Fiona looked at Hunter carefully. She hadn't much talked about her parents since arriving at the school, but she figured it wasn't much of a secret to keep.

"Well, I actually came to the school in an odd fashion. You see, I grew up as part of a performing tour, much like Cirque du Soleil... The Krihakov Performing Tour. Now, I had had education with tutors and whatnot, but I wanted to move into a refined education. So, I went to live with my grandmother Isabella, one of the most refined and educated women in Spain. While I was there, I finally came to the realization that I was indeed a mutant, and set to looking for answers. I thought I would come across nothing when I recieved a really weird letter about the school, and at first I thought it might be a scam, but I wanted to check it out. So I came to the school and here I am. But I never did find out who wrote me that letter. I wish I could thank them."

She thought of her parents and what they must have thought when they read her last letter to them. She hadn't yet recieved a reply, and she wondered if they had reacted badly to it. She knew her emotion would be on her face once again, so she covered up with a smile in her usual fashion.

"And besides, even if my parents would have wanted to get rid of me, it would have been a little hard with all of the shows I used to perform in!" she laughed.

“So you’re a performer, or at least used to be. Did you specialise in anything or were you a jack of all trades?” Hunter was keeping conversation off him and letting her talk for as long as possible. The more he learned the better a position he’d be in. Knowledge was power.

Currently he could surmise that by the way her heart beat when she spoke of her parents that it was a sore subject, one which he would probe gently. Also, depending on what performances she specialised in he would gain a rough gauge of her physical capabilities, though the Danger Room session gave him a good idea. The better a profile of her he built the better prepared he’d be to defeat her if he ever had need.

Where his plans ever to come to fruition he had little doubt that it would lead to conflict with mutants. If the school had such an advanced training facility as the Danger Room the there was likely at least a few highly skilled, highly trained individuals there who could form an efficient strike team. Hunter wanted to know everything he could about everyone at the mansion.

He was wondering how Sabrina’s meeting with the tuberculosis survivor had gone. If she’d managed to convince him to come willingly then he’d get James working on it right away. If not, he might have to go out and bring the man in himself. Though he hoped for the former, it was purely because it would be easier than keeping him captive. If he had to imprison the man and he escaped, it would but him in a difficult position, but he had no qualms about forcefully bringing him in if he didn’t come willingly.

Fiona smiled brightly as she recalled her performances. "I was able to do pretty much anything! I did everything from trapeze to sword fighting. I even used to breathe fire and I was a regular in contortionism. I know, it's not a very appealing thing, but it's what I used to do best. I especially loved the fighting performances. My mother taught me in the martial arts since I was able to walk, and my father thought I needed some femininity, so I learned dance from him."

Frowning for a moment, she smiled.

"I've been rambling, I know I have." she said, and set to looking out the window.

"But if I specialized in anything, it was acrobatics. I did that every night. Acrobatics and martial arts professionally. Dance was another specialty, I did that to open the show with my old partner, Mikhail."

Her heart thumped now at the thought of Mikhail, the old wound reopening slightly. He was such a bastard.

Hunter listened to her recollection of her past. She was a very physically capable, trained in martial arts and sword fighting. Also her acrobatics and contortionism would lend her great agility and flexibility. She would be a formidable foe, for a human. The increase in her heart beat when she mentioned Mikhail indicated some past feud between them, possibly an old love interest who’d rejected her.

“You have led a most fascinating life. Travelling with your parents in the show must have been thrilling. But why did you give it up to come here? What lured you to the Xavier institute?”

Fiona tilted her head to the side as she thought. "Well, I loved performing, no doubt. It made my world go round; I used to get people coming up to me asking for autographs! Who wouldn't love that? But, there is only so much one can do with their lives when it comes to the Tour. I wanted to learn what I couldn't being stuck essentially in a gypsy caravan. I wanted to know what life was like in the real world. Not to mention, I wanted to learn about what I could do. I've always sort of been in denial over my being a mutant. I kind of still don't believe it. But thanks to the Institute, I think I can start getting a grip on myself."

Hunter smiled, it was almost as if she had fed him the line. “That is precisely why I am donating to the Institute, to give mutants somewhere where they can come to terms with who and what they are in a safe environment.”

Just as he finished speaking the limo pulled up outside the restaurant. Hunter got out and held the door for Fiona before heading inside. They were greeted by a waiter who asked if he had a reservation.

