Paul filled the coffee pot with water and started the machine brewing. His shirt was soaked and even his sweatshirt was slightly damp from the sweat caused by his early morning run. On his way back in he had stopped by the bakery downstairs to pick up some pastries and since he didn't really know what Lumen liked to eat he chose an assortment. There were several fruit danishes, a couple of chocolate croissants, as well as some assorted muffins.

Once the coffee was done Paul poured himself a cup, black, and sat down at the dining room table to skim over the morning paper he had picked up. There was no way he could sit on the more comfortable couch or recliner in his sweaty clothes and showering wasn't really an option until after Lumen got up. With the way things had ended on Christmas Eve there was no way Paul was going to sneak through the bedroom to get to the bathroom for a shower. There was no telling what the attractive blond had chosen to wear to bed either that night or last night and it was better if he didn't find out. Even yesterday there had been remaining sexual energy in the air from their date, wild night, and good night kiss. It had calmed down some and Paul's runs had helped him control his own energy it was still in the air and he didn't want to take any chances.

"Investigators Looking Into Christmas Eve Church Fire." Paul read off the headline before turning the page to look at the weather report, "I think I know all about that one."

Christmas Day had been rather quiet after the eventfulness of Christmas Eve. After his long run on that fateful morning, Paul had come back to shower and then after making sure Lumen was settling in comfortably had promptly left. He had thought it would be better if she had a day to herself to do whatever it was a girl did after a crazy Christmas Eve. Instead he had wandered the city, looking at decorations and basically killing time as much as possible. The one productive thing he had done was make arrangement to pick up several cell phone a little later in the week. They would all be clones of one another which was a touch shady but as far as he knew, not illegal. When he had returned late that evening Lumen had already gone off to bed so he had taken the couch one more time. Today they would probably go to the sleeping arrangement they had originally discusses with Lumen on the couch while he was once again in his own room.

"Sunny... high in the forties and low in the upper thirties. Should be a decent day."

Lumen was now on day 2 with Paul and things were going okay. She wasn't able to get the start on things yesterday that she wanted to. Being Christmas Day and all. She didnt think her leads would take her anywhere. Paul had gone for a run, she slept a little late, they enjoyed a few pleasant meals together and she'd spent most of the day researching online and writing on a thick pad of paper. She'd asked him questions here and there, engaged in small conversation... but mostly she'd been a zombie. The wind was still knocked out of her from Christmas Eve, she didn't even join Pual for a run- something she'd be changing soon.

She came out of his room having recently tidied it up and made the bed. She carried her belongings in her arms. "Your bedroom and bathroom are free!" she said unloading her things on the table. She plugged in the laptop and booted it up. "Thanks again," she hadn't meant to spend another night in his room, but she'd fallen asleep while reading earlier. "Sounds like the weather will be nice." she leaned over his shoulder to look at the newspaper.

"When you're finished your shower Paul, I was wondering if you could help me find a place..." she walked over to the now booted computer and brought up the webpage for Future Sight "It seems this place keeps ending up in the middle of police reports. Maybe you've been before or at least seen it? I think it would be valuable for my end of things if I went and got a feel for it myself. There's only so much photos can do for an investigator."

The door opening signaled Lumen's entrance and as he glanced up she was already chiming in about the bedroom and bathroom being available. Paul was very glad to hear that since his clothing was actually beginning to feel cold as the heat from his body dissipated leaving just damp, cool sweat. Plus he didn't smell all that great.

"It'll be a good day today as long as you're dressed for the cool weather." Paul responded with a smile as he followed her with his eyes until she was leaning over his shoulder to look at the paper. It was an innocent move but it also put her intimately close. A little to intimate but Paul steeled himself against temptation and in just a moment she was walking away to turn on her computer.

Standing up, Paul folded the paper and left it laying beside the Danishes before wandering over to look at the web page. "Future Sight." He said with just the touch of a smile on his face, "I think I can get you there. Anyhow, there's coffee in the pot and pastries for breakfast. Help yourself and I'll be out in a bit."

Moving quickly into the bedroom, Paul shut the door and immediately went about getting out of his nasty clothes and getting cleaned up. Approximately 15 or 20 minutes later he came back out freshly shaved and washed with his clean clothes. "Future Sight is an interesting place. There is a young man there with the ability to see your future as well as allow you to see the future. He's got something of a following with other people that want to try to change the world and help prevent bad things from happening. They seem like nice people but I don't know them all that well."

