Question Down the Rabbit Hole

This is just Part 1, isn't it?

Other than that... I liked the way you had the MCO guys, being apparently nice and helpful while holding an agenda. It wasn't said outright, but there was some implication that the female MCO agent might be some sort of psychic. I found the way you painted Jamie's parents' reaction believable -- not outright hostile to their child, but really worried and lost about how to handle this new development.The school kids too -- some curiosity, some hostility and bigotry, but not outright torches-and-pitchforks H1-style bashing.

I'm wondering about the businessman in the plane. He might be just curious; or he might be a MCO plant to discreetly "interview" Tia when she had her guard down; or he just might be a journalist who got lucky and was getting a candid story.

Oh, and you need to pay a bit more attention to capitalization. Too many proper names in lowercase.

It is just part 1, and whoops. Somehow I missed that in all the editing passes. Give me instances in a mail and I'll correct them?

Interesting.


The flashbacking was well done.

And it was going so well...

It definitely seems like you're hinting that Luke will gain an increased libido along with his other bunny features.

I liked seeing the new checks and balances that have been added to the MCO over the time skip - they contrast nicely with the increased influence they seem to wield in other areas.


I'm curious about the three airport MCO. Their niceness was calculated, yes, but it felt like there was a certain amount of... undercover niceness... there as well. That the boss and/or possibly the others wanted to take care of Lapin, and justified it to their superiors as a PR stunt. Only time will tell. (or Nagrij, of course)

It definitely feels like the MCO is smarter. My guess is that the purge that we are starting to see in G1 is partially successful - the MCO still isn't the mutant friendly organization it was originally chartered as, but it is starting to fill its ranks (and hopefully upper echelons as well) with people who have mindsets closer to Ayla than rabid H1ers - that mutants are intrinsically dangerous, but they aren't intrinsically evil.

annachie wrote: Interesting.


The flashbacking was well done.

Thanks.

Arcanist, More about the MCO situation, at least in that little corner of the world, will be revealed! And yes, it'll probably tie into the MCO situation in general.

The other thing that struck me was how little we learned about Luke, or at least post manifestation Luke.

It makes me think that the questions and comments are waiting for the rest of the story to drop.

annachie wrote: The other thing that struck me was how little we learned about Luke, or at least post manifestation Luke.

It makes me think that the questions and comments are waiting for the rest of the story to drop.

LOL, don't worry. Nagrij won't leave you hanging too long. He's just building up to it right now.

I was thinking the business man is a reporter, geared towards the E-R audience, or a Whateley background checker

I think we got bigger hints as to Lapin's powers in Big apple, she has positive rep in Japan, she has a spade tail, sensitive ears, The fact that the Japanese like her, tells me she's most likely a devisor or gadgeteer, she shows no signs of Diedricks,

she could have a wonderful case against the paper that villainized her, the Freedom of press does NOT permit slander, and if the agreement for the interview was in written contract,.. Unfortunately that only works when you can prove a rock solid case.

Regarding the MCO agents' attitude towards Lapine... one of the key lines there is the boss saying that Tia is "one of our own given a raw deal." For some reason, they don't consider Tia a (mutant|enemy), but more like a (human|victim). And in "Calamari", the NY MCO guys went even somewhat above that -- they treated Tia as a celebrity to be coddled.

My reading of that, and of how the press (wrongly) described his/her breakup with Jamie, is that the MCO somehow read Tia as a mutant-hater to be cultivated as a possible insider agent.

As for her status in Japan well, cute bunny girl. Need I say more?

Sir Lee wrote: Regarding the MCO agents' attitude towards Lapine... one of the key lines there is the boss saying that Tia is "one of our own given a raw deal." For some reason, they don't consider Tia a (mutant|enemy), but more like a (human|victim). And in "Calamari", the NY MCO guys went even somewhat above that -- they treated Tia as a celebrity to be coddled.

My reading of that, and of how the press (wrongly) described his/her breakup with Jamie, is that the MCO somehow read Tia as a mutant-hater to be cultivated as a possible insider agent.

Awake again. Sir Lee, you're half right here. Don't worry, you'll see. As for not learning much about Luke... I disagree, there is plenty in part 1 for you to learn about him. I bet most of you could do a detailed character study right now.

MageOhki wrote: As for her status in Japan well, cute bunny girl. Need I say more?

What's her coloration? (again?)

White, brown, some other color?

Nagrij wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Regarding the MCO agents' attitude towards Lapine... one of the key lines there is the boss saying that Tia is "one of our own given a raw deal." For some reason, they don't consider Tia a (mutant|enemy), but more like a (human|victim). And in "Calamari", the NY MCO guys went even somewhat above that -- they treated Tia as a celebrity to be coddled.

My reading of that, and of how the press (wrongly) described his/her breakup with Jamie, is that the MCO somehow read Tia as a mutant-hater to be cultivated as a possible insider agent.

Awake again. Sir Lee, you're half right here. Don't worry, you'll see. As for not learning much about Luke... I disagree, there is plenty in part 1 for you to learn about him. I bet most of you could do a detailed character study right now.

Betting mom's a mutant.

Do we know if Luke is actually a mutant, instead of Cursed or something? ... I'm leaning on being Fused with Jamie, 'cause they're both Devisors...

It was a well known fact that the MCO agents had no police powers themselves, and needed a police partner or escort in order to make arrests; Redding police issued that statement yearly in a public press release, and it hadn't changed in recent memory. Any mutant individuals which disappeared, criminal or not, would have the case of their disappearance investigated to the maximum extent the law allowed. I could quote that part from memory.

So that's common knowledge now. Nice.

Malady wrote:

MageOhki wrote: As for her status in Japan well, cute bunny girl. Need I say more?

What's her coloration? (again?)

White, brown, some other color?

Nagrij wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Regarding the MCO agents' attitude towards Lapine... one of the key lines there is the boss saying that Tia is "one of our own given a raw deal." For some reason, they don't consider Tia a (mutant|enemy), but more like a (human|victim). And in "Calamari", the NY MCO guys went even somewhat above that -- they treated Tia as a celebrity to be coddled.

My reading of that, and of how the press (wrongly) described his/her breakup with Jamie, is that the MCO somehow read Tia as a mutant-hater to be cultivated as a possible insider agent.

Awake again. Sir Lee, you're half right here. Don't worry, you'll see. As for not learning much about Luke... I disagree, there is plenty in part 1 for you to learn about him. I bet most of you could do a detailed character study right now.

Betting mom's a mutant.

Do we know if Luke is actually a mutant, instead of Cursed or something? ... I'm leaning on being Fused with Jamie, 'cause they're both Devisors...

It was a well known fact that the MCO agents had no police powers themselves, and needed a police partner or escort in order to make arrests; Redding police issued that statement yearly in a public press release, and it hadn't changed in recent memory. Any mutant individuals which disappeared, criminal or not, would have the case of their disappearance investigated to the maximum extent the law allowed. I could quote that part from memory.

So that's common knowledge now. Nice.

It's common knowledge in some areas, among informed people, yes.

As for Tia's coloration. Black with purple highlights is the order of the day, and caucasian of Spanish descent. So a bit darker skin color than say, a vampire. (It was stated in calamari 1 and 2).

Nagrij wrote:

Malady wrote:
What's her coloration? (again?)

White, brown, some other color?

It's common knowledge in some areas, among informed people, yes.

As for Tia's coloration. Black with purple highlights is the order of the day, and caucasian of Spanish descent. So a bit darker skin color than say, a vampire. (It was stated in calamari 1 and 2).

Whoops! I meant her ear fur and tail... I'm going through all three stories, and I can't find anything on their colors?

I just told you, and it's there. Her hair, and the fur on her ears and tail are black, with purple highlights.

Not too much to say, just that this is a good story.
Lapine seems to have gotten a really bad hand considering everything he did for Jamie. I hope she's able to recover.

Malady wrote:

MageOhki wrote: As for her status in Japan well, cute bunny girl. Need I say more?

What's her coloration? (again?)

White, brown, some other color?

Nagrij wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Regarding the MCO agents' attitude towards Lapine... one of the key lines there is the boss saying that Tia is "one of our own given a raw deal." For some reason, they don't consider Tia a (mutant|enemy), but more like a (human|victim). And in "Calamari", the NY MCO guys went even somewhat above that -- they treated Tia as a celebrity to be coddled.

My reading of that, and of how the press (wrongly) described his/her breakup with Jamie, is that the MCO somehow read Tia as a mutant-hater to be cultivated as a possible insider agent.

Awake again. Sir Lee, you're half right here. Don't worry, you'll see. As for not learning much about Luke... I disagree, there is plenty in part 1 for you to learn about him. I bet most of you could do a detailed character study right now.

Betting mom's a mutant.

Do we know if Luke is actually a mutant, instead of Cursed or something? ... I'm leaning on being Fused with Jamie, 'cause they're both Devisors...

It was a well known fact that the MCO agents had no police powers themselves, and needed a police partner or escort in order to make arrests; Redding police issued that statement yearly in a public press release, and it hadn't changed in recent memory. Any mutant individuals which disappeared, criminal or not, would have the case of their disappearance investigated to the maximum extent the law allowed. I could quote that part from memory.

So that's common knowledge now. Nice.

Also nice is that it seems that BOTH primary political parties are fine with Mutants holding office, I say both because traditionally speaking Republicans are the least liberal, and well

So, no doubt like many people tuning in, I waited for the inevitable blow up. As usual the Republican started it with a simple observation.

“An American born mutant is a human being and a citizen of the United States. As such, any hypothetical mutant that meets the requirements can run for and hold office. That's the law. If you want to keep a mutant from holding office, then work on changing the law, not picketing polling places or engaging in strong arm tactics.”

It seems that the MCO isn't as powerful as they once were, no they aren't weak but they aren't pretending to be the law either, they may be bending it a little though with the bug. It is possible we are seeing another element of the MCO "civil war" with these MCO, Lapin seems like she's mainly a low level Exemplar, with possibly an esper trait for intuition, perhaps one of Jamie's devises sent Luke into burnout? Her physical strength is in the high baseline range, but the way tings are described I get the impression she changed fairly quickly.. Based on the dialog, Jamie either has Diedricks or a Rager incident, one that caused Luke to manifest, and possibly burn out.

Lapin seems to be a Gadgeteer not a devisor, the MCO guy specified the ear pieces as Gadgets. I am curious about her mentor, seems like a case of a copied BIT, whatever happened must have been big though, to get such wide coverage.

Interestingly, I just realized that before this story, we've had exactly 1 mention of H1 in G2.

Calamari 2 wrote: Bianca made a disgusted sound. "Yeah, and they don't go about it that well. They have a pretty unsavoury rep in some places. They've been tied to some pretty extreme stuff - beatings, firebombings, that sort of thing.

"Yeah, well that's true too, I suppose. But you can't really judge the whole group based on the actions of a few extremists. I mean come on, the same thing can be said about Humanity First!, PETA, and all kinds of other advocacy groups."

I wonder how they have changed...

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Interestingly, I just realized that before this story, we've had exactly 1 mention of H1 in G2.

Calamari 2 wrote: Bianca made a disgusted sound. "Yeah, and they don't go about it that well. They have a pretty unsavoury rep in some places. They've been tied to some pretty extreme stuff - beatings, firebombings, that sort of thing.

"Yeah, well that's true too, I suppose. But you can't really judge the whole group based on the actions of a few extremists. I mean come on, the same thing can be said about Humanity First!, PETA, and all kinds of other advocacy groups."

I wonder how they have changed...

I am willing to bet the Cincinnati chapter is barely around, and that they in general have shrunk considerably, but other than that, its hard to say.

I wonder if Lapin's mum's profession is one factor behind the MCO's (suspiciously?) favorable treatment of her?

Remember: her mum works in PR and has several mutant clients. Given the MCO appear to be using her as an example of how they'd like to be portrayed...

-oOo-

As for what happens in her backstory, all we really know so far is that (a) Luke's relationship with his friend deteriorates, (b) he somehow transforms into a rabbit girl, (c) (s)he acquires a mentor and (d) something happens that attracts national media attention (much of it negative).

We've had hints about all the above, but so far little in the way of details, interconnectivity or sequencing.

mittfh wrote: I wonder if Lapin's mum's profession is one factor behind the MCO's (suspiciously?) favorable treatment of her?

Remember: her mum works in PR and has several mutant clients. Given the MCO appear to be using her as an example of how they'd like to be portrayed...

-oOo-

As for what happens in her backstory, all we really know so far is that (a) Luke's relationship with his friend deteriorates, (b) he somehow transforms into a rabbit girl, (c) (s)he acquires a mentor and (d) something happens that attracts national media attention (much of it negative).

We've had hints about all the above, but so far little in the way of details, interconnectivity or sequencing.

Well said, and it's all coming.

Yup, I imagine the various pieces of the puzzle we've seen so far will start being fitted together from the next episode onwards, while more pieces are gradually revealed.

Based on the codename's definition, I have to think cringe-worthy thoughts about what may have sent Luke into burnout, seeing how Lapin is probably just a Exemplar 2, based on physical capabilities....

mhalpern wrote: Based on the codename's definition, I have to think cringe-worthy thoughts about what may have sent Luke into burnout, seeing how Lapin is probably just a Exemplar 2, based on physical capabilities....

*cackles maniacally*

Nagrij wrote:

mhalpern wrote: Based on the codename's definition, I have to think cringe-worthy thoughts about what may have sent Luke into burnout, seeing how Lapin is probably just a Exemplar 2, based on physical capabilities....

*cackles maniacally*

Well in my mind its that or "the red pill" and Lapin is really asking "Why oh why didn't I take the Blue Pill?"

Down the Rabbit Hole comments
Just what could this poor soul have done that was so bad to be lumped in Hitler or the Menendez brothers. And what if exercises always drive you crazy, best to accept what has happened and more on.

A stud who the girls just can't resist, with an attractive female friend. What could have happened to destroy all that? Lucas got lucky with Jamie saying yes, seen even attractive guys shot down because the girl doesn't want to ruin their friendship. And Lucas really doesn't understand why a girl would want to try and look her best on a date. *sigh*

Bwahahaha, timing telling his mom about asking Jamie out just so she would do a spit take, priceless. Raised mostly by his mother, with parents separating when he was young, he is remarkably well-adjusted. Multilingual, impressive, both for Lucas and his mom Estrella. Dang, that is a small population for the Redding area, I live in a small town in Louisiana and even my Parish is bigger.

And Jamie went all out for a first date, dang. Lucas, unless a girl volunteers information about why she doesn't like or hates another girl, don't ask. Okay, that is some kiss for a first kiss. Unless spots in front of his eyes is the first signs of something going on.

"Of course not! Popcorn never counts."

Tell that your stomach later on when the artificial butter is making it act up.

*smacks forehead in frustration* Hiring someone and then not having them do their job, what a waste. Planning to ask Jamie out for 6 months and only just got up the nerve on the first day of school, Lucas needs to have more confidence.

