One of Margo's favorite parts of her job at the coffee shop, aside from the constant aroma of coffee that somehow managed to cling to her clothes, or the fact that she got paid just for showing up, was being given the rare privilege of doing the latte art. It was a rather absorbing process, one that she managed to botch most of the time- her designs always managed to turn out lopsided, or unrecognizable. She guessed she just didn't have the steady hand to do it. In any case, she still persisted in her attempts. The few times she actually managed to create something decent were infinitely satisfying.

The girl carefully put the last touches on her latte apple. Leaning back and examining it, she smiled; it actually didn't look too bad this time! She took it over to the front, trusting that somebody would find some use for this masterpiece of hers. Then, leaning idly against the back counter, she sighed contentedly.

Oh, lazy mornings were the best. Especially when technically you were working.

In a little while, she took a glass of water (well, mostly ice cubes and a slice of lemon; she liked to refer to it as water) and found a booth in the corner. It was past the morning rush hour, and the place was pretty much deserted, so she figured it wasn't that big of a deal. She'd brought her much-loved copy of The Code of the Woosters with her. Pulling the book from her bag, Margo curled up against the wall to read.

Ah the joys of sleeping in. Richard guessed he should make the best of those days before he started work, When he started work, which was still an unknown factor. Wondering along the streets he chanced across a delightful little coffe shop. The smell was enticing. Entering he ordered a latte, searched for a prefered corner booth seat but found it was already taken by a young girl deeply engrossed in a book.

Choosing instead to sit in a nearby seat, Richard contented to sip his latte and continue consuming his current literary work of choice, Dorothy L. Sayer's book "Strong Poison". Richard was enjoying his book immensely until his revere was interrupted by the discovery that he had finished his coffee. Sighing, he rose to order another when, struck with a fit of generosity he turned and asked the girl in the corner.

"Sorry to bother you but I am about to order another coffee, could I get a fellow bibliophile anything?"

Margo was, by no means, oblivious to the reader enjoying his cup of coffee at a nearby table, who, upon coming in, had almost stumbled into the booth she was currently occupying. Having managed to get through a good three chapters of her book relatively undisturbed since he had come in, though, she had completely put him out of her mind. Consequently, it took her a moment, when he spoke, to realize his words were addressed to her.

"Sorry to bother you, but I am about to order another coffee. Could I get a fellow bibliophile anything?"

"Oh," said Margo, looking up at the man with a smile, "Thank you, but no thank you." Rather abashed, she got to her feet. What was a girl supposed to say under these circumstances? Really, she was in want of nothing. Apparently the guy had no idea that she worked here. It was her own fault for sitting in that booth in the first place...

"The Code of the Woosters, by P. G. Wodehouse," she said, before she could regret it. "Shallow, but hilarious."

Burying her face in her book, the girl prayed fervently that she would cease to exist. Oh golly, this was terrible. She was terrible.

"Oh, thank you but no thank you."

Apparently Richard had startled that slender brown eyed long haired reader. Richard mentally sighed, he had not intended for that to happen at all. He hoped he did not come off as creepy in any way. If Richard was anything, he was genuine, he rarely lied, was not very good at it and rarely embelished. New in town and already scaring people, he was going to be a hit he thought sarcastically.

"If you are sure."

He trailed off as the girl got to her feet.

"The Code of the Woosters, by P. G. Woodhouse, Shallow but hilarious."

Richard signalled to a passing waitress that he wanted a refill and sat back down gesturing to the young teenager to feel free to take a seat.

"Please don't stand on account of me."

Richard said while smiling. He liked this kid, she was sort of endearing and cute. He adsently mindedly wondered if someone of her age would find that offensive and decided not to verbalize it.

"I have never had the pleasure of reading P. G. Woodhouse, what is he like as an author? I am reading Strong Poison by Dorothy L. sayers. Good writer, set after the second world war, murder mystery, very riveting. I am Richard by the way. I hope I didn't startle you."

He hoped this conversation would continue. He always enjoyed getting to know new people.

