Power/Swap Event

[spoofer]

Characters: Ensemble cast, any/all characters of Xistentia!
Summary: Power fluctuations across Xistentia affect not only the electricity of the city, but also the supernatural abilities of the residents. Will you get caught up in the chaos, or try to help out the next poor bastard who accidentally sprouted telekinesis overnight? Check out the mod announcement!
Date(s): Month of March 2018
Warnings/Notes: Potential violence/accidents

Power/Swap Event

That sing the ecstasy of the soul and senses

Blackouts & Brownouts (March 10-13)

Early Saturday evening, the power goes out across Xistentia. Of course, if you were out in the woods roasting marshmallows or hunting elk, it doesn't make much of a difference until you approach the city and find the twinkle of lights has gone out. However, if you were enjoying some of the city amenities, it's immediately obvious that something is very wrong. Almost all stoves, lights, stereos, and heating systems cease to work. Television is right out. Devices running on indepedent power— such as cars, and cellphones and earpieces that relay the daemon network-- continue to work as long as they have battery power. Fortunately, by now the weather is fairly mild— dropping to a crisp 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 Celsius at the deepest part of the evening, but far from intolerable for most people. While some have fears that D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. may raise its ugly head while Xistentia is defenseless, F.A.T.E.S. issues an assurance that all remaining power is being routed to interdimensional defenses. Mostly, it's the anxiety and boredom that people have to contend with. So maybe you'll be part of the service passing around lanterns and candles, running patrols to prevent theft, or helping to charge up devices from the handful of people who have developed generator technology throughout the town. Some dubious genius even developed specific electric blankets that convert positive affect from cuddling and shared sympathy to heat output that can be calibrated for maximum comfort.

Or maybe you'll take advantage of the rise of community spirit in the nighttime, and come together to drink and tell stories in the one part of Xistentia that seems to continue to offer a little light— the Temple. There, people congregate to play a drinking game of truth or dare, or possibly complain about them millennials and their dependency on technology.

On the third day, residents begin to find that their daemons are malfunctioning a little. Accidental shitposts, distorted audio, and bizarre typographical errors are the least of it. It's as if your sentient personal assistants have gotten terribly drunk, though they reassure you that it's just part of the repair process...

Swaps and Supercharges (March 14-24)

On day four, the power comes back on and the daemons begin to sober up. It's awesome.

Except that that's when everybody's supernatural powers promptly go haywire.

For some, this is a sudden amplification of powers— superstrength or speed suddenly doubling in measure, or stone skin and magic swords will suddenly jolt into activation in the middle of brunch. A couple of werewolves wake up fuzzy on the morning after a new moon, whereas several wizards find themselves casting unintentional, messy spells while mumbling "shit" over something ordinarily innocuous. Arguably worse, a few people find their powers nullified. It's easier to manage, assuming you arranged your life so that a normal person could go about it. You may have to help one of our local giants escape from their seventy foot suburban home through a towering window, though.

And then there are the swaps. You'll hear about it on the network mainly— people squawking in dismay, that not only have they lost their old powers, but now they have something completely new. Keep your eye out— maybe someone will need your help, managing a terrifying set of abilities and weaknesses that you are familiar with.

NPC Swaps

Though many PCs have powers available for swap, several NPCs have also unleashed their abilities into the pool! Brief descriptions are below. Players may choose to handwave some off-screen help or instruction from these NPCs, or try and figure it out with the help of PCs.

1. Telekinesis— 2 tonne maximum left (equivalent of a player vehicle), may throw or catch knives. Special feats, such as flight, may also be available but require study to master.
2. Elemental Control
   • Hydrokinesis— 15 cubic feet of water may be moved at one time, such as the volume of a square room of 'typical' adult bedroom height. This volume may be shaped or hurled around with the force of an ocean wave (for surfing, rather than storm). Water cannot be generated, but with effort and concentration, it may be pulled from the air or smaller bodies at a distance. Bodily transformation into water is an option.
   • Pyrokinesis— the ability to generate and manipulate flames. Fires will start small, such as fireballs the size of a fist, and be fairly easy to maintain. However, with greater effort, larger, shorter-lived fireballs may be summoned for attacks, such as they may destroy 1 normal passenger vehicle in one shot. Bodily transformation into fire is an option.
   • Terrakinesis— shockwaves through stone/earth/sediment or 15 cubic feet of earth may be moved at one time. Characters may raise pillars or shields of earth for offensive purposes, generating enough destructive force to flip or destroy a car in a single shot. With less offensive goals, they may reshape landscapes. Bodily transformation into earth/stone is an option.
3. Touch Telepathy - Characters may read or affect the thoughts of others by coming into physical contact with them, with effect proportional to effort. Weaknesses will include that the target's willpower can overcome the ability, as characters learn to detect intrusion over time; they may also suffer from difficulty 'shutting out' the thoughts of others that they touch. Opt-out/consent pages will be required.

