Things…had…been…awkward! First bank robberies, then his brain gets hijacked by slugs! It seemed like too much for any normal person to take! But Akshay was different. During those incidents he was pushed to his limits, thrown into danger that he never before allowed himself to get into. But through all of it, he managed to survive. And because of that he began to think…maybe he could do something about it. It was a stupid and crazy thought! One that Akshay had said so to himself, numerous times!

But the thought would not easily die. It kept jabbing at him, like a tiny pebble caught inside of his sock. Every waking day, hour, he felt it pestering the back of his mind. Until finally he decided, what was the harm in doing a little bit of research? It was just research after all! Not like he was going to grab an idea and start hopping around rooftops this very night! It was just…looking into things.

At first Akshay was just going to focus on his comic books but the problem was that…they were so unrealistic. The majority of those were written from the imagination and romanticized the idea of the superhero. He wanted to see places where real heroes existed, where people with powers had to find ways to live with their mutations, adapt their lives, and, most importantly, their wardrobe!

Yes, that was the reason why Akshay was going where he was…he was going to Xavier’s Sister School in order to get ideas for a costume. It was just some preliminary research, that was all. Maybe be seeing how mutants dealt with their mutations, he be able to get a good idea for a costume, or outfit, maybe even some tips.

Yeah…it was not a well thought out plan. But Akshay figured he could get a look around the place. Maybe he’ll get…inspired. That was what he needed right now, inspiration.

Riding his silver ducati down the length of the road, Akshay marveled at the sight of the mansion. It was even more than he could have imagined when Sveta had told him about it all those months ago. He really hoped that she was around. If not, well, hopefully someone else could give him the tour. He wondered if he would have to display that he was a mutant or something. Well! He would find out!

He pulled up to the front gates, killed the engine, pulled a sketchbook from his backpack. Tucking a drawing pencil behind his ear, Akshay continued to stare at the building in awe as he strolled up to the gate and pushed the buzzer. He hoped someone would be able to let him in and show him around.

"But I'm not even on duty!!!"

Maya marched out of the Danger Room and into the nearest mirror, grumbling to herself. Someone just buzzed her from the gates that apparently there was a new guy outside waiting to be greeted. He might be a reporter is what the gatekeeper said, the guy was carrying a notepad and a pen. Well, sh*t.

Maya was not on duty, but apparently she was the only Mansion greeter on campus. A few minutes after the call she appeared in the window near the front door, walked out of the reflection and landed lightly on her feet. She was wearing her brand new X-men uniform (still in need of breaking in) and her archery gear, complete with bow and quiver.

Walking up to the gates she looked at the guy.

"Hi, my name is Maya, and I am your guide for today. Welcome to Xavier's."

Akshay waited a few moments after he had hit the buzzer on the gate. Surprisingly no mysterious, crackling voice asked for a password, secret sign, or even his name or his business! There was just that shrill buzz that had momentarily hung in the air before is suddenly evaporated from existence. All that was left was the vague memory of what it sounded like still ringing in his ears.

Buzzzzz

Or was it…

BRRZzzzzzzzzzz

No, no, maybe it was…

HNNNNRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZ

…either way it was a lot less dramatic than he thought it would be. Maybe he figured that in a school of mutants some hologram would appear to talk to him, or someone would psychically suddenly talking into his brain and ask his business, or that maybe a thousand gun turrets would suddenly appear and take aim directly at him while some badass hot chick in a uniform would strut up to him, all sultry like, and demand a demonstration of his powers!

But alas, there was nothing. Just a simple buzzer, on a simple metal gate, at a simple looking school, with one simply DISgruntled looking young beauty eyeballing him from between the bars.

>> "Hi, my name is Maya, and I am your guide for today. Welcome to Xavier's."

All the saliva dried up from his mouth. Not only was she pretty, that was a given, it was the simple fact that she was dressed as a complete and utter BAD[/b]ass!! The uniform, the battle damage, the bows and arrows strapped to her back, and the complete attitude was all filled with such awesome that he could barely contain himself. But…he managed to at least keep some of his composure as he smiled warmly at the irritated looking young woman.

