Answers were the best solution to questions. After the hostage situation he had a lot of those. Maybe other people wouldn't question it but when your new empath friend, at least he hoped he could count Kealey a friend, helps save you from a hostage situation and the cops don't seem all that surprised about it you end up with questions. Namely why was she there at all and the what these X-Men were. As such Andrew had told her point blank once everything was over that he'd be asking her about it later.

Well now counted as later. Andrew had asked Kealey to meet him in the living room so they could discuss it. He'd brought up some of the things he'd baked last night after he'd returned to the mansion so they'd have something to snack on. Brownies, cookies, and some various pastries sat on a plate and he'd brought some water and a few sodas as well. You'd have thought he'd been preparing for visitors instead of a possibly awkward conversation about hostage situations and people being there that shouldn't.

Andrew had seated himself on the sofa and was staring out the window. Any amount of time that he had to wait for Kealey allowed him further time to marshal his thoughts. Certain questions were more important than others. Plus he had no doubt that some answers would just lead to more questions. What sort of place had he stepped into? Questions of that sort swirled around in his mind as he sat, outwardly seeming to contemplate the grass outside the window.

Kealey didn’t know why she felt guilty as she made her way towards the Living Room to talk to Andrew, but she did. It wasn’t like he’d ever actually asked her if she was a member of the X-Men, and it also wasn’t like she’d lied to him. A nagging little voice in the back of her head kept reminding her that lying through omission was still lying…but she batted it away. Stupid thoughts.

This was going to be a nice, honest conversation that was going to clear the air. There was no edict that the X-Men had to keep secrets…but discretion was a must. The fewer details the general populace knew…the better. It just made things easier on everyone.

Unless you felt like you’d been left out of the loop.

Kealey had felt it the day before, but had been too caught up in her own turbulent emotions to address it. Andrew had felt slighted in some way, left out, and she felt bad…even if it was a little illogical. An easy friendship had sprung up between the two of them, and Kealey hated to think she’d done something to damage that through slight dishonesty.

Into the Living Room she went, and stopped a few feet in at the food spread laid out for the conversation. She had to chuckle…it reminded her of something Aurum might do. She also had to admit that Andrew could do worse than draw comparisons to that friend of hers.

She moved to sit in one of the arm chairs across from the sofa Andrew was seated on.

”So. You’ve got some questions?” she said casually. Kealey was not going to make this into a bigger deal than it was.

Andrew turned from looking out the window when he heard the footsteps. There she was, right on time. The blonde settled in an arm chair and got right down to business. Andrew appreciated that. He motioned to the snacks and drinks first though.

"Feel free to grab whatever you like if you're hungry or thirsty."

He took a breath before he let loose with his thoughts.

"So, first question, what were you and Ghost doing there at all? The cops didn't react like you were unexpected heroes or something of that sort."

His voice wasn't that of someone who felt betrayed. Andrew didn't feel betrayed. He understood the need for secrecy in some matters. He just hadn't expected to find out in precisely that manner. No one expects to be a hostage and then to be saved by their friend. This wasn't a big deal, it was simply that he was curious why someone like Kealey would be out saving lives. If he were to guess then they, and possibly others, were on call to the police for bad situations involving mutants. But that begged the question of why? Was Sam involved? Kealey had said that he was her boss. Given his new perspective on her he wondered if that meant something beyond her library job.

Andrew offered her anything she wanted, and Kealey reached out to grab a brownie. It was definitely because she didn’t want to be rude, not because she had an inexplicable weakness for brownies and baked goods in general.

Andrew was kind of darkly curious, and the emotion set of warning bells in Kealey’s mind. She’d have to be careful with this conversation, or he would start to feel all the emotions she’d been worried she’d find and pleasantly surprised to find absent.

His first question was incredibly direct, and to be honest…Kealey appreciated it. In the grand scheme of things it was so much easier to answer a direct question with a succinct and truthful answer. Though…how succinct these answers would be remained to be seen.

The first however…Kealey took a bit of brownie and chewed before she spoke.

”We were there because we got a call on our X-Coms.” she said, tapping the small device hooked into one of her belt loops.

”The X-Men are partnering with the police on some cases.”

There. That was good. Honest and succinct.

”Next?”

Inwardly he smirked a little that she reached for a brownie. It really did feel good to see his baking appreciated. Even if he wasn't entirely willing to claim it as his to anyone but a select few. Kealey answered that question and he mulled over the answer. So the X-Men, a name he'd heard on the lips of some cops including the detective that had pulled him back in the window, worked with the cops sometimes. That was just about right on the money as far as he'd figured.

"Alright, what are the X-Men and how does this place tie in to them?"

Maybe the emotions from the other day were carrying over and making him ask such direct questions. Andrew preferred to think that it was because he was comfortable enough around Kealey to get right to the point. As to the question, they were getting to the real meat of the conversation. He wanted to know just what he'd put himself near.

