Hours had passed since they gave the police the slip. To avoid drawing more attention they traveled the pedestrian way. By cab. They both had looked like crap. More that once she had noticed the cab driver given the couple weird looks in the rear view mirror. Both of their faces were sweaty and smudged with dirt and debris, the man was looking like a homeless crusty thing and the woman.... Well the driver should have paid more attention to the road, because she was hard to take his eyes off of. Eventually they got to where they were going. Or at least in the general area. Daydream didn't know exactly what he meant by 'the sanctuary' sounded ominous. Geo had mentioned in the cab that he was sort of like an unofficial guardian to the place.   She was half expecting to see monks in robes giving blood sacrifices to a giant dirt hill. 

The whole ordeal didn't make a lot of sense to her.  The nightmare of Swift was behind her for the moment, but she was still left with this feeling of unease.  Along the way she stumbled a bit.  It was still hard to walk on her left foot, but her head wasn't hurting as bad anymore.  The bruise along her jaw was now a deep purple mark that covered the lower half of her jaw.  It was something awful.  Daydream tried her best to keep up with Geo as they headed for this place he was taking her.  She wasn't a damsel in distress.  She was just in distress. 

 She found herself sinking back into her mind.  The familiar cavern of her own secluded thoughts offered a peaceful respite to the chaos that had swarmed them.  Geo might've taken her silence as her not feeling terrific, but she was just quietly pondering their next moves.  Daydream walked with purpose.  A confidence to her stride.  Despite feeling like heated up leftovers, she tried to seem as if the worst was behind her.  She wasn't slipping in and out of consciousness anymore and that was the important part.

"How much further?"  She asked.  The buckles of her leather jacket jingled with every step.  The sound of her boots echoing on the pavement with a slight hesitation.  She could hear the sound of well.... Nothing.  It was as if the world was muted and only they existed.  Her mind was buzzing with so many things, but the one thought that kept creeping back to her was Emily.  How was she going to explain any of this to her?  Her injuries?  The attack?  Her absence?  Daydream chewed on her lower lip as she walked.  A nervous habit that left her lower lip looking a bit worn and cracked.  The soft shade of pink punctuated by worry and stress.

Before she could get an answer however they had reached their destination.  She stopped in her tracks.  Silently taking in the sight of Geo's home.  It wasn't exactly what she was expecting.  Though she could see him settling down here.  It was better than a dirt sofa in Central Park after all.  "This the place?" She asked.  She felt safer knowing they were here, though she couldn't shake the sense that someone was still following them. But that was probably just her rattled nerves.

Geo watched as the sun slowly became blocked out by darkened clouds. As the evening crept forward the sun was already starting to sink below most of the buildings in the New York skyline. Looking out the cab window a look of worry came across Geo's face. Maybe he hadn't put enough thought into the whole 'living in the ground' thing. The thought of getting stuck under the ground from New England rainfall was a bit disturbing. If it rained there was a chance of it raining for five minutes or five days. With that the ground would be logged with water long enough to keep him trapped in a tomb of his own making for potentially days...that was no fun. As the cab driver pulled over half a block down the street from the Sanctuary Geo slid the man a few bills and hopped from the vehicle, helping Daydream out in turn once he got his footing.

A wince formed on his face as he got a look at his companions face now that the injuries had some time to settle in. If she had looked that way when the Speedster was still in front of them Geo would have done a lot worse than cripple his ankles. A stone hard stern look covered his face as he ushered her down the street, the iron fence of the Sanctuary starting on their right as they walked down the street. The bitter cold was starting to chill his bare torso, making him quicken his padding against the concrete. When she spoke he was mildly surprised, she had been fairly quiet. Not surprising considering the day they had so he wasn't expecting her to speak up.

"We're here actually." He motioned towards the towering old building to their right, just beyond the wrought iron fence. It's dark hulking structure stood several stories off the ground, it's stone architecture making it appear almost castle-like against the enclosing storm. They turned the corner to a small step way that led to the two hulking golden doors of the old building. A familiar sense of belonging washed over him as the doors came into view. It was the closest thing he remembered to that sense of coming home as a child. As he wrapped his hand around the ornate handle and pulled the door open Daydream asked if it was the place.

"Yeah this is it. What were you expecting? A city of cardboard boxes?" He let a light joke escape his lips as they entered and the door swung shut leaving them into the open lobby of the building. Geo wasted no time moving her through and into the hallway, it was only a short distance before Geo came to a stop and turned to face his red haired companion. "I'd hate to do this to you Dreamboat but I have to grab something. If it starts raining i could be out of luck for a few days so I just gotta..." He started to explain but realized it he was just burning valuable time. Walking through a glass door of to the side of the highway Geo stepped out into the courtyard, quickly vanishing beneath the surface as soon as his feet touched the ground. He emerged only a moment later, a large brown hiking back pack being dragged along in his hands. As he walked back in he nodded over his shoulder at the courtyard before they continued on their way.

"My room." As the moved this time Geo was less rushed, no impending rain to worry about for the moment. "The Sanctuary is a shelter. For mutants on the streets with nowhere to go or in need of some help this place is kind of the go to. I kind of grew up here." Basically anyways. He didn't much count his human life any more. It had seemed like a new beginning the day his powers had first emerged.

"Hey Geo." As the elemental was moving towards the staircase he hadn't noticed one of the younger mutants coming out of the rec room. A boy in his late teens who's hair seemed to be aflame as he passed them in the hall.

"Hey Matchstick. Still owe me a rematch! Don't go leaving town." Geo joked as he ushered Daydream down the stairs towards the clinic.

Daydream was still quiet. She followed Geo into the grounds of the sanctuary staring at everything with a childlike wonder. It was impressive. The way the architecture managed to instill a sense of fear in her from it's ominous foreboding. Daydream was stunned silent. There was also the little problem of her jaw hurting as the deep bruise continued to fester along the line of her jaw. Daydream simply kept quiet.

