Aveline Mason's Story

Room 7
0715

Aveline awoke slowly and immediately jumped out of the bed, looking around for any signs of trouble. She giggled and tapped on the wall, pressing her ear against it and listening. She liked listening to the walls, it was quite fun. Sometimes you heard things you weren't supposed to, or sometimes you could dig a hole and peek through. Either way, she loved peeking into different peoples' lives.

She moved away from the wall and tilted her head a bit, curious as to where she was. She looked down at her drab hospital clothes. Aww, she was just in the asylum wasn't she? She was hoping her therapist wouldn't bring her here, but maybe it was for the best. The teal haired girl laughed a bit, then let out a scream as loud as she could. Screaming was just as fun as listening and talking to walls. It just depending on what mood the crazy girl was in.

"X!" she yelled then, looking around her room as if they were playing hide and seek. "X! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Aveline looked around her room for a total of three seconds, then opened the door to her room and rushed out.

The first thing she heard were voices, and she rushed towards them. She found an interesting looking group surrounding the center of the complex. She twisted her head as far as it could reach, eying up each of her new friends. Well, there were two girls and three boys it seemed-who also looked like girls as far as she was concerned. She walked up to the lanky one who stood off to the side, who towered above her small stature. He was one of the guys that looked like a girl to her. Or maybe it was just her meds acting up again. Did the nurses know that she needed meds? Most likely.

"Mi-sss," she said softly, reaching up to pinch his throat. She always loved playing with people's throats. And sometimes she pretended to rip them out, like the movies. But Mommy, Daddy, and X said that wasn't good, so she kept her strange fantasies to herself. She poked his throat a few times before speaking again. "Have you seen a half-demon boy with long black hair running around here? Sometimes he tries to kill me, but I know he loves me. Why are you here?" She started to examining his chin, oblivious to any sort of annoyance she might be causing

Room 4
0717

Xavier looked around the room, sure that this had to be a trick. He'd played tricks before, but this really was truly elaborate. And it was not just a simple image projected onto his mind, but something tangible. He looked at the bed, rather familiar actually. Ah yes, the hospital bed he'd been in when he had broken his arm. Yes, surely this was a hospital of sorts. But why was he here? He wasn't crazy like Aveline, though she had gone crazy because of him. He hadn't broken another limb and there was no possible way anybody but his twin knew about his abilities.

Frustrated, he pounded on the door, then realized something. It wasn't locked. Feeling stupid, he pounded on it harder and tried to refrain from screaming his brains out. He managed to dampen the sound a bit by shoving his fist in his mouth. It was then that he had another realization- he was standing around here like an idiot when he could be demanding an explanation. He stormed out of the room, looking around for any official to question.

He didn't see anybody or anything special other than a bathroom. Well, at least he knew where that was now. Xavier turned at the sound of voices and cringed. As much as he wanted to know what was happening, he wanted more to remain anonymous and invisible. It was how he preferred things.

He listened carefully, hardly breathing as he heard a familiar female voice. Was that, could it be, Aveline? "Oh no," he mumbled to himself, racing down the hall in time to find her assaulting a tall boy's face. "Av," he hissed, ignoring the others. He wasn't one for friends, especially not if they were all insane like his poor sister. One crazy person was hard enough to keep track of. He didn't want one of these people stabbing him when they got the chance. He preferred being healthy and alive to being sickly and dead.

West Wing Corridor
0725

Aveline frowned, stepping away from Jack. "Sensitive, are we?" she asked, giving a classic Cheshire grin. Oh, how she loved the Cheshire cat! The lovely grin, and a grin without a cat. Oh, wouldn't it be lovely to be able to disappear at will? Forgetting that, she stepped to the second nearest person and repeated her speech. She yelped as this boy reacted more violently than the last. She was shoved back and nearly fell on the crying girl. She glared at both of the boy-girls, growling a bit. These people were too emotional, no wonder they were here.

