Phinagin walked into the room and gave it a once over. "I'm going to have to have some of my items brought from my house to make this feel more like home." he commented.
"Well all the rooms look the same before any students actually get them. You should see the difference between some of them though."
Rhydian explained with a shrug as all the luggage walked in behind him and sat themselves down on the floor. Their job completed, the legs that grew simply returned to normal. "Feel free to decorate however you want to. Previous years I believe they had a no tack rule for posters....you know so that you didn't put any holes in the walls? But seeing as it doesn't really look like we'll be going back to be a running school, it doesn't really matter I guess."
Phinagin nodded in understanding. Looking around in silence he smiled a bit before two bones popped out from his palms. After a few minutes he snapped off two fully formed chairs and sat down on one. "Have a seat." He said to Rhydian politely.
Rhydian was a little taken back by the bone chairs truthfully. "Dude....that'
s cool...but whoah man..." He sat down slowly, still put off by the simple fact that these had just sprouted from the guy's hands. "Do you have to eat alot of calcium or what?"
"No actually, I was never one for milk either as a child." Phinagin explained. "I think my power resides in the cells of the bones to the point that I can multiply the cells to make more bone and shape it anyway that I want. I only wish that my powers didn't stop at my own skeleton."
"Meaning what exactly?" Rhydian asked him curiously. He thought he knew where he was going with this, but he preferred not to jump to any conclusions.
"I mean that I wish I could control any bone." Phinagin explained. "I could mend a broken bone in a matter of seconds, instead of months of suffering a cast. Or, the more morbid side of it, being able to dispatch and enemy with a thought. Just make one of their own bones kill them."
"Well that would come in quite handy..." Rhydian had to agree, even with the more morbid part. It would be much easier to do that to an enemy than have to worry about fighting them.
"Well maybe one day it will happen." Phinagin said hopefully. "I have read lots of reports of mutants abilities growing and changing all the time, so it may just be a few years from now."
"It does seem to be the more unique ones that really grow powerful too. And bone growth? That's pretty up there on the unique meter." Rhydian told him truthfully. He shrugged and added, "Me though? I'm pretty normal as far as mutations go. I mean personally I've never run across anybody with my ability, but still. Pretty low on the totem pole."
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit." Phinagin said genuinely. "Your power can affect anything, mine only focuses on my bones. Yours has many more applications then mine."
"It's only inanimate objects and I can only animate them long enough for the task at hand. And that's all they can do too. I can't change the order in the middle of them doing one thing." Rhydian explained further and shrugged. "But still, not very effective in a battle."
"I don't know." Phinagin said, "Being able to make the enemy's guns up and run away seems pretty effective to me."
"We don't usually go up against people with guns though..." Rhydian said, honestly having never thought of doing that himself. Now he just felt like a re-tard.
"I think that if you take a few seconds and survey your surroundings before taking action, you might surprise yourself." Phinagin said.
"Eh. Whatever." Rhydian replied with a shrug. "I still can't believe that The Phinagin Carlyle IV is here at our school."
Phinagin smiled genuinely. "Stop it, your flattering me. I'm not the one who creates the tech."
"I know that. You're just the heir to all of it. Dude, that's a serious thing!" Rhydian explained, hardly able to contain himself. He still couldn't get over the fact that nobody seemed to know who this guy was
"You make it sound as if I'm a prince." Phinagin said with a laugh, "I'm just Phinagin Carlyle III's child. Most of the stockholders don't know I exist, and even less know I'm a mutant."
"Technically, I would say that you're a prince. Whether they know you exist or are a mutant doesn't matter. Do you think the Twins seem like they're princes?" Rhydian asked him curiously. "Cuz to me they sure as hell don't act like it. But that doesn't change who they are. Neither does the title of Prince for that matter." He shrugged then. "Well anyway, you've got your room and your luggage up here. If there's anything else, just take a look around I'm sure you can find it. Alright?"
"Yes I believe I will be alright." Phinagin said. "Is there anything that is actually scheduled around here, or is it all just random."
"Pretty much random. We don't have classes thanks to the implants. Ummmm...meals are pretty much on a schedule, for the most part." Rhydian told him after some thought. "If anything goes down, you'll know like immediately anyway. It gets rather loud around here at least."
"Well let's hope that nothing happens too soon, or I won't be able to finish decorating." Phinagin said as he started to form a desk in the other corner of the room.
"I'm sure you'll be able to finish decorating. The Twins just got back, so they'll be keeping everybody busy with how much they missed everybody. So if you need anything, and stress this enough I cannot. Just ask." Rhydian urged him desperately.
"Don't worry, anything I can't make I will ask for...or order." Phinagin said as he placed the desk. Looking over at the luggage he heaved a heavy sigh. "You don't think the rest of the group would get mad if I hired myself a butler, would they?"
