The sun had slowly set in the warm spring night as Max made his way to the front gates of the mansion. His pulse quickened slightly at the thought of his upcoming date. The Mansion stood like a beacon before him and he gave a fond smile at his old home.

He wore sneakers, hiss fanny pack, and jeans, and his Haven tee-shirt beneath an open black jacket. The shirt was a small reminder to him of how far he had come. At the mansion he had felt like a child, with Haven he was beginning to come into his own.

He checked his watch and saw it was almost nine. He had spent the last few hours trying to plan out the evening and hoped it would go well. Considering the last date he had gone one had ended at these very gates was a bit of a negative, but he planned on turning things into a positive.

He debated ringing into the building and asking if Janelle was there but it felt a little high school to him. She said she'd meet him so instead he leaned against one of the brick pillars and waited, trying to look cool.

Date night. Why were things like this always so impossible?

Janelle had ran through the entire series of emotions as she prepared for the excursion. Max had sent her the time and Janelle assumed he was going to meet her at the gates of the Mansion. The redhead glanced at her bedside table and the clock that sat there...she had 10 minutes before she needed to start walking.

Glancing around the room Janelle sighed, pretty much every piece of clothing she owned was spread out over every flat surface she could find. Why was this so hard? Max hadn't specified what they were doing and Janelle hadn't wanted to press and seem needy. A sun dress was always a good option, even if it was night and the redhead had chosen accordingly...eventually.

The yellow dress made her look too washed out, it was still spring and her skin was so darn pale. Pink was out of the question, and Janelle shook her head wondering who had ever thought it would be a good idea to purchase it for a redhead....and so it had continued until finally she found something tolerable. The dress fell to just above her knees, short but not so short that she would have trouble walking or sitting. The top was a shade darker than white and there was a wide ruched band of black at the waist. The skirt was the redhead's favorite part, probably owing to the decorations. Sprays of magenta and sky blue flowers speckled the skirt becomingly, their leaves and petals contrasted against the cream color of the background. They weren't large cartoon-looking flowers either, they looked real, like they'd been pulled from a field in full bloom.

It would work, she supposed.

Thanking every deity she could imagine that the adult rooms at the Mansion had their own bathrooms, Janelle rushed into hers to put the finishing touches on her makeup. The redhead didn't wear much of the stuff, but it was still important to do one's level best. Finally came soft ballet flats that would be comfortable for walking and after grabbing her small purse, Janelle was out the door to her room...cleaning would have to wait for later.

Down the hall she went and out the front doors of the Mansion. Had the walkway always been this long? As she neared the gates, Janelle could see a figure standing on the other side. Recognizing Max from their impromptu lunch, Janelle grinned.

"Fancy meeting you here." she said nonchalantly, putting her code into the keypad to open the gate and walk through to the other side. [cololor=darkorchid]"I hope you weren't waiting too long." [/color] Surely she didn't look as nervous as she felt.

It was only after a few short moments of waiting that Max heard a pleasant female voice from the other side of the gate.

"Fancy meeting you here."

He had a clever retort ready as the gate opened but one look at Janelle and it died before reaching his lips. She looked great, he fought to keep his jaw from dropping. The skirt and top were modest yet still showed off her body well. The skirt revealed a decent amount of leg and Max approved. If he were a cartoon character his eyes would be the size of dinner plates and there would be a heart shaped object burst back and forth in his chest.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long."

"Well worth the wait." He grinned, offering his arm.

He headed towards the street and threw out a hand to stop a cab. As the vehicle pulled up he grabbed the door and opened it for his date.

"Anything in particular you want to do?" He asked.

He got in and told the cabby where to go before looking back at the red head.

"So how was the rest of your week?" He asked conversationaly.

Janelle was glad for the relatively dim light outside the gates, the warm flush creeping up her cheeks was a good indication that she was blushing as she took Max's arm, and that just wouldn't do.

It was always interesting to date in the city, and if she was honest with herself, Janelle had to admit that she hadn't done a whole lot of it. Sure, there had been a few dates off and on while she'd been a student in the Mansion, and a couple since...but each time there were these nerves and anticipation. There had also not been very many second dates.

Things were off to a swimming start, Janelle had to admit as Max hailed a cab and she thought about what they could do. The fact of the matter was, in all of the excitement over trying to figure out what to wear, Janelle hadn't had a thing to eat since around noon.

