HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Adder had been basically on high alert since the attack at the charity event. And the number of death threats against Mason had doubled since as well. She’d also been dodging calls from her biological mother. She just was in no mood to deal with whatever the woman had to say. Even if she was sorry and wanted to make amends. Adder had never needed the woman and didn’t need her now. She had her own family now, she had her friends. And Mason was getting better about spending time and actually being there as a friend again. And with the added death threats she had more important things to deal with than a woman who hadn’t wanted her. Today was the agreed meeting with a journalist named Jonathan Fuller from the Sun. Adder had gotten Webber to do a full background check on the man before she’d agree to the idea of Mason giving the interview. Last thing she wanted was more unwanted attention drawn to Mason. If she could have it her way he wouldn’t talk to the media about it, but he insisted he had to keep up appearances and make sure the COH knew this wasn’t going to stop him. “Ah still don’t like t’is idea.”, she muttered sitting in Mason’s office. Mason chuckled a little. “Oh come on pet. It’s just an interview. He’s passed Webber’s security checks, you’ll be in the room the whole time, and it’s at least not that Christine from the Daily Bugle. You didn’t seem to like her when she asked me a couple questions that night and I defered her to you.”, he commented. Adder narrowed her copper eyes briefly. “Ah just don’t t’ink added attention is t’e answer.”, she commented as there was a knock at the door.
Donald peeked his head in. “Mister Templeton? Mister Fuller is here.”, Donald announced. “You worry too much pet.”, Mason commented before looking to Donald. “Send him in Donald.”, Mason instructed. Donald nodded and opened the door fully. “Mister Templeton will see you now.”, he said pointing Jonathan into the office. “Thanks mate.”, Jonathan smiled walking into the office. Donald closed the door once Jonathan was inside. “Thanks for meeting with me Mister Templeton. My paper wants me to do an extended piece in regards to the recent terrorist actions of the Church of Humanity and it’s effects on the mutant population. And well since right now you seem to be their target for the things you are doing to help mutants, you were an obviously place to start.”, he explained walking closer offering his hand to Mason. Adder watched him like the snake that she is, coiled and ready to pounce the moment he became a threat. Jonathan casted a cautious glance in the direction of Adder before looking back to Mason. Mason smiled noticing the glance and the subtle fear in Jonathan’s eyes. “She can be a bit intimidating a suppose. Personally I don’t find her threatening, but I’m not supposed to. Am I Adder?”, he smiled moving and shaking Jonathan’s hand. Adder rolled her eyes at Mason. “Nice to meet you Mister Fuller. As I understand it you actually took part of the little scuffle from the charity event earlier this summer.”, he commented leaning against his desk gesturing for Jonathan to take a seat. “I wouldn’t call a terrorist attack a little scuffle. And the best I did was hit one man in the head with a tray before being told to leave by the police.”, Jonathan said humbly as he took a seat.
“Well I’m sure the woman who’s life you saved through your actions were worth note.”, Mason commented. “I’m not certain that would be altogether true. She was one of the bodyguards for his majesty King Hudson of Madripoor so she was holding her own very well and much better than I ever could. You however Mister Templeton shocked a number of people with how you fought and wouldn’t leave when the police were trying to get the guests out of harms way. Care to share how you know how to fight like that? And if you can fight like that why do you require bodyguards?”, Jonathan asked. Mason smiled. “I was taught how to fight growin up. Boxing, martial arts all those extracurriculars that my father could manage to enroll me into. And well I’ve often had a knack for getting in trouble, wouldn’t you agree Ader? So knowing how to fight was imperative.”, he explained glancing to Adder when he addressed her with a small smirk. “O yea’ ya certainly know ‘ow ta get yourself in trouble and t’en Ah ‘ave ta get you out of it.”, Adder muttered her eyes locked on Jonathan still assessing any threat level. Jonathan glanced over to Adder quickly looking back to Mason. Mason chuckled. “Don’t mind Adder’s tone. She loves me. We’ve been mates since I was a freshmen in university. She’s now having to return the favor of how many times I got her out of trouble.”, Mason commented. Adder felt her heart skip for half a second but it returned to normal, of course he didn’t mean love in the way she actually felt but more of a love in regards to friends.
“I see. So my other question if you are such a good fighter why the bodyguards?”, Jonathan asked. “Oh that’s simple. I need someone to watch my back. And when I deal with my actual business I have to be focused on that I can’t be looking over my shoulder for the next loon to attack me. As you said I’ve made myself a bit of a target with my foundation. So knowing that I have someone like Adder there makes me feel safe.”, Mason shrugged. “Well some might argue that you painted the target when you appointed Miss Adder as your head of security.”, Jonathan countered. “I’m sure it did. But I don’t care. Adder is my mate and beyond that she’d a fierce fighter. If I’m going to have a bodyguard that person had better be as good as me in a fight. And the only two people I’d say are as good as me are Adder and my mate Ashton. And obviously Ashton has his own company to run so couldn’t get him to be my bodyguard. If someone doesn’t like that she’s a mutant that’s their problem. I don’t discriminate.”, Mason explained. Jonathan nodded jotting down a few notes to himself. “So what are your plans going forward? For dealing with the Church of Humanity and any threats on your life or your foundation?”, Jonathan asked.
Mason glanced to Adder who shook her head. She didn’t want to talk to another reporter. “Simple, Mister Fuller, I continue doing exactly what I’ve been doing. I wasn’t raised to cower or to back down. They got a taste of what me and my bodyguard can do. So I say they want a fight they’ll have one. They just better be prepared to lose. To ensure the safety of my foundation and each location as they open, my best and brightest are working on security measures to ensure rabble rousers cannot bring harm to any mutant who seeks refuge.”, Mason answered. Jonathan nodded. “I wish you the best of luck Mister Templeton. What you are doing is something worth taking the risk for. I have some more interviews I want to do. So thank you for your time.”, he said standing up. Mason nodded and shook his head. “Good luck with your article.”, Mason smiled. “Thanks.”, Jonathan said leaving the office. “See that wasn’t so bad pet.”, Mason smiled looking at Adder. “Ah guess. It could ‘ave been worse. Ah just don’t like ya becoming a bigger target.”, she frowned. Mason chuckled pushing off his desk and walking over to the chair she was sitting on placing his hands on the arms leaning down close to her face.
“Don’t frown pet. I’ve got you to protect me. Besides I want to be the target.”, he smiled kissing her forehead before standing back up. For a moment as he was leaning close to her face he’d considered kissing her lips. To just find out, to take the risk of it all falling apart. But he made the choice to not take that risk. No he was taking enough risks as he prodded the COH. He didn’t want to risk Adder’s loyalty and friendship just to find out what her lips taste like. Adder held her breath, not even realizing it as he got so close to her. Since the charity event he’d been more on track with how he used to be around her. She let the breath out as he kissed her forehead. Of course he wasn’t going to kiss her, not how she wanted him to. She was still just his friend. She just needed to accept that she’d never be more than that in his eyes. “W’y ya gotta be t’e target?”, she questioned. “Because if I’m the target we can handle whatever the church dares to throw at us. If I’m the target they can back off the other mutants who aren’t as trained in fighting or with their powers like us.”, he explained. “So ya’d rat’er be t’e martyr?”, she questioned not liking this one bit. Sure she admired that he would put his neck on line for mutant kind, but when push came to shove the good of the many did not outweigh the good of the one, at least not to her when that one was home. “Martyrs die, I don’t plan to die. And I don’t think you plan to let me die. With them gunning for me it gets media attention. Mister Fuller’s article will help. It will open the eyes of the people of not just our country but the world. Let them see the true evil that the church is.”, he explained smiling a little. Adder just sighed shaking her head a little knowing there was no talking him out of it.
It was getting close to crunch time for Josalyn’s wedding and she still hadn’t decided on what flavor cake she liked. So she’d driven down to the Haven where her mother and Aislinn were baking test flavors for Josalyn to pick from. Zoe was there, mostly to just keep Faelan out of the kitchen while the baking was going on. She was in agreement with Merck that the last thing anyone needed was Faelan on a sugar high of cake. So while the baking was going on Zoe was on the living room floor across from Josalyn rolling a small ball back and forth between them as Faelan in his wolf form chasing it barking playfully. Josalyn laughed at the cuteness of her nephew. She didn’t spend a lot of time with her nephew with being in school, working in the mayor’s office in Boston and recently planning the wedding so she appreciated the times she did get to be around him. “He’s just so cute. God if Merrick’s power had manifested this young….”, she chuckled. “Your mom would have had her hands full cleaning up random animal hairs.”, Zoe smiled rolling the ball back to Josalyn. Faelan barked and skidded to stop and change directions. “True. So since we are all in wedding mode. You two think about what you want your wedding to be? I don’t know about you but I’ve had a vision of my wedding in my head since I was little.”, Josalyn asked rolling the ball back.
“We haven’t really talked much about the wedding yet. He’s busy getting the new store going up in Boston, fixing up the Aonair Mac Tíre house so the three of us can move in soon, and the sanctuary. And I’m getting ready for auditions next month for a production of Chicago. They are hoping to go all out with this production. And I guess this time they feel they can really go as close to a broadway level production because Nana Hazel just donated a large amount of money to the opera house.”, Zoe shrugged. “Well you guys did plan to wait till not next year but the year after. So you’ve got some time I suppose. Good luck with the audition. Nana and Merrick always talk about how good you are. Damon plan on doing the traditional father pays for the wedding?”, she asked still making conversation while the cake samples were baking. “Thanks. And I’m not sure. I haven’t really discussed that with papa. Feels a little weird to even ask since till a couple years ago he didn’t even know about me.”, she shrugged. “Well no harm in asking. Though knowing Merrick he won’t want to accept the financial help. Dad’s paying for my wedding. He’d offered to pay for Lily’s I guess, but Demitri said he would pay for her wedding instead.”, she said rolling her eyes a little talking about Demitri. “You don’t like your older brother much do you?”, Zoe asked. “It’s not that...per say. I just don’t know him enough to say if I do or don’t like him. Lily always stayed close to him, even ran away from home to be with him instead of the rest of us. Merrick has gotten closer to him since leaving the Academy. But me…”, she shrugged. “I just know it hurts dad’s feeling when Lily favors Demitri over him. And yeah Demitri offered to pay because he figured financially it’d be easier on dad since I’m getting married in a couple weeks and Lily plans to get married in April. I just hope that Lily does the right thing by dad when the time comes.”, she sighed.