OOC Note: Changes to powers will be temporary, lasting throughout the month of March before reverting. There will however be the opportunity to make them permanent if you desire. For this, please keep an eye out for the next announcement, which will include a signup for long-term ability conversion!

Comments

Tony Stark | OTA;

[servomotor]

electrical blackout;

[Despite the fact that Tony loves him some mechanics and technology, he's always done surprisingly well when horrific third world scenarios are foisted on him. The blackout is no different. No, that's a lie. The blackout is plenty different; there's no kidnapping, no exploitation and blackmail. Not no possibility of death, but significantly less than you'd worry about with the warlords.

Tony is helping out. He might be the one who stops by your door, clanks his metal fist against it, and calls out,] Flashlights, flashlights, read all about it. Or just get your quota. I-- also— come bearing an assortment of--
[and at this point, his voice dissolves into a mutter. you might pick out random words, like kale?, toilet paper, this can smells funny.]

power/swap;

[When the power comes back on, Tony's happy. Holding Shepard in the dark is a pleasure beautiful and strange, but its beauty leans heavily on how deeply unfamiliar it is to him otherwise. And it's good to be back in familiar spaces, doing familiar things. Specifically: building in his workshop. Fridayd is leaning over his shoulder, debating with him about the best algorithm to program into this oscillating device for better vehicular balance. He's grumbling thoughtfully, poking a slender screwdriver into tiny contacts within the little machine.] You're blocking my ligh--

[—BAMF—-]

—-ight.

[and then he stops. Blinks. Wherever you are, whatever you were doing, you suddenly have a guest. One Tony Stark, presiding with a doohickey the size of a pocketwatch and a bemused expression on his face.]

why hello there

[astralera]

[ After realizing her Echo was flaring up along with her other abilities, Era decided that convalescing like Aymeric suggested she should would be a good idea, which is why she's sprawled out in their living room on a nest of blankets, dressed in some lingerie while using one of her husband's (fiancé's?) unbuttoned button-ups as a housecoat. There are snacks, of course, because what good is a documentary marathon without some popcorn, pastries, and a thermos of cocoa?

Lily is summoned alongside her, perched on her shoulder and watching the birds-of-paradise on the screen with rapt attention. Emeraldd is sprawled over her feet, batting at a loose thread from one of the blankets.

Era feels cozy and safe, silk and lace hugging her curves and Aymeric's shirt around her shoulders. She has the sleeves rolled up to what would be the Elezen's elbow but just brushes her wrists, making it possible for her to drink her cocoa without issue. They're just about to show another of the strange avians' mating dances when suddenly their view is blocked.

She startles, sip of hot chocolate going up her nose and causing her to cough. Emeraldd jumps up quickly enough that Era doesn't trip over it in her haste to get up. With Lily summoned she doesn't have any of her bladed weapons on her, but she's felled foes with her codex before just by bashing them with it, so...

Era recognizes who it is after she's shifted into an attack stance. Once she does she goes from hurrying to defend herself and home to rushing to button up her shirt.

She's not impressed right now, even if she knows it's likely not Tony's fault. ]

[servomotor]

[Tony's eyebrows climb his head. The first thing he sees is the mildly decorated living room; the first thing he hears is the happy chitter of the television, informing us about the particular mating techniques of a species that's peripherally familiar to him. (If he had a mind palace, it'd be full of the most unbelievable junk, believe you me.)]

Huh.

[The second thing he sees is Era. Specifically, Era's breasts? Half-covered, of course, by a very pretty patterning of lace and translucency over her pale skin and tautly muscled parts. The next moment, he's looking at her face, her expression of consternation as she swiftly buttons up the goods.] Did you and your stuff teleport into my workshop, or did me and one of my stuff teleport into your... [a long pause. He glances around.] Tastefully decorated abode?

[astralera]

There is no Aethernet here.

