you can't hide

She finally got off work, almost on time, and made her way to the door where she saw them. "Huh, you're still here," she said, honestly thinking the other wouldn't fulfill their promise to her. "Awesome, though!" she said as she clapped her hands together, "let's go!"

“Shouldn’t I be? You said to wait, so I waited!” Kei points to themself, momentarily confused. “I wouldn’t ghost ya! Especially not after you got me some fun little trinkets!” They grinned from ear to ear as they made their way to their destination.

Kei didn’t really know what to expect but the grin spread across their face was a telltale sign of what was to come. How exciting! There was definitely fear afoot, and their skin shivers in delight at the prospect of a victim to “experiment” on. “Should be a piece of cake then, yeah?” They respond enthusiastically, though not entirely sure exactly how to go about jumping into someone’s psyche. Maybe it’ll come naturally?

"a lot of people," he admits, frowning. "i think being strong is part of the problem. i think i make them scared instead of making them feel safe." but not... everyone. there are people he's met, even people who look and seem perfectly ordinary, that do more than just tolerate his presence. even so, that's not what he's asking. fins scratches below his gills, trying to find the right words. that's always his biggest problem. words. the right ones. all of it. "but, um... i mean... do you think someone could... more than like me?"

“Well, a lot of people are stupid!” It’s a childish way to go about things but sometimes it really is just simple as that. His sudden reluctance doesn’t go unnoticed, and as he spoke again it’s clear to them where his worries lie. Kei crosses their arms, brows furrowed in concentration. “Like… Like like you? I wouldn’t be surprised if someone already does. You’re thoughtful and sweet.” They shrugged. “I dunno much about all this mushy gushy stuff but it’s not as impossible as you’d think!”

She laughed as they seemed completely caught off guard by her reaction, Mavi amused by the whole thing. "Thanks, I try," she quipped with a wink before thinking for a moment. "Yeah, I don't see why not, wait outside the hospital and I'll meet you there okay?"

“Roger, roger.” Kei gave a quick salute before heading on their merry way, making sure to flash a smile at every passing hospital employee in sight. And they wonder why people are so unsettled by them. As soon as they were out the door, they lingered somewhat near the entrance, bouncing lightly on their heels as they waited.

“Too easy? I barely got a buzz going.” They feigned offense, “My god, Billie. Are you askin’ me out on a date?” The playfulness in their tone rises, even going so far as to bat their lashes at her. “Yes, by the way. I’ll even dress up for ya. Only the best pair of sweatpants I own.” They flashed her another grin. Truthfully, Kei isn’t even really the flirty type, given that they’re more widely feared than anything—but that’s not really something they should bring up right now. If anything, they’re pretty surprised that Billie’s been as receptive as she is. Maybe they finally fit someone’s very very very niche type. That, or she’s only interested because she hasn’t actually seen what they’re capable of yet.

"okay," he says, chuckling a little. "i'll ask her when i see her again if i can bring you along next time." he doesn't mention this time that he thinks it would be painful if she could... after all, xio said it wasn't. if her skin was supposed to come off, surely it would work similarly. but he assumes again, much like he would anyone, that it's not supposed to come off. otherwise why would if be there to begin with? happy to agree to his promise—he's never broken a promise, not once—his grin fades into a more subdued smile. "well... um..." trailing off, he brings his hands together to wring against his chest. "do you think anyone could ever... like me?"

They’re not all too sure where this is going but they couldn’t have possibly expected this kind of conversation. Of course, like with all things, Kei answers rather bluntly. “Who wouldn’t like you? You’re great!” She admits, “I mean, I haven’t known you for that long but you’re probably the nicest guy I know.” Ironic considering they’ve lived in the city for years and years and don’t even know that many people but they don’t really mention that part. "And, you're strong!" She adds rather enthusiastically, "People would feel safe around you."

