You Know How I Feel

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik let her finish her sarcastic words, not interrupting, and studying her behavior. It was evident that she relied on herself and only herself. So he was unsure as to whether she would be willing to be part of a team, or if she would only do this to look out for herself. Regardless, Erik's offer still stood. He was not going to take it back, and he doubted he would regret ever making it. "Do not flatter yourself, Lana. Not all men seek such a thing, whether it be coerced by your abilities or not." He would not be thought of that way; of making offers for such favors in return. Even when Mystique had offered herself he had turned the other way. It was not about that; never was. "I have never been dishonest with you thus far, and I have no intention of starting now." There was no need to lie to her. But he knew that he could be more upfront, as she had pointed out.

"What I want," he began to say, starting it with those exact words so that she knew that this was the so called price of his accommodations he was offering her. "Is for our kind to stand strong." That was essentially it. "I have a group of mutants, all dedicated to fighting for our rights. We are a persecuted race. In order to avoid a genocide, we must be prepared and equipped to fight against those who threaten us. This is only achieved by strengthening ourselves, whether that be through our abilities, or standing united together." He paused for a moment, giving her time to take in his words. "Whether you wish to join us in this cause or not, is of your own volition. But my offer to you will stand regardless of what you decide." Meaning, he would give her a place to stay without her needing to commit to the cause he fought for. He hoped that with time, in seeing what they did, he would be convinced to join them. But he could not force it on her, nor did he have any intention of using what he offered her in exchange for her abilities. He was not Shaw; he would not use and abuse mutant's gifts.

[Lana Kane]

Lana watched him as he spoke more about himself then he had thus far, which told her she needed to be asking more questions. He seemed to want their kind to be able to survive. Watching him now, she tried to read his emotions this time looking for feelings that might hint to if she should trust him. "I wasn't flattering myself," She muttered, still thinking over his words.

After a few long quite moments she looked back up at him, and tried to play it off as she didn't want to join his little group; though by the way she felt and her body language she knew that it failed. "I guess I can ya know, check it out. See what it's about before I say no." In truth she wanted someone safe. Not having to try to sleep light for fear of someone finding her. "Ya know, to be fair and all."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik watched her carefully. While he could not sense emotions like her, nor read minds like Charles, he could at least analyze body language and expression and from what he saw from her, it was safe to say that she wasn't entirely opposed to what he had offered her. She was more inclined to agree to it. And her words indicated as such. He smiled, holding hope that perhaps she would join them, but knew that pressuring mutants would be counter productive. It would only push them away. Which was why all he could do was give his reasoning, offer a just cause to fight for, and the rest would be left to their own conscience.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you feel the need to." It was not necessarily a safe haven for all mutants since he couldn't pick every single one off the street and offer them a shelter. But it was a start to protecting those that he could. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills, setting them on the table to pay for his coffee before reaching for his hat and putting it on his head. "Is there anything else you require from here, or shall we be on our way?" He was not going to prolong this meeting in the cafe longer than it need be. In fact, he had found what he had been searching for: a mutant. And a rather powerful and unique one at that.

[Lana Kane]

"No, we can go." Lana told him, and watched him toss down some bills. As she stood up, Lana picked up the bills and stuffed them into her pocket, then picked up the unfinished burger and munched on it while walking out to the sidewalk. Ketchup tickled on her fingers, and Lana licked it off while waiting for him to join her. Once he had, she spoke between bites, "So is this place like in the city?"

Which also brought her other questions, "How many of us are there? What can they do?" It was best to always know what your getting into, so you could be prepared. "You gonna death choke me if I use my skills there?" Just be clear in advanced. "Cause sometimes it just happens, ya know. I don't mean to, but it's habit. Too many years just doing it."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik observed her rise to her feet, grab the money he had left, and then messily eat her burger. Fascinating. Utterly fascinating. As they walked toward the door, she asked a series of questions, regarding the whereabouts of the residence, how many others there were, what they could do, whether she could use her skills there . . . a lot of questions, all of which Erik silently listened to, enabling her to ask them all without interruption. Giving a little tip of his hat to the waitress, he held the door open for Lana before joining her outside as they began to walk to his car. "I would not threaten a mutant for using their ability when it is out of their control." He knew that the others enjoyed showing off, and didn't expect her to be any different. He would only be on the defensive if their lack of control became a threat. Besides, that lack of control was something he was going to help her with. "There are five others with me," he began to tell her. "In terms of their gifts, I find that is something they should inform you of." Because some of them liked to show their gifts rather than just tell someone. "I assure you, none of them possess your abilities." They were all different; a diverse group of mutants.