Sitting back down at the table Paul sipped at his now luke warm coffee before grabbing a cherry danish and beginning his own breakfast. "You said they keep ending up in police reports? What sort of involvement?"

ooc: sorry for the delay!
IC:

"I'll dress warmly. But my mutation tends to keep me a bit on the warm side anyway." she grinned. Something about distributing the power through her body always made her run a little warmer. Not too much warmer, but just enough to make a slight difference, and just enough to make a huge difference whenever she had a fever!

Paul left her to shower and she sat at the computer scrolling again through the Future Sight website. She didnt recognize anything or notice anything that really stood out. She wasn't a person very versed in the occult, wikka, or whatever it was these people were usually into. She was pretty ignorant of it all. That would clearly have to change if this was a focal point of the investigation. She wondered when the local library would be back open for the public.

>>Future Sight is an interesting place. There is a young man there with the ability to see your future as well as allow you to see the future. He's got something of a following with other people that want to try to change the world and help prevent bad things from happening. They seem like nice people but I don't know them all that well."

Said Paul re-emerging from the shower. He smelled nice and clean. He looked even better. She averted her eyes back to the screen. " Sounds like a mutation to me." she commented
" Im not sure I believe in anything like psychics or magic now that we know so much of the science behind mutation. It gets you wondering about infamous people of history- perhaps they were all just mutants? Riori could see the future too. It's a wonder he didn't end up with his own following or something." he'd have to not be abducted for that to work.

>>>"You said they keep ending up in police reports? What sort of involvement?"

Hmm, classified information. How much should she tell him? On the one hand, she wasn't things to keep separate so he didn't feel any pressure or concern when it came to his own doings. On the other hand, she didn't know how deep the rabbit hole went with this one and in the long run if God forbid somewhere in the future he were interrogated- she didn't want him to be able to say much.

"It just seems to be a place the police keep checking out. Though, if this young man has misconceptions about leading a revolution or something I can see why they keep checking in. Vigilantes are still illegal despite what our mutant brethren seem to think." that was the best she could come up with. He'd probably know she was holding back but hopefully he'd have the sense to know it was for the best. Then, something clicked. "Have you been there before Paul?"

Her mutation had the tendency to keep her on the warm side... it was an interesting comment and for a brief moment Paul allowed his mind to go to all the wrong places before firmly bringing it back in line. Hopefully a shower would help to clean out some of the trash he seemed to keep putting in his brain.

***

"Oh, I'm sure its a mutation." Paul responded to the comment with some of the things he had actually been considering in his mind over the past few weeks, "I have to agree that I don't really believe in magic and such and I have agree with those in history. I've even considered how mythological tales were inspired. Perhaps Hercules was a mutant with enhanced strength, Zeus was a being that could throw lightning, and since there was no science to back up why they could do it everyone simply elevated them as gods."

Lumen didn't seem like she wanted to give Paul a whole lot of information about how 'Future Sight' was involved with the police and that was OK. He wasn't going to push to find out her secrets especially since she was being rather accepting of his own need for secrecy. Down the road perhaps they would both be comfortable enough to open up a little bit more but for the moment secrecy was a needed safety net.

"I've been there once before." His voice had just a touch of slyness in it that perfectly matched the small smile that had appeared on his face, "Like I said, I don't know them well but I didn't get any feelings of revolution. Of course, I also spent most of my time speaking with one of the young man's friends instead of him. He had an unfortunate injury and had to go to the emergency room so I stayed and chatted with a pleasant young lady named Katrina."

There was no need to mention that Katrina had revealed to him the names of two other immortals or that she had also revealed that one of those immortals was the person they believed would start the Apocalypse. There was even less need to mention the fact that Paul had found the location of this particular immortal and was planning on going to meet him in the very near future just to see what sort of vibes he could pick up. Katrina was obviously concerned about Sebastian and Lori was interested in him for some reason which gave Paul a lot of reasons to ask him a few questions. No, there was definitely no reason to mention any of that to Lumen.

"But I'll be glad to take you over there when you're ready." Paul added before lifting his danish into place for another bite. Suddenly he paused with the pastry half way to his mouth and scanned over the pastries before looking over at Lumen with raised eyebrow, "Have you eaten yet?"

Ooc: I am so sorry for the delay, this week knocked the wind out of me! Hehe, I'll do my best to get a post out at least once a day from now on, promise! <3 Hopefully more!

IC:
Lumen considered the things Paul was saying. "I guess I'll have to have my fortune told or something. I can't really go in there without a reason." she thought for a moment. "Perhaps they have mind reading capability. That would be bad. If they knew I was part of the investigation... do you think they could tell that from a reading?" she stumbled for a moment. She'd need a plan. A good cover story. Then again... why would she need to make something up? "I know.. I can ask them about my brother. It'll help me gauge a little of how specific their mutation is and give me a chance to observe them a bit." what had Paul said this young man's name was? Oh wait, he hadn't.

