Time of Day: 11:03 AM,
Place in the Timeline: April 5

It was a rather beautiful Saturday morning, as beautiful as any morning could be when it was trapped in the man-forged hell that was the city. Peter had no love of the city, and he had no desire to pretend otherwise, but he was here none-the-less. He was searching for someone, and in the process had found a new home with others like him. The Morlocks were like family to him almost, though he admittedly was not very familiar with any of them. They took care of their own kind and he saw to it that he did the same in respect for the standard of society to which they devoted themselves. The sun glinted off the bright buildings of glass and steel onto the soft greens of the leaves and grass. Among a small patch of trees rested a young looking man who was literally covered in dirt from head to toe. A small patch of skin showing through on his face as though to keep dirt from entering his eyes, nose, and mouth, but every where else the dirt had become caked onto his skin as though it were a part of him and had been for a long time.

You couldn't really tell what he was wearing, but he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of pants made out of some animal hide. The pants were just as dirty as he was, and so their make was not that easy to distinguish. He rested with his eyes closed and his legs in front of him, watching the trees before him as they allowed the breeze to gently caress them while they drew their nutrience from the earth beneath and the sky above. He smiled as his dirt covered fingers brought a piece of cold metal to his lips which puckered and blew into the mouth harp, creating a sweet and pleasant tone. The harmonica was perhaps his favorite instrument, and the one he had been playing the longest. He played an old folk song that his father had taught him many years ago. The song was a pleasant one but was soon over as its upbeat tune ran quickly.

He shook the harmonica gently, tapping it along a root of the tree in order to get out any dirt that might have come into it through his hands and their handling of it. He smiled as he tucked it away and began to play with the dirt beneath his fingers as he rested against the trunk of the tree. It was wonderful to be amongst the earth again. He was grateful to the morlocks for taking him in but their tunnels of stone and metal were cold and unfeeling, a pure demonstration of everything that was wrong with what man had done to the beautiful creation that had been here. Yet he remained with them, enjoying the sun and the nature as he could get it. There weren't many options for a mutant as obvious as he was.

He rose and his mutation became clear as a cloud of dust and dirt picked up around him, following him as he moved. The dirt continually kicking up and resettling almost as though it were dancing purely for his pleasure. He was out of sight of any of the paths, so he didn't care very much if others saw him, the chances of him being seen were slim. The chances of him caring if someone did see him were even more slim, he would simply leave to return again later. This park seemed to be the only place he could feel like himself, the only place he could really call "home" in this city. Unfortunately he didn't get to come here as often as he would have liked.

[This takes place before Welcome Home, Rosie Grey-Summers]

Today was Rosie's court trial, and Ari, try as she might, could not stop thinking about the toddler. In the past month, Rosie had been in the Johannsons' hold, and today, the mansion residents would either get Rosie back for good, or lose her completely.

The brunette pushed those negative thoughts to the back of her mind, already having enough to be unhappy about on her plate. She'd been dumped little more than a week before, and her heart was still heavy over the loss of her winged lover. Add to that all of the new changes going on at the mansion, and it wasn't hard to see why Ari had gone off to stay at X-Factor for a while.

Change of location had helped a bit, but when things sucked, they sucked everywhere.

It was Rosie's birthday today, coincidentally, and Ari had been informed that they would be throwing a party at the mansion if her case was won. Now, Ari was feeling extremely pessimistic lately, but she had nothing but hope and faith that Rosie would return home. The Johannsons were monsters, simply put, and the new judge would have to see that.

Or at least that was what Ari had continuously been mentally repeating to herself.

She and Kate were in the city, searching for presents for the toddler's big day. God willing, they would actually be able to give them to her.

Tugging aside her red-hued bangs, the Latina looked towards Kate, "If we cut through the park, we can head to the huge Toys 'R Us--" Parking in the city on a weekend was nearly impossible, but after circling for ages, Ari had found a spot in reasonable distance. From here on though, they'd have to rely on their legs.

Reaching down to adjust her jean skirt, she said lightly, "We've got to find that baby something awesome." Though she was inwardly not happy in the least, she was not about to dwell on those feelings in front of Kate. She hadn't seen the redhead in days, and this time would give them a chance to catch up.

Licking her lips, she nudged Kate's side, "Come on--if we go this way, we can avoid that damn Sentinel." In the distance, just peeking out over the trees, loomed the mechanical monster. It caused Ari a great feeling of discomfort and anxiety, feeling as though it was watching and waiting to hunt them down. It didn't move at all...but if you stared long enough, it felt as though it was about to.

She began walking through the park, avoiding the main path. For a few moments, if you could put the Sentinel out of your mind, the day was truly a beautiful one. The weather was pleasant, the birds were singing... it was a lovely spring day, and the greenness of the park seemed amplified. Harsh and looming, the Sentinel seemed a harsh contrast to the vibe of Central park.

Suddenly, the sound of music hit Ari's ears and she looked questioningly toward Kate. "Wonder where that's coming from...It sounds nice--" she said. Without really realizing it, her feet began to move in the direction of the harmonica's music.

When it faded away, Ari twisted her lips, "Damn, it's over..." There was someone nearby though... a long-haired guy from the looks of it. He seemed to be all one color from far away and she was unable to make out much more description. She thought twice of using her mutant eyesight while the Sentinel was so close, but she had no doubts that they were all in it's database. Without another moment's hesitation, Ari's dark brown eyes lightened to a hazel as she seemed to zoom in on the musician.

Brows furrowed, Ari wondered if she was seeing things correctly, questioning what was covering him so completely. Was it dried mud? Having lived at the mansion since she was fourteen, the sight of strange things hardly took her by surprise anymore though, and she didn't gawk.

She and Kate neared, and Ari watched as the man rose and began to walk, a cloud swirling around him. Literally, he looked like a long-haired Pigpen come to life. Ari couldn't help it...she grinned. In NYC, one could literally see anything.

Such was the day. Peter found himself not really wanting to do anything, but at the same time not wishing to remain in the same state that he was in. He wanted to go and do something, but could think of nothing that he actually wanted to do, and so he resigned himself to doing what he usually did when he wished to allow time to pass unaltered by his own actions. He reached down into the dirt and pulled up a flute which he had hidden beneath the dirt a little while ago. He rested against the tree once more and began to play when his gaze caught two figures standing off in the distance looking at him.