"Our temporary residence is a little outside the city." He paused for a moment, looking at her so that she would know the seriousness of his words. "I know this goes without saying, but I must be sure we are of the same understanding." Bringing someone new to the group had its dangers. While he had a good feeling about her in terms of the fact that she would not turn against other mutants and expose them . . . he still needed to be sure. He needed to protect those that were already with him. "This residence is a safe place for these mutants. Should you decide not to stay, then I would expect you to remain silent about the location of it." It was a temporary one, they would eventually have to move. But he could not have mutants randomly showing up at his door. And if word of this location got out and they were no longer there, he feared for those who would go to the residence seeking sanctuary, and instead, walking into a potentially threatening situation -- depending on who claimed Shaw's estate. And it would only be a matter of time before someone did. "Are we in agreement of this?" He asked, needing to know before he took her there.

[Lana Kane]

"Yeah, yeah, mums the word." She agreed with eagerness. That wasn't hard, she had no one to tell. The few mutants she had met before this had been distrusting of her because of how easy she could control them. They might not have said it, but when you knew how someone felt about you then it wasn't hard to know when they lied to your face. It was why she was liking this Erik guy. He didn't say 'you have talent' then feel bitter. It was a cleaner feeling, more honest.

He was so much taller then her now that they were standing. Everyone was taller then her, but Erik towered over her like a tree. Looking way up at him as they walked the sidewalk she asked more, "You got wheels? Cause I can get us some so we don't gotta walk if ya want." She paused them rephrased to sound more like him, "I can acquire the car quite simply."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She seemed to brush off the agreement as if it was casual, but Erik was not so dismissive of it. It was imperative that she understand the severity of this situation. Though she turned the subject to getting a car. Or, how had she put it, 'acquiring a car'. "I appreciate the offer, but I already have acquired a car," he said, teasing her use of words, which . . . essentially was mocking of him. "Perhaps you should stick to your own vernacular," he further teased. Refined speak did not suit everyone especially when they were saying it in mockery. When they arrived to the car, he opened the door for her before getting into the driver's seat. It was obviously not his own vehicle, but one that would not be reported as stolen.

Starting the car, he then began to drive toward the estate. He had not explained to her the massive size of it. What mattered was that everyone was comfortably situated in it, with their own room and own space. As he previously silently acknowledge, he would have to find another place for them. But for now, this would have to do. And none of the others seemed to have any complaints. "How old were you when you discovered your gift?" He inquired. He wanted to know so that he could consider the time between when she first realized her abilities, to now, seeing the progress she had made in those years in learning to develop and control her powers. All mutants discovered their abilities in different ways, and he was interested in hearing her story.

[Lana Kane]

"Vernacular," She repeated the word slowly as if she had never heard it before. When he opened the door she looked at it, then grinned up at him before climbing in. She begin moving things and looking at everything while he got in and began driving. Opening the glove box, pulling down the visor. Touching the radio. Finally she pulled her on belt, and sighed back in her seat.

"I dunno. I just sort of started hearing about mutants, and realized what I was doing. It was just something that had always bee apart of me. Though in the early days it was mostly being able to read others. Then it turned to me feeling sad so everyone was; or when I was excited everyone was." Then she began to see things for how it was. "At first I stayed and tried to stop it, but then my parents began to talk about mutants, and they said once they would pull me out of school before they let me go to school with one of them. SO I didn't hang around to let em learn about me."

