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Post by Banshee on Sept 28, 2005 22:04:06 GMT -5
As with most of the rooms in the subbasement, this room is accessible only to authorized members of the X-Men.
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Post by Psylocke on Feb 17, 2006 11:45:39 GMT -5
((Continued from War Room))
"It is! Oh, that’s great," Jean replied, glad they had the appropriate suits, "We’ll have to order a few more various types so we have them in stock."
Betsy continued to grin. “Thanks, Jean. This is much preferable then her being naked every time she becomes human. Although seeing Sean's face the first time it happened was amusing,” she told the other woman. Granted, it didn't take much to make Sean blush and it was certainly one of Betsy's favorite past times.
Jean chuckled at Sharon's “Aye” and said, "I bet he’s getting a kick out of it, too. Coupled with her hair color and now the Irish vernacular, it’s easy to tell who her ‘parents’ are."
Betsy opened her mouth to refute that but then closed it. Sean had officially “adopted” Sharon the cat so it was only proper that they now had adopted Sharon the girl. Closing her eyes briefly, she wondered how she had become engaged and a “parent” all in the same day. And for some reason, she had a feeling Jean was going to keep reminding her of her new “role”. “Does that mean when we formally fill out the paperwork, she's going to be registered as Sharon Cassidy?” Betsy asked.
< Thank you, Betsy. I—this means a lot. Your opinion means so much to me. > Jean told her through their mental link.
< Sweetie, no one is happier for you and Scott then Sean and I. Perhaps we should let Sean live so he can bond with Nathan as well, > Betsy suggested dryly.
Nathan offered to help Sharon with his own tk but thankfully, Jean intervened. It wasn't that Betsy didn't trust him to be gentle with Sharon but she'd rather have someone she knew do it for now. At least until they all got to know both Sharon and Nathan better.
With that, she watched in great interest as Sharon attempted to use her legs to walk in the telekinetic shield. It was definitely encouraging as it showed Sharon's willingness to become acquainted with her “new” body.
They entered the lab and Betsy set to work with the DNA process. The easiest way, and less painful way, would be a gentle swab of the inside of Nathan's mouth. Then she waited for the young man to sit on one of the beds.
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Feb 22, 2006 2:10:25 GMT -5
"We do trust you, Nathan," Jean replied as sincerely as possible, willing to remedy that statement if Betsy didn’t agree, "And I am curious as to the extent of your abilities, but I’d like to carry Sharon to the lab if that’s alright."
Nathan nodded, trying not to feel so hurt. He was trying to be as understanding as possible but at the same time, he had absolutely no doubt he could carry Sharon. Hell, he weighed more than she did and had been carrying himself for the last two days, almost non-stop. "Once everything settles down, I’d like to see the limits of your abilities, if you’d be willing to show me," his mother added. “Well, if I’m to be a student here, that would be part of curriculum, wouldn‘t it?”
Nathan followed Betsy and his mother with Sharon not far behind. They walked into another room the looked eerily familiar. Not a room from his memories mind you, he’d just spent a significant portion of his life in a lab. It was odd how it never bothered him before and in one day, everything changed. A room like this went from a place of comfort to something he hated with every fiber of his being.
As they walked in, Nathan pulled off his leather jacket and sat it on the back of an exam chair. He tried not to look too completely terrified in this room, or angry. Just being in there made him feel uncomfortable in a way he didn’t expect at all. Sitting down, he laid his right arm on the table, expecting a blood test. There were already a few marks near the veins. Essex tried more than once to figure out what his techno-organic mesh was made of, unsuccessfully. It was interesting in a way, as it was the only thing Nathan ever saw that completely stumped Essex.
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Post by Phoenix on Feb 23, 2006 23:07:25 GMT -5
The foursome headed towards the lab. It was a proud, yet amusing sight to watch Sharon happily try to use her legs as Jean helped her ‘walk’ with her telekinesis. No doubt about it, Sharon could pick up things easily, just by imitation alone. Might take her a little bit to master the tasks, but she was willing. It’d only be a matter of time.
