-Mutants-

[spideysgirl]

A numb sensation had begun to spread through her, starting at her finger tips and feet and trickling through her system like a drug of its own. What if they did kill Sonja? How could she have been so stupid as to not have thought this through the whole way? They were all deranged, the lot of them- that's why they had kidnapped and held them hostage in the first place. If anything happened to Sonja, it would all be because of her own carelessness.

She stopped when Cozmo did, gasping for breath as her feet ached dully. Tears stung the corners of her eyes as he offered her comforting words and encouraged her to keep moving, trailing after him with a quick enough pace that she didn't fall behind. Her brows were knit with concern as she blindly followed after Cozmo, hardly perceiving the places and people she was passing, several rushing toward the hospital to see what all the commotion was. She couldn't let herself just fall apart like this though. She'd made a decision, and now she had to follow it through. Swallowing hard, she concentrated on the pavement as it slid past her feet in a blur. She hadn't the faintest idea of their destination, and she couldn't stifle her unspoken fears to ask Cozmo where he was leading them.

[odduckoasis]

Having no real clue as to where they were headed, Cozmo just kept moving, hoping to have an idea of where to actually go as they went. They just needed some place to recuperate, to rest and to gather their senses. Slowing his steps a moment, Cozmo gathered his barrings, trying to figure out where they exactly were. The street down of which they went was residential, such roads leading off the main one that went passed the hospital. Finally he realized where they were and to which house they were close, an actual place they could go, he hoped. Helping Charm continue, though he too felt the effects of their run and panic catching up to them- he kept pushing them both on, not stopping until they were off the street.

"I wouldn't have opted to come here normally, but- we really don't have a choice." he nodded, and after winding down a few more roads, Cozmo lead the way up a driveway to a small modest home. Flowers budded in the fresh earth and the grass was neatly kept. The same flowery curtains hung in the window and Cozmo couldn't help but feel a little dread as he reached the door. Could he just walk in, or should he ring the door bell? He didn't say more as he rang the bell and awaited the door to be opened.

Putting a hand to Charms shoulder, rather towards the back, he steadied her some, his other hand leaning against the wall to support himself as well. Then his ears perked as he heard the door open on the other side of the screen. Leaning back, he watched the screendoor slowly open and a dark blonde older woman with a pale yellow-orange coat and the same blue eyes as Cozmo leaned out. It was no surprise that she had a look of bewildered shock on her face.

"Hey mom... "

[spideysgirl]

{Forgot to mention this earlier and kinda just decided on it recently, but Charm is a feral foot. Luckily for her she usually wears pants long enough that they aren't noticeable n_n Yeaaah, sry for leavin' that out xD}

Her pale eyes flicked upward from the doormat they had been so intently trained on, feeling the dulled phase she had been through pass. Charm blinked in surprise as the woman opened the door and looked them both over. She could feel a flush creeping up to her cheeks as she unconsciously tugged at her pants, reassuring herself that her uncommon feet were hidden from view. She didn't know the details of Cozmo's relationship with his mother, but he had told her that she was anti-mutant. So, if Charm were to be in her presence it would clearly be wise of her to hide her more obvious mutation. From the way her parents had reacted to her confession, she didn't need to get Cozmo into any more trouble with his mother.

Brushing her hair behind her ears and reminding herself that she wasn't exactly in the most presentable state, she hugged her arms to her stomach, pressing the torn top firmly against her so the revealing tears wouldn't be so obvious. Ears pressed backward, she glanced at Cozmo from the corner of her eye, wondering exactly what his mother must think of them. Both looked clearly fatigued and worn, and their clothing was in no better state than they were. Composing herself as best she could, she met the woman's eye and smiled warmly, pressing back against Cozmo's hand as though debating whether to turn and run or stand there and say nothing.

[odduckoasis]

{hehe, okee coolies xB}

If anything, Cozmo did not expect to be coming over to his mothers home and asking to hide out for awhile to escape a manic mutant while he and his new friend figured out a plan. No, he hadn't planned to come back here, well- ever. It was simply safer that way.

