Um…

[xp_bright]

Hi. I think I just made diamond nails? I have no idea how or whether it’s even useful but they’re very shiney.

Comments

[xp_rictor]

Nails to hammer into wood? We could use those for the new shelves in the magic greenhouse.

[xp_bright]

Noooo. My fingernails. Although I wonder what would happen if we cut them? I’m not sure a normal nail cutter thing would work though.

Nail clippers! That was the word that I did not forget at all.

[xp_catseye]

Interesting. Paige Guthrie can also transmute herself into inorganic matter.

Maybe you should fight.

[xp_bright]

Like a training thing? I guess that could be cool. I mean, if Paige was okay with it.

[xp_catseye]

Oh, training.

I suppose.

[xp_liono]

🤣🤣🤣

[xp_bright]

Why would you want me to fight Paige for real? That would be mean.

[xp_catseye]

The fact you think that means you obviously haven't been in enough fights.

[xp_bright]

I haven’t been in any fights.

I feel like maybe I’m missing something? Why wouldn’t fighting someone be mean? Isn’t hurting people bad?

[xp_catseye]

That depends. Did they deserve it?

Humans are so uncomfortable with normal violence. Fighting is also a method of communication. It's a means of establishing dominance.

Why would you make claws if not to fight, anyway?

[xp_bright]

Adults usually get upset at kids who hit when they first start hanging out with other people. Were meant to use our words. I suppose when you get older and get access to bigger things then just your hands it stops people from just walking over anyone weaker then them.

Not everything is about who can hit hardest for who’s better to lead.

I wasn’t actually trying to make claws. I was trying to change my nail colour. I used to be able to do these really cool patterns but this time I got diamonds and debilitating migraines, which sucks. Nail colours are much more fun.

[xp_catseye]

This attitude favors those who rely on the spoken word. As a child, my cat-brothers and I had no words to exchange. Neither did the clowder I joined when I lost my home. If my behavior was unacceptable I was nipped or slapped. Either I capitulated, or we renegotiated terms through fighting. This is what I learned, and what I teach my sons. This, too, is language. Humans just don't appreciate it.

I still don't understand how you change into things you don't intend. Or how the side-effects seem random. My own shapeshifting is a matter of simple calories: the greater the discrepancy in mass, the more energy required. I've heard of powers causing migraines, but how do you give yourself a sunburn?

[xp_bright]

That makes a lot of sense. Animals are a lot more honest than humans. They don’t bother with lying or pretending things unless it’s important like for survival.

When I was a littlely, and my Dad would read to me he’d make a joke that anything that wasn’t understandable just meant it was magic.

My mutant side, I think that worked like yours, although I couldn’t change into a cat, which would have been awesome.

My magic side made things weird. I don’t really understand it much yet. It’s like everything I got used to being able to do doesn’t work anymore, or makes things go all weird.

I tried to change my hair just a few days ago and instead of blonde, it turned into straw, like actual straw. I don’t even know how that would be helpful.

[xp_catseye]

Oh, "magic."

I agree, this sort of shapeshifting doesn't seem useful. Still, if your powers changed once, maybe you'll grow into these.

Maybe.

[xp_submariner]

There is a place for restraint, but never in the crucible that shapes you. The Surface may call hesitation a virtue. That you should train your body to falter and your instincts to slip. That is not mercy. It is self sabotage disguised as gentleness.

If you are to grow strong, then meet strength. If you mean to fight, fight.

[xp_cyclops]

Did someone mention training?

[xp_husk]

I’d be happy to do some training with you sometime. Sounds like we have a similar mutation. Might be fun to compare abilities.

[xp_liono]

you can't cut diamonds with nail clippers

[xp_bright]

I guess. It probably wouldn’t stay diamond anyway. Although I guess I could experiment with softer things.

[xp_daytripper]

I work with someone who can turn entirely into diamond, if you'd like some ideas about the usefulness of diamond fingernails. I'll even leave out the gory bits. ;)

Related question... any side effects? You wound up with sunburn in exchange for the fire hair, so I'm wondering what diamond nails will "cost" and whether it's worth it?

[xp_bright]

Debilitating migraine the next day. Not sure why it took so long to cost me this time? It seemed ti hang around the whole day as well. That was not fun.

[xp_longshot]

Diamond nails? Next-level glam. I love it.

And hey, don’t worry about whether it’s “useful” yet. Powers reveal their purpose when least unexpected. For now, just enjoy a little more dazzling.

[xp_bright]

It was kinda fun but I don’t know I’d do it again after the cost. More trouble than benefit. (Why’d I have to get the power that takes paperwork to use? )

[xp_longshot]

Yeah, but wasn’t it worth it just for the vibes? You felt something. Kinda. That makes any paperwork worth it.

(And hey — if you ever need someone to help fudge the forms, I happen to know a guy. Suspiciously lucky. Great hair. Terrible handwriting.)

[xp_artie]

Diamond, huh?

I have some glass pieces I'd like scored up for something I'm working on if they've got a point.

[xp_longshot]

Might not have a point! Could just be for fun. 😎👉

[xp_artie]

Could be!

There's so much i could do with this if I wanted to be a terrible person.

Which, i don't.

[xp_bright]

So glad my folks don’t know about you guys. I think they’d freak.

[xp_artie]

I'm perfectly respectable!

As needed.