She felt a sense of complacency as she stepped into the quiet room, knowing that it was going to be the place she called home for as long as she saw fit. It was both exciting and terrifying, the feelings swirling around in an emotional vortex inside her stomach. Never before had she been so far from home without her parents, or so far from her parents since she had been born. For the first time, Kitty Pryde had to rely soley on herself living amongst a complete company of strangers. Irreguardless to the fact that they each had their own unique gifts, those that she lived with were still unidentified factors in the equation that equaled up to her new life brought apon by the mutant gene.

Striding into the room, she took a brief look around noting that this room looked no different than how she would have imagined a room at a fancy hotel. The beds were made, the room almost a hospital clean it appeared; at least the empty side of the room anyway. She had yet to meet her roomate, and hoped that they would get along easily. Tossing her things on her bed, Kitty turned to face the window reguarding the images of the trees swaying with the song of the wind outside. She’d left the door open, she could see the reflection of it behind her and passed on the brief thought to close it. The last thing she wanted to do on her first night here was appear that she wanted nothing to do with the others that were like her. If nothing else, Kitty wanted to be able to make a friend or two just so that when the time came to feel lonesome for home it would be that much easier to bear.

The suitcase that sat on the bed beckoned to be opened, and for a lack of anything else to do she unzipped the back and began putting her things away in dresser drawers and in the closet. It needed to be done anyway, so best that she get it over and done now lest something more interesting grab her attention later. Pulling out a little stuffed dragon that had been a present from her father, Kitty set it down on the pillow then turning to the photographs she kept of friends and family began putting those up as well. A soft tune escaped her lips as she did so, humming to the music inside her head oblivious to anyone at that particular moment that might have wandered inside her bedroom.

Gaia wasn't sure how she felt about this place, not yet anyway. So, far she came to the conclusion that it was better than just wandering around in the city. That was one of the reasons why she hadn't hijacked her little behind out of here, still she missed not having to do anything. Then again she did not have to do anything here, but it was strange, she wasn't sure that she belonged her even though she wanted to. Only a few people knew where she had really come from and as far as she was concerned it was going to stay that way. A easy trip to the mall had been fun but lonly, still she had wanted to buy a ton of different things for her room, she was getting sick of it looking like no one lived there.

In the hallway she stopped confused as she realized that her dorm room was open, then she remembered about the roommate thing, she was suppose to get one. Gaia mentally shrugged her shoulders and peeked into the door to see who it was. When she saw someone unpacking she entered with her hands full of bags. Gaia stood there for a moment unsure of what to say or do. Once she realized that she was standing there like a deer in headlights she walked over and set her shopping bags on her bed. “Hello....” She said ever so lightly so she wouldn't freak the girl out.

At least she looked normal enough with her bright pink hair and white shirt. She had started to wear those things called jeans since she liked how they fit. Gaia still did not like shoes but she had gotten a few pairs, they were in the bags. The boots she had borrowed from someone lay at the front door to the mansion since she had no idea whose they were. She still did not like how it felt when she put her feet in sneakers. The insides were rough against her feet. So, she was barefoot but at least her feet were clean.

Kitty looked up the instant she heard a soft voice speak a greeting and was met with a girl that looked near her age. She was small and petite, with a bubblegum shade of pink to her hair that was most certainly unusual. But that was what this place was made for; she smiled gently at the other girl and put the framed photograph down. She assumed that this girl was her roommate; the gesture of laying shopping bags down on the other bed was an obvious indication of who lived there. Being polite, Kitty approached Gaia slowly not with concentration caution that a person might use when approaching a stranger but an easy friendliness that she had always had.

”Hi,” she replied back outstretching her hand, her hazel eyes smiling. “I’m Kitty… Kitty Pryde, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

Judging from appearances alone, which generally speaking wasn’t always recommended, she felt good about the introduction. On the outside it seemed as though the other girl was shy, which Kitty could live with; however she had been wrong before. Perhaps her roommate was the type of girl that seemed shy until you got to know her, and then when things were comfortable allowed the friendship blossom much like a flower. But that was the optimistic side of her, one that like anyone else fought a fragile war with pessimism. Luckily she could safely say that rain clouds did not hang over her head like many other sullen teenagers she had known back home.

