusion zone will flicker and morph into an unremarkable overgrown park, long abandoned to the decades.
Prompts
As you wander around, you discover deactivated androids in many of the poolside huts. These androids cannot be mistaken for any organic species: their chassis is metal, and their heads are shiny. Circuits and wires are visible. But each is dressed distinctly human in a way that borders on disturbing. You spot lipstick drawn on some of the metal faces, as though they're playing dress up...or as if they don't realize they aren't human. One android is frozen in place with a diary clutched in its hands. Another has a hairbrush for its nonexistent hair.
Something seems to have destroyed them—perhaps a powerful EMP wave that knocked them all out. All except one.
The Bartender
The poolside bar is at the eastern end of the resort. There are plenty of seats. A few are occupied by deactivated androids. The bartender is also an android and appears to be the only functional one in this place. He speaks with a modulated voice and has a neutral accent. He exhibits the following behaviors if you sit at his bar:
- Icebreaker. Whether you're alone or with a companion, he'll try to get you all to be friends, asking random self-generated icebreaker questions. He'll be visibly disappointed if you don't play along.
- Bartending. While cheerful, he can't make the correct drink: it's always too strong, incredibly weak, added salt instead of sugar, messed up the ice. He's obviously doing his best, but it's just not working. The harder he tries, the worse he performs until it becomes a comedy of errors with stuff falling over, ice dumped in your lap, champagne corks flying, and any number of slapstick mishaps. You can help him out by mixing the drink yourself.
If you're nice to him, he'll introduce himself as Thomas Lustras. He's happy to
tell you about his son. Strange, you think, but who says androids can't have paternal instincts? Yet, when the android takes out his wallet to show you a photo of his son—named Edward Lustras—the picture is that of a
human child, roughly 5 years old, in the arms of his
human father.
The driver's license in the same wallet confirms that Thomas is (was?) a real person. The picture on the license matches the human male in the photo. A half-scorched business card states that Thomas was a consultant at Outer Rim Resettlements. Thomas believes he's on a company retreat and wistfully declares he's eager to return home to his son.
Maybe don't look too closely. After all, this place will soon disappear. And so will he.
The Grill
It's not a vacation without a grill! Not a grillable item is in sight, though, so you'll have to rely on what you can bring out of Panorama. Some of the visiting drifters will pitch in to share, unloading hotdogs (some synthetic, others authentic, and some far past expiry), burger patties (same) and buns, and "kebabs" made of blocky frozen vegetable squares. The squares vaguely resemble corn, mushrooms, and pineapple. The texture is passable, like a flavor-infused block of tofu.
Fire up the grill and take turns grilling. You'll also have to manage the propane. The grill's also prone to sputtering out, requiring regular minor repairs to get it back up and going. Any loose bolts or screws can be taken out of the dead androids to replace the rusty ones in the grill. You're unsure if you should feel uncomfortable doing that or what, but it is a solution.
Parking Woes
Like any crowded event, the parking lot can get chaotic, and the lawlessness of the diffusion zones doesn't help. While some are happy to help barbecue, others are more interested in picking fights over who got to the parking space first. It won't take much for a fistfight to break out, and a knife fight isn't out of the question, either, though nobody'll be killed (this time).
You can let the troublemakers beat each other, or you can try to intervene if somebody who doesn't deserve it is getting harassed. Just avoid causing too much of a scene. Breaking noses is acceptable; gutting someone head to toe is not. There are Enforcers visiting the zone, and if you interfere with their nice pool time, they won't hesitate to haul away everybody involved and make you sit in jail for a few days.
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thediadem) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
diademlogs2025-06-08 10:11 am
no subject
I know about Jean. [ That at least he can be upfront about. ] I saw it in your mind.
[ He had to push through Logan's mind first before getting to the future, so he knows possibly all of the man's major memories at this point. It was painful and tragic and Charles feels deeply empathic about it. He's never had to kill someone he loved; he's only technically killed one person, by holding Shaw so Erik could finish him. An accomplice more than anything else. He doesn't know what he would do in Logan's situation. He hopes he'll never have to know. ]
I see. That's why you have been difficult with him. I wondered why, given his loss.
