As the taxi pulled up to the estate, Sophia disembarked from it the brightly colored yellow vehicle, tipped the gentle generously for not asking a great deal of question about her or continually looking the mirror to snatch glances of her. It was one of those days that Sophia has longed for a vehicle of her own, but hopefully after today, she’d need to make only a few more trips, and hopefully it was to only bring along her belongs from her apartment, the same one she was being evicted from.

The pathway from the gates led toward a rather monumental mansion, the likes Sophia hadn’t expected to see. It what somewhat like a fairy tale, though Sophia had been in mansions before, this one was impressive compared to the others, but it would never be the same home she grew up in. For now, it would suffice it was a home. Walking along the path, Sophia could hear some children at play, some noise about the mansion as though it were just an ordinary day, children and teens at play, though Sophia was well aware that this was a type of school, but what kind she wondered, the kind she was hoping to be apart of perhaps.

This entire feeling felt like was interviewing for a job again, she hadn’t done that in a while, atleast not where she was uncertain of the results. Before hand, Sophia could rest on her degrees and papers, let her academic history speak for her rather than having to convince anyone else of her merit. So for today, she decided on business appropriate, a favorite powder blue business suit, complete with knee length pencil skirt, and blazer that was conservatory cut at the top to show only hints of her bosom. Even as she walked along the pathway, her heels clicking along the ground and the purse at her side bouncing back and forth, Sophia was anything but confident about this engagement. She could always tell when she was nervous, beyond the beating of a heart that seemed to never want to stop, it was the nature of her hands fidgeting with her glasses ever so frequently that by now she’d have to decided up on their look and live with it. Surely as she rattled upon the door, her blonde hair ever so lightly blowing in the wind as the ponytail behind her head swayed with it, surely whom ever opened the door would be kind and nice, but hopefully to the point and honest with Sophia. Though right now, she’d stand for just getting to walk inside…

Jacob’s black 67 Chevrolet Impala thundered down the road towards ‘the Mansion’ as the residents called it, hoping to borrow a few minutes of time from one of the resident Chemistry egg-heads there. He had an idea for a non-lethal round for his new pistol that he was making, but it required some chemicals that he honestly had no idea about. So, when in doubt, find someone who might know. He had a pair of passengers this time though, sitting on the dash in a pair of glass jam jars with holes poked through the lids was a pair of special spiders. It was a simple Mouse Spider, but it was very aggressive, and could easily paralyze you if you get bitten. In the other jar was a Brazilian Wandering Spider, also known as a Banana Spider, which had an even faster reaction to paralyzing you.

His hope was to create a paintball of sorts that could cause a person to lose control of their nervous system, shutting down everything but your breathing and heartbeat. It would be an excellent way to take care of people at range, especially some of the more dangerous mutants that seemed to be teeming around the city. He just hoped it was possible, because honestly he didn’t know the first thing about chemistry and spiders that you couldn’t just Google.

Nearing the mansion, he pulled into the drive towards the front door and saw an attractive young woman… about his age, he guessed, dressed up and knocking on the door. He thrummed the engine just a little bit more, just to make it growl and announce his arrival, so she wouldn’t be too startled. He pulled up, put the vehicle in park, and stepped out, the car turning off at the same time. He grabbed his two jars of spiders, and set them on the hood, not wanting to make introductions to someone holding a pair of dangerous web-spinners.

“Hello. I’m Jacob. You looking for someone?” Simple enough, he walked the short distance up the steps, and held out his hand. He was wearing his typical outfit, a plain OD Green t-shirt, leather jacket, jeans and tan combat boots. His very short hair was clean, having just come out of the shower before making the trip, but there was a slight tint of the oil and grease in his scent if she got close enough for any reason.

Much to Sophia's disappointment, rather than the door opening, a car had come by instead, and a rather loud and otherwise obnoxious car at that. It was one of those loud musclely cars, the kind with otherwise loud and otherwise expensive price tags attached to them, likely the kind of person who took very good care of it, but wasn't necessarily a great person behind it. Sophia didn't like the person already, and when what look like a rather muscle bound creature stepped out of the vehicle, Sophia wondered whether or not it was wise to even give this person the time of day. Judging from the clothes and the hair, and as he got closer the odor of oil and grease, perhaps this was a local person, dropping something off, or perhaps a local mechanic of some sort. Sophia wasn't quite certain what to make of them, hoping that so long as he kept walking and didn't keep approaching her, that she would be alright.

