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| Just lose yourself; Dance dance dance | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 29 2017, 03:48 PM (128 Views) | |
| Amnity | Nov 29 2017, 03:48 PM Post #1 |
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Transmorphic Social Camouflage
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11/17/2017 22:17 Webster Hall New York, NY Ben was, for the first time since finding himself at Xavier’s, in his element. The face changer was up on stage, surrounded by boys and girls aged 16 to 35, dancing like the world would be ending tomorrow. Perhaps it would, perhaps it wouldn’t, either way it was time to seize the moment and enjoy. Webster Hall was a haven for New Yorkers of all stripes, some of the sweetest electronic music one could find, and had a rep just touristy enough that the Manhattan naysayers stayed away. Benjamin Deeds finally was feeling like himself again. For the night at least, all thoughts of the oddities that consumed his life were gone, all thoughts of the five blonde girls were gone, and most of all, his responsibilities were abandoned. “Hey Everett, it’s awesome right? Didn’t I tell you? I can always sniff out where the party’s at, just trust good old Benji.” From years of practice Ben projected his voice towards his friend, edging his voice, at the moment that of a beautiful black girl dancing to his left, with just enough honey to be suggestive and carry it past the pounding din that surrounded them. True to his words ben had set up the entire night by himself, days before springing it on his older friend. The newly 18 year old mutant had done his googling, yelped some passes, bought bus tickets, even packed a small backpack with snacks and clothing changes. He’d given Ev no way to say no without looking like a jerk and regretted not a single moment. Now as the legendary Deadmaus took to the stage and tore up the acoustics of the place Ben wrapped an arm around who he thought to be Synch, it was hard to tell with them both sharing social camouflage powers and smiled like a kid in a candy store. “So, you finding any prospects for tonight? It’s not a club hit if you don’t end up in someone else’s bedroom.” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Nov 29 2017, 09:28 PM Post #2 |
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Ev had to admit, he was having more fun than he'd expected to when he'd gone along with this outing. Not that he'd expected to have a bad time; he enjoyed a night on the town as well as the next guy, and Ben certainly knew how to enjoy himself enough for any two people. And in any case, it was hard to say no to the man, even when he wasn't using his powers... which, to be fair, Ev wasn't certain he hadn't. And, hey, it was his eighteenth birthday, which was certainly worth celebrating. And it was an opportunity to practice with Ben's powers in the context they were supposed to operate: out in public, surrounded by people. As a consequence, not only did Ben look like a complete stranger half the time, but Ev himself was not quite, well, himself. It was a funny thing, really; with most powers, he had to be careful not to manifest them in public so as not to stand out, but with Ben's powers it was the other way around... the more strongly they manifested, the more they seemed to blend in with the crowd. "I'm good, thanks!" he shouted back over the band's impressive decibel level. Even with his ear just a few inches away, it still took shouting to be heard, and Ev was beginning to wonder if he ought to have brought earplugs. "I'm fine with my own room, really!" He wasn't sure how serious the teenager was... as the older of the pair, and Legacy to boot, Ev had implicitly taken responsibility for making sure neither of them got into any trouble tonight, and he was hoping he didn't end up regretting that. Not to mention that he wasn't entirely convinced it was even remotely ethical for Ben to pick up anyone who didn't know about his powers. He'd worry about that if the situation arose, though. For now he was enjoying the music, the dancing, and the company. |
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| Amnity | Nov 29 2017, 09:51 PM Post #3 |
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As could be said often about Ben's life "and then the bass kicked in". DeadMaus, his crazy fake animal like head bobbing up and down dropped a warble of bass so hard and so loud that it actually drowned out the cheering of the assembled throng and made Ben grin from his toes to the ceiling. Regardless of his looks, Ben was a dancer and the chance to dance to this group live? Well he couldn't pass that up if he'd been limbless. Assuming Ev liked girls more then boys Ben locked eyes with a beautiful Irish girl with red locks to her waist, eyes greener then emeralds, and skin so fair as to be mistaken for glowing, and let his powers fill in the rest. In moments he could have passed for her sister and his hands were already interlocking with Everett's and pulling him away to the dance floor. If Ev wasn't looking for a hook up tonight, well Ben could at least show him a bit of the world he was turning down. As Ben let the rhythm flow over him and lost himself in it, people began to gather around them to cheer his moves, to watch the pair in action, or to just be near two people who seemed just a bit better, a bit more real then the others in the club. Ben's powers made him likeable, well more likeable then his personality alone granted, they also made him smell great, be appealing, made people want to get to know him. Add to that another person with the same gifts, both of them moving and swaying in a club already jammed to the gills with hormones? A blind man could cause a slam dunk with that set up. "It's a hell of a kick being me in the right setting, right Ev?" The question was asked loud and clear as Ben spun to rub up against a girl who looked straight out of a punk band, if said band was filled by fashion models. The girl leaned in for a kiss Ben was only so happy to give. The somewhat quiet, always friendly teen was showing a different side tonight, a Ben who was still friendly, still looking out for his friends, yet had an edge to it. A slightly predatory Ben who might not really think too hard on how his powers affected others. As they kissed his red hair shortened and a pink stripe flowed out of it, his lovely, elfin features began to grow gaunt and his frame shortened. Not that any one besides Ev would have noticed, this was camouflage at it's finest. "So why are you single Ev? I mean I'm enrolled at a school full of beautiful people who can mostly all kill me with a look or in my sleep. You're graduated and ready to jump out the nest. You looking? A little fun, a few dates, or you a family and kids man?" |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Nov 29 2017, 10:42 PM Post #4 |