“Does that mean when we formally fill out the paperwork, she's going to be registered as Sharon Cassidy?” Betsy asked, not sounding too pleased at the idea. Jean smiled at her best friend’s exasperation, aware of just how proud newfound Mama Betsy really was of Sharon, “I think so. Unless Sharon would rather take your last name,” Though Sean might not like that too much. The new family would have to talk about it amongst themselves.
< Sweetie, no one is happier for you and Scott then Sean and I. Perhaps we should let Sean live so he can bond with Nathan as well, > Betsy suggested dryly.
< Maybe, > Jean couldn’t help but chuckle before she added with that mischievous glint in her eyes reminiscent of when she, Betsy, and Anna hit the town when they were younger, < But let’s let him sweat it out a little first. >
A wave of hurt emotions brushed over her, and Jean glanced at Nathan. His expression hadn’t changed but his feelings had, “Well, if I’m to be a student here, that would be part of curriculum, wouldn‘t it?” Jean wanted to cringe a bit. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. With the whole coming back from the supposed dead, coupled with everything that was going on—ugh. This was going to get harder before it got any easier.
"Yes, it would," Jean offered him a nod with a slight smile, her tone repentant. She actually would have liked to run through some courses with him personally, one-on-one, but if he didn’t want to, that was fine, too. Going head to head with experienced telepaths like Betsy and herself was reserved for advanced students, and even then the teachers tended to cap their abilities. But hopefully the simulations would suffice.
The group entered the lab and Betsy set to work, preparing for the DNA test while Nathan headed for the exam chair. Jean smiled at Sharon, "I’m going to set you down now, Sharon," Jean indicated the stationary swivel chair next to one of the desks in the lab. Gently, she set the purple-haired teenager in the chair. < Unless you’d like to walk some more? I can use my TK to help you, if you like. >
Nathan was sitting still, having just turned over his arm. The scar tissue was visible from where he’d obviously been poked and prodded numerous times before. A quick flash of anger surfaced before Jean quickly squelched it. Lucky for that monster Nathan had killed him. If Jean had ever gotten her hands on him, she’d make sure he knew pain in ways not ever known on this mortal plane. A thick dwelling inside her fed off her emotions momentarily before it burrowed back into the recesses of her being.
Just then something else brushed the back of her mind – hopelessness and despair. But it wasn’t coming from anyone in the room. Ever since the Stepfords had learned to trust her with their welfare, they’d created their own type of mental connection with their adoptive mother. Jean could sense something was wrong, but the girls had their mental blocks up. She wasn’t going to pry, seeing as they were most likely upset with Esme, but the feelings only reinforced her resolve to speak with the girls as soon as possible.
Unclenching her fist, Jean glanced at her son and placed a comforting hand on his arm, "We’ll only need to take a saliva sample, Nathan," Realizing he might not appreciate her touch in front of others (he was a teenager and her husband’s son, after all), she withdrew her hand.
< You’re safe here. > With all he’d endured, it might take a while to believe it. And that was okay. He could take all the time he needed.
Speaking low in a stage whisper, she added to attempt lessening his unease, "And Betsy may act tough, but between you and me, she’s really a big softie." Jean held her finger to her lips like it was some big secret. "And if you’re a good patient, she’ll even give you a lollipop," Jean pointed to the plastic jar sitting off to the side on the counter. Some of the younger students had actually needed them, and some of the older students as well, but Jean suspected it was more to bum some free candy.
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Post by Catseye on Feb 24, 2006 17:41:01 GMT -5
They were talking about names and powers and something, but she wasn't really paying attention. She was too busy focusing on her feet, which she was moving around a lot, making it look like she was walking just like they were. She could still feel that something was holding her up. The teakay. But if she walked with the teakay, then the teakay wasn't just fun, it was great.
"I’m going to set you down now, Sharon." She looked up at Red Lady and frowned. She was having so much fun walking with the teakay. < Unless you’d like to walk some more? I can use my TK to help you, if you like. > She grinned and nodded. More teakay was a good thing.
Turning, she looked toward the wall and moved her legs, trying to get them to push her forward. She was a lot lighter thanks to the teakay, and soon she figured out how to keep her feet flat on the ground. Smiling, she moved her legs really fast, in the air. She could play with teakay all day long.