He did not pay them much heed, for they were a good enough distance away that they did not seem to pose any threat of harm to him. Rather they seemed merely intrigued by who or what he was, no doubt he had drawn their attention by his music and now he was about to do so again. He brought the flute to his lips and began to play a slow and low tune that Druid had taught to him all that long time ago. He seemed to close his eyes in order to remember the scene in which he had first learned it. It had been green, truly green, truly open land. In traveling from the forest to the desert they had come to realize that dusk was approaching. After procuring shelter for the night the two began to talk, and then silence had crept over them and their camp. Peter had begun playing the harmonica, and Druid pulled out the flute, which he then taught to Peter in seeing his interest in it. This was the first song he learned on it, and it was still one of his favorites. It was a love ballad that had no real ending, for the fate of the lovers was not discovered, and was decided upon by the listener themselves.

The tune carried a little in the green patch of the city, but did not seem to disturb anything. Rather it seemed to go unnoticed by the great machines which kept watch, the great Sentinels, the great skyscrapers, the humans that wandered about unrelenting as they crushed nature beneath their heels. The two women however seemed to be of a slightly different nature, they seemed simply to be inquisitive. Whether it was that they were humans or mutants he did not know. Whether they were looking at him out of pity or out of curiosity or fetish for things abnormal he could not tell. He did not care regarding them to be absolutely honest. Instead he seemed to focus on the song. Ending it after the fourth verse he set the red wood flute down and stood up once more, the cloud of dirt coming with him as it had before.

”Like the music?” He asked with a slight smile as the corner of his eye caught the glint of light reflected off the sentinel which stood at the edge of the park. It was his dream that one day all of those ridiculous beasts would be destroyed and the world would finally be rid of them. He wished others were like him in wanting to return to the state of nature, the way things were designed to be, the way they were supposed to be before man ruined it. He shook his head at the thought, a bit of dirt falling out of his hair and into the cloud where it was caught and made part of the growing cloud.

He moved closer to the girls so that he didn’t have to speak so loudly. They seemed normal enough, normal in relation to the majority of course, not to Peter himself. He had to smile a little bit at the thought. Perhaps if he were to approach them they would flee, perhaps not. Either way he did not care. He did not leave the protection of the trees however, he did not wish to cause a scene which would draw the wrong kind of attention. Beneath his bare feet was the dirt, and beneath that a hollowed out home that he had made to store some things and to allow him some peace from the Morlock tunnels. He loved his ability to dig, to compress the dirt and to reshape it, it made such excavations very painless. He knew that should he need it he had a quick escape, so he wasn’t afraid to venture towards a conversation with those who had begun to stare at him.

”Can I help you?” He asked.

Kate was worried for Ari. It had been a rough few weeks for everyone, granted, but it seemed that Ari had somehow drawn the short end of the stick. Between the breakup and the court case involving Rosie, Kate could see Ari slowly sinking under the weight of the world. She didn't have to be an empath to see that.

So when Ari had invited her along, Kate had readily agreed. At the moment she wasn't so happy or content herself, and the trip would give her a good way to relax. At least, relax a little. Ari was someone who was cool to hang around, and unlike Kate's real family, Ari actually understood what it was like to be a mutant.

As they walked, Kate relished the fresh air -- well, as fresh as you could get, in New York City -- but her mind was occpuied. It seemed that there was no escaping the knowledge that mutants weren't wanted, because just over the treeline shone the newest sentinel. Kate forced back a shudder and walked just a little closer to Ari, glad that her powers weren't so obtrusive.

Still. Could the sentinel sense them even without them using their powers? Kate opened her mouth to ask Ari, but the sound of music cut it off. Who was playing that? Curious now, Kate craned her head around as Ari did, and had to grin as well. Well that was just plain cool.

When they were near enough to speak, Kate nodded, watching the older boy take out a flute. "It's beautiful." She nodded, feeling the emotions around her settle down. Thankfully she'd been loaned an image inducer, so her skin was as it was normally -- that is, without her powers: pale and freckled. Music really could cure anything, Kate decided.

Ari realized in the recesses of her mind that staring at a complete stranger was rather rude, but his music had her entranced, taken by the lovely sounds of the guy's flute. She could sing pretty well, in the comfort of her car or shower, but she couldn't play any instruments at all. Therefore, she had the utmost respect and admiration for someone that could play an instrument well.

For a few moments, the young woman was able to lose herself in the guy's song, feeling several emotions rise within her in reaction. Music was so powerful, lyrics or not, and when he ended the song, she was quiet for a moment, letting it all register.

Suddenly the dirt-covered musician spoke, and she realized she'd just been standing there like an idiot. Hearing Kate's words from beside her, Ari broke from her thoughts, letting out a low laugh and feeling slightly foolish. The brunette's hands clapped together in a short round of applause, "Oh, yeah... That was awesome!" She knew that someone with his kind of skill could probably play elsewhere, but she couldn't think of any places in society that would employ him, purely based on his appearance. Thoughts like that always served to make her feel frustration, wishing that people could see that not all mutants were like the Brotherhood.

Casting aside those thoughts, Ari watched the dirt from his hair land in the whirling cloud around his feet, and she moved slightly closer to him. She knew to keep a healthy distance, both for she and Kate's safety, and in order to not make the guy think they were a threat. Not that anyone really would...after all, they were just young girls walking around in the park. Hardly gang members. That didn't mean that Ari couldn't take care of herself, and Kate, if need be though. After their Danger Room practices, Ari had begun to see Kate's skills develop. Soon the preteen would be kicking butt and taking names too.

”Can I help you?” He asked.

"Nah, we're okay. Sorry. Didn't mean to stare like that... It was so lovely though," she said, giving an apologetic smile. "Where'd you learn how to play like that?" she asked easily, tugging aside her red-hued bangs.

She'd seen hobos around the city before who were pretty dirty, but this guy was something else altogether. And never had any of those guys had a swirling dust cloud around them. She was definitely intrigued, to say the least.

Her brown eyes moved towards the dust cloud, and she was unable to keep herself from asking, "You're a mutant, right? What are your powers?" It was a question she often asked the new people at the mansion, never finding it to be a rude one, though she was sure others did. In Ari's opinion though, when you were blessed with abilities, you should own them and be proud of what you could do.

Looking towards the young man's face, who she could see might be pretty handsome underneath the caked on layers, she said, "I'm a mutant too. I've never see powers like yours though..."

