It was early. Dawn brought the cities morning and the warmth Carrick had been waiting for since he crawled in through balcony doors an hour before. It was Saturday morning. Meaning no interning just recovering something he needed to do considering another fight he had gotten into thanks to Zek.

He’d see what was left of his guitar later the sun was coming up. His bronzed wings glowed in the morning light along with his pasty back. The shirt he had worn the night before was lost in a shift, or by Zek sometimes it was hard to tell. Most of their escapades traversed the city which was why the shifter usually kept spares. Blame the clones another thing he had to deal with.

The shifter was out before the sun started to warm him. Purring loudly he slept while his tail flicked on occasion behind him.

In the kitchen the mansion’s Roomba blared to life and started to clean up the dirt Carrick brought in on his bare feet. Revealing everything had done before falling asleep including thawing a bag of steaks that read “Sam’s. Don’t touch!”

Amethyst was aware that Carrick had left, but she was too comfortable nestled in the royal sized bed to press the issue. He would be back. They lived together now, for better or worse - worse, in this case, represented by a faculty member that also happened to be a household appliance. Getting up very early. If the past two days since this strange living arrangement had begun were any indication, DJ Roomba was going to get stuck a lot, trying to ingest stray gemstones around the apartment.

The princess wrapped herself in a pale silk robe, and emerged from the bedroom - only to find her consort lying in the middle of the living room floor, half naked. It was not exactly an unusual sight - the room had large windows facing east, and Carrick liked to sunbathe - but the raw meat and the dirt were a little concerning.

Crouching next to Carrick, Amethyst made sure he was purring, then headed to the kitchen area to get some breakfast.

Living outside of the Mansion was its own adjustment, but the Mansion still prepared Praxi for living in proximity to other people. She had a room to herself, but there were always other students and staff members running around. That prepared her to share a communal living space with others to some degree.

It did not prepare her for living with Carrick and Amethyst in an apartment. Amethyst's living situation was not small by the standards of New York, but it was also not a sprawling Mansion boarding school. The constraints of a more normal living situation became apparent with how people used the shared spaces.

Especially Carrick.

DJ Roomba hummed to life, making the puddle that was Praxi-at-rest stir from her slumber. As her senses returned to her, she slowly reformed a body—about five feet, some approximation of a high ponytail, and a slightly curvier silhouette than she would have walked around with in the Mansion. It was entirely possible she was overcompensating now that she was living with a very conventionally attractive royal, but Praxi was not about to confront that.

Sliding her form into a short dress that easily rested over her surface, she pushed down the handle of her door and slid into the living room.

And, proving her point, there was Carrick half-naked basking in the sun on the floor. Praxi never owned a cat, but she imagined it was a lot like this. Well, with the caveat that a pet didn't come with all the same swirly feelings a shirtless, handsome man could inspire.

Not that he did. But, like, theoretical swirling. Not like the unrelated swirliness clear to anyone looking to close at Praxi. Thank goodness for the sundress.

With a bubbly sigh, she moved toward the kitchen, popping her head in. As expected, there was Amethyst. Not nearly as naked, but that robe of hers certainly did her favors. "You know, before staying here, I didn't realize how allergic to clothes your boyfriend was." She slid to the fridge, looking to grab some juice; she was in the mood for something cool and tangy.

His purring continued, even if the princess wasn’t standing near him. His tail flicked in her direction as she walked away and back into the kitchen. The warmth of the sun was too good to get up. Even if it sounded like everyone was up now. Thanks Roomba. Meaning he was now as well.

The shifter smirked at the comment, ”It was never a secret.” he yawned stretching his arms but still laying in the direct beam of the sunlight. He liked clothes but with his mutations it was impossible to keep any article of clothing in one piece. ”too constricting.”

The sound of the former faculty member was getting closer.

”I thawed some steaks if any of you want breakfast.” he said yawning again. His wings opened further as he spread out trying to get the most sunlight.

