Devon moved hurriedly through the mansion’s halls. They’d had a good session but a long one. The afternoon sun was gone and only the last couple hours of early evening were left. He was eager to get outside, get home, and relax. He was increasingly busy between some time at Sanctuary, Hadden’s Havens, supporting Haven, and the few patients he had outside of the earlier. Finding a new manager for Sanctuary was at the top of his list.

A good one, meaning one he could trust.

He also had to pick up a few more staff for the Havens and the Haven organization. They had an event at the Inferno night club this weekend. There was a press conference on Thursday as well though that’s why they had a public relations staff. He scrolled through his email as he dashed along. Students and faculty moved hurriedly along as well, including a few he knew. He smiled and waved as he neared the stairs down to the main lobby.

His cell phone went into the pocket of his black sport coat. He wasn’t wearing a tie but the gray shirt underneath it was buttoned up to his neck. The gray pants matched the shirt while the belt and shoes matched the coat. Nothing overly formal for these visits, but professional at least.

No wonder there was so much activity here: students, residents, faculty, staff, X-Men, and of course guests.

It had been a long day.

Apparently returning from the dead came with a lot of logistical problems Max had not expected. He had gone to the bank and was pleased to discover that either his parents never knew he had an account there or the bank had never received notice of his death. Either way he was able to get out his funds, which turned out to be a bit more than he expected. He supposed there were perks to having a high interest savings account he hadn't been able to touch for a year.

The money went fast though. Max had found a guy and purchased a fake ID, finding it a simpler solution than the DMV. It said his name was John Smith and that he was 22 but hey couldn't complain. The rest of the money had gotten him a pay as you go phone and three pairs of clothes and a hoodie. He was wearing the hoodie now with a decent pair of new jeans and some solid black workboots. Max strapped his fanny pack around his waist and felt like himself again.

Max left his room and started heading towards the main hall. He passed teachers and students a felt a stab of uneasiness. He felt like a charity case at the mansion. He had already graduated when he moved in so being a "student" felt a little wrong. He was no X-men that was for sure. So it left him with a place to stay and him doing little to earn it.

He was lost in this thought as he rounded the corner to the main lobby stairs and nearly ran into a rather sharp dressed gentleman who seemed equally lost in thought. Max halted quickly to avoid a collision but felt his new boots slip on the wooden floor. He lost his balance and felt himself start to fall down the stairs.

Instinctively Max nullified gravity on himself. Instead of faceplanting on the step below he ended up hover a few inches out from the topmost step at eye level with the man he had nearly bulldozed into.

"Hey man sorry about that." Max said.

He lowered himself onto the second step and extended his hand to the man.

"I'm Max. Haven't been here for more than a few days so still trying to get to know everyone. You a teacher?" He asked.

Someone almost collided with him.

His age bracket, dark hair, lean frame, muscular stature though, probably not a student, but probably not an X-Man. He wasn’t dressed to be staff or teacher. Former student seemed possible. He started to fall down the stairs, but before Devon could reach out to grab him the boy was floating.

Well, mutant then at least.

>> "Hey man sorry about that."

“Hey, no problem,” Devon smiled. “I’m sorry; I wasn’t paying attention.”

The young man lowered himself. Jealousy crept up into Devon. These ground-defying talents always made him jealous. He was glad others could do so. He was getting better at it, always working at it, but that stop had been effortless. Impressive.

>> "I'm Max. Haven't been here for more than a few days so still trying to get to know everyone. You a teacher?"

Devon took the hand and gave it a quick, strong shake. “Ah, no, sorry again. I’m visiting. I’m Devon Hadden, pleased to meet you Max. Glad you caught yourself before you fell there,” he chuckled. “Does that happen a lot or are you that good with your ability?”

Devon returned Max's handshake. The guy had a brilliant smile and seemed to effortlessly exude confidence. Hadden, why did that name seem so familiar? Max had the sneaking suspicious he had heard it before but couldn't place where. He gave a small laugh at Devons remark.

"I prefer to think that I'm a bit more graceful than this usually." He smiled.

He felt his face redden, he usually didn't get compliments on his ability.

"It's not as impressive as it looks," He said waving a hand behind him dismissivly, "It's just gravity manipulation so floating basically just feels like pulling a lever. What's your gift?"

He felt stupid for asking so bluntly. Some mutants were a little shy about talking about there gifts. His few days at the mansion had already gotten him slightly more used to it but he knew it wasn't the norm everywhere.

"So what brings you to visit?" He asked 

That was a friendly smile.

>> "I prefer to think that I'm a bit more graceful than this usually.

Devon was pleased he took the joke in stride. The blush was a nice touch too. Apparently he didn’t get complimented much, he was practicing with his ability recently, or he just didn’t like attention. Perhaps it was all three?

