expiationlogs | me and all my other mes

Entry tags:

me and all my other mes

Who: Scott Summers and you
Where: Around Aldrip
What: Scott glitching into different versions of himself, such as 97, James Marsden, time displaced teen Scott from the comics, etc...
Warnings: Maybe some possible spoilers for X-Men 97??

I’m Totally Buggin (X-Men 97);
[Walking around Aldrip? You may notice a slightly familiar, but also pretty different version of one Scott Summers. Mostly, just the fact that he's an adult that's wearing a bright and colorful X-Men uniform. Look, who would wear black leather?? There's definitely a certain serious countenance to him as he looks around, because this place is new and unfamiliar and where is his team? Hell, he'll even be glad to see Magneto around, since the older mutant has shown that he's capable of letting humans go despite their crimes against them. Second chances and all. It's what the late Professor wanted.

...He still wonders if he didn't do a good enough job if the Professor left everything to Magneto.

But no thoughts for that right now. He has to find the other X-Men or help out any mutants if they are in this city. So, once again, he tries to communicate with the other members of his team, pressing the communicator on his uniform to contact them.]

It's Cyclops, report.

[Once that message is sent, however, Scott will continue his exploration, perhaps even resorting to stopping someone else to ask for information. This doesn't look like an elaborate kidnapping ploy, so he's willing to hear out any of the people walking around.] Can you tell me where we're at?

[Maybe you'll catch Scott walking around one of the more crime infested areas, just casually blasting a robber from across the street with the lowest power setting so that they collapse to the ground, mostly uninjured. It sure is nice to have a visor where he can control the output of his blasts.]

I was basically a cameo (X3: Last Stand);
[Enjoying the beach? Well, maybe not anymore, because there is a scream that echoes throughout the area before two familiar red blasts shoot through the sea for a few seconds, the water breaking apart before instantly converging once more as Scott falls to his knees a respectable distance away (look, he wasn't going to blast right next to someone, he has just enough sense for that). And it's definitely some version of Scott as he stares out at the ocean with an expression that seems haunted and exhausted, despite the shades covering his eyes. Maybe it's the fact that he clearly hasn't shaven in a hot minute.

Normally, Scott wouldn't even think to act this way out in public. But Jean is gone. He can't even hear her in his mind now. She's been dead for a year and he still can't come to grips with it. It's just. He should've done more for her. He should've been there. He should've done something. He... he doesn't know what to do and all that training and self-control is not helping him right now.

He can only just look at the water in front of him, so unlike the lake that claimed her, teeth clenching as her name falls from him.]

Jean...

I stole Wolverine's bike (All New X-Men comics);
[Well, isn't this great.

This Scott half expects Hank to pop out of nowhere and tell him that he's been brought to somewhere else to stop his future self, even if it doesn't make any sense. Nothing has made sense though in the past few days. Look, learning that he kills Charles Xavier in the future, that his future self is a mutant revolutionary hanging out with Magneto, and that everyone pretty much hates him has been a lot. He... he didn't do that. He doesn't want to do any of that.

But Hank hasn't come out to tell him his new idea. And people aren't looking at him with utter contempt or distrust. It's kind of nice. Sure, he only experienced that for just a few days now, but it has been enough. It's not like he can really forget how even Jean looked at him when everyone learned what his future self is like. Probably didn't help that he literally attacked him and the others and promptly disappeared with his new best friend Magneto.

God, this sucks still. Because he doesn't know where he's at and no one is familiar. He'd still rather have the other young X-Men here, because even if it's Bobby or Warren looking at him with distrust, at least they're still his friends.

Scott stares up at the sky for a moment, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He can handle this. He can--]

This might as well happen!

[He shouts into the sky before promptly collapsing back on the grass and staring upward still. Maybe that feral man with the claws will come out of nowhere to kill him. He wonders if it would be that bad.]

wildcard;
[Want a different Scott? Just let me know and I'll try to swing it! Feel free to plot with me at

currykirby]

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[His glasses...?

