Agnes Nicholas, the X-Mansion’s resident living bug nest, sighed as she sat in the school’s large garden, on a bench, playing her violin peacefully. Most of her homework from classes were done and she desperately needed a break. She forgot how much work school could actually be but she was still thankful to be here and have to struggle through that than have to scavenge in the streets and alleys for whatever scraps she needed just to survive. This was definitely the better choice and option that she has had in a very long time.

Still though…that did not mean this place was without its problems. One of the biggest happened a few days ago. After the school’s guidance counselor had cornered her and pretty much forced her to reveal her past, Agnes had a complete breakdown. She had guarded herself so closely for as long as she could remember, never looking back, never dredging up the past, that she was unprepared for what would happened when she was finally pushed that far.

And that day she was definitely pushed that far. Unable to control herself, Agnes grew so emotional and upset that her scream felt like it shook the ground beneath her feet. Sad thing was she was not the only person to hear it…or witness its affects. Before she knew it word was getting around the school that the new girl was a beacon for insects. They came from all walks of life to seek her out.

That was not a good secret to let get out.

Agnes sighed as she shook her head, playing her violin sadly, trying to not let the rumors and gossip she happened to overhear get to her. Instead she lost herself in her music as she played, feeling the heavy books on insects sitting against her hip. Her sad music carried in the breeze, fluttering about like a lost butterfly, going from flower to flower, looking for a place to land. But that music was cut into by a snort.

“Heh…look at the walk roach motel!” a teenage boy said as she stood across from Agnes, tall, well muscular and with extra eyes on the palms of his hands.

“Nice one, Odd Eye,” a girl giggled as she glanced to him and then turned to look. Her red hair was literally a mass of swirling fire. “What’s the little girl doing, lulling all the insects in town the mansion? That’s real sanitary.”

“Yeah,” a third one said who had the head and hands of a badger. “All we need is for more bugs to be here. That just isn’t right.”

“Here,” Odd Eye said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of something the runaway could not see. “Couple more friends to add to your collection!”

Instantly he tossed a handful of bugs, worms, and other dead creepy crawlies at her. The insects splattered and rolled thorugh Agnes hair, which immediately made her jump up in surprise. She held her violin tightly in her hand as she breathed heavily, glaring daggers at the trio. This was the last thing she needed today.

“Just…leave me alone!” Agnes screamed, trying to fight back the tears that welled up in her eyes.

Today was just a fine day in early March! The birds were chirping, new life was springing from the ground in the form of trees and flowers. There was Violin music playing off in the distance and Emerald Lupin was practicing her fighting moves in order to get stronger.

Wait a minute….

It would seem that despite the day around her being very relaxing, the middle child of the Lupin Family had decided that today would be a grand day to go outside and exercise. It was much warmer today than it had been for a really long time.

Thank god for that! I would have gone nuts if I had to practice in that damn Danger Room again. Nothing beats being outside! Emerald practically sang in her head.

The wolf girl was out in the garden, doing the same work out she did every day, which involved push ups, sit ups, running several miles, pull ups and battle move practice. A routine that would normally leave people absolutely exhausted left Emerald slightly tired, like she only missed one hour of sleep. Emerald wore her denim jacket wrapped around her waist, looking surprisingly un-bothered by the colder conditions.

After doing her final kick, Emerald sat down on the ground, tail wagging back and forth slowly. She was pretty damn hot now, her entire body generating enough heat to keep her warm at least for a time. She looked around beneath her haven beneath the tree, noticing how the grass and plants were slowly coming back after a long winter. She smiled aimlessly to herself, her Lupine fangs making their appearance in that grin of hers. It had been months since she had last gotten into any big kind of trouble. Well…her version of trouble was getting shot. Not that getting shot always ruined her day, problem was it often hindered her performance in her training exercises.

As the werewolf lounged against the tree she noticed something odd, the violin music she had been hearing earlier had suddenly stopped. Not that she was a huge fan of the violin, but it was a nice contrast between her harsh training she always seemed to put herself through. With a bit of honest to goodness curiosity sparking in her mind, Emerald decided to make her way to where the music was coming from before to see if she could find out why whoever was playing stopped.

Then, Emerald saw the reason and she didn’t like it at all.

