Mariusz wandered, once again into the library. As January faded slowly into February it had occurred to the Czech mutant that he had been living in the United States now for more than a month, but that he still had not taken the time to learn about the governmental structure of his new home. His father would have been rather disappointed to learn that, given that he was the Czech Ambassador to America and placed a high premium on his son understanding enough about politics to be able to intelligently discuss them at the parties that he hosted from time to time.

Mariusz looked around the library as he entered. In truth, he had no idea where he would need to go to find books on the topics he was looking for. Specifically, the American government and its history along with books on Mutant rights topics and Mutant life in America. Looking around he quickly spotted a small desk with a blonde woman behind it who looked to be around his own age. Moving in the direction of the desk, assuming she was as good a person to ask as anyone, he waited for a moment while she helped someone else before approaching to ask for assistance of his own.

"Excuse me, Miss," he said in greeting, speaking with an ever so slight British accent despite his Czech heritage. "I am afraid I am rather unsure of where to go to find what I am looking for in here," he gestured to the library in a vague sort of fashion. "I was rather hoping you might be able to help me. Are you the librarian?"

It was the beginning of the semester, and that meant that the students were actually still interested in hitting the books. They were in the library, researching, studying, doing whatever it was that students did in the library in the middle of the day under the watchful eyes of adult supervisors. The emotions were determined, and focused, and all the things an empath would hope for if she was at work. They also had a ton of questions, which was making the day go fast. As litte as the blond was at the Mansion these days, that was both a blessing and a curse.

Kealey finished with a student, to find herself face-to-face with the most delightfully feathered person she'd ever seen. She tilted her head, then grinned broadly.

"That I am!" she said, craning her neck slightly to look up at him. His voice had the lightest of British accents, and Kealey was sure she'd never seen him around the Mansion before.

"I'm Kealey. What are you looking for?"

Butterfly was just looking around the library. She had stumbled across it really. She was just walking by and saw books. She knew instantly that she wanted to explore. She loved to read. She walked through the door and just began to look around on all of the shelves, waiting for an interesting author or title to jump out at her. She didn't bother to ask anyone or anything. Butterfly liked just being able to lose herself when she was in a library. She used to go the one in Macon when she was younger on days when she didn't feel like being at home all alone. Some days, she would stay there after school until they closed, just getting lost amongst the shelves or in the back sitting at a table with her nose in a book.

Now, Butterfly had managed to walk herself into the mystery section. When all of a sudden, she saw Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Her heart warmed and she got excited. She let out a little squeal in happiness, though not too loud. She didn't wanna get kicked out of the library. She instantly pulled the book off the shelf and slid down to the floor. She cracked the book open and began to read it, forgetting everything around her.

"Most excellent," Mariusz said, offering his hand to the woman so she could shake it if she wanted to. "I am Mariusz Kasparek," he said, offering his name in addition to his proffered hand to Kealy. "I was hoping I would be able to find some books explaining the various levels of the American government, its history, requirements to be elected to various offices in the country, and the kind of information I would need to know for the Citizenship test."

The Czech man paused for a moment before continuing. "I think it would be good information to pick up and learn for myself. It would please my father, I know, if I was able to intelligently discuss American politics and history from time to time at his events," Marisuz continued, the feathers on his wings ruffling slightly as he spoke. In truth he had very little real desire to learn all of these things and would much prefer to spend his time in other intellectual pursuits. However, being the dutiful son that he was he knew it was something he needed to do. "I think I would also like to pursue obtaining dual-citizenship. I do not know where to look to find the books I am looking for though, could you help me?"

American government, social structure, and everything necessary to work on dual citizenship?
Kealey tilted her head at the young man as he made his requests. His feelings weren't exactly what she'd expect from someone excited to get started on citizenship, but that was a private matter.

"I happen to know exactly where to find those things. I just got dual citizenship a few months ago." The blond said with a grin, Irish accent lilting and tinged with pride. She turned, and waved for her feathered friend to follow her.

As she walked, she spoke, "I decided when I got married that it was time. A family needs a permanent home."

Anyway, that was enough about her, "Are you new in the Mansion. I don't remember seeing you here before, but people are always coming and going"

Butterfly was still reading the book she found, but she was starting to feel uncomfortable sitting on the floor. She decided to get up and find a table, but she just couldn't close the book. She started to walk while still trying to read. Every now and then she would peer over the top of her book to look where she was going. She had a tendency of doing that a lot, especially when she found a book like Sherlock Holmes that was incredibly interesting and one she was starting to really enjoy. She was starting to get into a really good part of the book. She didn't even realize that she wasn't looking where she was walking. When all of a sudden, she bumped right into someone and fell to the floor, the book flying out of her hands as well. After she realized what happened, she looked up at the blonde woman and feathered guy and replied "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into the two of you. I should have been looking where I was going. I was just so immersed in the book I was reading that I didn't bother to look up and my feet just kept walking."