It was true that Margo had, like any other human being on the planet, been in any number of uncomfortable situations, always managing to lose her (considerable) wit whenever it was called for. This, however, was among the most embarrassing. There she was, awkwardly half-draped-sort-of in her booth (because the man had insisted she not stand and she really had no idea what else to do), face planted determinedly in her book. Although the girl really could not see the expression on his face, she swore she could hear the smile- aw, isn't that kid adorable- in the guy's voice (it wasn't like she had anything against being an adorable kid, but she thought she had some more depth of character than that).

She could also literally smell the pages of the book. It smelled good, comforting.

"I have never had the pleasure of reading P. G. Woodhouse. What is he like as an author? I am reading Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers. Good writer, set after the second world war, murder mystery, very riveting. I am Richard, by the way. I hope I didn't startle you." he said, wisely pursuing a topic he had (rightly) judged to be one of interest to her. Oh, questions like this made life so much easier.

"To be honest, Code of the Woosters is the only work of P.G. Wodehouse I have had the pleasure of reading," she said, raising her face from the pages of aforesaid novel. "It's lighthearted humor at its best, but I like it." Strong Poison, she mused to herself. She'd never heard of it.

She smiled abashedly. "It's nice to meet you, Richard. I'm Margo. Uh, sorry I guess. For taking your preferred seat."

"It's nice to meet you, Richard. I'm Margo. Uh, sorry I guess. For taking your preferred seat."

Richard extended his hand. "Well Margo, it is a pleasure to meet you." and solemnly shook her hand (OCC I home you don't mind a teeny bit of Gmodding) There was no mockery, just one book lover to another. Some might have found the sight amusing, a 26 year old man solemnly shaking the hand of a 15 year old girl. But In Margo Richard sense a genuine love for books and a genuineness of character.

"Nonsense, firstly I only prefer it because it is usually out of the way, secondly you have as much right to it as I do and thirdly if you had not taken this seat we might not have met, and that would be very sad, very sad indeed." His eyes twinkled as he smiled.

"To be honest, Code of the Woosters is the only work of P.G. Wodehouse I have had the pleasure of reading," she said, raising her face from the pages of aforesaid novel. "It's lighthearted humor at its best, but I like it."

"So what is the book about, the code of the woooosters." Richard smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, I have a hard time saying the name and keeping a straight face, woooosters." he chuckled.

"I like the books by Dorothy L. Sayers, it is set when England is changing from a class based society (when lords had servants and butlers and such) to what we see today, and in the midst of all of that in comes Lord Peter Wimsey and his marvellous butler, Bunter. They solve crimes and help out Chief inspector Parker of Scotland Yard. I love the depth that she goes into, the detail, the depth of the characters. And I must confess to be a bit of a romantic at heart. So what is Woooosters about?"

he hoped he was not boring the girl. Who knows maybe this was the beginnings of a friendship.

"Woosters," said Margo with a laugh, resisting the temptation to stretch out the word as Richard did, "is purely brilliant."

To be honest, the girl wasn't quite sure what to think of Richard yet. Undoubtedly clever, suave- at least by all appearances, he seemed too good to be true. Didn't all the stories warn her against this charismatic individual who, upon capturing her trust, would likely lead her to his dwelling and roast her upon a spit? Margo had never been a particularly trusting person, but something told her to trust this man. So, she decided to just go with the flow; she might not comprehend, yet, exactly why he was being so friendly to her, but she knew that she liked it. The warmth that rose in her cheeks when he stated matter-of-factly that not meeting her would have been very, very sad- the smile came like second nature.

Then of course, there was also the fact that he'd practically just given the most tantalizing summary of his book she had ever heard, not that she had ever heard of it before. In any case, she had already made a mental note to check it out the next time she frequented the Mansion's library- it sounded like excellent reading.

"It's a whimsical tale featuring an eighteenth-century cow creamer, a small leather-covered notebook, and a policeman's helmet, of all things," Margo continued on Code of the Woosters. "Bertie Wooster- believe me, quite the narrator- and his gentleman's gentleman, Jeeves, manage to get caught up in this whole plot."

"I suppose it may disappoint you, then," she said with a smile, "that it's not a romance. But it's really packed full of allusions, British humor, if that's your sort of thing. The plot thickens..."

"Woosters, is purely brilliant."