"Indeed, Mr. Jacob; I have an appointment today. Would you kindly tell me who it is I need to speak with?" despite her objections to even addressing this person, he had come up to her regardless, and now the two were talking to each other, the obvious hope was to get what she wanted. Though she was kind and sweet in her voice, there was this fairly obvious sense of self entitlement in her voice, as though she were better than him. Perhaps unintentional, but even in her gaze, she wasn't necessarily certain of this individual, and she was less inclined at dealing with him because of his otherwise brutish look. She'd just assume not deal with him, or if she had to, keep it otherwise minimal. But at the same time, she wouldn't try to be overtly about it not wanting to deal with him either.

She was certainly dressed to impress, but Jacob was using his peripheral vision for that. As per his usual, his eyes were locked with hers, a sign of respect for someone he didn’t know. She hadn’t accepted the handshake, not a good sign in Jake’s book, but he didn’t pass judgment on someone so easily, so he let it slide. Still, when she spoke, the tone grated on his steel nerves, and if he was less of a gentleman, he would have left her standing there trying to get in. Still, he was better than that, regardless of the temptation. “Likely the Admissions Office ma’am. If not, they can give you further guidance. I can show you the way if you’d like.” Moving down the steps real quick, he retrieved the spiders, and moved back up the stairs, opening the door for the young woman, as was polite.

He was starting to piece together the woman’s personality based on her actions, and could tell this was someone who normally was accustomed to having power, or at least a position where such was assumed. Or maybe he was wrong and it was something else… spoiled maybe? It was hard to tell. He followed her into the door shortly after she entered, and headed towards the Admissions Office himself, preparing to ask whoever was there where he could find his chemical egg head. He could provoke a question, and it seemed that she didn’t want to talk to him, which made him want to drive her crazy by asking questions.

“You said you have an appointment? Are you planning to become a teacher or counselor?” It was more idle curiosity than anything, but it was enough to serve the purpose of getting more information… and driving her nuts in the process…

"Gentlemen first…" she retorted, though watching as we went back for some jars of something, only to realize it was spiders did not assist Sophia in her depiction of Mr. Jacob. Why on earth someone would want to carry something so disgusting and revolting in a glass jar didn't make any sense. Worse for Sophia, she could sense and almost hear every little step that the spiders took within the glass jars, now that she was so close to them. She was already concerned with this Jacob character, she was less interested even more so now. Atleast he was a gentleman and let her in first, but she was follow behind him, if by several feet, less she be closer to the spiders.

Once inside, it looks less like her old home in Beverly Hills, less white and modern, more classical and old. Indeed, Sophia could smell the age of the place as she walked through it, clearly older construction and even design, but vaguely modern with some antiques and vestiges of paintings of old. Though clearly there were more modern advances, such as more modern light switches and Sophia clearly saw what looked like a very large television through one of the cracks in the door way. Much of the same laughter and play she heard of children earlier echoed in the floors above; pitter-patter of footsteps clearly running down the hall where it wasn't intended. A school or home she wondered, if it was both, the place seemed possible to accommodate a fair amount of people, but then again, this had to be a rather substantially sized home to accommodate both the nature of a school and dormitory mixed in to one.

Fixing her glasses, the last thing she wanted was to have them slide off or have them fall to the ground where she's have to kneel down to get them. Not likely, though, much of Sophia nervousness has subsided and interest and inquiry were the nature now. Though it was her glasses which gave it way. before what had been rather circularly glasses, Sophia changed in to a more artificial rectangle style, presenting more of the professional than that of casual nature. No sense giving the brute any idea other than she was a professional person, as if the high heels and business suit didn't already command such a presence of her. But when the question of employment came up, surely he wasn't suspecting her to be a teacher? She'd never taught in her life, and frankly, anyone wanting to learn from her would be vastly under equipped to do so, "Indeed, I contacted someone in regards to inquiry about this… school. From our discussion over e-mail, I received some literature about this being an institute for learning, but I am lead to believe there was an alternative purpose to this home. As far as a position here, I wouldn't be so bold as to believe someone of my credentials to teach, much less anyone here developed enough to understand the material."

