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"If it's the money you're worried about, what's money for rather than to be spent on the things that matter? Heh, everything gets messed up sometimes. Well, whatever you wanna do."

Well of course it was the money he was worried about. But then again he was still stuck in survival mode, his things still packed up and ready to go just in case something happened, any money squirreled away for later. So he wasn't used to the idea of luxury money just yet. Buying clothes to look nice or just buying anything other than food and the odd medical item. It was a new venture for him.

"But sooner or later I'm going to drag you along to get at least one respectable outfit. You know, most people nowadays define you by what you wear."

He smirked and shrugged, "Let 'em. I've got no shame in how I look."

"Yeah, it's the priority. I'm not in a hurry, though."

"Alright, so why don't we go do that first and then you can drag me off to get new clothes if you're so inclined."he suggested. It'd be easier on the both of them not to get side tracked. Besides, if Margo liked the mansion she can get a guest room, set her stuff down and work out the paperwork and stuff at the office.

"In such a.. well, such a diverse city, it'll hardly be noticed. Heck, it would hardly be noticed anywhere. You know, another geek who forgot to dress up before wandering outside. I think you're okay on that part."

Another geek, huh? At least he looked part of the culture if he looked like an identifiable geek. Though he was pretty sure geek wasn't exactly a good thing to be. Still it was good enough he supposed.

"I just thought it wouldn't hurt to actually get something more dressy, or even just something new. That is if you want to, of course. It's just as much for my benefit, to get around, as yours."

Dressy...He wasn't a big fan of dressy or new for that matter. Couldn't get stuff like that dirty. "I guess so. I'd feel more comfortable going to a goodwill or something. Less expensive and I wouldn't feel guilty about messing it up." Yeah that'd be better and he wouldn't feel like he'd owe Margo as much. A mall implied new clothes, expensive clothes, thing he wouldn't wear on the regular. Plus, Margo really should hang on to her money for more important items. "But didn't you want to check out the school. I mean, that'd be priority right?"

"Sure, I ran away. Doesn't mean I'm 'on the run'."

He corked a brow at that comment. He was pretty certain that's what it meant, a run away usually was on the run from parents, cops, all sorts of authority figures that that didn't want to face or couldn't face. Again he was faced with the possibility that she wasn't telling him the whole truth of her situation.

And then came the answer to his question.

"Well. I don't know about the where, but it definitely looks like somebody needs a trip to the mall."

The comment was a little startling. Okay he had made a mental note earlier that he should get new clothes but he didn't think she'd bring it up. "I don't look that awful do I?"he asked. Okay so his clothes were pretty worn down but they weren't the only thing he had. He had an extra set or two and he washed them regularly. But he supposed that compared to other people with houses to store their stuff it might be obvious.

He tilted his head as he listened to her dismiss the idea that she had somewhere important to be. He had a feeling that she wasn't telling him everything but he wasn't in any position to pry any further than he already had. Besides, he wasn't giving away his whole truth to her so she had no reason to do so for him. What really confused him was the phone she pulled out of her pocket. It was an expensive item, an expensive item with a gps that could be tracked by the police once it was discovered that she had run away. Why she had it on her was a mystery to him.

"But time is precious. The bus, if we can catch it, sounds great. The subway.. Never mind, probably isn't worth it for such a short distance. Anyway, I can pay the fare. I'm stinking rich, if you haven't noticed."

He shook off his confusion and put on a smile for her, nodding in agreement. "I think I got enough change for bus fare."he said closing his eyes and connecting with his constructs point of view to spot the bus stop. "The bus stop is..."he spun on his heel facing the direction the birds eye view provide, "This way. Better hurry, bus is on it's way." He started walking knowing that she'd follow.

"You walked here? Wow, you need to learn time management."

"I'm kind of used to walking everywhere. And you can get anywhere on time if you go early enough."he shrugged.

"And also, it looks like we might want to take a stop on the way."

He blinked at that. Was she in a hurry or not? Man this girl was confusing him. "Um, why and where are we stopping at?"he asked.

