When Aura had first told her that Sanctuary had new owners, Amber wasn't quite sure what to think.  Sanctuary had been her home for several years before she'd gone off to live in the woods.  It was the first place she could remember truly feeling like home and the only place in which she'd felt like she belonged to an actual family.  So many memories there and, aside from the very end when her family had abandoned her, most of them were good.

Of course, there was the other side of Sanctuary as well: it was a refuge for mutants that often didn't have anywhere else to go.  The misshapen, downtrodden and those otherwise unable or unwilling to absorb into human society had a place to go where they could be warm, dry and fed.  All of those things were admirable but they were not the things that occupied her thoughts.  That place she'd called home, how had it changed since the new ownership had taken control?  Who was this new owner?  What was he like?  It seemed important to find those answers.

Once the decision had been made to find answers, she'd wasted little time in her pursuit.  Direct and without subterfuge had always been her way and so she'd gone in person, around a week ago.  Lisa met her at the door and the reunion was a happy one despite the trepidation to felt in the possible outcome of her quest.  Yes, his name was Devon, no he wasn't in right now, yes he had an office, yes she could make an appointment to see him.  No, on second thought, she didn't need to make an appointment.  Thanking her, she left to consider her next action.

An official appointment was certainly one way to take stock of a person and see what sort they were.  An appointment, however, had its disadvantages.  When one met another for an appointment, one was on their best behavior and any actions they took or words they spoke were with full knowledge that they were trying to make an influence upon another person.  No, an appointment was not the best path to take especially when she had other options available to her.

Instead, she did a little research on the layout of the place and the schedule Devon kept and, armed with knowledge, returned with a new plan in mind.  Making her way back out to Sanctuary, she changed into a mecistotrachelos, a tiny prehistoric gliding lizard, and stashed her robes under a nearby tree.  She knew from her previous trips out there that one of the residents always kept their window open and that the screen was busted.  The bars in the window presented no problem for something as tiny as she.  Climbing up the tree, she aimed herself towards the window before leaping, extending the flaps of skin along her arms, and gliding gracefully to the window ledge.  From there, it was a relatively simple matter of navigating herself from the second floor down to the first, the main challenge being to keep herself hidden from the curious eyes of the humans and mutants wandering around the place.  It wasn't the first time, she'd done something like this.  Once she made it to the door of the office, she waited for one of the cleaning persons to open the door and enter, skittering in behind them.  Looking around, she spotted a potted plant and it was there she settled and waited for the target of her interest to arrive.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Wilson,” came an upbeat voice from out in the hall. Devon eagerly dropped off the coffee he’d gotten her: black, no sugar, no milk. Lisa was a tough, no-nonsense, had-working woman and everyone loved her for it.

“Afternoon, Mr. Hadden,” Lisa replied. “There are new budgetary items to review. A purchase order for new bedding as well.”

Devon’s footsteps were already nearing the office as he slipped inside. “Of course, I’ll get to those first,” he replied with a grin. He was a tall, good-looking young man. Somewhere over six foot with dark hair and blue eyes. He wore a dark pair of jeans, some black shoes that looked like they’d seen a lot of street, and a black-button down short-sleeved shirt. It was unbuttoned at the top; there wasn’t a tie.

An air of vanilla wafted from his coffee as he sat down at the desk, clicking a button on the monitor. He took a sip of his coffee and then began working. A few minutes later and he seemed to be reading something over carefully, occasionally typing into the right hand side of the keyboard where the numerical pad was. Presumably he was looking at that budget.

It didn't take long for the man she assumed must be Devon to enter the office.  He was young, younger than she'd been expecting, and well dressed.  Not that she was much of a judge of what counted as 'well dressed' exactly.  There didn't appear to be any obvious sign of him being a mutant, but experience had taught her that meant precisely nothing when it came to the presence of the mutant gene. He'd saved Aura and, right there, that said he was a mutant.  Well, either a mutant or a very dumb human given her dear sister's record when it came to causing human death.  Nothing in the way he carried himself suggested him being that stupid.

