expiationlogs | [CLOSED] got a colony of ants underneath my skin

Mm-hmm!

[They step into view around the corner, the smile on their face widening at seeing Scott approaching. While Morph had only spoken to Kotone once, her almost ridiculously calm attitude had by far been her most obvious trait. They would have to make some guesses about the rest, but on the bright side, they wouldn't have to keep up the act for very long.]

We ought to go. It's really quiet here. I don't think there's a single person left on this block.

[That was a lie, of course; they just needed Scott within arm's length and not paying attention to them. There was no reason to face someone with lasers for eyes head on when a stab in the back would do. Morph had spent plenty of time thinking about how they were going to do it, and really, simple was best.]

[Scott immediately relaxes when Kotone steps into view, his hand lowering from his glasses seeing that she's okay. While the mutant is rather easygoing around most other people, there really is something more open and trusting about him right now, like he's completely let his guard down. They've been through so much together and it's not just this stupid situation, but other times as well. She fought him with at the Tower, they helped each other at the desert, and other things... plus he just loves her that much.

So, her comment only gets Scott to tilt his head with some curiosity, eyebrow arching. Kotone wants to go already? Guess if she finished searching, then there's no need to stick around...]

You've checked around that fast? I haven't finished exploring my end. [And just because it's quiet, it doesn't mean that there isn't anyone else around.]

Yeah, with so many places boarded up there wasn't a whole lot to check.

[They say it with complete nonchalance, another fib that wasn't out of the realm of possibility, but perhaps only half true. Morph knows the two of them had to be out here looking for their friends, or people to rescue, as stupid as that was. Sneaking into their home might've been more of a challenge for Morph, over approaching Scott out in the open like this.]

Let me help you look, and then we can finish up faster. It's kinda creepy how quiet it is out here.

[Morph is careful to say it with barely any emotion beyond their pleasant expression, making it more a statement of fact than a real concern.]

[Creepy...?]

...You're okay? [He continues to walk closer to her, that affectionate smile turning a little worried. It's just... he's never really heard her describe something in that way before, even though she's still smiling. But that's how Kotone usually deals with difficult situations, with a determined smile on her face that hides any deeper insecurities. They've promised to tell each other everything, of course, but Scott knows it's a little harder for her sometimes still.

So, the mutant finds himself trying to take on a more leader type role, hoping that he can get his girlfriend to open up a little right now. Maybe not the best time, but this is important to him. Checking on her. Even if she wasn't his girlfriend, it's important to know the status of your teammate, right?]

I know this past week has been pretty hard. [Friends being infected, not knowing who to trust. He's just happy that Kotone is still with him.]

[Wait, what was Scott doing now? Why weren't the two of them leaving? Stopping for a chat was exactly the opposite of what Morph wanted. They could feel the smile on their face straining, but they're working hard to keep it in place, as though they weren't concerned about the questioning at all.]

Sure I'm okay. It sucks a lot, but we're still here, and that means we can keep helping people.

[Like Morph cares about these kids running around and playing at heroics! Their irritation is only growing the longer they stand there. Objectively they know that being patient and stealthy is the best thing they can do, but their bloodlust has been denied for so long that restraining themself is far harder than the act they're putting on. Just hurry up and turn around, you stupid kid. Maybe I'll kill you faster if you aren't a total pain in the ass.]

C'mon, we can always talk about later. When we're back home, safe and sound.

It sucks a whole bunch.

[He slowly agrees, although uncertainty flashes across Scott's face. She's acting a little odd, not like alarmingly odd, but just enough where he can't fully put this behind him. Should they go back home after this...? They have a single heal and a single protect between them and they both agreed to keep on fighting each day if they have their powers still, but she's not fully herself right now.

It's honestly a nice thought to just stay home with her, to not deal with any of this, but Scott's still not gunning to go back home. He knows that neither of them are willing to just sit back if there's someone out there that they can protect or cure, even if they are tired and stuff. Kotone would definitely still immediately decline such a suggestion from him.]

Kotone, what's really bothering you? [His voice is still worried, but there's something a little more firm in his tone as well.]

[Something's wrong.