So it had been his music that had drawn them to him, that was understandable, he'd have to make a note to be a little more careful where he played it. He didn't like to play it in the Morlock tunnels, even though most of them were appreciative, the echo was bad and the Morlocks did not want someone led to their lair by his music. He held the flute in his dirt ridden hand still and the harmonica was in the other, the silver metal glinting as the light hit it. The two girls continued staring at him for a while longer.

He found hismelf intrigued, at least to some degree, by the women. Most mothers would hide their daughters from a mutant, this one seemed more comfortable. Perhaps they felt safe with the sentinel so close, they felt as though they were free to watch him as though he were in a cage at the zoo. He found himself resenting their staring before to long, but said nothing regarding it, rather he simply pressed both instruments into the dirt on his back and some of the dirt from the cloud came up and covered them, forming a make-shift sack of dirt on his back to carry his instruments.

The two girls were different in age but he couldn't decide if the older was the mother or the sister, not that it really mattered. The other one was younger, preteen at the most, and didn't seem to have much concern or fear in her eyes. Perhaps that was what intrigued him. Either she hadn't been raised to hate mutants, or she was simply more curious than afraid. Whichever it was his own curiousity seemed to be rising regarding these two, and it seemed the only way he'd be able to discover anything about them was through conversation.

"Nah, we're okay. Sorry. Didn't mean to stare like that... It was so lovely though, where'd you learn how to play like that?"

So it had been the music that had gathered their attention and kept them transfixed. It seemed even humans who wished to gawk at mutants still had to appreciate beautiful melodic sounds. He pondered whether or not to tell them where he learned to play, and then decided that there was no harm in it, but he would not mention that Druid was a mutant. "My father taught me the harmonica when I was younger than her." He said gesturing to Kate. "A Native-American friend taught me the flute." He answered. "Both of them were out west." He added, answering the "where" question.

"You're a mutant, right? What are your powers?"

His words were out of his mouth before he could really even decide whether or not to answer, "I'm either a mutant with some kind of dirt-based ability, or I'm a comic strip character come to life, or I'm just a very dirty dirt enthusiast." He said with as a slight smile crept over his lips without his meaning it to. It seemed he was letting his guard down even though he didn't really decide to. He felt the question was invasive, and annoying, especially coming from a human. He felt even more like he was some animal being gawked at in a zoo. Rather than explain his powers he reached his hand out over the dust cloud and a clump of dirt from the ground rose and entered into his hand. It mashed itself up and then became added to his dust cloud.

"I'm a mutant too. I've never see powers like yours though..."

Oh, she was a mutant, perhaps the younger girl was too, that would explain why they had not been scared or frigthened of him. Or perhaps the younger was too young to be a mutant, and she was simply a human born to her mutant mother. He didn't know, and he didn't feel it very polite to ask. "My abilities are somewhat... unique. There are those of us though that can't appear normal, despite our attempts." He said with a small smile. "What are your abilities then? Is your daughter a mutant as well?" He asked.

Kate couldn't help but stare at the dirt that was revolving around the older guy's form. Even when she realized that she was staring open-mouthed, the girl closed her mouth sheepishly but found that her eyes were still glued to the sight. How awesome would it be to be so secure in your powers that you could show them off in public

Fingering her image inducer bracelet sadly, Kate turned her attention back to what was being said. Ari was apologizing for staring and asking of his powers, and Kate nodded quickly in agreement. "Sorry." She repeated, feeling a brush creep up her cheeks. "We don't see lots of other mutants around in public, not sense..."

She let her sentence trail off, and instead finished with a meaningful look at the sentinel still looming in the distance. The robot had become a symbol of all the suffering that mutants had begun to endure.

Kate choked at Peter's next words, shooting Ari an impish look. Ari, her mother? She stifled a giggle. "Nope, Ari's my...well...sister. Classmate, really, but we're family even if we're not blood." The girl shrugged, nudging the older girl playfully in her side. Peter's comment about being unable to appear normal made Kate lower her head.

With a quick look around to make sure that no one was looking, Kate undid the latch on her image inducer bracelet, sliding it off -- it had been cleverly disguised as a normal Medical Identification bracelet, so no one would grab it off by mistake. The image flickered and died, leaving Kate's real appearance known. Her skin was swirling in a calm blue shade, reflecting her cool mood at the moment, and after a moment to let Peter see, Kate fastened the bracelet back around her wrist and activated it again.

"Can't exactly go to the mall like that." She tried to joke, but her eyes were solemn. Clearing her throat, Kate wanted to know, "Are you alone in the city? Or are there others with you?"

Ari gave a nod, intrigued by the stranger's words of who had taught him to play. Out West...so he wasn't a native of the city. Idly, Ari wondered what might have brought him to New York. "That's awesome. I can't play anything," she said, giving a small shrug, a slight smile curving the corner of her lips.

"I'm either a mutant with some kind of dirt-based ability, or I'm a comic strip character come to life, or I'm just a very dirty dirt enthusiast." He said with as a slight smile crept over his lips without his meaning it to.

The young woman let out an easy laugh at the stranger's words, finding that he must have been likened to Pigpen pretty often. It had been the first thing to pop into her mind, after all. She realized it was a pretty obvious question, but she didn't want to assume and then feel stupid about it. Sort of like assuming someone was pregnant when they'd just put on a little weight. It was better to make sure first.

At least the guy seemed to have a sense of humor about it, something that Ari knew a lot of mutants with physical mutations had to have in order to get by from day to day. Hank had it, so did Avery...but that didn't mean it was easy for them. She didn't know Hank on such a personal level, not like she knew Avery or Kate or Warren. But she was sure they shared similar views on the issue. Ari knew she'd never truly understand, but she could empathize from what she saw.

She watched him display his abilities, and she wondered what it must feel like to be covered in dirt all the time. Perhaps for him he felt most comfortable that way? She also wondered if he had enough control to keep it off himself if he wished. She didn't ask though, feeling as though she'd been nosy enough as it was. Ari gave a solemn nod at his words. The brunette knew she was lucky that she had no physical mutation. Scars on the palms of her hands, and the lightening of her eyes when she used that secondary ability, but nothing else to show that she was a mutant. She had it easy compared to people like this tall guy in front of them, or the mutant people she considered friends and family.

"We don't see lots of other mutants around in public, not since..." [Kate said.]

