(Open!)

Not surprisingly, Sebastian's hotel room had not been held for him while he had been enjoying the hospitalities of first the Church of Humanity and then Hunter Antonescue. He did, however, feel lucky that the hotel had saved his passport and driver's license for him, even if they hadn't saved the rest of his belongings. The hotel seemed less than fond of the idea of him staying there again and Sebastian found himself apartment shopping. New York City wasn't exactly his idea of paradise, but it was full of interesting people. Living there would also keep him in close proximity to Hunter, which meant Sebastian could keep an eye on the young immortal who had proven himself well capable of causing trouble.

“I'm sorry, we don't have a vacant apartment for you.” It was the fourth time Sebastian had heard those words. This time, though, the attractive young apartment supervisor that spoke them, shook his head sadly.

“Thank you for your time,” Sebastian responded for the fourth time, automatically starting to turn away. He had seen this kind of thing many times before.

“I really am sorry,” added the sandy haired young man, his voice kind, “I know you must be having a difficult time finding an apartment right now.” He eyed Sebastian's horn and carefully weighed his words to avoid offending him. “I don't have anything against mutants living here, but after the registration thing... many people have started getting anxious about having mutant neighbors.”

Sebastian nodded, “I understand completely. I wouldn't want you to lose any of your tenants because of me.” Sebastian was sure that he could have supplied enough money to change any apartment owners mind about letting him live in their building. He could not, however, change the suspicions and prejudices of his would-be neighbors.

“Perhaps,” the young man hesitated, not wanting to offend the well dressed mutant in front of him, “There is one place I know of. It's a shelter. Don't get me wrong, they have an interesting rep because of a big fight that happened there when it first opened, but they take in anybody. I lived there for awhile when I was first getting on my feet. They have decent rooms and food and everything.” The young man bit his lip, worried that the horned man would take offense to his idea of living in a homeless shelter. Sebastian thought the unconscious gesture was cute and smiled at him warmly.

“I think that sounds like a good place to begin. Thank you for the advice. What is the address?”

“I'll write it down for you,” Sebastian couldn't help but notice that the man wrote on the back of one of his own business cards. “You can't miss it,” the young man returned Sebastian's smile as he handed him the card, “it has huge golden doors.”

---

Sebastian stared up at the ostentatious gold doors. They looked more like Ghiberti should have designed them for a renaissance cathedral than likely candidates for covering the entrance to a homeless shelter. They honestly seemed more imposing than welcoming and for a place that was supposed to acept everyone, they screamed exclusiveness. Or perhaps, Sebastian thought, he was more behind the times and culture of New York City than the doors were. In any case, he'd have to knock to see what this sanctuary held in store for him, so knock he did.

First impressions usually reminded Sebastian of someone he had met before in another life time. The person who answered his knock on the golden door was not like anyone Sebastian had ever met, and he was fairly certain he would have remembered someone like this. The big red man was very loud, for one thing, but he seemed friendly and very at ease with himself. Sebastian would not have called him either respectful or professional, but times and manners were changing faster than Sebastian had ever seen before, and New York was even ahead of the times. Perhaps it would be the new custom to roar greetings to people when answering the door. Or perhaps there was something distinctly odd about this big red man that couldn't be attributed to changing times or New York manners.

He did have a tail, though, so he got bonus points for that. Sebastian's own tail, only half regrown, was hidden inside his clothing practically twitching to be out in the fresh air.

Sebastian followed the man into the reception area, taking in his surroundings and stroking his beard thoughtfully. (He had actually taken the time to trim it this morning and it was feeling very soft.) Whatever kind of place this was, they certainly welcomed all sorts, if the man sitting at the receptionist's desk was any indication. “Well,” Sebastian glanced at the name plate on the desk. Lisa? That couldn't be right. “...Sir, I am looking for a place to stay. Rent isn't an issue, but I am having difficulties finding an apartment that isn't discriminatory towards obvious mutants.” He indicated his horn, then shrugged to show his exasperation.

