IC Scene #1: Open Campus Day
Svetlana took her time fiddling with the holo-filter just outside the ballroom. She was never one for cosmetics – why waste all that time and money just to look nice? When it was so easy to adjust her appearance, though, she could begin to see the appeal. Besides, there could be people from A.I.M. in attendance. Based on what people write about that group online, I would not put it past them to have agents or informants looking for me here. They must know I am the best person to go to if they want to perfect their stolen suits. Why make their work easy for them? Yet while surely correct, this argument smacked a little of rationalisation.
And it is a very interesting technology. That much was true. It was not so remote in principle from her force field generator, but obviously the design was quite different... I suppose it would be indecent to take it apart and see how it works. They surely have strong security measures, too. Well, at the very least I could put it through its paces.
Having found a secluded mirror, the lanky teenager began by turning her hair ginger, then, upon reconsideration, black. After lengthening it, she shook her head back and forth. Outstanding... No disruption – that I could see. Next, she enhanced her skin’s pallor, grimacing as a further test. Not bad, not bad at all. Her facial features, she decided, could stand to be a little more angular – though not so much that it would catch attention. The eyes took her a few moments longer, as she experimented with sparkles and rainbow hues before settling on a sane dark green. Finally, she turned to her wardrobe, extending her crimson jacket downwards. It was her favourite, but the latest growth spurt made it seem a little small. She also darkened it a tad, along with her blue jeans. It probably went without saying that her belt and wrist devices were nowhere to be seen.
The tinkerer was quite aware that she was underdressed for an actual ballroom, but she honestly did not care about that. Yet, as Svetlana finally stepped inside, she felt daunted for a whole other reason. All those strangers. Strange strangers. I did not realise that there would be so many. There must be people from all over the world, too. Maybe not just from Earth and not just people. That blue man over there – is he an alien or a mutant, or simply someone less restrained in using the filter?
Although Svetlana’s outward expression did not betray her anxiety, the teenager’s body language might have, as she stopped in her tracks just past the door. It wasn’t just that she was not used to such large and chaotic gatherings. Loath as the wunderkind was to admit it, she felt completely lost. She had come here alone. Being 15, she could fly unattended. Babushka Pavlina was a tough old woman, but too old to travel so far away – knowing that, she merely insisted that Svetlana would stay with an old friend of hers in Brooklyn. True to her promise, the girl spent the previous night there, yet nevertheless travelled to the base on her lonesome. After all, it was entirely her own business - and up until now, it did not seem so difficult.
A long moment passed. ...It’s your own decision and your own fault, you fool, so get a hold of yourself and move! Gritting her teeth, Svetlana made herself stride forward into the crowd, feeling some of her fear fall away as she did. She peeked at the stands, ignoring the din. Just keep moving – and focus! You still have a decision to make! ...The Avengers invited me here, but that does not mean I have to go with them. I can probably dismiss S.H.I.E.L.D. right away. X-Men too, no need to waste their time and mine. What is the Atlas Foundation? The Fantastic Four are tempting, but... my great uncle...
Distracted by her inner turmoil, the teenager almost bumped into someone, stumbling back at the last moment. “Sorry,” she muttered with a noticeable Russian accent, coming to a halt and looking ahead. She had lost her trail of thought, but maybe that was for the best. This choice had to be approached logically and with a clear mind.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:38, Mon 10 May 2021.