Music of the Night (NC-17)

Calista.... Athena smiled as she read the electric blue neon of her favorite piano bar. This was just the place to unwind after a day of tours and mini-classes at MOMA where she worked. Adjusting her tan canvas pack on her shoulder, she crossed the street and stopped outside the always open door to listen to the live music pouring out into the street. With a happy sigh, she slipped inside.
 
The atmosphere was calm and soothing, regardless of what what being played by the musicians on the small stage at the back of the bar. "Athena, Athena. Long day?" Eddy, the bar man, called to her and motioned for her to take a seat. Smiling a taking the offered seat, Athena nodded. "Your usual, I suppose?" he asked. "That would be lovely," Athena answered him and looked around the dimly lit room. "Quite a turn out tonight," she mused as she counted 150 easy at the tables and booths. "I'll say. So, you gonna play tonight, hon?" Eddy asked her, hopefully. Turning her sea green eyes to him, she smiled and shook her head. "Nah, not tonight. I thought it might be nice to listen to the entertainment instead of taking part in it," Athena answered with a chuckle. "You know the boys aren't gonna let you leave without playing at least one song with them..." he offered with a wink. Athena shrugged, "Maybe they won't even notice I'm here tonight."
 
As if the fates tapped the lead musician on the shoulder and mentioned that someone he knew was there, he looked up and spotted her. With a smile, he tipped his head and continued to play. "Guess, they know you're here now," Eddy mused to himself as he continued preparing her drink. When the music came to an end, the same one who spotted Athena announced that they would be taking a short break before he set his guitar in its stand and hopped down from the stage, making his way to her. "Look out, Athena, here comes trouble..." the bar man said in mock warning to her. "Hey, doll-face. Thought you could sneak in without telling us, eh?" he asked her with a smile and a hug. Returning his hug, Athena smiled, "One can hope to slip in without being seen, but I have yet to avoid your all seeing eyes." The musician chuckled and leaned against the bar. "You're gonna play with us, yeah?" he asked. Shaking her head, Athena said, "Just listening, tonight, slick..." His face fell slightly, as he looked behind him to see if Eddy would help. When he shrugged with a look to say he had already asked, the musician looked back at Athena. "Aw come on, Athena. Just one song? Wait, Eddy is making you your usual, right? How about you play for your drink tonight? How does that sound?" he asked her. Eddy smacked the back of the young man's head with a laugh before telling Athena that is sounded like a fine idea to him. Looking from Eddy to the musician and back, she sighed and dropped her bright eyes. "Fine, fine! Just one song..." Athena finally answered, looking up with a grin, and handed her pack over to the bar man. "Excellent!" he answered and took her hand, leading her to the stage.
 
Once there, Athena hopped up, followed by her escort, and greeted all the boys in the group, all of which were more than pleased to see her and have her join them. The musician that convinced her to come play announced to the house that they had a special, regular, guest musician and when he said her name, a rousing applause filled the air thanks to those who knew Athena thanks to her playing with the boys often. Athena took her place at the Baby Grand piano and cracked her knuckles as she prepared to play.
 
The lead musician came over and asked what she would like to play. Thinking only for a moment, she leaned in close to him and whispered the title. A grin spread across his face as he nodded in agreement and returned to the others letting them know of her selection. The lights dimmed and the stage spots came up as Athena began to play...
 


Last edited by Athena Calor on Fri Nov 22, 2013 3:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

William roamed the streets of New York at night. Beautiful music drew him near the restaurant he has never been in. William looked at his watch, it wasn't late, he had time to check out who was behind a piano playing. 

He walked in, not expecting much from the place, but it was more then empty. This place was doing pretty well. Acting as if he knew the place, William took a seat at the nearest booth. He didn't want to make a big scene of being present. Low profile was his game. At only sixteen, police often stopped him and asked him where was his parents and by now, William learned how to blend in within a crowd and stay invisible. 

