Sveta had seen many people react to her powers in many different ways. Some were more in control than others, and some were completely freaked out. One time, people died. She was not sure what to expect from someone who was controlling the weather... but touching through her gloves was at least not as powerful as skin to skin contact would have been.

The bubble around them swirled larger, before it relaxed back to a comfortable size. Sveta was not swept up in a hurricane or something, which was definitely good. She could see Devon's eyes darken, and his voice sounded full of power too.

>>“It’s certainly a more connected feeling that you’re amplifying in me. I can see the storm much clearer now.”

"Good." Sveta nodded, holding his hand. The boost would only last as long as they were in contact, so she held on as he reached up with his other hand to start clearing up the skies. It was stunning to see his mutant powers affecting the blizzard directly. Sveta felt a pang of pride, since her powers were a part of it too.

>>“You are definitely helping. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d end up unconscious out here trying to stop this… I’m not scared of that now.”

"You have good control." Sveta noted, talking from experience. Not everyone did. "You think you can stop it completely?..."

>> "Good."

Yes, it certainly felt good. All that power thrumming through him from the storm and through him. It would have been easy to expand the blizzard, drive down the temperature, increase the snow and whipping winds… She made it all the easier. But Svetlana wanted to help, and Devon was here to ease the blizzard. His concentration was focused, see the tapestry and unweave it. Open the spaces, take off the blanket.

This wasn’t him. This wasn’t her. This was the storm and together they were influencing it. It was awesome, beyond anything he’d ever been able to witness.

>> "You have good control." Sveta noted, talking from experience. Not everyone did. "You think you can stop it completely?..."

“Thank you,” Devon replied. He was proud of his control; he’d spent years adrift to focus on what could cause destruction on a large scale. Nature had its’ parts in life but also death. Devon was particularly aware of that. His medications were for him, but they were also for everyone else. He remembered that every morning as he took those pills. This too wasn’t for him; this was for the people in the city. He focused on that

“I’ve spent a great deal of effort on my ability, training how to use it and how not to use it. My emotional state is important and control all the more so. So many wish for power, and so many with power wish for control,” Devon said softly as the storm continued to thin in the viewable area. Now it was easy to see through the drifts to a block five away. “It’s a conversation I’m having increasingly often. People need help and mutants all the more so. Instead of persecution, they need guidance.”

Tempest let go of her hand. “But no, I can’t stop it completely. We’d been out here for hours trying and I’d at least be exhausted. If we take a few trips around the city, we should be able to safely destabilize it. We’ll get it weaker, let it start breaking up, and most importantly stop spinning over the ocean and move on,” he said softly, gently. He was wringing his hands and breathing slowly. “I’m sorry to let go abruptly, but I want to maintain control as much as possible. Feeling the storm that easily, I had to remind myself of the purpose and not let it rule me.”

Dark eyes drifted to azure blue as the winds around them ceased their spinning and lazy flakes drifted onto their clothing. “Can you touch humans without these effects? The personal impact to your life must be harrowing,” he frowned slightly. “Thank you for telling me. I do greatly appreciate it. Can I convince you to visit a few more boroughs with me?”

>>“Thank you. I’ve spent a great deal of effort on my ability, training how to use it and how not to use it. My emotional state is important and control all the more so. So many wish for power, and so many with power wish for control. It’s a conversation I’m having increasingly often. People need help and mutants all the more so. Instead of persecution, they need guidance.”

He had clearly thought things out. Sveta nodded, milling over the things he told her, while she was still holding his hand, allowing her powers to boost his, and watching the storm slowly subside around them. It was spectacular. She wondered if anyone could see them now, and it anyone would have connected the change in the weather to two people on the street, holding hands. She could only imagine what would have happened if Devon lost control.

Devon finally let her hand go.

>>“But no, I can’t stop it completely. We’d been out here for hours trying and I’d at least be exhausted. If we take a few trips around the city, we should be able to safely destabilize it. We’ll get it weaker, let it start breaking up, and most importantly stop spinning over the ocean and move on... I’m sorry to let go abruptly, but I want to maintain control as much as possible. Feeling the storm that easily, I had to remind myself of the purpose and not let it rule me.”

He really was careful with his powers. Sveta respected that. So many people just went in assuming they could maintain control when their powers were boosted - or did not even think about it until they were already in trouble. She was glad she only touched him through her gloves. Triple power might have been to much to begin with.

