Continued from: Off to Bed

Raina had awoken a few minutes before her alarm that morning and the chance act had set off a stream of lucky events. She was able to take the subway and walk most of the way after that to work and arrive on time, refreshed, and happy. It was easy to see she had a glow about her and she was getting lost in her happy thoughts.

Dr. Gray had set her to work on a few of the smaller touch tanks and she was currently wearing rubber gloves that went up tp her elbows and a long water resistant coat while she syphoned water from the tanks into buckets and replaced it.

She hummed to herself as she went being careful not to freeze anything and was oblivious to the viewers walking around her.

Naveed had found out from mansion residence about Raina's new job and it took him a bit to get across the city and find the place. The native man stood out like a sore thumb walking through the entrance as he towered over most people and did look rather intimidating. Dr. Gray had greeted him at the information desk and knew before he'd said anything that he was Raina's brother and directed him wear to find her.

It was a smooth kind of day for Naveed.... thinks were going easy. He was excited to see his sister and catch up... it had been a while since the drama of her surgery and he had a sneaking suspicion that something had gone south with Flloyd.

He spotted her flaming red hair some distance away and sauntered over to her. He was wearing a lose white t shirt with a denim vest and pair of jeans. "Hey, Sister!" he called over coming up beside her to look in the tank. "Miss me? Don't get fish on me"

Raina jumped at the sound of her name and spun on her heels to see her burley brother. "Navi!" she exclaimed with a squeal and jumped up- wet gloves and all- to hug him. She could barely get her arms to reach around his big neck. "ohhh." she exclaimed hugging him. "it's been a good few weeks. What are you doing here? How have things been?"

she pulled back from the hug and put a hand on her hip watching him with a smile. It really had been a while since she'd seen Naveed and the last time hadn't been good circumstances. It was nice to see him now so she pulled off the gloves and leaned them over her bucket.

Naveed nearly picked Raina up off the ground with the hug and patted her back. "Right back at ya little sis." he said giving her a very light punch in the arm. "I came into town because I had a job interview and I decided to check in on you at the mansion. When you weren't there they directed me to come here and I learned about your new job." he explained. "I met Dr. Gray at the front! I was surprised to meet a telepathic. Didn't think this place could be so mutant friendly but I'm happy to see you found a job where you can fit in and use your powers. That's a big step for you Raina." he paused and in a very brotherly way pushed her bangs out of her eyes. "You're really embracing things." he added taking a step back and stretching.

"I was hoping you could show me around." he laughed. "Maybe catch up a bit if you've got time, I don't think Dr. Gray would protest. I'd like to know about your birthday plans too." he paused. "can't believe my little sister is going to be 23. I feel so old."

Raina grinned at his comments and questions. "yup." She started "Dr. Gray is fantastic and he's a telepath... you think he's related to Jean Gray? I think they spell it differently. That would be so cool." she laughed. "I really do love working here..."

She started walking leading him through one of the displays on clown fish. "But I get the feelings sometimes that they want me to perform as a ... well... you know. It would bring in more of a crowd. I'm thinking about it." she said before he could protest "Because the money we earn would go to relief projects. I think it's important to use my power for good."

She turned a corner and checked to make sure he was keeping up. "The mansion has been alright. A little weird since... well you know everything that happened. But the headmistress has returned. She's just a little younger than you... you should come meet her you'd love her!" She grinned. "besides, you need a woman to clean you up Navi." she poked his stomach which was like poking a rock.

"And as for the birthday well... I think i'll just have a get togeather at the mansion. Food, music, maybe some video games. it would be nice to get everyone togeather. It'll be on the 16th if you can make it."

"What about you?" she asked. "What have you been up to?"

"... well. You do what you think is right." replied Naveed not exactly liking the idea of his little sister being some sort of circus performer.

When she started prodding him about the new headmistress and him needing a woman he had to roll his eyes. "No woman can handle me." he said slyly. "You know that Raina. I'm too much man!" he grunted with emphasis on "man".

"What about you, seeing anyone lately? preferable not a mutant hating cop" he was going along with the teasing but he was honest in wanting to know. He vowed if he'd ever seen that Rupert Kelley after having Raina nearly die twice at his hands that he'd kill him.

"I'd love to come to your birthday, can I bring Flloyd? He misses you, you know"

Raina rolled her eyes at Naveed's remark about being too much man. When he asked her if she was seeing anyone she flinched a bit. "There's no need to worry... no more Rupert Kelley. I've kicked that bad habbit." she announced. besides, Luke was kind, gentle, respectfull... whoa whoa whoa was she thinking about Luke?! she tried to keep the horror off her face or Naveed was going to notice.

"Uh..." she stammered changing subjects to the next thing he brought up realizing it was just as akward. "Flloyd?" she questioned for a moment. "If you have to..." she looked away.

Naveed was surprised at her reaction. "Oh come on now. I can read it all over your face. Don't make me use my powers on you." he said tapping his head. "Who's the lucky mutant... he is a mutant isnt he? he better be" he fake threatened.

"and don't worry about Flloyd..." he added. "Flloyd really does care about you. That's why in his head you're both still engaged. I know you don't like the tribe customs but we're not there anymore. It's not valid. If Flloyd wants to be delusional, let him."

Raina groaned. "Look I'm not seeing anyone persay" and he was totally not seeing her that was for sure. "Just getting to know someone... trying to figure out if I'm interested, if I can even handle anything. He'll hopefully be at my birthday I'm going to invite him." she explained. "You can meet him there."

She reflected on what he'd said about Flloyd. "Flloyd seems like he'd be content if I used him. I don't want to be tempted."

the idea bothered her. "Anyway, I have to get back to work and you need to get outta here." she shoved him feeling irritable but kept a friendly smile plastered to her face. "So, get going ya big moose"

Naveed held up his hands to make moose antlers and made a weird groaning noise. "Ok ok I getya" he laughed reaching down and giving his sister a hug. "Don't be a stranger. I'll see you on your birthday" he gave a wave and headed back out the way he came. He had a job interview to get to.