Kitty and Tessa | Backdated 7/3
Jul. 3rd, 2017 09:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ax_sage posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ax_mainTessa discovers Kitty tinkering in the lounge and falls in love ... with technology. So begins her quest to rule the internet.
Given the intensity with which Tessa studied the phone she had been given shortly after her arrival at the school, one might have expected her to be in imminent danger of colliding with a wall or door, or the various pieces of decorative furniture tastefully strewn through the halls of the former mansion. That assessment would have mistaken, however; having traversed a given path once, the cyberpath could recall her route with absolute clarity. She did glance up occasionally, if only because prudence dictated that unexpected obstacles might have emerged between one circuit and the next, but the probability was slim. Though converted to a place of learning, Xavier's still had much of the feel of a private residence to it. No doubt it would take some time before the students now gathered were sufficiently comfortable to be making significant modifications to the environment.
Tessa wore jeans and a black, long-sleeved shirt that morning, an unassuming but functional sort of attire. Her hair hung loosely around her chin, and her slippered footfalls were so faint that they hardly distracted from her cataloging of other nearby soft, ambient sounds. One, in particular, drew her attention toward the student lounge. Quickly enough, her route changed to follow.
She studied the scene within with the same minute attention to detail she had given her smartphone not long ago. One of the younger students was diligently working away on a ... something. A portable personal computer, but one so heavily modified it bore scant resemblance to any make or model within Tessa's admittedly scant experience. Such devices seemed extremely useful. Perhaps now was an appropriate time as any to deepen her acquaintance, both with the advantages of modern technology and the other members of the student body.
"May I inquire as to the objective of your present activity?" Tessa asked, tone mild, if clipped. "It appears to occupy a statistically significant proportion of your conscious attention."
Normally, if Kitty was working on something away from her room, she just took her phone and the holographic portable keyboard with her that she loved so much. They were small and easy to carry and didn't get in the way. But today, she was actually coding a new program for one of her apps, and it very much helped to have the larger screen in front of her. She could have done it in her room, instead of the student lounge, but there were so many interesting kids about, she kind of felt like it was better to be in a more social environment, rather than locked away. (Plus it was always funny to watch the guys try to play video games and act like total newbs.)
So there she was, with her tricked out laptop with glowing purple keyboard, staring down a SQL database when she was interrupted by the other girl, in such a manner that it immediately drew her attention. Kitty looked up, blinking at the formal language. "Well. Yeah. Computers usually do. I'm a programmer, so my nose is like, in a computer twenty-three hours a day."
"I think that prospect highly unlikely," Tessa returned immediately, her tone not so much challenging as matter-of-fact. "The lack of restorative sleep leaves a definable impression upon an individual's psychic signature, not to mention the obvious physical signs of exhaustion. I detect none of these in you." She cocked her head slightly, curiosity apparent if still somewhat understated in her expression. "Unless the ability to function normally in the absence of normal human resting cycles is an aspect of your mutation?" The specific gifts of the other students was a matter of great fascination to the psion, and she was eager to explore both the particular details and the potential applications at even the slightest opportunity.
"Uh." Kitty blinked again. "No, I was...I was exaggerating. My thing's quantum tunneling." And for once, she figured this girl probably already knew what that was. She didn't have to give her usual explanation.
Tessa's dark eyes brightened with interest. "An ability of incalculable potential utility," she said. "And I apologize if I appeared obtuse; I have yet to fully catalog the capabilities of the students currently enrolled, and so, though I do understand exaggeration for effect as a rhetorical tool, I could not take for granted that your assertion might not be literally true." She paused a moment, then, "Would it constitute a breach of etiquette on my part were I to inquire as to the nature of your current activity? I am familiar with the nuances of most technology only in a very cursory fashion, at this time, and that is a deficit I would address as expediently as possible."
"Wait, wait, wait," Kitty said, turning full in her seat to face the older girl. "You talk like have a doctorate from Caltech, but you don't know how a computer works?"
She tilted her head, expression faintly quizzical, as though the other student had suggested one plus one equaled eleven. "My mutant abilities lend me a respectable facility with systems of information storage and transfer. As a result, I have a ready grasp of language, being exposed to it to some degree. But I have not had the opportunity to apply much attention to software systems. I would appreciate whatever assistance you would be willing to render."
