It was a beautiful day to be outside. The air was nice, crisp and cold and Agnes, as usual, found herself completely alone. She absolutely loved it. That does not mean she did not like hanging around her newfound friends, Amber and Gina, but sometimes a little solitude was just plain nice for the 17 year old runaway. She got a chance to breath, take in her environment and really recollect on everything that has happened in recent days. So far she gained a roommate, she still had to live down the accusations and gossip that spread after what happened to Faye, and she really was starting to like it here. Yes she was still on edge because her abilities tend to not be under her control, but so far no one else has gotten hurt.

She hoped it would remain that way.

In order to help it along, though, Agnes had decided to bring out an old friend today. Walking across the extensive greenery outside the mansion, her dufflebag slung over her shoulder, the runaway sighed a bit contently as she breathed in the air. The winter morning felt good and she was only too happy to wander off by herself and find a nice stone bench situated next to the tree. Apparently it was too cold to be out for most of the students, but having some experience living in the alleys and streets, she has come to be okay with the harsher of weather conditions. And back there she was not dressed as warmly as she was now.

Dressed in just a tattered old coat, a pull down, purple and white top and faded jeans, she sighed as she set her bag down on the bench. Unzipping it, she caught sight of that thick, black leather case that is her most prized possession. As she pulled it out, it was revealed to be a violin case, with stickers of all types all over it. Most were worn, tore up, or completely gone, leaving only the shadowy residue of stickiness that was once there before.

Click…Click…

Agnes undid the snaps on the case and flipped it open to reveal the smooth, solid violin with the freshly waved strings. She had cleaned it up the night before with the intent of playing it that night, but unfortunately sleep got to her first. Now, though, she was awake and eager to play. It had been far too long since the last time she did and during that time was when she met Amber. She had been playing, late at night after a nightmare she had had and all of a sudden, up comes this very pale, almost sickly looking girl. Normally Agnes would have run from such a person, but for some reason, that night, she felt like chatting.

Now though, there was most no one around. She doubted anyone would be bothering her. So, without further ado, the young girl situated herself onto the bench, held the violin appropriately, with her chin on the rest and the bow in her opposite hand. Silently she counted down in her head, as if she were in her past recitals for her parents…

3…

2…

1…

And she began to play her melancholy song.

Sveta was drawn to the music.

She used to play the violin, back when everything was almost normal, a long, long time ago. Back in school. She really hated that instrument; it made horrible noises whenever she tried to play, and Mom hated it too. Bo seemed to like the sound effect; but it was a long time before Sveta could actually make anything that even remotely resembled music. And melodies.

Hard to learn, and even ahrder to master.
So, she switched to guitar.

But someone, right now, on the Mansion grounds, was playing a violin, and it sounded beautiful. And very sad.

Walking closer, Sveta quietly followed the music until she could see who was playing - it was Agnes, the girl she brought to the Mansion. So, she was still here. Sveta smiled, and waited for Agnes to notice her.

The music was mournful, deep and wrought with the emotions that Agnes rarely let other people see. She was happy to be at this mansion and hoped she can make this place into a home, but in order to do that, she needed to release all those old, previous experiences and traumas into the ether of the world. She had to let go what her parents did her, the fact that she was now scarred for life, and the idea that her mutation was a complete and utter curse. Yes, insects and bugs were disgusting, but they helped her out of more jams than she could count. The least she could do while saddled with his mutation was learn to live with it. Hell, maybe the professors here could help her learn to control them.

With a sigh, she drew the bow across the tightened strings, producing another mournful melody when she opened her eyes to once more look around the glory of this garden.

The flowers were especially beautiful, some blooming, but the majority of them were asleep for the winter. The bushes were gleaming green in the cool air as the trees waved and danced gently to her song, aided by a passing breeze…and a blonde woman was staring at her with a small smile on her face.

Agnes paused at that last musing…

Woman? she snapped her head back and stopped her playing the second she saw her. For a moment, Agnes did not say anything; she was embarrassed by the fact that someone else had caught her playing. Was there no more privacy in the world? But as her curiosity forced her to look the woman over, she had to admit that she did look awfully familiar: the long blonde hair, the light skin, that smile that never seemed to falter, the stubborn eyes that simply would not leave her alone…

“Sveta?” Agnes asked, as her memory was suddenly jogged. That was the woman who changed her life and brought her to this place after she rescued her from being taken in by mall security. All just for a couple of hotdogs…

Agnes stood there, stock still and unmoving as she simply stared at the blonde, her violin dangling loosely at her side as she watched her carefully. This woman changed her life so how could the runaway repay her for any of it? All Agnes ever knew was cold stares and resentment…how could she repay unflappable kindness? In an attempt to do so…

…she smiled.

