Whomever took the time to watch the teenager would quickly discover that the book he was looking at was little more than a pretense to stare at something while his brain churned over the last day. It would have no doubt been a more convincing ruse if he ever bothered to turn a page on the book. Instead he was content to be apart of the general murmur and hubbub in between drifting thoughts like a man with one toe in the pool to check the water. 'One day Russia and the next America.'  Was the current prevailing thought in his mind and how fortune's changed quickly. Whatever bell his family had struck in the darkness in pursuit of help for their wayward family member hit a chord somewhere with someone. It had taken him all of five minutes of conversation with the team of people to decide he was leaving. The goodbye's had been much harder to swallow and took well into an hour despite the clock they knew was always ticking with Erik. Especially with his Uncle Yosef. While his Uncle had his own family to deal with now Erik himself had always considered the man his father figure if he had to pick anyone of the numerous family members in their clan. 

The beeping of his watch broke him out of his recurring thoughts to remind him of another hour passed and he practically growled at himself as he finally closed the book and set it on a table near him.  His eyes travelling around the place as he looked around with an appraising eye. It was a nice enough place if he was being honest with himself which he wasn't. There were the little touches here and there that spoke to the fact a psychologist had a hand in designing the place. Thankfully the only motivational poster he had seen was in one of the staff's offices. Judging from some of the faces he had seen when exploring about there were some individuals who looked harrowed by their experiences or what they had done and in some cases like himself what they became. There was no doubt the opportunity for camaraderie of some kind with at least a few of the other residents, but today he was just going to concentrate on himself per his newly assigned psychologists orders.  He pulled himself out of the chair he had been residing in and paused as he tried to remember which way the cafeteria was a moment before starting his leisurely way there. If he was going to get to anyone by name first it was going to be the ones feeding him every couple of hours.

ooc: Svetlana Sergeyeva Tempest

Hadden’s Havens was a lot of things to a lot of people. To Tempest it was a dream made reality. It was beyond his dreams, really. Never would he have thought it possible and certainly on his own, it wouldn’t have been. When he’d been graduating last year his grandparents had reached out: here’s your inheritance. With what he’d done – with the help of many others – at Sanctuary, local political and civic leaders wanted to get involved too. Some affluent business leaders and organizations joined in. Heck, even a few celebrities were saying “Yes, here, do this,” and so here they were.

Devon had wanted a place that nurtured the mind and body. It wasn’t only about getting through a disorder or learning how to leave with a disease. There was impact to many facets of life including physical fitness, stress, mental health, diet, communication style, confidence, addiction… The list went on and on. Hadden’s Havens was a place for all of it. Yes, there were a few patients who simply wanted that high-end retreat when they get caught with drugs, but security, privacy, and effective programs were important too. With investment, most of his inheritance, and a lot of collaboration here they were.

Mutants were a part of his target audience too. Maybe they knew their powers well but had self-worth issues, speech impediments, the need to practice safely… Hadden’s Havens could provide that. Counseling was so important to all people and while mutants tended to need a bit more special care than others, the Havens had a plan. It was seeing how personal treatment grew to wanting to help others that had led to the creation of the Haven organization. While crafting Hadden’s Havens, Devon had said it wasn’t enough. One thing he’d learned in school: you took care of yourself before you took care of others. And really, taking care of others was part of what made humanity great. Of course, a faction within Haven was ensuring taking care of mutants was a focused goal.

So while they hammered out the details of the Haven organization, they’d begun construction of the recently purchased Plum Island. Considering activities there the government had been eager to offload it. They’d purchased Perot Island off Bermuda too for that retreat more approaching vacation than treatment, though all facilities were still available there too. They’d set both up much like a resort though the buildings tended to long rather than tall. Lots of windows, open porches and patios, light woods, and white / light colors predominated the decorative style. Devon loved the beach and that was clear in the construction.

