[img]https://i.imgur.com/1trNZ24.png[/img]

Before the Conference:

As she and Ja split to check on the other teams, Kassy found herself dragging her fins, not wanting to see Dr. Bingley’s face again. She just couldn’t fathom how a human, even a smart one, could be so well versed in Atlantean politics and culture. He could be a fan of some kind – they had those. Sort of like Zach, most of them were harmless.

This was something different. This was like an obsession. It didn’t quite make sense.

Before she could really think more on it, the sub came into view. She opened the hatch and poked her head in. [color=orange]“Talon, Dr. Bingley, it’s all over. You can come out now.”[/color]

As the doctor grumbled quietly about interruptions to his life’s work and brushed past her, Talon grabbed her arm. His voice was low, but audible. [color=9e0b0f]“There’s something you should know.”[/color]

-
At the Conference: 

Kassy’s mind was reeling. If what Talon had told her was true – and she had no reason to believe otherwise – Dr. Bingley was a very smart, very unhinged man. She felt sick to her stomach as the crowd seemed to lap up his speech. 

And then he opened the case, holding up an innocent looking vial. 

It was already real? This… thing, this genetic curse, it was right there. 

There were about a hundred people in the room, including her teammates. So many people, so much potential for disaster. Yet – suddenly, none of them mattered. She had to stop him, no matter the cost. 

Was this what it meant to be a true hero? Sacrificing everything for the greater good?

Even sacrificing yourself?

[color=orange]“Stop.”[/color]

The samples were being handed out already. No one seemed to hear her.

[color=orange]“I said, STOP!”[/color] Her shout carried clear across the room this time. That did it. Everyone seemed to freeze in place. Two hundred eyes stared her down. She swam toward Bingley and the other researchers, her eyes resolute. 

[color=orange]“I can’t let you do this. I won’t.”[/color]

[color=007236]“What is the [i]meaning[/i] of this?! What are you doing, Miss Mirage?”[/color] Bingley stepped in front of her, his eyes unreadable behind thick glasses. 

[color=orange]“Stopping you. I won’t let those side effects hurt other people, innocent people, those who aren’t even here yet.”[/color]

She was trembling, but carried on. [color=orange]“This isn’t right, Doctor. My people haven’t done anything to deserve this. We aren’t dangerous. Just misunderstood.” [/color]

Bingley frowned, eyebrows furrowing.[color=007236] “Your people? What do you mean, your people? Wait a minute-”[/color] He wasn’t a fool, and quickly caught on to Kassy’s implication.

Kassy smiled, all teeth. [color=orange]“That’s right. I’m the one you’re looking for. Your genetic curse, your controversy.”[/color] She turned, pushing her white hair up from the back of her neck. A little mark lay there, always hidden by her curls. A single eye.

[color=007236]“YOU?! You’re a – a - ”[/color]

[color=orange]“That’s right.”[/color] Kassy spat the words out. [color=orange]“I’m who you want. I won’t let you go through with this.”[/color]

Bingley gaped, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. [color=007236]“I can’t believe it. My perfect test subject, right in front of me.”[/color] He reached for her for a split second, then yanked his hand back. Fear lit in his eyes. [color=007236]“Wait, wait – don’t you dare hurt me.”[/color]

Kassy shook her head, [color=orange]“Dr. Bingley, I am not dangerous. I’m just a person. I never asked for any of this!”[/color]

He wasn’t listening. His voice raised to a panicked pitch. [color=007236]“Guards, you heard what she said! She admits it! You know what she is, what she’s capable of! I demand she be taken into custody!” [/color]

[color=orange]“No, no! I’m not dangerous. Please, just listen-”[/color] Kassy shut her eyes, trying to keep her temper under control. She could feel her fists clenching. But she had to face this.

Bingley laughed, but it was a cruel sound. [color=007236]“I don’t have to listen to you. Guards!” [/color]

[color=f7941d]“Stop it, please!”[/color] Her ears were ringing as she reached for Bingley’s arm. He jerked back from her grip.

[color=007236]“You’re nothing but a sociopath. A menace to society, a dangerous beast. A siren!”[/color]

She had heard this before. How many times had her aunt used these same words? This same excuse, over and over again, to treat her like dirt. How many times would she hear them again? For a moment, she saw the same cold eyes, the same cruel smile. Dr. Bingley and Aunt Kristy could have been twins. All of the calming methods, all of the meditation, all of the times she told herself to endure, none of it mattered. It was never going to change.

Something [b]snapped[/b].

[color=orange][h3][b]“I. AM NOT. DANGEROUS!”[/b] [/h3][/color]

Her scream carried across the conference room. Her irises got darker and darker, their brilliant orange filling into a dark, eerie fathomless black, like the eyes of a shark. Even the water around her seemed to warp, optical illusions twisting the eye of anyone who looked.

She trembled, her whole body taut with rage. Tears started to slide down her cheeks. [h3][color=orange]“Is THIS what you all fucking wanted?!”[/color][/h3]