William recognized the song the beautiful lady was playing a piano. It was called 'Radioactive' by Imagine Dragons. It so much cooler on a piano. But William liked both versions of the song. He had never seen the lady before, but she looked like she could have taken care of herself if she was in trouble. William wished he could have as well. His powers yet to manifest to full potential. He had no idea when that would be, or maybe he would have to train before it did. 

Not sticking around one place for too long, William stood up to leave. As he was backing out toward the front door, he accidentally pushed a guy behind him, who was carrying a cup of soda in his hand, it made him spill the drink on his white shirt. William spun around to see rage taking over the mysterious man. Will's heart was beginning to pound faster and faster as he apologized over and over again.

"Man that was my favorite shirt!" yelled the man out, throwing his cup on a ground out of anger.
"I said I am sorry," pleaded William as he was slowly walking backwards toward the piano and where the lady was. 
"You think sorry is good enough?" 
"For most people it is," replied Will. 
"Well, I am not most people." 
"Yeah, not with that stom--" muttered William
The anger was completely taking over the man.
"What the fuck did you just say?" he advanced on William, raising his fist and ready to bring it down. William tripped on something and fell to the ground.

As her song came to a close, Athena looked over her shoulder at the boys in the band, as bright smile on her face. Even though she liked to listen once and a while, being able to play with them as often as she got to was nice. The room erupted in a wave a cheers, applause, and whistles alike as the song ended. Suddenly, Athena's attention was drawn to a teen as he backed up towards the stage. Seeing a built man closing in on him, she could see why he was backing up. She couldn't hear what was being said over all the ruckus from the audience, but the man looked miffed about something, and the boy was his target.

Seeing his clenched fist raise up in preparation to strike the boy and the boy tripped, falling backwards, Athena quickly got up from the piano bench and jumped off the stage. In a few strides, she put herself between the man and the boy. "Hey now. What's the meaning of this?" she asked the burly man, as she crossed her arms across her chest, looking at him, waiting for an answer. And it had better be good...

The man was so close of hitting William in a face that it seemed nothing was going to stop him, until a woman from piano came forward and blocked him from the man. Why would she stand up for William? He knew that things could turn ugly any moment for him, if the man decided to push past the woman. But he didn't, he just stood his ground for now, looking ever so pissed off.
"HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!" yelled out William, scooting farther and farther away from two of them. "PLEASE DON'T LET HIM, DON'T LET HIM KILL ME!" 
William was making the scene now. If anything, the man wouldn't kill the kid, just rough him up a bit now. 
"Get out of my way, bitch! It's none of your business!" growled man as he tried to get around her. 

William stood up at last, he'd hate to think of what could have had happened if he was on a ground and woman didn't stepped in between them.
"Shut up, you fat asshole!" said William out of anger and fright. "Why don't you spend your time at the gym, rather then picking fights with kids!"

Athena lowered her head to glance over her shoulder, her sea green eyes focusing on the boy as he scooted further and further away yelling that the man was trying to kill him. Raising her eyes to the man with an ever so slight twitch of her head. At his insult to her and his trying to get past her, Athena stepped into his way and looked him square int he face. "Pretty sure the moment you thought it was a fair fight to take after a boy, it became my business. Now, I'll ask you again," she said firmly, putting her hands on her hips, standing strong against him, "What is this all about?" She heard the boy speak out against the man after his retort to her. He had spirit, she had to give him that...

Last edited by Athena Calor on Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

William felt all powerful behind the lady. He knew the lady wouldn't let that man attack a defenseless kid. It really wasn't a big deal at what happened to the man. 
"I'll tell you what happened." said Wiliam behind her. "I was leaving and accidentally pushed him and he spilled his drink on his shirt. I apologized, but I guess this fuck face, isn't human and can't forgive other people." 
The rage in the man just exploded out of control. He really wanted to go past the lady and beat the crap out of that little kid with big mouth. 
"If it wasn't for your dumb big mouth I wouldn't be trying to kill your face!" said the man, acting like a raged bull. 