Ma'am, Lucas underwent some drastic changes, though considering how some other mutants have changed it is hard to gauge; is it due to her BIT or an outside influence from another incident. Wonder what kind of tales about the MCO Lucas was told by her mentor, along with who this mentor is. Ah, so Lapin does have ears that appear to be like a rabbits. And ouch, they are as sensitive to sound as I would suspect human-sized rabbit-appearing ears to be. Wonder if she designed them herself or got them from a friend or acquaintance.

At least agent Donnely is being a true professional about all this, unlike some other MCO agents we have met. Agent Lyons is an interesting woman based on her description, not what I was expecting at all. Flicking her tail to make a point, so rabbit furry GSD mutants aren't rare, interesting. I wonder what other problems she has due to her BIT, beside the hearing sensitivity.

I like Agent Lyons, professional and nice about the whole thing. And the MCO agents are giving her an escort to her plane, this is highly unusual. What is going on!?! Inhuman speed and agility, wondering if the MCO has some kind of limited exoframe in their uniforms now to boost their agents abilities while on the job, especially as stated by Lapin how two big guys were keeping up with her. Surprised the frat boy was trying to look under the hood and not elsewhere. 9 hours on a plane with at least one person who saw her ears and is nervous, suspecting her to be a threat simply because she is different. Ugh.

D'oh! The MCO agents were just being nice so she could be used for good PR for the organization. Figures. Playing her like a pawn, all to make themselves look better by being nice to her. And bashing Berkowitz for being honest, sounds like he is one of the good ones and these guys want the MCO back to the way it was in Gen 1, or worse with more power. Using her for their own plans, despite the fact their boss states she is one of their own done wrong. Sickening.

Is Ibby this mentor Lapin has thought of, a gadgeteer or superhero with gadgeteer friend; nice gift to have, along with the ear clips. What kind of codename could Ibby have to be so bad; though it came from the 70s, so it could be very bad. 2 month ago and she was already fully changed; wonder what kind of smear campaign the Chronicle did to obscure the facts. Calculating look on his face, like a vampire in an old German movie, only with hair. This guy is a reporter! He smells a story and is going in; only thing I can think of, besides someone who is overly curious and always like to know the full truth about anything he reads.

An article of nothing but lies after promising her mom only the truth would be printed; can't think of an insult for the Chronicle that wouldn't insult the animal I try to compare them to. Poor Lapin is naïve, believing that the truth would win out over a rag trying to sell newspapers. Hopefully Whateley will drill some of that naiveté out of her.

Mechanic father and art dealer mother, wonder who Jamie takes after more. 3 days without being in the hospital, when she is too sick to receive vistors, something smells fishy here. Excessive cleaning and father not having slept in days, why hasn't she been taken to the hospital already? She manifested as a mutant and her parents are reacting like this, like it is an illness that will go away. Someone needs to get her out of there, for her own safety.

Increased strength, probably an Exemplar 2-3 at least, along with being a devisor. Pretty impressive for the wirelessly pulling power to recharge the batteries. MCO agents having no police powers themselves being a well known fact, or at least a well known fact in some places, is good to know. And have her parents been telling her and suggesting to have her in this emotional state, desperate for Lucas to come with her.

"You're not...afraid of me. Or disgusted, or anything...."

Okay, someone needs to sit her parents down and have a talk with her now, messing up a confident young woman like that.

A super villain with a big head called Gray Matter, he really should have thought of something else. And poor Jamie, having to deal with how he parents have reacted, plus what the testing might find, along with any bigots in the area. Lucas' mom is skilled at deflecting questions, too bad her son is used to it. Lol, mom thinking that someone's nature alone determines what powers they get; if that were true a lot of mutants would have much different powers.

Hug gene in DNA, bwahahaha. At least his mother is understanding; and the simple description of what the Howes are doing by trying to live in denial is even worse than I thought when Lucas states it. Punishment something ballads are made of, yikes!

Told to talk about what happened to her, even to strangers, by her psychologist. Just what happened!?! And what is she on meds for that is so scary if they wear off, especially on a plane? Just what kind of problems besides sensitive hearing did her BIT and mutations give her?

At least the Howes are acting better to their daughter, though I'm with Lucas in wondering why they acted the way the did to their own daughter. Raisin Bran and a Pepsi, try a breakfast bar, some rice cakes, and a bottle of water when in a hurry. Blasphemy! How can you not like Twinkies, they are like little angel food with cream in inside. Okay, that is shocking. The Republican is being reasonable in his statements, yet the H1! guy went nuts anyways. If he was literally frothing at the mouth, they should have him checked for rabies.

Sneaking in an old sports cars, as if his mom won't notice. Funny, Lucas, funny. Figures there was some perv teenage boys out there, just hoping when they hear about a girl who manifested that she is an exemplar so they can ogle her. At least Rex is smart enough to leave. Oh boy, her parents were just playing along, planning to ditch Lucas and who knows what with just them and their daughter with their mindsets right now. I've had fried Spam, even eaten it as part of a sandwich. But with eggs, no thanks.

Lucky, only ones on the appointment books for the morning. Agent Berkowitz seems a little intense, from Lapin's mentions of him in the future I expected someone more easy going. Smart move by Lucas, had agents from other organizations pretending to be cops and even from the MCO before in the past. Only family, guess it is a rule at their facility, seen others go back for the testing in previous stories. Unless it is a new rule as part of safety procedures.

Lapin just can't get a break; how can these news networks dare to call themselves such when they edit and twist things to change the truth for ratings. And yes, it is scary to think that Fox News would tell something closer to the truth than its peers. Made me shudder thinking about. I'm as curious as the businessman as to why Jamie soured on Lucas after all he meant to her and been through with her so far.

Devisor 2, plus no Diedricks, so that is good news. Wait, she exhibits that level of increased strength, yet not an Exemplar. PK Supergirl perhaps? Heh, Lucas is right, views on beauty are different across cultures, among individuals, and prone to change with time. So, no celebrities have mutated so far, interesting. Lucas knows all the right things to say, his mom must have coached him some.

A small town with MCO and cops that didn't overreact to a mutant, guess it had to happen sometime. Hallmark romance movie, ahhhhh! Keep it away! Well, who doesn't get frustrated with enemy snipers and spawn campers, I know I do whenever I try to get into a game. Oh boy, doing her assignments for her; Lucas, you might think you are doing a good thing but she could get upset over this.

And still at this point there were no problems, what dramatic shift caused things to go bad between Jamie and Lucas/Lapin. I hope it starts adding up soon.

You would think almost a decade in the future from Gen 1 that knowledge of mutants would be more widespread, with less people staring when one shows up. All that attention, surprised Jamie hasn't tried to bolt from feeling self-conscious. Anyone who ditches Jamie just because she is a mutant now was never truly her friend; real friends stick by each other through thick and thin.

I can't believe Lucas did that to Jimmy, hard to type from laughing so hard. And I'm surprised that none of the students staring at Jamie in biology class were caught by Mr. Anders. Guess he was too busy staring as well. Huh, did not know that American Spanish was that different from regular Spanish. Learned something new. Arnie and Bennie are troublemakers, refusing to learn, yet they think they know enough about mutants to declare any they hear about dangerous. *screams in frustration*

And they are too dense to not badmouth someone's girlfriend and expect to be hurt for it. At least Arnie was able to see it as a man defending his girl's honor; guess he isn't as dense as I first thought.

As long as someone hasn't proven themselves a threat to you or made a name as a huge threat, I can't understand why people react badly simply to seeing another person. Ouch, no longer able to eat meat due to digestive system; that would be a nightmare for me, chicken is my favorite food. Ouch, ear cramps. I sit for hours on end but at least move my legs around to prevent leg cramps. I can just imagine how painful ear cramps for her are. And I can't wait for part 2, have me extremely curious how Lucas/Lapin's relationship with Jamie soured.

Even from the first few paragraphs of the first flashback, I caught a glimpse of just how monstrous you are, and how well you must be fitting in with the other sadists cabal members. The impact of the fond memories amidst a bleaker present is potent, and you've made it flow very well.

I might be expecting a bit much, but throughout it all I can't help but wonder when the Nebraskan Zombies will interrupt a scene and shift the tone drastically.

I'm really enjoying the narrative style. In particular the inner monologue, and notably when it punctuates conversation with things left unsaid.

Fox News was the report closest to the truth? That's rather worrying.

From the nature of the telling, I think it can safely be assumed that Lapin's gender shift is unfortunately public knowledge - unless the false story has them as female-born, but that still doesn't explain the apparent total lack of hesitance when dictating such details to the curious man.

I can't wait for more, and am hoping that we get more to tie in with Easter.

Dreamer wrote: Down the Rabbit Hole commentsYou would think almost a decade in the future from Gen 1 that knowledge of mutants would be more widespread, with less people staring when one shows up.

It was specified in-story that Jamie was the lone mutant not just in her class, but in the entire town. Most with knowledge wouldn't be able to resist the curiosity (or other responses) of direct contact.

And that's just in addition to however the public perception may have shifted in recent years, especially with the apparent resurgence of the MCO. Also do note that we as readers are completely and utterly jaded and biased in this regard.

Ametros wrote: Even from the first few paragraphs of the first flashback, I caught a glimpse of just how monstrous you are, and how well you must be fitting in with the other sadists cabal members. The impact of the fond memories amidst a bleaker present is potent, and you've made it flow very well.

I might be expecting a bit much, but throughout it all I can't help but wonder when the Nebraskan Zombies will interrupt a scene and shift the tone drastically.

I'm really enjoying the narrative style. In particular the inner monologue, and notably when it punctuates conversation with things left unsaid.

Fox News was the report closest to the truth? That's rather worrying.

From the nature of the telling, I think it can safely be assumed that Lapin's gender shift is unfortunately public knowledge - unless the false story has them as female-born, but that still doesn't explain the apparent total lack of hesitance when dictating such details to the curious man.

I can't wait for more, and am hoping that we get more to tie in with Easter.

Thanks. Part 2 is under review as I type, but may or may not be ready.

As for fitting in... when I disclose certain plans or stories, I can make even Elrod uncomfortable with where I could go... so yeah, it'll probably get worse. strap in, is my advice, and no zombies yet that's a bit later.

Also, for some of the posters above... Mutants are more widely known about, but Redding is a small town without much going on. Jamie is literally their first mutant, so despite the good sized city not far way, she's a novelty.

Nagrij wrote:

Ametros wrote: Even from the first few paragraphs of the first flashback, I caught a glimpse of just how monstrous you are, and how well you must be fitting in with the other sadists cabal members. The impact of the fond memories amidst a bleaker present is potent, and you've made it flow very well.

I might be expecting a bit much, but throughout it all I can't help but wonder when the Nebraskan Zombies will interrupt a scene and shift the tone drastically.

I'm really enjoying the narrative style. In particular the inner monologue, and notably when it punctuates conversation with things left unsaid.

Fox News was the report closest to the truth? That's rather worrying.

From the nature of the telling, I think it can safely be assumed that Lapin's gender shift is unfortunately public knowledge - unless the false story has them as female-born, but that still doesn't explain the apparent total lack of hesitance when dictating such details to the curious man.

I can't wait for more, and am hoping that we get more to tie in with Easter.

Thanks. Part 2 is under review as I type, but may or may not be ready.

As for fitting in... when I disclose certain plans or stories, I can make even Elrod uncomfortable with where I could go... so yeah, it'll probably get worse. strap in, is my advice, and no zombies yet that's a bit later.

Also, for some of the posters above... Mutants are more widely known about, but Redding is a small town without much going on. Jamie is literally their first mutant, so despite the good sized city not far way, she's a novelty.

Makes sense that Redding being a small town would Jamie being their first mutant isn't a stretch, my interest is piqued even more though, how did the first two mutants from a small town garner international media attention, even with my suspicions on what happened, given only reasonable explanation for an exemplar 2 (based on the description of Lapin's physical abilities being the upper end of baseline) to have fully transformed in a relatively short period rather than over the course of months or years and the English definition of the word "lapin", a burnout caused like that no matter how spectacular would only get a short news snippet outside the county, especially considering in a world of super heroes and villains, there's a lot more interesting things than one mutant teenager sending another into burnout, resulting in a gender change, I mean we're talking about a world where there are villains who can raid large cities, a conflict between superpowered kids from a small town most people have never heard of needs some VIP factor or something to get international media coverage. Some name known by just about everyone, that makes Lapin's story important and bizarre.

Lapin's rapid, visible, and perhaps exothermic, change was caught on camera by Fox news?

annachie wrote: Lapin's rapid, visible, and perhaps exothermic, change was caught on camera by Fox news?

Except burnout isn't a new thing, and its not like Lapin's a firemanifestor or timelord, any exothermic side effects of burnout wouldn't be dramatic enough to be noticed by a camera.

mhalpern wrote:

annachie wrote: Lapin's rapid, visible, and perhaps exothermic, change was caught on camera by Fox news?

Except burnout isn't a new thing, and its not like Lapin's a firemanifestor or timelord, any exothermic side effects of burnout wouldn't be dramatic enough to be noticed by a camera.

Almost all burn outs are exothermic, as evidenced by the massive rise in temperature

No, but a rapid and visible change from male to female would be. That was my point. Especially into what is basically a playboy bunny.
It would assume that the camera's are there for Jaimie for some reason of course.

annachie wrote:

mhalpern wrote:

annachie wrote: Lapin's rapid, visible, and perhaps exothermic, change was caught on camera by Fox news?

Except burnout isn't a new thing, and its not like Lapin's a firemanifestor or timelord, any exothermic side effects of burnout wouldn't be dramatic enough to be noticed by a camera.

Almost all burn outs are exothermic, as evidenced by the massive rise in temperature

No, but a rapid and visible change from male to female would be. That was my point. Especially into what is basically a playboy bunny.
It would assume that the camera's are there for Jaimie for some reason of course.

Burnout is a high fever. I still don't think that it has is directly related to the change itself, changelings are relatively common knowledge, even though examples of changelings tend to prefer to remain anonymous. Also why should people in Japan care if some boy ends up on the other side of the fence through burnout?

mhalpern wrote:

annachie wrote:

mhalpern wrote:

annachie wrote: Lapin's rapid, visible, and perhaps exothermic, change was caught on camera by Fox news?

Except burnout isn't a new thing, and its not like Lapin's a firemanifestor or timelord, any exothermic side effects of burnout wouldn't be dramatic enough to be noticed by a camera.

Almost all burn outs are exothermic, as evidenced by the massive rise in temperature

No, but a rapid and visible change from male to female would be. That was my point. Especially into what is basically a playboy bunny.
It would assume that the camera's are there for Jaimie for some reason of course.

Burnout is a high fever. I still don't think that it has is directly related to the change itself, changelings are relatively common knowledge, even though examples of changelings tend to prefer to remain anonymous. Also why should people in Japan care if some boy ends up on the other side of the fence through burnout?