"X!" she yelled again, and was greeted by her brother's hands around her throat. "H-ey, X. C-an yo-u l-et g-o?" she choked out, then was happy to see that he listened to her. She gave him a quick hug and ignored the nurse. She could touch whoever she wanted. What the heck was wrong with poking people's throats? It wasn't like she had a knife in her hand or anything! "Is the food here good? And who gave you permission to bring us here?" she asked the nurse, then found that she no longer cared to hear the answer.

She looked back at Devan, then at Jack. "I don't like you," she said plainly, then pointed at Devan. "I especially don't like you. I'm not crazy. You are." Aveline stepped towards him again, not caring if she got beat up. Xavier would protect her, or the nurse would take crazy boy away. "I am not crazy! You are, you are, you are!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, poking him in the throat again. Only this time, it was more forceful, as if she could puncture his skin and maybe rip his neck off. It would be an interesting sight, but then the big, bad wolf would come and eat her. Or Devan would.

***

Xavier sighed and let his sister go, turning his attention to the others. There would come a day when he couldn't protect his sister anymore and he'd have to surrender her to a strait jacket and padded cell. He looked down at Karissa who had started to cry for no apparent reason. Maybe she was mentally disturbed like his twin. He sighed again and looked at Jack, who was comforting her. And then the nurse was offering food. He liked food.

But he didn't want to show any sense of uniformity here. He wanted out. Now. He turned, intent on going back to his room, when he heard Aveline shouting at the tall boy with crazy hair. "Aveline!" he yelled, though it was to no avail. He groaned and did his best to ignore her, covering his ears and looking at the others.

Well, things were certainly off to a good start. Now seemed like a good time to explore. Xavier walked off down the a random corridor, ready for an adventure or to be hit over the head with a wooden plank like in the cartoons. He walked quietly, trying to think of how to get himself out of this. He could always project the image of himself sleeping to the nurses as he tried to find the door out, but that would be a complicated matter. It would drain his energy rapidly to create so many images in multiple minds, especially that of humans.

West Wing Corridor
0729

Aveline stumbled backwards as Devan's fist connected with her face. She frowned and was about to punch him back when the two helpers rushed forward and grabbed her. She instantly went limp in their arms, not bothering to put up a fight. She tried to see if her nose had fallen off, but it was hard considering she couldn't really see it. Either way, she would be in pain for a bit. She looked at Devan, curious to see how he would react to being restrained. She smiled and looked up at the ceiling, looking at the lights.

"The itsy bitsy psycho went to the hosp-i-tal, in came the girl and poked the psycho's throat, here comes the guards ta hang us by our necks, the psycho and the girl, go off to asylum prison!" she sang happily, though she removed to move any part of her body other than her head. Maybe if she sang another nursery rhyme, and clicked her bare heels together and said, 'there's no place like home', she'd be able to get out of this mess. But of course, life was never that easy. It never had been and never would be, especially not here and now. "The itsy bitsy rebel went to her room, in came the doctor and beat her to the ground, now be time for a funeral, there ain't no tears today!" Aveline laughed hysterically, letting herself be dragged wherever. as she continued to look at the lights.

***

Xavier covered his ears. He couldn't bear to hear his sister prattling on about nothing. He closed eyes and found himself walking into a wall, causing a near explosion as he bit his tongue to keep from yelling at it. He didn't need anybody to drag him off or call him crazy for talking to inanimate objects. "I hate this," he mumbled, looking around and realizing he was actually lost.

Mumbling to himself, he turned around and tried to find his way back to his room with little success. He spotted Sarah, with a couple of followers walking down the hall. He followed them and found that the rebel of the group had room number five. One number greater than his own, but still in a different area. Maybe four was a special number here, or the doc liked symmetry and balance. Xavier himself couldn't argue with the beauty of those things. Simple stuff was what he liked really, despite the complicated ability he had.

Without truly being invited in, the boy with long dark hair pushed past the others and entered the room. "Mind if I stay?" he asked Sarah, looking at her briefly before leaning against a wall and looking at the others. If he had to pick a group to be with, it would be the sane ones who wouldn't waste time.