Giving a silent nod at Kate's words, Ari said, "Yeah, seems like people are keeping a low profile these days." She was quiet for a moments, her gaze turning towards the metal monster in the distance, until the boy asked about Kate being her kid. Ari's neck whipped around so fast she almost heard it crack, "My daughter?!" Her jaw practically dropped, her dark, black-lined eyes widening. He had to have been joking, especially when he looked to be around her age. Maybe with Rosie, who would be four today, she might have understood, but not Kate. "I'm not even nineteen yet..." she said, frowning as Kate nudged her side playfully. Was she starting to look old? Had her recent stresses aged her that much? Ari was dumbfounded for a moment and she diverted her gaze, tugging aside her red-hued bangs awkwardly.

Truthfully, she probably would have made her exit then if it had not been for Kate beside her, taking off her bracelet and showing her true face. Slipping a hand into her short jean skirt's pocket, Ari slipped her other around Kate's shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze. Their last escapade at the mall was still fresh on her mind no doubt; what should have been a fun outing turned into an outward display of mutant racism. The thought still made her feel bothered inwardly.

Oh, she should probably answer his question. "I make glass. And my eyes can sort of zoom in and out of stuff..." she explained. Looking towards the dirt-clad mutant, she tried to think of what to make, disliking repeating objects she'd made in the past. She remembered his harmonica from earlier and quickly decided.

Slipping her hand out of her pocket, she held one palm up, the other over it as glass streamed from her hand in a pretty greenish-blue hue. In moments, she'd made a small, sturdy, rectangular box, one side open where you could slip in the instrument that had inspired it. Picking it up gingerly, Ari cast a discerning eye over it. It wasn't as creative as most of her artwork, but her muse was elsewhere at the moment. Extending it uncertainly towards the man if he so desired to take it, Ari gave a quick shrug of her shoulders, "Um...for your harmonica?"

Peter had to smile, at least a little bit, at the two of them. They seemed as though they were willing to laugh about the most despicable truths that existed in this world. Laughter was often found necessary in order to survive the duress without any emotional scarring. If Peter got upset every time someone likened him to Pigpen he would have destroyed half the world by now, but instead he found it best to rise to the role and play the part. After all, even he had to admit that he looked the part with his mutation.

Kate: "We don't see lots of other mutants around in public, not since..."

Ari: "Yeah, seems like people are keeping a low profile these days."

He watched them as their gaze turned towards the giant metal monstrousity that loomed as a watchman over this patch of nature. Of course it stood as a reminder of the hatred presented against his own kind, and it did not watch for fear or for the safety of humans. No, humans looked to it as a beacon of hope, hope that the ludicrous hatred which they held in their hearts would remain unthreatened by the likes of Peter and his kind. His fist clenched a little as he too turned to look at the monster with a bit of hatred in his heart. The dirt suddenly swirling closer to him, tighter as he clenched his hand. The layer of earth was so thickly upon him he wondered if the sentinel could even distinguish him from the dirt beneath its feet. He didn't want to risk it either way, hence why he travelled underground.

Ari: "My daughter?!" "I'm not even nineteen yet..."

Kate: "Nope, Ari's my...well...sister. Classmate, really, but we're family even if we're not blood."

He had to stifle a small smile at the offended reaction that the older one, Ari, took. He realized when the younger one mentioned her name that they had not been properly introduced. "I'm sorry for mistaking a resemblance." He said with a small smile. "It wasn't my intent to offend you, in fact that would be rather counter-productive to my intentions." He said with a small smile. As sad as it was he felt himself being nearly flirtatious and straightened his face almost at once as he realized it. He didn't mean to be, or even want to be, but he felt he needed to apologize for offending Ari. "Classmates huh? You both go to the same school? Highschool?" He asked.

As the younger one gave her demonstration of her abilities a small smile crept onto his face. It seemed they were not totally unaware of the dangers of being a less physically attractive mutant. His eyes met the swirling shade of cold blue upon her skin with interest and with relief for her willingness to be honest with him. He felt as though if he were to try and cover himself up, hide what he was, that it would be dishonest, and a greater injustice to himself than to anyone else. Still, what other mutants felt they needed to do was not up for him to judge, but he was grateful that she demonstrated a level of comfort with him enough to show him her true form if only for a moment.

Kate: "Can't exactly go to the mall like that."

He smiled only ever so slightly at her joke, and then sighed as he cast a glance back to the sentinel which loomed over them. "And isn't that a shame?" He asked with a smile. He didn't have much love for malls, for shops, for all those manufactured products that had no real craftsman or owner. It seemed the majority of the world tended to overlook the source of their property, the craftsmen, the slaves. He didn't mention it, but he had his feelings regarding the mall which came to the surface of his mind as she mentioned it.

Ari: "Are you alone in the city? Or are there others with you?"

He shrugged a little and looked down towards her with a gentile look in his eye. "A little of both to be honest. There are other mutants that are like me, we live under the ground, away from this... society that sees fit to hate us and persecute us. We go on in our own society beneath their eyes watching out for our own. But to be honest, I don't know that many people in the city, I just moved out here and can't seem to find the family of mine that I was first looking for. So, I guess you could say I'm alone." He said with a small smile. "Not to worry though, I've been on my own for years. Nature provides for her own."

Ari: "I make glass. And my eyes can sort of zoom in and out of stuff..."

Ari began to give her demonstration and Peter watched with interest as the piece of glass was formed and she offered it to him.

Ari: "Um...for your harmonica?"

His dirt covered fingers reached out to take the piece as his other hand brought up the harmonica as he slipped it into the glass. Dirt was now all over the glass and everything grinding between it and the harmonica. Peter smirked as he moved his finger towards the device and literally pulled the dirt out as it flowed out and drained going from the device to his finger, leaving it sparkling clean without a speck of dirt as it rested in his dirt covered hand. "Always good to have a cover." He said with a smile. "Thank you, I don't receive many gifts." He said as he flashed a full smile this time as he placed the covered harmonica back in the "dirt sack" that was on his back. "So... what are you two doing in the park?" He asked with curiousity.

All this time, Kate had been watching the dirt cloud, wondering idly just how thick the dirt was. She was sorely tempted to poke a finger in, just to see, but her manners prevailed for once. Upon realizing this, Kate gasped just a little, reminded that she hadn't even introduced herself yet.

