mutantblues | Class 3 - [Voice/Action]

[ Voice; ]

[ Raven starts out the post reading from something rather than speaking casually. ]

"To Homo neanderthalensis, his mutant cousin, Homo sapiens, was an aberration. Peaceful cohabitation if ever it existed, was short-lived. Records show, without exception, that the arrival of the mutated human species in any region was followed by the immediate extinction of their less-evolved kin."

I went to the library for a cookbook and instead I get this. My brother's thesis that he submitted to Oxford to get his doctorate. It's a real boring read but I figure it might be something scientists here might be interested in. It's about genetic mutation in... in humans.

[ Her voice is a bit tight as she trails off for a moment before continuing. ]

Hell, even if you need a something to get you to sleep and not dream about anything it's pretty useful. It's called Theories on Genetic Mutation by Charles Xavier.

[ Action ]

[ After making her post to the network Raven goes on a few errands to keep herself distracted from the tug of homesickness in the pit of her stomach. The reminder that it's been months and she hasn't seen a single face from home. She stops at both the bakery and grocery store to pick up some groceries.

Later on the evening she'll be at HQ, not working for once but sitting at the bar. She isn't in the mood to dance but staying in her apartment alone isn't working for her at the moment. She'll be nursing a few drinks inside before finally giving up and sitting outside. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Raven takes a seat across from her, crossing her legs as she gets herself comfortable and takes in Jean. Pretty, but definitely too young for Charles even in the time she came from. ]

So... you know Charles in the future, as a professor? I guess he really did do something with that doctorate after all.

Oh, very much so. [Straight to it, then.] Though I've not actually taken any-- 'traditional' subjects from him. We have much more specialized private lessons.

[She is lazily stirring her coffee while she says this, before sitting back, casual as anything. It might take someone a beat to notice the coffee is still stirring itself, thanks to Jean's telekinetic powers. It is a small show off, she wants to open the door to this conversational topic, but it can be a sensitive one to just bluntly ask about.]

You said 'in the future'. Which means we must be from different times, then?

[ It took her a minute to take in Jean's display. It's subtle, more subtle than when she and the other recruits showed off their powers at the CIA facility. To Jean's question Raven nods. ] I'm from 1962.

...I'm guessing you're part of his practical applications on mutation then?

I'm not sure if I'd call it 'his'; After all it sort of happens regardless of his involvement. But yes. [She picks up her drink, the spoon stopping stirring as she does, taking a sip. She looks at Raven over the lip of her drink as she does. A perfect spot for her to make admissions of her own, if she so wanted to.]

...When I'm from he's been teaching a few of us how to control things better. [ She doesn't know Jean yet so her appearance stays in place. ] No one like you, though.

Not exactly like me, at least. I should probably tell you, before we get to far that I'm psychic. Like the Professor. That's why he works one-on-one with me so much. I do want to emphasize that I never read minds without permission, though. [No matter HOW tempting it may be.]

Good, because he promised me that he'd never read my mind. [ It had been the one he'd kept no matter what. No peeking into her head when she didn't want to talk about something. Her head was her only private place.

Raven takes a deep breath. Jean had put her cards on the table talking about her powers, she can share that much of herself even without showing off. ] I'm a shapeshifter. I can change forms and even do voices perfectly once I hear them.

Yeah. That's the other thing; I know you from,ah, our time. So when you said your name, I figured. [Oh, is it awkward o'clock, already?]

You've been playing things very close to the vest, and I can understand why. How much of-- the future do you know?

Hardly anything at all, and I'd rather keep it that way. I know that I'm not really... part of Charles' life anymore but everything else is a mystery.

I'd rather focus on who I am instead of who I might become.

That's-- more than fair. Everyone should be given that sort of opportunity.

Which... sort of brings to me to my reason for wanting to meet with you. A lot of people from my time are... not going to have a very positive reaction to you. Not because you're a mutant, but because of some, hm, differing ideologies, among other things.

Yeah, I'm pretty aware of that already. [ She doesn't elaborate but she remembers how Kurt reacted to her real face. ] I'm a freak and apparently I turn into a mean one at some point down the road.

Hey... You're not a freak. [Jean's voice is sympathetic, but firm. A full-body physical mutation is no walk in the park, she's more than sure, but "Freak" is still really harsh.] You're different, but so are most of us. That's why it's important for us to support one another. [Careful, girl, you're slipping into the sale's pitch.]

I don't know you that well, when I'm from. I don't know what happened to you, or... why you do the things you do. But if it's true that you're from the past, then I want to offer you the same support I'd offer anyone. Heck, even if you are from my time, and this is just a ruse to try and start over; Everyone should get a second chance.

Right. Mutant and proud. [ For a moment she puts on a mocking british accent in memory of the girl who came up with the phrase to begin with.

It seemed easy to feel that way when you had an invisible mutation or come from some future where things aren't looking like the end of the world. But where Raven was from it felt like the world would be ending the next day. Most of the time she didn't think Charles even wanted to look at her real face. ]

I'd offer to prove it to you but I have a policy on not letting people into my head.

[Jean's not sure who Raven's imitating, but she has a hard time arguing with the sentiment, so she moves on.] I would never ask-- or snoop. A person's head is a private, important place. And it's important that they feel safe and secure there. I would never risk upsetting that.

I guess what I'm saying is, regardless of when you come from, I am still interested in being your ally, at least. We all need support.

Class 3 - [Voice/Action]

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