Pluto, as he had introduced himself, was certainly energetic. Sebastian had a difficult time finding a hole between the bigger man's questions in which to provide the answers. Pluto was very friendly, and Sebastian could see how the place got its reputation of being welcoming to any and all people. Not only were they willing to give him a room right off the bat, for what it sounded like was going to be for free, but they were even offering to stand up for Sebastian against the discrimination of the New York apartment owners. It wasn't quite a no-questions-asked kind of deal, but the questions made sense: what kinds of things can you do to contribute to the community, what can we do for you, a subtle do you need help hiding from the law, that sort of thing. All the while the questions were coming, Pluto's handsome red tail twitched around happily. Sebastian's own cramped up tail twitched under his clothes as if it was jealous. When it came time for him to answer, Sebastian cleared his throat.

“Pluto, nice to meet you. I'm Sebastian Csendes” he held out his small white hand to shake the big red one. The size difference between the two of them was remarkable. The man was probably over foot taller than him and three times Sebastian's weight.

“Thanks for the offer on the apartment snobs, but I don't think it will be necessary. They aren't going to be changing their minds any time soon. As for your other questions, my healing ability is probably the most useful to the others here. I gladly offer my services in that regard. I can also shift through my ages and into a unicorn.” Perhaps if they wouldn't allow him to pay rent, they would let him repay their kindness by keeping everyone in a fit and healthy condition.

“I'm not running from the law, but I have recently immigrated.” Where he had immigrated from was not readily apparent, because his accent was so mixed. His English was originally learned several centuries ago, in England, so his proper and old fashioned way of speaking was probably closest to the old British way of speaking. He had learned, however, to stop using thee and thou very quickly upon his arrival in the country, and if he tried hard, could almost imitate the harsher New York twang now.

“If I could also work for you in someway, perhaps in compensation for the room, it would be helpful a year from now when the government comes asking if I am employed or married.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow suggestively, indicating that he wouldn't be adverse to the second option either, if there was a chance of meeting someone special.

“Oh, and if someone named Hunter Antonescue comes looking for me, I would appreciate it if he didn't know I was staying here.” Sebastian shrugged again, nonchalantly. He didn't expect the other man to recognize the name at all. He probably would assume that Sebastian owed him money or something.

“That's all about me, I suppose. Unless you can think of some more questions. Could you tell me a little bit about the Sanctuary?”

Sebastian was beginning to get more comfortable with the boisterous man sitting so nonchalantly at the Sanctuary's front desk. Sure, he was a little odd, but then again, so was everybody. So far, he was winning the prize for the best hospitality in New York City.

“Turning into a unicorn sounds better than it looks, trust me. To get there, I age myself rapidly. Then at the point where I should be passing from life into death, I pass into a new life as a unicorn foal instead.”

The man turned out to know more about Mr. Antonescue than Sebastian had expected. Apparently the other immortal was somewhat infamous. Sebastian honestly wasn't too surprised, given Hunter's blood thirsty tendencies.

“I can assure you I mean no harm to the Sanctuary residents and if danger comes here on my account, I will do all I can to alleviate the threat even if it means leaving. I'd much rather help your community in any way I can. Healing can come in very handy, I've found. I imagine it will be especially useful in a safe community for mutants in a city where the mutants and humans don't exactly get along.”

If the community they had here was really all that Pluto said, Sebastian would be more than glad to join it. He had traveled and lived alone for many years in his long life and had found that he much preferred the companionship of others, whether they be mutants or humans, over the ghosts of his past for company.

Was there anything in particular he'd like to know? Well, lots of things. He was eager for knowledge and never tired of learning. He did have a question about the Sanctuary, "Tell me, what is the history of the golden doors? They seem to be from another time and place, so beautiful, yet so different from everything in this city."

Sebastian chuckled at Pluto's reaction, the jaw hanging open was classic.
>>>"How old are you? If I heard you right, you don't die?"

“Well, I haven't died yet anyway.”

He smiled to himself as Pluto continued to make him feel welcome by promising to help protect him if he became a member of the community.

