Jesse blinked as her question was met with a demonstration, rather than an answer. She watched with growing fascination as the kid's shape and face changed, not unlike her own usually did, until he took on a look that was very similar to what she was wearing right now. It clearly took time and effort, and it was not a perfect replica... and yet Jesse felt her heart skip at the sight. Was this even possible?...

>>“It’s not perfect. But if I had something that belonged to you, no one could tell us apart. And I can ask questions of the things… learn more about a person… find them.”

"That... is probably better than mine." Jesse chuckled a little despite the serious pressure of the situation. Focusing her powers, she made her own face and figure shift. She didn't usually copy people, but for the sake of a comparison, she made a decent effort to look like Delta 7 had, before him copying her. She ended up taller, but still a decent enough approximation that would not have fooled anyone who knew the real thing. Jesse flashed the boy a smile.

"See? Told ya you're not alone... I can't do the talking to object things, though. But I can walk in mirrors. Decent trade, hm?"

Delta 7 demonstrated because he never had the words for what he did. He simply used his abilities. He didn’t own them—they belonged to SUPER. He used them for SUPER. As such, giving his powers a name would be unheard of.

Delta 7 padded closer to the mirror, his body feeling loose and a little exhausted as he wobbled closer to watch. Shifting after he’d already been shifted once today wasn’t the best idea, especially a full-body shift. He clambered onto the sink, peering into the mirror as his companion, likewise, transformed. He watched as his own face swam across Mirage’s features. There were minute differences, but only slightly.

“Whoa!” Delta 7 commented appreciatively, clasping his hands together, “You’re just like me!”

Maybe not “just” like him, but Delta 7 had never met someone with an ability like him. He stared at Mirage, his smile faltering.

“I’m glad that you’re in there.”

It seemed like a heartless thing to say. But if Mirage was like him, Delta 7 was certain of the fact that SUPER would want to use them. It was better that Mirage was in there, because in there they were safe.

“They can’t get you in there,” he clarified.

He wondered how the “others” Mirage mentioned would stack-up against SUPER agents.

The hall, which had previously been cast in the browned-out lights of the evening, silently shifted. A red light began to spin from its mount on the wall, sending a periodic bar of light skittering across Delta 7’s cell. Delta 7 looked over his shoulder, ears straining. There was the far-off murmur of the guard’s handheld radio, and retreating footsteps. Odd.

“Mirage,” Delta 7 gasped, touching a hand to the mirror, “The guard is leaving. The others—are they with you?”

A desperate expression befell his features—he didn’t want his friend in the mirror to leave, but understood the consequences if the guards reached “the others”. Maybe—maybe—Mirage could reach them first.

[ooc: Please let me know if this needs revision.]

>>“Whoa! You’re just like me!”

The look on the kid's face was worth it. Jesse smiled back at his simple realization - that their powers were similar, and it made them similar too. Related, in a way that mutants were related more than blood family, by belonging and by shared experience. The world was not kind to those with the x-gene, which is why it was such a revelation to find support in each other.

>>“I’m glad that you’re in there. They can’t get you in there,”

"I know." Jesse sighed, her smile fading too, and rested a hand against the glass. She understood what Delta 7 meant, but it still hurt, being reminded that the cost of her relative safety was being cut off from the world, able to watch but unable to help.
Not alone, anyway.

Things changed outside in the hallway, and Delta 7 perked up. Jesse did too. They had run out of time already.

>>“Mirage. The guard is leaving. The others—are they with you?”

"I'll go find them" Jesse nodded "Sit tight. I'll find you soon." she paused before she walked out of the mirror, and looked back. "Camelot. Remember that. Whatever face we wear when we meet, that'll be our word. So that we can tell each other who we are. Okay? I'll see you soon, Delta 7."

Delta 7 nodded back to Mirage, watching as their form retreated in the Mirror. They paused, before leaving, and offered a parting sentiment.

>> "Camelot. Remember that. Whatever face we wear when we meet, that'll be our word. So that we can tell each other who we are. Okay? I'll see you soon, Delta 7."

He forgot things, which was one thing Delta 7 knew with full certainty. After missions, during missions—losing forms, being reconditioned, those things made him forget. What if he did forget? What if they forgot about him? What if they were just saying that? A dismayed look touched the kid’s face, but to Mirage’s back, his voice was unwavering.

“See you soon,” he echoed, a knot rising in his throat. He had to hold-on to that.

The shifter-child watched as Mirage left and silence settled again upon the room. Delta 7 roused himself, padding to the door where the red light swept by in waves. It was quiet now that the guard was gone. He would stay awake, in case Mirage’s friends were in the building…

Seven retreated to the bed in the corner and lay down, clenching his fist. He repeated the mantra in his head, as sleep steadily overcame him… Camelot… Camelot… Camelot…

He’d do everything he could to remember Mirage. He had to.

[end]