There were rooms for patients in the main building but out buildings as well for longer term, stable residents or those requiring more privacy. Secretly facilities beneath offered a bit more, though few ever saw it. Mutant training and treatment facilities hid there. Above you found the lobby, treatment and counseling rooms, medical and group therapy, the cafeteria, patient rooms, lounges, fitness, offices, and even the large office on the fourth floor reserved for Tempest’s office and lounge. He called it a lounge anyway but he used it for his patients. The sound of waves out the patio doors on either side of the room or the look of the sea was far more comforting than white walls.

Devon certainly hoped Erik Volkov felt that way. They’d rescued him from Russia under a refuge visa though that had been a fight in of itself considering the current administration. Haven would help him make it permanent, but there were aspects of his mutation that he wanted help on and they certainly wanted to assist as well. Devon had actually reviewed the case. He tried to meet all who stayed at the Havens at some point, especially the high profile cases. When your body had a healing factor to the point of extremes and pain as well as the ability to physically augment your form into an explosive surge, that was a special case.

Devon was glad Muse had helped Erik and his family on this. She was a great assist to the program and his business in this regard. She was a leader, and continued to show why she was part of the Inner Echelon now. Now Devon wanted to meet the young man, but unfortunately he wasn’t in his room. Having reviewed his file, Devon had an idea where he was…

“Excuse me,” Devon jogged up aside the teenager. “Erik right?” he asked, though he was fairly certain it was by the dark haired youth’s appearance. “I’m Devon Hadden. I was hoping to meet you and check in, make sure you were comfortable, getting what you needed, et cetera,” he smiled warmly. “Can I join you for lunch?”

When she was first selected for the Inner Echelon, Sveta had not been sure what her actual tasks would be. She was here to help, to participate, to grow and lead, and she was ready to do all that was needed to achieve that. But when it came down to the daily scheduling, well... she just took the tasks as they were given to her. It took a few weeks for her to learn to take the initiative on things, and to find the things she could do most efficiently. Sometimes, these things came along more naturally than others.

This new guy was from Russia. A mutant they had to help get to the US on a refugee visa. She had been in contact with the family sending him, helping with translation and bureaucracy issues. It gave her a chance to put her knowledge to use. She had played the system once. Now she was ready to work on bending it, so that another person in need of help could slip through.

Devon invited her along to meet Erik on the island. Svetlana was curious to see him. She had met mutant kids before, right at their arrival to Xavier's; but this felt different. She was actually a person who had power to help. It felt good. She hoped it would continue feeling good after they actually met the guy.

Erik had moved to the side and stopped assuming someone had wanted to pass quickly with the excuse me before he heard his name. As he turned his head with a raised eyebrow and a quizzical look on his face he affirmed Devon's suspicions. "Yes, I am Erik." he uttered with a nod and only a hint of his Russian origins showing through. Something that must have taken dedicated time from the young man or instructors who cared deeply and were slave drivers. All of the above being equally true of course. He had the faintest feeling of deja vu until THE Devon introduced himself. "Hmm? OH! Mr. Hadden it is a pleasure to meet you. Or would that be Dr. Hadden?" Having heard the man might be a psychologist, but unsure if he had earned the title. "Of course you can join me, but only if you buy." he joked with a warm grin before peering over at Svetlana. "And would the gorgeous woman accompanying you be Mrs. Hadden?" Awaiting the introductions before resuming his walk towards the cafeteria.

"I am more then happy at the arrangements. 24/7 good food. Great views. My own room. The whole package it seems. The lack of city noise is taking some getting used to." he admitted to the latter with a bit of a head bob. "Just one thing I could use some help with. You see when I get big the clothes do not. Now while I am rather comfortable with both my bodies natural form I can see how some with a less liberal shall we say... views... might be uncomfortable with a free show. Ideally some underclothes that can get big or shrink as needed would be nice. As well as some uh.. 10XL shirts? Would be very much appreciated." Erik couldn't help but smirk a bit despite his very patient to doctor style tone. Not seeming the least bit embarrassed at the situation like some might and Devon had asked afterall. His concerns put out in the open he shrugged "It is a very nice place here. I will try to get a handle on my strength as quick as I can so someone more deserving can take my spot."

