grant-man

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

Katherine smiled happily, she was very excited with the idea of sharing a room with him. “They can disturb me as much as they want.” she said hoping she didn’t sound too weird. “Besides, if it wasn’t for the insets moving to my room I wouldn’t have met you, so I in debt to them already.”

She bit her lower lip. “Yes, but I didn’t exactly have a choice.” 42 knew her answer would only raise more question. “I grew up in a lab… My tag is 42.” She said looking at the number tattooed on her wrist. “I was an experiment, and when they thought my powers were useful, I became a weapon, I was forced to take the damage away from this group of soldiers, I could transfer to someone else, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone, so I took it, every single wound… A few days ago one of soldiers came up with a plan and helped me escape.”  She smiled, moving to gently grab his hand and give a light squeeze, trying to show how much his words meant to her. “I like you.” She said, she didn’t even know much about him, but she knew that much.

◈

“You’re a little strange, aren’t you?” The words slipped out of his lips as they curled into a smile. He didn’t have any time to think them through, having already fled before his brain could reassess and refine them. There was no malice in the thought, however, if only admiration. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard in a long while.”

“A lab? Oh.” This time, his brain was quick to halt his lips from parting for a while. At least until he could measure his words. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that revelation, as truth be told his experiences and knowledge of the matter was limited to say the least. Still, he couldn’t help but reference the first thought that came to mind. “Like a test tube baby? I think I’ve met someone like that, too. He was pretty nice. His parents couldn’t...make him naturally, so...” Wait, a weapon? “I... I’m sorry. That sounds... I don’t really know what to make of it, but I’m just glad you’re here.”

His cheeks immediately grew red when he felt her touch. “I...like you, too.” They’ve just met but it was more than nice to have an instant connection with someone, especially someone so pretty and nice.

[grant-man]

nymphxcalliope​:

Callie couldn’t help it and she let out a laugh as the man bowed at her, never quite having gotten that reaction before out of someone (not that she had a lot of experience with meeting people). It was her turn to be embarrassed though when the man said her name was beautiful and her smile turned rather bashful, her eyes turning down for a moment before back up to him, “Well um…thank you?” She let out another soft little laugh, smiling still as she followed his gaze over to the bees and when the man spoke again she just felt that blush on her face deepen and she hummed, smiling at him rather bashfully, “I wouldn’t exactly say I talk to them but…maybe so?” she offered before nodding to him. “How long have you been here?”

◈

“You’re welcome.” Anton quickly replied, a boyish grin now stuck to his face as his own pair of dark brown eyes found themselves stuck to her face. Her acknowledgment of his words stirred something in him, a sort of confidence from out of nowhere that boosted his desire to be seen by her. “Oh, you don’t talk to them? How do you...” He cut himself off, his eyebrows furrowing, seemingly confused at her mutation. For most of his life, Anton only knew his own, his strange ability to talk to insects and ask them for favors. To be fair, he doesn’t actually talk to them as well. At least, not in the traditional context of needing words. Most of the time, he just thinks things and the insects around him immediately do them. Most of the time. “I’m a little new, to be honest. Just got here a few days ago... What about you? You’ve been here a while?”

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

Katherine smiled. “I never shared a room with anyone before, but my room was the size of a closet, so there wasn’t a lot of room to share.” She said nicely. “So I’m feeling very weird with all that space to myself.” 42 was having a lot of difficult sleeping with all that space and the silence, everything on the island was new and sometimes felt a little overwhelming, so having someone in the room with her, even if they snored, would be perfect.

She chuckled. “You’re the second person to call me that.” Maybe she should add that when she explained her powers. “But I mostly take the wound to myself than give to someone else.” She said, trying to make it clear that she would never use her powers to hurt him. “Yes, I’m okay, thank you.” She said. “There’s so much to see, I just need to pay more attention to my steps.”