  When Geo said that he would only be a minute Daydream nodded but said nothing.  Her arms were folded across her chest. She took a moment to unfold her arms and run a silent hand along one of the archways admiring it. It was beautiful, and terrifying. It reminded her a little of Dracula's castle. Geo lives here? She thought as she moved around the space as if in a dream. Before she had to much time to dwell on it, Geo had returned. Carrying now with him a backpack. What's so important in there? She wondered a brief fleeting moment before she hurried to keep up with Geo's stride once more.

Moving along she began to realize they weren't alone here.  Other mutants lived here as well.  A refuge for the city's lost and unloved mutants.  She could have ended up here.  She went to the mansion to seek refuge, but she had nearly lost her nerve at the last moment.  She nearly walked away from the mansion and she would have soon found herself just another mutant in the sanctuary trying to scrape by.  "How many mutants live here?"  She asked.  Daydream's voice was barely a whisper, and she found herself clinging to Geo for some reason.  She moved closer to him.  She didn't feel threatened per say, but she felt out of place.  She felt like an outsider.  She felt as if she didn't belong amongst them.  She was a mutant herself, but.....

Daydream had never reached rock bottom.  She was evicted from her apartment when her landlord found out she was a mutant, and spent every dime she had getting to New York to find the mansion she had heard about.  It was a long shot, but it had paid off.  If not, she would have been one of these mutants with no place else to go Geo talked about.  What an odd turn of fate that would have been. Daydream began to wonder what would have happened if she met Geo as soon as she got to New York.  What might have happened had she not found the mansion and ended up here instead.  She marveled over how a single event in a person's life can alter it so much.  Like her waiting just a few moments longer at the mansions gate, instead of turning and leaving. 

Daydream wasn't sure where Geo was going.  He seemed to move with purpose.  Like he had things in motion already.  Daydream couldn't see the whole board.  She didn't know where all the pieces fit.  Is he bringing me here to hide me?  To stash me?  What about Swift?  He was messed up, but he was still breathing.  He could..... Stop it!  Jus'you stop it right now!  You ain't makin a lick'a sense.  Geo got'chu outta there, Geo kept'chu safe.  Geo wouldn't let anythang happen to you.  You know that!  Swift isn't gone be chasing you, he can't even walk, let'alone chase.  You can't go back anyways.  You're gone ...... Just then her thoughts were broken when the police radio went off that Geo still had with him.

"All units all units, BOLO (Be on the look out) Two suspects in the mutant terrorist attack at Paladino Ave. (Rite Aid)  One male approximately 6'0, blonde hair, tattoo on the shoulder, not wearing any shoes.  Male suspect appears to have the ability to control dirt and earthly substances, Male suspect is considered EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  Suspect female, approximately 5'5 red hair pale complexion, Last seen wearing a leather jacket and ripped up jeans. Approach with caution.  Third suspect, no description.  Suspect seems to be a mutant with the ability to make themselves invisible.  If you see the suspects do not approach call for backup and wait for further orders!"

Daydream stood there a moment.  She was staring at the radio that Geo had in complete silence as she waited for him to speak.  She couldn't figure out how they knew that.  How could they possi......Duh!  It's a pharmacy with prescription narcotics.  They have security cameras!  Daydream looked over at Geo.  The worry on her face was painfully evident.  Everything he had done for her and she just kept digging him deeper and deeper into his own grave.  They were at the sanctuary now.  She hoped this place could help.  It looked like they needed to lie low.  "What do we do?"  She asked.  She didn't even try to hide the fact that she was scared.

A deep chuckle came from Geo's throat as she asked him how many mutants lived there. He actually hadn't been around enough yet to get much of a real gauge as to the residents.

"That's a question." He thought about how to answer it for a moment. "There isn't really any record as to who comes and goes. There are some folk that stay here full time. Some as they need a warm place to lay their head. More than once I've seen people walk in to catch a meal and a nap to never return." That's what made the Sanctuary so unique. It was constantly changing, there was no constant. Not record of residents or regiments to adhere to. Just the common law of existence and the need to belong if only for a few moments. As the radio started going off Geo pulled out the radio from his pocket and held it out in front of the pair.

After the radio went silent again he stood for a moment in thought as a familiar sinking feeling set in his stomach. He hadn't thought about security cameras or the sort when the battle took place. His only concern had been getting Daydream out of that creeps hands. Now they had more issues to deal with. Looking over to Daydream however his worries were instantly cast aside when he saw the fear take over her pretty features. Replacing the radio in his pocket he turned to face her. Dropping his bag he put a hand on each of her shoulders as he looked into her eyes.

"We get you fixed up." Pulling her in to a hug he tried dilute some of her fear with comfort. Grabbing his bag once again he wrapped an arm around her to guide her the rest of the way. "You know in some circles it's a rite of passage, being wanted by the cops. But there's good news. This is New York. It's nothing like the movies. twenty four hours from now they'll have a whole log book full of more troubles to deal with by then." He wasn't wrong. The NYPD had their hands full at all times. That's why New York had the reputation that it did. With so much happening it was impossible to not let things slip through your grip. After passing several doors Geo pushed into large metal double doors leading them into a brightly lit clinic. The amount of stainless steel always gave the elemental a headache when he was in there. It was the same thing as hospitals. Far to clean.

"I've lost count of how many times I've been wanted by the police. We just need to stay out of the public eye for a few days. This place is very subtle and doesn't pry too much. We'll be safe. I promise. As the clinics resident healer approached Geo gave Day a reasuring pat on the shoulder before stepping aside to dig into his bad.

The healer was an older man. He could have been in his 80's Daydream watched him with a careful eye as he moved closer. He had his wrinkled hands stretched out, fingers curled liked twisted claws from arthritis and wear and tear on his older body.  Daydream found herself shifting a little uncomfortably in anticipation.  She hadn't met a healer before.  She wasn't really sure what to expect, but Geo seemed fairly uninterested in the apparently mundane task of getting patched up.