>>“Can you touch humans without these effects? The personal impact to your life must be harrowing. Thank you for telling me. I do greatly appreciate it. Can I convince you to visit a few more boroughs with me?”

"Sure." she nodded to the latter question "It is no effort to me... My powers work on their own." she did not have to focus to boost him; they merely had to hold hands. She fell into step beside him as they walked. She considered his previous question.

"Humans can feel my aura" she explained "It is like a coffee buzz, you are more alert or... active. But touch does nothing to dem. It's mutants only." she sighed "It is not easy. Accidentally touching someone can be... dangerous. When people find out, dey always want me on a team, and then it turns out I am not good with many mutants around..."

>> "It is no effort to me... My powers work on their own."

Well that was good. “Ah good, I’d hate to fatigue you,” he nodded and started walking. Out of courtesy he started to offer an arm but then grimaced slightly, smirked, and lowered his arm. “Sorry, force of habit,” he muttered.

She explained how humans felt her presence. He certainly did and could easily recognize now how it had him jittery, talkative, a little more awkward. Being out in the storm gave him energy but she made him a little anxious, a little excited. He grinned at her. She was mutant caffeine. What an annoying way to feel used by people. She may not have been heroin, but her power could still prove a drug. Should they talk again he’d have to be careful not to let that power influence his decisions.

>> “…When people find out, dey always want me on a team, and then it turns out I am not good with many mutants around..."

“Ah then I presume it was the Sanctuary’s previous resident team that tried to abuse your abilities?” Devon asked. His eyes started to swim and turned black again as he started to watch the storm. He let small flakes fall upon them but shifting breezes gathered to keep ice from their eyes. “I completely understand how touching someone could be dangerous. Some mutants have enough trouble with their powers as is, let alone amplified.”

They walked side by side, Devon careful not to touch her. It was almost comfortable, the way he kept most of the ice and snow off of them. She could tell when he was using his powers by the color of his eyes, but now she knew he would ask before he needed her help again.

>>“Ah then I presume it was the Sanctuary’s previous resident team that tried to abuse your abilities?... I completely understand how touching someone could be dangerous. Some mutants have enough trouble with their powers as is, let alone amplified.”

"Very dangerous." Sveta nodded solemnly. She still carried the guilt of hundreds of people dropping dead from a heart attack she accidentally caused years ago. "De Sanctuary... a woman who worked there took some of my blood. I don't know what she did with it, but she must have thought it was useful."

The Sanctuary had been involved in various shady dealings over the years, as far as Sveta understood. They could have used her blood for anything. Or nothing. She was not sure she'd ever know.

"I know I can help, if my powers are used well." she added "Tis just... not many people are as careful as you are."

Dangerous. Svetlana confirmed the danger and Tempest immediately empathized. His power was dangerous; his very behavior had proven dangerous in the past. His denial and refusal to get treatment had been a problem. But that was his fault. This wasn’t hers. She merely had a power that others would abuse or simply weren’t ready for. That sounded like a hard life.

>>"I know I can help, if my powers are used well." she added "Tis just... not many people are as careful as you are."

Tempest frowned. “I think I know whom that person was,” he nodded slowly. He knew a mutant from the Order who'd had a pharmaceutical company in the past. Lori.

“I met a woman last autumn that showed up suddenly at the Sanctuary, knew how to use special chambers for training…” He looked to Svetlana and nodded slowly. “She was rather curt, don’t think she liked me, but I could tell she’d seen some rough times. I didn’t get the impression of a nefarious personality, but someone who tried to make hard decisions for good reasons. I can sympathize with that, but either way maybe I can figure out what happened there.” He shook his head a bit more.

“Unfortunately, I’ve had some accidents in my past. When your emotions influence your powers and you can make storms…” he sighed. “Control is very important to me, and so are other persons’ development. That includes understanding boundaries and living within their power. It should be celebrated, but first that means learning of the challenges and working through them. Sorry, psychologist talk.” He chuckled slightly, blushing even a little.

“I ramble and I think it’s partly the energetic influx your power creates,” Devon grinned. “I will definitely buy you dinner after this. If we find any place open, it’s my treat,” he nodded. “Definitely.”

>>“I think I know whom that person was."