"H-Hi..."

>>“Sveta? H-Hi..."

"Hi" Sveta smiled back, walking closer "You play very well. It was beautiful."

She was honest about that. She never really learned music, but she had a talent for it, and she could see when someone was playing from her heart. And the fact that it did not hurt her ears was there as well...

"I used to play dat" she said, nodding at the piano, as she sat down next to her on a bench "But I vas not dat talented. I really like listening, though." she smiled "Did you learn in school?"

It was just a guess. One didn't really need to learn anywhere, if they were born with the talent for it.

>> "Hi…You play very well. It was beautiful."

Agnes smile politely, really unsure of what to say. She had been praised for her music before and, to be honest, it was not something she was always comfortable with. It was just a talent she picked up, a way for her to release her feelings without having to actually say something. Her violin was one of those things that really saved her during those lonely nights in alleyways when she was almost tempted to call it quits and just return home. It was cathartic, a way for her to toss all those emotions into the void of the universe and for just a few minutes, feel completely at ease with herself.

She never thought that warranted praise, still…she got it. Another smile and Agnes politely nodded her head in thanks as the woman took a seat next to her.

>> "I used to play dat…But I vas not dat talented. I really like listening, though…Did you learn in school?"

The runaway gently shook her head. Violin was a popular instrument, but it was true, few people really knew how to play it. That does not mean that Agnes was a snob to all other people who tried, she just knew the hard work and dedication and feeling that was involved with trying to implant your feelings into such an instrument.

Unfortunately there were enough heartaches in Agnes’ short life to play this tool almost expertly.

“No, m-my mother, taught me. Said that…it would bring me closer to God by not focusing on a sinful life.” she said with a sigh. It was sad that such a monstrous woman could be at all connected with such a beautiful piece of music. “She taught me ever since I was a little girl. She used to be beautiful at playing it.” she smirked as if she almost had her own personal little joke about it and shook her head. “It’s the only useful thing she ever taught me.”

She stared at the violin intently, imagining herself back at home, watching her mother stand in the middle of their living room and playing some of the most sober and humble music she had ever heard. All of it in the name of her savior but deep down, Agnes always thought there was something more behind it, though she never outright asked her mother. And she wouldn’t anymore. Instead the runaway sighed as she pushed the memory away and once more returned her attentions to Sveta.

“I haven’t seen you in awhile. Come back just to make sure I didn’t skip out?” she asked with a small, joking smirk.

>>“No, m-my mother, taught me. Said that…it would bring me closer to God by not focusing on a sinful life. She taught me ever since I was a little girl. She used to be beautiful at playing it. It’s the only useful thing she ever taught me.”

"One more den my mother taught me" Sveta chuckled, looking at the instrument. She could tell Agnes did not talk about her family happily, and she didn't want to pry, so she left it at that. She could relate to crappy family backgrounds (minus Bo, Bo was a sweetheart). Her problem used to be the exact oposite of Agnes': her mother did not care much about whatever her daughters were doing...

>>“I haven’t seen you in awhile. Come back just to make sure I didn’t skip out?”

"No" she shook her head with a smile "I come here sometimes, visit friends, and pick Jude up from de school." she said "I was afraid dat being among many mutants is dangerous with my powers, but I am getting use to it."

>> "One more den my mother taught me"

Agnes smiled in response but she did not say anything. It was obvious that Sveta had her own problems with her mother. The knowledge of that made Agnes feel a little bad. Really, just how many bad mothers were in the world? Mothers were supposed to be one of those people that you could depend on no matter what, but apparently that fact did not hold true for mutants. So far both she and Sveta had their issues and as irritating as it was that they had these experiences it was what defined their lives. They became stronger people because of it. At least that is how she chose to look at the situation and she really could not speak for Sveta. Though she had to admit that after meeting her, she definitely had to be one of the strongest women she has ever met.

>> "No…I come here sometimes, visit friends, and pick Jude up from de school…I was afraid dat being among many mutants is dangerous with my powers, but I am getting use to it."\

“How do you affect mutants?” The question came out suddenly and very quickly to the point that Agnes felt a little embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed, she nodded her head apologetically and looked away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

She sighed as she sat still and continued to stare off across the beautiful garden with her violin lying gently across her lap. It was surprisingly heavy, or maybe that had something to do more with the memories it held, rather than the actual material. She hated that it was attached to something so bad in her life. It should never have been that way.

