Slowly, he walked up the path to the mansion, his footsteps making loud crunching sounds on the gravel. As Warren looked about the grounds, he took in the sight of the astoundingly grand school. Huge in comparison to other boarding schools he had been to, this was a sight, especially when the sun was shining on it on a day like this, flowing like liquid gold over it green and grey exterior. It brought up his sprits slightly from the anxiety of wanting to avoid this place completely. Earlier on, he had become aware of everything that had happened with the school's benefactor, Charles Xavier, in the suburban home of the school's own headmaster, Doctor Jean Grey. The details were fuzzy and vague, and Warren only knew of what his housekeeper, Rosario had told him when he had gone back to his own mansion and waited on the balcony outside his bedroom until everyone was asleep.

He had needed to grab a few essentials, as he didn't want to face another day with nothing but his jeans form the previous day. As he snuck in during the early morning light, he was relieved to find that no one but the was awake, giving him the perfect opportunity to get to his bedroom unnoticed. It didn't feel right going back there, especially if no-one with the exception of Rosario knew he would be there. The chance of bumping in to his father whilst there was something that Warren pushed out of his mind completely, and didn't even want to begin to think of. He wasn't ready to face his father yet. It wasn't cowardice, he was just angry. His father wouldn't have changed his mind about anything, and Warren was still adamant about the cure. Another argument would ensue, and he wasn't up for that, especially after a whole night of flying.

---

The door opened to reveal a young woman in her twenties, with very long dark hair that went straight to her waist. Her hair shined with an inhuman sheen that sparkled in the morning sunlight. It would be obvious to anyone she was stunning. Not least because of her piercing black eyes that were so perpetual.

With a warm, welcoming smile, she said, "Hi. Can I help you?"

"Yes, I wish to speak with Ororo Munroe, please."

Since Charles Xavier and Jean Grey were no longer at the mansion, Warren assumed she would be the person temporarily in charge.

"Sure. Come in" She steeped back from the door and motioned for Warren to come in. "Follow me."

There were a few people, presumably students, that were walking up and down the hallway. Nobody seemed to notice the new guest as they all had sombre facial expressions, due to what had happened with Charles Xavier. Warren now felt anxious for coming at a time like this. Two teachers gone missing, one presumed dead, and the very benefactor of the school had been very recently deceased. The last thing these people needed on their minds was the son of the very man that had made the cure available, another heavy load on their mind.

As Warren walked beside her down the long, finely polished hallway, the woman beside him finally spoke.

"You're Warren Worthington, right?"

He wasn't sure how to reply to this. The subject of the cure would most definitely come up and that was the last thing he wanted to discuss.

Warren could start to feel the colour tickle in his cheeks.

"It's okay," she leaned forward and whispered, "everyone's welcome here," she added with reassuring smile.

"I'm Holly, by the way. I teach here."

Warren decided at that moment he was comfortable with this person. He couldn't figure out why, it was probably because of her job as at teacher to make every one feel at ease. He could have even sworn that he felt some sort of physical similarity with her, despite the fact he had no idea how.

"Uh, I'm Warren.," he replied.

She stared back at him blankly.

"Oh, right you already know that." He stammered. He could instantly feel the colour flood back to his cheeks. She let out a small laugh and flashed him a brilliant grin. Warren bowed down his head whilst walking and tried to avoid eye contact with her.

They kept walking until they stopped at an open door leading in to lounge room with a small group in it. Holly motioned inside and Warren entered. Inside, there were four people, three sitting on the sofas with solemn faces, and an attractive middle aged black woman leaning against a table by the window. Warren's attention was temporarily directed to furry blue man who was seated at the far end of one of the sofas that seemed to resemble beast. Snapping his attention back to the situation, he eventually decided to speak.

"I'm sorry…I know this is a bad time, but I was told this was a safe place for mutants."

"Well, it used to be," the blue furry beast spoke. He sat up and leaned forward with both arms resting on his knees.

Then the woman seemed to hesitate a moment before giving Warren a fixed look and replying in a firm voice, "and it still is."

She got off the desk and turned to a young teenager sitting opposite her.

"Bobby, could you please show our guest to his room." The young, blond man got off the sofa and faced Warren with a small smile. As Warren followed him out of the room, he offered him a hand. "I'm Bobby."

"Hey, I'm Warren."

He left out his last name on purpose. Warren decided it would be best to avoid those details until later. Bobby showed him to a room with finely polished wooden boards, much like the rest of the mansion, or most of what he ahd seen.

Before leaving, Bobby paused in the door way, "This okay?"

"Yes, I'll be comfortable here, thank you," Warren replied. Bobby gave him smile before shutting the door behind him.

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