“What do you mean by ‘right thing’?”, Zoe asked. “Dad is walking me down the aisle in two weeks and when the father daughter dance plays he’s who I’m dancing with. Demitri wants to pay for her wedding, whatever. But she better do right by dad and ask him to give her away and to share that dance with her. It’ll break his heart if she doesn’t.”, Josalyn explained. Zoe nodded, she could in a small way imagine how that might hurt as she looked at Faelan. She was going to be his step-mother, but much like Merrick and his triplet sisters Faelan never got the chance to really know the absent parent. She could be mom in his eyes, but when he was older and they had to explain to him that biologically she’s not his mother how would he react? Would he still love her as strong like Merrick and Josalyn love Christian? Or would he push her away like Lily has done to Christian? When he marries will he want her for his mother son dance? She pushed the thought away hearing a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.”, Christian said walking out of the small study area having been doing some work from home. Josalyn and Zoe both leaned a little to try and see around the arch of the living room in the direction of the door. Very few knocked upon the Haven door. Most who would come to the house just walked in. Christian pulled open the door and blinked a little surprised but smiled seeing his grandmother. “Grandmother… we didn’t know to expect you.”, he greeted giving her a hug.
“Yes well I like to keep you on your toes. Now help Michael with the boxes.”, she instructed pointing over her shoulder. At her car Michael had the trunk open with boxes inside and was otherwise trying to carry a large box in his arms. “Good lord grandmother what did you bring?”, he asked heading out to help Michael. “I was told that Zoe would be here, I’d stopped at the restaurant first and her handsome Uncle Alec was kind enough to tell me she was here.”, Hazel said walking inside. Zoe raised an eyebrow. “In the living room Nana Hazel.”, Zoe called and looked puzzled at Josalyn getting the same confused look back. Both wondered what Hazel would be bringing for Zoe. “Grandmother, could we please never refer to Alec D’Amore as ‘handsome’ and certainly not in the tone you just used. He’s not that much older than I am...it is mostly creepy.”, Christian said. Hazel waved a dismissive hand at her grandson and went to the living room. “Hello girls. Oh and hello my darling wolf. I brought you a treat.”, she said reaching into her purse taking out a cookie and unwrapping it from it’s plastic. Faelan quickly changed to human and rushed over. “Grazie..”, he smiled taking the oatmeal cookie gnawing on it. His accent was perfect but he was still little and learning the language. Zoe smiled proud that he was trying to integrate italian into his vocabulary. “That's a good lad. You are welcome.”, Hazel smiled messing up the tuff of Faelan’s brown hair before taking a seat.
“Hello Nana.”, Josalyn and Zoe greeted. “What brings you down?”, Zoe asked getting up from the floor and taking a seat next to Hazel. “Josalyn? Come to the kitchen, the samples are ready for tasting.”, Kim called. “Well that’s my cue..”, Josalyn said getting up pausing to give her Nana a hug before heading to the kitchen to try these flavors her mother and Aislinn had created. Michael and Christian set the large box down in the living room before heading back to the car to get the other boxes. “What...what is all this?”, Zoe asked looking at the large box curiously and then the other boxes the two carried in. “They are for you my dear.”, Hazel explained pulling Faelan up onto her lap. “Open them.”, Hazel instructed. “Um...alright. Guess I’ll start with the biggest one..”, Zoe said getting up and moving to open the box. Ass he looked inside she blinked at its contents. Christian raised an eyebrow wondering what was in the large box. “So what did Nana bring you?”, Josalyn asked walking out holding a plate with a pieces of dark chocolate, lemon, red velvet, and vanilla cakes that she was tasting. “Michael help her take it out please.”, Hazel instructed. Michael nodded and reached into the box grabbing the hanger and carefully bringing the floor length white satin strapless gown with black twirl floral applica. Josalyn coughed on the bite of cake in her mouth instantly knowing the gown. Zoe just looked at the dress in stunned admiration. She had no idea of it’s significance but did believe it was possibly the most beautiful gown she’d seen.
“Nana’s wedding dress…”, Merrick breathed having walked into the house unnoticed as everyone was staring at the dress. “Daddy!”, Faelan shouted wiggling off Hazel’s lap and racing for his father. Zoe blinked hearing Merrick’s voice and turned her head to look at him as he picked up Faelan. “Wedding dress?”, Zoe repeated. Hazel nodded smiling. “Beautiful isn’t it? I had it made by my dear french designer friend Givenchy, though he later reused the design for that Audrey Hepburn film.”, Hazel explained. “I...I...it’s estremamente bello. I mean extremely beautiful. But shouldn’t this...I mean shouldn’t this be given to one of your great granddaughters?”, Zoe asked a little uncertain glancing at Josalyn. Hazel snorted at the suggestion while Merrick, Josalyn and Christian were just frozen looking at the gown. “My darling none of them would be able to fit in it. You however are just about the size I was when I married my Winston. You’ve more my figure than my great granddaughters or even my daughters had. And in a way i am giving this to my great granddaughter. You are marrying into this family after all.”, Hazel said simply. “Emma will not be happy about this…”, Josalyn said quietly. “I do not frankly give a da...darn.”, Hazel said pausing as she choose to not curse in front of Faelan knowing Merrick’s feelings on that. “She doesn’t have the figure for this gown and I shall not abide to see it altered in any way.”, Hazel stated.
Zoe looked at the dress reaching touching the delicate fabric. This was a one of a kind, a total original in essence. And a treasured heirloom that she was being offered. “We..we hadn’t even discussed what style or anything about the wedding yet..”, Zoe said uncertainly glancing to Merrick. Wedding discussions hadn’t happened much these past months as he was working diligently to get what would be their first home together ready. “It bella mamma...like you.”, Faelan smiled putting his tiny two cents. Merrick laughed a little and looked from the dress to Zoe giving a small nod. “I’m with the pup. We may not have decided on much but that...having that legendary dress certainly is a starting point.”, he said nodding to the dress. Zoe smiled. “Aw thank you cucciolo you are such a sweet boy. So..um looks like I have a dress. I can’t thank you enough Nana. I’m honored that you would wish for me to wear this.”, she smiled sitting down hugging Hazel about the neck. “You are welcome child. The other boxers are just some of my old clothes from when I was about your age that I figured I could pass on to you since we share a body type. You can look at those later. I have one final gift for you.”, she smiled.
Merrick looked over the multiple boxes sitting on the floor. “Lord if all this fits here I’m going to have to seriously build out that closet in the master at the Aonair Mac Tíre house to accommodate.”, he said shaking his head. “Well it’s good you are a master craftsman my boy.”, Hazel smiled. “Michael the other item please.”, she snapped her fingers extending her hand to Michael. “Of course madame.”, Michael said reaching into one of the boxes taking out a narrow black case and handing it to Hazel. Josalyn was watching with great interest at this point still eating her cakes. Kim and Aislinn had even come out to find out what the commotion was. “This is my final gift to you for your wedding.”, Hazel smiled offering the box to Zoe. “You really don’t need to do this. We aren’t planning the wedding to happen for a couple years. And we should be more focused on a different wedding at the moment.”, Zoe said glancing to Josalyn. “Oh I know Josalyn is marrying in two weeks. She was already given a lovely set of jewelry from my collection to wear as her something old. And I’ve a set ready to be given to Lily as well. No just open the box my dear.”, Hazel said dismissively. Zoe sighed and opened the box her mouth falling open a little as she looked at the dangling silver diamond and pearl earrings and a silver and diamond two row pearl choker. “These...these are sfarzoso...gorgeous…”, Zoe said softly running a finger carefully over the pearls. “And they will look gorgeous on you my nightingale and I already know they pair perfectly with the gown.”, Hazel smiled.
The rest of the room couldn’t see what was inside with how the box had been opened. But the way Hazel spoke Christian, Kim, Merrick and Josalyn all had a good idea of what was inside. Josalyn had turned a shade of white that nearly matched the satin of the gown. “Is that...is that what I think it is?”, Josalyn questioned. “Indeed it is.”, Hazel nodded with a smile. Zoe looked up from the pearls to the others a little confused. “So another Nana heirloom?”, she asked turning the box to display the pearls. “Understatement hellraiser. Those are The, with a capital T, Frost Bridal Pearls.”, Merrick explained. “These pearls were originally bought in 1903 by Christian Adam Frost as a gift for his wife on their wedding. It was passed to their son Gregory Adien who gave them to his wife. Then it went to Jordan Blake who gave them to his wife. And then they ended up going to Winston Michael who gave them to me for our wedding. I only had one son and, rest his soul, he favored men. So I couldn’t give them to his bride. And if I chose to break tradition I still couldn’t because none of my three daughters wed. Then only Emma gave me grandchildren. But how could I choose between identical triplet boys? But now...now I can pass them on to the bride of the eldest boy of my great grandchildren.”, Hazel explained with a soft smile. “Wow...I’m...I’m honored. Between the dress and now this...am I going to get attacked by some Frost girls?”, Zoe asked. “Understatement, and it wouldn’t just be the girls.”, Josalyn commented eating her cakes. “No you will not. Any of my grandchildren or great grandchild wishing to take offense that I’ve passed the jewelry on to the bride of my eldest great grandson can bring their complaint straight to me and I’ll knock them over their thick skulls with my cane.”, Hazel said sternly patting her hickory cane. Josalyn shrugged. “I’ve no issues with your choice Nana. Since you chose to skip the grandma’s generation and dad’s it makes sense they go to Merrick and therefore Zoe.”, Josalyn said heading back to the kitchen with her empty plate.
“I just hope the others will see it that way.”, Christian sighed. He knew his brothers and his nephews and nieces. And some days they would accept the triplets as Frosts and some days they wouldn’t it was all a matter of how they felt that day and the subject. “Thank you so much Nana.”, Zoe smiled closing the box and hugging her again.”I suppose I should take all these boxes to my apartment.”, she said looking at the boxes. “You’re very welcome. Be sure to try everything on, make sure they fit and you like them.”, Hazel nodded hugging her back. “Oh joy I get a fashion show?”, Merrick questioned with a smirk. “Just don’t let that boy see you in the gown. I don’t believe in many traditions but that’s one I suggest you abide.”, Hazel warned. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe in bad luck Nana. But fine. To appease you I won’t see her in the dress.”, Merrick nodded setting Faelan down picking up the boxes in his arms carrying them out to his car and Alec’s that Zoe had borrowed. “I should be heading back to Boston. I’ve a check up on my pacemaker in the morning. I’ll see all of you in two weeks at the wedding.”, Hazel smiled using her cane to get up. Christian escorted her out to the car, Michael had rushed ahead to open the door for her before they left.