Sure, his glasses are special, made out of ruby quartz to keep his powers at bay, but guess from afar, it just looks like he's wearing ordinary red shades. That's not too special. Yeah, he can totally picture some popular guy with this girl, hanging out with her and just worrying about regular... high school things. He doesn't get to live that life. He never could, ever since his parents died.

...

Okay, at least she doesn't recognize him for being Cyclops, so that's an improvement. He doesn't think she's lying either... which makes her possibly clueless about the news? Just weird? He'll take it still.]

I always follow the latest fashion trends. [Dry. But the frown that's been ever present on Scott loosens slightly.] ...Like lying on the ground.

[She can't help but giggle a bit. He's funny like her Scott is, if a little dryer and more sarcastic. Maybe that's part of his circumstances, though. Besides, she doesn't actually know if he's Scott, or just somebody who talks like him and wears glasses like him. Nothing for that but to ask--]

Oooh, so I'm the one who's behind the times, huh? [Her eyes sparkle with a bit of amused mischief as her own brand of sarcasm to match his. It's also just very funny in general considering her Scott is from 40 years before her.] So what should I call a trendsetter like you? I'm Kotone.

[Without getting up, she offers her hand across to him. Shake on it?]

[She's kind of cute--

Look, it's not really that often he gets a girl to laugh at one of his comments. That strange little feeling in his chest deepens, with the young teen fighting down a blush. What the hell is with him?? He's just been through a lot, that's probably what it is. Maybe the idea of not being fully hated or judged with one person means a lot more to him than he's willing to admit.

Like, this is nice. Even if he's lost again without any of his friends.

But Scott glances over to Kotone, taking in her amused and playful look, and finally, he smiles just a bit.]

Scott. Scott Summers.

[He feels nervous admitting that, half-expecting her smile to fade and for that familiar distrust to form in its place. It feels kind of silly, since she said she reminds him of someone else instead, but it's hard to shake that anxiety away. He can only reach for her hand to shake, his grip holding hers in a way that's familiar for some reason??

...He might have forgotten to let go.]

[It is a really, really good thing she's been thinking about her training with Dazai since her mentor's return, because it's the only thing that keeps a smile on her face when Scott introduces himself. She'd be lying to herself if there weren't an undercurrent of fear that snakes through her veins, a genuine worry that her Scott is gone, replaced by somebody else. Then again, hadn't there been those two guys called Matt Murdock on the OkCinder app? So maybe it's fine. Maybe her Scott is still waiting for her.

She keeps her hand in his as long as he wants to hold it, though, tilting her head a little to try to make her smile look as genuine as possible.]

Nice to meet you, Scott! Did you just get here?

[Read: has anybody else noticed there's a totally different Scott wandering around. Also, once he lets go of her hand (if he lets go), she wants to message her own Scott to see if he responds.]

[Scott doesn't notice the quiet turmoil hidden behind that smile, not as in tune with her feelings despite that strange bubbling affection in his chest. An emotion that's only jumped while he holds her hand, because she's so kind and warm and once again, he's just kind of happy to have someone looking at him like this after the past few days. He wants to hold her hand just a little longer, but that's probably a little weird right? They just met.

Even though it feels like they haven't. Should he ask? But man that's such an awkward thing to ask, even he knows that. Maybe... maybe after a while. When they talked for a little. He likes being around her.

He slowly releases her hand, withdrawing his own and letting it lay gently on his chest as he nods.]

Yeah, I was... going to the bank and found myself here. [He's still not sure if this is better than his previous circumstance, but she's one friendly face at least.] Where are we anyway?

[There's something a little bit funny about the idea of Scott doing something so normal as going to the bank. Like, it just seems like such a grown-up thing to do! She always just kept all her money with her in case she needed it. The amusement sparkles in her eyes as she gazes at him, then pulls out her phone.]

This is Aldrip. I'll show you a map in a second! I just gotta send a message real quick.