"Dude, I think you need to learn to live on your own. It would probably be good for you. Besides, we can't exactly have a normal person hanging around here. It wouldn't be very safe for them." Rhydian offered, though he understood where he was coming from. It was obvious that the kid had always had one so it was going to be weird without.
"Try telling that to my parents." Phinagin said jokingly, "My mother would accuse you of inhuman treatment." He added as he set the first piece of luggage on the bed.
"Oh well." Rhydian said with a shrug. "Seriously though, you'd probably be better off without one."
"Believe me, I know." Phinagin said. "I was only kidding. I have spent my entire life being waited on hand and foot, I believe it contributed directly to my currently physical appearance." He added as he gave a general gesture over himself.
"Well there's no place like here if you want to change your appearance." Rhydian told him truthfully. It was rather revolting how many times someone around here came back from a mission with a broken bone somewhere.
Phinagin nodded, he was making it sound like this was a plastic surgeons office. He turned around to face Rhydian ans stuck out his hand. "Thank you for helping me out with my luggage. And for being friendly to the new guy."
Rhydian smiled and shook his hand. "Not a problem man. Moving things is kind of my specialty afterall."
"Well at least you know that if this super hero thing doesn't work out, you could always go into business as a mover." Phinagin joked. "You could get it all done in a matter of hours and not have even break a sweat."
Rhydian held up his hand at that notion. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That's not entirely true. Luggage is one thing. Most of this stuff isn't all that heavy, so it's not very tasking to use my powers on this level. I once turned all the chairs and tables in the rec room into dogs and horses, sort of. That kind of wore me out though. Nearly fainted afterwards actually."
"Oh...that's definitely not good." Phinagin said surprised. He had never exhausted himself using his powers before so the concept was somewhat new. "Well, scratch my idea then."
"Yeah...it's not the best thing for a combat situation, but I am getting better control over it. I'm hoping eventually I'll be able to help out more in the fight than in cleanup." Rhydian said quietly. It was his personal burden. "Well, since you're all settled in now, you want to go see what everybody else is up to?"
Deciding that some procrastination would hurt Phinagin agreed. "I think it would be a good chance to get a better feel for the place."
"It's also a better way of getting to know your comrades. Can't learn much by staying cooped up in your room you know." Rhydian told him with a smile, though they had just learned a great deal about each other by doing just that.
"That's true." Phinagin said, "Go ahead and lead the way, I might get lost if I go first."
Rhydian nodded, understanding the guy's nervousness about the size of this complex. He had often gotten lost in his first years here. He turned and lead them down to the school entrance hall
Phinagin followed after Rhydian.
Phinagin walked into the room and quickly grabbed a suitcase. He pulled a few suits out of his closet and set them gently into the suitcase along with his toiletries. closing and locking the suitcase, he joined the students out in the school garden.
Phinagin stalked into his room, furious. "That smug bastard!" He yelled and promptly picked up one of his chairs and chucked it into a wall. "How dare he speaks to me like I'm some ignorant child! How dare he speaks to me at all!"
A short while passed before there was a cautious knock on his door. Maribel didn't feel right letting Phinagin storm off like that...she really didn't feel comfortable standing outside either. He had been there for her when she needed it, perhaps this was an opportunity to repay the favor?
Phinagin didn't answer at first, afraid that it was Rhydian and that if he answered the door that he would rip the little back stabber in half. He then thought better of it and responded, "Door's unlocked."
The knob turned and in walked Maribel. She gave him an apologetic expression and kept her gastly monster hands behind her back. It was a bit alarming when she spotted the chair knocked over and a decent chip in the wall.
Phinagin looked up to see who it was that had come in. When he saw Maribel he immediately changed into a calm representation of himself, "Hey, how are you doing?"
Maribel smiled and lifted her shoulders. Stepping into the room, she closed the door behind her. Lifting her hands, she signed, 'Are you alright?' As her fingers grew like this, it was becoming more and more difficult to sign certain phrases. She hoped they wouldn't keep elongating past this point. Before coming into Phin's room, she had changed into a pair of capri shorts and a tanktop. To hide her darkening freckles and blemishes, Maribel had a light camisole on her shoulders.
"I think your more deserving of that question." Phinagin said as he looked sheepishly at the chair and the crater on the wall. "Your the one who just got all this news."
Maribel kept her hands up, 'Which news? The giant robots patrolling the school or the fact I'm turning into a spider?' she asked in a dull expression.
"I think the robots are the last thing on your mind." Phinagin said, honestly figuring that her physical transformation would be taking front and center in all that is going on right now.
Maribel put her hands down and nodded with an unenthusiastic shrug. Her eyes cast over to the knocked over chair. She picked it up and set it up right. She pointed then pointed at the crack in the wall, expecting an explanation.