William did realize that his big mouth, mean comments were pissing the man off big time. But he just couldn't resist. It was fun to watch this giant fatty raging. Better then Comedy Central.

Athena put a hand up to quiet the boy. "Guess you haven't heard of a washer, huh? From the looks of what's on your shirt, what was spilled isn't permanent," she retorted. Sure she was stoking the fire, but she was trying to get the man's focus on her and off the boy. When the man tried once again to shove past her, putting his hand on her shoulder, Athena had enough. Grabbing the man's hand with her left hand and putting her right hand flat against his chest, Athena let a current of electricity spark and shoot through him. The man rose a foot or so off the ground and flew backwards, landing and sliding a good three feet. Athena flicked her fingers, allowing the remaining sparks to discharge before lowering her hands to her side.

Silence filled the room as many eyes fell on the man, Athena, and the boy.

William realized what just happened and dropped to his knees in excitement. "HOLY SHIT, LADY!" he yelled. "That was amazing! Can you do it again..." said William, looking around the group of people who just stared at them blankly. "Let's see...THAT LADY OVER THERE! I mean she is old. The Grim Reaper is going to come after her soon anyway...save her the trouble. Right." William was filled with adrenaline. For him, it was so much like a drug for some people. 

He watched how the fat man stood up and shook his head, giving the lady evil glare, he staggered out the door and to his care. William wanted to chase after him and kick him more, but figure it wasn't going to be a good thing. That lady would not take his side after that. When silence continued and everyone sat as if they were frozen."WHAT? YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A PERSON FLY INTO THE WALL BEFORE? GOD YOU PEOPLE ARE SO NARROW MINDED!" cried out William. He turned to the lady. "BLAST THEM...BLAST THEM ALL TO HELL!" 

Turning to the boy, Athena put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze firmly. "This is no laughing matter, and neither is it a time to blast innocent bystanders, as you so eloquently put it," she said quietly but strong enough that there was no questioning her. Her eyes were bright as she got her first good look at the boy. Could it be that he was a mutant? Thanks to his hard words to the patrons in the bar, several murmurs were beginning to fill the space. Athena never liked to use her powers in such ways, but, in times like these, sometimes there was no other option. Sure Eddy and the boys knew what she was, and many of the regulars, too, but surely this was news to several others. Looking to Eddy and the boys for help, the lead musician announced their next set and began playing as Eddy called for a round of drinks on the house. Soon, the atmosphere returned to almost normal.

"What's your name, son?" Athena asked, letting him go and walking to the bar to pick up the drink she had played for. Taking a seat at one of the tables next to the stage, she pointed at the chair across from her, telling him to sit without needing to say a word.

"But--but--these people. They are all--" started William, but as the lady squeezed his shoulder, he hung his head down in somewhat dead adrenaline. The rush was over, there was nothing left in him, to get her riled up. None of which he did probably made her feel as if she should blast all the people to hell in a first place. Why did he do all that? 

William didn't say another word as the lady walked to the bar. He just followed her. He didn't have much money to get himself a meal, but just enough to get a drink. He took a seat next to the lady and looked around. Raising his hand, he caught attention of the bartender. "I'll have Vodka Martini, please." said William. He knew that he was underage. But he was going to see if the lady would try and stop him. 

"What's your name, son?" he heard coming from the lady. He knew sooner or later that question would have been asked and he would have to answer it. "My name is William...William Pierce. I'm from Xavi--Excessive Middle School. It's a private school. My parents think that I am too smart to go public school with everyone else. So, they just shoved me with rich punks." said William. "What's your name? I am guessing you are one of those people with special powers. That is so cool. I wish I had that. I could have blasted that ass--dude myself." 

When the boy sat and ordered a drink, a stiff one at that, she eyed him closely. Holding up her hand to stop Eddy, she leaned in close to him, "Try again. I know there is no way in Thor's great beard that you are 21." Putting her hand down, she blew gently on her hot drink before sipping it.

