It was a rainy night and thunder clashed through the sky. Darius looked through the foggy taxi window as he approached the iron gates of the institute he was recommended to see. "Thats seventy five bud" the cab driver said as he pulled up kerb-side and moved his hand towards his passenger. Darius reached down into his coat and pulled out the cash "Keep the change" he said as he stepped out into the storm outside "Hey buddy you want me to wait" replied the driver, Darius looked back at him and closed the door and pulled his coat tight as he approached the gates. They were much bigger up close and slightly intimidating in the stormy weather. He wrapped his hands around the bars which were ice cold.

He knew it was going to be shut coming here this late was stupid, he was about to turn back to the cab when in the corner of his eye he saw an intercom. He stepped towards it, he hesitated to push it as he didn't want waking up a whole lot of the residents to be his first impression but he reached out and pushed the button and leaned in saying a simple "Hello".

Raphael was up late. He often was, as he liked to keep active as much as possible, and besides, his healing factor kept him from feeling the many late nights and short resting periods. He stopped off at the security station, intending just to say hello to Johnathon, and instead saw on the monitor a fresh arrival at the gate.

“Night Johnathon,” he spoke at the young man was about to pluck a radio off its stand and wake Tricity up. “I’ll handle it, toss me one of those.”

“Sure Raph, just dun let him through if he’s a crazy,” Johnathon responded and plucked a radio off its stand and tossed it to Raphael.

“You’ve got control over the gates from here, use your own judgment, if he slaughters me, leave ‘em closed.” He said with a grin, knowing well that wouldn’t happen. “I’m gonna grab my coat and head out there, tell ‘im to wait a moment.”

“Right, right,” Johnathon replied again, waving an idle hand towards Raphael, then leaned over the microphone and punched the button for the front gate. “Hold on for just a sec, we’re sending someone out.”

Raphael left the security room and made his way as quickly and quietly, as it was late at night, to his room. He grabbed his long brown duster and pulled it on as he headed for the front door. He dropped the radio into a pocket and finished the last button on the front and pulled the door open, closing it behind him after he passed through it. He looked out at the gate across the front lawn, a long way from where he was standing, and pouring rain to boot; the perfect night for a late visitor.

He flipped up the collar to his coat and set out at a jogging pace across the front pathway. He slowed to a walk as he got to the massive front gates, and stepped into the small sanctuary that the awning provided from the rain. “Evenin’, I’m Raphael Sevresch, mind if I ask your name, and what brings you to our home so late at night?”

The weather was getting worse and hearing a voice on the other side of the intercom gave Darius some relief. He turned round and gave the friendly cabby a wave as he sped off. As Darius looked back towards the mansion he could slowly see a figure imerging from the thick constant pounding rain. The man that stood before him sounded friendly enough as he spoke "Sorry about the horrible timing" Darius replied to the unfamiliar mutants question and began to explain his situation. "I was told by a mutant in the city about this place, look I just need a place to stay for awhile, I'm travelling you see and I heard that this was a safe place for mutants" he said loudly to be heard over the storm. "Oh and my name is Darius, Darius Spears" he said as he reached his hand through the gates to the man on the other side.

“Nice to meet you Darius,” Raphael said with a nod and smile, though it might have been difficult to see in the limited light of the gate. He shook the extended hand, and pulled the radio out of his coat pocket. “We’ve another wanderer, open the gates Johnathon, it’s wet’n’cold out here.” It was easy for Raphael to remember back a couple months to when he was nothing more than a wanderer arriving at an uncertain building that was nothing more than a rumor among the street rabble he associated with, outside of the ring.

He stepped back as the gate started to roll open. “Come on in, got any baggage with you?” He asked as he dropped the radio back into his pocket. “I’ll get you set up inside, and show you where the headmistress’ room is. She’ll want to meet you… Though for now, gotta ask what you’re mutations are, and if they’re a danger to yourself or to others?” The line sounded, almost odd to Raphael as he uttered it. He had not been here that long, but… Get over it, you’re a member of this institute now, it’s perfectly fine that you ask that, Miss Tricity certainly would. She did when you got here, he badgered himself mentally, though continued to display a pleasant outward disposition. “Let’s get out of the rain, tell me about yourself on the walk.”

The icey cold rain cut away at Darius's face as he followed the man who greated him along the lenghty path to the front door. Darius turned to his companion "Well were do I begin, the first thing would be my wings sorry can't show you them right now in this weather, they come and go as I please so theres nothing to worry about there" he said as he lifted his hand up to guard his eyes from wind and rain.