”I just started putting my things away, I’m not sure if it’s all in the right place but… it was giving me something to do for the moment.”

Gaia looked Kitty over as she approached, she looked normal enough, or like most humans she had seen. Not, that Gaia was against physical mutation, she didn't care. Gaia wasn't one to judge anyone, at all, well besides herself. “I am Gaia...” She reached out and shook the girls hand. It was something that she had noticed, people shook hands when they first met you. After that they normally did not try to touch your hand or anything like that. A slightly confused look came over her face. “Isn't a kitty one of those creatures with pointy ears and fur... They also have a tail?”

Thankfully, Gaia did not know how strange that question sounded. It was just a question, she did ask a lot of them. She just didn't know why someone would be named after a cat if they didn't look like one. Plus, she wanted to make sure that she had gotten the word right. There were so many words for the same thing, it could be confusing. “Yeah, this place can see rather boring. I haven't been here long...” Gaia began to empty out the bags that she had brought inside with her.

Out of one bag she pulled a pair of jeans that she had liked and she had thought fit very nicely on her. Yet, the color was terrible, it was a dark olive green color that would only crash with her hair. After looking it over she saw it in her mind as a different color and then in front of her it change from ugly green to a nice shade of blue. It was rather sudden one moment it was one thing then next the other, yet that was life with Gaia.

"So, what can you do? I mean why are you considered a mutant?" Gaia wondered about Kitty's powers, maybe she could turn into a cat and that was why her name was Kitty. Still, it would be interesting to know even if she couldn't turn into a cat. Powers were interesting, because they made people different. Her thoughts continued to ramble as she continued to unpack cloths from the bags to her bed. A few shirts, another pair of pants, some shoes and then all that was left was a bag from the apple store. Everyone she had seen had one of those ipods and she wanted one.

Initially her roommate seemed cautious; however her introduction was pleasant and honest. Thought it was when a bewildered expression crossed the rose-haired girl’s face and asked an unusual question that she had to stop and think. Kitty hadn’t ever been questioned about her nickname before, especially not in the way that Gaia was presently doing. She had taken for granted that most people grew up in the same kind of environment that she did, and while she would never berate anyone for it the thought was in itself perplexing. Though at the same time, she hoped that they would both be able to learn a lot from one another. “If you’re talking about domestic cats, they do yea.” Kitty smiled her hazel eyes lit up as she did so, “But Kitty is just my nickname, it’s what I’ve been called for as long as I can remember. I like it much better than my actual name, Katherine.”

Going back to her own things, she watched Gaia out of the corner of her eye as she emptied her bags. The pair of jeans that she held which were once green, Kitty found herself amazed at watching the other girl use her gift so easily. Or at least she made it look easy from her standpoint. “Since you haven’t been here long, maybe some time we can explore the place? I mean… there’s got to be something interesting around here somewhere.”

So, what can you do? I mean why are you considered a mutant?

She paused, taking in the question and remembering when she fell into the living room from her bedroom, when she had said goodbye to her parents and to Deerfield, Illinois to say hello to her new life as a mutant discovering her powers. “I…” Kitty stopped to think of the right words momentarily. “I can walk through walls, it’s kinda weird.”

Gaia listened as Kitty explained her nickname. So there were some animals called cats, which were also called kitty's. That was interesting since it was good to know that she had been right. Her real name was also interesting. She didn't know that people here had more than one name. It was hard to remember things like that, so different from her own. Than again she had given up her name to become the Guardian. Still, Gaia wanted to know everything about this planet, or rather as much as she could find out. It was so weird being around people again. At moments it was as if this was all a dream and soon she would wake up, still chained up all alone. A slight shiver went up her spine but she pushed it away. She was free now.

“There are some interesting things, but I haven't really explored. Everyone seems so nice...” People were interesting to Gaia along with books and such. Thankfully she knew basically how to read although a computer was far from her grasp. The knowledge to read had come from a person on the street. She had just gone into there mind and the knowledge was there. Basic language was also easy to pick up since she was a telepath.