She should have met up with Scott already, if something hadn't stopped him. She hadn't heard anything, but that honestly means nothing with the way the Gnosia can attack. Kotone's doubling back, retracing her steps with quick, light movements like she might use for chasing a Shadow through Tartarus. The sound of Scott's voice as she enters an alley to cut through brings a slight, relieved smile to her face -- one that fades instantly with a spike of true fear at the sound of her own voice, coming from the same direction as Scott's.

One hand goes to her heart as the other drops to the holster at her waist; in daily life, she usually keeps her Persona-summoning Evoker hidden in a holster under her skirt, but this is a mission. She has to be able to grab it in a heartbeat.

Peeking out from the alley, she's struck by a sudden premonition, the knowledge that any second, that thing that looks like her is going to try to kill Scott. The hand on her heart squeezes more tightly as she steps out from the alleyway and tries for one of her normal smiles, though exhaustion tugs it down just a bit at the corners. The fake her has to attack so she can protect Scott, and she'll be ready for it.]

Hey. Sorry, am I interrupting?

[The moment, the second it looks like the not-Kotone is going to attack, she'll be ready to drop a protective, semi-translucent veil around Scott to protect him.]

[It's a good call, because as soon as the real Kotone's voice rings out from nearby, Morph shifts one hand to sport a set of Wolverine's claws. Scott was still standing close, close enough to wound or kill, so without missing a beat Morph lunged forward and took a swipe at him -

Only for the claws aimed at Scott's face to hit the veil instead, bouncing harmlessly off of it. Morph couldn't mimic real adamantium, and whatever power this was stood up well to the steel that their body was actually able to approximate.]

No, no! Just stand there and DIE!

[That scream of rage is still in Kotone's voice, for the time being.]

[All of her breath comes out in a rush as several things happen at once. Claws emerge, but that's not a Gnosia attack. Not yet, anyway. Her Evoker is pointed to her temple and she pulls the trigger without hesitation. Her head snap sharply sideways with the force of the impact and blurs her vision of how Morph actually attacks. Claws mean physical, though, and that means she was right to think Tetrakarn as a physical shield.

Opheus Telos appears behind her to cast his protective spell on Scott, and then Kotone's running in to join her boyfriend.]

I think she's Gnosia! We gotta restrain her!

Edited (ok last edit sorry) 2024-07-23 01:46 (UTC)

[Scott barely has time to comprehend the arrival of a second Kotone, the actual one (it's really so obvious now), before the imposter in front of him swipes with claws that somehow don't look as foreign as they should be. There's a name that he wants to associate with them, but digging through memories and shit isn't really important right now, not as those pointed ends hit a barrier-- the only reason why he's able to react at all. For a brief moment, Scott stares with widened eyes, a flicker of red flashing behind his glasses from how close he was about to die, but as Morph's screams echo throughout the area, the mutant quickly snaps out of it.

Right, no standing around, they're dealing with a threat now. A gnosia attack. And it's--]

Morph-- that's Morph!

[They're the only shapeshifter that pops into his mind, not to mention that strange little familiarity seeing those claws. Maybe he'll explain later, but Scott lifts a hand over to his glasses, hesitating only slightly about using his full powers on another mutant. H-How durable is his future teammate? He doesn't want to kill them, even in this state.

Well, blast towards their legs, right? He'll start with that. He's always been more of a long ranged fighter and creating some distance might be helpful?? Besides, knocking Morph out is the same thing as restraining-- just long enough for him to use his heal on them. With that, he pulls his glasses up to let out those familiar red blasts, still slightly hard for him to control, but he aims at the direction of Morph's legs.]

[Seeing Kotone put a gun to her head but not die was bizarre enough on its own, but when they spot Scott reaching for his glasses their Danger Room training kicks in. Morph is already in motion before he fires off that blast, but Kotone's body isn't as nimble as the forms they're used to borrowing. They dance backwards and to the side, but the blast still sends their feet out from under them, knocking them onto the ground.]

Heh - heheheh! Those are some powers, Kotone! And here I thought you were normal!