"Yeah. Yeah! Of course. Sure." Kitty motioned for the girl to sit beside her on the couch even as her lips spread in a grin. "Are you serious? Your power is some kind of souped up eidetic memory?"
"My mental enhancements allow me to recall everything I experience instantly and with absolute clarity," Tessa explained, settling onto the couch beside the other student. "And enable me to process multiple lines of conscious thought simultaneously. Combined with minor telepathic abilities, I am capable of assimilating new information and new skills far more quickly than those lacking my advantages." Again, the olive-skinned teen tilted her head, "It is a serviceable gift, though not so interesting as inherent quantum tunneling, I think. I am Tessa."
"Kitty," she grinned. "And I don't know. Your gift sounds pretty interesting to me. Imagine what you could do with it."
"I have," Tessa replied with a brisk but affirmative nod of her head. She did not quite smile back, but there was a subtle softening to the calculated expression she normally wore that implied relaxation, of a kind. "At length. The whole gamut of everyday human accomplishment is mine, potentially to master--given sufficient time and access. However, there is nothing everyday about what you can do; it is wholly unique, and entirely yours." So far as any of them knew, at least. Perhaps some mutations would become less uncommon over time. At this point, however, Tessa was under the impression that the majority of the abilities now housed at the school were very much one-of-a-kind.
Kitty found the heat rising to her cheeks. "You think so?"
The cyberpath gave a faint shrug. "It is not a matter of opinion; your singularity among known mutants is a demonstrable fact. I will be very interested to observe how you develop your gift." Dark eyes flickered toward the computer screen. "Just as I am interested in your mastery of more prosaic areas of endeavor."
"Right! The computer," Kitty grinned and turned her laptop so that Tessa could see. "So basically, I go through all the systems and you'll learn them, right?"
"That is an accurate assessment," she confirmed, studying the monitor with minute interest. "Though each particular task may require more or less time, depending on its complexity and my grasp of fundamental elements. With your permission, I will scan your surface thoughts for details to assist filling in some of the more ambiguous areas."
Kitty stared at her. "You're a telepath too?"
"The psionic aspects of my mutation are relatively minor," Tessa explained, perhaps a touch of modesty coloring her previously neutral tone. "I am limited largely to telepathic communication and psychic defense, though I am also aware of the shallowest layers of consciousness of the minds in close physical proximity to me. With some effort, I can discern specific lines of thought more clearly. It is possible I could achieve a deeper level of penetration on an individual basis, but it would require considerable effort on my part, and success would be far from guaranteed. Certainly, it is nothing nearly so impressive as Professor Xavier's capabilities."
She cocked her head a moment, thoughtful, then, "Although I suppose my psi-abilities find their greatest utility when I am deciphering personal genetic codes. It is a satisfying blend of telepathic scanning and massive information-processing."
"You can say that again," Kitty agreed. "Even if you don't have the depth of ability, the range and scope of your skills are incredible. And if you ever want to scan my genetic codes, I'd love to be a test subject."
"Thank you," said Tessa, evidencing for the first time since their conversation had initiated an obvious and easily-read emotional response: gratitude. Such offers were, in her admittedly limited experience, few and far between, and already she had encountered fellow mutants not altogether comfortable with the notion of telepathy applied to their persons. "I will take you up on that offer, certainly. But I believe we were currently addressing my conspicuous lack of programming knowledge?" She glanced toward the monitor in a mild but meaningful way.
Kitty grinned, then turned back to the laptop, starting to familiarize Tessa with the operating system to start with, then running through settings and programs before finally tackling an introduction to the Internet.
The cyberpath absorbed each new concept, every unfamiliar system, with typical attention to detail. Skimming whatever little was missing from Kitty's verbal explanations--and beginning to grasp something of their larger implications--from the foremost thoughts in her mind, Tessa grew increasingly comfortable with the once-alien device and its multifaceted applications. And these basics suggested she had found the perfect tool not only to assist her in adapting to her new environment, but also to defend herself and the others. She took for granted that defense would, one day, be required; the world was an inherently hostile place, and they underestimated its capacity for unreasoning violence at their own peril.
