She had promised to take a long shower to try to give them time enough to put clothes out there, but she was really concerned about the hot water supply. She was undoubtedly sharing a water heater with the people on this hall and no one liked a hot water hog. With a sigh she flipped the water off, squeegeed herself as much as possible and then wrapped herself into a towel.

She peeked out the bathroom door timidly, but finding no one in her room it seemed that things were safe enough for her to come out. She was also relieved when she found several sets of clothes laid out on the bed. Actually, she was really excited. She had no real fashion sense and she hated shopping. Otieno had no idea how much what he was doing actually meant to her.

She poked through the clothes and found a grey shirt that suited her tastes and seemed like it may fit better than some others. She held up the jeans to her legs, but just couldn't bring herself to put them on - it was spring and jeans didn't breathe as much as she'd like them to. She settled on some faded jean shorts. She pulled them on without much thought and ran the towel over her head, rubbing it around haphazardly. Her hair never did anything she asked it to anyway so there was no use being nice to it.

She hung the towel on the bathroom door and grabbed her tennis shoes from the bathroom. They still stunk so she placed them outside on the window sill. She preferred going barefoot anyway. She started for the door, but on her way out she stepped on the folder full of papers that Neena had asked her to fill out. She rolled her eyes and grabbed the folders and the pen she had been provided with. They would accompany her to the kitchen area. She needed the map in the back to get there anyway.

((OOC: post away my friends... i'll be hanging out in the kitchen filling out paperwork ))

Unless something else made it more difficult. He looked at her for a moment and then stared at the road. The only thing that made it hard to shop for himself besides wings... was the fact that his clothes got shreded each time his two halves decided to make themselves apparent. He sighed lightly and figured he might as well tell her.

"Yeah. The wings aren't a big deal. I don't like shirts anyway. I raised myself in the forest and mountains of the south. So I prefer as little clothing as possible."

He took a breath and shook his head. He really didn't want to get into the rest but he didn't see a way around it.

"Not to mention when I split into the dark winged man and the white winged one my clothes get shredded. My body tears into shreds and I can't control when it happens. My body literally seperates and the clothing can't stretch with it. Even if it could I am pretty sure the two of them would destroy it trying to get away from each other."

He hadn't looked at her once while he was telling her. He didn't need to. He could imagine the reaction. Though it prolly wouldn't be as bad as some peoples. She seemed like someone that was never really suprised.

((You can put your reply to that if your gonna say anything... then erm im seperating this part with a second post that will slide into the mall))

He looked at the different garments and he really wasnt to sure what he should grab for her. His eyes looked at the different clothing and finally he seen something he liked. He smiled and walked over to the skirt and picked it up. It was blue and would go down to Ghosts ancles. He lifted it for Neena to see.

"I like this. I figure since she deals with air like she does... that she'll want something that beathes. Not something clingy. I think I'll get a long one and a short one. What size though?"

As he spoke his gaze shifted through the other clothing around. He spotted a few shirts he liked and smiled. He looked back over to Neena and pointed even before she could say anything about size.

"For a shirt how about one of those?", he couldnt help the mischevious grin that stole on his face. The tops he was pointing to were cut so midriff would be showed, not to mention it was a bit low cut and would definately cling to certain places.

"One of those and a few normal shirts? I can get her another shirt she can wear over that that'll compliment it and make it look nice"

He looked back to Neena. He felt like a motor mouth but he didn't want her thinking he was any weirder then he actually was, "By the way. I wanted to come do this because well for one I really don't plan on staying in the mansion very often. Just long enough to work off ghost's expensive not to mention the little i will incur while staying there. Oh and don't worry about getting me a room. I won't be sleeping very much anyway. When I have to sleep I would rather it be outside... most likely on the roof... near her room."

If one didn't know any better they might think him her body gaurd instead of a friend. He honestly did plan on staying awake until he had to sleep and then he would force himself very little so he could watch over her. He didnt care if there were many others there that could do it. There were also many others there he didnt know or trust. The best person to do something he wanted was himself.

Neena split her attention between remembering what side of the road to stay on, and what Torqueos was saying. His explanation confirmed her thoughts on some sort of identity crisis. She couldn't remember anyone else who had undergone this particular type, however. If she understood it correctly, he really gave new meaning to the term 'split personalities.'

When they paused at a light, she turned to find him silently staring anywhere but at her. She could understand why. She doubted very many people gave his mutation an unsurprised reaction, let alone a positive one. Perhaps that was why he had hooked up with Ghost.

