The Z3 handled like a dream. Roland had always been partial to European automakers, their choosing of quality over quantity. It was a general trend that America had never quite grasped. He saw no guards posted, not even an old feeble one like the kind you see in a movie as he drove up the drive to the gates of the Mansion. It crossed his mind how they ever managed to protect themselves from the children, much less outside influence.

He stepped out of the car, dressed in his own clothes, tailored and immaculate, while still loose and movement friendly. Grey slacks and polished shoes, a black long sleeve shirt tucked in and buttoned and collared. The only thing false was his ID and his motives. Well, the motives he would discuss with anyone who asked.

He walked up to the gates and was pleasantly surprised to find a camera and a simple numerical code board. He was going to be extremely disappointed if they lacked even the basics in security. He decided to enjoy the ruse further by not dropping his clean accent. Americans tended to dawdle more around foreigners, as long as they were the right type of foreigners.

He did plaster a serious look on prior to pushing the call button. He was a serious parent wanting a no nonsense look about the grounds. He certainly couldn't afford to be a conniving thief who wanted to case the place, smirking at its lack of security.The button pushed, he stood back a few feet, waiting to see what happened next.

Neena was in the kitchen taking inventory when her phone went off. Chip had gotten ahold of her phone during class and changed her ringtones, so that the gate alert now played Weird Al Yanchovich's 'I Wanna Be A Jedi'. She shook her head as she spoke into the speaker.

"On my way."

She made her way out the Mansion Proper, and across the lawn, murmuring to herself.

As she approached the gates, she glanced up and smiled at the man on the other side.

"Hi there. Can I help you?"

Roland watched as a stunning black woman walked out of the Mansion and sauntered towards the gates. A black body suit covered her curves and sunglasses covered her eyes. he wondered if all of the women here were as alluring. He made no attempt to disguise his appreciation of her form and stature as she approached. When she stood at the other side of the gates, he almost fumbled and forgot his false identity. Almost.

" Hello there. My name is Jordan Hornbuckle. My daughter, Candy, is a mutant and I was considering enrolling her at this Academy. I had heard among my circles that this was the place to send young mutants for education, to segregate them from the hate mongers of the public school system. I had considered having her tutored, but I thought it best to have her in an environment conducive to her gifts."

The caring father. A wealthy one at that. Private schools always enjoyed wealthy parents. It certainly seemed to cut down on the paperwork, in his experience. He had to cement the role in further, since he was unaware of telepaths in the area. They were his least favorite breed of mutant. For all he knew, this woman could be one and he was revealing himself. he did his best to tidy his thoughts up, staying in the mode of concerned parent." So, are you a mutant as well, Miss.....?"

Neena noticed him giving her a once-over, mainly because she was doing the same, though unknowingly for different reasons. She blinked over to her xray vision and gave the man her usual ‘newcomer scan’ for weaponry. Seeing nothing of import, she turned her focus toward his actual appearance.

" Hello there. My name is Jordan Hornbuckle."

Her ears detected the hint of a British accent. His outfit could be considered casual in the higher circles of society. Maybe. Blue-eyed, blond, lean, close to her height, she realized, being able to look him in the eye.

”My daughter, Candy, is a mutant and I was considering enrolling her at this Academy. I had heard among my circles that this was the place to send young mutants for education, to segregate them from the hate mongers of the public school system. I had considered having her tutored, but I thought it best to have her in an environment conducive to her gifts.”

”Well, it’s a shame,” she replied with a sigh, ”but I can understand your concerns, Mr. Hornbuckle. Just a second.” She turned to enter the security code, then waited as the gates swung open.

" So, are you a mutant as well, Miss.....?"

She extended her hand to shake. ”Nehanda Jenkins. Please, call me Neena.” It took conscious effort, but she refrained from chastising him for calling her ‘Miss’. Parents and official visitors didn’t always see the humor in her carefree attitude, and while she personally didn’t care, it didn’t present the proper image for the school. Such a shame.

”I am,” she answered his question cheerfully, ”though it’s more of a passive mutation. Welcome to Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. We offer all required courses for all grades, up until twelfth, as well as a variety of electives. And, naturally, one of our main focuses is on helping the kids learn about and embrace their mutation,” she announced officially, and motioned toward the grounds. ”Might I ask what kind of gift your daughter has?” Of course these days it was hard to tell, but if she had to guess, Neena would have pegged him at mid-thirties, close to her age. Unless he’d robbed the cradle, or was one of those mutants that never aged, his girl couldn’t be very old.

She twitched slightly, disliking the formal setting, but managed to remain somewhat dignified.

