+1 small, superpowered boy

[bilocate]

Today is a day Alex is especially glad he brought his pocket notebook with him, as it means he can take notes on the weird PSA. He doesn't seem scared, or even particularly surprised, as he jots down some quick things to remember to ask his dad about later - interdimensional stuff sounds like something out of his dad's sci-fi movie collection - and makes a note to himself to look for the door home after no more than an hour. That's probably enough time to look around around without also being so long his parents will notice and get worried.

Once he's got his notebook stashed away again, he starts off towards the direction he's fairly sure he came from, just to make sure the door is there. After a few moments, he winces and clutches his head. Apparently, headaches could travel across dimensions, too. Biting his lip, he carefully looks around, trying to gauge which adult looks the least likely to be annoyed by a kid. Eventually, when the headache throbs especially badly, he gives up that endeavor to approach the nearest person who doesn't look clueless and asks, as politely as he can manage, "Do you know where I can get some aspirin? My head is killing me and it's been long enough since I took some I can have some more. I think."

If time worked the same across dimensions it would have been easier to tell, but alas.

Comments

[bilocate]

He hesitates, but after wiping his hand on his napkin to be extra-sure he's clean, he puts his hand in hers. His skin is cold, without being clammy. He's always cold. And he thinks he knows why, even if he isn't sure that other people will believe him if he tries to talk about it. Alex nods at her words, aware that she's right. Worrying all by himself keeps him up sometimes, makes his stomach twist when he's trying to eat. He's not sure it's unhealthy as in doing permanent damage, but it's not fun.

Alex nods. "Okay. You're probably right, Marie. My parents talk to each other when they're worried about things and that helps them, after all." He takes a deep breath, tries to pick good words, and starts. "I have superpowers. I guess. A superpower, anyway. And using my power-thing is what's making me sick, but I want to help people, so I keep using it. Even when I promise my parents not to."

...is he in trouble? It feels like he should get in trouble, for that.

[to_the_wolves]

In contrast, her skin feels warm to the touch, not an uncomfortable heat but similar to sitting in front of a roaring fire. It's probably the one indicator that she's hiding powers of her own, and unless pressured to talk, that secret will stay hidden. This is about helping Alex, first and foremost.

"I'm not an expert on powers, but I've learned that different skills each have limits. If you put yourself through too much stress, then physical and mental weaknesses are inevitable. I'm not against your idea of helping others, but maybe finding a trainer can help?" She's not upset, just curious as to why a things child wants to get involved in adult things. Then again, she wonders if Alex if gets a say in the matter, or if his powers are being manipulated by other people. "What kind of powers do you have?"

[bilocate]

He's surprised by how warm she is, but in his opinion it's kind of nice. Warm hands, warm heart, right? Or maybe that's the childish optimism he's still hanging onto despite knowing things could easily go wrong. He wants to believe people are good, in general.

Alex sighs, pursing his lips. "There's no way to find a trainer back home. Nobody can know I can do things. Magic or superpowers or other stuff like that, they're not supposed to be real, there. My dad's a scientist so he's been trying to help me figure out my limits, but that's all we can do. And he tries really hard, but..." Well, there's only so much a scientist could do in the face of something blatantly in violation of many, many laws of science. There are a lot of unknowns. Alex bites his lip, hesitating, before admitting, "I can be in two places at once. Not teleporting, it's - there will be two me's. Not astral projection, either, 'cause I can touch things and do things in both places. I've tried. I, um. I can't really explain what it's like to see and hear twice as much stuff, but it's part of what makes the headaches afterwards so bad, I think."

Does that make sense? More importantly, does she think he's weird, now? He watches her face intently, shyly ducking his head into his scarf.

[to_the_wolves]

Marie sits and listens quietly, taking in what Alex is saying carefully, trying to understand how his powers work. Unfortunately, this isn't her area of expertise and the best thing she can do is nod her head and be compassionate, having very little advice she can give. The ability to be in two places at once is something out of a comic book, and a power she's never truly heard of before.

"I...I wish I could help in a better way. Having a power that's hard to control and wanting to help people, I get that." She's surprisingly calm throughout the ordeal, but seems sad that she's unable to provide more wisdom. "Maybe we can look into a teacher here in the Nexus? I can ask around, see if there's someone who can help."