>> "Yes, I am Erik."

Devon smiled.

>> "Hmm? OH! Mr. Hadden it is a pleasure to meet you. Or would that be Dr. Hadden?"

Devon chuckled, “No no. I only have my Bachelors. Thank you though.” He laughed, grinning warmly in return at the joke at lunch, but he was not prepared for the next question.

>> "And would the gorgeous woman accompanying you be Mrs. Hadden?"

Blue eyes widened in clear surprise. He looked aside at his friend and peer, “Oh no! I could only be so lucky!” A soft chuckle left his lips, “This is Svetalana Morozova. She was the one handling the logistics of your move,” he nodded, knowing the young man must’ve talked to her on the phone at least once or twice. He smiled at Sveta.

Erik quickly moved to answer his question though, “Yes of course we can get you something to help. Let’s talk about that after the lunch. I wanted to be sure you and Ms. Morozova got a chance to talk more. But don’t worry, we’ll figure things out.”

And how nice was this guy to want to be able to move on so someone in need could come in. It’s amazing what hard times could teach of empathy and sympathy. Perspective did a great deal for the heart and mind.

Svetlana had helped get the guy over here from Russia, but she had not met him in person yet. She was curious to see what kind of a person he was face to face; you could learn a lot about someone from papers and messages, but she learned to only judge anyone in person. She followed along as Devon caught up to Erik.

>>"Hmm? OH! Mr. Hadden it is a pleasure to meet you. Or would that be Dr. Hadden? Of course you can join me, but only if you buy. And would the gorgeous woman accompanying you be Mrs. Hadden?"

>>“Oh no! I could only be so lucky! This is Svetalana Morozova. She was the one handling the logistics of your move,”

Sveta blinked at the unexpected compliment and the following assumption. Devon took it in stride, so she smirked too, waving a gloved hand at Erik.

"Nice to meet you, Erik. No handshakes. Sorry." she needed to establish that early on, since she did not exactly give the info on her own powers while they worked on Erik's immigration. She hoped the gloves were enough of an explanation. He seemed like a nice guy, but he really did not have much of a grip on his powers yet.

>>"It is a very nice place here. I will try to get a handle on my strength as quick as I can so someone more deserving can take my spot."

>> “Yes of course we can get you something to help. Let’s talk about that after the lunch. I wanted to be sure you and Ms. Morozova got a chance to talk more. But don’t worry, we’ll figure things out.”

"We need to work on some clothing that works with different powers" Sveta agreed as they walked along.

The young man's grin split apart so a burst of laughter could escape him at seeing Devon's eyes widening. "Well I guess that's why they have that saying about assumptions huh?" It was mostly his own faux paux that brought about the whole situation and even he could only grin. "A face to go with the voice at last. It is a pleasure to meet you as well Ms. Morozova. My family extends their thanks once again and my previous compliment still stands." He had been about to shake the woman's hand before her statement and the notice of her gloves came into question. 

Erik raised his wrist to check the time and nodded "Should have some time after lunch before my 'physical therapy' session. Did you have a particular topic in mind Mr. Hadden or are we all just having a friendly chat?" Unable to help but inquire as his curiosity got the better of him. His dedication to his original task of obtaining food put his feet back into motion that direction.  

"You would think personal tailors have made a bit of a resurgance. The materials it seems have not caught up with the times however." He knew he was being a bit talkative just as he was equally aware he couldn't help it. One didn't meet a millionaire? philanthropist and a beautiful woman on the same day let alone the same hour. "Awesome Curtis is working lunch. He hooks me up with the good stuff." He walked a bit faster to get ahead of the rest of his sudden entourage. "Curtis!" The bigger red haired lunch man perked his eyebrows and chuckled a bit. "Sup Erik what you having this time around?" Erik surveyed the landscape and took in a bit of a breath. "One of those green smoothies with that fancy peanut butter stuff in it, double bacon cheeseburger with the works and I shouldn't but two pieces of the sinful stuff." Curtis rolled his eyes a bit as he punched it up with a smile before looking to the other two. "Mr. Hadden always good to see you around. What will you be having today?"

