Touching. There was touching and Isabel didn't like it. Especially when the hand touching her was nearly half the size of her entire feline body. And all the claw digging and tail whacking didn't seem to be helping anything. That furry little bastard had to turn her into a kitten. He could have at least made her into a fully grown cat. Then maybe her claws could actually do some real damage instead of leaving little more than small welts in her perch's flesh if they managed to get through his shirt.

As soon as the hand disappeared she returned to flicking her tail. She wasn't going to be discouraged so easily and really it was his own fault that he was letting himself become so irritated with it. It was just a tail, after all. And a fairly small one at that. Really he should have learned to be more patient.

And then there were fingers raking their way through her fur in the wrong direction. Her tail lashed more furiously and all of its fur stood on end. She extended her claws again and made a valiant effort to avoid making their pricking turn into a kneading action. Better to keep them fully extended and leave them there.

Her head tilted without her meaning for it to as Zephyr's fingers worked their way around her ears, though she managed to swivel them backward in a show if displeasure while her fur was ruffled. She raised her hackles again and to avoid the purr that she could unfortunately feel building in her throat she began growling again. She did not want to be touched, especially not by Zephyr.

He didn't seem to be in any hurry to stop, though. She managed to catch on to the fact that if she fell still so did his fingers, but she wasn't about to let him dictate her behavior. Cats did as they pleased. She continued lashing her tail and growling and when he didn't take the hint she got halfway to her feet and leaned all of her weight into the back of his neck in order to whip her head round and bite at the offending fingers. Her claws might be next to useless but kitten teeth were notoriously sharp.

It took a considerable amount of effort not to show too much amusement at Isabel's current predicament. Kyle didn't hold a grudge against her, not when she'd tried to kill him, not because she constantly treated him as if he were the gum on her shoe. It was her shield against the world, he'd finally realized, a way to detach herself from others and remain the cold and deadly beauty that she was. The more she talked tough about something, the more it worried her. It was a stretch in a way to assume that, but considering how close to death she'd been when she arrived, she'd talked a lot tougher then normal. But it was hard not to be amused seeing one of the world's most notorious and wanted killer reduced to...a ball of adorable wrath.

Seriously, maintaining his almost straight face was getting near to impossible, especially when Zeph started scratching her. He expected righteous kitty fury to follow soon but for now, Isabel looked like a kitten in the headlights.

Doing his best to put the thought that Isabel might accidentally purr at his attentions aside, Kyle focused on Zeph's words to him, bringing himself back to the present and the danger that lay before them all. Zeph's question about leaving them alive bugged at him, stroking his chin for a moment before speaking his mind. "I don't think they intended to leave us alive. I was literally buried under rubble...most people wouldn't have survived. I'm not even sure how I did. As for Isabel, considering the state she was in when she arrived, I highly doubt the intent was to let her live. Maybe she looked dead or they believed enough damage had been done to her for it to be fatal before anyone could assist her."

How he'd survived a chunk of building crashing down on him was baffling. Kyle knew his power had saved him. He just wasn't sold completely on how. He'd thrown his energy up as the rocks came down, trying fruitlessly to stop them from crushing him. But instead of an energy blast, his energy had almost...exploded out from everywhere, putting up a barrier that deflected the worst of the rocks aside. It was for that reason only, and swift aid from Evelyn, that saved him. Something to consider for the future, this miraculous save was. Until then...

"Well, I may know why I was targeted. They alluded to as much. I interfere with what I see as wrong. I've been seen and known by the public to do so at times. Perhaps they saw me as a target the public would recognize, so they could make a statement, and a threat that would try to interfere with their plans. As for you...it may simply have been your connection with Isabel and how strong you are. Maybe they suspected you would be trouble later or that attacking Isabel, with your connection with her, would draw your attentions.

Its speculation at this point, save for why they attacked Isabel. I agree though; we can't take this by sitting back on our hands. But we should take advantage of the fact that we are "dead" for a bit longer and play our cards at the right time.

But we can't let them catch us alone again. We need a plan that, in the event we do encounter them, we have backup on hand. Especially Isabel in this case. Otherwise we're all like to end up in the pine box this time."

She bit him

Staring down at the jittery ball of fur currently clamped onto his finger Zephyr wagged the captured digit sightly until a baleful pair kitten eyes met his own amused gaze as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

"My my Duskmoor what sharp teeth you have." he muttered with a chuckle.

One of the many overlooked benefits of prescription painkillers is that they make the needle like fangs of kittens about as agonizing a tight glove. Which was rather fortunate because Isabel abruptly decided at that moment that she rather liked the taste of his blood.

'Really though Isabel," he continued, slowly turning his hand 180°, "If you wanted to eat me you should have said something."

Utter stillness, that was the effect his words had as the soubrette became a veritable statue; if kittens were capable of blushing she would have. As it was the ingenue remained motionless just long enough for the elementals remaining fingers to reach under her chin and resume scratching.


Still, while this was entertaining he knew he could only push the girl so far, and so he swallowed his second comment about her kitty... form, and contented himself with merely keeping her physically off balance as her returned his attention to Forte.

