The Kurt where I'm from just joined the team, so I don't know him all that well yet. But he's a nice guy - though not any taller. Hope you weren't expecting a late growth spurt.
[They couldn't resist ribbing him, just a little. Morph's expression gets a little more serious at the mention of... a hologram? It's tech they're not familiar with, though there's no denying that it's incredibly useful. If something like that existed in Morph's world, Hank wouldn't have to bundle up every time he wanted to go out in public.]
Is it that bad here? This place isn't much like home, so I was kind of hoping things might be different.
[It does feel like a lot to take in. Especially that bit about just joining the team. So he been around since he was a teen? Maybe this his isn't his future after all...
Although the rib about his growth doesn't get to him.]
That's fine. I'm happy with how tall I am. I'm at the height of my success!
[He says that with a grin, but then he looks more anxious as he goes on.]
W-well so far it hasn't been bad. You don't hear anyone talking about mutants, and there's barely any of us who even count as them. And there seems to be a lot of people around from places that are outside the human norm... but... I dunno. I feel like I should just keep being careful for now.
[He worries that the populace might sing a different tune about the real him. And he definitely hasn't grown dependent on the safety of the image inducer or anything...]
Yeah, but... if they don't know what mutants are here, it's our chance to show them that they don't have any reason to be afraid of us.
[Morph regards him with their hands on their hips and a little frown. That was... well, they understood the urge. Morph had been hiding most of their life, and even now still had to wear a human-looking face when they went out in public. It had just become increasingly harder to hide from their friends in particular, and to see a face in the mirror that wasn't really theirs.
They weren't about to ask Kurt to step that far out of his comfort zone, but Morph wasn't going to walk around in disguise if they didn't have to.]
Wanna see something cool?
[As usual for them, Morph's shapeshifting is rapid. They're still wearing the same uniform, but their appearance in their natural form is awfully unusual. They're so pale as to be white as a sheet, with barely-formed features and not a hair on their head.]
[Everyone does keep making good points about the watch. It's still hard to consider just turning it off and strutting around the town completely and openly as his blue-furred self. Well, it does also sound liberating to an extent... but he still feels resistance.
Of course Morph has Kurt's attention with a question like that. Kurt looks on, to see what grand demonstration Morph has in store. Will he see what their mutant power is? Then he watches as - as Morph's face changes. Despite their name, Kurt didn't suspect that. Kurt gives some confused blinks and takes a step back.]
Whoa! Looking cool there. I didn't know what to expect! [Kurt wonders if that face stands out even more than his own.] So you - you can hide your face with that other face?
Uh-huh. Being a shapeshifter makes it easy to blend in - and don't get me wrong, I still can't walk into NYC without a face on. The one you saw is my usual normie look, but it just doesn't fit me all that well anymore.
[They knew they had it awfully lucky compared to mutants like Kurt and Hank, who couldn't just change up their looks whenever they wanted to. That had pretty much stopped being a problem for Morph as soon as they were old enough to realize that they needed to look different in public.]
It's always gonna be safety first... but I got used to living in the mansion without anyone else really caring what I looked like.
[It's a struggle Kurt can definitely identify with. That's what's made the image inducer so convenient. To be able to slip into a crowd like any other normal human is a big comfort.]
Y-yeah. Around the mansion's one thing. It's easy to just let loose there! But out in the public? [He frowns as he thinks of some unfortunate encounters he's had while in his natural appearance.
Still, one detail lingers with Kurt, bringing about a different kind of unease.]
Don't worry, I get it. But hey, you can always wait and see if anyone has a bad reaction to seeing me walk around.
[Besides, being able to change into anyone made it easy to just... slip away from a conflict. As long as no one had a way to detect mutants here, Morph was pretty confident that they could deal with any confrontations that might happen.]
Oh yeah, I can do it all. People, animals - haven't tried plants yet, not too sure I want to. It means that I get some of the benefits of the physical powers I'm copying, but I can't shoot laser beams or anything.
[And, just to demonstrate, Morph rapidly shifts their form into Kurt's - not the blue-furred one, but a perfect duplicate of the hologram image standing before them. They raise their arms to look over their hands, even speaking with the same exact accent as Kurt.]
I don't know about this form, though. It looks too normal. Dexterity is all in the muscles, you know?
[Kurt has a bit of an unsure smile during that first part. He'd feel a little guilty about another mutant acting as a guinea pig for him, as happy-go-lucky as they sound about it.
But then as they confirm Kurt's question, his mind continues to wander. Another shapeshifter? Could it be possible? There have been very few examples of mutants with powers that are exactly or almost the same. He tries to stay calm, to convince himself that their power likely works different than Mystique's.