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"It totally is," Ev had to admit, once they stopped dancing and took a break for a minute. Knowing that the attractive redhead he was dancing with was actually a guy didn't stop him from enjoying the dance, or the way the audience watched. And he knew that with Ben's powers synched he could get any girl in this place to dance with him, willingly... or, well, some close approximation of willingly, anyway. Though the difference between those two things was really, really important, and the way Ben started making out with the girl behind him made Ev uncomfortable if he thought about it too much. Sure, she seemed willing, even eager, but... was she really? Or was that just his powers at work? How could even Ben tell? Hell, Ev had the same powers now, and he wasn't really sure when he was using them and when he wasn't. His appearance was probably changing just as often as Ben's was, without his even being aware of it. To go around picking up girls like this seemed... predatory. And honestly, where was the line? He didn't have to stop with Ben's relatively mild abilities; he could synch up with real telepaths, make girls go wild for him. Was that really all that different from what everyone did... dressing up, flirting, trying to impress their dates? Well, yeah. Yeah, it totally was. Just like arm-wrestling someone was different from beating them up. Consent mattered. Being able to consent mattered. But that was kind of beside the point. Ben's question was entirely on-point, either way. Hell, he was attractive, personable, smart, had reasonable prospects, had showered recently... even without Ben's powers, there probably weren't too many women in this place who would turn him down. Not just for a one-night-stand the way Ben kept suggesting, but for an actual relationship. So why was he single? "I'm... more between relationships," he hedged. But it wasn't convincing, and he knew it; he hadn't dated anyone for a few years now. Not for lack of interest, either, but he just hadn't made a move when he had the opportunity, and people had moved on... dating someone else, or graduating and leaving the school, or whatever. He kicked himself sometimes for letting some of those opportunities go by, but then again, it wasn't like his relationships with the girls he had dated had gone much of anywhere. The truth was he just wasn't very successful at dating. When relationships got past the friendly-making-out stage, he fumbled, usually by failing to pay enough attention. That said, he was busy! But Sofia and Julian were just as busy as he was, and they made the relationship thing work. It wasn't about being busy, it was about making the time. But that was them, and he was him. "And I'm not graduated yet... well, not entirely," he objected. But that wasn't especially convincing, either. Sure, he still had a year to go on his Masters degree, but he'd gotten his bachelor's and there was no reason he had to stay at the Institute. He chose to, because he couldn't imagine living anywhere else. "And yeah, I guess I'm a family and kids man, like you said. Nothing against fun, but I want what my folks have, y'know? Someone I can come home to. And... well, I mean, these girls are pretty and all, and I'm sure some of them are smart and funny and whatever, but..." he shrugged. "There's no way they're gonna understand my life, y'know? I mean, even assuming they wanna give me the time of day when they find out I'm a mutant -- not just a mutant, but a mutant adventurer and activist and stuff. It's just, I dunno... what did everyone call being gay back in the 90s? A lifestyle difference, right? So, yeah, it's just incompatible lifestyles." He was suddenly really tired of talking about himself. "How about you, man? I mean, like you said, surrounded by beautiful people, howcum you aren't dating anyone? I mean, you can't spend all your time mooning over Julian." |
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| Amnity | Dec 5 2017, 05:48 PM Post #5 |
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Ben’s real superpower, if you asked any of his former friends who’d dropped him like a coyote date after he was outed as a mutant, was his ability to listen and make you feel special. His focus was now turned to 11 on Ev and his form shifted to quickly resemble Everett's own as he listened. He didn’t interrupt, merely made a very disbelieving face to Ev’s “between” comment. Ben was starved for companionship as he had set his sights on the most likely worst people for him at the school and added to that was the simple fact that to actually want to be with Ben required a broader acceptance of gender and self love than most anyone was capable of giving. Ev wasn’t even trying and that made him sad. The look sharpened when when the gorgeous black man waffled about graduation and Ben gave a knowing grin. This was one of the things he liked very very much in life, getting people to open up, to cut through the lies they told themselves, the armor they wrapped around themselves like a blankey. Kids outgrew blankeys and learned to work in the larger world, why did adults revert to the same problem? When Synch gave the transmorpher a chance to talk, Ben slid forward and kissed his cheek, causing a few in the crowd to whistle and others to snort in jealously. Ben took a few moments to think, wanting to be careful with his words, contrary to his image, the teen understood what his powers could do to others on a very detailed scale. His sister had taught him that expensive nasty lesson, his mother had added an extra heartbreaking lesson. Settling in on an idea and reaching his hand out to grab a drink from punk girl and slip her his number at the same time he slid closer to Ev and let his voice flow into his ears. “Is there where I tell you I buy almost none of that crap and push you to move forward or where I nod politely