"Oh theres one more thing it only happens when I can gather enough energy from the sun but sometimes, only when my emotions are running high enough I can lose control of it releasing the energy in a violent explosion but I assure you friend this has only happend to me once in my nine years of my mutation being present" Darius could see an instint reaction of concern from his peer, he had hoped that this wasn't going to lessen his chances of entry, he thought that because his stay was only breif that it wouldn't pose a threat to the other residents.

They were getting closer now, a relief to Darius as he was beginning to shiver. "Oh and brother I never got you name" Darius finished eagerly awaiting his compainions reply to whether he would be fit to stay.

Raphael walked quietly beside the new-comer as they approached the dark mansion. Only the lamp by the front door was lit up, and that provided only a meager amount of illumination thanks to the severity of the storm. He stepped up to the front porch, reaching up to brush cold wet hair back and off his forehead before responding to the description of the other man’s mutations.

“Interesting,” he spoke the single word and let it hang in the air for a moment as they stood by the door, safely out of the rain, but yet still outside of the mansion. “The wings I can guarantee won’t be’a problem. There’s another mutant here, Skoliro, who’s got the attributes of a bat, along with the ability to communicate with creatures of the night… Complete with wings he can’t dismiss… And as for your sunlight explodey mutation…” Raphael let the last word hang for a moment as he shrugged, then said. “I doubt it’ll be a problem… not like you’ll go ‘boom’ inside the mansion and hurt a lot of people if it happened. ‘Sides, here we also try to help mutants to really understand and utilize their abilities. Though, Miss Tricity has final say.”

He stepped forward and opened the door, holding it for the other mutant. “Storm’s mighty loud, must not of heard me the first time, Raphael. Welcome to the mansion.” He stepped inside and closed the door.

“Given that it is quite late, I think the first stop would be the dormitories,” he said in a quieter voice as he reached over and pulled a small bundle of papers from a rack by the door and offered them to Darius. “I’ll point out which room is Miss Tricity’s office-slash-bedroom… You’ll need to drop those off, and say ‘hi’… any questions before we start out?”

Deathstar ascended down the stairs wearing a rock t shirt and sweats with her hair pulledto the back and not wearing her gothic make-up as she usually does, I see we have new blood,.... she walks towards the new guy and stands in front of him looking him over as if she is looking for anything susupicious, totally ignoring Ralph So whats the name .. she asks the new trying to make nice and get along with her new fellow dormates.. oh yea!..hey ralph!!.. she says to ralph not looking in his direction...

The warmth of the mansion was a huge relief to Darius he slowly looked around on entry trying to take in as much as he could while closing the door behind him shutting out the howling storm. The enterance hall was huge, nothing that Darius was used to after staying in many cramped slumish motel rooms in the area. Darius listened to everything Raphael was saying but he didn't seem to take it all in beacuse he was to busy admiring the artwork on the walls and the amazing architecture of the building.

Darius turned wacked Raphael on the sholder "This place is incredible, thanks for making me feel welcome Raph, I can see myself getting easily lost in here, so yeah it would be great if you could show me the way around here cause I'm dying to get into some fresh clothes" Darius finished as he removed his rain soaked coat and placed it under his arm when he heard footstep on the stairs infront of them he looked up to see a female resident making her way down the stairs and heading in his and Raphaels direction. She walked right up to to him and began eying him up immediatly ,Darius judged by the look in her eyes that she didn't have alot of trust him she then spoke asking him his name, Darius instinctivly flicked his long red hair out of his face and began.

"Darius, Darius spears and who is it I have the honor of meeting so late this evening" he finished

deathstar smiles at darius, trying not to blush.. I'm going to like you alot..Oh!! by the way I'm Layla but call me Deathstar. she looks at ralph See Ralph he knows how to welcome a lady as myself she says jokingly to ralph trying to annoy him..... So Darius, What brings you here? she asks darius with an concern look on her face trying to engage in a conversation with the new guest....

Responding to Stars blush Darius gave her a wink and replied "Don't get too use to me doll I'm only passing through I just need a place to stay for the night, I'm kinda wandering through the states trying to find home again" Darius said slowly looking down losing his cheer.

"Anyway" he said perking up again "I'm sure Raphly here won't mind if we just take a seat for awhile" Darius pointed to a couch down the hall "It'd be nice if you could tell me a bit about this place" Darius said twisting his coat in his hands trying to hide his nerves, it had been along time since Darius had the chance to have a proper conversation with someone.