Moving off to the side as the other workers got his order all done up and so his esteemed company could get their own food selections well in hand. Erik had to mentally restrain himself from rubbing his hands together in anticipation before his calorie packed meal was handed to him. The two pieces of 'sinful stuff' having ended up being two slices of strawberry cheesecake. He went and claimed a table and started to dig in without ceremony figuring Devon of all people would understand his unceremonious ideals surrounding mealtime. 

>> "We need to work on some clothing that works with different powers" Sveta agreed as they walked along.

Yes, that was true. Maybe a fashion mogul turned designer of costumes for those in the hero profession? They had advanced mission apparel available for the Havenites, but not quite what Erik needed. Some really elastic clothing might be required.

Devon chuckled at the young man’s mention of assumptions. He was pleased to see he was rather polite towards Sveta. The only other problems Devon were foreseeing now was all the food necessary to keep his energy up and how quickly he burned it. Maybe he was just excited jumping from topic to the next. Devon hurried along with him and into the cafeteria.

He had quite the appetite. It was impressive. And a sweet tooth!

>> "Mr. Hadden always good to see you around. What will you be having today?"

“I’ll have the spinach greens salad with salmon please,” he requested, “Thanks Curtis.”

“Of course.”

Devon fetched a bag of baked chips and a cold-pressed juice, grinning toward Sveta when he noted Erik was already seated and eating. He headed quickly over to the table and took a seat, though he waited on the lady before he started eating.

“As far as what I wanted to discuss, I meant what I said in the hall: good to meet you, ensure you were comfortable, and see what you needed,” Devon grinned. “That seems to be food and clothing that’ll endure. Hopefully you’ve been able to check in with your family back home too?”

Honestly, the guy was not at fault for assuming she was Devon's wife. Sure, it was funny, but the picture they presented when they showed up together was easily deceiving. And it was still more flattering than assuming she was the secretary. Or personal assistant. None of that.

>> "Well I guess that's why they have that saying about assumptions huh? A face to go with the voice at last. It is a pleasure to meet you as well Ms. Morozova. My family extends their thanks once again and my previous compliment still stands."

"I was happy to help" Sveta smiled back, as they moved to the cafeteria. For once, her Russian language and connections came in handy for helping someone else. She had been in bad places before, and it was a novel experience to help someone else get out of one.

They made their way to order their food. Erik... definitely had an appetite. Sveta chuckled and she ordered a salad too, and some cake on the side. She liked eating healthy, but not that healthy. Once they all got their meals, they reconvened at a table to talk. Erik probably had a lot to say, and Devon, being Devon, wanted to hear it all. Sveta had to admit, she was curious.

>>“As far as what I wanted to discuss, I meant what I said in the hall: good to meet you, ensure you were comfortable, and see what you needed. That seems to be food and clothing that’ll endure. Hopefully you’ve been able to check in with your family back home too?”

"I can help you with that if you need" Sveta added with a nod "And with any paperwork left to do... Although I think we have done most of what needs to be done on that front." American paperwork just never ended.

"Food and clothing are always good. Bit of a glutton right now. Normally I am a bit more conservative in my meal choices, but I have been working harder than normal." he figured it all measured out in the end and he offered a smile back to Devon. "Oh yes of course. We have a schedule set up fingers permitting. Truth be told that the hardest part. Been surrounded by family my whole life and now it is more than a bit lonely, and without my younger cousins and such running around quite boring by comparison at times too. Thankfully there is a good selection of books and a nice view." Smiling at the man again as he turned to look at Svetlana while she spoke as he ate and nodding.

"I think and hope! We are done as well." Laughing a bit at the thought. "There is probably enough paperwork out there to reform a whole tree or three." Not that Erik figured he should complain too much about the expert working of Haven and more then a bit of luck that allowed him, under the current administration, to be allowed into the country. Then a thought struck him and his face turned sour before looking seriously between the two. "You think my family will be ok? I don't know if you know, but suspected mutants have been 'disappeared' along with their families. If word gets back home I am worried they will disappear too."