She was afraid of spiders… but then again, she hadn’t shaken his hand regardless, so he was much less apprehensive about carrying the little arachnids around. He let her take in the entry-way… it was a very nice establishment, after all, and it did inspire awe in more people than it didn’t. Still, her reaction wasn’t strictly awe, it was more a comparison, if he could place it, and he watched her reactions carefully. He was able to pick up on subtle hints here and there, and easily could spot small details that others would pass up. It was his attention to detail that had saved his hide more often than he could count, and he was going to make it a point to keep that skill sharp.

She fixed her glasses, and he was fairly certain he saw her change them somehow. They hadn’t left her face, but instead of the oval-ish glasses she wore before, they were more rectangular now… she was a mutant, but he couldn’t specify what her ability was, aside being able to distort eyewear. Diverting his attention from that to what she was saying, he listened intently as she spoke… and could tell from her tone and words that she didn’t have a clue what she was about to get herself into. He gave a nice, warm smile and said, “You don’t know what this place is.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement, and one that would likely need more explanation.

“This is a school… and a haven for mutants ma’am. It is a place where they can conduct their normal studies, all the way to a college level, and learn to control their latent abilities without the reprisals of the outside world… at least, that’s what I know of it. I only found out about this place the other day. And you might be surprised at the student’s intellectual capacity… I’m here because I am hoping that a Subject Matter Expert can help me with a bit of a Chemistry problem involving these spiders.” He raised the glass jars, showing the perfectly contained specimens. He watched her reactions carefully before turning away.

He began to move up the stairs towards the Admission Office, no longer concerned with the woman’s desire to avoid him. “Going by the logic I know of, the reason you got called here is because you are also a mutant, and someone capable of passing your knowledge to the next generation.” Another statement. Moving through the hall, he moved as if he was marching, a force of habit from being in the Army for eight years.

"Even if a highly intellectual student were here at this school, I doubt I could adequately explain the general concepts and theories of Astrophysics to them in a… reasonable time," wincing a bit as she turned her face directly away the spiders and in the opposite direction, clearly not a fan of the creepy crawlies. Surely whomever this was under a great deal of impressions, Sophia hasn't decided to teach or instruct anyone, she could hardly see herself a teacher, and even if she were to have a student, it would be unlikely they would pass her high standards. Still, better to entertain the notion perhaps, "Though if this school were looking for some type of teach… Look would you keep those things away from me! Disgusting…"

She had about enough of the spiders, taking a few steps back as they climbed the stairs, she had no interest or desire in them and would have seen them destroyed if it weren't for the fact that them being squished would be worse, and that the spiders served some alternate purpose. Even the way she said 'disgusting' left an impression of utter disregard and hatred for the creatures. But despite the hatred for Mr. Jacob's 'pets', the nature of this school being a Haven for mutant surely seemed interesting. Besides just a school, if this estate offered the chance for mutants to grow and learn, that seemed like a promising avenue. But still, Sophia and her otherwise limited knowledge or interaction with mutants gave her only a brief understand of her own condition. But she knew enough to retort about them.

"You assume a great much Mr. Jacob. Assuming I were a mutant or had any powers, there is a wide variety of mutants, each probably dealing with their mutation in a different way. I just presume, form your explanation, that this is a place for a mutant to practice their powers safely and with the assistance from others. I wouldn't imagine being able to explain to another person how to do something, or how to control their powers, much less teach them how to," if anything, Sophia really never saw herself as a teacher. Granted, she had a Master in Astrophysics, which meant likely research or theoretical analysis perhaps, but few people who went in to the field of physics actually got out of school and taught physics, not without having a great wealth of experience behind them. Even now, Sophia could imagine her college professors and lectures, all of them well over the age of 50, with years of experience behind them. How could Sophia teach anyone to do anything, much less control a mutant power. Not that she sold herself short, but this was simply something she was going to dive right in to, she still wanted to understand the nature of the place, much less get a chance to see it and figure out what living arrangement could be made for her.

Jacob quirked an eyebrow at her first sentence. “Astrophysics? That’s a very advanced subject… you might be right. Maybe there is something else that they are looking for that you have the qualifications to do ma’am.” His mind, of course, went to the advanced jet that he could sense at all times lurking beneath the surface. Maybe an upgrade or something? A new model? Who knew, but all that mattered was that she was here on their recommendations. He quickly lowered the spiders once she reacted to them, but couldn’t really put them away, as the jars were too big to go in his pockets.