The old man said nothing as he moved closer to her.  For the moment, Daydream's problems were forgotten. She wasn't thinking about the police, or Swift, or even Emily. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly seized by fear, but she was. Some irrational part of her mind wanted to say 'no! Let's just go to the hospital.' Mutants are amazing creatures. The old man placed a hand over her cheek and cupped Daydream's face. His fingers were soft as the caressed her cheek. His fingertips glide along the surface of her bruise and it was gone. Absorbed by his hands. The old man took the bruise and Daydream watched as a deep bruise formed on his hand. His hand shook and the twisted arthritis seemed to intensify in pain for a moment..... Then the bruise faded away. The hand became less twisted.

To Daydream's surprise.... Taking her pain away, made the healer younger. She watched as the wrinkles on his hand smoothened out. Her brown eyes darted to his face and watched as his face got younger. Like years melted away and it happened as subtly as a change in expression.  He still didn't speak. He only moved another hand along her neck and collar bone. A few minor bruises. He absorbed them. And became younger, only by a few days this time. The more severe the injury the bigger the age drop. He allowed fingertips to slip over her lower lip and the cut there disappeared. It appeared on his face as the clock continued to roll back for him. Daydream was speechless watched this happen with a complete loss of words.

He slipped his hand under her shirt and for a moment she jumped. Her first instinct was to recoil away, but he didn't try anything. He didn't speak. He simply felt her ribs where they were battered and bruised and he took her pain away. He took her bruise away. Under his own shirt a deeper purple scar would appear then slowly fade as the energy he was taking from her rolled back the clock. He absorbed her damage and it made him younger, it hurt him for a moment he would feel there pain but he didn't mind. The person being healed would feel like a warm breeze was kissing their skin as they were healed and nothing more. Though the whole process was draining for both. It left them both very tired.

Daydream didn't even have to tell him where it hurt.  He could sense the injury n her and moved from one little bump and bruise to the next as if he already had a map to her body.  Daydream watched as he grabbed her ankle and suddenly the pain was gone.  Standing back up he gently caressed her forehead.  He healed her brain.  All the blows she had taken in her time, every bump ever close call was erased.  What Daydream didn't know was he absorbed an aneurism tha was in her brain.  A ticking time bomb that was ready to explode at any moment.  If she hadn't come to this healer she would have been dead by morning.  Daydream smiled lightly at the healer, to shy to make eye contact.  He had a truly amazing mutation.  Daydream watched him steadily get younger until he was about in his forties.

"You should rest."  He said looking at Daydream.  "You may take her to lie down, it's important that she rests."

He said and walked away.  The old man didn't have the aneurism.  He took it from Daydream and absorbed it into his own brain, but it quickly dissolved and faded away.  He saved her life, and she didn't even know it. Daydream pulled her jacket back up over her shoulder.  It had slipped from her shoulder when the old man put his hand up her shirt.  She looked over at Geo.  She was feeling sleepy.  It wasn't a concussion like feeling however, it was more like she had a big lunch and just wanted to curl up and sleep.  "Geo...."  She said with a big yawn.  "I feel a lot better." 

Daydream couldn't keep her eyes open, she was already thinking about taking a nice long rest.  This place was safe, it was a sanctuary.  She could rest here without fear of the cops showing up.  She wondered if they would even dare to take on a whole community of mutants.  The thought had never occurred to her.  Daydream felt her legs beginning to get a little weaker, her whole body just craved relaxation and rest.  "Can ya show me some place I can lay down for a tick?  Suddenly I'm very tired."  Geo probably knew exactly what she meant.  The healer had been at the sanctuary for a long time.  No doubt Geo's had his fair share of bumps and bruises while kicking around this place. 

Daydream didn't think about that.  She didn't think about anything.  The only thing she could think of was finding some place soft to lay her head.  When she woke up, she'd feel like she got a full night's sleep for the first time in years.  When she woke up, she'd feel better than she had in her whole life.  Daydream was given a miracle cure.  Now she just wanted to drift away to sleep.  Though, even while she rested. She could still keep Geo company in the land of dreams.

Geo always enjoyed watching the good Doctor go to work. He was a gifted mutant the liked of which Geo had seen no equal. He was certainly an asset to the Sanctuary. The Doctor had patched up Geo on many occasions, normally after he had been up to no good. Mentally his shifted the sand that he had caked into his wounds he had gotten from Swift. They were small, he had dealt with worse. He didn't feel the need to bug the good Doctor with his small ailments when his own powers were already well at work patching himself up.

Taking a moment Geo reached into his back pack retrieving an old torn green t-shirt from it's depths. He happily put it on cutting the chill of early spring significantly. A warm smile came across Geo's face as Daydream looked back over to him. Her pretty features back to their full effect. A sense of relief washed over him seeing her patched up to her fullest again.

"Good thing Dreamboat. You were a little worse for wear there for a moment." Giving the Doctor a nod of thanks he wrapped an arm around Daydream and helped her to her feet. "No problem kiddo. I'm going to be switching to an actual room shortly so we'll get you lodged up there. You earned the rest." Heading back to the ground floor where they came from Geo guided them back through the lounge and down the opposite hallway. Here there seemed to be a lot more goings on. This was where the Sanctuary differed most in Geo's opinion. Though there were several kids in there mid to late teens that called the shelter their home there was a plethora of other walks of life. Mutant immigrants, trying to get themselves settled into the city. Old men who kept to themselves in their rooms and tortured souls from the remnants of the Order, bidding their time to return to a cause. Stepping into a room on the far end of the hall Geo let Day in before closing the door behind him.

"Rooms here are a bit fancier than I remember. But I won't be one to complain." The small room wasn't much in the way of space. A twin sized mattress in the far corner of the room, already set up with blankets and pillows in neat stacks on the bed. Next to the bed was a humble end table by a window with a single lamp and at the wall next to the door was a small writing desk with a plush chair.