It was nearly dinner by the time Kitty had finished with most of the major social media sites, looking a little red-faced by her Pinterest account. "That's, like, the best Computer 101 class I could give. The tricky part is that not all machines run the same operating system - so if you hop on one of the computers in the library, it might look a little different, but it's easy to translate experiences from one to the next, even though you might discover that you have a preference."
Sitting back into the couch with a coolly satisfied expression, Tessa smiled as Kitty wrapped up her impromptu (and largely improvised) lecture. There had been gaps, certainly, but none so wide that the cyberpath would be unable to fill them herself, with time. All in all, a very productive afternoon. "Thank you. I do not think I can accurately convey just how useful this new information will be to me in hastening my assimilation to life here. And I am grateful you allowed me access, however tertiary, to your personal social media. I think computer programming is perhaps not the sole area in which my understanding has expanded."
"Glad I could help," Kitty smiled. "That was actually kind of fun."
"Fun," Tessa echoed, taken aback for a bare fraction of a second. Such considerations did not often enter into her assessment of the value of any given activity. Her time with Kitty had been productive, informative. Of considerable utilitarian value. Had it been fun, as well? She was not certain. But she would not pass up an opportunity for such interaction again, if circumstances permitted.
"Fun," she said again, then shook her head a touch wryly. "I am prepared to take your word for it. Your expertise in such matters is no doubt more extensive than mine."
Kitty was speechless for a moment, struck dumb by the realization that Tessa wasn't joking. She seriously didn't have any kind of experience in 'fun'. And that...was kind of horrifying. Clearly, this needed an intervention. "Hey, um. Have you ever danced before?"
She canted her head to one side curiously, momentarily taken aback by this new line of inquiry, and the unusual fluctuation in Kitty's surface thoughts. "I am familiar with the procedure," Tessa ventured carefully. "I have observed various forms through various media over the course of my lifetime. But I have never participated, no. Dance has yet to present itself as an advantageous use of time."
Kitty pursed her lips. "That's because... you know what, no, I can't explain. I'm going to think about what it feels like when I dance. Can you read that?"
"Yes," she said slowly. "If you are inviting me to do so. It would require a somewhat deeper exploration of your consciousness than I have yet attempted. Assuming your objective is that I absorb more than the most elemental aspects of your reflections."
Taking a deep breath, Kitty nodded. "That's the objective, yes. Is it dangerous, the deeper exploration?"
"Not unless I were to enter your mind with malicious intent, which I can assure you I shall not. However," Tessa seemed to have to think for a moment to come up with the correct way to articulate the exact nature of her reservation, "it would be an extremely intimate experience. We would literally be sharing our consciousness across bodies--there is no metaphor I can offer that captures such closeness accurately. I have found the majority of non-psis reluctant to embrace something as simple as telepathic communication, much less so essential a commingling of identity."
"Wait," Kitty blinked. "Comingling? Like, I'd be getting your thoughts too?"
Tessa's expression grew ... faintly rueful. "Yes. I am not as practiced or as powerful as the Professor, and I do not think I could prevent my thoughts, memories, and impressions from bleeding through. I would be immersed in your thoughts but, to some degree, you would also partake of mine."
"Oh." That was a lot different than just sitting back and letting Tessa do her thing. Kitty wasn't even sure what she was going to experience, or whether she would get a lobotomy doing it. She wanted Tessa to be able to experience something that wasn't 'an advantageous use of time', but at what cost?
"I understand your reluctance, and I appreciate that you would make the offer in the first place. But it is not necessary. Thank you. Your ease and comfort would be critical to a seamless telepathic interaction, and that is not something which can be forced--not unless one is willing to risk damaging the other party."
"Point," Kitty noted, frowning a little. "But, um. Give it a couple of weeks and maybe I'll be more comfortable with it. This is all still pretty new for all of us."
"Of course," Tessa acceded readily. It was already more than she had expected, and patience would cost her nothing. That Kitty were even willing to entertain the notion was a significant step forward. "In the interim, I think it is approaching the time designated for the students' evening meal? Perhaps you would be willing to join me."
"Totes," Kitty laughed as she closed her laptop and slipped it into her bag. "I'm starving. Let's go pile up our trays."