“I apologize ma’am. I will try to keep them out of the way.” His apology was sincere, but a small little part of him smiled on the inside. Ms. Princess here would just have to make do with him until she got to where she was going. They walked along the length of the hall, students of different ages making their way through the hall as well, but one kid was booking it… running as fast as he could with a giant grin. Without hesitating, he shifted the jars where he was holding them both in his left hand, shifted, planted his feet, and caught the young man with an open hand to his chest, stopping him in his tracks. He hadn’t hurt him, just simply stopped him… but it startled him all the same, as obviously they had not met Jacob yet. “You supposed to be running around like the building is on fire?”

“Umm… No?”

“Thought so. Keep it to a brisk walk if you’re in a hurry before you run into someone.” Jake’s tone was the same one he used when he addressed his soldier’s in the Army… that tone that only a few people had that demanded their compliance. It worked 95% of the time too, and he likely wouldn’t catch the same kid doing the same thing. As he left, he turned to address the woman following him again. “My apologies again, ma’am. Kids…” and he left it at that. Without further ado, he moved to a door with the ‘Admissions’ sign above the door, and opened it for his guest, allowing her to enter.

Perhaps it was in spite that he kept the spiders with him, surely something like that wouldn't have died if left inside his impressive car. But now that they weren't quite so close to her, she could follow along a bit better, but her impression of Mr. Jacob hadn't improved at all. If anything her opinion of him only worsened, a reasons he generally disliked men on first impressions. So pushy, rather uncivilized generally, and brutish, thinking that intimidation and threatening would get them what they wanted. Sophia wasn't above threatening herself, but at least her threats were masked with in politeness and a sense of otherwise grace and charm that few men understood.

This point hit home rather as children began running down the hallway, some were older children, some of them young teens, yet apparently running down the hall wasn't to be accepted. Interestingly, the children listened as he grabbed one in the chest and told him to sever so interesting not to run in the halls. Mindful, if it had been Sophia, she would have probable resorted to yelling or such, but then again, she didn't really like kids to begin with. But it was just like a man to use physical contact to get a person attention, then use some vague agreement to get the point across. There seemed little tact in it all, but at least it got the job done.

"Actually I wouldn't know," a quick retort to the notion of kids. Much of her adult life was in facilities for higher learning, so she rarely interacted or dealt with kids, something she didn't necessarily miss. Still, by the time all this walking had been done, here was the Administration Offices that Mr. Jacob had mentioned and spoke about. A rather strange location, though in hindsight, one would imagine that this home wasn't built as a school it merely became one after some point. Holding the door open for her, Sophia merely walked in to a rather dull room, a type of wide office, less an administration room and more of just what appeared to be an office, with the doorway merely being the entrance. Sophia had expected facilities on par with colleges, or perhaps even a high school, though for now she wasn't quite sure what to expect. Next thing she'd see would be a bald man in a wheelchair rolling through the room to greet her. So incase that happened, she noticed a chair against the wall, not too far away from the door, motioning toward it to delicately sit down in it, crossing her legs ever so gracefully as to give thanks to Mr. Jacob for her assistance in getting to this point, "I suppose I shall sit down until whomever it is that staffs this school were to meet me. I thank you for assistance in getting here Mr. Jacob."

Mariusz moved slowly down the hall in the direction to the Administrative Offices which also served double duty for admitting those who were new to the Mansion, among other things. At the moment he was clad only in a pair of royal blue basketball shorts with his bow slung over a shoulder and a quiver of arrows at his hip. He was careful to stand to the side to allow the stampeding children to pass by unimpeded in their progress. If one of them were to run into him it could possibly result in broken bones, or even something worse. He was rather embarrassed by having to make yet another trip to the offices in his first week of living in this new place, but it seemed that in his haste to get out earlier that afternoon to get in some archery practice and a workout that he had, accidentally, locked the keys to his room's door in the room. A silly mistake to be sure, but nonetheless one that required a trip to the office to retrieve the spare key as he had not yet encountered anyone who could simply walk through walls or unlock anything which was not already so.