Well, with tongue firmly in cheek,

Japan is suffering from a sever population implosion. Their population is aging. More than a few Manga have been created with the theme of converting males into Females to help increase native population. Mostly perverted mind you.

But when you asked your question that was what popped into my mind. They'd be interested in learning the mechanism. At least the elite would be. I bet those same Elite have approached Jobe about creating a variation of his Drow Formula.

to them converting male NEETS into fertile fetish females would be very appealing.

You know, I hadn't thought of that... maybe in a future story....

*cackles maniacally again*

Couple of points, since Japan's my area:

Birthrate IN Japan isn't QUITE as... bad as in RL.

(that's not saying much, admittedly)

Second: Hmm...

Well this is extremely helpful. Thanks for explaining in detail.

I think part of the misunderstanding comes from a fatal burnout not having shown up in Canon. The characters going through Burnout, Lancer, Roulette, Knockoff, Kayda, Tisiphone, Tennyo, Fey and others have all survived, some getting power boosts out of it.

Valentine wrote: I think part of the misunderstanding comes from a fatal burnout not having shown up in Canon. The characters going through Burnout, Lancer, Roulette, Knockoff, Kayda, Tisiphone, Tennyo, Fey and others have all survived, some getting power boosts out of it.

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This isn't a condemnation, just an observation.

There HAVE been canon stories relating the deaths from Burnout though... BOTH of Delarose's kids died of burnout WHILE attending Whateley.

Mentioned yes, but not actually shown.

Kristin Darken wrote:

mhalpern wrote: Burnout is a high fever. I still don't think that it has is directly related to the change itself, changelings are relatively common knowledge, even though examples of changelings tend to prefer to remain anonymous. Also why should people in Japan care if some boy ends up on the other side of the fence through burnout?

This falls into the category of misunderstanding by nature of lots of fan fic showing burn out wrong.

The lowest levels of burn out are a process in which the body simultaneously is rejecting parts of itself and consuming enormous amounts of resources to continue the process of manifesting as quickly as possible, typically as a result of using a power to a degree that the body has not yet changed adequately enough to support.

For example, an Energizer tapped into the Earth's magnetosphere is manifesting the ability to toss plasma bolts. Their body will eventually have nerve-like nodes beneath their shoulder blades and an enhanced nervous system and tissue system in their arms that allow for that electrical energy to flow outward from the internal antenna/generators through a coil system that engages and allows control of the plasma without cooking off the organic tissue before it is ejected from the palms and forced through the air by magnetic fields.

But what happens when they start tossing large balls of plasma a couple days into manifestation? They may have the nodes grown to tap into the magnetosphere. They may have the coils grown to generate the plasma and control it... but maybe the surrounding organic tissue hasn't yet adapted to handle the energy flow. So every use of the system cooks part of the system that is trying to grow in. It simultaneously tries to reject this plasma system that is hurting the rest of the body, while the parts that haven't grown in yet are trying to finish.


That's the 'lightest' possible degree of burn out. The combination of an infection and an organ rejection while already healing from a previous surgery.

ALL burn out is bad news for a mutant. Anything but the lightest touch of burnout is hospital - ICU level bad. The odds of anything 'good' coming out of burn out are ridiculously low... and usually, a "good' outcome of burnout is "hey, you're going to survive"

The next best result of burn out is a damaged power (not likely temporary) or major damage to the body as a whole. But mostly, the result is DEATH. Burn out? Kills. It's not a power up. Yes, on really rare occasions that could happen... but most mutants, if hearing someone is in burn out, are preparing themselves to hear that that person has died.

I meant the physical symptoms of burnout are similar to a high fever, and unless the mutant is powerful enough to experience a level 5 burnout, they don't cause fires

Kristin Darken wrote: Well... ya... its notoriously difficult to tell stories about kids who die while manifesting.

I didn't say the story had to be about the character that suffers the fatal burnout. Writing a story from Lanie's POV where Bifrost goes into Burnout, has someone die from Burnout.

I will have to reread Lancer's case, because I thought I remembered a discussion about his new ability to store energy and fire it back was a result of his burnout.

Just a little note here about Kayda.
She did NOT get a power-up from burnout. The effect of burnout was to accelerate the changes to her body, and she MAY have lost some potential during said burnout. She survived mainly through luck and a lot of help from Wakan Tanka - which as I've mentioned, has some serious long-term consequences - Wakan Tanka directly working magic on Kayda will 'cloud' the channel between them, possibly limiting Kayda's ability to receive any magic or even communicate with Wakan Tanka.

So no, Kayda's burnout was most definitely NOT a power-up. We just haven't seen all the consequences of it yet.

elrodw wrote: Just a little note here about Kayda.
She did NOT get a power-up from burnout. The effect of burnout was to accelerate the changes to her body, and she MAY have lost some potential during said burnout. She survived mainly through luck and a lot of help from Wakan Tanka - which as I've mentioned, has some serious long-term consequences - Wakan Tanka directly working magic on Kayda will 'cloud' the channel between them, possibly limiting Kayda's ability to receive any magic or even communicate with Wakan Tanka.

So no, Kayda's burnout was most definitely NOT a power-up. We just haven't seen all the consequences of it yet.

Hmm going to guess that her gadgeteer trait acts funny or she is cut off from direct offensive magic and can only cast such spells by storing them in an object like an arrow, and by extension can't actually do the acid rain thing, without a lot of preparation.

I'd just like to say... I didn't mention burnout at all. It's not listed in the story at all, as far as I remember.

While it might be mentioned later, I'm pretty sure I can safely say this is not a story of burnout.

Nagrij wrote: I'd just like to say... I didn't mention burnout at all. It's not listed in the story at all, as far as I remember.

While it might be mentioned later, I'm pretty sure I can safely say this is not a story of burnout.

Well burnout was my theory about Lapin's change

Ah. Well, sorry, got to stomp that idea down.

Nagrij wrote: Ah. Well, sorry, got to stomp that idea down.

Hmm did Lapin spend a few months in captivity or is she a regener?

Only thing from the stories so far I can think of which could cause such a rapid transformation would be one of Jamie's devises somehow causing it. Nothing else mentioned so far fits the bill, that I can recall at the moment.

Yep, I misremembered, I thought the power came from the burnout, not the other way around.

I seem to recall stories where the characters were in a hospital or clinic and were on a super high calorie replenishment IV feed to supply the fuel their bodies needed to finish the transformation.

I got the idea that at one time people who rapidly manifested consumed all their fat reserves and then moved onto muscle and lean flesh and once that went too far they died, and that there were now emergency procedures for people who were undergoing such a rapid transformation.

I got the impression that as long as they could be infused with the calories needed to fuel their change they would not suffer any long term negative effects.

So his Devisor girlfriend, in a Diedrick's laden fit of anger and jealousy, imposed Iron Bunny's BIT on him.

So a few questions to be asked:

Is Amy remorseful?


Does Lucretia have any powers?
If she doesn't why is she going to Whateley?

Will Lucretia testify at the trial, and on which side.

Who is Iron Bunny, and how is she related to Lucretia? (Aunt, exUncle, cousin, not at all)

How many licks does it take to get the center of a Tootsie Pop?


Will Lucretia enjoy her burger?

You'll find that out in part 3; I'm not spoiling.

Considering that you're not (arguably) dealing with the heaviest of themes, I'm finding this to be a damn emotional read. Both Lucas and Jamie are victims to Amy's machinations, to differing manners and degrees. While there's a bit of a gap remaining until Lucretia arrives in NYC, because her fate is more known my thoughts turn to the fate of Jamie. How do the legal proceedings go, largely. Does she see Luke before the latter departs for Whateley? Does she herself end up attending?

Obviously Luke, having had his life well and truly messed up, has a right to hold a grudge against Jamie, but is that the case? How is Jamie dealing with events, given her life is also truly screwed over by her manifestation and Amy?

There's a lot of dramatic potential here, and it would be the very definition of madness to presume to know what is planned (or when the Nebraskan zombies enter the picture).

PS: I noticed a few minor grammatical errors. Is it of sufficient importance to you Nagrij that I PM you with them for corrections?

Ametros wrote: Considering that you're not (arguably) dealing with the heaviest of themes, I'm finding this to be a damn emotional read. Both Lucas and Jamie are victims to Amy's machinations, to differing manners and degrees. While there's a bit of a gap remaining until Lucretia arrives in NYC, because her fate is more known my thoughts turn to the fate of Jamie. How do the legal proceedings go, largely. Does she see Luke before the latter departs for Whateley? Does she herself end up attending?

Obviously Luke, having had his life well and truly messed up, has a right to hold a grudge against Jamie, but is that the case? How is Jamie dealing with events, given her life is also truly screwed over by her manifestation and Amy?

There's a lot of dramatic potential here, and it would be the very definition of madness to presume to know what is planned (or when the Nebraskan zombies enter the picture).

PS: I noticed a few minor grammatical errors. Is it of sufficient importance to you Nagrij that I PM you with them for corrections?

You can, in fact, pm me with errors. I'll even fix them! As for the tale, you'll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out. I really don't want to spoil. I will say expect more of the same flavor for part 3. The zombies are a later story, they won't invade looking for brains quite yet.

Down the Rabbit Hole Part 2 comments
Oh brother, just because she looks unusual they are treating her as a potential threat, the paranoia towards mutants or anything suspected of being a mutant is ridiculous. Just because someone says they have an unusual feature doesn't make it okay to gawk at them. At least the businessman seems to be on the up and u:-p .

Shunned by her old friends, even the geeks and nerds jealous, good to hear there are at least a brave few willing to be her friend. Oh boy, Lucas, getting back her ex-friends for dumping her will backfire, unless there is overwhelming proof otherwise it will be assumed Jamie did it. Always smart to bring your own lunch to school when possible. Not being able to tell the boy and girl twin apart before their growth spurts, ouch. Not living up to a local ideal, Marcus is more confident then I would have been in the same situation.

Cooking as chemistry, surprised more devisors and gadgeteers don't like cooking or are noted to like cooking. Bullying, the school staff should be punishing these bullies, instead of ignoring it. I can understand why Lucas wishes to try and help Jamie. Rock salt and borax! I can understand why her mother banned her from cooking, especially since it moved a little.

The teasing between the twins, too funny. Not all parents experimented with such things, wonder if Jamie's mom did though. Oh god Lucas, with that mindset he will be dangerous in an argument. Oh boy, an internet project on something which should be handled by a professional lab, that can't be good. Oh boy, studying BIT without access to all the current research already done on it, believing it is similar to the avatar power; wonder how much of this is misguided ideas and which might be on the right track.

So the Body Image Template might be based at least partially on collective consciousness and images from the minds and subconscious of humanity could influence someone's BIT. It would explain some of the more bizarre transformations out there, especially when it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the individual. Oh course all of this is just early work on the theory, so if it is true or not is a long way from being proved. And the air marshal giving her the stink eye still, ugh.

Idiots stalking her outside her home just to gawk, I would beat them up as well if they didn't stop. Binoculars and aimed at Jamie's bedroom window, Karl Davies got what he deserved. Mrs. Howe needs to let things go back to normal, just because her daughter is a mutant doesn't mean she isn't the same little girl she loves. Figuring out how the mutations that cause powers work, that is a project bigger than even the human genome project. Trying to find a way to not be a mutant, that never works out well.

So out of it he snuck up on her, that is focus. Pinky and the Brain reference, lol. Why do I have a bad feeling about Etherz, Genotrope, and Psychokidz working with Jamie, like they are using her for some nefarious end. All of their theories could be true, sounds a lot like some of the stuff that was being discussed in Gen 1 about BITs. And an MRI to detect changes in brain activity either as a mutant first manifest or when they are using their powers, she may be rated a Dev-2 but she is brilliant.

Bombarding people's minds with images or thoughts of mutation to stimulate the thought process, how many people are going to be willing to be subjected to such a thing. Ack! Jamie volunteered her boyfriend and friends to be the guinea pigs, girl needs to learn to ask permission. Hold still and think mutant thoughts. This might tingle. At least she still has a sense of humor.

And test it on him immediately, she needs to work on warning people before she test things on them. Kisses him only to pull out some of his hair for DNA, she may be a Dev-2 but it is working strong on her. And Genotrope got in trouble for DNA-based experiments, wonder if the other 2 have an skeletons in their closets. And talk about cutting it close with getting home to make dinner.

Great, the girl who got him in trouble with Jamie, who made her think he was cheating on her, was Amy Milsner. Who probably was only interested in him in the first place because she thought he shouldn't be dating a mutant like Jamie. So a manipulative high school girl causes someone's downfall, oh boy.

Using a sap like Daniel who thinks he has a shot with Jamie if only Lucas was out of the way, talk about mean. Great, Amy is jealous of Jamie and wishes to destroy her life, typical. Obsessed with Lucas, yet doesn't respect him by calling him Luke instead, Amy is mental. And twisting what Jamie is like in her mind to justify her own actions, she needs to see a psychiatrist. And stalking him while keeping herself hidden from his mom on purpose, oh boy.

Working as a lawyer for rich idiots who think the law doesn't apply to them, no wonder his mom is so stressed out. Yikes, no wonder Lucas would rather get driving lessons from his mom than the driver's ed guy at school, guy sounds like he would rather be doing anything else. Must have been a good movie to stay up despite being tired. Taking apart the toaster, not a normal concern for most people inviting friends over. Summer there and yet stuck in school, sounds like a nightmare to me.

Thursday the 19th, a day that will live in infamy, at least for Lucas/Tia. If only Amy wasn't so nuts, nothing would have happened, fate can be cruel.

Lucas, you should have seen this for a set-up and gotten out of there, promise to help or not. A ambush forced kiss and her two friends taking pictures, could have pressed charges for assault and illegal surveillance. Oh crap, she thinks she is cheating on her, assuming the worse, Jamie has serious trust issues. Amy destroyed her relationship with Lucas and his with Jamie all for her delusional beliefs. Where did Jamie go to hide, hard to gauge with her current mindset and emotions.

Amy is a bigger nutjob than I thought, thinking that Lucas would be okay with all this and still trying to force himself on him. She needs to be put in a mental hospital for a stay. Calling Jamie a freak, Amy really is deluded and an idiot, I don't doubt Lucas can and would sick some girls on her for payback. And she would have earned every bit of it. At least Amy took the hint and left, though still thinking that Lucas is the one who is mental and not herself.

Ouch, went to Jamie's house only to find out she went to her special place, on the opposite side of town. Lucas is going to be hurting just from all the walking and jogging. Going to Jamie's special place to confront her and hoping to fix things between things, this is going to end badly. A devisor who believes they are justified and angry can do nearly anything. Jamie isn't there, did Amy have some of her goons kidnap her?

At least he called his mom, Lucas definitely knows not to worry her. Oh boy, heading back to Jamie's place when she is still probably angry was a bad idea, should have given her time to cool off. Immersed in her work, yes. Calm, Lucas is about to learn a harsh lesson about devisors and what they can do when angry. Oh boy, she has even convinced her mom that her betrayed her, not finding out the truth and just believing the set-up.

