Fausto has been back in the Mansion for more than a week now. And he was still sick. And he was lonely. And he was depressed. And it was snowing.
Sveta just couldn't take it anymore.
There is that thing about girls and sick puppies - it's all true. Sveta never had bad feeling towards Fausto; she didn't have any special good feelings about him either, but she did not hate him, that's for sure. And now, that he was sick and all kinds of miserable, she kept thinking about how to cheer him up. So she checked with Doc, and when he told her she was not likely to kill him just by touching him, she decided to act.

"Fausto?" she knocked on his door, with her winter coat and accessories draped over one arm "I am coming in." she announced, and counted to ten before she opened the door. Since he was very careful about moving around, it was better than waiting for him to get the door.

"Get dressed." she told him with a cheerful smile "We are going out." she paused "I mean. Outside."

There was no escape from there ... Why people do not let him die in peace? Everyone struggled to lift his spirit, and what put him a worse humor was what they were successful at it. How could his mood improved when he could not even walk? So many times he asked that. His anger does not just hurt him, but all his friends ...
But it was not his fault, it was always someone else's fault.
The boy was still in the bed, covered up to his head in blankets, he remembered the days, these old days when his mother arrived early to wake him and invited him politely to go to school. Petition that the small Fausto did not agree until his nose caught the tasty smell of a freshly prepared hotcakes coming from the kitchen. Only then he jumped out of bed half-dressed forgetting the cold to enjoy a hot breakfast.
It was cold, yes. But that was not what held him this time. There was nothing outside to enjoy better than the comfort and safety offered by his bed. Still he answered joking with his former fiancee knowing he would not be able to rest again until she was satisfied. "If you want a date you could say it." He was being very nice to her lately. Too nice... Could it be that she was planning some revenge for his mother's lies? No, that could not be right, she looked so sincere whenever she visited him. Fausto smiled politely, and carefully began with the daunting daily task of changing from his comfortable bed to his uncomfortable and restricting wheelchair.


By the way, he gave her a stare full of self-sufficiency and pride, but trying not look so hard on her, just for her to understood that even if it took an hour, he would do it by himself. "I am dressed since an hour ago ... to stay in pajamas all day is not for me ..." That was the favorite clothes of Katrina, he still remembered the day when they shared their dreams. The one of Fausto, conquer the world and make it a better place. Katrina's dream also involved the peace for the world but also included using pajamas all day ... that was something he could not accept. Fausto needed to conquer the world before Katrina and impose restricted hours for the use of pajamas, or she would destroy all sense of fashion in the world. Who would wear pajamas all day? The idea made him smile.
"Make way for the leader of the rebellion anti pajamas." With an uncharacteristic clumsiness of him, he finished moving to his vehicle.
"Look." He quickly shook his right hand and moved the control under it, his chair dutifully moved in the same direction. "It's a gift from Cielle." Again he smiled, he almost did not notice but he was doing it more often. Although each time he realized that he was smiling, he quickly erased it from his face.
Now with that motorized object called "attempt of legs" he felt much freer. "Wanna play a race?"

>>"If you want a date you could say it."

Sveta grinned at him as he got out of bed; he was already dressed, and she knew better than to offer him help anyway. Guys need their dignity.
"Always" she smiled, putting on her scarf and coat as he moved into the chair.

>>"Look. It's a gift from Cielle. Wanna play a race?"

"No. You would win." she smirked, opening the door "You have wheels, and I have heels." she pointed out. Indeed she did. Not high heels, those were fairly dangerous in the winter weather; small heels, but heels none the less. Not designed for running, especially not in the snow.

"We could go to the park" she suggested on their way towars the front door "It's much more pretty in the snow."

The new wheelchair moved gracefully with just a flick of his wrist. It was no longer necessary to use both hands to move forward. Now he had more freedom in his movement. This fact did not change a lot recently anyway, His idleness was quite limited by his state of mind rather than his health. "You rhyme well, if i need help with a song I'll consider you." It helped him to think it was a mobile throne fit for a king. Why a King would walk when a he have his slaves that could carry him wherever he wanted? Sure, but since the abolition of slavery ... so he had to be content to have a machine working for him. Against what someones could say the wheelchair was his slave and not vice versa.

