You Know How I Feel

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik was continuing on his mission. It was an endless one yet one that was producing rather encouraging results. He had encountered a couple of mutants already, one of which was interested in their cause. And then of course there were those already on his side; already prepared to fight for mutant's rights. It was indeed promising, and left Erik far from discouraged. For now however, he was just your average person in a cafe, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper to see what the latest occurrences were in this country. Despite where his gaze was focused, he was still extremely aware of all his surroundings; he had to be if he were to recruit. Not all mutants stuck out as obviously as others. So he was always on the lookout for anyone who was able to do things that were deemed otherwise impossible. Sometimes they did so by accident, other times, on purpose to benefit them. They were still a growing race however. Erik firmly believed they were the future, but for now, they were the minority. Which was why it was essential for them to band together. United under a common threat: homo sapiens.

Magneto took the last sip of his coffee, just in time for the waitress to come and ask if he would like a refill. "Please," he said politely, smiling at the server, who smiled in return. Sitting in a serene coffee shop . . . it was times like this when his mind went to Charles. He did miss his friend, though did not regret his decision to part ways with him. Their ideologies were far too different; too conflicting. Charles believed in hiding, where as Magneto believed in showing their gifts to the world, because hiding implied that they had something to be ashamed of. He often thought about visiting his former friend, but also knew it was unwise to do so. Perhaps one day their paths would cross again, but for now, Magneto's priorities were different. He took another sip of his now freshly brewed coffee, his eyes skimming over an article in the paper, one that spoke of experimentation on a certain kind of people, and it was enough to peak Erik's interest as he read every word carefully. His mind was already formulating a plan on how to free those captured for this cruel experimentation because those subjects were without a doubt, mutants.

Tag Darklit

[Lana Kane]

Lana walked into the cafe, and paused to look around. Her arms were drawn into her, while her over sized sweater coat swallowed her small frame. Her clothing wasn't new, and the sight of her said 'no money'. With things heating up she had been laying low but it was time to move on. Another city or town before people took too much of a notice of what she could do. A waitress paused while passing and looked at her. 'Ya got money or order somethin'?' She asked, clearing knowing how this would end from the sight of the Lana.

Lana turned her gaze to the woman, and after a silent second, the woman blinked then rushed over. 'You poor kid! Skin and bones ya are! Come in and find a seat while I get you a bit to eat. On the house.' With that the waitress hurried away, and Lana went back to looking over the people in the cafe. A woman with kids--too noisy. A old man--easy pickings, but they tended to talk about the good old days. Then there was a group of two young men, and another young man by himself. They weren't young like her, but they weren't rocking the grey yet either.

Single men alone were easier to deal with. Walking slowly over too him, Lana waited until he fully looked at her, right in the eyes, before making her powers control his emotions. She wanted him curious and feeling light. Happy. When you felt both you often wanted to be closer to the person who made you feel that. "May I sit, sir?" She asked in a soft almost meek voice. She made him feel just enough eagerness to allow it.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik was far too engrossed in what he was reading to have noticed the young woman who approached him. That is, until he did take notice of the fact that she was not walking forward. She was merely standing there near him, and without needing look, he could feel her gaze on him. He reluctantly looked away from the paper to make eye contact with her. He was going to question if he could help her with something, but instead, felt compelled to response to the question she posed to him. "Why of course you may," he responded with great encouragement, as he motioned to the seat across from him. A smile formed on his lips as he set the paper down.

He wasn't sure why, but he did. And he seemed to have little control of his actions. So much for prioritizing. Whilst gazing at her, he took in her appearance. She lacked money, that much was evident. And while she was not someone he would necessarily glance twice at, there was something about her that made him want her to stay. "What is your name?" He asked her. It was a question he did not ordinarily ask unless he had a legitimate reason -- usually the reason being that they were a mutant. He had little time for homo sapiens and yet it seemed at this moment, he was readily and willingly making time for them. How incredibly odd. Though he felt no need to stop himself, feeling far too content with the current company he had just gained. "Is there something I can order for you?" He further inquired. He couldn't explain why he suddenly cared about this young woman's well being; why he felt so eager for her to stay, and to do whatever he could to ensure it.