Richard smiled, he enjoyed the genuineness of Margo. He reflected on the strangeness of the encounter. He had entered the shop with the intention of having some coffee and spending some time reading and clearing his head. To allow himself some processing time to adjust to the big change of moving, of leaving the familiar university environment where he was comfortable and secure. The status change of no longer being a student. These were big changes. Instead he had accidentally startled a poor girl minding her own business and ended up chatting with her. Was he being too intense? Was he scaring her off? Richard was an intense person, his mind moved quicker than most and experience had taught him that he was not only deeper than most his age but also more intense. He had in the past scared away people. Bad experiences in his past cautioned him against opening up to people too quickly, and he usually did not. Margo seemed genuine however but then again people could seem to be, there were a lot of people good at deception out there. Richards thoughts turned back to the present in time to catch what Margo was saying.

"It's a whimsical tale featuring an eighteenth-century cow creamer, a small leather-covered notebook, and a policeman's helmet, of all things, Bertie Wooster- believe me, quite the narrator- and his gentleman's gentleman, Jeeves, manage to get caught up in this whole plot."

This book sounded rather fun. Perhaps Richard would look it up either in the library or see how much it was on Kindle. He laughed as he heard the part about the helmet and the pure "Britishness" of the name Jeeves.

"I suppose it may disappoint you, then, that it's not a romance. But it's really packed full of allusions, British humor, if that's your sort of thing. The plot thickens..."

"No, it does not disappoint me at all, you should consider a job as a sales person, you have peaked my interest in this book, I will see how much it is on Amazon. I said I was a romantic at heart, means that I delight in seeing love blossom and bloom, that does not mean that romanse is all I look for in reading material."

Richard smiled then continued.

"I also enjoy a great range of fiction and science fiction. I guess I enjoy books that inspire me. In the Lord Peter Wimsey books, it is that justice prevails and I can see examples of genuine friendship. I also enjoy books like the Gaunt's Ghosts series. Set in the Warhammer 40k universe it is about a comissar who is given only one regiment of men, men who are demoralized, angry and have just lost their home planet. Throughout the books he forges them into a cohesive fighting force, he unites them, gives them hope, he reignites their passion for life. It... It is amazing, and I find it inspiring."

Richard realized he was rambling, perhaps he was revealing more of himself that he should. But then again he was talking about something he passionately enjoyed. Hastly he added

"How about you, what other genre of books do you like, and what draws you to them?"

"...I also enjoy a great range of fiction and science fiction. I guess I enjoy books that inspire me. In the Lord Peter Wimsey books, it is that justice prevails and I can see examples of genuine friendship. I also enjoy books like the Gaunt's Ghosts series. Set in the Warhammer 40k universe, it is about a commissar who is given only one regiment of men, men who are demoralized, angry and have just lost their home planet. Throughout the books he forges them into a cohesive fighting force, he unites them, gives them hope, he reignites their passion for life. It... It is amazing, and I find it inspiring." said Richard.

Really, he was the one who should consider a career as a salesperson.

Margo smiled as she listened, already warming up to Richard. He meant it, she could tell- there was no way some pervert could fake that, right? "Inspiring," she said simply. Fiction and all, but then... "One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us," quoted Margo, smiling thoughtfully.

"How about you, what other genre of books do you like, and what draws you to them?"

"You definitely have far better taste in books than I do," Margo laughed, pondering. "Fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, the works I guess. I'll read pretty much anything. Um, I guess I enjoy books that sweep me along in them, if you know what I mean." She thought for a moment. "Honestly, my ideas of a good book change all the time. I don't know. I used to read a lot of fantasy, survival stories, that sort of thing. Nowadays I linger in the YA section. I still don't like most classics, or alien stories, but you know, that might change with time."

"There are stories, for me, that are so raw and so beautiful in their...real ness that I can't put them down, stories that reflect the pain of our world- it's pretty strange, if you think about it, that most of those stories are based in fictional settings, but not really, I guess? I should probably stop..." The girl said. "So, yeah."

"One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us,"

"Wise words" Said Richard, nodding. "That is why one must judge and weigh every word, idea and concept before choosing to accept or discard it, and set a watch over ones mind and heart." He replied also smiling.

"You definitely have far better taste in books that I do."

Richard smiled at this, "I would not be so sure about that, each persons sees different things, from different angles, gets inspired by different aspects. You and I might read the same book or paragraph and each come away with different insights. That is why I like talking to people, from each person I talk to I can potentially learn new ways of seeing the world and gain new insights."



"Fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, the works I guess. I'll read pretty much anything. Um, I guess I enjoy books that sweep me along in them, if you know what I mean."

"Books that captivate you, make you loose track of time." Richard smiled and nodded understandingly.

"Honestly, my ideas of a good book change all the time. I don't know. I used to read a lot of fantasy, survival stories, that sort of thing. Nowadays I linger in the YA section. I still don't like most classics, or alien stories, but you know, that might change with time."

"It is similar for me as well. As I experience more of life, what inspires or even recharges me changes."


"There are stories, for me, that are so raw and so beautiful in their...real ness that I can't put them down, stories that reflect the pain of our world- it's pretty strange, if you think about it, that most of those stories are based in fictional settings, but not really, I guess?"

"The stories that bring us to tears, that stir something deep inside of us, that tug at our heart strings are very captivating, I have started reading at night and looked up from the book to find it is morning many a time." He said as he smiled. "But the essence of those stories, the original inspiration for the authors were not fictional. Authors are inspired by their experiences and surroundings, so the source of their inspiration is based in real life. That is why we can identify with them and why they captivate us so. Sure the authors may change the setting, they may alter the circumstances to highlight that particular trait or personality but they are all inspired by something that happened in the real world. So I guess in a way it is not strange at all."

"I should probably stop...So, yeah."


"No please go on," Encouraged Richard. "I am enjoying this conversation very much."

"I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you seem very mature for your age."

Indeed Richard was surprised by the depth of insight, was she just unusually mature for her age? Or was that a result of life experience? Richard wondered if he would get the chance to find out. He had opened up to Margo somewhat unintentionally, and she had opened up in return. Unconsciously Richard had already started to consider Margo as a friend, or at the very least someone who had the potential to turn into a good friend indeed.

"The stories that bring us to tears, that stir something deep inside of us, that tug at our heart strings are very captivating, I have started reading at night and looked up from the book to find it is morning many a time. But the essence of those stories, the original inspiration for the authors were not fictional. Authors are inspired by their experiences and surroundings, so the source of their inspiration is based in real life. That is why we can identify with them and why they captivate us so. Sure, the authors may change the setting, they may alter the circumstances to highlight that particular trait or personality but they are all inspired by something that happened in the real world. So I guess, in a way, it is not strange at all."

"You are far too eloquent for this world of coffee shops and a girl with terrible literary taste," Margo laughed, musing over what he had just said. She really meant it- never before in her life had she heard such an idea, presented so cleanly, so insightfully. Sure, she'd always supposed something of the sort, but she'd never exactly thought of inspiration that way before. It made so much sense, the way Richard told it.

"No, please go on," he encouraged. "I am enjoying this conversation very much."

"As am I," said Margo, a little embarrassed by her ideas now, which were so...flimsy, compared to Richard's. "I do admire the art of the novel as well. Or, as it may be, the science? I have always been particularly confused by the line between art and science. In any case, the way the author crafts the story, builds the plot; Code of the Woosters, for example, while somewhat lacking in the aforesaid captivating depth, makes up for it with the sheerly ridiculous plot line. Actually, it's rather difficult to keep up with. And also, configurations of words, like poetry. I love that as well."

"I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you seem very mature for your age."

"Oh, thank you," smiled Margo. She took it as a compliment, one of the best. "I'm almost sixteen," she said, just to clarify. "And not really. Once you get me started on books, it's hard to stop. It's hardly so with most other topics. Take for instance, class. Bleh."

She did not volunteer any personal details yet, but at this point, were Richard to ask her anything about herself, she wouldn't even hesitate to answer. The girl hadn't realized exactly when she had completely opened up to the guy, but in any case, she felt that they were now friends.

"You are far too eloquent for this world of coffee shops and a girl with terrible literary taste,"



"Come now, come now, I am not that eloquent at all, just honest and direct, sometimes a little too much so, and why on earth would you say that you have terrible literary taste? I for one would disagree. You simply enjoy different books that me, and I do happen to have 1 or 2 years head start on you." Said Richard smiling.