[Said message is intended for her Scott, a smiley-face emoji and a request to "Please come to the park!!!! There's somebody I want you to meet!!"

It's hard to keep the worry from mounting in her chest, but she's really, really trying.]

[As Kotone sends her message, something in his own uniform buzzes and Scott blinks, reaching inside his pocket to pull out the unfamiliar device. Is this... is this a phone?? Pretty advanced, but luckily, it doesn't take long for Scott to turn it on, now seeing that he has a message from... the girl that's lying next to him. Um, what?? Why did she do that??

He sits up from the ground, a small frown tugging at the corner of his mouth as he looks from his device to Kotone.]

Sent your message to the wrong guy?

[There's some distrust shining through his features now. Maybe it was dumb of him to be hopeful, to be so accepting of someone that was nice to him. He-- his future self is a hated terrorist, he should've been more suspicious of her.]

[Her smile falters in spite of herself, a sharp pain stabbing her right in her chest. He has Scott's phone. He has Scott's phone, he says his name is Scott, but he doesn't know her. He doesn't look like her Scott. Where's her Scott?

It's funny, laying here with this Scott, she's never felt more alone. But she tries to muster her smile anyway and shakes her head -- then pauses, and shrugs a little helplessly in response to his question.]

Not the wrong guy. The wrong Scott.

[Even with her own heart beating rapidly and her throat twisted up with the anxiety that her Scott is gone, replaced with this stranger, he's still a Scott, even if he's not the Scott she wants. And that means she can't miss the distrust, and that hurts her possibly as much as it hurts him. How can she make him feel better...? Maybe by explaining?]

It's... would you believe me if I said my boyfriend is Scott Summers? See?

[She turns her phone, showing a selfie of her and Scott -- her Scott -- with his arms draped over her shoulders and smiles on both of their faces.]

I... I think you have his phone, [she adds more quietly, because the prospect that he's been replaced is a lot to try to handle right now, and she's almost afraid to speak it into existence.]

[She looks so hurt, despite the smile on her. He can tell this time and something in his chest twists painfully seeing that expression on her, knowing that he's the reason for it. What... what is he supposed to do? His own distrust wavers, although he finds himself frowning at her still. He honestly just wants to leave, avoid these personal feelings, but Scott will at least allow her to explain what's going on-- something that he doesn't really have to wait for. Luckily. Or so he thinks.

He's the wrong Scott? What... like he's not his future self? It doesn't feel wholly correct, his own anxiety mounting, maybe matching hers. He's so confused and this is coming from someone that was brought to the future because of Hank to stop his adult self from starting some civil war. And then she explains and...

...

Is it sad that the strangest thing of all is hearing that he, or at least some version of him, actually has a girlfriend? He has a crush on Jean, but things are complicated between them.

Scott just looks at the picture she's showing him, the way they both look so happy. The large smile on that other Scott's face looking so foreign. He's not sure he could copy it even if he tried and some strange jealously forms in his heart. While he's out here getting hated back home, this Scott is out here having a normal life? Having someone that loves him so much?? But as he continues to look at the picture, that jealousy fades to guilt because the things that didn't make sense earlier suddenly does and--]

...I think I did more than just take his phone.

[Did... did he effectively kill this Scott, take his place here? It doesn't feel good, he wouldn't want to do that to anyone. His hand reaches up to his chest, the mutant shaking his head as he tries to explain further.] This entire time... I wondered why my heart warmed seeing you. Someone I never met.

[Now it makes sense. Scott softly speaks.] Now I know why.

[It's a very subtle reaction at first. Her eyes widen a little, her breath catching in her throat as it feels like her heart stops for just a moment. There's a part of her that wants to reject it out of hand -- Scott can't just be gone. But there's a larger part, a part of her that knows better, that anyone can leave her life at any time, and there's not always the chance to say goodbye. Her nostrils flare a little with the wave of emotion, but she smiles anyway.