But all she said was, "Yeah, I can see why that would make dressing up difficult. Ah well, no problem. Maybe we'll find a few decent coats instead, then."

-------------------------------------------------------

"I like this. I figure since she deals with air like she does... that she'll want something that beathes. Not something clingy. I think I'll get a long one and a short one. What size though? For a shirt how about one of those? One of those and a few normal shirts? I can get her another shirt she can wear over that that'll compliment it and make it look nice."

Neena murmured a suggestion here and there, like a different color here or a different size there, but for the most part just let him go at it. At one point, however, she did comment, "You may want to get her a pair of shoes. I'd say flats, just to be safe."

Abruptly he seemed to pause, mid-choice. She tilted her head, expecting another idea.

"By the way. I wanted to come do this because well for one I really don't plan on staying in the mansion very often. Just long enough to work off ghost's expensive not to mention the little i will incur while staying there."

"Remember, school, not hotel. Expense isn't an issue," she interjected

"Oh and don't worry about getting me a room. I won't be sleeping very much anyway. When I have to sleep I would rather it be outside... most likely on the roof... near her room."

"You're afraid of hurting her." It was a statement, not a question, and spoken kindly, not accusing. She pushed up her sunglasses, revealing her eyes and a thoughtful expression. "Do you ever remember what the dark one does?"

She pulled out a blue blouse, with a faux wraparound style, and renaissance sleeves that floated away from the arms. That seemed appropriate for an air elemental. Though.... on second thought she put the blue one back and pulled out green one, and added that to the growing pile of choices.

"No I don't. Sometimes he shares what he has done. But never do I remember it exactly. Its like watching it through his eyes. Reliving it. Hes only shared with me once or twice. I dont know why but for some reason I think somethings up with them. I didn't even know they existed until I met Ghost... and now they are speaking to me in my head. I feel like Im going crazy sometimes. For once though. There is nothing. No suggestions. No talking. No nothing. Its nice. THey went silent a few hours ago and neither has said a word or tried to get me to do something. I like it."

He looked at the pile and then back at Neena. It was starting to get a bit big and this was New York after all. He looked at the price tags and then at the money and smiled. He still had a decent chunk in his hand even after taking out the money for the clothes.

"I think this is enough for her. I doubt she wants a pratical stranger buyin her her a full closet. She might think Im tryin to buy her affection. Which Im not."

He picked the clothes up and started to carry them towards the front of the store. He turned and looked at Neena, "As for a coat for me I have the one im wearing. Its good enough. It fits great and its pratically new. Whoever the guy was had good taste. Wish I hadnt ruined the rest of the clothes. It was a decent suit. SHOES! Almost forgot."

He looked around and found sandals not far from him. A slight smile passed over his face and he found a pair that was mens and fit good. He looked at Neena, "Shoes or sandals? I mean there are nice lookin sandals here not just generic ones."

"No I don't. Sometimes he shares what he has done. But never do I remember it exactly. Its like watching it through his eyes. Reliving it. Hes only shared with me once or twice. I dont know why but for some reason I think somethings up with them. I didn't even know they existed until I met Ghost... and now they are speaking to me in my head. I feel like Im going crazy sometimes."

Neena shrugged. "Believe it or not, most young mutants do. Or their families do." That last part came out just a tad coldly.

"For once though. There is nothing. No suggestions. No talking. No nothing. Its nice. THey went silent a few hours ago and neither has said a word or tried to get me to do something. I like it."

Neena smiled at him. She had known many mutants that 'heard voices' in one fashion or another. She could only imagine the confusion and frustration of such a mutation.

"I think this is enough for her. I doubt she wants a practical stranger buyin her her a full closet. She might think Im tryin to buy her affection. Which Im not. As for a coat for me I have the one im wearing. Its good enough. It fits great and its practically new. Whoever the guy was had good taste. Wish I hadn't ruined the rest of the clothes. It was a decent suit."

Neena blinked behind her sunglasses. She made a mental note to keep him away from any sharp objects.

"SHOES! Almost forgot. Shoes or sandals? I mean there are nice lookin sandals here not just generic ones."

"Sandals are good. Weather's nice enough, and I don't think New York has many scorpions. Yeah, I think she'll be happy with all of this." She nodded.

As they walked up to the cashier, she asked, "So how long have you been in New York? You don't have an accent yet."