The fact that someone was being bullied on school grounds was bull, Emerald could have sworn this place used to scan for idiots like this. Then again, the admissions process had been a little lax as of late, after all, they let Cold Steel become Headmaster. Angry thoughts of that aside, Emerald was far more focused on the angry thoughts of putting these punks in their damn place. The wolf girl was only a about 7 feet away, which was close enough to make a hell of a good entrance, even if they already did see her. Judging by the scents of the kids, the one who was being bullied smelt….really terrible, making the wolf girls nose wrinkle, the other kids smelt a little better, but if the girl was being bullied because of her smell Emerald wouldn't be surprised. It wasn’t a reason to bully another, but it was a reason to say something subtle like.

“Man, You smell bad, is your shower broken? Do you wanna use mine?”

Yeah, Emerald was always really good at being subtle.

The werewolf had made herself quite a reputation around the mansion, being one of the very few students who worked out every day, bore the scars she did or was intimidating looking as she was. The kids had started spreading a few rumors about her, but she never seemed to listen, only hearing vaguely about them form her younger sibling.

Emerald strode up to the bullies, her face in a rather amused grin. She made it a point to step between The bullies and the bullied, staring each of the offenders down with her fierce blue eyed gaze. Emerald had her jacket back on, just in case, and it hung loosely on her muscular frame. While most of her Scars were covered, the long scars on her neck were there as well as the fact that her pulled back red hair revealed the tip of her right ear had been torn off and the left ear lobe had a chunk taken out of it as well.

She really hoped she scared these kids, then again a fight would be great at the moment.

“Hey kids, didn’t your parent’s ever teach you not to screw with other people,” Emerald asked, her tail wagging confidently back and forth. Maybe she wouldn’t start a fight with these kids. “Or were ya too busy with your fingers up your ass to notice,” Or maybe she did. “Anyways, I was in a pretty good mood listening to this nice girl’s violin before you guys ruined it, now would ya kindly leave?”

Judging by the way Emerald was standing and how she was looking at them with a look in her eyes that said. "Leave while you have limbs to leave with." She wasn't going to give them many choices.

Agnes did her best to maintain some type of control. She could not stand the looks that the three other mutants were giving her, they made her feel as if she were little more than some sort of infection, a blight on the face of the mansion. That was ironic since most of the students here came because that was how they felt in their own homes. Agnes had no doubt that the one mutant teenager with the badger’s head and hands had a tough like the second her powers came into being. Yet, if that were true, how could she stand there and judge Agnes with such harshness? Were people just more accepting of badgers rather than insects?

That was a silly question.

Her hand slapped away more of the dead creepy-crawlies and already her chest was beginning to buzz with that familiar sensation. The swarm was awakening and Agnes new that she was running out of time, she had to calm down, but staring at those bullying faces made her cringe and simply riled her up all the more.

She shook with anger, with unbridled rage as she batted off a wiggly worm from her hair. Her eyes narrowed, her teeth clenched, she glared fiercely at the trio…

“Oooo! Whatcha gunna do Stinkbug Girl? Huh?” Odd Eye asked mockingly as he tightened his fists, ready to pound her should she get out of line.

Agnes looked ready to beat him over the head with her violin…that is until another voice broke into the scene…

>> “Hey kids, didn’t your parent’s ever teach you not to screw with other people…Or were ya too busy with your fingers up your ass to notice…Anyways, I was in a pretty good mood listening to this nice girl’s violin before you guys ruined it, now would ya kindly leave?”

“And who the hel-“ The Firehead’s voice was cut off by a none too gentle elbow into the ribs from the Badger. Her black, beaded eyes looked fearful as she shook her head for the Firehead to shut up! “What? What’s wrong?”

“Lupin Sister…” the Badger squeaked fearfully.

“Wolf…” that was all the Redhead said before she started to back off, remembering what she heard about this particular sister from around the school.

Odd Eye looked defiant as he glanced between Agnes and the interloper. It was obvious that he was not done making fun of Agnes but reputation was one of those things that people listened to in high school. You had to if you wanted to survive, it helped give you the skinny on those you should ignore and those you should just plain avoid. Emerald fell into that category of avoidance.

Teeth clenched, he snorted as he backed away. “Whatever. Let’s go.” He turned and glanced to Agnes, winking his eyes, all of them, as if to say that they will continue this later.

That was all Agnes needed to see.