◈

Anton did a double take, a little confused. He heard her say but he wasn’t quite sure if he was taking to it like she was. “A closet?” It took him some time before realizing she just meant it was the size of, not exactly an actual closet. That difference made him sigh in relief. “Oh, well then, you’ll love being roommates with me. I sort of have a lot of stuff, including the bugs.” He gave her a sheepish smile, still intimidated by her looks and overall nice demeanor. “I mean, I can tell them to keep to my side of the room and not disturb you...”

“...oh, but doesn’t that hurt you?” The last two words came out of his lips slower than the rest, mostly because his brain was telling him the answer was obvious, the question unnecessary. He was more curious at the idea of her sacrificing herself, even if just pieces of her, for others. That ability, that mutation, seemed to him more trouble than it was worth. Perhaps inspired by that revelation, or something else entirely, Anton’s protective instincts kicked in. He didn’t even realize what he was saying as he was saying them. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”

[grant-man]

nymphxcalliope​:

“Hmm? Oh–” Calliope looked behind and then around herself before huffing out a little laugh and just shrugging, “I suppose I do.” she responded before looking back to him, clearly intrigued by his powers. “That sounds wonderful. Almost like you always have someone to talk to. Is it all insects?” She wondered, tilting her head. As she spoke she looked to some bumblebees in her windowsill and she touched the wall, making some vines extend out and flower buds begin to blossom, giving the bees a place to rest (and maybe pollenate). “I’m Calliope–Callie. Briar. It’s nice to meet you.” and it was, given how little people she knew- even less as mutants.

◈

“Y-yeah... Just insects.” He chuckled under his breath, her positive reaction making him feel a little embarrassed but in a good way. Like when someone gives you a compliment out of nowhere or hugs you when you least expect it. His eyes widened in amazement when she continued to showcase her abilities. “Oh, wow, that’s...awesome.” Turning to her with red cheeks and barely confident eyes, he nodded, bowing slightly for no other reason that he had no idea what else to do. “Callie... Briar. That’s a really beautiful name.” Anton lost himself in her for a little while, give or take a few seconds, before he caught himself and turned his attention back to the bumblebees and the flower buds. Without his consent, the next series of words slipped through his lips as he slid his hands inside the pockets of his pants. “A guy who can talk to insects and a girl who can talk to flowers... Sounds like a perfect match.” 

[grant-man]

magikillyanarasputina​:

“It’s hard to explain.” Instead of explaining, she decided to show. Within a flash, and without his permission, teleportation disks appeared around them and they were suddenly teleported to Limbo. Over the years, Illyana had made it almost hospitable. They were surrounded by dense forests but the sun was red, making all nature look particularly off. “Don’t look up,” she joked. Above them were crowds of demons flying and screeching as they did. The moment they saw her, they dived towards her ready to attack and Illyana pulled out her sword, using her magic to create a protective bubble around them. “This was where I was raised.” 

She stood there for a few moments, fairly nonchalant as the demons screamed and scratched at the barrier in their weak attempts to get at her. After deciding that she proved her point, she summoned her disks again. Within a flash, they were back on Krakoa as if time hadn’t passed at all. Everyone was so used to Illyana pulling her disappearing act that no one battled an eye either. 

◈

Anton’s eyes widened in amazement at the sudden change of space. “Whoa! What the f—” His instincts forcing him to take a step back out of confusion and concern, he cut himself off when he did exactly what she told him not to. A curious cat has more than one life, but unfortunately, Anton wasn’t sure he had another. “Holy crap, are those— Are we in freaking hell? Gah!” Before Illyana could conjure her defensive construct around them, Anton’s instincts told him to duck for cover, which was hilarious necessary to any onlookers but a grave relief to him. An eyebrow raised, he stared at her and opened her mouth, confused at her revelation, but no words came out, most likely fearful of being in hell. You... Were raised in hell? But you’re so pretty!