Christian came back in and scooped up Faelan. “Well you two go have your um..fun. This young man and I have an appointment to get fit for suits since we are in his Auntie Josalyn’s wedding.”, Christian smiled holding Faelan across his arms and curling him up like a weight to his face and blowing a raspberry on his belly. Faelan wiggled and giggled trying to escape playfully growling. Christian chuckled lowering him and repositioning how he was holding him. “Oh you are such your father’s son. He used to love when I did that to him. Well back when he was small enough for me to do that.”, Christian smiled glancing to Merrick who had a couple inches and near ninety pounds or better on him. “Yeah that was rather long ago. I was taller than you by the time I was what thirteen?”, Merrick teased giving Faelan a kiss. “You’ll be taller than grandpa too pup.”, Merrick added. “Fourteen. Thirteen you were eye level then you hit that next growth spurt and it was over.”, Christian corrected. Zoe just smiled shaking her head grabbing her purse. “You be good for grandpa and the tailor.”, Zoe said giving Faelan a kiss. “bye sweetie.”, she said. “Bye mamma. Bye daddy.”, Faelan waved. Merrick smiled waving back as he put an arm around Zoe walking out. “You are just so adorable with your family.”, Zoe commented going to Alec’s car. Merrick paused at his car and raised an eyebrow. “Okay? Thank you?”, he answered. “Just you and your dad. You’ve got a wonderful deep bond with him. Which given how great he is at being your dad explains how you learned to be such an amazing dad to Faelan.”, she explained. Merrick nodded. “Yeah. My dad is pretty awesome. Now let’s get these boxes to your place so you can try them on and I can take them off.”, he smirked getting into his car pulling out. Zoe sighed shaking her head but was smiling as she got into Alec’s car and pulled out following behind Merrick.
While the Frost family was getting ready for the upcoming wedding for Josalyn the Howlett and Kearney families were getting ready for the wedding of Ashley and Xavier. This was going to the first official family event Kyle was going to to as a Kearney. He was rather excited. he’d been told if he wanted he could bring a guest. And really there was only one person he could think of that he’d want to take to his new cousin’s wedding, Ororo. So he pulled together as much courage as he could and went to go find her. Ororo of course was rarely alone. He’d checked her dormitory but her roommate Aurora said she wasn’t there but up on the roof with Inola. Kyle sighed the roof meant Stephan most likely. Ororo’s father had installed a sitting ledge with a railing all the way around for observation purposes. Basically it was installed because he couldn’t convince Ororo that going up to the roof where the winged mutants generally took off for their flight practice was no place for someone not training in flight. Ororo leaned on the railing of the observation ledge next to Inola her hazel eyes focused up on the clear blue skies her eyes following the movements of Stephan as he swooped this way and that practicing aerial techniques with Evan and Hiro. Ororo had grown up watching the trio flying around the school, in their early years they were taught to fly by Warren or Iver and eventually Gabriel also showed them some tricks he’d discovered on his own. She’d loved watching them fly when she was little, wishing she could soar into the skies and be as graceful and in a way beautiful as them. And she still enjoyed watching them fly, though she enjoyed watching Stephan for slightly different reasons as of late.
Stephan’s wings were rather different than the more angelic wings for Hiro and Evan, though Hiro’s wings were as black as a raven’s while his brothers was as white as a cloud. Stephan’s wing span was larger than either of the twins, the shape and his feathers were different as well. And even with being albino his feathers weren’t exactly as pure white as Evan’s, there was a subtle pattern of a barn owl could just barely be seen if you looked close enough or the light caught them just right as the pattern was composed slightly different shades of white. Evan and Hiro’s wings didn’t really have a pattern to them. Evan’s wings being a pure ivory and Hiro’s being a deep ebony. Ororo smiled watching as the trio weaved around each other and swooped down to move through the trees as if they were the wind itself. Stephan’s physique was a bit more wiry like his father lending itself to bending this way and that as he moved. Inola was out on the observation ledge because her own curiosity about the winged students and how they were able to fly like birds. She’s always been interested in animals, it just seemed to be ingrained in her genetic code. But now that she was volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary her interest had become more intense as she got to spend time around the wild animals and around the owner Merrick. When the other two employees weren’t around Merrick was a tad accommodating to her curiosity about different species of animals. There was so many she’d only read about in books, and if she caught him on a day he wasn’t too busy he would oblige her by changing into said animal so she could observe in real life.
Inola glanced with a small laugh at her friend knowing exactly which of the trio Ororo’s eyes were following. “So exactly when do you plan to pluck up the courage and tell him?”, Inola asked teasing as she elbowed Ororo gently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about..”, Ororo blushed but her eyes didn’t stop following Stephan as he flew. She gripped the railing leaning forward watching as he took a sharp dive straight down, she could feel her heart stop till he just as suddenly leveled out only feet from the ground and started to weave around the trunks of the trees. “Oh that I’m going to try.”, Hiro said and went into a similar dive as Stephan just had. He didn’t trust his speed as much as Stephan and leveled out a little sooner but still managed to pull it off. Inola watched with intrigue at the game of follow the leader and looked up to the sky where Evan was still hovering. “OH COME ON EVAN! TRY IT!”, Inola yelled to the more timid of the trio. Stephan may be shy but when he was flying he had the same level of confidence his father had to, well everything. Evan sighed, he knew he was supposed to follow the others. This was training after all. To make sure that all three of them could perform the same aerial movements to apply to their separate teams. He went up a little higher and held his breath going into the dive, trying to have enough speed but also have his wings tucked just enough to pull off the maneuver without needing to go to the infirmary and see his mother. Stephan and already soared back up into the skies with Hiro not far behind.
“You can do this Evan!”, Stephan encouraged the younger student. It’d taken him some time to pull it off so easily, Gabriel had taught him the move when he was a bit younger than the twins and he’d crashed into the ground the first time he’d attempted it. Evan leveled out a little higher than his twin had, being more cautious by nature and started to weave his way around the trees to follow the path his brother and Stephan had taken. As Evan pulled up and joined his brother and Stephan hovering above the trees Ororo clapped and Inola let out a whistle putting her thumb and index finger between her lips. Hiro of course grinned at the acknowledgment where his brother and Stephan both blushed a little at the reminder they were being observed. Stephan mostly blushing because he could have sworn when his keen eyes looked at them Ororo's eyes were on him. In the hallway below the hatch to the roof Kyle was taking a deep breath. “You’re just asking her to be your date...no reason to be scared. Who cares that she’s a model and the most beautiful bird you’ve ever seen? And it shouldn’t matter who all is up there with her.”, Kyle said not really being all that encouraging but he climbed up the ladder and opened the hatch looking around. And there on the little observation ledge he saw Ororo standing next to the newest student Inola Pierce. Both girls had their backs to him and when he followed the incline of their heads they were looking up at his two ‘cousins’ Hiro and Evan and then he saw the third figure and frowned a little...Stephan.
“Ororo?!”, Kyle called, but the wind just blew his words away. He sighed and climbed up onto the roof and carefully made his way down the incline to the small observation deck. As he got closer he got more nervous about asking Ororo to the wedding and lost his balance slipping and bumping into the two girls. “I’m so sorry...I lost my balance..”, he stammered an apology in his Cambridge accent. Both girls grunt a little as they were pushed forward into the railing and looked over their shoulders to see why. Inola hadn’t spent much time around Kyle, but they had a couple classes this year in common at the public school. “Hi Kyle. No worries. That’s why there’s a railing. We can’t all be so certain that a guardian ‘angel’ will swoop in and save us from falling.”, Inola smiled teasing Ororo a little having hear all about her almost falling off the roof at Valentine’s Day and Stephan saving her. Ororo rolled her eyes at Inola but smiled at Kyle. “It’s alright Kyle. You don’t generally come up on the roof. Are you going to practice your shapeshifting to become a winged creature to work on your flight?”, Ororo asked being logical of his reason for being there. “Hey look it’s Kyle!”, Hiro said pointing. “HI KYLE!”, Hiro shouted. Stephan gave a simple wave seeing Kyle talking to oror standing very close to her. “Um...well no. I wasn’t coming up here for training. I um..I wanted to talk to you. Er...in private if...well if that’s okay..”, Kyle stumbled through his explanation rubbing the back of his neck. Inola smirked a little as it appeared the adopted Kearney was attempting to pursue Ororo.
Ororo glanced back up to the skies at Stephan before turning to face Kyle. “Um alright. It is a bit windy out here for a conversation.”, she nodded agreeing. Kyle smiled offering a hand to help her up the incline of the roof. He was certain his heart stopped beating when she took his hand, her hand was so soft and delicate. Stephan watched trying to not let it get to him, though some of his feathers ruffled up a little as he watched Kyle holding Ororo’s hand leading her to the hatch back inside. “Let’s go see what Kyle’s up to.”, Hiro smiled as he swooped down and landed on the observation ledge. “Hi Inola. So clues as to what my ‘coz’ was up to?”, he asked. Inola shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine, bird brain.”, Inola replied. Evan sighed but followed his brother landing on the other side of Inola on the desk tucking his wings behind him. “He apparently wanted to talk to Ororo. For what, that’s not really our concern.”, Evan said rationally as he reached for his left wing trying to get to a small twig from a low branch he could feel but not exactly reach. “Hey watch it with the wings, you two take up most of this deck with those things.”, Inola said getting bumped into Hiro as Evan tried to retrieve the twig.”Sorry..”, Evan said still trying to reach the twig. “Aw you complaining about being stuck between us?”, Hiro teased with a smirk and that mischievous glint in his blue eyes. Stephan sighed and landed on the roof gripping the ledge with his lion feet, not really having a need for the observation ledge. “No. Just not looking to get knocked over the railing.”, she answered with a smile.
