This Is Where It Starts.

Erik
Erik watched closely as Charles rifled through Edith's mind which he had done plenty of time before with himself, it was annoying and rude to him but if it helped them than he was fine with it. As long as his mind stayed to himself. Frowning slightly when he saw the shaken expression appear of Charles' face, "What's wrong?" He asked as silence settled over the kitchen once again, this time Hank too was also silent and he was annoyingly interested in this stuff as well.

"What did you find, Charles?" He asked again when no one asked his previous question, seeing Edith shake her head as her whole body seemed to change. She had just been boasting about her gift and now it seemed like she wanted to get away from them, "It's nothing Erik" Charles was the one who spoke but he knew it wasn't nothing.

However he'd leave it for now and ask Charles again once Edith wasn't around them, though if Charles told him that it was personal than he'd leave it because he held a lot of his childhood to himself and didn't want anyone knowing. Edith could have had a horrible childhood for all they knew and Charles could have accidently found out about it.

-

Rosa
Rosa gave Hank a small smile as she started eating the sandwich, she tried to keep herself ladylike but she was starving as the mutants had only given her water to drink so she'd live through the experiments. She was chewing as she looked at Edith and Charles who were staring intently at each other, she had no idea what they were doing but whatever it was, wasn't good.

"How can you create illusions or communicate with people through their minds?" She asked after Charles had spoken, she had never talked to a mutant about how they can do whatever gift they have. She didn't even know what types of gifts mutants actually had, she didn't understand any of this.

She looked at everyone who was sitting at the table with confusion written all over her face, she was so far out of her depth that she felt like she shouldn't be there. Charles had welcomed her but that doesn't mean she felt like she belonged.

Charles

Charles had been caught off guard when he heard loud screaming resound in his mind, the scream had been one of pain. Something that caused his stomach to tighten. When Edith blocked him from her mind he was thrown back into reality. He wanted to know more about what the memory was. Quickly he straightened himself up and turned to look at Erik. Shaking his head.

"I'm not sure," it was the truth, he wasn't sure but he knew it wasn't good from the atmosphere. Everything was so real, so intense and terrifying at the same time.

"Excuse me," he was startled when Edith got to her feet quickly and turned hurrying out of the room and away from them. The room was silent until Rosa broke it.

Like this. He spoke to the young blonde smiling when she jumped slightly at the sudden sound of his voice inside her mind. Concentrating hard the Professor manipulated her mind so she saw what he wanted to see which happened to be both Hank and Erik dressed as women, wig and all.



Edith

Edith quickly excused herself from the dinning room averting her eyes from the three males that were staring at her. She walked down the corridor trying desperately to get away from everyone but she had no luck when the blonde haired Raven appeared before her.

"Hey," she smiled. Edith returned the smile with a polite hello. "Honey we need to get you out of those clothes." Edith didn't have a chance to object before Raven was pulling her toward what she guessed was her room.

The two entered and Raven hurried over to her wardrobe where she rummaged through her clothes before plucking out a blue dress with large white spots on it.

"The shower is in that direction, there are fresh towels in there already." Edith didn't get the chance to object before Raven pushed her toward it in a friendly manner.

Nodding her head and smiling gently she made her way toward the shower, pulling the dress she let it fall. It was so short. Sighing she closed her eyes and started up the hot water peeling her clothes from her body.

Erik frowned when Edith was quick to excuse herself, standing up he took her and his mug over to the sink while Charles was busy showing off to Rosa.

He washed the mugs and set them aside the air dry before he too walked out of the kitchen, he wandered through the corridors noticing that Raven was in her bedroom. He heard water running and made his way closer to the bathroom, leaning against the wall as he waited for Edith to finish cleaning herself up.

It was obvious there was more to Edith than she was letting now, but he felt like he needed to make sure that she was alright. He hadn't had the chance to before she walked away, she also probably just wanted to get some sleep but she could go to bed after he makes sure she's going to stay.