Gulping, he mustered enough strength to take a closer look at the frenzied demons, though still warried. He slowly reached out with a finger towards one of them, the barrier seemingly there to protect that same finger. Fortunately for him, before he could touch her bubble, they were suddenly back on the island. Anton looked around him, again in confusion, to confirm their whereabouts and heaved a sigh of relief. “Okay, so you can drag people to hell and make shields? Have you, uhm, ever met anyone down there? Like not demons but, uhh, souls? The Big Guy?”

Anton wasn’t really THAT religious, but a lot of the people around him was, so he just had to ask.

[grant-man]

mcthercfmcnsters·:

“I’m sorry!”

Reaching down to help her fallen sparring partner back up, Marnie risked a nervous, albeit quick, glance at Mister Dogg. To be fair, it wasn’t entirely her fault. She had told them she didn’t fight, that hand to hand wasn’t her thing and that they’d be better off teaching Mister Dogg or Andi, but did they listen? Nooooo. And now she was stuck in a danger room, trying and failing to not use her powers in a panic every time her assigned partner got a little too intense.

“I am so, so sorry…”

◈

In her defense, Anton wasn’t that great of a fighter himself. He wasn’t even sure why he was assigned to be someone’s partner in this very dangerous room. What the hell did they expect him to do? Sting someone with bees during this spar? He deserved getting knocked off his ass. 

“Nope.” He waved her apologies away as he pushed himself off the ground and back to his feet. Slowly. Still feeling the pain against his nose. And knees. Not a graceful way to go down, knocked off your knees and hitting the ground with your face. Still, he got back up. That should count for something right? “Nope, nope, nope.”

“You’re good, uhh, Marnie, wasn’t it? I’m Anton, Anton Grant. I’m just that not good of a sparring partner. I should be the one apologizing.” He tried to show her a confident grin, but it came off extremely awkward, especially with the aftermath of his bruised and battered nose.

[grant-man]

mvgntic​:

“any idea if they have to be within a certain distance? like, ideally, could you tell the mosquitos on this island that i’m in fact not a buffet and to stay away from me?”

at the question about her powers, she dented an evil smiley face into the metal table   “i don’t know what you’re talking about. what mailbox thing?”

◈

“oh, well, i’m still working on the exact distance and stuff, but i could ask a few to pass that along with the rest?” anton grinned, and shortly after, a memory of him doing the same thing before, when he was trying to impress this other girl back home, only to end up grossing her out, invaded his mind. it was a bittersweet memory to him, a momentary beacon of hope that he’d belong before it all came crashing down on him like a ton of heartbreaking bricks. lorna’s response, however, which made his grin wider by the way, made him think that wouldn’t be the case anymore. at least not in this island. 

“that’s a pretty awesome power you’ve got there... kinda reminds me of mag—” he caught himself, quickly cutting his own tongue before he could utter the entire name. gulping, he then feigned a cough, not entirely sure if she was cool with him bringing that up, so he took a long drink from his water bottle, scrambling for a change of topic. “so, like, can you turn scraps of metal into an armor, or...”

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

Katherine wasn’t exactly good at reading people, so when he got quiet, she was afraid she said something wrong, social interactions were very hard, it would be nice to share a room with him, maybe he could tell her what she was doing wrong. “I’m sorry.” She said. “Talking with people is a little new to me, if I ever do or did something to make you feel uncomfortable, please let me know, I will try not to do it again.” She said.

42 walked next to him, glad that they were walking slower, she certainly wouldn’t mind taking longer to get to the springs and spend more time with him, and even when they did arrive, maybe he would join her, instead of just walking back. “My powers are not as cool as yours.” She said with a smile. “I can transfer wounds.” She said a little shy, because of the powers, she took most of the damage from her team and her body was covered in all kind of scars, hopefully the springs would be able to help her heal. Luckily, they were walking closer together, so when she tripped and lost her balance, Katherine grabbed his arm to help her steady herself again. “Thank you…” she said blushing a little

◈

Anton took a moment to fully digest all of her revelations. Squinting, he tilted his head to one side, a little confused about the part where she was new to talking with people. That was immediately replaced by a figurative shrug, however, when he assumed she was probably just as socially awkward as he was. Whatever the circumstances, he shouldn’t be as judgmental as others were with him. Breaking the cycle. That sort of thing. 