Athena listened as the boy told her who he was along with all sorts of other information that she didn't ask for. A rehearsed speech, perhaps... A small grin played with the corner of her mouth as he tripped slightly over the name of where he went to school. "I knew you weren't old enough to drink.... William, it's nice to meet you. My name is Athena, Athena Calor. Now, your school, I believe I know of it," Athena said, raising an eye brow slightly. So, he was a mutant. His almost saying Xavier's confirmed it. What he said next made her smile. "An anomaly..." she said simply. Setting her cup down, she spoke in quiet tones. "I am an anomaly, just as you are. I believe you do have extra....powers, just like me. How do you like The Institute?" she asked with a wink. Surely he would pick up on that his cover he was trying to use on her was blown based on her last question.

As the lady motioned for Eddy not to serve him his drink, Wiliam turned to her. "I am way over 21...I am actually 25 to be honest." said William, but he knew that his young looks were suggesting otherwise. He had never had alcohol before, not even champagne for New Years. He looked at the lady, "I am warning you, sugar ain't good for me. I tend to be...you know, hyperactive. You know this thing called ADHD. Well, it ain't pretty when I have sugar." 

Then, he heard her say that she suspected he was from Xavier Institute. "An anomaly..." repeated William as he really thought about it. He was being too obvious. His cover was blown to hell and she knew that he was a mutant. Oh well, at least it wasn't a human talking to him. Even though everyone around this place was probably a human. It didn't bother him too much. "Well, I haven't really made up my mind about the school yet. I think it's nice. My parents were afraid that I would cause too much damage around everyone else. So, they thought it was better if I learned to control them somewhere else." explained William. His lying idea didn't really went over too well. He knew that, and he knew that she was aware of Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. 

William motioned for Eddy again. "I will have Coke Zero, please." said the boy as he turned back to Athena. "I do have powers, I just have no idea how to use them. They come at weirdest times, usually when I am angry. Which is good, because I can use them for my benefit...but there are times when they show up and I don't know how to use them or control. It's like a car that can't stop on a slippery road. That's how it is with my powers." explained William to the lady. "Can you also read minds?" asked William. "You sure know a lot about me." 

Athena nodded her approval of William's next choice for a drink. As he told about why he was sent to Xavier's, she wasn't surprised. Many parents with mutant children sent them to the school, sometimes out of fear other times because they didn't know what else to do. "While you are at Xavier's you will learn how to use your powers. That's one of the things they work with you on," Athena said. Truthfully, she had put in to teach there, if they would have her. She remembered looking over the brochures and paperwork from the school and was pleased to see that, along with their studies, the children would also have help with their powers if they needed it.

William's question about her being able to read minds made her chuckle. Shaking her head, Athena answered him, "I can't. I just pay attention to what you say. How you spoke to the patrons here, how you tripped over the name of the school you attend... That was what really gave you away." Leaning back in her seat, Athena held her cup to warm her hands as Eddy brought the boy's drink. "Put it on my tab, Eddy," she said to him. The bar man patted her shoulder and headed back to work. "So, William, what can you do?" she asked.

William looked down at his drink as Eddy set it down. Then the lady picked up the bill for him. It was kind of her, William was pretty sure Athena and him will get along just fine. "I don't have many friends as I am new to the school, but you know...I think I just found one." he said as he smiled at the woman. 

She sounded like she knew Xavier pretty well, in fact she might actually be working at the place. William wasn't sure, but something told him she did. The way she told him, that he will get help on perfecting his skills. He just hopped it wouldn't take too long. It would not do him good if William got into trouble and couldn't defend himself. "I think Xavier school was a good choice. It's not everyday someone offers help to a stranger. But this man did, he seems like a nice fella. What was his name..." said William. "Cha--Charl--Charles!" he finally manged to say his name.