Roland watched and smiled along as Neena pressed the buttons on the security console. Unfortunately, her hand was out of his sight and the tones were all the same, further hiding the code. He casually glanced up at the wall, which wasn't too high, a tree and a hop and the code would be irrelevant.She extended her hand to shake. ”Nehanda Jenkins. Please, call me Neena.” He took her hand and shook it firmly, yet lingered for the half second longer than he would a normal shake, implanting the longer and more personal greeting. He nodded and replied,"A pleasure to meet you Neena." She mentioned her mutation being a passive one. He wondered if it could have something to do with her eyes, as the once over she had given him was clearly not the same kind he had given her.

"Welcome to Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. We offer all required courses for all grades, up until twelfth, as well as a variety of electives. And, naturally, one of our main focuses is on helping the kids learn about and embrace their mutation,” she announced officially, and motioned toward the grounds. ”Might I ask what kind of gift your daughter has?” Roland put on a look of disarray, one of fleeting concern before answering crisply. " Well, those who have advised me call it an energy sheath, specifically of a plasma of sorts. It seems to be a combination of electricity and some sort of magnetism. Being that she is only a third grader, she doesn't have much control over it. I have to admit, I have spoiled her a bit and the only time it seems to manifest is when she throws a tantrum. Everything in the room generally shorts out. Needless to say it rarely goes over well."

Roland looked around at the grounds, enjoying the absence of too many monitoring devices, regarding the security lights and the probable blind spots of the few cameras that were visible. His view then moved to the Mansion itself, a stately manor that he wouldn't mind owning himself. Not that he ever would, but still, it was very nice. His gaze then came full circle back to Neena."Would a tour of the Mansion be out of the question?"

"A pleasure to meet you Neena."

"Likewise," she replied with a smile. He certainly came off as the gentleman. She watched him take in the scenery like most new arrivals, and was pleased to note that he didn't seem overwhelmed like the usual. Her question did appear to fluster him a bit, however.

" Well, those who have advised me call it an energy sheath, specifically of a plasma of sorts. It seems to be a combination of electricity and some sort of magnetism. Being that she is only a third grader, she doesn't have much control over it. I have to admit, I have spoiled her a bit and the only time it seems to manifest is when she throws a tantrum. Everything in the room generally shorts out. Needless to say it rarely goes over well."

A spoiled Daddy's girl with EMP pulses?

"I can imagine not," she replied simply. "Third grade? So, about eight, or so? Am I right to assume then that her mutation has been active for a while?"

As they drew closer, he asked for a tour. She nodded enthusiastically. Tours were more her speed. "Of course not!"

She opened the door for him to precede her.

"This is the Foyer, obviously. Living room that way." She pointed one way with her hand, while she moved over to a table set against the wall. She plucked up one of the New Resident folders. "This is the questionaire we ask all of our residents and students to fill out for our records. It covers all of the basics, from age and mutation, to things like special needs and requirements."

She handed it to him, then motioned down the hallway, toward the Kitchen.

"I can imagine not," she replied simply. "Third grade? So, about eight, or so? Am I right to assume then that her mutation has been active for a while?" Roland seemed to pause for a moment, still lost in the details of later insertion, looking at the roof. " Yes, Eight. Yes, it appeared a few years ago after her mother died." A downward glance and then back at Neena. He smiled and nodded in an appreciative gesture as she opened the doors for him. He was pleased with the general ease of entry here. He wondered if that translated personally.

He entered the foyer. It was rather immaculate and stately. Looking over the paintings therein, Roland could see a minimal but hearty heist from the art alone. He glanced over at the living room , which was rather well equipped and spacious. She handed him a folder, explaining it as the standard questionnaire for new residents and students. He looked over it, seeing that it had a layout of the Mansion and general questions and information. An excellent piece of information. He smiled and thanked her, she was helping him more than she knew.

" What is the student to teacher ratio here? How many of each? I want my daughter to receive a well rounded education, of course. It's a lovely place, by the way. Is it also in the hands of Professor Xavier? Or is it owned by someone else?" Roland let these be the first of many questions. He wanted the pace to remain measured yet easy, there would be many more questions.

" Yes, Eight. Yes, it appeared a few years ago after her mother died."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Hornbuckle. That must make things difficult for you." Neena's smile faded into a sympathetic frown, then lighted back a bit when he smiled at her. That probably explained why he spoiled his daughter, more so than the temper tantrums. It wasn't easy to be a single parent anyway, let alone a widower with a mutant child.

" What is the student to teacher ratio here?" he asked, deftly changing the subject. "How many of each? I want my daughter to receive a well rounded education, of course. It's a lovely place, by the way. Is it also in the hands of Professor Xavier? Or is it owned by someone else?"

"The Professor is our founder, yes," she answered his last questions first, before backtracking. "Delilah Tipper is our Headmistress." She didn't mention her own position as Assistant HM, mainly because she rarely introduced herself as such. If anyone asked, she was just another teacher.