"I'm Kate." She said abruptly, blushing. Her mama would have been shocked at the disregard she'd shown for manners. "Well...Katherine Morrison, but everyone calls me Kate...or Katie-Bug." Kate made a face at the nickname, though the face was clearly playful. Realizing that she was rambling just a little, the girl cleared her thoat.

"Classmates huh? You both go to the same school? Highschool?"

Kate gave a little shrug; it wasn't as though she didn't know, it was that she didn't exactly know how to describe it. "Well...kinda. Everyone goes to the same school, all the babies with the big kids, but in different rooms and all...." She shrugged again. "We learn how to use our powers, plus the regular stuff."

She glanced up to Ari, unsure if she ought to reveal the name of the school or not. After all, times were rough for mutants as they all knew, and if the name of the school wasn't already leaked, it would probably be soon.

Kate felt the dislike for malls and shops in the older boy's mind, and she shook her head softly. "I don't like them much either." She said, quite truthful; there was no love there after the catastrophe earlier that month.

At the mention of being with mutants in the sewers, Kate brightened immensely. "You're with the Morlocks!" She piped gleefully, remembering when they had taken care of her once only a few months back. "Do you know Artie and Callisto?" Truth be told, she missed those two, and wished that she could see them again.

Letting Ari handle the next question, Kate glanced around again, but it wasn't the sentinel that she was looking at this time. A woman in a bright pink jogging suit was passing by, eying Peter with a look that was obviously hateful. Stupid idiots...

"I'm sorry for mistaking a resemblance." He said with a small smile. "It wasn't my intent to offend you, in fact that would be rather counter-productive to my intentions."

Ari's dark eyebrows rose faintly, a small laugh escaping her lips despite herself. Yes, she was still vaguely insulted that the mutant had taken her for a twelve-year-old's mother, but a little charm and humor went a long way with her. Especially now when her spirits and confidence were so incredibly low. She thought she caught a hint of flirtation in his words, but the little smile he'd given was gone in an instant and she wondered if she'd imagined the undertone. "It's alright. You're forgiven. Though for future reference, most girls don't take kindly to being called moms when they're not," she said, her lips curving into a smirk, her tone tinged with a humor.

Kate remembered to introduce herself, and Ari mentally chastised herself for not having gotten to it sooner. She was usually pretty good about doing that. Grinning towards Kate when she pulled a face at her nickname, "Don't be bashful, Katie-bug." Okay, so Ari didn't really call her that, but she couldn't resist teasing the younger girl.

Without a thought, Ari extended her hand towards the mutant, "I'm Ari--" She realized after her hand was hanging in space that it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do with a dirt-covered mutant. But oh well, it'd be rude to pull back now.

She nodded along with Kate's explanation of the Institute, "Yeah, it's an Institute for gifted youngsters. But they offer education and training for all ages. For people like us." She didn't say the name, or the location, but she added conversationally, "I'm graduated though. I'm just living there until I get the ball rolling with my career. I'm an artist..."

Kate felt the dislike for malls and shops in the older boy's mind, and she shook her head softly. "I don't like them much either."

Ari quirked a questioning eyebrow at Kate's words, unaware that she could feel the boy's disdain for malls. She gathered that they were probably still on that topic of conversation though, and she said, "We had a not great experience in a mall not that long ago."

"--But to be honest, I don't know that many people in the city, I just moved out here and can't seem to find the family of mine that I was first looking for. So, I guess you could say I'm alone." He said with a small smile. "Not to worry though, I've been on my own for years. Nature provides for her own."

The Latina's heart went out to him as he mentioned being alone, even if he seemed to be alright with it. Ari missed her human parents often, but she still had her mutant family and friends at both the mansion and x-factor. She wasn't alone by a long shot. "You have family out here?" she asked, shifting her weight.

He mentioned living underground, and like Kate, she pieced it together pretty quickly. "You're with the Morlocks? I worked with your leader a few months back to free some of our people. Well, on a team, that is," she said with a nod.

The woman had a very commanding present, a fierceness about her that intrigued Ari and made her want to keep her distance at the same time. They'd gotten everyone back though, with everyone's combined efforts. That's what really mattered. The idea of mutant auctions still made her feel sick though. It was really just disgusting.

She remembered Kate telling her about an impromptu meeting with the leader and Artie as well before that. Looking at the dark-haired boy in front of her, Ari thought how small the world really was.

"Thank you, I don't receive many gifts." He said as he flashed a full smile this time as he placed the covered harmonica back in the "dirt sack" that was on his back. "So... what are you two doing in the park?" He asked with curiosity.

Ari watched as the man encased his harmonica, which luckily did fit into the box she'd made. It was interesting to watch him suck out the dirt with his finger, like a vacuum cleaner of sorts.

The young woman gave a humble shrug, "Oh, you're welcome. It's nothing really..." She mirrored his grin though as he thanked her. It was odd to see pearly teeth peeking out through all of the dirt.

He questioned their whereabouts and Ari said, "We were just going to head to the big Toys R' Us across the way." She gestured back towards where they'd come from with her thumb, giving a good-natured roll of her eyes, "I had to park my car in Timbuktu--"

She caught Kate's look towards the jogger, and saw the woman's obvious look of disdain towards them. The brunette turned her attention away, sighing slightly. It was getting to be ridiculous lately. You couldn't even stand in the middle of a public park anymore without people ogling you. She knew that it was because of the Morlock's appearance and not really because of she and Kate's, but it didn't make much of a difference. It was still upsetting and aggravating.

"People are awesome," she said dryly, her face contorting comically as she looked towards Petros, her lips quirking up. It was in her nature to joke when things got awkward, and this could probably qualify as an uncomfortable moment.

"I'm Kate. Well...Katherine Morrison, but everyone calls me Kate...or Katie-Bug."

"Don't be bashful, Katie-bug." Without a thought, Ari extended her hand towards the mutant, "I'm Ari--"

He smiled ever so slightly as he looked at her hand, realizing that either she really didn't care about getting dirty, or she was trying to prove that she didn't look down on him for his mutation. Either way her effort made him smile, he shook the hand with his own, she could feel the dirt between her fingers and on her palm, but as soon as it crumbled off his hand it traveled back again, leaving her hand cleaner than it had been before. "My names Peter, most of my friends simply call me Petros, most everyone else just calls me Pigpen. For obvious reasons." He said with a small smile as he gestured to the floating dust cloud around him that was beginning to settle down now that he was standing still.