"I do admire the art of the novel as well. Or, as it may be, the science? I have always been particularly confused by the line between art and science. In any case, the way the author crafts the story, builds the plot; Code of the Woosters, for example, while somewhat lacking in the aforesaid captivating depth, makes up for it with the sheerly ridiculous plot line. Actually, it's rather difficult to keep up with. And also, configurations of words, like poetry. I love that as well."



"Ah the world of poetry, I must admit I have not delved very deeply into that world, although I should like to."





"Oh, thank you, I'm almost sixteen,"



"You are very welcome." Richard was warming very much to Margo. He had also started to think of her as a friend.



"Oh! is your birthday coming up soon then?" Richard laughed. "You are making me feel old. I remember when I was young and energetic" he joked. while miming a bent back and stroking an imaginary beard. 


"And not really. Once you get me started on books, it's hard to stop. It's hardly so with most other topics. Take for instance, class. Bleh."



"I still think you are not giving yourself enough credit, one needs maturity to appreciate books does one not?" Richard said smiling. He stretched and rose.



"This is too lovely of a day to spend indoors, care to go for a walk? Do you know of any parks or so around here?" He asked. As they headed out of the coffee shop Richard spoke.



"So I know about your love of books but I don't actually know that much about you. Tell me about yourself. I'll start, um.." Richard composed his thoughts and continued while following Margo along the sunny streets of New York, the weather was good, the sun was shining and the air smelt crisp and clear, it was a beautiful day.



"Well, you know my name is Richard, you told me your age so it is only fair that I tell you mine, I am 26 which sounds really old but doesn't actually feel that much older than when I was 25, strangely enough." He smiled. "Um... just moved here from Colorado, looking for work as an engineer and probably a place to "bunk" as they say. Ummm... i think that about covers the basics, What else would you like to know? And how about you?"



It was good to walk, and make new friends, this was turning out to be a very pleasant day, a very pleasant day indeed.

"Oh, it's practically impossible to step outside in New York City without coming across a park of some sort," said Margo. So saying, they left the little coffee shop. She didn't even bother to look back as she waved to whoever might be behind the counter at the moment, to let them know not to expect her around for the rest of the day. Then they were outside on the streets of New York, and everything was blue sky, pavement, and people, people, people.

They made their way along the streets, in the general direction of this newly built dog park Margo had passed just the other day. If she remembered correctly, there was a nice little trail by that way as well. Golly, it was beautiful out today. Sunshine-y and positively pollen-free. How could she have possibly thought of spending such a lovely day indoors?

"So," said Richard, "I know about your love of books, but I don't actually know that much about you. Tell me about yourself."

"I'll start, um...Well, you know my name is Richard, you told me your age so it is only fair that I tell you mine, I am 26, which sounds really old but doesn't actually feel that much older than when I was 25, strangely enough." He quipped. "Um... just moved here from Colorado, looking for work as an engineer and probably a place to 'bunk', as they say. Ummm... I think that about covers the basics. What else would you like to know? And how about you?"

Margo nodded thoughtfully at the information, pausing to consider what she would volunteer about herself. "Well," she said lightly, "As you know, my name is Margo. I am fifteen, going on sixteen, as you know- my birthday is this Tuesday. I live an incredibly boring life, no, really. Um, I've been up here for a good...eight? I don't even know....months now. Boarding school."

It wasn't that much of a lie, but Margo felt guilty the moment she told it, anyway. The scary thing was, she could probably get away with it. But Richard seemed so honest, and she'd only just met him...

"Oh, this reminds me of the first day of school," she said, yawning sarcastically. "Sorry, not to offend you or anything. But, well, not so much the man as his opinions."

"Like." She said, waiting to cross the street. "Um, I don't know. Um, what are your views on the growing population of mutants, in this particular city for example?"

"Oh, it's practically impossible to step outside in New York City without coming across a park of some sort,"

"Awesome! Lead on!"

"Well, as you know, my name is Margo. I am fifteen, going on sixteen, as you know- my birthday is this Tuesday. I live an incredibly boring life, no, really. Um, I've been up here for a good...eight? I don't even know....months now. Boarding school."

"Well, allow me to wish you an early happy birthday. What is boarding school like? I remember reading books growing up about characters that went to boarding school, and from the books at least, their descriptions of boarding school ranged from "It was amazing" to "It was the worst thing in the world" and every where in between. So I am curious."