[ She says that as though it's supposed to mean something to Tony, momentarily forgetting that no, Teleportation is not a common mode of travel for the people of Earth, nor is Aethernet a term they would be familiar with. Arms crossed over her chest, brows furrowed and lips pursed with disapproval (the faerie standing on her shoulder is an eerie mirror to both her mistress' pose and expression). If Tony were to glance at her left hand he would find it adorned with both an engagement ring and a wedding ring - a big upgrade from when they last met in person.

Era isn't certain if Tony is sincere in his compliment of her and Aymeric's home, but she imagines he isn't.

The living room is set up very traditionally though with more modern furniture, walls decorated with pressed flora and landscapes Era has painted (of varying skill - she's been working on improving). There are books of all kinds everywhere, filled with bookmarks made out of anything on hand.

Sheafs of paper can be found on every flat surface, most of them littered with what are obviously mathematical formulae and geometries, though others are a mix of the Latin alphabet and Eorzean, as though someone is trying very hard to learn English. Ink wells and quills, modern ball-point pens and pencils, the occasional marker... There appears to be a writing tool within arm's reach no matter where one might sit or stand. ]

You're lucky my husband is out.

[ Not that Aymeric would be Tony's main concern between the two of them, really. But Era's promised to be good and that means taking it easy, so no combat for another few days (thus the absolute mess of their living room - she's not good at staying idle). And it took enough convincing to get Aymeric to go out with Estinien and do whatever it is those two do when they spend time together - probably shooting things in the eyes with arrows, knowing Estinien - that she's loathe to risk causing him to fret over her again. ]

[servomotor]

[Tony doesn't tend to miss much, except when he does. That Pepper Potts is deeply unhappy in their relationship, for example. That he's been slowly and steadily falling in love with Commander Shepard. Sometimes he forgets about eating and sleeping, too.

A wedding ring on the half-naked woman he seems to have popped in on, on the other hand.] Aethernet, [he repeats, casting around further. Reassuring himself that this is still Xistentia. He cranes his head at one of the windows, and sees through the tastefully drawn obstructions that the trees and buildings look as environemntally conscientious as ever. Definitely not Earth. Definitely not on fire. His skin crawls with nerves.] The intranet definitely runs off more advanced technology than any kind of cabling, but that doesn't seem to be what you're talking about, [he mutters.] Look. I very appreciate you not trying to kill me right now, because I caught that reflex. Thanks. I m--

[BAMF.

Abruptly, he's gone. Actually, the little device he'd been working on falls through empty air, and clanks on her floor. It doesn't spark or anything; it's just metal.

BAMF.

And suddenly he's behind the couch, peering toward the television.] This seems educational, [he says. His voice is terse. But she can probably catch it, the anxiety rising in his voice.] Good taste in--

[BAMF.

BAMF. And he's back again, tottering in her kitchen.]

[astralera]

[ For all that Era doesn't particularly like the man, she isn't about to leave him anxious and fearful when there is something she can do to help. Or at least try to do. With no Aethernet connected to an Aetherstream she has no idea how one might teleport. Never has she struggled with random, unwilled teleportation either.

With Tony out of sight in the kitchen it's no matter for Era to quickly activate one of her glamour plates so she is instead wearing a very modest, flattering red corseted dress. Never has Era appreciated the ability to change outfits in the blink of an eye so much.

She walks into her kitchen (very tidy, in sharp contrast to the living room. It's fairly obvious at least one of the couple has a sweet tooth if the obscene amount of birch syrup, biscuits, and pastries is any indication) and eyes Tony speculatively, trying to figure out how she might offer assistance.

It does no good if he panics, so Era decides to start there: ]

Mister Stark, how many digits of the number 'pi' can you recount for me?

[ Numbers and geometric patterns have always been one of her go-to methods of calming herself down when she is particularly anxious. It isn't unlikely that the man might be similar, but even if he isn't her question is liable to pull him out of his head for a moment. ]

And then please tell me how your body feels at this moment.

[servomotor]

[Birch syrup. Tony actually remembers this from his encounter with Aymeric, who hadn't seemed to be aware that that specific sweetening is generally reserved in many worlds for glazing savory food. Fish dishes, that kind of thing. Less so adding to tea. But it was a notable cultural difference that's a little charming to see represented into the tall Elezen's home, that he apparently shares with--

BAMF.

BAMF. But he only moved a few feet, beside the diminutive woman and her red clothes, this time.] Three point one, four, one, five, and there would be others but I take your meaning. How did you change so fast? That's incredible. [He can certainly appreciate better-than-human (?) fashion swap abilities, even if he doesn't like the vast majority of her attitudes toward alternate lifestyles either.] I tend to have problems with breathing, heart rate, and-- [he presses his fingers and thumbs together, giving a quick rub back and forth. His voice is still coming out sharply bitten and quick, but not as much as it was a moment ago.] The perspiration. Sympathetic nervous system activation.

