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[Manifest]

It was a typical mid-week day. Many of the younger students had opted to frolic outside because of the nice weather. The older ones, who had privileges to go to the mall, movies, out side the walls of the Xavier Institute basically, had all opted to do that. This left the normally busy rec room quite empty. With the exception of a mousy brown haired mutant curled up on a large sofa with a tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice. This girl looked like a normal girl. Eighteen years old. Shy demeanor. What wasn't normal about her?

Oh, possibly the fact that she could teleport... or turn invisible. Yes, these two little things made her different from everyone, even those who were already different. It wasn't that Anna disliked her abilities... in fact, she loved them. She liked excelling. She liked being at the top. It gave her warm fuzzies to think that her name would be flashing on the score board for quickest time through something the older students called "the death arena." It gave her confidence, self esteem... it made her feel normal.

But Anna wasn't normal. Not really. She liked her quiet place. She liked being separate from people. It wasn't that she was asocial. It was just that she had grown up with such little social experience that she was constantly nervous of making herself seem odd... unlikeable... the usual stuff. She liked being alone because at least she couldn't embarrass herself in front of... herself. This resulted in what she was doing right at this moment... Reading... quietly.

She flipped through the pages of love and romance and giggled to herself quietly as Mr. Darcy said something funny in his old English tone. It wasn't long until her silence was interrupted by flying projectiles. Younger students had decided to take their outside fun inside. A teen boy with teal skin and spiky black hair raced into the room, using his super speed to run around the pool table as another teen boy who looked rather normal threw fist fulls of water, generated out of nowhere, at his friend. Anna looked up briefly as a water ball came flying at her. She gasped and closed her eyes. Pop. Anna materialized on another sofa, clutching her book and legs to her chest.

Another individual walked in just as the teal speed boy raced around the room, knocking over a rather large book shelf. Anna's eyes widened as she dropped her book. Pop. Pop. Pop. In a string of pops, Anna teleported toward this person just as the book shelf came crashing down. Wrapping her arms around them, she teleported the both of them to safety... a few feet away. She had been practicing, per Dr. McCoy's instructions, to teleport other individuals short distances and, with hope, she would be able to teleport them vast distances like the infamous Nightcrawler. "That was scary," she said quietly under the breath as the shelf tumbled down with a loud crash.

[Gregory Shane]

"HEY! C'mon now, stop running, that's dangerous!", Gregory exclaimed to one of the kids outside the house. It was the typical summer afternoon. The younger students of the Institute were mostly out on the yard, playing around. He did enjoy these afternoons as he can really see the kids feeling relaxed. However, he'd be as relaxed if maybe one or two would behave more. The whole running around nearby the yard furniture can case either the student or the furniture to get broken. Hopefully, neither would, or it'll be a big mess.

He let out a sigh as they raced out of bounds from the furniture. Now Greg had to do damage control inside the mansion. Once he made it to the rec room, he was greeted with a fistful of water in the face. He grunted and spat out some water before he pointed at the kid, "No water tossing inside, Jimmy" The voice was stern enoug to garner a 'yes' and a 'sorry Mr. Shane" from the kid. He just shook his head and motioned him to join the others outside if he wanted to play. Sooner than expected, the kid DID do so as he zipped past Gregory and made it to the yard.

"You better be careful...and you all better PLAY NICE!", Greg declared to the kid who just ran past him. It was stressful in trying to contain these young mutants. Gregory shook his head lightly while there was still some water dripping from his hair. He slowly stumbled into the room when the teal kid ran past him as well to head outside. He almost bumped into him, but thankfully he didnt.

He turned around to face him and said, "Hey, no running around inside the school. Just keep the running there, outside". While he was doing so, he was walking backwards. What he didn't notice in time was that the big book shelf was wobbling. Slowly, it tipped over and was about to crash onto him. Gregory looked at the falling shelf and braced himself for impact. He was slightly unaware, however, of someone who was about to save him. He heard a few pops behind him before he was grabbed.

Another pop later, teleported into a nearby area. He looked at where he once was and winced at the sight of the fallen book shelf. Gregory faced his wouldbe saviour and said, "Scary? Yes. Hold on, kid..." His voice trailed off as he faced the fallen book shelf. He used a portion of his powers to use the wind into lifting up the book shelf back on it's original position. He made his way back to the fallen books and started to sort then out first on the floor. Sure, it won't be in their specific positions before it tipped over, but Gregory had a vague idea which ones go where.