"Humble digs but I've never really needed much to survive. You can sleep tight here Dreamboat. I can keep guard outside if you'd like but you gotta let me get a smoke in first." Grabbing the chair he pulled it up to the window before plopping into it and lighting a cigarette. The elemental placed his bag onto the ground and leaned back in the chair to kick his feet up onto the end table like he had so many times before.

We had our own private room?  Daydream moved around the room.  The tips of her fingers gliding over the polished wood of the hand carved dresser.  It was quite fancy.  It seemed even more like a castle from the inside with the extravagant furnishings.  Daydream moved over to a large armoire.  She opened the double doors and extended her arms, fully stretching out her wingspan as her eyes settled on the clothes hanging inside.  Daydream grabbed herself a fresh shirt and a pair of jeans that seemed to be about hers size from the dresser.  This place was home to those who were out of options.  Only made sense there'd be spare clothes lying around. 

Daydream looked around, but she didn't see a private bathroom that she could excuse herself to.  She wanted to get out of these dirty clothes.  They were covered in dirt and sweat.  It made her skin feel itchy, and the prospect of slipping into something fresh to fall asleep in seemed like a comfort she couldn't resist.  "Ummm..... Do ya mind?"  She asked softly, almost nervously as she kicked off her shoes.  She would have to get changed in front of Geo and hope that he was enough of a gentleman not to peek.

When he turned around for her she crossed hr arms and pulled her shirt from the bottom and lifted it up over her head.  The soft pale skin shivered a bit as the stale air of the room kissed it.  Daydream had turned her back to Geo.  Despite the fact that she had waited for him to turn around before she got changed, she still turned her back to him out of shyness.  Daydream stood there topless, she only had on a pink bra and her ripped dirty jeans.  Slipping the fresh white shirt on quickly and pulling it down, she slide out of her jeans.  She bent over as she pulled them down causing her shirt to ride the small of her back and reveal a hint at the silk that lied beneath.  Daydream stepped into one pants leg at a time and quickly and quietly pulled up the new pants.  These did not have holes in them. 

The silence in the room was maddeningly loud as she awkwardly got changed over by the bed.  "Okay." She said simply.  Daydream pulled out her hair, it was tucked into her shirt from where she pulled on the shirt in haste.  Moving around the bed she place a soft hand on even softer sheets.  The bed looked so comfortable.  She was so tired, more so now that she had something clean on and she didn't have that itchy feeling crawling all over.  Just the one bed though.  Daydream bit her lower lip and chewed on it in thought.  Her eyes drifted to Geo as she considered sharing the bed with him.  Crawling in, she decided she trusted him enough to be alone... In a room with him, while she slept.  If'n he was gone do somethang, he woulda by now.  He said he was going to stand guard while she slept.  That wasn't really necessary, this place seemed safe.  She wasn't made of porcelain.  Though her skin was of that shade.  "Stay til' I fall'asleep?"  Daydream asked quietly.  It wasn't long until she was peacefully asleep.  She felt right into a dream almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

"........."  Daydream was about to tell Geo he could go when the lights in the room began to flicker above their heads.  The lights slowly faded until they were in complete darkness. Suddenly a swell of music rose from nothing at all.  It seemed to be coming from the back corner of the surprisingly large room. The music was creepy and frightening.  Something you'd hear in a haunted house right, only this wasn't a right this was happening right in front of them.  Suddenly the back wall in the back of the room opened up like a large set of double doors.  The music got louder as these impromptu doors opened in on themselves.  Out stepped two people.  A man and a woman.  The man was smiling  but the girl was simply staring at them.

Around them seemed to materialize a large circus tent.  In fact, Daydream realized that now as she look all around her, the entire room had transformed in the blink of an eye.  They were no long inside the sanctuary they were inside a giant red and white big top tent with carnival music still playing from somewhere.  There was a stage and some cages lying around.  And a large crowed of mutants, many of them with visible mutations staring at them from the bleachers.  Fireworks exploded above the man and the womanand butterflies seemed to fly all around twinkling as if they were something ethereal, and not real.  Daydream had to resist the urge to reach out and touch one.  What was happening?!!?!?!?  Was she dreaming?  Was she having an actual dream?  She looked over to Geo.  The whole thing felt very real.  

"Forgive the theatrics my dear.  My name is Gavin Sinclaire. Ive been wanting to meet you for sometime my dear.  And may I just say, you are even lovelier than I imagined."  The man said looking directly at Daydream, even though she was invisible.  Daydream didn't even understand how that was possible.  She hadn't even put two and two together yet that this was Swift's employer.  The girl with the man was a powerful psychic, even though she was only 15.  She was causing them to see the room as a circus tent.  She was able to telepathically link people, as many as she wanted.  And when she linked them she could make them meet in a virtual meeting place and have them see whatever her little imagination could dream up.  In this case.... A circus tent.  "You...you can see me?" Daydream finally uttered.  She was rendered almost speechless.  It all seemed like some fantasy or dream, and she knew she was asleep due to the light pink aura that was enclosed around her ghostly body.

"Why I sure can little lady.  This here's Elise.  She's a powerful psychic.  She's the one that allowed this little meeting to take place."  Sinclaire said.  Then he turned and looked at Geo, he reached up a white gloved hand and tipped his fancy top hat at Geo with a smile.  He looked like a circus ringmaster.  Because he was a circus ringmaster.  Fully equipped with a big red coat, white pants and knee high black boots.  All he was missing was a curly mustache to twirl evily, but Daydream wasn't afraid she was more curious.  "Why do you want to meet me?"  She asked, still there was more curiosity in her voice than fear. 