When Athena said she couldn't read minds, it put him at ease. Because he knew that would not be a good idea. It would mean, she'd know his every step and every move way before he even made it. "Oh...well, that's nice. I thought you were reading my mind the moment I ordered that drink." he smiled. She asked him what he could do. "Well, I can..." he started but then his statement followed with a low rumble. Glasses and plates on tables started to shake. Lamps were swinging faster, some stuff was falling from the shelves. He tried to let go of his powers, but it only seemed to intensify. 

William's heart rate increased as his eyes widened and he stared at Athena with fear. "I can't--I can't make it stop..." his words were shaking and the rumble was starting to increase to the point where it was clearly noticeable. "Help, I can't make it stop!" he panicked as he kept on looking at Athena. Maybe she could help him.

Athena smiled at his comment that perhaps they would be friends. He was a good kid, she figured. He was just a little lost, like many mutant children tended to be when their lives are suddenly turned upside down thanks to their mutation waking up. "I think a friendship could be possible, William. Time will tell," she said with a wink and a smile. Listening to him talk about his thoughts on the school, Athena was happy that he at least liked the idea of going there. Charles Xavier was a good man to open the school for people like them. Mutants needed a place to be safe and learn without the pressures of fitting in in a world where they are the 'invaders' as many humans would say.

Athena laughed lightly when he commented that he was sure she was reading his mind right off. "No, no. Even if I was a telepath, I wouldn't simply read your mind because I can. I'd want to have a reason to do it..." she told him. That was much of Athena's philosophy: use your powers when you must, not because you can. She watched as he began to answer what he could do, but then stopped. Suddenly, the table and their glassed began to tremble, and soon the entire area was shaking.

Help, I can't make it stop! Athena's sea green eyes shot to the boy. He was doing this. He could control earth. Standing and leaning across the table to him, she put one hand on his and the other on his shoulder and locked eyes with him. Speaking firmly, but calmly, she said, "William, listen to me. Calm down. Calm down. Think about the earth you are touching. Let it go. Let go of your connection... Just let....it....go...." All Athena could do is hope that her words would reach him and help him to stop the earthquake he was causing before too much damage was done.

The earth continued to shake and tremble as William tried to let go. He wasn't successful, then he felt Athena's hand on his. William stared her in the eyes, like a deer who was paralyzed from blinding lights. if]"William, listen to me. Calm down. Calm down. Think about the earth you are touching. Let it go. Let go of your connection... Just let....it....go...."
William fought his powers, he heard Athena, but it was harder to do than it sounded, coming from the lady. The earthquake was increasing, and if he didn't let go of his powers, then he risked burying this place into the ground. He couldn't let that happen, too many innocent humans sat here to enjoy their night. It wouldn't be right if he killed them all. He had never killed anyone in his entire life. He wasn't about to now.

He began relaxing, his heart rate dropped significantly as he continued to stare at Athena. She was walking him through this crisis. As he calmed down, so did the earth. The rumbled reduced to just a slight shake, which was barely visible. Soon, William was able to release himself from his own powers. Then he exhaled deeply. "I am sorry. That was close," he said as he reached for his soda. He took a drink. "Thank you, Athena. As you can see I need a lot of help. A LOT." William looked around and noticed people were coming out from under the tables, and some were leaving. He wasn't too disappointed, it could have been much, much worse. "How are you able to control yourself and your powers so easily?"

As she felt William begin to relax, the quake under their feet began to lessen and lessen. It wasn't as easy as she made it sound, but she knew there was nothing else she could do. William had to do this on his own. As the ground stilled, William finally blinked and exhaled heavily. Patting his shoulder, Athena nodded, "Good job...." Sitting back down, she took a drink from her glass and looked up, noticing that many patrons were beginning to leave or come out from hiding. Looking at Eddy, he simply looked at her and the boy, shrugged, and went back to work. He really was a very understanding man, especially for being human.

When William thanked her and asked how she could control herself and her powers, she gracefully crossed her legs and smiled. "It takes a lot of time, focus, and mental discipline, William. There are times when I let my emotions get the better of me, everyone does, and sometimes my powers do to. But, I've learned to stay focused. I bet, given enough time and training, you will be just as good as controlling your powers as the best of us can," she said with a wink. "You just have to keep at it," she added, sipping her drink.