If there was one thing the runaway needed to do was work on her temper. She hated to be picked on, she hated being mocked, and she hated the arrogance that always circled bullies like Odd Eye. So for a parting gift, she had to do something special…

Reaching down, Agnes picked up a handful of dirt, grabbing the hardened dirt clods and hurled them with all her might at Odd Eye. The soil splattered against him, causing him to jump in surprise. As he turned to chew Agnes out for attacking him, the well aimed dirt clod flew through the air and struck the large eye in the palm of his hand. He grunted in pain and waved his hand as if he had touched something hot…then another clod flew and struck him across the face, hitting him in another eye!

“Gah!! Dammit!” he cried as he blindly stumbled about. Firehead and Badger ran back and started to pull him back, away from throwing himself at Agnes. “You’ll pay for that!”

“Bring it you multi-eyed punk! I’ll blacken all of them!!” Agnes screamed, her chest buzzing more audibly now. She panted as dropped another clod of dirt to the ground and struggled to maintain her control. The Swarm was agitated. She needed to calm herself down or the whole place will be over with more insects.

A large grin crawled across Emerald’s face as she watched the group begin to leave, her reputation luckily preceding her. While she still wanted to fight someone, it was better she didn’t beat any of the students at the mansion senseless. It may after all piss off the headmaster, not that she gave a damn, but she wasn’t in the mood to hear others talk at her like they were some high and mighty hero of old. Even just the thought about talking to the headmaster made the werewolf’s head ache, reminding her to get an asprin or two as soon as she got inside the house.

The girl she previously thought was helpless was now looking to fight the multi-eyed idiot.

Son of a bitch! Emerald thought, figuring she would need about four asprins to elevate the headache that was coming. A low growl escaped her lips as she intercepted the multi-eyed punk, attempting to grab the boy and throw him with all her strength into his friends.

“You guys are really stupid aren’t you? shouldn’t be fighting,” Emerald snarled with a very dangerous smirk on her face. “Unless you have an opponent you can actually beat!”

As for the bug girl, the wolf girl briefly tilted her head towards the girl, not looking at the bullies, hearing the audiable buzzing in the girls chest, or at least that’s what her senses told her it was. “Calm down, these guys are obviously idiots but they aren’t worth you time. Me on the otherhand, I’ve been bored all week so I enjoy beating up those who deserve it.”

OOC: SOrry it took me a while to post and that it's not the best quality, Everything sorta hit me at once so it overwhelmed me for a while.

>> “You guys are really stupid aren’t you? shouldn’t be fighting…Unless you have an opponent you can actually beat!”[/i]

The trio of trouble makers were struggling to maintain some kind of dignity in the face of the obviously scary female mutant. Agnes was mad, extremely mad, but whoever this newcomer was, it was obvious that she made them want to wet their pants a bit. They looked confused, attempting to keep their bully persona up, but at the same time, trying to get away from the redheaded mutant as fast as they could. It was an odd sight but one that Agnes would have hoped would end peacefully.

That is until she threw the dirt clods. They impacted hard against Odd Eye’s multiple eyes and already her anger was beyond her own control. The buzzing in her chest was reaching a deafening level and try as the girl might to control herself, all she wanted was to beat those punks with her bare fists. She was tired of the teasing, tired of strange looks, tired of the secret pointing and laughing. Everyone reaches their breaking points and Agnes definitely did.

But the redhead did not want to Agnes to jump in…

>> “Calm down, these guys are obviously idiots but they aren’t worth your time. Me on the otherhand, I’ve been bored all week so I enjoy beating up those who deserve it.”

Immediately a look passed between the trio as Odd Eye, still the stupid one trying to be brave attempted to hold his ground against the newcomer. His eyes all flashed between Agnes and her and as much as he wanted to take revenge for the red hue that now marred the whites of all his eyes, it was the redhead’s presence that dragged his attention away. He lips curled into a vicious sneer as he glared daggers at her before his gaze shifted to Agnes. His thoughts were all clear in his expression that this was not over, that he would dedicate whatever time he could to getting back at the smelly runaway, but now was not the time. Even with the back of Badger and Firehead, the rumors about this redhead all stated they would not have a chance. He may be stupid…but was he wasn’t an idiot.

“Whatever,” he growled as he finally allowed himself to calm in the grips of both his comrades. Slowly he began to back away, his palm eyes shifting between the two young women. “Next time, we’ll see who blackens whose eyes.”