The Czech man had been about to respond when someone walked right into him. Mariusz took an inadvertent step forward when Chloe collided with him. As a result he stepped almost directly into Kealey. "Oh, excuse me Kealey," he said quickly, stepping back from the woman and then turning to Chloe.

"No need to apologize, miss. These things happen sometimes," he said good naturedly, extending a hand to Chloe to help her to her feet if she wanted or needed the assistance. "I am Mariusz Kasparek," he said by way of introducing himself to he. Since he did not yet know the librarian all that well he wasn't altogether sure it would be appropriate for him to introduce her as well, besides that there was always the possibility that the two women already knew one another.

"As you were asking," he continued, turning his conversational attention back to Kealey, "Yes, I am relatively new to both the Mansion and the country. I relocated here after my father was assigned to the U.S. from Prague. I did not truly wish to go on living with them and, hearing of this place, I assumed it would be a good place to spread one's wings. If you will pardon the expression," he continued in a somewhat dry and slightly English accented tone. "I noticed your accent, Northern Irish unless I miss my guess," he continued, learning to quickly place accents had been something that was taught to Mariusz as part of his education for being an acceptable presence at his father's parties with foreign nationals.

"I was also hoping I might be able to find some books about issues facing mutants in America as well as what it is like to live as a mutant here," Mariusz said. "Of course, I experience some of that first-hand," he continued, the feathers on his wings ruffling a bit, "but I would also like to know what others have to say on the subject."

As they made their way to the non-fiction section of the library, Kealey and Mariusz found themselves the victims of someone with their head lost in a book. As her new feathered friend apologized, Kealey found herself grinning again.

"Not a problem." she said with a dismissive wave of her hand, then turned to the newcomer. "I'm Kealey, and if I had a dollar for every time I'd run into someone or something because I had my head in a book, I'd have buckets of money."

The conversation turned back to the to Mariusz and Kealey nodded her head as he spoke. The answers made sense, and rang of truth, so she decided that they would be friends. One could never have too many in a place like the mansion, after all. As far as his own curiosities were concerned...

"Newtonabbey to be exactly." the blond said, confirming the guess with a graceful smile. "I can also show you all of our literature on mutant sub culture in New York. There's more of it than you would think. As for the rest..." Kealey shrugged.

"The best I can do is tell you my story and point you to others who would be good to talk to." she said honestly, then smiled at the girl who had bumped into them a few moments before. "Everyone has their own story."

Butterfly smiled weakly as she took the man's hand and got back up. She still felt kinda bad for bumping into them. When he introduced himself, she introduced herself as well, "I'm Chloe, but better known as Butterfly."

When the woman introduced herself as Kealey and commented about having money for every time she bumped into something, Butterfly laughed and said, "Usually, I do pretty well. I'm only dangerous when I seem to find a library with a good selection of good books."

Butterfly walked over and picked up the book that had flew out of hand when she bumped into Mariusz and Kealey. She then turned back to Kealey and patiently waited her turn to speak. She smiled back when Kealey smiled at her. When it was her turn, Butterfly asked Kealey, "Could you show me where there are some tables close by so I don't cause anyone else any more trouble by bumping into them?"

"Books are always good, of course," Mariusz said, continuing his conversation with Kealey. "But, there is only so much that can be learned from books. To truly learn one must get out in the world and experience things as well. Meet people and talk to them. Learn their stories and their struggles and the best way to go about helping them and establishing a world where everyone can get along. Finding others to talk to would certainly be most helpful."

"I would hardly call accidentally running into someone or something dangerous," the Czech man said, turning his attention back to Chloe. "As long as no one is hurt and nothing is broken then there is no need to worry. Such minor things are easily remedied and, just as easily, forgotten and forgiven."

Mariusz was very earnest in his comments, and Kealey was reminded a bit of herself when she'd first come to New York. She'd been so convinced that God had a bigger plan for her. She'd almost been looking for problems to solve in the aftermath of the registration fiasco. It really was no wonder she'd managed to get herself in so much trouble.

"I know exactly what you mean." the blond said, "And like I said, I know lots of mutants you can talk to, from all different walks of life." Reaching up, she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Be warned though, it's much like anywhere else. You'll meet people from all over the spectrum."

"Like me. I couldn't be happier if I tried. New York has been better to me than I had any right for it to be. I know there are people who disagree though."