Charles had taken a liking to Rosa which wasn't uncommon for him, but this liking was different and even stronger than what he had seen before. He had his eyes closed as he listened the sound of the shower until it was turned off, "Are you alright Edith?" He asked through the closed door, "Charles isn't going to judge you or anything. He just wants to help people" He said wanting the beautiful blonde to know that.

-

Rosa looked into the blue eyes of Charles as she suddenly saw Hank and Erik dressed as women, it was so real and she couldn't help but smile softly as Hank was a very pretty woman. She blinked and slowly she was brought back to reality though she was still confused about everything, "That's amazing" She said softly taking another quick glance over to Hank just to make sure he was still the same and he was.

"What else can people do?" She asked as she finished off her sandwich and tea, "Maybe that is for another day. It's getting late and we all need some sleep" Hank smiled taking the empty mugs and plate over to the sink, Rosa's face fell as sleep was mentioned because she wasn't sure just how much sleep she'd actually be getting.

She knew nightmares would plague her after everything that she has been through lately, she didn't want to be in the dark or left alone but she felt weak if she told Charles that.

She gave a small nod of her head as she stood up and pushed the chair back under the table, Charles once again showed her the way to her bedroom where a pair of pajamas had been set on the bed.

Charles

Charles was about to tell her before Hank interrupted him. Nodding his head he got to his feet walking around to Rosa and holding out his arm. A gentle smile spread across his face when she linked her arm around his. The two began to walk down the hallway.

"There are many out there, their abilities range widely. Raven has the ability to change her appearance to be someone else. A very interesting talent I will say."

The two walked along as Charles continued to talk about mutants and their different abilities. That was until he came to a stop out the front of an open door.

"This one is yours, there are Pyjamas on the bed. Edith will be staying in this one as well. I hope that is alright."



Edith

Edit stood under the water washing herself clean and trying to suppress the memories and emotions that were surfacing after Charles' dig through her memories.

Sighing she shut off the water grabbing her towel and stepping out drying herself as quickly as she could before wrapping the towel around her. She changed into a fresh pair of under garments before looking at the dress on the ground.

Turning she looked for the clothes she had entered the bathroom with, however they had been taken away so she had no choice but to change into the dress. Pulling it over her body she pulled the hem to try and make it longer, trying desperately to hide the hideous scars that covered her thighs.

"Fuck!" she growled lowly as the dress continued to ride up and expose her tarnished skin. Running her fingers through her hair she growled before hanging her towel up. As she left the bathroom she kept her dress stretched to cover her skin.

Erik glanced over at Edith when she came out of the bathroom, he noticed how she was trying to keep the short dress down though she wasn't very successful. "Is everything alright Edith?" He asked her as he made his way over to her, he didn't bother looking down at her legs as he just assumed that she didn't like wearing short dresses.

She also didn't really seem that interested in seeing anyone, most likely from whatever Charles had brought up in her mind. "Don't worry about Charles, he shifts through anyone's mind that he can" He told her not wanting her to think that maybe Charles didn't go into other's minds, it was actually the other way round.

"If you just tell him to leave your mind alone, than he will" He told her as he looked at her, "If you prefer I can show you to your room" It was pretty obvious that she wasn't in much of a mood to deal with anyone, he knew how it felt to have Charles in his mind and it was very unsettling.

-

Rosa's eyes widened as Charles explained to her the power that Raven had, she couldn't even imagine what that would be life. To just change how you looked whenever you wanted, she could do anything and get into anything that she wanted or needed.

"No, that's alright. I don't mind" She shook her head lightly and looked at Charles after stepping into her new bedroom, "I won't be returning home, will I?" She looked into his blue eyes even if she already knew the answer he was going to give her.

The mutants could even be looking for her now for all she knew, she was certain they wouldn't allow her to simply escape. They had gone to great lengths to kidnap her and now she was missing, they had been planning on doing more experiments on her as she had survived the first dose that they had given her.

"You'll keep me save, won't you?" She asked keeping her eyes stayed locked on his.

Charles

"For the time being, I am afraid not. You will be safer here with us, where we can protect you from anymore rogue mutants that are out there." Charles could see the emotion in her eyes as well as feel it. She was afraid and homesick.