"I could use a bite to eat." she said as she climbed into the cab and waited for Max to join her. Hopefully he hadn't eaten too recently.

How had the rest of her week gone?

"Not bad." the redhead replied, "Finals are next week, but I'm not too worried...at least not right now. Ask me sometime next week and I'll probably have a different answer. What about you?" by this point the taxi had started moving and Janelle figured they could count the start of the date as a success.

Food? A woman after his own heart already. Max's stomach made a little gurgling noise at the thought. He hadn't eaten lunch that day.

"Sounds great." He answered.

He smiled as she talked about finals. He liked to say he hoped very much that he would be talking to her next week about finals, but seemed a bit too desperate. He would wind up in that boat himself soon enough when he started school. For now he had to settle for life risking missions, murder mystery, and worst of all nighttime waiter work.

"I'm sure you'll make it through. What kind of finals does a botanist take," He asked, "my weeks been good. Havens had me buried in paperwork getting deals together and the club has been pretty busy. Can't complain about good tips though."

The cab cruised along headed towards time square and Max looked out the window. He loved the city, the lights and billboards. It was a hub of activity.

What kind of finals did a botanist take? Janelle laughed softly, "I'm just a Freshman. Nothing special at all, not yet. Freshman English, freshman biology, gen Chem, American History, and....sculpture. I needed a fine art...I might fail. It's killing me, but I'm terrible with clay."

Max had mentioned something called Haven, and paperwork, and a club. Surely that was more interesting than her sculpturing woes.

"Is that what you do? Do you work in a club? What kind of club?".

Janelle talked about her finals and Max found himself thinking that all the courses sounded incredibly un fun. Biology and chemistry? It sounded like torture to Max and he had to stop himself from reaching out and giving the beautiful red head a pat of condolence on the shoulder.

Sculpture though? That sounded like a good time. Max dabbled in just about any form of art, hell his father still used the little deer paperweight Max had made him back in high school. The antlers had taken hours, but it was good work.

"What's your final in sculpture? I could probably help you out, sometimes getting the clay to form up right takes a bit of working, especially if it's too damp." He offered, "I'm a bit of an art nut."

She asked about his work and he leaned back slightly in the seat of the cab.

"I kinda have two jobs. I live at a place called Haven, well at the headquarters near central park. They are a community enrichment and volunteer company. I ran into the founder when I lived at the mansion and he offered me a place to stay and a job." He explained.

And some therapy, but no need to get into that on a first date.

"There is a members only club, Inferno, on the first floor. So most days I work on volunteer projects and then at night I go and wait tables. You should come check out the club someday. I'm allowed a guest and I don't work every night." He said with a smile.

"So when finals are over do you just hang out at the mansion, or do you go visit your parents between terms?" He asked.

Janelle listened attentively as Max spoke, daring to hope just a little bit that she'd managed to set herself up on a date with some kind of sculpture savant who was going to swoop in and save her from what was turning out to be a disastrous final project. Prospects looked good, and as he asked for more details, Janelle let her head drop back against the taxi seat, "I have to make no more than two pieces that showcase all of the skills we learned this semester. The problem is that I've pretty much gotten a C on every project, so I can't really hope for better than that, can I?" she turned her head so she was looking across the cab at her companion in the dim light of the cab, "I'd take any help I could get though. Like I said, I'm terrible with my hands."

Max continued to speak and Janelle was surprised to learn that he had not one, but two jobs. It was incredible how some people were able to do that, she could barely hold down her part time gig at the flower shop while she was in school. Max's jobs seemed cool too. He worked for some kind of community enrichment company and they apparently had a private club that he waited tables at too. There was something he' said earlier that had caught her attention though. He'd lived at the Mansion? It was amazing how many people actually lived at the Mansion, she was always running into folks she hadn't met, even though they'd lived under the same roof.

An invitation was extended, and the redhead grinned, "I'd like that. It sounds like an interesting place. " she would have to look into it more, "What kind of volunteer projects does your work sponsor? There are so many in New York, sometimes it's hard to keep track."