“Now just hold still Evan…”, she instructed gently moving his wing and reaching around retrieving the small twig and tossing it off the desk. “There...jeez your feathers need to be groomed. You have some that are loose.”, she commented running her fingers over his left wing. That small act freed three of his ivory feathers that had come loose naturally. Evan’s wing flinched a little trying to tuck back behind him once the twig was out. he generally didn’t let people touch his wings. His mother or father was generally the one that helped him in regards to maintaining them for where he couldn’t reach on his own. Inola laughed a little and picked up the three feathers. “You need to learn to relax. I work with animals in my free time including birds. I wasn’t going to hurt you or anything.”, she shook her head a little and glanced over to Stephan. His eyes were locked on the hatch which Inola laughed a little shaking her head thinking to herself that Stephan and Ororo were peas in a pods too timid to just say what they were feeling. “Why don’t you go see if Ororo is coming back out. You have the better balance up here of us after all.”, Inola suggested to Stephan. “Huh. Um… alright.”, Stephan nodded heading for the hatch.
"Don't mind Evan. He's a prude about his wings.", Hiro teased. "Pity. They feel awesome to pet.", Inola commented holding the three ivory feathers in her hands. "People pet their pets. I'm not a pet.", Evan stated. Hiro rolled his eyes. "Nope just a prude. You really shouldn't be so weird about someone touching your wings. Their wings not your privates. Which even then...", he said with a suggestive raise of his eyebrows. "Now you're just being raunchy.", she teased Hiro. Evan turned a shade of red. "Hiro...inappropriate.", Evan scolded. Hiro shrugged smirking. "Facts brother. Eventually at some point you're going to realize I'm right about a lot of things.", he countered. "Well if you guys ever need it, I'll help groom your wings.", she offered. She rather enjoyed how soft Evan’s wings had felt under her fingers. "And not exactly raunchy. I didn't say you wanted to touch my brother's private parts.. only implied it.", Hiro smirked. "And I'll keep the offer in mind.", he added with a wink. Evan shook his head. "How are we actually related? I just... Some days..", Evan sighed. "Um thanks Inola, but my parents help me when they have the time.", he said simply. Inola shrugged a little. It was rather amusing how different the twins were. They weren’t identical twins or anything but still she figured twins would have a bit more in common. But they were total opposites. Evan had the dark black hair, the deep emerald eyes, and the ivory wings that seemed rather fitting to his more innocent and shy personality. And then there was Hiro with his blonde hair and his baby blue eyes that could easily be mistaken for innocent till you saw the devious glint that was generally present in them making one realize his ebony wings were rather fitting for his more devilish and outspoken personality.
Down in the hallway Ororo and Kyle had no clue what was being talked about up on the roof. “So what’s going on?”, Ororo asked fixing her black hair back into its high ponytail, the wind having blown some strands free. “I um..well I wanted to ask you..”, Kyle searched for the words. In his head he was trying to think like Donovan. To have the confidence to just talk to her. “Alright. Well ask what you need to. You don’t need to be all nervous about it.”, Ororo smiled bringing her hands back to her sides. She had no idea what Kyle was trying to ask. “Okay..”, he smiled a little as she gave him encouragement. Neither noticed that the hatch had opened as Stephan was about to come down to see if Ororo was coming back to the roof. But he paused, feeling a little bad that he was eavesdropping. “I wanted to know if you’d go to the wedding with me.”, Kyle asked. Stephan froze, did Kyle just ask Ororo out? Stephan didn’t wait to hear Ororo’s response just climbed back up onto the roof. “So she coming back out?”, Inola asked. But Stephan didn’t speak just took up to the sky. “Um..okay well that was weird. As much fun as you’ve apparently had being a kearney sandwich we should head back up for the rest of our training session.”, Hiro winked climbing onto the rail and taking the leap swooping down and then spreading his wings out catch the wind and come back up. “Pardon me.”, Evan said being polite as he got to the railing and let his wings open catching the wind and flying back up with his brother and Stephan.
"That's very sweet of you Kyle. However that's a Kearney/Howlett wedding an ocean away. I didn't even realize you could bring friends. Evan and Hiro didn't invite any of us.", she smiled figuring this was meant in a platonic way. "I didn't mean as a friend. I um... I wanted you to come as my date.", Kyle explained. Ororo blinked when he said date. Kyle likes her? Actually liked her. She sighed softly looking at him. He was cute, a number of her friends at the public school commented so often and loved his British accent. But she didn't think of him that way. Her hazel eyes looked up to the hatch knowing Stephan was above before she looked at Kyle. "I am very flattered Kyle. You're cute, the accent is very adorable, and sweet...", she tried to gently let him down. Kyle sighed frowning seeing her looking to the hatch. And he knew it wasn't one of his 'cousins' she looked above and sighed for. "But I'm not Stephan...", he sighed. "I'm sorry Kyle. I just... I think of you as a friend.", she explained speaking softly. Kyle nodded slowly. "I...I understand. You've known him your whole life and all that. I just well.. I'll just go. I've got homework to do.", he says nodding a little walking around her leaving the hallway needing to be alone. Ororo frowned watching him leave, she hoped she hasn't hurt his feelings. She sighed and climbed up the ladder and back into the roof.
Ororo unaware that Stephan heard any part of her conversation headed back to the observation deck with Inola. "So I miss anything good?", she asked leaning in the railing looking up at the three flying. "Oh I was in a Kearney sandwich and got some feathers, then Stephan came out from looking for you and been in the air sense.", Inola answered. "Oh fun a Kearney sandwich. Bet you and Hiro enjoyed that.",she smiled looking at the feathers. "Ooo Evan feathers? How'd you manage that? I've known him forever and don't get to touch his wings.", she smiled then frowned looking up when she said Stephan had gone down looking for her then went right back up. "Oh...I didn't see him come down the ladder...", she said softly wondering what part of the conversation he heard. "Yeah, his hackles were all bristled up. Like an angry kitten.",she chuckled and twirled the feathers. "He had a twig and then he hasn't been preening.", she explained twirling the feathers on her fingers with a smile. Ororo sighed thinking maybe he'd heard the last part where Kyle pointed out her crush on Stephan. Maybe he didn't like the idea she had a crush on him. "Oh.",she said quietly. "Ah so you found an excuse to get your hands on his wings." ,she smiled a little but was still looking up at Stephan a bit sad. "I did, and he squirmed like I was rubbing his thigh. Soo... Going to ask him what's wrong?",she asked Ororo noticing the sad expression as Ororo looked up at Stephan. "Hey look Ororo's back.", Hiro commented. Stephan glanced but only a fleeting moment. He figured her and Inola after talking about her going on a date with Kyle. "Let's focus and continue our training.", Stephan said moving into doing speed runs.
Ororo chuckled a little at the analogy. "Evan has always been guarded about his wings. I blame Hiro. He used to tug on Evan's wings always trying to compare to his and to Stephan's. Miss Solangel and Miss Aislinn would have to put Hiro in time out at daycare.",she said. She sighed a little looking up at Stephan. "I probably should. I just. I'm not sure I will like the answer.", she shrugged. "Oh? What'd Kyle want?", she asked, figuring it was something about that. She leaned on the railing. "Kyle asked me to Ashley and Xavier's wedding as his date.", she explained. Inola blinked. Well if that's what Stephan heard to her it explained his issue. It was obvious that Stephan looked Ororo but was too timid to say anything. "Oooh did you accept?", she asked. "No I didn't. Kyle's nice but...", she shook her head watching Stephan flying. "Soo... Think mister owl-face might have heard him asking?", Inola suggested. Ororo shrugged. "Maybe. Or he heard Kyle's response to my decline. Because I was nice, I think, about it. Saying I was flattered but... And Kyle interjected he's not Stephan. Is it really that obvious?", she sighed. "Oh yeah. Well, at least to us." she said. "Just not to him.",she frowned. "Ororo, you realize the amount of crazy-insecurity he has right?", Inola asked. "Yes. I've grown up here at the institute with him. More than a few times I've talked him off the metaphoric edge.", Ororo nodded. She knew Stephan had self image issues. But to her he was handsome exactly as he was. "So, is him not being confident why you don't date him?", Inola dared to ask. "What? No. He's just never asked or from what I can tell hinted.", she answered. "Uh huh. And you've never really hinted either, or asked.", she pointed out. "At least not well enough for him to notice. Seems everyone else has. The older boys on our team tease about it. I just... how many times can you tell someone all their amazing qualities before they get it?", Ororo shrugged. "Um, I dunno. How about just dating 'I love how you look, the person you are, lets go out this Friday on a date'?", she suggested. Ororo laughed a little shaking her head. "Yeah I don't know about that. I may have my mother's looks... but I'm not exactly as bold as her.", she defended. She shrugged. "Then don't whine and bitch and be depressed about him not asking, if you're too afraid to ask him.", she said simply. She didn't get why Ororo was eggshells about this. Ororo didn't lack confidence so why be shy about this.
"I didn't whine or bitch. I just don't know what part of the conversation he heard that upset him. Because if it was the last part and the idea that I like him is what upset him. Plus you've met my dad and my agent. Dad doesn't want me to date, possibly till I graduate and can move out where he has no control. And Shawn has his own ideas in regards to my potential dating prospects.", Ororo frowned. "Soo you're going to let them decide?",she asked. "You realize my mom married someone who literally is related to like, the creator of the Reapers right?", she pointed out. "Just sort of figured you had a bigger backbone than that, Ororo.", she shrugged. "No I'm not going to let them decide. I love and respect my dad, and I can get that right now he figures I'm too young to date or even be interested in boys. And Shawn... cute as he likes to think he is I'll stuff in a shipping crate and mail back to Jamaica if he tries to set me up with anyone.", Ororo stated. "Mmhmm.", Inola rolled her eyes. "Is it wrong that I'd like it to be him that makes that move?", she sighed. "Mom made the first move with dad. Karli made the first move with Forge. I just I'd like to have him ask.", she shrugged. "You want the quiet, zero self-esteem owl-sphinx mutant to ask out the literal model surrounded by hot guys?", Inola shook her head. "They are generic and bland. Every one of them. Just because society says they are hot.",she rolled her eyes. "I know right now dad would probably flip his lid if I tried to date anyone. I've gotta work on him being okay with the prospect. Because I move too quick I'll end up like Karli did at my age, in an all girls Catholic boarding school that our aunt works at in Scotland.", she explained. Which it was a legitimate fear. Her father could send her away if he felt it necessary. "Your dad is crazy, anyone ever tell you that?", she asked. "Um yeah. Lots of times. Shawn says it any day he's had to discuss my work schedule with daddy.", she smiled a little. "Because your dad is crazy.", Inola laughed. She was glad her dad wasn't as overbearing as Ororo's. "He means well. He's just extremely protective and a stickler for rules and order. He at least let's me do modeling and be on the team. I was worried being his daughter he'd try to not let me be on a team like everyone.", she explained her father.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Adder had been basically on high alert since the attack at the charity event. And the number of death threats against Mason had doubled since as well. She’d also been dodging calls from her biological mother. She just was in no mood to deal with whatever the woman had to say. Even if she was sorry and wanted to make amends. Adder had never needed the woman and didn’t need her now. She had her own family now, she had her friends. And Mason was getting better about spending time and actually being there as a friend again. And with the added death threats she had more important things to deal with than a woman who hadn’t wanted her. Today was the agreed meeting with a journalist named Jonathan Fuller from the Sun. Adder had gotten Webber to do a full background check on the man before she’d agree to the idea of Mason giving the interview. Last thing she wanted was more unwanted attention drawn to Mason. If she could have it her way he wouldn’t talk to the media about it, but he insisted he had to keep up appearances and make sure the COH knew this wasn’t going to stop him. “Ah still don’t like t’is idea.”, she muttered sitting in Mason’s office. Mason chuckled a little. “Oh come on pet. It’s just an interview. He’s passed Webber’s security checks, you’ll be in the room the whole time, and it’s at least not that Christine from the Daily Bugle. You didn’t seem to like her when she asked me a couple questions that night and I defered her to you.”, he commented. Adder narrowed her copper eyes briefly. “Ah just don’t t’ink added attention is t’e answer.”, she commented as there was a knock at the door.
