xp_logs | Kurt and April

Kurt bumps into the newcomer in the rec room and ends up being helpful.

Kurt had known about the new arrival, of course, and had been meaning to introduce himself... but had intended to give her a little longer to settle in before being confronted by his blue furry self. That plan went right out the window as he stepped into the rec room and found it not empty.

"Ah. Hello."

"Hello." Black tendrils waved around April's head as she turned and took in the new-to-her face, one hand smoothing them down reflexively. "Feel free to join me, I'm not watching anything specific. April, by the way."

"My name is Kurt", he said with a smile. "Welcome to the mansion, April, I am pleased to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Kurt. Is it.. hm.. how rude am I, if I ask about the blue and furry you're rocking? Is it more polite to ask outright, or just pretend I can't tell if someone looks a little different than the average human?"

"I would not find it rude at all to ask." His smile turned a little wry. "Believe me, I have heard much worse than simple curiosity - but the answer is not terribly interesting, as stories go. I was born this way."

"That is the normal way of things, I'm told," April agreed with a laugh. "That must have been particularly challenging at times."

"At times", he agreed. "And still can be, depending on where I am and who is there. But rarely if ever here, in this house."

"It's good that here is mostly less challenging. The.." she trailed off, looking for the word. "Ah, image changer? Are those common then, for folks that don't blend as easily?"

"Image inducers? Yes, we keep several of them on hand if we need them. But", he added, "we do not use them on a daily basis to go out, generally speaking. Only when there is a particular reason to hide our appearance."

"I didn't know that sort of tech existed, but it was interesting to see in action. Unfortunate that it's necessary at all. Very Bond gadget."

"Were you ever at the mansion in your home world?" he asked. "Or wherever Professor Xavier lived?"

"I hadn't heard of the mansion until I arrived here," she answered honestly. "I'm not going to say things are sunshine and rainbows in my dimension, but mutants and supers are treated better. Wary tolerance or acceptance, generally. And I didn't do much interaction with other groups outside the Fantastic Five, because May was always better at the... ah.. people stuff? I'm more blunt and a little less willing to tolerate the posturing."

"That certainly is better", Kurt agreed quietly. "Though things here have gone through waves of better and worse. Can you tell me anything about the Fantastic Five?"

"Sure." April gave Kurt a smile as she collected her thoughts, then launched into a short overview. "Johnny Storm is their leader. He does fire stuff that makes me very nervous, but he's a good dude and has excellent control. Kinda goofy. Then his wife Lyja, Ben Grimm, Victor von Doom... he's extremely smart, also a little terrifying. Finally Franklin Richards. He's about my age and was the main one I talked with, because we had similar interests. He's Johnny's nephew and was mostly raised by him. Something happened to his parents years ago but I don't know the specifics. Very smart, ends up covering Torus--Johnny's son--when he inevitably shows up for whatever fight is happening."

"And... how did you come to be with them? You need not tell me if you do not wish to, of course, but I would be interested to know more."

"Oh, I was lab grown." It was matter-of-fact. "Osborne's grandson found me the summer that May turned 18, convinced dad to come have a look, and they ended up triggering my wake up process. After a bit of a scuffle I ended up going home with dad so he could introduce the rest of the family to me. May's really outgoing and friendly and I'm.. less that, generally? Better in small groups. Once I started helping with patrols she started doing more work with the other groups. But dad was friends with Reed--uh, that's Franklin's dad--so interacting with the Five was as simple sometimes as extended family dinners, basically. It's easier to interact with people you know."

That got a few seconds of blinking before he gathered his thoughts. "That is certainly an origin I have not heard before. Is - lab growing people a common technology in your home dimension?"

"Pretty sure no? Osborne was trying to manipulate any of the spider genetics that passed down with.. something, was our best guess? Which is why I've got the powers dad and May have, but also whatever he did to get me this," April gestured towards her hair, hand and forearm going black and claw-tipped as she focused. "Although now I need to get it back under control."

"You may be in one of the best places in this world to work on problems with powers control", Kurt assured her. "Though you seem to me to be controlling it quite well."

"Usually the tendrils around my head only come out when I'm startled or actively want them there. I've been focusing on that and my arms because that's what I knew about before." April paused for a moment, hands fading back to normal as they dropped into her lap. "It's good to know there are people that are willing and able to help with powers control here. I've done about all I can do on my own."

"Did you have anyone to help you before you came here?" he asked gently. "In your own dimension?"

"Dad and May helped me, but they've only got the spider powers. The rest was just... guesswork, mainly? Trial and error. We didn't know about the full form... I ah, shifted into it the first time the day I ended up landing here, actually." April looked down, sheepish, and rubbed the back of her neck. "I couldn't figure out how to shift back, and now I can't figure out how to shift more without worrying about getting stuck again."

"But you did shift back", Kurt pointed out. "Did that just happen naturally, or did you find the way?"

"A very statuesque brunette did something red with her hands. Wanda, maybe? I woke up in medical and didn't have access to that part of my powers for a few days after. It is much easier to bring up on demand than before, but only to the extent I was aware of."

"That sounds like Wanda", he agreed. "Perhaps when you are ready, you might speak to one of our telepaths. They can try to help you, if you are comfortable, with establishing how your power works."

"Probably a good idea," April agreed with a smile. "No point in leaving something useful on the table if a few questions or a little bit or mind sharing could help it along."

Kurt nodded. "Precisely. I do not think we have anyone with powers precisely like yours, so it might well help if you allow them to look."

"That would be too convenient, but I'll ask someone about having a peek. Pity mimics aren't real, having one would be pretty handy."

"...well. Not an exact mimic, perhaps, but we do have one or two who come close."

Her eyes widened. "Them too then, especially for tips on getting myself unstuck. I'm sure I'll meet everyone as I'm here longer, but being able to shift myself back if I get stuck again... kinda important. Waking up in medical wasn't fun."

"I can imagine", he said sympathetically. "For mimics, you should probably start with Everett. His power is to mirror other people's powers, while he is near them."

"Damn, that's.. a really interesting thing to be able to do." April was quiet for a moment, mind turning over the help being freely offered. "Thanks for the guidance, Kurt. That gives me a few ideas for a continuing point."

He smiled at her. "Then I think my work here may be done. I do hope you feel welcome here, for as long as you may stay."