driftfleet | may mingle (blameless!)

[don't worry Remy, he isn't going to take your staff yet. It dawns on him, though, that the more visits he gets the more he should actually get chairs in here. It was starting to become just as much a meeting place as it was a lab. He shifts what he was working on over, mostly notes and notebooks full of scribblings, before he hops up on the counter to sit and gestures for Remy to take a seat as well, if he wants]

No, we wouldn't want you losing style points. [he says, eyebrows raised and with a touch of humor in his voice. He considers Remy and the staff for a moment] Well - why don't you tell me about your power first. I know a little bit about it from Charles, but - [he purses his lips] The more you can tell me, the better.

[A glance to the gesture and a shrug of his shoulder, Remy leaned the staff against the end of the counter before moving to take that offered spot as Hank asked him to explain.] Ah, that would had been easier in the last place I was in, had managed to come 'cross notes on the last, ah, doctor I saw. [Although Remy wasn't keen on just showing anyone Sinister's notes on him, not with how that man was, but they did explain them in full detail.]

Well, [He also guessed he should be honest about what happened, considering he and Xavier were planning to strap a device to him. Wouldn't want for it to go wrong because Remy held back information.] Ah, guessin' Xavier passed on the basics, kinetic charger through skin contact. 'm able to charge both organic 'nd non organic material.

Thing be, [Remy raised a hand to scratch at the back of his head, trying to push back the level of discomfort over talking about something like this. He was just hoping this Hank had the same good intent as the one from his world, that this information wouldn't be used against him.] The reason I be havin' issues of late be actually by design. When my mutation first started to show it was out of control, chargin' when I didn' want to, wouldn't work when I needed it. I was buzzin' with so much energy that felt like 'ny moment I would turn 'nto a bomb and explode. So, [A heavy sigh as he forced the rest of the information out.] I found a, guess could call him a doctor, to help me with that.

He put a limiter on my energy levels via surgery, but the last place I was stuck in with a bunch of different alien kidnappers would throw us 'nto battle with their enemies from time to time. Decided it was better to have the limiter taken off, for... reasons. [Yeah, no reason to go into that, to go into those memories of death and killing just to survive.]

[as soon as Remy mentions a "doctor", he already knows he isn't going to like what he hears. And as he explains Hank remains quiet, absorbing every word and putting it to memory.

And of course - that last part, about being elsewhere. Hank files that away separately, for a later conversation. He knew what it was like to be elsewhere and forced to fight, but his powers had been limited or taken away completely. When the other mutant finishes he blows out a breath. This was not going to be easy - it never was when it came to mutants, really. Okay, let's start with the less sensitive of all of that - and the most important part]

If it's - by design, like you said - has it always been like that, or is it a recent development? [he purses his lips, fingers tapping against the counter in thought] Either way I can see if the cause is on a genetic level.

How are you getting rid of excess energy now? And - I'm assuming you're able to tell when it starts to - get out of hand?

Ah merde, how long have I been here now? [It was so easy to lose track sometimes.] Been over half a year, was a couple of months before I left Luceti 'nd got dumped in this place. M'self and a fellow mutant, Jean Grey, we came up with some ideas to help me deal with the increase in energy I was gettin', though we were also in a place that dampened our powers by 'bout half. This place was the real first chance I had at feeling them at full strength.

[Searching through his coat to pull out his last deck of cards, Remy started shuffling them between his hands, needing something to keep him occupied physically so he didn't go poking around at what Hank had around the room.] Mostly I got an energy shield up 'round me all times 'm awake. It helps drain it off and put it to use. [Remy paused in his shuffling to raise one hand, concentrating on it for a moment before a spark of pinkish energy snapped at his finger tips, very similar to that of static electricity. Giving a shake of his hand afterwards, Remy returned to his cards.]

My main concern ain't handlin' it that way, it's the fact it ain't stoppin'. I just keep gettin' more energy. I thought I would hit an upper limit by now but... [He shrugged a shoulder as he let the sentence trail off.] For the most I haven't come up against a situation where it starts to get out of hand, as ya put it. Trust me, had a friend test it. [Remy grumbled a little at that memory of Rogue stabbing herself in the hand and freaking him the hell out in the process.]

[Jean was a familiar name, part of a short list Logan had given Charles the last time they'd been on the plane. At the mention of the other place Hank can't help but briefly make a face] That seems to be a common theme with those sort of places - dampening powers.

