the phoenix;;

“No, I am actually not,” the girl frowned. “Also, it really is no smart idea to just drink things you found somewhere. Just so you know.”

“It’s also not smart to drink things given to you by strangers. Just so you know.” she retorted, frowning herself. “Anyway, you didn’t have to accept it. It’s moonshine though... that’s what it says on the bottle.”

“Nice isn’t a word I’ve been called a lot. Well, I’m not one of them”

“I can’t understand how, but I think you’re nice. What’s your name?”

“Everyone has an accident every now and then. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“Some more than others. It’s very nice of you to help me. Unfortunately I know some who wouldn’t.”

“If anyone smelt smoke, I accidentally started a small fire. Don’t worry, I put it out.” 

“How did you start the fire exactly, sir?”

“I know you’re probably right, but..” she winced. “Then again, I shouldn’t be so clumsy. Thanks.” Jean replied, gesturing to his work.

“What the fuck is that?” Annabeth almsot spit out the liquid again, making a face. “Gods, are you trying to poison me here, or what?”

“I take it you’re not a big drinker?” she mused, with a smile. “I found it in my apartment.”

“Should I know who you are?”  Pietro replied before shutting his eyes for a moment.  Having a sister who was telepathic, he had much experience with someone reading his thoughts, and over time he’d become aware of how to identify when someone was doing it.  It was something that his sister would do when he did not feel like sharing what was on his mind, and although he loved Wanda, he hated the feeling.  Now that a stranger was doing it, he hated it even more.  “And can you please stop reading my thoughts?”  His eyes opened again and he raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t know,” she replied, honestly. This was her fellow mutant from Xavier’s, but things were different. His memories had changed and specific details were out of place. Even someone as highly intelligent as herself couldn’t seem to figure it out. Her eyes widened slightly. “You know I’m doing that?” she questioned. 

Her appearance had of course startled the young mutant, and for a moment she had begun to believe that the girl known as ‘Sansa’ was a shapeshifter. A duplicate of Mystique, in a manner. But that wasn’t true. “Maybe I’m you from the future, or from the past...” she mused, holding a conversation while she glanced through the pages of her mind. “Or maybe they ran out of models in the baby-making factory.” Closing her mind and finishing her search, Jean held out a warm hand and smiled. “I’m Jean Grey. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Well shit. You got any advice on how to get an ex-juvie kid with a record and a fourteen year old teen mom into a new school in a new state where we don’t even have a home address? Didn’t think so. Thanks for the offer, kid, but my family is far beyond fucking helping. Leave the dealing with the dysfunction to the Professionals.”

“Not exactly, I’m afraid. Although.. actually, there is a way that I could help in that regard. I’m very good at persuading people.” She used the term lightly. “I could have a speak with the headteacher. I assume I’ll be forced to attend this school now that I’m here. I’ll say you’re a family friend.”

“Yeah, I’ve just kind of accepted it. Showing up here isn’t even the weirdest thing that’s happened. I don’t think people use them much for calling anymore. You can play games on it, and there’s a camera in it. See?” he pulled the abandoned phone he’d swiped from a diner, and proceeded to take a picture with it. turning it around to show her. “No, no other students. Well, I could do worse” he gave a teasing smirk to the other mutant

“Games? What kind of games...” Of course she could read his mind and find out the answers for herself, but she thought civilised conversation was the way to get the mutant on her side. “Oh my god,” She laughed. “That’s... unflattering, no offence. Hey, I’m the best you could get. I know you think that too.” She narrowed her eyes jokingly, pretending she’d read his mind.

“Because – reasons? I don’t know. Maybe some bigger force just wants us to be here.” Helen mused, trying her best to play off her own confusion.

“Bigger force like what?” 

‘ that is a —- good, good question which answer i haven’t gotten until this day. ‘

“Its not very good that we’re kept in the dark, at all. You’d think he’d tell us our purpose, the owner I mean.”

“Not that we know of, we have no idea who they are, how they look like, we don’t even know if it’s a woman or a man” 

“Yes, I suppose they’d want to keep themselves hidden.. My name’s Jean. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ve been here a few months, there hasn’t been anything yet.”

“Awful.. so we’re trapped here. What are we suppose to do, just carry on with our day to day lives?”

“I’m not even sure there is one. From what I’ve heard people just sort of show up here. I actually thought I somehow ran into the future. Did you know they have mobile phones that can actually fit inside your pocket? Like, what the fuck?! No, I haven’t. My d-a-Erik’s here, and  I think Xavier is too, but I haven’t seen him.”

“That’s strange, but then again... the odd is kind of our forte. I’m sure we’ll figure it out. Really? I never thought the day would come, not that I had many people to call. Have you told Erik that he has a son?” She asked, cautiously. “So no other students? Looks like you’re going to be my new best friend, Peter.”

“That is the question that everyone is trying to figure out honestly.”

“How long has everyone attempted to figure this out? Days? Weeks? Years?”