 

Daydream seemed to be a fan of the humble lodgings. Geo watched from his seat as she wandered through the room running her fingers across the various furniture and admiring her new surroundings. Yeah, she was feeling better. It was night and day from the quiet pain she had seemed to be carrying herself with. When she came across the donated clothes they always kept rooms stocked with she seemed to decide that a change was in order.

"Ummm....Do ya mind?"

Geo looked between her and the wardrobe and then back again before realizing what she was asking.

"Oh yeah, of course. No problem." Climbing back to his feet Geo became incredibly interested with the world outside as his companion changed. Ah that familiar tension, the awkward act of changing in the room with a stranger. Or at least he had to remind himself they were strangers. It was odd how quickly she had fallen into his life and started them off on a wacky adventure. He was growing fond of the trouble magnet redhead he had his back to. While the mutant man carried himself with honor he was a sucker for a pretty girl. As he heard the shuffle of material behind him he couldn't help but sneak a peek over his shoulder.

His eyes glanced over the porcelain skin of her back, pausing for a moment to admire her choice in undergarments before tuning back. Taking a long drag of his smoke he cleared his throat. A smirk came across his face at his stolen peek. He was still a good person right? Wasn't like he had planned to take advantage of the poor girl. The elemental would be more than comfortable propped up in the chair against the wall, he'd done it before. When she gave the all clear he happily flopped back into his seat. Geo tried not to stare at Daydream as she got settled in, focusing out the window instead. The last thing he wanted was to make the woman feel comfortable. Seemed she had gone through plenty already, she needed someone in her corner.

"Stay til' I fall'asleep?"

"I'm be right here Dreamboat." He said quietly. He had no intentions of leaving the room. The girl had far more trouble on her hands Geo suspected, so til they got down to the bottom of it he was on duty. Luckily he was a light sleeper so he was confident in his ability to wake up if anything were to happen. Though he never got to get to sleep. The lights began to flicker. A little at first, not uncommon with the old wiring, but it was when they all shut off that Geo was already on his feet.The music was a surprise that confused Geo though He was thrown completely off guard as two doors that had never existed there before swung open.

The two that entered were met with a glare from Geo. The world around them seemed to shift, instead of the familiar room they found themselves in a large circus tent. A vast floor made up on trampled dirt covered the ground though something was off... Crowds of mutant surrounding them in the stands and blinding lights in the high rafter caused the mutant to shield his eyes as he looked around. When his eyes caught Daydreams he was surprised, she seemed like herself but...not. Her body was translucent. Geo blinked at the beauty for a moment before the creep with a smile started talking. While he spoke Geo examined him and the little girl beside him. He didn't like the feeling he got off of this guy, there was something off here. The girl was young, reminded him of a young Katrina he had worked so hard to protect during the camps. That brought up it's own slew of emotions.

Daydreams surprise that the man could see her brought the elemental to the realization that the woman he was seeing was the dream version of the redhead. A psychic. Geo hated psychics, messed with your head and made you question what was real. When Daydream spoke to the man Geo stepped forward and spoke up.

"He's getting over being rejected by Ringling Brothers, too creepy to be around children." A look of anger and defiance formed on the elemental's face as he took a step forward. Or at least thought he took a step forward, for all he knew he was still drooling in the seat with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. "We're still in the Sanctuary, psychic is messing with our heads. This dirt ain't real." He reassured the beauty without taking his eyes off Gavin.

Daydream was seized by a sense of child like wonder. There was a blue glow coming from the still open doors in the back of the room. The whole room seemed to be a giant circus tent only the back of the room seemed to stretch, fade and distort. There was a rolling fog now spilling lightly over the floor. It rolled past Geo and Daydream and made their feet disappear within it. Daydream looked around at the faces of the mutants in the audience. They wre all telepathically linked to Geo and Daydream. They were all linked by Elise's mind. Because they were linked the mutants in the stand could get a look at Daydream and even Geo!

Daydream noticed all of these things that filled her with such awe in a span of seconds.  Every time her eyes settled on some new little detail she was struck again but a tug of curiosity. Geo's general attitude snapped her out of whatever illusions she was feeling. She had never been to the circus before, the thought of it made her smile. The circus always seemed like such a happy place to her.  She wasn't getting the same defensive vibes as Geo, but when she heard his tone she felt the hair on her neck stand up. It was like an alarm bell went off. What am I missing? She wondered.

"We've been quite impressed with you too, actually young man."  Gavin said to Geo turning his wicked smile in his direction.  Gavin took of his top hat to reveal his short spikey hair beneath it.  Gavin held his top hat in both hands in front of him.  The smile faded from his face and the look that replaced it was one of a man trying to measure you up.  Gavin's eyes narrowed, for but a split second before the smile spread back across his thin lips. 

Daydream took a slight step towards Geo and allowed his body to hide her a bit.  She wasn't sure what to make of all this, but the mutants in the stands all around them were nodding approvingly.  They were linked to Kendra and Geo and Elise, so that they could all see the new recruit, or recruits in this case.  They were all brought into Elise's mind so they could see the new addition to their family.  Because if it's one thing they were at Gavin Sinclair's Fantastical Circus of Curiosities and Wonders, it was family!

"Now.  I don't know what gave you'all the wrong idea about me.  I'm no psychic.  I'm just your garden variety human.  No, I don't hold anything that makes me special.  But you do honey."  Gavin said pointing at Daydream and gingerly lowering himself down onto the chair Geo had been sitting it.  The chair and the king sized canopy bed still appeared to be inside this crazy circus tent with them.  "Oh, honey you are a special one indeed.  The invisible girl!  The amazing dreamer!  The bombshell beauty who can be in two places at once!"  Gavin was beaming with enthusiasm.  "My card."  He said pulling out his card and handing it to Daydream.

Daydream took the card hesitantly reaching around Geo to grab it.  She looked at it thoughtfully and said the words out loud.  "Gavin Sinclair's Fantastical Circus of Curiosities and Wonders.  Come see the greatest feats on earth performed by the most magnificent beasts on earth."  Daydream looked up from the card and then back at Gavin.  "You treat mutants as sideshow freaks?!?!?!? That's barbaric!" 

