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Moment of Awesome - Jean-Paul Beaubier/Northstar : Training with Everett Thomas, Jean-Paul's identity as an Olympian is called into question. Frowning, Jean-Paul cocked his head to the side and questioned, "Speed? I have no speed." Or -- he didn't think -- but. But if he did. Uh oh. He knew that expression, both from mutants who had not yet learned the full extent of their powers and from people who did not even know they were mutants. At least Jean-Paul did not fit that second category. Still, people could take that news very differently, and judging by Jean-Paul's reaction, it had potential to not be pleasant. "You do," Ev assured him. "I had a speedster friend for a long time so you can trust me when I say I recognize that ability when I see it. Or sense it, I suppose." Mind racing, Jean-Paul held his hand up for a moment to request quiet while he tried to sort through that revelation. Finally, he asked, "Is this -- can you know if this is new?" Ev held his tongue and gave Jean-Paul his space. The question was not unexpected, and it was becoming increasingly clear that something personally significant to Jean-Paul was now called into question, and Ev could not help but feel a sharp pang of guilt. "I can't tell you that, no," he answered somewhat regretfully. "Only that it is part of your currently manifested powerset." Expression tightening into a deeper frown, Jean-Paul raised his hand again. This time, he palmed his forehead and then inhaled slowly. After shrugging his shoulders into a tense stretch, he exhaled and said, "Thank you. If we could perhaps see to the flying only." He paused, grimaced, and then changed his mind. "No, it is better to know, oui? Is there very much you can tell me of the speed?" "Jean-Paul." Ev spoke his name with only mild paternalism, wearing an expression like he had just accidentally knocked down a small child. "No, I can't say anything about it besides 'whoa fast' without actually synching with you and trying it out. But it's fine if you want to postpone this for a while. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drop something so heavy on you. I assumed you knew . . ." "Bah," Jean-Paul said, abruptly shaking his head. "I did not, as you can see. But this is not your fault." He snorted, the sound conveying only a fraction of what he was actually feeling, before continuing, "It is biology, oui? I would still like to learn, but you are right about postponing, I think." His jaw actually ached a bit because of how tightly he'd clenched it. Ev idly scratched his chest, not because he felt an itch but because he needed something to do with his hands besides hang there awkwardly. "Whenever you're ready, I'm not going anywhere. Or if you just want to talk. Not really my place, I know, but it's the least I can do." For apparently calling his whole life into question.