Re-l stared at him steadily. It was true that the power demonstrated had been harmless, but that meant nothing. If he could do that, what else could he do? Caution and curiosity warred in her mind, and curiosity won. She didn't lower the gun, but she didn't stun him either. She kept her aim firm and sat down on a nearby rock.

"Just a blankets don't break the laws of thermodynamics," she said. "How is that even possible? Are you constructing on a molecular or sub-molecular level? Or is it actually teleportation? Did a blanket in the cave vanish just now? Can you make complex objects? Do they last when you're not concentrating on them?" A thought occurred to her. "Could you actually make me some antiseptic cream? Your arm would like you for it."

The whole world seemed to have fractured and restructured. She was more and more certain that no Proxy had ever had this ability. It was beyond the known. She stared at the man before her, seeing him all over again. Short, a little like Vincent in looks, but with so much power there. It was terrifying and exciting all at once.