A fear of protection [open]

[Sunshine]

It was later than Penny had wanted it to be, but she got held up running errands. Then she had to stop at the store and pick up things she needed for herself. Mainly for the cart lunches she sells over at the shipyards. As much as she hated doing it, she had found away to keep herself relatively safe during these trying times. What was even better, was she wasn't really a known mutant, at least not here, so she was able to do it, without detection.

Since it was so late, and so dark out, she released a small amount of fear. Just enough to make people feel uneasy about their surroundings. It generally tended to keep her safe, and since she generally had to walk, it was the best she could do. She'd tried to take a cab and even the bus back to the Mansion before, but they kicked her off and called her a freak. She knew it would happen, so now she either rode her bike or walked everywhere. Tonight was a night for walking, and if she were lucky, nothing bad would happen. If she were really lucky, something good would happen. Well, she picked up that penny earlier, so who knew?

[Lifeguard]

[/i] swarmed over her.

Great..., she mentally snapped. Either I've lost a spine, or some jolly-bugger's having themselves a time. Unknowingly to her, Heather had no idea it was emitting from the other girl.

Hopefully her body could be controlled, or else it'd feel threatened and do only-God-knows-what. That'd be the last thing they - she or anyone else - needed, a random energy blast or metallic wings or tentacle ears.

With adaptive powers comes great annoyance.[/font][/ul]

[Sunshine]

Every so often, the little butterball would look around to see what was going on. She never wanted to make the children scared so she'd drop her 'shield' for them. One would assume, since it was dark out, that the kids would be home safe. Nope, not here and it was only about eight in the evening anyway.

Her head turned left and right as she came up on a group of kids. Penny dropped her hold on her powers, and the fear dissipated. The creepy feeling was gone, save for the normal creepiness a dark alley brings. Once the children were out of her range, of ten feet, she turned her powers on again. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, the way they do when you feel like you are being watched or followed.

Penny slid her hand into her tote purse and her hand wrapped around a rolling pin. Oh lord she used to get teased for carrying a rolling pin with her, until she actually laid a minor hit on Polaris. Now they ask her where it is whenever she goes into a fight or training. It's a weapon she can wield expertly, so they can just kiss her rear. Slowly she turned around and her head tilted as she saw the other woman. She looked vaguely familiar, but she wasn't sure. "Can I help you?" The brown haired girl, released her hold once more on the fear, but was ready to unleash it if necessary.

[Lifeguard]

[/color]," she said, stopping then responding to Penny's question. Could this fear-inducing mutant aid in any way? Maybe, or maybe not. "You just looked familiar, is all."

Since the showdown with the Sentinels in the American capital, a lot of news coverage and gossip had been spreading. The barrage of exposure and information made it difficult to hide, but Heather did try, though every now and then someone - human or mutant - recognized her. Tedious though it was, Heather knew it was bound to happen someday, so why not while fighting giant mechanical bots?

"I suppose you wouldn't happen to be one of those X-Men, would you?" Not that it mattered what side she was on, since all of them appeared to follow the same routine, just a different motive. "Since a few moments ago, it's been tinkerin' my curiosity."

There, it was said.[/font][/ul]

[Sunshine]

At the remark about looking familiar, Penny just nodded her head a bit. "I get that a lot. I have one of those faces." Her picture was so brief in the news that no one really would have gotten a good look at her. However, the blond looked familiar to her as well and she was pretty sure she'd seen her on the news. She just couldn't remember if it was because she was a Hellion or part of the Brotherhood.

When the girl asked the question, Penny stiffened and her eyes darted all over the place. Sure the Institute was now known and all that jazz, but she really didn't feel like getting mobbed by anit-mutant people. "Yeah. But I don't really think here is the place to talk about it, you know? I don't really feel like getting lynched." She'd be more than happy to talk to the girl, just not where so many people can hear. Which in a way sucked for Penny since she was such a people person. "I know a nice little, mutant friendly, diner if you're interested. I don't have anything in here that will go bad while have a bite to eat." She just hoped the girl was a mutant and this wasn't a set up.

[Lifeguard]

[/color]," she asked, analytical abilities kicking in. This would explain how Heather recognized Sunshine, even if her image appeared for just a fraction of a moment. Again, of all the Hellions, Heather had a knack for detail and observation. It'd served her well, and would continue to do so. "Is that what Xavier teaches? To hide, and wait? His lessons don't seem to reflect on his pupils." Then again, neither did Emma's on the Hellions. That whole D.C. fiasco saw to that.

A bite to eat? Tempting, but Heather wasn't all that hungry. But she'd suck it up, and have a light snack. When else would she have the chance to get insight into the X-Men? Well, unless she had Emma Frost violate their minds, but that wasn't the young blond's cup of tea. Speaking of tea...

"Fair enough. But before we have this little shindig, let's exchange names, shall we? I'm Heather."

So far, so good. Lifeguard was controlling her desire to be sarcastic.[/font][/ul]

[Sunshine]

"Depends on what you are wanting to know I am serious about." Penny was still that sweet girl that she'd always been. It had just been tempered a bit by the hell that had happened the last five years. She'd gotten used to her powers and she wasn't as afraid to use them anymore, especially on a mission or to save herself. However, she still didn't like when she had to jack up the fear so high that a person was completely incapacitated or when it put them in the hospital.

A brow arched at her question about what Xavier teaches. "Actually I have this thing about being attacked. I don't particularly care for it." It wasn't that she was ashamed of being a mutant, or even that she was hiding. It was self preservation on her part. She was actually enjoying her life and would like to keep it. If she was going to be beat up, she'd rather it be during a fight to protect people, not protecting herself from the people that she gets beat up for.

"Sorry, where are my manners? I'm Penny and it's a pleasure to meet you, Heather." She gave the girl a bright smile and held out her hand o seal the greeting deal.

[Lifeguard]

[/color]"

Now that Heather knew Penny was from the X-Men, it lowered her defensive guard. At least that team had a sense of honor, what, with being the good guys and all. If anyone could be trusted, it'd be them, well, most of the time. Every group had their rotten apples, but Lifeguard didn't feel that from Sunshine. No, there was a calming, motherly sort of presence being felt.

"Aye. Makin' sense there. Though isn't your ol' headmaster for pacifism? Records aren't too friendly towards the man, though the bloke means well to me." There, simple and straight forward. Heather Cameron admitted her feelings about the Professor, and established there was no bitterness.

"I didn't think anyone still did that...," Heather remarked, staring at Penny's extended hand. Obviously it was an invitation to a hand shaking, but it was odd since most Americans lacked that common mannerism since she'd come here. "... nice, though."

Finally, Heather took to a hearty shake with the other woman. Then releasing it, glanced over from the corner of her eye. "So... that offer still open? I'll get a sip of something."[/font][/ul]