Showing off

Later that morning, the Quiet Council chamber filled with its usual telepathic hum as everyone settled in and reviewed the latest updates on the island nation's affairs. Captain Kitty Pryde submitted a report on recent activities off the coast, where humans attempting to visit the island were turned away. These attempts to find the island had been increasing, mostly from jealous humans or groups upset about the recent events. Selene made an offhand comment about having an appetite for ‘seafood’.

Destiny arrived late—deliberately. She made her way to her seat with the sound of her high heels clicking on the tiled floor.

“Forgive me for being late again, I’ve recently had a… Change.”

Destiny seemed more athletic than when the council last saw her. She appeared fuller and more curvaceous, yet remained tall and lean. She wore a tailored ocean-blue business dress that hugged her new curves and highlighted her long legs and full chest. Golden accents at her throat and wrists echoed her old mask, and she smiled with an almost predatory grin. Without a mask, her hair was loose and flowing behind her, with her elegantly crafted golden earrings catching the light as she provocatively ran her fingers through it. Her eyes, once glassy and white, were now sharp, brown, and very alert and amused as she assessed the meeting and its attendees, soaking in their stunned attention.

Everyone else noticed the change—Nightcrawler gave a polite double-take, Shaw leered openly, and Selene smiled as if she already knew the punchline. Xavier, Colossus and Magneto tried to keep a professional front. Only Emma kept her gaze fixed, hiding her curiosity and intrigue behind a professional mask. She attempted to read the fortune teller’s thoughts but, once again, failed strangely. The White Queen’s eyes narrowed across the table, diamond-hard as she tried to tap into the woman’s mind but was blocked. Something felt off—a detail she couldn’t quite identify—and it unsettled her. It was the same as last time; the only other time she had trouble like this was when she would try to read Mystique. Destiny sat quietly, folding her gloved hands in her lap, and gestured for the meeting to continue.

“You are looking… Presentable Irene.” Emma said at last, hiding behind an innocent smile.

“I wanted to change my look a bit.”

Leaning back in her chair, Emma crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Such an odd thing to say, considering you can’t see.”

“I figured a change was in order, Emma darling. Not all of us can continue to dress like it's 1888. At some point, we all need to evolve.” Irene answered cryptically. Emma continued to stare, but eventually let the matter go.

“Next order of business, ja?” Nightcrawler commented as he ruffled the stack of papers in his hands.

The meeting continued, with Emma observing Destiny closely and noticing her behaviour growing increasingly unusual. There was something about her that seemed increasingly strange, but she couldn't quite identify what it was… for now.