[ It seemed to him that Logan would be glad to see a dead teammate alive and well, even if he does it in his gruff way. They might have their tensions but Logan's been distant. Charles might not think much of it if he didn't see Scott's attempts keep failing. He considers the question then, what Logan's asking, what his point of pain is. Charles is not prone to impulsive decisions so he gives it thought. ]
Scott is overwhelmed by this situation. Us being young, you and Rogue being from the future, it's not easy for him, and he's struggling to adjust. I don't think you have to rush to tell him. He needs time, I would be concerned with his state of mind.
[ It is Charles's instinct to protect people, his own people most of all. Scott is strong and intelligent, but he is also sensitive and very conscientious. He cares about taking care of other people more than himself, but there is a point where too much is too much for anyone. Charles was put under significant pressure and rushed to just deal with it in their situation, but that was the end of the world at stake. This is more on a personal basis. There is no hurry. ]
When he is ready, he will ask you more questions, and that may indicate he's ready to learn more. You do need to tell him eventually, for your sake too. [ Holding onto this will only hurt Logan himself, and the truth has a way of getting out. ] There's no easy way out of this, you'll have to tell him all of it, and be honest, Logan. About your own grief, and that she herself asked you to.
[ Charles moves closer and reaches out to touch Logan's arm gently, offering that physical comfort, however small it is. ]
Would you like me to do it for you? Or be there when you do? My presence might be soothing for both of you. I can also help you share your memories of it through a mental connection, if he decides he needs to see it for himself.
no subject
Helps when he doesn't have to explain any of it to the Professor. Not when Charles has had an intimate look through his past (future), might as well have lived through it himself, in a way. That's the thing, too. You know? Last time, Charles wasn't here. By the time it all went down, Charles was already gone, and Logan couldn't stay to pick up the pieces. He tried. For the kids, for Storm. For Jean. He tried, and he couldn't do it.
He doesn't want to run away again.
For a minute or two, he's silent. Just...thinking. About what Charles is saying. Not 'til Charles puts a hand on him that he looks back over. He shakes his head. ]
No. No, this is on me. It has to be me.
[ Whatever happens, however it ends up coming out, it's gotta be between him and Scott. Scott's a grown-ass man and so's he. Still, he might end up taking Charles' offer in a different sense, might end up coming to him again after he finally spills the truth to Scott, though he's just as liable to disappear into the Fringes for a week. Hard to say. Part of him wants to ask, Do you think he'll forgive me? He doesn't. It's not for Charles to answer. He suspects the Professor will say that only time will tell.
And maybe, deep down, in a dark corner of his heart he's not altogether aware of, he's hoping Scott won't forgive him. He isn't sure he deserves it to begin with.
Anyway. He'll carry Charles' words for the next while. If nothing else, it gives him something to think about—but honestly, it does make him feel better. Not a hell of a lot less conflicted, but...better. He exhales, reaching for his drink. ]
What about you, Professor? Getting a little more used to people around?
no subject
I'm here if you need me.
[ If that is to talk more about this topic, after he does tell Scott if it's a struggle, or any other time. Logan was there for him and Charles can do the same back. In fact, he much prefers it this way. Charles likes being needed and helpful and it's far more comfortable than being the one scrambling. It was difficult for him to have anyone see him the way he was when Logan showed up, and that hangs between them now, but in a way this is healing. Logan asked him his advice sincerely. It is balancing out again.
He would not be surprised to hear that Logan thought he didn't deserve forgiveness. Charles would frankly feel the same way, given the same situation. He hasn't forgiven himself for his own actions, although he probably will eventually, once he starts changing his ways and gets it together. He doesn't want to let it hold him down forever, but the only way to move on is to prove it. But he's here instead, so he has no idea what is next for him.
It helps to have things to focus on like interpersonal X-Men relationships and giving advice. It makes him feel useful. He knows a subject change when he hears it and follows along. ]
Yes, I suppose so. It's quiet again here, which I appreciate, but it's not as overwhelming in the city as it was in the start.
[ Charles has had an easier time selectively shielding so that each day he hears less and less of what's around him. It'll probably take him another month to feel on top of it, and months before it truly is as easy as it was before, only surrounded by a small radius of voices at a time. It's those years of not using his abilities that is truly holding him back. He would already have adjusted if not for that. ]
I was comfortable in London while I lived there, it just took practice.
no subject
He nods. Better is as much as they can hope for. ] Good. Not that I haven't liked the 4 A.M. company, but...