Jamie has gone psycho, should have listened to the mom and run, Lucas. The gun is based on her part of the BIT project they were working on, this is really bad, plus she isn't listening to reason and only believes what she sees. Dang. she hit him like I knew she would, and now is horrified by what she has done. Too little, too late, Jamie.

Oh boy, Lucas finding out how he was transformed and his mom gushing over her baby, how he, now she, is alive yet also how she couldn't protect him. His/her mom brought in the Iron Bunny, this is big. At least someone realized how they were making Lucas more freaked out. In a coma for a week while he transformed into a she, not as bad as some cases. Lucas is going to freak when he finds out he is now a she and a bunny girl, hopefully something happens to punish Amy for her part in all this.

Ah, so not finished changing but close, poor Lucas is in for a rough ride ahead. A devise to remove non-beneficial mutations, yet she so easily turned it on Lucas in anger. She might have been temporarily insane but I doubt that defense will fly in court for a mutant. Made to add mutant traits so she could make herself prettier, but used it on Lucas in revenge for a perceived betrayal, oh boy. Dang, the initial testing missed she had Diedricks, that is bad; plus she lawyered up and stopped talking, either her parents are trying to protect her or Jamie refuses to take responsibility for her actions due to a mental disease.

Severe depression due to everything happening at home and school blocking the minor Diedricks episodes, oh boy. Oh boy, with how Iron Bunny is reacting to that question, the gun wouldn't help Lucas out. D'oh! That explains Lucas' new look, attacked using Iron Bunny's BIT, no wonder they look like they could be sisters. Figures, a devise used by a devisor in anger doing something that shouldn't be possible and irreversible. Poor Lucas.

Eep! The only chance of a change would be Princess Jobe, that is a far worse fate. The press doesn't even hear from the victim and is twisting it to make her look like the bad guy in all this; when did integrity in the press become something we can only dream of or look upon the past for. At least she got some regen from IB's BIT, so she can heal quick when injured. And the MCO actually has the story straight on what happened, that is practically a miracle.

And the press is twisting the story in both directions, freedom of the press only counts if they report the facts and don't make up things based on hearsay or to sensationalize it, or at least it should. At least officials are backing the true version of events. They wanted her kept in the dark, what idiots thought that was a good idea? Oh boy, named after her grandmother, no wonder she got the name of Lucretia, definitely something to complain about.

Having to relive all that, I know the police need to know what happened but that is still mental torture for the victim, imo. Darn, Jamie is getting punished and probably tried as an adult just because she is a mutant, all due to a mental illness she can't control. I understand why Tia doesn't want to press charges, even if it doesn't matter either way if she does. Ear clips from Ibby, nice nickname for Iron Bunny, so we see when she first got them. Plus poor Tia gets a glimpse of her future figure in Ibby. Wish I could get a pair of ear plugs like those, sensitive hearing even in the human range can be a pain at times.

Mom is going to be giving Tia a lot of hugs before she is sent off to Whateley. Ack! Taking blood for test, the one thing that is the worst part of being in a hospital. Had to endure that for almost a week recently, not fun. Stable and healthy, as a bunny girl, poor Tia has a lot to adjust to. The nurse has seen other victims of devisor tech, guess she would know how bad it could have been. After all that has happened to her, I would want to do nothing but sleep as well.

Paparazzi, this guy is scum and needs to be punished for invading the life of a private citizen. Guard goes on coffee break and sleaze sneaks in, just great. For the press to have no respect like this, new laws enforcing what freedom of the press allows need to be passed, they are given too much freedom to simply invade the life of a victim and badger them just to get a story. Good advice from the nurse, don't let things overwhelm you, if you feel lost, just don't think about it; live entirely in the moment if you have to.

That "reporter" got off easy, with his camera destroy, probation and banned from entering that hospital ever again. Nothing more found out about her, so at least Tia has that.

Can't lay on her back due to her tail, her front due to her new developments, and no matter which position she tries her ears and hair tangle themselves and get in the way. Dang, she has it hard. Oatmeal, toast and juice, actually sounds good to meal, less than what I observed they give you in the hospital with a meal most times though. Could be a local thing though. Yeah, better to catch the mess before it hits the floor. And even if you feel up to it when they are discharging you, have to ride a wheelchair out of the hospital as well.

People are going to stare no matter how you try to make yourself less noticeable, going to have to get used to it or stay indoors a lot. Since her tail has a bone, that means she can wiggle it. Dang, I was in an MRI, each reading took only a minute or 2. An hour completely still would drive me crazy, I have to agree with sedation option. Lucky, I've had those pills to knock you out, took 15 minutes to work and then only knocked me out for 50 minutes. 20/9 vision with equal peripheral vision, dang. And only the MCO has the gear to test her hearing, darn the luck.

Despite her not being a mutant, I could see the MCO wanting to test her just in case. A nurse actually letting you out of a test because she thinks it is stupid, we need more nurse like Peggy who think for themselves instead of just following set instructions. Wait, there are stronger aspects of Iron Bunny's mutation, does she mean the dietary changes or something else? Testing to see if Tia gained her regen by forcing the needle hole to bleed; glad to see mom standing up to her, though a bit surprised since she is a famed superhero and probably really tough.

Wonder if it just a matter of time until Tia manifest Ibby's regen. Oh boy, media circus, when are these people going to learn that just because something happens to a person doesn't mean they want to be interviewed or on the news. All this press in just a week, this is ridiculous, they need to give the victim time to recover. For the MCO and cops being the only ones telling the truth is scary. Disguised as a girl who twisted her ankle while at the beach, this might work, but Murphy's law says someone will rip the hat off.

Further along with the disguise, tapping the ears to the hat and her tail down, taking that tape off is going to hurt. Peggy couldn't resist smiling at how Tia looks, poor girl has just started on her journey. All that work on the disguise, only to have it potentially blown by an undisguised mom with them. I can't stand reporters like this, makes me infuriated they have so much freedom to harass people and make up lies in the name of a "story". And even chasing someone in a vehicle, endangering people to get a story, this is sickening behavior.

Leaving mom to her own devices since she knows this song and dance, she probably knows more than a few ways to ditch them. A white-knuckle ride, glad I've never had to experience that, would probably be too scared to get in another vehicle for months afterwards. At least the police are nearby and should be able to stop them. And enjoy the meat while you still can, Tia. Can't wait for the next part and to learn more about Tia, her mom, and how her mom knows Ibby.

lol dreamer... pretty much what you just said.

Minor point: is her codename going to be "Lapin" or "Lapine"? I have seen both versions, and before I start tackling the Wiki I would prefer to get this straightened out.

Anyway... it seems that Mom is really holding a grudge against Jamie (she refers to her as "that person"). I doubt that she is willing to let the charges drop. How will this go in court is anybody's guess; it WAS assault, and an untested devise designed to change one's DNA probably fits the definition of "potentially deadly weapon," And she's a mutant, which might indispose prosecutors/judges/juries against her. OTOH, Jamie's a minor (I think) and was acting under diminished capacity (depression and Diedrick's triggered by psychological trauma). She might get away with some time in a psychiatric hospital, or perhaps ARC. The only good thing is that the MCO won't dare to "disappear" Jamie, since her case is too high-profile.

Mom and Ibby are oddly familiar with each other, more than one would expect from merely a business relationship. Yet if they were regular friends, Luke might have been introduced to Ibby before, or at least heard Mom talk about her. And Mom is a good-looking divorcee who doesn't appear to be dating anyone. I'm thinking... maybe Mom is a closeted lesbian, and that was a big factor in the failure of her marriage? And Ibby is an old flame?

Sir Lee wrote: Minor point: is her codename going to be "Lapin" or "Lapine"? I have seen both versions, and before I start tackling the Wiki I would prefer to get this straightened out.

Anyway... it seems that Mom is really holding a grudge against Jamie (she refers to her as "that person"). I doubt that she is willing to let the charges drop. How will this go in court is anybody's guess; it WAS assault, and an untested devise designed to change one's DNA probably fits the definition of "potentially deadly weapon," And she's a mutant, which might indispose prosecutors/judges/juries against her. OTOH, Jamie's a minor (I think) and was acting under diminished capacity (depression and Diedrick's triggered by psychological trauma). She might get away with some time in a psychiatric hospital, or perhaps ARC. The only good thing is that the MCO won't dare to "disappear" Jamie, since her case is too high-profile.

Mom and Ibby are oddly familiar with each other, more than one would expect from merely a business relationship. Yet if they were regular friends, Luke might have been introduced to Ibby before, or at least heard Mom talk about her. And Mom is a good-looking divorcee who doesn't appear to be dating anyone. I'm thinking... maybe Mom is a closeted lesbian, and that was a big factor in the failure of her marriage? And Ibby is an old flame?

Tia's codename will be lapin, and the third installment will include why that spelling specifically. Any instances of Lapine in the story is a typo.

Estrella (Tia's mom) and Ibby are old friends, but Luke had never met her. There are pretty good reasons for that too.

As for the trial, you'll see it.

Well, I really hope that we get to see Amy get chewed out by Luke or his mom. (Luke seems the more likely to have the chance, but I'm not sure that he's really in the right mental state right now to cut into her like his mom could).


Oh, boy. Jamie has a mental illness more serious the Diedricks? On top of Diedricks? I hope she's okay, and that she and Luke can get some closure.

This is just speculation, but I'm starting to think that we didn't really see how emotionally dependent Jamie was on Luke. Or maybe not Luke himself, but the promise that he'll always be there for her. If she was using that promise to keep herself stable, then it's no wonder she descended into full fledged Diedricks the moment that that assurance was cut out from under her. Well, Jamie is a minor and can plead insanity, so hopefully her punishment won't be too severe, and hopefully Ribbon's Diedrick's research has progressed far enough to help Jamie at least a little.

Now I see why the MCO is so eager to do right by Luke/Tia. Her origin supports their "Dangerous Mutant" propaganda perfectly.

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Well, I really hope that we get to see Amy get chewed out by Luke or his mom. (Luke seems the more likely to have the chance, but I'm not sure that he's really in the right mental state right now to cut into her like his mom could).


Oh, boy. Jamie has a mental illness more serious the Diedricks? On top of Diedricks? I hope she's okay, and that she and Luke can get some closure.

This is just speculation, but I'm starting to think that we didn't really see how emotionally dependent Jamie was on Luke. Or maybe not Luke himself, but the promise that he'll always be there for her. If she was using that promise to keep herself stable, then it's no wonder she descended into full fledged Diedricks the moment that that assurance was cut out from under her. Well, Jamie is a minor and can plead insanity, so hopefully her punishment won't be too severe, and hopefully Ribbon's Diedrick's research has progressed far enough to help Jamie at least a little.

Now I see why the MCO is so eager to do right by Luke/Tia. Her origin supports their "Dangerous Mutant" propaganda perfectly.

*stuffs Arcanist Lupus full of internet cookies*

Mind the T-virus in them. You'll probably be fine though.

Nagrij wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Well, I really hope that we get to see Amy get chewed out by Luke or his mom. (Luke seems the more likely to have the chance, but I'm not sure that he's really in the right mental state right now to cut into her like his mom could).


Oh, boy. Jamie has a mental illness more serious the Diedricks? On top of Diedricks? I hope she's okay, and that she and Luke can get some closure.

This is just speculation, but I'm starting to think that we didn't really see how emotionally dependent Jamie was on Luke. Or maybe not Luke himself, but the promise that he'll always be there for her. If she was using that promise to keep herself stable, then it's no wonder she descended into full fledged Diedricks the moment that that assurance was cut out from under her. Well, Jamie is a minor and can plead insanity, so hopefully her punishment won't be too severe, and hopefully Ribbon's Diedrick's research has progressed far enough to help Jamie at least a little.

Now I see why the MCO is so eager to do right by Luke/Tia. Her origin supports their "Dangerous Mutant" propaganda perfectly.

*stuffs Arcanist Lupus full of internet cookies*

Mind the T-virus in them. You'll probably be fine though.

Are these cookies for my speculation on Jamie's emotional state? Or do you just like feeding people cookies?

Nagrij wrote: *stuffs Arcanist Lupus full of internet cookies*

Mind the T-virus in them. You'll probably be fine though.

Well that was an extreme reaction...

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Oh, boy. Jamie has a mental illness more serious the Diedricks? On top of Diedricks? I hope she's okay, and that she and Luke can get some closure.

I guessed it was depression in the page comments. ... Gotta wait a week to see if I'm right...

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Nagrij wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Well, I really hope that we get to see Amy get chewed out by Luke or his mom. (Luke seems the more likely to have the chance, but I'm not sure that he's really in the right mental state right now to cut into her like his mom could).


Oh, boy. Jamie has a mental illness more serious the Diedricks? On top of Diedricks? I hope she's okay, and that she and Luke can get some closure.

This is just speculation, but I'm starting to think that we didn't really see how emotionally dependent Jamie was on Luke. Or maybe not Luke himself, but the promise that he'll always be there for her. If she was using that promise to keep herself stable, then it's no wonder she descended into full fledged Diedricks the moment that that assurance was cut out from under her. Well, Jamie is a minor and can plead insanity, so hopefully her punishment won't be too severe, and hopefully Ribbon's Diedrick's research has progressed far enough to help Jamie at least a little.

Now I see why the MCO is so eager to do right by Luke/Tia. Her origin supports their "Dangerous Mutant" propaganda perfectly.

*stuffs Arcanist Lupus full of internet cookies*

Mind the T-virus in them. You'll probably be fine though.

Are these cookies for my speculation on Jamie's emotional state? Or do you just like feeding people cookies?

Yes.

Was curious if you were familiar with the Manga "Gate" Also a two season Anime.

I ask because one of the fantasy races in it are "Warrior Bunnies" and while they look like fan-service cuties, they are actually vicious barbarian warriors in their natural state.

One of the principal motivators for a lot of the back ground political plotting is a slave girl Bunny who manipulates the prince who enslaved her, with the goal of giving him advice that will bring about the downfall of the Empire that conquered her people.

kissmanga.com/Manga/Gate-Jietai-Kare-no-Chi-nite-Kaku-Tatakeri

In any case, I can't help but use the character models from that Manga when I'm thinking of Lapin, though those bunny girls have furry arms and legs, while their torsos and face are hairless.

peter wrote: Was curious if you were familiar with the Manga "Gate" Also a two season Anime.

I ask because one of the fantasy races in it are "Warrior Bunnies" and while they look like fan-service cuties, they are actually vicious barbarian warriors in their natural state.

One of the principal motivators for a lot of the back ground political plotting is a slave girl Bunny who manipulates the prince who enslaved her, with the goal of giving him advice that will bring about the downfall of the Empire that conquered her people.

kissmanga.com/Manga/Gate-Jietai-Kare-no-Chi-nite-Kaku-Tatakeri

In any case, I can't help but use the character models from that Manga when I'm thinking of Lapin, though those bunny girls have furry arms and legs, while their torsos and face are hairless.