It's not this Scott's fault. He's probably been through a lot already, right? So unloading her feelings on him isn't fair, even if the way he touches his own chest makes her heart hurt. She opens her mouth to try to say something reassuring -- her old standby, "it's okay!" -- but she can't quite manage the breath for it. Maybe she's not as subtle as she thinks, because it feels like there might be wetness in the corners of her eyes.

So... what? Her Scott's just gone? Her brows knit together as she takes in the face of a boy who's so similar to the one she loves, but isn't him. She blinks a few times, rapidly, but finally manages to nod as her smile strains at the corners.]

Well... I'll just have to look for him! [she says finally with an enthusiasm and hope she definitely doesn't feel at all. Even this Scott says he feels like hers, which means... what? What does any of this mean? She swallows hard and just nods again, as if trying to convince herself.] You'll help me.

[He's really hurting her. No matter how she smiles at him, it's obvious. Usually he's awful at telling these things, but either she isn't subtle or it's just that cluster of emotions in his chest that's helping him discern such a feeling from her.

This is horrible, awful. Why is it that he keeps on hurting people when he hasn't actually done anything?? At first, it was him from the future, and now it's another version of him that he suddenly took the place of. He didn't ask for this, he didn't want any of this. He just wants... well, he's not sure if he really wants to go back home to his own time period, but it just feels like no matter where he lands, he's hurting someone.

He wants to stop doing that.

Can he lie back on the ground and yell at the sky again?? Scott feels like he's allowed another one. Of course, the best thing to do is probably comfort this girl-- Kotone, but what does he say?? He's also bad at that. Although, it appears that he's been granted some mercy, because she's speaking back up and...

Right, look for his other self. He doubts that they will actually find her Scott, because he's pretty sure he's taken his place. But uh... being that blunt and honest with her? Is that okay?? Look, he doesn't want to look like the total bad guy now! His mouth parts, throat almost dry and--]

Huh?

[Wait, she's deciding for him?!] I'm helping you?

[Scott repeats, almost dumbly.]

Yep.

[There's no way in hell she's letting this Scott just wander off. If he really did replace her Scott, does that mean her Scott is in there somewhere? If he felt like he knew her, felt a... "warmth," whatever that means, that means somehow they're connected. Right?

She doesn't know. That's maybe the scariest thing of all, the Not-Knowing. Would it help to take this Scott to the places she'd shared with her Scott? They could go to the roof, or to the beach, or even back to Scott's house. There's a reflexive sort of dread to that final thought -- it feels weird to take this Scott to the house she lives in. Like inviting an imposter into their space, but... that's not fair. That's an ugly thought.

She closes her eyes for a moment, takes another breath, and determinedly pushes herself up to sit.]

We won't figure anything out just laying around. C'mon.

[Summers, you really got roped into another complicated situation. What happened to just forming strategies to fight Magneto??

Even if he could protest-- something that feels really hard for some reason (maybe it's because Kotone seems really bossy), it's probably a good idea to go along with her. She knows him, in a good way for once if that picture is anything to go by. So, he can trust her, he can get information and explore this new area without worrying about getting stabbed in the back. Cons? He's just going to disappoint her in the end when they don't find this other Scott. She's just going to be stuck with him, this guy that's going to be hated by his friends and family, the Scott that can't smile like that in the picture.

At least, he will be the Scott that doesn't know her, not really. He has no full memories of her.

He thinks she deserves better than that.

Scott wrestles with what he wants to do before just giving up with an internal sigh. Yeah, okay, he'll go. Maybe the guy with the claws will pop out of nowhere and end his miserable existence.]

Okay. [He sounds so defeated, but Scott soon gets up from the ground with a look of 'this might as well happen.' However, he still offers her a hand.] We'll start by searching places he goes to often.

[And obviously, that would be--]

Got a training room?

[There's not even a second that she thinks he might refuse to come with her; he's Scott Summers. Of course he'll want to help a girl who's probably not hiding her distress as well as she wishes she were. Sure, he might want to pretend he's some cool rebel, but he's a good guy under all of that bravado; she can't imagine a different Scott being any, well, different.