"And thank you. The kids have put a lot of effort into spiffing things up recently."

She paused at the Kitchen to retrieve a water bottle, as well as offer him one.

"As for kids, we have a rather small group right now, about fifty or so. Numbers tend to fluctuate, but we like to keep classes small. That way the chances of a student fading into the background are almost nil."

She tilted her head slightly, and pushed her glasses up into her hair, revealing her almost-white eyes.

"And, given the unpredictability of mutations in youngsters, smaller classes are much easier on the teachers. Usually." She chuckled, thinking about how energetic her own classes tended to be.

Delilah Tipper. He recorded the name in his mind for later perusal.As they stopped in the kitchen, he gladly took the offered water bottle, scanning the area's exits and seeing more open space behind them through the windows."Thank you, Neena." he replied, cracking the lid and having a few drinks. "As for kids, we have a rather small group right now, about fifty or so. Numbers tend to fluctuate, but we like to keep classes small. That way the chances of a student fading into the background are almost nil."

Roland sat the bottle on the table, perching for a moment on one of the stools there. Neena then raised her glasses, revealing her milky white irises. They only made her more exotic and unique. Roland pondered the idea of making his imaginary child disappear somehow and still seeing Neena. Something to mull over. " Well, that's all very reassuring. I hope I am not out of line, but you have beautiful eyes, Neena. " He smiled and then continued with his questioning so as not to get too off-track.

"How much is tuition here? Does it pay for the year or can you pay ahead of time? Sometimes I am out of the country for long periods and it makes for less financial scrabbling to have things done ahead of time.Anyway, shall we continue?" He drained the last bit of the water nd tossed it, gathering the application folder and waiting for her.

" Well, that's all very reassuring. I hope I am not out of line, but you have beautiful eyes, Neena. "

"Thank you," she replied with genuine appreciation. Usually her eyes unnerved people, but he didn't seem uneased at all. He was quite charming, in fact.

"How much is tuition here? Does it pay for the year or can you pay ahead of time? Sometimes I am out of the country for long periods and it makes for less financial scrabbling to have things done ahead of time."

"Both options are available, Mr. Hornbuckle. As for numbers, let's see...." She walked over and reached over to flip through the top of the papers in his folder. "Here we go," she announced, pulling out the appropriate form. She pointed out the applicaple cost and fees. "And, of course, if need be, we can discuss working out other solutions, if these don't work."

"Anyway, shall we continue?"

She nodded, and motioned out toward the hallway again. "Sure. The classes are this way. All of the classrooms are on the ground floor. As I mentioned, we cover both the basics and a few extras."

She paused beside a room with an open door. Inside, a group of twelve students, ranged from ten to fifteen, were bent over various tasks; some writing, some reading, some working with maps. At first it appeared that you were seeing double, or quadruple. In actuality they were peeking in on a language class, with a teacher whose mutation suited the subject perfectly; he was both multilingual, and able to multiply himself. Each copy spoke a different language, and worked with a different set of students. The current group consisted of French, Italian, Japanese and American Sign Language. All four versions of the Indian-descended teacher waved at the observing pair, before returning to lessons.

Neena paused, allowing their guest to listen and observe for a few minutes, before moving on down the hall.

"And this is our Library." She paused outside the Library doors.

Roland mulled over the numbers for enrollment as they continued. Averaging against human private schools, the costs were rather high, though considering the extra services that they provided here, it made it more than a bargain. He let himself lag behind long enough to see the skintight bodysuit in action as Neena walked ahead, explaining the classrooms. She was terribly fit. She stopped at an open door of one of the classrooms. Roland had to raise his vision quickly to not get caught in his ogling.

As they looked into the language class, Roland was impressed to see the versatility and use of mutants with the proper mutations. For something as seemingly random and chaotic, a proper use and purpose for this one had been gained easily. Most mutants could have a purpose. The idea was to be the one directing and guiding that purpose. He smiled and nodded back to the professor in question. " Impressive. Amazing to see the good use of what would seem like an otherwise chaotic mutation." He smiled his little smile again and drifted off alongside of Neena as they arrived at the library doors.

" Impressive. Amazing to see the good use of what would seem like an otherwise chaotic mutation."

"Chaotic?" Neena blinked and tilted her head, addressing his remark in the literal sense. "Hmm. I suppose numerous clones could become confusing after a while. Though personally, I think a bit of randomness makes life much more interesting. What do you think?" she asked as she pushed the Library doors open.

They entered on the ground floor of the two-story archives. The school had a good-sized accumulation of media, from books and magazines to video and computer collections. A reading area, which couches and easy chairs, sat under the shelter of the second-story balcony. Semi-circular staircases led upstairs, where study tables punctuated the bookshelves at regular intervals. A small group of five students occupied the range of computers against one wall, intent on their computer class.

