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The first trip that Celeste attempted out of the mansion was a rather rousing...failure. Inspired by her fellow gorgon, Praxi, Celeste attempted to go out into the metropolis herself. She had to figure out if living the mansion and forging a life of her own was going to even be possible, so why not just jump in. It took several attempts to find her but eventually the nice Professor Grey and Mrs. Taylor had managed to find her hiding in one of the buildings.

That had clearly been a failure.

But that wouldn’t be her only attempt. As time pressed on and Celeste grew more and more bold, she made other attempts. It was on one of these journeys out into the city that the celestial mutant met Bull and his dance crew.

She remembered finding the park downtown and being entranced by the music that she heard. It had been so enchanting that she had even been able to ignore the looks she received from the other passerbys. When she found the source, she watched in entertainment as Bull, a tall, thin, dark skinned teen around her age was dancing to some melodious music. Around him were several others, each of them dressed similarly and sported a logo that she couldn’t quite read, but they too danced just as well.

Celeste had stayed the whole day, cheering and applauding them as they danced and “practiced” as they called it. Eventually Bull, the seeming leader of the group, pulled her forward to see what she could do. It took some time for him to find the right music selection but, when he did, Celeste knew it was right.

And so she danced. They called it “ballet”. Recently Celeste had stumbled across a television program that was all about the same dancing. Celeste had found the dancing interesting and attempted to copy it, over and over again, to the point that it was all she wanted to dance.

Bull had decided that day that Celeste would be an honorary member of his crew -- so long as she visited often to continue dancing with them. How could she refuse?

Walking through the park, wearing simple yoga pants and tank top, she offered Bull and his crew a hearty smile. The stars and galaxies in her body twinkled excitedly as she ran up to them, even giggling when Bull met her and planted a backwards hat on top of her head.

“Heya, there’s my homegirl!” Bull announced with a big, brotherly grin. “What’s up, Celeste?”

Celeste had been practicing her speaking and English more and more. She gulped and replied, ”No things, my...hom-ie,” she said, with growing eagerness. ”Just...chill...ax-ing?” She questioned that last part. Was it right?

Bull and a couple friends chuckled goodnaturedly and nodded. “Yeah you got it, girl. Come on. We’re starting our warm-ups now, you’re just in time to join.”

Celeste jumped excitedly. Yes. She loved it when she made it on time to do warm-ups. She tossed her bag aside with the others as she walked up to them. They all grinned and greeted her with looks of affection. They didn’t need to be so nice to her but it was much like being adopted by another family. Celeste enjoyed it immensely.

However, just as they were selecting rounds of music, a strange sound and flutter filled the air. A few gasps echoed from around them, to the point that the group eventually had to lift their heads and look up. And like that they watched in surprise, and honor, as feathers as black as night filled the sky, followed by the cacophony of beating wings.

Celeste could see that Himari was embarrassed. She had been around enough gorgons to know what that look was when she saw it. But on that same token, she couldn’t understand why the fox-eared girl was embarrassed. There were gorgons with far worse physical mutations than simply sporting a tail and ears. Maybe that wasn’t the extent of her abilities, Celeste had only just met her fellow teenager. But in either case, she didn’t see why she should be so downtrodden.

But that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if she could understand or see the reason behind Himari’s discomfort. All that mattered is that her new friend was scared and Celeste would support her in whatever capacity that meant.

Himari thanked the celestial mutant for her understanding and explained that it wasn’t easy growing up with a physical mutation. It was a sad truth that Celeste knew exactly what she was talking about. The gorgons in Atlantis were severely mistreated, whether they were forced to work as laborers in the necropolis or forced into servitude as palace slaves. Either way, for generations the demigods mistreated the gorgons and the mocking, sneering, and leering had been something Celeste was very well aware of. It saddened her to know that Himari had gone through something similar.

Her bottom lip jutted out slightly in comradery. She would be of whatever assistance she could to Himari.

”I...understand,” she said softly. ”To hide...easier than be mocked. Many gorgons...suffer the same.” She nodded.

