Lead had so far been wandering the streets since his little incident. He really had no direction, so he really had no idea where he would end up. As he walked the streets, he found himself catching a glipse of a Marriot, and decided to book himself a room with his credit card.

He was surprised it still worked. His parents gave it to him and were supposed to manage the funds on it, but he didn't think they would continue to do so after he left them. They must have been though, or else he would have been on the street .

He checked in, but didn't go to his room... There was nothing to do in there, and he didn't feel like standing still. He had this feeling that if he did, someone would no doubt find him, espeicially after that incident.

Looking up he realised he was surrounded by a large park. It eventually dawned on him he had made his way to central park. He found himself disappointed. It was supposed to be this well known beautiful park in the midst of a bustling metropolis... Not that he was surprised. He was used to being let down by things like this...

He walked alittle furthing into the park until he came to a rather wooded area where the trees and bushed seemed to hug the cement path. He felt rather tired from walking all this time, and sat down on a bench that was convieniently placed nearby. It was sunset now, and the sky was a brite pink and yellow. It was peiceful here, with no one else around, but Nail doubted it would last. He had the feeling someone would no doubt show up in his little hideaway.

Iris wasn't sure to be irritated, frustrated or astonished as she glanced up into the trees. Somewhere up there, hidden by the leaves and branches, was the fasted and most agile cat she'd ever come across. Interesting way to end what had began as a shopping trip to stock up on essentials for her own cat, and had evolved into chasing a stray that stole one of her newly aquired toys. Iris felt like the dog that had treed the raccoon.

Iris glanced around. This part of Central Park was fairly quiet. She didn't see anyone around, so there shouldn't be any harm. And there was no way she was going to find this fancy-footed feline on her own. She closed her eyes, and pictured the dull violet stone embedded in her lower back. Her back burned, and her hand itched, like a mesquito bite. Had someone been watching, they'd have seen her hair change from blonde to an odd purple, as did her usually grey eyes.

She yawned, a side effect she still didn't understand. She began climbing the tree. When she reached a steady branch, she reached out one hand, and a nearby sprinkler erupted in a water geyser. She pulled a bit of water to her and, usuing it as a telescope, looked up through the leaves. A pair of slitted yellow eyes stared back at her.

"There you are, you furry theif. Come to Auntie Iris," she murmured. The cat was so fixed on her, it didn't notice the spout of water coming up from behind it. Using the water like hands she scooped the black-furred bandit out of its perch. It yowled, and Iris found herself giggling. "Well," she remarked as she brought it close, "Serves you right grabbing other cat's toys. YEOWWW!!!"

Iris yelped as the critter snapped out one paw and swiped its claws across her face. Completely caught off-guard, she toppled backwards out of the tree. She landed flat on her back, and stayed there for a minute, totally winded. Oddly enough, the water had followed her, and the cat now hung in the air above her, growling menacing. Iris blinked, trying to clear the stars from her eyes.

"Ugh. Bad kitty," she muttered.

At first she didn't notice it, but she landed right beside a bench near the path. When the stars cleared, she found herself looking upside down at a young man sitting there. She glanced at him, then at the still-floating-feline.

"Hmm. Well, I'm going to go against sanity and hope you're drunk, and you think you're hallucinating." She smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Am I close?"

Nail was so started by the thump of the young woman hitting the ground that he jumped from one side of the bench to the other. That was only the initial surprise however. He found himself speachless as he looked upon the scene. It's not every day that a purple haired girl falls from the sky with a pissed off cat suspended above her by what looked like water. He eventually managed to muster up enough composure to answer her question.

"I... I'm not old enough to drink," He was studdering pretty bad. And then he blurted out, "What are you?"

He couldn't help it. It didn't even dawn on him that maybe she was just like him. He had never seen another gifted individual befor. He did realise after about a split second that she was still a person, and he needed to make up for saying something so mean.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I've just never seen anything like that befor," He paused before adding, " My name's Nail, what's yours?"

"Well, it was worth a shot."

Iris sat up and rubbed the back of her head. No doubt tomorrow's headache would be worse than a hangover. She squinted up at the young man, holding a hand up to shield her eyes from the setting sun. "Not old enough, huh? Bummer." She chuckled when he asked what she was.

"Well, last time I checked, I was definately human. Though at the moment I feel more like a scratching post." She made a face at the black cat, who was growling rather loudly at her. She waved away the man's apology. "No worries. I didn't think anyone was around. Hope I didn't surprise you too much."

As she spoke, she summoned another stream of water to her. She used it to pick up the cat carrier she'd bought less than an hour ago, which she'd left at the base of the tree. Using the water as hands, she opened the carrier and deposited the not-so-thrilled black bandit inside. Still sitting on the ground, she turned back to the man.

"Nice to meet you, Nail. Name's Iris, Queen of the Klutzes. At least today, anyway." Because of her power's side effect on her personality, her usual shyness had disappeared. Otherwise her face would have been redder than the sunset.

