Max

The young brunette stared in exasperation at her guest, who was slouched rather grouchily against the countertop. The strawberry blonde had one hand fisted against his cheek as the other beat out an aggravated rhythm against the counter.

Why am I doing this again? Huffed the older of the two, doing her best to refrain from smacking the feathers out of his head. Honestly, she was going out of her way, missing her first day of school to offer her assistance to someone so clearly in need of help. Then again, she'd be willing to help a rabid dog if it meant getting out of school, be it the first day or the last. Still, wasn't in necessary to look this miserable?

"Will you stop acting like you're–"

"Being kidnapped? Held against my will?"

"–I did not kidnap you!"

"Oh yeah? You sure about that?"

"I didn't see you kicking and screaming."

"And I thought I was the blind one."

"You little! – I outta throw you back into the ditch where I found you!"

"You found me on a sidewalk. Seriously, you should think about getting your eyes checked."

"Come here you little–!"

"Maximum Susan Ride! What do you think you're doing?" The girl in question froze, fingers curled into a ball as she gripped the insufferable male's shirt. A noticeable smirk slinked its way onto his face as he straightened, crossing his arms arrogantly. Drat.

"Yeah, Maximum," Iggy adopted an innocent – as well as fake – tone, "What are you doing?" The young woman backed off reluctantly, chocolate eyes glaring so heatedly even he should have been able to sense it.

"Mom…you're back." She glanced toward her mother who stood in front of the front door, looking none the too pleased. Crap. She was in for it.

"Would you care to tell me why, after I made it perfectly clear you were to be at school on time for your first day, that I get a call telling me not only had you not made it to school on time but you weren't there at all?" Max held her hands up in front of her.

"Hey, at least I was the one to call you this time!" By the look she was receiving, this was not an acceptable reply. A light went off above the brunette as she realized she had a legitimate reason for skipping. For once. "But mom, it couldn't wait. You'll never believe it!" Max ignored as Iggy muttered something unintelligible but decisively rude. "He's like me, mom!"

"He's…what?" Her mother's eyes widened as she tried to understand what her daughter was trying to say. Max beamed.

"He's got wings. He's just like me." Max's mother turned to study the boy in question, a mixture of awe and intrigue swimming in her eyes. Sensing the unwanted attention, Iggy shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"First generation bird kid, that's me." He joked feebly.

"Oh my," Mrs. Martinez breathed. "Oh my." For several moments Max's mother was overwhelmed. She took a minute to gather herself before asking, "May I…may I see your wings?" And quickly rushed to add, "There's no need, of course, if you feel uncomfortable." Scratching the back of his head with embarrassment Iggy tried to brush it off with a shrug.

"Uh, yeah, sure. No biggy." There was a moment of hesitance before he slowly unfurled his wings. Max took the chance to better examine his wings, noting the dapple gray appendages were a good couple feet longer than her own. Feathers ruffled anxiously. Mrs. Martinez, well versed in the language of feathers, noted the young man's unease.

"Thank you very much, they're absolutely magnificent." Much as she hated to, Max couldn't help but agree. Nodding awkwardly Iggy quickly retracted his wings, unsure how to respond to the praise. In the ensuing silence, Max took the lead and began making introductions.

"So, yeah, this is my mom." Her mother smiled, holding out her hand.

"Please, call me Mrs. Martinez." Her smile faltered minutely when Iggy failed to respond to her handshake.

"Uh, mom, this is Iggy… he's blind."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry." She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and frowned as he flinched at the touch. "Do you live near here?" She questioned, removing her hand when he failed to relax. At her question Iggy got all the more tense.

"Stop being so paranoid, will you?" Max demanded, bumping her shoulder into his. The motion threw him off balance, and successfully out of his defensive stance. "This is my mom, dude. You can trust her, I wouldn't have brought you otherwise." She tisked. Of course, she didn't blame him. He wouldn't exactly have the easiest time judging a person when all he had to go on was their voice.

"Max, honestly!" Her mother chastised, "I appreciate your sentiments, but is there really any need to be so rough?" In a gentler tone she returned her attention to Iggy. "Please, dear, can you tell me where you're from?" Tensing once again Max could see his fight or flight response kicking in. Placing a hand firmly on his shoulder, the brunette unceremoniously shoved him into a chair, keeping her hand in place.

"Iggy, she can help. If you don't tell her, then I will." At hearing her own words, Max paled noticeably. That simple did not sound right coming out of her mouth. Did she need to lay down? Iggy mulled over her words before giving a relenting sigh. Unseeing eyes trained on the counter before him he explained his running away and the events leading up to it.

When he had finished Max squeezed his shoulder reassuringly – taking note that that was also a rather un-Max-like thing to do – before turning to her mother.

"Can you do anything?" She implored, studying her mother for a reaction. What she saw made her wince. It was the Mom look – the likes of which hadn't graced her mother's face since Max had gotten expelled (an incident she hadn't fully deserved). It was a look that moved mountains.

"Iggy, you have nothing to worry about. You'll be staying right here."

This would be interesting.