Work Text:
The origin of Gifts, i.e., Abilities, is unknown; but I believe the age at which one develops one is around 3–8, usually under dire circumstances, in which the child has no escape from them on their own and/or no one is willing or able to help them.
The development of one's Gift starts in the frontal lobe, repurposing the electrochronic signals to send adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to the adrenal glands, giving the user a rush of adrenaline and sending electrochronic signals throughout the body, activating their ability. This can affect a person differently depending on the conditions of their Gift.
Automatic Users:
Automatic Users (AUs) are gifted and don’t have to activate their gift because it’s on 24/7, and they can’t turn it off. These gifted individuals have no control over their ability, and due to the constant use of their ability, they are often left drained and hungry.
Using one's Gift burns a lot of energy, so it’s recommended that they consume high-carb foods and sleep for at least 9–10 hours every night to avoid collapsing from hunger or exhaustion.
AUs can also sense if an ability is in their area or being used on them before it's complete, because their Gift will clash with the other’s Gift.
In the case of a nullifier, they will be aware of any ability around them because they will feel the ability in use, whether the user is aware of it or not.
Overuse of their ability can result in a multitude of symptoms, ranging from migraines to internal and/or external bleeding.
Command Users:
Command Users (CUs) are similar to AUs, but they have more control over their Gift. For them to use their ability, they only need to call out its name (though this is not required). Because of this, CUs don’t expend as much energy as AUs, but they are still prone to overuse, often collapsing before they reach their limit.
Most do not require any special routine, but it would be useful to them if they did.
Needs can vary between users, so it is recommended to check with a specialist or someone knowledgeable on the subject.
Gift Use:
Gifts utilize the Electromagnetic Nervous System (ENU) to send a signal from the brain to the rest of the body and activate their ability. The effects can vary, but with touch-based abilities, this "signal" connects to wherever the user comes in contact with their target. Afterward, the person or object is temporarily part of their being, but they don’t feel anything except the attachment. They feel no pain if the object is destroyed, and they don’t feel if the connection is severed.
In the case of users who do not require contact to use their gift, the Electromagnetic Nervous System (ENU) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) work together to move through the user's body. In the case of shape-shifters, it works to change the structure of their bodies. However, there is a likelihood that this puts a strain on the part of the user's body that has shifted, though they may not notice it at first due to the adrenaline rushing through their system.
Psychological Effects:
A user’s Gift is closely connected to their mental state during and after manifestation. If they feel threatened, their ability may act up if they don’t have good control over it. This can affect how their gift manifests as well. They may not be aware of it when it happens, or it will present itself before the user, making them well aware of its existence. In the cases of people who no longer see themselves as human, their ability may erase anything that might resemble it (e.g., Osamu Dazai).
If they were in an environment that required them to be hostile towards others to survive, their ability would adapt accordingly.