"What happened to you?" Cozmo's mothers eyes widened a little in worry and some fear. Where in the world had they been, or was this some new crazy new look? She wasn't sure she wanted affirmation of either.

"Sorry to bug you, can we come inside?" Cozmo said, giving his mother a pleading 'don't ask right now' look on his face. He had hoped his mother would never find out he was a mutant, but he was sure it was far too late for that. He didn't know what to say or do about it, and hoped she'd at least tolerate them long enough until they found somewhere else to go.

"Come on in then..." she nodded, opening the door further and ushering them both inside, glancing up and down the street a moment before shutting the door after them. She looked on at her son, a strange look on her face. It wasn't anger, it wasn't so much fear, but perhaps a bewilderment mixed with a sorrow that Cozmo had never seen before. Before any more words were passed or before he could introduce Charm, his mother suddenly came forward and wrapped her arms around her taller son.
Needless to say- Cozmo had not expected that.

"Oh Cozmo... I'm so sorry!" she blurted out while still holding onto her son. Finally she leaned back, tears leaking down her cheeks. "I got a call from the hospital. They left messages- I, I was just so afraid..."

"Of what?" Cozmo broke free of her revelry, taking on a voice of offense.

"No no, not of that... that I'd really never hear from you again- something would happen to you. Oh son, I've been so stupid..." she shook her head, obviously feeling remorse for her previous feelings and things she'd once said. "The hospital said they were looking for me to verify that I would pay a bill and that they wanted to discharge you ASAP because there was a liability. They couldn't tell me what on the machine, but I knew... I know what they meant. Is it true Cozmo... are you... are you a mutant?" she questioned.

Cozmo looked away from his mother, having a mixture of feelings at this point. Why all of the sudden had she changed her thoughts? What had done it? He wasn't sure, but- perhaps, that was a good thing? Finally he looked back to his mother and nodded. "Going to tell me to leave now?" he frowned a little, but sighed sadly- being so weary of the bigotry.

"No..." she stated assuredly, nodding to Cozmo at his surprised look he held in response. "Come on... you two look a total mess." she just went on. For whatever reason, if she had changed her stance, she didn't bother going into detail and just lead the two further into the house- let them get some good food and a change of clothes- some of Cozmo's old clothes were still there and she'd offer Charm anything she'd like that was her own.

[spideysgirl]

Identifying the hour ensuing their acceptance into the household as both tense and relief, Charm thought it best to keep both quiet and out of the way. It had been such a while now since she'd been a 'homey' dwelling, and she found that the scent of the entire house was both warm and comforting.

She had been more than obliged to accept the t shirt Cozmo's mother had offered her, prefering to keep her own pants on as they fit better and hid her oddity well. Trying to keep impersonal and not disrupt the sudden understanding that had leapt up between mother and son, she had thanked the woman for her kindness and followed her wordlessly into the kitchen.

Directing herself into one of the four chairs at a quaint wooden table in the center of the kitchen, Charm seated herself and watched the woman with amusement as she set about preparing some sort of meal. Before long, she had a pot simmering on the stove, the thick liquid within bubbling as a delectable aroma rose from it and wafted about the room. The kitchen remained quiet, save for the substance that gurgled on the stove, as the elder woman bustled about, gathering ingredients and supplies, and Charm sat back in her chair, biting her lip with unease and hoping that Cozmo would emerge from his room soon and break the defeaning silence that she was finding to be so overbearing.

[odduckoasis]

As Cozmo went to his room to change- probably also opting to stay in his current jeans seeing as he probably didn't fit into his teenage sizes any more, but found a shirt he could wear just fine- he thought over the moment in the front living room. It was just so surprising that he didn't know how to react. Was his mother accepting of mutants all of the sudden? Or was it realization that if she didn't accept them or at least tolerate them, she'd really lose her only son? He had feared she'd disown him for so long, he'd just left without her really knowing the full reason why.

Her son left her all alone with no explination and little contact. She hadn't ever thought he might be a mutant, not for awhile. But after some time, she started to just wonder. So when the hospital had called and said what they'd said- she became worried. Would her son be like those mutants she'd read in the papers about that went about causing problems and hurting people? Other mutants weren't talked about, but they couldn't all be bad. She was just tired of the problem and wished there was something that could be done. It never crossed her mind that simply treating them as she would wish to be treated would be the way to go.