and say more for me? I’m not that guy, well I am, sometimes, but not in company. You’re stalling buddy, you’re looking for perfect when perfect is a myth. It’s like dancing, if you’re not in the rhythm you’re just watching and that’s creepy.” Ben dragged Ev towards a table and away from the crowds, years of practice let him snag one out of the limelight and set right behind a speaker which cut the overwhelming sound some. Warming to the subject he reclined in his seat and ran a hand over Ev’s. “Nope, I’m not letting that carry my man, mutants ain’t apart from other people, just got something extra, like Mozart. That’s what we teach at the school, that’s what I keep in my heart. You can use anything as an excuse, ‘I’m gay, I’m a mutant, I’m short, people don’t notice me, I don’t look like the TV people’, it’s all the same. You are the only person who is you, gotta claim it and use it. No one can be with you if you don’t let them get a chance, yeah? I mean, i’m a bisexual dancing face changing mutant boy from Detroit. You think any of that even touches that stupid ‘normal’ definition that people try to shove down everyone’s throats? You gotta be you and let others see how great that is.” Ben paused for a few moments to sip his drink. It was purple and fruity and miraculously free of booze or drugs. He honestly hadn’t given any thought to that. His powers gave him a bit of a “don’t harm me” aura and that apparently applied to chemicals too. He smiled and kissed a passing boy on the cheek and slipped him his number as well. It was the game, a game Ben knew well. He doubted people would call, hell he doubted he would call, but one had to make the effort. “Ok we’re moving on to me now are we? Well it’s simply Ev, you know anyone who is both exceedingly open to sexual concepts, would truly bang themselves, and can work past the uncanny valley? A few minutes in the back of a car is fun and all, but imagine what it would take for someone to keep me around. If I’m with a boy, they gonna have to like boys, or really like themselves. Same with girls and I got less practice being a girl, though I do like having curves, though it makes my shirts tight.” As always when talking about himself Ben deflected and dodged and acted like it was unimportant. He lived for other people, perhaps too much. When you looked like a half thought concept of a person by yourself, well, wasn’t much to share. “As for the rest, Jules is super super hot and has that whole Green Lantern thing. Can’t blame a boy for dreaming right? And everyone knows bout my crush on Celeste, though Esme is really cool too. Oh, there’s Anna, she’s the purple girl with the wings who moons over poetry. But long prospects, not sure I can have any. Your powers turn off.” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Dec 15 2017, 05:50 PM Post #6 |
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Ev had to admit, while he was committed to the basic idea of not treating people differently because of their mutations, there really was something freaky about having a conversation with someone who was in the process of turning into, well, him. It was a little bit like talking to himself in a mirror, except completely different. Still, he did his best to ignore it and focus on what Ben was saying. "This is where you say whatever you want... scripted conversations I can get from the Danger Room. And ayway, I'm not looking for perfect," he objected. "Hell, I'm hardly perfect myself. But yeah, I have standards, Ben. And there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, don't get me wrong, handing out your number to random people in clubs may work for you, and that's great, and I don't have a problem with that..." Which, if he was being honest, was only aspirationally true. He shouldn't have a problem with it... it was harmless, after all, and unlike the random kissing Ben wasn't forcing anything on anyone with the calling cards, not even in the roundabout way his powers were "force." It wasn't really any different than professionals handing out their business cards at conventions or whatever, Ev figured -- his parents had come home from those things with dozens of cards from people they'd had like one conversation with, maybe not even that. And, much like his parents did with those business cards, the men and women he handed his number out to probably tossed them out when they got home. So what was the harm? Still, Ev had to admit the whole idea sat wrong with him. It felt... cheap. Commoditized, like everybody was just interchangeable. He couldn't figure out a way to say it that didn't sound like he was condemning his friend's lifestyle, which he really didn't want to do, but the truth was that if anyone were to approach him like that any interest he might have had would go cold in a minute. "...but it just isn't my thing, y'know?" he said instead. "I mean, maybe I'll meet a girl tonight, who knows, but if I do... it'll be a girl, and I'll know her name, and I'll know something about her, and..." he trailed off, suddenly embarrassed. "...and that all probably sounds hopelessly naive to you," he admitted, shaking his head and chuckling as Ben traded a kiss and a phone number with yet another passerby. "I guess I'm just hopelessly old-fashioned, or something. For what it's worth, though," he added, "I admire your style. You do know how to have fun, that's for damn sure." He focused a little more intently on Ben's explanation for his being alone. "You should really make up your mind, man," he replied slowly between sips of his club soda. "I mean, which is it? Does your mutation mean you can't get serious with anybody? Or is blaming your mutation just an excuse?" Which wasn't entirely fair, Ev admitted privately; uncontrolled powers really were a problem, as many Xavier's students had occasion to explore in depth. Ev himself had been pretty lucky in that regard... even back before he'd learned to control them, they were relatively harmless, he'd just had to be careful not to get too close to people like Scott. Ben would either learn to control his morphing eventually, or he wouldn't, and there wasn't much he could say about that that hadn't been said a million times already by way smarter people than him. So he let it go and switched to a more lighthearted topic. "Julian is... well, I just don't see it, honestly," he said, shaking his head. "But I guess I'm not the target audience... Chris Hemsworth doesn't do a thing for me either. He has the super-hot seal of approval from both you and Fia, which is way more relevant. And Anna, huh? She's new on your list. I've only chatted with her a bit... I borrowed her wings in Warren's flight class once. I do not look good in purple, let me tell you; it's like a bruise over my whole damn body. I prefer Warren's wings... I look good as an angel!" |