"Oh, that. I...uhm....I threw it at the wall." Phinagin said shamefully as he couldn't come up with a good excuse. "Sometimes my anger gets the best of me and I just rage out."
'Still sour towards Rhydian?' Maribel asked, figuring that was the reason. When she finished signing, she immediately hit her hands behind her again.
"I just dont see how I'm the only one who is!" Phinagin said exasperatedly. "He sent us up the river for his own personal gain, yes he betrayed Cortez afterwards, but that just seems to prove how untrustworthy he is!"
Maribel had honestly been too distracted with her own physical mutations to really take notice or care about anything else in the past week or so. 'I haven't really come out of my room in quite some time, but you're right... it seems everyone else has moved on a bit already.'
"They have, I don't understand it!" Phinagin said as he sat down on the bed with an exaggerated bounce from the expensive mattress. "What I do understand is that it makes me appear to be the irrational one."
'Well- we are both new here...maybe their friendship with Rhydian is strong enough for that mishap to be overlooked?" Maribel suggested, merely speculating.
"How strong does someone's friendship have to be for them to simply overlook a betrayal that big?" Phinagin asked, gesturing with his hands to emphasize his point. "Hey, I know that you just betrayed us all to some ego-manical super-villain so that you can gain personal power, but thats ok."
Maribel frowned a bit, rubbing her arm with a hand. She really didn't know what else to tell Phinagin on the subject. He had a pretty strong point and she didn't have much of a defense for the others.
Phinagin flopped backwards onto the bed and sighed. "I don't believe that I will ever be able to trust that man again."
Maribel didn't blame him. Seeing him like this made her uncomfortable, so she glanced around elsewhere. Spotting something of interest, she walked over near his closet. Grabbing his violin case, she placed it up on his bed and opened the latches. Playing always cheered her up, maybe it would cheer him up as well?
Phinagin heard the latches of his violin case being opened and he lifted his head to see what she was doing. "Why do you have my violin?" he asked, sitting up fully. He couldn't help it, but he just got a mental image of Maribel playing two violins. One with her regular hands and the other with her little neck appendages. He decided against telling her of this mental image.
Such a blunt question caught her off guard. She couldn't tell if he was upset or not by her actions. Maribel got a little insecure for a moment, before pushing the case towards him. She wouldn't dare play someone else's instrument without premission, but perhaps he would play something? A smirk grew on her lips as she looked at him, hoping he would get the hint that she wanted him to pick it out of the case.
Phinagin looked at the case for a few seconds before pulling it the rest of the way over to him. He pulled out the bone violin and held it in his hands, looking it over. "My parents hated this thing. They would buy me a new violin at every chance they got. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, New Years, etc. But I never used them, usually donated them to some charity."
Maribel tried not to give Phin a pained expression. She had been using the same violin since she was six. Despite this, she smiled, hoping he would play for her.
Phinagin put the violin in the ready position with the bow in his hand. "Any requests?"
Maribel shook her head and smilled, glad he was giving in to her suggestion. By letting him choose, she may get a glimpse to his mood. The violin is a very emotional instrument and Maribel could understand a lot from his playing.
Phinagin placed the bow to the strings and sat motionless for a few seconds before drawing the bow across, releasing a slowly rising note. The tune didn't resemble any song, but seemed more to be a free-form song. It started out slow and mournful, but as it progressed fell into a faced pace, slightly aggressive tune.
Maribel sat on the chair he had tossed earlier, giving him room. She kept her hands pinned down and tried to hide her feet under the chair. The arms on her neck moved inward, also trying to hide. Maribel listened closely, giving her full attention to him.
The tune became fast and frantic, before suddenly dropping into another long drawn out note. This picked up suddenly to a happy, springy tune that seemed perfect for a Spring picnic. Phinagin's eyes were closed as he continued to play.
He seemed to be cherring up a little and it warmed her soul. Leaning back, Maribel also closed her eyes every so often, listening to his sweet melody. Music was really they only way she could communicate emotion through sound and she felt empathy with his playing
Phinagin brought the song to a close and set the violin on his lap. "I think the biggest reason I prefer my bone violins over the wood ones, is the fact that, should I grow irritated over a difficult song, I wont feel guilty for snapping it in half."
Maribel smiled and opened her eyes, clapping lightly for him. Lifting her hands out of hiding, she signed in front of her chest, 'You play beautifully and in that case, perhaps giving the violins to charity is best.' Maribel wasn't sure if that had cheered him up or not... maybe it just upset him more?
"Why, thank you ma'am." Phinagin said with a smile, "It's one of the many things my parents made sure I learned...persistently."
'I'm glad we have that in common.' Maribel confessed. 'I have never really been big into sports or academics, but I love music....ironically.' she added that last bit, seeing that she was unable to sing. At least the topic had shifted off of Rhydian, that was a good sign.