“HI, Maya!” he beamed, a little too enthusiastically. “Um! I…I heard about this place, from someone, her name is Svetlana? She said I should check you guys out, you know, since I haven’t had all that much socialization with other mutants.” Drawing pad and pencil tucked under his arm, he smiled at the young woman. Then glanced at the stuff he held. “Um, I…I’m an artist!”

Yeah…REAL smooth…

>>“HI, Maya! Um! I…I heard about this place, from someone, her name is Svetlana? She said I should check you guys out, you know, since I haven’t had all that much socialization with other mutants. Um, I…I’m an artist!”

"And I like ladies." she grumbled, opening the gates for him. She couldn't help herself; the guy was just too damn cheerful, and she was in a mood that made it entirely possible that if he hit on her, she would hit on him.

She let him in then she closed the gates, and waited with her hands on her hips.

"So, you are a mutant too? You have come to the right place. I can show you around and answer your questions, and if you want to move in temporarily or permanently, I can help you with the paperwork and the check-in."

She turned and started walking with him back to the building.

"So, Svetlana? Is she the power booster chick? I don't think she lives here anymore, but I've seen her around. What's your secret superpower?"

>> "And I like ladies."

His heart broke a little at that statement. Was that always the case? It seemed whenever he had had attempted to flirt with a young lady before, either always that she was either taken or not interesting in guys. He mourned, just slightly, as he watched the badass female open the gates for him and led him towards the massive doors of the mansion. But just as quickly as he started his mourning, did it stop. It was all good! He did have Emerald after all!

Still, though, he could not shake the grumbling nature of the young woman in front of him. She really did seem irritated by his presence. How could she be? He hadn’t even HAD[/b] the chance to annoy her yet! Ah well, he moved on.

>> "So, you are a mutant too? You have come to the right place. I can show you around and answer your questions, and if you want to move in temporarily or permanently, I can help you with the paperwork and the check-in."

“Wow,” Aksahy marveled. “So…this place is just…open? Regardless, to any mutant? I’m amazed you guys have the space and the funds!”

He wasn’t questioning how they did things here, it was just an observation. Actually he was thankful that a place like this existed. Even though he had a job, a place to live, and his mutation was not entirely visible, there was a whole slew of people out there in the city that could definitely use the services of a place like this. He hoped that the people who came here were grateful for what they had.

>> "So, Svetlana? Is she the power booster chick? I don't think she lives here anymore, but I've seen her around. What's your secret superpower?"

Again…sadness. He remembered Svetlana saying that she didn’t really live at the mansion anymore, that she was more just a visitor. It would have been nice for him to have crossed paths with her again but, if such was his luck, then maybe he would just have to catch her one another day. It would give him an excuse to visit this great place again!

But…of course, and inevitably, the conversation switched to himself...and his powers. Akshay sighed a little. He really, really did not like talking about his abilities since they really were not very impressive. Yet he was considering using them in the fight against crime? Eeerrr! No! researching! He…was just researching.

Ahem.

“Words…” was all he said with a slightly shamed look. But quickly he attempted to turn the conversation around as he eyed the bow and arrows. “W-What about you? You must be good with that thing,” he said as he nodded to the archery set she carried on her back. “Few people carry those around anymore.”

>>“Wow. So…this place is just…open? Regardless, to any mutant? I’m amazed you guys have the space and the funds!”

"Yeah we are amazed too" she smirked. On the one hand, whoever was really running the schoo,, and she was not sure she wanted to know, must have been a billionaire. On the other hand, even though the Mansion was the most awesome place ever, fewer murants decided to take advantage of it than anyone would have expected. It did come with a certain set of restrictions, and some people *cough*likeMegan*cough* just could not handle that well.

She turned her attention back to the guy who seemed really hyped about the whole experience.

>>“Words…W-What about you? You must be good with that thing. Few people carry those around anymore.”

"Depends on how you use it. I prefer this to guns." she noted, adjusting the bow on her shoulder "It's not my ability though. My mutation allows me to walk into mirrors. And movies."

If that did not blow the nerd guy's mind, she did not know what would.

