>>“So I was thinking about the...uh, you know, thing and...it, it doesn’t bother me or whatever...It’s not like it’s that weird to me or anything like that but it’s you know...you and all that and if it’s you then there’s no reason for me not to be friends with you. I met you before I knew about the, the thing and the thing isn’t a factor in anything. Okay? I don’t care about the thing if you don’t. I liked hanging out with Maya, so...”

Whoa. That was a lot with one breath. Especially from Twyla. Gawain looked away at first, here comes the part when she calls me a freak, and only glanced at her once in a while until he realized what she was saying. By the time she finished (did she?...) there was already a half smile on his lips as he looked up at her.

"Geez, Bubblegum. Breathe." he grinned "It's okay... I mean... thanks. Maya likes hangin' out with ya too."

'The thing.' Great phrasing. Trust it to Twyla to keep his secret, and make it sound like he has some kind of exotic bug. Or rare mental disorder. Yeah.

"I guess I owe ya an apology for bailin' out on ya last time" ha added as she sat down, and he was more than glad she decided to stay. It would have been to much to hope of course that he still had a chance after she found out what he...she... Mirror was. But he still liked her company.

>>"Everyone this is Ted, a student here too. Ted, this is Gawain and Emerald. Is it okay with everyone if he takes this chair and if I sit here? He’s a good kid, I promise and I’m...something..”

The kid appeared out of nowhere. Was he following Twyla or something? Gawain turned to look at him, eyes narrowing before he relaxed back into his trademark grin. The brat must have been fourteen years or so. No threat.

"Hey Ted. Nice ta meet ya." he nodded to him, then turned back to Twyla "Umm... I'm gonna go grab a drink. Can I bring somethin' for ya?"

Emerald had listened to the two’s conversation however brief it was and just shrugged her shoulders a bit. In her Opinion everyone had problems as well as secrets and as long as they worked it out she was cool with it. Especially since they didn’t try to drag her into it, which was a rather nice gesture and she would remember it.

When finally addressed the wolf girl smiled and shook Twyla’s hand firmly, trying her best not to shake it too hard.

”Yep Emerald Lupin, that’s me, Nice to Meet you Twyla I go to school here too.” Emerald told the new girl, “Though I’ve been here for a year with my baby sis and its not a bad place…”A coy wolfish grin. “Free food is nice.”

When the other boy came up and Twyla introduced him Emerald offered a smile. She hoped she didn’t intimidate anyone with those sharp wolven teeth, heck she was trying to make new friends, not scare off enemies.

”Yeah he can sit, heck I didn’t think I would get so many people sitting by me anyways. Pleasant surprise to say the least!” Emerald laughed a little.

She did notice Gawains brief glare before he realized it was just a boy. This made Emerald chuckle inwardly, it would seem Gawain liked miss Twyla a little bit. This would make things interesting to say the least. This whole shindig wasn’t going to be nearly boring as she thought. Briefly she noticed the order members from KP there and couldn’t help but smile a little bit, this place was full of surprises.

All the awkwardness had been squared away, good. She now was firmly set on the idea on making Maya her gal/guy pal now, also good. Apology for ditching her at their last meeting, yet another good thing. “It’s no biggie, I understand...to an extent.”A smile to show everything was a-o-k and water under the bridge was thrown in the direction of Gawain.

After thinking about that night Twyla had made sense of it for the most part. Obviously it would be uncomfortable to share that kind of secret with someone you barely knew (just like Twyla had left out the part about being a mutant when she met Maya). Twyla got the feeling he had bailed out on her so she couldn’t have a freak out at him or something of that nature. She didn’t really know if she would have freaked and she didn’t really get the chance to find out. She hoped she wouldn’t have freaked–she certainly hadn’t freaked later in her rom, had just sat and pondered the implications of being a boy and a girl and being friends with said person. Discrimination based on gender or mutation wasn’t her style, hence the ‘thing’ not bothering her.

Emerald had a good handshake. It showed how little Twyla interacted with the student body when it came as a surprise that the girl was also a Mansion student. “I’ve been here since this summer...Actually, I think good free food is even nicer.” And it was. Oh it was...even if that free food was often eaten alone or at weird hours (studying in the library had made her miss more than a few meals).