For maybe 15 minutes she remained hidden and watching.  The enhanced senses of her lizard form could detect a the faint scent of vanilla, which was not unpleasant.  Mostly, he sat and did paperwork which wasn't exactly the most exciting thing to watch.  What was it she'd expected anyway?  To witness some sort of diabolical scheme that belied an evil nature while she hid away in the shadows?  Probably not, but it was more of a relief than expected when nothing about him actually seemed diabolical. 

Having witnessed enough to determine that he probably wasn't the enemy, it was time to actually make her presence known.  Running off of the pot and onto the floor, her shape changed from lizard to human.  She was behind him but the faint sound of contorting bones and muscles might have been audible for one of especially keep hearing.  As always when resuming human form, she was naked but had long ago lost the shame humans all too often seemed to have associated with such a state.  If nothing else, seeing how someone reacted to seeing a naked zombie girl said a lot about a person.  She remained crouched on the floor.

"Hello, I assume you would be Devon."  Her voice was soft and even.  Her body tensed, preparing for action just in case his first reaction was to try and strike or otherwise use some kind of mutant power upon the strange girl who had invaded his space without invitation.

Sanctuary had a steady stream of funds now. Between the money they’d raised at the block party last fall, the donations from a few groups like Jaager Worldwide, and the money from a few members like Aura the bank account had grown significantly. Now they had regular amounts from the Haven organization, tax deductible status from the state office, and regular community involvement. Maybe someone couldn’t give any money but if they lived across the street and worked as a plumber? Yeah, that time was worth a lot.

Still more people came in every day. Things were stable and stability brought those in need of it. They wanted to keep the place up too. They’d fixed all the lights and electrical. The plumbing had indeed been fixed. New computers in the lab. But there was food to buy, linens to purchase, regular bills… It took time to review the month’s budget.

When the sound of a person being folded into a small box started behind him, Devon casually locked the computer and then slowly turned his chair to the side toward the plant growing there. It was a good corner, catching sun in the morning but not in the afternoon. It thrived on the partial sunlight and the water one of the kids doing chores would bring. But here now was a woman looking much like she’d been locked away, dried and preserved with papered hair and skin like a worn leather binding. No doubt there was a story printed here but all the ink had gone to her eyes.

Devon titled his head slightly, fascinated to see her form twisting back into shape. He wasn’t quite sure what she’d been before, but there were metamorphosis talents aplenty in the mutant world. She was naked and her body was taut with anticipation.

>> "Hello, I assume you would be Devon."

“Indeed, I am,” he nodded. “Care for a seat or do you prefer the floor?” his question echoed a sincere interest anyway, the warm common. It lacked any surprised or faltering; he wasn’t nervous anyway. “Ms. Wilson would likely ask any nude young women in the office be seated politely on the couch, but I won’t tell her if you don’t.” Devon grinned.

Humans had all sorts of interesting reactions when confronted with an unexpected naked girl and especially an unexpected corpse-like naked girl.  In her experience, most showed some degree of discomfort, ranging from barely able to look at her to hidden well but still present.  Many tried to clothe her as part of their first interaction, supposedly for her own comfort but actually for there's.  The cold had long ago ceased to bother her and, if anything, human modesty amused her.  Occasionally, she'd met someone like Hades who didn't miss a beat and simply treated her like another person, despite her lack of adornments.  Similarly, Devon also seemed un-phased and that gave him points in her book.

Initial reactions and words spoken made it clear he wasn't going to turn on her and try to do her grave bodily harm and the tension relaxed from her limbs.  Had he expected her to show up like this or was he really that unflappable?  It stood to reason that Lisa had probably told him of her first visit, although she had no idea if Lisa knew the full extent of her powers.  When people heard 'dinosaur' people thought big but, in her experience, small was often a far better and more versatile option.  

"I would prefer a seat."  She got up off the floor and onto the couch, offering a small smile at his words.  First impressions, at least, worked in his favour.  "I'm sorry for breaking in and spying on you but this was my home and I needed to see what you were like when you were alone."  Spying might be a skill she was starting to be come more adept in, but subterfuge was most definitely not.