Andrew didn't think that Kealey would be involved with anything unsavory. They were working with the cops after all. Whatever the X-Men were they couldn't be that bad. Unless the school and good actions were just a cover for something more sinister. He didn't want to believe that but...it was a possibility.

Another direct question, and Andrew would get another direct answer.

What were the X-Men?

Kealey thought, and ate some more brownie. Man, it was good.

”The X-Men…are a pro-mutant, pro-human group of people like us who have the ability to do something about all the nasty things that happen out in the world.” Kealey said. It was hard to talk about this to anyone but Shin…she didn’t want to sound too cliché…but she wanted the message to get across.

”We’re out to show the world that having an X-Gene doesn’t predestine someone to behave a certain way. We’re showing the world what good we can do if we all work together. The NYPD is doing a great job of helping us out with that.”

How was the Mansion involved?

”This is sort of…our base.” Kealey said, then looked at him expectantly.

So they were a militant group of mutants who tried to save the day as a way of showing the world that being a mutant didn't mean you were evil? Had he walked into some sort of superhero tv show when he wasn't looking? It sound ridiculous but Kealey had spoken with such sincerity that he could only believe her. Andrew thought back over all of his experiences here already. Looking them over with that tidbit did sort of cast them in a new light. It helped him connect the dots so to speak.

"So Sam is what? Some kind of leader or something?"

Because he certainly didn't seem like the sort of guy to run a school or work at one.

"And you make costumes for the team right?"

Andrew almost laughed. Even just asking those questions felt silly. While he was having a good mental chuckle at the images his mind was conjuring the more rational side of his mind was having a good think and broadsided him with something that deserved real consideration. Did they have any enemies? Could he expect to be in danger just by being associated with them? The humor went out of him at that thought.

"Enemies. Do the X-Men have any?"

Because if being around here was going to earn him more situations like yesterday then he'd have to have a good think. Andrew loved it here and he was equally fond of the people. However he didn't want to get drawn into more scuffles like with Mittens on a regular basis. At least not without some ability to keep himself relatively intact. He didn't like having to rely on other people for that.

Kealey nodded slowly when Andrew asked about Sam. It really wasn’t her place to explain all the intricacies of the X-Men and the parts that each individual played. It wouldn’t have been difficult to find out the information on Sam by himself, though, so it couldn’t really hurt to simply answer honestly.

”Yeah. He’s our…boss.” Kealey said, Sam was also her friend…and her boss in other capacities.

Costumes. Kealey feigned offense.

”I don’t make costumes. I make uniforms.” she said with distinct and bald pride. ”And they work fantastically well.”

Andrew was having a nice little laugh about the things that Kealey was telling him and she smiled back. Then his happy emotions died a really quick death.

Kealey frowned. Frowned a lot.

He asked if the X-Men had memories and Kealey looked at him.

She tilted her head as she considered her answer carefully.

”I’m sure that we do.” she said, just as carefully as she had been thinking. Then she looked Andrew right in the eyes.

”The other thing I know, is that we really do make things better, and that we‘d never do anything to endanger the people we‘ve accepted responsibility for.”

Kealey paused again, trying to work out how exactly to reassure Andrew.

”This place…and each other…are all that most of us have. We don’t take it lightly.”

Andrew nodded. Kealey had known what he was getting at and told him bluntly that they didn't take the lives that depended on them lightly. That was good. It was the only place most of them had. Andrew supposed that was true enough for him too. Sure he could go out into the rest of the world but not even his parents knew about what he was. Andrew had gone to great lengths, until recently, to keep anyone from knowing. It only made sense to him to shield himself from people that would likely love to get their hands on his mutation.

That was still mostly true but it didn't scare him as much as it once had to tell someone about it. With his concerns for safety allayed Andrew was free to grin at Kealey's affront over the use of the other word costumes instead of uniforms.

"And uniforms? What are you running an army here or something?" he said with a good natured chuckle, "Sounds to me like you're trying to dress up the fact that you dress up and play heroes."

A clear smirk settled over Andrew's lips. He hadn't taunted someone like that in a while and it felt good to have someone he felt like he could do that with. Though, using the word heroes had brought back that moment in the grocery with Ahorta and he could understand why they did it. It felt very good to help others out. Maybe if his mutation wasn't so useless he'd offer to help them out. As such he'd have to be content with remaining on the civilian side of things.

Teasing was definitely better than the worry that had laced all of Andrew’s thoughts before.

Kealey took another bite of browning and smiled a close-lipped smile. She shrugged her shoulders, ”Costumes are something that people wear on Halloween. I make those too.”

She paused for a moment, working out how to phrase what she was trying to say, “Costumes don’t have pockets for body armor, they’re not made of fireproof material, they aren’t catered exactly to suit a person’s powers.”

Kealey paused.

”I made a suit threaded with gold thread that has real jewels for buttons.”

Playing heroes. Kealey shorted and took another brownie…surely it wouldn’t hurt.

”And who wouldn’t want to be a hero…with all the glory and sparkles.” she said…just a little facetiously.