"Music is the greatest thing in the world, as it is universal." Phinagin said as he gently placed the violin back in its case. "Every culture has it and understands it."
'Do you sing?' she asked out of curiosity. Phinagin seemed to excel in everything he tried and it was worth a shot to ask. Maribel hid her hands to her sides again as she sat.
"Yes, but it sounds like someone is running over a canary with a tractor." Phinagin said with a chuckle, "Really not rated for anything other then singing in the shower."
Maribel let out an airy chuckle as well. 'Even if you had the worst voice in the world, you should still be proud of it.' she explained.
"It's one of those things that you always take for granted till you find someone who doesn't have it." Phinagin said as he looked over at Maribel, it just seemed like she has gotten the worst in life.
Maribel forced a smile and a nod. She shrugged afterward, her grin vanishing with it. Taking a breath, the French girl looked back up at Phinagin, not wanting to ask for pity. 'Thank you for playing your violin to me.' she smiled once more.
"Thank you for being a wonderful audience." Phinagin said with a smile. "So how were things with the Transformers on the lawn?"
'I think it's being taken care of. I left soon after you did.' Maribel confessed. 'Are you worried about this...person who is apparently out to get us?'
"I don't know. I don't see why any one would be after us, but if SHIELD feels threatened enough to send us those giant robots then we should be cautious." Phinagin reasoned. "But I don't he is anything we couldn't handle."
'How can you be so confident?' Maribel asked, obviously impressed. 'Maybe I should just hide or something.... my mutation isn't really battle ready, just ugly.'
"You don't know the full capabilities of your powers." Phinagin countered. "When I first discovered my powers, I couldn't do anything useful with them."
'How long ago was that?' she asked, adjusting in her chair. Bringing her hands together, Maribel pressed her index fingers into one another and pulled back. A thread was left in it's wake, glistening in the light. Eliza recommended that she try spinning a web. She would have to do a bit of research on exactly how to go about doing that.
"Over a decade ago I believe." Phinagin said, no longer really paying attention. He hadn't seen Maribel do that before and it was amazing to see. "How much of that can you make?"
Maribel broke the thread and signed, 'A lot. Eliza says I should try making webs... like I'm really some sort of spider.'
"If that is what it takes to master your power then that is what you should be doing." Phinagin said. "I would make as many webs as I could in a day and each time I master a little part of it, I would move on to a more difficult and challenging bit."
'Am I supposed to suck out the insides of ladybugs too?' Maribel asked, obviously not gung-ho about being a "spider lady".
"What you do in your own time is none of my business Maribel." Phinagin said, trying horribly to make light of the situation.
Maribel frowned, not liking his answer. She grumbled a bit and crossed one leg over her other, giving him a frustrated expression. Knowing it was no use, she sighed and let her face relax. Lifting her hands, she stood and signed, 'Thank you for helping me out this morning.'
"You're welcome. What else are friends for, except to be there for each other." Phinagin said with a reassuring smile. "I know that you would do the same for me if I was having trouble. This right here proves it."
Maribel smiled and shrugged her shoulders. 'You're welcome. Did you want me to leave you be now? Maybe... prepare for battle or something?'
"Prepare for battle? You make it sound like we are going to war." Phinagin responded. He didn't honestly think that there was going to be any need for him to fight.
'Basically.' Maribel signed in the best way she could with these stupid long fingers of hers. 'Either way my life expectancy is going to be lowered... it might as well be a war.'
"That hurts." Phinagin said, placing his hand on his chest. "Do you have so little faith in us, your fellow schoolmates? If the Sentinals fall we wont just lay down and die. You know that we will defend each other."
Maribel raised a brow at him, not entirely convinced. Yes, she knew that Phinagin, as well as most of the others could defend themselves or her if need be...but the thought of being in a dangerous situation where she would need saving was what made her nervous. 'I may be a country girl, but nothing in France could have prepared me to fight monsters, aliens, robots or what have you.'
"Life isn't about being prepared for everything." Phinagin said, "If you were prepared for everything you would go mad and never leave your room. And who knows, maybe your new powers will make mine look like a measly parlor trick in combat."
Maribel smirked, glad that he was trying to make her feel better. 'We'll see.' she signed, doubting her mutation could be stronger than his. 'Can I ask you something? Is this sticky?' she then put her fingers together and pulled them apart slowly. In their wake, clear threads cradled from her finger tips. Maribel held her hands outward for him to touch. They didn't stick to her when she touched them and she wondered about other people.
Phinagin reached out and grabbed one of the strands inbetween ywo of his fingers. He was immidiately stuck, "Oh wow. This stuff is exceptionally sticky."