Typically. Helpful. Occasionally less than, [he finishes out, drawing a breath down low into his diaphragm. His image flutters for a moment, but there's no bamf.] Are there any documentaries about Molboro?

[astralera]

Glamour.

[ She's done enough reading (with Emerald's assistance translating for her) to understand that glamours were a fairly common form of magic in Earth lore, so it is likely that Tony at least has a vague idea of what she means when she says that.

Another thing Era gathered through scouring various medical texts is that Tony's symptoms line up quite well with an anxiety attack. She has various dried herbs hanging in the kitchen windows used to ease episodes of post-traumatic stress. Tea might not be ideal, but it's a more pleasant option than potions. ]

An anxiety attack. I have remedies for them if you wish for it.

[ She furrows her brows in thought, because if Tony didn't bring up exhaustion, vertigo, or loss of feeling it's unlikely that any of her scant knowledge of teleportation will be of any help. ]

I've yet to find any films pertaining to my world, but that is likely because the technology does not currently exist for them them. [ A head tilt, and an amused smile. There's only one person who would have reason to bring up Marlboros. Era can't help but find her husband's particular distaste for them to be incredibly endearing. ] But I've slain hundreds of Morbols. What is it you wish to know about them?

[ Era keeps a close eye on the man. It seems as though staying calm, or at least focused on something else, helps somewhat. Perhaps an unaspected crystal shard would assist with grounding him? Tony may not have aether, but aether is essentially life energy - something all beings have. As long as it has no elemental charge Era can't see the harm in trying it. ]

...If you aren't opposed to it, I have an idea that might assist you. It will cause you no harm should it fail.

[servomotor]

[There's no way for Tony to know what the woman is thinking of, but he can tell that she's thinking. And that she intends, in the moment, to help.] 'Glamour,' [he repeats. He knows something of the term outside the usual scope of science and red carpets. His image stutters again, but he doesn't disappear. There's no bamf.] Whether their paralytics have been explored for medical usage.

And I'm open to hearing about your ideas.

[He glances left and right around his immediate vicinity, looking for anything he might accidentally teleport onto. Into. So many potential disasters to choose from. He has some respect for material property, more for objects of actual sentimental value, then his own life and limb-- and funnily enough, for hers. She might recognize it, the look dawning on his face when he measures the distance to where she's standing. The worry that he might teleport himself into the space she's occupying, perhaps.

Grisly thoughts.]

Make your pitch, lightbringer. I'm all ears. [He spreads his hands, by way of expression as well as to keep his balance. And perhaps a little grudgingly, he acknowledges,] This-- isn't. The first one I've had.

[astralera]

Their parts are used as alchemic reagents. Potions to cause paralysis, blindness, sleep, muteness, or a mere poisoning draught. Most of those can have medical application in the right hands, but there are not many willing to hunt Morbols en mass for supplies.

[ She is, of course, one of the rare exceptions. Adventurers are a dime a dozen, and it's a dangerous job, but Era has never minded Morbols or Stropers as long as they kept their breath to themselves.

It takes Era a moment, but she does indeed recognize the look of one coming to an unpleasant realization. What she doesn't understand is the cause of it, because someone teleporting into the space another occupies is not something any Eorzean has ever need think of.

It's easy enough to assume he's concerned he might hurt her in some way, to which Era has a simple enough answer: ]

You need not concern yourself for my welfare. If I am in danger of death the Echo will warn me.

[ Though it's entirely possible that this moment is an Echo vision - she never finds out until she's awoken from her unpleasant visions. Putting all of that aside, Era clears her throat in preparation for a lengthier speech. ]

In Eorzea teleportation is common - expensive and exhausting, but a daily occurrence. It is facilitated by the Aethernet I mentioned earlier; a network of large crystals of condensed aether called Aetherytes. The Aetherytes act as a guiding anchor - a tether of sorts - pulling the aether of the person traveling toward it via the Aether Stream. When a person teleports they lose their physical form temporarily and the Aetheryte helps them reform back to the way they were prior to teleporting. It is this aspect that limits how frequently someone is able to use the Aethernet in addition to their natural levels of anima.

There is more to it than that, but I admittedly have not looked into the details of Aetherial travel all too closely.