"You could even sing with us ..." The only woman in the band would not be happy, however it was only part of a conversation without much significance. The band would not be making public appearances for a while. "I did not write since a long time ago, so I guess I would not be on stage soon." He was puzzled about how to ge tinto stage with his new wheelchair, He may need a ramp or better, an extra propulsion system. Cielle could turn his chair into a small helicopter and he would certainly be the most innovative singer of all times... “I have enough with the snow to worry about how to climb to the stages." Actually his mechanical slave moved far better than he had expected. Clearly responding to his demands despite the challenging terrain. The snow was removed but was still a bit slippery.

To be "walking" with her on a beautiful day like that make him feel better. The world did not stop when his regular mood was destroyed, Everything continued as usual. Perhaps Fausto was not as important as he thought. And that only made him look more closely at his surroundings, nature, people. Now in its new stillness he could discover how the world looked when you were not running at full speed to and fro. Without saving the world, without haste… It gave him a new interest in people, How was Sveta? How would you feel far away from your home? Far from everything she knew.Fausto did not feel comfortable until he was again in the mansion with his family. "Are you happy here?" It was good to see how everything changed, how the trees were covered with snow, and everything was nicely dressed in white. As a blank slate waiting to be filled with words. That day he felt that way.

>>"You rhyme well, if i need help with a song I'll consider you. You could even sing with us ... I did not write since a long time ago, so I guess I would not be on stage soon."

"I am not good among so many people" she chuckled as she walked beside him. She knew it was just a joke, still, she couldn't help but imagine standing on a stage with a band. It was a thought both scary and exciting. She realized she'd never heard Fausto and his band play. When he gets better, she decided, she'd definitely have to go to one of theit concerts.

>>"Are you happy here?"

The question brought her back to reality. It was an interesting one.

"I think I am" she smiled a bit, looking down at him "When I find out about my powers, I was very scared. But now dat Maya and Sebastian are looking after me, it is not dat scary." she looked around "And I like de Mansion. People are friendly here." she smiled "I even had a boyfriend. But den, he pffft" she shrugged "vanished. So now, I have all de free time in the world. It is kind of nice."

The teenager dedicated a look of disbelief while at the same time trying to keep an eye to see where they were and not hit anyone. There was not much to hit anyway.
"While on stage you feel incredible, everyone is there to see you, everyone reacts to your actions as if you were the king of the world."
He smiled remembering the first time he stepped on stage, everyone there heard him as if his band were the best band in the world. Not everyone may have liked their songs, but everyone at least took the time to listen… well, actually there was no way to avoid hearing the noise they made.

Fausto that always hated to be alone, thought that surely she would feel the same way as him. Despite she said to be feeling well. Who can be fine while being alone?
His curiosity was stronger than his will, maybe it was not the time to ask about that issue. She probably would still being mourning their relationship, if it was not a simple relationship as meaningless as the many that constantly arise and dissipate as quickly as they appeared.
"How is that he disappeared? Did he do it as a human or as mutant? " As he could not contain his curiosity could not contain his imagination. He could see them clearly, both embraced in a park and the next second he disappeared amid a great cloud, leaving her clutching the air where once was her lover. Could that be his mutant power? He never actually thought that her boyfriend might not be a mutant.Why a human would be more interesting than a mutant?

>>"While on stage you feel incredible, everyone is there to see you, everyone reacts to your actions as if you were the king of the world."

All right, so that did not sound so bad. Actually, it sounded pretty good. Sveta thought about it for a while as they walked (or, rather, she walked), and decided it was something she'd have to try. Sometime.

>>"How is that he disappeared? Did he do it as a human or as mutant? "

"Ummm..." she returned to reality "He was a mutant, yes. But I could touch him, because his powers only worked if he touch metal." she smiled a bit. Being able to touch someone, and having that someone for a boyfriend. Good times. "But no, he just, left. I don't know where he went." she shrugged "Maybe he comes back, maybe not. I am used to dat."

They walked on; it was snowing again, and all the whiteness turned the streets into a winter wonderland. Bells jingled in the distance.

"We could find a sleigh" she smiled, looking at Fausto "It would be nice."

For the description he could have been anyone at the mansion, but something told Fausto that the man was not a resident of the mansion. If that was the case she should feel really uncomfortable going there... or maybe yes... maybe she went to the mansion often to see if that mutant appeared again. The mutant she could kiss without causing a nuclear explosion or the melting of the poles ... "That´s bad ... but you will find somebody else. " the boy answered without much interest in what he said, if she found someone else, he was sure she would leave him alone. He did not want that especially now that her presence was welcomed. As always he needed attention and she was giving it ... Katrina could have comforted him for his illness ... but that would have made their relationship a little uncomfortable.

