Cesare had been in New York on some buissnes, although he had finished the day before, he had decided to stay, maybe earn some political ground in this place. He disliked the crowded streets, but it was no different then his home on Las Vegas. He had walked round the same place about three times now, he knew he had probably wandered off incorrectly, but it was of no importance, he ould eventually find his way to the Hotel. It was still bright and early, he was wearing a typical white dress shirt and had his favorite sunglasses on so it was of no problem going out and meeting some people.

Cesare began shaking hands, talking freely about his beliefs to anyone willing to listen. Some agreeed, others walked away, some didn't say a thing they just stayed and listened to what Cesare spoke. It seemed that he was having fun, but to him this was merely work, nothing more, nothing less. He might despise humans with all his heart, but humans still accumulated most part of the county's population so he had to reach out and get them on his side. He was walking and shaking hands when he came upon a man who was looking like he felt bad.

"Hello there young man, my name is Cesare Demeone and I'm a politician fighting for mutant rights" He said while thinking in his head how it was so irritating to have to walk up to complete human strangers and try to talk to them about politics, when most people really don't give a damn about poilitics.

"Hello there Eddie it's nice to meet you, and yeah Mutant rights. Actually I do think some Humans care, if you know humans you would know that a lot of human's beliefs and thoughts differ from one another, and over time some have become more open towads mutants, so I would suppose some would care. The reason I go around and do this is for my fello mutants, yes I'm a mutant also, but I intend to make things better and easyer for us, my motivation is myself, that's it, no big emotional story behind it, I just want things to change. How do you persnally feel about this?"

Cesare sopke with a low tone, he was tired of talking to so many people during the day and so his voice was going softer and softer. He admired this man's questions and immidiately thought he was a mutant too. "By the way, and excuse me if I'm a tad rude, but by any chance re you a.... mutant?"

The morning sun was beautiful to some people. To Garrett, it was just a possible trigger. Wearing an old 50's style fedora he had found in a dumpster, he cocked the brim down to guard his faded eyes. This guy had been carrying on with people on the street for some time now. He hadn't noticed Garrett. Most people sort of glaze over you when you're homeless. You have become as much a part of the scenery as a rat or any other piece of garbage they might step over.

He just couldn't get what the guy was talking about with politics and rights. He just kept repeating himself. Ok, he's a politician. And he loves mutant rights. Got it.But how did he expect to implement these plans? Good intentions without some backing is just a guy with a sign. Is he self funded? Does he have any funds? Many questions. Not like he had much else to do today. Fortunately, a man started engaging in some real conversation.

They had quite a discourse. It was interesting to listen to, but his inaction gave him anxiety, urging him to press on. He moved from the bench to a standing position. He was perhaps 20 feet away then. His arms crossed, his head tilted to the side, he listened to the conversation until it reached hushed tones.

" Excuse me, gentleman, I don't mean to intrude. But what's the big deal with mutants? I'm one. And I don't feel all that different."No reason to worry about hiding it. This was a blessing and there was no way he would deny it. His arm was involuntarily spasming. Hopefully, they wouldn't take it as a threat. "I was also curious to hear the politician's actual views and issues regarding these mutant rights.?"

ooc: I hope you guys don't mind me jumping in. I figure if any of you are interested in the good side or at least the mansion side of things it might be good to make an appearance. Give me a boot if you don't want me

ic:
Raina was walking down the busy newyork streets with a bag of groceries for Flloyd and Naveed. The two men ate like horses so her bags were fairly heavy. As she stopped to adjust them and get a better grip she saw a homeless man. Her eyes instantly jumped away for fear of any conforntation but when she allowed them to drift back she felt sad. She took in his appearance and as bravely as she could approached. She didn't have any money left on her, she'd spent it all on food. So she dug out a small platter of 4 pre-made subs and a can of OJ and set them next to the man. She smiled at him with her sincerely kind gray eyes. "Sorry." she said softly. "I don't have much to offer, but maybe this will get you through the day."

She didn't want to give the man any chance to say no-thanks because by the look of him he needed it so she gave a quick wave and turned about on her heels heading back to the street. It wasn't much, but it was something. Having backpacked alone across so many places Raina knew what it was like to be hungry and homeless. She may not have been as down on her luck as this poor guy was- poor teen even maybe?- but she sure knew how it could feel.