The other girl tried to excuse herself, but Kealey saw an opportunity. "Why don't I show us all to the tables and maybe we can chat? You've got two candidates for information gathering right here. Those books aren't going anywhere."

Realizing she'd overstepped a bit, Kealey smiled ruefully at the girl.

"That is, if you don't mind."

Butterfly looked at Kealey when she suggested that the two of them speak with Mariusz about our experiences being a mutant. Butterfly had been wanting to talk about it, but didn't want to just invite herself into their conversation. That would be rude of her. But since Kealey had suggested that idea, Butterfly was now quite happy that she would be able to input her thoughts and experiences in the conversation. When Kealey asked if she minded, Butterfly replied with "I don't mind at all. That's actually a really good idea, Kealey. There's nothing better than gaining information through personal conversations with people about their experiences. I'd be happy to help you in any way that I can, Mariusz. What exactly would you like to know?" she asked and watched Kealey to show them the way to the tables.

"I do not think you need to warn me. I wish to hear things from all over the spectrum, that will give me the most complete picture," the Czech man said, shrugging his shoulders. Hearing things from across the spectrum of mutant life in New York City would make the decision he was weighing in his mind much easier to make, or not make as the case might turn out to be. "The tables sound just fine to me, please lead the way."

"As for what I am hoping to learn," he said, turning his attention from Kealey to Chloe, "I would be very happy to hear anything you would be willing to share with me. Of course, I do not wish to give the appearance of prying either," he continued, approaching one of the chairs around the table they were headed towards and spinning it around before taking a seat leaning forward. Sitting on the chair reversed as it was would be more comfortable and accommodating of his wings.

So, off to the tables they went. Kealey was almost giddy with excitement. She loved to talk about her experiences in New York. Too often people only had horrible things to speak of, terrible trials, and the problems they had because of them.

Problems made a person who they were, and the rough times simply made you realize how lucky you were when they were over. Those were the things she thought of while they found their way to the tables.

Kealey sat, and pushed another stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I don't feel like it's prying at all. How are you supposed to learn anything if you don't ask questions."

"I've been here for several years now, and I hardly recognize myself." She said matter-of-factly. "All the changes have been for the better too, and there've been rough times, but New York has been kinder to me than I ever had any right for it to be." she continued with a grin and a subconscious look at the ring on her finger.

"I owe it to her to tell you anything you want to know....so ask away. I'm an open book." An open book...in a library...Shin would have been proud of the almost-pun.

Butterfly listened as Kealey spoke. When she finished, Butterfly then turned her attention to Talon and began to speak, "Honestly, I've only been in New York now for a few months. And when I first came here, I had a rough time. I slept on a park bench for my first night, but then I came to find out I had a brother I never knew I had and he helped me out and let me stay in an old apartment building. It was condemned, but it was out of the cold. And we came to be really close. Originally I came from Macon, Ga and never really had anyone. I was always alone. My mom worked all the time and then also wanted a social life so she was never home. I used to get bullied a lot when I was younger and never really understood or noticed my mutation until the night I came to New York. My mom left me and that night my apartment got broken into. I got scared and somehow shifted and flew til I got to a train station in Atlanta and then came here, with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a little bit of cash that I had managed to save up. Since being here, I've meant some really interesting people, even if I did manage to meet almost all of them when I got lost in the city. Everything hasn't always been rainbows and sunshine though. My brother was missing for a few weeks and I was an emotional wreck. I had no idea what happened to him or if he was even still alive. There have been times that I've felt really lonely and didn't know where to turn or what to do. When my brother first came back, he wasn't quite the same, but after everything calmed back down, he went back to being somewhat of his normal self. But upon looking back at it all, I'd rather be here and have the people that I know and care about me than to have to go back to being in Georgia all by myself, knowing that I had no one who cared if I lived or died or would even notice if I was missing. And I'm sure that the longer I stay here, the more likely I'll be to have more good and bad experiences, but I'd rather be here amongst people I can relate to and be comfortable with than to try and do it all alone. I spent most of my life alone and now that I actually have family that cares about me and friends who want me around, I'm not willing to give that up. And I'd fight anyone who tried to take that away from me or harm those that I love." As she finished up speaking, she could feel that her cheeks had turned warm and she had tensed up, slightly defensive. She looked down at the table as she realized this, trying to avoid eye contact. She hadn't meant to come off like that, but just the thought of anyone harming her brother or friends, made her mad and upset and ready to go after whoever it was. It didn't matter if it was a human or mutant or the police. She was willing to fight for the ones she loved and cared for.