>> "I was happy to help"

Sveta smiled and Devon smiled as well. What a great person. It was a shame and a blessing it had taken a terrible blizzard that threatened many to bring them together. Nature has its ways…

Erik was hungry and that was understandable. Between bites and smiles he discussed eager eating and how he was scheduling calls with the family. Devon was a bit sad to hear he was feeling lonely. Introducing him to more around the island would be smart. Soon he’d likely be exploring Long Island and then into the city. At least he enjoyed reading, and you certainly couldn’t beat the view!

>> "You think my family will be ok? I don't know if you know, but suspected mutants have been 'disappeared' along with their families. If word gets back home I am worried they will disappear too."

Devon frowned. “I’ve heard different things, but that’s troubling,” he nodded slowly. “Do you think they’d be targeted without you there? Maybe sending them on a vacation as a midway step would be wise.”

They settled down to eat. Erik looked pretty comfortable, getting used to his new environment. Sveta's own arrival to the USA had been entirely different, which is why she could appreciate all the help Devon was giving to the young mutant. They could not help everyone, but at least they could help some people. It was good to be a part of all that.

>>"Been surrounded by family my whole life and now it is more than a bit lonely, and without my younger cousins and such running around quite boring by comparison at times too. Thankfully there is a good selection of books and a nice view."

"It's okay to take it easy" Sveta smiled "When you really get bored, we'll find something for you to do." This place was a stop, but it was not a permanent solution. Eventually, Erik would have to start venturing out, and figuring out which way he wanted his life to go next. Not immediately, though. They could offer him the luxury of time, at least.

>>"You think my family will be ok? I don't know if you know, but suspected mutants have been 'disappeared' along with their families. If word gets back home I am worried they will disappear too."

>> “I’ve heard different things, but that’s troubling. Do you think they’d be targeted without you there? Maybe sending them on a vacation as a midway step would be wise.”

"I can ask around and see if there is any talk" Sveta offered "But yes, taking a vacation might be a good way of making people forget, or at least waiting until their attention turns to something else. Don't take this the wrong way, but there will always be someone more interesting... or closer to home."

>>"It's okay to take it easy" Sveta smiled "When you really get bored, we'll find something for you to do." 

Erik didn't really know what to say to that beyond trying to not look foolish with chipmunk cheeks as he nodded. The cheesecake had disappeared first and now he was onto the half slab of cowburger. "No worries, I am sure for the immediate future I will be busy enough."

>> Devon frowned. “I’ve heard different things, but that’s troubling,” he nodded slowly. “Do you think they’d be targeted without you there? Maybe sending them on a vacation as a midway step would be wise.”

>>"I can ask around and see if there is any talk" Sveta offered "But yes, taking a vacation might be a good way of making people forget, or at least waiting until their attention turns to something else. Don't take this the wrong way, but there will always be someone more interesting... or closer to home."

Erik looked thoughtful a moment as he regarded all the information and seeing as he had the luxury of time he took it. "I do not think they would be targeted without me there, but it doesn't hurt to be prudent. We have some relatives they haven't visited in awhile outside of Russia. I will suggest to them it might be time for a family reunion." grinning a bit ta the both of them to assuage any fears he may have inadvertently brought up before looking mock seriously at Svetlana. "Are you saying I am not interesting Ms. Morozova?" His nose turning up a bit and taking a haughty look before laughing. "True enough. The dog usually chases the closest scent." Beaming a smile at her before munching away some more not that there was much left at this point. He was a quick and clean eater.

"Actually Mr. Hadden I did have a favor to ask of you." Unable to help but be more than a little sheepish since the man and his organization had already done so much. "Once I am adjusted and set about exploring the New York proper I could use some sort of homebase until I get my bearings. Not sure shuttling back and forth between the island is a good long term solution." Hoping that was enough for the man to go on. He didn't feel particularly comfortable going out and about as his much much larger self quite yet.