They had a new member and she'd not met them yet? This just wouldn't do! After all, how could she keep and accurate hug book when there were people missing from it? These things were very important, to her at least and it had to be fixed right away. Bijou, the beautiful little angel that she was, could wait.

Cait didn't really know much about their newest teammate, other than she was rescued in the mission not too long ago. God she wished now she'd been on that team now, helping people escape that hell hole and make a better life away from Super. God they kept coming up more and more these days and she more lost than ever on what to do. How did you hug a shadowy government group into submission? It just wasn't possible was it.

Moving towards the room and pausing a the door, did the woman really want to see her right now? Well, most people wanted to see her when they were low, in fairness even the grumps. Becca might grumble about her cheeriness but she knew the boss had a secret soft spot for her strays. No, if the new girl needed someone to talk too, she was here for her. If she needed someone to shout and scream at, or even just a good old fashioned bear hug!

Knocking lightly before pushing it open, she smiled brightly as she enter the room. "Hi there. I'm Cait, one of the other members here." Turn on that Scottish charm, girl. "I heard you're the newest member of our little family."

Aura had no idea what to do with her time, so she had defaulted to the training exercises she had been taught to do. They kept the mind focused and kept her anger and rage in check and kept her calm. To that end her body was surrounded in a sky blue transparent aura that seemed to cling to her body like a second skin.

She made several slashing and stabbing motions as she moved around the room. The aura around her hand shower flowed and changed like a water around her hands, going from a sword to an axe before the axe seemed to melt and formed a hammer around her fist. The aura changes were quick and fluid as were her movements. She took care not to damage the things in the room as she continued her movements that had been embedded in her mind.

As she heard the knock she nearly stumbled getting her leg down in time as she turned to see who was entering the room. She stopped to greet the new woman she saw who looked quite attractive to her eye. Something about the red hair she found lovely. "Hello, My name is Aura and yes I am new here, I am grateful for the help you guys have provided me as well as rescuing me. It is nice to meet you. Can I ask what you can do?" she asked her skin still coated in a thin blue aura around her body, the weapons on her hands seems to melt back into the aura around her hands well not adding to the bulk of it. The aura around her skin slowly faded until it disappeared entirely.

Cait gave the woman a quick once over, taking in her appearance and form more than a few thoughts. She was pretty and shorter than she'd imagined for some reason. And she was more generously proportioned than Cait was because of course every woman in this place had to be bigger than her, nevermind the teenage neuroses!

"We'd have done it for anyone, don't worry about it. And it's lovely to meet you, it's so cool we have another X again!" The last one had been Raine and well, Raine was awesome. By that logic, Aura was going to be just as fun.

She did get a bit distracted by the thin blue light around her, it was so beautiful but it gave her the creeps for some reason. Like it was dangerous. "Hmmm? Sorry, got lost in thought there." What could she do? Other than fighting she didn't really have much else to offer the X's. "I can make weapons, knives mostly, in the air, like this." Holding out a hand she pulled a small shimmering dagger out and set it spinning idly in the air.

"With that, the combat training and stealth training I'm pretty much only good for fighting or sneaking." Boy could she sneak though and while she might not be a genius, she was pretty good at tracking people, following their movements and coordinating where they've been and where they'll be. "What about you, what can you do?" Better question, does it hurt if you get hugged... 

 

She was sure they would have don't it for anyone because she had been a complete stranger to all of them and they had not thought twice about saving her. They seemed like good people and their methods as explained to her were quite nice. The x-men were a force for the betterment of the world she felt even if what they could do was limited in nature do to what she knew of their numbers. "That's why I joined I wanted to help others like myself" she said.

She watched as the other girl demonstrated her power, pulling the dagger out. The dagger spun in the air and Aura watched it interested in the power. In a way it reminded her of what she herself could do. She wondered how many the woman could form and how tough the daggers were but decided not to ask those questions right away.

"I can relate, I'm really only good for fighting myself, its what I know" she said trying to comfort the other woman. Aura knew nothing of stealth but she could relate to only being useful in combat. The fact this woman could relate to that gave Aura concern for her.

