There was always something intensely calm about a walk in a park. Back in the good old days, when she was still Edmund Eaton and he actually had his own body to live in, she'd usually bring what ever girl she had been courting at the time here or to any other park for that matter. A bench in a secluded spot. Watching the sunset. Chatting to one another 'till the wee hours of the morning... Indeed those where the days. She had been to Central Park a number of times since then in a variety of different bodies, and every time she'd noticed a bit more of a crowd spread throughout the leafy haven. It was certainly true what they said these days. Good luck finding a lone spot in New York. Good peace and quiet was a rare thing now days, it made Megan long for the golden years of her long, infamous life.

Whenever one had something good going in life, a job a perspective fiancé, money, a house, a white picket fence.. something, anything, had to come along and tear it all away. A petty fight had been the start of it. The eternal jumping from mind to mind, restless, unable to find peace for long. The brawl wasn't supposed to end the way it did. Oh but it did. No body to return to, Megan was cast aside into the aether, into other bodies. Forever lost and unwilling to forgive, forget... unwilling to let it go. Unwilling to let go of life. There had to be something more and no matter how bad things seem Megan was convinced that that certain golden opportunity would present itself eventually. She only had to wait. And she would wait another eternity, if it meant ever lasting peace.

Another memory struck her mind as she reminisced about days long passed. A meadow, a tree and a swing. It was a fuzzy memory, half a memory even, and Megan couldn't for the life of her place it in context. A warm, friendly voice ... this was not a memory of her own. For a while now she had been plagued with these left over fragments of the life she had torn away, desecrated in order that she could live on. This was one of the original owners memories and yet Megan had no time to be angry about this previously unwanted intrusion into her remembrance of the old days. It was a happy memory. She let herself float away on the never ending waves of calm serenity, of friendship, of family, togetherness... It had been so long since she had felt any of these things. She never wanted this borrowed memory to end, and yet, she wished it could have been one of her own.

This was the kind of experience she had been searching for, hoping to experience for the best part of almost three entire decades. The borrowed memory only spurred her on in her goals. She would out last this restlessness, the chaos of New York. She would do what ever was within her power to experience a moment like that if for only a millisecond... and then she might finally be able to let go.

Ah, but wasn't that the thing about the human life. The endless search for that special something, the something that was missing. The grass was always greener on the other side.

The Central park of modern times simply couldn't leave her be. Could she not be alone in her little corner of heaven for just a little longer? This bench. Her reminiscence.

Garrett had found redemption and clarity in the past week. It had seemed so elusive as if it were hiding from him. His destiny was worn proudly on his chest now, an icon for him to feel emblazoned. He felt the urge to leave the confines of the Sanctuary and return to the place where he had first mingled with mutants in general. Central Park. His first stop on the tour was the medium shop. He had seen over time and his absence that they had hired someone new to run the register. It was only a slight sting and one he easily forgave. He hoped that the three of them were happy.

The park still held its mystery and majesty to him. It seemed even more alive now through his new eyes, his new mind. His senses reeled as he walked the paths reborn. He was now truly one of the chosen, genetically chosen to lead, if not rule, the majority of the cattle here. He watched them all, from the fit to the fat, from the destitute to the deviant. His very essence was changing in order to synchronize with the mindset that he had evolved into. He found himself at the fountains where he, Crystal, and Iris had made some illuminating discoveries and he had resigned himself to the path. He had already chosen his path even then. He watched as the ripples of the ponds seemed larger and even more far-reaching than even he could have imagined.

Finally, he walked down the lonely little path where he had made his first mutant friend. The area was generally quiet, especially due to the cold weather and the veritable isolation of the area. Dressed in a long black duster, dark pants and shirt to match, a small black wool skullcap covered his vulnerable hairless dome. Black seemed to go well with his new mindset. Not for its inherent nature to be lumped in with a 'dark side' , but more that it absorbed all light and set him in contrast with the stark white of the winter day. He saw the light post where he had sat across from, the spot where he had lured the poor courier and decided to sit down on the bench from where he had seen Petunia in the summer.

Now there was another striking female there. A young Asian girl, from what he could tell. The most striking part was the cotton candy pink of her locks. Seeing how the stream of Tao had sent him full circle, he grinned at the idea that here sat yet another mutant. Perhaps one like him, lost in memory or as he was, searching for purpose.

Within a moment of spotting the man who would disturb her 'rememory', that sweet, sweet memory she had been enjoying took the chance to retreat back into the void that was the uncharted, inaccessible areas of this brain she had come to inherit. It made her think. Maybe this was what she was destined for, to find the thing she craved most only to have it torn away from her by some good for nothing individual 'trying to help' or 'just wanting to chat'. So far it seemed to be true... Oh what she would have given to live the life that the original Megan had experienced, alas it was not to be. She was displaced in more ways than the obvious. Displaced in society. Displaced within her own mind, locked away from her own abilities and stuck with the one she had inherited. Her situation wasn't a preferred one, but it was the one that gave her the most scope. So it was like being trapped in a silent room, locked away from the world, locked away in someone else's body... but then again no one would suspect the young Asian girl to be anything more than just that.