[he certainly wouldn't mind if Remy went poking around, but he has to pause and blink at the cards for a moment, and then at the demonstration of the shield. Both eyebrows shoot up in surprise] Ah - [don't say it's amazing, Hank, this is serious] - that's - er, clever. [nailed it]

But that's - good, that the situation hasn't come up. [it meant that he didn't have to consider anything a little more drastic, and that's a relief] Ideally, we'd want to find out why you haven't hit a limit yet, though - that's why I mentioned looking a little more closely. Finding the cause and then finding a way to - control it, if it's possible.

[Remy raised a brow at Hank's stumble over words but didn't react bar a touch of a smile, not mentioning it. Maybe it was good to avoid 'amazing', not due to the seriousness of it all, as Remy was more than ready to joke about a situation to try and alleviate some of the tension, but because it would only feed his ego.] Seems to be doin' the job for now.

[Yet the idea of Hank going poking around in his genes did bring back less than happy memories, making Remy push through them to keep himself from just up and leaving. He wasn't Sinister, this was Hank McCoy, Beast. Different universes or not the man seemed decent and Remy had seen what a version of him had turned into. If he grew to be half the man as the one from his universe he was sure he was in safe hands.] Ya mean takin' a look at my DNA? Ya got the tools to do that here?

[oh if you need ego-feeding, you've come to the right place. A shame the situation is as serious as it is, though he'll certainly slip sooner or later. He was always impressed with other people's powers; especially considering that up until recently, neither he or Charles had spoken to many mutants.

But he watches Remy closely for a moment; he wasn't sure which Hank he may have known, the former high school teacher or the evil scientist, and if he's wary - well, Hank can't blame him. He isn't bothered by it - honestly, he'd be wary, too] I've been managing so far. [a faint smile] But it's up to you if you want me to. Or Charles can do it - we're both geneticists.

[Remy's cards stilled between his hands for a moment as he considered his options and found, well, them lacking. And he was always one to jump in with both feet. why bother doing something only half way?

Remy gave a shrug of his shoulder at Hank's comment as he resumed shuffling.] Honestly, don't worry me. Didn't actually know Xavier worked on the practical side of it, had assumed was more ya thing than his. Guessin' either way will be in good hands, ya both seem trust worthy 'nough as it be, 'nd even if ya ain't, what ya really goin' to do out here? Don' think there would be much of a call for people wantin' explosive powers 'round here, hein?

He doesn't, normally. I'm the practical side, he's the educational side. But he knows his way around a lab, too. [it's why he's never bothered to explain the differences, how he was the scientist and Charles was the professor. They both studied genetics and walked away with degrees - so, they were both geneticists. Details were unimportant]

I'm glad you find us trustworthy, though. [and that comes out a little more gently and more genuine. With evil Hanks in other worlds, he wasn't sure what to expect when it came to other mutants] And we'll find a way to help you out. [dryly] If anyone's calling for explosive powers, I'd hang up on them. Especially out here.

Well ya, or ya other self, ain't put me wrong so far. Then again I also didn't really have much run ins with him, we were kinda on opposite sides. But I got a good friend who puts her trust in him 'nd I trust her, so can't be that bad. [Remy shot a smile in Hank's direction with that, having similar situations with people who knew other versions of him.] 'nd worse case I don't think there be much ya two can do to me that I haven't already had done... short of Xavier usin' his powers in ways I pretty sure he wouldn't.

I wouldn't do anything to you without your permission anyway. [and even then that's limited. He doesn't like the idea of anything that could constitute experimenting on other people, even moreso now that he's heard of his evil version. He doesn't even experiment on himself anymore - hasn't in years.

He huffs, the sound oddly bittersweet] He wouldn't. [because he hasn't been using them lately, but Hank won't say that] He's pretty conservative about it. [what an understatement]

Wait - opposite sides?

[Ah, yeah, should clear that up. Chuckling lightly as Remy glanced down at his shuffling hands for a moment, Remy turned his head enough to cast a smile in Hank's direction.] What ya got in front of ya be one of Magneto's ex-goons for hire. I use to work for him 'nd had come up 'gainst the X-Men a couple of times in the field.

[there's no change in tension with that little reveal - he was more than familiar now with other versions of them having lead different lives, and he was more than familiar with how Erik was viewed in other worlds. It was almost amusing sometimes]

One of Magneto's goons, huh. [despite the expression, he even sounds a bit amused] Every time I hear that code name I want to roll my eyes. It's so dumb.