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| Amnity | Dec 21 2017, 06:21 PM Post #7 |
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As they chatted Ben’s face shifted by tiny increments constantly, his body took note but his mind dismissed it out of hand. What happened when someone’s gift made them a flattering mirror of the person they talked to and that person did the same? Ben talked to Ev which made him look and seem like Ev, Ev talked to Ben which made him look and seem like Ben, Ben didn’t have a “face” anymore, one aspect of his powers that Synch couldn’t copy. So, much like fun house mirrors their powers sought truth to flatter and ended up reflecting back countless distortions. This had the small mercy of being a bit outside the uncanny valley for any onlookers and their table became far less popular rather quickly. “Ev, everyone is looking for perfect, it’s hardwired into us. That one other person who is the half of us we’re missing, that one person who fills all the empty spots and does what we can’t, makes us into more than we are. Some people find them, some people don’t. Me, I’m happy to enjoy myself while I look.” Ben, his face an odd shade that set right between ebony and ivory, grinned wide as he ran his hand over Ev’s own. There was nothing to the touch of predator or alteration, not even a hint of interest or draw. Ben’s hand was warm, affectionate like a brother, and taken together with his powers, extremely comforting. “Thinking that’s naive ruins to magic of when it does happen. You’ve seen Scott and Jean, Lorna and Alex, Rahne and Jack, Logan and beer. Love stories, true love stories happen all the time and if that’s what you want, that’s what you chase. I just want to see you chasing my friend, cause to me it seems you’re stalling.” Not wanting to overload his friend and a bit paranoid that he might send the wrong signals ben drew back and took a few more sips of his drink. Their constantly changing features which freaked out others on a deep primal level, merely served to make Ben’s metaphorical mouth water. It was that hypnotic beat of finding someone like yourself, that siren song of pheromones and similarity, and that was a pool he didn’t want to swim in. He liked Ev, thought the man had beautiful skin and an amazing attitude, but not like that. Though his behavior rarely showed it, Ben liked to keep friends and lovers separated in his head and he wasn’t getting the gay vibe from Ev at all. Besides, even the Detroit native knew how dumb it would be to try to be with someone who could do all his tricks. “I can get serious with anybody Ev, as can you when you’re borrowing my swagger, but can I stay serious with them? Everyone likes to try out the new shiny, most will do anything for a fix, but what happens when the new wears off? When your need for a fix exceeds the pleasure it gives you? When I got outed, on national TV, as a mutant, everyone acted like it was the greatest thing ever, on camera. When the feed cut off however they all drew back, my friends were suddenly busy, my folks different people and my si… well everything went to shit in about a week.” Ben paused again, his willpower clamping down over his powers and very briefly showing his “real” face, the one he came to the school wearing and was sliding from his memory a little more every day. It bought him about 10 seconds before sliding away again. Long enough to take a drink, hopefully give Ev a break from his pheromones, and let the teen catch his breath. “Now, I get dumped at Xavier’s and it’s 100% the very best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m helping kids, making friends, throwing myself at people who are way out of my league and saved a freaking island. I’m actually good at this stuff, not the X-Men stuff, the helping stuff. I feel like I can do anything, that the only limits I got are what I set, but then I look at my phone and realise my folks don’t call, that they changed their numbers, that my sister just lets it ring till I give up. It’s balance I guess. A little shine, a little shit, and you have to try to keep both from getting too heavy.” Thankfully Ev changed the topic and Ben leaned forward and kiss his hand in gratitude. He hated talking about himself, but sometimes the pressure in that stoppered up bottle became too much and things just slipped. Everett seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn’t take advantage of that, a friend that was actually a friend and Ben prayed his assessment was right. “Jules is… well he’s a walking Abercrombie ad who moonlights as a Green Lantern. Beside his family pretty much dumped him as hard as mine did. He’s got wounded bad boy written all over him and who doesn’t dig that? Not that I’m actually going after him, Fia won that game long before I showed up and, well I actually love seeing them together. I got that ‘happy couples make me happy’ thing, you know? As for the rest? Everyone looks good as an angel man. That’s like the point. Warren reminds me too much of those frat boys. Money, looks, and used to having both. I’m sure he’s a great guy, but he makes me wary. Old habits right? As for Anna…” Ben paused again, finishing his drink as his face actually rippled in an attempt to replicate Ev’s smooth dark features. He had feelings for Anna, but he also knew a deeper truth, it wouldn’t make either of them happy in the end. “I happen to very much like purple. Plus she’s just strong enough to pick me up and fly me around for like 5 minutes at a time. You ever make out while airborne? If not, get on that. I mean we crashed into a window and once fell into the lake cause it’s distracting, but totally worth it. Much as I like her and I do, Anna needs someone more stable to be her first boyfriend. I’d just break her heart and thankfully she’s figured that out too. Sides, we all know I’m going to marry Celeste one day. Just as soon as I can sort out which one she is.” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Dec 22 2017, 06:50 AM Post #8 |