William looked down at the table as he played with his straw and his soda. "I know that it takes a long time for people to master their abilities." said William, looking little down because of what happened. "Sometimes, I just wish I was--normal. It's so hard to live with these powers. Never knowing when they will come out, never knowing who is going to get hurt, even if I don't intentionally hurt them." 

The night just turned from fun to little miserable. William felt like he was a failure. He looked around and he could see all these people just having a normal life. Never worrying about what could happen tomorrow. But with William it was that uncertainty that scared him. That one mistake he could make that could kill someone and he will forever feel guilty. "To be honest, Athena. I don't want these abilities. They make me feel like a freak. If some people weren't as understanding I would have done something about this problem. It's hard to cope with this much pressure. Humans are always afraid of us, always judging us, never giving us a chance to show what we can really do. You know?" he talked and wondered what life in Xavier Institute held for him. "My siblings didn't say anything about me being a...what did they call me...a mutant. But I know deep inside they were afraid of. Wishing I was gone from the house. So far, these powers have not brought much good into my life." 

"William, let me let you in on a little secret. All of us, who have control over our powers, were once in your shoes. Even me," Athena told him when his mood began to slip. "When I was 10, my powers showed up and I hurt a boy unintentionally. It's nothing to be ashamed of," she said, smiling gently at him. As his sorrows came to light, Athena's heart went out to him. He was feeling what they all were feeling when their powers suddenly showed up and became a part of their lives every day. Not wanting these special powers, being called a freak, suddenly treated differently by those who had been friends and caring family... Putting her hand on his and giving it a small squeeze, her soft sea green eyes smiled lightly. "I know how you feel. But, there is nothing you can do. Well, there is, but I don't think, deep down you really want that... I've read a lot about Xavier's, and I think it's the best place for you, and others like us. It's a place where you can learn to control your powers. A place where you will be accepted for who you are, not what. William, as much as you don't like the word, you are a mutant. I am a mutant. We are anomalies...." she said, with a wink.

As she spoke, the music set came to a close and the musicians announced a small break. The lead musician hopped off the stage and walked to their table. Putting a hand on the back of her chair he nodded to William before speaking. "Quite the tremor there, huh? Hey, Doll-face, wanna play another song with us? Maybe brighten the mood a little bit in here," he said looking around at the crowd that was a little on edge after, what they thought was a minor earthquake. Athena looked around before looking up at him and nodded. "I think I can do that for ya," she answered him. Looking at William, she tipped her head at him. "Relax and listen to the music, hon. I'll be back in a bit," she said letting his hand go, finishing her drink, and headed to the stage. She set her glass on the bar and nodded when Eddy asked if she wanted another. Then she hopped up onto the stage, told the boys to follow her lead, and sat at the piano...

"When I was 10, my powers showed up and I hurt a boy unintentionally. It's nothing to be ashamed of," said Athena, as William carefully listened. He didn't want to hurt anyone, he didn't want enemies. William just wanted to gain control of his powers and return home to where his parents waited for him, no doubt. But he knew that it was a wishful thinking. There was probably never going to be any parents waiting for him. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it was just his thoughts were talking. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I just to want to live out my life in peace." said William as he laid his head on his arm and closed his eyes. He wasn't a sleep, just thinking.

"I know how you feel. But, there is nothing you can do. Well, there is, but I don't think, deep down you really want that..." Did she really know how he felt or was it just past experience from which she spoke? William didn't know what else to do with his powers, other then to learn how to control them. He figured if he didn't hurt someone with his powers, his powers were going to hurt him instead. Might even kill him if he isn't in control of them. 

She made Xavier Institute sound like haven. In a sense it was a haven for misunderstood and rejected kids like himself. William refused to believe he was rejected, he was sent there to harness his abilities. His parents didn't hate him for being an...anomaly. Then he raised his head as he heard Eddy talk to Athena about playing another song. He sat up completely when she patted him and left to sit behind a piano. She was really good at playing. Maybe she could teach him someday. That would be an amazing skill to have. "I guess I could get used to these powers." said William to himself.