"I can harden the Aura around my body into a shield and weapons." she said and as she did the blue light around her body thickened and then the aura seemed to flow out from her fingers thinning out until it formed a dagger like shape, after a moment it began to flow forming an axe head around her fist. She let that melt back into her aura and then let her aura turn off entirely.

"the aura is diminished each time it takes a hit but I can take a decent amount of punishment. My former captors worked to find out my limits. The weapons are tough as well but their impacts also reduce my aura. I know it can withstand small arms fire pretty well" she said trying to explain the power she was all but named after. She was use to telling people about it but this was one of the few times she could while not caged like an animal.

"I don't recall much before being held in that place. Not my parents, not my name, my school or even what I liked. They manipulated my memories to their own designs" she said simply, their was a hint of anger when she mentioned her former captors.

"How long have you been with the x-men?" she asked curiously wondering about their survival and recruitment rates. Their business seemed dangerous and she knew danger had its casualties.

Awesome! They always needed more help around the base, and with helping people in general so another person willing to stand with them and offer a hand was a god send. It might be sad what happened to her and to the others, but if Aura could use it to push her to help the ones still trapped that was good, right? Something positive from something dark.

Finally, someone understood her and what it was like to only be able to use your skills to fight. She loved her other X's but sometimes it felt like she couldn't relate to them. Then in comes Aura, who not only understood her, her power was freaking awesome and beautiful and like hers! "That's amazing! Its so fluid and quick. What does it feel like when its all over your body?" Was it hot or cold? Did it feel wet? They were all very important questions, she just had to know these things.

"Thats so cool! We seem to have similar approaches with different methods. Mine have general energy upkeep, but they don't take more as they get hit. Makes them very good in short intense fights, or if I combine them with actual weapons I can wear people down over a longer period." Since she'd gotten her knives special made, her versatility had gone through the roof. She didn't have to rely on her power in fights after all.

"I.....I honestly can't say I understand how you feel, or that I know what it's like to lose to so much, but I'm here if you want to talk. We're your family now, don't ever feel like you can't come to us if you need help." It was, horrible. How could a group do that to someone. Not just kidnap them but strip them of everything they were. "And if you ever need a hug, I am more than accommodating." Looking her in the eyes, "Seriously, hugs are my thing and I can do them well. You don't even need to ask." OK girl, coming on a bit strong with the hug obsession. Hope she's understanding. And huggable.

"Well, if you can't remember your name, would you like to find a new one? It's not often you get to decide what people call you."

Hmm, how long had it been? Counting it up, dear God she'd been with them longer than she thought. "I've been on the team for more than 4 years, so there's a bit of a gap between me the next newest. Mostly spent that time training like a mad woman." Becca was a harsh trainer, but it had saved her life more than once.

"Now that you're free, is there anything you want to do, places you want to go? Maybe junk food you'd like to try?"

Aura found she had never really considered what the Aura felt like on her skin. She was so use to it and Super had never really cared about such things. She new the answer of course but the wording was tough to bring to mind. "Smooth a bit like water while flowing or moving, when it's solid, it keeps its smooth texture. It does not seem to get hot or cold as far as I know" she said trying her best to describe it.

Actual weapons? She thought about asking for her to clarify what she meant. It occurred to her what she might mean a second later. Actual weapons? she could see the value in those and wondered if it might not help her as well. "What kind of actual weapons?" she asked curiously. Aura had never fought with anything other then her Aura but she could see how she might have use.

They were family? The concept made Aura smile. Not recalling her own the comment made her quite happy. She could ask for help as well which was nice but she had no idea what to ask quite yet. "I don't mind hugs, I use to hug this girl I liked a lot....then super killed her in an experiment I can't quite recall" she said remembering the young woman vividly even if some of the details were hazy.

"A name, might be nice, it would certainly be needed if I ever get an apartment or something" she said considering the other woman's words. She seemed like a very helpful woman and maybe she could help with some things.

