|
xxxxxThe first born twin of the Winthrop family, he was lucky enough to be born the “normal” one, the perfect son as opposed to the deformed daughter. Honestly he couldn’t see what was so wrong about it as they grew up together, after all, everyone else’s siblings were boring, and his was his twin, which made her twice as good. It was tough for him, being presented at gatherings, and having to behave so well, while she could stay behind and read. Thankfully when they were together it wasn’t as bad, being able to share everything together. The tutors weren’t too bad overall, compared to the stories of what happens when you go off to boarding school or even the normal schools.
Things were getting more complicated as they aged, more responsibilities being impressed on him, and his sister’s deformity changing further as her skin color started to become ruddy. They stopped sharing a room, but they remained inseparable otherwise, continuing their practice of reading plays together and playing together. Their horse back riding became less often though, as while Thomas enjoyed it, the task was far more difficult for his hooved sister.
One day, as he had convinced his sister to join him out on a ride again, their lives would change rather abruptly. Riding out to the garden, she started having headaches, so they dismounted for her to have a chance to rest. The spikes of pain waved through him as well, their shared thoughts bringing the pain over, as blood started to show on her forehead. He went closer to comfort her and see what was wrong through the pain, and as she ignited at his touch, his body too was consumed by the flames. It was excruciating, as flesh burnt away, muscle and bones turned to ash. When the pain finally ceased, things just were wrong. He couldn't feel his body, and he was looking down at the burned out garden from on high. He assumed he was dead, since well, wasn't that what death was supposed to be like?
It was almost peaceful for a few moments, till he felt his sister in his mind again, the big flaming figure in the middle of the torched greenery seeming to be the center of it. He felt drawn to it, but he couldn't seem to move from where he felt he was. He watched as fire fighters put the fires out, and his sister as well, the spray knocking her back out and into human form. Still he was where he was, and couldn't figure how to move.
When night came, and straining to do anything, he finally scooted back towards home, heading instinctively towards his sisters room. Floating through the cracked window, he came into her room where she was waking up. Her conscious mind flowed back through him, reminding him of form and function. It was a struggle to reform, remembering what it felt like to have feet and hands, the body of a man. It was however infused with the thoughts of his sister, and as his body rebuilt, it rebuilt with new features. His skin was now darkened, the color of used charcoal, his eyes a dark grey. Finally as the top of his head coalesced, his hair had turned a dark raven black and two small horns protruded from his forehead. No longer was he the perfect son, instead a dark match for his ruddy twin.
His family was relieved at his return, though dismayed at the change of his form. He at least had not become too far from human's shaped, and it wouldn't be too hard to hide what he was. It took a couple months to be able to get the make up just right, and the family had just kept him bandaged in public at first, claiming injury from the fire that had struck the home. He would have to wear covering clothes, and a hat to cover his new horns. His skin would have to be covered in make up whenever those outside the inner family were around. It was the start of years of suffering to the hands of propriety, and he resented it a great deal. He could only be truly himself when no one else was around, which was spent with his sister none the less. She was his other half in mind, and he was now similar to her in body.
As the years passed by, they had reached adulthood, and with that came the duty to attend university. He had a mind for science, and he had no desire to be stuck at home. He had years of experience with his make up now, and he only had to worry about it when he was sleeping, or if he transformed. He could suffer the discomfort of having to be completely covered in public, though he had to be careful with relationships. He could never have a serious relationship, after all, who could he trust to keep his secret which was far more important to the family.
He hardly ever was able to see his sister, and it wasn't too bad an experience having his mind all his own. He could call or email during the normal semesters, and would see her during the holidays when he went back home. He enjoyed his studies in chemistry, finding amusement in the sciences that could not explain what he could do. Degrees stacked up over the years, and even going for his doctorate, a thesis in Metamaterials, specifically aerogels and their capabilities in interacting with materials at nanoscopic scales, aided in part by his capabilities to experience those materials as smoke.
It was not long after his degree finished, that one of his job prospects replied back, a small private boarding school in New York. The conversations with the headmaster were particularly enlightening, the truth of what he was already known to this strange Charles Xavier. He had a vision of a world at peace and changed, a world where he did not have to hide what he was, and his school a sanctuary for those like him. Thomas couldn't turn down such an offer, and with quick messages to the family, he was on a flight there soon after.
|
|
|
xxxxxSmoke Form: Able to disperse self into a cloud of smoke, capable of fitting through any opening that air may pass through. In this form he is immune to any physical damage, but cannot exert any kind of physical force on the world. He is also able to fly along as he desires, having no appreciable mass in this shape, however strong winds or suction can impede progress. In this form, he may suffocate individuals that he envelopes, and all the usual effects of applying smoke to objects. The smoke form is able to adjust its shape in vague manners, not being particularly detailed, but able to silhouette some recognizable shapes. He suffers no ill effects from smoke inhalation in any form, nor does he seem to require air to breath, just to speak. Changing forms causes intense pain, as his body instantly immolates going from solid to gas. The act of shifting states seems to close up any wounds suffered previously but does not help replace lost blood. It can recover even missing limbs, but he will still have suffered the pain and blood loss previous to the return to human form and leaves him emaciated as mass shifts to compensate. He can however regain the lost mass through food and rest. His form is tied to his mind's body image, so severe psychic assault can be deleterious to reforming his body. Assuming smoke form burns through a great number of calories, causing his generally underweight human state.
Shift Other: When he is shifting, if others are touching him, they come along for the ride. It feels as if one is being burnt alive, and those who have experienced come out of it screaming. At most, only two other people can come along with him, and they come out of it when he does. He cannot shift objects, though clothing reforms due to how well it is tied to a person's thought, occasionally not reforming with individuals who lack a strong association with being clothed. Those shifted with him suffer the same caloric costs of changing shape, most losing weight during the process. Someone immune to fire, or in an inflammable form cannot be brought along in this way.
Twin Telepathy: Short range (20 feet) telepathy with twin (Mallory). Does not seem to work on anyone else, allows mind share in range. Can block out with effort.
Increased Metabolism: The thermal nature of his powers requires a much larger caloric intake than normal to maintain his body at even an underweight state.
Now that’s Hot: His internal temperature exists at around 150F/65.5C so thermal imaging shows him instantly, and routine temperature checks show he is inhuman. Assuming smoke form incinerates his body so fire suppression techniques can prevent him from shifting forms.
|