Akshay was like a nerd that had finally been able to walk through his favorite comic book in real life. And it was not like this was a movie set or someone’s well decorated basement, this was absolute and positively REAL! The sight of the looming mansion, the uniformed beauty next to him with the badass attitude, how could things possibly get any better? Sure, when he first walked up to the gate it did not seem as magically as he thought it would seem, but his opinion on this place was quickly changing. First the sudden appearance of this decked out young lady, and now he was being led into this den of mysteries!

What would he find next?!

For a moment Akshay needed to remember that he had to keep breathing so he calmed down long enough to take a breath or two. This place was just turning out to be far more wild than he could have ever imagined. And he hadn’t even been inside yet!

But his attention turned back to Maya as she began to talk…

>> "Depends on how you use it. I prefer this to guns…It's not my ability though. My mutation allows me to walk into mirrors. And movies."

Akshay’s. Mouth. Dropped.

Walking through mirrors? Now that had to be probably one of the most awesomest powers that he had ever heard of! It was as if the second he heard the young woman’s abilities that his mind immediately raced and began to think of all the different sorts of activities and uses she could have for such an ability! She could escape badguys, fight them from every angle, spy on people without them knowing it! The possibilities were endless!

“Oh…my gawd!” he squeed. “Your power is SO totally like one of my favorite supervillains from The Dash[/b] comic series! His nemesis, Lord Reflection!! Can you like, totally hop in and out of mirrors that take you anywhere in like The Dash issue #45? Or…Or…throw grenades out of mirrors all over like the city like in Hero People #156?! OR…can you trap your enemies into various mirrors, break it, and leave them stranded there forever like in the diabolical issue of Z-Men #549, the anniversary return of Old Steal!?!?”[/color]

>>“Oh…my gawd! Your power is SO totally like one of my favorite supervillains from The Dash comic series! His nemesis, Lord Reflection!! Can you like, totally hop in and out of mirrors that take you anywhere in like The Dash issue #45? Or…Or…throw grenades out of mirrors all over like the city like in Hero People #156?! OR…can you trap your enemies into various mirrors, break it, and leave them stranded there forever like in the diabolical issue of Z-Men #549, the anniversary return of Old Steal!?!?”

Oh god the kid was a nerd.

Maya rolled her eyes and sighed. Just her luck. Not even on duty and she got stuck with the frakkin' fanguy. Shiny.

"I have no idea what ya're talking about. I just practice archery for sport."

At this point the existence of the X-men was pretty much out in the open, as was the location of their headquarters... but still it would have been unseemly to just dangle all that in some comic book crazy person's face. Nu-uh.

Also, how did he miss the movie walking part?... Maya was glad he did. There was no way she was taking this guy into some nerdy awfulness filled with busty women and guys with their underpants on the outside. No sir.

"So, I take it you have not been here before. I will need to check you in, even if you are just visiting. Security measures."

Maya, strictly speaking, was the security measure. She could take this guy on any time. Words? Pst.

Akshay looked expectingly at the young mirror walker as his mind raced with thoughts about her abilities. The applications, everything that she could do, it made him want to jump up for joy that he had actually met someone that nearly matched the characters he read about in so many comic books, in so many stories and graphic novels! Here was a person that could have herself have been an inspiration to this writer and artiest who created Lord Reflection! It was like staring into the very face of creation itself…and he marveled.

>> "I have no idea what ya're talking about. I just practice archery for sport."

Rrrrrrraaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww…KA-BOOM!

That conversation went for a TOTAL nosedive. Apparently the young mutant had no idea what he was talking out. That…was greatly disappointing. But, then again, how could be really blame her? With a uniform and awesome powers like her, maybe she was just spending all of her free time saving the world and such, right? That would be a totally valid excuse as to why she knew nothing about the world from whence he came.

He was going to have to educate her.

>> "So, I take it you have not been here before. I will need to check you in, even if you are just visiting. Security measures."

“Oh, yeah! Of course,” Akshay beamed. “I perfectly understand. There are quite a lot of unsavory types out there in the city.” he chuckled. “How do we do that? You scan my brain with a telepath? Some high tech robot combs through my entire history just my looking into my eyes? You have a spiritual medium that can tell if my aura is releasing good or negative energies?”