It was very, very sticky. Had Phin touched his whole hand to the threads, he wouldn't be able to get it off. Maribel released the threads from her right hand and lifted the sticky cord from his finger. Rolling the webbing into a ball, she tossed it into a wastebasket. 'Thanks....I was curious.' she confessed with a sheepish grin. 'It's really stretchy and Eliza said it's strong too.'
Phinagin moved his unstuck fingers, glad to have that stuff removed. "Did she test its resistance?" He asked as he made a small bone blade come out of this pointer finger, "Lets see if it is cutable."
Maribel smiled, glad that someone was taking an interest in her freakish talent. Pacing her index fingers together, she strung out a long cord and held her hands apart so he could try to cut it. Readying her stance, she prepared for the pressure of his strength.
Phinagin didnt want to risk hurting her by over doing it since the blade was as sharp as a razor, so he only used the strength in his finger. He put his hand near the thread and brought his finger down in an attempt to cut the string
As he applied pressure, the web just stretched downward. It was unclear whether or not anything was being cut at this point. Phinagin was also able to feel some resistance from the sticky texture. Maribel kept her feet planted and her hands apart. She glanced up at Phinagin for a breif moment before shooting her black eyes back down.
Phinagin started to smile a bit as he pressed down harder and started to saw at it a bit, having transformed the razor edge to a serrated edge. "Let me know if I'm about to knock you over.
Maribel stretched out the twine, making it thinner where he was cutting. After a few minutes of added pressure and serration, the twine finally gave way. It was quite interesting though, Maribel had to thin it out and stretch out for the blade to slice through it finally. It seemed due to stickyness and elasticity, the web was able to resist most of the blade. Maribel could only imagine how hard it would be to cut had she wrapped up several twines together.
Phinagin was impressed at how strong the thread was. "Wow, that is some exceptional stuff." He said as he retracted the blade into his finger. "Once you start mastering that power, the uses will be endless."
Maribel smirked, glad to hear someone else say how useful her mutation was, even if she was unsure of it. 'I guess I just need to keep practicing. How did you find out about your mutation? Was mastering it difficult?'
"Well, lets say that it was the first time my anger issues actually helped. I was being bullied by some kid and when he went to far I out did him." Phinagin started, "I believe I throw him across the playground and into a slide, then suddenly sprouted two bone rods and beat the rest of his posse into a nice hospital bed. After that it was hours and hours of training and practice, followed by classes with private tutors."
Maribel placed a hand over her mouth when he said he put a group of kids into the hospital. Why on earth would they bully Phinagin to begin with? Not wanting to hear the details, she asked with her hands, 'Anger issues?' He seemed like such a charming young man. Then again, she just remembered that he had just thrown the chair into the wall only moments earlier.
"Yes, sometimes my anger gets the best of me and I act rashly. I guess those bullies finally pushed me over the edge." Phinagin explained.
'They were... ok, right?' she asked, hoping he didn't seriously hurt anyone.
"I don't know, really." Phinagin said with a shrug. "My parents pulled me out of school after the incident and I never heard from those boys again."
Maribel winced a bit, hoping they were alright. Instead of inquiring more, she explained, 'I was lucky enough not to be picked on in school. Though, it was curious why I could never go on field trips and things like that...or why I was one of the few who never got the school lunch. My Father didn't exactly have a lot of money for those sort of things, but it's fine because I learned a few things about cooking in the process of making my cold lunches."
Phinagin nodded his head as she told her story, but couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed of himself. Here he was talking to a girl about his training and private tutors and her father didnt even have enough spare money for her to go on school trips. He felt like a real ass.
Maribel wasn't ashamed of her upbringing at all. It was just how things always were. 'Sheep herders don't usually make a lot of money as it is, but the big corporations hurt most.' she explained. 'He told me that he had to hire help when I left for school though. Spinning wool can be really time consuming.'
"There are big corporations out there that do sheep farming?" Phinagin wasn't aware of this and found it fasinating. "If your father ia barely making ends meet, then why doesnt he do something more profitable?"
'There are big corporations that take over nearly all forms of farming, really.' she explained, 'He can't exactly just sell the farm. It's been in our family for generations. Besides, he grew up on that farm and herding sheep is really what he lives for. He loves what he does, even though we barely ever made ends meat.' Maribel lowered her hands and smiled, wondering if Phin would understand since he came from such a different background.
Phinagin could understand having sentimental feeling towards something, but couldn't imagine those feelings preventing you from financial security. "Couldn't he do something else in addition to sheel herding?"
"Not really. It takes a lot of time and effort to heard sheep around from pasture to pasture. Not to mention feeding, washing. The sheering and spinning process takes hours upon hours too. We also have a few goats we milk as well.' she explained, missing it a bit. Maribel kept her smile, pleased that he seemed interested in her home.