"Computer basics." That briefest of explanations was delivered with an obvious hint of distaste. Neena still considered those lifeless boxes a bane of existence, despite their necessity in modern society.

"It's not as extensive as the Public Library, obviously. But it serves our purposes well enough."

"Chaotic?" Neena blinked and tilted her head, addressing his remark in the literal sense. "Hmm. I suppose numerous clones could become confusing after a while. Though personally, I think a bit of randomness makes life much more interesting. What do you think?" she asked as she pushed the Library doors open. Roland thought on the matter a bit as they looked upon the library, which was quite modern and resourceful for any school. It also seemed to be quiet and a good place to escape for uninitiated conversation. All the more reason to leave his first footprint.

He answered as himself, though under the guise of Hornbuckle, it would only seem as an interesting characterization. "I'm not sure if there is such a true thing as chaos, Neena. Everything that seems happenstance in the world generally comes full circle" His eyes flashed to the central intake vent in the center of the ceiling of the dual level room. As he panned back down to the central study area below, the first phone was already in the vent, its magnetic backing locked against the side of the duct, the 'antenna' end pointed down at the room.

" This estate is an incredible resource for mutants. It's a shame that there aren't more places where young mutants can learn and train. Speaking of, where do the children practice their abilities? I doubt that outside works for everyone. Do you have a special gymnasium or something?" Where indeed. Having a look around and meeting this beautiful woman was all well and good, but Roland had to remind himself why he was here. The first phone tapped his mind, as if a friendly tap from a friend, reminding the sleepwalker to awaken.

"I'm not sure if there is such a true thing as chaos, Neena. Everything that seems happenstance in the world generally comes full circle"

Neena nodded and shrugged. "Agreed. Though some of us spread themselves so thin that its hard to remember which end of which circle is on its homestretch." She grinned at him. "Chaos sounds so much more descriptive."

She stood back and let him look around, while she took a closer look at him. People watching was one of her favorite pastimes. You could learn much about a person simply by their facial reactions or body reactions. But you needed both to get a truly accurate picture of someone.

Mr. Hornbuckle seemed particularly interested in the upper floors. She blinked, trying to see what a casual observer might find so enthralling up there. Building construction, maybe? Or window design? He mentioned leaving the country for long periods. Perhaps he was an engineer or something of the sort. Or perhaps he had telescopic vision and could see the titles of the books from here. There was a collection of classic Italian authors up there, like Dante and Manzoni. Perhaps a literary connoisseur? Or he could simply be a world travel with an eye for details.

Hmm... Come to think of it, she hadn't even asked if he was a mutant himself....

" This estate is an incredible resource for mutants."

Neena blinked, the compliment bringing her thoughts back to the present. She smiled a 'Thank you'.

"It's a shame that there aren't more places where young mutants can learn and train. Speaking of, where do the children practice their abilities? I doubt that outside works for everyone. Do you have a special gymnasium or something?"

She nodded. "Indeed we do. This way." She motioned back toward the hallway.

Now came the tricky part. The Danger Room. A wonderful resource to train with mutant abilities, especially the more dangerous ones. However, to simply show a potential student's parent the exact capabilities of such a place was.... not necessarily advantageous, for a number of reasons. At the same time, keeping the facility hidden was equally unwise, for at least the same amount of reasons.

How to proceed, how to proceed....

Well, in the meantime....

"Forgive my curiosity, Mr. Hornbuckle. Are you a mutant yourself?"

Satisfied with the placement of the device, Roland looked back to Neena. She seemed to be scoping him out, but not with her vision. She was probably doing what most people ended up doing when they were around him for long. Reading him. The problem with that was with so many rebirths in his past, Roland wasn't completely sure himself who he was anymore. Was there a core of sentience beneath the lies? Or were the lies all that were really left? It was an unfathomable abyss that he was ill prepared to attempt anytime soon.

She was ready to lead him on to the training areas, one of the main places he had sought in his coming here. It would be the best place to surmise what kinds of mutants he may end up facing or dealing with.As they began to walk, she hit him with an obvious question. So obvious that he had not accounted for an answer. He had most things planned to perfection, but not this answer.

"Forgive my curiosity, Mr. Hornbuckle. Are you a mutant yourself?"

Roland actually paused. His debonair and smooth way of rolling lies didn't come as easily. He would analyze it later."No, I'm afraid not. In a way, I wish I had been. It seems like even with the stigma that is generally attached, that it would be amazing to possess such gifts. I suppose I'll have to stick to my humanity and its strengths and weaknesses." He continued his charming smile. Internally, though, he was still at odds with himself. Perhaps he was finding himself more attached to Neena than he ought to be.