>>“Oh, yeah! Of course. I perfectly understand. There are quite a lot of unsavory types out there in the city. How do we do that? You scan my brain with a telepath? Some high tech robot combs through my entire history just my looking into my eyes? You have a spiritual medium that can tell if my aura is releasing good or negative energies?”

Maya resisted the urge to tape the guy's mouth shut. It was annoying and amusing at the same time, really; she had rarely ever had experience with people who did not know much about the Mansion, and were not freaked about the idea. This one was positively glowing with anticipations.

We have fans. God help us all.

"Something like that" she smirked as she led him to the office; picking up a handful of papers from the table, he handed them to him. He already had a pen. "Knock yourself out."

As they strolled through the inside of the mansion, Akshay felt like his heart was going to thump directly out of his chest. The mansion was absolutely BEA[/b]utiful! The sizable interior, the lavish decorations, and the style! All of it just gave off this air of wealth but at the same home had an aura of comfort and home. If just any mutant kids came up off the streets and went to this place, one look at the inside and they would surely fill at home. It almost made the young wordsmith he didn’t have a job or a home to go back to.

But the most impressive feature the people! My god, the PEOPLE that wandered too and fro inside of the mansion seemed to be absolutely awesome! Many were human looking but there were a lot of mutant with obvious physical mutations, but Akshay was still stunned by the impressiveness of all of them! He had to make mental notes of everyone he saw! There was some gray girl with bat wings that giggled and ran around with another girl that had insect wings, he spied a large, authoritative looking man near the offices drinking from a bottle of water that he could swirling inside the bottle, and there was even a one man that strolled that looked like he was made of silver!

The whole experience, well, it just would have made Akshay faint if it were not for his rampant fear of embarrassing himself further. So, he managed to hold onto himself until they made it into the office for the security check.

>> "Something like that…Knock yourself out."

Papers? Akshay arched a brow but shrugged as he flashed a big smile. Maybe these papers were imbued by the mental energies of some paper manipulator that can read the biosignatures of whoever writes on them track them wherever they go? Well, even if not, Akshay could pretend that that was what was going on.

Nodded as he sat down at the desk and began to fill out the paperwork that he had been handed. It almost felt like he had trudged into an office to have his taxes done. But Akshay didn’t say anything about that, instead he just continued on, and tried to make small talk with the impressive young woman.

“I gotta admit, this place is impressive,” Akshay grinned. “How long have you been here? If you don’t mind me asking? Did they really help you get your powers under control?”

The guy looked like a kid in a candy shop. Maya hoped he did not have acid salive in case he started to drool.

>>“I gotta admit, this place is impressive. How long have you been here? If you don’t mind me asking? Did they really help you get your powers under control?”

"Two years" she answered after a while "Almost three. Came in from the streets." she smirked at the guy over the paperwork "My powers can't be controlled, not part of them anyway. But yeah, they helped with a lot of things. We have great facilities for training."

It was kinda fun, dangling things like that over him and watching his reactions. Mutants never got enough appreciation...

"So" she glanced at the paperwork "Akshay, what brings you here?"

>> "Two years…Almost three. Came in from the streets..My powers can't be controlled, not part of them anyway. But yeah, they helped with a lot of things. We have great facilities for training."

“Wow, that’s a long while,” Akshay said with an impressed nod

It was so cool to learn so much about this place. It seemed that whoever fronted the cash for it, really was looking out for the best interests of the students! Facilities to train, teachers to teach, free room and board, opportunities to work, even chances at college scholarships! It really seemed like this place had absolutely everything in order to try to make those downcast mutants have a better life. He could only imagine the paradise this place must be to some poor mutant off the street.

This place, Xavier’s, it was like a second chance. Too bad, from the sound of Maya, that few mutants actually came to take advantage of it. Maybe he could advertise at his store?!

>> "So…Akshay, what brings you here?"

Akshay neared completion of the paperwork, with a hearty sigh. It really WAS like he was filling out his taxes. Then, when it came to the ‘Power Description’, Akshay, a little shy, again simply wrote the word “Words”, and went on to the next field that he had to fill out.

