Welcome to Gaia! ::

Some ways off, Cal sank down against the trunk of a tree and looked up into the canopy of leaves as the breeze played with her hair. She wasn't even sure when it started, but as she covered her face with her hands, she admitted to herself that she had fallen in love with her friend. Erik was old enough to be her grandfather, dammit, and she would know; she had family that had been incarcerated and fought in WWII. Sliding down on the trunk, she raised her hands up over her head and reached out for the sky.

"Why do You do this to me?" she asked. "Have I not suffered enough? Have I not lost enough? Do You plan to make me a pariah!" She blinked, casting a glare at the few people that gave her a wary look; they scattered when her eyes flashed into shiny black pits. Scorpio's eyes did that. Her arachnidian alter-ego was all she had now, Cal thought glumly as she rolled onto her stomach in the grass. She heaved a sigh and looked up at the clouds. On its own volition, a song drifted up through her throat. She hadn't had reason to sing in a long time, and while she had been worried that her voice was rusty, her voice was the same as ever: an alto of impressive range and power for the little effort she put into it. "I understand that you've met someone/With a perfect heart..."

Hope's eyes met with his, even for just a second, it felt like time slowed down. There was an icy, arctic look to his eyes. A type of classiness she had never seen before. She was mesmerized, like she was supposed to be there. As if she was supposed to sneak away. She really wanted to talk to him, like he was some epic movie star. Something seemed eerily dangerous about him though, like a wolf in sheep's clothing.



"I didn't think I'd need a backup plan for getting a hot dog..." She joked and looked up to him smiling a toothy grin.

A stern look came over Cable's face "I doubt you came all this way for a hot dog" Thinking to himself again My God, this is like dealing with Wade all over again!. She didn't answer his question...from a logical stand point it didn't make sense for her to come all this way for a hot dog, when she could have simply gotten one at the mansion. Yet again when have kids ever been logical?

*Nate?* Domino said within her thoughts as she walked up beside Nate, already feeling a shift in his demeanor, *I think... because she's a kid, and your daughter. And the fact that you two are not currently in a war zone. She may have thought it was alright. She's being rebelious, Nate. I can think of a time when....* She looked between Hope and Nate, *when some of us were that age. I know it's so not safe.*

Domino turned her head towards Hope, then past where she was sitting. "Hope?" She held up one index finger to make a point in a calm manner, "I don't know how you did it, probably because of your father's gene's." Talking at a level where only Nate and Hope could hear her.

Domino was serious when she spoke to Hope, even got down to her level so she did not think she was being talked down too, as if she was some kid who didn't know anything.

"Hope... you have a right, just like every other kid here to enjoy life's little pleasures. And be free from responsibilties. But you're not like other kids, and please, do not take what I'm telling you the wrong way. I'm trying to get you to understand, from our point of view. What you did was not only rebelious, but very, very scary."

"And right now, I need you to trust not just me, but your father as well. Please Hope. Trust me when I say we need to move else where."

"You have no idea what danger you placed yourself in. Do you? The man sitting behind you. That's been playing the most beautiful classical music in the world? Is our worst enemy." Domino bit her tongue as she spoke again, hoping that what she was saying in a low tone was getting across to Hope.

"His name... is Magneto." She waited to see if Hope knew that name or knew any history of that man, "that man... may appear innocent in nature right now. Trust me, when I say he is the most dangerous individual to be sitting next too right now." She held out her gloved hand towards Hope, hoping she went about this conversation in the right manner.

"Come with us please... you scared us... and are currently scaring us, Hope. So for your safety, come with us please. I can't speak for your father, but I can tell you, that I am gravely concerned for your well being. And sitting less than ten feet from an enemy right now, isn't making me feel any better. Walk. Don't run. Just act casual, and blend in with the rest of the crowd. K'pesh?" She was smiling, trying to persuade Hope into following both herself and Cable to a more neutral location where they could all talk and not have to worry about Magneto currently. Magneto was STILL on Domino's mind, currently she just wanted Hope to be safe. And far, far away from that man.

When she announced the mysterious musician's name, Hope turned instinctively to see him, wondering if he knew as much about her as she knew of him: nada. As Domino continued talking, Hope's stare lingered upon the man; wondering if their eyes would meet again. It was like playing chicken with a tanker truck.

But she blinked slowly and turned her attention back to Domino. As Dom held her hand out for Hope to take, she felt her stomach drop. It was an eerie feeling, one that Hope never felt before. Looking up to Dom's one back eye from her own green ones, it was as if looking up...to her mother... Hope's mind rushed back to the night her stepmother was killed. Right in front of her.