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"Perfect?" Ev echoed incredulously. "Seriously?" He tilted his head to one side, curiously, then shook it firmly and finished his club soda. "Nah, ain't no such thing." He understood what Ben meant: not perfect in some abstract idealized sense, but more the "perfect for me" kind of thing. People talked about that sort of thing all the time, along with "the one" and "soulmates" and whatever. And Ev had to admit, he was enough of a romantic that the idea was awfully tempting, but really... it didn't make any sense. Normally he smiled and nodded for politeness' sake when people talked like that, but there was something about Ben -- maybe his powers, maybe his personality, maybe just the fact that it was more of an abstract question when he was talking to Ben, maybe all of the above -- that made him respond more honestly than he otherwise would. "I mean, sure, good relationships are like that... it's something my folks do pretty well. They shore up each other's weaknesses and challenge each other to grow and all that; it's really nice. I want that too. But, I mean, come on, the idea that my dad was the one person on the planet who could do that for my mom, and she found him by... what, luck?" he asked skeptically. "Fate? Divine providence? Celestial genetic engineering?" He paused for a moment, thinking about that, and added "I mean, I guess I might buy that for, say, Mr. Summers' parents, or Professor Xavier's, or like that, you know, whose children are one-of-a-kind, change-the-course-of-history types. Maybe the Nexus of All Realities or God or the Celestials or whatever puts its thumb on the scale to make sure they get born with the right genes in the right environment or whatever." Though really, he didn't buy that either, when he thought about it. He knew enough about Cyclops' childhood, and about the alternate-timeline versions of him the X-Men had encountered, and about all the different manipulators he knew about, like the High Evolutionary and Mr. Sinister and them all, to say nothing of all the ones he didn't know about... there were just too many different hands in the soup for him to believe in a single Master Plan. It just didn't make any sense. But even if it was true... "But for the rest of us... yeah, I just don't buy it. I mean, just as basic math... a one in seven billion chance is close enough to zero as makes no never mind. Even if there is the one perfect person, I'll never find her, and there are millions of people I can make a life with, y'know?" Of course, that fact simply made it more obvious that Ben was basically right about him stalling. There were half a dozen girls at Xavier's he could ask out... whom he could have invited along tonight, even. He just didn't. Not that acknowledging that privately made him any more willing to admit it to his friend, admittedly. Speaking of things not ordinarily acknowledged, Ev was surprised to hear Ben open up about his relationships outside the school. Not that it was exactly news... who was and wasn't speaking to their parents was a common subject of gossip around the school... but that he was talking about it was new. "So, let's pretend I came up with a smooth segue here, leading up to: what are your plans for Thanksgiving? I've got pretty cool parents, and my sister's only a jerk to me... I'm sure they'd be happy to have you join us." He paused before adding "Invite Anna, too, if you want." He wasn't sure what the winged girl's family situation was, but it couldn't hurt to extend the invitation. "As for making out in flight... well, I don't normally kiss and tell, but actually yeah," Ev admitted with what would have been a sheepish grin on his own face, but somehow came out more like a smirk on the fluctuating hybrid that was both his and Ben's features right now. "The trick is to start out with a lot of altitude, I think." |
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| Amnity | Jan 3 2018, 06:00 PM Post #9 |
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Ben had to admit, to himself at least, that he really enjoyed hanging with Ev. Part of it was the simple fact that his own powers made Ben great to hang with and that was being reflected here. Mr. Deeds was no more immune to his powers than anyone else. As the pheromones flowed back and forth, as their voices and features changed constantly, as they mimicked each other even as they both changed constantly, well it was comforting in a way that words couldn’t even attempt to explain. For a moment Ben wanted to explain about his sister, about his life, about how he was dead scared of people never again liking him for being himself, of the simple fact he didn’t have a face anymore, but the moment past and the teen took in a long breath and finished his drink. “Careful, Synch. A boy might start thinking a big X-Man was interested in him. Or is there where I ask how old your sister is and if she likes Detroit boys?” Ben’s grin was wide, his eyes bright, easily proving the fiction to his words. It was old habit, a verbal reflex, to take words and turn them into ammunition to lead to deeper things, or maybe just a desire to get attention. Ben wasn’t sure which, but the invite itself made him deeply happy. Growing up in Detroit he had had friends in and out of his house constantly, if you were at the Deeds place more than twice you were pretty much family, same as most households he knew of. That change in his own family had hurt the shifter deeply. “That puts me in a bit of a spot though my friend. If I take Anna along and find somebody out your way, how am I going to explain that? Besides, i’m 99% she’s going to her own household for the Holidays. Her folks call her ‘bout every 3 days. They don’t know what to do about having a purple flying daughter, but they proud of her all the same. Hell of a thing.” Ben was able, with a great deal of effort, to keep the icy jealousy out of his voice, he was even able to make his remarks sound flippant and jovial. It wa no big deal, just going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving cause his own family hated him. Just another day right? “Pencil me in though. Not going to turn down a chance to get out of our crazy house for a bit. It’s gotta carry less risk than the last field trip though, all right? Kory is an awesome kid, but lots of us nearly died.” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Jan 3 2018, 06:54 PM Post #10 |