When the song came to its end, the band, Eddy, and Athena were all pleased to here the typical hoots and hollers from the patrons. It seemed the atmosphere had gotten back to the usual relaxing feel after she opted to play another song for them. Music had that kind of power over people. Even when you aren't expecting it to, music can change the mood in a room with a only a few bars being played. Turning to face the boys, Athena smiled at all of them before hopping from the stage and moving to the bar. Eddy thanked her for helping to bring the play back around and handed her the refill she requested. With a smile, she told him that it was nothing and returned to the table. "You alright?" she asked William. She didn't know if giving him a little time to think helped matters for him, but she hoped it had.

William's life has been pretty ordinary before all that mutant stuff began to happen. He had friends, family that loved him, life couldn't be any better. But the moment he made earth tremble, everything has gone to hell. He wondered if he would ever see his friends again. Probably not. Not as long as he was an anomaly as Athena called herself. 

Raising his head to see her approach the table after the play, she looked happy. Due to the fact that she had completer control of her powers. Why didn't he? What made him and her so different from each other. "You alright?" William shifted his attention to her. He smiled as to let her know he was alright, but deep inside he didn't know how to tell her he wasn't. William didn't want to spoil her evening with his "life-sucks" story. Surely, she had just as bad. "Yeah, I am alright." said William. "So, how do you know about Xavier Institute?"

Athena offered William a smile when he said that he was alright. She didn't know if he was or not, but hearing him say it was all she could go by. She was sure that as a young man with these crazy powers that he didn't have the best control over made for a uncertain feeling about things. But, hearing that he was soon to be attending Xavier's gave her hope that he would soon begin to actually be alright and not just saying it.

So, how do you know about Xavier Institute? William's question made her chuckle lightly. "Well, I put in for a position there. I'm hoping to teach there, if they will have me. I've read about The Institute lots of times over the years. A place where people like us can have a home and learn and just be who we are without having to worry about being something other than what we are," she answered him.

"...I've read about The Institute lots of times over the years. A place where people like us can have a home and learn and just be who we are without having to worry about being something other than what we are,"


William looked up at Athena with a heavy sigh. It all sounded so good to be true, but if she has applied and got the job there...it meant that whoever does the hiring in that place, must be choosing their staff very carefully and Athena seemed like the kind of lady who would do very well with kids like him. William was not a perfect child. On occasions he would not behave only because he wanted the attention he was denied by his parents when he was little. The mask of lie was that William could and did act like he was a good kid, just to get other's trust, but it wasn't so easy for him to hold on to that. Smiling, he chuckled. 

"I hope you are right," said William, taking a drink of his soda. "Because if Xavier isn't a school for me, I don't know where I am going to go. There are just not that many places for our kind and a wrong turn on an unknown street can get me killed. So, I really hope this is the safe haven everyone is talking about."

Hearing William's reservations about whether or not The Institute would be good for him and being a last resort made Athena budge a little smile. "There is only one way to find out, William. Go and give it your best shot. But, keep an open mind. I'm sure the school is going to be similar to normal, everyday schools, but it's also bound to be different. With so many mutants in one place... Well, you can imagine...." Athena answered him.

Glancing at the clock over the bar, Athena looked back at William. "It's getting late. I should be heading home, and so should you," she said standing and moving to the bar to pay for the drinks between her and William as well as picked up her pack from Eddy. Slinging it over her shoulder, she looked back at the boy. "Keep your nose clean, William. I have a feeling this won't be our last meeting," Athena said with a wink of her sea-green eyes before turning and heading out of the bar. Thanking Eddy on her way out, she tipped her head towards William, "Keep an eye on him, would ya, Eddy? He's not a bad kid..." With that, she exited the bar and stepped into the night to head home.