For an upcoming Masks story I have a character say the line "Is there even such a thing as a shy shapeshifter?" I'm not sure whether I'll keep the line, but the character this is said about is already firmly entrenched in the story. She's a student at one of those other schools which have opened programs to teach supers. She has the somewhat disturbing habit of asking the other girls in the dorm what they think of this or that change. She's also willing to take suggestions. This isn't a "showing off at a party" sort of thing, or even blatant exhibitionism. She simply likes her power and enjoys using it. As part of this, in the dorm she often wears less than would be socially acceptable in mixed company, to the discomfort of some of her friends.
Would it be a natural tendency for most people with such a power to use it to show off? At the very least, to improve their looks? Also, would being able to change your shape make you less shy?
Given how most people deal with any sort of public attention, I'm thinking yes. YouTube has a plague of examples of people willing to post embarrassing things just to get some whisper of fame. I'm thinking that someone with a power would do the same, and have occasionally mentioned this as being at least part of the motivation in the Masks universe for someone to put on a costume to fight or commit crime. It's just that the tradition there is long established to leave yourself a way to have privacy through keeping a secret identity. Also, pogroms - such as Thurlin's - tend to weed out those who don't take this precaution. Which would, of course, be much easier for shapeshifters.
I'm assuming the age at which the person gets the power has a significant impact, here. Most likely, the younger the more likely, though I'd expect a peak in the teens.
Would it be a natural tendency for most people with such a power to use it to show off? At the very least, to improve their looks? Also, would being able to change your shape make you less shy?
Given how most people deal with any sort of public attention, I'm thinking yes. YouTube has a plague of examples of people willing to post embarrassing things just to get some whisper of fame. I'm thinking that someone with a power would do the same, and have occasionally mentioned this as being at least part of the motivation in the Masks universe for someone to put on a costume to fight or commit crime. It's just that the tradition there is long established to leave yourself a way to have privacy through keeping a secret identity. Also, pogroms - such as Thurlin's - tend to weed out those who don't take this precaution. Which would, of course, be much easier for shapeshifters.
I'm assuming the age at which the person gets the power has a significant impact, here. Most likely, the younger the more likely, though I'd expect a peak in the teens.