"We will all keep you and Edith safe Rosa. I promise I will let no harm come to you," he smiled warmly at her meaning what he said to her. He watched as she nodded her head smiling slightly before she turned and gently closed the door behind her with a gentle click.

Charles turned making his way toward his study, he needed time to think and figure out what they were going to do about the mutants.



Edith

Edith nearly screamed when Erik startled her as she left the bathroom, "Yes, I am fine..." she forced a smile across her face all the while trying to keep her dress down. The male looked at her his blue eyes captivating her. "I'll remember that next time," she said.

When Erik suggested showing her to her room she shook her head, she wanted to see Charles and find out about the mutants, where they might be heading next. "No, thank you, I wish to see Charles perhaps you could help me find him."

Rosa

Rosa looked around the simple room once again as she did believe Charles, she strongly believed in anyone who promised her so she knew that she'd be safe here. Even if she didn't feel safe yet, she would but she just needed some time. Walking over to one bed she picked the pajamas up before she stripped her dress off and changed, hanging the dress up in the small closet so it wouldn't become creased.

She did a quick braid in her blonde locks before she climbed into the warm bed, pulling the covers over herself as she laid down and made herself comfortable. Although she wasn't tired enough to fall asleep yet, she kept the light on so she wouldn't be in the dark.

Erik
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" Erik apologized as he walked along beside Edith, "Of course I can take you to Charles. As long as you don't harm him with those powers of yours, I know having anyone be in your mind isn't something nice" He said to her knowing all the times that he'd felt like strangling Charles.

Not that he'd ever actually hurt his friend, but it was frustrating as Charles could see anything that he wanted and you couldn't hide anything from him. "He'll be in his study" He knew his friend always retired to his study at this time of the night, taking Edith down the hallways it wasn't all that long before he knocked on the thick wooden door. Opening the door he let Edith past, "You have time for a chat, Charles?"

Charles

Charles had retired to his study, he wasn't doing anything in particular just simply sitting in the room surrounded by his books. The young professor had been lost in thought when he heard a gentle knock on his door before Erik's voice came though. "Of course, what is it Erik?" he asked straightening up in his seat but when his friend opened the door wider exposing Edith he cleared his throat.

"Edith," he began in a formal tone. "Please come in," he waved his arm toward the few lounge chairs that were scattered around the room. A shaky smile spread across the blonde as she stepped inside the room. Charles couldn't help but notice the way she gripped and tugged the bottom of her dress and hesitated before sitting down. He thought it best not to ask if something was the matter.



Edith

Edith smiled at Erik, "Ah so he has done it to you before I take it?" she asked as the two walked down the hallway together heading toward the Professors study. When Erik knocked on the door the blonde instantly became uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what she wanted to know from Charles but she knew that she wanted to talk to him.

Walking into the study she looked at the chairs debating whether or not to sit down. She decided to but instantly tugged the hem of her skirt down not wanting to expose her scars.

"Thank you," she spoke. Clearing her throat she looked at the brown haired mutant in front of her. "I'm sorry about suddenly rushing out before, but you tapped into a memory that I... uh... am trying to forget." she stated as she began ringing her hands together.

Erik
"Sadly, yes he does. Numerous times, actually" Erik answered softly to Edith before they both made their way into the study where Charles was often found alone, just thinking to himself or planning out things that Erik was never interested in. "See Charles, I've been telling you this would happen for ages now. I always knew you'd tap into a memory that someone doesn't want to remember," He said putting his two cents in when he could.

He had been telling Charles to be careful with how deep he went into someone's mind, not everyone had amazing childhoods or had a nice adult life.

"You also don't have to apologize about rushing out, really Edith. We understand now, I'm sure Charles feels horrible" He spoke looking over at his friend, he knew Charles never meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable or exposed in that way.

But there have been times when he went a little too far without knowing at first, he was just always excited to use his power and to show it off.