Infirmary
7:40-7:53

Aveline giggled as she was pushed along in the wheel chair to the infirmary. Once there, she was set down nicely on a white bed. She liked the color white, it was pretty and bright and hopeful, unlike all the dark she was used to. Things were dark when you were around her twin brother, and darker yet when you nearly shared a mind with him. "Did my face fall off?" she asked one of the nurses, looking up at the ceiling. She had no intent of causing trouble at the moment.

She looked over at the nurses, who seemed to be preparing some medications for her. She frowned. She didn't like taking pills or getting shots. She liked to throw her pills in the trash and play with syringes. Aveline remained quiet and watched as the nurses went about their work, still upset that they'd do this to her. But if it was an asylum, what more could she expect?


Room 5
7:40-7:45

He gave a quick nod to Sarah. He would go by that for now, nobody needed to know his full name. He looked around the room at noticing that Kieko seemed to be a bit scared of him. He didn't bite, unless given proper reason to. He listened to Sarah, noting that she liked to point out the obvious and must have had a semi-normal life if she was permitted into a library. She mentioned the doors being locked and he laughed a bit. "Of course they did," Xavier mumbled to himself as if the girl was an idiot. "Wouldn't want us to run away and tell people about our little stay here now, would they?"

He looked at the floor, knowing Sarah would probably be mad at him for saying that. It seemed like the thing a sane, normal person who was allowed into libraries would do. "I don't think any of us voluntarily came here, though others of us have a right to be committed," he said smugly, glancing at Kieko to make sure she hadn't fainted or anything. "Other than Aveline and that other kid, the people here same sane enough. Trust me."

"Personally I wouldn't be surprised if this was just an illusion and we're being experimented on in a lab. Or rather, those of us who are different are being experimented on and those of us who are crazy are going to be eliminated. The normals ones, as I suppose you are-" he gestured to Kieko. "-Are just like accessories, meant to give us some sort of normality next to the nurses and the prison like state of this building. Do these windows open?" He walked over next to Sarah, trying to budge the stupid thing, but to no avail. So they didn't even have a glimpse of the scenery then? Which meant they had no general idea of where they were. Lovely.

Xavier then remembered what Sarah had asked: what were their stories? He knew that 'I was at my therapist with my crazy sister' wouldn't be good answer. Then what would? "I was taking a walk," he said lamely, though if one had known him for more than five minutes, they wouldn't find it unusual. Walks helped calm him down and kept him away from people.

Infirmary
0753

Aveline peered up at Doctor 'Bacon' since she wasn't sure how to pronounce his last name. Bacon would work for now. She nodded like a good little girl, though she was already terrified at the idea of him touching her nose with so much as a feather. She'd rather not be in pain for the next few days. It was scary, like when X tried to make her kill that chicken when they were five. She frowned again and looked at Doctor Bacon. He said he was going to help her, so it must be true.

And the nurses wanted to help her, so these were good people. It was just that crazy kid she needed to worry about. And her brother, but he was something she'd dealt with for years with no problems as far as she could see. "Do I get a lollipop? Or have I been bad?" she asked the doctor, feeling like a little kid. It was an innocent and happy feeling, not the shameful and arrogant one.

Infirmary
0811

Aveline winced a few times, but Dr. Bacon's calming voice made it better. He sounded like Dr. Seuss, rhyming and going on about such simple matters. It reminded her of the happier childhood moments, like Christmas. Nothing could ever go wrong at Christmas, even if X wanted it to. You couldn't kill Christmas spirit. Well, he could, but she would never let that happen.

"I don't care, just a lollipop," she said quietly, hopping down from the bed. "What other kinds of food do you have here? Do you eat birds? Little birds, not chickens and turkeys and vultures, like sparrows. Do we eat dogs here? X likes to eat dogs. I don't think it's good for him." She frowned, not caring that she was telling this near stranger about her dark, half demon of a brother. She was thankful that she hadn't been born like him. "Am I in trouble? I didn't try to annoy him. He hit me." She frowned some more, thinking about having to break the wings off of the poor little brown creatures. The sickening snap and the squawking of it. X always killed it, she just broke the wings.