Donald peeked his head in. “Mister Templeton? Mister Fuller is here.”, Donald announced. “You worry too much pet.”, Mason commented before looking to Donald. “Send him in Donald.”, Mason instructed. Donald nodded and opened the door fully. “Mister Templeton will see you now.”, he said pointing Jonathan into the office. “Thanks mate.”, Jonathan smiled walking into the office. Donald closed the door once Jonathan was inside. “Thanks for meeting with me Mister Templeton. My paper wants me to do an extended piece in regards to the recent terrorist actions of the Church of Humanity and it’s effects on the mutant population. And well since right now you seem to be their target for the things you are doing to help mutants, you were an obviously place to start.”, he explained walking closer offering his hand to Mason. Adder watched him like the snake that she is, coiled and ready to pounce the moment he became a threat. Jonathan casted a cautious glance in the direction of Adder before looking back to Mason. Mason smiled noticing the glance and the subtle fear in Jonathan’s eyes. “She can be a bit intimidating a suppose. Personally I don’t find her threatening, but I’m not supposed to. Am I Adder?”, he smiled moving and shaking Jonathan’s hand. Adder rolled her eyes at Mason. “Nice to meet you Mister Fuller. As I understand it you actually took part of the little scuffle from the charity event earlier this summer.”, he commented leaning against his desk gesturing for Jonathan to take a seat. “I wouldn’t call a terrorist attack a little scuffle. And the best I did was hit one man in the head with a tray before being told to leave by the police.”, Jonathan said humbly as he took a seat.
“Well I’m sure the woman who’s life you saved through your actions were worth note.”, Mason commented. “I’m not certain that would be altogether true. She was one of the bodyguards for his majesty King Hudson of Madripoor so she was holding her own very well and much better than I ever could. You however Mister Templeton shocked a number of people with how you fought and wouldn’t leave when the police were trying to get the guests out of harms way. Care to share how you know how to fight like that? And if you can fight like that why do you require bodyguards?”, Jonathan asked. Mason smiled. “I was taught how to fight growin up. Boxing, martial arts all those extracurriculars that my father could manage to enroll me into. And well I’ve often had a knack for getting in trouble, wouldn’t you agree Ader? So knowing how to fight was imperative.”, he explained glancing to Adder when he addressed her with a small smirk. “O yea’ ya certainly know ‘ow ta get yourself in trouble and t’en Ah ‘ave ta get you out of it.”, Adder muttered her eyes locked on Jonathan still assessing any threat level. Jonathan glanced over to Adder quickly looking back to Mason. Mason chuckled. “Don’t mind Adder’s tone. She loves me. We’ve been mates since I was a freshmen in university. She’s now having to return the favor of how many times I got her out of trouble.”, Mason commented. Adder felt her heart skip for half a second but it returned to normal, of course he didn’t mean love in the way she actually felt but more of a love in regards to friends.
“I see. So my other question if you are such a good fighter why the bodyguards?”, Jonathan asked. “Oh that’s simple. I need someone to watch my back. And when I deal with my actual business I have to be focused on that I can’t be looking over my shoulder for the next loon to attack me. As you said I’ve made myself a bit of a target with my foundation. So knowing that I have someone like Adder there makes me feel safe.”, Mason shrugged. “Well some might argue that you painted the target when you appointed Miss Adder as your head of security.”, Jonathan countered. “I’m sure it did. But I don’t care. Adder is my mate and beyond that she’d a fierce fighter. If I’m going to have a bodyguard that person had better be as good as me in a fight. And the only two people I’d say are as good as me are Adder and my mate Ashton. And obviously Ashton has his own company to run so couldn’t get him to be my bodyguard. If someone doesn’t like that she’s a mutant that’s their problem. I don’t discriminate.”, Mason explained. Jonathan nodded jotting down a few notes to himself. “So what are your plans going forward? For dealing with the Church of Humanity and any threats on your life or your foundation?”, Jonathan asked.
Mason glanced to Adder who shook her head. She didn’t want to talk to another reporter. “Simple, Mister Fuller, I continue doing exactly what I’ve been doing. I wasn’t raised to cower or to back down. They got a taste of what me and my bodyguard can do. So I say they want a fight they’ll have one. They just better be prepared to lose. To ensure the safety of my foundation and each location as they open, my best and brightest are working on security measures to ensure rabble rousers cannot bring harm to any mutant who seeks refuge.”, Mason answered. Jonathan nodded. “I wish you the best of luck Mister Templeton. What you are doing is something worth taking the risk for. I have some more interviews I want to do. So thank you for your time.”, he said standing up. Mason nodded and shook his head. “Good luck with your article.”, Mason smiled. “Thanks.”, Jonathan said leaving the office. “See that wasn’t so bad pet.”, Mason smiled looking at Adder. “Ah guess. It could ‘ave been worse. Ah just don’t like ya becoming a bigger target.”, she frowned. Mason chuckled pushing off his desk and walking over to the chair she was sitting on placing his hands on the arms leaning down close to her face.
“Don’t frown pet. I’ve got you to protect me. Besides I want to be the target.”, he smiled kissing her forehead before standing back up. For a moment as he was leaning close to her face he’d considered kissing her lips. To just find out, to take the risk of it all falling apart. But he made the choice to not take that risk. No he was taking enough risks as he prodded the COH. He didn’t want to risk Adder’s loyalty and friendship just to find out what her lips taste like. Adder held her breath, not even realizing it as he got so close to her. Since the charity event he’d been more on track with how he used to be around her. She let the breath out as he kissed her forehead. Of course he wasn’t going to kiss her, not how she wanted him to. She was still just his friend. She just needed to accept that she’d never be more than that in his eyes. “W’y ya gotta be t’e target?”, she questioned. “Because if I’m the target we can handle whatever the church dares to throw at us. If I’m the target they can back off the other mutants who aren’t as trained in fighting or with their powers like us.”, he explained. “So ya’d rat’er be t’e martyr?”, she questioned not liking this one bit. Sure she admired that he would put his neck on line for mutant kind, but when push came to shove the good of the many did not outweigh the good of the one, at least not to her when that one was home. “Martyrs die, I don’t plan to die. And I don’t think you plan to let me die. With them gunning for me it gets media attention. Mister Fuller’s article will help. It will open the eyes of the people of not just our country but the world. Let them see the true evil that the church is.”, he explained smiling a little. Adder just sighed shaking her head a little knowing there was no talking him out of it.
It was getting close to crunch time for Josalyn’s wedding and she still hadn’t decided on what flavor cake she liked. So she’d driven down to the Haven where her mother and Aislinn were baking test flavors for Josalyn to pick from. Zoe was there, mostly to just keep Faelan out of the kitchen while the baking was going on. She was in agreement with Merck that the last thing anyone needed was Faelan on a sugar high of cake. So while the baking was going on Zoe was on the living room floor across from Josalyn rolling a small ball back and forth between them as Faelan in his wolf form chasing it barking playfully. Josalyn laughed at the cuteness of her nephew. She didn’t spend a lot of time with her nephew with being in school, working in the mayor’s office in Boston and recently planning the wedding so she appreciated the times she did get to be around him. “He’s just so cute. God if Merrick’s power had manifested this young….”, she chuckled. “Your mom would have had her hands full cleaning up random animal hairs.”, Zoe smiled rolling the ball back to Josalyn. Faelan barked and skidded to stop and change directions. “True. So since we are all in wedding mode. You two think about what you want your wedding to be? I don’t know about you but I’ve had a vision of my wedding in my head since I was little.”, Josalyn asked rolling the ball back.
“We haven’t really talked much about the wedding yet. He’s busy getting the new store going up in Boston, fixing up the Aonair Mac Tíre house so the three of us can move in soon, and the sanctuary. And I’m getting ready for auditions next month for a production of Chicago. They are hoping to go all out with this production. And I guess this time they feel they can really go as close to a broadway level production because Nana Hazel just donated a large amount of money to the opera house.”, Zoe shrugged. “Well you guys did plan to wait till not next year but the year after. So you’ve got some time I suppose. Good luck with the audition. Nana and Merrick always talk about how good you are. Damon plan on doing the traditional father pays for the wedding?”, she asked still making conversation while the cake samples were baking. “Thanks. And I’m not sure. I haven’t really discussed that with papa. Feels a little weird to even ask since till a couple years ago he didn’t even know about me.”, she shrugged. “Well no harm in asking. Though knowing Merrick he won’t want to accept the financial help. Dad’s paying for my wedding. He’d offered to pay for Lily’s I guess, but Demitri said he would pay for her wedding instead.”, she said rolling her eyes a little talking about Demitri. “You don’t like your older brother much do you?”, Zoe asked. “It’s not that...per say. I just don’t know him enough to say if I do or don’t like him. Lily always stayed close to him, even ran away from home to be with him instead of the rest of us. Merrick has gotten closer to him since leaving the Academy. But me…”, she shrugged. “I just know it hurts dad’s feeling when Lily favors Demitri over him. And yeah Demitri offered to pay because he figured financially it’d be easier on dad since I’m getting married in a couple weeks and Lily plans to get married in April. I just hope that Lily does the right thing by dad when the time comes.”, she sighed.