So she takes his hand and lets him help her up, even if it's unnecessary. She even squeezes his hand briefly in thanks, opening her mouth to say so, when-]

Huh?

[She snorts a startled little laugh in spite of herself, only belatedly pulling her hand back so she can try to stifle it. Scott, in something called a "training room?!"]

I mean, there's Mikey's dojo, but I don't think we had any plans to go there today. I was thinking more about the roof, or the sandwich shop...

[What's so funny???

Scott's expression turns almost comically perplexed, like he truly doesn't understand why she'd be laughing about such a suggestion. But then she elaborates and... is she implying that this Scott-- her Scott, doesn't train at all?? He doesn't have to lead the X-Men in numerous Danger Room sessions? He doesn't have the Professor to impress??

It feels so foreign that he doesn't even how know to respond for a moment.]

The... sandwich shop. [Scott slowly repeats. Okay, he's really getting the hint now that he and this other Scott share very different lives despite them both being Scott Summers. Except this Scott is the one that has a cute girlfriend, that gets to live a normal life and how is that even fair??

That ugly feeling rises in his chest again, suddenly feeling overwhelmed once more, but thanks to his X-Men training, he pushes it back. Actually, he wants to go back home again, so he doesn't have to be reminded how much things could be better for him.]

Lead the way. [He says after a moment, his voice just a little more clipped now.]

Mmhm.

[She tilts her head, her smile fading as her brows pinch together. She might not be the best at expressing her own emotions, but she's always been good at reading other people's, if only to try to guess how to respond appropriately. It doesn't take a genius to recognize that something she's said has upset him, though, and her concerned gaze searches his face for a moment.

That feeling only intensifies at the sound of his voice, and she reaches out to grab his hand again to keep him from trying to go without her (even if he'd just told her to lead the way??)]

What's wrong?

[Just a blunt question, because she wants to know. Even if he's not her Scott, he's still Scott. She'd care no matter what.]

Nothing.

[He bites out, his face perhaps changing into a familiar defensive anger before he tries smoothing it out. It's not like he wants to get super emotional in front of her, especially since he's not actually her boyfriend or anything. They might as well be strangers, even though she's been nice and friendly and that warmth in his chest hasn't diminished. It's just embarrassing to talk about his feelings like this; he can handle everything on his own.

Besides, she's probably way more worried about her Scott. The actual boyfriend. No need to have her worry about two Scott Summers at once.]

Just wanting to go back home, that's all. I'm a X-Man. [Surely her Scott knows what that's like. ...Maybe not.] There's people counting on me and I'm worried about them.

[She manages not to flinch, though there's a brief flicker of hurt that crosses her face in spite of herself. Unfortunately for him, that only firms her resolve, back straightening as she moves in front of him to start heading toward- she doesn't know. The club building, probably. That seems as good a place to start as any. But as she passes him, she adds quietly,]

You can lie to yourself if you want to. But don't lie to me.

[She and her Scott (uncharitably, she keeps wanting to call him the real Scott) had made a promise a long time ago, a promise not to lie to each other. This Scott, of course, isn't bound by that, but there's no way in hell she's just going to let him throw a tantrum like this in front of her.]

How long ago did you get your powers, Scott?

[And maybe it seems like a too-abrupt shift of topic, but she's going somewhere with it.]

[Who said that she can call him out like that??

Scott's frown tightens across his face, as if trying even harder to keep himself composed, hoping that wall of indifference will make her back off just a little. He's not that Scott-- that other teen who looks so happy and normal. Whatever expectations she has of him... he'll just have to douse them. Go figure that he's fighting against everyone's idea of him back home-- in the future and now he's doing it here, except in an entirely different manner.

Why does this keep happening to him?? A part of Scott wants to shout to the sky once more, sulk on the ground and refuse getting up, but he's still walking and following her.]

Three years. [Scott decides that he can at least answer that question for her. It's something factual, probably.] Why?