Her relaxed physicality drew no outward sign from Devon, but he noted it all the same. Reading people was an important part of his job and try as one might you could set someone off all too easily. So many lived in fear without safety, always ready to lash out or run. Sanctuary saw that in its youth far too often. Devon was accustomed to handling such, but always happy to see it quickly diminish. Stress and fear wore down the soul.

The young woman preferred a seat and he nodded, assuming she would. She moved to the couch as he turned in his chair. It rolled to the side so he could see her clearly rather than hide behind the monitor. She apologized for breaking in and that got a single chuckle, a smile, and a nod in response.

“I’ve met many who feel that way,” Devon nodded. “Checking in, wanting to meet me, wanting to learn what’s going on. I completely understand. I feel the same way about Sanctuary, care about it and its people so I appreciate the consideration of others.” He smiled a bit brighter somehow and gestured to the coffee table, “Feel free to grab any crackers, cookies, or water. We keep snacks and such any time for visitors or if someone new happens to drop in with a sudden need.

“That’s probably the only thing that would have upset me, should someone have been in for a private conversation. I counsel a few here, or at least try to provide privacy for the more delicate matters especially if they consider them so,” Devon explained. “Not everyone is as open with themselves after all, but they learn. It takes time.”

A quick gesture seemed to point through the wall toward the front desk. “I believe your Amber, right? Ms. Wilson told me you might be visiting. I’m glad you checked in,” he nodded. “I’ve met quite a few of the former Order who all share a care for Sanctuary. If you’re looking for any of them I may be able to help you get in contact with them."

It was no surprise that Amber wasn't the first one to want to take Devon's measure.  She refrained from accepting the cookies or crackers because she wasn't certain whether or not they came from a bag.  One of the disadvantages of being a mutant was an inability to eat processed foods.  Cookies made my hand she very much enjoyed but those that came from a box would just cause her to throw up all over Devon's nice office.  That was not the kind of impression she was looking to make. She did, however, accept the offered cup of water.

"Unless you give me a reason, I won't need to spy on you again."  A good reason.  The sort of reason that implied someone she cared about had been hurt by his actions.  She was willing to spy when necessary but it wasn't her first choice.  So much the better to be able to deal with both friends and enemies head on.  "We have a counselor back at the Mansion too.  Sometimes it can be good to talk to others."  Gemma had helped her and she liked the adapted woman, even if it was something of a shock to lose all the things that made her both more and less than human while in her vicinity.

"Yes, Amber," she nodded and took a sip of water.  Of course Lisa would have told him about her previous visit.  "I don't need to find any former Order members."  Unless he knew where Abyss was but that was far too much to hope for and she didn't mention it.  Her adopted father had left long before Devon had taken over the place.  As for the other members, the biggest reason she was with Sanctuary to begin with was because of her sister, Aura.  Outside her family, there weren't any she had become close to.

"I heard you helped save Aura?  She's my sister."  That was the story she most wanted to hear about.  Aura was a difficult person to get along with and not many approved of her actions or ideals.

>> "Unless you give me a reason, I won't need to spy on you again."

Devon chuckled, and nodded, “Fair statement that.” He gave another nod as he joined her in a sip of water. That motion came again at the mention of the Mansion’s counselor. It would seem Amber had visited the X-Men’s roof.

“Ah yes, I’ve referred some to her,” he smiled, “though I really do need to meet her in person. I’ve had some patients and have friends at the Mansion. Some good people there.”

Thankfully she confirmed she was Amber and that she wasn’t looking for the Order. Her word choice wasn’t lost on Devon. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, it’s that she didn’t need to. Things were becoming a bit clearer. Considering he hadn’t seen Geist in some time and Geo had been busy of late, Aura seemed the most likely now that she was healed up and back out on her own. That hadn’t been planned but he knew she was her own person. Hopefully there was some growth that had been gained, could continue to grow. Any random violence was now also on his hands…

>> "I heard you helped save Aura? She's my sister."