I am aware of it, but have not seen it. Sounds like I should.

Nagrij wrote:

peter wrote: Was curious if you were familiar with the Manga "Gate" Also a two season Anime.

I ask because one of the fantasy races in it are "Warrior Bunnies" and while they look like fan-service cuties, they are actually vicious barbarian warriors in their natural state.

One of the principal motivators for a lot of the back ground political plotting is a slave girl Bunny who manipulates the prince who enslaved her, with the goal of giving him advice that will bring about the downfall of the Empire that conquered her people.

kissmanga.com/Manga/Gate-Jietai-Kare-no-Chi-nite-Kaku-Tatakeri

In any case, I can't help but use the character models from that Manga when I'm thinking of Lapin, though those bunny girls have furry arms and legs, while their torsos and face are hairless.

I am aware of it, but have not seen it. Sounds like I should.

Feel I should warn you that while it is not explicit, the Manga is very graphic, and there is rape and abuse, that is realistically depicted as a consequence of the type of activity you get in war time. The anime soft pedals many of the scenes however.

On the plus side, if you look at it that way, just about every rapist suffers sever and sometimes fatal karmic payback for their actions.

It's okay Peter, I can handle it. Thanks for the warning though.

I particularly liked the bit with Mrs. Howe trying to help Luke while also trying not to say anything that could send Jamie further into the deep end. Nicely done.

Kettlekorn wrote: I particularly liked the bit with Mrs. Howe trying to help Luke while also trying not to say anything that could send Jamie further into the deep end. Nicely done.

Yep. There has been some question as to what type of parents the Howe's really are, but judging them as bad people assumes the person judging knows Jamie better than they do. Not giving them a pass, not saying they are saints, but there could be facts and behavior not yet in evidence that could justify some of the weirdness.

When Jamie seemed like a harmless devisor (well, as harmless as any devisor is), then their fear seemed mutaphobic. But if they knew about her mental illness (assuming that it predated her mutation), or picked up on her suppressed Diedricks, then no wonder they were terrified.

Although that doesn't explain why they were cleaning the house when Luke found out. Maybe Jamie's mysterious illness is OCD? Or just OC - she's obsessive and compulsive, but not enough to be a disorder, or to be noticeable by anyone besides her parents. But nothing else in the story really matches up with that - I would expect Jamie to be described as a "neat freak" if that were the case, or other some other mention that she's especially orderly. So maybe not.

It's definitely a piece of information I'm looking forward to obtaining.

Are we fortunate enough for a third part to be in the queue already, or is it still a work-in-progress? No pressure. I think I can manage waiting a week or three. Maybe.

Ametros wrote: It's definitely a piece of information I'm looking forward to obtaining.

Are we fortunate enough for a third part to be in the queue already, or is it still a work-in-progress? No pressure. I think I can manage waiting a week or three. Maybe.

The third and probably final part of the origin is currently open, and I'm staring at it. My muse tells me it's half done, and word count mostly agrees with that. It might run a bit longer than the other 2 parts, but not significantly so. I hope to have it finished and ready for the editing process by the end of the week.

Arcanist Lupus wrote: When Jamie seemed like a harmless devisor (well, as harmless as any devisor is), then their fear seemed mutaphobic. But if they knew about her mental illness (assuming that it predated her mutation), or picked up on her suppressed Diedricks, then no wonder they were terrified.

Although that doesn't explain why they were cleaning the house when Luke found out. Maybe Jamie's mysterious illness is OCD? Or just OC - she's obsessive and compulsive, but not enough to be a disorder, or to be noticeable by anyone besides her parents. But nothing else in the story really matches up with that - I would expect Jamie to be described as a "neat freak" if that were the case, or other some other mention that she's especially orderly. So maybe not.

Well, the illness has got to fit these conditions:

The theory we're going with is, well, it's grim. The normal episodic fits of diedricks was over-ruled by a more severe mental illness.

So, we're actually just guessing their theory, but the supposed illness has to be able to overrule Diedricks... And somehow, the illness stops (suppressing / repressing / whatever) the Diedricks when Jamie thought Luke cheated on her.

Although, we know its a real-world illness 'cause it been happening from before mutation.

Wait...

Jamie has diedricks; the devisor mental disease.

So, Diedricks is Devisors-only? Most likely an uninformed speaker speaking, though... But if not... Does this mean James Diedrick is a Devisor?

***

I didn't cheat on her mom

Uhh.... :rofl:

Nagrij wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Estrella (Tia's mom) and Ibby are old friends, but Luke had never met her. There are pretty good reasons for that too.

And here I was hoping Ibby would turn to Lucretia and say:

No, I am your father.

Malady wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote: When Jamie seemed like a harmless devisor (well, as harmless as any devisor is), then their fear seemed mutaphobic. But if they knew about her mental illness (assuming that it predated her mutation), or picked up on her suppressed Diedricks, then no wonder they were terrified.

Although that doesn't explain why they were cleaning the house when Luke found out. Maybe Jamie's mysterious illness is OCD? Or just OC - she's obsessive and compulsive, but not enough to be a disorder, or to be noticeable by anyone besides her parents. But nothing else in the story really matches up with that - I would expect Jamie to be described as a "neat freak" if that were the case, or other some other mention that she's especially orderly. So maybe not.

Well, the illness has got to fit these conditions:

The theory we're going with is, well, it's grim. The normal episodic fits of diedricks was over-ruled by a more severe mental illness.

So, we're actually just guessing their theory, but the supposed illness has to be able to overrule Diedricks... And somehow, the illness stops (suppressing / repressing / whatever) the Diedricks when Jamie thought Luke cheated on her.

Although, we know its a real-world illness 'cause it been happening from before mutation.

Wait...

Jamie has diedricks; the devisor mental disease.

So, Diedricks is Devisors-only? Most likely an uninformed speaker speaking, though... But if not... Does this mean James Diedrick is a Devisor?

***

I didn't cheat on her mom

Uhh.... :rofl:

Devisors are rather susceptible to Diedricks, though energizers get it too as do a few others, such as manifestors, mages and psis, but rather than it being a relatively uncommon thing it is for non-devisors, it seems to approach or exceed the 90% range for devisors in the effected demographic, it seems that Devisors that don't have it to some extent are far more rare than the ones that do, which means that one REALLY have to look out for Devisor Exemplars as they could have Diedrick's, Galahad's, and Hercules syndromes all at once... Anyone who such a person would be in a relationship with would have to get into the "Just nod and say yes" survival plan very quickly and wear a PFG at all times....

So saying its a Devisor mental illness IS accurate as a significant majority of them have it at least to some extent, and its rare in non-devisor mutants.

The simple fact is, Diedricks is not devisor only, even if the majority of people who have it are devisors. But not everyone in the WU knows that, and sometimes people get it wrong.

The other thing is that when a devisor dricks out, it tends to be more...memorable...

Hence the connection in people's minds

*nods* The only thing approaching that memorability would be a hallucinatory PSI, or a mage. Right?

And mages are limited by Essence supplies...

We haven't seen anyone other than Devs and Gadgs dricking, right? Certainly never a mage yet? ... Hmm... Are we gonna see a dricking mage, I wonder? Hmm...

Malady wrote: *nods* The only thing approaching that memorability would be a hallucinatory PSI, or a mage. Right?

And mages are limited by Essence supplies...

We haven't seen anyone other than Devs and Gadgs dricking, right? Certainly never a mage yet? ... Hmm... Are we gonna see a dricking mage, I wonder? Hmm...

There's an energizer in Hawthorne who dricks out almost as often as M.D. I believe her name is Hippolyta (yes it's the same as Poe's Hippy). Olympia.

Thanks Arcanist

You're thinking of Olympia, I think.

Changed it. You're almost certainly right.

Just a last comment on Diedrick's before it should maybe get it's own dedicated thread for discussion, but the wiki mentioned that it's the use of the power that causes it (the wording on the page implies Word of God).

WIKI wrote: Diedrick's Syndrome is a condition where the use of a mutant power causes the brain to overproduce certain kinds of neuro-transmitters.

In that case, Devisor's with the syndrome would, I think, be more susceptible to frequent incidents, as unlike the other power sets known to potentially have the syndrome, Devisor's can't really shut down, or stop using their power. That would certainly contribute to the perception (true or not) of Devisor bias and/or exclusivity in regards to Diedrick's.

Domoviye wrote:

Malady wrote: *nods* The only thing approaching that memorability would be a hallucinatory PSI, or a mage. Right?

And mages are limited by Essence supplies...

We haven't seen anyone other than Devs and Gadgs dricking, right? Certainly never a mage yet? ... Hmm... Are we gonna see a dricking mage, I wonder? Hmm...

There's an energizer in Hawthorne who dricks out almost as often as M.D. I believe her name is Hippolyta (yes it's the same as Poe's Hippy). Olympia.

Thanks Arcanist

The problem with Diedricks in mages is that it tends to lead to them thinking "differently"... some of them won't be able to cast spells reliably due to this and others may be able to cast them even better than normal due to an enhanced focus... BUT... much like in other Diedricks outbursts They go full-out in what they do. This is pretty dangerous for them because they have a limited fuel-source. If they cast themselves down to nothing it can have repercussions on the ability to get their essence well started again and built-up to any appreciable amount. If not leading to other negative outcomes.

Also a drick episode in a mage may well attract inimical creatures, or have the mage attempt to control something they cant.
So Darwin tends to restrict the number of mages who have the syndrome badly.

Astrodragon wrote: Also a drick episode in a mage may well attract inimical creatures, or have the mage attempt to control something they cant.
So Darwin tends to restrict the number of mages who have the syndrome badly.

I still wouldn't be surprised if one of the leading causes of death for devisors was Diedrick's related incidents...

I think it might be illuminating to remember that the baseline equivalent to the Devisor power, the Schimmelhorn Enginner, is linked to a quasi-maniacal hyperfocus.
Meaning... what if the Devisor power requires one to be a bit insane to begin with? That could go a long way to explain why devisors are unusually susceptible to Diedrick's.

"I could go for a burger"

Just a wonderfully evil final line to the story....

Sir Lee wrote: I think it might be illuminating to remember that the baseline equivalent to the Devisor power, the Schimmelhorn Enginner, is linked to a quasi-maniacal hyperfocus.
Meaning... what if the Devisor power requires one to be a bit insane to begin with? That could go a long way to explain why devisors are unusually susceptible to Diedrick's.

Define sanity? Because if you mean the popular conception of it, all very intelligent people with any kind of focus at all are insane in some way or another. The term sanity denotes a mean average in the way people think. While I'll admit that average exists for a reason, the real way to look at this is to define who the sane people are; it's a much smaller sample size than might be previously thought.

Well, yes, you have a good point -- in that defining sanity is a very hard thing to do. But, well, the Devisor power requires one to believe things that clearly aren't true, and they know it.

Take, for instance, Buck Swift, Boy of Wednesday Afternoon. All his "inventions" hinge on his belief in the existence of the luminiferous aether, something that has been disproven for more than one century and replaced by Relativity, which has lots of proof for it.

And it's not just a matter of ignorance; if knowledge of why their stuff shouldn't work was enough to break their power, Devisors wouldn't be encouraged to take science and technology courses. Indeed, they are encouraged to take lots of science courses in order to improve their creations. They are able to learn why their beliefs are wrong, still keep their beliefs and integrate them with the same science that proves them wrong. That's a heck of a job of compartmentalizing beliefs.

I don't think that anybody who can do those sorts of mental gymnastics is quite sane. Yes, we see contradictory beliefs in other scenarios -- but people deal with them by picking-and-choosing what to believe. They don't hold both contradictory beliefs at once -- they either reject their unscientific beliefs, or they reject the particular scientific theory that offends their beliefs. You can't flip a switch on your head and be a flat-earther in one moment and a round-earther in the next. But devisors do that, constantly.

Indeed, how could any sane, reputable Physicist believe in something for which there is no experimental proof, and has just been theorised to make existing theories fit.

Like Dark Matter, for example....

Dark energy has been found.

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Dark energy has been found.

The effects of dark matter have been observed but as it hasn't been reproduced in a lab, it could have properties vastly different than what is theorized. So all we know is that something that appears to act like dark matter is theorized to act exists.

I've read a story (Legion, by Brandon Sanderson), in which the main character makes a case that being sane is dependent on your ability to function in society. Which is why he claims to be sane, despite living in a house with 43 hallucinations. He knows that his hallucinations aren't really, even though he treats them as real, so they don't interfere with him interacting with normal people. Mostly.

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Dark energy has been found.

Actually no, it hasnt.

Sir Lee wrote: Well, yes, you have a good point -- in that defining sanity is a very hard thing to do. But, well, the Devisor power requires one to believe things that clearly aren't true, and they know it.

Take, for instance, Buck Swift, Boy of Wednesday Afternoon. All his "inventions" hinge on his belief in the existence of the luminiferous aether, something that has been disproven for more than one century and replaced by Relativity, which has lots of proof for it.

And it's not just a matter of ignorance; if knowledge of why their stuff shouldn't work was enough to break their power, Devisors wouldn't be encouraged to take science and technology courses. Indeed, they are encouraged to take lots of science courses in order to improve their creations. They are able to learn why their beliefs are wrong, still keep their beliefs and integrate them with the same science that proves them wrong. That's a heck of a job of compartmentalizing beliefs.

I don't think that anybody who can do those sorts of mental gymnastics is quite sane. Yes, we see contradictory beliefs in other scenarios -- but people deal with them by picking-and-choosing what to believe. They don't hold both contradictory beliefs at once -- they either reject their unscientific beliefs, or they reject the particular scientific theory that offends their beliefs. You can't flip a switch on your head and be a flat-earther in one moment and a round-earther in the next. But devisors do that, constantly.

Agreed, I'm not arguing for the sanity of Jamie or in fact any devisor, just stating for the record that sanity is a small cross section of humanity than humanity thinks it is. I too also believe that sanity is a function of being able to operate in current society with a minimum of issues. Under those rules Jamie is somewhat less than sane, though I doubt that comes as a surprise to anyone.

As for science; well dark matter and dark energy have some evidence of their existence, in much the same way a falling apple provides evidence of gravity. The terms dark matter and dark energy are actually placeholders describing the phenomenon, and not the explanation of it. But that conversation is probably best moved to a general devisor post, or summer mutation's post. (hint hint).

I think that dark matter is Aether, we just don't know how to interact with it. Once we do, space travel will be much cheaper.

I just had a really gross thought.
Ibby mentioned how she had some defects she wanted fixed, could it be cecotropes? Because even having the desire to eat that stuff would have to be really damn disturbing.

I'm pretty sure that Nagrij already said that Lapin doesn't have a rabbit's stupid digestive tract, so I doubt it.

Yeah, but Ibby did say she had it worse.

Domoviye wrote: Yeah, but Ibby did say she had it worse.

