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The border between the back alleys and the business districts is as much a matter of opinion as fact. It's for this reason that the police routinely patrol, often on horseback, up and down the sidewalks even in the thick of foot traffic. The homeless are their main concern, not so much gangs or other purposeful criminals. At this time of evening their job is simple, as most of those businesses have closed for the day or are in the process thereof.
Visible just off of fifth avenue if one bothered to look is a girl at the end of an alley who, in spite of being dirty, doesn't seem at all concerned with finding food or bothering pedestrians. She's practicing martial arts. Pivoting and holding stances that flow from one to the next, she appears to be doing one of the numerous tiger styles by the way her hands are bared. Whatever it is, it's a method that's seemingly a part of her by the way she delivers the motions with statement…and a mind unclouded with thought or concern. In fact, the complete lack of 'voice' to her whatsoever might be noteworthy.
*
Look, even the Professor has to go out for a spot to drink and get away from the Manor once in a while. Though he didn't drink much, he's quite pleasantly buzzed, even as his preferred pickup lines crashed and burned… it was still fun just to socialize with people who had no idea who he really was.
And then he senses the girl. Or rather, he senses the absence of the girl when he passes an errant glance down the alley in question as he walks in the fresh night air. He then pauses, not interrupting as he looks suitably impressed by her technique, taking a second to lean against the wall and clear his head a touch.
*
Cassandra effortlessly moves from a tiger clench to low kick, then to somersault axe kick whereupon she'll land with a halfspin to deliver completion salute. By her salute, it's certainly some form of kung fu. She senses that she is being watched by her glance in his direction. There's a subtle emotion shift, not quite panic but plainly some level of paranoia as she leaps several feet into the air to grab a hand handrail and pull herself up.
Cassandra doesn't run, but she did find a safer spot from having been unexpectedly observed. All the while, never the first word crosses her mind. She leans against the guard rail she's pulled herself to the other side of and pulls out an apple to munch on.
*
Charles blinks in surprise at the rather acrobatic move, and smiles, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, that was most impressive. Tiger, right?" He glances up towards Cassandra, moving away from the wall and keeping his hands visible and in a nonthreatening position, "I've seen it practiced before, but never quite like that."
*
Cassandra stares down at him, munching on her apple as she's addressed. She notes his every motion, utterly aware that he isn't a threat but still not interested in being in reach. She doesn't have a clue what he just said, but does catch that he was impressed. All from his body language.
*
Xavier pauses, "Can you understand me at all?" He considers a moment, then decides to take a risk, putting a hand to the side of his head in a rather distinctive gesture, » Can you understand this? « His voice echoes in her head, not overwhelming, but somehow… it's a concept that works, a bit more than just verbal language can convey.
*
Cassandra knits her brow at the unfamiliar gesture, then the voices start…and she isn't even in Wal Mart.
Cassandra's first reaction is startle. She looks around in bewilderment, having no frame of reference for such an experience. It doesn't take her long to realize that somehow it came from him, fortunately. Her response isn't verbal, but more a sense that she does. A sense conveyed by her affirming though very surprised expression.
*
Charles actually smiles a little, » It's alright. I won't try to hurt you. « And there's the rather amused flash from him, as if he knows that she could quite probably beat the daylights out of him should she decide to do so. Then he projects, » I'm Charles. What's your name? «
*
And introductions, a social concept she's aware of at least. She'll verbally intone with the exhaggerated and halting mannerisms of the woefully illiterate and inexperienced,"Cass…san…dra."
A nearby scruffy looking gent looks on, visibly surprised at the sounds she makes that pass for a name. He says,"I'll be, first thing she's said in the week she's been here! Who're you talkin' to?" Obviously, since Charles isn't verbalizing himself.
*
Xavier speaks up then, speaking both verbally and mentally towards Cassandra, "That's a very nice name, Cassandra." He then looks over at the scruffy gent, speaking only verbally to him, "Oh, you could say I have a talent for reaching people." He quirks a bit of a wry smile at that, then looks back to Cassandra, "What are you doing here?"
*
Cassandra recalls, more instinctively than anything, running and hiding from someplace bad a ways to the southwest. Quite a time on the road, befriending animals and eating what they ate for lack of alternative before she got here. Something about tent city migrants. She squats flatfooted as she finishes her apple, still staring mutely as far as the rest of the world is concerned.
The gent chuckles, shaking his head as he says,"I dun tried m'self. Good luck, I doubt you'll get more out o' that one!"
*
Charles nods, "Well, we'll see what we can do." He says that absently to the gentleman, not paying him much mind as he focuses his attention on Cassandra, "Sounds like it was quite the journey to get here. Do you have a place you call home?" He projects an image of his own home… well, mansion. Perhaps not stately thanks to all the damage his students tend to do, but it's a comforting image nonetheless.
*
Cassandra is continually surprised by Charles, this time being presented with mental images not her own. Her equivelant is summoned after a few guarded moments. An open room with an exercise mat dominating the floor, faded bloodstains around. A big middle aged man with grey hair sits in a big chair, likely his idea of a throne, watching her with a pistol on the armrest. Outside are jungle gyms and a military obstacle course. There's noone but them.
*
Charles can't help but wrinkle his nose in distaste at that, as if he were being shown some dark mirror of his own school. "Well, that's dreadful. I'm sorry Cassandra." He shakes his head, "You escaped from that place?"
*
Cassandra mutely nods in reply to Charles, not caring to think more on the place. She mentally pokes at the image he showed her, not entirely sure what to make of it. Her entire experience of busy, crowded places is from curiously looking in windows.
*
Charles nods, "That's my school. I founded it to help people with special needs." He keeps it vague, though the thoughts are pretty clear, a group of young people, classrooms with classes, and teenagers doing normal teenage things, which is probably a complete shock to Cassandra in the first place.
*
Cassandra does find it shocking, having no knowledge of teenagers outside of the urban wildlife. Images of that are her reply, and she purses her lips, somewhat dubious of a place like Charles shows her.
*
Xavier smiles a little, "I know we only just met. But, it's a real place, with real students… though some of them are teachers, now. If you want, I can take you there?" And boy, is Jean probably going to yell at him for making that offer, but he does seem to sense a potential in the young girl.
*
Cassandra hops up onto the guardrail before her where she perches like a bird looking down at him. Her expression remains dubious, though she's not noticed any signs of deception. Only details held back, a certain level of protection. That isn't the same as deception, and she's well aware of that as a human lie detector. She knits her brows, head canted in consideration. She eventually agrees.
*
Charles hmms, "For now, Cassandra, I would like to take you to a place here in the city. As a temporary measure, I assure you." He smiles to her, then starts walking along, "It's very comfortable, with far more comforts than an alley, I assure you. And you'll be safe… well, you would be regardless." Because, while he gave images of a normal school, the Institute is far more than that, and if she's going to be there… she needs to be vetted. But that's a tale for another time…
*