"Neither: I got it from my parents. I work as a lifeguard during Summer, but the pay is ridiculous." It barely paid for her subscription in the same swimming pool where she worked, so at this time of the year it was already spent. She'd considered offering remedial lessons for high school students, then decided that it was better to first finish at least her first year of university before adding things on her plate throughout the year.

Oh, you still see your parents? And you get money from them? Another twist. Note that she didn't exactly scream "I'm a fucking mutant!". She had a necklace that changed colors. Wear a turtleneck and it's out of sight, out of mind.

She mentally kicked herself. Of course family would be a sore spot for most people in the Brotherhood. No wonder they called their fellow mutants their family, rather than their blood relatives. Well, it was too late to take back what she'd said, so the only way out was forward. "Id do. They're the ones who made the family move here." Perhaps it was a little self-centred that she didn't return the question, but she didn't want to rub salt into the wound.

He wasn't hurt. Dalton couldn't care less about his biological parents (or that's what he told himself at least). How did they handle the news? Not hard to guess what news Dalton was referring to. It was obviously her mutation. Clearly not all parents reacted the same way.

Seriously? He stared at her hair as if it would magically change colors. When is the last time you dyed it? As in: when will we be able to see your natural self come out? He wasn't really in the mood to talk about supportive parents. It was concept that was a bit hard to imagine.

"About two weeks ago. Last time I waited to long and it got me in trouble." His mutation was obvious enough, he probably knew what kind of trouble she meant. She had to think a little about how she should word the next thing she wanted to say. "But I also made some interesting encounters because of it, so I guess there's a silver lining."

Like what? That how Rousette found you? Only one more person in line before their turn. Dalton was already half-glancing at the panels on top of the counter to see what he'd order, even though he knew the menu by heart and nearly always ordered the same thing.

"Bingo." She had no idea how open she was supposed to be about the Brotherhood when she was out in the open, so she kept things vague. "It sounds awfully damsel-in-distress-ish and I hate that, but... yes."

There's not a million ways it can go, he said. I have pretty much the same story. He leaned on the counter as soon as it was free and greeted the man that appeared out of the kitchen with a grin. "Joe" (if that really was his name) wore a full belly and a mustache that almost fitted the cliché description of an Italian pizzeria owner. Nevermind the fact that this was a burger joint. Hey Joe. I'll have The Sloppy Jack.

Woops, she should've looked at the menu while they were waiting. She glanced at it and quickly found a burger that looked good. "And a Broadway for me, please."

Thankfully Joe was a quick cook. They didn't have to wait for their burgers very long. Joe added them to their empty platters with a serving of fries each. You know where the soda is. Yep. He took the platter and headed towards the only remaining empty table. Some things are too important to teleport.

Of course, he said while putting a few fries in his mouth. Queenie had taught him manners, but he hadn't seen her in over a year now. You can unlearn those habits. Why not?

She took a bite of her burger before she answered the question. "Because without a warning it can be pretty surprising to see something appear or disappear? I'd probably think I'm going mad if I didn't know that you're the one doing it." She wasn't making a difference between mutant and non-mutant there. Hell, she was a mutant and that didn't mean she was used to simple rules of physics being casually cast aside.

I don't wanna hold back what I can do because it might frighten fragile old ladies—hello Yeva—My entire appearance frightens most. Does that mean I should never go out? He slurped from his coke noisily, expecting an honest answer. This had clearly been a conversation he'd had several times before.

Never tried it before. I suppose it should be possible in theory? Teleporting random objects had already been a feat, and he hadn't exactly been allowed to teleport a lot in his previous home. When the apartment is only New York-sized, destruction tends to follow. My turn. Has anyone ever used the "you take my breath away" line on you?

The pranking potential of only teleporting the liquid and making it pop somewhere else was not to be underestimated, but Katja didn't get a chance to continue that line of thought. Instead, Dalton's next question made her laugh. "Nope, but I admit that there is a pun possible there."

Eh, just one or two. He didn't wipe his smirk away. Your turn, now that we're playing 21 questions. I have no secrets. Anything goes. He already has his next question lined up.

Oh, so now they were playing? Ok, not that she minded. She wasn't ready, though, so her next question was a bit lame. "When you get sunburnt, what colour is it?" Darker purple was way too straightforward for someone whose hair sometimes looked like a bad '80s video clip. Or did he even get sunburnt? Or did his mutation make him immune?

Right, ninja outfit. Of course that would be an excellent defence against sunburn and... Wait, first the pickup line, now this question. Was he hitting on her or was he always that interested in the romantic life of others? "Nope." She took a few fries before they all disappeared to Dalton's platter while she picked her next question. "What's your favourite part of town?"