Richard genuinely was curious, he had never been to boarding school and the whole concept of moving to another country/state just to go to school was a curious notion. He would be much interested in Margo's answer. Was that a twitch he detected on her face? He hoped he was not making her uncomfortable. Growing up Richard had an older sister but never any younger sisters although he would not have minded a younger sibling, so he was not always sure how to act around people who could, age wise, be a younger sister or brother. He tended to treat them as he would someone near his age, but that did not always work for reasons that he did not always understand.

"Oh, this reminds me of the first day of school,"

"Oh you mean the "Lets go round the room and introduce ourselves", lets make things slightly awkward thing? Yeah I know what you mean. I hope I am not bringing up unpleasant memories."

"Sorry, not to offend you or anything. But, well, not so much the man as his opinions."

"None taken, ask away, anything you want to know." Richard was happy to share, unless her questions became too personal, but he did not think it likely.

"Like... Um, I don't know. Um, what are your views on the growing population of mutants, in this particular city for example?"

Richard pondered for a minute as they crossed the street. They rounded a corner and happened upon a park with a trail. "Hmm, good question. Nice choice of trail by the way, I do enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping etc. How about you?"

"But back to your question, hmmm. I honestly have not give much thought about it. In high school two of my good friends were mutants, Speedy Aron had rather green skin and ran really fast and Ariel, no I am not kidding, she literally and scales and well, swam like a fish."

Richard smiled as he remembered good times with his friends.

"I look at it this way, in the world there are people of many races, histories and backgrounds, I consider mutants similarly. Underneath we are all people, I don't judge people on what they look like or how old they are but on what is inside, what is their character like. As for mutants in particular, it seems to me that in some cases they have been given more power than some, hence they also have a greater responsibility when using their gifts. So I don't really think much of the fact that New York might have a greater population of mutants that other cities. Hope that answers your question."

He hoped that he was not boring her. He was also not yet ready to reveal the fact that he might, himself be a mutant. That was still something he was working through. If it was true, what could that mean for him, it raised many questions, many uncertainties. His greatest fear was that, it he was indeed a mutant, that he might lose control of his powers in such a way that he would harm those around him that he cared about. That was part of the reason that he had moved to New York. What better place to discover if you were a mutant, and if you were, what better place to learn about your powers and how to control them.

"Well, allow me to wish you an early happy birthday. What is boarding school like? I remember reading books growing up, about characters that went to boarding school, and from the books at least, their descriptions of boarding school ranged from 'It was amazing' to 'It was the worst thing in the world' and everywhere in between. So I am curious."

"Thank you," said Margo, "As did I. But really, once you get past the fact that you're thousands of miles away from home, it's not really that different. I suppose it varies wherever, whenever you are. For me? I just appreciate the fact that I'm getting an education."

There, she'd managed to spin a half-way believable story, and all without telling a single lie...three cheers for Margo! Now, if only Richard would leave it there.

"Oh, you mean the 'Lets go round the room and introduce ourselves' lets make things slightly awkward thing? Yeah, I know what you mean. I hope I am not bringing up unpleasant memories."

The girl laughed at that. "Oh, yes. I could die on the spot."

There was a long silence between them as they crossed the street and rounded the corner, during which Margo was almost afraid she'd gone too far with her question. In fact, she'd just opened her mouth to apologize, or something of that sort, for being too blunt, when Richard finally replied.

"Hmm, good question. Nice choice of trail by the way, I do enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping etc. How about you? But back to your question, hmmm. I honestly have not given much thought about it. In high school two of my good friends were mutants, Speedy Aron had rather green skin and ran really fast and Ariel, no I am not kidding, she literally and scales and well, swam like a fish. I look at it this way: in the world there are people of many races, histories and backgrounds, I consider mutants similarly. Underneath we are all people, I don't judge people on what they look like or how old they are but on what is inside, what is their character like. As for mutants in particular, it seems to me that in some cases they have been given more power than some, hence they also have a greater responsibility when using their gifts. So I don't really think much of the fact that New York might have a greater population of mutants that other cities. Hope that answers your question."

Right then, right there...it was just one of those "Amen" moments.

"I do enjoy a good hike," was all she said.