[video]

[modelsixtythree]

[The video flicks on to Natasha standing carefully in the middle of her workshop, as far away from anything as she can get. The reason why is pretty clear, as she is currently on fire. Flames flicker up from her arms and shoulders and around her head, but it doesn't seem to be actually bothering her much if the sardonic look she gives the camera is any indication.]

Turns out that accidentally torching your bed makes for one hell of a wakeup call. Especially if you're the torch.

[She glances down at her burning hands and sighs, then leans in to give the camera and intent look.]

Please tell me it isn't just me, and that there's something weird going on. I really don't want to have to find out what kind of coding error can cause this.

Comments

text;

[a_shadow]

You're the third person, after me and someone else, to post about new abilities today. It's starting to look like some kind of epidemic.

text;

[modelsixtythree]

[It takes a moment before she can dampen the flames enough to be able to text back. Fried electronics do not smell good.]

That's honestly kind of a relief to hear.

text;

[a_shadow]

Kind of. But it also means there's a bunch of us walking around with no idea how to control what we're doing.

text;

[modelsixtythree]

Good point. The learning curve on these kinds of things is brutal.

You too?

text;

[a_shadow]

Mine's more of a mental ability. I can pick up on what people are thinking.

To be honest, I'd really rather not.

text;

[modelsixtythree]

Ouch, I don't blame you. Surprise telepathy is never fun.

text;

[a_shadow]

That's a good way to put it. I don't want to probe into anyone else's business if it's not mine. Especially my boyfriend's.

[modelsixtythree]

Well I've never been a telepath, but I did once wake up with the entire internet in my head. The advice I've usually gotten is to picture a wall or a partition around you and focus on that until you start hearing less.

[a_shadow]

That's pretty much what I've been told, as well. It's definitely what I'm keeping in mind for now.

[modelsixtythree]

I bet. Good luck.

video;

[coercive]

It is not just you.

[Laura looks and sounds pretty miserable about it.]

But I do not know why my power has changed. Do you think it is because of sickness?

video;

[modelsixtythree]

So you had one before, but it's different now? [She does like specifics. But Natasha offers a small half-smile.]

I've heard weirder, but I doubt it. In my experience, an illness would make your power go haywire, not randomly sprout a new one.

[coercive]

[Natasha gets it right without Laura having to elaborate, and she eagerly nods.]

I want my first power back. It is too easy to get hurt with the new one.

[modelsixtythree]

[Invulnerability or healing factor? Hard to tell. She's heard more than enough bitching from her teammates with either ability any time they've lost them. For a kid, it must be a hell of a mind trip.]

You know, I could do without it too. Let's all hope this is some kind of temporary thing. [And not a reality warper messing with them.]