"Totes," she echoed, sampling the word and not altogether certain she would be able to incorporate it into her day-to-day vocabulary. Tessa collected herself, rose, and stretched slightly. "The course of action you recommend seems wholly agreeable."
Given the intensity with which Tessa studied the phone she had been given shortly after her arrival at the school, one might have expected her to be in imminent danger of colliding with a wall or door, or the various pieces of decorative furniture tastefully strewn through the halls of the former mansion. That assessment would have mistaken, however; having traversed a given path once, the cyberpath could recall her route with absolute clarity. She did glance up occasionally, if only because prudence dictated that unexpected obstacles might have emerged between one circuit and the next, but the probability was slim. Though converted to a place of learning, Xavier's still had much of the feel of a private residence to it. No doubt it would take some time before the students now gathered were sufficiently comfortable to be making significant modifications to the environment.
Tessa wore jeans and a black, long-sleeved shirt that morning, an unassuming but functional sort of attire. Her hair hung loosely around her chin, and her slippered footfalls were so faint that they hardly distracted from her cataloging of other nearby soft, ambient sounds. One, in particular, drew her attention toward the student lounge. Quickly enough, her route changed to follow.
She studied the scene within with the same minute attention to detail she had given her smartphone not long ago. One of the younger students was diligently working away on a ... something. A portable personal computer, but one so heavily modified it bore scant resemblance to any make or model within Tessa's admittedly scant experience. Such devices seemed extremely useful. Perhaps now was an appropriate time as any to deepen her acquaintance, both with the advantages of modern technology and the other members of the student body.
"May I inquire as to the objective of your present activity?" Tessa asked, tone mild, if clipped. "It appears to occupy a statistically significant proportion of your conscious attention."
Normally, if Kitty was working on something away from her room, she just took her phone and the holographic portable keyboard with her that she loved so much. They were small and easy to carry and didn't get in the way. But today, she was actually coding a new program for one of her apps, and it very much helped to have the larger screen in front of her. She could have done it in her room, instead of the student lounge, but there were so many interesting kids about, she kind of felt like it was better to be in a more social environment, rather than locked away. (Plus it was always funny to watch the guys try to play video games and act like total newbs.)
So there she was, with her tricked out laptop with glowing purple keyboard, staring down a SQL database when she was interrupted by the other girl, in such a manner that it immediately drew her attention. Kitty looked up, blinking at the formal language. "Well. Yeah. Computers usually do. I'm a programmer, so my nose is like, in a computer twenty-three hours a day."
"I think that prospect highly unlikely," Tessa returned immediately, her tone not so much challenging as matter-of-fact. "The lack of restorative sleep leaves a definable impression upon an individual's psychic signature, not to mention the obvious physical signs of exhaustion. I detect none of these in you." She cocked her head slightly, curiosity apparent if still somewhat understated in her expression. "Unless the ability to function normally in the absence of normal human resting cycles is an aspect of your mutation?" The specific gifts of the other students was a matter of great fascination to the psion, and she was eager to explore both the particular details and the potential applications at even the slightest opportunity.
"Uh." Kitty blinked again. "No, I was...I was exaggerating. My thing's quantum tunneling." And for once, she figured this girl probably already knew what that was. She didn't have to give her usual explanation.
Tessa's dark eyes brightened with interest. "An ability of incalculable potential utility," she said. "And I apologize if I appeared obtuse; I have yet to fully catalog the capabilities of the students currently enrolled, and so, though I do understand exaggeration for effect as a rhetorical tool, I could not take for granted that your assertion might not be literally true." She paused a moment, then, "Would it constitute a breach of etiquette on my part were I to inquire as to the nature of your current activity? I am familiar with the nuances of most technology only in a very cursory fashion, at this time, and that is a deficit I would address as expediently as possible."
"Wait, wait, wait," Kitty said, turning full in her seat to face the older girl. "You talk like have a doctorate from Caltech, but you don't know how a computer works?"
She tilted her head, expression faintly quizzical, as though the other student had suggested one plus one equaled eleven. "My mutant abilities lend me a respectable facility with systems of information storage and transfer. As a result, I have a ready grasp of language, being exposed to it to some degree. But I have not had the opportunity to apply much attention to software systems. I would appreciate whatever assistance you would be willing to render."