[Of course he's still following her. He's Scott Summers! Is he even capable of not following a cute girl who gives him orders--

Three years, though. If her Scott had stayed with the X-Men, is this what he'd be like...? She can't imagine it. They've been through some difficult things here in Aldrip together, and when Scott first arrived, he was kind of moody and angry, but he'd gotten better about that kind of thing. This Scott never had that chance? Or he just has too much going on and nobody to talk to about it. That's also kind of sad. Anyway,]

Scott only had his powers for a few days before he got taken here, [she says finally, glancing back over her shoulder to make sure he's listening before returning her attention to the front.] He's not an X-Man like you. You're different people.

[Cut him some slack!]

Edited 2024-09-15 12:00 (UTC)

[Just a few days...? Wait, and this other Scott is around the same age as him?! Not that he can directly pinpoint his age just from that photo alone or assume how old Kotone is (and he's not going to ask he has manners), but he's pretty sure they're both around 16. And yet, he got to live without his optic blasts until now??

Scott's jaw drops, momentarily stopping for just a few seconds and maybe making him look almost silly before he continues following her. It... okay. Fine, guess that explains why his other self is not a X-Man yet. Why he hasn't been involved in the Danger Room. He got an extra three years to be normal or so.

He's jealous. Although, at the same time, he's not unsympathetic either. It's hard, suddenly getting your powers. Needing to always wear glasses, seeing everything red. He... he adjusted rather quickly, based on the picture. A part of him kind of respects that.]

...It really feels like we're different people.

[Oops he's sullen and sulky again. Scott shoves his hands inside the jacket he took, not thinking about how moody he appears.]

That's 'cause you are!

[Simple as that! This Scott isn't her Scott, even if he's kind of cute and easy to talk to. He has the same dry humor and the same sullen attitude as when he'd first arrived in Aldrip, but he is different. Kotone doesn't stop walking, but she does glance back over her shoulder as if to wordlessly prompt him to keep up.

Her lips curve into a little smile, though, and she tilts her head to catch his eye before turning forward to watch where she's going again.]

He's one Scott Summers, and you're a different one. Just 'cause you've got the same name and the same powers doesn't mean you have the same experiences, or that one of you is better than the other. You're just different.

[She makes it sound so simple.

Scott still isn't convinced though. They have the same name, same powers... they even look kind of similar. It's just they're from different timelines, apparently. This other Scott got to be normal, something he's always wanted. He's not sure if it's better or worse thinking that they're different or not. He wants to imagine that he could be like that if given the opportunity, be that happy teen from the photograph.

Or does it sting more because of that?

...Thinking about this really isn't helping.]

Yeah. We're different. [MOODY.] Look, you don't have to be nice to me. If all things work out, I'll be gone and the Scott you want will be back.

I don't have to do lots of things.

[Like be nice to moody versions of her boyfriend, or even take them for walks to try to get out some of this restless angry energy, and yet, here she is anyway! This kind of volunteer work really should be paid.

She smiles again anyway and shakes her head back at him, the attitude simply bouncing right off her without leaving a mark.]

But I want to. So instead of being mad about who you aren't, why don't you tell me more about who you are?

[He's not her Scott. Maybe the more she knows about him, the easier it'll be to hope that this one hasn't replaced hers, but is instead here in addition to him.]

[She really is a cheerful type, along with being incredibly stubborn. Scott's sure she has plenty of friends, someone that people would want to be around. He can't relate to that, but he's given up trying to push her away. She can do whatever she wants; she'll probably find someone else at some point. So, guess he'll just deal with this for the time being.

...Talk about himself, as she asked. Well, there's definitely one thing that he doesn't want to bring up now, but there's... there's more to him than that awful future, right? The future where everyone hates him for killing Charles Xavier.]

I'm the leader of the X-Men. [He's mentioned before that he's a X-Man, but he really wants to clarify that! It's the most important thing to Scott, the thing that truly defines him.] I train daily with my team so that we can be a good force for both humans and mutants everywhere.

[This is definitely how one answers a question like that.]

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