[taking Magneto seriously since 1962 right here]

Well, I always preferred the nickname a teammate 'nd I came up with for him; Buckethead. Seemed more fittin' at times. [Yeah, Remy didn't have much respect for his ex-boss.]

That's not a bad one. The one I know isn't much of a Buckethead, though. Not anymore.

Sounds like ya ain't at odds with him either. Part of a universe where he be more an ally than an enemy? [There was another option in there.] Or have ya'll been through this whole thing more than once?

[It only felt fair that Remy offer his own story due to him asking such a question.] This be my second run in with aliens, though first with makin' us stars. Last place was a town under a giant dome, used us for experiments. Weird stuff, food 'nd drink that changed emotions, gender 'nd age changin', rewriting memories for a short time. [And as a mutant the word 'experiment' was a negative one for the most.]

A bit of both. [they've been at odds with Erik before, but he isn't mentioning that] Erik is a friend, and we've done this before.

[. . . ugh experiments. The worst word for a mutant] The other place I was in took our memories and we had to compete to win them back. All of that - weirdness, gender switching and age regression is unfortunately familiar to me.

[That sounded... well part of that sounded a little nice.] Guessin' ya couldn't pick 'nd choose which ones ya got back, hein? [Wouldn't that just be the way? Then again Remy would hate to fall back into the ignorance of previous parts of his life, not knowing the bad that had happened in case he repeated it. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea.]

[oh Remy, don't think that way, it's dangerous.

He shakes his head] Our abilities were taken, too, so if we weren't getting a memory back, it was some sort of - skill or piece of knowledge, or - part of a mutation. I don't know about the others, but all of my abilities came in pieces. [a bit wryly] It was always a surprise, regardless.

[Remy let out a low whistle at that information.] That part sounds tough, gettin' them back suddenly. Know a few who might actually like losin' their powers, but not sure if that a good trade off.

[A shake of his head pushed those thoughts away, as if brushing them away.] Then again, don't matter now since we all stuck here, hein?

[there's a bit of hesitation on his face for a moment] . . . one of the last things I did there was give up my mutation during one of those games. Temporarily, of course, but - [he huffs out a weak noise] I thought I'd be fine with it. I wasn't.

But mm, it doesn't matter. It's all in the past.

[There was a bit of a pause on Remy's side with that information, gaze focused on his cards to give Hank that moment of confession. He got that, he wouldn't do it now days, but he got that. The want to just throw that extra gene away that caused all of this mess, that made him different from others, that didn't always have control or couldn't always be hidden.

But also glad that it had been part of Hank enough that he had missed it. For all his troubles earlier in life, Remy loved his powers. They were so useful, they were fun, even if they could be dangerous. He couldn't imagine his life without them, as much as he hated them when they first showed up, as much as he had hated the attention his eyes had gotten.]

Make bein' tv stars feel a little mundane, non?

[Hank wouldn't do it nowadays, either. At the time it had been to keep him and his adopted little sister alive, and after it had felt as if he'd lost a part of himself. It had lasted only a few days, but he doubts he could put into words just how wrong he felt the entire time. It had been one of those moments that made him realize just how important his mutation was to him, and he'd had to lose it to really understand.

He can't help but make a wry noise at what Remy says, though, and even rolls his eyes]

A little bit, yeah. At least here I don't see the audience reactions.

[he was on television back home too, but for an altogether different reason]

Ah, haven't been luckily 'nough to be gifted with a sponsor shipment yet? It seems to be the only real feed back we get from 'ny of this, other than the random changes in money we get, 'nd who knows for what reason those happen. Then again, some of the shipments have been weird for others, but found it does help to give a call out 'nd never know, might get something ya need.

I ended up with a bunch of gum not too long ago, [Which he was still working through and typically carried a couple of packets around in his coat to give to people so it could be used up.] Had given a call out for it months back while I was tryin' to quit smokin'. Did the job, if ya didn't mind random flavors.

I've only been gifted a lot of credits the past couple of weeks. The audience likes their drama. [and boy had there been plenty of that. And he wasn't going to let himself consider that maybe he and Raven's relationship had a played a huge part in it, too. Because that meant acknowledging that they were watching]

One of my crewmates likes to yell at the audience, but I'll keep that in mind. [Cisco, tempting their fate] I didn't know they sent - uh, shipments, though.

may mingle (blameless!)

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