The long pause was a little worrisome, he wondered if he had been a little too awkward. Or maybe a little too forward. He could never really tell. His social skills were spotty sometimes. He knew upbeat tended to put people at ease, eager to hear them out made them willing to know him, if they were willing to know them it was only a matter of time before they worked in your favor, all in the name of social survival. He didn't often like to manipulate people like that but one didn't get far this world without doing it a few times.

"I doubt there's a limit to the things that I want to talk about...But I figure you're pretty bored, so.."

Ah but there was a limit to what was appropriate to talk about, especially in public spaces like this one. Wouldn't do to grab unwanted attention with strange conversations. Right now they looked like two perfectly normal humans. Nobody could see the genes under their skin, the codes that made up their mutation. He was still testing the waters as well. Sure there was plenty he could ask but he didn't want to strike any more sore spots than he had already.

"What's your planned route fir getting to wherever we're going?"

"Well the school is near Inwood Hill Park. So all we have to do is head toward Broadway and follow it north and we'll get there in about two hours. Pretty simple."he said with a shrug. "And with my eye in the sky it'll be super easy." He gestured to the dark form of his construct Marry up in the sky.

He followed, paying attention to where everything was placed. He was interested in the Danger Room, wondering what kind of training facility this place could have. He also made a mental note to himself not to go near this Miss T. She might have been a nice woman but the thought of having his power suppressed frightened him. As they near the end of their quick tour, he could help but grin. "One question, how early do the offices open? 'Cause I really wanna sign up for this."

This was opportunity at it's maximum, a chance to really have a place to call home. Maybe he was still tired and hungry and it was making him think too highly of this place. But he honestly didn't care. It was miles above living in the streets.

        Alex stared down at the can of ravioli, it was his last one, the last can and after this he would have to start hunting. He had only been maybe a week out and had already run out of food. He had lost some to bugs and other pests that happened on his bag while he had been sleeping. He was just grateful that he hadn’t run into a bear or anything big like that.

        With a sigh he popped the tabbed lid of the can and used a plastic fork to eat the pasta cold. He hadn’t been able to get a fire going this time around, not with how wet everything got after the most recent bout of rain. So no hot food and no dry bedding tonight, hell no dry clothes tonight. He could feel his sock squish in his shoes; the whole affair was just uncomfortable.

        He was going to get sick at this rate. Maybe if he found a cave or something he might be able to at least dry off. But as it was, sitting on a log next to a dead fire, he didn’t know if he was going to make it like this.

        The bushes behind him rustled and he froze, fork paused just above the can. Slowly, he put the can down and reached for the hunting knife in his bag. The bush rustled again and in a flashed he found himself pounced on, knife flying out of his hand by the force of it.

        With a grunt both he and his assailant landed on the ground and he found himself staring at the snarling face of a wolf. He gasped, a whimper passing from his lips, certain he was about to be killed. Only the moment passed and the snarl slipped from the wolfs face to one of…agitation. That wasn’t very wolf like. It took him a moment to realize that what was pinning his arms down weren’t paws but hands, big, sharply clawed hands, but hands nonetheless.

        “B.D., I thought you said this guy was a hunter! It’s just a kid!” The wolf spoke, it’s head facing elsewhere, and it’s tone female. A mutant! This was a mutant, a physical one! He followed her gaze and saw another mutant. One that looked like a giant bat, huge ears and all. What the hell was going on?

        “Sorry Olive, from above every human looks the same.” the giant bat, no B.D., sigh scratching his head with the two claws that protruded from the furthest joint on the wing. “What in the world are you doing out here kid?”B.D. grumbled. Alex couldn’t speak, words caught in his throat. He hadn’t met other mutants before, let alone ones that looked like these guys.

        B.D. stepped closer, knelt down, and grinned at him, rows of sharp needle teeth revealed to him. “What’s the matter kid? Monster got your tongue?”

        Before Alex could think to reply, strong hands grabbed his clothes, lifting him up. “We don’t have time for this. Grab the kid’s stuff we need to talk to Herbert.” the woman, Olive, grumbled, easily lifting the young man like a sack of potatoes on to her shoulder.