Praxi made an appearance, and Carrick stirred too. Amethyst on her part was making tea, and getting to work on chopping up some fruit for a fruit salad breakfast. It was still strange to make her own food instead of being served, but she was getting used to it. At least she had a cleaning service once a week.

"I got him Atlantean clothes, which are easier to wear" Amethyst pointed out. Why Carrick kept showing up half-naked anyway was anyone's guess. She glanced over her shoulder, wrinkling her nose. "Darling, I'm not eating raw steak for breakfast. And you better not either. Where did you get those anyway?..."

"You did, which just reaffirms my theory that he just likes being half-naked. Show-off." It made logical sense that clothes were "too constricting" for Carrick, with his unwieldy wings and his chiseled—

Focusing. Praxi could hardly complain; until recently, she wasn't exactly known for wearing clothes, either, though that was more a problem of mechanics. In theory, she enjoyed clothes, possibly due to her long time avoiding them. She liked her dresses; this yellow sundress was even tailored in a way that made it easier for Praxi to settle on a silhouette with its narrow waist and flaring bottom.

Praxi was still getting used to height, but with Carrick and Amethyst being four inches apart, Praxi usually defaulted to a height in the middle. It left her dress a little short, but she wasn't at risk of accidentally showing too much, unlike some people.

"Can't believe I'm saying this so willingly, but Princess is right. No raw meat," she agreed, grabbing one of the pineapple bits Amethyst cut and popping it into her 'mouth.' When she was awake, she was getting good enough at holding her shape and surface tension that she left no residue after her sneaky theft. "Mmm, thanks. I was craving something sweet." The chunk slowly sank down her throat, disappearing behind her dress.

That was the other benefit of clothes; digesting in relative privacy.

”And I wear them!” the shifter groaned suddenly feeling like he was getting teamed up on. ”and they are! Just don’t have the pockets required.” his tail flicked onto the floor in the path of the roomba.

”They were a moving in gift.” lied Carrick rolling his eyes and stifling another yawn. That was when the roomba attacked rolling over his tail. With a small howl the shifter jumped up into the air flapped his wings once and then landed grabbing onto his tail.

He was up now, also wondering why both of them thought he’d eat the steaks raw. ”They’re from Frosty the iceman.” the freezer had a few more bags and if all worked out he’d intercept the next delivery. While he couldn’t see the look on Sam’s face when he didn’t get his shipment of meats, eating them was just as enjoyable.

”Meant fer cooking.” he flashed a bird at the roomba and walked into the kitchen holding his tail still feigning that it was injured.

Carrick watched the pineapple vanish behind Praxi’s dress and the shifter squinted. ”Did you get taller?” before walking past her into the kitchen.

”Morning beautiful.” he going in for a kiss on the cheek for the princess. ”Steak n’ eggs... is that not a thing in Atlantis, poor girls.” he asked going through the cupboards for a frying pan. His tail flicked behind him as he went through the lower cabinets.

Amethyst shot Praxi a look as she pilfered some of the pineapple, but didn't argue. Carrick, on his part, got attacked by the roomba and made a show of it. But at least he was off the floor now, steaks and all.

"That is dinner on Atlantis, not breakfast" Amethyst pointed out, swatting at his tail that was dangerously close to the fruit bowl. She doubted he had received the steaks as a gift anyway. The roomba was trying to clean up the dirt he'd trekked in. "You should wash up, you are filthy." She wrinkled her nose. She glanced over at Praxi, pilfering more fruit. "He is right though, you do look taller."

Carrick had a good point regarding the lack of pockets on Atlantean garb. It was a complaint she also heard about American women's clothing, but it was less of an issue for her. Who needed pockets when your whole body was more or less infinite pockets?

Steaks sounded like an unusual move-in gift until Carrick explained that he got them from Sam. After he was done shouting about his poor tail, Praxi nodded, sipping the glass of water she poured herself through her finger. "Ah. So you stole them. Gotcha." Sam was not one to give away his good meat.

