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Post by AriadneArca on Sept 16, 2014 13:45:20 GMT
Siddesh walked a little way from the car, surveying the landscape around him, noting the grasses and bushes that were growing closest to the car, reaching out mentally to establish a connection with them, feeling their potential to sprout, to grow, to bind.
He felt that heightened alertness that usually came before action. Not quite nervousness. Anticipation.
"Mr Ward," he began, turning towards the other man. "Before we reach the school, I must ask. Are you a mutant? If so, what are your powers?"
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Post by Maniette on Sept 16, 2014 13:54:26 GMT
His hands came up before he could stop them, flinching as though expecting an attack. He caught himself too late, returning one hand to his pocket and making the other run through his fringe. He would have stepped back but he was already against the car; instead he glanced sideways immediately, every bit of him tensed and ready to move. He couldn't even maintain eye contact with Singh, instead glancing down and away, mind racing as he eyed off potential escape paths.
"I-I-- I don't know--" he managed to stammer out, before taking a breath and saying, only fractionally calmer, "No-- I'm not a mutant."
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Post by AriadneArca on Sept 16, 2014 23:02:04 GMT
He's definitely a mutant. And he hadn't taken the question well. Siddesh resisted the urge to step forward, but he did check his connection with the grasses nearest to Nate.
"Son, it's all right. You can be honest with me."
Son? I'm turning into an old man.
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Post by Maniette on Sept 17, 2014 6:23:59 GMT
He'd heard that enough times to not ever want to be honest again. But he'd always been a terrible liar.
He put his other hand in his pocket, spared Singh a fleeting glance, then stared fixedly at the ground in silence.
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Post by AriadneArca on Sept 17, 2014 12:38:39 GMT
Siddesh sighed, and then considered his options. Nathan was definitely a mutant, but that wasn't to say he'd respond well to the news of the school's true nature, especially if he had internalised mutophobia. Still, Siddesh could probably risk revealing himself, at the very least. It's not like I can't look after myself if he turns out to be dangerous.
"Look," he said, "would it put you at ease if I said I was a mutant too? I can demonstrate, if you'd like."
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Post by Maniette on Sept 17, 2014 12:59:23 GMT
Nathan's defences visibly lowered as he looked up again, something almost like shock on his face, but it disappeared almost immediately to be covered again by anxiety, this time coloured with blatant wariness. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn here; he'd so rarely met other mutants, not that he was aware of, and them offering to show him their abilities was unheard of.
He glanced away uncertainly again. He was good at making his armour; if Singh went on the offensive after all Nathan was fairly certain he'd be able to cover himself in time. He shifted his foot slightly, just in case, making sure he could still feel the gravel amongst the grass. Then he looked up again, and gave a single light nod. "Alright."
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Post by AriadneArca on Sept 17, 2014 21:58:49 GMT
Siddesh took a deep breath, and lowered his right hand, holding his palm parallel to the ground, being careful to shield his actions from passing traffic with his body. He mentally reached out to the grass below him, and lifted his hand - and as he did, it sprouted all at once, launching into the air, going from knee-height to chest-height in a matter of seconds.
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Post by Maniette on Sept 18, 2014 9:04:25 GMT
Well that was certainly surprising. Nathan had seen precious few other mutants before, let alone one with such great power, to have grown the grass so fast. And it dawned on him then that the same courtesy was being expected of him. It was only fair, the remaining rational part of his brain pointed out, not quite drowned out by the permanent panic.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm as he looked at Singh again, doing his best to keep his eyes focused on the older man.
Metal had never come easily to him, but stone did. He ground his left foot firmly against the stones beneath and let second nature take over to guide the flecked stone over his boot and up his leg, partway up his thigh in seconds. He made stone blossom in his fist and grew it at the same time, bracing his shoulder and flexing his fingers when it reached his elbow and pointedly bending his joints when it stopped just shy of his shoulder.
Nathan swallowed dryly. "I - I can make armour out of stone."
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Post by AriadneArca on Sept 18, 2014 12:57:24 GMT
Impressive. Siddesh nodded slowly. "I think I understand why we've recruited you. Let's get back in the car. I have a lot to tell you about the School, and I'd rather not do it in the open."
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Post by Maniette on Sept 18, 2014 13:27:51 GMT
"N-no, of course. Let's go."
Nathan sighed silently in relief, feeling a great weight lift off his mind as he removed the stone armour. It was incredible to him, not having to actively worry about his powers for once. This was amazing. He climbed back in the car, already far more relaxed than when he had left it mere minutes ago.
Maybe coming here was a good idea...
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