>>>“A lot of our residents have issues with doctors and needles, due to various back grounds and brushes with science hungry minds.”
Sebastian could sympathize with that sentiment. His half regrown tail twinged as he remembered his own recent experience with the doctor Edward Shaw. Science my ass, his tail seemed to say. He hadn't had much of a chance to think about the doctor since he had left the hospital, but as he thought back on the silent and scarred man an uncomfortable feeling rose within the pit of his stomach. It was as if Sebastian had swallowed something that disagreed with his digestive tract. Sebastian felt the corners of his mouth tug downwards at the thought of the doctor. While Sebastian wouldn't admit to hating anyone, he felt that if he were given the choice to save the man's life, next time he might chose not to do so.

“I can understand how mutants could learn to dislike doctors if they are treated as lab experiments to be tested rather than patients to be healed.” Sebastian's frown was more thoughtful and concerned now. He would have added more, but he was interrupted by the entrance a newcomer.

The woman exuded essence of secretary. She seemed nothing if not prim, proper, and devoted to orderliness. Not a wrinkled creased her tailored outfit, not a hair was out of place on her head. She eyed the boots that rested on her desk, flaking dirt onto her immaculately neat calendar with distinct disapproval. The real Lisa, Sebastian presumed, asked him if everything was okay.

Sebastian bowed, taking her hand and brushing his lips against her smooth skin, “Enchanté, madam.” The secretary didn't even blush at Sebastian's actions or Pluto's too familiar nickname, but responded with professionalism marred only by a hint of sarcasm aimed at Pluto.

“Thank you,” Sebastian responded with a wink as she filled them in on the history of the golden doors and wished them a good tour. He turned to follow the big red man wherever he led on the tour of the sanctuary that would become his home.

“I never answered your question about my age, did I? I am much older than I look. I don't remember exactly how old I am, but when I was young the world was a very different place. Mutants ruled over humans rather than hide from them. Though we weren't called mutants back then. We knew nothing about the science and genetics that separates humans from mutants.”

Sebastian cocked his head to the side, “What do you think? What is it really that separates mutants from humans?”

“I don't know if they were the good old days or not. Times were certainly more chaotic. Towns went to war against other towns. My own home was destroyed in such a battle and all of my friends were killed or taken as slaves. All because one human was able to outsmart an entire army. That was a hundred lifetimes ago, but I'll never forget the sights and sounds of my home burning to the ground.”

Sebastian was caught up in the conversation and followed wherever Pluto was leading without really paying attention. He was going to have to explore on his own later, because he wasn't certain that he would be able to even find his way back to the front doors again. Especially not by using the elevator. There was apparently some trick to it that Pluto showed him, but Sebastian would probably forget multiple times. When it came to technology, Sebastian was lost. “Perhaps the medical area, so I could see where I will be working. I'd also like to see the library.”

Sebastian listened to Pluto's description of the difference between humans and mutants with interest. It was always interesting to hear what mutants and humans thought about each other. If anything, Pluto's opinion of humans sounded very much like the opinion of his namesake, the original lord or the underworld.

“I don't quite agree there. I have seen mutants rule over humans and humans rule over humans. Each group has prosecuted the other, but in the end there is always the same result: bloodshed and violence. I've seen enough of that to fill several lifetimes, and I'd rather live a quiet and peaceful life. I tend to think that humans and mutants have the same minds, but the differences in their bodies cause them to fear each other. They won't ever live at peace, if they follow the same pattern they have been following since the dawn of the two races. Sometimes I think they should just live in separate places, where they don't come in contact at all.” That had been rather long winded, Sebastian realized after the fact.

Pluto's offer to track the man down who was responsible for the fall of his hometown did manage to bring a smile to Sebastian's lips. It wasn't that he was happy that the man was gone, it was just a little ironic. It wasn't only time that had punished the man for his actions, but the fury of one particular elemental who held grudges long enough to ensure that the man's journey home from the war was the epitome of epic. An epic that Pluto could probably read about in Mr. King's library, if the library was worth its salt.

“Separating the hawks from the doves? I wonder if that has any potential. I don't truly know if segregation would work. Probably the line of segregation would become the front line of battle. I am pretty sure that the doves would be more like sitting ducks, if the lines were drawn that way in any case.”