[Lana Kane]

Lana let her lips twitch in a hesitant smile, before pausing a second and smiling softly, this time letting it stay on her face. "Lana." She replied to his question of her name, again making her voice softer then normal, almost weak. It helped that she was so small, and pretty. Between her size, her face, and her powers everyone--especially men--begged to help her. "Thank you for letting me sit. I didn't want to be alone." And she wanted to get a ride out of this town before she got caught.

She wore a large mental belt around her narrow hips, one make of many squares interlocking, and it make a slight sound when she sat on the chair. "The waitress offered me something, but thank you." She pretended to look around as if thinking then at him, "And your name sir? What should I call you?" Lana knew how to keep a man interested. You had to find tune the emotion. Just enough eagerness, a dash of nerves, a bit of protectiveness, and slightly more then a hint of wanting--though not enough to make it outright passion, or to turn them into beast. Just enough to make them want more of her, without making them need to have her.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik continued to smile, suddenly losing interest in the article, and even his coffee. His focus seemed to be entirely placed at her, the woman who's name he now knew as Lana. "You need not be alone so long as I am here," he assured her. The words sounded odd falling from his lips, yet his emotions found nothing bizarre about them. He did not regret them when they were spoken, even though they did sound foreign. "The pleasure of your company is all mine." As if he hadn't been saying enough uncharacteristic things . . . he seemed to be unable to stop. Even when she asked him his name, he felt all too eager to reply. Something inside of him wanted her to stay, to make sure she was safe, to make sure she was cared for. "Erik Lehnsherr," he responded, not giving his mutant name. After all, she was a homo sapien and that name was reserved for his fellow mutants . . . for now. He did soon hope to be known as Magneto, but it would take time to build such a reputation.

Not over thinking his name, he brought all thoughts back to her. "You have come here on your own then?" He both questioned curiously and stated. He did not ask to be suspicious or threatening; he asked because he felt that he did not want to share her company with another. What made him suddenly this possessive and eager to spend time with her was unbeknown to him. It wasn't even something he thought twice about, nor was it something that seemed unnatural. He just went along with it, feeling nothing wrong in his emotions nor his interactions with her. "Where are you from?" He asked, wanting to know more about her. Did she have somewhere to go? He could always offer his own temporary residence to her. After all, was he not suddenly obligated to look after her? And what better way to do that then to keep her close by his side. Besides, she was an attractive young woman -- something he seemed to be noticing more and more.

[Lana Kane]

Erik. A very normal name for a very normal man. Lana kept her soft smile in place, while waiting for her food. "Yes, I am on my own. I have no one." She'd fled in fear from her own parents, never telling them they birthed a mutant. "But now I have you." Pushing the emotions just slightly more, slowly dialing up the possessive just a hint, not enough to make him a mad man but just enough to make him accept her words.

And so the flaw in her powers came forward. She could make a crowd of people all feel the same things, but narrowing it down to just a single person was harder. Others began feeling it too. The emotions were being picked up by one of the other young men too. He got up, and began staring at them. Frick! Her eyes glanced over toward him but then went back to Erik. "Maybe after we eat we can take a drive, just you and I? Some place far away. Just us?"

The man stared walking closer, and Lana knew it was ruin everything! Damn it! She had to let go of Erik's emotions after that and turn toward making the man feel disinterested, bored, and feeling lost just as he reached their table. Shaking his head he turned and walked away--thus Lana quickly turned her attentions back to Erik. Bring back the feelings. "Maybe we can just get take away?" And leave now.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik felt saddened to hear that she had no one, but immediately uplifted when she pointed out that she now had him. His previous concern about her not having anywhere to go re-emerged, but quickly subsided. Her words were true: she now had him. And the more the thought was formed, the more he wanted to make it happen. Little did he know that it was not in fact tied to his thoughts, but to the emotions she was making him feel. "That you do," he assured her. "And I assure you, you need never be alone again. You can come stay with me." He was not even thinking of the others, of how they would all react to a homo sapien joining them. Why did he not loathe this non mutant as much as he despised others? What was it about her that made her so different, so alluring, so . . . beautiful. She then suggested a drive, and he found the anticipation so great, that it almost made him want to get up and leave right now. "I quite like the sound of that," he said, still smiling, still unable to cease doing so.