Charles

Charles nodded his head understanding where the blonde was coming from, but a voice in his mind was nagging him to find out what the memory was and if it could effect her abilities. Taking a deep breath, he knew he may have been crossing a line with his next question but he wanted to know.

"Edith..." he began clearing his throat, "I am terribly sorry, I didn't mean to resurface anything traumatic for you. However if you need to... perhaps sharing it will help you to get over it..." the brown haired professor took a deep breath his deep blue eyes locking with the young womans'.



Edith

Edith nodded her head accepting his apology, however when he suggesting her secret she shook her head, "Unfortunately Professor, I'm not yet comfortable sharing the memory with anyone, it still brings me too much pain. I would much rather forget it, bury it deep, and not think about it again." When she saw the professor nod his head she allowed a small smile to spread across her face.

"Thank you for understanding." with that she got to her feet and began to walk away, until she was stopped by Charles voice.

"Your scars..." he began. Edith cursed internally before grabbing the bottom of her skirt and tugging it down. "They are part of the memory aren't they." sighing Edith's head bowed over in defeat.

"Yes."

Erik

Erik watched both Charles and Edith closely, he had a gut feeling that Charles wouldn't be letting this go. He was proved correct when Charles asked about the scars that graced across Edith's milky skin, he had noticed them but didn't think he had the right to ask about them.

If Edith wasn't bothered by them then she wouldn't continue to try and hide them, "And that's something that we aren't going to pry into. It isn't our place," He glanced over to his friend. He didn't want Edith to be scared away or annoyed that she kept getting asked questions, she could very well leave if that's what she wanted.

A part of him didn't want her to leave, though he was trying to ignore that part of his emotions for right now.

[sorry for the long wait, here I AM NOW ]

Charles

Charles watched as the blonde pulled her dress to cover the scars on her thighs, the scaring was harsh and they definitely weren't a natural scar, these scars seemed to be some sort of punishment, a torture even. When Erik spoke of not prying into the young woman's mind Charles nodded his head in agreement.

"I would never seek out anything without your consent Edith," he stated truthfully earning a gentle smile from the blonde and nod of her head in a thank you gesture.

"Thank you," Edith smiled, "Now I think I will bid both you gentlemen goodnight," with that she turned and walked out of the study a smile spread across her face as she walked down the hallway towards her room.

---

Edith

Edith looked at Erik smiling at him, she was worried that Charles may try to pry further into her mind and into her memories about how she gained her scars however when he assured her he wouldn't without her consent she was relieved and a smile spread across her face.

Bidding the two goodnight she walked out of the office and headed down the hallway toward her room where she would spend the night, and hopefully a few more. A safe place is where she needs to be. Somewhere where she can sleep soundly and not have to worry about the possibility of being stolen into the night and back into a dirty shed filled with rusty needles and poisonous liquids.

Erik

Erik watched as Edith left the study and he turned his attention back onto his friend, "That scar was large and the way she acted about it, means that something horrible happened when she was given that scar. I have a few scars from fights but nothing like that one, my scars don't hold bad memories for me. Maybe a horrible person gave it to her," He thought out aloud, it didn't matter how or when she got the scar because that was her business. He couldn't help being interested because of how she acted, "You could have gotten close to memory" He suggested looking at Charles, they shouldn't be talking about Edith when she wasn't around although he couldn't help it.

He sighed softly as he rubbed his eyes with his fingers, if someone did cause pain to Edith than he wanted to know who it was and where he could find them. No one has the right to hurt another person, mutant or human. Nothing gave a person the right to inflict any kind of pain on someone else, but they wouldn't find out until Edith was ready to talk about whatever happened to her.

---

Rosa

Rosa was laying in her bed as she hadn't fallen asleep, she felt exhausted but sleep wasn't coming over her because she was too scared to close her eyes. She felt her heart break out in a race when the door to the room opened, but she relaxed once she saw that it was only Edith. "Hey, everything alright?" She asked quietly as she reached over and turned the lamp on that was beside her bed, she looked at the woman that saved her. It was obvious something was bothering her, Rosa noticed the slight tug that Edith did to the end of her short dress. Like she wanted something covered, "Raven told me that our clothes are being washed" Maybe Edith was uncomfortable in someone else's clothes.