Now that he was alittle more comfortable with her abilities, Nail little less freaked out. Really, that was only because of how friendly the girl was. Her smile seemed rather disarming to him. Her last statement made him smile alittle. He eventually stood up and stretched alittle. His limbs felt stiff from all the walking he had done today.

"We all have those kinda days I geuss. If you want, I could help carry your stuff... I've got nothing better to do anyway."

It was true, he really didn't want to go back to his hotel. Besides, he didn't know anyone here, and being alone in New York without friends probably wasn't a good Idea...

"Sure, why not? Good company makes a heavy load light." Iris pushed herself to her feet. But rather than pick up her stuff, she paused at looked at Nail, her head tilted to the side.

"Um, just one thing. I'd rather you didn't mention to anyone about this." As she spoke she twirled more of the water stream around her body. An easy grin lit her face. "Most people aren't as accepting of us as you seem to be."

She suddenly realized that, in her statement, she said us, including him as a mutant, like her. Why had that slipped out?

The word "us", floated through his concience for a second. It was about this moment that he began to fully comprehend the fact that they were one in the same. Both mutants. It all fell together noe in his head, and he suddenly felt a of hope. He had finnaly found someone like him, somone who could relate.

Of course he was confused as to how she could possibly know he was a mutant, and he almost asked the question out loud, but decided to simply let it go. He nodded befor picking up her bags. He felt almost anxious as he did. He felt like he would soon find a place to belong. He turned and smiled to her.

"Don't worry Iris. I won't tell a soul. I promise."

"Much appreciated." With that Iris deactivated her power, returning to her blonde hair-grey eyed self. She picked up the carrier and glanced at its growling occupant. "Well, my car is that way. Hope you don't mind a bit of a walk. Parking in this city is a nightmare."

She never would have admitted it out loud, but she hadn't been looking forward to the trek to her car, since, as usual, her shopping had gotten out of control. It was nice to have company. And as they walked, she got the feeling he needed a friendly presence as well.

"If you don't mind me asking, you look a bit down. I'm guessing being a mutant hasn't treated you well, has it?" It was a shot in the dark, since he hadn't actually said he was a mutant. If she was right, he might think she was psychic. If she was wrong....Well, New York was famous for strange people, wasn't it?

Nail was taken aback slightely by her question. He wasn't really too surprised, because it seemed to him that he had some how given away the fact that he was a mutant some time ago.

"I wouldn't be telling you the truth if I said my life so far was a cake walk... but then agian, no one's life ever is. In the log run, I would probably assume I've been one of the more lucky ones..."

He paused as he walked along beside her, lost in his memories.

"I've had these powers ever since I can remember, but I really don't have control over them. I was lucky enough however for most people not to realize what I was. When I was smaller, I geuss I seemed just like an average little kid. But, as I grew up, I kinda skrewed up what I had."

His face took on a distinct frown, as he recalled back to the faithful day he left his home and began traveling. His eyes shifted downward towards his arm out of habbit, nd he shivered slightely, though he tried to surpress it infront of Iris.

"I'm sorry. I'm probably not making alot of sense. Didn't mean to be such a bummer..."

Looking around the park, "I still don't get exactly why, but it's not my place to really know or care I suppose.." He was about to say something else when he noticed a girl fall from a tree. Thats rather normal, but the water floating abover her certainly wasn't. Giving Abyss a quick tap with his elbow, he motioned over to the girl. "Seems we didn't have to wait too long." He said as he smirked. "Seeing as the guy there didn't freak out, I think it'd be safe to assume they're both muties." He began moving toward the two. "Think you can catch up? I'll go head'em off." With that he gave Abyss a quick salute and dissapeared in a russle of leaves and air.

Standing behind a tree a bit ahead of the two, he listened and waited.
"Didn't mean to be such a bummer..."
"On the contrary my friend," Stepping out in front of the two, "You just made our day."

"Never talk to strangers." Age-old advice given to children by various adults as they grow up. Advice to which Iris had always replied, "But who could be stranger than me?" Yet now, here she was talking to a stranger in the strangest city in the US, not counting LA and Miami. And she wasn't her usual shy self either, even stranger. Amazing what one day at the Mansion had done.

"I've had these powers ever since I can remember, but I really don't have control over them. I was lucky enough however for most people not to realize what I was. When I was smaller, I geuss I seemed just like an average little kid. But, as I grew up, I kinda skrewed up what I had."

She glanced over at Nail as he continued to talk. Poor guy. She sympathized with him. Control eluded her more often then not as well. It was frustration for sure.

A low hiss came from inside the carrier. She paused, and knelt down, unlatching the box. She already had one tempermental cat to deal with. She didn't have time for another, so she tipped the box up, and let the black-furred bandit loose again. When she glanced back at Nail he had a frown on his face, but his eyes were distant. Finally he shifted.

"I'm sorry. I'm probably not making alot of sense. Didn't mean to be such a bummer..." She smiled, and was about to say something comforting.