Hope raised her hand and reached out for Dom's, but stopped. She hesitated, completely not realizing the gravity of the situation. Then she let out a sad sigh and allowed Dom to assist her to her feet by taking her gloved hand.



Glancing around at the crowd, she was sad to think of leaving. It was so nice to be around people who had no idea *what* she was. Then she saw Nightcrawler coming towards them. Even in disguise, he was still obvious to her keen eye. "One last song?" She blurted to Domino instead of Cable, which even caught herself off guard. "For Kurt?"

Domino glanced up seeing their friend Nightcrawler approaching them. She thought perhaps it was a dream, her eyes went from Hope over towards Nightcrawler, knowing somehow... some way... Hope had something to do with Nightcrawler's return. Her heart felt warm, as tears started for form. Realizing that Kurt was not dead, he was alive!



There it was. That Trust. That ray of hope beaming through Hope. As Hope turned to Dom. To me! She turned to me! Her heart did one of those funny flips again, feeling those tears well up. Chewing on her lower lip, she gave Hope a nodding of her head, "Of course, Hope."



Domino looked down and over to Cable as she heard him whisper into her ear. The smile still present, as she nodded her head. Reaching down with her gloved hand, she slid her fingers in along his, giving Nate's hand a gentle squeeze. A tender moment, rare that it is.

*One last song... and then we go. Yes?* She stated in her thoughts towards Nate. Looking between Nate, Hope and over towards their friend, Nightcrawler who was actually there with them. heart

Magneto finished the song, when he felt fingertips along his shoulder. Reaching up he touched the hand, turning around in his chair to see who this individual was. Lorna. His silver blue eyes shimmered in the sunlight, as he stared at her in slight confusion. Daddy? Although he did not say that aloud, he kept her fragile hand within his aged hand. "Lorna?" Erik questioned, with sincerity in his voice.

Seeing more mutants entering into the scene, just beyond the locks of brown that Lorna was wearing. He took her hand and guided Lorna to take a seat with him on the bench. Smiling towards her as he placed his hands along the keys once more. Taking a look at her surprised expression, he placed her right hand on top of his left hand as he began to play the notes to the next song. Which he thought was a fun little piece, still classic.

Beethoven - Für Elise

Just so that Lorna could get a feel of his hands and fingers moving in key to the notes. All the time watching Lorna's reactions, while paying attention to the notes he played. He wasn't just playing for Lorna. Erik was playing for Lorna, playing for Cal, he was playing for the audience. Playing for those who have moved on in life. Enjoying the time of peace for a change instead of fighting. Something that is rare these days. He knew only too well. Still morning the loss of his son, he played instead of fighting. He had listened to what Cal had told him the other day.

War only brought pain and suffering. He knew only too well, recalling what all happened during WWII. He does not want a repeat of that era, nor does he think that the people in this society and age would be able to handle something as surreal as that. Although, perhaps a taste of it, would awaken the spoiled minds of man. To realize that nothing is ever free in life. Not as much as they'd like to think with all their high tech gadgets, cars, computers, cell phones. A world without those devices, would truly be a gift, in Erik's eyes. Something that would be of the past. Sure cars existed back then, but not to the extent of what they are today.

He thought of all of that, while playing the song, yet his smile never did falter. Not once. Becoming lost to the classical notes being played out into the open air.

Domino held onto Cable's hand, while listening to the music being played. She wondered in her mind, just what exactly where Magneto's intentions? Other than gathering the few to hundreds in a matter of minutes to one location? Her blue eyes scanned across the sea of humans who had gathered from all parts of the park to listen to his recital.

His actions seemed innocent enough. . . .didn't they?

Frowning slightly, she had this weird feeling that it was not innocent. Actually fearing for Hope's safety, feeling this event could turn south quickly if no one present was on full alert. Absent mindlessly, Dom squeezed Nate's hand a bit firmer, as she appeared on edge. She could fight in a dress, all it was, was an obstacle, a piece of clothing, nothing more than that. It could be replaced. A life on the other hand... had more value that a price tag could not be placed upon.



Domino heard the girl in front of Magneto state something about a 'dead man standing behind Magneto'? She looked past the girl towards Magneto, she didn't see anything. Noticing that she had now directed her question towards Nightcrawler now. Domino glanced over to where Nightcrawler was now as waiting to hear what he had to say. The fact that the girl said she saw a dead person standing there, actually bothered her to an extent.