No, Ibby is referring to something else, namely her ears and tail, which like Tia's, are just a little to big to hide reasonably. She has long since come to terms with her own vegetarian nature.

Sure, holographic devisor tech might be available, but that isn't the same.

Cripes, 83 new comments since I last looked at this page!

Amy: I doubt she'd get punished at all - she'd probably be thanked by H1! and friends for demonstrating how dangerous mutants really are, while privately patting her on the back for her entrapment scheme.

Jamie: Given the media interest, there's likely to be a big campaign (courtesy of H1! and friends) to throw the proverbial book at her and remove her from society for ever. A lot will depend on the views of the judge in the case. It's anyone's guess what will happen, but possibly the best case scenario would be to officially render her to ARC, then unofficially transfer her to a certain nearby educational institution.

Luke / Tia: "Somehow Jamie's devise overwrote a large portion of your genetic code, almost in an instant, with my body image template." So although not born with the metagene complex, it's likely she now has it, so even in the absence of any noticeable powers, there's a possibility some might emerge (beyond what's likely to be Ex 1 or Ex 2 - decent fitness approaching human peak, faster-than-average healing but not likely to be enough to count as regen). Coupled with the physical traits she's inherited from Ibby and an education in mutant traits wouldn't go amiss. Couple that with Whateley being a partial secret (definitely free from the ravages of the media pack) and that would be reason in itself to send her there, as even though most of the media furore has died down by September, it's likely she'd still be harrassed by the occasional reporter / paparazzi or two - never mind the other drawbacks of fame (public recognition and all that entails).

Also, evidently something happens to the earbuds she's been given by Ibby before September, given by then she's wearing a pair of bugged MCO issue ones. It's remotely possible Nagrij will feed us some more teasers / clues regarding the people tracking her en-route to Whateley (likely holding back on their reveal and the exact nature of their mission to the sequel to Calamari).

It will interesting to see what happens to Jamie, given the way Ribbon ended.

Compiling information for the Wiki List of Canon Stories, Part 2's narrative appears to be set between 18th and 26th of a month, but I don't recall reading any dates in Part 1, or exactly when the framing plane journey narrative is set (5th September, the day Calamari 1 starts?)

It just bugs me slightly that one of the main origin stories is currently sitting in the Uncertain Dated Stories section...

Part 2 is between 18 and 26 of May, 2016. We know that 19 was a Thursday, it has to be before September in order for Lapin to be in "Calamari", and it shouldn't be TOO far before that, otherwise she would have been sent to Whateley in a previous term. The only month that fits all the data is May, 2016 (previous occurrence of the 19 on a Thursday was November 2015).

The framing story is likely to be September 5th or, at most, the 4th -- but I don't think Lapin took a redeye flight.

Chapter 1 is harder to date because it appears to cover a period of several months.

Sir Lee wrote: Part 2 is between 18 and 26 of May, 2016. We know that 19 was a Thursday, it has to be before September in order for Lapin to be in "Calamari", and it shouldn't be TOO far before that, otherwise she would have been sent to Whateley in a previous term. The only month that fits all the data is May, 2016 (previous occurrence of the 19 on a Thursday was November 2015).

The framing story is likely to be September 5th or, at most, the 4th -- but I don't think Lapin took a redeye flight.

Chapter 1 is harder to date because it appears to cover a period of several months.

Correct. It is timed to coincide with the end of the school year, and beginning of summer. The previous part (part 1) covers from the start of that same school year to part 2, or around 6 months.

So for Wiki timeline purposes, set the start / end dates for both parts (well, probably the rest of the tale as well) as September 4th, with the "Other Dates" written as Sep 2015 - May 2016 for Part 1, and May 2016 for Part 2?

mittfh wrote: So for Wiki timeline purposes, set the start / end dates for both parts (well, probably the rest of the tale as well) as September 4th, with the "Other Dates" written as Sep 2015 - May 2016 for Part 1, and May 2016 for Part 2?

If I'm remembering correctly, yes. My memory is kinda crap, but if it's not those exact dates, it's within days of them.

I admit I have an odd more world then story specific question. We know Lapin is going in for testing and to get her MID card so what's the actual requirement for MID cards? If Lapin isn't a mutant is she in fact required to have one? What would be the requirement for mages or others who aren't mutants, or is the MCO just not able/want to differentiate and basically requires everyone to get registered who has some sort of power/ability?

Ambara wrote: I admit I have an odd more world then story specific question. We know Lapin is going in for testing and to get her MID card so what's the actual requirement for MID cards? If Lapin isn't a mutant is she in fact required to have one? What would be the requirement for mages or others who aren't mutants, or is the MCO just not able/want to differentiate and basically requires everyone to get registered who has some sort of power/ability?

According to the Wiki they are issued to all powered individuals, no matter the source of their powers.

Wiki wrote: In the U.S., all people with paranormal abilities are issued MIDs, regardless of whether or not they are mutants. The situation in other countries isn't clear.

Wiki MID

Valentine wrote: According to the Wiki they are issued to all powered individuals, no matter the source of their powers.

Wiki wrote: In the U.S., all people with paranormal abilities are issued MIDs, regardless of whether or not they are mutants. The situation in other countries isn't clear.

Wiki MID

Well I feel like a twit for not even looking there, and thank you for the link.

Ambara wrote:

Valentine wrote: According to the Wiki they are issued to all powered individuals, no matter the source of their powers.

Wiki wrote: In the U.S., all people with paranormal abilities are issued MIDs, regardless of whether or not they are mutants. The situation in other countries isn't clear.

Wiki MID

Well I feel like a twit for not even looking there, and thank you for the link.

There are also some nonpowered people that have MIDs also, such as Chou, her mentor/instructor, and Crash Test Dummy.

I'll have to look Crash Test Dummy as I don't have a clue who they are.

Crash Test Dummy is not his real handle, it's the nickname Imp tacked on him. And he hates it.

But really, we don't know if he has a MID, since we know very little about him (other than he blames Imp for the nickname)

Sir Lee wrote: Crash Test Dummy is not his real handle, it's the nickname Imp tacked on him. And he hates it.

But really, we don't know if he has a MID, since we know very little about him (other than he blames Imp for the nickname)

Imp in one story tells him that she changed his name to Crash Test Dummy in the DPA database, so he may not have an MID.

Ohhhhh yes I remember him now.

Update!

Lapin is as reliable a narrator as any person is; she doesn't know everything.

A very excellent conclusion!

Maybe Lapin doesn't want to know about Jamie's other issues, but I do! I hope that they manage to reconcile.

And Lapin joins Cerulea in the "has mysterious watchers who seem nefarious but also weirdly benevolent" club. I wonder if it's the same group?


Did I miss something? Lapin told Cerulea that she got her ear clips from the MCO, but I didn't see that happen here.

Arcanist Lupus wrote: A very excellent conclusion!

Maybe Lapin doesn't want to know about Jamie's other issues, but I do! I hope that they manage to reconcile.

And Lapin joins Cerulea in the "has mysterious watchers who seem nefarious but also weirdly benevolent" club. I wonder if it's the same group?


Did I miss something? Lapin told Cerulea that she got her ear clips from the MCO, but I didn't see that happen here.

Her ear clips are actually gifts from the doctor she met, by way of Ibby. The reference you're talking about is about her getting her ear clips back from the MCO - after being searched at the airport. A sort of 'who's on first' misunderstanding on the part of the characters.

So Tia is a nympho... I have to say that the scene where it was discovered was one of the most respectful and well done versions of it I've ever read.

While reading, I was thinking that after a year or two, Jamie could go to Whateley as part of a plea deal and good behaviour, because then fun hijinks could ensue. But seeing how she reacted, I don't think we'd see angsty, hilarious problems, but 'someone's going to die' hijinks instead.

Learning more about exemplar rankings in story was nice. I knew that a level one could be weaker then a baseline, I hadn't realized it was that much weaker.

Playboy bunny... Sigh.

Who are all these secretive followers and stalkers? Do we have someone wanting to make a haram?

Great story, can't wait to see more of her.

One thing of note, Tia's physical abilities in Powers Testing and what she demonstrates in Big Apple part 2 and states in Rabbit hole part 1, are VASTLY different, as though she's an exemplar that is helped by exercise exceptionally well, or certain parts of the BIT are being filled in by her determination to be stronger, going from Ex1 to a high Ex2.

Domoviye wrote: So Tia is a nympho... I have to say that the scene where it was discovered was one of the most respectful and well done versions of it I've ever read.

While reading, I was thinking that after a year or two, Jamie could go to Whateley as part of a plea deal and good behaviour, because then fun hijinks could ensue. But seeing how she reacted, I don't think we'd see angsty, hilarious problems, but 'someone's going to die' hijinks instead.

Learning more about exemplar rankings in story was nice. I knew that a level one could be weaker then a baseline, I hadn't realized it was that much weaker.

Playboy bunny... Sigh.

Who are all these secretive followers and stalkers? Do we have someone wanting to make a haram?

Great story, can't wait to see more of her.

Thanks, that scene took a bit to get 'just so'. Tia's condition is something I'll be trying to write correctly (as most writings of the condition are done for comedic or erotic effect, wrongly in my opinion).

The secretive types are just that. You'll see more of those.

As for the exemplar rating and how it's working? Tia's new BIT is a little weak, a pale knock-off of the original. She does indeed get a bit better.

Poor Tia. I feared for the worse during the "memory loss" scene, but as it turns out that isn't the biggest deal all things considered. We've learned a few things about Tia, Iron Bunny and Jamie from this part, though.

Jamie appears to have a strong disconnect related to her actions and the repercussions of such, and so I'd probably rightly call her rather crazy. I wonder if it's ultimately for the best though, as being fully cognisant of the act she committed might well break her.

As for Tia? I've noticed a lot of stress placed on mention of devisors during this third part. I can only assume that at this point at least, she has something of a bias against them, for valid reasons of course? It doesn't seem to impact her relationship with Laura thus far, in Calamari - even their interactions immediately after Laura was mentioned as possibly being a Devisor were friendly. That's good.

And if I'm reading (and wording) this right, it seems her... lack of inhibitions and social awareness regarding her inherited nymphomania will likely result in some pretty trying times at Whateley, down the road. It might also cause some serious personal issues if she ends up thinking of it as a personality shift not unlike Jamie's...

Ametros wrote: Poor Tia. I feared for the worse during the "memory loss" scene, but as it turns out that isn't the biggest deal all things considered. We've learned a few things about Tia, Iron Bunny and Jamie from this part, though.

Jamie appears to have a strong disconnect related to her actions and the repercussions of such, and so I'd probably rightly call her rather crazy. I wonder if it's ultimately for the best though, as being fully cognisant of the act she committed might well break her.

As for Tia? I've noticed a lot of stress placed on mention of devisors during this third part. I can only assume that at this point at least, she has something of a bias against them, for valid reasons of course? It doesn't seem to impact her relationship with Laura thus far, in Calamari - even their interactions immediately after Laura was mentioned as possibly being a Devisor were friendly. That's good.

And if I'm reading (and wording) this right, it seems her... lack of inhibitions and social awareness regarding her inherited nymphomania will likely result in some pretty trying times at Whateley, down the road. It might also cause some serious personal issues if she ends up thinking of it as a personality shift not unlike Jamie's...

Well on the nature of Tia's Nymphomania... BIT given or not, it has physical markers on the body; that is, Tia's brain has the physical and chemical issues corresponding to her condition, (and the mental issues could also be inferred). So to Tia, it's a body issue.

She might eventually come to think of it as a personality shift. Can't rule either way without spoiling, and I'm really trying to avoid that.

Evidently, as the medication limits it (for Iron Bunny at least, but presumably also Tia). I was just noting that it would be pretty hard on Tia if they were to draw a connection between the two.

And thanks for not spoiling. We (the readers) want you to have your fun with-holding stuff so that we may have our fun in turn when events unfold.

Edit: Woo, 100th post!

Ametros wrote: Evidently, as the medication limits it (for Iron Bunny at least, but presumably also Tia). I was just noting that it would be pretty hard on Tia if they were to draw a connection between the two.

And thanks for not spoiling. We (the readers) want you to have your fun with-holding stuff so that we may have our fun in turn when events unfold.

Edit: Woo, 100th post!

Just wait - lol.

Down the Rabbit Hole Part 3 comments
Ouch, rough way to find out she can't eat meat anymore. A large house among the hills amidst the redwoods, very nice. A two-story log cabin, now there is a place to live in the woods. Wait, what?!? A woman like Ibby is single, something is up. Have to go to 2nd safe house, darn reporters! No fur left on the tape, odd as she thought but useful. Holo-vision, as in holographic TV, I want!

A large stone fireplace and actual outdoor grill inside, this house is a like a dream. House remote, whole place is wired, helpful but I hope it has good shielding against hacking. Figures, media and other types avoid breaking the law while messing with regular people's lives. Even CNN won't drop the story, where has journalistic integrity gone in this country. Avocado...never could get used to the taste myself.

Mom knows about all the potential problems that could pop up for Luke, yet was going to tell her about it and ease into it, while Ibby dropped her into the deep end. And she takes the smart way, better to know than to keep worrying about all the potential problems that might crop up. Ibby was a Playboy playmate, dang. Mom having to get Ibby to be serious about the whole thing, still wondering what their relationship is. Ibby is an honest to goodness nymphomaniac, meds and all, guess it fits with the rabbit girl BIT. Still, that is harsh to live with, plus now Luke has to worry about it as well. And Ibby is blunt about why Jamie used her BIT to blast Luke, in her Diedricks addled mind she saw it as perfect revenge for him cheating on her.

Jamie is basically insane at this point, from their point of view, yet Luke still worries about her, a true friend despite everything. Huh, Ibby and a few of her friends are clients of Luke's mom, calling in favors on them now. Guess it wasn't something more like I first suspected. Wonder whose cabin they are staying in. Good, Luke doesn't blame Ibby for any of this, it was Jamie and Amy Milsner for manipulating them.

Fell asleep on the couch and mom and Ibby covered her up, reminds me of a few times I fell asleep watching a movie with the family at home. She can hear a mouse or some other small creature in the walls near the kitchen, dang, that is ridiculous level of hearing, without those ear clips she could go insane from just every day noises constantly bombarding her. She can move silently enough to make barely any noise to her own hearing, she could teach ninjas some lessons on stealth.

Ibby sleeps with the window cracked open that much, with security needed right now that isn't a good thing. Strong awning and surprised through all this Ibby hasn't woken up. Trying to take her mom's sedan to go home, without Ibby or her mom with her, very bad idea. Cabin is 20 minutes from home driving the back roads, meaning around 30+ miles with all the twist and turns accounted for. Yikes! Iron Bunny flying in out of nowhere right in front of the sedan, thank goodness Luke has good reflexes or that would have been bad.