Room 5
0750

Xavier listened to the doctor quietly as he addressed the small group. He didn't like this guy already and found why Sarah had been annoyed by the nurses so much. "You say that like we've been awake for more than this, like we actually remembered being brought here and being observed before." He kept his voice even, his eyes cold. "And what is it that we've been trying to accomplish in our supposed memories or subconscious?" he asked, curious to see what the doctor expected of them. He glanced at Kieko and Sarah fro their reactions.

Personally, he wasn't about to trust this guy. Or the nurses and their medications for that matter. He'd rather be outside, or even in another fake place that resembled the outdoors. He wanted to hunt, eat some real food, not whatever factory made, drugged food they had here. He could go for a dog right now, or maybe even a horse.

Infirmary
0820-0833

Aveline listened to the doctor and began feeling sleepy. The doctor was a very charming person indeed, and each word bounced around in her head like a dead bird being skipped on the water. She took the lollipop happily, but remained standing in the small room. She looked at the desk and tapped it a few times. she was pretty sure it was real, but not certain. She took off the thin wrapper, dropping it on the floor beside her before sticking the candy in her mouth. She smiled contently as he spoke again.

“I know how hard it is, given what you’ve gone through with Xavier, but I’d like you to try and trust you. I don’t blame you for anything you’ve done.” The teal haired girl peered at him through her hair, which had fallen in front of her pale face. "What do you know?" she asked softly, looking at her fingers. Not even her parents truly knew of Xavier's origins. She and her twin had their guesses, but they weren't entirely sure. Their best guess had been that one of their parents had made a deal with a demon. "I... blame... me. X... didn't make me." She closed her eyes, trying to remember if she really had done that on her own.

Her focus rose from her fidgeting hands to him. The words were hard to form and say. It was her fault, not X's. She was born crazy, she never remembered a day where she wasn't being strange. He was strange too, but he had an excuse. she was just a stupid little girl, even if she did like to pretend she was the Cheshire cat. She disappeared and reappeared like magic, and she knew everything. Well, almost everything.

She sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking. "X... he shows me... things. He shows the to Mom and Dad, but never like me." She bit into her lollipop with a loud crunch. She swallowed the pieces, not caring that she nearly gagged half of them back up. "He uses paper for others. He uses... me to show me these things." She was hesitant in trusting the doctor, but he wouldn't hurt her, she knew that. He wouldn't lock her up unless she hit somebody like Devan had hit her. So he was a good guy she decided, and nobody would tell her otherwise. He was a good guy who would understand finally about Xavier. She wouldn't have to keep it a secret anymore. "Do you know what I know?"

Room 5
0750-0758

Xavier was glad to see that the others agreed with him on the doctor's ridiculousness. He wasn't born yesterday. He listened to the Dr. Rodcot's excuses and snorted a bit at each one. "I can write in blood," he said flatly. It would be easy enough to find something to write with. If he really was awake, he would have put at least a few simple images onto a wall or his bed. The only way to have erased those would be by having an excessive amount of paint on the walls or by replacing the object. And that would be a bit obvious wouldn't it?

As much as he hated to admit it though, the doctor completely lost him as he spoke to mainly Sarah. He'd been too wrapped up in his mind to figure out what the doctor was trying to say. But he caught the next part: they were 'recovering'. From what exactly? He'd like to know. "I have an aggressive desire to leave this place and to be told the truth. Could you grant that doc?"

He glanced at Kieko, then looked at the stubborn Sarah who stood beside him. "And I think we'd like to know what sort of sickness we've succumb to. Do you agree ladies?"

Infirmary
0840-0846

Aveline sat quietly, desperately wanting another lollipop to chew on. She sat down in a chair, swinging her legs back and forth in an ungraceful manner. "Can I have another lollipop?" she asked sweetly, smiling. If she got a lollipop, she'd consider telling Mr. 'Bacon' about Xavier if she got one. But maybe he wanted to know now and he would hurt her if she didn't tell him. She didn't wanna be hurt.