[ She clears her throat, taking a moment to recover her voice while she pulls out an Unaspected Crystal from seemingly nowhere, holding it out for him to inspect. It's too large for her to fit her fingers around, but it isn't much bigger than her hand. ]

I don't have a miniature Aetheryte on hand, but this unaspected crystal might provide sufficient grounding for you.

[servomotor]

[The man's eyebrows climb up on his forehead. Huh. Invulnerability by precognition? Not quite, he supposes; she might not be able to outrun a nuke. His hypotheticals are never by half-measure, of course. He's Tony Stark. And confronted with a small rock, he doesn't really see many drawbacks to giving it a try. After all, the placebo effect can be as real as medicine, mind over matter, and he's somewhat certain that the secret to controlling this particular situation lies squarely in the mind.

Of course, he's probably undermining the placebo effect by thinking about it this much. But whatever. Whatever, whatever.] I think Nightcrawler's thing may have a different mechanism of effect, but crystals and electricity metaphors are--

[BAMF--

—BAMF.] A big favorite of mine, [he says, now standing a little bit to her right. Conveniently within reach of handing over small objects, like the stone in her hands.] Do you know him? Kurt Wagner. Teleporter, probably never heard of Aetherytes.

[astralera]

Kurt? Yes, I have met him on a few occasions. [ She tilts her head, curious. ] I was not aware he was able to teleport. He is able to do this without a focus to tether him?

[ Now that he's within reach Era will hand the crystal over for him to take. ]

I have more, so you may keep it even once your situation has resolved.

[servomotor]

I believe so, [Tony says, closing his fingers around the crystal. Crystal. Mineral, maybe. Lattice molecular structure. He tells himself science thoughts in his mind, riffing haphazardly off the advice that Era had given him moments ago. It's probably not sugar. She probably wouldn't just hand him a big hunk of fantasy sugar. For one thing, if he ate it, -- well, she wants him bouncing off the walls less.] Maybe there's a psychological focus, though.

In which case, maybe this is serving. [He hazards a smile in her direction. It barely reaches his eyes, but it does.] Thanks. Appreciate the souvenir. [Carefully, he takes a step toward the doorway.] What did you call this? And why the documentary?

power;

[shadowblends]

[now, kurt's positive he's never encountered someone else with an ability like his own. other teleporters? sure, but not in the same smoke and echoing rush of air akin to his peculiar mutation.

when the familiar bamf sound filters through his living room, the immediate response is to look around the area and see if he's the one on the fritz. after noting that he hasn't left the kitchen, he peers around the doorway and blinks at the sight of one perplexed looking tony stark.]

Oh, [he starts.] Hello, mister Stark. [more than a little weird, but he has been aware of the malfunctions people have been suffering-- himself included, for that matter.

flicking water from his fingers, nightcrawler steps into the room adjacent to the one he's in, blue lips quirking with mirth.] You seem to be suffering from the odd power outage, too.

[servomotor]

I'm having a pro—

[BAMF.

BAMF.] --blem, [Tony finishes, having relocated now to the kitchen, just right of Kurt.] If you have some advice I'd really appreciate it.

[Tension is thick in his voice, despite his casual tone.]

Query. What happens if you teleport into a solid object? Say a wall. [He runs his fingers through his black hair and glances out the window.] Just in your case.

[shadowblends]

[a blink then another, his grin widening as tony blinks here and there, eventually ending up next to him.] So I see, [kurt confesses, lessening the space between them, one hand reaching to clasp the other man's shoulder.]

Well, uh— [pause.] Pray tell, what do you think would happen if I teleported into a wall? [his head tips, brow furrowed with both concern and interest.]

For now, try to think about not moving. Focus on staying in one spot then hold your position.

[easier said than done for the person who's mutation is rather effortless at this point in his life.]

[servomotor]

I think you'd become a fine slush integrated with the subst--

[--bamf—BAMF--]

--ance of the wall. You know. Like, co-mingled.

[It's very possible that this thought is making Tony anxious. But he's also doing what Kurt tells him to, now. Eyebrows knit, his stare focused on a point of the wall. Automatically trying to slow his breathing, too.]

Have you ever done that to someone else?

[shadowblends]

And you'd be absolutely correct.

[since he's still hanging on, he supposes he'll go for a short ride.

just so he doesn't end up draining tony's energy, kurt withdraws, raises the hand to curl around his chin in thought. it's been a rather long time where he's had any problems. might take him a minute or two to remember things that made it easier.]