“What do you mean by ‘right thing’?”, Zoe asked. “Dad is walking me down the aisle in two weeks and when the father daughter dance plays he’s who I’m dancing with. Demitri wants to pay for her wedding, whatever. But she better do right by dad and ask him to give her away and to share that dance with her. It’ll break his heart if she doesn’t.”, Josalyn explained. Zoe nodded, she could in a small way imagine how that might hurt as she looked at Faelan. She was going to be his step-mother, but much like Merrick and his triplet sisters Faelan never got the chance to really know the absent parent. She could be mom in his eyes, but when he was older and they had to explain to him that biologically she’s not his mother how would he react? Would he still love her as strong like Merrick and Josalyn love Christian? Or would he push her away like Lily has done to Christian? When he marries will he want her for his mother son dance? She pushed the thought away hearing a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.”, Christian said walking out of the small study area having been doing some work from home. Josalyn and Zoe both leaned a little to try and see around the arch of the living room in the direction of the door. Very few knocked upon the Haven door. Most who would come to the house just walked in. Christian pulled open the door and blinked a little surprised but smiled seeing his grandmother. “Grandmother… we didn’t know to expect you.”, he greeted giving her a hug.
“Yes well I like to keep you on your toes. Now help Michael with the boxes.”, she instructed pointing over her shoulder. At her car Michael had the trunk open with boxes inside and was otherwise trying to carry a large box in his arms. “Good lord grandmother what did you bring?”, he asked heading out to help Michael. “I was told that Zoe would be here, I’d stopped at the restaurant first and her handsome Uncle Alec was kind enough to tell me she was here.”, Hazel said walking inside. Zoe raised an eyebrow. “In the living room Nana Hazel.”, Zoe called and looked puzzled at Josalyn getting the same confused look back. Both wondered what Hazel would be bringing for Zoe. “Grandmother, could we please never refer to Alec D’Amore as ‘handsome’ and certainly not in the tone you just used. He’s not that much older than I am...it is mostly creepy.”, Christian said. Hazel waved a dismissive hand at her grandson and went to the living room. “Hello girls. Oh and hello my darling wolf. I brought you a treat.”, she said reaching into her purse taking out a cookie and unwrapping it from it’s plastic. Faelan quickly changed to human and rushed over. “Grazie..”, he smiled taking the oatmeal cookie gnawing on it. His accent was perfect but he was still little and learning the language. Zoe smiled proud that he was trying to integrate italian into his vocabulary. “That's a good lad. You are welcome.”, Hazel smiled messing up the tuff of Faelan’s brown hair before taking a seat.
“Hello Nana.”, Josalyn and Zoe greeted. “What brings you down?”, Zoe asked getting up from the floor and taking a seat next to Hazel. “Josalyn? Come to the kitchen, the samples are ready for tasting.”, Kim called. “Well that’s my cue..”, Josalyn said getting up pausing to give her Nana a hug before heading to the kitchen to try these flavors her mother and Aislinn had created. Michael and Christian set the large box down in the living room before heading back to the car to get the other boxes. “What...what is all this?”, Zoe asked looking at the large box curiously and then the other boxes the two carried in. “They are for you my dear.”, Hazel explained pulling Faelan up onto her lap. “Open them.”, Hazel instructed. “Um...alright. Guess I’ll start with the biggest one..”, Zoe said getting up and moving to open the box. Ass he looked inside she blinked at its contents. Christian raised an eyebrow wondering what was in the large box. “So what did Nana bring you?”, Josalyn asked walking out holding a plate with a pieces of dark chocolate, lemon, red velvet, and vanilla cakes that she was tasting. “Michael help her take it out please.”, Hazel instructed. Michael nodded and reached into the box grabbing the hanger and carefully bringing the floor length white satin strapless gown with black twirl floral applica. Josalyn coughed on the bite of cake in her mouth instantly knowing the gown. Zoe just looked at the dress in stunned admiration. She had no idea of it’s significance but did believe it was possibly the most beautiful gown she’d seen.
“Nana’s wedding dress…”, Merrick breathed having walked into the house unnoticed as everyone was staring at the dress. “Daddy!”, Faelan shouted wiggling off Hazel’s lap and racing for his father. Zoe blinked hearing Merrick’s voice and turned her head to look at him as he picked up Faelan. “Wedding dress?”, Zoe repeated. Hazel nodded smiling. “Beautiful isn’t it? I had it made by my dear french designer friend Givenchy, though he later reused the design for that Audrey Hepburn film.”, Hazel explained. “I...I...it’s estremamente bello. I mean extremely beautiful. But shouldn’t this...I mean shouldn’t this be given to one of your great granddaughters?”, Zoe asked a little uncertain glancing at Josalyn. Hazel snorted at the suggestion while Merrick, Josalyn and Christian were just frozen looking at the gown. “My darling none of them would be able to fit in it. You however are just about the size I was when I married my Winston. You’ve more my figure than my great granddaughters or even my daughters had. And in a way i am giving this to my great granddaughter. You are marrying into this family after all.”, Hazel said simply. “Emma will not be happy about this…”, Josalyn said quietly. “I do not frankly give a da...darn.”, Hazel said pausing as she choose to not curse in front of Faelan knowing Merrick’s feelings on that. “She doesn’t have the figure for this gown and I shall not abide to see it altered in any way.”, Hazel stated.
Zoe looked at the dress reaching touching the delicate fabric. This was a one of a kind, a total original in essence. And a treasured heirloom that she was being offered. “We..we hadn’t even discussed what style or anything about the wedding yet..”, Zoe said uncertainly glancing to Merrick. Wedding discussions hadn’t happened much these past months as he was working diligently to get what would be their first home together ready. “It bella mamma...like you.”, Faelan smiled putting his tiny two cents. Merrick laughed a little and looked from the dress to Zoe giving a small nod. “I’m with the pup. We may not have decided on much but that...having that legendary dress certainly is a starting point.”, he said nodding to the dress. Zoe smiled. “Aw thank you cucciolo you are such a sweet boy. So..um looks like I have a dress. I can’t thank you enough Nana. I’m honored that you would wish for me to wear this.”, she smiled sitting down hugging Hazel about the neck. “You are welcome child. The other boxers are just some of my old clothes from when I was about your age that I figured I could pass on to you since we share a body type. You can look at those later. I have one final gift for you.”, she smiled.
Merrick looked over the multiple boxes sitting on the floor. “Lord if all this fits here I’m going to have to seriously build out that closet in the master at the Aonair Mac Tíre house to accommodate.”, he said shaking his head. “Well it’s good you are a master craftsman my boy.”, Hazel smiled. “Michael the other item please.”, she snapped her fingers extending her hand to Michael. “Of course madame.”, Michael said reaching into one of the boxes taking out a narrow black case and handing it to Hazel. Josalyn was watching with great interest at this point still eating her cakes. Kim and Aislinn had even come out to find out what the commotion was. “This is my final gift to you for your wedding.”, Hazel smiled offering the box to Zoe. “You really don’t need to do this. We aren’t planning the wedding to happen for a couple years. And we should be more focused on a different wedding at the moment.”, Zoe said glancing to Josalyn. “Oh I know Josalyn is marrying in two weeks. She was already given a lovely set of jewelry from my collection to wear as her something old. And I’ve a set ready to be given to Lily as well. No just open the box my dear.”, Hazel said dismissively. Zoe sighed and opened the box her mouth falling open a little as she looked at the dangling silver diamond and pearl earrings and a silver and diamond two row pearl choker. “These...these are sfarzoso...gorgeous…”, Zoe said softly running a finger carefully over the pearls. “And they will look gorgeous on you my nightingale and I already know they pair perfectly with the gown.”, Hazel smiled.
The rest of the room couldn’t see what was inside with how the box had been opened. But the way Hazel spoke Christian, Kim, Merrick and Josalyn all had a good idea of what was inside. Josalyn had turned a shade of white that nearly matched the satin of the gown. “Is that...is that what I think it is?”, Josalyn questioned. “Indeed it is.”, Hazel nodded with a smile. Zoe looked up from the pearls to the others a little confused. “So another Nana heirloom?”, she asked turning the box to display the pearls. “Understatement hellraiser. Those are The, with a capital T, Frost Bridal Pearls.”, Merrick explained. “These pearls were originally bought in 1903 by Christian Adam Frost as a gift for his wife on their wedding. It was passed to their son Gregory Adien who gave them to his wife. Then it went to Jordan Blake who gave them to his wife. And then they ended up going to Winston Michael who gave them to me for our wedding. I only had one son and, rest his soul, he favored men. So I couldn’t give them to his bride. And if I chose to break tradition I still couldn’t because none of my three daughters wed. Then only Emma gave me grandchildren. But how could I choose between identical triplet boys? But now...now I can pass them on to the bride of the eldest boy of my great grandchildren.”, Hazel explained with a soft smile. “Wow...I’m...I’m honored. Between the dress and now this...am I going to get attacked by some Frost girls?”, Zoe asked. “Understatement, and it wouldn’t just be the girls.”, Josalyn commented eating her cakes. “No you will not. Any of my grandchildren or great grandchild wishing to take offense that I’ve passed the jewelry on to the bride of my eldest great grandson can bring their complaint straight to me and I’ll knock them over their thick skulls with my cane.”, Hazel said sternly patting her hickory cane. Josalyn shrugged. “I’ve no issues with your choice Nana. Since you chose to skip the grandma’s generation and dad’s it makes sense they go to Merrick and therefore Zoe.”, Josalyn said heading back to the kitchen with her empty plate.
“I just hope the others will see it that way.”, Christian sighed. He knew his brothers and his nephews and nieces. And some days they would accept the triplets as Frosts and some days they wouldn’t it was all a matter of how they felt that day and the subject. “Thank you so much Nana.”, Zoe smiled closing the box and hugging her again.”I suppose I should take all these boxes to my apartment.”, she said looking at the boxes. “You’re very welcome. Be sure to try everything on, make sure they fit and you like them.”, Hazel nodded hugging her back. “Oh joy I get a fashion show?”, Merrick questioned with a smirk. “Just don’t let that boy see you in the gown. I don’t believe in many traditions but that’s one I suggest you abide.”, Hazel warned. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe in bad luck Nana. But fine. To appease you I won’t see her in the dress.”, Merrick nodded setting Faelan down picking up the boxes in his arms carrying them out to his car and Alec’s that Zoe had borrowed. “I should be heading back to Boston. I’ve a check up on my pacemaker in the morning. I’ll see all of you in two weeks at the wedding.”, Hazel smiled using her cane to get up. Christian escorted her out to the car, Michael had rushed ahead to open the door for her before they left.