"Four years? That a good length of time. I enjoy training myself, back with Super I use to hide myself in the ecstasy that came from fighting their robots, that adrenaline rush you know?" she replied, already liking these people much better then she had those at super. Cait saw her as a person, not a weapon.

"I don't know, most of what I recall was limited to the facility. What do you like to do?" she said unsure how to answer the question she felt safer seeing what the other woman liked to do. She might have suggestions maybe. " I would not mind sampling food though, their was not much verity in what super served to us. Maybe you could help introduce me to this huge new world' she decided. She certainly needed to know more and cait seemed to ooze happiness and friendliness.

"I think our powers might work very well together and perhaps we might even make good training partners" she tried suggesting clasping onto what she knew best. Their powers sounded similar enough anyway.

Like water? That was so cool! She could just imagine the flowing feeling over her skin, embracing you in its protective field. More questions just kept bubbling up but the Aura's next one broke through the excitement. "I had a pair of steel knives made, designed for my hands and with a slightly bigger pommel. Makes it could for quick knock outs." They looked like some weird mix between modern combat knives and older medieval ones. Very good when she didn't want to hurt someone.

Eyes widening and for once feeling something like anger, how could they do that to people! It was monstrous. "I'm so sorry they did that to you, but we will stop them. We will save others like you from that fate." Cait didn't like hurting people, but she was learning some deserved it. Holding out her arms slightly towards the other woman, she invited her in for a hug. Sounded like she needed one right now.

Grinning, "We'll just see what we can do about that then. This is going to be so fun!" there were so many pretty names to suit Aura, they just needed the right one.

"Hard to not feel it sometimes, but most my fighting's been agaisnt people. Kind of hard to really cut lose when you don't like hurting them." Going up agaisnt robots sounded like something she wanted to try. Just lose herself in the combat and really test the limits of her power.

"Ooo that's easy, anything musical and I'm there. Dancing, singing or playing I love it all! Oh and going out shopping with friends, just being able to spend a morning hanging out and enjoying the outside." She loved so many things it was hard to just name a few. "And movies, old horror ones with all the cheesy effects and monsters."

"Food there will be! First things first you need to try a proper New York Pizza, fresh and dripping in oil. We're going to have so much fun! And of course I think we should train together, we'll be so unstoppable when we're in the field." She could just imagine them in tandem, covering the others weaknesses.

Cait had a sudden and very good thought. They had the best stress relief method available right in the base. A fluffy ball of pure cute. "We have a cat if you want to see her, she's so adorable."

Aura could see the value in the knifes. She thought about the option for herself. She thought she wuld prefer something longer then a normal knife but she also knew that it would need to be concealed. It would be tough to walk down the road with a sword or an axe after all.

She embraced the hug, hugging Cait back. She certainly enjoyed it, it had been some time. This woman was easily the kindest most caring person she had encountered so far. She figured she would wind up as quick friends with this woman who she had a feeling made friends with everyone.

"Yea, get to carried away and it would be easy to leave someone injured or maimed." she said considering her own powers. It reminded her she would not to watch the weapons she formed as well as the hardness and sharpness of the objects. "I'll have to remember to be careful when fighting" she said.

Training together would be fun. Aura enjoyed the concept, it had been hard for the facility to find her training partners as most did not have the endurance to keep up with Aura or a power that would let them fight Aura on an even level. She was not sure of Caits abilities having never seen them in action. Still she was eager to try and improve and the more she knew of Caits power the better they could interact.

Her knowledge of music was poor but she did like it. "Shopping seems fun. I have wanted to try that. Music is enjoyable but I have not seen many movies" she said which was true she had seen a few movies but they had mostly been to highlight her captors lessons, not the movies she had heard people talk about.

"Pizza sounds good, I have had that a few times" she said not sure about the dripping with oil. Their had never been to many choices available to her before. "It does seem like a lot of fun, we will work great together in the field. Im excited to see how that works out" she said.