Himari seemed to be calming but with that came a revelation that she was in no way expecting. Her newfound friend had a crush -- a romantic interest that apparently was for Celeste herself. The stars and galaxies that swirled lazily long her cheeks shifted into a deep shade of pink. Not out of embarrassment, simply unexpected.

Celeste stood in stunned silence as Himari quickly spoke further. She was aware of how strange the revelation was given that they had just met. But she admitted that there was something genuinely good about Celeste that she could sense and that only helped to stoke the flames of interest.

Silently Celeste stood, her head tilted while she watched the fox-eared mutant closely. What seemed like an eternity passed before she spoke. ”We have...just met…” she whispered softly. ”We know...little of each other…” she looked away, deep in thought for several more moments. Slowly she drifted away, wandering about her room as she looked at all corners before her starlit eyes fell on Himari once more. And she smiled. ”...but...we can change that. I too like you...Himari. You appear...sweet and kind.” After a pause she nodded firmly. ”We may…’court’…” she said softly, drifting back over to Himari. ”...if you wish”

Celeste was finding the surface world more interesting by the day. The people she met, the friends she was making, all of it was really turning the Atlantean’s experience around. Where before she was scared and untrusting, now she was open and more accepting. The staff could certainly count Celeste as one of their more successful stories. Or, at least they would once she managed to find a life skill and head out into the world herself.

If that ever happened.

A small blush of shyness colored her cheeks, causing her to hug her books to her ample chest. Would she ever have what it takes to start her own life? It wasn’t impossible. A few of the Atlantean refugees had come to Xavier’s, learned, and have begun to filter out into the world. But her? Would she ever be comfortable doing that?

Celeste shook the thoughts away. She wasn’t going to think about that now. there was still plenty for her to do here so she was going to focus on that instead. And speaking of…

”Physical...activity. Yes, yes,” Celeste nodded. ”Am aware. A boy. Scott...Spring? Plays the football. Asked me once to watch him play with his team.” She shrugged her shoulders. ”I found...boring. No explain rules. Just kept flexing.” She sighed. ”But outside is nice. Very pretty.”

The sports in Atlantis were different. Based on ancient Greek games, the majority of the time only the men played. Celeste never had been able to participate in them, as that wasn’t her job. Her job was to sit or stand in silence with whomever she was escorting for the day. While she preferred that to actually entertaining palace guests, Celeste still found it to be mind numbingly boring. Much like watching Scotty Springs flex.

Celeste moved to keep from bumping into a table and nearly tumbled her collection of books onto the ground. After readjusting, she looked at Himari and smirked. An offer of help was given and though normally her pride would keep her from accepting, in this case she knew when help was needed. She nodded her head and handed the pretty pink-haired girl a couple of the books to lessen her load.

”Thank you. Much help.”

It didn’t take much longer for them to make it out of the library. The line at the front desk wasn’t long and after handing off the books to be stamped and checked out under her name, both Celeste and Himari managed to collect them and wander off down the halls of the school, heading towards Celeste’s dormitory. When they finally arrived, with no incidents, Celeste stepped up to her door and managed to pull her key from her pocket.

”Ughh…” she thought for a second. ”...is mess. Apologies.”

The swirled of celestial clouds pinkened as she unlocked her door and stepped inside, allowing Himari entry.

The room itself was..interesting to say the least. A kaleidoscope of colors and decor, the room itself had posters and photographs of various things. Some were bands or comic books, other were pictures of sunsets or a blurry image of something that couldn’t be made out. It seemed that when given the freedom to decorate and express herself, Celeste didn’t stop to think of any theme in particular, if she liked it, it went on the walls or on a shelf.

To be fair, the room wasn’t really that messy. Some discarded clothing, an undergarment or two, and a few stacks of books, but other than that, everything was sort of in an understandable place. Celeste expertly maneuvered around her room, stopping at her writing desk where she placed the books down and gestured for Himari to do the same.

”Please. Here. Many thank yous.” she nodded and then gestured around. ”This my room. You like?”

