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That's true. He could have said no, but like Mars said, he wouldn't be learning anything. It was best to roll with the punches and just accept his defeat over and over and over again.

Derek chuckled along with him, but his was a bit more nervous. His southern accent was slightly off putting as well as comforting. "Are ya sure? I'm almost positive from you will send me sailing against the wall." He snorted, shaking his head. At least he'll be put out of his misery right then and there.

"As much sugar as ice tea has up here," Derek snorted, hoping that Ranger would get the joke. He was disappointed to find out that sweet tea wasn't a thing in New England. But he took care of that problem when he first moved into his Co-op. He was about to answer him when Derek felt his legs get swiped out from under him.

As he fell, Derek gasped and prepared himself to hit the ground. But for some reason, it seemed like he was falling slower than he was supposed to. The sensation only lasted for a second before he finished falling at normal speed.

"...Ouch."  He groaned, slowly rolling over and getting up. Derek huffed and looked at Ranger. He slowly got into the fighting position that Ranger used and attempted a roundhouse kick. He actually had good form when he performed it.

"Deal," Derek turned his head to look at Mama and smiled at her, "thank you," He looked at the brownies before picking on up and took a bite. He didn't even ask what was in them even though he had a peanut allergy. Oh, well. "Mm, this is pretty good." He complimented before turning to look at Xavia.

"Maybe," Derek swallowed, "maybe this one will be a mutant right from birth. Is that how it usually works?"

Neptune was right. He did need to learn more about this place even if he didn't plan on staying there long. If anything, he would at least know how to effectively navigate through the Mansion without getting turned around. Derek sniffed and scratched the side of his neck. Derek wasn't really put off by the comment and actually made a mental note about it.

Derek followed Jorge down the stairs like an eager puppy, ready to train. He couldn't wait until he was like Jorge Cervantes when he it came to his powers. God, he wondered how powerful Jorge was. Probably powerful enough to put any waterpark to shame.

He was so focused on imagining Jorge causing tidal wave that he almost didn't realize the change in the interior. He immediately snapped himself out of his imagination and quickened his pace. The coziness of the Mansion transformed into a metal hallway with the smell of possibly gun smoke and a certain chill in the air you only find in hospitals. Derek was about to ask a question, but decided against it. Luckily, Jorge filled the silence.

"...I'm ready!" After Jorge explained to him how the danger room worked, Derek was excited as ever to get to kick some lighthard construct ass! "I'm ready to go, Neptune!" Derek bounced on his toes a bit before stretching. He was so excited that he didn't notice his name slip up. "Wait, so are you goin' to train with me or are you first gonna observe?"

Well, Derek couldn't say that he didn't sign up for this since he did. He had decided that the next time he and Artair or another one of the official Havenites went out on duty that he would be fully prepared. In his mind, CLASS was going to be something simple since it was his first one.

Derek Alexander Menes was wrong.

The newbie was happy, smiling widely dressed in a Haven t-shirt and black gym shorts with a notecard and a pen in his string bag just in case. However, when he walked in, that smile and child-like enthusiasm disappeared and was replaced with fear.

Where did it say on the sign up sheet that he had to spar with Mars incarnate?! The man known as Ranger (and now personally known as Mars),was how standing in the center of the mats taking out guys and gals as if they were just ragdolls.

He was hoping that Ranger would decide to just let the rest of the trainers go off about their business, but apparently Derek wasn't lucky enough for that. He watched as the mountain of man and testosterone pointed him out and asked if he was next. With a gulp, he responded,

"W-was that a question or a statement, sir?" He asked, his southern accent thick like molasses. Glancing around the room, Derek knew the answer and took a shaky step forward. With a sigh of defeat, he looked at the man. "I guess this is where I die." He mumbled, trying to relax in the face of utter defeat.

"You'll get answers alright. Hopefully they won't be long and drawn out." The second to last thing he wanted to do was talk Artair's cute ears off. On the way there to their destination.

He waited until Artair was finished explaining where they were going to both him and the birds before nodding his head. "So, go along the perimeter and get back to use. Also, if you find any other birds or, ah, a fox maybe, tell them to meet up with us." The birds chirped before flying off to refill their tasks. Huh, maybe being able to communicate with animals did come in handy.

Derek thanked him as he slid to the far seat and buckled himself in. "It usually lasts after they finish their task. After that, they go on about their business." He explained with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "I can get a good amount of info from them. It's...it's sort of like a...it's hard to explain." He chuckled a bit and turned to look over at Artair. "What about you? How does your powers work? Can you form other things from your mind?"

Derek didn't want the tent either. Honestly, he was fine with just sleeping out under the stars. It was more beautiful that way anyway. He was about to say thanks when the smell of burning hair and toxins entered his nostrils. He tried to act like it didn't bother him out of respect, but inside, he was dying.

"Um," He tried his best to breathe through his mouth instead of his nose, "well, we know we have the map, a lighter, uh," Derek looked through his bag again. "I think they gave us food and a pot to make frank and beans," Derek pulled out a sauce pan and placed it on top of the folded map, "I have the pan. Can you check for the other thin's please?" He asked politely with a small grin.

"You got it," With a thumbs up and s cheery smile, Derek marched his way over to the spot where Kendra wanted him to go and stood quietly.

The woodland animals followed his movement. He wondered how he should pose so Derek just went with the simplest one and just folded his arms over his chest and smiled. a couple of more birds came down and rested on Derek's shoulders.

"Wait," Derek instead opened his arms up with is palms facing toward the sky. He never felt so loved by anyone before. Well, except his family, but that was it. "Okay, I'm ready for my photoshoot now." Derek truly looked like a Disney princess come alive.