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"A mere Legacy Squadder, I'm afraid," Ev replied with a chuckle. Not that he dismissed the Squad's importance; not at all. Things had been relatively quiet this year, with the exception of the field trip's disappearance, but then again Ev was pretty sure by this point he would consider any year where the building didn't literally explode to be "pretty quiet". Nevertheless, there was always the possibility of things going horribly, horribly wrong, and while the X-Men were always prepared to deploy pretty much anywhere in the world, it was always the Squad's responsibility to help hold down the fort when they did. Even when nothing happened at the Mansion, it was a responsibility Ev took seriously. He was just being self-deprecating, really. "Though an X-Man some day, I hope," he added. "And interested, sure... you're an interesting guy. Just not, you know, interested." Which he was pretty sure Ben already knew, and Ev didn't want to be one of those straight guys who was always assuming gay guys were attracted to him... but at the same time, Ben really never stopped flirting with, well, everyone, so it seemed only fair to make the situation clear every now and again. "As for Ho Twae," he continued, "she's older than me and Detroit is close enough to St. Louis as makes no never mind... get her talking about music and she'll take to you well enough, especially if you recognize any of the bands she's into, which Lord knows I never do. She had a boyfriend the last time I checked, though... but, I mean, that was like in February, so who knows? She might be single again by now. Beyond that I honestly don't ask too many questions about her dating life... I mean, dude, she's my sister; I don't know and I'd really like to keep it that way and I've already thought about this more than I'm really comfortable with so how about this weather we're having, it's been really unseasonably warm, don't you think?" Caught up in thinking about his family, however unwillingly, Ev missed whatever signs Ben might have allowed to slip of his feelings about his own. That said, it wasn't an unusual situation Ben was in... family was a touchy subject for a lot of Xavier's students, and much as the mansion had come to feel like home to him over the years, he knew how lucky he was to have a family he could "go home" to whenever he wanted. So it didn't take much insight to understand how his friend might feel, lacking that. "Consider yourself pencilled in, and we'll try our best to avoid any kidnappings this time." He tried to make a joke out of that, but mostly failed... while he'd been spared the worst part of that crisis, just trying to find them had been plenty traumatic enough. "And yeah, you did," he agreed instead, more seriously. "I'm sorr--" he started, then cut himself off; whenever he apologized for being unable to track the missing students and teachers, the conversation always turned into reassuring him that it wasn't his fault. Which it was, insofar as tracking mutants was his thing, but that wasn't the important thing. "We should have found you sooner," he said instead. "You should never had had to go through that." He wanted to ask if Ben was OK, but there seemed no point... if he asked, Ben would reassure him that he was fine, whether he was or not. But Ev had some experience with lasting trauma; he still had nightmares about the school blowing up, sometimes, and he doubted Ben or the other abducted students would be entirely over it any time soon. "Anyway..." he said instead, clumsily, "you know you can, I mean, if you ever need to talk about that trip, or, you know, anything, you can talk to me, right?" It was weird, suddenly having this solemn private conversation in the middle of a loud frenetic nightclub. Though, Ben being Ben, Ev supposed this was kind of the perfect place for it. Edited by Synch, Jan 3 2018, 06:55 PM.
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| Amnity | Jan 5 2018, 02:09 AM Post #11 |
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Transmorphic Social Camouflage
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“One thing I always find amazing about Xavier’s, well besides merely being there and all of that, that anyone there ever uses the word ‘merely’ about themselves in any capacity. “Merely’ a teacher, ‘merely’ a Legacy, ‘merely’ a ninja samurai ancient detention teacher, ‘merely’ an orphan who got lucky. Yep, heard them all. I’m ‘merely’ a face shifting dancer from Detroit with a flirting streak. Ever notice how ‘merely’ doesn’t cover anything of note bout the person?” Ben chuckled and leaned back in his chair again as a shots girl scooped his glass up with a happy smile and whispered “call me” in his ear before scuttling off. Ben leaned back in and grinned at Ev and gave a conspiratorial wink. “You know she never even gave me her number? Bet she remembers that in the morning and asks a bunch of people if they saw a guy who looks a great deal like her in the club last night then brushes it all off in a day or two. That’s my current life in a nutshell, everyone likes me, they can’t help it, but they don’t know why. As for X-Men, I say two years tops and you’ll be off the bench and on the front lines. If that’s what you want, you got the moves, the powers, you prove yourself well, and you’re friendly, what else could they want.” Ben’s eyes went wide at hearing Ev’s sister’s name. He couldn’t help but start wondering what she looked like and if she was as Asian as her name sounded. He was guessing it was a mixed family as Ev didn’t seem Eastern in any way. Or maybe it was just a name, regardless speculating was fun and he was now looking forward to meeting this girl. When the conversation went to seasons Ben laughed out loud and almost fell out of his chair. “Calm down man, just asking. I got a sister too, I been there. I just figure I might want some details before I meet her and win her over is all. So, on the wedding day would I be Benjamin Thomas or Benjamin Twae?” Ben just couldn't resist, it was fun poking the tiger and the discomfort on his friend’s face helped him forget the drama in his own life. Leaning forward on his elbows the teen screwed up hif face to looks serious and allowed his body language to follow. This might be a bit mean, but it really was too fun not to push. Besides, Ev had surely met way worse people then Ben Deeds and been robbed by them. “She a hip-hop fan then? Maybe some Eminem too? I got some playlists we could share. Can I make a guess? Adopted, or you’re adopted? Or was this a I can talk to you about anything, but your sister?” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Jan 5 2018, 04:11 AM Post #12 |