While sorting out the books, he looked back at the girl and said, "Anna..that's your name right?". Slowly he got up with a handful of books and placed them back on one shelf. His gaze went to Anna yet again and gave her a faint smile, "Thank you for saving me just in the nick of time. If you didn't who knows how big of a hurt this shelf would've caused little ol' me." He placed the remainder of the books back at the bookshelf before he approached the kid.

"So what book do you have there with you?", Greg inquired to the girl who just saved his skin from disaster. He didn't get a good look at the book earlier so it was good for him to ask what it was rather than try to pry his eyes on the book and make the girl feel uncomfortable as a result.

[Manifest]

Anna hid her smile and looked away. She felt a gust of wind, manifesting from nowhere, blow the bookshelf back to its original position. Her hair draped over her face, covering said smile just a tiny bit more. She held onto her book, almost rolling it into a roll. It had already been a tattered copy - mostly because Anna had the tendency to roll it, stretch it, and sometimes use it as a coaster. "It was nothing," she said quietly, looking toward the window to stare at the sun as it shone inside. "You're Gregory Shane." She noted, having been in some danger room simulations with him.

Greg was the type of guy many girls at the school had a unique fondness for. He was almost as "good" as Anna was, but probably not as anal when it came to homework and junk. Anna had technically graduated a few months back, with many other students who re-entered the world as new individuals with a new found appreciation for their powers. Anna stayed behind. She wanted to join the so called X-Men group. She liked the idea of being a beacon for hope and tolerance. It was the political blood in her.

When he asked about what she was reading, Anna quickly hid her book behind her back. Like a shy two-year-old, Anna mumbled something, "It's just a book." It wasn't that she was trying to be rude by denying him knowledge of what she was reading. It was just... well. Anna was socially awkward and if it came time to ever have a conversation with the opposite sex about something other than how to beat a danger room sequence is 15.4 seconds, or how to properly read an integral then she'd be more comfortable. "Pride and prejudice," she finally said, laughing awkwardly. "No one usually comes into the rec room... Because it's so nice outside."

[Gregory Shane]

Greg felt mightly embarassed when she mentioned his full name. He barely remembered her name, he didn't even bother knowing her surname. As the self-proclaimed 'big brother' of the younger students, that didn't seem to sit well for him. He'll have to make sure to know most of the younger students by name. Gregory only seen Anna a few times. The last time was a few months ago during a training session in the danger room.

Once she told him it was just a book, he had a small smile on his face. "Just a book? Oh c'mon now, it's not JUST a book.", he said nicely. She seemed obviously shy in the eyes of Greg. He slowly tilted his head and attention to the outside. The younger students were having fun. Thankfully no one will get hurt. It was a tough job being an X-Man but sometimes he felt it was tougher to contain the future X-Men members while they were playing around with their powers in the mansion grounds.

"Yes it indeed is lovely outside", Greg said while he continued to look at the outside grounds from the room. The rec room in itself was rather cozy and was a good place to relax. Also, it was the home of Greg's favorite items, the videogame consoles. Aside from being a comic book fan, he also had a knack for videogames since he was a kid. He looked back at the girl and was wondering why she chose to be alone here than be with the others.

But before he could ask the question, he thought twice. Maybe the girl would rather have some peace and quiet right now. He had those moments as well. Especially if those moments meant him being alone to read some comic books. He went to one of the couches and sat down. Maybe it'll be a good time to relax for a bit before he went outside and checked up on the kids.

"But I feel that it's also nice to sit back and relax here in the rec room...", Greg declared as he let out a very relaxed breath from his mouth. He leaned back on his couch and felt the comfort of sitting on the piece of furniture. Greg was sure she could attest to this. Judging from his impression of her, she was the type to just be by herself and relax.

"So are you usually here when the others go out and play? I can't blame you, this is one of my favorite rooms here too.", he asked her while he continued to lounge around the comfortable couch.