It didn't worry her and she wasn't going to ask either, she sat up in her bed knowing that Edith was probably tired. At least now she felt safe with someone there in the room with her, someone she trusted already even after everything she went through with the bad mutants.

Charles

Charles listened to his friend talk about his scars and how the blondes was so different. If she hadn't gained it from fighting, what could she have possibly gained it from? As he thought about everything the loud ear piercing scream that he had heard in her memories pierced his mind. Looking up at Erik he spoke, "She may not have gained them from fights, perhaps... perhaps she was once a normal human... that's why she is out there searching for all those new mutants that have been made." slowly he pieced together everything he had gathered from the blonde. "That's why she found Rosa..." he trailed off thinking everything over.

---

Edith

Edith smiled nodding her head, "Thanks." slowly she walked over to the spare bed, kicking her shoes off she climbed in underneath her blankets. "Good night Rosa," she smiled before turning her lamp off and rolling over so she was facing away from the blonde she she couldn't see that she wasn't asleep. Edith was too busy thinking over everything that had happened to her today. And she couldn't help the way her thoughts drifted to Erik and the kindness he had shown her.

@ sugarplum.

Erik

Erik listened to what Charles was saying and it did make sense, it would explain why she found Rosa on her own when it was clearly dangerous. "That could be right, it could explain a lot of things. We should mention it to her, once she has made herself comfortable here. But for right now, I'm heading off to bed. Goodnight Charles," He spoke as he also left the office, he had so much to think about now though he was tired so the thinking would have to wait. No wonder Edith didn't want Charles in her memories, though it was nothing that she needed to hide.

He climbed into his bed once shutting the bedroom door, he could always take a walk with her outside the next day and see if she wanted to talk about anything. He wasn't going to push her to do anything, of course. But he'd make sure that he was at least there for her if she ever did want to talk to someone.

---

Rosa

Rosa tossed and turned all night, she had gone into a light sleep a few times but had woken up again by a nightmare. Eventually she grew restless and quietly made her way out of the bedroom, the lights in the hallways were still on so she made her way through them just looking for a place that she could relax in as she knew she wouldn't be falling asleep any time soon. She quietly opened a few doors but didn't go in until she found a room filled with books, she smiled stepping inside.

She took her time in finding a book and when she did, she sat down on an armchair and started reading. She had lost track of time and didn't even know that she had fallen asleep with the book still open on her lap, she was still exhausted from not sleeping much at the shed as she had been too scared to even close her eyes. As morning came her breathing increased as she was trapped in a nightmare, she was reliving what had happened to her. The torture that those mutants had placed on her.

Charles

"Goodnight Erik," the brunette bid his friend goodnight watching as he turned and walked out of the room. Charles got to his feet walking over to his bookshelf and pulling out a leather bound diary. Slowly he opened it. It was the notes he had taken over the years of all the mutants he had come across. Names, abilities, and personalities... unfortunately there weren't many.
The only names he had so far was.

Erik, Hank, Himself and Raven. Charles was certain there was more to add. Perhaps, Rosa and Edith were two that he could add. Sighing he closed the book and placed it back on the shelf before turning and walking out of the room.

Walking down the corridor he entered his room before collapsing on his bed suddenly feeling extremely tired. Sleep came instantly.

---

Edith

Edith allowed herself to sleep, she knew she was safe from any danger. The blonde was swallowed into a dreamless sleep. She slept so deeply that she didn't even hear Rosa get up and leave the room. It wasn't until morning when the sunlight filtered through her window stirring her from her slumber.

"Good morning Rosa," she greeted rolling over to look for the blonde. When she saw she wasn't there her heart started racing. She flung her blankets off and hurried out of the room. "Rosa!" she called down the hallway as she began to run. She opened every door cursing every time the room was empty. Finally she pushed a door open and found her asleep on an armchair. A breath of relief fell from her lips... that was until she noticed the way she moved in her sleep. Quickly she moved over to her. "Rosa," she spoke firmly shaking her trying to wake her. "Rosa wake up!"