[ Only one of them can permanently sleep like shit. Two insomniacs starts getting crowded after a month. Really, he's just. Concerned. The room's so cramped, it's hard not to notice every tiny thing: every jump in heartbeat, every flash of distress or noise. The concept of privacy goes out the window when he can see the bathroom five feet away from the bed. Or the floor, technically. He's sort of pilled some blankets there and called it a day. Hey, who else is gonna take the ground? Charles? Man can barely tolerate scratchy sheets.
He pours another drink. ]
Listen, I don't wanna throw too much at you, but...there's one more thing.
[ At least this is its own sort of familiar, right? Never not something to deal with. ]
no subject
[ Charles knows that Logan comes back here in part to check on him, which is unnecessary in his opinion but understandable. He's concerned, that much is clear, and he'll allow it. But he has a suspicion he won't be granted this much freedom again any time soon, and the storm chaser fellow said that the nicer experiences don't come as often. Charles is an opportunist in this one aspect; he needs the break but he's an adult. He'll come back. Be the Professor again. If anything this experience with Erik and Scott reminds him of that.
Charles is not looking forward to being in close quarters with people again but he can live with it. Logan in particular isn't that terrible of a roommate but they probably will need more space soon. Charles is unpleasant when someone is in his space too long. ]
We should possibly look into a different housing situation. One preferably with two beds.
[ Logan seems to want Charles to stick around with him and he's accepted that. Charles could get his own room and be content with that, but he decided to let his students keep him close if that is what they need. The result is a lack of privacy which will start grating on him. He raises an eyebrow at Logan and shrugs his shoulders. ]
I'm fine, Logan. What's on your mind?
[ Charles appreciates that Logan is trying to protect him from being overwhelmed but he does far better when the problems are thrown at him. He likes to problem solve. It's better than being too caught up in his own issues. ]
no subject
Wasn't as though you ever stopped me from taking off. [ Four days is a drop in the bucket. Besides, he's here for Charles, true, but it's a little bit for him, too. Charles has been taking care of himself long before Logan ever entered the picture. He just—needs to feel useful in another way, even if he's not entirely aware that's what's going on here.
Anyway: ] Yeah, I'm— [ mild annoyance inches into his tone ] —working on it, we're not swimming in cash.
[ The Professor didn't come here with his overflowing bank account, and there's no teaching position lying around. Ideally, he'd have put Charles up in the room he had and moved in with somebody else. Split the cost that way. Problem is, the only person Logan could room with in that scenario is Scott.
Not a fucking chance.
Look, give him a few more weeks, he's getting it sorted. (Getting it sorted might eventually involve him telling Charles to finally get a damn job, but that's a conversation for later.)
He frowns at his drink. ] Rogue's having...she's been through a lot. She could use her Professor.
[ Not that he doesn't think Charles hasn't been looking out for all of them, but Rogue's. Different. He made a promise he couldn't keep, and now he hasn't got a damn clue how to help her. And he isn't...you know, he's not Charles. That's what it comes down to. Only one of them is good at helping people through a hard time. ]
no subject
A look of guilt does briefly cross his expression, given that he's living on the dime of others right now, and it rubs his sense of pride the wrong way. But he is an adult and he can handle it. ]
Erik is also keeping an eye out for job options. Between all of us, we should eventually land on something I can do. And then I can assist the situation.
[ Yes, he's spoken to Erik on this subject, and it seemed like something that would make his friend/enemy feel better if he could help in some way. He is full of guilt too. Charles is not against work, as pampered as he may be, he's just more limited than most other people. No job postings have included an easy direction for someone in a wheelchair. One of these days they'll figure it out. He doesn't have any intention of being a parasite forever, although he knows that Logan would never see it that way or present it that way.
The other subject is more important than his embarrassing lack of funds to donate to the cause. His eyebrow raises at that and he taps his fingers against the arm of his chair. ]
She told me that she was captured and experimented on for years when we first met here. It was horrifying to hear for one of my students.