"I agree we need a plan, but we're going to need more than ourselves if we want to accomplish anything of significance. A body can only do so much after all.

"Tell me, what do you know of the Mansion residents?"

So biting apparently didn't work out as well as Isabel had hoped. Not even an attempt to jerk his hand away or a surprised jolt or anything. All she got out of it was more sarcastic remarks and a not entirely unpleasant metallic tang on her tongue. She raised her hackles and puffed up her tail again at the remark, trying to ignore the implications that came with it though she may have unclamped her jaws a little too quickly to make it entirely believable.

She entertained the idea of biting his hand again when he didn't retract it, but didn't want to give him the opportunity to make any more of his stupid quips again. Not that she had too much time to think about it before his fingers curled under her chin and started scratching at the fur there. Much to her dismay her little front legs went weak at the sensation and all of her weight in her front half sank downward into his hand and a little purr started to rumble in her tiny chest.

It didn't last long, though. Almost as soon as the momentary limpness overtook her she was correcting it, her claws digging into his shirt as she shot up into a standing position and her purring gave way to an angry growl and a hiss. Angrily she turned herself around to settle on his opposite shoulder, not bothering to be careful with her claws. She paused a moment to bite his ear, though she didn't keep a hold on it like she had with his finger. Her tail started lashing again as she settled back down and continued to growl.

Zeph's handling of the kitten Isabel had become background noise to Kyle at this point, as even Zeph himself seemed to be fending her off absently at times while continuing their more demanding conversation. It was a most interesting distraction at times, one that continued to bring a little smile to the corner of his mouth while they talked.

Seriously, who wouldn't be impressed that Zephyr had managed to make Isabel "purr", even if it was only a little tiny one. She wasn't going to live that one down anytime soon...nor would anyone save Zephyr if they dared to mention it. Something to duly note for any future interactions with her. For now, however, Kyle was simply going to enjoy the spectacle while he turned his attentions to answer the man's question.

"Not much, to be honest. I've only been here a few times and encountered a few of the residents. Much like Isabel, I'm not much wanted here.

I know of and have met Cold Steel before, but he's a more well known one. Other then him, I've met really only two others; Evelyn and Mirror. Evelyn's a good enough person and handy in certain situations but for combat? Not quite so much yet, but she's getting good training last I checked. She's the reason I'm here and alive at all. As for Mirror...he...she...has a heck of trick. She could be handy as backup...but she most certainly doesn't like Sanctuary people. Me especially.

Other then them, my interaction with mansion-folk has been limited. But even they would see reason when they realize what a threat we face. What about you Zephyr? What's your knowledge of our current caretakers?"

With a light smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as Isabel went to sulk on his other shoulder Zephyr fought down a chuckle and healed his finger as he listened to Forte. The fact that the man had any connections in the school was a welcome surprise; Sanctuary and the Mansion tended to cater to very different audiences and it was rare for the two mix.

He really needed to start keeping better tabs on the networking the Order had; he’d have to have Lisa do a search of each members approved visitors for anything interesting. It wasn’t the best approach by any means but it would serve as a good starting point.

Those were thoughts for another day however; right now they needed to stock of their resources and in order to do that they needed accurate information, which meant that he needed Forte to give more than just names.

“I’m familiar with Johnson yes” He replied in a detached tone, deliberately ignoring the X leaders ‘Cold Steel’ soubriquet and using his real name. “His combat experience could be useful and I can’t imagine him turning down the good publicity if his team was involved in taking down terrorists.”.

A dull sting in his ear made him frown for a moment but it was over almost as it started. Shooting Isabel a disapproving glance and shifting his shoulder slightly in retaliation he soon continued.

“Still while Johnson is capable in a fight he cannot help us find our targets.” He shifted his gaze out the kitchen window where a few relaxed souls were enjoying the midday sun on the lawn. “We need people with more subtle skills, ones who track or discern, essentially the mutant equivalent of Sherlock Holmes, otherwise we’re left waiting until our attackers make their next move.”

“In that regard I’m afraid I can’t offer much more help. I know a few of the residents but I wouldn’t be comfortable putting any of them in a potential combat situation.” And that was as far as he would take the matter, illusions or no Katrina had no business being anywhere near the unhinged killers they were dealing with. And as for Maya, it was difficult enough for her to hold it together as things were, he had no intention of-

He blinked and before he could stop himself his eyes darted to the far wall three feet to the left of the open window as a far too familiar presence suddenly flared against his senses like a beacon. Barely even pausing to consider his actions the elemental pushed off from the kitchen counter in what he hoped was an idle manner. Taking swift but unhurried steps he pretended to be lost in thought as he assumed a new position out sight of the window just as a white haired figure strolled past.

Why couldn’t family reunions ever be convenient?

After another second passed and his sister failed to reappear at the window the hessian eventually continued. “Honestly for now I think our best approach Johnson or his superior and do our best to lay the facts in our favour. We were assaulted by a mutant terrorist who put an untold number of civilian lives at stake. It would therefore be in the public’s best interest, and thus their own, to assist in tracking the culprits down.