It was good to hear that she hadn’t imposed on anyone when she sat down and Twyla was thankful that the boy she had hunted for books with could sit too. Ted was newer than Twyla, and she wondered how many people he’d gotten to know in his stay at the Mansion. The girl smiled when the girl across from her laughed. “Awesome, glad to be of service.” A little giggle followed this as her nerves ebbed away.

A confused expression scrunched up her face for a moment when Twyla saw the brief look on Gawain’s face when he looked at Ted. What the heck was that? You’d think the boy was some kind of bad based on the way Gawain’s hazel eyes narrowed in his direction. Weird, to say the least, but she made no comment and when she was asked about a drink she replied: “Uh, sure. Diet anything? Please and thank you.” in her usual bright voice and with an unexpected smile.

Quite the little team they had gathering around the table. Emerald seemed like a cool person, and Bubblegum being shy as usual the contrast was even more apparent between the two girls. They seemed to like each other though. Even better. As for Ted, Gawain decided to postpone talking to him as he walked away, weaving his way in the crowd towards the table with the drinks.
Fancy party, he had to hand them that. Everyone seemed to like Ghost and her not-so-new husband. No fighting so far either. It was almost too good to be true.
And Twyla was still willing to talk to him, after discovering that her new girl-friend and the new girl-friend's annoying brat brother were indeed the same person. That could be a shock for anyone. Also, it more than a little dulled Gawain's original charm in her eyes - but when did a true knight ever shy away from challenge?
A couple of minutes later Gawain returned with four bottles of soda - he brought one for Emerald because wolf grin or not she was still a lady, and one for Ted because Gawain was just that friendly. Setting the bottles down on the table, he took his seat once again.
"Diet for Greensleeves, and coke for the rest of us" he grinned at the others, opening his bottle "Cheers to the School of Freeloaders."

A small chuckle sounded from Sam as he nodded with shin and then turned his attention to the mess of the wedding that was happening around the wedding cake. It seemed Slate didn’t like the punch and decided it was necessary to show of his displeasure by spitting up all over a young woman who seemed the act needless to say seemed to upset Shin to the point where he excused himself from the conversation.

Nodding his head to the group that was left Sam turned his head slightly and faced the scene trying to catch Alex’s attention all the while still trying to maintain a pleasant conversation. ”Guess punch isn’t for everyone…” Sam said trying hard not to laugh as he turned his attention to man who just asked if they were mansion residents before Shin excused themselves.

”Guess you could say that, Alchemist was it?” Sam asked as he extended a hand in his direction, ”I help in handling the rooming arrangements for the residents and am the current Self defense instructor, My name is Sam.” Sam smiled to the young man, even if he wasn’t addressing Sam before he felt like he should still try not to make him look like Shin was dismissing him completely. ”Are you a resident or interested in becoming one?”

Sam kept his attention focused for the moment on the three people he was around only to occasionally break his attention with a look in Alex’s direction, who was looking like she was trying to hold a laugh in with a knife in her hand. Despite the fact that she looked like she was some kind of psycho with a knife in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other Sam still couldn’t help but think how great she was.

Turning his attention back to Elli with an apologetic look on his face Sam smiled and then gestured her towards the tables, ”And I almost forgot but your table is actually that one,” Sam pointed to a table towards the dance floor with a number 38 on the table in a small paper stand before he smiled and said, ”And the food is right behind you, and if you keep walking around I guarantee people will introduce themselves to you, friendly bunch that is here tonight, at least the ones I know.”

>>“Well miss, I have good news for you. During this wedding, you do not have to worry about zombie attacks and if something happens, there are plenty of people who can defend you.”

"Yeah well unless they're named Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, Leon Kennedy, Ada Wong, or Sheva Alomar I don't trust them. Sure people here might have powers, but that's kind of unfair to the zombies. Only fight them with guns. I want that real Raccoon City experience!" Kokoro responded to the brunette woman. The asian teen's case had been stated but apparently the older woman didn't care for her story and the knife was taken via whatever witch powers she had to take poor Kokoro's only weapon of defense. As if that wasn't bad enough, the 15 year old suddenly found herself being splashed by a sweet and fruity stream of red mixed lovingly with Slate's saliva. The liquid drizzled slowly down her face and onto her beautiful brand new pink dress she had bought. I mean raining on her cake parade was on thing, but did he really have to spit on her too?