Agnes stood there, shaking as she watched the trio begin to back away further. As much as she wanted to punch sense into them, there was a small bit of relief in a sigh that she just released. She did not want to think about what she would have done to them. Agnes never trusted herself with fully letting go because she of everything she had gone through, she figured all it would come out at the same time. That maybe she could not stop herself from actually taking the life of another who had teased or bullied her. Too long while living on the streets did she hear comments and snarky remarks. And for too long she held back and did nothing about it.

She could not be trusted to be unleashed…

Another deep sigh as the trio finally disappeared behind a hedge and Agnes turned her attention to the redhead. She had to admit her “hero” was quite attractive. She looked like the type of woman that Agnes had always wished she could get like when she grew up. Instead she ended up spewing bugs and this woman looked like she could kick anyone’s butt; so what she was doing in jumping in and saving her life? This was none of her business. Agnes still had trouble getting used to people actually attempting to stand up for her. It was going to be a long hard road.

Steeling herself up, Agnes cleared her throat to get the woman’s attention and muttered under her breath. “T-Thanks. You…didn’t have to do that.”

The buzzing noise had gotten louder and for a time Emerald began to think it may be the bullies that would need the protecting soon. This girl sounded pissed and though her grab and throw missed its mark, the wolf girl was still confident in the fact she could take these three on, no problem.

Luckily though, the trio of bullies decided to take their leave, possibly because they didn’t want to fight two very pissed of mutants. Or they could have been just scared of Emerald’s scathing glare or maybe her insults did something to their self-esteem. Whatever the reason, Emerald had made it a point that she was a force to be reckoned with and that she absolutely hated bullying. These mutants were no better than the humans who persecute them in the first place, all because one of their fellows was different didn’t mean they had to be stupid. Or at least that’s what Emerald thought, she had never been known to be very subtle when it came to her opinion on things.

If the group did come back though, she would be ready, besides fighting three mutants at once was what she was trained to do and something she loved to do. The fact she hadn’t been deployed on any missions as of late, made the wolf girl rather stir crazy for some good-ole fashioned beat downs. This was the sort of thing that made Em miss the good ole days, which made her sounds like some old war veteran talking about their old battle scars.

Something that Emerald had a lot of.

Eventually, she was addressed by the girl whose chest was buzzing not a few moments ago. At least that annoying as hell buzzing noise is gone! Emerald thought, knowing that she now had a helluva headache because of it. The good thing was the girl was at least thankful that she saved her buzzing butt, which was mainly out of the goodness of Emerald’s heart. Despite rumors about her, Emerald had always been the hero type, no matter how rough she looked around the edges.

“Don’t worry about it,” Emerald shrugged her shoulders, tucking a strand of crimson hair behind her ear. She scanned the girl up and down with dark blue eyes. The girl looked a little disheveled and a little tired, which was understandable considering what she had been through today. “I felt like I had to do it, I hate bullies, they make life for people like us a hell of a lot harder than it needs to be. Half of the terrible things that have been happening to mutants would have never happened if it weren’t for people like those assholes. Worse thing is they are just like us,”

The werewolf let out a deep sigh her tail laying against her left leg in exhaustion. If she did fight that group, she wouldn’t have done , nearly as well as she would have if she were at full strength. While working out didn’t tire her out to much, it still made her a little bit exhausted. She sat on one of the benches yawning a little as she did so.

“So, whats your name and your deal? And if you don’t tell me, I’m gonna call ya Buzzer and I don’t think your chest buzzing obnoxiously for those of us with super hearing is your only ability,” Emerald cracked a smile, large, sharp teeth making their appearance. “For me, The names Emerald Lupin, to break it down for ya, I’m a werewolf, except I have 3 forms, human, well mostly human that is, wolf and giant wolf beast that I can only transform into when I’m really pissed or on the full moon,” Emerald explained, pointing to her tail in reference to the whole wolf thing. “But in my “Human form” I have enhanced strength and senses which is why I look like an amazon and why I am randomly sniffing the air at times, by the way I can track you really easy with your scent so you may wanna think about covering that up, just sayin.” The wolf girl offered helpfully, not really caring if she offended the girl. It was way nicer than what Emerald was originally planning on saying to her.