[As Morph pushes themself back up to standing, they're growing bigger, skin hardening and becoming metallic. They're well over seven feet tall in Colossus' armored form, but better protected this way. Morph knows how much of a pain in the ass it is to fight against the optic blasts, and they have no clue what Kotone might be packing.]

Don't fight me! [They shout it in a voice that's now sporting a heavy Russian accent.] You don't know how much grief he's going to cause! If I end him now... then none of it will happen!

[Morph doesn't wait for a response. They turn and dig their metal fingers into the corner of a building, tearing off a large chunk of masonry and throwing it at the two. It's almost immediately followed by Morph breaking out into a run, charging at them, their footsteps heavy against the pavement.]

[It's not that Kotone had kept her powers from Morph out of an abundance of caution -- it's just that, like, there'd been no point to bring it up? It's a habit of hers, one that seems to be an advantage at the moment. It's almost funny to be thought of as normal.

But that's something to laugh about with Scott later.]

How do we fight Morph?!

[Kotone's seen Morph change from a chocobo to an idol to her and now to some giant statue-guy, so who knows what the shapeshifter is capable of! Is this new form metal, maybe? She takes a breath and braces herself, bringing her Evoker to her temple once again in preparation to summon another Persona. Then Morph says that, and she can't help but bristle.]

He's not your Scott! [Oh shit, that's a chunk of building. She scrambles out of the way, trusting Scott to dodge in the opposite direction, or blast the chunk out of the sky. Evoker back to her temple, she adds firmly,] My Scott isn't like yours! Odin!

[It's not that she's calling either Scott or Morph Odin, but rather summoning a different Persona with an accompanying crack of a lightning-based attack aimed directly at the attacking mutant, hoping to shock Morph to keep them still.]

Edited 2024-07-24 00:16 (UTC)

[It would be a little nice if he glitched into the Scott that Morph knows-- at least he would be familiar with the large armored man that's now standing in front of him! But no, this is his fight, and he can't just rely on some other version of himself to do this battle for him. Besides, he's the one that knows Kotone-- they fought and trained together and that's more important. It's going to be enough. It has to be.

At least focusing on that will also stop Scott from thinking more about what Morph is saying. Did he-- Scott hurt them too? He thought they were family... that's what they said to him over the network. A group misfits that stuck with each other. This is just the infection talking, right? No time to think about it at least.

Although he can't stop the way his heart beats a little faster hearing Kotone defend him.]

Hard to restrain someone that can turn into anything! We'll just knock them out!

[Brilliant strategy, ten out of ten. It's a little more difficult for Scott to be quick with his blasts, when he constantly has to put his glasses back on to see what's happening before taking them off once again to fire them off. Luckily, he still makes it in time to blast the large piece, those concussive beams breaking apart the chunk apart to let them land safely around them.

Maybe he'll be lucky and a piece will land on Morph or block their path.]

Edited 2024-07-24 16:51 (UTC)

[Another giant pops up behind Kotone when she does that thing with her gun (or is it a gun?), and Morph is completely unprepared for the bolt of lighting Odin throws. The electricity surges over and through their metal skin, spending sparks flying, rooting Morph to the spot as they roar out in pain. A few smaller chunks of masonry hit their shoulders and back, bending them over, and once the sparks have subsided it's more obvious that Morph didn't hold up to the attacks well. Their metal skin is starting to look almost like it's melting, drips of white goo forming down their face and arms.]

And what... what about his world's Morph? Will you leave them behind, too?! If Scott's not calling the shots, they would've brought me back! They would've buried me! LET ME REST!

[They rapidly shift forms again, shrinking down into the form of a man in a blue-and-white costume with a pure white shock of hair. They're only visible for a moment before they take off running, charging at Scott ridiculously fast. Morph can't match the speeds that Quicksilver can, but it's still fast enough that they're moving at a blur.]

[Well, that strikes a little bit closer to home than Morph even realizes. Kotone herself has had that thought; after everything she'd gone through, all the loss she'd learned to accept, shouldn't she be allowed to rest? She'd laid down in preparation for it after a month of struggling to just exist, only to be hurled into this place more than a year ago.