There was a motive to her small talk and questions. She guessed that, if she could befriend Torqueos, that kindness would make an impression on his white-winged half. And that half's help would likely be vital next time a split did occur. Besides, Torqueos may think he was beyond help, but as far as she was concerned, she wouldn't know whether to agree with him or not, until she got to know him herself.

"Only awoke here yesterday in the middle of the park. On a side note I think i should avoid that place for a while... and any cops that might happen by. Had a bit of an incident. Not a chance the mansion can clear that kinda thing away can it? If you dont know what im talkin about then dont turn on the news... or read a paper... it won't erm be in there at all..."

He grabbed the sandals for himself a nd a pair for ghost and then went and paid for it all. There were alot more then he thought there was but he still had a nice bit of money left. He looked over at Neena and smiled.

"As for the accent I have a bit of an irish one... at times. Goth's is really strong all the time. Even when hes talking through me. So if i start bein an ass and talkin a bit strange then ya. Your prolly not talkin to me."

He was being very open to her. He wanted her to be ready for the next time Goth decided to make himself apparent. He knew it wouldnt be to long from now. He just couldn't figure out why they were both so silent. Maybe they wore themselves out.

"Oh I also need to get one other thing besides the flowers but that is kinda personal... when i get it would you mind not using your vision to see it anyway... while ont he topic of your vision... you could see my wings so i imagine you could see other body parts... nice little gift. Just please. If you ever wanna see me naked... just ask."

He laughed lightly and started carrying the bags out the door towards the vehicle.

"Only awoke here yesterday in the middle of the park. On a side note I think i should avoid that place for a while... and any cops that might happen by. Had a bit of an incident. Not a chance the mansion can clear that kinda thing away can it? If you dont know what im talkin about then dont turn on the news... or read a paper... it won't erm be in there at all..."

"Uh huh." Neena made a mental note to find a news paper at the next available opportunity. It would help to know what else to expect. She did have to take into account the rest of the residents' safety, as well as any visitors.

"As for the accent I have a bit of an irish one... at times. Goth's is really strong all the time. Even when hes talking through me. So if i start bein an ass and talkin a bit strange then ya. Your prolly not talkin to me."

She grinned. "That explains things a bit." Mental Note Number Two: Listen to see if 'bloody' is used in excess, when not describing blood.

"Oh I also need to get one other thing besides the flowers but that is kinda personal... when i get it would you mind not using your vision to see it anyway..."

Her trademarked eyebrow arced up over her sunglasses frame.

"while on he topic of your vision... you could see my wings so i imagine you could see other body parts... nice little gift. Just please. If you ever wanna see me naked... just ask."

At that Neena burst out in a hearty laugh, that turned a few heads in the store. She mouthed a number of 'sorry's' at them, then attempted to lower her volume.

"Kiddo, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not interested, in you or anyone else. I've seen it all, by accident and on purpose, and truth be told, I'm hard to impress and impossible to embarrass. That kinda kills the thrill factor, ya know?"

She waved his concerns aside, then added, "At the same time, don't take that to mean I don't care if you walk around the Mansion naked. We do have kids there, remember. I'd suggest you keep several sets of spare clothes hidden around, just in case. At least pants. Or shorts."

"Now, about this other 'stop'?" She let the question hang, for him to answer.

He couldnt stop from smiling as he looked over at her, "No offense takin. And It wasnt offer just so you know. My heart belongs else where. Yes and now for the other stop. Do you know if there is a flower store nearby. i really rea llydont want to be gone to much longer from Ghost. I know your mansion is supposed to be a safe place for mutants... but I dont trust anyone there, no offense. Only a fool openly trusts everyone somewhere because they are told its alright."

He stopped talking and loaded his bags in the truck. After making sure they were all situated he looked back over at neena again, "And I will make sure I have atleast something to hide myself from the children even if I do come to somewhere in the mansion naked. I mean if it comes down to it I will hide myself with my wings until I can get some clothing."

((Sorry neena i got your q's answered but this is gonna have to be short. Comp is laggin and im hving to sit here for about 4-5 minutes after each para wwatching each letter come up onot the screen.))

(OOC: No worries, and sorry for the delay. If you want to time jump or gmod us back to the Mansion, that's fine too.)

"No offense takin. And It wasnt offer just so you know. My heart belongs else where. Yes and now for the other stop. Do you know if there is a flower store nearby. i really rea llydont want to be gone to much longer from Ghost. I know your mansion is supposed to be a safe place for mutants... but I dont trust anyone there, no offense. Only a fool openly trusts everyone somewhere because they are told its alright."