Ibby offering to loan Luke some of her clothes, guess she needs a hint poor kid hasn't fully adjusted to the gender change yet. Good grief, they are blocking a street like this and Ibby said the press wasn't breaking the law, impedding traffic is against the law. And Luke is being stubborn even after seeing all that, she could give lessons to a goat or mule. The press is that bad, like sharks drawn to blood, they would follow Ibby and probably endanger others just to try and find Luke. Park on the other side of town, this is going to go bad fast.

Ouch, Jamie's house so close to the park, that much damage to the yard and driveway from her devise, reminders of what happened. Temptation gets to Luke and she goes to check out the damage, only to trigger new automatic lights, forcing her to flee. That area of town is deserted, either everyone is asleep or over at the circus near and at Luke's home. And Ibby is back with what seems to be all of Luke's old clothes. Flight allows her to ignore the press, in and out before they could take 2 steps, plus mom gave her the security codes.

Ibby still blames herself, so Luke tries to get her to talk about how Jamie got the sample from her. Marsupial Medical and based in Australia, too perfect. A mutant genome experiment for mutants with BITs, noble goals often get twisted though, even if just on a small scale. Saving on cost by outsourcing to bright young people, along with having them share the data, sounds good but so many ways for it to go wrong. And yet Luke doesn't even blame the company, no way to predict that Jamie would do what she did.

Bwahahaha, saying she is cooler than Tia's mom and being shot down by Tia, despite everything about her she is a nerd. Poor kid, despite knowing she would get in trouble, she wanted something personal and had to see everything again to sort it out in her head. Oh boy, upset mom. Dang, Ibby knows how to think on the spot and use partially-truths to weave a convincing story. And mom is upset at Ibby now, oh boy.

Tia says they mostly got her some clothes, she wants some of her own stuff, not stuff for the girl she has become.

I'm story Mom, I just couldn't sit here and listen to the clock tick. Please try to understand.

That sentence is repeated twice in a row. Staying at the cabin for a while and Tia is staying in the room right by her mom's room, mom isn't taking any chances of losing her little girl. Over a dozen bedrooms, is this the headquarters for a local superhero team or something.

Forest themed room, definitely went with a theme. Yikes! Mom can be scary when she wants to be, the mention of talk with Ibby almost felt tinged with implied threat for putting her baby at risk. The transformation took a lot more out of Tia than she thought, still a long ways from full recovery of her energy or at least not feeling drained every couple hours. Mom likes crime drama, would think with her career she wouldn't like them as depicting things unrealistically. A den with a library, wish I had the space for that.

Watership down illustrates one of the worst problems involved with the attack, wonder what it is, never read the book myself. Great, someone at the MCO leaked her appointment to the press. Only other ways is if they have an illegal tap on phone lines and something to eavesdrop on cell phones. Ibby playing to the reporters, perfect, love to see them get annoyed. All these stupid questions, someone leaked her new name to the press as well, at least mom's glare and Ibby keep them at bay.

Trask, Stahl, and Berkowitz, oh boy, with Tia's reaction this isn't good. Berkowitz trying to say he will do anything to make amends to Tia for what has happened, he screwed up and it cost her. I agree with mom, every guilty party involved is going to be in serious trouble by the time she is through. And is going to get off scott free because of Jamie's mental health issues blocking them from detecting her Diedricks soon, dang it! Stuck with Tia as a nickname, if she doesn't answer to it mom gives her a look, yikes.

Not the physical testing! Doctor Henry, intensely focused. Good, maybe the testing will go quicker.

"A fan of the way you shred the modern self-styled newshound, of course. It's such a joy to watch"

I like him, he's silly. Ouch, budget cuts for testing facilities, not good. Ibby calls Tia her little sister and is concerned about hidden cameras in the bathroom, that would get the MCO is so much trouble it isn't funny. Bug detect, always good to have. And having Ibby alter the suit for Tia's tail, oh bother. Ack! Forgot the suits cover the top part of the head as well.

Advanced sensor belt that attaches to the suit, that is new. With Dr. Henry's reaction the strength test machine, guessing it isn't good. 5 minutes of running , most people can't run full speed that long, to my understanding. Dang, confidence taking a hit by the physical testing. And all of her senses are enhanced, taste being weakest yet she can taste those things, impressive. Stable but still mutating at a slow rate. Good, blood destroyed after testing, don't want a repeat of Tia. Exemplar at slight less than a 1 rating right now, uh oh.

Oh boy, her mutation could be like Ibby's, slow at first, then after 6 months when the regen kicks in, it snowballs from there. And Tia is being stubborn, believing working out will help, despite everything she is being told. Berkowitz actually encouraging Tia to work and force her body to get better, didn't expect that. He made the same offer to help or simply to talk if she needs it to Jamie, who either forgot or thought she didn't need help, oh boy.

A written psych test, unless they are gauging her reactions from another room those are easy to use to mess with people's heads. Testing done and Tia finds out Ibby gave her one of her old codenames she owns the rights to, Lapin. At least Tia doesn't mind it. Poor Dr. Henry, having to deal with an annoyed mom, plus having no social skills with any of the mutants he test. Tia has a point, was Dr. Henry just trying to rush them out and not thinking of how obvious the suit would be, or is it something more.

Tia not being able to smell her own scent, common enough among humans, you can have bad breath but can't tell it yourself until it gets really bad or not even then. Bwahahaah! That response from Ibby from mom saying let's all go to the lobby, priceless. At least Linda has a good reason for not helping and is actually sorry. Could have gotten a much worse reaction. Getting Officer Trask to start the car while Ibby carries Tia and mom while flying, those sharks are going to be annoyed.

Ibby grinned again. "That's right, little sis! You're so cute and irresistible, they may mob us!"

Bwahahaha, Ibby knows how to lighten the mood. Tia has a good idea about going out the back, glad the others catch on quick. Dang, few reporters in a back but Ibby goes for it anyways, with phones and cameras flashing. In the sedan and going 30 mph before even leaving the lot, mom driving like a mad woman almost. And Ibby is dealing with reporters, while Tia needs rest.

Dang, brilliant, get the reporters arguing over who gets to officially interview her and messing with each other instead of Tia and her family. Injunctions to stop campers at their door and calls only slowed down, the press have no respect for private citizen's lives or their family and friends. Blood test twice a week, better than every day while in the hospital.

Algebra 2 book and old assignment to remind Tia of the day things went wrong, ouch. Oh boy, somehow her memory has been messed with, not even knowing how to do multiplication or even what the symbol used for it is. To have memories just erased like that, a new thing to add to her nightmare since her transformation. It is like everything she learned in school as Luke has been erased.

At least mom knows this might happen thanks to the doctors. IQ test using puzzles, games, and other things, yet Tia is worried she won't be able to do it. Only one step down from a genius according to that site's testing standards, dang. 2 sites with the same result, dang, she is smarter than before. Guess she just has to relearn some things that were erased with the transformation. Tofu burgers, never tried those myself.

"But memory is simply retaining information. Intelligence is reasoning power and speed, and you clearly haven't take a hit there."

Wish I could find a testing site like that, every IQ testing site I've found was mostly based on information you retained.

Ibby late for dinner, meeting with friend went long, mom upset she didn't call. At least it didn't escalate. At least Ibby knows to call next time. Ibby doesn't like silence, taking it to mean something is wrong. Ibby doesn't believe Tia lost any skill-based memories, due to her driving, isn't driving less memory-based and more trained reflexes and muscle memory? Mom having press calls forwarded to her office and through them to her, no wonder she isn't in the best of moods. Still camping out to pester her, ugh, no respect for people and their lives. And off to bed again for Tia, poor kid.

Ah, so we know what the coma is finally, reforging mental pathways and becoming an exemplar brain. Eidetic memory that isn't really eidetic, yikes. An Evolution Rocks idiot named Melvin Chambliss called him a cheater on CNN, mom tried to sue for defamation, but fell just short of getting it to stick. Jerry Buchanon of the MCO refuted everything the idiot said with facts, some of the kids who saw everything rated Amy Milsner out. ER guy just wanted to smear Tia, acting like he is protecting an innocent mutant from a baseline who cheated on her and got what they deserved, at least that is what it seems he did.

Fullerton, not exactally a new event but likely after Gen 1 time, is that what helped turn public opinion against mutants even more? Tia says that mutants are humans, just more dangerous ones, sometimes. And the look the man gives her at that, then to laugh and say the world is too new sometimes for him, he is someone important, far more than we will probably realize until much later. He couldn't possibly be Mephisto the Mentalist, leader of the Syndicate, could it? With Tia saying he doesn't look old, yet he says talking to her he can feel every year, makes it think it is someone with power, over 100 years old. And he wants to know where she was staying, who owned the cabin, makes me suspect even more he might be Mephisto and digging for information. Him sitting beside her might not be a coincidence.

Max Maxwell of CNN, nice use of alliterative naming. Plus an ego-maniac who as fake as his name, figures. Glenda, the make-up person, is jealous is Tia's natural good looks, only to be reminded she would trade situations in an instant, making Glenda feel guilty. Movie set approach, Tia should have spoken up about how bad she felt it would go. No wireless microphone, I thought this was CNN, even now we have wireless mics. Not a good sign. Bwahahaha, Ibby saying 'soon, young padawan' to Tia having to wear a bra she didn't need yet.

And Max puts on an act faster than I've ever seen. Ugh, calling Max by his first name, makes your skin crawl to do it in person. Having to retell everything that happened, ouch. Max is trying to goad Tia into anger at Jamie with these questions, and failing. Now asking if she cheated on Jamie, even after hearing her retell the whole tale of what happened. Asking her if she isn't testifying out of a sense of guilt, or to avoid lying under oath, that got her angry, yet she controlled herself. Interview over and she tries to stop her mom from confronting Max, but fails, as Ibby grabs her instead.

Ibby says she did good, they will have to try hard to edit or twist anything out of it. Mom is chewing everyone out, including CNN itself for what Max pulled out there. They have something in mind and will try to twist the interview someone, but it will be obvious to anyone if they do. Mom is back and they go to get ice cream, that will be the last interview probably. Ear clips muting sound, so Tia doesn't have to listen to them, while security, Ibby, and mom make a path to the sedan. Cold Rock Creamery, wish we had one around here.

For a moment there I thought Ibby was going to say that frozen dairy products like ice cream aren't good for their digestive system. Tia is going to have to get used to being a celebrity, whether she likes it or not, which sucks. Latour state forest and Lassen peak, interesting, never heard of them before. Arrrgggh! Nice potential day at the park ruined by the reporters, nice way to ditch them by mom though. And the jack***es at CNN edited the footage to make it look like Tia was hiding something, like cheating.

Not trusting taped interviews, good idea, nowadays even the big name have no integrity it seems if they can sensationalize a story to get better ratings. Oh boy, more reasons for Tia not to trust devisors, Jobe gives them all a bad name. Paul Stanley, no, it can't be, he isn't Starchild from KISS but out of his stage make-up, is he?

Fox News and the other interviews are tame, yet CNN did that to her, what has the world come to. Big screw up, press living up to their end of the deal except for a few, oh boy. So many ways things can go wrong.

Even her email account has been leaked, what the heck is going on. Spam without subscribing to something and CNN bugging her some more, after the smear job they did, ugh. How in the...just set up the email and Jamie finds it and figures out who it is already. Jamie installed a program on his computer months ago to let her know what he is up to, that would have been a huge red flag right there for the relationship if Luke/Tia knew at the time.

Falling asleep at the computer to be rested to meet Jamie by her house at midnight, Tia isn't thinking clearly. Dang, slept through all that, that is more tired than I think I've ever been in my entire life. Mouse scratching around in the walls, I know they are right by a forest but starting to think it is more than a mouse, gotten paranoid somewhat. Going for a midnight run on her own to meet up with Jamie, it's a trap!

Jamie broke free from whereever she was being held, that much is obvious. She has snapped, she blocked out what she did to Luke and another personality or her Diedricks has taken over, thinking Tia is a girl he is cheating on her with. Jamie is completely insane at this point, Tia is lucky to get away unharmed, physically that is. Oh boy, Ibby knows about Jamie now and woke up Strella aka mom.

Released on bond!?! Are those people nuts, Jamie was unstable when she attacked Luke and they let her out on bond, I see a lawsuit coming. No police warning about this either, it is like they are trying t get Tia killed and use Jamie to show how dangerous mutants are to the word, possibly some people in the MCO are involved. Need to get a restraining order on Jamie, yet Tia is too afraid to let her mom go, what Jamie might do to her. Like I said earlier, Ibby knows how to lighten a mood. Wait, why was Ibby there?

Whole closet full of T-shirts printed with I survived so-and-so, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt, one for each villain or villain group. Ibby is such a nerd. Out less than a hour, yet somehow had internet access at the time the trial would have been going on, did she create a devise that allows her to mentally connect to the internet or have technopathic powers that haven't been reported yet? Cops letting her loose like this, anyone who gets hurt is going to sue them for all they can get. And the vultures and sharks are back again, blood in the water and they come biting, @#*$& reporters.

Juvenile hall for Jamie until 18 and then reassessment, meaning either probation or a few years in jail. Not deadly weapon, it was an untested devise designed to imprint the BIT of one being on another, how is that not a deadly weapon. And the state psychologist is an idiot, stating she knows right from wrong with the state her mind is in and at the time of the attack. The ACLU and ER people throwing a fit over Jamie being required to wear an ankle bracelet, under house arrest, these people are seriously misinformed or trying to use her for their own agendas.

Free Jamie Howie, are they nuts, these people need to look at the facts of the case and realize she committed a crime and is a danger to herself and others in her current mental state. Friends with Agent Berkowitz, boy things have changed. Removed the means by which Jamie spied on his computer, but lead to more trouble, great.

Reporters outside, protestors down the street, and stuck at home with test for memory issues and language training by mom, sounds fun. *smacks forehead* Some idiot actually asked her her measurements, the gall. ER thinking that no mutant can do wrong and that Luke/Tia is to blame for everything despite all evidence proving otherwise, makes me want to strangle them. They are TSTL, to stupid to live, imo.

Oh boy, Ibby in her underwear saying this is what she does at home when it is too hot, yeah, sure. Doctor telling her about changes to come with rising hormone levels, yet Tia is stubborn as ever. Imagining the changes coming on already, yikes. Ibby barges in with Tia in just a large T-shirt and panties, how to embarrass a teen in one easy step. Back to the cabin to meet some of Ibby's friends and she hugs Tia suddenly.

What? "What? What's wrong? What did I do?"

Another part that somehow repeats twice in a row.

Man, Ibby can get so emotional sometimes. Homemade waffles with strawberries or blueberries in them, you're making my mouth water. No wasted food and doesn't like storing it, different from my family. A bright pink Mustang convertible, don't look directly at it if you are another driver, might be blinded temporarily. Marcus and Rex about the only ones who would listen to his side of the story, ouch. And I like Dr. Henry less than before, giving out information on a patient like that.