        “Oh boy, Herby’s definitely not going to like this.”B.D. chuckled grabbing the backpack, following the wolf woman a second later.

        “Wait, where are you taking me? Who’s Herbert?”Alex asked, finally finding his voice and struggling in the woman’s grasp. “Oh you know, our camp, where you’ll meet our leader. Herb’s the biggest, nastiest mutant of ‘em all. He’ll probably eat you up for crossin’ into our territory. Just hope he leaves scraps for the rest of us.”B.D. laughed.

        “Quit scarring the kid B. I don’t want him pissing on me. He’s wrigglin’ enough as it is.”Olive grumbled. The wolf woman’s grasp was impressive, even as he struggled she held him good and tight.

        As it turned out B.D. had been messing with him. The man he met when they finally arrived at camp was rather normal looking. Herbert couldn’t have been older than twenty, handsome features and clean cut. Though the frown that marred his face as he peered down at Alex was turned to his two compatriots was anything but friendly.

        “What am I going to do with you two…”he sighed. Alex watched as he pulled a squashed carton of cigarettes from his jean pocket and lit one with a match. “You’re obviously not out here on a camping trip kid, so what’s the story?”

        Alex looked down, filled to the brim with worry. He was with mutants, he should feel safe, he should feel like he was free to explain himself. So why was he scared? They were all freaks, so why did he not want to admit he was one?

        “Well kid. We don’t have all night, spit it out.”Herb urged.

        Hands clenched into fists, eyes averted, “I ran away…”

        “Because…?”

        “I…People were…they were going to find out…”Alex started and stopped, voice wavering. He was scared of saying it. Scared to admit it. As if it would be signing his death warrant.

        Herbert breathed out smoke from his nose, pulling the cigarette from his lips. He knelt in front of Alex and placed a gentle hand on his head, under which the kid flinched. “They were going to find out you were a mutant, so you ran.” A nod. “You’re okay. You can stay with us. We’ll keep you safe, promise.”

        That night, Alex had dinner with three strangers over a fire dug into the ground. He ate deer and listened to them talk about their mutations and stories. Although Herbert was pretty mute about it, keeping everything in short sentences. Alex didn’t mind though, they were sharing food with him and Olive and B.D. were plenty entertaining.

        “My real names Benjamin Dawmer, or as folks used to call me Dollar. ‘Cause I didn’t like soundin’ like I was related to that psychopath Dahmer. You know him, Jeffery Dahmer, dude killed so many people in horrific ways. And they mutants are monsters. I tell you-“B.D. ranted before being cut off by Olive growling. The bat coughed, “Right, no horror stories at the dinner table. Anyway, that was before my mutation as you could guess. When the registration happened, I flew right out of Cali and face planted in Herb’s territory.”

        “Flying must have been a shorter trip than walking.”Alex commented.

        “It has its advantages, like avoiding the cops. Anyway, I go by B.D. now ‘cause, well, it’s just easier that way. Olive, tell the kid your story.”B.D. said quickly changing the subject and stuffing his face with cooked deer.

        “Well it’s not that interesting. I had a normal life, normal family, normal job, went to school, all of that stuff. I mean my mutation had only appeared to be a keener sense of sight, smell, and hearing. However, a couple years ago, it started to go physical. I even had a body-hair removal treatment and it just kept growing. And, as you can see, I’ve become a mighty hairy woman.”Olive shrugged.

        “Heh, you’d make the bearded lady jealous.”B.D. chuckled.

        “Haha, very funny batboy. Anyway, for a while, I ran on instinct, somehow avoiding registration, and I have no idea how I ended up here. However, Herbert caught me and that’s that. I’ve been with these two idiots since.”

        “Happenstance seems to be the phrase of the day with these stories.”Herb commented, lighting his third cigarette for the night. He looked at Alex with small look of interest. “What about you, kid? From what I’ve heard the registration thing is over. So what are you running from?”