Finally Cozmo emerged and entered the kitchen, a new shirt and shoes- well, not ripped up and old as opposed to new and joined Charm at the table. He wasn't sure what to say either. "So um, mom... I didn't get to really tell you my- friends name. This is Charm." he introduced her properly now.

His mom turned from the stove and nodded, smiling kindly back to the girl, not making any smart judgments. "It's nice to meet you Charm. My name is Greta." she replied, still tending to the food as she prepared it for them both.

It definitely was awkward, it had been a few years since she'd seen her son, and now that she knew the truth, it was hard to find a line of conversation to start from.

[spideysgirl]

After all the awkward situations I was put in with my parents you'd think I'd be used to this sort of ordeal. Charm thought to herself, easing up a bit as Cozmo entered and sat beside her. She smiled as Greta acknowledged her presence, frantically thinking of something to say to broke the strained silence.

"Thank you so much for letting us in like this and for your hospitality. I'm sure this wasn't the way you had pictured greeting your son." The words tumbled out before she even had the chance to properly form them and she immediately wanted to smack her forehead. That sounded so scripted, so unlike her. Might as well have just said, 'Hey, you don't know me, I don't know you, and I hardly know your son, but I almost got him killed twice now and since we've both been thrown around enough to tire us out, we thought we could just crash at your place. Sound good?' She groaned inwardly with aggitation, shifting her elongated feet beneath the table uncomfortably. Maybe if she did know Cozmo better she wouldn't feel so desperately out of place. But, as time had had it, they had never gotten the chance to talk very much about one another, focusing more on the situation.

[odduckoasis]

Even if it might've sounded scripted, Greta didn't seem to mind as she nodded, smiling back at Charm again. But, the curiosity was just too much for her to just pretend she didn't have a million questions to asked. "So... Cozmo- how in the world did you end up in the hospital?" she asked with true motherly concern, but in some ways, a sternness, as though she was about to lecture him about being careful.

Now being the one to feel awkward, Cozmo leaned against the table, looking down at the wood top a moment before glancing at Charm. That was a loaded question and he wasn't sure where to start. He finally decided to just glaze over it, leaving out a lot of details. "Just, um... got into a bit of trouble- made some guys mad. But, as you can see, I'm really actually just fine- it wasn't as bad as they first thought.." he lied, not wanting to bombard his mom with all these mutants and what they'd done- from those that had tried to kill him to the nurse that healed him. At the thought, he unconsciously started to feel around his ribs with one hand, they still being a bit tender.

"Hmm..." Greta replied, sizing up her son, not really believing that was all there was to tell, but she wasn't going to press him. She just got him back, she didn't want to risk having him run off again. As she stirred in more ingredients into the pot, she also made up some sandwiches for them both. "Well, then... how did you meet?" she asked.

Cozmo couldn't help but smile in some frustration in a way. There was no way to answer that question without telling the rest of the story, the story he didn't want to freak his mom out about. "Er..." he glanced at Charm, wondering if she had a good cover up.

[spideysgirl]

Quickly picking up just as Cozmo trailed off, a story that was still the truth- if a vague truth- springing to mind. Obviously Cozmo wouldn't want his mother to know that they'd been on the run from a group of dangerous mutants, so she decided to leave out those details.

"We met at a local concert. After the show, this huge guy started harassing me and tried to pull me away with him. I knew he wanted to hurt me and I was protesting as much as I could when Cozmo came up. As brave as he was, the guy who had me wasn't about to release me so easily, and.. They sort of got into this intense argument that landed the guy in jail and got Cozmo a one-way ticket to the hospital. The doctors checked him out and thought he might have had a concussion, which is probably when they started leaving you messages, but they kept an eye on him and he pulled through better than they had thought he would. A lot of trouble for little old me, but I don't even want to think of where I would be now if he hadn't stepped in."

Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, Charm beamed at Cozmo with appreciation, a soft smile upon her lips as Greta expertly manuevered a spare plates and the platter of sandwhiches onto the table. A moment later and she had sets drinks before them as well and was back to tending the pot brewing on the stove.

[odduckoasis]

Nodding, Cozmo appreciated her improv, being able to use the story but alter it enough to leave out the near death experiences. He then looked back to his mom as she brought around the sandwiches and smiled, taking it up with both hands. "Thanks..." he stated and took a bite.

"Sounds interesting." Greta nodded, but shook her head a little afterwards. "Cozmo always did act before he thought..." she smiled a little, glancing at her son before turning back to the pot. "He has a good heart... you're lucky he risked his safety for you." she stated, glancing back at them both a moment.

It was so strange, even surreal. Was this really happening? Was he really sitting at his mothers kitchen table, eating some food with a girl he'd just met and even rescued, but it was seeming like it was all so normal. Yet the memories were quite vivid.

Soon the soup was ready and Greta dished up two bowls and then setting them down for the two- she joined them at the table, watching silently as she let them eat. "Don't mind me..." she smiled, mostly watching her son. It was obvious she met him. "Will you be spending the night then? I can get some extra sheets out for you Charm- or you can just take my bed. What am I thinking..." she shook her head, wanting to be most hospitable.

"Mom..." Cozmo started a little with a bite full of sandwich- already feeling embarrassed and he'd only been back home for less than an hour.

[spideysgirl]

Charm smiled into her glass as she raised it to her lips, drinking deeply before setting the cup down and selecting a sandwich from the plate. She felt herself easing into a more comfortable attitude, doing what she could to supress bubbling laughter as his mother gazed upon Cozmo fondly. It wasn't so much that she found it humorous, more that it seemed rather sweet the way Greta attempted to lapse into her motherly status over her grown son.

"Hm, sounds impulsive," she commented at Greta's recollection of her son's tendency to act quickly. "He ought to be more careful, or he could end up in big trouble," she joked, smiling slyly at Cozmo.

As Greta brought up the subject of preparations for the night, Charm looked to the window. Night had settled nearly an hour prior, throwing shadows of trees about the yard beyond. The moon dusted silver light across the scenery, a well groomed garden bathed in the metallic glow and an abandoned swing set farther back on the grassy lawn winked in the starlight- most likely a very old play toy of Cozmo's that Greta hadn't been able to bring herself to deconstruct. Charm wished she could walk outside, if only for a moment, to drink in the beautiful scene.

Finishing her sandwich and doing ample justice to the large bowl of soup the woman had placed before her, Charm shook her head firmly. "I wouldn't put you out of your own bed, Greta. I'll be more than happy for a couch to sleep on." She breathed onto the hot liquid, cooling it as her gaze shifted back to the window and night picturesque night it held.

[odduckoasis]

"If you're sure..." Greta asked once more with a raise of a brow. After being assured it was fine, she nodded and scooted her chair back. "Well then, I'll go get some things for you. You two finish up. It's late so you ought to get to bed soon... you look exsausted." she noted, looking mostly at her son who looked tired to her.

Cozmo couldn't help but smile a little, shaking his head at his mothers looks at him. He avoided her gaze, feeling like a teenager again- just embarrassed. When his mother left the room, he looked back at Charm. "Well, I really wasn't expecting this!" he commented with a rather amazed tone. If anything, he had expected that once his mother found out he was a mutant, she'd disown him- like so many others- like Charm. But no, somehow his mom had smartened up. "Are you sure you want the couch? You can have my bed if you don't want my moms... you won't be kicking me out of it, I haven't slept in it in years..." he chuckled, scooping up some more bites of soup.

He would probably have a hard time sleeping anyways, so why be in a comfortable bed? Might as well give it to someone that would actually appreciate the soft mattress.

"What are we going to do tomorrow then? Set out to find your sister?" he questioned as he continued to eat the soup, glancing sideways at her.

