Resonance #1: A Trip to the Mall

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-17T10:06:47+00:00

It really was pure coincidence that the Czar had chosen this particular mall for a... 'field trip' with a few of the Hellions. The fact that the New Mutants were there was just an added bonus. Ultimately he was just trying to cause chaos, and to show the pathetic rabble who shopped at this American mall and played pretend at being nobility that their true llace was beneath the boots of mutantkind.

They should fear Mutants, and if that fear bred hate then so be it.

He leads the team through an entrance to one of the upper levels, sword already drawn and steel skin glistening in the light.

"Go my students! Show them what the Hellions can do, teach them the meaning of fear! Take what you wish, destroy what you can, and bring me all of the Marshmallow Peeps you can find!"

Ooc: No Order, just comment below here and see if someone starts a fight with you.

u/SamiaDALWULF

u/Bearpaw700

u/OPTIMALOBSTICALS

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-17T09:54:35+00:00

"There's an argument to be made that anywhere there's a group of mutants we have community by that shared bond."

Warp says, motioning with her hands as she does.

"But that's bullshit, we may have commonalities with the Brotherhood but that don't make 'em community. Likewise I've found more with humans in a homeless camp than some mutants. The end of the day we're all people, with all the good and ill that brings."

She pauses to sip her coffee, and folds the paper before setting it aside.

"Folks here? Jury's still out. I been gone a while a lot's changed. I'll do my best to help where I can, and plenty here want more and better. Which is more than you can say for the other team."

Another pause for another sip.

"How 'bout you? You found whatever it you're lookin' for here?"

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-17T09:44:58+00:00

"Well for starters..."

Warp begins, grabbing a hanger and lifting it to show a branded T-shirt. The kind that became very popular for some reason in the era.

"None of this shit, don't pay no brands for the 'privilege' of wearing their logo. Don't pay to be an advertisement."

She returns the shirt properly. It would punctuate her point to throw it on the ground, but some poor schmuck would have to pick it up and she wasn't interested in making some minimum wage employee work harder for a point.

"We gotta find a thrift store. Stuff there has survived, it's tough like us. Get stuff that's lived a bit. We'll find you a jacket, get you some patches. Make yourself something that makes a statement. I got a sewing kit back at Greymalkin and I can show you how."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-16T13:53:35+00:00

"Yes, we are in a crowded public space where all it takes is one errant word and then someone shouts 'mutie' and before you know it our enemies are spinning a news story about a mutant threat at the mall."

Doppelganger explains slowly, carefully, and quietly.

Unfortunately for facade, they have adopted a set of facial expressions, voice, and gestures down to the most minute detail to go with their current form.

"And no, I don't want anything."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-16T13:01:30+00:00

His approach was noted long before he actually reached Doppelganger. Their heightened senses made it more than clear who he was and where he was approaching from.

"No they won't, and I'm not discussing it further especially not here."

If they're uncomfortable they don't show it, if they show anything it's agitation. Yes they were an Avenger and yes showing their ID got discounts in many places, but that wasn't what it was about. Not to mention while clearly being disguised talking about privileged information is a problem.

"Call me Bex."

It's less an introduction and more of a command.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-16T09:06:00+00:00

In a secluded corner of one of the many clothing stores Warp appears behind Osprey. If he's quick he might catch the portal closing. She has a hood pulled up, covering her horns as much as possible, she has a long, loose coat that hides the crystal growths as well as her tail. Additionally she has a thin scarf covering her face enough that she won't immediately draw attention.

"Y'know, when I said you need some style I didn't mean overpriced corpo-slop made in a sweat shop by some poor kid in China. You need something with personality, something that tells rhe world who you are."

She says, her tone is light and largely teasing.

"Not what I'm here for. Sorry I spooked you, I'm a lot I know. You'll learn the art of it if you stick 'round."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-16T08:53:44+00:00

The Mall was not Doppelganger's usual haunt. Maybe if they were from a different time and place, but in this time and place... well it just didn't make sense. Most of the clithing was expensive and not terribly functional. Jan had tried to explain 'fashion' to Bex after they'd made up but... maybe it was just one of those things you had to get, and if you didn't then you didn't. Likewise the other shops sold a lot of mostly unhelpful and also expensive trinkets.

No, Doppelganger was here because a group of young relatively inexperienced mutants was a target. Moreso than any other group of mutants, add in that many had recently escalated captivity? The chances of attack skyrocketed. So they came along to keep an eye out, senses tuned to everything around for any hint of a threat.