        Alex was silent a moment, gaze fixed on the fire pit between him and the older man. “I’m from a foster home, so when I heard that we, that I, was going to be tested for mutation, in a house, in a town that…disagrees with it…I didn’t think was going to be safe…”

        “You did the smart thing, in a situation like that it’s best to clear out before they can lynch you.” Herbert spoke with confidence, from experience from the sound of it. “I feel like an idiot for doing it. It might not have been so bad if I stayed.” Alex said, feeling ashamed for his cowardice. It might have saved him a lot of trouble if he had just let them test him or just fess’d up.

        “No! Trust me Alex, you’ve got good instincts and you used them appropriately. Besides now you’ve got nothing to worry about. You stay with us, you’re good for life.” The man spoke with finality. Alex didn’t have a choice in it, he was staying.

        “Oh, Alex, what’s your mutation, before I forget?”B. D. interjected, looking more excited than he should.

        “Um, well, it’s kind of hard to explain…I guess I can make stuff into other stuff, like alive things.” It was a rather lame explanation and B.D. looked confused and disappointed.

        Herbert leaned back, taking a thoughtful inhale of the burning drug, “Why don’t you show us.”

        “I don’t know…” The kid wasn’t too sure he wanted to. He had never shown it to anybody and it wasn’t all that great yet.

        “C’mon man, do it. It can’t be that bad.” Olive smiled at him, beaming encouragement.

        “Yeah, show us, pipsqueak.” B.D. again…

        “Do it you nerd, you know you wanna.” Olive joined in.

        Then they were chanting, “Show us, show us, show us!” All of which made Alex feel very uncomfortable. His eyes landed on Herbert again and the man merely smiled, giving him a nod of approval.

        “Alright, fine, fine! Just…just give me a second…”he sighed and the two animal mutants cheered, clapping in support. With a sigh, the boy got up and looked around for material. He grabbed a few sticks and small bones left over from the deer carcass. Sitting down again, he found the eyes glued on him to be very distracting. But he’d give it a try.

        Eyes slipped closed he focused on the material in his hand, locking out the others around him. He slowed his breath, tried to imagine the shape of what he wanted, how it looked and felt. Tried to capture all the details of it, there were gaps in his knowledge here and there. Things he still didn’t fully understand but he was trying to fill them in as best he could.

        When he opened his eyes again a small group of fireflies stood in the place of the sticks and bones. He still wasn’t great with insects. These ones had malformations. Bottoms were too big, heads too small and antennas too long. At least they could fly this time around.

        “That’s amazing Alex!” He jerked his head up to stare at Olive who was giving him a look of wonder. “That is a wicked awesome mutation man. Kid’s got talent, huh, Herbert.” B.D. chuckled. The man in question nodded, “Indeed. You’ve got real potential.”

        “Potential, what are you talking about potential? Kid’s amazing as is, old man.”B.D. laughed and tossed a twig Herb’s way in a friendly manner.

        “You guys really think so? It’s not…scary…?” Alex asked, still unsure of himself, of his mutation. “Alex there’s no way your mutation is scary. It’s beautiful.”Olive pet his head and then rubbed his back, attempting to console the young mutant. Thunder cracked overhead, making the group flinch with knowing looks.

        “Alright, bed time folks. I’ll take care of the fire. Get some rest everyone.” Herbert said standing and grabbing a nearby shovel to bury the fire. Meanwhile Olive picked up Alex again, swinging him to her back. At her full standing height, she was gigantic. “Alright, pup, you’re with me. Up we go.” And with that she began climbing a tree that was close to the fire to a nest he hadn’t noticed was there.

        “Hey I’m not that little, whoa!”Alex yelped as he was dropped unceremoniously in the nest and the wolf woman followed, curling up close to him. “I’m thirteen dang it…”he murmured into her fur. “I know, but you’ll also freeze on your own, so we’re sharing warmth. Besides this is better than sleeping on the ground, right?” She reached up, pulling down a blanket of thin roots and leaves woven together. It wasn’t the most comfortable but it would keep them dry.

        “Yeah I guess so, but what about lightening?” Alex yawned, finding the nest to be surprisingly comfortable. “We’ll be fine.” She whispered back, just at the light from the fire went out. Somewhere above them B.D. had found a branch to cling to.

        “Whatever you say…” Alex murmured, slipping off to sleep, just as the rain began to patter on their makeshift blanket.