Vania pulled up to a small private parking structure, and input a code into the number pad. It buzzed, and she drove in. Pass the gate there was a guard booth with two armed guards inside. They waved hello to Vania as she drove pass them, but gave Arthur a cold stare. "This is just the parking for select residents. The actual apartments are next door, but mine is upstairs." Arthur knew she most likely made a considerable amount as the Head Librarian of such a prestigious library, but she shouldn't be able to afford someplace like this. The math didn't add up.

"Do you live alone?" He asked not wanting to come right out, and ask her how she afforded such a place. "Not anymore." she said with a sly smile. "I know you're probably wondering how I afford it right? Well you'll just have to keep on wondering." she laughed after she said this, but Arthur got the message loud and clear. Don't ask. They parked in a marked stall closest to the elevator. "Come on. We take the elevator up."

Arthur followed Vania into the elevator, and waited while she put a key into the top floor button marked "P" and turned it. When they stopped and the door opened it was directly into Vania's living room. It was a very impressive apartment to say the least. It looked like something truly royal. This confirmed Arthur's belief that something was definitely happening behind the scenes with Vania, but he had happenings of his own to sort out. "So? Would you like a tour? Or perhaps some wine?" Arthur was ready to get some rest so he could mentally sort through all of the data he collected today. "Actually could we do all that tomorrow after work? I really would like to get some rest." Vania shrugged her shoulders and led Arthur upstairs to a very large, and elegantly decorated room. "This is yours, and mine is down the hall. You have your own bathroom in here so don't go accidentally coming into my room in the middle of night." she said this with a smile. "I hope you're an early bird, because I leave here by three so I can setup things at work." Arthur was indeed an "early bird" and would be dressed by two-thirty. "That's no problem at all. I will see you in the morning Vania, and thank you." He stuck his hand out, but she just smiled and gave him a hug instead. He hugged her back, but she had a bit more behind it than he did. In fact it hurt a little. Vania released her grip, and looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I...goodnight." she turned and left the room. Arthur was rubbing where she had been holding him, and was pretty sure he was bruised. "Interesting." he said as he slowly closed his door.

It has been three weeks since Arthur moved in with Vania, and a fascinating three weeks to say the least. Arthur was beginning to understand his mutation in new and exciting ways, but it was his research into mutation itself that was really evolving at a rapid pace. He began to realize that baseline humanity could be grouped together as one species, but mutants should not be do to their individually unique and sometimes radical physiology. He deduced that this was the driving force behind his recently discovered "compulsion" to know specific mutants inside and out. The eye he took from Mr. Smith showed no signs of anomaly, and this led Arthur to believe the source Mr. Smith's particular mutation was in his brain and transferred through the hand. Arthur regretted not having taken more samples, but he'd rather avoid explaining anything to the authorities who he imagined were currently looking for him. Arthur had today off from work so he decided he would go back to the Colonial House Inn and see if he was indeed being sought. "Penny for your thoughts?" Vania interrupted. She was standing in Arthur's room and looked like she had been for sometime. "I'm sorry. I was lost in thought. Were you waiting long?" he asked sincerely. Vania smiled as she usually does and just shook her head no. She then walked a little closer and cleared her throat. "I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight? We're both off, and I don't have any plans so...you know? I mean it wouldn't be a date or anything like that. Right? Would it?" Arthur had come to know Vania's mannerisms by now and in doing so realized that she was attracted to him but he was unsure of how to properly return her feelings. His mind didn't function like hers or anyone's as far as he knew. These past few weeks he has come to care about her more than anyone else he has known since the emergence of his mutation and that list has been pretty much exclusive to only consist of his parents. "That would be fine. I have to run and take care of something but it shouldn't take more than an hour or so." Vania smiled and stepped even closer "What's fine? That we're going out tonight or that we are going on a date?" Arthur appreciated Vania's feelings and didn't want to seem like he didn't. "That we are going on a date I suppose." and to this Vania's smile grew even bigger as impossible as it seemed. "Well I guess I'll have to wear something special then won't I? If you don't mind I can come with you to take care of whatever business you have? You would probably get around faster with me driving you. Is that alright?" Arthur knew that having Vania along could make it difficult for him to maneuver about unseen, but he also didn't want to miss this opportunity to observe her in different settings. Something about her seemed different, but Arthur couldn't place his finger on it. "That's actually a fantastic idea. I will wait for you to get ready." he told her. Vania laughed gave Arthur a hug before leaving. He noticed that since the first day she hugged him she has been very careful when doing so after, but Arthur could not figure out why. She couldn't have possibly known about the physical side effects of his mutation. He decided that when the chance arose he would force himself to take time away from his research, and look into Vania a bit more. "What are you hiding Vania?" he asked himself before heading towards the living room to wait for her.

(CONTINUED IN "NYC Residential - Colonial House Inn")