Deathstar didn't want to let down her tough exterior, Where you planning on going after tonight? deathstar said as she started walkin towards the couch . Do you have any plans?...Oh!..excuse me I'm being a little too nozy she turned her head away trying to avoid looking in darius eyes,

but as far for as the mansion goes...its dullsville here..the only action we get here is playing card games and watching T.V re-runs she said laughing to herself, for a moment there deathstar smiled in which she rarely do.. see her over there don't talk say too much too here or you will be in conversation where as tho you can't escape, and him over there thats Eaen, his is onemy good buddies here at the mansion, but you will get along with most folks, and then you fade, I can't stand her so we are not going give her that much attention..oh yea then there's tricity...she runs the place..she's okay but its hard to get her attention, she stay busy since she runs this institution...othere than that its pretty okay..i mean its safe ..well for now that is.. deathstar ramble'sabout the mansion tenants... So are your gonna take that wet jacket off!!.. she tells darius as she laughs to herself

Raphael repressed a sigh as Deathstar approached them and nearly shouted her greeting. He followed both of them over to the couch that Darius had chosen to take a load off on, though he chose to keep his coat on for the time being. He, for the most part, ignored the verbal jabs that Deathstar sent his way, though with her rant about the activities of the, or lack there of, within the mansion.

“There’s more to do than just that,” he said with a sigh, shaking his head. “There are other activities if you choose to seek them out. Such as the danger room, provided you’re above 16, which you look to be. Classes are also offered here, accredited classes for both high school and college level. There’s also an expansive library, if you are the type to enjoy curling up with a good book. And as Deathstar has just exhibited in her own personal recount of people, if you are a people person, there are a good number of individuals to get to know around here. And of course, the grounds themselves are pretty extensive, if you are the naturalistic or gardener type… though I’d not recommend exploring them tonight, with the rainstorm we’re having.”

He shifted a little then took his coat off and folded it over his arm and leaned up against the wall by the couch. “This is a good place to stay for more than one night Darius. I’d recommend sticking around for a little bit before starting off for a new destination. If nothing else, there are services here that you’re not likely to find elsewhere. Aid in learning how to use your mutation, strengthen it, and the like.” He shrugged some. Sounds like you’re trying to sell the place to him Raph, the thought ran through his head.

“And you’re not likely to find a safer place for mutants… we protect each other here, despite whether or not we like everyone. And if someone gets into a hard-spot, there is always someone to turn to.” He said, even if he did not entirely believe it. His first friend still laid unconscious in the infirmary, which to him was proof enough that the mansion was not quite as safe as he made it out to be.

Darius threw himself down on the plush couch and let out a sigh of relief and let out a small laugh as this room alone was bigger than his whole house he had been staying in recently. He then listend to Star introduce a few residents he laughed at her description of the mansion being a totally bore, she seemed like a really interesting person Darius thought and started thinking to himself Shes tough but I know that shes got a soft spot the piercings and all have to be some kind of cover up of the real her, hey I've already seen her let down her guard more than once tonight.

He then turned to Ralph and his sales pitch got him even more interested in the institute. Just the pure fact that it sounded safe made Darius want to stay for longer. Also the chance that he maybe able to get control of some of his mutations more hidden powers made him want to stick around for atleast more than one night. But he need atleast the night to think about it. He looked around the room thinking some more about of the possiblities the mansion offers and the danger room Ralph spoke of Wow.

He looked at Star and then Ralph "Thank you again both of you, you really make this place seem like a fantastic facilty, remeber this is all new to me though so I think I'll need to sleep on the though of staying first and well as you said before the head-mistriss has the finally word" he said standing up from the couch and picking up his soaking coat that had left a wet patch. "If you both could show me where I could find a room that would be fantastic" he said giving them both a friendly smile.

Raphael nodded. He understood where the other man was coming from. He had approached the institute with almost the same cautious exterior, though his resolve to stay had been cemented in place within a week when he had killed to protect the occupants of the mansion. He merely plastered a smile on and nodded once more.

“’Course, wouldn’t have expected you to jump to staying right away anyhoo.” He turned about and headed for the stairs. “I’ll show you where the dormitories are. Deathstar, you’re welcome to tag along, but I’ll have to ask you to keep your voice down, as not everyone is quite the night owl that we are.”

Just as Darius was expecting the stairs where in an immaculate condition as the rest of the place was he then had a quick thought to himself I wonder who cleans this whole place, it would be a hell of a job hmm maybe someones got a power that helps because I sure as hell wouldn't like the maintance job. He laughed slightly to himself as they took off up the stairs to the second floor where the dorms resided.

Raphael and Darius quickly reached the top and turned towards the male side. They passed by the doors everyone seemed to have done something interesting with there door. Darius was already running through what he might do with his which he found ammusing as he had already started thinking of staying again. Almost all the rooms seemed to be taken and Darius looked to Raphael with a bit of concern as they were comign towards the end of the the hall and he began to hope Ralph would point one of them out soon.