And then Morph turns into Kurt. That takes him off-guard! Such an exact transformation - it reminds him of what she could do.]
Mom? [Oh no. Did he say that out loud? He awkwardly tries to cover up.] I- I mean - it's like looking in a funky mirror! [He tries to sound excited! Because maybe this isn't Mystique posing as another mutant to befriend him!]
[Morph quirked a brow at that, just as quickly shifting back to their natural, pasty form. They put their hands on their hips, regarding Kurt with a little confusion.]
What'd you say? Mom? That's one I haven't heard before.
[They're teasing, sure, but it was such an odd reaction that they couldn't let it slide. Kurt just seemed a little uncomfortable... which could've been Morph's fault for copying his face right in front of him, but that still didn't explain the verbal slip.]
Sorry. [He says, averting his eyes uncertainly as Morph points out the Awkward Thing.] I- It's just... I was reminded of someone else.
[He hesitates for a moment, and then he looks back towards Morph.]
Does the name 'Mystique' mean anything to you?
[He doubts all shapeshifters know each other, but if this Morph is an X-Man, than they should know about an enemy like Mystique. ...Assuming this isn't Mystique trying to get close to him and trick him like she did with Rogue! But Kurt doesn't want to believe that.]
[Oh. Ohhhh. That made a lot more sense. Total shapeshifting wasn't a common power in the slightest, so they couldn't really blame Kurt for jumping to that conclusion.]
Yeah, I heard she's a real b- I mean, bad guy. But I've never met her. I was away from the team when they had their run-ins with Mystique.
[It might sound a little suspicious, but Morph isn't sure they can explain that one without it sounding like an excuse. The whole 'brainwashed by a supervillain' thing would sound ridiculous to... well, anyone that hadn't been there. They weren't even sure if the team fought Mystique while they were still under Sinister's control or if it was while Morph were recuperating on Muir Island.]
It's true that we have similar powers. Problem is, I'm not sure how to prove to you that I'm not her if we can do all the same things.
[It does sound very convenient. But at the same time, Kurt feels a vague sense of anxiety more than anything. While he worries about the possibility that Morph is Mystique, when he focuses, he doesn't really feel it in his gut. They feel different.]
It's okay. [He waves his hands softly.] I don't really think it. It's hard to shake off the- the idea completely, but I believe you. You... you seem like your own person, Morph. And I want to trust you.
Hey, glad to hear it, [they say with a smile.] I get that you don't know me yet, but if you're willing to give me a chance, that's all I ask.
[That Kurt lived at the mansion and knew who both Logan and Mystique were, but didn't recognize Morph, was... well, it's a little strange, but there's obviously some sort of time travel thing going on. They can't really begin to guess what the deal is there.]
Does that mean you still wanna help with checking the hospitals? It's up to you, kid. If not, just point me in the direction of the closest one and I can go check it out.
Of course. I think everyone deserves a chance. [He says that with a light smile. And at the same time, he remembers a conversation with Scott, and how Mystique was a mutant hero in his timeline.] ...I think I'd even say the same with her if she was here.
[And now his smile grows as he nods along.]
Of course I'll still help you! Now that I know who we're looking for, it'll be a lot easier to cover ground! We can even take the express trip! [He offers them his hand as he says this.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-06-10 07:58 am
no subject
[They couldn't resist ribbing him, just a little. Morph's expression gets a little more serious at the mention of... a hologram? It's tech they're not familiar with, though there's no denying that it's incredibly useful. If something like that existed in Morph's world, Hank wouldn't have to bundle up every time he wanted to go out in public.]
Is it that bad here? This place isn't much like home, so I was kind of hoping things might be different.
no subject
Although the rib about his growth doesn't get to him.]
That's fine. I'm happy with how tall I am. I'm at the height of my success!
[He says that with a grin, but then he looks more anxious as he goes on.]
W-well so far it hasn't been bad. You don't hear anyone talking about mutants, and there's barely any of us who even count as them. And there seems to be a lot of people around from places that are outside the human norm... but... I dunno. I feel like I should just keep being careful for now.
[He worries that the populace might sing a different tune about the real him. And he definitely hasn't grown dependent on the safety of the image inducer or anything...]
no subject
[Morph regards him with their hands on their hips and a little frown. That was... well, they understood the urge. Morph had been hiding most of their life, and even now still had to wear a human-looking face when they went out in public. It had just become increasingly harder to hide from their friends in particular, and to see a face in the mirror that wasn't really theirs.
They weren't about to ask Kurt to step that far out of his comfort zone, but Morph wasn't going to walk around in disguise if they didn't have to.]
Wanna see something cool?