[ He knows what's what happened to his sister that led them down that path in the first place, but for it to also happen to Rogue for similar reasons is painful. She seems like a kind young woman, one far from deserving so much cruelty. ]
I've been taking a gentle approach since she doesn't know this version of me, but she does seem open to talking to me. [ She told him about her trauma after all. ] I'm happy to step it up a little bit more, but Logan, she could also use you, the first X-Man she bonded with. [ And then, a gentle approach again. ] Is there a reason you're holding back?
no subject
It's fine. They'll work it out. There's gotta be something Charles can do 'cause he gathers part of the problem is that Charles has been hanging around without a whole lot to keep him busy, and this Charles is getting his bearings on top of that. Trying to figure out how to be the Professor they all knew. And though Logan's told Charles he already is the man they know, he gets it's not that simple.
Either way, if it was him, he'd be going stir-fuckin'-crazy, too.
His forehead wrinkles. Erik, huh? Right. Well, maybe Magneto can be good for something. (Doubt it.)
When Charles hits the mark with a little too much precision, Logan pushes all that aside. He lifts his head, opening his mouth to answer automatically. Then he stops. For a moment, he's silent. He's got his reasons. It's not as if he's avoided her. He's been coming to see her. She's been coming to see him, too, mostly lurking outside wherever he's working 'til he comes out back. Walks her home. But that's the thing. He's been spending that time with her, and it still feels like there's a wall he can't climb.
Maybe Charles is right, that he's been holding back. ]
I was there when it all went to shit. The only one. [ Out of all of them, he's the only one who lived through those years with her. He's the only one who can answer why they never came back for her, an answer she doesn't seem ready to hear, that he isn't ready to give. Now that the truth is staring at him in the face day in and day out, We thought you were dead sounds pathetically hollow. ] Sometimes I think I remind her of too damn much.
no subject
He's getting better, but he probably won't feel good until he is useful and balanced. It will happen eventually, he is trying to be patient. If he ends up having to take a job he hates, Charles will likely be so glad to have one, he won't care that much. It's a process. He is far more interested in the Rogue conversation than him being an unhelpful roommate.
Charles waits for Logan to consider what he's said, he can see the question lands and it causes him to consider, and he figures the man might have to think before speaking. He is without any judgment on his part, what Logan is feeling is legitimate, whatever the reason. He equally thinks about what Logan says before replying. ]
You are also the only one who can fully understand. You too have been captured and experimented on, Logan. And no one came for you either. It is a little harsher, as she had reasons to hope people would, but that hopelessness, it is something you've experienced.
[ Charles saw it clearly in his mind, his pain so much at the top of his mind and seeping into his skull that he couldn't avoid any of it. He doesn't have to touch Rogue's mind to know that there are similarities in these experiences. ]
I will speak to her, of course, and help in any way I can, but what she needs right now is to be loved, and to feel loved. And you have a great deal of it in you, Logan. It's one of your best qualities, to have so much heart for someone who has been through so much. It's what is driving your struggle with Scott as well.
[ Logan cares and that's exactly why he's pouring over with feelings about telling Scott the truth and dealing with the Jean of it all. ]
The mind is full of a great deal of light and darkness, from the perspective of a telepath, and you have bright patches within it. I think those parts frighten you more than the darkness, but you shouldn't let it.
sorry for the wait!! can prob bring this to a wrap? 🎀
Maybe what Charles is trying to tell him is it's not too late to try again. Even if it feels as though it might be.
For a while, he doesn't answer. His heart, huh? Yeah, he doesn't know about that, but Charles sees things in people no one else does. Logan's learned to believe him when it counts. Just harder to do when it's turned around on him. And it's funny, you know. Since the war kicked off, he's understood his exact purpose, understood what he could be for the Professor, the mutants who needed him, the endless fighting. His place was clear. His meaning was clear. Now he's been yanked right out. Dumped into this world where he's left with a bunch of shattered pieces he can't fit together and nothing makes any damn sense.
Still. They're with him, the X-Men. The last thing he wants to do is abandon them.
His expression flickers, as conflicted over the Professor's words as he is appreciative. It does mean something to him—means a lot, actually—to hear all that from one of the only people whose opinion of him he cares about. Just...might take a bit. Before he absorbs everything. Before it sinks in and sticks. ]
I'll try. [ He hesitates. ] Thanks, Charles.
wrapped!
I'm here for all of you.
[ Different from who he would be, but not that much. They're still his X-Men. And he failed his first class of them, so he wouldn't do it again. ]