Christian came back in and scooped up Faelan. “Well you two go have your um..fun. This young man and I have an appointment to get fit for suits since we are in his Auntie Josalyn’s wedding.”, Christian smiled holding Faelan across his arms and curling him up like a weight to his face and blowing a raspberry on his belly. Faelan wiggled and giggled trying to escape playfully growling. Christian chuckled lowering him and repositioning how he was holding him. “Oh you are such your father’s son. He used to love when I did that to him. Well back when he was small enough for me to do that.”, Christian smiled glancing to Merrick who had a couple inches and near ninety pounds or better on him. “Yeah that was rather long ago. I was taller than you by the time I was what thirteen?”, Merrick teased giving Faelan a kiss. “You’ll be taller than grandpa too pup.”, Merrick added. “Fourteen. Thirteen you were eye level then you hit that next growth spurt and it was over.”, Christian corrected. Zoe just smiled shaking her head grabbing her purse. “You be good for grandpa and the tailor.”, Zoe said giving Faelan a kiss. “bye sweetie.”, she said. “Bye mamma. Bye daddy.”, Faelan waved. Merrick smiled waving back as he put an arm around Zoe walking out. “You are just so adorable with your family.”, Zoe commented going to Alec’s car. Merrick paused at his car and raised an eyebrow. “Okay? Thank you?”, he answered. “Just you and your dad. You’ve got a wonderful deep bond with him. Which given how great he is at being your dad explains how you learned to be such an amazing dad to Faelan.”, she explained. Merrick nodded. “Yeah. My dad is pretty awesome. Now let’s get these boxes to your place so you can try them on and I can take them off.”, he smirked getting into his car pulling out. Zoe sighed shaking her head but was smiling as she got into Alec’s car and pulled out following behind Merrick.
While the Frost family was getting ready for the upcoming wedding for Josalyn the Howlett and Kearney families were getting ready for the wedding of Ashley and Xavier. This was going to the first official family event Kyle was going to to as a Kearney. He was rather excited. he’d been told if he wanted he could bring a guest. And really there was only one person he could think of that he’d want to take to his new cousin’s wedding, Ororo. So he pulled together as much courage as he could and went to go find her. Ororo of course was rarely alone. He’d checked her dormitory but her roommate Aurora said she wasn’t there but up on the roof with Inola. Kyle sighed the roof meant Stephan most likely. Ororo’s father had installed a sitting ledge with a railing all the way around for observation purposes. Basically it was installed because he couldn’t convince Ororo that going up to the roof where the winged mutants generally took off for their flight practice was no place for someone not training in flight. Ororo leaned on the railing of the observation ledge next to Inola her hazel eyes focused up on the clear blue skies her eyes following the movements of Stephan as he swooped this way and that practicing aerial techniques with Evan and Hiro. Ororo had grown up watching the trio flying around the school, in their early years they were taught to fly by Warren or Iver and eventually Gabriel also showed them some tricks he’d discovered on his own. She’d loved watching them fly when she was little, wishing she could soar into the skies and be as graceful and in a way beautiful as them. And she still enjoyed watching them fly, though she enjoyed watching Stephan for slightly different reasons as of late.
Stephan’s wings were rather different than the more angelic wings for Hiro and Evan, though Hiro’s wings were as black as a raven’s while his brothers was as white as a cloud. Stephan’s wing span was larger than either of the twins, the shape and his feathers were different as well. And even with being albino his feathers weren’t exactly as pure white as Evan’s, there was a subtle pattern of a barn owl could just barely be seen if you looked close enough or the light caught them just right as the pattern was composed slightly different shades of white. Evan and Hiro’s wings didn’t really have a pattern to them. Evan’s wings being a pure ivory and Hiro’s being a deep ebony. Ororo smiled watching as the trio weaved around each other and swooped down to move through the trees as if they were the wind itself. Stephan’s physique was a bit more wiry like his father lending itself to bending this way and that as he moved. Inola was out on the observation ledge because her own curiosity about the winged students and how they were able to fly like birds. She’s always been interested in animals, it just seemed to be ingrained in her genetic code. But now that she was volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary her interest had become more intense as she got to spend time around the wild animals and around the owner Merrick. When the other two employees weren’t around Merrick was a tad accommodating to her curiosity about different species of animals. There was so many she’d only read about in books, and if she caught him on a day he wasn’t too busy he would oblige her by changing into said animal so she could observe in real life.
Inola glanced with a small laugh at her friend knowing exactly which of the trio Ororo’s eyes were following. “So exactly when do you plan to pluck up the courage and tell him?”, Inola asked teasing as she elbowed Ororo gently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about..”, Ororo blushed but her eyes didn’t stop following Stephan as he flew. She gripped the railing leaning forward watching as he took a sharp dive straight down, she could feel her heart stop till he just as suddenly leveled out only feet from the ground and started to weave around the trunks of the trees. “Oh that I’m going to try.”, Hiro said and went into a similar dive as Stephan just had. He didn’t trust his speed as much as Stephan and leveled out a little sooner but still managed to pull it off. Inola watched with intrigue at the game of follow the leader and looked up to the sky where Evan was still hovering. “OH COME ON EVAN! TRY IT!”, Inola yelled to the more timid of the trio. Stephan may be shy but when he was flying he had the same level of confidence his father had to, well everything. Evan sighed, he knew he was supposed to follow the others. This was training after all. To make sure that all three of them could perform the same aerial movements to apply to their separate teams. He went up a little higher and held his breath going into the dive, trying to have enough speed but also have his wings tucked just enough to pull off the maneuver without needing to go to the infirmary and see his mother. Stephan and already soared back up into the skies with Hiro not far behind.
“You can do this Evan!”, Stephan encouraged the younger student. It’d taken him some time to pull it off so easily, Gabriel had taught him the move when he was a bit younger than the twins and he’d crashed into the ground the first time he’d attempted it. Evan leveled out a little higher than his twin had, being more cautious by nature and started to weave his way around the trees to follow the path his brother and Stephan had taken. As Evan pulled up and joined his brother and Stephan hovering above the trees Ororo clapped and Inola let out a whistle putting her thumb and index finger between her lips. Hiro of course grinned at the acknowledgment where his brother and Stephan both blushed a little at the reminder they were being observed. Stephan mostly blushing because he could have sworn when his keen eyes looked at them Ororo's eyes were on him. In the hallway below the hatch to the roof Kyle was taking a deep breath. “You’re just asking her to be your date...no reason to be scared. Who cares that she’s a model and the most beautiful bird you’ve ever seen? And it shouldn’t matter who all is up there with her.”, Kyle said not really being all that encouraging but he climbed up the ladder and opened the hatch looking around. And there on the little observation ledge he saw Ororo standing next to the newest student Inola Pierce. Both girls had their backs to him and when he followed the incline of their heads they were looking up at his two ‘cousins’ Hiro and Evan and then he saw the third figure and frowned a little...Stephan.
“Ororo?!”, Kyle called, but the wind just blew his words away. He sighed and climbed up onto the roof and carefully made his way down the incline to the small observation deck. As he got closer he got more nervous about asking Ororo to the wedding and lost his balance slipping and bumping into the two girls. “I’m so sorry...I lost my balance..”, he stammered an apology in his Cambridge accent. Both girls grunt a little as they were pushed forward into the railing and looked over their shoulders to see why. Inola hadn’t spent much time around Kyle, but they had a couple classes this year in common at the public school. “Hi Kyle. No worries. That’s why there’s a railing. We can’t all be so certain that a guardian ‘angel’ will swoop in and save us from falling.”, Inola smiled teasing Ororo a little having hear all about her almost falling off the roof at Valentine’s Day and Stephan saving her. Ororo rolled her eyes at Inola but smiled at Kyle. “It’s alright Kyle. You don’t generally come up on the roof. Are you going to practice your shapeshifting to become a winged creature to work on your flight?”, Ororo asked being logical of his reason for being there. “Hey look it’s Kyle!”, Hiro said pointing. “HI KYLE!”, Hiro shouted. Stephan gave a simple wave seeing Kyle talking to oror standing very close to her. “Um...well no. I wasn’t coming up here for training. I um..I wanted to talk to you. Er...in private if...well if that’s okay..”, Kyle stumbled through his explanation rubbing the back of his neck. Inola smirked a little as it appeared the adopted Kearney was attempting to pursue Ororo.
Ororo glanced back up to the skies at Stephan before turning to face Kyle. “Um alright. It is a bit windy out here for a conversation.”, she nodded agreeing. Kyle smiled offering a hand to help her up the incline of the roof. He was certain his heart stopped beating when she took his hand, her hand was so soft and delicate. Stephan watched trying to not let it get to him, though some of his feathers ruffled up a little as he watched Kyle holding Ororo’s hand leading her to the hatch back inside. “Let’s go see what Kyle’s up to.”, Hiro smiled as he swooped down and landed on the observation ledge. “Hi Inola. So clues as to what my ‘coz’ was up to?”, he asked. Inola shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine, bird brain.”, Inola replied. Evan sighed but followed his brother landing on the other side of Inola on the desk tucking his wings behind him. “He apparently wanted to talk to Ororo. For what, that’s not really our concern.”, Evan said rationally as he reached for his left wing trying to get to a small twig from a low branch he could feel but not exactly reach. “Hey watch it with the wings, you two take up most of this deck with those things.”, Inola said getting bumped into Hiro as Evan tried to retrieve the twig.”Sorry..”, Evan said still trying to reach the twig. “Aw you complaining about being stuck between us?”, Hiro teased with a smirk and that mischievous glint in his blue eyes. Stephan sighed and landed on the roof gripping the ledge with his lion feet, not really having a need for the observation ledge. “No. Just not looking to get knocked over the railing.”, she answered with a smile.