[As usual for them, Morph's shapeshifting is rapid. They're still wearing the same uniform, but their appearance in their natural form is awfully unusual. They're so pale as to be white as a sheet, with barely-formed features and not a hair on their head.]
This is what I really look like.
no subject
[Everyone does keep making good points about the watch. It's still hard to consider just turning it off and strutting around the town completely and openly as his blue-furred self. Well, it does also sound liberating to an extent... but he still feels resistance.
Of course Morph has Kurt's attention with a question like that. Kurt looks on, to see what grand demonstration Morph has in store. Will he see what their mutant power is? Then he watches as - as Morph's face changes. Despite their name, Kurt didn't suspect that. Kurt gives some confused blinks and takes a step back.]
Whoa! Looking cool there. I didn't know what to expect! [Kurt wonders if that face stands out even more than his own.] So you - you can hide your face with that other face?
no subject
[They knew they had it awfully lucky compared to mutants like Kurt and Hank, who couldn't just change up their looks whenever they wanted to. That had pretty much stopped being a problem for Morph as soon as they were old enough to realize that they needed to look different in public.]
It's always gonna be safety first... but I got used to living in the mansion without anyone else really caring what I looked like.
no subject
Y-yeah. Around the mansion's one thing. It's easy to just let loose there! But out in the public? [He frowns as he thinks of some unfortunate encounters he's had while in his natural appearance.
Still, one detail lingers with Kurt, bringing about a different kind of unease.]
Are you a... full-on shapeshifter?
no subject
[Besides, being able to change into anyone made it easy to just... slip away from a conflict. As long as no one had a way to detect mutants here, Morph was pretty confident that they could deal with any confrontations that might happen.]
Oh yeah, I can do it all. People, animals - haven't tried plants yet, not too sure I want to. It means that I get some of the benefits of the physical powers I'm copying, but I can't shoot laser beams or anything.
[And, just to demonstrate, Morph rapidly shifts their form into Kurt's - not the blue-furred one, but a perfect duplicate of the hologram image standing before them. They raise their arms to look over their hands, even speaking with the same exact accent as Kurt.]
I don't know about this form, though. It looks too normal. Dexterity is all in the muscles, you know?
no subject
But then as they confirm Kurt's question, his mind continues to wander. Another shapeshifter? Could it be possible? There have been very few examples of mutants with powers that are exactly or almost the same. He tries to stay calm, to convince himself that their power likely works different than Mystique's.
And then Morph turns into Kurt. That takes him off-guard! Such an exact transformation - it reminds him of what she could do.]
Mom? [Oh no. Did he say that out loud? He awkwardly tries to cover up.] I- I mean - it's like looking in a funky mirror! [He tries to sound excited! Because maybe this isn't Mystique posing as another mutant to befriend him!]
no subject
What'd you say? Mom? That's one I haven't heard before.
[They're teasing, sure, but it was such an odd reaction that they couldn't let it slide. Kurt just seemed a little uncomfortable... which could've been Morph's fault for copying his face right in front of him, but that still didn't explain the verbal slip.]
no subject
[He hesitates for a moment, and then he looks back towards Morph.]
Does the name 'Mystique' mean anything to you?
[He doubts all shapeshifters know each other, but if this Morph is an X-Man, than they should know about an enemy like Mystique. ...Assuming this isn't Mystique trying to get close to him and trick him like she did with Rogue! But Kurt doesn't want to believe that.]
no subject
Yeah, I heard she's a real b- I mean, bad guy. But I've never met her. I was away from the team when they had their run-ins with Mystique.
[It might sound a little suspicious, but Morph isn't sure they can explain that one without it sounding like an excuse. The whole 'brainwashed by a supervillain' thing would sound ridiculous to... well, anyone that hadn't been there. They weren't even sure if the team fought Mystique while they were still under Sinister's control or if it was while Morph were recuperating on Muir Island.]
It's true that we have similar powers. Problem is, I'm not sure how to prove to you that I'm not her if we can do all the same things.
no subject
It's okay. [He waves his hands softly.] I don't really think it. It's hard to shake off the- the idea completely, but I believe you. You... you seem like your own person, Morph. And I want to trust you.
no subject
[That Kurt lived at the mansion and knew who both Logan and Mystique were, but didn't recognize Morph, was... well, it's a little strange, but there's obviously some sort of time travel thing going on. They can't really begin to guess what the deal is there.]
Does that mean you still wanna help with checking the hospitals? It's up to you, kid. If not, just point me in the direction of the closest one and I can go check it out.
no subject
[And now his smile grows as he nods along.]
Of course I'll still help you! Now that I know who we're looking for, it'll be a lot easier to cover ground! We can even take the express trip! [He offers them his hand as he says this.]