Celeste smiled. She wasn’t shy about her smile anymore. She used to always try to hide it. Giving a smile in Atlantis, especially in her position, was paramount of leading to a boatload of trouble. So it was just easier to learn to not smile. But living on the surface, making new friends, meeting new and caring people, with enough time, even Celeste was able to express her smile again. And it felt good.

Himari made her smile.

She smirked a little at the explanation of her new friend’s name. Sun and love. The thought made her blush a little. What were the chances she would meet a lovely girl with a name meaning “Sun”? She would have to think on the percentages later, but for now she just focused on collecting her books.

Of course she wouldn’t go the entire time without sharing more information about herself. In her observations on socializing throughout the school, she began to pick up some of the more subtle nuances. It was important for swap information about one another, to get to know a person you don’t know in different ways. For Celeste it was simple -- where she was from. That was a good place to start.

Her headed tilted oddly as she peered at Himari. ”Money?” she asked innocently. ”I...will remind. Curious as to why?” She asked. But at the prospect of learning more information about the world, she smiled brightly. ”Japan. Yes. Have read. Interesting and would love to know more.”

Drifting through the aisles behind Himari, the galaxy-swirling mutant continued to peer about the tall bookshelves, but not in any way neglecting the pretty, pink-haired mutant ahead of her. Often she found her eyes following her, tracing the lines of her shape and committing it to memory before turning her gaze away and to that same sheet of paper.

Bluish, starlit eyes roamed the page, tracking down the next book, however they lifted when Himiari turned and asked her a question. One that, to Celeste, sounded quite acceptable without really realizing any of the implications it could have. So...she nodded.

”Oh. Yes.” she nodded with a smile. ”That I would like.” It was nearing lunch time wasn’t it? Food was certainly good, especially with a pretty companion to share it with.

There was still a lot that Celeste needed to learn about living on the surface world. Yes, a lot of time passed since she arrived but, to be fair, a good portion of that was spent hiding in her room, scuttling from corner to corner, stealing snacks and finding isolated spots where she could hide until she felt comfortable enough to return to her room. She survived like a rat, slinking from shadow to shadow, just willing to see what the next day would bring.

But now, things were so different. Yes she was still nervous, yes she didn’t know a lot, but at least now she was willing to try. She had friends and people she could turn to, and now she wasn’t so afraid of meeting other people. Other people were...interesting.

The pink-haired girl, for example. Celeste found her intriguing, to say the least. She was pleasing to the eye, something that the Atlantean was not afraid to admit anymore. But as she observed her, she could also see that this girl was kind and offering to help. After ensuring that she was okay, Celeste admitted what she was looking for and inquired if assistance could be offered.

With the caveat that her help not be revealed, Celeste hid a smile behind the papers she held, and nodded her head. ”Secret. Yes. I shall keep.” With another confirming nod, she followed the other through the stacks of books.

They had only traveled a short while before introductions were offered. The pink-haired delivered her name and Celeste committed it to memory.

”Himari. Nice to meet.” she replied. ”Caelistis,” she referred to herself, then stopped and scoffed. ”No. Wait. Old name. Um,” she prodded her own chest. ”CEL-ESTE. New name. Better.”

There were times where Celeste still reverted back to her original name. There was nothing wrong with that anymore but she associated that name with slavery and abuse from the Altantean royalty. That was not something she wanted to be remembered as anymore. But Celeste. That was a suggestion by Mama T, and one that she was happy to accept.

Eventually they found the bookshelves they were looking for and, with Himari’s help, Celeste understood a bit better what the sling of letters upon the sheet met. They were coordinates, cycling down to the exact book that she was looking for. There was a similar system in the library in Atlantis, but she had been forbidden to go on her own. The only time she was there was as a token from the king in order to appease the librarian. That, like many nights, was something Celeste would rather not recall.

”Much clearer. Thank you.” She bowed again, offering the girl a warm smile before she bit her bottom lip softly and gently moved past her.