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Post by Psylocke on Feb 27, 2006 21:15:59 GMT -5
< Maybe, > Jean couldn’t help but chuckle before she added with that mischievous glint in her eyes reminiscent of when she, Betsy, and Anna hit the town when they were younger, < But let’s let him sweat it out a little first. >
Betsy had to smirk at that comment. <Oh, I plan on letting him sweat it out but probably not in the way you are thinking,> she said with a wink. Oh, no, Sean was definitely going to sweat it out but it was going to be very private and very personal disciplinary tactics. And she had a feeling that Jean would know exactly what she was talking about. Besides, they had to celebrate their engagement, didn't they? It all rationalized quite well in Betsy's mind.
She felt the change in Nathan's mood and let Jean handle it. She was his mother, after all. Glancing over at Sharon, she had to smile at the purple haired teen that was her “daughter” now. Sharon was certainly determined and that impressed Betsy to no end. As Jean explained to Nathan that Betsy would only be doing a saliva sample, she heard the redhead add, "And Betsy may act tough, but between you and me, she’s really a big softie." Jean held her finger to her lips like it was some big secret. "And if you’re a good patient, she’ll even give you a lollipop.
Turning to face the two Summers in the room, Betsy gave a mock look of indignation. “Thanks, Jean, just ruin my good reputation so quickly.” She smiled at Nathan and added, “Don't believe everything your mother tells you, Nathan. You can come down here and get a lollipop anytime you want. Now, I just need you to open your mouth and I'll wipe the inside and we'll be all done.”
With that, Betsy quickly swabbed the inside of Nathan's mouth and stored the soft tip inside a container. It would be examined when Nathan was not in the room. The child didn't need any more anxiety then he was already emanating. “There, all done. Now, be sure to grab a lollipop and you are free to explore down here. Soon as we figure out what's going on upstairs, you can come up.”
Then she turned to Jean and asked, “Any news from Scott yet on how the tour is progressing?”
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Mar 3, 2006 0:26:58 GMT -5
"Yes, it would." His mother’s tone was soft and apologetic. Nathan hoped he wasn’t that obvious. Essex taught him to be cold and emotionless, to make him harder to read. The only problem was that this situation was so much heavier than anything he’d dealt with before. Cable just nodded, avoiding Jean’s eyes.
It was strange how old habits still clung to him. His mentor and care taker was dead, gratefully so. But Nathan still felt like he had just failed the man. He had to shake away those feelings though. He wanted a fresh start, here with his family.
Sharon grinned from ear to ear the whole way into the next room, which amused Nathan. When the unusual feeling hit him, he tried to focus on Sharon to hide his emotions. Once again, he was still trying to impress that man. Still though, he was determined to hide it at least somewhat. People who wore they’re emotions on their sleeves were weak, at least that’s what he was brought up to believe. It wasn’t until he turned over his arm and felt a pang of anger from his mother that his concentration broke. She was angry, because of him...because of what was done to him?
His eyes meandered over the room, not really looking at anything though. His emotional wars forgotten for the moment, he knew that wasn‘t anger. It was love. She loved him. Perhaps he didn’t believe it until right then, or was too afraid to believe. But it was perfectly clear right there.
His mother placed a hand on Nathan’s arm, shaking him from his daze. His eyes darted to her hand then up into her eyes. "We’ll only need to take a saliva sample, Nathan," then mentally added <You’re safe here.> His mouth opened but nothing came out, still reeling from everything around him. Apparently, it was his turn to suffer an emotional breakdown.
Removing here hand , Jean leaned down. and mock whispered "And Betsy may act tough, but between you and me, she’s really a big softie." Jean held her finger to her lips like it was some big secret. "And if you’re a good patient, she’ll even give you a lollipop." Nathan laughed, well more like whimpered but happily. Betsy played along, acting annoyed by the comments. It was just like his memories. They were true friends showing affection. Breaking his long silence, Nathan said “I’ll have to remember that,” rather timidly. He would have to work on this witty banter stuff. Either that or get control of himself. He hoped it was the latter.