But now isn't the time to think about that. The way Morph's goo-like skin seems to show through looks promising, but once they transform into something else, they're way too fast! Scott has enough trouble aiming his optic blasts at a moving target already, plus she has no idea if she can land a hit on something that fast, so-

Again her Evoker goes to her head, and with that same flash of blue light, Orpheus swims back into view behind her.]

People like us don't get to rest. Masukukaja!

[A boost to Agility for both her and Scott. In Tartarus, it had meant that foes were more likely to miss, or her teammates were more likely to evade or land hits. Maybe she's imagining it, but even in the real world like this, even if it's not as pronounced, she feels just that little bit lighter on her feet as she dashes toward Scott himself to get a little closer.]

Edited 2024-07-24 23:46 (UTC)

[As Scott places his glasses back on, he starts preparing himself to use his healing powers. Morph's on the ground with sparks emitting from their metal form, he has a chance-- but it's already too late, not as Morph's already starting to shift once more. Although, perhaps what's even more startling than that are the words that come from them.

.......

Morph wants to die? Do they really feel that way?? Hearing yet again someone sort of close to him experiencing death in some way gets Scott to swallow uncomfortably. Why is it that he keeps on meeting people like this? It's so exhausting. Draining.

Shake out of it, Summers. There's no time to think about it, especially not now. Not as Morph shifts into another unfamiliar person and bursts straight towards him. Oh fuck. He needs to get out of the way now--

The sudden boost to his own movements certainly help his legs to dodge out of the way, but maybe it still won't be enough to fully clear the other mutant's charge. After all, Morph is fast, moving quicker than anyone Scott's seen before.]

[Though the extra agility might help them both, Morph is still moving almost faster than sight. They whiff the first sped-up punch, but then drop to a crouch, a quick leg sweep succeeding in knocking Scott to the ground.

What Kotone had to say doesn't go unnoticed - in fact, it only makes Morph see red. Don't get to? After all the suffering, all the shit they'd gone through, hadn't they earned it? When would it ever be enough? But Morph has Scott right where they want him, and it draws their focus, gives them a place to direct all that pent-up rage.

Morph's skin ripples, and their form changes again - and this time, it's nothing familiar. It's something more out of a nightmare. They grow nearly as tall as Colossus, if not as large, skin fading to a more stark shade of white, eyes outlined in dark rings. Below, their nose is still barely there, but their mouth is borrowed from Mister Sinister, sporting black lipstick and rows of sharp teeth. They've grown Spiral's extra limbs, giving them a total of three pairs of arms whose fingers all end in ridiculously long, sharp metal nails courtesy of Lady Deathstrike.

But if that is eye-catching, so are the 'clothes' they're wearing now, an arrangement of body parts in a parody of an outfit. Sprouting from their upper back are wrists and the attached hands, fingers spread out fan-like around the back of their neck, a macabre version of an standing collar. Multiple arms have sprouted from their spine, folding around their shoulders and torso to link fingers together, hugging their body in the shape of a vest. What obscures the lower half of their body takes the vague appearance of skirt, but formed out of halves of arms and legs of varying lengths, knees and elbows bent downward to create a 'ruffle' at their hips, the feet and hands dangling at the ends. The arms are melded together in such a way that only the digits are left free, and those digits are moving, slowly flexing and wriggling. Morph is otherwise barefoot, except for inch-long spurs of bone sticking out of the heels of their feet and adding somewhat to their increased height.

It's a strain like nothing they've felt while shifted before, but the gnosia was guiding them, and it also made them feel more powerful than ever.]

ENOUGH! I'm ending this!

[With gritted teeth, Morph plunges their clawed hands down at Scott's chest, all six of them.]

[Not fast enough. She could try boosting their agility one rank further to its max, but it still probably wouldn't be enough to match the blur that's Morph. Her heart rises into her throat as Morph sweeps Scott's legs out from under him, and she brings her Evoker up in preparation to cast another Tetrakarn to block a physical attack.