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Copies Powers
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"You have a point," Ev admitted with an easy chuckle. "'Merely' a world-class telekinetic," he continued, getting into the spirit of the game, "'merely' an extraterrestrial prince, 'merely' a werewolf, 'merely' a genius biochemist." He shook his head. "What can I say, the competition for distinction is fierce." He rolled his eyes at the shots girl, then felt bad about it. She couldn't help her reaction; she was being influenced by Ben's power, whether the guy was trying to or not. Hell, she was probably being influenced by Ev himself, at the same time, since he was synching his friend's power. Not that it made much difference whether Ev rolled his eyes or not, he supposed, but it just seemed rude... adding insult to injury. Honestly, he was starting to think the only ethical thing he could do was lock himself in an empty room while waiting for his powers to wear off, which he made a point of remembering. Part of the point of this exercise, after all, was to better understand Ben's mutation, and Ev suspected that he wasn't the first person to arrive at that conclusion. He didn't say any of that out loud, though. "From your mouth to Scott's ears," he said instead when the subject of his promotion came up. "What about you: you thinking of making a bid for the Squad anytime soon?" Perhaps oddly, Ben's questions about marrying his sister were easier to take than the previous ones about dating her. Why that should be, he honestly had no idea. "Believe it or not," he replied,"we've actually had long discussions about this. She and I, I mean. Not about you specifically, you understand," he added with a grin before continuing. "Ho Twae is her given name; her family name was Kim before my folks adopted her. Legally she took our family name as part of the adoption, so she's Ho Twae Thomas on contracts and stuff... but when she was, I dunno, I guess fifteen or so, she got really interested in her birth family, and decided she'd rather go by their name, so Kim Ho Twae. Because surnames come first in Korea," he explained casually, unsure whether Ben knew that... it had surprised him when he was a kid, certainly. "Which we went along with, because hey, it's her name." Which was only kind of true; Ev had been a bratty little kid back then and fought with his sister every possible opportunity, so of course he'd mocked her mercilessly about her name, which he felt bad about in retrospect. But he didn't mention that part. "So if you wanted to take her surname, you could be Kim Benjamin, or Benjamin Thomas, and like I said, she and I have had this conversation at some length: she's pretty adamant that she's keeping both surnames if she ever gets married, though she waffles about whether she'd take her husband's -- sorry, her spouse's," he corrected himself "surname as a third option. She prefers 'Kim' these days, as far as I know, but it's gone back and forth over the years. And yes," he continued with a sigh, "we can talk about my sister if you want. I can't tell you much about her taste in music though -- she's never into anyone I've ever heard of, and at least half the time I think she's making band names up just to see if I'm listening." He was going to ask Ben about his own sister, then decided not to, as it was fairly clear by now that his friend didn't want to talk about his own family. "Also she likes lizards," he said instead. "Don't ask me why; I always thought it was weird." |
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| Amnity | Jan 5 2018, 08:14 PM Post #13 |
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Transmorphic Social Camouflage
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At that suggestion Ben really did fall out of his chair. The idea of him on any kind of combat team, hell of fighting anyone he didn’t absolutely have to was enough to keep him on the floor for a few moments. The laughter was mary, full of good humor and mild self-abasement. The last time he’d laughed like that was when his mom suggested that his attraction to guys wasn’t real. Gathering himself up Ben, still chuckling took his seat again giving Ev a big grin and causing several people near them to look over confused. In moments however they were laughing along and he had to politely ask two ladies to leave them alone for a bit. Unintended side effects, when you’re the belle of the ball and laugh, everyone laughs with you. “Yeah… yeah… pull the other one Ev. Man I don’t even have a code name or uniform, let alone a desire to stand up and get shot at or power blasted. No man, I ain’t even looking to get out of non-com, Kory was rough enough and he’s a nice guy. What would I even do, stand behind you all and make faces? Walk up to Magneto and ask him how’s tricks? I’m a dancer who wears other people’s faces, not a whole lot of use for such in the X line of work. Unless we’re doing dance offs to decide battles now. If that starts lemme know and I’ll take Cyclops’s spot.” Pushing down his mirth, Ben listened closely to his friend as he talked of the seemingly long and complex bit of circumstances to all that. It seemed he wasn’t quite done smiling however as he had to take just one more jab. “Kim Benjamin has a pretty good ring to it, eh? I mean my family doesn’t want a thing to do with me, don’t really need their name. So I bring some music, try my best to get her name right and fake hurt when she rolls her eyes when I fail, and…. Bring some biscuits? I can’t cook worth crap, mom always took care of that and you know how things are at school. Hey, maybe she’s KPop, that would be great. The genre has some damn good beats and great dancers are like a religion on that side of things. I gotta admit I’m missing my music culture these days. As for lizards… well there’s this super adorable little gymnast at the school, Alyvia, whose folks are almost as bad as mine. Her best friend is a komodo dragon. Literally. Lizards can be cool, she even walks on a harness. The dragon, not Aly.” |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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| Synch | Jan 6 2018, 06:32 AM Post #14 |