By that time, they had reached the medical facilities. There was a sort of front desk, as well as a series of smaller rooms with beds inside. Sebastian opened one of the cupboards out of curiosity to find it well stocked with bandages, scalpels, and other various medical supplies that would come in handy. There was also some very advanced looking equipment, that reminded Sebastian of the machines that had been in Dr. Shaw's laboratory. Sebastian had no idea how to use any of those things, but he'd been healing people just fine for centuries without modern marvels of technology. Although- there were things that modern medicine could do that Sebastian could not, such as curing cancer. Perhaps the nurses, who were mysteriously all absent at the moment, could explain some of the equipment to him later.

Sebastian looked up from his examination of one of the cupboards that held antibiotics, “So, speaking of warriors and peace keepers, are you more of a dove or more of a hawk? I'm curious.”

Sebastian smiled a broad smile. In a world that wasn't ever black and white, it made perfect sense that there would be people that were in the middle, as this man had chosen to be. This man was one of the many shades of grey.

Chuckling, Sebastian answered, “Fruit bat. You are right, I should know that no answer can truly be a true or false answer. I should have phrased the question differently perhaps. I would like to be as peaceful as a pure white dove, but I would also defend myself in a fight or stand up for those weaker than myself. So it seems that not even someone who hates wars and fights as much as I do can truly be a dove.”

Sebastian had finished his tour of the medical facilities. They were clean and spacious, which was the most important thing for his brand of healing. If the nurses could operate all the fancy machinery, they would be in business. He wasn't keen on trying to figure out what all that crazy machinery did. Sebastian glanced dubiously at the machines before walking out the door again. If he tried to use those doowhaties he would probably break them, or worse, press a button that would end up hurting a patient. No, modern marvels of medical machinery was not for him.

“Now, I believe you mentioned a library?”

“I have not heard of a manga section before. I will have to read a bit of it to see what you mean. 'Manga' is the japanese word for pictures is it not? I'm afraid I am a little behind the times. It always takes me awhile to catch up on new trends, especially now that things change so quickly!”

Sebastian has already noticed the flirty looking girls before the large red man nudged him in the ribs after passing them. Their outfits were different than he was used to seeing, but he wasn't complaining.

“Hmh. Such age difference never used to be a barrier for love. Perhaps at some point we should make a wager and see which of the two of us can attract a female first.” Sebastian was not at all sore about the subject of his own age. He merely believed that no matter what the age of two people, they could be destined to be soul mates.

They reached the library after just a short walk. It was rather an impressive collection of books, and the room itself seemed cozy. It held all of the chairs, tables, shelves, and fireplaces that libraries were accustomed to holding. It also held a fair number of people, who were just as interesting looking as the books. Sebastian was just as curious to see what the other residents of the sanctuary were like as he was curious to see what types of reading material were available. First, before he forgot about it, he wanted to see the so-called manga section.

Sebastian nodded as he followed to the anime section, and selected a random title and began flipping through the pages. One page in particular caught his eye. He could see, perhaps, why Pluto liked the comic-style books.

“I believe we have a deal. Although, if there is going to be a contest, there should also be rules and perhaps a prize, as well. Though the pride of winning and the beautiful woman on the arm might be prize enough. The terms I suggest are thus: I select that each of us select a woman for the other, and whomever successfully convinces the female to accompany him on a date first wins the contest.”

Sebastian glanced through the open back of the bookcase, over the tops of the numerous volumes of manga. There were several females in the library from which to select. Really, any that he selected for Pluto to attempt would be about the same, probably. He didn't know anyone here, and thus didn't know who would be the most challenging.