Another glance to Sveta and her lips rose into a gentle smile.

“Sorry, if there is anyone that should not pry about mutants powers, it is me.” she said as she carefully ran her finger over the polished wood. “I’m still not all that sure about revealing my powers to anyone, especially when they tend to give me away without me even wanting them to.” she sighed as she thought back to that other snobby blonde whom she had gotten into a fight with last year. She shook her head. “Month or two ago…girl sprayed bugspray at me,” she mumbled. “Irritated the swarm and they attacked her. Took everything I had to calm them down. Makes me fearful if…you now…my powers will get worse…will I have any control at all…?”

>>“How do you affect mutants?... I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Sorry, if there is anyone that should not pry about mutants powers, it is me. I’m still not all that sure about revealing my powers to anyone, especially when they tend to give me away without me even wanting them to."

Sveta nodded, listening to her. Every mutant had problems with their powers - minor or major problems, depending on the case, but they all had them. Maybe that was why they tended to stick together - no one understands mutant problems quite like another mutant. Sometimes Sveta felt like she was different even from other mutants, with her aura, and her dangerous boosting abilities... like the people with the null field. But all in all, she was still one of them.

>> "Month or two ago…girl sprayed bugspray at me. Irritated the swarm and they attacked her. Took everything I had to calm them down. Makes me fearful if…you now…my powers will get worse…will I have any control at all…?”

"I have no control at all" she said with a small smile "I can not turn my power on and off. It is al ways on." she looked at her gloved hands "You can feel it now, you just don't know vat it is. It is like, coffee." she chuckled "If I touch you, I make your powers stronger. And if I touch your skin - even stronger. Dat is why I wear the gloves."

>> “I have no control at all" she said with a small smile "I can not turn my power on and off. It is al ways on." she looked at her gloved hands "You can feel it now, you just don't know vat it is. It is like, coffee." she chuckled "If I touch you, I make your powers stronger. And if I touch your skin - even stronger. Dat is why I wear the gloves."

In a self-conscious way, Agnes scooted over a little bit, away from Sveta and closer to the edge of the bench. It was not meant to be in any rude manner, the truth was though that Agnes did feel a little different around the woman. She did feel a small buzz, but she did not feel any affect in her abilities. She was very glad for that, because to be honest, she was worried how handle having her abilities boosted into overdrive. It was not a nice picture to imagine and try as she might, she was too scared to get too close to Sveta.

When she looked down and saw that she was nearly on the edge of the bench, she paused as she cast her another glance and hung her head down. “Sorry, I did not mean to be rude,” she muttered as she moved back to her original position next to her.

Now that she knew what the woman could do, Agnes was deeply afraid of it. She could not stand the idea of being touched and suddenly having her powers boosted to unbelievable levels. It was too tough a time trying to control the powers that she has now, much less worry about having it reach a height far, far, FAR beyond her control. What would that even mean for her? Would more bugs come? Would she have control over them? Would her appearance change? Would she look more like the a real insect hive that she is always comparing herself too? Maybe she would turn into a giant queen bug!

Agnes shuddered visibly at all these thoughts and shot Sveta and cautious look. Deep down, she really did like the woman and thanked her for bringing her here, but now she would have to be extra careful around her. The future of her abilities held too many uncertainties and as much as she were willing to overlook what the woman could do, it would still pester her in the back of her mind.

She smiled a little weakly as she began to relax, still feeling the effect of Sveta’s power boosting abilities by just sitting next to her. Thankfully no extra bugs had appeared to ruin their time together.

“That must be quite a burden,” she muttered as she looked at her blonde friend a little sympathetically. “Having that..muse-like ability on people cannot be easy. Especially if they know you can do that.” She wanted to reach over and touch her shoulder in an affectionate manner, but she quickly retracted her hand. Best not to risk it. “I…guess we all have our own issues to work through.”

>>“Sorry, I did not mean to be rude. That must be quite a burden. Having that..muse-like ability on people cannot be easy. Especially if they know you can do that. I…guess we all have our own issues to work through.”

Agnes inched away; heck, she almost fell off the bench. Sveta chuckled at her.

"Don't worry. It is okay. I understand it when mutants are careful around me. It is good to know it is safe, because they know the risk." she smiled "If something goes wrong, I get hurt too. I did, a few times."