But- no. Wait. That's not a normal attack. Her eyes widen as Morph shifts and changes into an amalgamation straight out of a horror film. The shapeshifter would fit right in with some of the horrors of Tartarus and then some; it's almost like a reminder of home, but in the worst possible way. Adrenaline spikes in her veins as time seems to slow, Morph's clawed hands reaching for her boyfriend. Her left hand flies to her heart and clutches it tightly, her eyes flashing with a defiance fit to defy death itself.]

No.

[It's not a scream or a plea, but a simple declaration of fact. Death will not claim any of them this day. A white, semi-translucent figure, beautiful like a Greek statue, appears between Scott and his attacker. A Messiah with flowing hair and a tear-streaked face opens her arms wide to absorb the attack, accepting it almost like an embrace -- but halting the Gnosia-powered mutant as surely as if she were made of stone.]

[As Scott lands harshly on the ground, air temporarily leaving his body, he figures that he's going to die. It's a strange feeling, something completely foreign to him, but as his heart beats rapidly with the now changed Morph pinning him to the ground, it doesn't feel too scary either? Maybe because of all the talks he and Kotone have had in the past, maybe because he really doesn't have a chance to react to those claws plunging towards him, but he doesn't find himself too scared.

It's too possible that he's just overwhelmed with adrenaline pumping through his veins.

But instead of those claws piercing through his vulnerable flesh, the familiar form of Messiah blocks the attack-- no more than that, she's absorbing the damage and what the hell is he doing?? He has to fight like hell, fight like he wants to live so that he can continue to be with Kotone. To be with his friends. He doesn't want her to watch him die, because he doesn't want her to do the same thing.

So, even as Messiah continues to protect him, Scott yanks off his glasses to blast Morph with his powers. Yeah, hard to hold back when the older mutant looks like something straight out of the Alien movie. Hah, Xenomorph-- Summers take this seriously.]

[The flesh that Morph was expecting to rend simply isn't there. Their claws instead hit something solid, but ghostly, a figure in a pose like it's willingly taking the pain that Morph's trying to dish out. Their eyes widen in the few seconds that it takes to realize what's going on, right before Scott's optic blast nails them in the chest.

The force of it sends them flying across the street. They slam into the wooden boards covering a second story window, then fall to the pavement, hitting it with a sound that's more of a splat then a thud. Try as they might, Morph can't hold onto the gnosia form any longer - they're looking distinctly melted now as they struggle to push themself up on the extra arms that are slowly retreating into their body, their form shrinking back down, the faux outfit and scary features shifting away slowly but steadily. The power was gone, leaving Morph over-exerted and hurting from the damage of the fight.]

I can't... not like this...! [Despite the state they're in, Morph is trying to stand again, the urge to kill overwhelming their instinct to survive - though they're having trouble just getting up onto their knees.]

[No matter how many times she's seen how strong Scott's optic beams are -- she even felt them once, indirectly -- it's still impressive! The corner of her lip quirks up into a proud little smile before a familiar wave of weariness slams into her in the wake of her guardian angel power. It's not quite drained her stamina, but it's the only way she knows how to describe it on the heels of the big attacks she was using. Odin's Thunder Reign is a big move all on its own, coupled with the others!

But there's no time to rest. Morph's still suffering from the Gnosia infection. She allows herself the time to take a breath, then forces herself forward, running toward Scott with the intent to help him up in spite of her own exhaustion.]

C'mon, let's heal them. [Scott can get the infection, and Kotone herself can use the last of her stamina to heal any physical wounds.]

[He's already getting up to his feet by the time Kotone runs over to him, but he's nonetheless thankful for her assistance and he finally steadies himself on his feet with a shaky little sigh. Okay, maybe he's more affected than he thought, his heart now pumping furiously in his chest now that death has turned away from him. But as much as he wants to get his bearings, Scott knows that he can't and he looks at the struggling form of his future teammate.

There's some relief seeing them like this. Like, his blasts didn't kill them-- struggling is better than Morph remaining entirely still. It's important to him. He didn't kill someone-- a mutant like him. A X-Man. Someone that's been nice to him, despite the craziness of their timelines and everything. Sure, they tried to kill him just now, but... that's just the infection. Right??