Casually Isabel was combing through the stacks upon stacks of books housed within the Sanctuary's lavish Library, her index finger trailing lightly across the bindings of all sizes and colors belonging to the shelves of books she passed, her large brown eyes grazing over the multitude of titles that flowed from one side of her vision to the other, many melting together, some standing out, all seemingly uninteresting to her as she sauntered by. She'd finished the books in the small bookshelf she kept in her room for perhaps the fourth or fifth time and she'd had no desire to begin again at the moment, so she'd made her way to the library. Once she'd gotten herself lost within the books, she began to wonder why she didn't come up to this place more often. Even for a brat as boisterous as she was, she still enjoyed the hushed atmosphere of the large room. The books alone were enough to mesmerize her. Though to many she may not seem it, she was quite the little bookworm, once she found a subject she liked. At the moment she was searching for the series of vampire books written by Anne Rice. She'd had the whole set at one point, though over time she'd misplaced some, others had been destroyed in unfortunate events, and some were just old and in need of replacing. She planned on relieving the library of the few additions to the series that she was missing. It was only a few books. Surely they wouldn't be missed, nor did she think they would be the only copies the library had. Turning down another stack of books, she continued trailing her finger over the bindings of various stories until she slowed to a stop in front of a section of shelves, her gaze moving from one title to the next before she found what she'd been looking for, her slender hand reaching out to collect one or two of the books she wanted. She'd come back for the rest at a few different intervals. It wouldn't do for all of them to go missing at once, after all.

Vibe sat at a computer tapping away. She'd grown rather addicted to online shopping over the past months. It didn't compare to actual shopping, as online required that you actually pay for your purchases. But the sheer size of the selections made it worth the inconvenience.

Amp leaned back in her chair, propped against the wall. While her sister browsed the cyber-mall, she perused through random magazines shoe catalogs. She saw Issie enter, and briefly waved at her before the be-ribboned blond disappeared among the shelves.

Finally she yawned, and stretched, placing her hands behind her head against the wall.

"Are you done yet?" Amp complained. "I'm bored!"

>Almost done,< came the silent answer. >Just need some bling to spice up this dress.<

"Then let's go find something. Ya know, outside?"

>'kay. Just let me print out a picture then, so I can compare.<

Amp let her head hit the wall with a soft thump! "Then hurry up! Imma start growing cobwebs if we sit here too much longer."

>Ew! Hello? Cobwebs? As in spiders and spider babies? Right. <

The printer whirred to life, and Vibe reached over with a satisfied smirk. >Finished!<

"Finally." Amp all but hoped to her feet. "Let's go!" She tapped her foot impatiently.

“Agreed.” Sebastian took a moment to survey the library. There were two red-head young women near the computers, perhaps twins. They were shorter than Sebastian by a good margin, which was uncommon for this particular century and country especially if mutant genetics were involved. There was a woman with red and black stripes in her hair, dressed in the new “gothic” style. The new style wasn't anything at all like the original Gothic style that had described cathedrals, but seemed to be more about black leather and silver chains. A shy looking young woman a few inches taller than Sebastian with a large green bow in her hair was poking around in the middle of the fiction section. Finally, there was the girl in workout clothes that Abyss had spoken to as they passed.

It was a difficult choice, but after a few moments he had decided, “I'll take the one with the bow in her hair. You take the twin on the left.” Sebastian figured that separating one twin from her sister without offending both of them should provide a challenge for the big red giant, and the size difference between them would be an added humorous bonus.

The girl with the bow looked, at least on the surface, like she might have the most in common with Sebastian. She was dressed somewhat conservatively, compared to the other girls who populated the Sanctuary and she studied the book spines with the intense interest of a dedicated bookworm. Her bow was cute, without making her seem too childish, for she wasn't a child- but a young woman, and a very attractive one in Sebastian's opinion.

Sebastian gave Pluto a smile, then walked past him toward the fiction section, weaving his way slowly through the shelves. The game was on.

He took up a position at the end of the fiction shelf, starting from the end of the alphabet and working his way toward the beginning. He stepped back and craned his head to be able to see the books on the top shelf. After a few moments he found what he was looking for: a book in which he was actually interested in reading on the top shelf. If he judged heights correctly, the girl would be able to reach it with her longer arms. “Excuse me, but could you hand me that book? The Catcher in the Rye? I can't quite reach it.”