Cats were nice, Aura had known a few and liked animals quite a bit. "I like animals, meeting the cat will be nice" she said eager to do so. Animals were very comforting in her experience and tended to be, as Cait put it adorable. "So what are your favorite names?" she asked curiously liking the idea of aquiring

Yes! Looks like she'd gotten another hugger in the base, and another entry for her hug diary. It was good that Aura was comfortable enough to do it as well, she always found a good hug to be pretty therapeutic and her new friend sounded like she needed a little right now.

"I imagine you'll needing some new clothes and outfits, you have such lovely colours we can probably find so many things you'd suit," Cait was idly imagining all the different kinds of things they could try on, maybe they could rope Raine in and make a day of it. "Oh I can do music. I can lend you my music account on a site and you can just have fun, find what you like listening to. Or I could bring my instruments, I'm pretty good at playing."

"As for movies, I have more than enough for us to sit and watch." Shrugging, a little embarrassed by her nerdy side, "Kind of a horror movie nerd so they might be a bit....bloody.And cheesy, so cheesy." Old and cheesy horror movies were just so much fun! Although there were some she couldn't show Astrid. Becca would probably skin her alive for traumatising her little angel.

Didn't they have some junk food lying about in the main room? Aura could get her first taste of freedom already! "We have some snacks and stuff in the living room, if you're wanting to try anything now. As long as you don't eat to much you should be fine. They are a little bit bad for you, but taste so good!"

"Come on, we can find her somewhere about, she usually comes out when we call. Unless Combatants about, they keep away from each other." Agnes wasn't a touchy feely kind of girl she was more fighty, breaky.

"Ooo and tea! You have to try some. We have so many types to choose from so it's pretty easy to find something you like."

Clothing would be good she considered. "That would be good, I have few things Rebecca helped me with but not much" she admitted. The clothing she had at the facility, the outfit she came in was to big a reminder of her past and the new things she had did not fit her well. Cait was a super nice person it seemed and really wanted to help.

Music would be interesting however. "I have never played anything before but I would not mind hearing you play sometime. And listening to Music might be fun as well" she commented considering the possibilities.

"Well I am use to blood and violence" Aura replied thinking Cait meant things like the horrors of war which some could consider horrific. Blood and violence did not bother Aura at all however. "Are these horror movies of great battles you and the others have fought?" she asked curiously.

"Food would be good, I am a bit hungry now that you mention it" she said considering the idea. She new she could wait but the idea of being able to eat what she wanted was an appealing one for her. "Do we have to kill the food first?" she asked casually. If so she was ready to do so.

The cat came when called? That sounded interesting in deed. "Animals can be good judges on people I have heard" she replied. She knew she liked cats though she could not recall the last time she actually found one.

"Tea should be interesting, I think I have had it I, .......these holes in my memory are annoying" she said suddenly. A few light blue motes formed and faded away almost as quickly, as Aura tried to reign in her own discontent over the state of her memories. She had not mentioned Nolan by name to these people yet assuming they knew who he was but Aura knew if she encounterd him, she might well fly off the handle.

"Thank you for being so kind and helpful, it's easy to feel lost right now you know?" she said looking at the other woman, trying to smile. Cait was a lovely person but..."I feel like I lost so much time in life. Im sorry" she said unsure how long she had even been captive but she knew it had been quite some time.

Great battles, what? "What, oh no no they're made up. I guess you've not watched many movies but people make them to entertain, come up with fake stories and scenarios to get people happy, or in this case a little scared. It's less weird than it sounds, promise." Christ from her end it sounded weird, but it wasn't really. Was it?

"Nope, it all comes prepackaged and ready to go, we even have some stuff for sandwiches if you need something a bit more substantial." Snacks were good and all, but they didn't fill you up like proper food could. No matter how goooood it tasted.

"They are, but Combatant isn't awful, she's just a bit harsh. And distant." And unhuggable. Coughing slightly and blushing as her mind getting distracted, "but she's a good person, honest. She cares a lot about people and she helps, in her own way." Cait hadn't forgotten the money she was giving Becca to keep the place going. She had a bigger heart than she let on.