She had thought this body would make people leave her alone. Oh but how wrong had she been. Apparently candy pink hair attracted a lot of attention... One of these days she would probably dye it a darker colour, though that took a lot of effort. She could just let the colour grow out, but what on Earth would people think of her if she left her roots showing like that. Couldn't even begin to imagine the embarrassment she might feel. It wasn't the biggest of evils as hair went. Most of the time she enjoyed the colour, but it was times like this when she would have prefer being left alone more than anything, when it just got in the way.

Stupid hair dye.

With a sigh she pulled her attention away from her own problems to the man who was nearing her and wondered what his problem was. Did he have something to say to her? If not then frankly he should just go and get himself lost. It would be the best for both of them. She wouldn't have to put up with his company and he wouldn't be given the chance to think of her as some sort of charity case, or some young woman he felt he needed to take under his wing. Oh how she hated being patronised, treated like some moronic 20-something year old 'cute' Asian.

Her problems where hers alone, nothing he could say would help matters. If it was her destiny to wander the earth forever search for her peace then so be it, but she would do it alone. People died. She could dodge it. Or rather... could have done if she wasn't locked away from her true powers...

Garrett could see the look on the young girl's face as he made his way from his own bench to hers. He was simply sure that she was a mutant. It was as clear to him as it was when he 'randomly' met Iris during his Tai Chi class.Nothing was random. Especially among those of the mutant variety. This was an observation that was slowly solidifying into a theory. It was also clear to him that she didn't seem to want company. More than likely she figured him for a panhandler or a typical male , looking for company and somewhere warm during these cold days and nights. Garrett had an agenda, to be sure. But it went deeper than flesh.

Arriving within a comfortable distance, earshot yet out of arm's reach, he smiled and ignored her visually cold shoulder. He spoke to her as if she were an old friend he hadn't seen in some time. "Hello. How are you today? I wanted to ask you if you were a mutant. If not, then excuse my intrusion. I'll be on my way. If so, I'd like to speak to you if I might." He knew she was already. He was as sure as he was about anything now. Now that he was in sync with his destiny. He wondered how she might answer. Would she deny it, in favor of subterfuge? Many a mutant had to fear those who were lesser than them these days. Perhaps she would declare it proudly. It was hard to say. He simply waited for her answer, keeping his hands in his pockets and his ears and mind open.

For a while Megan simply stared his in the face. She couldn't help being suspicious, it paid to be suspicious sometimes. It had gotten her this far, so it was the way. Eventually the pink-haired young woman spoke, “What's it to you?” She wasn't afraid of giving the fact that she was a mutant away, after all, who had exactly what she was? Besides it was fun to play up to stereotypes. Maybe she was just a frightened, angry young thing. What was to she wasn't just the pink haired Asian mutant one saw before them? Lying never hurt anyone. Although, Megan had never thought of it as lying, more as... bending the truth to one's own needs.

“I'm not really in the mood for chat.” She added, bluntly. Sugar coating feelings for the sake of others was a waste of time. People never got the idea, they needed for someone to throw the metaphorical brick in their face before they understood. No one could please all of the people all of the time, not even some of the people all time, so why even try? Megan certainly didn't intend to.

She sighed, and looked back towards him, standing out of reach. Did he think she would pull any funny business? Well, he was certainly a clever man, at least he had something going for him other than being annoying. She could easily have dipped her hand into her pocket pull a weapon and be done with him, but then again, on the quest for eternal peace when was that ever anything less than a road block? She could have done it, if she wanted to. No word of a lie. It would have been too easy though. It had been a long time since she had lived a life of crime, and she didn't intend to go back to it. Not now.

So if talking to him was the lesser of two evils, it would surely have to do. Not that she was going to talk. If he wanted to sit himself down next to her then so be it, but she was not going to make it easy. If he wanted to break her train of thought she would make him pay.

It had been a long time since she had been at least part normal. It worried her that she had such wrong thoughts, and yet she didn't know if she would hesitate. Something had happened to her in recent years. She didn't know who she was any more. but perhaps she didn't care... or maybe she did...

Whatever.

"I can tell I'm not going to be able to get rid of you any sensible way, so talk. Let's get this over with, so I can get back to my thoughts" Had he expected a sweet young thing? There was no content twenty two year old here. Only a life time of despair, multiple life times for that matter.