"Seems like too much work for such a little return." Phinagin shaking his head. His mind was steep too much in business and couldn't help but think of how he would have already dropped that endevour for another.
Maribel let out an airy chuckle, the arms on her neck contracting as she did so. 'I think my Father would rather be poor and happy than wealthy and miserable doing something he doesn't like. Same goes for me.'
"I can understand that. I feel the same way, but why cant he do both? Be happy and make money that is." Phinagin said trying to say that he should do something else without saying it. "Like if someone were to buy the farm and livestock off of him but let him stay there and still do what he loves."
'It's not always that simple. You'll have to talk to him about that- I would have to translate. He doesn't know english very well.' Maribel explained.
Phinagin was a bit taken back at Maribel's statement. He hadn't intended that to be a business offer, but when he thought about it he realized that it did sound that way. "Perhaps you could breach the subject with him and if he seems receptive to it let me know?"
Maribel gave him a strange look, 'You really think you can help my Father's finances?' she asked, almost not believing him.
"Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Even if I had to just send him a check every month." Phinagin said genuinly.
'Are you sure about this? You really don't have to.' Maribel signed, not wanting to bother him with her Father's finances.
"Didn't we just discuss how friends are supposed to help each other out." Phinagin said with a smile.
Maribel genuinely smiled. 'Thank you. Though I'm not sure how he is going to react when I tell him a teenager wants to offer financial advice.' she chuckled a bit, though no sound emitted.
"Your welcome, and hopefully he is receptive of my advice. I would hate for him to think me a young upstart." Phinagin said with a laugh.
'Thank you again.' She repeated with a smirk. 'So- what did you want to be when you grow up? An accountant, I presume? Perhaps a business man?'
"Well, the original idea was that I would learn all that my father knew and when he grew too old to run the business, I would take over." Phinagin said, "That is still the plan we have in place, but I don't know how well it will be taken that a Mutant is in charge of the largest weapons and technology manufacturer in the world."
Weapons and technology manufacturer? Maribel thought. She had been curious of his family's wealth, but hadn't the heart to ever ask upfront. 'That sounds like it would be a hard job.' she confessed, gesturing her hands with a bit more enthusiasm. 'I'm not sure what I want to be, myself. I'm sort of limited in what I chose, unfortunately.'
"Not to sound like an after school special, but you can be anything you want." Phinagin said. "There shouldn't be anything in the world that can stop you."
Maribel knew he meant well, but there were just things that kept her limited because of her lack of speech. 'When I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be an opera singer.' she confessed, blushing a bit from embarrassment, 'It's sort of impossible.... Don't worry though, I've already come to terms with it.'
"I do believe you underestimate technology my dear." Phinagin said with a "shame on you" wag of his finger. "Who knows what they will be capable of doing in just five years. I mean, did you expect to be able to access any bit of information in the world just by thinking about it?"
She shrugged a bit, still having doubt. Although she believed she would never have a voice of her own, Maribel just took it as a fact of life. She had cried about it for far too long to dwell on the hopelessness of the situation. Even if Phinagin was right and she could be given a voice, who would come to listen to a horrid monster like herself? 'I suppose not. We will see, won't we?' she signed, not wanting to give away how sad the whole concept made her. 'Til then, I'll just keep being a student.'
"Not that we are learning much here though." Phinagin said with a small laugh. "Don't know if student really fits us."
'I'm actually learning a lot.' Maribel countered with her hands. 'Thanks to the chip, we don't really have to study, but I am able to learn about being a mutant and how to live with it. Our kind are few and far between in France.' she explained.
Phinagin hadn't thought of that. When he came here he was already fully aware of his powers and how to wield them. He hadnt realized that most mutants that come here dont. "Well, I guess there is that."
Maribel lowered her hands and placed them behind her back, lifting her shoulders and offering him a cheeky grin. She indeed had a lot to learn about herself and these mutations. Then a thought came to her, 'Phinagin? I have to confess...' she paused and signed on, "With an expected attack on it's way, I'm worried that my physical mutation will progress even more quickly than before and turn me into an even more horrible monster. Maybe I should hide in the lower levels or something.'
"You are not a horrible monster Maribel." Phinagin said scolding her. "I don't think you need to hide anywhere, but I can't stop you from doing it."
"I just don't want this to progress any further." She explained.
"I'm afriad that despite what you do it will." Phinagin said, honestly figuring that this was just the beginning of her mutation.
Maribel sighed, not liking the sound of that. 'Well- from me to you, be glad you don't have any physical mutations."
"It's not the worst thing in the world Maribel." Phinagin said, "Be glad that you still have a form."
'No offense....but its easy for you to say- you don't don't have arms growing out of your neck. I don't even know if I can play violin anymore.'
"Well, there is only one way to find out now isn't there." Phinagin said as he handed her his violin.