Isabel had been examining the back covers of a few of her selected books when the strange man had approached, though she'd been focused enough on her current decision on which few books to nab first and how many, that she hadn't even noticed him as he slowly made his way closer while reading the spines of the books she'd already passed. Her focus had been intent enough that he even gave an involuntary start at the sound of his voice, nearly dropping the books she held as her head snapped up and her gaze found a new focus. She wasn't often startled in such a way, and she decided that she didn't really care for it. With the effortless fluidity of someone who was well practiced, she quickly reined in her appearance, losing the look of surprise she'd worn and shifting to an expression ruled more by curiosity. She heard his request, saw him indicating a book on one of the top shelves, but her attention did not leave him just yet. He really was a stranger to her, she'd never seen him around the Sanctuary before, or anywhere else for that matter. He was shorter than she was by a few inches, which was most likely why he'd asked for her assistance. A neatly trimmed beard, white hair tied in a ponytail that appeared to be on the longer side from what she could see of it, the pale color making his blue eyes stand out nicely, a little over dressed in her opinion, and clearly older than she was. But the most striking feature had to be the horn that stuck out of his forehead a good four inches or so. That little accessory helped to solidify the thoughts that she'd never met him before. She'd remember someone with a horn stuck in their head.

Finally she looked away from the stranger and up toward the book that he had indicated, her brown eyes searching only a moment before they caught sight of the book his spoken title belonged to. Shifting the pair of books she currently held into one hand, she reached up with the other to fetch the book, lifting herself up onto her toes to be sure she could reach up high enough to get a good grip on the thing, not wanting to drop it the second the support from the shelf dropped away. The Catcher in the Rye. She'd heard the title plenty of times before, but she'd never bothered actually picking up the book and taking a look at it. She examined the cover of the book for only a moment before handing it over to the stranger, backing up a step after doing so. Openly, and with no seeming shyness in the action, she scrutinized his appearance once more, her gaze yet again lingering on the horn a bit longer than the rest of him. Casually she crossed her arms, her two books still hanging from one hand as she leaned against the book shelves, already sure they could hold her weight. "You must be new around here," she said, her attention returning to his face as she spoke, her voice holding a sort of matter-of-fact tone to it. "Are you a new resident, or just passing through the place? It would be a shame if it were the latter. I for one like seeing new residents wandering around this place," she continued, giving an easy smile as she spoke. "My name's Isabel, by the way. What do you go by?"

The girls heard Abyss coming before they saw him; they knew the gait of all of the Order members by ear, or feel in Amp's case. The printer decided to jam at that moment, stealing Vibe's attention from his approach. Amp, meanwhile, looked up and waved. A smile graced her face, in hope that the big red mutant had some sort of mischief up his sleeve, preferably outside of the Sanctuary walls.

“ You know, I looked in the card catalog, and I didn’t see either of your names in their. I asked the librarian and she said she didn’t know. But I thought I’d come and check you two out anyway.”

The deadpan look that overtook the petite redhead's face could easily be classed as 'priceless'. Her sister looked up from her printer troubles in surprise.

"Did I read that right?" Amp asked, suddenly doubting her lip-reading abilities.

>I think you did...< Vibe replied in silent, but equal confusion. She turned to listen a bit closer.

“You beautiful ladies should grant me the pleasure of taking you out tonight.”

The diminutive duo exchanged another set of looks, Amp still confused, and Vibe now suspicious.

"Are you sure I read that right?" the former asked once more. "As in, Abyss asked us out on a date?"

She hadn't meant for it to come out quite that incredulous. It's not that the idea of going out with the big red mutant was far-fetched, or anything. It's just that the girls had grown to look at him as a big brother, rather than an available date prospect.

>You read it right. But that's not Abyss,< Vibe explained, having had the opportunity to identify the differences between Abyss and each clone. Aloud, she said, "Okay, I'm hearing Venus' words coming out of Pluto's mouth. Did the lot of you get scrambled in the void, or something?"

She made a swirling motion with the fingers of one hand, and placed the other on her hip. Amp crossed her arms and cocked her head. Jammed printers and shopping trips could wait a few minutes for this explanation.