"Oi! That'll be the fun part." Ihsan knew he could teach them how to unlock their full potential... he just didn't know how -- however, for better or for worse, he had enough unearned confidence to speak as though there was no way he wouldn't be able to figure it out! If only he had not innately learned his own full potential... "Show you, ey? 'Right then." With a completely unnecessary snap of his fingers, the arena -- or whatever they wanted to call it -- disappeared, replaced by a black abyss. "Welcome to your mind, Kei." A door appeared, labeled '[WHATEVER YEAR THE SOLDIERS INVADED KEI'S HOME]'. If Ihsan were in his true form, he wouldn't have to touch the door... but outside of it, he rested a hand on top. "If I wanted to -- and it's pretty fucking tempting -- I could turn your mindscape from this void into what's behind this door. Soldiers and militia and all that good shit!" It really was taking all of his restraint to not do it... but he had a feeling they would trust him more if he did not make them relive one of their lesser memories ( though he was certain there were some even worse ones in one of those doors... ). "You can fucking enter people's minds and turn their reality into the worst thing they've ever fucking experienced, my friend! Doesn't that sound a little more fun than just continuously turning into whatever their deepest fear is?"

if he could blush, fins would certainly be blushing now. you two must be really close. is it so wrong that he's been tempted to think the same thing? and yet, she had seemed so casual about the affair—like she would have asked anyone if they were nearby enough. it doesn't feel that way to him. it had felt much more intimate, in ways that he had never considered before but were deeply ingrained all the same. he's shyer now, he's noticed, in her presence. and there's a flutter of that shyness now just speaking about it, a ghost. "yeah... we're good friends, i think. maybe i can introduce you. if you want." just as he's about to respond, she reaches into his mouth. it doesn't surprise him like it has before, but he politely waits until she's got her fingers free before he tries—just because she can take it doesn't mean he wants to sever her fingertips. "thank you. and i won't! i promise!" he giggles, gills rippling, as he thinks about it. "i know you would just be able to tell, and then it wouldn't be fun." and it's nice when he doesn't have to worry about his opponent's well-being. he's not necessarily supposed to... but he always does. he doesn't like to hurt anyone. the can of soda is an easy distraction. this time, fins catches it in his mouth. it bursts the same way the last few have, but this time a little bit spills out from his gills. he brings hand up, chuckling apologetically. "sometimes i swallow too fast," he says, and then continues; "can i ask you something?"

"Honestly I can't speak about anyone else but I've always wanted to treat you," she admitted, being completely truthful right now. She had always wanted to help them whenever she saw them come in, mainly out of curiosity on why she seemed to get hurt all the time and how she healed so well afterwards. "In like 15 minutes, actually," she laughed

“For real?” Kei echoed, completely caught off guard. She was convinced the rest of the hospital staff had some sort of unspoken dislike of her – with all the complicated medical procedures and her unsettling demeanor and whatnot. Most people do. “Ha! You’re strange. I like that.” She responded with enthusiasm. “Well, if you don’t have anything else to do today I’d be happy to get you a drink, yeah?”

She knew of Kei, having seen her at the hospital a plethora of times whether it be from a gunshot wound to a rather nasty cut. And she had always wanted to be the one to help them but had yet to get the chance - that was, until, today. Watching as the doctor took out the last bullet, Mavi had to hold herself back from laughing as they asked their question. It was a good one and Mavi managed to trade the tray holding the bullets for a clean one, hiding it until the doctor left and cleaning it off in the sink. "You owe me," she said as she dumped them in a bag and handed it to her. "A drink works wonderfully for payment"

She grinned from ear-to-ear as she retrieved the bag, quickly pocketing it to avoid further suspicion. “Fuck yes,” She whispered triumphantly, already thinking of different ways to display them. Maybe submerged in a decorative glass bottle? She would need to think about it more. It would be boring to just have them all sink at the bottom. “Thank you. I assumed the rest of y’all aren’t too pleased when I get hauled in here,” Kei admitted sheepishly, knowing her abilities aren’t quite the easiest to deal with. It was a fucking racket the last time they had someone helping out that was afraid of her. Suffice to say that didn’t go too smoothly. "What time you get off work?"

"I can help you reach your full potential." Well, maybe not their full potential -- he wasn't them! he didn't know what they were capable of! -- but he could certainly help them do everything he could do ( save for the parts that were reserved for that Cthulhu motherfucker who lived within him ). What was in it for him? Widening his arms, he responded, "What can I say? I've been feeling charitable!" A beat. "And I think watching you cause more damage would be way more fucking fun."

“And how do you plan on doing that?” That was her biggest question. Truthfully, she had already made up her mind – she was going to hear him out. She had been doing so good so far, not putting anybody else in danger and not causing any trouble (at least not on purpose!) Surely, she deserves to let loose sometimes? What about all the other mutants who could do as they pleased without being condemned because of it? Kei could do very little about impulse control now. “Show me.” Kei taunted. If this was a hoax, then so be it. Worst case scenario she’ll get a good rush out of fighting him.