“There, all done. Now, be sure to grab a lollipop and you are free to explore down here. Soon as we figure out what's going on upstairs, you can come up,” Betsy added after swabbing the inside of his mouth. “Okay,” Nathan responded, a little less shaken this time. He stood up and took a lollipop from the jar, not feeling the least bit sheepish for grabbing at candy like a four year old. He’d actually never had any before. Pulling the plastic off first, he put it in his mouth and smiled. It was good. Taking another one, he walked to Sharon, who was still bebopping around the room with his mother’s help and offered one to her.
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Post by Phoenix on Mar 7, 2006 23:40:23 GMT -5
At Sharon’s grin and nod, Jean smiled, continuing to use her telekinesis to help Sharon ‘walk.’ Already the young girl had grasped the notion of setting her feet flat on the floor. And though Betsy didn’t seem to realize it, she was already embracing her new role as a proud Mama, pleased emotions at Sharon’s progress emanating from her.
Of course, that could also have something to do with her next statement, <Oh, I plan on letting him sweat it out but probably not in the way you are thinking,> commenting with a wink. So much more information than Jean needed. She feigned a grimace before she revealed a hint of a knowing smile, < Actually I think I have a pretty good idea of how you’ll make him sweat, but we’ll leave it at that, > The redhead and purple-haired telepath had always been able to banter back and forth about the men in their lives. Just another reason why Betsy and Jean were so close.
Nathan sat stiffly in the exam chair, not quite comfortable but he seemed more at ease since he didn’t have to have blood drawn. He even laughed a little, albeit uncertainly, at the teasing repertoire in the room, but you could tell he wasn’t used to it. It was disheartening, knowing just how stressful his life had been, that he wasn’t used to being able to just relax and let things flow. Scott was the same most of the time, but he still knew how to unwind when he wanted to. It was rare, but it did occur. Nathan would learn, in time.
“Thanks, Jean, just ruin my good reputation so quickly.” Betsy replied good-naturedly. Jean smiled, “Sorry. Don’t worry, we’ll just keep it between us.” She winked at her son, watching as Betsy approached Nathan and took a sample from inside his mouth. “There, all done. Now, be sure to grab a lollipop and you are free to explore down here. Soon as we figure out what's going on upstairs, you can come up.” Her eyes flicked over to the container that held the swab before returning to her son.
His demeanor had eased up a bit as he nodded, “Okay,” Before standing and heading to the lollipop jar, a near shy, almost child-like look on his face that countered his years of hardship as he reached in and retrieved two lollipops. Sticking the first in his mouth, he grinned before approaching Sharon. Oh, they were going to have a field day with those lollipops. He might have to show her how to eat it, but she’d pick it up in no time.
Jean chuckled inwardly, watching the two as she approached Betsy, < Remind me to tell Scott we need to buy those in bulk. >
“Any news from Scott yet on how the tour is progressing?” Betsy inquired.
“Not yet,” Jean took her eyes off their two children to catch Betsy’s eyes. “But knowing Anna, she’s keeping him on his toes.” A wry smile touched her lips. Anna could keep just about any man on his toes. Or his knees, depending on what position she wanted him in.
< I have to admit, I’m curious. Let me give him a ‘ring.’ > Jean’s mischievous look lasted for just a moment, her thoughts slipping for a split second before they returned to the task at hand. It was that whole ‘making him sweat’ comment from earlier. < You’re a bad influence on me, Betsy, > Jean teased before searching for her husband.
She found him in the DR, preparing for a session. Thankfully it hadn’t started yet or she’d have waited until they were finished, < Hey, Slim, > Jean smiled over their link, < Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to see how things are going with the tour. > Her eyes fell on the newest additions to their family at the Institute, < Things have settled down here for the most part. > No more naked Sharon, for one thing. And though he was experiencing some uncertainty, Nathan seemed to be adjusting slowly to his new home. And with the two adult telepaths in the room, the atmosphere in the lab was very comfortable and secure.
Jean turned back to Betsy, “She’s learning quickly,” smiling at the purple-haired teen. Jean had been leaving her TK on auto-pilot, so to speak, letting Sharon move at her own pace. Whenever she placed her foot on the ground, Jean made sure to lesson her telekinesis just a hair so Sharon would slowly get used to her own weight.