As to her plans after finals, Janelle shrugged, "When I was finishing up high school I would go home in the summer. I've got this class that messes things up with my schedule and it's offered in the summer, so I think I might just stay here this summer. The folks at the Mansion don't mind, and I could work a bit more. My parents haven't been down to the city in a while, so they may come visit. Did you end up taking any summer classes?"

Well, so far there had been no awkward silences. Their conversation was moving along at least as well as the taxi, which was working its way through New York traffic with the skill that only a cabby could possess.

"I'd take any help I could get though. Like I said, I'm terrible with my hands."

Max let out a laugh and held up his hand in a knowing gesture.

"Now I can't give away all my secrets, but I'll try to help make sure you pass at least. I'll take a look at what you've done and see what I can do." He said.

She asked some more questions about his work, which made Max happy since it told him he wasn't boring her with work talk. Haven was a secret, at least some of its truer intentions were. It meant Max had to be careful what he said, luckily though he did plenty of work for them on the up and up.

"Homeless shelter improvements, blood drives, a little bit of anything. Mostly stuff to help people, not as much the "let's make the park prettier" kind of stuff." He said with a little laugh.

He listened contently as Janelle talked about her school break. Secretly he felt a small wave of elation at the idea that she would be staying in the city. It be such a waste to have a date only to have her leave the next week.

"I didn't end up signing up. Not quite able to swing it for Summer. I'm going in the Fall though already have it figured out." Max said.

The cab pulled up and Max got out. They were at Time Square. It was a frenzy of buildings and people. Billboards flashed images and ads. Street performer were scattered about. Max spotted a pizza stand and pointed at it.

"Wanna grab a slice? I want to show you something while we are here." He said excitedly.

EMax's offer for help was more than appreciated. That darn sculpture class had been the bane of Janelle's existence since about three weeks into the semester. The teacher knew she didn't have any talent for the art, and instead of helping and encouraging her to do her best, the woman simply seemed annoyed that Janelle had dared to take the class. It would be a relief to have someone to help. There was open studio time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, maybe Max would have time.

All and all, the work Max did seemed fascinating. It also made a ton of since with the major he had mentioned when they'd had their lunch the other day. Homeless shelter improvements, blood drives...

"Wow." the redhead breathed, "It must be amazing to get to do so much that matters. I'm all for keeping the parks clean, but it always makes me sad to see so many people who need help...I just work, predictably, in a flower shop."

The cab reached its destination, Time Square, and Janelle grinned as she exited the cab. Time Square had been nicknamed the crossroads of the world for nothing. It was one of those places where you could stand and watch the world go by. It was also one of Janelle's favorite places in the city. Crowds had never bothered her, and there was simply too much to do and see.

And eat.

Max asked if she wanted a slice, and mentioned wanting to show her something. Janelle nodded enthusiastically. Even bad pizza was delicious, and there was rarely a bad slice of pizza to be found in New York...especially in Time Square. 'I'm game for anything." she said with a grin, "As long as we can eat outside. It's too nice to sit inside."

She said she worked at a flower shop and Max smiled. Given her power he had to assume she was incredibly good at her job. The way she described his work made his heart give a little flutter. He knew he was doing what he did to help the world, even if sometimes that required a morally grey call. Having somone reassure him always made him feel better though.

"Flower shop sounds fun. What does your gift let you do? I know it's plans based but can you just like conjure a dozen roses. He asked with a chuckle.

She agreed to pizza and he headed for the stand. After a quick minute and shuffling in his fanny pack to find the money to pay he took his two slices and a Coke and paid for Janelle's food too. He was a gentleman after all.

He saw what he was looking for and led her to a set of bleachers that stood in a little area full of tourists. He walked over to them and sat down.

"Just take a minute and listen. I love it here. It's the loudest silence you will ever hear. Look at all these people, all these lives crossing paths if only for an instant. I know it sounds a little hippy dippy, but I love this place. It's a Symphony of life itself." He said.

He looked at the hordes of people walking about, obviously moving through life alongside one another. He looked at Janelle and smiled.

"I probably sound like a loon huh?" He said with a laugh

Janelle shook her head slowly as Max asked if she could conjure a bouquet of roses out of thin air. "Nope, can't make something out of nothing. Though, if I had a rose bulb, I could grow a rose bush, cut the flowers, and make a bouquet." the thought was a funny one and something she hadn't ever tried. "My boss gets upset if I tinker with things too much though. It messes things up when I'm not at work."