>>"Hi... friend. I'm Ghost."

The bride had arrived and hugged the fiend who ruined her new dress. After the hello, Kokoro closed her eyes and took deep breaths to try and relax instead of flipping out and making a bigger scene. She promised Shin that she'd be on her best behavior in the states because the lord knows had someone done this to her at home, they'd have a few bruises by now.

>>"Let me get you a towel, Kokoro-chan. And Slate. Thanks for saving my girlfriend, but honestly... that isn't a free pass at spitting on my family."

"Good riddance." Kokoro grumbled as she took the napkins and dried her face of the punch. It wouldn't help her dress though. It was lost. "I'll punish him in the name of the moon if you need me too, Tetsuya-san. Nah, forget Sailor Moon, I might have to go Chun-Li on him." she glared to Slate as she raised her hands and began cracking her knuckles.

There was a large, woman-like growth on his back. It was... snuggling him. Snuggle. Snuggle. The blue-eyed teenager blinked, and turned his head slightly. Ah. It was the bride.

“I think you may be mistaking me for my brother, again, Mrs. Csendes.” The teenager politely informed the white-haired sylph. He offered a hand over his shoulder, for her to shake. “I am Slate. You have my pants.”

>> //That was classy, Slate.//

The Kabal leader blushed slightly, as Circe made commentary in his mind. And out loud.

>> “Is there something wrong with the punch mister?”

“It was... sweeter than I expected.” Yes. Also: ...I am having some problems with overhearing thoughts, at the moments. There are... somewhat embarrassing things going through certain minds, in the vicinity.

>> "Let me get you a towel, Kokoro-chan. And Slate. Thanks for saving my girlfriend, but honestly... that isn't a free pass at spitting on my family."

Slate turned his attention to Shin, making sure not to move much in case Sebastian’s wife was comfortable were she was. “Noted,” Slate decided upon. He gave an amiable nod to Kasumi. She looked nice in her new dress. His gaze moved a bit to the side—skipped over Kokoro, who was clearly not a rational person, and thus did not deserve the respect of such—and found a certain color-shifting boy: another nod followed. Koga looked good, as well, in his new arm.

>> Oops. Katrina spoke into his mind, trying to be quiet. Sorry. Just... ignore me, I'll try not to be so loud.

Who kissed you? He asked, trying to be subtle. Is it anyone I know?

Streak barley heard what Jewel had said; something about a fight and a ship, or shop, or shep… Then his memory jogged back to one of their first meetings. She had told him about her first fight at a jewelry shop. Shop. That must have been what she said. “Most of the things you did sound like they’re from that movie.” Streak joked with her. As they made their way to an empty table he saw Emerald sitting with a group of newer students, most of whom he didn’t know they’re names, and he sat down. He made a mental note to go say hi to her and chat with her a bit. She’d been a little MIA since the X-Men meeting after the camps.

People were a lot more fired up since then and he hoped that after her sabbatical from the mansion she would be more inclined to be friendly and not flip out on people as often. He didn’t mind because he could handle Em but others couldn’t and that allowed her to get away with her past attitudes. Lily and Emerald were like night and day. Streak handled Lily in a completely different way. Hanging out with her was more like hanging with a friend while hanging with Emerald was more like a power struggle for who was higher on the totem pole at work where both did the same job. Streak slowly started eating his food and then said, “I don’t normally eat before a party because I always figured I wouldn’t be hungry and then they’d think it was rude that I didn’t eat any of their food.” That was always his thinking and it seemed to serve him right in the past and no one ever said anything to him. Of course he always only nibbled on and off through the party.