She lifted her legs and hugged them to her chest, afraid now. Treefan was scaring her now. Yes, he'd said he wouldn't hurt her, but he'd also said he knew what he needed to know. So why ask for what you already had? "Treee-fan?" she asked loudly, not feeling like keeping her volume in control for right now. "Will you be angry if I don't tell you. I want to, but X might be mad. I don't want him to be mad or get hurt."

She had no idea of Trephan's intentions or abilities. But either way, her head was starting to hurt. She rubbed at her temples furiously, finding that it didn't exactly help. "I-I want to go to sleep! No! Stop, stop, stop!" Aveline cried, crying and holding her hands over her ears. She tried to curl up into a small ball, tried to obliterate everything she was, had been, will be. It hurt so much, her brain pulsing outside its normal limits of near sanity. It was Trephan, causing this headache to her. She was sensitive to others' powers, which was X had learned too late. She closed her eyes tight, still screaming for an invisible nightmare to stop, feeling as though something was trying to crush her skull while pushing out her brain. Images rushed through her mind like a hyper-speed slideshow.

Everything was things X had showed her before- images of people burning, dying animals taking in their last few breaths, people missing all sorts of body parts, wandering aimlessly like zombies. "They hurt, they hurt, they hurt," she moaned, rocking back and forth on her chair and sobbing. "X stop! Please stop it!"

Room 5
0756-0802

"What about you X? Keiko? Notice anything different than it should be?" He looked at Sarah blankly. Was he supposed to notice stuff about himself other than when he was hungry, looked like crap, or had to pee? It didn't really occur to him that girls paid that much attention to even their finger nails. He looked at his own and raised an eyebrow. He was pretty sure that his fingernails never grew, but his hair did. His hair was a little longer than his shoulders. He looked at it best he could. It hadn't grown much.

He listened as Sarah spoke some more, impressed that she was a psych major in college. Wait, how old was she then? "Well, I don't even know how to explain you. No offense." Xavier smiled a bit, feeling strangely honored. He gave a little salute to her. "We can talk about me later."

His icy blue eyes turned to the doctor as he spoke about logic and the like. He looked at him blankly, then at Sarah. "What is he talking about?" he asked quietly, feeling lost again. Xavier glanced over at Kieko to make sure he wasn't the only clueless one here.

Infirmary
0849-0854

“He has no right to hurt you like this, but if you let me help you we can put an end to that for good. You just have to tell me how. I won’t ever tell another soul, your secret will be safe with me, and together we can stop him hurting you ever again.” The doctor was trying to comfort her, but she'd have nothing of it right now. She blocked him out, trying to force the images out of her mind. She'd once been strong enough to over power her twin, but years of this left Aveline weak. And a tad crazy.

She looked at the doctor, who was blurry. "You can't stop him. I tried and I used to stop him, but I can't anymore, so you can't. Nobody can. Mom and Dad don't know he has a piece of the devil inside him. If they did, he would be dead. I can't let him die." Her words rushed out, her voice filled with panic as she thought of the possibility of her brother's death. Aveline hated what her brother did to her, but he couldn't help it, so she'd have to endure for him, so she wouldn't be alone. She was alone without him, always so alone. "Mom and Dad don't know, only me."

She bit her lip, hoping it would bleed. Maybe X was just cranky today because he didn't have any fresh meat. She was hesitant as to explain this to the doctor, but it was best for everybody. "He's going to try and kill somebody if he doesn't get his proper food. You help run this zoo. Please get him something to eat, please."

Room 5/Residential Hall
0805-0812

X listened to Sarah as she explained the experiments, fascinated. If he ever got out of here, perhaps he'd take a psychology course or two. “He is not going to give us one more bit of information outside of a private meeting.” She frowned a bit, then burst out laughing. "What gave you that idea?" he asked sarcastically, continuing to laugh. It was an entertaining thought, really, it was. He had a feeling he'd made a mistake in adding his two cents, but none of these people could do anything to him. He still had his spirit and mind, and whatever was left of his soul.