< If you would have told me this morning all this was going to happen, > Jean indicated the two teenagers, < I would have said you were crazy. > Betsy would probably agree. Despite the unannounced Red Guard visit, now that things weren’t as emotional as they were in her office, things were falling even more in perspective.
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Post by Catseye on Mar 8, 2006 11:39:27 GMT -5
Teakay was really fun. And she was definitely getting the hang of the people walking thing. She could tell that the teakay was helping out, keeping her a little bit in the air, sort of. But it was moving. There was more pressure on her feet as she kept on walking around, from one side of the room to the other. Maybe teakay was how people walked. That was something to think about, at least.
They were talking about something or other, but she was too interested in the teakay and the walking to really listen in. She caught a few words, though. Nothing interesting. Teakay was interesting. Opening her mouth, she mumbled, "Tkeay." No, that wasn't quite it. "Tick..." She trailed off as the boy with the shiny arm came toward her, holding two things that were weird looking. She cocked her head to the side and watched as he took one of them, pulled something off, and stuck it in his mouth. Food, then?
He held the other one out to her, and she reached for it, taking it and turning it over in her hands. Woah, hands were weird, too. Eyes going from the weirdness of the candy to the weirdness of her hands, she got herself a bit mixed up in her head and forgot what she was supposed to do with it. Looking up at him, she frowned slightly. < Eat? >
He'd smiled when he put the other one into his mouth. That must mean that it was good for eating. She reached with her other hand, fumbling quite a bit as she tried to unwrap it. Opposable thumbs were new and, like most of the things she'd discovered so far that day, weird. After a few tries, she pinched the stick triumphantly, holding it steady in one hand while she tried to grab at the wrapper with the other. Eat the food. People food sure was hard.
Eventually, she tugged the wrapper off and held the exposed candy up, examining it. She held it to her nose, sniffing. It smelled interesting, at least. Looking at the boy with the shiny arm again, she nodded, putting the candy into her mouth. < Eat. >
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Post by Cyclops on Mar 11, 2006 19:55:35 GMT -5
[[ Crosstposted from the Danger Room through Scott and Jean's telepathic link ]]
Suddenly Jean was in his mind. < Hey, Slim, > Jean smiled over their link, < Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to see how things are going with the tour. >
< Not bad, Red, > he told her. < While I'm occupying Anna here, why don't you sneak Nathan up to a room in the Boys' Dorm? Someone can bring him something to eat later on. >
< Things have settled down here for the most part. >
Scott smiled back across their link. < Good,> he replied. < And honey, I'm probably going to need some R & R after this. Know anyone who might be interested? >
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Post by Phoenix on Mar 13, 2006 19:38:03 GMT -5
[Posted out of turn via Admin request & permission]
< Not bad, Red, > Scott’s voice sounded calm over their bond, so that was a good sign. < While I'm occupying Anna here, why don't you sneak Nathan up to a room in the Boys' Dorm? Someone can bring him something to eat later on. >
Jean nodded though he couldn’t see her, < Sounds like a good idea. It’ll be nice for him not to be stuck down here. > Not that the med bay and lab weren’t sufficient, but a bedroom would be much better for him to relax. Plus, he could take a shower and relax in solitude on a comfortable bed if he wished.
Upon hearing how things were going, Jean caught Scott’s smile over their link, < Good,> he replied. < And honey, I'm probably going to need some R & R after this. Know anyone who might be interested? >
Jean pretended to think it over, taking a moment before answering, < Hmm, I think I can find someone willing to participate. > Some R & R was definitely needed. After things settled with Anna’s visit and the Cuckoos as well as dealing with everything else that had transpired, Jean was looking forward to some time to unwind (or is that wind up?) with her husband.
Sending a minute shiver of anticipation over his mind, Jean grinned before adding, < Good luck, Sweetheart. Don’t be too hard on her. > Though it may very likely be the other way around. From what she’d remembered Anna gave it her best, and she doubted much had changed. Giving him a mental kiss, Jean let him be to return to his DR simulation.
Turning to Betsy Jean relayed what Scott had told her, “Scott said things weren’t going too bad. Right now he and Anna are competing against one another in a DR simulation,” A quirk of a smile on her lips, she shook her head slightly, “I don’t know if they know what they’ve gotten themselves into,” Both gave it their best and Jean was curious to see what the outcome would be.