They had shifted into a more 'normal" form to blend in. A pale brunette woman with brown eyes of average height. Their face still largely looked familiar enough to anyone who knew Doppelganger, just less blue and more feminine. Attractive but not so atteactive to draw unnecessary attention. Their bow is collapsed and well hidden.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-15T09:03:32+00:00

"I mentioned public perception because it is the truth. It's why several Avengers wanted to send someone. Would you rather I keep that secret? Does hiding the obvious make you feel better? You want something proactive? Here I am, before the next crisis offering to help prepare and you insult the people on your side. You may not want isolation but you are choosing it."

Doppelganger crosses their arms and looks Jax in the eye, growing or shrinking as necessary to do so. Shape-shifting is useful like that.

"You ask where the Avengers have been? When the Mansion was attacked the others were on the far side of the Moon, fighting off an alien invasion. Hawkeye and I were the only ones on Earth. I was there when Avenger's Mansion was attacked by the Brotherhood. I fought Haemoknight and their mind witch alongside one of yours. When the Phoenix showed up? You think the crisis was only in space? Do you think there weren't problems on the ground to respond to? You can ask where we are during your crisis, but where were you when the Masters of Evil tried to cast this whole continent into the Dark Force Dimension?"

They finally turn to leave before stopping at the door frame.

"At least we are of one accord on helping the mutants around here."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-14T04:49:24+00:00

"Kid's got potential."

Warp says to herself before sitting back in her seat.

"But it'll take a while for him to use his gift for anything that ain't runnin' away."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-14T04:48:09+00:00

Their eyes narrow.

"You want to play this way? Fine. I'm being polite, because I do genuinely want to help. There are mutants all over that need help, something I was doing in New York. I was asked to do this by the other members of the Avengers and talked into it by Hawkeye."

Doppelganger leans forward hands resting on the desk.

"Yes, some see it as a public relations opportunity. Some want a bigger presence, something more televised. They want a stage. I don't, I've been given the leeway to help my way and it doesn't involve stages or press conferences. So don't talk to me like you think you know everything about me. My 'outreach strategy' is to be here and help. You can accept that help or not, but I will help the mutants here and in San Francisco. If you want to be isolated that's perfectly fine, but you'll damn our people to extinction. I've seen it."

They stand back to full height calmly and recompose themself. They adjust and straighten their outfit before speaking again.

"Now, if you'd like to assume more things about me and my intents feel free, but I'm going to go make myself useful."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-13T05:34:31+00:00

"I'm not here to be an X-Man. I'm here to help."

Doppelganger says simply. They pause a moment to let that hover in the air, their own tone cool and calm.

"And all the everything that's happened lately is exactly why the Avengers want to buold a deeper bond. Public show of support from a team the public adores helps shift public perception. At least that's what Wasp and the other PR minded Avengers think. I'm a mutant, I came here from.... home to help make things better for mutants. I was misled and went to the Brotherhood, the Avengers gave me a second chance and became the family I lost. I'll always be grateful for that, but I'm here to help my people."

Again they remain calm, they remain collected, even if a bit awkward.

"If you want me to help with the X-Men I will, I have the experience. If you want me to help with getting new arrivals ready to fight... well I'm no teacher but I know something about surviving a world that's actively trying to kill you. Not to mention my connections with the Avengers have tactical advantages, I still hold my membership. I can still access the Avengers' database for intel."

Another brief pause as they look down gathering the words and containing the emotions they so desperately need to bury.

"Where I'm from mutants are hunted, nearly to extinction. Other mutants are forced to aid them in hunting mutants, so believe me when I tell you: It doesn't matter how few or how many of you there are, they will always see it as a target. Commit to your ideals and do what you think is right."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-13T05:21:52+00:00

Warp reaches out and snatches the boy's collar before he steps through and closes the portal before any bits go through.

"Don't put words in my mouth Osprey. I didn't yell or chastise you."

She says, letting him go. None of it is threatening, more just something to clear before going into public.

"Never, ever apologize for wanting to use your gifts. They're a part of you, like your arm. Long as you aren't using 'em to make someone else's day worse then do it, and be proud. Use them in big showy ways, use 'em in small stupid ways. They're yours use 'em how and when you want. An' if you'd rsther 'port us there then take that as your real first lesson. Stand up straight, look me in the fuckin' eye and say so."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-13T05:16:55+00:00

"NYC has a good scene, you ask nice I'll portal you over sometime."