Teleported them into a wall? Nope, I've never done that.

[servomotor]

[Tony doesn't scream like a girl, but the expression on his face shifts. Fine slush comingled with a wall is absolutely not what Tony Stark ever wanted to be when he grew up. His image flutters again-- bamfBAMF and then he snaps back into reality, only a few feet from where they were. Kurt with him.]

Then how do you know?

[He tries to keep the question intellectual. nbd. SURE. Kurt, how do you know about the slush if you've never seen someone become it? (There's also an older, more monstrous part of him, that is entirely aware that if he had had teleportation years ago, plenty of people would be slush by now.)]

[shadowblends]

[unfortunate, since a girlish scream coming from someone like tony would absolutely lessen the tension. they go again and then a second time, leaving nightcrawler somewhat disoriented, although he's quick to recover.]

Because what else would happen to someone who ends up trapped in a wall?

[was it not obvious before? he was sure that he'd been clear: ending up in a wall will not be pleasant. for either of them, really. (but just imagine being able to remove limbs once the teleportation is perfected!)]

[servomotor]

I was hoping for a Koolaid Man scenario, [Tony says, not particularly truthfully. He is not optimistic enough to hope for that. Wouldn't that be hilarious, though!! How convenient and unscientific, if one were to teleport into a wall, then pop out a same-shape silhouette of concrete out of the substrate.]

Focusing, [he says, slightly louder than is necessary.] Focusing—

[And he does. Or at least he tries. A long, deep breath. He thinks about staying. He thinks about not staying too, but mostly he thinks about it the way he thinks about making metal craft that can fly, or learning about gamma radiation. He thinks of it as a problem to solve, his brow furrowed. Stay, he tells himself. It comes to him in Shepard's voice, low, womanly. Stay.

And for the moment, he stays.]

[shadowblends]

Koolaid Man? [a blink, then another. that one might need to be explained to him, tony, since he isn't all that savvy with american culture just yet. once understood though, it would be something to break the tension of them becoming one with walls.

he stays silent while tony focuses, eyes wide and expectant. kurt is planning for more teleportation and much to his delight, nothing happens.

after sighing with relief,] See? I knew you'd figure it out. [because he had full confidence in iron-man! ... for the most part.

okay, at least at the end? they'd gotten further away from the walls, which had always seemed like a good sign when he was learning how to control it.] As I said before, I've never teleported anyone into a wall— myself included. There's a certain spatial awareness that comes with the ability to keep me from doing so.

[servomotor]

[A beat. That gives Tony hope, and he isn't-- terribly prone to 'hope,' exactly, but the scientific method requires repetition of samples, and Kurt's the only sample he can repeat after. If Kurt says he has spatial awareness baked into the power, then surely it's true. Slowly, Tony straightens his shoulders. Given he's... actually... not very tall, it may come as no surprise that his total height doesn't change much.]

Tell me about the first time you teleported, [he says.] Was it the complexion that tipped everybody off about your abilities? Or did you...

[He's trying to think of the right word. Not just 'teleport.' There's the perfect onomatopeia somewhere; he just can't put his finger on it right now, because he's never actually seen it spelled out.]

[shadowblends]

[much to his amusement, the blue boy has quite a bit of height on iron-man. enough that it's certainly noticeable once his guest straightens, although nightcrawler makes no mention of it. poor tony is already focusing on controlling his new power; he isn't sure what sort of reaction he'd get if the subject was brought up and some people get offended. suitably so, he'll forgo this realization in favor of answering.]

The first time I teleported? [kurt bites his lip, contemplating how to actually answer that before going with:] I have very little memory of it, but it happened when I was a baby. The second time was far more momentous, though my peculiar appearance didn't give any hints about mutations.

Imagine my mother's surprise during a routine toddler chase when suddenly— bamf! I'm on the ceiling and there's smoke and the scent of sulfur everywhere. [even thinking about it now makes him smile with fond reminiscence.]

[servomotor]

You mean-- [Tony's a touch confused, but interested. It's different to being a genius born to a household and family of geniuses, of course. He had always known he was gifted, but the gift did not come with blue skin, a long tail. The smell of sulfur. It was seen as superlative, rather than abnormal.] You mean you didn't look blue the first couple times you teleported?

[He digs something out of his pocket, then. A little distracted. When he brings it out, it's a crystal, gleaming dully but pale against the flesh of his hand. He grips it tight.]

Your mom wasn't around for your first teleport? How do you even know about it?