Despite her better judgment, Sveta felt her stomach fold in on itself. Meeting the blonde woman was not one of her fondest memories, and it coupled with the guilt that maybe her blood had been used for unspeakable things without her knowledge. It felt like someone had take a part of her body, her person, and used it for things she did not want to imagine.

>>"I didn’t get the impression of a nefarious personality, but someone who tried to make hard decisions for good reasons. I can sympathize with that, but either way maybe I can figure out what happened there.”

"I am not sure I want to know." Sveta muttered, surprised by her own honesty. She had just met this guy, after all, and he had admitted to both working at the Sanctuary, and to not thinking the blonde woman was a bad person. And yet somehow Sveta was trusting him with her feelings. Ugh.

>>“Unfortunately, I’ve had some accidents in my past. When your emotions influence your powers and you can make storms… Control is very important to me, and so are other persons’ development. That includes understanding boundaries and living within their power. It should be celebrated, but first that means learning of the challenges and working through them. Sorry, psychologist talk.”

Sveta chuckled at his ranting, and the awkward apology at the end. He was throwing a lot of big words around, that's for sure. She could not even imagine what it would be like to have powers that reacted to her mood. Her powers were always on, like an aura or a cocoon... not something she had to learn to control, but definitely something she had to learn to live with.

>>“I ramble and I think it’s partly the energetic influx your power creates. I will definitely buy you dinner after this. If we find any place open, it’s my treat. Definitely.”

"I'll take you up on dat." Sveta nodded with a smile "Although I don't think anything is open in dis weather... so I guess if I want a fancy dinner now I have to keep helping you stop the blizzard, huh." she added, mostly joking. She was going to help him anyway, they had already established that. "So... that's what you do? Help mutants live with their powers?"

>> "I am not sure I want to know." Sveta muttered

“Of course,” Devon nodded solemnly. That was her right, after all, especially if she couldn’t change what had been unless of course she had a different power. He’d find out though in case there would be a problem later. It was perfectly possible Lori had taken it for a resource should she need it, but maybe it had already served whatever purpose.

They moved past that, back to stopping the storm and his rambling. He really did feel he owed her at least dinner now. He wanted to bring up Haven now too but maybe that’d wait until that dinner or something. Like she said, everyone wanted you to join when you were metamutagenic. It was more that he appreciated her wanting to help, the risk she was taking. That spoke to her character.

>> "So... that's what you do? Help mutants live with their powers?"

Devon chuckled, “First, you don’t have to do anything, but if you do, yes, the fanciest of dinners!” He grinned as warmly as he tried to keep the air around her. They were moving deeper into the storm and he was having to work a little harder to keep the whipping winds off them.

“And yeah, that’s part of it. I actually started a company that’s part treatment center, part self-help spa. Humans and mutants alike, but I’ve got training and special programs for mutants,” he smiled cheerfully. “That’s Hadden’s Havens. I’ve also partnered with a few of my investors, some politicians, and some liked-minded individuals to open Haven: a humanitarian organization, educational facility, and outreach program. I do tend to focus on mutants learning to live with their abilities, especially control. A lot of personality impact tends to come with growing up with these powers.”

The man’s black eyes widened and he took a deep breath and laughed again, “Wow, sorry. I’m excited about this anyway, but I should focus.” Indeed, there were pieces of ice building in a circle around them as he tried to keep it off them. The wind whipped through the buildings as Devon stopped. “Do you mind helping again?”

>>“First, you don’t have to do anything, but if you do, yes, the fanciest of dinners!”

Sveta smiled at that. She was not going to turn a fancy dinner down. She so rarely had a chance to enjoy one, without being on some kind of a mission or expecting some kind of trouble. And if she could someone else to treat her... all the better.

>>“And yeah, that’s part of it. I actually started a company that’s part treatment center, part self-help spa. Humans and mutants alike, but I’ve got training and special programs for mutants. That’s Hadden’s Havens."

"I could go for a spa right now" Sveta chuckled, but she did pay attention to what Devon was saying. He owned a company... no wonder he was so easily coming up with offers of fancy dinners. There was more to this guy than she had first thought, a mutant that can control the weather. Having powers did not always make someone successful. And definitely did not mean successful mutants would want to help others. But apparently Devon did.

>>"I’ve also partnered with a few of my investors, some politicians, and some liked-minded individuals to open Haven: a humanitarian organization, educational facility, and outreach program. I do tend to focus on mutants learning to live with their abilities, especially control. A lot of personality impact tends to come with growing up with these powers.”