She her smile took on a sisterly ambiance. "True. Blind trust is foolish." She could have added, 'So is never trusting at all', but for once she held back her usual bluntness. Instead she added with a wink, "But sometimes trusting the blind is very, very smart."

"And I will make sure I have atleast something to hide myself from the children even if I do come to somewhere in the mansion naked. I mean if it comes down to it I will hide myself with my wings until I can get some clothing."

"Then I think you'll get along just fine with everyone. Well, almost everyone. Can't expect to get along with everyone. That's unrealistic." She shook her head, pulling herself from going off on a different subject.

She climbed in and started the truck. "I think there's a Flowerama, or something like that back that way a couple of blocks."

They pulled into the mansion and parked. He started to grab things from the truck and looked up at Neena. He smiled lightly and just said lightly, "Thank you Neena." He didnt say the obvious for what. He pulled all the bags from the truck and waited for Neena and then walked into the mansion with her.

"Since im not getting a room what all paper work do i need to fill out? I will pretty much be a stalker of the area."

He was filling tired so he placed the bags down next to the wall and looked at Neena. "Hey I need to use the restroom." He didnt wait for her to reply and instead walked to the nearest restroom and looked about. After a second of not seeing anyone he pulled the pill bottle that he had gotten from the store from his pocket and ate a caffiene pill. He put them back into his pocket and washed his hands and then walked back out to her.

"much better. Where do you think Ghost is?"

He grabbed the flowers he bought in one hand and then the bags in the other and waited for Neena.

The smell of grilled cheese lay thick in the kitchen area. All was quiet except the air teemed with palpable excitement.

Suddenly a scuffle sounded in an adjoining hall and Ghost came running with whoops of laughter into the kitchen with a middle schooler hot on her heels. She dashed toward the cupboard, but the kid was faster and it seemed she was cornered between the table and cupboard area. He lunged. It seemed that she would catch the boy in her arms except that he ran right through her... or rather it looked like he ran through her. In reality her particles rolled around his rushing form, but visually the effect was the same. The boy ran into the cabinets with his hands and a small crash.

Ghost laughed and the sound seemed to emanate from no where in particular.

"Hey! You said no powers!" The boy had a ridiculously betrayed look on his face as he got up from the floor.

Ghost laughed even harder now, her form blurring in places as she literally had a hard time containing herself. "That was before I saw you on the ceiling!" She caught sight of Neena and Otieno as they walked into the kitchen area. She drifted a few paces toward the two, stopped and concentrated on fully rejoining the physical world.

"Welcome b-" A soft slap sound cut her off.
"TAG YOU'RE IT!"

The boy ran away shouting to apparently others that were hidden. "Ghost is "it!" Hide quick, you know how fast she counted last time!"

She wrinkled her nose, but she seemed to have a backup plan. She held up a single finger to the two - a 'one second' gesture. Ghost marched straight over to the bar stools that stood aligned behind the counter.

"Thomas." She spoke directly to a stool on the end of the row. "You are called Thomas aren't you?"

A stool in the middle shifted seemingly of its own accord. Ghost leapt and slapped it directly across the seat with her open hand. "No powers huh? You are SO "it" now!"

Ghost then bounded the last few paces to catch up with Neena and Otieno. Behind her the stool melted and re-modled itself into another middle school aged looking boy who was rubbing the top of his head. "It's Travis." He mumbled, but the mirth in Ghost's eyes made it clear that she had known that already. Or at least she had known it wasn't Thomas.

"Hi, guys!" She grinned a toothy, roguish grin. Though Neena probably could have seen the whole time, now that Ghost was closer it was apparent that she had the remnants of a paint mustache in a coordinating color with the same conjoining hallway from which she had just ran. She was also marked with spongey looking squares of now dried paint where she had obviously taken a roller to the leg or arm. Her cheeks were flushed from the recent exercise.

"I saved you some grilled cheese, if you're hungry." She offered, oblivious to how she must look. She pointed to Otieno's flowers and asked over her shoulder, "Who died?" as she bounded back to oven and pulled out a plate of six or so grilled cheese. There were dishes drying beside the sink that evidenced a large-scale grilled cheese lunch time operation.

((OOC: hey guys - can mod if needed. thought it might be okay if you ended up in the kitchen. just excited to be back in the picture again )

"Since im not getting a room what all paper work do i need to fill out? I will pretty much be a stalker of the area."