Looking over at him she shrugged. "What about you? How old where you when you . . . " She wiggled her fingers, as if to say 'did all that'.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Erik was not sure if she wanted him to define the word or if she was mocking him again. Either way, he remained silent, allowing her the opportunity to tell her story. So she was a runaway. Shame. He loathed humans for rejecting those who were mutants. His mother had not been like that. She knew, yet it remained unspoken between them. Yet . . . she had suffered. They had both suffered at the hands of homo sapiens, and at the hands of Shaw. While he was dead, Erik's hatred of the man would never fully leave his heart. "There are many like you. Rejected, outcast, fearful of discovery." He wasn't sure what sort of mutants she had met in the past, so perhaps some of them shared a similar story to her own. She then asked how old he was, and Erik paused for a moment. He was not open about his past, for it was painful.

The fear, anger and hurt . . . was all too much to allow resurfacing. So he tried his best to guard his emotions, not wanting her to read them, yet also knew she could sense them. He was uncertain as to whether that was something she could control or not, so perhaps attempting to guard himself would be to no avail. Still, he was not going to discuss it. "I was twelve," he answered simply. 12, when he finally accepted that he was different; that he could do the impossible. And it was under horrible circumstances. "What other kind of mutants have you met in the past?" He asked, changing the conversation back to her. He had learned a little of her past: she was a runaway, and more impressively, she was self taught. She was a survivor. Traits that would be a perfect addition to their team, but once again, he would not push her to join. He merely remained hopeful that she would; that she came to that decision on her own.

[Lana Kane]

She felt it. Everything he felt. It was imposable not to feel it, because of how intense everything was. Reaching a shaking hand up to her chest, she rubbed at it. How did he live with a memory so painful? Her moment of seeing just the emotion of it was enough to make her NOT want him thinking of it again. "I'm sorry," She muttered, "I can't help it." Reading him. It was like seeing people. She just did it.

But nor would she ask him about it either. She could respect that privacy, and she was also afraid of that memory. "Mutants that I know . . . " Shaking her head to clear it of his emotions she forced herself to try and sound happier. "No one really impressive. Met a guy who could jump high. . . . . I almost wanted to make him jump off a cliff. He was annoying. Then this other one, he said he was a mutant but never proved it."

"No one like you though." She looked at him, watching him drive. "With such a physical power . . . bet you're handy in a bar fight." Cause he could make anything happen to anyone. Her power wasn't good for fighting, and she wasn't good at it either. "I'm not gonna ever try to make you mad!" She teased, knowing he could kill her.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She said that she was sorry, and Erik didn't need to ask what for. He knew. He could hear it in his voice. His eyes stayed on the road ahead of him, as he slightly clenched his jaw. Knowing that someone could feel what he was feeling, was unfamiliar to him. The last who had ever come close was Charles when he entered his mind during the time Erik was tortured, and he had expressed his condolences to Erik, saying 'you poor man'. He had not wanted pity then, nor did he ever want it. After several moments of silence, he finally responded. "Never apologize for your gift," he told her calmly and sincerely. It was not her fault, and she had nothing that she needed to apologize for. She had an ability that was incredible. And he never wanted her to feel bad for expressing it, whether she could control it or not. Grateful for the change in conversation, he listened to her explain the different mutants she had encountered. One who had the ability to jump high, another who claimed he was one, though may not be. It seemed that she had not met anyone at her level of capabilities.

She was a higher class of mutant, he could tell from her abilities, and he had only seem glimpses of what she could do. "It is clear you have not met anyone remotely in your league." Praising her gift was not something that he did to win her over; he was merely stating facts, for he thought that highly of her abilities. She spoke of how he was handy in a bar fight, and his mind went to the most recent one where he was tracking down Shaw and killed three men in a bar. "You have no idea," he told her with a slight smirk, in a teasing manner and one that suggested she was quite right about her assumption. She then told him that she would not try to ever make him mad. "The feeling is mutual." He in turn, would try not to upset her. Not without a higher purpose, for when he trained her, he may make her angry in how he went about doing it. For right now, it was centered around the idea of instilling a tremendous amount of fear in her. "Apart from fear, are there any more emotions that you experience which make it difficult to keep hold of your power?" He inquired, wanting to know more so that he could plan more.

[Lana Kane]

Never apologize for her skills. It was odd for someone to say that, and it made her smile even though his emotions had just made her feel unsteady and off balance. She wanted to ask him about it, but she didn't want to see the emotions again. Instead she let them continue talking about her powers and apparently how mutants were in leagues. "Are you calling me hot?" She teased, but knew he meant something else.