"So... you are kind of a big deal, huh." Sveta smirked. It sounded like he was doing a whole lot of good with the resources he had. A lot of good for mutants. Go figure. Sveta had decided long ago that people like this only existed in fairy tales. She would know; she was supposed to marry one...

>>“Wow, sorry. I’m excited about this anyway, but I should focus. Do you mind helping again?”

The wind around them was picking up again. Sveta nodded at the request, and reached out with her gloved hand to hold Devon's hand while he dealt with the blizzard. They would probably need to repeat this more than once, until the clouds were finally broken up. She didn't mind. It felt like she was doing something useful.

"So... why not just sponsor Xavier's then? Or the X-men?" she ventured, out of curiosity.

>> "I could go for a spa right now"

Devon chuckled, “I think most of the city needs one.” He paused, “You know, most people see a drastic improvement in their day to day after one day of relaxation. Helps them refocus, center, prioritize, relieve anxiety and stress. Great health improvements.” Not to mention, let them consider what was actually important and have a follow up session to decide how to address those issues.

>> "So... you are kind of a big deal, huh."

Devon laughed again, “I would say that I’m a supporting keystone. The bridge of people are the big deal. We’re all working together, optimally to achieve a number of great things while bridging separate groups. I hope Haven can do that. I just help center it all. It’s important to me that the bridge survive without me, so I guess I need to find a good civil engineer in case the keystone is around.” He smiled, not wanting to sound morbid. “Can’t be around forever!” he nodded.

The storm intensified as they continued closer to downtown. They’d be at the Queensboro soon and onto the island. From what Devon could see they’d have to head across and south to find the storm’s turbulent center. Sveta took his hand as he studied the icy gales and suddenly the currents and curtains were a blanket once more. The tapestry opened up to him and he began to unweave it.

Sweat formed upon Devon’s brow as the wind lowered and the ice became softer flakes. He inhaled deeply, his breath quickening at the power he felt moving through him and more readily at his command. He wanted to quench it all at once, to pull that tapestry to him and soar away with it. He couldn’t; he couldn’t even soar. He wanted to put the blizzard to a rest, let a snowstorm remain. There’d be no ripping, no pulling.

It’d been a few moments since she’d ask about Xavier’s or the X-Men. The question suddenly queued up in his thoughts and registered. He had things under control.

“Sorry, I was concentrating,” he apologized. “I’m glad Xavier’s there for the school and I know a few of the X-Men pretty well, some more as acquaintances. I’m happy to help and work with them,” he nodded. “I attend to a few people at the mansion actually. However, I wanted my business to be that and provide opportunity to those on a more private level as well as the general needs of treatment or relaxation.”

Devon nodded again, releasing her hand. He grinned, his breathing slowing. “Privacy is important to me and I’m afraid the X-Men don’t have that as much. I think they’re also bound more by the public than is always good for them. I’m guilty of it even, judgmental at times. Public opinion, the whim of the government, which let’s be frank is not with mutants at this time, but that’s a philosophical debate. I’m glad Haven can be something to empower the individual while targeting various groups, charities, needs. Best leaders take care of themselves to ensure they can take care of others. We help them do that.”

He paused. “We help those who can’t always help themselves too, who maybe even others can’t help,” he nodded slowly. “We find a way to make a safe haven for others, especially those at the greatest need.”

>>“I would say that I’m a supporting keystone. The bridge of people are the big deal. We’re all working together, optimally to achieve a number of great things while bridging separate groups. I hope Haven can do that. I just help center it all. It’s important to me that the bridge survive without me, so I guess I need to find a good civil engineer in case the keystone is around.”

He had it all laid out in his plans. Sveta could not help but admire the clarity with which Devon talked about his plans and his ideas. Haven was not a run-of-the-mill "mutants banding together" kind of thing. It was social change, profound and well-planned, and spanning beyond the mutant community. The guy knew how to dream big.

And it was different from the X-men as well. She could tell before she asked, but she wanted to hear his thoughts on it anyway.

>>“Privacy is important to me and I’m afraid the X-Men don’t have that as much. I think they’re also bound more by the public than is always good for them.”

"Dat is true." Sveta agreed with a nod. "I never stuck around with them for dat reason. People knew too much about them... and too many people knowing my powers exist... can be dangerous." To the team, to Sveta herself, and to the residents of New York City.