"On the contrary my friend. You just made our day."

Iris blinked in surprise. The man had just appeared out of thin air; or, at least, that's what it seemed like. She straightened up, taking a step backward reflexively. Something about his stance unnerved her; not to mention the red eyes.

"Hello," she said slowly. "Can we help you?" She hoped not.

“There are two ways to do anything, they say, hard or easy. You pick.”[/i]

Iris resited the urge to jump out of her skin as yet another voice came from behind her and Nail. She couldn't keep her eyes from widening in shock, though, when she saw the red giant the voice came from. She turned sideways and backed up another step, attempting to keep the two men in sight. Her gaze lit on Nail, and for one brief moment she wondered if she'd stepped into a trap. But the thought vanished when she saw the look on his face. These two mutants.....they had to be mutants.....Whoever they were, Nail hadn't seen them before either.

A shiver ran down Iris' spine. But it wasn't a fear shiver, even though adrenaline had begun racing through her system. Suddenly she noticed her breath was coming out at wisps of smoke. She spared a glance down. Her skin had frosted over. She opened her right hand. An icy blue gem sparkled up at her. Though she couldn't see it, she guessed her blonde hair had turned blue as well as her eyes. Somehow her ice power had activated on its own, a first as far as she knew. And with it came the personality change.

"Sorry fellas. I don't know what you're talking about." She moved to back up again, and lost her balance slightly, dropping one of her bags. "Sorry!" The apology was reflex. Whatever these guys' intentions were, she doubted they had anything to do with a bag of cat toys.[/color]

"On the contrary my friend. You just made our day."

Nail stiffened slightly as the man seemed to mend into site in front of them. Not much needed to be spoken to know his intentions were not friendly. He was reminded of all those cheesy movies where someone is in central park, and a mugger comes out of no where with cheesy lines and aggressive intentions.

Nail wasn’t hasty however. He was new after all to this city. He didn’t notice the man had red eyes, but if he had, he might have been a little more on edge. He decided to base his behavior after Iris, who at first seemed just as confused as he was. However, when the large red skinned man flanked them, Nail knew that they were both in trouble. Nothing needed to be voiced.

Nails reaction was similar to Iris’s. He wanted space in case something did happen. He moved slowly to the side of the two men, his arms instinctively rising in case he was attacked. To say Nail had the heart of a lion would be an outright lie. He hated violence. No, he just hated the part where he was forced into hurting the other person.

“ There are two ways to do anything, they say, hard or easy. You pick.”

Nail watched as Iris dropped her bags and slowly frosted over. He was still confused by exactly how her powers worked, but then again, there was very little he wasn’t confused about. Like what these guys wanted with him or Iris. There was one thing he did know however, and that was that he would not let Iris or himself get hurt, even if it meant hurting others… as much as he hated doing so.

“How come I the easy way is always the wrong way..."

Things for Nail were moving rather quickly it seemed. It was only his first day in New York and it seemed that already he was quite popular. He always hated popularity…

It figured. The bigger guy was the one who wanted to mess with him the most. The guy positioned himself right between him and Iris. Nail couldn’t help but try to crane his neck to see around the Mr. Big Red and Angry.

“Quite simply you’re coming with us. Now that easy route while some might consider it wrong, it’ll keep you conscious and you won’t wake up hurting in the morning. Now, that hard way I promise you, it will hurt, and bad. You wouldn’t want the little lady to hurt would you?”

Nail was surprised by how much strength the guy had. His little push almost had Nail falling on his ass. Instead he stuttered back a bit looking rather pathetic.

“I’ll tell you what you can have the first swing.”

The big guy turned his cheek to him in a very shame!y and sarcastic manner. That was probably what gave Nail the courage to do what he did next.

His fists clenched tightly, and he couldn’t help but to keep them from shaking. The familiar tingly sensation pricked along his forearm and in his fingers. He didn’t even look down to see what happening to his arm. He threw his fist right were the man wanted him to. When he connected however, the big guy would be hit by what would feel like a diamond the size of a grapefruit.

It was quite obvious by now that Nails fist was now one huge, rather jagged, diamond. The density of the material no doubt added quite a lot to the blow, not to mention the abrasions it would cause.

Nail wouldn’t stop there however. The adrenaline was pumping now, and he wasn’t going to give this guy an inch. With a quick snap of the leg, Nail sent his left leg smashing into Abyss’s crotch. Dirty, but Nail didn’t care. This guy was giving him and Iris an opening, and he was going to milk it for all its worth.

“Iris! Run!”

With this, Nail began his retreat from the scene as well. He was hoping his actions were enough to leave the big guy incapacitated enough that he would not be able to chase after him. Hopefully, his partner would take up the chase on him, giving Iris a chance to run. That however, would be the best case scenario. He sure hoped he had done the right thing.

(out to sentinel's kidnapping)

(OOC: I'm continuing in "New York-> Iris's Kidnapping)