He wasn't hungry, but Dr. Rodcot led them out of the room back towards the main hall where the group of prisoners had first met, more or less. Now, a group of lonesome looking officials stood. “If you are not in the mood for breakfast, then one of these lovely people will show you to the bathrooms to get changed, and then to one of our recreation rooms.” Now was his chance! He quickly stepped towards the nearest nurse in the hall. "I'd love to change out of these clothes and go somewhere entertaining with few or no people. Think you can make that happen?" he asked her, eager to see what her response would be.

Infirmary
0857

Aveline frowned, refusing to believe that was even possible. Yes, she knew exorcists existed, but how would that help if all he knew was this thing being inside him? A part of him that gave him power, that made him stronger than he should be (and would gladly eat a person). Taking away the demon wouldn't help X, because he would cease to exist then, and she didn't want that.

"No! I want him to live!" she screamed as loud as she could, lunging at the doctor and trying to grab his throat. "Nooooo!"

Residential Hall/Corridor Bathroom
0813-822

Xavier's left eye twitched a bit as the nurse spoke to him. She was his new first on people to kill/drive insane list. Thank goodness he was a guy. He would probably explode if he had to undress under her supervision or be within ten feet of her. He left the others quietly, going to the bathroom at the end of the corridor they were in. He passed by his room and noted that he was likely the only one living in any of these four rooms. No roommates for the demon. Darn.

He looked around at the bland bathroom, wondering if it would be of any use to imprint a picture onto a wall, or the mirror. Speaking of mirrors, he hated those things. But today, having lacked much excitement or joy, he took a liking to it. He stuck his tongue out at it, examining it like a child would. He frowned then and leaned closer towards the mirror. X examined his eyes, which were beginning to turn red around the pupil. That's what he got for being near a mirror or trying to have fun, eh? Life sucked. "I hate you," he growled at the mirror, turning around and waiting for the male nurse to come in with his clothes.

When he finally did, X was half asleep. He felt drained for some reason- problem the mirror. It was said they were portals for ghosts. And since he was part demon, it didn't really make him feel comfortable to be near one. He liked to be in this world thank-you very much. He looked at the guy, hoping he wasn't as annoying as the female nurse.

Infirmary
0859

Aveline heard a few gagging noises coming from Dr. Bacon within seconds. Nevertheless, she continued to grip his throat as tightly as her small hands would allow. After about a minute or so she let go, trying to see if he really was dead. She was not capable of killing a human and she knew that. She examined his neck quickly, noting that there were a few indents from her fingernails. Opps. If anybody asked, it was Devan's fault, not hers.

Seeing as this was the perfect opportunity to take some lollipops, the small girl moved the 'dead' doctor away from his desk and started going through his drawers. She hardly noticed anything that wasn't a sugary treat on a stick. When she finally came to the lollipops, she gathered as many as she could into her arms. This would make a delightful treat considering she'd been busy throwing fits when she should be eating whatever disgusting morsels this place gave out.

Aveline looked at the doctor again, jabbing her finger into his Adam's apple a few times and shrugging. If the doctor was as sensitive as Devan, he would have changed into a zombie or a vampire and eaten her brains out by now. Satisfied that she had lollipops and ignoring the itching feeling of guilt and fear in the back of her chaotic mind, the innocent girl proceeded to the door and opened it. She was intent on leaving Dr. Bacon now, for one of those nurses to find. Yes, that would be good. She was never here as far as anybody was concerned.

Corridor Bathroom
0823-0826

Xavier smirked a bit. "Gee thanks, because I was just going to brush my finger nails. But since you'd like me to wash the rest of my body, I guess I must comply." He laughed bitterly and sniped the clothes from the nurse. Well, they didn't seem near as ugly as they grey prison clothes. At least they weren't bright yellow. Or white. White really didn't go well with his style. Or personality for that matter.