Of course, Carrick had his own accusation. Praxi swirled defensively; it was easier when Carrick seemed oblivious about her body. At least he was considerate enough not to comment on some of her other choices. "Not all of us can just keep a set height. I've finally gotten good enough at holding myself together, but I'm still working on what my 'right body' is. I think this is where I'm comfortable, give or take a few inches..."

Looking Carrick over, it was hard to tell how dirty he was with her limited vision, but Amethyst was a good judge of these things. "Yeah, listen to the Princess. When you track around dirt, I'm the one dealing with it," she teased, glad to attempt to get the focus of things off her body.

His tail flicked away as it was being swatted. Frying pan in hand he shut the lower cupboard and dropped the frying pan on one of the burners. ”Suppose I could.” he stopped and sniffed himself and scrunched his nose making a show of it. Mocking the princess’s own reaction.

”Before breakfast though?” asking almost disappointed. ”The meats primed ta be cooked! It was a gift!”

Then Praxi solidified it. Apparently Atlanteans had a higher standards when it came to hygiene. Something Carrick usually appreciated with the princess. Mainly when she righted his wings.

”Well if someone did their job right!” Carrick looked over to the former faculty member as it rolled over some of the dirt he totally brought in. Was it a pain for her to expel the dirt? She absorbed her water pretty easily. Then again Carrick was solid and had a set height.”Yer heights fine I was short once too. Sorry about the dirt. I’ll try ta watch it.” he said finally and opened up the bag of meat.

Turning the burner on Carrick waited to drop the meat. A shower could wait. At least he wasn’t in the swears this time.

>>"Ah. So you stole them. Gotcha."

Amethyst snorted. "He totally stole them." She knew Carrick enough. And he was not exactly tryng to hide it.

>>"Not all of us can just keep a set height. I've finally gotten good enough at holding myself together, but I'm still working on what my 'right body' is. I think this is where I'm comfortable, give or take a few inches..."

>>”Yer heights fine I was short once too. Sorry about the dirt. I’ll try ta watch it.”

For all his bluster, Carrick was surprisingly kind to Praxi. The princess looked at the other girl again. It had to be strange, bot having a set height and body shape. Then again, people thought it was strange to sneeze gemstones too.

Carrick made no move to clean himself up. Instead, he got to work on the steak and that made Amethyst roll her eyes. "The other one's hungry is he" she noted, reaching up to tuck some of his feathers into place.

Praxi laughed her bubbly laugh. She liked the way Amethyst snorted when she laughed; it was humanizing. After dealing with the prim and proper princess for so long, it was nice to have casual Amethyst around. When she was like this, she was damn near likable!

It helped that she was endearing and gentle with Carrick, sorting out his feathers so they were in their proper place.

"Don't feel too bad. It's not like it hurts. I just feel a little gross when I accidentally absorb dirt and mud. Thanks for being mindful of me." She genuinely appreciated when the rogue was considerate when it came to her needs. "If I'm gonna get dirty, it should be for a good reason," she added obliviously.

Despite protests, the steak was ready to sizzle; clearly Carrick had more hunger than a fruit salad could sate. "Must be a lot to feed a body like that. Er, a griffon body, I mean." She swiped one more fruit to pop in her 'mouth' as a justification for shutting herself up, disregarding how she could talk without a mouth. "I'll probably take a little bit of steak. Protein's probably good for my... something."

”When isn’t he?” he leaned back a bit into the princess as she righted a some of the feathers that were no doubt out of sorts since his late-night escapades. Carrick started to purr. ”More ways than one.” he said whispered and opened the bag of steaks and dropped three on the skillet for a loud hissing sound.

”Like I said these were a gift, left before the mansion was destroyed. Along with some other things.” he said smirking illuding to him pilfering a bit more before it their home was destroyed. ”Everybody gets a bit!” he said confidently. His tail batted at the princess.