Devon blinked, realizing he’d been lost in thought. “Yes, actually. Are you telepathic?” he chuckled. “I was just thinking of her. I haven’t seen her in some time. I hope wherever she is she’s doing well and knows that I’d like to continue talking with her when she’s ready.”

He hoped his words weren’t lost on Amber either.

So, Gemma had a positive association with Devon as well.  That had to be considered another positive mark.  Maybe her worries had been simple paranoia.  Still, how could she do anything but make sure things were on the up and up considering her long association with the place?  Just because they were proving to be false this time didn't mean their presence was entirely without merit.

"Not telepathic," she answered.  The words' thinking of her' did not always imply good things when it came to her dear sister.  Aura had a reputation for violence, blood and fanatical mutant supremacy and as much as she adored her sister, she knew her reputation to be warranted.  More than warranted.  'Blood' and 'violence' were probably the two most common adjectives when it came to Aura.  With the word 'monster' not being far behind.  Of course, most who chose to use such words didn't know the woman and didn't have any interest in knowing the woman.  Reputation was enough to warrant judgement, no matter how harsh.

"She's doing well.  I can let her know that you're still interested in speaking with her, if you like."  A pause for thought.  "Do you...know about who she is?  What she's done?"  Hard to imagine he didn't.  "Do you adhere to her philosophy as well?"  She set her unsettling black eyes upon his.

>> "Not telepathic,"

She confirmed and Devon grinned, nodding again. He drew out his phone as it buzzed and typed something quickly before sliding it back into a pocket. Amber was speaking and he was glad to hear Aura was well. The real problem was if Aura was progressing or regressing. She knew she needed to grow, needed help, but in stressful moments it was hard to remember that. One day she’d still have crimes to answer for. He’d ensured she’d gotten safe, medical attention and he hoped psychological in the future, but he couldn’t tell all that was planned for her.

>> "Do you adhere to her philosophy as well?"

“I know her and know of her, perhaps a bit more than most though likely not you,” Devon smiled softly. “She and I have spoken of some serious topics, some of her past, intense moments. I’ve heard and read plenty, done my research. There’s levels to what’s happened and there’s a complicated past behind her. I hope her choices are more in line with what she actually wants and less of what others wanted for her in the past.”

He sipped his water before continuing, “As for her philosophy I do believe mutants should be treated with full rights and respect, that they have special gifts meant to be used and celebrated. I do not however feel that humans are beneath us. Surely there are some mutants who would use and abuse their kind; I’ve met some. Humans will continue to give birth to mutants. Sometimes mutants give birth to humans. We will long be linked together. Separating the two as purely different species is impossible. The Utopia idea had main failings, this one included.

“No, much like Sanctuary now it takes a community working together, open and collaboratively for our future best interests. Strike one of us – any of us – and that community will respond. I’m glad that Aura at least has some family and community in you and others that she has worked with in the past. I hope you’ll continue to encourage her growth.”

Amber smiled back.  It was easy to feel at ease with Devon.  Aura would probably tell her not to drop her guard because anyone could be dangerous.  Experience had taught her that danger sometimes came from unexpected quarters.  Still, it was exhausting to remain on edge all the time.  Life for her was hard enough having to balance the different aspects of self without also having to constantly question the motives of everyone around her.  For all that she'd gone through during her short life, she hadn't become jaded to the people around her.  Antisocial and sometimes uncomfortable with social interaction without a doubt, but never jaded.

"I know some of the people in her passed really messed with her head, but she's always been steadfast in pursing what she believed in."  Single minded and obsessed might be appropriate words as well.  "I think maybe I sometimes help balance that.  I don't hate humans like she does.  I don't think I seek a ruling mutant order."  Although that was a confusing topic.  She wanted to follow her sister and believe in what her sister believed in because she was her only remaining pack.  But did she really?  That was a more difficult question.  She didn't necessarily feel a great love towards humans; they were often weak and foolish and in the wild her teeth and claws could kill them easily.  She didn't feel any animosity towards them, however.  Or at least, not towards the ones who didn't deserve it.