Daydream was disgusted suddenly.  Any happy thoughts she had associated with this circus was turning to bile in the pit of her stomach.  Gavin stood up from his chair and put his hands up in a pleading motion.  The palms of his gloved hands held out like stop signs.  "No no no no no honey you got me all wrong!  I don't force anyone to be here.  I give these poor mistreated souls purpose!  Some of'em they aint never gonna hold down a real job.  They can't feed themselves or their families.  NO one wants to hire a mutant that scares away the customers!  But with me, they have a place where they're accepted.  A place to belong and have friends.  A place where they can use their powers and not feel shame for it!  You two...." Gavin held out his hand and someone from the crowd tossed him a black and silver cane.

Gavin tapped his cane on the floor like it was the period at the end of his sentence!  "You two are invited to come and check us out.  We cordially invite you to a show.... Under the bigtop!"  Gavin took a bow and held the cane and tophat over his head in separate hands. 

Daydream still didn't know how she felt about it.  She still felt sick to her stomach at the thought of how they were exploiting mutants.  She had never had any great swelling of mutant pride, but it made her heart bleed to see mutants mistreated.  She was a mutant.  Geo was a mutant.  Everyone who ever mattered to her in her whole stupid life had been a mutant.  Daydream looked at Gavin and then back to Geo..... What could it hurt to go to a show?

Geo let out a short mocking laugh as Gavin claimed to be impressed with him. Whoever this guy was he thought awfully high of himself.

"I'm sure you're lackey was impressed to. Wonder if he'll ever walk again." A stone cold look sat stern across the elemental's face. There was something not right here and it seemed his companion was caught up in a world of whimsy. As the man strolled past them Geo moved along with him, making sure that Daydream stayed firmly behind him. Any other situation Geo would appreciate a man with a knack for theatrics but there was nothing to admire about a man who would harass a pour mutant. The kind that rain a sideshow of mutants like they were freaks. A snarl formed on Geo's lip as he started to lurch towards the creep before remembering it was all in their head. As the mutant shot a look to the small girl responsible for the illusion he reached back with his sandy hand, taking a hold of Daydream's translucent arm to assure him she was still there behind him.

"The only people that have problems finding acceptance are freaks like you that get their jollies off of making mutants merchandise. I know the type. What? Feel inadequate now that there's something better than your fleshy mediocrity walking the earth?" Working up a loud disgusting sound from his throat Geo spat at the man's feet as he stood before them, cane in hand. The elemental would have beaten him to a pulp the moment Daydream read off his care if Geo wasn't certain that he wasn't right there. It was men like him that made this world a dangerous place for mutants. Just like the kids that were really in the rooms all around them. Rage was building up inside of him, his blood boiling at the thought of the man tricking vulnerable mutants into thinking they were nothing more than oddities of the world.

"Species envy is a serious matter, Gavin. Seems to me that you're overcompensating for something there. Personal issues?" He jabbed an insult at the man, frustrated it couldn't be one of his fists. "Or do you just get off controlling innocent mutants?" It was always when Geo was starting to learn to not hate humans instinctively that one came along to prove to him they were worthy of his hate. Young confused mutants like Daydream, still coming to peace with who they were were the most vulnerable. It's how the government spook programs go their recruits, how the X-men managed to keep a fresh stock of kids and how freaks like this found a way to coupe with realizing they were going extinct.

Turning to look at Daydream as she looked between the two he tried to soften his features. He wanted to assure her he could handle whatever was in front of them but Geo wasn't even sure of what he was going to do.

Daydream watched as Gavin's smile shifted to one side of his face, in a twisted unamused smirk. When Geo talked about maiming Swift. Then it finally clicked for her that Gavin Sinclair was the boss that Swift was trying to bring her to meet. She felt her spine turn to icewater when she thought of what might've happened if she agreed to go with Swift. She was always the curios type and impulsive to boot. She was half tempted to just go, and see what it was all about, though her fear got the better of her and thankfully so.

Daydream's eyes wandered from Gavin to some of the cages that sat empty in the tent. Hay lined the bottom of the cage. She couldn't help but think that she might be in one of those cages right now if she had actually let Swift take her. Geo had stopped him. Geo had saved her. Geo had been there to save her since the moment they met. She could hear the poison in his voice as he spoke about Gavin. She couldn't blame him, knowing what he did to mutants made her sick to her stomach.

Though what disturbed her the most was the fact that the little girl hadn't said a word yet. In fact, she hadn't even blinked at all. She just stood there staring at her with that robotic expression and unconcerned face.  Daydream's heart was quietly bleeding for the girl. She watched as the girl's hand moved up and slipped inside Gavin's hand, when Geo started insinuating that he mistreated mutants.  She held his hand as if he was her father and they were about to cros the street. Still, she said nothing.

Gavin was still smiling.  Why is he smiling?  "Ya hear that ladies and gentleman?  Geo here thinks that you all are mistreated.  Now what'dya gota say about that?"  There was a roaring boom of laughter that filled the room.  The fact that there were so many mutants here honestly scared Daydream.  Not that she had anything to fear, but these did not seem to be nice people.  Gavin in particular.  Still, her eyes wandered back to the little girl who was smiling now.  She was still staring at Daydream.  The little girl's eyes never left her, and it was a little creepy now.

"Tell ya what.  You folks stop by for a show, and then you can make up ya minds yourself. Or if it makes it easier for you to live with yourselfs we could just take you and you won't have no choice in the matter.  Sometimes it's better to just roll with the punches son.  Never turn down a plate of food til you've verified that it's posion.  Something ma'daddy always used to say." 