Across the crowded square they walked, and proceeded to order food. Janelle ordered a pepperoni slice and coke, but before she could even reach into her purse, Max had paid for the food and was heading out the door. Making a mental note to thank him later, Janelle followed.

Bleachers had been set up to give tourists and others a place to sit in the hustle and bustle that was always Times Square. Max took a seat and Janelle climbed up next to him, balancing her plate on her knees so she could open her soda. Something about this place was just...something.

Max must have thought something similar because he started to speak. Janelle listened intently, head tilting slightly to the side as he explained exactly what it was. A symphony of life... Where had he learned to speak so eloquently?

Like a loon?

"I don't think you sound like a loon at all." Janelle demurred, "What you said was perfect. I was just trying to figure out what it was about this place, but couldn't find the words. It's impossible to feel alone in the world when you're sitting somewhere like this"

Janelle cast her eyes around the bustling crowd and the glowing billboards, banners, and signs. There were so many people, things, and sounds. "I came here as a kid once and figured that this had to be about all the people there were in the world." It was funny how perspective changed with time.

Janelle took a sip of her soda, "I know soda is supposed to be bad for you, but I think coke might be the best tasting thing in the world sometimes."

. It's impossible to feel alone in the world when you're sitting somewhere like this"

Max took a bite of pizza and nodded in agreement. Crowds were funny thing, for some people they induced panic or stress. For others it made them lonely. For Max it was like being hooked up to a battery, he felt the energy of life itself around him.

He opened his can of soda as Janelle talked about her trip as a kid. He gave a little laugh.

"It is for all practical purposes. Sure the Internet let's us see and hear about places far far away but this is our," He looked for the right word,"ecosystem. A hundred years ago this area would be all we knew, it be our whole world." He mused.

Max gave her a look of pure shock as she talked about the blessed beverage of coke.

"I don't know who these people are but if they are speaking g poorly about my beloved I will take offense." He said with a laugh.

He basically ran off caffeine. Part of him wondered how people ever got along without it. He continued to eat enjoying the company and the atmosphere.

"So tell me something about you I don't know. Something most poeple don't know about you." He said with a smile.

This was their ecosystem. It was almost ironic how well the word worked for the situation. An ecosystem was a biological community of organisms and their physical environment. The normal connotation of the word brought to mind wild places with animals and trees. It just seemed to fit Time's Square though. Janelle kept the musing to herself but was still pleased with the thought.

Comfortable silence took over for a bit and Janelle continued to work her way through the large slice of pizza. Eating a slice of this size with a crust this thin was a skill that every New Yorker had to learn if they didn't want to wear their pizza after each meal. The key was in the fold. Janelle was a master if she did say so herself.

Max asked a question, a tough one, and Janelle "Hmmm'd" in thought before grinning, "Well, I eat cereal in a bowl, with a spoon and no milk." she admitted candidly. For some reason, people thought it was weird, but milk always made the cereal soggy and after a while it all just tasted like milk.

"That probably doesn't count though...let's see..."

This was tough. Janelle liked to think of herself as an open book. She wanted to share something good though, so she didn't seem boring. The problem was...there just wasn't very much.

"I think the best I've got is that despite the fact that I spend so much time outdoors and with plants, I cannot stand bugs." she shuddered slightly at the very thought, "Things without a spine really weird me out."

That answer hadn't been very good at all, "Now it's your turn." she said, hoping to deflect a bit from her answer. Quid pro quo was only fair.

"Things without a spine really weird me out."

Max let out a snort as he chewed his pizza.

"I know a lot of people that would weird you out then," He said with a sly grin.

He felt a small pang of pride at his word play but her remark about bugs brought the image of Agnes to Max's mind. He had seen the woman spew a swarm of insects out of her body, not to mention the insect like biology she had going for her. He made a mental note to be cautious if he ever introduced the pair.

He considered the question she had turned back on him. There were a few answers that rose to the front of his mind right away. Haven and it's goals were definitely a secret thing. His return from the dead was something about him he hadn't told many people. Someone they didn't really seem like good first date material however.

"I don't know how to ride a bike. Never learned. Dad was always too busy at work to teach me." He said with a laugh.