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Post by gravity on Oct 7, 2010 16:10:59 GMT -5
Violet smiled. There were a lot of militant mutants out there, but she had seen more than her fair share of violence for one lifetime, and was sure she'd eventually see more; Violet felt there were more effective ways of communication. "I think any other application is better than fighting." She let her knees drop and crossed her legs, indian style. She often had a difficult time sitting still, even when she wasn't bored. "What can you do? I mean, you know... what's your mutation?"
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Post by Smiler on Oct 8, 2010 17:45:18 GMT -5
"True," Michael said, "but there's a reason why comic-book heroes have always been in demand." He noticed Violet took a more relaxing pose, and it was probably a good sign, since he'd known people to be uncomfortable around him because of his communicational style. Probably he was not so bad with it, after all. "I'm an empath," he replied. "I can scan and alter people's emotions."
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Post by gravity on Oct 9, 2010 8:16:14 GMT -5
Violet nodded, thinking that comic books were a form of escapism for people who felt they had little control over their environment, but chose not to say as much. "An empath?" she asked, turning the idea over in her head, "I can see how that would be useful, but I can also see how that might be a little daunting sometimes." She couldn't help but think of how wonderful it would feel to be able to make those bastards at Weapon X actually feel remorse for their crimes.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 9, 2010 11:05:57 GMT -5
"I find it too intrusive a thing to consider it useful," Michael said, "even if it has helped me out a few times in my life." However, only one of those time had been a case that his life actually depended on. "As for it being daunting-" he paused, briefly going over his time at the Institute in his mind. "Some people do get nervous. But before now I had been unable to control my scanning of other people's emotional state, and I would read their emotions all the time. I warned everyone, of course, and I suspect it scared some people away, not everyone likes being an open book."
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Post by gravity on Oct 9, 2010 17:16:42 GMT -5
Violet quirked an eyebrow. "Before now? What changed?"
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Post by Smiler on Oct 10, 2010 12:27:30 GMT -5
"I went through a series of training sessions with the Professor," Michael explained. "We put some blocks into my mind to help me control it. I live in emotional silence now."
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Post by gravity on Oct 10, 2010 12:49:51 GMT -5
Once again, Violet gave what Michael said serious thought before responding. "You mean, you can't hear other people's emotions, or you are devoid of emotions yourself?" The concept was kind of frightening to Violet. Emotions were important, the key to art, music, theater... not to mention almost all interpersonal interaction. She didn't want to think of a world in emotional silence.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 10, 2010 13:05:55 GMT -5
"I mean that before, I used to hear people's emotions all the time. I'd sit in my room and perceive emotions from the rooms around mine. I'd go to work and be surrounded by a dozen sources of emotions all the time. It's like hearing constant noises of ever-changing nature." He paused. "And my emotions are an altogether different story."
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Post by gravity on Oct 10, 2010 14:35:37 GMT -5
Violet nodded in partial understanding. What he said made a lot more sense than what she'd imagined. "So, do you have access to your powers at all? You said there were blocks..." she trailed off, not really sure what mind blocks created by the Professor might entail. It sounded kind of scary.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 10, 2010 17:25:40 GMT -5
"I do, yes," Michael nodded. "I can tap into my powers anytime, but it doesn't seep through uncontrollably anymore like it did before." He couldn't perceive Violet's emotions while they were speaking, although he did 'hear' a faint 'background' of her emotional state, and so it was interesting for him to simply observe her non-verbal signs.
As was usual with him, he spoke his thoughts aloud. "I cannot feel your emotions now, but it is interesting for me to watch how you express them non-verbally," he told Violet. "I hope being observed this way doesn't bother you."
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Post by gravity on Oct 10, 2010 17:28:56 GMT -5
Violet smiled again, "No, it doesn't bother me. Not much does, actually." She ran her hand through her hair. "So, what can you gather about my emotions based on these non-verbal cues?"
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Post by Smiler on Oct 10, 2010 17:52:30 GMT -5
"Not a whole lot," Michael admitted. "I've been perceiving pure emotional signals for as long as I can remember having my powers, and learning people's non-verbal behavior gradually stopped being a necessity. But I can tell that you don't feel any tension or discomfort, unlike most people feel when they're first in a conversation with someone new."
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Post by gravity on Oct 11, 2010 12:11:43 GMT -5
Violet was always interested in unique mutant experiences, and this was one she definitely hadn't encountered before. As she thought about what he'd said, her cell phone rang. Violet remembered a time when she had the luxury of ignoring phone calls and being respectful of the person with whom she'd already been talking. She frowned, "I'm really sorry, but I have to answer," she said as she hurriedly got to her feet. She walked a short distance away and answered the call. Even though it was a business call, she answered with a sunny, "Hello?" The call was from Miranda, one of her Weapon X contacts. The conversation was short. She soon returned to where Michael was sitting. "I have to go, work stuff. But it was really nice to meet you."
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Post by Smiler on Oct 11, 2010 12:59:43 GMT -5
"All right," Michael got up to the feet as well, doing it a bit slower than most people did, so as not to put any extra load on his heart. "It was nice to talk to you as well - just as long as it wasn't my observing you that scared you off."
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Post by gravity on Oct 11, 2010 14:28:54 GMT -5
Violet chuckled. "Not at all," she answered, noticing how slowly he stood. "Are you okay?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.
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