Experiments have been done to determine the cause and effects of palette acquisition¹. The experiments below were recorded via private research facility and have been regarded as controversial yet groundbreaking in understanding the anatomy and psychology of spatium mutante.

Based on questionably familiar palettes in many observed specimens, it was speculated that an individual somehow willingly chooses it's colors and overall look. 

Black Room

The Black Room is the name given to a set of experiments where three specimens of mutante were kept in a dark room fitted with a soft light for most of their development until color appeared. These specimens range in age from newborn to adolescent, and all were in their translucent stage² . How each specimen was acquired is confidential. Items and food given to Subjects A and B are via mechanical arm. The method for Subject C is the same until approximately year 2, where direct human interaction began. These aids wore shiny black protective suits to best blend with the environment. Any food that is not given for color formation purposes is grey kibble.

Subject A - Infant / Duration: 3 days / Mental state: No permanent psychological damage 

Subject spends most of the time emotionally distressed, whimpering, crying out, and huddled up. Is presented with milk both days. On day two it is presented with a soccer ball, to which it plays with. Subject A's stress levels decrease with interaction with the toy. On day 3 subject is presented with a soft brown teddy bear. Subject A becomes extremely attached to the toy and acquires its golden brown color overnight. When the experiment was concluded, Subject C was found to have grown soft, curly fur and have golden irises. 

Subject B - Child / Duration: 6 weeks / Mental state: Moderate behavioral issues

Subject spends a majority of time distressed. Will often have periods where it does not eat.  The following is a list of all items presented to Subject B until its final morph, which resulted in the injury of a handler and end of the trial.

1. Small potted plant [consumed]
2. Small toy car [Subject B plays with the toy and chews on it]
3. Coffee pot [demolished]
4. Brightly colored pillow [Subject B becomes protective of it, cannot be removed from room. Palette acquisition does not occur]
5. Baseball cap [demolished]
6. Cheeseburger [consumed]
7. Small wooden rocking horse [ignored]
8. Paper bag [demolished]
9. Plastic bag [demolished]
10. Smartphone [Subject B shows intrigue and fiddles with its home button, turning it on and off. Becomes distressed when it is taken away]
11. Key ring with colorful keys [largely ignored]

On day 4 of week 6, the now emotionally damaged and reclusive subject is presented with a see-through toy squirt gun. The water toy was green with orange accents, and its mechanisms were easily visible. Subject B studied the toy and managed to fire water via biting the trigger while chewing on it. Within hours, the melanin had formed in a green hue. Subject C had sported smooth skin that remained transparent, but the organs had obviously morphed. B gained orange hair, an orange tail, and orange irises. When two handlers arrived to retrieve Subject B three days later, they had discovered the enlarged organs were storing the water given to drink. The handlers were violently sprayed with the pressure of a hydrant ejected from the mouth of subject B. The injuries included massive internal bleeding that was aided before fatality. Weapons now forbidden for testing.

Subject C - Adolescent / Duration: 4 years / Mental state: Permanent psychological damage, aggressive and extremely violent

The oldest specimen found in its translucent stage. It spent many days confused and pacing, scratching, barking, and becoming violent when interacted with. The violence slowly increased as time wore on as humans introduced themselves more and more. The subject refused to acknowledge all items placed in its vicinity. It would consume the foods given quickly. With it's size and maturity studying the digestive process was easier given the transparent skin. When it was apparent Subject C would not choose its colors, human interaction increased. Around the year 3 mark, Subject C had stopped being shown items and the study had largely turned into a largely behavioral one.

On the final day of the trial, Subject C was to be given a round of screen therapy³ set to last 4 days. When both handlers entered the room with clearance that Subject C was asleep, one reported that the specimen was not in the room. A thermal scan of the room identified the mass thought to belong to C and the handlers were warned of its position in the space. However, before this message could be successfully relayed, Subject C revealed itself in a flash - striking one handler with the full weight of its body. Subject C was now black as pitch, with a reflective shine rippling over its muscles. Their skin remained smooth, and their eyes were dark but rolled back white in its head when attacking. Injuries occurred from exposure to Subject C included amputation, severe mutilation, and termination of both human handlers. The bite force was estimated around 3,000 pounds per square inch, about as much as a hippopotamus. 

^{1: palette acquisition: a term used to describe the process in which a spaceshifter's colors first appear.} 

^{2: translucent stage: also known as stasis, the phase (from birth) where the melanin is absent from cells in the body, giving the shifter a glassy transparency.}

^{3: screen therapy: name given to a series of microtests where subject c would have a large television wheeled in by handlers and be shown a variety of images and videos ranging from moderate to disturbing. these sessions were random and would often last for days. reactions and vitals were monitored.}