[spideysgirl]

Pushing her empty soup bowl aside, Charm smiled, propping her elbow upon the table and resting her jaw in her palm. "Nah, don't worry about it. I've slept on couches for so long I probably wouldn't be able to sleep on anything else." It had been a rocky transition at first when Torque had made it clear that she'd be the one to take the couchs while they moved from hotel room to hotel room. That way they could keep an eye on her at any time, they had told her, but she thought that they simply prefered the luxury of an actual bed. She'd grown accustomed to the lumpy cushions and overstuffed armchairs though, and they proved easier to sleep in with her longer feet. She knew she wouldn't be sleeping easily tonight as well, though she was clearly worn to exhaustion. Too many things racing through her mind to pause them long enough and slip into sleep.

"I.. I actually don't know," she confessed, her gaze roving around the room now, taking in the kitchen scene. "I never had a chance to think that far in advance. I figured if I managed to escape that would be a feat within itself, and I never thought I'd have help with it." Her pale aqua eyes moved to Cozmo. "This is probably as hard for you to take in as it is for me. I'm still getting over the shock that I'm sitting in a kitchen of someone I hardly know. I honestly don't know what I should do next. The logical thing would be to start looking for her, but I don't have the slightest idea of where I should start. They never brought her to the hotels we stayed at, so I can't even say if they kept her in the same spot or moved her around like we did." She shrugged tiredly, shifting her odd feet beneath the table. "Maybe I just need a night to think it over- come up with something."

[odduckoasis]

"Yeah, I think sleep would help both of us think more clearly..." Cozmo nodded, fnishing off his food as well and leaning back in his chair. Crossing his hands behind his head, for a moment he just stared off at nothing in particular just mulling things over in his mind. It was all so very strange. This morning, he got up- he went to work, he went to a concert and got bored, so he decided to have a little fun with the band and crowd and look where it had taken him? Near death, hospitalized, sore ribs and ankle (previously broken and severely strained), and now back at home with a mother he was certain would hate him were she to learn he was a 'disgusting' mutant (many of the various words she use to say after watching the news). The only good thing come out of this? Finding out his mother actually didn't want to lose him, and making a new friend. Admittedly- a pretty one too. But, it was far from being back to normal.

Finally breaking away from his thoughts, he looked back over at Charm, smiling a little tiredly. "I guess we ought to get some sleep, once my mom gets back and all... we'll figure out some things tomorrow..." he nodded, determined to get a least a little sleep, hoping his brain would cooperate.

[spideysgirl]

"Sounds like a good idea. It's been a pretty rough day." The corners of her mouth turned up as she spoke, sliding her bowl onto her plate and rising from her seat. Her feet protested with a dull throb as she moved, placing her dirty dishes in the sink and pausing a moment to look out the window. She mused for a moment at how accustomed so had grown to her new feet as they had only started to develop some months ago. She had been extremely tender-footed for the longest time and she had quickly outgrown any shoes she commonly wore. Luckily enough, Manic had picked her up some customized boots off of the black market, specifically crafted for someone with her mutation. They were the only shoes she wore now, and they were easy to upkeep. The boot started just below her knee and fit smoothly over her third joint, snugly fastened between her pawpad and toes by an elastic band crafted into the material. The shoes did not cover her toes, however, as they had become shaped into digits that were meant to balance upon the ground of any terrain. More or less, it simply gaze the illusion that she was wearing some sort of open-ended boot, or no shoes at all, but it made it that much easier for her to run, jump and climb. Three fastened belts held the material in place, one at the top and two fitted tightly just above the third joint, so she didn't have to worry about the boots sliding while she walked or ran. These shoes had simplified her life a lot, bracing her legs when her feet first started changing and allowing her the resemblance of normalcy. People hardly noticed that she was a feral foot now.

Once depositing her dishes, she moved into the family room just beyond the kitchen, followed momentarily by Cozmo. Greta had already prepared for her, leaving a large pillow and blanket on the cushions to ease her sleep. Seating herself and bending low, Charm unsnapped the belts fastened around her legs and slid her long feet from the boots. Setting them aside, she stret hed her legs absently before turning her attention to Cozmo.

"Mind giving me a quick tour? If I need something during the night, I don't want to have to wake you or Greta."