Her cheeks blushed brightly and she waved her hands in front of her. Oh no, she couldn't play his instrument! She was far too insecure in her current form. What if she broke a string with her long, clumsy fingers. Maribel wouldn't know what to say if something like that happened to his violin because of her.
"I want to hear you play now. I played for you." Phinagin said with another push of the violin.
Maribel was scared, and he could see it in her black eyes. Normally, she would have leaped at the thought of someone wanting to hear her play. But these now appendages... made her nervous. She had been too scared to pick up a violin all week in fear she wouldn't be able to play. What scared her most was discovering it. If that were to occur now and she was unable to play properly, Maribel didn't think she could hold herself together, even in front of Phinagin. These new fingers of hers were long, clumsy... not thin and delicate like they once were. She looked at his violin in all of it's uniqueness, then frowned, feeling a tenseness in her throat that held back tears. Playing the violin was one of the only things that brought her happiness in the world of silence she lived in. If she couldn't do that anymore, what else was there?
Hesitantly, she took the violin from him and set it on her lap, weary to place it under her neck where her appendages were.
Phinagin smiled and sat back with his hands in his lap. "Take your time. When you are ready."
Maribel placed a hand over her neck appendage where she usually rested her violin. It was definitely going to be in the way and her eyes began to water. This felt like some sort of punishment. Why did she deserve this!? Trying to keep herself together in front of Phinagin, Maribel slowly raised the instrument's base on her shoulder. Yes indeed, her appendage was being crushed a bit. Resisting, she held the bow with one hand and moved to place her fingers on the appropriate strings. They were big and clumsy like she had assumed and Maribel couldn't bring herself to attempt to play... not in front of him. She immediately took the violin off of her shoulder and placed it on the bed with the bow in front of him. Shaking her head quickly, Maribel covered her face with her hands and started to cry. It was useless...
Phinagin frowned and got up from his bed and moved across the room to her. He felt bad for pushing her to play when the end result was this. "I'm sorry Maribel, I had hoped you would still be able to play. I think you will be, just with practice."
Maribel turned around, ashamed of herself. Phinagin didn't know what it was like- to have to live with a body that wasn't your own. To be disfigured and hideous... she was literally turning into a gross, disgusting spider!
Phinagin wrapped his arms atound her and held her as she cried. He tried his best to comfort her, but wasnt sure it he was having any affect.
Maribel felt him come up from behind her as she cried even harder, unable to keep herself together anymore. She had a tough day today and had held in everything she could up until this moment when it finally all flowed out The inability to play the violin tipped the glass. She was a strong willed, feisty little farm girl and now she was an insecure, bumbling fool. She tucked her head into his chest as she sobbed, not caring who he was anymore. Phinagin could be anyone, but Maribel needed some kind of physical comfort. All day it seemed everyone was afraid to touch her and this was the most physical contact she had had in over a week.
"Sshhh. It's ok Maribel." Phinagin said as he ran his through her hair and rubbed her back, not sure of what else he could possibly say.
When she heard her name through his lips, Maribel tried to get herself together. This was ridiculous.... she was being ridiculous. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes with her long, black fingers. Keeping herself close to Phinagin, she made sure her head was low so he wouldn't see her crying.
Seeing that she was calming down, Phinagin smiled. "There, it wasn't so hard. We will work on that in time, it's nothing to get worked up about right now."
Sniffling again, Maribel pulled back and wiped her cheeks one more time before signing. 'I'm sorry. It's just so hard to get used to.' she sniffled a bit. 'I didn't mean to make a scene and act a total fool in front of you like this.'
"You are not a fool, I shouldn't have pushed you out of your comfort zone like that." Phinagin said, "I will make sure that I help in every way possible to get you acclimated to your new form."
Maribel placed her hands on her chest and bowed her head, biting her bottom lip as she held in happy tears. Judging by her expression, she was very thankful of his offer.
"First thing we will work on is the violin." Phinagin said, figuring that was a particularly sore spot for her. "I think it is all in the placement, and getting used to working with your fingers."
'They are so long and clumsy.' she explained. 'Even my signing is sloppy now.'
"It's like getting a retainer. The first few months your going to talk with a noticeable lisp, and maybe drool. But once you get used to it, there wont be any problem." Phinagin said, not having a better analogy.
That was the most unexpected thing she had ever heard him say and it showed in her expression. Maribel lifted her hands and asked, 'You speak from experience with that?'
"A little." Phinagin confessed. "My parents thought it would be easier to do the retainer and braces thing, but after a year they tired of the constant appointments and just had a minor surgery done to realign all my teeth."
Maribel blinked widely, having no idea. His teeth seemed flawless...no doubt a million dollar smile to say the least. 'Were your teeth really that bad?' she asked, interested.