Now before Fausto could make a decision consulted his brain to see if it was dangerous or not, something that had never done before, he thought about it a few seconds before answering. "A sleigh ride would be nice, quiet without complications." It seemed a good way to pass the time, and nothing warned him about a future danger. Now he always thought twice before doing something, DocProf could heal his fractures without problems (fracture, not the disease) but was better not get hurt anyway, since each split was very painful and they were quite far from the mansion.

When they reached Central Park everything was completely covered in white. Children ran everywhere around playing an endless war of snow, other more peaceful children were creating figures difficult to understand at first sight... while the most suicide ones crashed their makeshift sled made from a plastic sheet. Fausto surely was more of the suicide group.Despite that, the singer eagerly pointed one of the closest sleighs. "This sleigh looks nice. " It was going to be a quiet and relaxing trip.

>>"That´s bad ... but you will find somebody else. "

"I am sure" she smirked. She was not really planning on it, but it could still happen anytime, right? Not like she was planning on dating Nate either. Things like that, in her life, just tended to happen.

>>"A sleigh ride would be nice, quiet without complications. This sleigh looks nice. "

Sveta smiled at the sight of the park covered in snow and children playing. Winter was such fun to them. They had a home to go to when they grew tired, they had parents to feed them; they even enjoyed the cold that stung their noses red.

And there as a sleigh. And a horse. Sveta grinned when she saw them. It was some kind of a nostalgia vehicle, probably there for the holiday season; but it was free, and at least the driver was not dressed like Santa.

"Here we go" she smiled, walking over to him to ask about the price, after a few moments of conversation, she turned to smile at Fausto triumphantly. Now all left to do was to help him into the vehicle.

The vehicle at first seemed simple to climb, it showed no complications, it had a large place where he could climb just resting his feet on the ground a little and reducing his weight with both arms to help up, but anyway all that was still fiendishly complicated. It was not out of Fausto reach and in a few minutes he could manage to climb by himself but the boy was scared to break his legs or arms trying. He could even break his hands or wrists, not counting other bones in a fall in a failed attempt despite the short distance that separated them from the soil above once in the sleight. As always, his imagination was like falling dominoes, unstoppable and he could see himself falling as the giant of the story.
So he swallowed his pride and asked for help from Sveta and the driver then they were all on board in less time than stipulated.

Fausto thanked the gods he did not believe for not having to climb up on the horse, he had never done it before. He would liked to try it in other circumstances but not at that time. Even with the muffling snow he might fall and break every bone ... it would be a tragic accident plagiarism of Superman, the Man of Steel. Seeing that the two had a similar nickname using a similar material he was happy with being just a passenger leaving the reins to another person. The driver looked very capable, though a bit tired and old to do so throughout the year ... he could not anyway, of course.
Apart from the children around, many couples were in the park, walking back and forth holding theirs hands. Wisps of condensation appeared it from of then when talking cheerfully with each others. There were also people without a partner but were not as happy as others.
Surely the snow and the winter period would represent a sad and boring period for those who do not have company. Fausto even felt that way a week ago while watching the snow from the entrance of the mansion.
But being together with someone made even snow and winter a little warmer.
"Thanks for the ride, it's all very pretty at this time." A little blush flourished on his cheeks for admit it, but he really was grateful for all that she had been doing for him. Otherwise he would still among those who look sadly at the snow. "I've never been in a date in a central park at this time of year, is so nice."

They helped Fausto into the sleigh; Sveta was being very careful, she did not want to hurt him in the process. He did not look fragile, but she knew he was. Once they were settled, she pulled up the blankets over them so they wouldn't be cold.

>>"Thanks for the ride, it's all very pretty at this time. I've never been in a date in a central park at this time of year, is so nice."

"It is" Sveta smiled. "We use to go on sleigh rides like dis, with my sister. We had a friend, in Moskva, he had a sleigh, and two horses, and he took us for free. There was always plenty of snow..."

She did not miss much about Russia. She missed Bo, she kind of missed the Matchmaker sometimes, and she missed places she used to like as a child. She missed the winters too, even though they were bitter cold. And now that they were sliding around Central Park, she realized she missed sleigh rides too.

"Now you know where to take a girl on a date when it is winter" she smiled at Fausto "It is pretty."

