calmbeforethe | 01 . action

Entry tags:

action,
intro

01 . action

[ 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. ]

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[Meanwhile, Storm is watching the smoke rise from what used to be a flimsy white dress. The little self-indulgent smile on her face is probably imaginary. Probably!]

[Does he or doesn't he. Does he or doesn't he.

....

Well, Teddy would totally pester him if he didn't at least try... so after a moment he edges out of his corner, eyes still wide, focusing on the smoldering mess on the ground.]

I hope that wasn't a wardrobe malfunction.

[Ororo takes a few more seconds to examine the smoking spot on the ground before she turns to acknowledge the younger boy.]

Oh it was intentional, I assure you. [Said with a measure of finality that only Storm can achieve.

And then she smiles apologetically.] I'm sorry that you had to witness that.

Ah- that's okay, I like lightning.

[It's kind of a lame response, admittedly, but she's... well, she's Storm. Her voice alone is probably the most intimidating he's ever heard in his life, and anyone who's met his mother would be surprised to hear him admit that. It's really hard not to feel small around someone like her.]

So... newcomer? Judging by the dress.

[Ororo nods, smiling a little wryly.] Something like that, yes. Or perhaps a more apt term would be returning customer. [She chuckles, but there isn't exactly a lot of humor in it.] I'm not exactly thrilled with the service provided, of course. Hence the filed complaint. [She gestures with one hand toward the dress, or what remains of it.]

I've never thought about setting clothes on fire before, but I guess stuff like that's the only way we can do it.

[Man, that's twice now he's talked to an X-Man about sending the Malnosso passive-aggressive notes. Clearly he should be penning a letter when his arm stops being so broken.

Erk- speaking of which, he lifts a hand with an lopsided smile.]

Sorry, I never- I'm Billy. Welcome back to Luceti, I guess?

Somehow I do not think that it will get the message across to our captors, but it was worth a try. [A small shrug. Also, it was more for her own benefit, really. But that's for her to know.]

[In any case, she returns his smile warmly. No use venting her frustrations out on a young boy, right?]

And I am Ororo. It's nice to meet you, Billy. I only wish it were under better, ah, circumstances.

[Okay, so. Main identity given, got it. He mulls over the idea of revealing himself first, but... too soon. He's still not entirely cool with the idea.

Instead he lifts his shoulders in a shrug, glancing off to the side.]

It could definitely be worse. Besides, lightning powers? That's a pretty cool circumstance. Actually, I... can do a little of that, too.

[Having magic? Not such a big deal around here.]

[Ororo looks at him with renewed interest. It may not be a big deal around Luceti, but cut her some slack; she just got back from a world that still hates and fears the slightest sign of superhuman ability.

Plus, she's biased. Lightning is great.]

Can you, now? Lightning is a difficult power to wield. Strong, but lethal without precise control... And a thrill to use, of course. [Smiling, because she enjoys taking a teacherly, mentorly role like this.]

[Oh god, is he really getting the chance to geek out about lightning with Storm? Because seriously, seriously. There is nothing that is not cool about this.]

No argument here. [He lifts a hand, smiling now, and lets a spark of electricity run over his hands. He's been casting nothing but spells lately, so it's nice to go back to his roots.] On all counts- though sometimes it being dangerous is a definite plus.

[Storm smiles openly. She loves talking about elemental powers in general, but lightning is a favorite. For obvious reasons.]

Impressive. As dramatic as a bolt of lightning is, smaller surges of electricity always take a little more finesse and control. Have you had this power very long? [Still beaming. It's so nice to be able to use and discuss powers in the open here in Luceti, and not get mobbed or rioted at!]

[Hee. So cool. So cool.]

Not too long. Less than a year ago it just sort of happened.

[He's not sure if that's enough of a hint in a place like Luceti where powers can come from just about any world imaginable, but it's a standard mutant kid scenario, so...]

[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.

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

...Mutants?

[May as well dive right in.]

[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.

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?

[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.

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.

[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?

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.]

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.]

[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.

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

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

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!]

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