The storm was clearing now, but she could tell that concentration took a toll on Devon. She let go of his hand when he was done, to give him time to breathe. He was doing well - even with the power boost, his focus was impressive.

>>“We help those who can’t always help themselves too, who maybe even others can’t help. We find a way to make a safe haven for others, especially those at the greatest need.”

"That... sounds like just what the city needs, actually." Sveta smiled a little "Something mutants like me would need."

So Sveta had been with the X-Men or at least the mansion.

>> People knew too much about them... and too many people knowing my powers exist... can be dangerous."

Devon nodded slowly. There were a lot of mutants out there that were forced to be alone because of society’s response to them, but Sveta had a power that others would desire and possibly abuse. He still worried there was possibly an addictive aspect to her ability. Even if it didn’t directly, who wouldn’t grow accustomed to the extra strength or ability?

He was glad she understood the reasons for Haven’s separation. “I’m glad you agree,” his smile was gentle though fatigue was clear in his tone. “I think we’re making serious impact. The center’s clearly over the bridge, closer to downtown. We hit that and we should be good.” He nodded again and continued walking.

“It’s not just mutants even,” Devon said then his brow knit together. “Did I mention that already? I can’t remember. We’re putting effort and energy where the need is, where the change has to come from. Lot of that is in education and financial assistance for minorities. The LGBT and mutant rights cases are the main legal fights we’re involved though,” there was another slow series of nods.

As they went to walk over the bridge his eyes went black through and through. The winds whipped snow squalls toward them but Devon directed them elsewhere while keeping Sveta warmed, somewhere hovering nearly the mid 30’s. His breathing was slow but deeper, louder. A headache was starting behind his eyes.

“If you’re actually interested – and please don’t think I’m pressuring you – you can come check it out,” Devon leaned into the topic. “I know you said everyone’s always wanting you to join their thing, so maybe we have you help with a couple things without getting too close or involved in any of the mutant efforts?” He paused, biting at his lip, “You might have interest in some of the outreach programs. We can always talk more about them if you’re actually interested. Again, it’s up to you and you can always step back if you’re not interested. You just seem really positive about the endeavors and I feel like it’s rude not to ask you.”

His breathing was a bit heavier and his walk had slowed. He blinked awkwardly, “Sorry I’m rambling. I think maybe the influence of the energy prep is mixing with my anxiety about the storm, and I’m certainly getting tired.” His eyes widened, though they were still black from his power’s continued use. “Not that I’m blaming you. I really do appreciate the help. I’d have passed out by now probably… somewhere back there.”

Devon was still working on making the blizzard stop. As impossible it sounded, for one man to stop a storm of this magnitude, it was slowly showing sign of change. It was poetic, really; using his powers to do the unimaginable, man against nature, that kind of thing. Svetlana was impressed. He had one of the most incredible powers she had ever seen, and yet he was using them with more control, and hers with more respect, than most others she had worked with.

>>“It’s not just mutants even. Did I mention that already? I can’t remember. We’re putting effort and energy where the need is, where the change has to come from. Lot of that is in education and financial assistance for minorities. The LGBT and mutant rights cases are the main legal fights we’re involved though,”

Svetlana nodded at that. "Makes sense." Mutant rights had always been tied into minority rights; one could not progress without another. People liked to blame genetics, or deny genetics, however their political interests required, and mutants often got caught in the middle of the fight, along with others. Not to mention all the people whose mutant identities intersected with others.

Devon made an offer to her; it was just as polite as his previous questions, but he seemed passionate about the possibility. Sveta had to admit, his enthusiasm was contagious. For the first time in a long time, she actually felt like she wanted to be a part of something, and even though she had her concerns, she felt a lot less hesitant about working with mutants in Haven than she had with any other place.

>>“Sorry I’m rambling. I think maybe the influence of the energy prep is mixing with my anxiety about the storm, and I’m certainly getting tired. Not that I’m blaming you. I really do appreciate the help. I’d have passed out by now probably… somewhere back there.”

"Take your time." Sveta nodded with a smile "I am happy to help. And once we are finished... we should go somewhere warmer, and you should tell me more about Haven. I can't believe I am really saying dis, but I am interested."

Maybe Haven would turn out to be something good. Every storm needed to end once...