Her eyes roamed the spines of the books, until she was able to track down the one she sought. As she pulled it from the shelf, Himari inquired if she wanted further assistance, at least until she found the rest of her books. Turning back to her, Celeste blue-white, starlight eyes watched her closely before another smile adorned her face. The stars in her cheeks shifted from a soft, glowing white into a warm, flushed pinked as she nodded her head.

”Ugh...y-yes…” she said, standing back down on the flats of her feet. ”Acceptable. Enjoy company.”

Things were actually...good. Celeste had a hard time believing it but things were going fairly well at the mansion. She was making friends, doing well in classes, being more social, she was even learning to talk more. She had to thank Doc Prof and Praxi immensely for his assistance in helping her speech development. After spending so long with unused vocal chords, it was no wonder she had such trouble. But things were different now and she in no way wanted things to go back to the way they were.

Standing in line at the reference desk of the mansion library, Celeste was already looking like a completely different person than she did when she first appeared at the mansion’s doors. She still held on to her old habits, going to far as to only wear the clothes that her oppressors deem her to wear. But that was a far cry from who she was now.

Dressed in black leggings, rainbow striped socks, and a loose, off-the-shoulder, neon yellow top with a red tank underneath, she honestly thought she was quite fashionable. Yes it had earned her a few looks here and there but for the most part she figured they were looking anyways, why not dress in something comfortable?

Or, as she has heard others say, retro.

When her turn came, Celeste stepped up to the counter with a wide smile. Her neon pink hair bobbed softly with each movement of her head. Eyes the color of starlight wide and engaging as she spoke with the librarian. Since her time here she had started to make more and more use of the library. Learning so much everyday helped with her vocabulary.

The librarian handed her a sheet of paper, a list of book suggestions she should tackle next. A halo of planetoids around her head nodded along with her head as she gave her thanks. ”Many thanks to you…” she said slowly and with purpose through her now heavily accented voice. ”I am...no…will...go looking for the books.”

Stepping away, the galaxy-skinned mutant turned, her eyes plastered onto the sheet in her hands. The swirls of nebulas and stars that raced slowly across her body glowed in colors of sweet softness as she walked. When she spotted the range of shelves she was supposed to be looking in, she rounded the corner, her eyes darting back to the sheet, and that was why she wasn’t paying attention.

Thump.

Celeste jumped, the body of another appearing directly in front of her before she could clock it. She let out a small yelp, her eyes widening, the list of books clutched to her chest. When she regained her composure, she let out a shaky smile.

”A-Apologies…” she started. ”Not...watching my steps. Are you well?”

Since coming to the surface, dancing had been a private affair for Celeste. She found freedom in the movements, allowing herself to be as open as possible. It was definitely something that she would rather do alone. A well of embarrassment formed in her chest at the idea of dancing in front of another -- or, that was what she used to believe. Now she was struggling to understand why it felt so different right now. It felt so, so much better.

The gorgon respected her wishes, trying to keep her hands at her shoulders and away from any lower spots. Initially Celeste had felt wary about that as it reminded her too much of lustful groping and grazes that she and many of the other palace slaves received during their time there. But this felt entirely different. As the song swirled around them, plucking those sweet tones in her ears, she almost wished that Praxi would hold her closer.

A smile adorned her lips at Praxi reminding her that green was her only color. She couldn’t argue with that. Smirking, and still blushing, she nodded her head softly in understanding, dipping her gaze down towards the floor again. The dance didn’t break however. No matter confused or fluttery she may feel, that didn’t seem to be an option right now; and she was fine with that.

Her hands were warm now, not the unearthly cold or the unbearable hot they could be. Instead they were flush, fully of pinkish stars and galaxies as she reached down, her hands hovering near where Praxi’s hips should be. After a moment she considered whether or not this was okay so, looking into the slime mutant’s eyes, she whispered in a voice that was barely audible, but just enough for Praxi to hear.

”T-Tou...ch...O...kay?” she asked softly, her hands still hovering until she got permission. The song was winding down by this point but there was still enough left for Celeste to enjoy her time with her newfound “friend”. And at her admission that she could do this longer, Celeste bit her lip and whispered. ”Y...yes…” she croaked. ”...f-f-fun…”