"It makes me a little uneasy." she admitted. "Where you nervous when you went? Afraid of what they might see? I just feel like I'm not going to get anywhere in this case unless I go and experience for myself. I'll have to suck it up I suppose." she wondered how personal the readings were and if it would be done in private or in front of Paul.

Either way, she needed to go. But Paul's question about breakfast made her want to delay just a little longer. "Actually, I could eat." she flashed him a 1000 kilowatt smile. "Let's do that first, while we eat maybe I'll make a list of what I want to try and accomplish here. Would it be weird to ask you if we could meditate before we leave? I just feel like a need a calm and clear mind before I do this." she looked up at him hopeful.

"From what I saw of his ability, I don't think it's mind reading." Paul replied with a chuckle, "I went after hearing some people talking about this shop where the person inside could tell you your future. I didn't really believe it but I was curious so I went. They call him 'The Oracle' though his real name is Alister, and when he looked into my eyes I was suddenly watching scenes in my life that hadn't happened yet. For someone like me, it wasn't a very pleasant experience because it just kept going on and on. It was rough on him to so he had to forcefully break the contact by injuring himself. For immortals the future is so vast it's just difficult."

Taking a bite of his pastry, Paul took a few moments to think about how he should answer Lumen's next question. Had he been nervous? He really hadn't been since he hadn't thought it was going to work. "I didn't believe it would work so I wasn't nervous. I saw myself die a lot of times but I also saw some good things. In fact, I think I might have even seen the time I died in the church with you there. I'm not sure, but it seems to fit. Anyway, both the Oracle and I saw everything but beyond that it was private."

The idea of meditating before they left hadn't really entered Paul's mind but he wasn't opposed to the idea. He occasionally meditated to help center himself so there was no reason to refuse Lumen the chance to do the same. "You make your list about what you want to find out and then sure, we can take some time for meditation and internal reflection. I normally meditate quite a bit right after a resurrection. It helps me to keep things in line and in control."

(OOC: Feel free to GMode the meditation if you'd like.)

Lumen listened intently as Paul described her experience. It sounded like she was worrying over nothing. Paul didnt sound scared recalling his vision and if it was private then she should be able to have some control. She didn't rule out needing to intimidate this Alister if he said something she didn't like.
"Okay." she agreed. "It should be all right then."

She helped herself to a pastry and flipped her notebook open on the table. She crossed one leg across the other and started to make notes. She hummed to herself softly while she thought. She needed to go into this knowing what she wanted. She munched away on the pastries.

Soon she was finished with a pretty good list. She ripped the page from her notebook, folded it, and put it in her jacket pocket. It wasnt long before shed found herself a spot on the floor to sit and meditate. She liked meditating in Paul's place. It was so simple and clean the energy seemed to flow easily. The breathing came naturally. She found her center and concentrated. She was barley aware when she began to glow... but that was usually what happened when she focused her energy. Hopefully it wouldn't bother Paul.

20 Minutes later she stood up and gave a stretch. "There. No light show today!" she grinned. "Ready to go?"

Lumen seemed to get comfortable with the idea of Alister seeing her future as long as it didn't include reading her mind and they were off again. After munching away on yet one more of the pastries, Paul took the time to wash the plates, cups, and coffee pot. In a few more moments Lumen was on the floor, sitting with her eyes closed and he took his place only a few feet away. The slight glow was interesting but not distracting and so Paul settled down to his own time of meditation.

Slowly his thoughts turned inward, focusing on his breathing and seeking control over the hormones that often game him so many problems right after a resurrection. Sure he would adapt to the feelings on his own rather quickly since he had been through it a few times but taking the time to meditate could make it happen even faster. That was important, especially if Lumen was going to be staying in his house. He needed to remain the in control immortal not just some randy teenager.

All to quickly the time ended and as he heard the rustle of Lumen's clothing from her movements, he opened his eyes. "I'm ready if you are." Paul said with a quick smile before climbing back up to his feet. After grabbing a jacket, he held the door open for Lumen and then they were on the way.

***
(Outside 'Future Sight')

The cab ride had been pretty quick. Yes, it was a Monday but the streets were still more quiet than usual since it was the day after Christmas. Thankfully, most businesses that weren't in the financial trade or government offices were still open for business. After all, most retail stores wanted to get the after Christmas shoppers and returns. 'Future Sight' wouldn't have the returns to deal with but perhaps they'd have at least a few customers through the day.

