Sam let out a small chuckle when she said she ‘sporked’ spork was a funny word and the fact that Paige could shift into it made it funnier. When Paige talked about her childhood Sam made note that she used to get into fights a lot. Something he could understand being a kid was tough, being a mutant kid was even harder. The odds of you having friends that were non-mutant were rare and you always seemed to be blamed for everything.

Sam remained quite for a minute after she stopped talking leaving a lull in the conversation before he causally asked, “Beat the crap out of them?” Sam asked talking about the kids that picked on her, “Sure your parents didn’t care much for the fights.” it was Sam’s way to get to know her better. Questions often led to answers, which in turn cemented friendships.

The wind picked up for a second causing the night air to grow colder for a moment. Out of reaction he snapped his head back towards the bar expecting something to come flying at him. Nothing was there, it seemed that his near-death experience left lasting side effects. Sam had noticed he was looking over his shoulder more than usual. Something he hoped in time passed. He didn’t like having to look over his shoulder.

Turning back towards Paige and the way they were walking Sam relaxed a little allowing his shoulders to drop to where they normally were. “Probably be wasting your money if you paid to see me take them out with a spork. Be a bit quicker and a little more bloodier probably. If I can help it I usually like t avoid fights with or without weapons.” Sam enjoyed kicking butt when needed but he hasn’t actually sought out a fight in some time.

Paige giggled a bit. "Oh, my Mom was pissed. My Dad wanted to teach me how, after he found out I'd been fighting. Mom wouldn't have it, but Dad managed to have a few lessons tossed in behind her back."

She sighed a little, pulling her blue hoodie with the kitten trying to look tough on the back around her. It was the one she'd bought on a date with Chloe; the thing was adorable and obnoxious at the same time, but hey...it was warm.

"Maybe, but I think it still woulda been interesting. Before tonight, I never thought of my ability being used to aid in a fight. Good to know there's more to it than spying on people making fudge or being mistaken for dirty laundry. Sometimes I wish it was a little more useful offensively, though." She let out a sigh through her nose, flipping the hood up and pulling the zipper all the way up as well. "Thanks. You know, for not being just another ***hole."

Nodding his head Sam listened to Paige as she recounted her younger years and learning to fight with her father. Sam smiled slightly, she seemed to come from a good home so why was she so… violent. He kept quite till she wished her mutation was more offensive. ”Creativity is what you’d require.” Sam nodded his head not elaborating what he meant. Creativity was how he came up with everything he was able to do, ice clones, golems, weapons, snow. If someone really tried to figure something out they’d be able to do it. ”I mean, you don’t need to fight why would you need an offensive ability?” Sam asked listening contently until she said he wasn’t another @$$hole.

Stopping in his tracks he stared at her for a moment his brief stop managed to allow him to see the back of her sweatshirt. This then caused Sam to break out in laughter. A few moments passed and Sam waved his hand dismissively. ”I don’t know what’s funnier. Your sweater or you being one of the few women I know who doesn’t call me an @$$hole.” Sam laughed a bit more and then walked back towards her. ”I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.” he took a few steps forward again.

”Thanks though. Nice to hear every now and again.” not just coming from his girlfriend though she might call him that on occasion. ”Tons of @$$holes in the world. Not much anyone can do about it. Just got to learn how to work with them opposed to against.” Sam said. ”Where you heading?” he asked her turning his head slightly to have his good eye fix on her.

This time, Paige was the one stopped in her tracks. "I don't need to fight? Ha..." She took a breath. "I've always felt like I did, like I have something to prove. That I'm more than just another hollow shell with a pretty face, or that I'm not a spoiled brat who wouldn't be anywhere without Daddy's money...that I'm...that I'm not useless...or just another damsel in distress..." The shifter bit her lip, pausing.