[Manifest]

Anna smiled uncomfortably, watching as other students passed the rec room and halfway hoping they'd come in and alleviate the awkwardness she felt. She knew of Greg but had very little contact with him. Anna could probably count all the words she said to him in the past on one hand. It wasn't that she didn't like him. She didn't really know him outside of the rumors circulating that he had joined the X-Men group. She herself had been vying for a spot on that team but so far it had evaded her. Dr. McCoy had told her numerous times that she just wasn't ready and while she disagreed some part of her knew she wasn't. She had never been in a real combat situation, most were danger room exercises and she knew were fake. It made every attempt more and more upsetting.

"I don't really like people," she said nonchalantly, leaning up against the back of the couch. She paused and caught herself, quickly adding, "Not that I'm asocial or anything. It's just… I'm not really around a lot of people and so being around people makes me uncomfortable." Great. Verbal diarrhea. It was an illness she found she had when she was trying to explain something. Vague was not in her vocabulary and she often spouted more fluff than anyone. It didn't really matter as long as she got the point across…eventually. "Why aren't you outside? Or somewhere else?" She asked, curiously.

Anna paused again, "Not that I'm telling you to get out or anything." She added in one breath, feeling herself become more and more awkward. "I mean you can stay here if you want. It's a free country….I was just wondering why you're on campus is all. Most graduates leave… well.." well, except her. She had already witnessed many of her classmates leave to become the so-called normal adult, ready to reenter society without a second glance. Anna had no where to go. Her parents still believed she was studying abroad somewhere in the Alps and hadn't really contacted since her enrollment into the institute. They probably figured she was doing her own thing.

[Gregory Shane]

After she mentioned she didn't like people around her, Greg felt a bit awkward. She told him she wasn't used to hanging around with people that much, but she has yet to kick him out of the room for her reading privacy. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly, to be honest he felt somewhat insulted when the girl asked why he was still here and not somewhere else.

Greg kept his cool and explained, "Well I do feel I need to relax a bit before rounding up the kids back into the school. Contrary to popular belief, I don't have an infinite amount of energy to contain those young mutants. I do have wind manipulation but that's an entirely different element." He let out a forced laugh, but even Anna would notice he was laughing off some tension from within. She did eventually say that it wasn't like she wanted him out or anything, but the damage was slightly done.

He slowly rose up from his seat and tried to negotiate with himself. Just like any other student inside the Institute, maybe Anna was different. Not just in powers, but socially as well. Greg thought to himself that he shouldn't take her comments too much, maybe she really was just not used to being around people. Yes, precisely as she put it a few seconds ago. When she inquired why he was in the campus, he couldn't help but have a smile on his face. She was somewhat cute with the whole 'cluelessness' thing going on for her.

"You see...I'm not like...most graduates.", Greg said with a slight chuckle. He had a second or two to pause before he muttered, "Well..I think I'm not." He looked at Anna before he answered, "To be honest I graduated already, a year ago. I'm here because I'm now part of the X-Men. That and I also help out the younger students. Today, I'm on 'nanny' duty for those roughians outside." He motioned to the outside to show Anna the young 'roughians' of the Institute.

"So once they are done playing outside, just need to round them up back here. After that, I'll call it a day.", Greg said to Anna while he made his way back to his favorite couch. He went back to lounge on his couch before he asked her, "And you? What's your agenda today after reading that book?"

[Manifest]

(ooc: SOOOOO SORRY. Work has been obliterating my entire week. Being a clinical therapist isn't all it's cut out to be )

Anna understood the takings of an X-Men and knew that Greg, aka Hurricane, had the cajones to be an X-Men. She had tried out for the team for months, ever since she too had graduated. However, her shy demeanor made it difficult for her to actually integrate onto the team. Not to mention, she had the tendency to try to one up people and that was not what a team was about. Or at least that's what Dr. McCoy had told her on several occasions. She smiled sheepishly at Greg. "I know you're an X-Man," she said with a little chuckle. "Everyone who wants to be one knows when one of the students graduates to that level." Or at least she knew.

Anna had the tendency to keep tabs on everything, from Cecilla's little midnight getaways with the purple furred Hank to Rodney's consistent need to reach speeds up to 150MPH during Danger Room trainings. It may have seemed a bit stalkerish but in reality, Anna was taking notes on the competition. "I don't know what I am going to do," she said honestly, wondering if she were going to join in on a Danger Room session or take the track and field for a little porting session. It was no secret amongst those who got 'promoted' to X-Man that Anna had been trying to become one. Her abilities weren't that offensive, however, making her extremely shy about them. Since when could some one who could barely port a person more than 10 feet accomplish something that an X-Man could do in their sleep. But, she was determined. "I might take to the track," she finally decided, "What about you? Once the babysitting is done, that is?"

