Name: Jackson Everett
Nicknames/Aliases: Jack, Jackie
X-Men Code Name: Derecho
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Physical Description: Standing at 5'11" and weighing in at 156 pounds, Jackson's lean build shows his years of running track and doing yoga. Though his hair is naturally dark brown, he highlights it regularly with lighter shades, rarely letting it grow out. He has grey-green eyes, and his skin is naturally olive, tanning well in the sun. Most of his wardrobe consists of t-shirts, loose-fitting tanks, and shorts, joined by one of his two pairs of (nearly identical) well-worn Vans sneakers. He wears shoes until they fall apart, and it shows.
Mutations: Courtesy of the X-Gene, Jackson possesses the ability of aerokinesis, better known as air or wind manipulation. As a direct result of the manipulation, Jackson can increase his speed by reducing air resistance around himself (though he'd be no match for a speedster), and possesses an enhanced sense of touch overall, as well as enhanced hearing in environments with a steady air current. Typically, Jackson is most skilled in producing and increasing air currents, which has led to him experimenting with walking on air. He's capable of propulsion, though only on accident; in fact, almost every time he sneezes.
Personality: As though his life was intended to be one big pun, Jackson is very much a "go with the flow" type of guy. He has no qualms when it comes to letting other people make decisions, and is very comfortable with following orders (no matter how stupid they may turn out to be). He loves a good laugh and a light atmosphere, and will avoid arguments or situations that get too heavy or tense. To a lot of people, it ends up looking like he doesn't take anything seriously, whether it be a situation or his life. But Jackson just wants to live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest, believing that no viable opportunity should be wasted because of 'what if's.
Background: Jackson is the eldest of three children in the Everett family, with two younger sisters, ages fourteen and fifteen. Jennifer and Johanna (Jenny and Jojo respectively) are both normal humans to Jackson's knowledge; Jojo, however, is aware that her older brother is a mutant. It was by complete accident that she found out, and she remains the only person in their family aware that Jackson has the X-Gene. After discovering his own mutation, Jackson watched both of his little sisters closely for any signs of oddity - any sign that what he had was genetic (in the sense of being passed down) so that they wouldn't be caught unawares. When neither of them showed any signs, he breathed a sigh of relief and reduced his hovering tendencies, much to
their relief.
Growing up in an average, middle-class family meant nothing was ever really extraordinary to Jackson; the same car, the same phone, the same house, the same boring work discussions at dinner. His parents are both dental assistants, having met in university, and have raised him and his sisters lovingly. The only problem for Jackson? They're both staunchly anti-mutant. Talking about not wanting
those freaks around their children, or how they deserve to know when
one of them is in their community; they're pro-registration and think mutants should be locked up in labs. Honestly, after finding out, Jackson was never more happy to have had his parents not believe him when he first tried to tell them he sneezed himself out of the kitchen.
Because of his parents' views, Jackson has not only hidden his mutation for the past four years, but has worked alone to try and control it. Sure, he'd met a few mutants on accident, but he was careful to never let it slip that he was a mutant, too. It was easier to claim to be a supporter of equal rights than to actually say the words that could put him on the street. Now that he's eighteen and has graduated high school, he's leaving home to attend the
Ashford Institute for the Gifted, fibbing to his parents that he's taking a year off before heading to college to explore the country a little. It's believable enough, and he's got Jojo to help him get exciting postcards to make it look like he's actually traveling.
Recap of your mutations awakening: Most people have some exciting tale where their mutation revealed itself, resulting in shock, horror, awe, or some other strong emotion. At least, that's what Jackson has gathered from the few conversations he's had with others discovering that they were mutants. Jackson, though? Jackson sneezed. It was the height of spring, pollen season at its peak, and the fourteen-year-old had just burned a pancake solidly to the griddle. Having opened the windows with great reluctance to try and air out the house before his family woke up to the odor of burnt batter, the pollen that blew in sent his allergies into overdrive, and he sneezed himself right out of the kitchen and into the living room. One broken lamp and a cut arm later, Jackson was swearing to his parents that he hadn't been messing around; they didn't believe him. Grounded for a month and well aware that they didn't trust his claim, he did his best to keep further developments to himself.