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"It's not just combat," Ev protested, once Ben was finished laughing. "No, I'm serious," he insisted. "It isn't. I mean, sure, fighting gets the press, and sometimes it's inevitable, so we do a lot of combat training... but it's like my dad always used to tell me: don't start fights, but know how to finish 'em, y'know? But you should totally take a look at the old mission debriefings... most of our missions are checking out reports of strange mutant activity, recruiting new students that Cerebro picks up on, that sort of thing. You'd be a natural at it... hell, you said it yourself, everybody likes you. That's good for more than just scoring digits, you know?" He finished his club soda and turned to find a waitress to order a refill, only to find one practically at his elbow. Yeah, he thought, a guy could get used to this sort of treatment. He wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not. "Anyway, I mean, it's your call, natch, but I don't want you getting the wrong idea about the Squad. Or about the X-Men, for that matter. We're not some mutant street gang, and if we were I wouldn't want any part of it. And as for your powers, man... let me put it this way. If Magneto shows up ready to throw down, sure, I'll synch Julian or Fia or Rahne or somebody like that and make him regret it. And if I never get into another powered fight again in my life, I'm good with that. But for most of the stuff we do, Jesus, man, I'd synch your powers over pretty much anybody's. So, y'know: you don't want to, that's cool; you do you. But don't give me this Rambo shit, like we're soldiers or something, because we ain't. We --" He was interrupted by his club soda, which he made a point of paying for right then, because he wasn't sure she'd even charge him if he didn't. And a ridiculous tip, because he felt guilty about it, and also because he was actually getting upset, which wasn't fair of him at all. "Lecture over, sorry," he said after he'd downed half of it, feeling embarassed at having gotten so emotional. "And yeah, I know Aly," he added. Which was maybe an overstatement; they'd met maybe twice. "Didn't know about the dragon, though. Is it a... like, I mean, does she talk to lizards or anything like that? Or does she just like 'em?" |
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| Amnity | Jan 6 2018, 04:32 PM Post #15 |
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Transmorphic Social Camouflage
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“No man, no, I’m sorry. Guess I took that as way more of a joke then it was. I mean I’m ‘merely’ a dancing kid from Detroit. The idea of wearing an X seems as far fetched as, well, being eaten by a living island in the pacific while taking a field trip to see penguins. Yet that happened, so I guess anything’s possible, right? I uh… I guess when I think X-Men I think of Mr Summers and Mr. Logan, kicking ass in the name of mutant rights.” Ben felt bad, really bad for upsetting his friend. He had become too casual and ended up disrespecting Ev’s beliefs and goals. It was a problem he was still working on, expanding his own little world to include the amazing and varied views of the collection of uncanny people he lived with. “Sorry too if I gave the wrong impression, I like the X-Men, you guys saved our butts when I honestly was making a mental will and testament thinking I was monster chow. Mr. Summers has made it clear that anyone in an X is family to me if i’m smart enough to realize that fact and that I always have a place at the table. I owe all of you, literally, everything right now. I just don’t see me in a uniform giving the whole “Welcome to Xavier’s, hope you survive the experience” thing, you know? I mean when we find a space for me, find the niche my powers can help out best, I like to think that comes with me in a suit and tie or killer power skirt, directing people to better lives, yeah? I mean most of the time in my head, I’m just a famous dancer with a mysterious aversion to having photos taken.” Then Ben’s eyes went wide and he grinned wide enough that it threatened to make his head fall off. All the recent craziness and his feelings of abandonment had been making the teen really worried about his gifts and what they meant and who he was. Ev’s kind words, words he didn’t think were just fluff, made Ben’s shoulder feel 3 tons lighter and he postivatly quivered in his seat as he fought against his instincts to hug and kiss his friend. “Thank, seriously thanks a ton Ev. That’s like the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a year. I mean, I don’t have a face of my own, I have no way of knowing if anyone actually likes me or just my powers, and you’re telling me you’d want to be like me? And you’re honest about it? Fuck, I don’t know what to say here.” A side effect to being completely lost in the moment occurred just then. For a time Ben had completely forgotten to worry about who he was, had ceased fighting his powers or trying to control them. Without a leash his masking aura spread like a mist about them and sought to fill the entire club. The lights flickered eerily, phones shorted out, and Ben ceased having a face completely, just like he had on the island. There was a slight difference this time however, Ben didn’t freak out, didn’t hate his ‘true form’ if that’s even what this was. Instead he swore, then focused, pulling his powers back in and looking like a very cute boy behind Ev who was staring at his phone in a fog of confusion. The lights calmed and things settled back to “normal” as Ben looked at Ev with a small grin of both accomplishment and a glint of mischief. “Guess I’m just going to have to keep apologizing today. Oh and no, Aly is like a living Cerebereo or whatever, she knows what mutants can do if she touches them. Sometimes if she just looks at 'em. The lizard is just a really big scaly scary looking smart pet. I think. I mean, who knows, right?" |
![]() I like me better when I'm with you. I like me better when I'm with you. I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time, I like me better when I'm with you. | |
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2:11 PM Jul 11