"So mutants are in leagues?" And apparently she wasn't on the bottom if she believed him--and she did. She knew she was good but she wondered if he really thought her good or just good for what she was. "And I'm somewhere in the middle?" She fished for more details, wanting to know for sure what he thought of her gifts.

He asked about her other triggers, and she knew there wasn't much else. Still there was one thing. "I don't get mad." She explained, "I mean I like get all annoyed and grrr, but I don't get down and dirty mad. Not sure if that is just me or if that that part of me. . . . I always wondered what would happen then. I guess it goes one of two ways--either it's just another emotions, or it's volcanic."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She asked if he was calling her hot, and he ignored the comment. Focusing on her next question which was of far more relevance. She seemed to be fixated in physicality, which made sense considering her young age. "From my experience, they can be categorized into different classes based on their abilities and skills." Not about what power they possessed necessarily, but more about how they used that power; how much control they had over it. There was no official categorization as of yet, but Magneto was certainly mindful of how they could be organized into different levels. "I would say you are somewhere in the middle, yes. Perhaps a little higher than the average mutant. And by the time I am finished training you, you will be far above the average." As previously recognized, she was young and had already achieved this much. Magneto could think of all the more she could achieve by the time she was 30.

Lana then mentioned that she did not get angry, and it peaked Erik's curiosity. She was unsure as to whether that was due to her power or whether it was her personality. He believed it to be accredited to her powers. Everyone got angry. It was impossible not to. It also made him rather intrigued and curious to discover what would happen if he were to get her genuinely angry. It may be risky, but he wanted to work on that. He wanted her to be prepared with all emotions. Perhaps there was something greater within her that could be unleashed if they were to channel the anger inside of her. "Perhaps that is something we can further explore," he told her, already thinking of what great potential she had.

[Lana Kane]

Above the rest. She liked that. Not in the power hungry way but she would enjoy holding that level of approval in his eyes. To know that he thought her above the rest that followed him or that lurked in their world of the unbelievable. Not a freak of freaks, but a strong and valued woman. Yes. Yes she liked the idea very much.

"I would enjoy further exploring it with you, Erik." She copied his tone and style of words again, while reclining in her seat and putting her hands behind her head. Then she sat forward and looked at him. "Can you make the car fly with your powers?" She asked, wanting to know what he could do; her tone momentary back to her own before going back to his more polished one. "You asked me to show you my talents, well . . .I showed you mine, now you should shoe me yours--without making my clothing attempt to murder me."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She confirmed that she would enjoy further exploring her powers with him. Even though they were not there yet, it was already becoming evident that she was leaning toward staying for quite some time. Enough to engage in training. He had a strong feeling she would join his cause rather quickly, or at least be open minded and accepting to some of his political views. He gave a slight smile when she asked if he could make the car fly. He most certainly could, and they were far enough outside the city so that he could. However, he did not want to draw too much attention to this location for if anyone saw, it made lead them to Shaw's residence where they just so happened to be staying. He did not say anything, nor do anything. He kept his hands on the steering wheel and continued on driving forward. Though in his mind, he was focusing.

Not on the road ahead of him but levitating the car. It was not far enough of the ground so that someone at a distance would be able to see a flying car. He also took advantage of the fact that there were no other cars or people around them. It was not that he was ashamed of his powers, it was that he needed to protect the safety of their headquarters. "Look outside your window," he told her. And if she did, she would notice that they were no longer on the road, that the wheels were a few inches off. After she looked for a bit, he lowered the car once again, letting his mind break from his concentrated state of maintaining control over the large vehicle. "What is it that you most want from life?" He asked, knowing it may seem random, but there was a reason for it. Some said acceptance. Some said living without fear. Some said a family. Some listed more materialistic answers. He wanted to know what her response would be, so that in their time together, he could create an environment that would cater to that. To further convince her that there was hope for mutants. That their life would not forever be hiding in fear.

[Lana Kane]

He missed to miss her flirty comment but Lana dind't care. She was too excited to just be here for now. Looking out her window, she saw he was hovering the car but not high! Still! It was impressive because if he could lift a car then bloody hell! Who knew what else he could do! Laughing excitedly she kept looking until the wheels touched the ground again.