Daydream watched him put the top hat back on his head and smile even wider.  She looked over at the crowd of mutants surrounding them and to her surprise they were all gone.  It was only Gavin and the little girl now.  The spotlight still shining down on the 'hopeuflly' the newest attractions to the circus.  "Geo the incredible dirtyman!" and "Daydream the invisible girl!" Gavin gave a final bow.  The smoke drifting at their feet surrounded them and when the smoke cleared they were gone. The door in the back of the room was gone.  The creepy music had ceased and the lights came back on all in an instant.  Daydream looked at Geo to verify that she hadn't just dreamed that, but then looked down to realize she was still holding Gavin's card. 

Daydream threw the card on the floor in disgust.  He couldn't be trusted.  He acted like he tried to invited them as a friendly gesture, but he had already tried twice to kidnap her with Swift.  It was only after Geo stopped him did he make this grand sweeping invitation, tried to sell them a line of bull and call it candy.  Daydream was terrified now.  Not only had Swift found her, but she wasn't safe anyways, they had someone who could literally invade your mind and make you see things.  How do you fight that?

Daydream looked over at Geo and threw her arms around his waist.  Burying her face into his chest she began to cry.  She was so frightened now.  What had first started out so whim sickle and magic turned out to be a nightmare in disguise.  She was foolish enough to think it looked fun at first, distracted by flashy effects and circus themes.  She was a fool.  She couldn't even trust her own judgment.  She wouldn't blame Geo if he wanted to back out.  This was some heavy things being laid at his feet.  He didn't owe Daydream anything, but she'd be so afraid if he bailed out now, just the thought of it was enough to make her ball harder into his shirt.  Just when he put a fresh one on she got it all wet with her tears.  She wasn't usually as easily frightened at this but something about Gavin and his creepy twisted smile clutched at her heart and made it stop beating. 

   

Geo wasn't impressed by the thunderous applause that came from the crowd around them. They were dealing with a psychic, there was a solid chance that even the crowd themselves were smoke and mirrors. It was obvious that Gavin wasn't a fan of Geo's reaction to his theatrics. He had a feeling the man was used to not getting his way. At least he seemed to settle with a simple threat to them if they didn't come knocking on his door themselves. Because that obviously wasn't an ambush. As the small girl came to take the man's hand they turned and vanished into the non-doors which promptly closed shut.

With that they were back. Geo found himself standing in the small room of the shelter that he called home. Looking to his feet he found the remains of his cigarette, a small burn hole formed where the cherry had once been. Taking a moment to breath Geo collected his thoughts, made sure he was still there. Who knew what that kid had shuffled through while she was in his head. The thought was terrifying. God damn psychics. Life would have been easier without having to question your very existence. Looking down Geo saw as the card Gavin had given Daydream flutter to the ground. How was that even possible? Was it not an illusion? The mutant looked down to the sleeping Daydream still tucked in to the single mattress. He gave a startled yelp as he was hugged by an invisible force, it took him several moments to realize that it was a now invisible astral Daydream.

"Dreamboat you scared me there." As she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head into his chest Geo embraced her tightly. He couldn't imagine how scared she must have been, he was mildly freaked out himself. As she started to cry a duality rushed over Geo. Part of him felt a rush of compassion as he squeezed her tighter shushing her gently as he did. The other part was boiling over in anger. The amount of torment that man had caused the invisible woman in his arms was too much. He couldn't let him keep playing these games.

"We'll find him. We'll stop him." Geo muttered into her ear as he ran a hand over her hair reassuringly. "I won't stop until those mutants are free and he leaves you alone." His mind ran over who he could go to for assistance in the matter but his contacts were scattered to the wind. They were on their own, but as Geo held Daydream in his arms he knew he wasn't going to give up til she was safe.

Through films of tears Daydream mumbled something into Geo's shirt that was little more than incomprehensible garbage.  Realizing that he probably didn't hear her she leaned back and wiped her nose.  She looked up to see Geo staring down at her.  He couldn't see her, but she felt his eyes on her just the same.  Daydream spoke soft and quite. 

"He's not ever gone to let us alone."  She said simply. She was staring at the baseboard along the wall now.  She was just staring at it.  A far off look in her eye, as if she was really concentrating on the stain on the wall.  Finally she pulled her eyes away from the fixed point.  "I don't thank he'll ever stop chasin us."  Just as her dream version said this her body in the bed mumbled in it's sleep.  'stop chasing us.'  That was something that happened from time to time. When she spoke out loud in her dream, her body would mumble the same thing.  If she got hurt in a dream, her body would toss and turn uncomfortably.  Looking over at her body in the bed she could see that her cheeks were wet with tears. 

Daydream made a conscious effort to wipe the tears from her face despite being invisible.  She thought maybe Geo could still hear the sadness in her voice.  "What do we do now?"   She asked.  She really wasn't sure what the next step of the plan was.  Gavin never said when he would be back, but she very much doubted he was casting idle threats.  He would be back.  She just knew he would.

Daydream kept clinging to Geo.  It was silly and she felt kind of stupid for being so worked up, but she didn't want to let him go.  H had kept her safe all this time, her mind wasn't thinking about anything else.  She was just thinking about Geo now.  With the fear and emotion sweeping through her right now, she thought briefly about leaning up, standing on her tippy toes and planting a soft kiss on his lips, but she didn't.  She simply clung to his shirt like he was a life jacket and she was rolling on a wave in the middle of the Atlantic.

A circus. Like mutants didn't already have it bad enough, they were being paraded around in front of crowds of gawking strangers so they could be pointed and laughed at, called freaks.  Daydream had felt like a freak most of her life, the thought of being on display like some kind of object..... She didn't want to think about it.  She took a step back away from Geo and found herself settling down a bit, the circus people were gone for now it was just her and Geo in the room.  Daydream found herself thinking about how she might not be able to go back.  She couldn't exactly lead this kind of attention towards the mansion.  If Gavin knew about the mansion, and he probably did..... She didn't want to be the reason he sent his people in there.  Just to get her.  He might discover more mutants he wanted for his little collection.