“Oh, no, don’t worry... I was just... I’ve never shared a room with a girl before... Not even talked to one about that.” He tried to laugh it off but to more awkward effect, scratching his head, almost bowed now. “You can transfer wounds? Like, uhh, a voodoo doll?” It was the only thing that crossed his inexperienced mind, the image of voodoo magic involving pins, dolls, and someone real suffering that prick. When she suddenly lost her balance, Anton was a little slow to react but his instincts were protective. A sigh of relief escaped his lips when she managed to grab on to him. “You okay, Katherine? Do you need to, uhh, take a moment?”

[grant-man]

xaphroditx·:

With how nice the weather (always) was, Luz decided to spend the afternoon lazing about and headed to one of the docks. She stripped off her tank top, leaving her in just her bra and little denim shorts as she sat on the edge and laid down, letting her feet absently drag in the water. She noticed it though when a shadow came over her sometime later and she hummed, eyes still closed under her sunglasses, “Can I help you with something?” She asked lightly. “Unless you wanted to join. There’s more than enough room after all.”

◈

“Oh, uhm, I thought you were someone I knew...” Anton flashed her an awkward grin, his eyes glued to her face, as if they were scared that wandering off elsewhere would mean the death of them. Truth be told, Anton was playing the part of the moth to her flame That was not intentional, however. Something about her, most likely an attraction of sorts, pushed him to take the stupidest plunge and try to start a conversation. He wasn't even in his proper swimwear. Or anything remotely close to that. “But, like, I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of the afternoon with you. I mean, right here. Because of the water and the sun. It’s, uhh, a great view. Nice place. ...I’m Anton, by the way. Anton Grant.” 

[grant-man]

magikillyanarasputina·:

Illyana definitely didn’t need him to say he was weird to believe it. From the moment she witnessed his powers, shivers were already crawling up her spine. Sure, Illyana grew up among literal demons and was one herself, but that didn’t mean she didn’t find bugs and insects creepy. She would rather face a demon than a wasp any day. She could at least cut a demon in half and know whether it would grow back into one whole. One could never tell with bugs.

“I’m beginning to realize that…” She shrugged. “Well, luckily for you, we are an island filled with weirdos. I was raised in a hell dimension and a handful of us were raised in labs.” It was easy to tell the weirdos from their backstories and Illyana was one of them. 

◈

The first part of her statement made Anton feel a little bad about himself, confirming that he does in fact gross people out. The second part, however? Well, that came as a surprise, though it shouldn’t have. Krakoa wasn’t the same as where he had come from, grown up, that much he should’ve expected. He wouldn’t be the only one here who had some strange ability, so that was at least a relief.

“Wait, what?” Anton turned to her in confusion. Hell dimension? Hell’s real? He almost blurted the words out but managed to rein them in, unsure of whether simply uttering them would offend her, who could be his first and perhaps only friend out here. Besides, was Hell really that bad compared to where he grew up? Probably. Or maybe it’s just a grass is greener kind of thing. “That sounds, uhm, interesting? I’m from San Francisco. Not exactly hell dimension, or like being raised in a lab, but growing up there wasn’t all that fun, especially for a guy like me. What do you do?”

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

“That?” Kate asked tilting her head in an innocent way, not exactly sure what he was referring to, with his answer she smiled happily. “I would like that very much.” Having him as a roommate sounded like the perfect idea, he seemed very nice,  handsome, and she was looking forward to getting to know him better, she just hoped she wasn’t getting him into trouble by sharing a room, the last thing she wanted was to get someone that was just being nice to her in trouble, but if that happened, she would take the full responsibility, after all it was her idea.