Gaia stopped her unpacking to look at Kitty as she started to speak about her powers. The images that were inside the girls head came across Gaia's and she nodded her head. “That is a nifty power... Nothing weird about it.” Gaia would have killed for a normal power, at least she would when she looked back at things. She wished that she could have had some normal compared to her family and friends. Then she wouldn't have been put in chains. There she went again thinking about stuff she wasn't suppose to. She really needed to stop living in the past and more in the present. Thinking about what should have been wasn't or isn't going to change the now. She needed to remember that, there was nothing that she could do. Gaia silently vowed that it was time to move on, that she couldn't let her past weigh her down any longer.

The way that Gaia spoke of her powers seemed as though it was perfectly normal to be able to walk through walls. Really it was, because again… here it was considered the norm. No doubt that there would be a lot to get used to, how to control it and the like but that would be for another time. Kitty really wanted to concentrate on getting to know her roommate better, especially since they would be living together for who knew how long. “What about you Gaia?” she asked curiously. “What gifts brought you here?”

She wasn’t sure if the question was inappropriate or not, considering the same was just asked of her but it seemed that everything about the other girl was normal regarding appearance. With the exception of her hair, but it was an acceptable shade of rose, one that she felt complimented the other girls’ eyes and skin tone. Gaia was in fact very pretty, Kitty noticed. Not ridiculously voluptuous like some of the women that she had seen briefly walking through, dusting off a slight bit of envy before shoving it back where it belonged; however pretty enough to catch a few eyes. If there was only one thing about Kitty Pryde that reeked normalcy, it was the fact that she still possessed the same negativity and self-doubt about her appearance that many teenage girls fought with every day.

“I don’t mean to pry or anything, but I’d never even heard of mutants til the Professor showed up on my doorstep.”

“Me?” Gaia glanced over at Kitty. “I can read peoples minds, move things, feel things and create things. Generally called, Telepathy, Empathy, Telekinesis, and Manipulation of Reality...” The last one was the kicker. That was the one that got her thrown in chains, well she hadn’t been thrown. Gaia had accepted the honor of being the Guardian. Still, she didn’t have a choice once she decided, no second chances. Yet, she was not suppose to be thinking about this. The more she tried not to the more she did. Maybe she should just flow with it and not dwell on it. “I’d rather have yours... it is harder to control more than one power.”

“You look pretty, a lot of the people here like to show off a bit too much with their bodies...” Gaia had commented on the thoughts that had gone through the girls head. Then her eyes widen slightly. “Sorry ‘bout that it happens every now and again. I don’t mean too, but back home its normal.” That was all she was going to say about home though, she did not want to talk about that. “I try not to hear or see, but it happens. It seems like it has always been that way. The emotions are the hard part, I really had no control over those. I can’t be around people who are anger or anything, because then I will lose it.”

Gaia shook her head lightly. “I don’t mind, they are the reasons we are here, might as well talk about them since out there we can’t. People out there just freak out..”

It was an impressive listing of powers, especially for any one person to handle. How on earth was she able to keep control over her sanity with that much power beneath the surface? Kitty imagined that the telepathy was bad enough, having the thoughts of other people inside your head – it would be enough to make anyone feel schizophrenic. But manipulation of reality, what was that all about she thought curiously making note to ask about that one. However before she had a chance to speak, it seemed that her roommate had caught onto some of her own self doubt that she kept locked inside her head.

Well, if she hadn’t believed the girl was a telepath already…

The look of shock on Gaia’s face was enough to warrant a smile out of Kitty, providing further proof that she hadn’t intended to pry on one’s personal thoughts. While she’d not been experiences with having someone inside her head – at the very least it was innocent. They were both here to learn how to use the gifts they were given, no sense in getting angry because Gaia now knew she had a complex about her looks. “It’s okay Gaia, you don’t have to apologize… I know you weren’t trying to snoop on purpose or anything.”

“Yea that’s true… but I admire the fact that you’re able to handle all those powers. It must be so hard hearing thoughts and having feelings from other people all the time. Not to mention moving objects and that reality thing on top of that. Which if you don’t mind me saying; it seems kinda cool when you say it out loud. I can only imagine what it entails though…” If there was one thing that Kitty Pryde shared with her namesake was her immense curiosity.