She'd rather not remember those times. It was not just her; it was many other people, and that hurt as much as the actual wounds.

"Sometimes it is useful." she smiled "Like, a muse. I like dat. Maybe I can boost heroes to be stronger against the bad guys."

Yeah, as if. But it was still a positive thought...

>> "Don't worry. It is okay. I understand it when mutants are careful around me. It is good to know it is safe, because they know the risk…If something goes wrong, I get hurt too. I did, a few times."

“I know that feeling,” Agnes answered honestly.

She did know where the woman was coming from. When you have little control over your abilities, it is hard not to get caught in the crossfire. She remembered too many times back when she was living in the alleys during the harder months how many times people who had honestly tried to help her, were scared off or harmed because of her abilities. Then again, many times it was the hair trigger of her powers that saved her from a truly horrible fate. The alleys after dark were anything but safe and as much as she wanted to keep people from experiencing her abilities first hand, many times, dangerous situations forced her to do so.

Yes, powers could definitely be double edged swords.

>> "Sometimes it is useful…Like, a muse. I like dat. Maybe I can boost heroes to be stronger against the bad guys."

Agnes stared blankly back at Sveta, no real expression on her face. The thought of either herself or the blonde in tight bodysuits and running around fighting crime bounced around in her head. It reminded her of many of the comic books that her brother used to get for her, all of which featured these exact same themes: superpowered people running around to use their abilities for the greater good. In many ways it mirrored the way those X-Men people used their powers for the betterment of New York, and sometimes the world.

But as her thoughts returned to the image of her in some blue and gold spandex costume…there was only one thing that she could do…

…Laugh.

Her body trembled, her shoulders shook, her lips quivered as she reached up to cover her mouth…but she could not hold it back. Before she knew it, Agnes was laughing, loud and energetically. These were the suppressed laughs of a young lady who found little excuses to laugh in her short life. Her whole body shook with laughter as she struggled to keep the image at bay until finally, after a minute of chuckling, she managed to stop and take a breath. With a wide smile, she turned and grinned at Sveta.

“Sorry…just...I doubt I’d look good in colorful spandex.” she beamed.

Agnes laughed. She was much more adorable when she laughed. The teenage runaway with the sad music disappeared for a few moments to show the girl she could have been if she had more happyness in her life.
Sveta grinned, and alughed with her.

>>“Sorry…just...I doubt I’d look good in colorful spandex.”

"Dat is true" she had to agree, and pretended to muse about the topic "Maybe I just go vith black. Sexy Russian woman in black, dat has to be good for a superhero, no?" she chuckled, then shook her head. It was such a funny idea. Who ever on earth would go for that?...

"So, Agnes. How do you like de Mansion so far?"

>> "Dat is true…Maybe I just go vith black. Sexy Russian woman in black, dat has to be good for a superhero, no?"

Agnes could not contain her laughter at the idea of it all. Honestly, what hardworking Russian woman would go running around in a tight black body suit, fighting crime? She would have to be some kind of martial arts expert or something in order to fight off all the perverts. All in all, though, it was a good hearted laugh that she readily accepted. Before coming here, she laughed so little, but now she was beginning to find at least some glimpses to joy again in her life. And she was thankful for that. For too long she had been the young, depressed runaway with the traumatic and scarred life.

It was good for the soul to have a time or two of complete and utter mirth.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Agnes could not remove the smile from her face due to her intense laughing. It was good to feel normal again, even for that short amount of time. Her stomach hurting from the laughter, she finally just forced herself to stop as she shook her head and gave Sveta a warm grin.

“Thank you, I needed that.”

>> "So, Agnes. How do you like de Mansion so far?"

The runaway took a breath as she nodded her head.

“It’s…not bad. I feel safer than I have felt in a long time,” she replied as she swung her legs a little childishly.

When looking at her face, it was obvious that she was trying to hide how satisfied that she actually was with the mansion. She had the unfortunate habit of always trying to keep the negative side of things in view, so that when things go wrong it won’t be that much of a let down. Her life on the streets taught her to be the constant pessimist, to never look forward to more than a day in advance. That is how you survive and keep your sanity. They hard habits to break, now that she was here.