Reaching the door to the office Mariusz turned the handle and walked inside. He was mildly surprised to see Jacob and a woman already in the office, with no one manning the desk, when he entered but he recovered after a beat. "Good afternoon Jacob," he said, greeting the taller man with a slight nod of his head. "I seem to have locked myself out of my room and am in need of retrieving the spare key to clean up after a workout," he said by way of explanation for what he was doing in the office in a state of semi-undress.

"As for you, I do not believe we have been introduced," the Czech man said in a slight English accent, turning his focus to Sophia. "I am Mariusz Kasparek," he said, offering a slight bow in her direction before offering his hand for the woman to shake, if she was so inclined. "I apologize for my rather objectionable state of dress for a first meeting, but as you just heard I seem to have locked myself out of my room."

Ah, she was a career-type. She didn’t like kids to some extent, which was interesting considering that she was applying for a job at the school. And this school, of all schools, was very kid-oriented, so Jake couldn’t help but wonder how much she had been told about this place. Her personality didn’t seem to be well suited for this place, but perhaps that was because she wasn’t being asked to teach kids, she was needed for something else. As the possibilities rolled in his head, she spoke again, talking about how she was going to wait. Jacob simply shrugged his shoulders and stepped out of the doorway, moving to the opposite side with his back against the wall, uttering a quick “it was no problem at all. I need to ask where the chemistry Subject Matter Experts are located anyway, and this would probably be the place to find out.”

That was about the time that Maruisz ducked in, having recently worked out in some way, shape or form, and Jacob couldn’t help but wonder if he too was afraid of spiders. If he knew the young mutant a little better, he would have surprised him when he turned around from introducing himself to Ms. Princess to having a spider at eye level and close to his face in a jar. The shock would have been interesting, but he held his mischievousness in check for now, as he didn’t want to scare the snot out of the poor kid. “Good afternoon. If you want, I can probably unlock your door from here… but you would have to know which door it was.” It was a simple enough gesture of kindness, and a hint of his abilities to the newcomer.

He watched her carefully, curious what she would say and do in response to the young man. He presented his hand for a hand-shake, and considering he was filthier than Jake when he tried the same gesture, he knew that she wasn’t going to take that. But he gave the young man credit for trying… and he was nothing if not polite. Still, Maruisz might just know what it is that Jake needed. “You don’t perchance know where they keep the Chemistry egg-heads, do you?” It wasn’t meant as anything negative towards them, just a simple title.

A rather odd sounding name, one Sophia wasn't about to try to repeat, but then again it was an odd name for someone that was equally odd and quite strange looking. It was almost as though this English person was some kind of bird, or a close resemblance to one, and as strange as it was, Sophia had to try to call to herself that Mutants did occasionally look like this. And so when he walked in, she turned her head to look away, but when he addressed her, Sophia couldn't really ignore him quite so easily, thus forcing herself to turn back around, as though she had once been looking out a window or observing the room.

And then there was the hand… she was to shake it? It was strange, she didn't really have an interest at all, atleast with Mr. Jacob, she would have been certain she'd just get oil or grease on her hand perhaps, maybe some dirt, but this Mariusz individual, Sophia half assumed she'd get some sort of sticky goo all over her hand. Stare at it as she might, it was only a split second really to decide if she were going to shake the hand of a bird like individual or not. For Mr. Jacob, it was merely a chance to not get dirty, even if she had no interest in him, especially after the thing with the car. For Marisuz, it would have come off as bigoted, surely her last intention. So begrudgingly, her hand reached out toward Mariusz's, grasping it as little as possible, a more elegant and graceful handshake than accompanied a properly lady.

"How do you do… Marzi… Maorus… Sir. Sophia Stratford…" everything now was trying to be nice, while not entirely wanting to be. Sure, Sophia had a vested interest in being polite and kind, but at least her mutation was at least sophisticated and proper, she assumed there had to be some with this unfortunate appearance sometimes, and now, well, it wasn't as though she could cross the street to avoid him. But she offered as be reply to him, smiling and talking rather kindly, hopefully no one quite suspect her faking it at all, "And it's quite alright. I imagine if I came back from… whatever it was you were doing, I wouldn't be looking my best either."