Gaia couldn't help but feel Kitty's feelings spike, into what she was sure was curiosity. Curiosity was fun, unlike some of the other emotions. Plus, Gaia did not mind talking about somethings it was just certain things that she did not want to talk about. Her powers were a fine subject. Then she replied to Gaia's apology. A slight blush came over her face and she couldn't help but smile slightly. “Thanks. It can be a pain around here since some really dislike telepaths.” The fact that Kitty did not get angry at her or anything was really nice. Having a roommate looked like it was going to be a very good thing. At first she had been worried, but not anymore. It seemed that they were going to get along.

“I have had a long time to get a grip on my powers, a very long time. I have had them for most of my life unlike a lot of students. It can be frustrating at times but I have no choice, there are somethings that you just can't change, or rather something I wouldn't want to try and change.” A bigger smile came over her face as she motioned towards the pants that she had changed the color of. “I can change things, colors, textures, things like that. My hair was one of the first things I change.” Then Gaia held her hand out and a dollar bill appeared. “Yet, I can also make things.... As long as it isn't too big or such, otherwise it makes me really tired.”

Any worry that she may have had about sharing a room with Gaia was dissipating quickly, it appeared that the two would get along without a hitch. Sometimes she had a hard time getting along with other people her age, not through fault of her own per say she just seemed to have an easier time when they were older. She’d heard her mother say once, that she wondered if she’d had an old soul and that was why she was so mature for her age. This could have been true, at least partially, but to some degree the fact that she was more knowledgeable about computers than the average teenager threw some off as well. She supposed they’d all had their quirks.

It can be a pain around here since some really dislike telepaths.

“Well it’s not as if it’s your fault or anything we were all born like this right? It’s the reason we’re here anyway.” On the one hand she could understand why some people probably didn’t like telepaths. If she had lived through something dark and traumatic she wouldn’t want anyone intentionally snooping around and looking to dig up something that could be used against her. However on the other hand, if she knew how to block certain thoughts from being taken it wouldn’t really matter if she had someone in her head or not.

“And your other powers… wow Gaia, that’s amazing. How do you keep from just collapsing from all of that mental stress? I remember when I was having my headaches when I first started phasing, all I did was cry. Which was really a useless thing to do since crying always makes headaches worse. I feel like such a kid for doing that when compared to what you go through every day.” She laughed at herself; with good nature for Kitty knew no one could make fun of her quite like she could.

Gaia nodded her head, Kitty had a point with how they were born like this. They had no control over what powers they received or anything that had been left up to fate. She began to think about how fate had a large part in her life and how fate had sent her here. For if her powers had not shown up she wouldn’t be here, that was for sure. Who knew how her life would have turned out if her powers had not been what they were. Kitty’s comment about the stress was a good one. When her powers had first manifested they hadn’t been too bad but she had to learn control in a hurry. Compared to Kitty, Gaia had a lot longer time to practice even though they both looked around the same age.

“I have had a very long time to practice.” A slightly sad look came over her eyes but she pushed it back. “Everyone deals with their powers in their own way, I had to learn fast how to control them, and then I had all the time in the world to practice. Until, the empathy thing showed up…” Gaia had been very proud of her control, her tight control was something she had worked at and worked at. The empathy was a curve ball she had not been expecting.

“Plus, at least I don’t fall through floors. Things would just go flying and I would hear way to much, but that was normal for my people. The reality thing was what screwed me up. I couldn’t think of anything without poof its there. I would do to sleep and wake up more tired for in my dreams stuff would materialize. Then that stopped….” Gaia shook her head lightly and smiled at Kitty, “Thankfully, I am not like that anymore. I just have to be careful with how emotional I get, because that in turn affects that rest of my powers.” Gaia finished putting her new cloths away and folded the bags up that she had carried her cloths in. Those she placed on the top shelf of the closet, so she could use them later.

She listened intently, putting away her clothes into her new dresser as well pictures on the nightstand. Kitty had imagined that it would take her a while before she would learn to control her own powers without getting any more headaches. While they weren’t nearly as frequent as the first time she’d ever phased, they hadn’t gotten any easier yet. She supposed that she should be thankful that pain between her temples was the only thing she’d had to deal with.

The reality thing was what screwed me up. I couldn’t think of anything without poof its there. I would do to sleep and wake up more tired for in my dreams stuff would materialize.