Erik

Erik had been slowly waking up when yelling and running footsteps hit his ears, he knew the voice was Edith's as she called out for the other blonde. He had been positive that no one had broken into the place while they were all sleeping, but he jumped out of his bed and rushed towards where he heard the noise coming from. He found the room only to see Edith shaking awake Rosa who was obviously having a nightmare, he took large steps and made it over to the girls in seconds. "Rosa calm down, it's just us. You're safe here," He used a calming tone to his voice as he saw the panic in Rosa's eyes, he had a feeling this would happen and will continue to happen for a while to come.

She had been put through so much and it would give her nightmares until she dealt with everything, but only she could do that. Though he'd still ask Charles if he could do anything to help her, but if Edith had gone through anything similar then she could also help the blonde. But that wasn't something he'd ask just yet, Edith needed to feel comfortable and welcome there before he started digging into whatever it is that she wants hidden.

---

Rosa

Rosa woke up startled as her heart was racing and felt like it was going to break free from her chest, though seeing Edith and Erik there soon started to calm her down. She had been dreaming of getting kidnapped all over again, "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep so I came out here to read," She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and pushed herself up into the armchair, she took deep breaths to slow her heartbeat as much as she possibly could. She hated that those mutants were still torturing her even after Edith had helped her escape, she rubbed her eyes not wanting them to see her so vulnerable.

"I'm okay now," She tried to assured them both though she failed miserably, she didn't want anyone to worry about her but she could see that they were. It was in their eyes, it was a look that made Rosa turn her eyes away. She closed the book and stood up, she placed it back on the shelf where she had found it.

Charles

Charles was woken to the sound of yelling, quickly he rolled out of his bed and hurried out of his room. He followed the voices down the hallway until he entered his library where he saw Erik and Edith were. Edith was crouched down beside Rosa who was reliving a nightmare. The male didn't have a chance to do anything before the blonde had woken up. She was shaken but she assured everyone she was fine.

Slowly the dark haired male walked toward the group looking down at the blonde who was forcing a smile across her face even though Charles knew as well as everyone in the room that she was scared.

"Are you sure you are alright?" he asked in a gentle tone as his light eyes looked down at her.

---

Edith

Edith allowed a sigh of relief to leave her lips when Rosa opened her eyes. The blonde tried to ease her racing heart by taking deep even breaths. Edith was thankful that Erik had arrived when he had because she was sure that without his help she wouldn't have been able to snap her out of her dream. If her dream was anything like the young mutant had experienced she knew that one person wouldn't have been able to snap her out of it.

Rosa
Rosa turned to face the three of them, "Yes. I am okay," She tried to reassure them the best she could, though she saw the looks on their faces. They didn't believe her, not that she was surprised because she's never been good at lying. Even little white lies, her eyes always gave her away when she tried to lie. "I will be, really." She told him though she only hoped that she would be okay.

"How about I cook us all some breakfast?" She offered as her eyes looked over Charles, Edith and Erik. She gave them all a smile, "Breakfast it is" She nodded her head a little when Erik was the first one to agree with her, her hazel eyes landed on Charles when Erik lead Edith out of the library. "I relived what they did to me, how do the nightmares stop?" She asked looking at Charles, without her knowing her hand reached across and covered the inside of her elbow where the mutants had injected her. The wounds had already healed though.

---

Erik
Erik knew that it would take time for Rosa, so he agreed to breakfast so the blonde would stay busy. Placing a hand on Edith's back, he gently took her out of the library so Charles could talk with Rosa if he wanted. "Go change and I'll meet you in the kitchen," He told her, he bet that Edith would want to change so she could cover up whatever she wanted. After last night, he wasn't going to be pushing the blonde anymore than she could handle.

He gave her a cheeky grin as he walked down the hallway, he made his way into the kitchen and ran his fingers through his still messy hair. A yawn escaped his lips and he started making a pot of coffee, he pulled out two mugs and waited for Edith to join him.