“Yes, under Antonescu , although I’ll need to have a table for two now.” The waiter took a moment to survey the guest list.

“Certainly sir, right this way.” He led them to their table and Hunter took his seat.

“So tell me, what did your parents think of your decision to come to America?” Judging from her previous biological responses they had not.

Fiona tilted her head when Hunter mentioned his donation again. 'What a nice guy. They really don't make them like this anymore.'she thought, slightly amused at the fact that she was actually feeling this guy's way of being. She made to look out the window, when she noticed the grandiose doors of Le Bernadin coming into view. Feeling the limousine coming to a halt, she took a hold of her bag and fixed her heels before stepping out after Hunter.

It was truly a refined place, Le Bernadin. Regally dressed guests filled the dining hall like ornaments on the rounded tables, the exotic flowers that centered the tables adding a bright garnish to the eyes. Crystal clear plates with all sorts of odd looking foods found their way onto the tables, brought by immacualte looking waiters with pressed uniforms of vests and black slacks, and the ambience was one of royalty with a modern theme.

Fiona's eyes wandered as she took in her surroundings, trying to remember the last time she was in a restaurant so lovely. Waiting patiently by Hunter, she smiled when they were indeed on the list and in a matter of moments had been smoothly seated at a table with a lovely view of the city. Removing her leather jacket, she slung it over the back of the chair, hoping no one gave her a second glance over her choice of attire.

She nodded and smiled to the waitress who brought them modern looking menus. Looking it over, she looked up at Hunter, his question settling in her mind like a buzz.

"Well, to be honest, they had no idea I was coming to America. I came on a whim when staying with my grandmother Isabella, and I ended up staying. It was all very sudden. But to be honest with you, I don't know what to think anymore as I haven't heard from them since leaving my grandmother's hacienda. I even wrote to them, but still... Nothing."

She felt slightly better for speaking her mind and what had been bothering her, however the nagging anxiety that seemed to be fond of residing in the center of her chest like a vine strangling her heart only pulsated as the thoughts coursed her psyche. She wished she could go home for a week to the Tour, and tell her parents how she felt. To most it wouldn't be a big deal, but to Fiona her family was her world.

Hunter took the menu, but rather than open it he listened to Fiona speak of her family. The tone in her voice suggested homesickness, and by the way she had fondly spoken of them she had not seen them in some time.

“So when was the last time you saw your parents?” Hunter was already formulating a plan to reinforce the pristine image he was building of himself. He made a mental note to have Sabrina track down the Krihakov Performing Tour.

Opening the menu he had a quick glance. “Would you like a starter or shall we go straight to a main course?”

Fiona's eyes grazed the menu's many offerings, her mind still indecisive over what to choose. 'Poulet mariné avec du riz blanc pelucheux et un zeste de citron. Plat latéral: Salade de César... What?' She wished she had run through her French a little more in recent times, as she was struggling to understand the menu at first glance.

She was so swept up in her struggle with the menu that she barely registered Hunter's voice as he spoke to her. Looking up once again, her eyebrows were furrowed and she had a trace of extreme concentration. It had been a very long time since she had needed conversational French.

"Pardon? Oh, well, the last time I saw them was about two years ago. We write very often," she said, however now her brow relaxed and a longing look seemed to pass, "But lately, I don't know what's going on."

She sighed, returning her glance to the menu before her. 'Poulet... Wait! Chicken! Of course!' Fiona smiled as she finally remembered enough phrasing to choose a meal. She looked up again at Hunter, a smile on her face.

"I think the main course would be best. Have to keep my figure, you know." she said, wagging a playful finger at him.

If Fiona had been made to order a starter, she could see herself already losing her mind. That, and her wallet seemed to be throbbing with anxiety over the total. Fiona wasn't much of a spender, more in favor saving a penny for a rainy day.

Hunter smiled as she wagged her finger at him. “In that case I shall have the salmon. Also, could you bring a bottle of Pétrus, one of my favourite wines,” he said to Fiona He closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.

“So, have you any brothers or sister? Or were you the only apple of your parents’ eye?” He was already planning to locate her parents and either fly them here or her there for a surprise. The more he appeared to be a wonderful person, the more likely she would be to defend him from accusations by others at the mansion. Having someone there on his side could prove to be a huge advantage.

Also her power of seductions could make her a most dangerous enemy, and someone he rather have beside him than opposite. And who knows, if the primary project ever comes to fruition he might offer her the chance to transform, but in doing so he would have to reveal his secret, and so would have to build a much greater trust first.