“Wow… so it was almost like what you were dreaming about would commit a transgression and take up a place in the real world, and essentially become real.” It seemed kind of silly when she thought about it, but it was something like imagining herself going to bed with her arms wrapped around her purple stuffed dragon that she’d neatly placed upon her mattress and waking up to find out that he was a real breathing dragon. That would be enough to freak anyone out, especially the one causing it; had she not been so exhausted after just sleeping.

“But I’m glad that you don’t have to deal with that so much, probably makes your life a little bit easier. That way instead of dreaming that you went shopping for new clothes you can actually head out to the mall for the real thing.” Kitty laughed as she placed her now empty suitcase underneath her bed for the moment, she’d have to find a better place later.

Gaia nodded her head lightly at Kitty's comment about how things from her dreams come to the real world. “Yeah, it was strange...” It also started everything but she wasn't going to think about it anymore. “Thankfully, I am getting pretty good at it all.” She was getting good at it, or she was until the empathy came along. Yet, she would deal since thats what she does, deal with things as they come. Maybe that was Gaia's gift she could deal with things, it was like she was made to get past things.

“I am not sure what to think of the mall. It can be so loud there and hard to find things that I want to buy... There are so many things to choose from, that it can be hard.” Gaia motioned to the things that she had bought. “I got so much but compared to some people I have barley anything. People in this place want so many different things...” Gaia never really had much, besides duty.

Gaia shrugged her shoulders and sat down on her bed unsure of what to do. This place was still very new to her, and she didn't know much about it except that it was a school for mutants. That was about that, then again she also knew that Carol cared a lot about the students here but that didn't give her any ideas of what to do. “Tell me about yourself... anything interesting besides powers?”

Tell me about yourself... anything interesting besides powers?

If there was one thing she’d never considered herself to be was interesting. But then she was biased into thinking that there were other people that had led much more stimulating lives then her own, and she was right to a point. At the age of seventeen there were many things that she had not yet done, so her life at that particular moment was still yet unfulfilled. She’d be just like any ordinary teenager without her powers… no scratch that. She wasn’t completely uninteresting; there were a few things about her that were a little out of the ordinary. Kitty almost laughed recalling how because of her computer prowess that she’d been labeled a geek in school and thrown into lockers; which was just as humiliating as it sounded.

“Well if you’re into technology I’m pretty handy with computers. I know them inside and out for the most part, and there isn’t anywhere I can’t go. Or at least I’d like to think so, though it's gotten me into a bit of trouble back home with the popular crowd. Not that I cared really, I've never officially fit in anywhere. I suppose that's the luck of those that are unique." She shrugged her shoulders slightly, didn't matter whether you were a mutant or not - so long as you weren't a cardboard cutout of what other people thought you should be then there was something wrong. Ostracization was inevitable and she'd just accepted it.

"Though, I'd really like to see some of those girls try to stuff me in a locker now..." Kitty found herself musing with a smirk forming on her mouth causing the tips to turn upwards ever so slightly. "I've been studying defensive and offensive martial arts, so I'd like to see them even try to get near me."

The answer to Gaia's question was given less out loud and more internally. She couldn't help but see what Kitty was remembering, that was how life was for her. The information that Kitty also gave out loud was good since it reinforced what she already understood. The fact that Kitty understood computers was a good thing, since they were something that was new to her. With a roomie that she could learn off of, Gaia could get a good grip on them pretty easily. Especially when you consider the telepathic help she could do.

Gaia could relate to not fitting in, back home she didn't, she was too different. “That is always the case people who are unique never fit in...” She didn't continue that sentence, but both sides of the coin were shown in the room. Kitty was turned into an outcast and Gaia was raised to Goddess status. She couldn't help but giggle at the next comment about her getting shut in a locker now, although she wasn't sure what a locker was. “Being able to defend yourself is a good trait, it is something that can come in handy.”

“Although defense is sometimes the best offense you have to know how to strike both ways...” Maybe if her people had thought about that things would have been different. Then again there were many what if's out there and none of them had happened. Gaia glanced about the room smiling ever so slightly. “I am glad that you are my roommate, I think that we are going to get along very well.” Gaia smiled brightly at Kitty.

[Occ: I think we should wrap this up.]