Kate: "Well...kinda. Everyone goes to the same school, all the babies with the big kids, but in different rooms and all...." She shrugged again. "We learn how to use our powers, plus the regular stuff."

Ari: "Yeah, it's an Institute for gifted youngsters. But they offer education and training for all ages. For people like us." She didn't say the name, or the location, but she added conversationally, "I'm graduated though. I'm just living there until I get the ball rolling with my career. I'm an artist..."

So there was a school nearby that was just for mutants, that in and of itself made him even more curious as to the nature, beliefs, and developments of these two girls before him. Though of course he didn't want to seem too over eager. He did not want to attend school regardless of what kind of haven it was, he had his education and could think for himself that was good enough. He liked to learn at his own pace by reading the books themselves, not some boring text book and listening to some boring teacher. He'd had enough lectures in his life time. He didn't like them any more now than he did then. "Interesting." Was all he said regarding the school.

Kate felt the dislike for malls and shops in the older boy's mind, and she shook her head softly. "I don't like them much either."

Ari quirked a questioning eyebrow at Kate's words, unaware that she could feel the boy's disdain for malls. She gathered that they were probably still on that topic of conversation though, and she said, "We had a not great experience in a mall not that long ago."

"I see.." He didn't want to press too hard on them so as to recall to their minds an upsetting event, but he was curious to see if his hypothesis was right. So he attempted to test his theory while trying not to upset the younger girl. "I'm guessing something happened which made people see you for what you really are." He said with a slight smile. "Don't worry Katie-bug, I think you're beautiful the way you were made. You shouldn't have to hide it from the stupid people that can't appreciate beauty." He said with a small smile in an attempt to offer some sort of condolance.

Ari: "You have family out here?"

He nodded a little bit with a half hearted smile as he looked her in the eye. "Yeah, my mother's family lives out here. I haven't seen them since I was a little kid, but... I was hoping that they'd be a little more welcoming than my immediate family on account of their not..." He trailed off. Despite his utter disagreement with his family and their hatred for him and what he was, their banishment, their fear, their persecution... they were still his family, his parents. He couldn't bring himself to say anything too terrible about them despite his true inner feelings. He wondered why for a moment as he analyzed his reaction and then proceeded with his pervious thought. "Well let's just say my family is not receptive to their offspring." He said with a slight smile trying to make the rather heavy remark seem lighter.

Kate: "You're with the Morlocks! Do you know Artie and Callisto?"

Ari: "You're with the Morlocks? I worked with your leader a few months back to free some of our people. Well, on a team, that is," she said with a nod.

The girl seemed rather enthusiastic upon piecing together who he lived with and where he lived. Truth be told he had less love for the sewer system than he did for the city above it, but he was very appreciative of the Morlocks and rather preferred their society to that which dwelt above them. He smiled a bit as he seemed to have made the younger one, Kate, very happy. "I am with the Morlocks, yes, I just come here every once in a while to escape the concrete and metal of the tunnels. I prefer the outdoors with the green grass, trees, and the dirt beneath my feet. I know of Callisto at least by name though I've only met her briefly. I am glad you both have a pleasant history with them, from my understanding the Morlocks can have some rather difficult misunderstandings with the surface dwellers."

Ari: "Oh, you're welcome. It's nothing really..." She mirrored his grin though as he thanked her. "We were just going to head to the big Toys R' Us across the way." She gestured back towards where they'd come from with her thumb, giving a good-natured roll of her eyes, "I had to park my car in Timbuktu--"

He nodded, they seemed to have been raised in the common lifestyle. Most people didn't think about things they way he did. He hated commercial stores, corporations, businesses, marketing, industralism in general, he viewed it as a corruption. To him, Toys'R'us was just another store that epitemized the corrupt nature of this country and its people. A people completely focused on entertainment, practically amusing themselves to death. He didn't comment on it though, he simply let the feelings stir within him and then quieted them, supressing them with a blink and a breath before speaking. "Well I shouldn't stand in your way, but it was very nice to meet you both." He said with a slight smile.

Then his eyes noticed the jogger. Not because he had been looking or ultra-alert, but simply because Katie's and Ari's heads had both turned away from him while he spoke to glance at the woman who was staring at Petros. He smiled to her and she continued staring, he still wasn't used to it, and it annoyed him to consider the fact that one day he might be. He simply rolled his eyes and looked back to Ari. Ironically it probably wasn't even just him, the fact that he was covered in dirt with a dust cloud surrounding him from the waist down. It was probably the fact that he was like that and two normal-looking people were standing in front of him holding a conversation. Both of which were female, both of which were younger, though Ari was around his age. Which upon finding out he remained silent regarding and simply mentally warned himself to keep his flirtation on hold and in check. He did not really wish to flirt, but he knew some of his comments and actions, looks, etc. could easily be taken as such.

Ari: "People are awesome," she said dryly, her face contorting comically as she looked towards Petros, her lips quirking up.

Peter laughed only a little bit when his eyes met with Ari's once again, her face contorting. He wasn't sure if she was suggestion something about his appearance, or about the inner being of the female jogger, but he chose it to resemble the latter. It was probably a good image, a sufficient representation of that woman's inner nature. Twisted, contorted, out of step with normal society and yet acting as though it were perfectly normal with a smile on her face. He didn't mention the artistic nature of her actions, he simply smiled as though he were accepting her attempt to make light of the situation.

"Such is man, as the man in black said: 'If you waste your time talkin to the people who don't listen to the things that you are sayin', who do you think is gonna hear?" He asked with a slight twinkle in his eye. The song had originally been written as a tribute to Johnny Cash, but Cash had latter done a rendition of it which Peter's father taught him to play on the guitar. He had a good baritone voice himself, and knew a lot of different songs on the flute, guitar, and harmonica. The only thing was he didn't have a guitar for himself. The words still rang true for this instance though. "You've just gotta focus on the ones who do listen, who can change, and you've gotta try and change it, not just complain." He said with a small smile. "Though... I don't think there's anything we can do for that one... she looks pretty hopeless." He laughed.

"Don't be bashful, Katie-bug."

Kate couldn't help but stick her tongue out at Ari, still just as playful as always. She loved being able to joke around with the girl she considered her sister, especially in these times of misery. "Okay, Mom." She teased right back, not intending to insult either of them.

"My names Peter, most of my friends simply call me Petros, most everyone else just calls me Pigpen. For obvious reasons."