"Yeah. Yeah! Of course. Sure." Kitty motioned for the girl to sit beside her on the couch even as her lips spread in a grin. "Are you serious? Your power is some kind of souped up eidetic memory?"
"My mental enhancements allow me to recall everything I experience instantly and with absolute clarity," Tessa explained, settling onto the couch beside the other student. "And enable me to process multiple lines of conscious thought simultaneously. Combined with minor telepathic abilities, I am capable of assimilating new information and new skills far more quickly than those lacking my advantages." Again, the olive-skinned teen tilted her head, "It is a serviceable gift, though not so interesting as inherent quantum tunneling, I think. I am Tessa."
"Kitty," she grinned. "And I don't know. Your gift sounds pretty interesting to me. Imagine what you could do with it."
"I have," Tessa replied with a brisk but affirmative nod of her head. She did not quite smile back, but there was a subtle softening to the calculated expression she normally wore that implied relaxation, of a kind. "At length. The whole gamut of everyday human accomplishment is mine, potentially to master--given sufficient time and access. However, there is nothing everyday about what you can do; it is wholly unique, and entirely yours." So far as any of them knew, at least. Perhaps some mutations would become less uncommon over time. At this point, however, Tessa was under the impression that the majority of the abilities now housed at the school were very much one-of-a-kind.
Kitty found the heat rising to her cheeks. "You think so?"
The cyberpath gave a faint shrug. "It is not a matter of opinion; your singularity among known mutants is a demonstrable fact. I will be very interested to observe how you develop your gift." Dark eyes flickered toward the computer screen. "Just as I am interested in your mastery of more prosaic areas of endeavor."
"Right! The computer," Kitty grinned and turned her laptop so that Tessa could see. "So basically, I go through all the systems and you'll learn them, right?"
"That is an accurate assessment," she confirmed, studying the monitor with minute interest. "Though each particular task may require more or less time, depending on its complexity and my grasp of fundamental elements. With your permission, I will scan your surface thoughts for details to assist filling in some of the more ambiguous areas."
Kitty stared at her. "You're a telepath too?"
"The psionic aspects of my mutation are relatively minor," Tessa explained, perhaps a touch of modesty coloring her previously neutral tone. "I am limited largely to telepathic communication and psychic defense, though I am also aware of the shallowest layers of consciousness of the minds in close physical proximity to me. With some effort, I can discern specific lines of thought more clearly. It is possible I could achieve a deeper level of penetration on an individual basis, but it would require considerable effort on my part, and success would be far from guaranteed. Certainly, it is nothing nearly so impressive as Professor Xavier's capabilities."
She cocked her head a moment, thoughtful, then, "Although I suppose my psi-abilities find their greatest utility when I am deciphering personal genetic codes. It is a satisfying blend of telepathic scanning and massive information-processing."
"You can say that again," Kitty agreed. "Even if you don't have the depth of ability, the range and scope of your skills are incredible. And if you ever want to scan my genetic codes, I'd love to be a test subject."
"Thank you," said Tessa, evidencing for the first time since their conversation had initiated an obvious and easily-read emotional response: gratitude. Such offers were, in her admittedly limited experience, few and far between, and already she had encountered fellow mutants not altogether comfortable with the notion of telepathy applied to their persons. "I will take you up on that offer, certainly. But I believe we were currently addressing my conspicuous lack of programming knowledge?" She glanced toward the monitor in a mild but meaningful way.
Kitty grinned, then turned back to the laptop, starting to familiarize Tessa with the operating system to start with, then running through settings and programs before finally tackling an introduction to the Internet.
The cyberpath absorbed each new concept, every unfamiliar system, with typical attention to detail. Skimming whatever little was missing from Kitty's verbal explanations--and beginning to grasp something of their larger implications--from the foremost thoughts in her mind, Tessa grew increasingly comfortable with the once-alien device and its multifaceted applications. And these basics suggested she had found the perfect tool not only to assist her in adapting to her new environment, but also to defend herself and the others. She took for granted that defense would, one day, be required; the world was an inherently hostile place, and they underestimated its capacity for unreasoning violence at their own peril.
It was nearly dinner by the time Kitty had finished with most of the major social media sites, looking a little red-faced by her Pinterest account. "That's, like, the best Computer 101 class I could give. The tricky part is that not all machines run the same operating system - so if you hop on one of the computers in the library, it might look a little different, but it's easy to translate experiences from one to the next, even though you might discover that you have a preference."
