poly_chromatic | ♠ first encounter ♠

[ Panic sits heavy in Raven's throat, drips into her heart like the water currently falling from her uniform. She'd had to pull herself from the water immediately, the shock of cold and lack of breath breaking only when the survival instinct had kicked it. But it's not seawater, she knows that much, knows as she sits on the steps of an unfamiliar building and watches the flooded streets with an unfamiliar horror that she is no longer on the beach. Had the teleporter brought her here? And what of her brother, of her friends?

Raven doesn't like feeling lost.

But she found the device easily, sitting awkward against the leather of her uniform. It had taken moments for her to figure out the buttons and now she stares at it. The device barely catches a flicker of blue before it settles on to the image of a blonde girl, a worried crease settling between her eyebrows. She's wearing some sort of uniform, yellow and black leather that hugs her tight and looks like it's made for protection more than anything. But it's maybe a little strange to see a girl who looks so young in something like that. ]

Is this a camera? [ Turning the device in her hands. ] I don't --.

[ She doesn't know what it is or how to use it and all she can think of is the last thing she said to Charles before they came to the beach, before they had to fight. It makes her want to cry but she knows she can't. With an exhale of breath and a disappointed sound, she talks almost to herself. ] Always falling to peices, c'mon.

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[ She could make herself look dry, she could make herself look like a lot of things, but there's no urge to. Not when she's struggling to understand what's going on right now, when she has no idea what's going on.

So she rushes to the tea shop, avoids looking at the builders because she's lived her life in London where they never ever wear pants that fit, finds Charlie easily and approaches with only a low level of caution. ] Hi.

[It's a pandemic, construction workers and ill-fitting pants. Charlie's standing off to the side a bit, focused on a piece of metal one of the builders is working with. It's glowing just a tiny bit, tiny bits of flame dancing around it before the fire simply vanishes at the guys nod.]

That was good? I hope you get your torch fixed, soon. [The guy grins, nods again and heads off as Charlie looks at Raven.]

Hi. Sorry about the mess. We had a bit of a problem a few days ago.

[ All in a rush. ] Are you a mutant?

[ Because there's no other way to explain that situation, no other --. She's half terrified and half thrilled because what else can she be? ]

Uh...I guess that's the term for me, yeah. [Charlie runs her fingers through her hair, smiling a bit sheepishly.] The guys welding torch was broken so...

[A shrug. Any opportunity to show off her ability is a good one.]

I am - [ Voice getting stronger. ] I am too.

[ Because Erik had called her a tiger, he'd shown her she didn't have to be afraid by what she was. And it's easier to admit to it when there's someone else around to bounce it back off.

So she looks to where the attention of the builders are to make sure they aren't watching and then it's the shift of blue over her skin before Charlie is looking at ...

Well, herself. ]

Really? [Charlie grins at Raven...and then stares, wide eyed, at herself. Her hands go over her face but it's not to hide horror. It's because that was the coolest god damn thing she's seen. Ever.]

Okay. Don't hate me? I just thought of at least three people I'd love to prank with that. Which is terrible, I'm sure.

[ It's still new to have people be impressed by her ability, so Charlie's own features smooth into surprise before Raven flickers back to her own blonde, blue-eyed imagery. ]

I've never actually thought about doing that before.

It'd be funny. I'd prank my husband often.

[But...right. Tea. Charlie tilts her head towards the not entirely there interior of the tea-shop. Most of the work is currently going on outside so Charlie's safe to step in, fill a teapot with water and simply hold it. The stove doesn't work, so she's currently heating the teapot her way.]

So, where are you from?

New York by way of all over. [ It's the only way she can really explain where she's from. Raven watches Charlie with her power, a sort of fascination written all over her features. ]

You?

All over the continental United States. I travel a lot. [Mostly due to necessity. The teapot starts whistling loudly and Charlie sets it down on the slightly damaged stove.]

Alright. The tea-list is still visible. Pick one. It's entirely on the house.

[ She looks up at the menu, a smile playing over her lips. ] Earl Grey, if that's okay?

[ Because it reminds her of Charles the most and that's what she needs right now. ]

Early Grey it is. That's my favorite, actually. Mostly because it smells like Froot Loops.

[Charlie sets about getting the tea for Raven, handing it over along with a sugar dish and a plate of brownies.]

♠ first encounter ♠

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