first puzzle | voice

[recinerate]

[beyond was dead, and now he's not.

it's a perplexing position for anyone to find themselves in, of course, but even more so when there's something fundamental about that person that's gone missing - something that should be there, but isn't. beyond has found he is missing such a thing, and has decided to take advantage of the technology of this new place in order to work out his thoughts regarding this dilemma.]

"In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity."

[his voice is quiet, raspy, almost unnaturally even in tone. he pauses, then picks up with one of many questions currently on his mind, addressing anyone within earshot.]

What shapes your sense of identity?

Comments

[recinerate]

It doesn't make for a very interesting discussion if you simply agree with my statement.

[cantcatchme]

I'm not, exactly. After all, my name's different than yours. Not my fault you can't figure out anything about my identity from it.

[recinerate]

Quicksilver, also known as the chemical element mercury. The only metallic element that is a liquid under standard temperature and pressure conditions. Commonly used in thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lamps, and manufacture of industrial chemicals. Formerly used in medicine and dentistry; now less common due to its extreme toxicity. Shall I go on?

[cantcatchme]

[Pietro sighs dramatically.]

Still being too literal. You sure you're not part computer or some shit?

[recinerate]

I am entirely human, I can assure you.

[cantcatchme]

Oh, well, that explains it then. Humans.

[recinerate]

What about them?

[cantcatchme]

You're all a bit- [He makes a vague, somehow condescending hand gesture.] I'll try not to hold it against you.

[recinerate]

Are you not human, then?

[cantcatchme]

Of course not.

I'm a mutant. Homo superior.

[recinerate]

I see. That must explain your name.

[beyond has no leg to stand on when it comes to questioning normalcy of names.]

Is this also what shapes your identity? Being a mutant? Homo superior. [there's a small stress of the way he says "superior."]

[cantcatchme]

[Pietro may have emphasized that part, himself.]

Of course. Why the fuck wouldn't it? I'm sure being human shapes yours.

[recinerate]

I don't know that it does. I wouldn't know anything different.

[cantcatchme]

So you're saying you can't be shaped by the negatives as well as the positives?

Most humans didn't know we existed either, back home. Not for a long time. Funny how much that human identity mattered, when they found out.

[recinerate]

Anything is possible; I don't discount it. I just haven't had enough time to give it much thought. I've only just learned that anything other than human exists.

[cantcatchme]

Well, get used to it. There's a lot of us, and we're a varied bunch. Not just mutants, either.

[recinerate]

What else? Other than mutants.

[cantcatchme]

I dunno, man. Some people have magic or shit. Some are zombie movie levels of undead. There's at least one alien...

[recinerate]

I see. Thank you for the information, Quicksilver.