Sitting back into the couch with a coolly satisfied expression, Tessa smiled as Kitty wrapped up her impromptu (and largely improvised) lecture. There had been gaps, certainly, but none so wide that the cyberpath would be unable to fill them herself, with time. All in all, a very productive afternoon. "Thank you. I do not think I can accurately convey just how useful this new information will be to me in hastening my assimilation to life here. And I am grateful you allowed me access, however tertiary, to your personal social media. I think computer programming is perhaps not the sole area in which my understanding has expanded."
"Glad I could help," Kitty smiled. "That was actually kind of fun."
"Fun," Tessa echoed, taken aback for a bare fraction of a second. Such considerations did not often enter into her assessment of the value of any given activity. Her time with Kitty had been productive, informative. Of considerable utilitarian value. Had it been fun, as well? She was not certain. But she would not pass up an opportunity for such interaction again, if circumstances permitted.
"Fun," she said again, then shook her head a touch wryly. "I am prepared to take your word for it. Your expertise in such matters is no doubt more extensive than mine."
Kitty was speechless for a moment, struck dumb by the realization that Tessa wasn't joking. She seriously didn't have any kind of experience in 'fun'. And that...was kind of horrifying. Clearly, this needed an intervention. "Hey, um. Have you ever danced before?"
She canted her head to one side curiously, momentarily taken aback by this new line of inquiry, and the unusual fluctuation in Kitty's surface thoughts. "I am familiar with the procedure," Tessa ventured carefully. "I have observed various forms through various media over the course of my lifetime. But I have never participated, no. Dance has yet to present itself as an advantageous use of time."
Kitty pursed her lips. "That's because... you know what, no, I can't explain. I'm going to think about what it feels like when I dance. Can you read that?"
"Yes," she said slowly. "If you are inviting me to do so. It would require a somewhat deeper exploration of your consciousness than I have yet attempted. Assuming your objective is that I absorb more than the most elemental aspects of your reflections."
Taking a deep breath, Kitty nodded. "That's the objective, yes. Is it dangerous, the deeper exploration?"
"Not unless I were to enter your mind with malicious intent, which I can assure you I shall not. However," Tessa seemed to have to think for a moment to come up with the correct way to articulate the exact nature of her reservation, "it would be an extremely intimate experience. We would literally be sharing our consciousness across bodies--there is no metaphor I can offer that captures such closeness accurately. I have found the majority of non-psis reluctant to embrace something as simple as telepathic communication, much less so essential a commingling of identity."
"Wait," Kitty blinked. "Comingling? Like, I'd be getting your thoughts too?"
Tessa's expression grew ... faintly rueful. "Yes. I am not as practiced or as powerful as the Professor, and I do not think I could prevent my thoughts, memories, and impressions from bleeding through. I would be immersed in your thoughts but, to some degree, you would also partake of mine."
"Oh." That was a lot different than just sitting back and letting Tessa do her thing. Kitty wasn't even sure what she was going to experience, or whether she would get a lobotomy doing it. She wanted Tessa to be able to experience something that wasn't 'an advantageous use of time', but at what cost?
"I understand your reluctance, and I appreciate that you would make the offer in the first place. But it is not necessary. Thank you. Your ease and comfort would be critical to a seamless telepathic interaction, and that is not something which can be forced--not unless one is willing to risk damaging the other party."
"Point," Kitty noted, frowning a little. "But, um. Give it a couple of weeks and maybe I'll be more comfortable with it. This is all still pretty new for all of us."
"Of course," Tessa acceded readily. It was already more than she had expected, and patience would cost her nothing. That Kitty were even willing to entertain the notion was a significant step forward. "In the interim, I think it is approaching the time designated for the students' evening meal? Perhaps you would be willing to join me."
"Totes," Kitty laughed as she closed her laptop and slipped it into her bag. "I'm starving. Let's go pile up our trays."
"Totes," she echoed, sampling the word and not altogether certain she would be able to incorporate it into her day-to-day vocabulary. Tessa collected herself, rose, and stretched slightly. "The course of action you recommend seems wholly agreeable."
