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

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[CLOSED] got a colony of ants underneath my skin

Who: Morph and Douman, Marco, Scott, Kotone
Where: Around Aldrip
What: Closed event starters for gnosia!Morph being a menace.
Warnings: Violence, potential body horror. Further warnings will be marked.

(Stated days optional, if any of these need to be rearranged let me know! If you'd like to encounter Morph during the event please contact me at

evilbo or on Discord.)

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[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.]

[Listen, it's not that she wants to hurt Morph, but she does want to get rid of the infection at any cost. She's tired of her and her friends being distrustful and afraid, so whoever or whatever this "Gnosia" garbage is, she'll get rid of it, no matter what.

Also wow did Jesus have a gun?? Don't call out her symbolism like that-

Rogue, huh? There's a crease to Kotone's brow at the reminder that Rogue had been all "mutants over humans" or whatever, but, well, Morph is a mutant. Probably better for Rogue to take over, huh? So she agrees with an,] Okay! [and in the meantime, leans up to press a quick kiss to Scott's cheek before making her way toward Morph, dropping down to sit beside them. If they're cured, there's no guarantee another Gnosia won't target them, right? So better to make sure they're taken care of.]

I kinda wanna take a nap. [Besides, carrying Morph seems like an awful lot of work. Rogue can do it! Resting her chin in her hands, Kotone adds,] Morph's power is pretty incredible, huh? You did really good fighting them, though!

[Good job, boyfriend!]

[Scott's already typing a quick message over to Rogue when she plops herself next to Morph, hitting the 'send' button before making his way over to them as well. He'll wait a few minutes for Rogue to respond before resorting to Plan B and taking the fallen mutant back home. He's with Kotone on this one, he'd rather avoid trying to carry and lift Morph around unless they really have to. Rogue's the one with super strength and aerial flight, not him!!

With a slightly exhausted noise, Scott plops himself next to Kotone, just barely resisting the urge to poke at Morph from where he's sitting. As long as he can continue to watch their chest fall up and down, then he won't bother them more than needed. Getting blasted by his powers-- getting hit by Kotone's Persona, would take a lot out of anyone.]

Just a small nap. [Even though he can feel his eyes droop behind his shades now that the adrenaline from the battle has faded. Maybe not the best time to rest, since they're still out in the open, but he can't fully stop himself. Still, Scott smiles at her compliment, the teen lightly bumping their shoulders together as he slides one hand into hers.]

You saved my ass like three times during that fight.

[Don't poke!!

Kotone huffs a little through her nose and bumps him back. Now that the adrenaline is wearing off, it feels like when she'd talk to her teammates in Tartarus. Of course, her only teammate here is Scott, but she thinks he's a good one to have even without a Persona! Still, they are out in the open, so even as she takes his hand, she only lets herself rest shoulder-to-shoulder with him for a moment before shifting her grip and turning to press her back to his instead. This way, at least they can be aware if a normal attack comes. She can't use her guardian angel defense again, so if another Gnosia comes after them... there's no guarantee they'll make it out, but at least they can fight like hell.]

I usually focused more on damage than support, but somebody's gotta protect your butt!

[Luckily for Morph that they're unconscious, because Kotone definitely does poke Scott in the butt with her free hand. You know, to prove her point.]

We gotta figure out better timing, though. Tetrakarn would probably block your optic blasts, so...

[Well, they can talk strategy whenever. Hopefully Rogue can swing by to pick up her teammate, and then these two can get some well-deserved rest.]

[There's a relief that goes through his chest when he gets Rogue's affirmation. Y-yeah, he can count on her. He shouldn't forget that, despite what she said that one time. Morph still has hope for her, so that... that means something, right? The Scott from their world probably wouldn't give up either. It's some more stuff to think about, maybe when they're back home.

They both used their powers anyway, so continuing to venture out may not the best of ideas. She won't be able to protect him from a gnosia attack and he won't be able to cure anyone else of their infection. The most they'd be able to do is perhaps stop a fight from continuing, which is still important, but they are definitely more limited now. They have to be more careful--

And his thoughts are interrupted when she pokes him in the ass.]

H-hey! [The mutant exclaims with a light blush, because wow Kotone!! Just for that, he pokes her back in the side with a small laugh. Poor Morph, having to deal with this even if they are unconscious.] And we'll practice more, okay?

[Because he really wants to fight with her.]

Anyway, Rogue's on her way, so once she grabs Morph, wanna head back? Just for a little.

[In spite of her exhaustion, she can't help but giggle a bit at Scott's protest. If they were alone, in the safety of their own home, maybe she'd pinch or smack his butt because his reactions to things like that are funny -- but they just got out of a fight for their literal lives, and they're not safe yet. She knocks her head back against his as if to apologize, though she just laughs against and nods.]

Just for a little. [She falls silent after that, smile fading into something more reflexive than genuine as she keeps her eyes on the streets around them. It felt like using that guardian angel power had taken a lot more out of her than it had in the past; is that a sign that she's starting to lose that power? Is there a different kind of stamina tied to it, and it takes longer than a single day to truly recharge? She doesn't know, but based on Scott's behavior, it seems like it might be similar for his power, too.]

...We'll get through this together, okay? Sanada-senpai would probably say that proper rest is important to making sure we can fight our best.

[Kotone must be pretty tired herself, huh? She didn't even protest.]

We will.

[Yeah, they'll get through this together. This definitely ranks up there as one of the worst things that have ever happened in this world, but they've dealt with other crappy things still. They'll manage, as always. He squeezes her hand for a moment, finding comfort in her subtle strength and Scott hopes that she can find similar comfort in the gesture.]

He's right though, we won't help anyone if we're too exhausted to stand on our feet. We'll just cause more problems. [Just two extra people to protect.]

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[CLOSED] got a colony of ants underneath my skin

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

time out corner both of you

okay fine X(

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