Attitude. She had it in spades. It amused Garrett to a point. He could understand, as most New Yorkers would have had a similar reaction. They would have used more swear words and threats of violence, however. "What's it to you?" It was a fair question and an expected one." Well, if you are a mutant, I wished to welcome you the the city should you be new and discuss possibilities with you whether you are or are not. If you are human, I must admit, I have little use for you. So, you may take it any way you wish. My name is Garrett. Garrett Wills. Just so you don't have to refer to me as 'Hey you'."

Her demeanor remained stoic and untrusting, regardless of the charm that Garrett mustered. Although she was indeed attractive, he had no mind for carnal intent these days. Too much agenda as it was without throwing in emotions. Thoughts of Maya remained and probably would for some time. His main squeeze for now was to enable those of his kind to see their place in the world." I'm not really in the mood for chat." Another fine reason to turn on his heel and find others who might be persuaded. Perhaps she still saw him as only a man, not a brother.

Piss and vinegar came to mind readily as she only seemed to sew herself up tighter. "I can tell I'm not going to be able to get rid of you any sensible way, so talk. Let's get this over with, so I can get back to my thoughts" Garrett couldn't help but chuckle. He wondered if he wouldn't see her again before too long, perhaps with an adjustment. " You can be free of me anytime you like. If you do happen to be a mutant and would like to learn more about our plight as a species, I would simply like to extend my hand in friendship and welcome you to visit the Sanctuary. Perhaps we can speak more there at length. It certainly is warmer. Regardless, I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, Miss." He turned to walk away, while slightly lingering should she decide to change her tone.

Megan frowned at Garrett's words. “Even if I was just human I should damn well hope you have a little more respect for life than that, young man” And there it was, one of those odd phrases that tended to slip from between her lips in times of angry or stress. It belayed her ture age, sure, but there was no way she was going to be talked down to, however indirectly, by some over four times her junior. Back in the old days he could have been metaphorically shot for insinuating her was a bigger man than an elder. Alas, these were not the good old days and no matter how much she protested he would likely think her still younger than him. They must have been around the same age, at least in looks in Megan's case. Now Garrett acted and looked like for that reason someone well passed his age. But ...

Oh it was pointless. He had the upper ground and she was just some girl to him. "I am indeed a mutant"

She could forgive him for acting as though she hadn't watched New York grow into the beast it was today. He acted as though she had only just opened her eyes. Oh, she knew the plight of mutant kind and far too well for that matter. She was living, well sort of, proof of what could and did happen to mutants who didn't watch what they did. What kind of a world was one where people who were essentially just human beings as well if you looked at the facts could be foresaken and thrown aside. Forced to hide... it was just ...

Calling after him as he began to walk away, Megan spoke once more. Apparently she was going to talk more, even if she wanted him to get lost and leave her alone. It was strange how ones mind seemed to work under different orders from time to time... "I'm not at all new to our plight. I know it all to well," More than he could ever imagine... But something in his speech had caught her interest. "This Sanctuary you speak of. Tell me more."

She had no intention of being recruited for some pointless cause by some stranger she met in the park of all places, but who said she wasn't allowed to do a bit of intelligence gathering since he was here and apparently more than open to talking about such things involving mutant kind. Aside from the sheer rudeness of his manner toward someone like herself, he seemed to be a respectable enough young gentleman, with a certain air of purpose about him that only served to intrigue Megan further.

“Even if I was just human I should damn well hope you have a little more respect for life than that, young man.” Young man. Yes, she was most likely crazy. " Respect for life. Was that what humans have when they form lynch mobs against us? They do it versus their own species with ease, so why not against us? Also, the registration camps were a fine example of humanity at its finest. They dare claim innocence." He spit on the ground in disgust.

She did mention she was a mutant. He knew more than enough mutants with mental problems, himself included. He preferred those with scars and skeletons, as they were less likely to harp on him for his own. This fact kept him from walking away. She could hash out her problems once she was safe in the Sanctuary. He certainly didn't want Sam rubbing up on her in the name of 'goodness'."I'm not at all new to our plight. I know it all to well. This Sanctuary you speak of. Tell me more."

Good sense. Garrett swiveled on his heel. Crazy or not, she had sense enough to come out of the cold. That or she was merely curious. Or perhaps one of her rogue voices told her to ask. Either way, he felt obliged to explain where he was coming from. He had approached her, after all." The Sanctuary is a haven for mutants here in the city. We do our best to feed, clothe and shelter mutants. We were once also a shelter for humans, but have recently changed that, accepting only mutants now. We need our own places and people looking after us. If the rest of the world can embrace and protect humanity, we can protect our kind just as well."

ooc: is this an FP thread cuz it doesnt say so in the title but seizures signature has "seizure FP" underneath it if not i may join as an observer and possibly jump in later