She was going to suggest they could explore the island together, but before she had the chance 42 watched him use his powers, the mosquitos all moving together as one showing the direction for them to follow. “Your powers are truly amazing.” She said, clearly impressed as she followed him and the insects

◈

If Anton was blushing before, then his cheeks were on fire now. He has never experienced this much attention from another person, especially someone as gorgeous as her. Gulping, he only mustered a quiet nod, unable to look her in the eye at the moment. Maybe later. Was it really all right? For them to share a room together? He grinned at the thought. A nice roommate wouldn’t be so bad. Then he scratched his head. Wouldn’t that be awkward, though? Mostly for him? She might find him odd and weird and gross, drawing insects every now and then like some sort of—

“O-oh, thank you... They’re... They’re just doing me a favor.” He chuckled, scratching his head, unsure what to make of the compliment, rare that it usually comes for him. He tried to walk slower, closer to her, all while the swarm took the hint and flew slower as well. That’s what friends do, right? Watch each other’s backs, keep each other within sight? “So, uhm, what do you do, Katherine? Something more awesome, right?”

[grant-man]

nymphxcalliope·:

Calliope looked over when the man spoke and just gave him a little smile and shook her head. Her own room was practically a garden in itself, vines along the walls, flowers everywhere. So the bugs didn’t bother her much. “Oh, it’s fine. They probably thought this was the outside if anything.” She joked lightly before blinking up at him, her eyes widening, nearly mystified. “You…you talk to them? Oh that must be fascinating!”

◈

Anton was a little surprised by her reaction, though he probably shouldn’t have. He was in Krakoa now, after all, with others who would be as strange or gifted as him, depending on the outlook, no longer the only person in the room who can do something beyond normal. With a grin, he nodded, just now realizing her room was not as normal, rather boring, than he assumed. “Oh, yeah, that’s probably... You have a garden in your room?” When he turned back to her, his eyes widened in more surprise. Few were actually fascinated by his mutation, fewer were women. “Y-yeah, sort of. I ask them to do stuff for me and they just do it, I guess? Sometimes they ask for help, so it’s a two-way relationship... Not everyone thinks that way, but thank you. I’m Anton, by the way. Anton Grant.”

[grant-man]

mvgntic​:

to be completely honest, when anton asked if he could sit with her, she’d thought he was kidding. there was a reason the other tables were packed while she sat alone. she’d started talking about the mailbox because in most cases, when some poor shnuck decided to sit with her, the first thing they always wanted to talk about was her father, and she was not having that today.

“no one would ever accuse me of anything,” she snorted, rolling her eyes. how was it that everything unintentionally wiggled its way back to being about magneto? she waved her hand in front of her as if pushing aside his questions. “so exactly how much control do you have over bugs?”

◈

the fact of her family tree escaping his thoughts at the moment, anton grinned when she confidently expressed defiance against all odds. from what he’s heard, she was a troublemaker, a hellion, but anton wasn’t one to heed hearsay without first checking things out himself, so check her out he did, and now he’s extremely glad he’s taken the risk, mostly because she’s cute and seems very, very interesting.

his grin grew wider when she expressed her own interest in his bugs, a reaction he has not received from many. “oh, well, it varies, i think? most of the time, hives of bees or hills of ants or even swarms of mosquitos are always quick to answer and pretty much do whatever I tell them to, but i haven’t checked with other bugs. that’s exactly why I went here... what about you? i mean, aside from the mailbox thing.”

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

She smiled as he explained what had happened, it did seemed like an easy mistake to make. “I guess that means your rooms is nearby.” She said sweetly. “Is okay, They are really not bothering me, this room is so big and quiet that I wouldn’t mind having a roommate, specially if that helps you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Anton Grand, I’m for…” 42 stopped herself, that wasn’t her name anymore, she had a real name for these occasions. “I’m Katherine.” She said, kissing his cheek, she had sawn a few people doing that, so she thought it was what people did to introduce themselves. “Actually… if is not too much trouble, I heard this place have healing springs… Could you show me where that is?” Katherine was truly curious about that place, giving her body was covered with scars because of her powers.