The words Devon spoke felt more in line with her own beliefs than any other words she'd heard.  The X-Men were often naive and seemed to want something that was destined never to occur.  At her core, her affiliation with the Order had always had more to do with her father and sister than it did with any true conviction she'd had with their ideals.  She fought because her pack required it, not because she held that passion.  In many ways mutants were better because they were stronger but why the need to try and dominate lesser creatures, if indeed humans were that?  Were there more than two options?

"I want to help my people.  I don't want to kill humans to do it."  She would if necessary.  She had in the past.  It wasn't something she was ashamed of, but nor was it something to be proud of.  It was what it was.  Death was a part of life.  She was a predator and killing was a part of being alive.  "I try to help Aura understand things beyond fighting and killing.  Things about living in the greater world."  Funny, in a way, coming from her who often struggled with the real world as well and especially the social aspects.  Next to her sister, however, she was almost an expert.  She took a sip of water, deep in thought.

A small smile grew into a large smile and Devon’s grew all the warmer in return. At least if Aura’s friends were checking in on whom she was talking to, then he was thankful they cared and were willing to talk things out. They weren’t all bound to be immediately friendly, but nonviolent at least was a plus. This was Sanctuary and it was far bigger than Devon. He didn’t want to invite danger here.

>> "I know some of the people in her passed really messed with her head, but she's always been steadfast in pursing what she believed in."

“Certainly,” Devon gave a deep nod.

>> "I think maybe I sometimes help balance that. I don't hate humans like she does. I don't think I seek a ruling mutant order."

“You hit on a few good items there,” Devon nodded again. “Balance. We all need it. Aura I’m sure appreciates your insight. I certainly appreciate learning from her even if she’s been almost railroaded into certain actions and beliefs.” Brainwashed might have been the word for it.

>> "I try to help Aura understand things beyond fighting and killing. Things about living in the greater world."

“That’s good. It takes more than a want and some head doctor talking to you to help you grow,” Devon smiled. “It takes a village. Friends, family, positive re-encouragement. She has a lot to grow past and there’s still that past to reconcile. Society won’t easily forget but they can forgive.”

“Going back to your previous comment,” Devon continued, “Society isn’t going to benefit from any sort of totalitarian ruling order. Then it becomes about the ones with the most power and influence. I imagine there are wealthy families out there with prestige and mutants amongst them. Again, what happens with those blended families?” he queried and frowned slightly. “Utopia forgot about that, forgot about a lot of things. I’d love to know who attacked them, but I’m glad at least those here weren’t put in so bad a position to find out what sort of pendulum swing would be present there.”

He smiled softly, pulling in his lower lip like he was saddened by a thought. “Helping is difficult, but killing tends to make more problems. We don’t need temporary solutions after all and fear still pervades. I’m glad you share that vision and Aura has you.”

Balance had become an important part of her existence.  That hadn't always been the case. Before her powers had developed, she was simply a sickly human girl, an albino with an eye condition but even so, fully human.  Afterwards, everything changed.  To balance the predator and human, the instincts of her difference forms with the intellect of her human mind.  To balance her life in the woods with her life in the city.  To balance her need to be around people with her need to be along.  Even to balance the life with the death within her.  Balance had become the defining quality in her life and not a quality always lived with easily.  

"I don't think Aura has many friends.  I think she only has family and the only family left is me."  Left unsaid was that she, herself, was lacking in friends although an observant listener might have picked it up from her tone of voice.  Ghost, maybe, was a friend.  Possibly.  If nothing else, she'd been nice to her, offered her a place to stay at the Mansion and suggested she try to make some friends.  How 'making friends' happened she didn't know.  Often brooding and morose, sometimes lacking in even basic social etiquette due to a general lack of understanding of human nature and always a walking corpse, getting close to people wasn't exactly easy.  She didn't really have enemies but was fairly certain that wasn't the same thing as having friends.  She looked down at her hands, lost in thought.

