The morning arrived with the sound of birds singing through the window. Laura was still sleeping curled up by my side. I nudged her awake and she returned to her room to get ready for the day as I did the same.
Young woman knocked around 9 AM, introducing herself as Kitty Pryde.
"Good morning!" Her enthusiasm was genuine, but I caught the slight tension that gave away her combat training. "I'll be showing you around today."
She was younger than I expected. Early twenties, maybe. Brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, clearly containing an outgoing disposition.
"Adrian." I stepped into the hallway as Laura emerged from her room across the hall.
"Laura," she said quietly.
Kitty's smile didn't waver.
"Great! So, welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters." She gestured down the corridor. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Most students do."
The mansion was vast—hallways branched into more hallways, rooms opened into large spaces. Kitty maintained steady commentary as we walked.
"This is the rec room—pool table, TV, video games. Students hang out here between classes..."
Three teenagers looked up as we passed. Their conversation died instantly.
"That's her," someone whispered. "Wolverine's clone."
"I heard she killed—"
Laura's jaw clenched.
We continued walking. Kitty's narration never faltered.
"The kitchen's through here—fully stocked, help yourself whenever. Just label your stuff if you don't want someone eating it..." She grinned. "Trust me on that one."
Another corridor. More students. More whispers that cut off when they noticed us.
"Did you hear—"
"—Assassins."
Laura missed Kitty's next question entirely, her attention split.
I nudged her elbow.
She blinked, refocused. "What?"
"I was asking if you had any dietary restrictions?" Kitty repeated patiently. "The kitchen staff tries to accommodate everyone."
"No." Laura's voice was flat.
"Word travels fast," I observed.
Kitty's expression shifted into something vaguely sympathetic. "You know teenagers. They love gossip." A pause. "It'll settle down once they get used to you."
She led us through the library—thousands of books I'd never had access to—then past training facilities that reminded me of Facility's combat rooms. We slowed down when passing the Danger Room.
"That's for advanced combat training," Kitty explained. "But it's completely optional. No one forces—" She caught herself. "You're in control of your own schedules here."
Her words were clearly a haphazard attempt at comfort.
We passed Wolverine in one of the main hallways. He nodded in acknowledgment. Laura relaxed fractionally at the familiar presence.
"So, classes," Kitty continued, pulling out a tablet. "You'll both start with the basics—we'll figure out where you are academically and go from there. Professor Xavier teaches Mutant Philosophy, Logan's got World History and Combat Training..." She scrolled through the schedule. "Ethics with Emma Frost, Quantum Biophysics with Dr. McCoy, Psychic Self-Defense with Jean Grey..."
I processed the list. Sex Education with Remy LeBeau. That would be... interesting.
"We also do special events," Kitty added. "Field trips, adventures—last month we went to the Blue Area of the moon for a class picnic. Next week there's an archaeological trip to Genosha if you're interested."
Laura looked lost. I understood. The gap between past and present was incomprehensible.
"There's also Computer Hacking—ONLY for saving the day, obviously." Kitty's grin suggested she'd bent that rule before. "Diction and Linguistics with Rogue, Future History with me..."
Two students passed us—a boy with green spiked skin and another made of water. They gave us a wide berth.
Kitty maintained her tour guide enthusiasm, I took note of the faculty members we encountered throughout. Beast in his lab, Storm in conversation with another teacher with a whit streak in her hair. Jean Grey passing in another corridor.
Some were friendly. others were waiting to see if we'd prove Emma Frost right.
"The grounds are pretty extensive," Kitty said, leading us toward a window overlooking manicured lawns. "Basketball courts, obstacle courses, quiet spots for studying. You're free to explore—just let someone know if you're leaving the grounds."
"Any questions so far?" Kitty asked.
Several. None I could articulate properly.
"When do we start?" Laura asked instead.
"Tomorrow, probably. Professor Xavier wants to meet with you both first—individual sessions, nothing scary. Just... checking in." Kitty's attempt at casualness didn't quite land. "He's a telepath, but he won't go poking around without permission."
A telepath. Another one. I should find ways to guard against that.
We completed the circuit back near our rooms. Kitty paused, at the doorway.
"I know this is weird," she said carefully. "And I know people are going to be... cautious. But everyone here has a story. Everyone came from somewhere, some difficult." She met Laura's eyes, then mine. "You're not the first ones who needed a second chance."
Laura said nothing.
"Thank you," I said.
Kitty nodded. "Dinner's at six in the main dining hall. You can come or have something sent to your rooms—whatever's comfortable." She started to leave, then turned back. "And for what it's worth? I've seen the way you two look out for each other. That counts for something here."
"I'd like to officially welcome you to Xavier's School for the Gifted." With a final wave she left us in the corridor.
Laura stared at her door. "They all think we're monsters."
"Yes."
"You're supposed to say they don't."
"Lying won't help." I leaned against the wall between our rooms. "They're afraid. We're unknown variables with kill counts."
"Great pep talk."
"You want truth or comfort?"
She smiled. "With you, I get brutal honesty whether I want it or not."
"True."
We entered my room. Silence settling between us.
"What do you think?" Laura asked quietly.
I considered the question. The mansion, the students, the faculty. The whispers and the wariness. Their seemed to be an impossible gulf between us.
"I think," I said slowly, "we're being given something we don't know how to use yet."
"A chance?"
"An option." I met her eyes. "What we do with it determines everything else."
"I don't know how what i should do," she admitted.
"Neither do I." I pushed off the wall. "But we're good at learning new skills."
"This isn't a skill."
"Everything's a skill with enough practice."
She considered that, then nodded. "Together?"
"Obviously."
Her posture eased.
"I'm going to read," I said, the library should be relatively quiet.
Laura nodded. "Mom used to read to me sometimes. I want to..."
"Ok."
We both left in the direction Kitty had showed us the library was located.