The girl tilted her head thoughtfully, looking at Peter. "Pigpen was always a cool character." She finally said, remembering the little boy from Snoopy. "He never gave into what other people thought about him, sorta like you." Kate grinned, this time as bashfully as Ari had teased her. "Dirty and proud. It's great."

Listening to the discussion of the school, Kate realized that she had started thinking of it as her normal school. Imagine, considering a school housing mutant teenagers to be normal...until a little while ago, the girl couldn't have imagined it, but now she couldn't imagine going back to her old life.

"Ari's helping me learn how to fight." Kate said proudly, flexing her hands into fists. "And so are the teachers. Everyone's sort of afraid..." Again, she glanced to the great shining machine in the near distance, but forced herself to look away. No use dwelling on it.

"Don't worry Katie-bug, I think you're beautiful the way you were made. You shouldn't have to hide it from the stupid people that can't appreciate beauty."

This time Kate blushed deeply, and had her image inducer bracelet been off her skin would have been bright magenta. Nevertheless, she went a normal shade of red, and murmured her thanks. It meant more to hear that than he could have ever imagined.

"Well let's just say my family is not receptive to their offspring."

Kate had to wince on his behalf. In the respect of family, she had been extraordinarily lucky. While her extended family still did not know that she was a mutant, and was instead still under the impression that she was on a full scholarship to a boarding school, her parents and younger brother had been accepting, if a little worried on her behalf.

"Sorry." Kate murmured, digging a toe into the dirt. "I dunno what I would've done if my parents didn't want me." She winced at her own words, finding them to be too harsh. "I mean...well...if they didn't like my powers." Giving up, and deciding that she would sound moronic no matter what, Kate focused on her sneaker, digging it over several blades of grass.

She couldn't help but grin, though, at the mention of the Morlocks. "They were really nice to me a little while ago." She told Petros, touching her forehead where a small scar still remained from her bike accident. "Fixed me up, even invited me to stay. I couldn't, but it was nice." And if Petros was a Morlock now, or close to it, then he was automatically her friend.

"Well I shouldn't stand in your way, but it was very nice to meet you both."

Kate grinned at him. "Tell Artie 'n' Callisto I said hi." She requested, shifting from foot to foot. She'd promised Artie a trip to the park sometime or another, though at the rate this was going mutants wouldn't be safe in the park for long. In any case, she could feel the line of eyesight of the jogger digging into her back, and the feeling made her uncomfortable.

"People are awesome,"

The girl nodded in silent agreement, resisting the urge to crane her head around and glare at the jogger. Instead, Kate lowered her face, not ashamed, but not exactly up to having to deal with that sort of person at the moment. She heard Petros's comment and smiled, though the idea that the woman hated them simply because of genetics was one that made her miserable.

Strange how, though Kate knew there were mutant-haters out there, it still hurt each time someone made a rude comment, or an ignorant gesture. She tried to laugh it off, but it was a small laugh, and she slipped her hand into Ari's when she thought no one was looking.

"Lets go..." Kate murmured, glancing up at Ari pleadingly. In a sudden gesture, she stepped forward and hugged Petros, both for the fact that it would irritate the jogger, and...well, Petros deserved a hug. Besides, Kate knew from seeing Ari's hand that the dirt wouldn't stick. She didn't mind in any case. "Nice meeting you." She grinned, pulling away quickly.

"Okay, Mom." She teased right back, not intending to insult either of them.

Ari grimaced comically, her eyebrow quirking at Kate, "Ugh, I'm never going to live that one down now, am I?" She looked towards the guy, her voice tinged with good-natured sarcasm, "Thanks a lot." She was mostly joking, though she would make sure to moisturize her face really well tonight.

He introduced himself and shook her hand, and Ari couldn't resist the small smile on her lips. She gave him a firm handshake in greeting, but she couldn't deny it felt odd and squishy. When he pulled away, she fully expected the dirt to stay on her hand and have to be wiped away on her skirt. But instantly it lifted off her skin and returned to him. Looking down at her hand interestedly, she flexed her fingers, "That's so cool..." She could have sworn her skin felt smoother, cleaner now, in comparison to her other hand.

"Dirty and proud. It's great," [Kate said.]

Ari couldn't keep from grinning wide, her head nodding swiftly at Kate's words. If it had been Avery saying that, Ari would have had a whole line of comebacks. Unfortunately such a good comment would have to go to waste as Ari generally attempted to keep her sense of humor mostly in check when around Kate or any of the younger institute mutants.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Petros," she said with a friendly smile. The conversation turned to their mall disaster and Ari gave a small shrug. "Something like that... We sort of came upon an instance of mutant racism. Segregation." It still made her mind reel to remember it. They were in the year 2008, but still, racism ran rampant. It boggled her mind.

Petros called Kate beautiful and Ari beamed, looking between the pair. "He knows what he's talking about, Kate," she said, winking at the redhead. The brunette often felt that way; that her mutant family were beautiful and shouldn't have to hide it. She couldn't truly comment on it, because she had no physical mutations like they did. But it was her opinion anyway.

"Ari's helping me learn how to fight." Kate said proudly, flexing her hands into fists. "And so are the teachers. Everyone's sort of afraid..."

Ari gave a grim nod, "Well, that's what the school is for. To learn to control our abilities. But it's become more important for the younger mutants to know how to take care of themselves lately." She nudged Kate's arm, trying to stay lighthearted, "She's doing awesome. Soon she'll be able to kick my butt."

Petros spoke of his family situation and Ari gave a small nod, her brown eyes filled with understanding. "I'm sorry to hear that. That must really suck."

"Stuff with my parents has been kind of weird since my mutation first began, but I think they're more used to the idea of me being a mutant now. I think mostly they're just worried about me with all the stuff going on. Maybe stuff will get better for you too."

Her situation with her parents had been odd since finding out she was a mutant. She was their only kid, and had been pretty close to them when she was around thirteen. But after learning she was a mutant, their relationship had changed. She hadn't blamed them for feeling scared; after all, her powers could be quite dangerous. They'd helped her find Xavier's, and moved afterward due to her dad's work. They stayed in contact, but with all of the mutant backlash lately, they had begun calling her a lot more often than before; even asking her to come back home now that her schooling was finished. Ari couldn't leave now though, not when her mutant family and friends needed her.

"I am with the Morlocks, yes, I just come here every once in a while to escape the concrete and metal of the tunnels. I prefer the outdoors with the green grass, trees, and the dirt beneath my feet," [Petros said.]