Though he was focused on her, he did notice the approaching man, and a strong feeling of possessiveness overcame him. Perhaps he would walk past them, but in case he did not, Erik was prepared to do whatever it took to protect her. To ensure that she did not feel afraid or frightened in the least bit. However, just as soon as Erik was ready, the man paused and turned around. While logic dictated that Erik should feel content, he instead, felt confused. What was he doing? No. That was not the relevant question. The question was: what was she doing. He didn't know how, but she had caused him to be this way. All he had previously said to her came into his mind, knowing they were not his own words; he would not say them. Not of his own free will anyway. She was a mutant. She had to be. She turned her attentions back on him and Erik returned the favor. He smiled, the same smile he had given her before, yet his mind was of his own. Or, whatever it was that she was controlling to make him act the way he did. "Lana," he began to say in a calm, composed voice. "I have a far better idea." He used the same tone as before, only this time, he had his own senses about him.

He could sense it, the metal that she conveniently wore around her waist. And that was all it took. Making eye contact with her, he caused the metal to severely tighten around her waist. Tighter, and tighter. Not enough to crack any bones or fully cut off her ability to breathe . . . not yet anyway. It was getting there though. And because of the way she was seated, it was not visible to anyone else in the cafe. He did not think to kill a fellow mutant, but at the same time, did not like getting played. "Why don't we stay right here and have a conversation instead." He hoped that still tightening metal around her was enough to distract her from using whatever powers she had. He did not know the extent of her abilities, but he knew the extent of his.

[Lana Kane]

What was her belt doing? She tried to work on keeping control of his emotions but her belt was tightening to the point--Oh, OH! Oh shite! He was a mutant and she was exposed. Panic filled her as she wondered if he planned to kill her. She wanted to run but the belt being tight made her unable to stand without fear of him doing worse to her.

Her eyes widened and her lips shook! "Please don't." She asked in a hushed whisper, trying to summon up her own powers but she also knew that to be a mistake. No! Don't use your powers! Taking deep almost frantic breaths she tried to keep it in. Single people where hard to make feel things. Took effort and practice. Crowds. Crowds were easy. She shivered, and noticed everyone began shifting in their seats. Not noticing her or Erik, but feeling something.

Taking a deep breath she leaned forward toward him and looked into his eyes and summoned all the energy she had on one emotion. Guilt. He needed to stop.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

My my. This mutant was powerful. Because she was still playing with him. Erik could feel it. Now that he knew she possessed something, he could feel that shift in his mood, in how he felt. He continued to squeeze the metal around her waist, making it more and more tight, but whatever she was doing to him, was starting to make him hesitant. He closed his eyes for a moment, clenching his jaw as he tried to fight it. He opened his eyes to look at her again, his expression more serious as he felt his face slightly trembling from his attempt to fight against her powers. He had found a way to block telepathy, but how could he block something he could not yet even fully determine.

It was as if the two of them were having a silent war. He, using his strength to fight off her powers, and her, using her strength to make him stop using his. The intensity was growing, and he was getting increasingly frustrated at not being able to fully stop it. "I will cease, if you do," he told her, not about to back down, but also wondering how long he could hold this back for. While the belt was still tightly around her, his energy was going into stopping her powers from affecting him, so he was unable to make it tighter. But now, she didn't have to know that. He had just proposed an offer to her. Then perhaps the two of them could have a calm conversation, as themselves, with their own minds.

[Lana Kane]

He was gaining control! Damn rational people! They didn't obey their emotions like they should! Her hands clawed and pulled at her belt, while her own panic begin to set the mood of the room more. You could see it. The waitresses drawing in behind the counters. The mother clutching her children. The men pushing back from one another. "I can't control it." She begged in a hushed tone, "you gots to stop first. I swear." Because fear and panic made her unable to calm the room.

"Please," she hissed after another moment in his grip. Finally she felt it so lax, and Lana sucked in a silent gasp of a breath; letting go of her own hold of everyone. Yanking at the buckles, she pulled the belt free before sending this Erik a wide eyed glare, still feeling her own panic but not to the point where it effected the room. "You tied to kill me!" Her tone still hushed but no longer the soft fragile flower, as she was no longer pretending.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She spoke of how she couldn't control it, and though he was attempting to fight back her powers, the statement also meant a great deal. For it could very well be Magneto's opening. While she seemed to have incredible control of her power -- him being a prime example of that -- there was still an aspect of it that she could not control. And that, could be a way to convince her to join the cause: a promise of helping her control her power and learning the full extent of it. But that would come at a later time. For now, he was focused on the current situation, one that they seemed to reach a standstill . . . or not. The second he felt her loosen her hold on him, he returned the favor, and loosened his hold on her belt. He was after all, a man of his word. It was as if some force had been pushing both of them, an a massive lift had been weighted when they both released the others power.