She headed on down the street and caught site of a politician. He was speaking about mutant's rights and that stopped Raina dead in her feet. She paused to listen to his speal and then he was approached by another mutant. She felt around in her pocket for the remaining brochure she had for the mansion and pulled it out. 'Worth a shot!" she said to herself.

She approached the two men and when it appeared they had finished speaking she stuck out her hands to shake Cesare's. "Hi there." she said happily. "I couldn't help but hear your enthralling talk and I have to share that I too fight for mutant rights." she took back her hand and tossed her fiery red hair over her shoulder. "My name is Raina and I work with runaway mutants- mostly teens and children. I wonder if we could exchange information. I think it would be very uplifting for the group to meet a politician on their side!" she found the brochure of the mansion she had dug out and handed it to the man.

She knew C.D. was there, and after hearing that he too was a mutant she had every intention of telling him about the mansion as well but for now she needed to hear from Cesare. She had no idea what C.D's power was (or even his name really at that point) but kept it in the front of her mind to ask.

It was then that she heard a voice behind her speaking.
" Excuse me, gentleman, I don't mean to intrude. But what's the big deal with mutants? I'm one. And I don't feel all that different."No reason to worry about hiding it. This was a blessing and there was no way he would deny it. His arm was involuntarily spasming. Hopefully, they wouldn't take it as a threat. "I was also curious to hear the politician's actual views and issues regarding these mutant rights.?"

She turned in awe to see the homeless man she had just encountered. Oh, he was a mutant. Well that made a little more sense. She would wait for the politician to respond and then speak with him as well.

ooc: C.D. if you're seeing Raina's past I'll give you the very brief version:
-She lived in the northwest territories and had to leave when she figured out that through singing she could control ice
-she travelled the world learning about her power and studying to be a teacher
- she came to the mansion where she is now a teacher
-she experieinced the camps
-she lied to a cop that she fell in love with about being a mutant
- yes, she really is as sincerely nice as she seems.

As he had started to rise from the bench, the loveliest girl walked by She looked away at first, but then she drifted back, and stopped. He was expecting a blind coin toss, probably bouncing off his chin, but instead, she had spoken to him. He looked down at what would actually get him through 2 or 3 days if needed in subs and O.J. When he looked up to respond, he had noticed he had missed his initial chance. She was already approaching the other two .

Fantastic legs. And what's this? A leaflet on the Mansion sticking from her coat pocket.. He fumbled in his pocket for his Chi coins, 3 strangely marked coins, apparently of Eastern descent. He listened to her speak of it and almost knew the Oracle before he cast it. He tossed the three coins in the air three times, noting the marks and their sequence each time they fell into his hand. "Yes, yes.", he mumbled to himself. The trigrams were the Mountain and Thunder. Interesting twist.

There was no way he could approach this situation carelessly. He took a sharp inhalation in through his nostrils, calming his mind. He expected a more bneficient and wholesome arrangement in the coins. Perhaps the Heaven over the Marsh. Nonetheless, the Oracle showed him that a great mountain of trial was ahead, the thunder being under it meant only one thing to him. This choice is the choice to make.

However, he was in agreement with the young lady on the need for politics. Once he could gauge the man for a talker or a doer, he'd move on with not letting his only possible ticket to the Mansion leave his sight. From what he had heard, they probably needed all the help they could get out there. Even the weak, skinny, seizing kind.

OCC: All are welcome. As we losers say, the moer the merrier. =D

IC: Cesare was talking to the young man about politics when a young lasy walked up and introduced herself, he shook her hand immidiately. "Hey there Raina, the names Cesare." Cesare was intrigued by the lady standing in front of him. "Oh that's good to hear, someone doing something great for youg mutants, especially those that have left home." He paused for a second thinking it over. "Ahh yes that would be fantastic, I would be delighted to speak to them." Cesare took the brochure and quickly grabbed from his back pocket a card, it was a simple card with his name, cell phone number, and his office number, and adress. A card similar to that of most other politicians.

Cesare then quickly moved his attention to this homless man who had asked what was the deal with mutants. He had also stated that he was a muant and so Cesare was pleasently surprised. "The big deal is just that! Although you feel no difference, you can't truthfully say that you are treated equally can you? Most mutants feel out of place, and that is the deal, that is one of the reasons I'm a politician." He had spoken happily, for some reason it always made him happy to talk about his beliefs, hopefully reaching it into someone else's mind.