"It kinda grew on me; my girlfriend got it on a shopping spree we went on together. Well, sorta. She taught me the art of 'bargain shopping.'" She did the air-quotes, laughing a little. "It's warm, and it's my color. Even if the cat's a little...ridiculous. And...maybe you are an @$$hole, but you're one of the few people who've seemed to care. One of few guys who haven't tried to get into my pants within moments of seeing me--or thrown me into a washing machine...or some **** like that. So, I owe ya."

Paige looked at him long and hard, thinking. "I don't know, I guess I was just gonna go home."

She had something to prove. Sam remembered that feeling when he was a kid, it was what motivated him to do what he did for T.A.T. he had to prove he wasn’t a monster and by doing so he became what he was trying to prevent. He remained silent for a moment the air around them continued to remain under his control. It was still brisk but it didn’t get colder. It might have been because the sweater was funny as hell and he wanted to see it. Sam also made note that she seemed to have daddy issues as well, heck if she wasn’t into girls (which was just revealed) and Sam didn’t have a girlfriend and Paige was maybe a year or two older she might have been a perfect fit for his ‘qualities to have to date’ list.

”You don’t ‘owe’ me anything.” Sam said putting an emphasis on the word ‘owe’ he hated when people felt like they owed him something…. Well some people. ”Heck another time or place I might have tried to get into your pants, but I have a different approach than throwing you into a washing machine. A bought drink, maybe a nice conversation I’d ask for your number.” Sam shrugged, ”You catch more bees with honey, so they say.”

Nodding his head, ”Let me walk ya home then?” Sam asked offering before shaking his hands dismissively, ”Don’t worry I’m not gonna ask to come in or anything like that. Just want to make sure you don’t try knocking anyone else out on the way home.” Sam said with a smirk, ”Serve and protect, I protect. Not that you are a damsel or anything just if anything else arises, I like knowing my friends are safe ya know?” Sam smiled and gestured for her to lead the way.

”Sides you can tell me more about your girlfriend and I can tell you about mine?”

Paige let out a hearty laugh. "The washing machine wasn't an attempt to get into my pants, it was just a fiasco that ended in an emotional breakdown. Heh...you might as well. I mean, aren't we both going to the Mansion anyway?" she asked with a playful smile. Heck, maybe in another time, another universe, things could've been different. But it is what it is.

"My girlfriend? She stays at the Mansion as well; Chloe, or Butterfly. She's..." Paige smiled as she thought about Chloe. "She's thoughtful, sweet. She's been helping me learn to live a life simpler than the rich, spoiled one I was so used to. Taught me the art of bargain shopping, which is part of why I have this goofy looking kitten on my sweatshirt, but that sorta grew on me. ...Maybe to an extent...I am that kitten. Trying so hard to be tough and intimidating, but maybe I'm just...not there." She bit her lip a little.

"Chloe has a more laid back view than my punch first, never ask questions mindset. So you could say she keeps me in check."

”Didn’t know you lived in the mansion.” Sam said with a small laugh, ”Just figured you were visiting when you happened to run into me.” with a shrug Sam continued on walking with his hands behind his head as he took a deep breath in of the chilled city air. Still, no one was following them but that didn’t stop him from shifting his eye around looking from building top to building top the longer they were out on the street the more Sam seemed to become unease.

”Sounds like she is a good influence.” Sam said nodding his head as he noticed a few cars passing by in the street next to them. ”Mo’ money mo’ problems. So they say. Can honestly say though, not having to worry about money is sometimes nice. Though it can spoil ya and make ya soft if your not careful. My brother for example. Bit of a ****.” Sam laughed slightly, ”Other than looks we don’t have much else in common. Prime example of nature vs. nurture.”

”Thena, is pretty similar to your girl from the sounds of it. Takes a lot of women to keep me in check. She stabbed me with a needle one time to get her way.” Sam said remembering the memory fondly, not the shot itself but the lead up. Rubbing his neck where he was stabbed he debated calling her to have her meet him up at his place. Then again if she was interested in that she would already be waiting for him.

”I find the more head strong the woman the better I behave.” Sam said stopping at the nearest crosswalk waiting for the light to change.