>> "It's not as impressive as it looks,"

Devon smirked, canting his head slightly. Yeah, floating. Who couldn’t do that? The smirk faded to a smile though as Max explained. Gravity manipulation? It wasn’t so much a force to manipulate than a basic law of the universe to manipulate. Gravity is what happened because matter, or energy for that matter, were in proximity. This was basic physics and this kid balked at it.

Before Devon could remark on that or answer the question offered him, Max followed up with another. Why was he here? Well he couldn’t name names, but he could state his profession at least.

“I’m a psychologist,” Devon said with a small nod. “I see a few people here, though I can’t name them. HIPAA and such, though no one should be ashamed for seeing a counselor. It can help with stress relief if nothing else, partly what my actual business the Havens are all about,” he grinned.

“As for my mutation, I’m atmokinetic; I control the weather. It’s not so basic and fundamental a thing as the law of relativity,” he eyed Max from below raised eyebrows. “But I’m rather proud of it. You should be too.”

-I’m a psychologist, I see a few people here, though I can’t name them. HIPAA and such, though no one should be ashamed for seeing a counselor. It can help with stress relief if nothing else, party what my actually business the Havens are all about,”

So the guy was shrink, that made sense. It also helped explain why Max felt like the guy was so familiar. He had mentioned a business. The look, the calm pleasant tone, Max had seen his parents interact this way at business functions alot.

"Awesome. Nah I understand. I grew up in a pretty well backward town. Once my mutation started it helped to talk to somebody." Max nodded, "What are the Havens?"

-“As for my mutation, I’m atmokinetic; I control the weather. It’s not so basic and fundamental a thing as the law of relativity But I’m rather proud of it. You should be too.”

Max laughed, "I wasn't trying to spit on Newton's grave, though I really have to admit I'd skip physics for music about everyday. Weather control that's super interesting. I'd love a demonstration sometime."

Another familiar story. Devon had seen them: little town, a quiet village. Every day like the one before. Every morning was just the same since the morning he arrived. A poor, provincial town. He moved around fast, but he hadn’t had a family anymore. Maybe Max had?

>> "What are the Havens?"

“The Havens are like one-part treatment and rehabilitation facility and another part relaxation spa and educational center. I intend them to treat the individual so that they can join Haven, the organization I started for continued education and outreach,” he grinned and chuckled slightly. “Sorry if I sound like an advertisement. All the recent marketing is in my head.”

>> Max laughed, "I wasn't trying to spit on Newton's grave, though I really have to admit I'd skip physics for music about everyday. Weather control that's super interesting. I'd love a demonstration sometime."

A black eyebrow arched sharply over one of Devon’s crystalline blue eyes. Devon smiled, proud of the open-mindedness the X-Men and the mansion inspired in its people. “Figures. You can bend physics to your will, but oh that new song is out,” Devon laughed. “Music is one of those universal translators. Ever consider the music of the spheres? Metaphysics and physics in one.”

“But yeah, I’d- “ he paused, grinning, “I’d be happy to show you. I’d love to see yours as well in more practical use. Seeing how the two interact could be something.” The fresh businessman fished his cell phone out again. “What’s your number?”

Devon explained the Havens and Max kept waiting for the "but" in the situation. The organization sounded like a true humanitarian act, which made Max happy. He wanted to believe it was true. Most wealthy people didn't invest their money in helping others. If Devon really did run the organization he said he did he was a hell of a guy.

"No problem. My mom was a lawyer at a marketing firm. I spent a lot of time at her office hearing people work on their ads, it got stuck in my head even." Max said

Devon made a rather intriguing intellectual argument concerning Max's ability. Devon made his power sound impressive, powerful even. He had never thought of his power like that. It had always been just a part of Max.

"I don't know about the hot new song," He said with a chuckle, "I'd take Sinatra over t-swift anyday. As for metaphysics I get what your saying. The world's a beautiful place in all its complexity if you take the time to look for the notes that form the chordes."

Max was surprised by his own answer. It seemed unlike him to muse over the state of reality. Devon took out his phone and asked for Max's number. Max gave him his new cell number and smiled.

"Gravity and Weather control? Let's just make sure we find a safe place to cut loose if we decide to push those limits." He said

Devon chuckled and nodded appreciatively that Max took the marketing spiel for what it was. It was a learned bit at this point, but he was quite proud of the work they were doing. Seemed like Max knew the way of it.

The chuckled faded but a broad smile said more than words could as Max commented on music. Sinatra? That was an unexpected love to hear from his generation. The philosophical comment? That was well considered too. Philosophy was a love of wisdom, after all, and taking time to look at the world around you was certainly a part of that. Charming comments, really.

>> "Gravity and Weather control? Let's just make sure we find a safe place to cut loose if we decide to push those limits."

Devon took the guy’s number and then slid the phone away. “I know just the place. I’ll give you a call,” he nodded. “Really nice meeting you, Max. Glad I almost knocked you down the stairs,” he laughed.