Andrew blinked a couple of times. She really went all out for these uniforms of hers didn't she? Well at least these X-Men were as safe as she could make them. Though he did have to wonder about the gold thread and jewels. Did the person manipulate jewelry or something? Andrew chuckled when she made the comment about heroes.

"Glory, sparkles, pain, responsibility, danger. It's a great job if you're into that sort of thing."

She likely knew the risks a lot better than he did so he left the rest of his reasons against it in his mind. Of course it did feel great when things went right. Andrew turned his attention elsewhere. Namely to Kealey's grabbing of a second brownie.

"Enjoying the brownies then?"

Over all the questions had gone fairly well. Andrew couldn't think of any more off of the top of his head. With other mutants out there ready and willing to use their powers for things that were less than savory he could understand the need for something like the X-Men. It was the sort of thing he might do, if he were capable of it that is. He wasn't and he knew it though. Still, why did Kealey do it? Her powers weren't exactly great for combat either. They'd proven useful with Mittens but still...why?

"Another question, why'd you join them?"

Might as well go for broke if you're just blurting out every question that comes to mind.

Kealey grinned and nodded her head when Andrew asked about the brownies, They’re almost as good as the ones my friend Aurum makes. He says he’s not a mutant…but I think he’s got a secret mutation that has to do with making the most ridiculously delicious food. And being disgustingly charming.”

There was an amiable silence for a few moments, and Kealey simply ate her brownie in contentment, laughing when the silence was broken by Andrew’s humorous comment about heroism.

Then he asked her why she’d joined the X-Men.

She laughed out loud.

”Honestly….I never thought I could do anything like this in a million years.” she admitted candidly.

”There were a couple times that my powers came in handy though…I started to think that maybe this was something I could do. Then Shin was running someone elses’ try-out. I had the opportunity…so I took it.”

Kealey smiled some more, ”I used to not be able to be in a room full of people Andrew. I was a complete and utter mess. Being here, in New York, helped that by leaps and bounds. I still thought I was useless though…I mean…what good am I really? Other than for digging into peoples‘ business.”

She shrugged, ”Shin was the first one to treat me like my powers weren’t some sort of disability. The others here are like that too. To them…I‘m just me. It’s an unbelievable feeling…especially to someone who isn’t always very good at knowing their own feelings. If this is how I can help…if this is how I can give back. It’s worth every second.”

Almost as good? Almost? Andrew was almost insulted. He was darn good at his baking thank you very much.

"I'll have to meet this guy some day."

Andrew sat quietly as Kealey described her decision to join the X-Men. It was almost creepy how close she came to his own feelings. What good would he be? Andrew honestly couldn't think of a single instance where his pathetic power would be useful. Kealey had her uses. She'd kept himself and his fellow hostages from doing something stupid and he figured she'd kept their captors confused. What could he do though? Go undercover or something? That would be ridiculous. He envied her that usefulness. In a fight he was useless and it wasn't as though he could do much outside of a fight either.

"I can understand that. Honestly I sort of envy you that chance to help out."

Had he just said that? Oh crap he did. Kealey seemed to make him run at the mouth like that. Oh well, not point in covering it up. He grabbed a bottle of water, twisted the cap off, and took a drink. Let her make what she would of that statement.

Kealey laughed and shook her head, ”Everyone need to meet Aurum at some point, Andrew.” she said. ”We were ridiculously at sixes and sevens when we first met. He’s got this terribly roving eye….”

She let it go, it wasn’t story time. This was still slightly serious business, and the blond was as shocked as Andrew when the next statement came out of his mouth.

Kealey thought for a few moments, a year and a half ago, she’d have spoken about the plans that each person had made for them. How a person had to trust.

Things had changed.

”Andrew…everyone has their part to play. Some peoples’ parts are different than others. I’ll never be like Sam or Shin or Ghost, swooping in to save the day. I play in the background, feeling things out. It‘s the best I can do.”

Another pause, the final bite of brownie, and Kealey mirrored Andrew’s earlier action by grabbing a bottle of water and taking off the lid.

”More and more I believe that we make our own luck. At least some of the time. If you want to find a way to help, ask Sam. Just be content with what he tells you…even if that seems like it would be a difficult thing.”

Andrew gave a chuckle at Kealey's description of this Aurum fellow. He definitely sounded interesting. Kealey seemed fond of him at least. After a few moments of quiet Kealey addressed his statement. Make your own luck and do what you can huh? Sound advice, even if Andrew didn't quite believe it was possible for him to be anything but useless. Someone with a use didn't get snatched by a criminal and used as a human shield. His shoulder rose and fell in a shrug and Andrew grinned at Kealey.

"To each their own."

He'd do what he could and leave the rest to the heroes. Andrew drained the rest of his water. In the end that was all he could do. If he were to compare this to a movie he'd say that people like Sam and Shin were the stars and he was just extra number three. Andrew glanced out the window again.

"I think that pretty much covers everything. I'll let you get back to whatever you need to now."

His problems were his own, he didn't need to burden Kealey with them. She had enough on her plate without him dumping his issues on her to fix.