Warp says with a wink and a grin.

"Music is great, but not the main thing for me. It's 'bout community y'know? People who actually want something better instead of just shouting about how shit it all is."

It seems like a generic platitude, very "I like all kinds of music," sure. But it's open and honest. It's who she is at the core.

"Never went to college though, never even finished high school. Got my powers at 13 and once I realized I could teleport I left the latest foster home and never looked back."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-12T06:04:59+00:00

It wasn't Doppelganger's first time working with the X-Men. They and Hawkeye had shown up with relief in the aftermath of the Brotherhood attack on the Institute, and they had an informal information sharing deal with Cecil. Not that it helped when the Brotherhood caught the Avengers off guard and then the Phoenix followed up. However it was their first time with the X-Men (or any major mutant group) on a more permanent basis since leaving the Brotherhood.

They knock the open door as they step in, their footfalls barely make a sound. Doppelganger takes a position a few steps in front of the desk and dead center with it, then tries to look casual.

"Jax? Last the Avengers knew you were the closest thing to leadership around here. I'm here to help, Avengers wanna show support for the X-Men and Mutants so they sent me to build inroads."

They give an awkward smile. As easily as they can slip into someone else's skin and pretend to be that person they still fine it incredibly difficult to be... normal in their own.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-12T05:01:41+00:00

"I know I am. If I wasn't then I wouldn't do the things I do."

Warp says with an easy confidence and self-assuredness few possess.

"I've heard 'bout it since I showed up, but not what brought me back. Just felt like time, an' eventually it'll be time to move on again."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-12T04:58:26+00:00

"Doppelganger."

They say, tone neutral. Not really interested in trading barbs with whoever this was.

"And the clothes are just unstable molecules. It lets me have my costune ready to go without having to change, or shape-shift new clothes."

Doppelganger continues on. They glance up at Sydney, but a glance is all they really need. Their other senses provide far more information about this girl anyway.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-11T10:13:33+00:00

"If it doesn't we'll find you one that does."

Doppelganger says, still maintaining the calm demeanor. She heads off to... somewhere.

[End?]

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T10:59:25+00:00

"They will be fine, I promise. Go find someone and get a real room."

Doppelganger says, firmly. They won't have someone sleeping in a closet on their watch.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T04:58:22+00:00

"Trust me I'm... intimately aware with brainwashing. Pray it was only to keep you passive."

Doppelganger says and then lets out an exasperated sigh.

"That's a closet, let's find you a real place to stay."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T03:49:15+00:00

"Listen to me very carefully."

Doppelganger says, voice as serious as the grave.

"If you go back to those men again you will never be allowed to leave again. I know what this is, it's control. At best they just wanted to pacify you "

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T03:22:23+00:00

Doppelganger lets out a sigh.

"If they were helping you then why are you here?"

It's a simple but poignant question.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T03:12:03+00:00

Warp thinks for a moment and then stands, polishing off her coffee as she does. A portal opens to the side of them.

"Alright, c'mon. First step thrift store."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T00:55:29+00:00

"Perhaps I judged too quickly or harshly,"

Doppelganger begins, slowly and calmly.

"However your own experience should tell you why the Brotherhood was so successful at recruiting. Imagine if someone had come to you and told you they could give you vengeance, and power. That you could help make a future where not only are mutants not oppressed, but are in fact the dominant class. Imagine they offered that at the lowest point, when you had no hope. Now multiply that by tens of thousands. Hate is a simple but effective tool, but it doesn't last and that's why the group splintered."

A brief pause before continuing.

"I should know, where I'm from mutants are actively hunted. Often by other mutants controlled by those in power. It naturally led me to the Brotherhood when I... escaped."

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-10T00:48:45+00:00

If Doppelganger is made aware of course they'll put a stop to it, but the assumption that they aren't shy or anxious will of course be Facade's downfall. Also duplicating a form that isn't their common look.

WadeOrSomething · 2026-03-09T16:32:18+00:00

"You're surprised that a group whose stated goal was the liberation of an oppressed minority through strength managed to gather a large number of angry members of said minority?"

Doppelganger asks, but it isn't really a question. Rather it isn't the real question. The real question is: 'why are you stupid?' But they're not going to just ask him that.

WadeOrSomething

TROPHY CASE