It was his next question that made her look over at him, her eyes bright with the thrill of finding someone who so quickly made her feel like she belonged. Lana could not wait to get to this place and meet the others, and build friendships, and maybe even learn to double her skill. "Tomorrow." She answered, not thinking too much about it. She knew all too well that everyone died, and while she wasn't afraid of death, she wasn't going to help it along. She wanted to see each day. Live them. It didn't matter how.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Her one word answer entailed a great deal. Tomorrow. It was about survival for her. It was about finding a place where she could find some comfort; where she could thrive. He could give her that. He could give her tomorrow. He could give her the promise of years even. If that was what she sought, then Magneto would ensure he provided it. It was what a lot of mutants wanted for it all centered around one similar concept: hope. Hope for a greater life, a more stable one. Hope for the future. And that was what Erik wanted to give them. Not just the mutants he affiliated with, but all the mutants in the world. Why should they deserve any less than others? It should be humans that feared mutants, not the other way around. Society was so skewed and it often frustrated him that he could not do more things more quickly. But this was a process. It would take time and Erik had to be smart and strategic about it.

He remained silent upon her response, knowing that this kind of promise was one that she had to experience, rather than be given in the form of words. It did not take a great deal longer to arrive at Shaw's mansion. As Erik pulled into the lot, he got out of the car, moving to the other side to open the door for her, and even extended his hand to help her out. "Welcome to your tomorrow."

[Lana Kane]

Welcome to her tomorrow? Was her for real? The sight of the house alone made her wonder if he even knew how words worked! He had made it seem like he had this place somewhere out of the city--this was a bloody castle! And he was bringing her here to live! Sitting in the passenger seat with her lips opened, staring at the massive building that was far too big for one man alone; she jumped slightly when his hand moved near her.

When had he opened it? Taking his hand she let him help her out, but didn't let it go for another few seconds as she looked way up up up, to the top. Turning her head toward him she spoke, "You own a city?!" Because surely that would be what fit in there! Letting him go she bounded up the steps toward the door, but then paused and turned back to him. Walking slowly back to him, Lana looked up at his face. "What if I don't fit in . . . ya know, with this world and these people?" What if he offered her everything, but then took it away.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He couldn't help but smile at her reaction to the estate. If only this could be their permanent residence, but not all were as lucky as Charles. They would have to be transient if they were to protect their team: if they were to protect The Brotherhood. She then commented on how he owned a city, and his smile remained in place. Her next question distracted him from responding to her words, or even from going inside. He could understand her fear and concern in that, but also did not want her to hold such a fear. "You will," he assured her but also knew that it was expected of him to reassure her of this, so would have to give her more than that. "I will advocate for you, and support you with whatever you may need." If he accepted her, then the others would have no choice but to do so.

They looked to him as their leader, and thus, it was his duty to bring more mutants to join their cause, or at least train them, as he was starting off by doing with her. "Should a time come where you feel the slightest discomfort, come find me. And I will put your mind to ease." But he also did not want her to feel trapped here for if she did, then it would make her more likely to leave. "And should you decide to leave, I will personally take you wherever you need to go." He would escort her back to her former life if that was what she wanted. Either way, he wanted her to feel safe, sure, and protected. If all those things were achieved by his mere presence, then he would do all he could do grant her them. Letting a few moments pass for her to take in his words, he gave her that time to make her decision. "Shall we?" He asked, motioning to the estate. Her answer determining whether she was going to join his world, or leave from it as quickly as she had entered it.

[Lana Kane]

Lana smiled slowly at his words, and nodded her head before turning to walk back up the steps and letting him lead her inside. The inside was just as impressive and massive as the outside, and for a girl who was already small the house only looked larger and as if it would really hold a city's worth of souls.

Walking into the open area she turned a few circled while looking up at the massive open space. Suddenly she stopped and moved closer to him. Just a few quick steps, while looking off into the house. "I can feel em." The others. Lana paused for a moment and began sorting out the emotions and the strength of them. "Four of them. Maybe five?" Looking up at him she waited to see if she was correct. For some reason she had expected there to be more.