Ari smiled at the green-eyed boy, "Well I think you picked a good day to come here. The park seems to suit you." Truly, he had looked quite comfortable beneath the trees, and she didn't mean it due to his dirt-covered skin. "We can all use a little more music in our lives."

The young woman felt Kate's slim hand slip into her own, and she gave it a small squeeze. She knew that it hurt Kate to witness the actions of people like the female jogger, particularly because she could do nothing about her color-shifting.

Peter quoted wisely and Ari screwed up her eyes, her fingers snapping as she sought to remember who he was referencing. She knew she'd heard the term 'man in black' before. After a moment, she exclaimed, "Oh! Johnny Cash, right?" She exchanged a smile with Petros, "That's a good quote. I like it."

She laughed as he joked about the woman, and she said lightly, "Hey, there's got to be some hope, right? Even for people like her."

Before she knew it, Kate's hand had left hers and she was hugging the tall young man. It caused Ari's lips to quirk into a smile. Kate was so loving and it made Ari proud to consider her a younger sister, a part of her family.

Ari, however, did not feel so comfortable hugging a boy near her age that she'd just met. Instead, she held out her hand again, "Yeah, it was very nice meeting you." She lowered her voice slightly, leaning forward, "Listen, I know you might not be interested, but if you ever feel like you can't take the sewers anymore, you should give Xavier's a shot. You might learn some new stuff about your powers, or at the very least, make some new friends, or find a new family.."

To tell the truth he was slightly envious of both of them in regards to their parental situations. Granted he realized that not everyone's parents were as extreme as his own were, and he didn't begrudge them for their good fortune. He simply wished his own were like their's, if his parents were he'd still be in Utah with the friends and family that he originally had. Of course he would still be in a cage of society, a cage that he had broken out of thanks to his mutation and as soon as thought struck his mind he gave a slight smile in regards to the parent situation. He was glad for this new turn in life, this freedom that would be impossible without the mutation. It was worth the hatred, the stares, the whispers, and the occasional violence against him. His eyes watched as the female jogger finally vanished from sight and he returned his eyes once more to Kate and Ari.

Kate: "Ari's helping me learn how to fight." Kate said proudly, flexing her hands into fists. "And so are the teachers. Everyone's sort of afraid..."

Ari: "Well, that's what the school is for. To learn to control our abilities. But it's become more important for the younger mutants to know how to take care of themselves lately." She nudged Kate's arm, trying to stay lighthearted, "She's doing awesome. Soon she'll be able to kick my butt."

He smiled ever so slightly. Violence had never been his primary tool, though he'd had to hunt, and he'd killed predators in order to survive before. He'd never attacked or fought another mutant or even a human for that matter. Though to him there was little difference between a human and a cougar, they were both lower on the chain of evolution and they were both predators when it came to him. The school sounded interesting but he had to wonder what sort of philosophies got indoctrinated into its students without their thinking about it. For a moment he almost considered investigating it, but he didn't think it would be such a good idea. Chances are he would start arguing with one of the teachers over one of their points and be asked to leave the school.

Learning to control one's abilities however, that could prove very useful to Peter. It wasn't that he couldn't control his abilities at all, but to exert any manipulation over dirt took concentration, and he always automatically attracted it to himself. He wasn't sure if one day he would be able to control his abilities to the point where he wasn't always constantly covered in dirt. Then he began to wonder if he really ever wanted that day to come. The dirt had become so much a part of him, so much of who he was, that he wasn't sure whether or not he would give up his identity, change his ways, just so he could fit in better. As he had discovered in thought moments before, he liked his freedom.

Kate: "Tell Artie 'n' Callisto I said hi." "Lets go..." Kate murmured, glancing up at Ari pleadingly. In a sudden gesture, she stepped forward and hugged Petros, both for the fact that it would irritate the jogger, and...well, Petros deserved a hug. Besides, Kate knew from seeing Ari's hand that the dirt wouldn't stick. She didn't mind in any case. "Nice meeting you." She grinned, pulling away quickly.

"I'll tell them you said hi." He said with a slight smile. Just then, Katie hugged him. It was clear by the expression on Peter's face that he gave to Ari as he felt the smaller and younger girl quickly hug him that he had not received a hug since his mutation had manifested itself. He didn't quite know how to react to it. He patted her back gently twice until she let go and pulled away again, he had a slight smile on his face which out of confusion became a smirk. "Thanks Katie." He said with a slight smile. "It was nice meeting you too, perhaps we will meet again sometime." When she pulled away the dirt stuck with Petros rather than coming with her, and it had practically the same effect that it had on Ari. Any dirt that had been on her, was now part of the dirt that was covering Petros' skin. It was weird how that worked sometimes.

Ari: "Yeah, it was very nice meeting you." She lowered her voice slightly, leaning forward, "Listen, I know you might not be interested, but if you ever feel like you can't take the sewers anymore, you should give Xavier's a shot. You might learn some new stuff about your powers, or at the very least, make some new friends, or find a new family.."

He didn't want to seem rude but he had no intention of restraining himself to the social model of a family again. He'd had enough of that and so far had not seen any practical application for it other than for the continuance of the species. That would probably be the only reason Petros would ever want to find a 'family' and in that sense that meant a wife, which Petros knew he had no hope of getting. Most girls, even the mutants ones, didn't look at the dirt covered boy twice. He liked his freedom too much to give it up just for the sake of putting himself under someone else's authority. That was what he loved so much about the Morlocks. They were there for him, and he was there for them, but there was no authority conflict. He was free to come and go from the tunnels, he was free to do as he pleased so long as he did not endanger the other Morlocks.

"It was nice meeting you too." He said with a nod. "And thank you, perhaps I will stop by sometime." He said as he shook her hand once more. He nodded to them so that they could be off and head back to Toys'R'us with their shopping and their lives. He had other plans. He wanted to go back into his hole. After nodding and saying his goodbye he moved a few paces back towards the tree he had originally been under. He was in the shade of it now, but not near the trunk, when he gestured with his hands and he began to sink into the earth itself. Soon he was in a little room that he had made himself. Hundreds of small holes poking through above him in order to allow air, as he closed the passage he had just come down. There he rested his eyes a bit and prepared to nap before he would venture back to the Morlock tunnels under the cover of night, when it was safe for people like him to be out and about.