driftfleet | (no subject)

Well, I can read minds. My sister can change shape. These abilities can be almost anything.

[Mind reading.

That's telepathy, which is similar-but-not-the-same-as-though-sometimes-it-is mind control. She doesn't come across other people who have mind powers very often so it's always... well, not exciting. Nerve wracking?

She is entirely casual on the outside, appearing to be little more than curious at this whole mutant business.]

What can she change into? And can you read any mind?

[She does not actually give two shits about his sister.]

[ Ah. He's used to this train of thought, though he remains polite about it. ]

So far. I can't read the minds of non-biological creatures - like robots or machines, for example. Animals are trickier, though I've never fully tried.

[ It'd be too much to read both humans and animals. Humans alone were enough. ]

Raven can turn into any person she likes.

It sounds like there's a logic behind it.

[Which is nice, she supposes. Fairy Tales don't always abide by logic.]

Can you do more than read them, or is that your limit?

[ He raises an eyebrow. ]

I can. Though I don't do that without permission or unless I need to defend myself.

Goodness. You're very upfront about it.

[Seriously. Hearing someone straight up say they can control minds like that has her both incredibly wary and impressed. She tries to keep her ability a complete secret.]

You'd think being that honest would cause a lot of trouble.

It does and it always will. So I might as well be honest about it.

[ Keeping it a secret would backfire on him anyway. ]

I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

[The worst way, in her opinion.]

Have you had any trouble here?

[ He shakes his head, brow furrowing. ]

Not that I know of. The Fleet has been rather accommodating.

And you would know.... [Telepathy and all that, hah. But really, it's good to hear that, though it isn't enough to persuade her to change her stance on her own mind control.]

That must mean you haven't had to use it here, hmm?

I wouldn't. I don't read minds without permission. But I'll trust the people here.

[ And he does. He's comfortable with the Fleet, with its people. ]

Not in a negative context. I have used my powers to help others.

[Alright, that gets a chirpy, barky laugh out of her.]

Help? How on earth can that help??

[ Charles folds his hands on his lap. ]

I can take away pain. Ease terrible memories. Help others learn control of their powers. Recover thoughts and memories that might have been lost.

[She stops and just kinda... looks over at him for a few moments in silence.]

Oh. That is useful.

[Shit, can she even do that kind of thing? She's never actually tried. ~~Unsurprisingly she is a terrible person.~~]

[ Casually. ]

I have a lot of capabilities when it comes to the mind.

[She can't decide whether she should be incredibly cautious of him or jealous that he's comfortable being so open. Geez.]

It sounds like you do. Isn't that lucky?

[ He blinks. ]

Why lucky?

You're very powerful. Having a lot of power is always helpful, even if you don't use it often.

Maybe. But I never wanted to be powerful.

Do you want to be a normal human, then?

[ Charles shakes his head, bemused. ]

Being a mutant is a part of my identity. That being said, I wouldn't mind being a less powerful mutant.

Why?

[She can think of several very good answers to that question.]

Power isn't worth the loneliness.

[Maybe. She's learned recently it might be possible to have power and not be lonely, though it did take her hundreds of years to find that.]

You know, being honest to the point of vulnerability isn't all good.

[ His lips twitch. ]

Do you really think I'm vulnerable?