“Well, curiosity, mostly,” Akshay said with a nod. “NOT in a weird, looking for sideshow freaks kind of way! Noo! Just, I’ve never had much contact with fellow mutants, and, well, I guess I just wanted to learn about my brothers and sisters and how they dealt with their abilities. For me, it took a long time to get the control I have now and it’s still not easy.” he said as he filled out the last field. “Plus, I run a comic book store in the city where I met one of your students. His name was Chase and he gave me a good idea that maybe I could set up a free comic day with the staff here. You know, just to give some of the young kids and collectors who happen to live here, some…comic book fun.”

He beamed. He loved his job.

>>“Well, curiosity, mostly. NOT in a weird, looking for sideshow freaks kind of way! Noo! Just, I’ve never had much contact with fellow mutants, and, well, I guess I just wanted to learn about my brothers and sisters and how they dealt with their abilities. For me, it took a long time to get the control I have now and it’s still not easy. Plus, I run a comic book store in the city where I met one of your students. His name was Chase and he gave me a good idea that maybe I could set up a free comic day with the staff here. You know, just to give some of the young kids and collectors who happen to live here, some…comic book fun.”

"I think the kids would love that" Maya agreed, taking the paperwork from him "We can never have enough stuff happening to keep everyone occupied. You can talk to the boss about that, or the guidance counselor... we just need to make sure kids don't get the wrong idea from comics and run off in ridiculous costumes to fight crime... it's a pain to catch 'em all again."

Smirking, she looked over the papers, and arched an eyebrow at the mutation description.

"Words?... Could you maye elaborate on that? It's kinda important. I can't allow someone to run around with an unknown mutation. You can tell me, or show me if you want."

>> "I think the kids would love that…We can never have enough stuff happening to keep everyone occupied. You can talk to the boss about that, or the guidance counselor... we just need to make sure kids don't get the wrong idea from comics and run off in ridiculous costumes to fight crime... it's a pain to catch 'em all again."

“Oh, yeah, of course!” Akshay grinned. “I mean, I could start with some of the more humorous titles, maybe a few of my pirate or mythology themed comics and only a small splattering of the superhero ones. All would be up for approval, of course.”

Akshay knew that the young mirror walker had a point. Kids were awfully influential and he would have hated to have made a bunch of kids run away or hurt themselves because they were trying to enact their favorite comics by being heroes. That simply would not make Akshay feel good about himself at all. Comics were a pastime! Not some window in how real life should be, no matter HOW much you long for it.

…

Whatever. Akshay was a grown man! If he wanted to try a be a superhero, that was totally HIS decision! Ahem. Besides…just…research!

He signed his name, tapped all the papers and handed it over cheerfully to the young woman with the bow and quiver strapped to her back.

>> "Words?... Could you maye elaborate on that? It's kinda important. I can't allow someone to run around with an unknown mutation. You can tell me, or show me if you want."

Akshay sighed. He should have known that he was not going to get away with a simple, vague idea as to what he could do. It was unfortunate but apparently he was just not going to get away without some sort of display or telling. He really hated this part though. So far the only mutant that had not laughed about his powers was Emerald and it took him MONTHS before he actually showed it. And it was only because it was a matter of life or death. This though…he was being asked to display his ability.

“Yeah,” Akshay said a little nervously as he scratched the back of his head. “I…can’t really describe all of it. Not in a way that you’d understand. NOT that I’m knocking your intelligence or anything, just…it’s really hard to explain.” He gulped as he very slowly let his concentration drop. Almost immediately one would be able to see his body relaxing, de-tensing, looking more natural. Then he thought about any noun that first came to his head… “Arrow…”

Suddenly in the air between the two of, a black bordered, iridescent word “ARROW” appeared. It took only seconds for it to solidify and before it dropped to the ground, Akshay picked it out of the air. It was about the size of a book but not so thick. He sighed as he held it up and looked it over in his hands. Slowly he raised his concentration again.

“Here,” he said as he handed the young woman the word. “Consider it a souvenir,” he said with a little shrug. “Pretty much any noun I say, when I’m not concentrating on keeping my powers down, appears. I can also see the nouns that people say but they cannot see them. It’s hell when walking through a crowded Comic Convention, let me tell you.” he smirked.

Immediately then he looked shy. Probably the first time since he showed up at the building. This was obviously a man not impressed with his own ability...