”I won’t then!” he said with a chuckle reaching into a drawer for a fork to flip the meats. Carrick recalled how the other Atlanteans treated Praxi when he first getting to know the princess. It reminded him in part of his childhood. Being picked on. Which was why he was usually less sarcastic with Praxi. Usually. ”Don’t thank me just yet! Just wait till rents due!” did he pay rent?

”I manage usually, and that’s not the one that you should be worried about being hungry.” he said eyeing the steaks. His stomach growling. ”You’ll all know if I don’t get enough, good thing we live with a balcony.” he said with a light chuckle.

”Fer yer height?”

>>”When isn’t he? More ways than one.”

Amethyst quirked an eyebrow, not that Carrick could see her while being preoccupied with the steak. They had a standing agreement with the Beast about intimacy, and she'd gotten used to comments like that. She went back to cutting up the fruit.

>>"If I'm gonna get dirty, it should be for a good reason,"

Well, wasn't everyone just on fire this morning? Amethyst quirked a brow at Praxi too. As an Atlantean, she was not bothered by flirtation and sex talk in general, but she was surprised Praxi had been... less shy somehow than in the past.

>>"Must be a lot to feed a body like that. Er, a griffon body, I mean."

>>”I manage usually, and that’s not the one that you should be worried about being hungry. You’ll all know if I don’t get enough, good thing we live with a balcony.”

"What, you're gonna start eating pigeons?" Amethyst chuckled. Carrick did have a surprising appetite, even for a guy his size and build. Then again, he spent a lot of energy flying around and doing transformations.

>>"I'll probably take a little bit of steak. Protein's probably good for my... something."

>>”Fer yer height?”

"Are you still growing?" the princess glanced up, with pure scientific curiosity. Praxi had been a lot smaller after the fight, and now she was regaining her size; she'd mentioned this was the height she was comfortable with, somewhere between Carrick and Amethyst. But the princess had no idea how her... absorbing thing worked, or what the limit was. "I mean... other than growing more curves?"

Praxi was going to ignore the comment about rent, because she was not exactly "employed;" not beyond whatever small stipend X-Men got for their service. Of course, the point was moot and silly, because the Princess literally cried, sweat, and... other stuff... precious gems. Even if Praxi casually picked up stones around the apartment, she'd amass enough for rent in a week.

There was an understanding that Carrick and Griffon Carrick were different from "the beast," though Amethyst was clearly more intimately familiar with that. Praxi tried not to get too curious about the details. She was, of course, failing. "He can't just eat pigeons, surely. That's bird-on-bird violence."

With the others being productive in the kitchen, Praxi wanted to do her part. She was limited in her capacities, but an idea occurred to her. She opened the frige and grabbed a carton of orange juice, a champagne bottle, and a small bottle of triple sec. In one of her rare encounters with a large group for a "brunch," someone introduced Praxi to the concept of a Mimosa. It was a little bit of alcohol, but somehow oranges made it a breakfast drink?

Either way, it would go well with fruit salad. She poured the orange juice and liqueur, then pointed the champagne bottle away from the others, doing her best to be careful.

"... other than growing more curves?"

POP!

Dammit, Amethyst! The comment totally threw off Praxi's focus and the cork popped free, splatting a small amount of Praxi's "hand." Fortunately, most of the mess got in the sink. "Sorry, I'll clean that up in a sec."

Reforming a hand, she started pouring and tried to answer without getting too caught up in that accusation. "I don't know how much I'll keep growing. I used to have a smaller full-size, but most people do, right? I think at some point I'd probably stop growing like other people do. I guess I could be taller now, but... well, I dunno. I feel comfortable with the 'curves,'" she admitted, trying to defend her choice to adopt a more... voluptuous build.

"Why? Do you think I look silly like this? I mean, I like the way your body is, but this fits me more?" Why did she need to throw in that middle comment? It should be impossible to have a nervous tongue when you didn't have a tongue. Just keep pouring.