[Gregory Shane]

"Track eh? That sounds nice." Hurricane had a smile on his face when she mentioned that. Maybe running after trying to chase the unruly little mutants would be too much for Gregory in one day. Once she asked him of his plans, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Who knows. Might try to get something to keep me from feeling drained after babysitting."

Gregory looked at the clock to indicate the time, it wasn't even 6 in the evening yet he felt a bit drained. The day was long enough for him and hitting the hay a bit early wouldn't be that bad. However, he felt he can do something else tonight than trying to sleep at 7 in the evening. He slowly tilted his head back to Anna and noticed her book. Greg thought to himself about a recently opened bookstore in the city.

"Say...", Greg started as he approached Anna. "You wanna check out that new bookstore? Maybe not tonight but sometime this week?" It was a question he asked her since he noticed she was a book reader. Furthermore, if she does usually hang out here to read, she'd caught wind of it like he did. There was only one reason why he'd check out a bookstore, if there were nice trade paperbacks of his favorite comic titles in it. So if she would say 'no', atleast he'll still have something to look forward to in his solo venture to the new bookstore.

[Manifest]

Anna's eyes followed Greg's eyes to the clock and wondered if he felt compelled to continue a conversation with her merely because he felt sorry for her. She had violated the cardinal rule of using her powers on some one else... but she did save him from being squished from the bookshelf - not that he needed her help being an X-Man and all. But that thought only crossed her mind briefly.

"I heard that Wolfsbane brought new coffee from Africa," she said quietly, remembering the other older member of the group having returned from a mission and brought back lots of goodies for the kiddies. "It might be a little too late for coffee," she said, more to herself than to Greg.

Her eyes lit up, just briefly, when he mentioned the book store. She had wanted to go since it opened but considering her desire to be an X-Man she had kept herself holed up in the Institute dividing time between the Danger Room and the Rec Room. But she paused and stared a bit wide eyed at him. Was he asking her on a... date? No, of course not. Greg Shane was the definition of a hot man jock. Many of the students here often followed him around to watch him run the track or prepare for a mission, ooh'ing and ahh'ing at his pristine, chiseled physique.

"Oh," she said quietly, feeling her skin burn and then the same cooling sensation she felt when she began turning invisible run over her. "I've always wanted to check it out." She bit her bottom lip but it wasn't clear to her that she was literally... clear. He wasn't asking her on a date. She was certain of that, but how often did people ask her to go anywhere?

[Gregory Shane]

"Africa...y'don't say." Alex said in a soft voice. He shook his head at the thought of coffee. He wasn't a coffee drinker, but he knew its benefits when he had to pull off an all-nighter during his studies. Anna was right, it was too late for coffee. Had he taken some tonight he'd be too buzzed to get some sleep and wake up early for the next day. Greg feared the thought of Cyclops brownbeating him for tardiness. As much as possible, Greg avoided lateness in the team sessions. Sure he can count 2-3 times where he was late, and all of them boiled down to his over sleeping.

Gregory shuddered at the thougth of another extra set of pushups and squats for any minute he was late for the session. One thing on his agenda tonight was to not stay up that late. Greg's ears perched up slightly upon hearing Anna's interest in checking out the store. For him that was ok enough for a 'yes' from the lady. He smiled at her direction and asked, "That's nice to hear. So let's go there tomorrow night then?"

He had to admit, she never did say 'yes', but he was a very optimistic person. Slowly, he looked back at the clock and let out a sigh. It was time. Greg tilted his head back to Anna and informed her, "Well playtime's over, for the kids that is. Wish me luck in getting back inside here in one piece as I herd back the little ones." Greg let out a small chuckle as he made his way towards the door. He peeked back at Anna to add, "And tomorrow night, let's head on over to the bookstore ok?"

He didn't wait for her answer as his attention drew to the kids who just saw him. Upon staring at each other, part of the young mutants started to scurry off. He shook his head and muttered, "As Optimus said, all I need now is a lotta luck..and a lot of energon" He closed the door behind him and the wind started to pick up. Gregory flew off into the air to chase down the rugrats around the field to round them up.

[EXIT HURRICANE]