The blanket on their laps was comforting in that beautiful but cold environment, yet he avoided to look at his legs for so much time. He felt strange... like when someone is killed and someone cover it for anyone else to see the maimed body. People might well say that his legs were dead but that was not true... He could move them when he wanted... Though, it was also the same way they picture the crazies in the movies.
In their wheelchairs and with blankets over their knees and staring at a wall trying to see beyond reality, engaged in more important matters, such as waiting for some revelation or in the contemplation of a fly. "Forget it, enjoy the ride and the company."
He let his eyes wander across the landscape that offered the season, asking his sight to rest on the snow flakes on the white robe that covered everything, perhaps with the hope of getting the same peace in his mind.

His mind and his tongue seemed immunized against the disease of silence and tranquility.
"It's silly but I have the conviction that Russia is always covered with snow. I guess it's a common stereotype..." He smiled slightly with that. His black eyes jumped from the landscape to her while he talked. The feeling that the country of her was an eternal iceberg would not leave him even if he could see that is was wrong. "Is there any way to bring her here? Perhaps not a very legal way but there might be some way...“ Fausto immediately thought of the two most powerful people he knew, one was not so powerful but had enough money for bribes and a first-class trip... the other person had more power, though of course without recognition. Still he believed he could avoid law a little for her sister to be there... What would he ask in exchange...? He could want her to join the cause… Sveta could provide a great service to Slate, just imagine what he could be able do with her help... If Katrina affected an entire city...

>>"It's silly but I have the conviction that Russia is always covered with snow. I guess it's a common stereotype... Is there any way to bring her here? Perhaps not a very legal way but there might be some way...“

"I don't know..." Sveta mused, looking at the snow covered park and the children running around "... there could be plenty of way. I think the Mansion could accept her, like, a student or something. Or, I could get her a visa. Legal or not legal... probably legal, because Slate hates me really bad, I think."

She paused, and blinked.

"He is, kinda my boss, you know." she muttered, looking around again. She hoped Fausto wouldn't ask.

"It snows a lot in Russia, it does." she added, just to change the subject.

Fausto meditated her response for a moment, his common sense tried to understand how she was not with her sister when she could bring her somehow. She just could pay a false visa to enter... How complicated could be ...? The teenager could not imagine two sisters separated by immigration policies of two countries...
So while the boy was trying to find a solution to that riddle, he heard from Sveta what he needed to hear. What Slate had to do there ...?
In his head the words repeated, first with her feminine voice and Russian accent, then in a more familiar voice, his own voice. Because he was his boss as well.

From her delicate lips escaped a fact far more interesting and the singer could not help but smile, it was little perverse smile that had not dominated his face since the delight of the taste of poor Johnny´s fingers.
The world around seemed to be less important for both, he was not sure about her, but at least it was for him. Now he had in his hands something more interesting than a monotonous white landscape. His pleasure was not generated by a future blackmail that could be achieved with poor Sveta, no. His joy was much simpler, Slate was not controlling everything ... a little detail had escaped from his hands or from one of his employees to be more accurate ...

He had not known she was part of the team ... at the time he learned Alexandra was also working with Slate was quite a surprise too. His boss knew how to maintain personal relations between employees into the minimal and necessary amount. He thought that if they two had met was because it was not necessary.
"It's funny that i did not see you in Romania, Did you enter after that, right? " It was also likely that if she had entered after that incident she would not know what he was talking about. "I would like to see the extent of Slate powers with your assistant."
His black eyes never stopped looking at her face, so it would be easier for him to know if she lied or tried to derail the conversation into another subject.

Fausto did not have good memories of that trip, all on that excursion was more complicated that to get on that sled alone. He still remembered with great bitterness the pain of the bullet in his ankle and how that prevent him from escaping in time from the collapse of the building, and then the pain from the rubble on him. It really was a miracle he was still alive and can enjoy the snow. And now he was being killing by a stupid disease ... "Iron rhymes with Irony"

>>"It's funny that i did not see you in Romania, Did you enter after that, right? I would like to see the extent of Slate powers with your assistant."

"Romania?" Sveta archen an eyebrow, shaking her head "I don't understand."

Romania? Whatever did Romania have to do with this?

"I, ummm. Caused some trouble, wid my powers, so dey took me to Slate in the Labs, and dey decided to keep an eye on me, because of my abilities." she explained "So, I was being babysit, for months." she rolled her eyes "I don't think Slate liked me, I was too, dangerous." she sighed "And den, a guy was babysitting me who had wind powers, and, well, we kind of made a tornado. Dey had to rebuild the labs. So. I don't think my boss would help me with my sister."

He'd probably prefer me dead.