Your perfume ain't working, chick, ya better cover that smell up or more people are going to make fun of ya.

It was at that moment Emerald was glad she thought before she spoke this time around. Besides, the last thing she needed was a pissed off girl that had obnoxious buzzing in her chest to get pissed again.

>> “Don’t worry about it…I felt like I had to do it, I hate bullies, they make life for people like us a hell of a lot harder than it needs to be. Half of the terrible things that have been happening to mutants would have never happened if it weren’t for people like those assholes. Worse thing is they are just like us,”

My sentiments exactly, Agnes thought as she stood still, making sure that the trio of bullies had actually vacated the area. The runaway was definitely not in the mood to deal with their kind, especially since she HAD been having such a good day.

Now though this redheaded woman has invaded her space, taken a spot on her bench and began to philosophize. Agnes could not really get angry at the woman for that. She did help her out of a jam that, let’s be honest, the runaway was not sure she would have been able to get through. When she wanted to, she could have a big mouth and that mouth can lead her into trouble. Normally she was so good and keeping herself composed and never doing anything to draw attention to herself. Lately though, she simply was having none of it. Too much had been going on in her life for her have to deal with stupid people on top of all of it.

With a sigh that thankfully this was over, for now, Agnes turned back to the bench, ready to gather her things and simple head back into her room when the redhead continued to talk. Agnes had to admit that the woman was hard to ignore. She had a very savage-like appearance, including the wolf tail and the sharpest canines she had ever seen. Whoever she was, that trio of bullies were right to get out of her way.

But…instead of offering her thanks for her assistance again, Agnes stood there, watching as the woman began to pretty much layout the story of her life. Funny…Agnes did not remember asking…

>> “So, what’s your name and your deal? And if you don’t tell me, I’m gonna call ya Buzzer and I don’t think your chest buzzing obnoxiously for those of us with super hearing is your only ability…For me, The names Emerald Lupin, to break it down for ya, I’m a werewolf, except I have 3 forms, human, well mostly human that is, wolf and giant wolf beast that I can only transform into when I’m really pissed or on the full moon…But in my “Human form” I have enhanced strength and senses which is why I look like an Amazon and why I am randomly sniffing the air at times, by the way I can track you really easy with your scent so you may wanna think about covering that up, just sayin.”[/i]

Okay, that was a lot of information. Agnes was still trying to process the three vastly different bullies that had just been harassing her and now this redhead, Emerald, was giving her pretty much a rundown of herself. It all sounded terribly exciting and looking at the woman, Agnes could tell she had power, and power to spare. She did look like a force to be reckoned with. In the end it almost made the runaway feel a little jealous. This was one of those examples where she meets someone with an extremely interesting and useless seeming power…and all Agnes could do was make her chest buzz and spew bugs…

Wait… “Buzzer?” she asked incredulously. She really did hate nicknames, especially silly ones like that so she decided at least divulge that much. “Agnes. My name is Agnes.”

But as much as it would have been nice to end the conversation right then and there, of course the redhead had more to say. Agnes was silent as she listened to her…that is until she heard the last part of her little speech. I can track you really easy with your scent so you may wanna think about covering that up… And what was that supposed to mean? Not that Agnes did not know what she was referring to, but still, that is not something you just go out and tell people! It’s rude and very mean spirited. Then again, she could have just come out and say she stank, so at least she tried a little decorum, but Agnes obviously was nonplussed.

Her eyes a little hurt, Agnes sighed as she turned around, arms crossed over her chest. She really did just want to crawl down into a hole like one of the bugs that were housed within her chest…

“Some of us know have a choice in how we smell,” she muttered as she quickly wiped a tear away. It seemed that for every good moment she was having here at the mansion, it was immediately followed up by a bad one. “The smell doesn’t go away, okay?” she said firmly. “Soap, perfume, it doesn’t work. None of it. It’s part of my mutation…sorry if I offended you and your super-nostrils.” Agnes shook her head as she turned from Emerald. “Thanks for the help. But I don’t need saving.”

Slowly she began to walk away. With each step flies and hornets began to buzz around her, some landing comfortably on her shoulder, others deciding to crawl around her hair. Being upset had pulled a few more towards her Maybe if she walked around the garden enough the wolf-girl would take it upon herself to leave so Agnes could go back and collect her things. All she wanted was the dark space that was her room right now.