“Now just hold still Evan…”, she instructed gently moving his wing and reaching around retrieving the small twig and tossing it off the desk. “There...jeez your feathers need to be groomed. You have some that are loose.”, she commented running her fingers over his left wing. That small act freed three of his ivory feathers that had come loose naturally. Evan’s wing flinched a little trying to tuck back behind him once the twig was out. he generally didn’t let people touch his wings. His mother or father was generally the one that helped him in regards to maintaining them for where he couldn’t reach on his own. Inola laughed a little and picked up the three feathers. “You need to learn to relax. I work with animals in my free time including birds. I wasn’t going to hurt you or anything.”, she shook her head a little and glanced over to Stephan. His eyes were locked on the hatch which Inola laughed a little shaking her head thinking to herself that Stephan and Ororo were peas in a pods too timid to just say what they were feeling. “Why don’t you go see if Ororo is coming back out. You have the better balance up here of us after all.”, Inola suggested to Stephan. “Huh. Um… alright.”, Stephan nodded heading for the hatch.
"Don't mind Evan. He's a prude about his wings.", Hiro teased. "Pity. They feel awesome to pet.", Inola commented holding the three ivory feathers in her hands. "People pet their pets. I'm not a pet.", Evan stated. Hiro rolled his eyes. "Nope just a prude. You really shouldn't be so weird about someone touching your wings. Their wings not your privates. Which even then...", he said with a suggestive raise of his eyebrows. "Now you're just being raunchy.", she teased Hiro. Evan turned a shade of red. "Hiro...inappropriate.", Evan scolded. Hiro shrugged smirking. "Facts brother. Eventually at some point you're going to realize I'm right about a lot of things.", he countered. "Well if you guys ever need it, I'll help groom your wings.", she offered. She rather enjoyed how soft Evan’s wings had felt under her fingers. "And not exactly raunchy. I didn't say you wanted to touch my brother's private parts.. only implied it.", Hiro smirked. "And I'll keep the offer in mind.", he added with a wink. Evan shook his head. "How are we actually related? I just... Some days..", Evan sighed. "Um thanks Inola, but my parents help me when they have the time.", he said simply. Inola shrugged a little. It was rather amusing how different the twins were. They weren’t identical twins or anything but still she figured twins would have a bit more in common. But they were total opposites. Evan had the dark black hair, the deep emerald eyes, and the ivory wings that seemed rather fitting to his more innocent and shy personality. And then there was Hiro with his blonde hair and his baby blue eyes that could easily be mistaken for innocent till you saw the devious glint that was generally present in them making one realize his ebony wings were rather fitting for his more devilish and outspoken personality.
Down in the hallway Ororo and Kyle had no clue what was being talked about up on the roof. “So what’s going on?”, Ororo asked fixing her black hair back into its high ponytail, the wind having blown some strands free. “I um..well I wanted to ask you..”, Kyle searched for the words. In his head he was trying to think like Donovan. To have the confidence to just talk to her. “Alright. Well ask what you need to. You don’t need to be all nervous about it.”, Ororo smiled bringing her hands back to her sides. She had no idea what Kyle was trying to ask. “Okay..”, he smiled a little as she gave him encouragement. Neither noticed that the hatch had opened as Stephan was about to come down to see if Ororo was coming back to the roof. But he paused, feeling a little bad that he was eavesdropping. “I wanted to know if you’d go to the wedding with me.”, Kyle asked. Stephan froze, did Kyle just ask Ororo out? Stephan didn’t wait to hear Ororo’s response just climbed back up onto the roof. “So she coming back out?”, Inola asked. But Stephan didn’t speak just took up to the sky. “Um..okay well that was weird. As much fun as you’ve apparently had being a kearney sandwich we should head back up for the rest of our training session.”, Hiro winked climbing onto the rail and taking the leap swooping down and then spreading his wings out catch the wind and come back up. “Pardon me.”, Evan said being polite as he got to the railing and let his wings open catching the wind and flying back up with his brother and Stephan.
"That's very sweet of you Kyle. However that's a Kearney/Howlett wedding an ocean away. I didn't even realize you could bring friends. Evan and Hiro didn't invite any of us.", she smiled figuring this was meant in a platonic way. "I didn't mean as a friend. I um... I wanted you to come as my date.", Kyle explained. Ororo blinked when he said date. Kyle likes her? Actually liked her. She sighed softly looking at him. He was cute, a number of her friends at the public school commented so often and loved his British accent. But she didn't think of him that way. Her hazel eyes looked up to the hatch knowing Stephan was above before she looked at Kyle. "I am very flattered Kyle. You're cute, the accent is very adorable, and sweet...", she tried to gently let him down. Kyle sighed frowning seeing her looking to the hatch. And he knew it wasn't one of his 'cousins' she looked above and sighed for. "But I'm not Stephan...", he sighed. "I'm sorry Kyle. I just... I think of you as a friend.", she explained speaking softly. Kyle nodded slowly. "I...I understand. You've known him your whole life and all that. I just well.. I'll just go. I've got homework to do.", he says nodding a little walking around her leaving the hallway needing to be alone. Ororo frowned watching him leave, she hoped she hasn't hurt his feelings. She sighed and climbed up the ladder and back into the roof.
Ororo unaware that Stephan heard any part of her conversation headed back to the observation deck with Inola. "So I miss anything good?", she asked leaning in the railing looking up at the three flying. "Oh I was in a Kearney sandwich and got some feathers, then Stephan came out from looking for you and been in the air sense.", Inola answered. "Oh fun a Kearney sandwich. Bet you and Hiro enjoyed that.",she smiled looking at the feathers. "Ooo Evan feathers? How'd you manage that? I've known him forever and don't get to touch his wings.", she smiled then frowned looking up when she said Stephan had gone down looking for her then went right back up. "Oh...I didn't see him come down the ladder...", she said softly wondering what part of the conversation he heard. "Yeah, his hackles were all bristled up. Like an angry kitten.",she chuckled and twirled the feathers. "He had a twig and then he hasn't been preening.", she explained twirling the feathers on her fingers with a smile. Ororo sighed thinking maybe he'd heard the last part where Kyle pointed out her crush on Stephan. Maybe he didn't like the idea she had a crush on him. "Oh.",she said quietly. "Ah so you found an excuse to get your hands on his wings." ,she smiled a little but was still looking up at Stephan a bit sad. "I did, and he squirmed like I was rubbing his thigh. Soo... Going to ask him what's wrong?",she asked Ororo noticing the sad expression as Ororo looked up at Stephan. "Hey look Ororo's back.", Hiro commented. Stephan glanced but only a fleeting moment. He figured her and Inola after talking about her going on a date with Kyle. "Let's focus and continue our training.", Stephan said moving into doing speed runs.
Ororo chuckled a little at the analogy. "Evan has always been guarded about his wings. I blame Hiro. He used to tug on Evan's wings always trying to compare to his and to Stephan's. Miss Solangel and Miss Aislinn would have to put Hiro in time out at daycare.",she said. She sighed a little looking up at Stephan. "I probably should. I just. I'm not sure I will like the answer.", she shrugged. "Oh? What'd Kyle want?", she asked, figuring it was something about that. She leaned on the railing. "Kyle asked me to Ashley and Xavier's wedding as his date.", she explained. Inola blinked. Well if that's what Stephan heard to her it explained his issue. It was obvious that Stephan looked Ororo but was too timid to say anything. "Oooh did you accept?", she asked. "No I didn't. Kyle's nice but...", she shook her head watching Stephan flying. "Soo... Think mister owl-face might have heard him asking?", Inola suggested. Ororo shrugged. "Maybe. Or he heard Kyle's response to my decline. Because I was nice, I think, about it. Saying I was flattered but... And Kyle interjected he's not Stephan. Is it really that obvious?", she sighed. "Oh yeah. Well, at least to us." she said. "Just not to him.",she frowned. "Ororo, you realize the amount of crazy-insecurity he has right?", Inola asked. "Yes. I've grown up here at the institute with him. More than a few times I've talked him off the metaphoric edge.", Ororo nodded. She knew Stephan had self image issues. But to her he was handsome exactly as he was. "So, is him not being confident why you don't date him?", Inola dared to ask. "What? No. He's just never asked or from what I can tell hinted.", she answered. "Uh huh. And you've never really hinted either, or asked.", she pointed out. "At least not well enough for him to notice. Seems everyone else has. The older boys on our team tease about it. I just... how many times can you tell someone all their amazing qualities before they get it?", Ororo shrugged. "Um, I dunno. How about just dating 'I love how you look, the person you are, lets go out this Friday on a date'?", she suggested. Ororo laughed a little shaking her head. "Yeah I don't know about that. I may have my mother's looks... but I'm not exactly as bold as her.", she defended. She shrugged. "Then don't whine and bitch and be depressed about him not asking, if you're too afraid to ask him.", she said simply. She didn't get why Ororo was eggshells about this. Ororo didn't lack confidence so why be shy about this.
"I didn't whine or bitch. I just don't know what part of the conversation he heard that upset him. Because if it was the last part and the idea that I like him is what upset him. Plus you've met my dad and my agent. Dad doesn't want me to date, possibly till I graduate and can move out where he has no control. And Shawn has his own ideas in regards to my potential dating prospects.", Ororo frowned. "Soo you're going to let them decide?",she asked. "You realize my mom married someone who literally is related to like, the creator of the Reapers right?", she pointed out. "Just sort of figured you had a bigger backbone than that, Ororo.", she shrugged. "No I'm not going to let them decide. I love and respect my dad, and I can get that right now he figures I'm too young to date or even be interested in boys. And Shawn... cute as he likes to think he is I'll stuff in a shipping crate and mail back to Jamaica if he tries to set me up with anyone.", Ororo stated. "Mmhmm.", Inola rolled her eyes. "Is it wrong that I'd like it to be him that makes that move?", she sighed. "Mom made the first move with dad. Karli made the first move with Forge. I just I'd like to have him ask.", she shrugged. "You want the quiet, zero self-esteem owl-sphinx mutant to ask out the literal model surrounded by hot guys?", Inola shook her head. "They are generic and bland. Every one of them. Just because society says they are hot.",she rolled her eyes. "I know right now dad would probably flip his lid if I tried to date anyone. I've gotta work on him being okay with the prospect. Because I move too quick I'll end up like Karli did at my age, in an all girls Catholic boarding school that our aunt works at in Scotland.", she explained. Which it was a legitimate fear. Her father could send her away if he felt it necessary. "Your dad is crazy, anyone ever tell you that?", she asked. "Um yeah. Lots of times. Shawn says it any day he's had to discuss my work schedule with daddy.", she smiled a little. "Because your dad is crazy.", Inola laughed. She was glad her dad wasn't as overbearing as Ororo's. "He means well. He's just extremely protective and a stickler for rules and order. He at least let's me do modeling and be on the team. I was worried being his daughter he'd try to not let me be on a team like everyone.", she explained her father.