Mariusz noted the way that the blonde woman offered her hand to him to shake in an almost delicate and dainty way and noticed that she seemed to not wish to touch his hand too much. He assumed this was due, in part, to more to his having obviously just come from exercise rather than any aversion she might have towards someone with a physical mutation. Taking her gesture in stride he accepted only her fingers to the first two knuckles in his own hand and bowed slightly while raising the hand to his lips. If she wanted to be formal, that was certainly something the winged man was schooled in. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Stratford, and you may call me Mari if you prefer," he said, kissing the top of her hand before lowering it from his lips and releasing it, "though I fear I must once again offer an apology for my deplorable state of appearance. I pray you will not allow it to color your opinion of me in an overly negative light."

"It is rather easy to remember which door is mine," Mariusz said in reply to Jacob's question, turning his attention from Sophia to the other man. "The last door of the center hallway at the very end on the right belongs to me," he said, gesturing rather vaguely in the direction that he meant. "I did not know you could do locks and everything else. I assumed it was only complicated things such as cars, planes, and computers," he concluded.

Jacob noticed that the woman was intentionally trying to ignore him… which was hilarious in his eyes. His respect for her was ever on the decline, and he decided that if he ever had to work with this woman, it would either end up with her respecting Jacob and them seeing eye to eye, or someone was going to get their feelings hurt… and it wouldn’t be Jacob. He had bled to keep prissy little things like her from having to worry about things like War and Terrorism… granted, with mutants it made things a lot more complicated, but still… he had fought the good fight, and she was going to disrespect him?? He hoped that she wasn’t a telepath, because behind his careful mask of non-emotion, he wanted to walk across the room and emotionally choke-slam her.

But he had enough discipline to keep himself in check, and show no outwards sign that he was angry. It made matters even worse when she decided to shake his hand, when not two minutes ago she refused his own. It seemed like she was intentionally trying to piss him off. Trying to distract himself, he turned his attention to what Mariusz was saying… whom she couldn’t even come close to pronouncing the name of correctly. “Alright… let me see…”[/b] Using his ability, he sensed the identical locks that were installed in every room… and realized one small problem.

“Actually, it wouldn’t be a problem, but they have a failsafe installed. If someone tries to open the lock without a key, it has a secondary locking mechanism that will seal the door tight. I could stop it from doing that too, but it also ties into the alarm system in the mansion, so we probably should keep things on the legitimate side of things and wait for them to let you in. I don’t want them mad at me for not following the rules.” He made up his mind about Sophia… he would outright ignore the snot out of her unless he had no other choice. No need to deal with someone who thought so highly of themselves that they couldn’t respect anyone else. If she could feel any sort of sensation from Jacob, it was now cold and neutral.

"Aw, that's too bad," she quipped, trying to sounds as has sincere and remorseful as possible, since Mari couldn't get back to his room. Because while it was an unfortunate news that he couldn't until some more senior arrived, it meant he was likely going to hang out here for a while. Not exactly what Sophia wanted, she had hoped for a quite little chat with whom ever could assist her in this place, learn what she could and then decide then if she wanted to be here or not. The idea of staying here thought seemed more advantageous, but it was not without requirements it seemed. Though there was a feeling people weren't telling her everything about this place, as though they knew something else that they curiously didn't want to tell her, as though she weren't quite in the club just yet.

"But that seems impressive that you knew that information off the top of your head Mr. Jacob," part of Sophia could kind of sense that Jacob didn't like her, and it wasn't her intent. Her focus on getting here and speaking to someone had clouded otherwise naturally good intentions, and someone didn't like her. Although she wasn't necessarily concerned with who liked her and who didn't, it was rather an issue that if she were to stay, she didn't want to get a bad name out there. Some niceties seemed necessary, even if wasn't something she cared to do at this point. Mr. Jacob wasn't necessarily her favorite person, what with the spiders, but if she came off in front of another as trying to be nice, well, it was another person who could vouch her for genuine sincerity.

"So, Mari… What do you think of this place?" trying her best to find some way shape or form to make the time pass quicker. Though she could learn a lot too from something like this, someone who appeared to live her would probably know a lot more about the place, give her some insight. And while she was at it, her hand motioned to fix her glasses, but curiously once again, her glasses changed from rectangular spectacles, to that of that looked like half ovals, with the straight line along the top and the bottom rounded along the bottom. A more introspective look, that hopefully made her seem less professional, and more human. Well… more personable atleast.