Fiona smiled and almost whispered her order to the waiter. "The marinated chicken with the lemon zest, please." She handed over her menu as Hunter had done, and took a glass filled with iced water that sat to her right. Sipping at it, she smiled. 'Even the water is better here.'

Looking to Hunter, she laughed. "No, I am indeed an only child. But it was because I was the only child they were able to concieve--problems arose with my parents in that area, and they assumed they were never to have children. One night my mother was speaking with friends when she all of a sudden stopped, smiled, and announced she was pregnant. Sure enough, she was."

Laughing, she sipped at her water again. "I've heard that story from Matilde the fire eater so many times that it comes naturally." Fiona found herself speaking to the man easily, her usual habit of keeping details to herself. With a slight blush, she giggled.

"So how about you? Do you always take random impromptu tour guides out to a prestigious lunch?"

“Random impromptu tour guides, no,” Hunter smiled, “Beautiful women who help me out, yes. I wanted to thank you for your help at the mansion, and seeing as I already had a reservation here I thought I’d ask you.”

The waiter returned with the wine, showing Hunter the bottle. “1986, a very good year. Yes that will do nicely.” That waiter poured them both a glass and Hunter took a sip from his. “Superb, an excellent choice, if I do say so myself,” He said with a slight chuckle.

Putting his glass back down he asked. “So what exactly do you do at the Xavier Institute? Are you a teacher? A supervisor for the children?” He may be able to glean more information about the institute by asking her job there.

Fiona blushed as he called her beautiful, and raised her wine glass in mock toast. "Thanks, it's not everyday I can help a handsome, refined pro-mutant." With a smile, her eyes locked onto a woman who turned when she mentioned 'mutant'. Raising her eyebrow, she looked the woman over once and looked back to Hunter.

Sipping at her wine, she made a face of approval. "This is quite wonderful." she said.

"I'm actually just a resident. I'm currently unemployed, as I settled into the mansion recently as well, about a month ago. I don't really know what I can do, as all I've ever been is a performer."

With a giggle, she set her glass down now as well. "Maybe I'll go to college, study the arts, or something? Maybe even technology? I really like technology." She rambled a little bit unknowingly, before quickly closing her mouth and offering a tiny embarrassed smile.

"What do you do for a living?"

Looking for a job to do with technology. That was something he could provide, as one of his companies was a large technology firm. However, if he started giving her everything she even hinted at needing he would start to come across as desperate to please, so would hold off offering for now.

“My family owns several companies, all involved in various things. Currently I am technically the owner of them, and they make sufficient money without my interference that it leaves me free to pursue my own interests, such as helping out the mutant community.”

The same woman looked around again, and Hunter smiled at her, while exercising a little of his mesmerising stare, ordering her to ignore the word “mutant” for the next hour or so.

“So have you looked at any colleges yet?” He liked having mutants on the staff, and if he could assist her (without her knowledge) through college, and then offer her a job, she may just accept. Her powers would be most useful in negotiations, but it remained to be seen if she would be willing to use them in that way.

Fiona nodded with an impressed and approving look to her face as he detailed his family's companies. "Must really work out well for you." she said, and lifted her wine glass for another sip. Setting it down, she laced her fingers together underneath her chin, looking to Hunter with attention.

With a little bit of annoyance, Fiona noticed the same woman looked over when Hunter mentioned mutants. She parted her lips to perhaps ask her if anything was wrong--albait, a tad bit sarcastically--but halted as she noticed Hunter simply give her a glance that made her turn away. 'It's amazing what a smile from a handsome man can do to shrewd old women.'

Responding to his question, she frowned as she noticed she didn't have a set answer to Hunter's inquiry. "Honestly I don't. I was thinking about the Mansion, but I have no idea what I may be able to learn there. Call me irresponsible--I know--but I've been so caught up with being in New York that I've barely even begun to touch the ground from my little spot on cloud nine."

Smiling, she once again lifted the wine glass to her lips, relishing the exquisite taste. She loved the warm flush that she felt, as though her body was heated, and the rich flavor of the wine on her tongue. As Fiona contemplated the quality and cost of the wine, she accidentally caught a ripple in the fabric with the foot of the glass, almost spilling the small bit that was left. Luckily, she managed to regrasp the glass before a fiasco was made of her outing.

"People of the klutzy variety plus absent-minded thought processes really don't work." she said, with a small laugh.