Erik leaned back, his back resting against the cushion of his seat, as he quietly caught his breath, listening to her next words. One spoken with a rather different tone than any of her previous ones. He sat up straight once more before responding to her. "Nonsense," he said, in a casual, calm tone. One that displayed no anger or even any ill feelings toward her. "If I wanted to kill you, trust me when I say, you would be dead right now." He would not have tightened the belt around her like he had. He would have immediately used it to cut her body in half. But it was not about killing her. Even if the fleeting thought had crossed his mind. "I suggest we both agree to withhold our abilities from one another." So that they could, as Erik had previously suggested, have a little conversation. "For it seems we got off to the wrong start," he then continued, still in a composed manner.

[Lana Kane]

Lana wasn't sure if his words were meant to warn her of his nature or explain his own darker side; like the one within her at times. Sweet she might act, but there were times were she wanted the others to hurt. Like she hurt. However, now was not that time. Right now she was believing his words, and not wanting to cross him. "And just ta be clear, one move toward me and I made everyone on this block turn . . . . turn against you." She couldn't promise that but nor did she want to just give him all the power.

"You got my word, I wont make you do anything as long as you're not doing that death grip again." She rubbed her belly, "What was that, anyhow? Felt like me belt was trying to crawl into my skin. How'd you find me out?" He clearly knew how to handle powers like her's, though she was betting on him being a rational and having the up most control over himself. She hated people like him. Too much effort to play.

She paused for a moment and asked one more question, her English accent more clear the more she spoke, "I can still make that girl give me the free food though, yeah? Just not you."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik smiled when she threatened him, warning him that if he made a move toward her, she would turn everyone against him. Did he fear a group of homo sapiens? Absolutely not. There was enough cutlery in here to stop an army. However, he did not fail to appreciate the bravado on her part. After having nearly just killed her, she still stood her ground. Still ensured she expressed her lack of helplessness. And to be honest, he quite liked that. "And you have mine," he assured her when she gave him her word. Magneto would not turn against his promise. Unless of course she broke hers first. But still. Something told him she would not break her promise to him. It wasn't a suddenly earned trust he had in her. It was simply the way she agreed. She asked a series of questions, and Erik decided to answer one of the more important ones: how did he find her out. If anything, he could at least tell her such a thing to assist her in the future, should she try to cross a mutant again.

He slightly leaned forward, so that their conversation would only be between them, and would not fall on any nearby listening ears. "The drastic shift in mood," he began to explain. He still did not know how she defined her power; he was merely based is words off her own experience. "These people--" aka homo sapiens. "Are naive and foolish. They fail to recognize when they are being controlled and manipulated." They were indeed, the weaker race. "However, our kind recognize our own." If they were really paying attention. It was how Magneto had found others like them, without the assistance of Charles and cerebro. It was also why in a split second, he had recognized how uncharacteristic he was being. And there was only one logical reason for it; the reason that deemed to be true. "Be cautious, Lana." His words were spoken as more of a helpful warning as oppose to a threat. "There are more of us out there than you may think." They were a growing race. They were the future.

Sitting upright once more, she had another question that he felt the need to address. It caused him to smile once more. "You can do whatever you like to those in this room apart from me," he said, even a slight tease at the latter part of his words. He was giving her that permission, though she seemed to be rather strong willed that she hardly needed it. "In fact, I encourage you to. You need not hide." Another feeling that most all mutants experienced: the paranoia of constantly hiding due to the fear of being exposed. "For it is a shame to withhold what incredible abilities you possess. So show me, rather than use me." He was not only granting her that permission, but also, encouraging her to use her powers, something else that he knew was not common for mutants. It was how he appealed to them. How he helped them understand why it was imperative that mutants stand up for themselves, and never have to live in fear or shame.