"If my views is what you want, I hope you have hours to waste, as going properly into it, it would take time to explain, but I'll say it's basically what all mutants want, equality and to be acknowledged as what we are. Human. I think of mutants as humans with some amazing and great abilities, and I dislike that we are thrown off as something less, or even something more. It's unacceptable to be either, we are just people trying to live. Cesare spoke as though he was giving a speech to a huge crowd, but to him it didn't matter, He could have 2 or 200 and it would be exactly the same.

ooc: So, anyone who want to actually come to the mansion whenever you'd like to send me a PM and we can start up a thread. It's usually best if YOU start it as an arrival thread in the mansion gates, and then Raina will meet you there. get you all settled.

ic:

Raina grinned from ear to ear listening to the politician. This was good stuff. She couldn't help but be impressed and twirl her hair around her fingers with a slight blush. It totally helped his cause that he was rather good looking. "Well I like your style." She took the card and gave him one of her own. It read: Raina School for Gifted Youngsters: Guidence Councelor/Music Teacher
followed by a phone number. "please phone me anytime to set up a meeting."

At this point she turned on her heels to address the homeless man who had approached. "You" she stated pointing at him. "Look like you could use a place to eat and sleep and get cleaned up." she extended a hand "Raina. Of the School for Gifted Youngsters." she smiled. "Would you like to come for a tour?"

Garrett had felt bad imposing himself, but the Oracle was rarely wrong. At least for him. That was the part of Taoism that really did it for him. Self renewal. When she spun and pointed at him, any number of snide remarks fired through his head, but she actually asked if he wanted to come along. Karma. He had waited for his time and it had now come.

"I'd be happy to, thanks.", he said, his eyes lowering to the ground. He immediately realized he was doing it and snapped his head up suddenly.' No more time for panhandling and subsisting, Gary. ' , he had thought to himself. It was time for him to claim his gift and find all its wonderful uses. He was quite aware of its terrible uses. His time at Medical ensured that.

The screams of pain. From kids and adults alike. The horrible noises the body can make. The look of absolute terror. All of them mutants, just like him. Except that for him, his captors had devised a horrible fate. Due to their knowledge of his powers, he was actually used as a torture device on the others. At first, they had threatened him with a gun. After a few sessions, he didn't care if he was shot. So they used children as a bribe. Promising to let one forego the session should he continue. Ultimately, he was numb from it. Just as he was going to turn on the filthy humans in the room with him, the first wave of the resistance must have landed. Because all hell broke loose. Everyone ran for themselves, clearing the room. He stayed and freed those still bound, and then ran out after his own fate.

The lingering stare probably pervaded through whatever the others were talking about. He had just weathered his first repressed memory, right when he was supposed to take this chance of a lifetime. He waited quietly until the big people quit talking. When he was to go, he would quietly follow. His mind was reeling and he had to remain calm to ensure he didn't seize right here and ruin the day.

Raina smiled and made sure he had a card as well with the mansion address. "Great." she smiled. "I'll meet you there." she extended her hand too. "Raina. What was your name again? Think I missed it." she grinned. "I need to run a few errands, but let's meet around noon?"

ooc: Just PM when you post an arrivl thread at the mansion

A card. A legitimate address. Her smile and graciousness. Her eyes.Oh, yeah, his name. "Garrett Wills, call me Seizure. I'll make my way there. Thank you." Now he had a pocketful of cash, clean clothes and body, a purpose and directions. Time to leave this stinking city behind and get out to the country. Fresh air and some manual labor would definitely do him some good. He nodded politely to the other two men and wandered off down the street.

He felt like Charlie, unwrapping the Wonka bar and seeing the delicate golden foil. This was it. How far he had come in such a short time, from the literal gutters to making his way to the Mansion. He hailed a cab and jumped in. He thought of his friend Pix he had met. He knew she would be fine, but would make a point to come out and visit her soon, when he had some sort of schedule. He hoped she would enjoy the karmic present he had foud in the courier's bag as well.

The driver nodded when he told him the address. He sat back and his fingers habitually made their way into his pocket, searching out his Chi coins. He relaxed them and removed his hand from his pocket, folding them neatly in his lap. No reason for that, his fate was clear and bright at the moment, as was his horizons.