Ted was glad to have people that allowed him sit with him. Since he only knew a hand few people it was nice to meet two more people right off the bat at the first meeting. They all seemed nice enough for him to enjoy their company. Being a young guy, Ted didn’t really understand why Gawain had given him a funny look. Because he didn’t get the look, he smiled anyways and sat down. “Thanks Twyla.” He didn’t realize that he’d made such a good impression with her, but since he did his smile grew even a little bigger. Ted however, caught Emeralds smile and his shrunk a bit. He didn’t see her teeth before but now that he had he saw that it was a more wolf-ish smile than a human smile. Or at least that’s the part that caught this kid’s attention.

Emerald had introduced herself to Twyla and it was one that was easy to remember. Just like the stone. he thought. “I’ve only been here about a month. But I’ve been having a blast so far.” As he sat down to join them another thing caught his attention. Her tail. His glance at it didn’t take to long, but he did think that she could help him with his mutation. His best guess was that she is able to change shapes similar to him. Even if hers was limited to just one form, she was older than he was and hopefully had more practice with changing than he did. But that could be discussed later. Now was time for him to enjoy meeting new people. It didn’t seem like long before Gawain reappeared with drink for everyone. That was nice of him. Ted thought as he took the drink. “Thanks man. Cheers.” Ted replied as he tapped his drink against Gawain’s to show his good spirit.

"Bon appétit, then" Lily chuckled as she started eating. The food was good, and it was even better, sharing a table with Shawn, after having attended a beautiful wedding (that turned out to be more romantic than Lily expected from her new, weird and unconventional extended family). She liked parties when people were sincerely cheerful and friendly, and not smiling through their teeth for politeness' sake.
Or maybe they were. And they were just that good at it. She doubted everyone was spotlessly cheerful about the Order's appearance. Or was it just her, once again worrying too much?
She glanced at the group of teenagers nearby, and all the worries were dissolved in a smile.
"It really looks like a school for once, doesn't it." she noted, then added with a half grin "... with some relatives visiting. Gosh I have been here for months and I still don't know most of these people. Is it just me?..."
She didn't mind. She suspected Shawn would know most of them, or at least know something about them. For now she was just content taking part in the fun.

((OOC: Feel free to have Slate "overhear" anything typed out. Ghost has the mental strength of a moist sponge. ))

>“I think you may be mistaking me for my brother, again, Mrs. Csendes.”

She stiffened. Hmm. Was this awkward? He smelled sort-of like like Calley. He certainly looked like Calley. How the heck was she supposed to tell them apart?

It was interesting to hear Mrs. Csendes out loud and from someone else.

First thing was first, he offered her his hand and confirmed the details of their last meeting. >“I am Slate. You have my pants.”

Oh. Her tinted lips made for a nice circle as she extricated her limbs and brushed off the back of his suit (she might have rumpled it in her excitement) before taking his hand in a more respectable second meeting. "I don't have your pants right now, but I'm sure we can arrange for your pants to find you again. They're all mended and pressed, ready for delivery."

Shake, shake of hand. He looked so much like her master. How was she supposed to do her duty properly if there was an impostor running about willy-nilly? Ghost waved to Kasumi and Koko, it had to be the same Koko she'd heard yelling down the hall ways of the Mansion, before she blew a kiss to Shin. He was always so cute when he got cleaned up. She felt like she hadn't seen him in forever since she'd hired more people at the bookstore.

Ghost continued shaking the hand as she stepped around the Calley-imposter and between his earlier spit targets. This was her party (wedding) and she got to cry (stare awkwardly) if she wanted to. (right?)

She eyeballed Slate. The same. They had to be twins. Was it because Calley didn't especially love human form that he omitted the presence of twin? Or to escape the human twin sameness that was creepy... maybe that was why he often was a cat. That was a real possibility.

Shake, shake of hand, realization of continued hand holding and hasty drop of sweaty palm. "So uh-what do you do, Mister Slate?" She meant school-wise, but a power explanation was acceptable too.

Good free food, now that was the reason why Em came to this shindig besides wishing well to the newly weds. The wolf girl had a feeling she was going to like this Twyla girl she seemed like a happier person that she was and seemed funny. Gawain seemed like he was very interesting to hang out with and Em was rather inquisitive about new mutants. However, this Ted kid gave off the scent of almost like he spent all day snuggling stuffed animals. This confused the wolf girl immensely but she chose to shrug it off, best not judge what people enjoyed doing.