Okay, that is interesting, advanced gene therapy to correct genetic defects having breakthroughs using nanite surgery. Another reference to Fullerton and this time about her not going to explode, did a mutant go into lethal burnout and explode killing a lot of people or what. Marcus saw Tia but Rex missed her thanks to ogling Ibby. Driving like that and 10 mph over the speed limit, I would be freaking out at that point. And the press has the story so ramped up even internet search on her are at a record number. What is with the pink Mustangs in this group, and 20 cars, that is more than a few friends.

Okay, I got the owner of the cabin way wrong. Hugh Hefner does and is there with a lot of Playboy bunnies. Talk about a surprise. A yearly get together and she brought Tia with her to get her out of the house, I would want to get out of the house for that too. Marsha, a woman in her 50s who aged well; Andria, chipper brunette around Tia's mom's age; Kalindra, a woman whose curves rival Ibby's own, dang. Uncle Hugh, Tia is making some powerful friends.

A tofu steak and you can't even tell the difference, dang. Tia's mom does PR work for Hugh Hefner and some of his playmates, even giving free financial advice, she just keeps getting more impressive. And he wants to talk to Strella about an opportunity for Tia, which his lawyer, Marsha, insist on. And they are trying to get Tia used to socializing with other females in their own way. Ibby cheating at Twister, lol. All so nice, almost treating her like a little sister.

Hugh stealing fries from Jennifer because he can't get some of the ones made for Tia, hehehe. So distracted by Hugh's story plus all the noise and confusion of scents she didn't notice her mom come in. Ooo, way to kill the mood, Tia, bringing up the opportunity before Hugh finishes his story. Tia as the spokesperson for Hugh's company and her generation, oh boy. Get to know the girls and hear about Hugh more, plus a contract so he gets first crack at any modeling work she does, this has so many ways it could cause trouble in the future.

Clothes modeling. Jennifer's certified nurse degree, Marsha's stint in law school, paid for by Hugh. All that and even if Tia doesn't sign the girls consider her a part of the sisterhood and will help her out anyway they can, tight-knit community they have. Focus groups like Tia's new group even before she had it, even the different type of tail she has from Ibby. 100k for starters, that is very tempting. And talk of sending Tia off to Whateley begins.

Fear of devisors holding Tia back from making a decision right away about Whateley, poor kid. A mail service that removes undesirable mail, definitely a perk Tia needs. The doctor who made Tia's clips on retainer, Ibby calls him a pharmacist, but he sounds like more to me. No AC on in the cabin during the summer, that's nuts! Bolus is his working name, and he considers Tia Ibby's sister which is good enough for him. Dang, can make meds that work on unique biology, where was he in Gen 1, Fractious could have used his help for OCD meds. Complex stuff with few to no side-effects, Gadgeteer with specialization in medicine I believe.

Ibby talks about Tia like her actual little sister, did she not have siblings growing up or what. Bolus stroking Tia's ear and her responding, Ibby coming in and looking upset, oh no, she has Ibby's nymphomania at least partially already. Tia is so tired she doesn't even realize she is draping herself over an older man, this is bad. And mom got Tia to realize what she was doing, oh boy. Bolus was just trying to keep Tia calm and there until help arrived, if he had told her instead of mom or Ibby it could have shattered Tia's mind for a time from the shock. Oh boy, pill for Tia and Ibby talking about Bolus being hers, not reading social cues and situations well is part of the nymphomania, yikes.

All that and she still has to read the contract before signing it, great. Tia is so worried about her newfound condition, hope she can think straight. Though all the perks and stipulations are in the contract, plus $250k a year, dang. Ibby insisting on Tia going with her, even driving, while Bolus goes with Strella, so intimidated by her he got in the back, lol. Ibby just was happy to meet and be around someone just like her, who knows what she goes through and how she can't hide, yet now she is sorry Tia is even more like her and doesn't know what to say. Distracting Tia to the point she has to yell at her eyes on the road, making Tia laugh and then Ibby, breaking the dark mood they were both in. Talk of a car for Tia once she gets her driving license, doesn't like the too much pink on the Mustang. And Ibby gives Tia her old phone as she got a new one, nice upgrade.

Driver's test twice because of people raising a stink due to her memory loss, they don't even know the full details of that. Checked periodically during the summer and relearning languages. And pushed towards Whateley by Rex outside her house in a bush with binoculars, that boy doesn't learn. Plane is landing and Paul says she can trust him with her secrets. He thought he was helping her confess to ease her soul, yet is upset at the airport closing and leaving a trail. Calls someone and talks about how they can use her, play it right and there could be repeats. He even wishes her good luck on her way to Whateley. Another mysterious group manipulating another student for their own ends, is it the same one watching Cerulea, I wonder.

A wonderful read from start to finish, a story that definitely kept you guessing at various points as to what happened to cause something, such as first meeting Luke and knowing he becomes Tia and wondering what happened to cause it, to the connection between Ibby and Luke's mom and his transformation. It serious makes you questions how far journalistic integrity has deteriorated over the years, when even CNN will twist a story for ratings that badly. I can't wait to read how Tia deals with her new problems at Whateley, including how her new found nymphomania might pop up, along with further adventures. And the occasional visit from Strella and Ibby would be nice as well.

I'm glad someone got the Paul Stanley reference. And yes, you'll be seeing that guy again... eventually.

Dreamer wrote:

"But memory is simply retaining information. Intelligence is reasoning power and speed, and you clearly haven't take a hit there."

Wish I could find a testing site like that, every IQ testing site I've found was mostly based on information you retained.

I haven't taken an IQ test since elementary school, but the ones that I remember focused on pattern recognition "what shape comes next" sorts of things.


I'm glad you spotted the double sentences. I noticed them too, but I couldn't find them a second time when I wanted to mention them.

Dreamer wrote: He couldn't possibly be Mephisto the Mentalist, leader of the Syndicate, could it?

I had the exact same knee-jerk reaction to this part, but when thinking about it further, there's little to suggest it's Mephisto, even if it is an individual with an unnatural lifespan.

My memory has been jogged though, leaving me with two additional questions:

The first relates directly to this installment, specifically this passage:
Then I spent the rest of the day happy I didn't bat for the other team; that would have been all kinds of awkward.
I'm not sure how to read this correctly. The phrase of course refers to sexuality, but is it used in the context of the Luke who was, or the Tia who is/will be?

The other one being my continued interest in what mental condition Jamie had that purportedly messed up getting a read on her during testing. Of course, if it's to be revealed in future... Let it be done so.

Ametros wrote:

Dreamer wrote: He couldn't possibly be Mephisto the Mentalist, leader of the Syndicate, could it?

I had the exact same knee-jerk reaction to this part, but when thinking about it further, there's little to suggest it's Mephisto, even if it is an individual with an unnatural lifespan.

My memory has been jogged though, leaving me with two additional questions:

The first relates directly to this installment, specifically this passage:
Then I spent the rest of the day happy I didn't bat for the other team; that would have been all kinds of awkward.
I'm not sure how to read this correctly. The phrase of course refers to sexuality, but is it used in the context of the Luke who was, or the Tia who is/will be?

The other one being my continued interest in what mental condition Jamie had that purportedly messed up getting a read on her during testing. Of course, if it's to be revealed in future... Let it be done so.

On the issue of batting, Tia was happy she hadn't changed, to the best of her knowledge. Awkward and confusing, perhaps, but that's Tia at the time of the writing.

Jamie's exact mental state will be explained, eventually.

On the subject of the double sentences. The ones quoted in this writing, as far as I can tell, are meant to be the way they are, as they are thoughts reflecting what Tia says immediately after. That much is intentional and adds some added stress to the statements.

If the line is a complete duplicate - well, my bad, and I'll fix it. I thought I'd gotten all those. (I have a really good excuse called 14000 words in a week, trying to finish up.)

The full context for the two double lines:

Down the Rabbit Hole part 3 wrote: “So what did you get?” Mom just seemed like she was curious, but this could be a fishing attempt.

“Just clothes, mainly. This dress is a little drafty.” The underwear could stay; I had no doubt it'd be less annoying than my old boxers.

“Ah. We had some other sets for you here...”

I had to interrupt her. “Yeah, but I wanted my own clothes.” I'm sorry Mom, I just couldn't sit here and listen to the clock tick. Please try to understand.

I'm sorry Mom, I just couldn't sit here and listen to the clock tick. Please try to understand.

Ibby Joined us. “Nothing wrong with comfy old clothes to slum around in. You'll probably have to stay here a little while at the very least.”

Down the Rabbit Hole part 3 wrote: It occurred to me the clips weren't in my ears, and Ibby had carefully pitched her voice so it wouldn't be loud to me. Maybe if I asked, she'd teach me how to do that. “No, it's fine, I trust you.”

I'd barely gotten some pants on when the door opened again and Ibby burst through, startling me with a hug. What? “What? What's wrong? What did I do?”

What? “What? What's wrong? What did I do?”

She was leaking tears, but she gave me a smile. “Nothing, I just couldn't resist! You're so huggable!”

Yeah, not ashamed to say it. We missed those, and I'll be fixing it.



Edit: and fixed.

IIRC, it was mentioned in a previous chapter / part that Jamie had a mental condition other than Diedricks - with the late night excursion to her property, we've probably seen more of it in evidence, probably helping repress her memories of the event itself (whereby she seemed to apologise when she snapped out of the episode, just as she was being led away). However, the fact someone paid $1.5m to bail her at no notice indicates there's probably something fishy going on behind the scenes - which may or may not be connected to the mystery organisation tracking her journey to Whateley (who presumably are well resourced, given her seatmate almost certainly wasn't there by mere coincidence, and are well versed in OpSec, given a payphone was used to communicate with other members of the organisation).

Meanwhile, as noted above, while she was measured using the relatively rudimentary testing facilities as sub Ex-1, there have been indications that it's more complicated than that - her knowledge of some aspects of learning (e.g. mathematical symbols) had been lost, but she may have had an increased ability to learn. It may even be that bridging some connections helps unlock some memories / skills thought lost. Her above average stamina and possibly the weights could indicate that physically, rather than being 1-, she's more in the region of 1+ to 2- and if her regen eventually kicks in, may graduate to a full 2.

Still, for the time being at least, she's likely to be an underdog and supplement her skills in BMA with holdouts - one thing she does have in her favour, courtesy of the deal with Playboy, is that she's unlikely to be short for money (although obviously nowhere near Golden Kids levels of financing!) - oh, and the members of one campus society will no doubt be very jealous that she's already got a contract with possibly the most famous brand in the business on the planet, knows several of its members and has met the CEO

As for the confiscated pills, if she can pluck up the courage to let someone in administration (e.g. Mrs. Horton, the staff at Doyle) know once she's got induction over and done with, they'd almost certainly be able to ensure a new bottle was delivered asap (possibly even by warper).

Any testing results given by the facilities in California are rather suspect as the tech and techniques used are lagging behind. One of the reasons given for going to Whateley, after all. It's not like the testing doctors don't get things wrong from time to time....

mittfh wrote: IIRC, it was mentioned in a previous chapter / part that Jamie had a mental condition other than Diedricks

Are we gonna guess on what is Jamie's non-Diedricks condition?

I said depression, as the go-to guess... But without a psych degree or something, there aren't gonna be any accurate guesses... ... And it feels like there's something wrong about making guesses about mental conditions... But can't think of precisely why? ...

Malady wrote:

mittfh wrote: IIRC, it was mentioned in a previous chapter / part that Jamie had a mental condition other than Diedricks

Are we gonna guess on what is Jamie's non-Diedricks condition?

I said depression, as the go-to guess... But without a psych degree or something, there aren't gonna be any accurate guesses... ... And it feels like there's something wrong about making guesses about mental conditions... But can't think of precisely why? ...

You could just wait. All will be revealed!

Waiting is no fun! Wild Mass Guessing for the win!

Domoviye wrote: Waiting is no fun! Wild Mass Guessing for the win!

You have a point. So what psychological condition could be behind the symptoms seen so far?

before the event you have:
self-esteem issues
jealousy
possibly depression

After the event you have:
Mad as a hatter.

What could all that mean? And did I leave any out?

Nagrij wrote: before the event you have:
self-esteem issues
jealousy
possibly depression

After the event you have:
Mad as a hatter.

What could all that mean? And did I leave any out?

So... her illness was being a teenage girl?


I think that earlier I mentioned OCD - which perfectly explains why her parents were nervously but thoroughly cleaning the house, and exactly nothing else before or since. So I doubt that it's correct, but I can't get it out of my brain.

Nagrij wrote:

Domoviye wrote: Waiting is no fun! Wild Mass Guessing for the win!

You have a point. So what psychological condition could be behind the symptoms seen so far?

before the event you have:
self-esteem issues
jealousy
possibly depression

After the event you have:
Mad as a hatter.

What could all that mean? And did I leave any out?

Self-esteem issues and jealousy, along with insecurities, are part of depression. How she was acting afterwards, could be a manic episode. I'm guessing bi-polar, as I've seen both extremes in my own sister over the years, manic episodes can be scary and they can act in ways which would be described as mad as a hatter. Especially if they aren't medicated for the condition or improperly medicated.

I don't know much about bi-polar disorder, but that makes sense to me. The depressive periods would help counterbalance the maniac highs of Diedricks, but once the pendulum swung back, her conditions would sync and send her into overdrive.

Arcanist Lupus wrote: I don't know much about bi-polar disorder, but that makes sense to me. The depressive periods would help counterbalance the maniac highs of Diedricks, but once the pendulum swung back, her conditions would sync and send her into overdrive.

Not a bad guess, but if it was bi-polar disorder, wouldn't we see those highs and lows before Jamie mutated? Did I write any of that in?

Nagrij wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote: I don't know much about bi-polar disorder, but that makes sense to me. The depressive periods would help counterbalance the maniac highs of Diedricks, but once the pendulum swung back, her conditions would sync and send her into overdrive.

Not a bad guess, but if it was bi-polar disorder, wouldn't we see those highs and lows before Jamie mutated? Did I write any of that in?

I have no idea. As I said, I don't know much about bi-polar disorder.

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Nagrij wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote: I don't know much about bi-polar disorder, but that makes sense to me. The depressive periods would help counterbalance the maniac highs of Diedricks, but once the pendulum swung back, her conditions would sync and send her into overdrive.

Not a bad guess, but if it was bi-polar disorder, wouldn't we see those highs and lows before Jamie mutated? Did I write any of that in?

I have no idea. As I said, I don't know much about bi-polar disorder.

Card carrying member of that club... and no, it's close, but I didn't write that in.

Ah. I was going to mention bi-polar, 'cause the emotionally flippy-ness of:



But that's not manic-depressive flipping... So I discarded that. But, I didn't, and still haven't, looked up bi-polar, so I dunno?

... Also, on re-read... What do you guys think about Agent... what's his name? Oh. Berkowitz. ... Who seems pretty good?

Agent Berkowitz and I even became friends; he invited me to his birthday party and everything. I'd seen him at every test, and we exchanged email and phone calls all the time.

... Should titles always be capitalized?

officers Trask and Stahl, and the specialist was agent Berkowitz