01 . action

[calmbeforethe]

[ Her last memories of Luceti had been of snow. Looking around the forest and sensing the patterns of weather upon waking, however, told her it was now early autumn. Either she'd been gone several months or at least a year this time, she figured. Ororo wondered idly if there was a reason that she came and went like this. Something to ask the veterans of Luceti, she thought. ]

[ When she felt well enough, Storm took to the skies of Luceti: she knew her abiliities were dampened here in the enclosure, but she needed some time to reacquaint herself with Luceti's nature before looking for the village. She needed to calm herself, too; less powers also meant less control, and it would probably be better if she kept her emotions from starting an off-season monsoon. The random flashes of thunder and lightning from her annoyance at finding herself back in Luceti might attract unwanted attention, and how embarrassing would it be if someone noticed... ]

[ As soon as she centered herself, she changed course and headed for where she knew the village was. She remembered where the little house she'd stayed in previously was located as well, and checking the journal's callbox had let her know just who was still around and who from her world had arrived while she was "back at home." She figured there would be no harm in dropping by the house unannounced. Hopefully there was someone in House 16 to greet her! ]

[ Storm's first order of business after moving back into her old room at House 16 was to visit the stores for some essentials: the clothes shop being her first stop. As soon as she'd changed into and picked up some familiar clothes, she stepped back outside - and when it was safe, Ororo called down a bolt of lightning from the sky to strike the damned New Feather dress into ash. Subtle? Not in the least, but she had to vent somehow, right? Right. ]

[ Her next stops include the Item Store, and the grocery (to re-stock the house's food supply with some vaguely nutritious food), but her final stop of the day, despite the groceries and other items in her arms, would be Cloud Nine. Some of her clearer memories of Luceti were of the quaint little club, and Ororo rather hoped it would jog a few more of her memories... ]

[ Anyone in town is free to recognize or even bump into her as she makes her way around the village! Storm will be all over the place in general, seeking to re-familiarize herself with the town again. ]

Comments

[calmbeforethe]

[Well, Ororo's going to take the bait without realizing it. She nods.]

I see. It was the same way for myself, and most others with similar abilities where I come from. Our abilities generally tend to manifest some time in early to late adolescence as well.

[selfhelp]

[He pauses at that, mulls it over for a long moment, and then-]

...Mutants?

[May as well dive right in.]

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo gives him a surprised look - followed by a curious stare.]

As a matter of fact, yes. [Tilts her head to the side.] ... You knew I was one? You do not sound particularly surprised.

[selfhelp]

Ah- no, it's just- that's usually what people call it in my version of Earth, when kids get powers. Mutants.

[Alternate worlds, he's betting it already. Eugh.]

...Are you Storm? With the X-Men?

[calmbeforethe]

[She was all set to talk about mutants and alternate earths when Billy goes and mentions her codename. Well, then.]

Ah... I see you've heard of us. [Smiles a little hesitantly.] Good things, I hope. [Not really; she sort of expects the worst. The X-Men are not the best at PR.] And yes, Storm is indeed the name I go by when I am with my team. I'm curious how it is you know of us.

[selfhelp]

Well... if you're a veteran of the place, you know all about alternate worlds and timelines and all that, right? I know about the X-Men because I grew up reading about you guys, or seeing you on the news, or... just around in general. I'm probably from your future.

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo nods. It's taking some time for her to get used to the notion of alternate realities and timelines, but she's getting there.]

I see. And you, Billy? Are you a mutant as well? Were you given an opportunity to join us at the Xavier Institute?

[selfhelp]

Uh... yes, and no. I'm pretty sure I'm a mutant, but the institute isn't really seeking out new students right now. Mutants are in a complicated situation in my time.

[He'll just. Carefully avoid going into detail about M-Day.]

[calmbeforethe]

I have the impression that mutants will always be in some kind of complicated situation in any timeline... Which is all the more reason for the Xavier Institute and the X-Men continue to exist, of course. [Little does she know.]

In any case, mutant or not, if you ever come into any trouble with your powers, I would be happy to assist you in controlling them, Billy. [She smiles kindly.]

[selfhelp]

[Oh, that's not exciting at all. The grin that suddenly lights up his face is totally, totally normal.]

Really? That would be okay? I've never had anyone actually teach me to use it before.

[calmbeforethe]

[She smiles at him kindly.] Of course it would be. What kind of an X-Man would I be if I had not offered?

[selfhelp]

A busy one, I assumed. Back home, I mean. I might just take you up on that offer, though.

[calmbeforethe]

Well, it would be a shame to waste the opportunity here, wouldn't it?

Are you alone? Do you have friends from your time with you? [She's all set to adopt him; mutants take care of their own!]

[selfhelp]

[Much as he'd love to take her up on any offer she might give him-]

Actually... I live with my boyfriend, so I'm okay.

[calmbeforethe]

Oh, is that right? [She'd offer again but two people is a bit much to invite to the house. Alas, if only they had the mansion. She smiles, though.] That's good then, that you're together. I know Luceti can be a difficult place to be without a familiar face.

[selfhelp]

[...Whoa, she didn't even blink.]

Oh... yeah. Actually, it's not just him- my, um. My brother just arrived the other day. So I'm doing okay.

[calmbeforethe]

That's good to hear. [Smiles. And then, concerned because it's just in her nature to be:] Your brother, and your boyfriend, are they mutants as well?

[selfhelp]

My brother is- he's a speedster. My boyfriend... [...Aha.] It's complicated.

[calmbeforethe]

[Curious headtilt. She would ask, but she doesn't want to pry, either.]

Well, I don't know how it is in your time, but I know that mutants don't always have it easy. I know it's different here in Luceti, but if you need any assistance at all...

[selfhelp]

[...Ahaha... mutants being all. Protected. And almost extinct.

....

Nope, nope, nope.]

I don't really think we have it better or worse than anyone else here... not that I don't appreciate the offer.

[calmbeforethe]

[Well, she just smiles.]

The offer still stands, in any case. And please, let your brother and your boyfriend know as well. We mutants look out for our own, after all. Whether or not we are from the same time or reality should not be an issue.

[selfhelp]

...Okay, I'll remember that.

[It's... really nice. He's not used to this- the adults are so helpful around here. It's weird.]

Hey, just one question- have you ever heard of the Avengers?

[calmbeforethe]

Hm. I can't say I have, I'm sorry. Should I recognize that name?

[selfhelp]

Ah, no, not necessarily. It's just something I ask everyone from Earth. It means we're from different universes.

[Disappointing, but not a surprise, either. It's okay, though- he's not alone here anymore.]

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo can sense his disappointment, though.]

Perhaps these avengers' time has not yet come to pass for my world. After all, if the X-Men and mutants exist for you, why can't the same be said for them?