DTW4: A storefront in Lambeth

[Stan Bowen]

Stan waited at the gates to the XU, hoping Mogran and Connor would consider his invitation to join him on his trip this evening.

[Morgan Evans]

Morgan approached Stan with a smile, her fingers laced through a very reluctant Connor's.

"Hello Dr Bowen, this is my Connor." Come on sunshine, don't be rude. She coaxed Connor with a gentle smile.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan smiled, glad the two of them could make it.

"Morgan, it's good to see you again. Connor, it's good to meet you."

[Connor Marshall]

Connor eyed Dr. Bowen skeptically as they joined him at the gate. "Dr. Bowen," he said politely, if a little stiffy, nodding to the older man. His fingers tightened in Morgan's, and the thin band of force around her ankle tightened a bit more securely as well.

[Morgan Evans]

Morgan tucked herself under Connor's arm, the tightening stirring something inside of her, as she hugged Connor tightly.

"Ready when you are." She smiled sweetly. Down boy, nothings going to happen.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded, leading the two of them towards Lambeth.

"So, where are you two from?" He asks, curious.

[Connor Marshall]

"London," Connor answered shortly. Like he can't see all of this in our files anyway.

[Morgan Evans]

"We were shifted around a lot growing up, fortunately they kept us together for the most part."

He's being nice and who knows maybe he didn't check up on us first?

[Connor Marshall]

Right, because teachers taking a 'special' interest in us always turns out so well, doesn't it?

[Morgan Evans]

That's why I have you here. Morgan retorted though she did retreat back from Stan slightly after being admonished, her hands holding tightly to Connor.

[Stan Bowen]

"Oh? You were both foster children? Were you placed with mutant families? Human? Both?"

Stan's path slowly made it's way towards Lambeth.

[Connor Marshall]

"We were in orphanages," Connor answered shortly. "We were never put into foster homes."

[Stan Bowen]

"Ah, I see."

Stan kept walking, silent for a few moments.

"Growing up in the system can be very, very tough. you must have been relieved to find each other, support each other in a situation like that."

[Morgan Evans]

"Connor and I, lucky maybe not the best word to describe our lives but yes, without Connor I would most certainly be dead." Morgan stated matter-of-factly, her hand squeezing Connor's.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded.

"The place I'm taking you- there are a few people there who had similar starts."

[Connor Marshall]

Connor quirked a dubious eyebrow as they walked. "What sort of place is it?" he asked.

[Stan Bowen]

"Community action, mostly- it's a place for people who don't really have anywhere else to go."

Stan rounded a corner, and approached an old storefront located almost to the border of mutant town.

The awning read 'London Lifeline'

"Mutants and humans gather here, and they do work in and around Lambeth and Mutant town."

[Morgan Evans]

Morgan froze in her tracks, actually being pulled a few paces forward by Connor before getting her hand out of his.

"No. No, No, No." Her face was pale and her eyes were large, moments from panicking and bolting, her hands plucking at her sleeves.

"Connor.... I can't..."

I'm sorry Dr Bowen, humans.. I can't.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan paused a few doors down from the storefront, looking back at Morgan with understanding.

It's perfectly safe.. there are a few humans, yes. but there is a slight majority of mutants as well. You'll be safe, I promise you.

[Connor Marshall]

Connor did a double take as she stopped, then moved back to her, his arm wrapping around her waist. Up to you, love. You know I won't even let the buggers touch you if we go with the over-interested professor.

[Morgan Evans]

"Whats your power?" Morgan blurted at Stan.

[Stan Bowen]

"To keep people safe."

Stan didn't go into more detail, knowing Morgan was just nervous.

[Morgan Evans]

Last time I was around a group of humans... Connor, just hold my hand okay. I want to prove I am stronger than them.

Morgan laced her fingers back through Connor's with a determined nod.

"My hate is stronger than my fear and I am not a little girl anymore. Lead on, Dr Bowen."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded.

"You won't need either here, I promise you."

Stan opened the door, revealing a sparse working space, filled with desks and telephones, and several people in various states of busyness. The area resembles a political campaign office, only with human/mutant cooperation and friendship posters up, instead of campaign material.

Upon seeing the new faces, a woman bearing brightly red, cracking skin approaches the group, smiling.

"Hello, Dr. Bowen. And welcome, you two!"

"Hello again, Jenny. I'm showing these two students around- this Is Morgan and Connor."

[Connor Marshall]

"I think I'm going to be ill from all this rubbish. Ah well, keeping up appearances, love," he thought, squeezing her hand. He nodded politely at the woman. "Hello, Ma'am," he said, casting dubious looks at the propaganda around the room.

[Morgan Evans]

As you said, so long as we are on the top when it all goes down.. Morgan smiled sweetly and shyly at the people they were being introduced too, looking up at them with innocent puppy dog eyes.

Maybe this is something that bears thinking on, hm?

[Stan Bowen]

"Everyone here volunteers their time, both in Lambeth and in Mutant town proper." Stan replied.

[Morgan Evans]

"What are they doing here?"