She had came to this startling realization and a pang of sadness washed over her again.  "I don't thank I can go back Geo.  I'd put everyone in danger if i went back to the mansion."  It saddened her more to say it out loud, but it was true.  Gavin Sinclaire would have a field day with the mutants in the mansion if he had reason to go there to get her.

Daydream mumbled into his chest. Geo felt a pain in his chest, he hated to see a woman sad. As she pulled far enough away from him to speak he shook his head in disagreement as the sleeping Daydream mirrored her astral self. Looking to the woman on the bed Geo noticed the recently wet cheeks shimmer in the weak light of the room, it only made him grip her all the tighter.

"Then we make him stop..." Stopping for a moment he looked down to the invisible girl in his arms. Reaching down he followed the feeling of her shoulders to her neck to cup her chin lightly and ensure he made eye contact. "I'll stop him. And he'll never mess with another mutant again. I promise on everything I have in this world, I'll stop him." He tried to keep the anger from his voice, drowning it in more of a protective one. Just early this day this poor soul had been on her own, trying to face these massive challenges by herself. He was glad that he had stumbled into her life on accident. Who knows what would have become of her if he hadn't stepped in.

That circus. The thought of all of those poor mutants subjugated and twisted into believing their only worth was as a side show. They were next on his priority list. Whether they knew it or not they were slaves to the will of a madman who thought himself a god. Why else would he go out of his way to stalk and capture mutants for his show? What was his real motive? One thing was for sure, he was going to the circus. As she stepped back Geo let go of his hold on her, his fingers lingering on her arm as she pulled away. Reaching down Geo pulled up the card to look at it once more flipping it over to read the back he tucked it into his pocket before turning back to... Oh yeah, she was invisible. He stood for a moment blinking at the room before Day spoke.

"You'll be safe to go back once I handle this. There are people there I know can fight, and will fight damn hard to keep you safe." His thoughts flashed to Cold Steel. His rival turned friend was one hell of a fighter, of that he had no doubt. It was the only place he truly felt he could leave Daydream to stay while he fought this freak. He didn't want her to come within a thousand feet of them. But she had a point. A freak of that level couldn't be lead to a school. If he already didn't know. Who knew how long he had been following her.

"But you can't go Dreamboat. I'm going to go take care of this but I'm taking you home first."

Geo's words seemed to have a calming effect on her. Daydream sniffled a bit as the last of her tears ran dry and stepped back. It was raining out now. She could here the soft thudding on the roof and the quiet sound of the shower outside. Moving over to the window she pulled back the curtain to peer outside. So many thoughts were running through her head. Most of them involved running.  Geo would be better off if he hadn't met her. She didn't doubt that he would try to stop Gavin and his mutants, but she didn't think he would succeed. 

He was just to outnumbered to fight. Even if he managed to enlist the help of his friends.  There were just to many of them to stop.  That crowd of mutants in the stands they were all under Gavin's control.  What could Geo do to stop that?  Gavin didn't seem worried in the slightest.  In fact he had said that Geo had even impressed him.  Impressed him how?  How could he have known unless Swift had escaped capture and made it back to report.  Swift.  She almost felt sorry for him now.  Just another mutant under Gavin's thumb.

Kendra closed her eyes and saw Geo.  He was standing under the big top.  The soft dirt beneath his feet as he confronted Gavin Sinclair.  Kendra heard the creepy music beginning to swell again.  It added a soundtrack to her horror.  The lights lowered and a single spotlight shined on the duo of Gavin and Geo.  "Welcome friendo! TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!"  Horrified Daydream watched as a circle formed around them.  Stepping out of the dark and shadows were all the mutants of the circus. Daydream was sitting inside a cage.  She was weak, tired and hadn't eaten in days. The pale tone of her skin looked waxy and dull.  The brightness of her eye looked faded and withered.

The mutants closed in on Geo.  Gavin stood in the spotlight a true showman of his art.  He was laughing now as the mutants closed in on Geo.  One mutant who looked like a Giant bear, that Daydream had noticed in the crowd before stepped into the circle.  The bear man stood before Geo towering over him laughing as well.  Gavin's going to make him fight each of his mutants until he can't go on any further.  She thought from her place in the cage.  She was helpless.  Gavin had drugged her with a stimulant to keep her awake, she was wide eyed with horror and could only watch this unfold. 

She watched as Geo started to gather the dirt around him.  It swirled around in a vortex of earth.  Before he could do anything with it a powerful claw tore off his face.  Blood flew through the air.  The scene unfolded like a Greek tradgedy and Daydream could only scream out in protest from the hell of her confines.  "OH NO FOLKS!  THE INCREDBLE DIRTY MAN HAS TAKEN A TREMENDOUS BLOW!" Gavin was narrating into the microphone for an audience of humans who watched the mutant fight the same way they'd watch a boxing pay per view.  It was as special affair and Gavin Sinclair always put on the very best show!  Geo looked up from the floor.  His face torn into ribbons as he stared at the bear man through red blury vison.  The bear decesended on him and bit off his head! 

A noise in the far corner of the room made Daydream utter a startled cry.  She snapped her head over to see that her sleeping body had knocked over a glass on the nightstand and it banged the nightstand on the way down.  It was just a daydream.  She allowed her worried mind to wander and it wandered to the most horrible of places.  That's it.  I'm leaving.  I'm not going to let Geo get hurt because of me.  I'm not going to let anyone get hurt because of me! 

Daydream turned around from her spot at the window.  Her heart was still racing from her vivid imaginations.  "You thank you could get me a bite ta eat?  Haven't eaten in awhile." She said.  Her voice sounded shaky unsure.  When he leaves I'm getting out of here.  She thought quietly.  She would grab a few close and slip away.  She could sneak out the window if she had to, but she just didn't want anyone to get hurt.