Reaching a hand out and gently touching her on the shoulder, "It's OK Aura, you're free from that now and we won't let them take you again. Right now we make new memories, fill those gaps with fun and laughter and enjoyment. I can't think of a better revenge against them than that."

Living your life after horrible events was hard, doubly when the trauma was intentional but Cait firmly believed the best way to beat them, was to not them take away your joy.

"Don't ever be sorry for telling me how you feel, it why I'm here. All of us really but I'm a pretty good set of shoulders to cry on when you need them." She'd helped more than one friend through a rough patch and more importantly, she genuinely cared about pretty much everyone she met.

Offering a hand to hold and lead her towards food, "Come on, we can get some snacks, some ice cream and just relax, have some girl talk." Aura sounded like she needed it honestly. "And when you're up to it, we can head out and have so real fun, maybe even see if there's any cute boys, or girls, you want to talk to."

Cait always felt better after getting to know a cutie. They were very refreshing.

Movies were made to entertain she noted curiously. It was not hard to imagine ones that did not involve combat but it did seem weird to think about the stories being completely made up. She would have to watch one to figure it out she decided. The possibilities seemed more numerous then her imagination could keep track of.

Food seemed easier to get here anyway, which was good. Back with Super they sometimes had been forced to kill their meal or had been made to wait to be fed at random times, or so she recalled. "That's good then, food sounds easier to get here for sure" she said thinking about it.

"I have met people like that before, i'll have to try and meat combatant, like everyone else i assume she is just trying her best to do what she can" she said hoping she wa son the right track.

The hand on her shoulder felt so comforting. "New memories" she repeated to herself aloud. Could she really replace all the missing memories with new ones? It seemed hard to imagine. The idea of it being revenge mad her smile. it was true those were likely the last kinds of memories Super wanted her to have. "Maybe your right, though it seems like a daunting task. It just feels overwhelming you know?" she said not really sure how to put the words together in a way she liked.

Girl talk? "Sounds good to me, I am Hungey. I think I'm ok with going outside, with someone. Though alone might be to much" she said not wanting to cause a disaster for Rebecca so soon after she had taken her in. "I Like girls, how about you?" she asked curiously. "I dont' have much experience with dating though" she said not recalling if she ever had a date before. she certainly had not been on one while she was with super.

"Are you this helpful with all the new people?" she asked trying to joke with the woman. Cait had certainly put her ina much better mood then she had been in previously for sure. "I hope the others on the team are like you" she said. if they were all this nice and helpful maybe this whole process would be easier then her fears were letting her think.

She did help, in her own way. Cait hadn't forgotten that she was one of the main reasons there were still able to stay a float, even if the money she brought in was from a less than legal place. Hell they were a less than legal group, she could hardly judge how they stayed in business, as long as it wasn't stolen.

"That's why you don't need to do it alone. As hard and scary as it is we'll be standing with you, making as many good and fun memories as we can." If they wanted fun, Cait was the girl to call, oh she had such plans for their new member. Shopping, music and more she had tucked away to show off. Oooo she might even be able to teach Aura a few songs and dances. As harsh as it sounded, Aura was a blank canvas, someone who didn't have any preconceptions about, well most things. She was kind of the perfect sounding board for some things. "Talking of memories have you ever had a chance to try any alcoholic drinks? Those are so much fun, in moderation of course." What, she was still Scottish.

Yeah, she could see how afraid her new friend could be going out alone, not that she had to worry about that right now. Cait was more than up for exploring the city with her. Blushing a little at how bold she was, the Scot answered quickly, "I kind of like both to be honest. Only found out I liked girls after a friend kind of kissed me. It was......good and now I kind of can't not be into guys and girls." That had been a fun night.

"I let you in on a secret, I'm pretty bad a dating too. Never been able to crack it." She just liked having fun too much to be attached to one person. Right now she just enjoyed herself, met some very interesting people and lived. No need for a partner.