"This is the place." Paul commented as they walked up to the door and he pushed the doorbell that was clearly marked. "I made an appointment the time that I came but from what I hear they're normally slow enough to take walk-in appointment. Hopefully today will be one of those times."

(OOC: Bring on the Jude!)

Monday. Was. So. Slow. Most people were victims of the post-Christmas sleepiness. Getting up early the day before, staying up late with all those new toys and then the day after… who cared about the future? Most people were still trying to put off thoughts of going back to work for as long as they could. 
 
Everybody else had to be at work.
 
The kids were all off their school routine without homework and Jude and Eros had tried their best to get them all something even if it wasn't a legitimate buy. By now, there was more than just Julia and Crow to think about and Jude turned into a proper (if temporary) crook just to get it all done and in place on time. All for the sake of Christmas.
 
Last year when he was still 11, all he'd had to do was wake up, eat pancakes, and open presents. He didn't even have to change out of his pajamas.
 
This year? He'd been looking to some time off to spend with Svetlana, but both Jude and Alister had foreseen visitors this morning. His date was cut short since Alister had already met one of the pair and didn't care to meet him again.
 
Don't read the man's future. Had been Alister's warning.
 
Immortal. Or at least, he would have a very, very long life. These things were troublesome.
 
Jude waited with his second cup of coffee and a fresh pot brewing, sunglasses squarely between his eyes and the door. This was his most important priority today.
 
The bells above the door jangled in their merrily offensive way to alert the Frenchman of what his eyes were already too aware.
 
"Welcome and welcome back, sir. What can we do for you today?" His usual accent pegged him as French, but the less nasal tone said he'd been an English speaker for a while.

It didnt take them long to find the shop and Lumen was taking everything in right away. Riori had once called her a meercat because of the way she'd lift her head and look around. In 20 years she'd learned a bit about keeping your observations hidden.

The place certainly didnt look like it had been the hub of illegal activity or missing kids. It looked by many standards much better than the photos she'd seen. What had she expected... a bunch of evidence markers?

She hadn't realized as she entered the doorway she automatically reached for Paul's hand. It wasn't that she was feeling scared, or particularly affectionate... her mind was simply always turning and having a "boyfriend" who'd been here before and suggested she come seems a lot less suspicious. She wondered if Paul would get the reference or if he'd care for the reason. She smiled.

A young man greeted them and Lumen stared at him hard. Not an unfriendly stare. Just a stare. He seemed to be about her age, he could be a bit older. They were close in height and when he spoke she detected a very feint accent. "Hello." said Lumen.

She reached out a hand to shake his. In many settings, like this one, doing that was a little awkward. But it helped her get a better feel for a person. Literally. She always felt a little more confident in her position after a hand shake. "I'm Lumen, my .. boyfriend tells me you take walks in?" she hoped she wasn't sending Paul the wrong message here. She didn't want to hesitate too much before saying boyfriend but the truth was she'd almost said partner. "You've got a nice shop here."

She didn't want to jump right into the reading. She still wanted to see how much she could sniff out here...

They were greeted by a man who Paul didn't recognize but that somehow recognized him. It was somewhat surprising but what was even more surprising was the fact that Lumen had taken his hand. Why in the world was she holding his hand? Was she nervous? After facing down death in a burning church he couldn't see anything nerve wracking about their present situation but that was him. Lumen was her own person so if she needed a little reassurance then he would be glad to give it.

Focusing back on the black haired man, Paul listened to his voice carefully. While the voice itself wasn't familiar the accent did click in his mind. Apparently he was running into yet another man from France but something about the man seemed to set off that annoying itch in the back of his mind. There was something familiar about him though Paul couldn't place what it might be. He couldn't recall ever meeting a man even close to this description in his travels but yet... there was something about him.

Paul was about to open his mouth to speak but Lumen beat him to it. Her cover story about him being her boyfriend was very smooth and explained the hand holding though Paul wondered what this young man would think about it. More than likely he'd classify Paul as some sort of sugar daddy or something. After all, he was obviously in his forties or older while Lumen was a beautiful young woman. Oh well, Paul didn't know the man neither did he care about his opinion. "I don't believe we've met but somehow you recognize me." Paul spoke up as he looked at the other man with mild interest and a touch of curiosity, "Is Alister available? She'd like a reading but there's no need to worry, she won't cause the same problems for him that I did." He was purposely being vague when it came to talking about his immortality. After all, there was no reason to let on that Lumen knew about it. If the black haired youth wanted to blurt it out then it would simply reveal more about him and if he kept the secret then that would reveal just as much.