Neena chuckled. "You won't be the only one. You'd be surprised how many of the kids prefer to sleep outside. And I'll drop another folder off in Ghost's room for ya." After having spoken with him about his mutation, and the possible resistance from one of his halves, she decided she would fill out a file on her own, then compare the two whenever he dropped his off.

While he went to the bathroom, she took a quick look around at some of the remodeling efforts going on in the various rooms. The first thing she noticed was a trail of paint dripping across the plastic covering the carpet. It wound around the hallways, and in and out of various rooms.

"much better. Where do you think Ghost is?"

"I'm guessing.... that way." Even as she pointed in the direction of the paint trail, the young girl appeared, with one of the younger boys hot on her heels.

"Hey! You said no powers!"

"That was before I saw you on the ceiling!"

Neena pushed her glasses up into her hair, watching the tag game. She debated asking about the paint mustache and other markings, but had a feeling she was better off not knowing. Besides, she was just glad to see Ghost was settling in nicely. She hoped eventually Torqueos would as well, but this worked for the time being.

"Who died?"

"Died?" She laughed and shook her head. "Now there's a positive thought. I believe those are for you. I'll be right back." With another chuckle she set off down the hallway, following the paint trail to its nefarious source.

(OOC: Go ahead and skip me for a few posts. I'll be back.

He looked her up and down and smiled to himself... atleast until she asked who died. He frowned and shook his head but before he could speak Neena piped in. He nodded his head with her and held them out to her, "Yes. These are for you. I noticed how much you liked it when we were outside... And since you will be sleeping indoors... I figured I would give you a piece of the outside to make you feel more comfortable."

"And no thank you. I am not hungry right now." He didnt say he didnt want to eat because of the pills he took. He didnt want her knowing about them. He wasnt sure if they would work as good if he ate with them.

He took the plate in one hand and then gave her the flowers and smiled. "Here you carry these. Ill carry the bags I got. You'll have to show me to your room because I have no clue how to get there. I hope you like them. neena was a big help. She pretty much picked them out... I just went with what she thought we should get you."

There was no reason for her to know he had picked most of the things out. "Oh and I got you some sandals too."

"Here you carry these. Ill carry the bags I got. You'll have to show me to your room because I have no clue how to get there. I hope you like them. neena was a big help. She pretty much picked them out... I just went with what she thought we should get you... Oh and I got you some sandals too."

She chuckled. "Wow. That's quite a load. I hope there's some for you in there too." She accepted the bouquet of flowers, but motioned for him to leave the plate. "Leave the sandwiches if you don't want 'em. There are plenty of scavengers here. I didn't know if you guys would eat while you were out so they were just in case."

She shrugged and took a good smell of the flowers before rooting in a cabinet for a tall glass or a vase. She did enjoy flowers, though she typically preferred not watching flowers die a slow and (as she imagined it) painful death, but it was sweet. Actually - it was really sweet. Sweet in a way that made her mildly paranoid, but she was in an especially good mood so she would let it go.

Tall glass and bouquet in one hand, Ghost scooped the folders off of the kitchen counter and flipped to the back page with her other hand. She was glad that she had decided to mark which one was "her room" because after being away for even a few hours, she had forgotten its location.

"You sure you don't want me to carry something?" She eyeballed the mass of bags curiously as she led the way to the stairs.

"No I'm fine I got them.", he smiled lightly as he followed her up the stairs and to her room. A wicked grin flashed over his lips as he started to watch her rear as she walked. He bit his lip and only then did he realize what he was doing.

*Ah so you are there after all. I was begining to think you had both left. I had half hoped anyway.* He thought to himself.


He waited for a reply but none came so he shurgged. If they wanted to play like they were gone that was fine by him. He would just have to remember that they were there and keep his gaurds up.

"No I didnt get anytthing for me. I didnt like the clothes there though they would look good on you. Besides I didnt want to spend to much on clothes that will just get shredded anyway. And I didnt get you any undergarments... I didnt think that would be appropriate... plus I didnt know what size."

When they got to her room he waited on her to enter and then followed her in. He sat the bags down on the bed and smiled lightly, "There you go. The sandals are in there with your clothes. Uhm... if you wanna change I can"

He was going to say go but instead the word "Help" came out. He just stood there locked jawed staring straight ahead. What was this game Goth was trying to play with him. Make it look like they were gone and get Otieno in trouble. Thats what it seemed like to him. He wouldnt let Goth do that though.