Laughing and slipping onto the sofa as they entered the room, "Pretty much. I've been accused by some of being pure rainbows in human form. I just love making people smile and be happy. And when they're happy, they tend to be more huggable to it's not like I get nothing out of it." Hugs, were, the best. "Oh you'll love Raine then, she's so much fun."

Gesturing to the snacks and considering what tea to offer, there were just so many to choose from. Maybe something calming? Probably chamomile then. "Dig in, it's all for anyone to try, so that means you too now. I'll just get the kettle boiling for the tea."

The idea of not being alone was one Aura liked. She liked belonging to a group and was comforted by the idea being reinforced. Forming memories with these people would be nice, far better then anything she could recall and these people seemed excited to get to know her, the problem was Aura barely knew herself. Experience and new memories would help with that though.

"Not that i can recall" she said considering the idea. She knew of the stuff and what it could do. The idea of losing control of herself was a thought she feared though. She was very awhere of how deadly she could be and worried about hurting someone. Still maybe if it was in private it would be all right. "Perhaps we can try it some day" she said trying to sound upbeat about the idea.

"Love is love i look forward to finding someone. Love us very powerful" she said. It had gotten her threw her time with super and had govern her the strength to resist the mental intrusions she had sufferd as her mind was violated. Love was something she could grasp onto.

Cait did seem like a very happy person though Aura had only this encounter to judge it against. "Happiness is valuable, if people let it rule them instead of fear the world would be perfection" she said not at all grasping the complexities such things actually contained. Aura could see it as a clear line. to her peoples fear was what made them hate mutants and if they could somehow get rid of that they would all be so much better off.

She sighed softly. "Rebecca says i should have a civilian life as well as being someone in the field. I offerd simply to work with you guys 24/7 but she felt it would be good to establish myself and have a life off the battlefield. Combat is comforting that sweet moment where your mind tunes the world out, your sense sharpen and everything becomes a serenity of focus. " she said as she stabbed a doughnut with her aura using it like a fork to bring to her mouth. She took a bite before continuing. "She suggested the Name Maria to me as well" she said still getting use to the idea.

Of course giving someone with powers alcohol was always a mixed bag, Cait herself had learned very quickly what her limit was and how to not lose control completely and so far, hadn't had any issues. A natural resistance to the stuffs ill effects certainly did help. "Well, I was thinking we could do a cocktail night here with a few of the other girls, something stress free with plenty of sweet and sugary drinks." The last one she'd done with friends had only gotten mildly out of hand and only one pair had ended up snogging in a closet. Which totally wasn't her. At all.

"Hell yeah it is and I've got to say, there's a bit of a poet hiding away there, you've got a good way with words." It was really interesting listening to Aura talk and figure out the way she worked, clearly she had at least some strong memories of someone. Those feelings had a particular kind of strength to them and even if she had never been in love with someone that way, the love she felt for her friends and family was more than enough to help her. "And don't worry about finding someone, I have more than enough experience as a wing woman, people will be eating out of your hand."

That was exactly what she'd always thought! Why be grumpy when you can be happy! "I think we're going to be good friends Aura, with an attitude like that. Happy is so much more fun and exciting. Why bother with all that anger and hate with all the great things the world has." Sure it could be bad, but hell life was to live. No way she was letting it get away from her.

"Its a healthy way to look at it, overworking yourself only harms you in the long run. Being more balanced usually makes you more effective on missions, at least in my experience. Relaxing and enjoying yourself is just as important as training." Something the boss could do with learning, the poor woman was killing herself. They needed to get Jesse out of the mirror world or Becca would burn out quick.

"That's a gorgeous name, it fit pretty well to be honest." It had that exotic mystery that Aura, no Maria had. Where did it come from though? It wasn't one Cait generally heard. Maybe it was a form of Mary, that made sense. Well wherever it came from it was a lovely name. "Are you going to use it then, or are there other ones you're considering?"

It was Aura's choice and the Scot didn't want to force her own feelings onto it. Advice was good but at the end of the day, their newest member was the one who needed to be comfortable with the name.

"Is there any kind of job you think you might want to try? It's always good to consider a lot of options."