...Okay, heal, Summers. No thinking about what Morph said.

Readying himself, Scott places a hand against his chest for a moment, concentrating that energy, that healing power that was gifted to him when all this craziness started happening. Funny that he actually has full control of this ability, something that isn't his mutant power, but as he pulls his hand away, a blue beam shoots out from his chest towards Morph. Hopefully the healing properties of that shot will hit its mark and cure the other of their infection.

He wonders if it's irony that this power is something that comes from his chest, the same way that Alex uses his.]

[Morph is halfway to kneeling by the time the other two gather themselves, and Kotone's comment about healing doesn't go unnoticed - in fact, distinct fear flits over their features, perhaps dampening the effect of their otherwise defiant anger.]

You - think about what you're doing! Do you really want to kill a new species?!

[That's all they manage to get out before they're squarely hit by the healing beam, their body briefly jolting. The energy that washes through them is uncomfortably hot, burning away the infection unimpeded. Morph goes shock-still for a moment, then their blank eyes roll back and they slump sideways onto the pavement, like their strings have been cut.

Having now completely reverted, Morph has ended up half-melted but still in a mostly humanoid form. They're totally unconscious, even if the whole ordeal has left them breathing heavily even while they're otherwise unresponsive.]

[Morph's seen it before, the way Kotone seems to just accept most things and roll with it. Maybe it's no surprise that she can look toward them and just shrug in response to their plea about "killing a new species."]

Sure.

[If it means her friends will be safe, if it means Scott will be safe, she'll do it. She'll die for her friends. She'll kill this Gnosia infection for her friends, or at least, support the people who can. The second Morph slumps, Kotone exhales a breath and brings her Evoker back to her temple to cycle through her Personas.]

Salvation, [she murmurs as she pulls the trigger, the sound of shattered glass from the Evoker echoing in place of a shot as she summons a different Messiah, this one less translucent and decidedly more masculine than the guardian angel that had protected Scott. Her Persona extends one hand toward Morph's motionless form, a green energy suffusing their body, her own, and Scott's -- and, theoretically, curing their injuries. During the Dark Hour, Salvation would have completely cured every status ailment and injury her whole team had sustained after a fight; here in Aldrip, healing magic doesn't tend to be as consistent, meaning it may heal everything, or it may only heal a small amount.]

Mission accomplished! [As Messiah fades away, his job done, Kotone holsters her Evoker and gives her boyfriend a tired smile, tilting her head toward Morph and taking a few steps their direction.] Where should we take them?

[Scott turns slightly to look at Kotone with a raised eyebrow. Wow, a little cold, babe, but it's hard to be mad at her when Morph will most likely be okay. He steps closer to the fallen mutant with undisguised concern because they're half goop and everything, but the subtle rising and falling of their chest relieves a lot of his worry. They're gone of their infection, they'll be okay, although it's probably best not to leave them alone like this for long.

Scott doesn't even have to ask his girlfriend before she's summoning one of her Personas, the replenishing heal making him close his eyes for a moment before smiling at her with gratitude. One day, he'll tease Kotone about her having an ability called Salvation and a Persona called Messiah because it's a little on the nose. He wonders if anyone else has ever commented about it before. Although, Jesus never said 'perish,' right--

Anyway, she may be a little ruthless, but she will go out of her way to make sure people are safe too.]

I can call Rogue to bring them back. I know she's not infected. [And Morph and Rogue are teammates, the two X-Men from the same timeline. He knows that she's been worried about the shapeshifter, so this will probably be for the best.] If she doesn't answer, guess we can take Morph back with us. I'm just not leaving them here.

[Even if Scott's exhausted. He wants nothing more than to just slink to bed and take a nap for a couple of hours. Or 8. However, he can't rest until he makes sure that Morph will be taken care of in some way.]

[CLOSED] got a colony of ants underneath my skin

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cw: suicidal imagery i'm sorry for persona 3

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cw: suicidal ideation

cw: suicidal ideation

y'all need to chill

cw: suicidal + body horror, instructions to chill unclear, failed step one

idk scott, seems like normal reactions to things to her??

time out corner both of you

okay fine X(

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