“Little bit of trouble, but other than that, nothing major,” she said with a shy look. “I…made a couple of friends. I even got a roommate here at the school. Real nice girl…looks like a gargoyle.” she paused as she looked off into space before she turned to look back at Sveta. “Oh! I mean…her mutation makes her into an actually gargoyle. I wasn’t trying to be mean, honest.” she said with a slight chuckle. Then she hung her head down and sighed. “I think I’m going to go to the school doctor. I’m not sick but…I need to know how my powers work,” she said as she touched her own heart, as if feeling for her swarm. “I know they are in here…and as disgusting and disturbing as the answer may be, I have to know how my physiology works them in…” she drifted off for moment, imagining those insects crawling all over her insides. Then she turned to Sveta. “You…think it’s a good idea? For me to look into it?”

>>“Thank you, I needed that. It’s…not bad. I feel safer than I have felt in a long time,”

"You are welcome" Sveta smiled. She knew the feeling exactly, being new in the Mansion; she could tell how much laughter wnd joy was appreciated. She was glad to help with that. Maybe 'muse' was not such a random name after all...

>>“Little bit of trouble, but other than that, nothing major. I…made a couple of friends. I even got a roommate here at the school. Real nice girl…looks like a gargoyle. Oh! I mean…her mutation makes her into an actually gargoyle. I wasn’t trying to be mean, honest."

"That's nice" Sveta smiled, then shook her head and laughed "I mean, not the gargoyle thing. The roommate thing. It is nice to not live alone."

She did not have a roommate; but she did have Maya, Sebastian and Jude. It felt almost like a family.

>>"I think I’m going to go to the school doctor. I’m not sick but…I need to know how my powers work, I know they are in here…and as disgusting and disturbing as the answer may be, I have to know how my physiology works them in… You…think it’s a good idea? For me to look into it?”

"No" Sveta shook her head, more serious this time "It is a very good thing. The more you know about your powers, the less mistakes you make. It took me a lot of time to practice with my powers, and I still get in trouble sometimes. It is very, very good to know what your powers can do. Exactly."

If she knew that before she met Garrett... maybe there would be more people still living in New York.

"Dey have a place for dat here" she told Agnes "The Danger Room. You need an X-man to go with you there, but it is very safe, and it is made for practicing."

Most kinds of practicing, anyway. After all, the Labs used to have a place like that too, and it was not tornado proof...

>> "No…It is a very good thing. The more you know about your powers, the less mistakes you make. It took me a lot of time to practice with my powers, and I still get in trouble sometimes. It is very, very good to know what your powers can do. Exactly."

Agnes wondered for a minute at Sveta’s comment. As she thought about it, she began to wonder exactly what types of mishaps the young Russian woman had. After all, she had an ability that most everyone who knew about it would crave. And on top of if she accidentally bumped into a mutant or something, then maybe she could inadvertently cause their powers to malfunction or go haywire. The thought of it was not a pleasant one, but as she looked at the woman, she began to think that that is exactly what must have happened to her.

That is a heavy cross to bear, to have to live with the knowledge that you accidentally contributed to the harm or death of individuals. Agnes doubted she could live with herself because of that and wanted nothing more than to comfort the young woman. But still the runaway feared getting too close. Instead she sighed as she nodded to her with a bit of sympathy.

“Yeah, you’re right.” she muttered as she stared off at the greenery around them. The cold was biting but not so much that it was uncomfortable for her. “It is better I know what is happening to me, then just living with my head buried in the sand.”

>> "Dey have a place for dat here…The Danger Room. You need an X-man to go with you there, but it is very safe, and it is made for practicing."

Agnes arched a brow and said nothing in reply for a moment. She was confused and unsure of what the woman was talking about…until the name ‘X-Man’ rebounded inside of her head. She reached back, far back into the memories to times when she and her parents would sit around the television and attempt to watch only the religious networks, but even those would be interrupted for news about mutant attacks and the stalwart defenders of New York…the X-Men!

They reminded her so much of her hidden comic book collection; of super powered heroes running around and defending the world from mad scientists. But instead of them being people to look up to, to her parents, they were little more than demonic possessed people who had no control over what they were doing. They were creating a new form of idolatry where everyday people were putting their faith and trust in powered individuals rather than god’s power. Agnes heard every day from her parents how they were evil and that mutants should not be associated with.

She didn’t receive any better a welcome when she became a mutant either.

But back to the statement Sveta had made, Agnes in shock. The X-Men ran this school? For a moment she was shocked and completely caught off guard, but as she ran it through in her head, it began to make much more sense. She chuckled slightly as she turned to look Sveta over.

“The…X-men are here? You know the X-Men?” she asked, her eyes wide with wonder and amazement. Maybe she could get to like it here.