Boyfriend? Jude couldn't help but look between the two and judge. The trend was definitely for beautiful women to date older guys. He'd done well to find an age just barely above Svetlana's.
 
She offered her hand and Jude hesitated. He'd practiced this so that he could touch mutants and not jump to their power automatically, but… touch did make the transfer easier. He shook her hand with his guard up on high alert. 
 
Didn't seem to matter, though. His power took one lazy lick from under his skin. Mutant, but not something his power was interested in. The old guy all but confirmed Jude's mutant assessment when he told the Frenchman that Lumen was not like him. The guy probably meant to make it sound like she was human, but Jude knew better. He took the man's meaning as "not immortal." 
 
Still, Jude was relieved to let go. Some mutants could do funny things once they had touched you. Not that he'd seen any of that in the future…
 
"Alister iz unavailable, but he isn't ze only future seer in ze family. We split our time tending shop, but when we saw you returning zis morning we decided we would rathzer have me here. Also, he told me I may need a fork." Dark eyebrows jumped just barely above the line of his sunglasses. Take that mister long-lived. Yeah. Jude had his number.
 
As for the lovely, lovely lady's request Jude had a counter offer. "Would you care for some coffee? A fresh pot is on for when you say yes." Even if they said no, the hint that in some future they had said yes would help his rep as the fill-in future seer. Repeat customers or referrals always expected to get the same seer. Sometimes Alister had to do a little convincing that he was also quite capable for Jude's seconds, just as Jude was doing the convincing now.
 
"Pricing is listed on ze sign, payment is due upfront withs no refunds for undesirable futures. Also, if he iz holding your hand ze whole time, he'll get to see too. If zat iz what you want…" He shrugged. Sure. Whatever. If that was what she wanted. "But sometimes a future can be a very personal sing." Like twins. Geez. He was still not ready to be a father, but Svetlana had taken that one in stride.

And all of a sudden Lumen was reminded of a French candle-man while Jude explained how things would work. Between his accent and her mutation she was pretty sure they could bust out a very convincing version of Be Our Guest. She grinned mischievously at the inside joke.

"You'll be fine." said Lumen. It was a shame she couldn't see the same person Paul had seen. She wondered if this guy had been interviewed by the cops or if it was the other guy. Maybe there was still a chance she could find out something new. "Coffee would be nice. Black is perfect." Lumen liked her coffee like she preferred her lights- black.

She looked around the room "So why do we need a fork?" she raised her eyebrow to Paul as if he might be in on some secret joke. She said it under her breath not wanting to look like a complete fool in front of this supposed future-see-er.

Jude explained about the payment process and the hand-holding. Lumen took that opportunity to let go of Paul and fish for her wallet in her pockets. "Up front payment is fine. And you dont mind me going solo dear, we've talked bout it right?" her own accent might as well have been colouring those words green. Damn. She really needed to work better on her American accent.

"So, should I tell you a question to look into the future for? Are your readings random? Or can they be focused." yup. Lumen was hitting every point on that list she had made up. If it was a question she'd zero right in on the missing kids. If it was random... well.. at least then she'd still have a better feel for this place and these people. One that would be more authentic than the cops.

Alister wasn't the only one who could read the future? The very idea that there were more than one of them made Paul want to wince but he was able to fight off the urge. It made sense that there were more than one of those types since he knew that he wasn't the only immortal but that didn't mean he had to like it.

The comment about the fork was a zinger and if Paul had been a kinder, gentler person he might have actually had the decency to look chagrined. Instead he just smiled ever so slightly as though laughing inside. He had felt bad at the time but Alister's attitude as well as time since the incident had made him get over it. In fact, it was even a little funny now. How many people could actually claim that they had been stabbed with cutlery other than a knife? That number was now one more since Alister had joined the group.

"I'll tell you later sweet heart." The slight laugh was more obvious now that he was speaking as he responded to Lumen's question. The memories were not something that needed to be shared now, especially since the young man might choose to shade things in Alister's favor instead of his own. "Solo is fine. You're a big girl. I think you can handle it."

The offer of coffee was ignored since Paul did not feel particularly welcome at the moment. He was already missing Katrina's presence since she had been the one that made his last visit enjoyable. It was still something of a mystery how she had become mixed up with a boy like Alister, but it wasn't such an important question that he felt like trying to figure it out. "I'll just sit right over there." Paul indicated a chair and immediately turned to make his way over to it, "I'll be here when your little field trip is over." The fact that Lumen was still investigating was clear from the questions that she tossed out though Paul had to admit that he was interested in hearing the answers. If the readings could be focused then he might have to try being read again some time... as long as their were forks handy.