[Lana Kane]

Drastic shift in the mood. Right. She knew that, and it was apart of the flaw. Play a little and you got a little; but play with the big toys--the larger emotions that controlled actions easier--then she got more. Subtle wasn't something she had time for. She needed quick ins and even quicker outs. "Yeah, but with my skills, our kind don't catch on that quick either." Skills being her gifts, she rather think of them as something she had to learn and practice since she worked so hard at control; rather then something she had been given. "I've met a few, and it never seems to matter much--human, or mutant. They see a little girl, a pretty face, some babble of nonsense while I give them just the right cocktail of feeling and I normally get what I want." She explained.

"The only down side is panicking, or fear. I tend to make everyone feel it. Can't stop it when I'm frightened." Lana didn't even know she was telling him everything! When it came to playing in the world she could play, but when it came to trusting she forgot not everyone should be trusted. "Once I lose that control, mobs form--riots."

"It's easier to go hard, get what want, and leave em confused behind the wheel of their car." Her exit plan. "You never did tell me how you did that belt thing." And to his other, "What you wanna see? I can't make anyone do anything, ya feel me? But I have learned to make them dance my tune. I can take control of their emotions; tell em what to feel and and what not to feel. What they do with it is out of my hands. Like you. I made you, I didn't make you say anything. Just gave you a little dose of this and that."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She certainly had a great deal of pride. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Mutants should be proud of their gifts. Of what they could do. He listened quietly, allowing her to explain her abilities and how she used them. Ironically, it was her own emotions that caused her to lose grip on the person she was currently utilizing her abilities on. It was at least good to know on his part. While they had reached a mutual agreement, it was always helpful to know a mutant's weakness in the beginning. For trust, was something to be earned. And until he could trust her, he never knew when such knowledge would come in handy. Still, he said nothing, listening intently to her words. She was using her powers for survival. A day by day type of usage. Like so many other mutants, it was all they had to rely on: themselves, and their powers. "There is so much more you can be doing with your abilities," he began to tell her. He saw great potential in her. While most mutants had that potential, fewer had the will. Not all mutants wanted to flaunt their gifts and use it so openly and readily. She did so. Without the notion or possibility of ever getting caught . . . until today.

"What would you say if I told you I could help you." Not by giving her food, clothing, or money. That was not the kind of help she needed. "I can assist you in honing your gift. In perfecting it. So that even when you are frightened, you still are able to maintain full control of your powers." Having spent time with Charles, Erik had helped him train the other mutants. He knew what it entailed. In fact, he was already helping those he was with in doing so, though as most of them were previously aligned to Shaw, they had a fairly excellent grasp on their powers. His offer was yet another way of appealing to her. Those mutants who were proud of their abilities and used them regularly, often hated the weakness associated with it. Magneto would know, as he used to be one of them. The greatest offer he could make to these mutants, was one that involved helping them control the full extent of their powers, so that they were virtually unstoppable. Whether those mutants stayed with him in the Brotherhood or not, was not the entire point. He would not force mutants to stay with him; they were free to come and go as they pleased. What he did want, was to show the world how powerful mutants were and help those perfect their gifts so that they could survive in a society that persecuted them whenever they had the chance.

She once again questioned his own abilities, and he knew that in order to be fair and continue this conversation, he too had to reveal himself. "To put it simply, I am able to control all forms of metal," he told her. Magnetokinesis. But it was easier explained the way he had told her. "Your belt made you an easy target for me," he said, in a bit of a teasing voice. It was his creativity that allowed him to find whatever form of metal he could on or near a person. Hers had been far too easy. But he had a feeling she would not be putting it back on any time soon. "Your gift is certainly impressive," he told her, letting his offer to her stand. "But as I said, you have great potential. And such a gift can be used for far more than simply daily survival." More than getting a free meal, or a drive somewhere. And he wondered if that mattered to her; or if this was the kind of lifestyle she preferred.

[Lana Kane]

His words made it sounds like she was wasting the skills she'd worked so hard to hone and grow. Now he didn't come right out and say it, but with all this potential he thought she had, and wasn't using then what else could he mean? "You some kind of teacher or something?" She asked, when he offered to teach her; and then continued on to explained his own skills. Lana casually reached up to pull out her earrings and toss them on the table, "Just in case," she muttered to him, not knowing what else he might use. "So you want to help me? Out of the goodness of ya heart?" Moving to lean closer she tilted her small narrow face, "I know I was born at night, but it wasn't last night. No one does anything just to be nice. No one. So what you want from me?"

