S h o c k i n g

Charlotte Charlie Hopkins. 17. Intern at Elysium. First in her class. Scientific genius. Daddy's girl. Mutant; Electrokinetic. "I sing the body electric, The armies of those I love engirth me and I engirth them, They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them, And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the soul."

[canvassedskin-blog]

"Stunning. I can’t take my eyes off you."

[thechargeofthesoul]

"Oh, crap. Sorry. I'm being stupid. More so by the second, it'd seem."

[thechargeofthesoul]

"Be honest, how do I look?"

[thexmerchant]

I suppose you’ve got a point there. Sometimes even when certain foods aren’t, like, made the best they’re still comforting though. Ah, yeah. Am I that obvious?

[thechargeofthesoul]

We have an excellent cook, so I've never really even experienced that. I'm afraid you really are when you show up in the lab looking for food. Actually, you're sort of lucky that I found you and not one of the security guards. Not bad people, they just take their job very seriously.

[artificialsuperhero]

You mean when I, y’know, kind of saved you? Yeah, I gotta say that I did a little. I’m the yin to your yang, baby. You can not deny that. I mean, c’mon, we’re in a place full of mutants, with probably thoasands of different mutations, but then you — well, you’re like me. You absorb electricity - or at least that’s what I’m guessing based off our last interaction — and I can generate it. Try to tell me that this isn’t cool as fuck. [He grinned at her, wholly entertained by the notion. He reached over her desk, poking his fingers at the screen to speed along the process of saving her work before a few sparks flew off his hand at the screen, causing it to fritz, and go black.] Oh, shit. Sorry about that. Well, at least you saved it. Now, let’s go. 

[thechargeofthesoul]

Um, kinda. Kinda, yeah. I mean, you could say that had you not been there to distract me I would have recharged and the whole thing wouldn't have happened but -- it doesn't matter. I suppose -- wait, did you just call me baby? Fine, fine, I admit it. Yes, okay? I've been thinking about it, too. And I'm curious about and stimulated by the prospects and I want to experiment. It's the scientist in me. There you have it. I absorb, that's correct. You generate without any source? Without needing anything? It is cool, yes.

Hey, hey, you're not allowed to touch that! That's not even mine, that's the property of the institute. You're gonna get me in so much trouble. I -- alright, but you've got to fix that when we get back.

[ofmadsle]

Mm so I’m right. Listen, I’m fine. Why don’t we go get drinks and laid? And by we I mean me.

[thechargeofthesoul]

I don't think that sounds like such a good idea. Besides, I'm working.

[thexmerchant]

Hm — I could use some comfort food. Good Italian? Oh — Or like Americana. Classic pot roast sounds good too.

[thechargeofthesoul]

And all good food is comforting. There's a little place down here that'll do a great pot roast. So I take you're relatively new to town, then?

[thexmerchant]

I can’t be observant and have a great sense of direction, nobody is that perfect. Oh — An unexpected tip, but I’ll oblige. Thanks.

[thechargeofthesoul]

I suppose you're right, yeah. Hopefully between us we should be able to find some food, though. Had you any particular kind in mind?

[ofmadsle]

Mhm. Who the fuck are you? Another superior wanting to check up on me?

[thechargeofthesoul]

Charlie. I wouldn't say I'm a superior, no, but I did come over to see if you were okay.

[thexmerchant]

Yeah, I’m lost. — This doesn’t much look like an eatery. Tips on how to find the cafe?

[thechargeofthesoul]

Observant, but a terrible sense of direction. Here's a tip for you -- follow me. 

[notunlikeicarus]

I am not a bad guy, Elysia. I promise. I can calm down.

[thechargeofthesoul]

My name is Charlotte, you know. But everyone calls me Charlie. Well, almost everyone.

[notunlikeicarus]

I think you’re overthinking things a little bit. I have no plans on throwing anyone off of the roof. Don’t worry. I’m not that mean. It scared me half to death. 

[thechargeofthesoul]

Ah. Yes. Bad habit of mine. You may proceed, in that case. Not that I could stop you. I mean certainly I'd try to stop anyone if they were gonna -- you're right. I really, really do over think things.

[ofmadsle]

I’m sorry, did you ask for something expecting me to listen? 

[thechargeofthesoul]

Uh, yes, I did. Not so much anymore, though, as you can probably imagine.

[artificialsuperhero]

Don’t sound so excited to see me. Seriously. All that excitement could give you an aneurysm if you’re not too careful. [He rolled his eyes.] You’re the only person in this place that I can tolerate and you don’t give off the bad guy vibe. That sounds like an insult, but I swear, that’s a compliment coming from me.

[thechargeofthesoul]

Did you expect much different based on our last interaction? Sorry to disappoint you. I -- okay. You know I think you're extremely paranoid with this whole bad guy thing but okay. I'll humor your paranoia if it helps. Uh, let me just save this, then I'll hopefully be able to persuade one of the guys to cover for me and we can leave a little early.

[notunlikeicarus]

Of course. It’s how people learn. Learning to control your mutation is easiest when you’re put in a stressful situation. I learned how to fly when my teacher threw me off of a roof. Given, nothing I do will be that extreme. I’m not Hades, after all. Be grateful you’re not considered volatile enough to be classified under his division. 

[thechargeofthesoul]

What? No, way! I -- I mean, sorry, but um, with all due respect, of course, I don't see how that could work for everyone. I don't doubt that it worked for you, sir, but not everyone can be as adaptive as you. Surely some will freak out.

[artificialsuperhero]

Uh. Yeah. Sort of. I kind of just wanted to see if you wanted to get lunch, or something.

[thechargeofthesoul]

Oh, it's you. Again.

I get my lunch break in ten minutes, but -- but -- well, pardon my frankness but why?

[notunlikeicarus]

I’ve got my work cut out for me with the new arrivals. A bunch of headstrong kids who think they can rule the world. I like their spirit. It’s a damn shame that I’m going to have to break it first. 

[thechargeofthesoul]

Do you have to be so tough on them?

[thechargeofthesoul]

Oh, my, I'm sorry. Can I help you with something?