[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/627389932335529985/643301088086327297/image0.jpg?width=375&height=375[/img] [h1]&[/h1] [img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/627389932335529985/643301013327183901/image0.jpg?width=375&height=375[/img] [i]Written in collaboration with [@EnterTheHero][/i][/center] Marcus sighed, rubbing his temples. His “hopes,” if he could call it that, of no one else being affected were probably dashed at this point, because he could feel it. A lot of it. It was faint, nowhere near the sense he’d gotten while he and Scott had been talking, but it was the same kind of buzzing in his brain. And it was getting stronger as he wandered through the crowd. He’d like to think it was just population density, but… somehow he knew better. [color=crimson][i]So much for being the only ones. At least none of them are making idiots of themselves. Yet.[/i][/color] Now he just had to find them. And then… do what? Marcus stopped suddenly, as the thought occurred to him. What exactly was he doing here, anyway? Sure, he could find more people like him and Scott, but what then? What was his recruitment pitch? He didn’t even know what to do with his own powers, was he gonna dictate that to someone else? He sighed, frustrated with himself. He really should have talked more with Scott about this, rather than flying blind. He moved a bit, trying to avoid jostling any of the other patrons-- [b][i]TWANG.[/i][/b] Marcus stumbled as the resonance in his head suddenly intensified- not a lot, but enough- as he tried to edge around a woman and her… grandmother? Who seemed to be mourning. His stumble cost him, as he accidentally bumped the woman before he regained his balance. An uncomfortable throbbed pulsed through her head, bringing her wandering thoughts back to reality. Before she could fully regain her senses, someone bumped into her and were it not for her newfound dexterity, she would have fallen. Her her snapped around and with it a furious glare. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Hey, watch-”[/color] Her face was a mix of confusion and anger, as the throbbing in her head only got worse. A fine and narrow tension stretched between them like a taught string. Both strange and familiar, Nalini felt an echo of herself looking back at her Marcus winced as well, the throb suddenly intensifying further as he locked eyes with the angry woman. An understanding seemed to form, same as when it happened with Scott, and the pain diminished. Just like last time, but more intrusive. He let out a shaky breath, wondering what the hell had just happened. [color=crimson][i]I hope this isn’t what happens every time. Especially where Scott’s concerned. He seems more sensitive than I am.[/i][/color] Realizing he still probably looked like an ass, he straightened up. [color=crimson]”Sorry, my bad. I didn’t mean to, just… something happened. Sorry.”[/color] He probably should move away, but… he couldn’t. Something kept him rooted. He needed to know if what he felt meant what he thought it did. Elaine eyed the stranger suspiciously at first, until she read Nalini’s expression. [Color=#ffc6c6]“Do you two… know each other by chance?”[/color] Nalini’s own thoughts came to a screeching halt as she tried to grapple with this bizarre, new feeling. The ESU logo on his hoodie caught her attention, and for the briefest of moments, recognition flashed in her eyes. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Yes, he’s one of my classmates.”[/color] She said without hesitation. [Color=#dcd0ff]“And we…. need to talk.”[/color] She smiled apologetically towards the old woman. [Color=#dcd0ff]“It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Elaine, but please excuse us.”[/color] Nalini hooked her arm around Marcus’s before he could reply. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Let’s go.”[/color] She demanded politely. Marcus was startled by the forcefulness of the woman, but simply nodded. [color=crimson]”O… okay. Sure. Lead the way.”[/color] Nalini’s face betrayed no emotion as she wore solemn expression and spoke with quiet determination. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Who are you? What just happened. Start talking.”[/color] Marcus was silent for only a moment, before he complied. [color=crimson]”...’Classmate,’ huh? Then you were at ESU that day, too, hm? Let me guess- you wished you were dead for a few days, then you started to get better. Like, [i]really[/i] better. Maybe you were stronger. Or faster. Or more graceful. Maybe weird stuff started happening after that--?”[/color] [Color=#dcd0ff]“I get cravings to drink battery acid now, if that’s what you mean.”[/color] She interrupted. He nodded. [color=crimson]”Yeah. Stuff like that. Only… I don’t have those same cravings. Guess I was right- we don’t all have the same… gifts.”[/color] Nalini wrinkled her nose derisively and laughed with disgust. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Gift? These gloves aren’t for show! You would be on the ground foaming at the mouth if I took them off. I don’t consider them a gift.”[/color] [color=crimson]”Maybe. Maybe not. Go easy on me, I couldn’t think of a better word for it. Powers? Mutations? Take your pick. They’re complicated and messy and one of them is that power chord that played in our heads. Like a warning siren if something bad is about to happen. Or if you meet someone who breathed in the same toxic mojo as you. And who got the same weirdness from it as you did.”[/color] [Color=#dcd0ff]“So I get migraines now when someone else with weird powers shows up?”[/color] She let out a defeated sigh. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Great… How many others like us are there?”[/color] He shrugged. [color=crimson]”No clue. That’s what I came here to find out. I know of only me, my friend Scott, who apparently had freaky stuff going on before the gas attack, and now you. But there are others here, I can tell. Maybe you can too. Like a note, resonating in your head. Just at the back. You can’t notice it unless you pay attention to it, but when you do… you get it?”[/color] Nalini was quiet for a long moment, her expression was inscrutable as her thoughts raced. Should she trust him? All the things he said so far made sense in a weird way. Most of his explanations rang true with recent experiences. [Color=#dcd0ff]“Alright, let’s say I believe you. Let’s say a bunch of people are now walking around New York with brand new powers. Fine, whatever. The only thing I want to know is how I can get rid of them, or turn them off. [i]Something[/i]. Any leads on that?”[/color] [color=crimson]”No.”[/color] His response is blunt. Sad. Like he knows it’s not the answer she wants. Or maybe it’s not the answer she wants. [color=crimson]”I’m gonna level with you: I don’t really want these powers, either. They made some things convenient, sure. But with how high-strung everyone is right now? With someone willing and able to gas a fucking college and get away with it? The last thing I want right now is to be in the thick of all of this. And I only just found out about the powers thing two days ago when my best friend stuck himself to my ceiling." “I’m just trying to find more of us because, well… I think we kinda need that right now. Someone to talk to, or vent. Because I’m going out of my mind, even with Scott in my life. I can’t imagine not having anyone to talk to about this bullshit.”[/color] [Color=#dcd0ff]“I’ve been talking to my airheaded brother for that.”[/color] She blurted without realizing. He nodded. [color=crimson]”Okay, good… that’s… good.”[/color] He sighed, scratching the back of his head. [color=crimson]”I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what made me think this was a good idea.”[/color] Nalini studied him intently, watching him fidget. [Color=#dcd0ff]“You’re an airhead too, aren’t you?”[/color] She sighed, let go of his arm and drew in a long, breath of fresh air. [Color=#dcd0ff]“It’s not like anyone would know what to do in this situation, right? There’s no right or wrong answer. There’s just... here, [i]now[/i]... So don’t blame yourself for trying.”[/color] Marcus tapped a finger against his head as he mulled over Nalini’s words. [color=crimson]”I guess not.”[/color] He turned to glare at her, but in a… clearly joking sort of manner. [color=crimson]”...I resent being called an airhead, though.”[/color] [Color=#dcd0ff]“What can I say? The truth hurts sometimes.”[/color] Nalini said with a devilish grin. [Color=#dcd0ff]“I’m Nalini by the way.”[/color] [color=crimson]”Nice to meet you, Nalini. I’m Marcus.”[/color] He contemplated holding a hand out for a handshake, but… given what she’d told him, that might be a tad insensitive.