It was then the waitress begin to walk over. "Hold that thought." She told him, "And just remember, I can't make her do; only feel." As the waitress came over toward them Lana began to play, her body turned inward, as her shoulders drew closer and made her frame look smaller. 'He you go my dear. That will put some meat on your bones. You just eat up ever bit of that and don't worry about the check.' Lana gave a soft smile, almost hesitant toward the woman, "Thank you," She said in a soft meeker voice. "This kind sir was just offering me a ride home."

The waitress looked concern for a moment and turned her gaze to Erik, and in that moment Lana played harder. 'Oh my.' the woman said, 'well aren't you a handsome fellow!' Blushing and giggling the waitress wrote her phone number on Erik's check and pulled it off her pad. 'After you help her home, you come back here. I got something good for the likes of you.' She reached over and tucked her number into his collar before walking away, tossing come hither looks at him from over her shoulder.

Lana started chuckling, a soft hushed sound that started deep but got slightly higher before she snorted and it deepened again. "I warned ya, I don't control the body . . . only the heart." She teased him while laughing at the woman's hitting on him. "And that, that was child's play."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She had a lot of good questions, and Erik was prepared to answer them, however, their conversation was interrupted when the waitress returned with Lana's meal. It was now that Erik watched very careful as her use of powers unfolded. The difference now was that he was the spectator, rather than the subject. He took a sip of his coffee, seeing the way the waitress's expressions would change, her tone suited for what Lana required from her. It was indeed interesting to witness the way in which she controlled a person's emotions. There was no physical tell from Lana. She remained casual, ordinary. As if she was doing nothing to control them. It was extremely subtle and that came only with a great deal of practice and teaching -- self teaching in her case. Her conversation took a bit of a turn, as the waitress focused her attentions on him. Erik looked at her, not letting confusion show for he knew what was occurring. For the waitress to suddenly speak of such things, out of the blue . . . it was undoubtedly Lana causing her to feel, what? Lust? Flirtation? Whatever it was, Erik smiled politely at the woman, aware that right now, she was being controlled.

Erik said nothing, agreed to nothing, he merely remained polite, even through her invasion of personal space as she tucked her number into his collar. Deciding to join in on the fun a bit, he gave her an ever so slight wink. Though when she was finally gone, Erik didn't give her a second glance. Instead, he refocused on Lana. He straightened himself out, pulling the number from his collar. "Impressive," he said, returning to the familiar word that he had previously used to describe her abilities. She was clearly proud of herself, and amused by the fact. Had it not been at his expense, perhaps he would have joined in on the laughter. Though, he would be lying if he said that he did not find it slightly entertaining. Not that he was the focus of the waitress's affections, but rather that the homo sapien was so easily played. He set the piece of paper on the table, having absolutely no use for it. He was far more interested in Lana. "Enlighten me, which specific emotions did you consume her with?" Starting from what she had done to the woman to offer her the free food, to her reaction to Lana telling her she would get a ride from him, to . . . what came afterwards. Lana seemed to be able to control several emotions at once, and he wondered if it was all simultaneous, or if there were transitions in between. He would return to her questions, but first, he wanted to know more about her and what she could do.

[Lana Kane]

Lana reached for the ketchup and poured it over the food, before starting ti eat with gusto, almost going too fast to savor the flavor of the food. Getting hot meals like this wasn't as common as you'd think. She didn't like to over play her gifts ever where. If someone caught on she'd be busted. "You a drinker, Erik?" She asked, "You ever put only one thing in your glass?" Lana seemed to be forgetting about drinks like whiskey where they weren't mixed with anything; but her point could be understood. "You can't pick just one."

"For you, I needed you eager and helpful; but I couldn't just give you them emotions. You gotta build up to it. Set the scene. So I waited until you looked at me, then hit ya with a few small lighter things. Once I had your attention, built it up. Dash of this, a slice of that. Anticipation, joy, curiosity, protectiveness, and like 12 other things." She explained, "Think about it. How ya felt. Was it just one thing? Nah, it was a ride. You felt this, and then this, which built to this . . . . " More bites.