◈

If Anton was a moth, then her smile would be the flame. Before he knew it, his cheeks were growing hot and red. “Oh, you don’t have a roommate? I mean, I’m not sure if we’re allowed to, like, have boys and girls in one room because, I don’t know, people might think that’s... But, like, I’d be down if you are...” When her lips made contact with his skin, the words ceased from needlessly flowing through his own, his throat suddenly dry, his brain momentarily stunned. 

“I-I’m not actually familiar where those are... I’m new here, too, but, uhm, I think we can...” He turned to the mosquitos from her room before they all suddenly swarmed out of there, in a very specific direction. With a grin, Anton gestured for her to follow them, hopefully to where the springs could be, granted nothing else would derail them.

[grant-man]

mximumeffxrt​:

“I’ll say.” Wade pitched in before Anton had even finished his apology. “You know your little swarm friends tried to get all up in my bed at 6am. In a place no-one wants bugs. Anton, there’s only one thing that’s filling me up that early in the morning… Hope.”. DP tilted his head to one side, narrowed his eyes and let a silence linger between them as if he was a mean principal about to dish out an overly harsh punishment to a kid who slipped on some strawberry yogurt and ended up throwing their mushroom soup all over him. Then, he broke and laughed and slapped Anton on the shoulder. “I’m messing with ya kid, it was an exciting wake up call, much better than my limited edition N-Sync alarm clock– gave me a little… buzz.” What a great pun.

◈

"Oh, uhm... O-okay...” Anton wasn’t sure what to make of this interaction with Wade and Wade himself. Truth be told, he’s heard a lot of weird things about this equally weird man, and even though Anton would be the last to judge someone because of hearsay, some of those things have been quite alarming. So of course Anton tries to awkwardly make small talk. “You like N-Sync?”

[grant-man]

katherine-42​:

42 looked at the man, with how he was talking it was easy that his powers had something to do with the bugs that appeared in her room, while others might get angry she truly didn’t mind, the room was way bigger than the other she normally slept in, and the bugs helped make things less quiet. “Is okay,  I truly don’t mind sharing my room.” She said with a sweet smile. 

“Besides, don’t you need them nearby?” Katherine asked wondering more  about his powers, it was truly nice to have conversation with others that were like her.

◈

Anton perked up when she downplayed his mistake, a smile forming across his lips when he caught a glimpse of her own. He hasn’t met a lot of women, or anyone really, who was quick to forgive his terrible control of his insects. Well, he actually has great control over them when he needs it, but he’s not that great with leadership outside of necessity. “O-oh... Thank you?”

“I did... I mean, I do. I told them to find a place nearby so I can call on them much easier, but I should’ve specified that that place should be empty so they wouldn’t bother people...” He scratched his head, cheeks blushing red, not just at his stupidity but also at the sight of her. Clearing his throat, he tried to look away, still zeroing in on what he thinks is his best way to make amends. “I hope they didn’t bother you, or bite you, but yeah, if you need help cleaning up, or anything, anything at all... I’m Anton, by the way. Anton Grant.”

[grant-man]

“I swear it won’t happen again.” Anton had memorized the words over the years, a promise that he always tries to keep, a promise that he doesn’t always get to. Sometimes, things just get really out of hand. Whether by his own fault or due to something else entirely, something he can’t even control, life just finds a way of screwing him over. If by life he means his bugs. 

For the nth time, a swarm of bugs, this time mosquitos, overstayed their welcome, building a nest in someone else’s room. Anton had asked them for help not too long ago, but perhaps he should’ve been more specific when he thanked them and said they should find a better home close by. “I’m really, really sorry. I’ll help you clean stuff. I didn’t... I told them... I should’ve probably been clearer.”