Watching Gawain get the sodas for everyone made her smile, at least she was being treated like a member of this little friend group. Emerald was needlessly happy about this which made her tail wag back and forth. She was part of a group and she quite frankly was estatic about it. Despite her standoffish nature, Miss Lupin did enjoy the company of people and it was good to socialize if it was just every once and a while.

“To Freeloaders and good company.” Emerald replied, tapping her glass against everyone before taking a huge sip of her drink. She then took a large it of her food and grinned happily. “I could get used to food like this. Its perfect for a growing wolf mutant with a fast metabolism.”

Ted sat and Gawain scuttled off to get drinks. He returned in less time than was needed to make awkward conversation. Not that Twyla thought the conversation would be awkward, but wasn’t that what weddings were for? Chatting up acquaintances about neutral topics for hours while awkwardly picking at food and guzzling down drinks and all that. Thankfully this particular wedding wasn’t turning out to be quite so awkward for the girl. Besides Boy Maya randomly being there of course, but that issue had been resolved within minutes. Hopefully now all that was left was to sit back and enjoy the company and the party.

At the Greensleves comment Twyla plucked at the layer green taffeta on her skirt and blushed slightly. It was indeed a terrible choice of an outfit. If only she had found a top in a different color or something. Green was her favorite color, but she was pretty sure there was a rule somewhere about covering yourself from head to foot in one. Oh well, not much she could do about it now or when she was getting dressed either–she just simply didn’t own anything dressy enough for a wedding, or at least she didn’t own anything in New York that was dressy enough for a wedding. She didn’t make a comment in reply on her attire, just gave a small smile and a ‘thank you’ to the boy who brought her the diet coke. Yum. Yum.

After listening to all the other toasts Twyla finally brought up her glass and gave her own. “To freeloading, school, people...and the bride and groom. I think that’s what you say at a wedding. Cheers.” The bottles chinked and clinked together merrily above the table and then she brought hers back to her lips and took a gulp. Caffeinated frizziness sloshed down her throat and her cells began to hum from the thrill of the fake sugar. She'd have to be careful with her pop consumtion--unchecked the caffeine had a tendancy to get the best of her.

Streak looked around also. "Ya it does." Streak agreed. "Lily. I've been here for a year and I don't even know all the people here still. You'll meet more people but it's always going to be a catch up game." When he saw the kids giving cheers to something at the table he noticed a tail swishing back and forth behind one girl. "Is that Emerald?" Streak said aloud hardly believing his eyes. "I didn't know she was back. We should go say hi when we're done eating." He didn't think that Jewel had been introduced to Emerald, and what better time than now to meet her than in a friendly setting when she was in a good mood, and not on the defensive. "I don't think you've met her have you?" Streak asked Lily. He didn't want to make a fool of himself by reintroducing them to each other.

There were plenty of people that were here that he didn't know. Most of the ones he didn't know weren't students here at the school. Emerald was a person, from his experience, that one needed to be introduced to on a good day. If it was a bad day for her you might want to stay away or choose your words very carefully because if you didn't you could end up getting a hand bitten. Literally and figuratively. Streak turned back to Lily, who still looked great, and continued eating. It wasn't polite to eat with someone and be turned away from them. Or at least that's how he was raised. Whether it was proper etiquette or not he would leave that up to Lily to decide. After all she was the one who'd taken the classes, not him.

Lily followed his gaze and saw the wolf-ish girl sitting with the group of students as a nearby table. She tilted her head curiously. The girl - Emerald, was it? What a fascinating name - looked friendly enough to her. Even with the fangs and the tail.
"No, I haven't met her. But I'd love to. Is she a shifter?..." she could guess, but you could never be sure with mutants. Most people here could pass for human whenever they wanted.
"Oh, thanks for the roommate, by the way" she added with a wink when Shawn turned back to her "She's adorable. Coming from overseas, together with the mutation and all, must be hard for her. But she is a sweetheart. And at least I'm not alone in the room anymore."
It was nice, not feeling like an only child for once.