"Took me years to get that down. For her--" The woman he asked about, "It was simpler. She was feeling grumpy, and small time . . . I uh, I can read emotions too. So I took them from her, made her pity me, turn it into her feeling important, special. Made her fell some guilt, and she was trying to sooth that while showing her importance by giving me free stuff like it was nothing."

Pointing around the room in a subtle way she clicked off the emotions she could feel; "The mom feel tried, stressed but enjoys it. She loves her kids. If I wanted to play that I'd make her feel worry and love at the same time. Tell her she makes me miss my own Mum, and she'd reach out. The gents are a bit harder. Men in pairs are dangerous--one slip and you them trying to prove things to each other; which is why I went for you. I could have gone for the old man, but they tend to talk a lot and you were hotter." She said it was like was nothing, because to her, while he was good looking, it wasn't meant as a come on. Just the reason she picked one con over another.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik watched as she began to gulp down the food. It looked as if she had not eaten for some time. Based on that, and her attire, she was either a runaway or had been disowned by her family. Either fate was not uncommon for a mutant in this society. It was a terrible shame. Which was precisely why Magneto wished to fight against the powers that made it so. She spoke of the variety required, using an analogy that Erik understood. Not because he was necessarily a heavy drinker . . . but because he wasn't an idiot nor daft. As she explained her powers, he also noted that eye contact seemed to be important in order to encourage her focus and be able to fully channel the emotions to that specific person. "Interesting," he said, thinking aloud. Though he only vocalized one word, many thoughts were going through his mind in regards to this particular mutant. He had not yet encountered someone who had control over another's emotions. Mind control, yes. Teleportation, yes. Flight, yes. And so on. But not an empath.

She further explained how she could sense a person's emotions as well, which made sense. In order to control them, it was logical that she had to be able to feel them as well. The fact that she was able to make a person feel multiple things at once was rather intriguing. "Fascinating priorities you have in terms of selecting your subject," he said, only half kidding, and slightly sarcastic, though not rudely. It was meant as more of a tease rather than anything else, as he was referring to how she had selected him out of everyone. Seemed that it was fate that the two of them crossed paths this way. He took another sip of his coffee, glancing at the mother she was sensing emotions from and giving him an example of how she could make her feel. He then turned back to Lana, setting his cup down. "You asked me earlier what I would ask for in return for helping you, and the answer is nothing." It was true. Erik did not look to help mutants for reward. If they became loyal to him, that was great.

If not, he would not destroy them or regret helping them. In order for mutants to thrive, they had to band together; they had to learn how to protect themselves. ]"I can offer you assistance in perfecting your already incredible gift, so that not even fear can stop you." It wasn't that there was a flaw in her abilities; it was merely about making mutants unstoppable. "I can offer you a place to stay, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and every other aspect that a residence entails." He knew that such an offer without any reciprocity was suspicious, so he would have to give her a little more explanation as to why he was offering her all this. But first, he wanted to see if this was what she wanted; if this is what she sought. If she was perfectly content with her life, then they would part ways. If not, then he would explain his reasons and beliefs that made him seek out mutants and recruit them for a greater cause. "But before I continue, tell me, does any of this appeal to you?" Meaning, what she interested in what he offered her.

[Lana Kane]

"Interesting." She copied him, her voice no longer the accented unschooled slack she spoke with, but copying his more cultured tone. It was how she survived, steal a bit from everyone. However she became distracted by his words, and rolled her eyes animatedly at his nothing. Sure he wanted nothing. She knew that a lie. Everyone had something in mind. No one did anything out of the kindness in their heart.

"Yea, course it does. What girl doesn't dream of the heroic white man come to save her from a life on the streets." Sarcasm wasn't something she resorted to often, but Lana hated being lied too. Trusting she was--as she had told him too much--but she wasn't a fool. "Look, Erik, I been on my own long enough to know nothing is free. No one just does things like this. You gonna give me what . . . a place to live, food to eat, and spend your time and energy training me? You either want to use my skills for something, or you want me in your bed . . . and you aint that hot."

She didn't feel any of the tell tell emotions that came with lieing and betraying, but still . . . everything he offered? Really? "Just tell me the catch. You want something. I might even be willing to give it to ya in return for the help, but you gotta be honest up front."