“I’m going to see if I can sneak Nathan up to a room while Anna’s occupied,” Jean added before approaching Sharon and her son. It was all Jean could do not to stare at the young man, but she literally had to pinch herself to be reminded that she wasn’t dreaming.
Hiding a smile at Sharon’s inspection of the lollipop, Jean walked over, glancing at Nathan, her features relaxed and welcoming, “Would you like to get settled in a room upstairs? Scott has Anna, our visiting Red Guard member, occupied at the moment so I’d like to show you to a room while she’s busy.”
[ETA: OOC - Mike, if Nathan agrees, he can exit Jean along with him. ]
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Post by Psylocke on Mar 13, 2006 21:30:25 GMT -5
Betsy watched as Nathan took two suckers and handed one to Sharon. < Remind me to tell Scott we need to buy those in bulk,> Jean said to her with humor in her telepathic voice.
Betsy chuckled mentally and watched as Sharon learned how to take off the wrapper and put the candy in her mouth, declaring it food. Okay, so they had a few things to work on regarding appetite with Sharon. <Yeah, I think between those two, we may go through twice as many suckers in a month as we do now,> Betsy replied with a laugh.
While Jean contacted Scott, Betsy watched Nathan and Sharon interact. They seemed to have hit it off rather well in the short amount of time they had known each other but when she thought about it, it made some sense. Both were more or less learning what being human was like. Nathan had been trapped with a madman for most of his life and Betsy had seen some of the torture he had been through. Sharon had been a cat all her life and being human was extremely new. It made her feel good to know that their children would probably be as close and her and Jean were.
Jean turned to her and said, “Scott said things weren’t going too bad. Right now he and Anna are competing against one another in a DR simulation. I don’t know if they know what they’ve gotten themselves into. I’m going to see if I can sneak Nathan up to a room while Anna’s occupied.”
Nodding Betsy had to agree. “That's a great idea. I'm going to room Sharon with Kitty. There's no way I am going to keep her with Sean and I any longer,” she told Jean with a grin. “I can trust Kitty to help her or to contact us if she needs to.”
Turning to Sharon, Betsy added, “If you are done with that, why don't you go back into cat form and I'll show you where you will be staying tonight, Luv. You know who Kitty is. You'll be staying in her room for now.”
((Maura, feel free to exit them if you want in your next post))
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Mar 15, 2006 0:59:44 GMT -5
Taking an extra sucker, Nathan handed it to Sharon. She fumbled with the candy for a few seconds before finally getting situated. She really was new to all this, wasn’t she? He supposed that he was too, only in a different way. He wasn’t used to being around so many people, or people with friendly relationships like his mother and Betsy. He had been around people but only in short intervals, when he took it upon himself to sneak out of the house. He usually found himself in a diner or someplace not too densely crowded. Although, he did once get pulled into a nightclub. It was like a sensory overload though. Too many thoughts and people were packed in so tight, he couldn’t help but bump into everyone. Needless to say, he never went back to one of those again.
<Eat,> Sharon asked him. Nathan nodded, but as he thought about it, he regretted doing so. If she tried to go ahead and swallow it, it could scratch her throat or even worse, choke her. By this time, she managed to pull off the wrapper and put the candy in her mouth. < Wait, just let it sit in your mouth. Don’t eat it, > he corrected the girl before she could hurt herself, hopefully.
While Nathan was interacting with Sharon, his mother and Betsy were talking things over and Jean put in a call to his father. Apparently, they decided it was safe for him to come upstairs because she approached him with an offer. “Would you like to get settled in a room upstairs? Scott has Anna, our visiting Red Guard member, occupied at the moment so I’d like to show you to a room while she’s busy.” Definitely! Nathan didn’t want to spend anymore time in this lab than absolutely necessary. Though, his mother’s presence and even Betsy and Sharon made him feel more comfortable, it still brought up to many awkward memories. He nodded and said, “I’d like that.”
Walking back to the chair, Nathan picked up his jacket and swung it around his back, catching his arms in place to slide right through the sleeves. Turning back to his mother, he said “Lead the way,” and followed her out of the lab.
((Cable and Phoenix exit the secret lab))
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