Struck by a sudden thought Zephyr’s glance returned to Isabel and he gave his shoulder another slight shake to gain her attention. “You haven’t gotten into trouble lately have you? No maiming or deaths to your name in the past few months? One meow for yes, two for no. Tell me honestly now.”

Hopefully she’d been a good girl, if not things were going to become… difficult.

All of Isabel's claws extended as the shoulder she was perched on was given a shake. She quickly lowered her small frame onto her belly to avoid being tossed onto the floor. Cats could land on their feet but for a body as small as the one she'd gotten stuck with a drop from so high up could prove to be awfully painful for her and if she wound up breaking something she'd be unable to fix it until she sifted back into her normal body. A hangup she only knew about because she'd found herself unable to cover her little body in spikes when the young man had decided to pick her up.

She largely ignored the conversation going on without her. She couldn't care less about the Mansion or its resident and would have been perfectly content to leave as soon as she'd been healed enough to walk had it not been for Zephyr. She didn't care who they knew or what connections they had. The people that had attacked her weren't likely to stay in hiding forever and she'd have been happy to take them on in a fight again on her own, though perhaps not both of them at the same time. She didn't need any help from any of the X-Losers skulking around at the school.

Another shoulder jostling had her leveling a half-lidded glare in the windbag's direction, a small growl rumbling back up in her little chest as she clung to the fabric of his shirt. She'd be clawing her way back down to the floor soon if his nonsense didn't stop and biting at any fingers that tried to pick her back up again.

He was asking her a question this time, directing her in such a way that she had to answer him in a manner of speaking. She continue to glare at him for a moment before closing her eyes in a slow blink and turning her face away from him, trying to distract herself from the instructions and the nagging compulsion to answer him by locating the window, displeased that she'd been pulled out of the warm light that had been coming in from outside.

After a moment she gave a single, soft meow sounding more like a faint squeak than anything else.

The benefit of tuning out the small animal that Isabel had become was that Kyle didn't need to suppress a smirk every time Zephyr casually handled her and her antics, seemingly without paying more than a dime's worth of attention to the fact. It was a fine example of multitasking and one that showed just how much Zephyr could prioritize one of the world's most dangerous killers as second best. In the meantime, most of his attention was spent answering Kyle's assessments, questions and responses to the man's own questions.
"Johnson? Oh....that must be Cold Steel's real name. I don't think he ever gave me it or if he did, I must have missed it. Wasn't exactly a friendly chat at the time. But yes...he's pretty stubborn in a fight, even if he doesn't seem to take things as seriously as one might expect.

That leaves a question though...if we were targeted, would not the leader of the X-men be a valid target as well? That is, if this is a shot at mutants as a whole rather than just mutants in a specific place and with the reputation Sanctuary has."

Zeph's suggestion that they needed mutants with skills more inclined towards the investigative rather then the offensive made Kyle smile slightly. He had just mentioned the perfect person for that role, although it would be a hell of a time convincing her to help out mutants from Sanctuary. Maybe since it was for the greater good, Evelyn would be more inclined to listen. He'd earned that much of her friendship at least. The real trouble would be once Mirror heard of her recent interaction with him...Kyle made a note to have that meeting in a place without any reflective surfaces.

"Ah...in that regard, Evelyn is perfect for that role. Her power, as she describes it, let's her hear "echoes", sort of a way to read a person or an object. She's smart to boot; I think she could lend a hand towards being our "Sherlock Holmes" in this situation."

It didn't come as much of a shock that Zephyr didn't have many contacts within the mansion; the man seemed well connected on the outside world, but it was likely with people that would rather be dropped headfirst onto concrete then deal with the mansion folk. Like Isabel. Just hopefully not nearly as murderous. But between the two of them, convincing Cold Ste....Johnson, Evelyn and the leadership of the Sanctuary to work together...as well as could be expected anyway, to stop this dangerous threat, seemed a viable plan.

Kyle blinked in surprise as Zeph suddenly stopped mid sentence, moving calmly but a bit more swiftly then was necessary for a simple location change, to another portion of the kitchen. An eyebrow rose at that, just as Kyle caught motion by the window out of the corner of this eye. Glancing briefly in that direction, all Kyle caught was the last seconds of a woman with white hair strolling past...and that was it. Maybe Zeph knew her and it wasn't a good thing if she saw him? Maybe it was nothing. Either way, it was a curious action.

"That's about all we can do for now. I think I can talk Johnson into it. The man doesn't hate me, at the very least. He'll listen to reason. I think we should bring this up with the leader of the Sanctuary as well. I'll leave that to you or Isabel; I'm not familiar with her in the slightest.

In regards to Isabel, far as I know, she hasn't done anything serious. I've done my best to monitor any serious incidents lately and nothing's come up regarding her going on any of her little sprees. Not to say that she hasn't done anything bad, but far as I can tell......" Kyle stopped mid sentence as Isabel let out a small meow in regards to Zeph's question, making his train of thought have to adapt slightly...""okay, so it seems she has done something but to my knowledge, nothing that merits the response she or we got. Could have been the final straw though. Probably a question to ask her when she can answer with words, rather then...squeaks. As cute as it is, that is."