"Not really that bad. I had one tooth that was crooked and another that came in behind a baby tooth. Those two put the rest of my mouth slightly out of whack." Phinagin explained, using his hand a bit for random gestures.
As strange as it were, Maribel found comfort in learning about Phinagin's flaws. Lately, it seemed she had far too many and hearing about others' made her feel a bit better. Her tears had stopped by now and her sniffling died down. The thought of Phinagin's crooked smile brought a smile to her own face. 'Thanks.'
"Your welcome." Phinagin said and smiled, "So, I wonder what is going on out there right now." He said, since he hadn't heard any explosions or gunfire and there had been no tremors he was beginning to wonder what was going on out there.
'Should we perhaps... change into our x-suits or something?' Maribel asked, not really sure. 'Then again... maybe I should set traps in the yard or something' She gave him a sarcastic look as she signed, obviously not meaning it.
"I think any traps you set would be triggered by the Sentinels." Phinagin added with a smirk. "And I don't think we should as we are not expecting to have to fight."
Maribel gave him an unconvinced look. She was new here and it was more then apparent that the x-students ALWAYS had to deal with shit like this. There was no way they were going to slip out of this one because of giant robots.
Phinagin understood the look she gave him and let out a chuckle. "I guess your right. I do believe that I would much rather fight in my business suit then those damn X-suits."
Maribel smiled in return and signed, 'I like them actually... makes me feel like some sort of super hero.'
"Well, I think technically we are." Phinagin said, not really sure what the definition of one would be now-a-days but he thought they fit it.
'Near death experiences aside.... it's sort of exciting.' she confessed with a sheepish grin. It was what some people dreamed about, really.
"I do believe I agree." Phinagin said with a big grin. "Nothing like doling out justice to all the evil-doers."
'I was too pissed at you at the time, but you did very well on Asteroid-M.' Maribel complimented.
"Thank you. I didn't want to leave Junior behind to who knows what fate." Phinagin said, "Even if I had known SHIELD was coming back for him I still would have done it."
Maribel didn't bring up the time when she had slapped him. Instead, she brought forth another compliment, 'Although I didn't approve at the time, that was very noble of you.'
"I try." Phinagin said with a shrug. "You were pretty brave yourself, coming back with the rest of them even though you didn't have a grasp on your powers."
Maribel smiled and bit her lip, looking down and twiddling her fingers together as if embarrassed by his compliment. Lifting her shoulders, she forced her hands apart and signed, 'Should we go see what the others are up to? Waya seemed a bit scared of the robots.'
"I wondered why she rushed off like that." Phinagin said. "Its curious, she doesn't seem like the scared person type."
Maribel nodded. It was sure strange to see her like that. 'I guess we really have nothing to do until something....happens.'
"I'm waiting for my father's security system to arrive. I guess expedited shipping doesn't mean the same thing anymore." Phinagin said with a sigh.
Maribel lifted her hands again, 'He doesn't mind you always requesting stuff like that?'
Phinagin looked perplexed before realizing what she was saying. "Oh, no. I didnt just ask for it, I bought it."
Maribel looked at him oddly, 'YOU bought it?! ....how?!'
"My savings account." Phinagin said as if it was a simple answer. "It gets fed a bit by my trust fund every month."
Maribel lifted her head for a moment, understanding now. 'That is one whopping of a trust fund, I imagine.' She paused for a moment and signed quickly, 'Oh sorry, that was rude, wasn't it?'
"No, it was a reasonable response apparently since I get it a lot." Phinagin said. "That's why I don't go into details about stock portfolios and CD's and all that."
'Doesn't sound very fun...if you would forgive me. Do you find it entertaining, though?' Maribel asked.
"Find what entertaining?" Phinagin said, wondering if she was referring to talking finance.
'All of the business-related things. Stock markets, accounting...things of that nature.' she explained. 'You would really want to be someone who does that sort of thing day in, day out? Don't think me rude, but you say you have plans on running your Father's business...is that really what you want to do?'
"Yes, I can do so much for the world and for mutant kind in that position." Phinagin said with a nod, "And it's not that I enjoy talking about it, it's that I have spent most of my life being taught about it that I am very comfortable talking about it."
She shrugged and smiled, 'So long as you enjoy it.' Math was her worst subject in school, he it was hard for Maribel to comprehend running a whole business on your own.
Phinagin smiled, looking around the room. "It's getting stifling in here, we should go check on everyone else." he said as he stood up and offered he his hand to help her up.
Maribel looked at his hand for a moment, hesitating. She flexed her hand, unsure if he remembered they were now monster claws. Exhaling, Maribel lifted her hands and gently placed it in his, letting him left her to her feet.
"After you m'lady." Phinagin said, trying to be gentlemanly.
Maribel smiled and rolled her eyes at him, obviously wise to his chivalry. They both headed down to The School Entrance Hall
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