"Mutant or human, family is important.  Family is the most important."  However one defined family.  "Do you really think utopia is possible?  A place where mutants and humans aren't at odds with one another and don't kill each other in the streets just because one is different from the other?"  She didn't think so.  And even if it was possible, what would stop mutants from simply splitting into factions and killing each other once their goal of domination was achieved?  Mutant nature was not so different from human nature and human nature thrived on conflict.

"I don't know if I'm helping or doing the right thing, but I try." 

Aura had never struck Devon as having many friends. She seemed to have many enemies, if purely out of fear. Her family was one forced upon her during her so-called training and now it was seemingly the few who knew the depth of her past. It sounded at least like Amber understood and truly cared. Her tone didn’t escape Devon either; he heard what was left unsaid.

Devon gave a quick nod at the mention of family’s importance. Family helped establish all the early foundational pieces of your understanding. Those without blood relatives usually had other ‘family’ that helped them develop. The environment and friends taught other things, extending eventually into community and society relationships. But family helped you feel safe, helped you have hope, taught you right from wrong. No family or the wrong family led you against yourself, left you alone in the world. It’s why family turning against you was so heartbreaking.

“Trying is important. If we don’t, we’re silently allowing or agreeing to what’s happening around us,” Devon nodded. “And no, I don’t believe in utopia just as I didn’t believe Utopia was a true long term solution. I’m not a man of absolutes,” he shook his head.

“There will always be people, human or mutant, who want to abuse others or fear them for what they have. Some do both. But as society progresses and grows, those people become fewer and when they rear their ugly head, the community rises up,” Devon nodded. “Our current government’s stymied decrying of these evils and encouragement of bigotry is bringing out the weak monsters who felt too jeopardized to share their hatred openly. But nothing rouses the anger in the common person more than when they fear what is happening to others can happen to them. There’s too much good in the common person to let fear win out.”

“When you try, you’re showing those without power that they are not alone, that there are people willing to fight alongside them,” Devon smiled. “Mutation at the accelerated rate we are seeing now happens every so often throughout history, usually for a reason to mark evolutionary growth. There’s typically an environmental need. So I wonder what is it now that has given stimulus for this period of mutant? Maybe it’s that need to counter the economic or financial oppression of others. It’s something they can’t control.”

Devon blushed slightly, "Sorry I can ramble on when I'm invested."

Her sister had always been one of absolutes and it was one of the points of disagreement between the two.  It was refreshing to speak of the philosophy of the future with someone who's views more closely matched her own.  The idea of Utopia was the idea of perfection and perfect did not exist, at least as pertains to humans and their evolutionary counterparts, mutants.  There was too much emotion, too much passion and not enough dispassioned intellect to ever make such a thing feasible.  Of course, all these things that made perfection impossible also served to make humans and mutants into the gloriously varietied creatures that they were.  All good things came with their price.

"I think there does need to be some degree of working together," she nodded, appreciating the passion with which he spoke.  "There does need to be more of a focus on eliminating hatred and violence because that harms everyone.  However, mutants are not the same as humans and that also needs to be acknowledged.  We need to start policing our own because humans are simply not equipped to police us themselves."  They were the stronger species.  Of that, Aura was undoubtedly correct.  "We shouldn't feel ashamed of working for our own best interests even if we're working with humans in order to try and achieve them.  Humans aren't going anywhere anytime soon."  That shouldn't have to mean killing them although, perhaps, sometimes the occasional death was necessary.

"How do you try to implement change?  I mean real change, not just change in a person or two here or there."  Since her return to the city, she'd felt directionless and lacking purpose.  Sure, she was re-learning what it was to be human and having some success in that and sure she had returned to finish her GED, but what happened after that?  Where did a walking corpse belong in the world?  Humans judged her based on appearance and genetics.  Some mutants were less judgmental but she hadn't exactly had much success getting close to anyone; she was too much the predator, a creature of death and nature.  Would she forever lurk in the shadows, sit on the sidelines watching things happen around her?  Once, she might have been content with that, but now she wasn't so sure.  Aura wanted her to join the new Order that was forming but she wasn't certain of that either.  She wasn't certain of much of anything.