Ignoring the less irritating though equally annoying male nurse, X stepped towards the basin and let the clothes fall to the ground before removing his shirt. He looked in the mirror and frowned at his skinny body. It looked to him like he was getting back to the days where you could see his ribs. Had they been starving him while he was here? The black haired boy glared at his reflection. He watched with interest and a slight worry as the reflection grinned back at him. It appeared his demon self was saying hello from the confines of Hell.

Looking down at the sink before him, he picked up a hand towel and turned the hot water on. How he wished this would be over with already.

Main Hall
0900-904

With her new found freedom and plenty of lollipops, Aveline found herself dancing around the main hallway. It seemed like she was invisible, as she passed the nurses who were too busy to notice her. A few of the delicious candies started falling out of her arms, leaving a small trail. She sighed. She liked this. No questions, or explanations! Just candy and time and candy...

Aveline frowned then and sat down in a corner by the solitary confinement rooms. What was she supposed to do now? She wanted out. She wanted real freedom. She wanted wings like an angel, so she could fly around the world wherever she wanted and do whatever she wanted. Money, yes, money would be nice. It would be real freedom, real power. It was what she wanted. X would be far away, and so would the dead doctor and the asylum. Far, far, away. No more problems, no more dark realities, only happiness and candy.

She looked around at the nurses, going about their everyday business. How did they do that? Walking around so monotonously, likely doing the same things every day in an endless rut. It would drive her absolutely mad. Sighing, she tried to think of a song to sing, but found that she could not remember any.

Corridor Bathroom
0826-0841

Xavier continued about his business, though he was obviously less than thrilled that this guy was watching him. He continued to clean himself, finding that he felt a bit better now. He changed into the new, less annoying clothes and looked back in the mirror. He rubbed a towel against it to see his reflection now. Everything looked normal to him. He nodded to himself and then looked at the nurse, expecting him to handcuff him and leave him here to die. But something else happened- a knock. Then more.

He turned back and looked at the mirror. The knocking grew louder and quite annoying. The nurse didn't seem to even notice it, leaving X to stare at the mirror in confusion. He noted how furious the noise was becoming, as if somebody was determined to break the mirror and come find him. But why? And who was this person or thing? Was it simply himself?

X drummed softly on the mirror with his fingertips. How curious...

Main Hall
0904-907

"A, b, c, d, e, f..." Aveline stopped and shoved three lollipops in her mouth-without taking the wrappers off. "A-ah, b-eh, c-eh, d-ee, e." Satisfied despite the fact that her gag reflexes were kicking in, she continued her experimental alphabet. It was fun, out of the ordinary, new, unique. Her mother always told her to be herself and never be afraid of what people thought. She just didn't know that Aveline would actually go around bragging to classmates about her special meds and psychiatrist.

At first, she did not notice the peculiar sight right next to her. The door creaked open a bit, though there was no sound. The small girl paused, feeling a rush of cold air hit her. There was nothing keeping her from entering this place, whatever it was. Maybe it was a movie theater! She could go for some popcorn right now.

But first, she needed these darned lollipops out of her mouth. Quickly, she spit them out onto the ground in front of her. It was followed by a bit of puke, which she was tempted to play with. But they would probably yell at her for doing so. Aveline could feel goosebumps on her arms now as the temperature continued to drop and the silence gnawed at her. She let the pile of lollipops she'd stolen be and looked at the door, almost indistinguishable from the wall. She could see a bit of the room on the inside, though it was mostly dim. "Hello?" she whispered, then opened the door a bit farther.

She squeezed herself against the wall and then entered silently, peering around. What was this place? Did she die? Was this the Afterlife? More questions filled her mind as she slowly closed the door behind her.

Corridor Bathroom
0841-0845

Xavier froze as his fingers connected with the mirror, though it was more like they were fused together. The temperature of the normally cool, smooth glass turned hot in an instant. He flinched. This wasn't good. He watched as his 'reflection' grinned at him, causing him to become paler than usual. He didn't like where this was going.

He looked down to see the sink water started to turn bloody. It amused him actually. The scent filled the room all at once, the somewhat normal scene having transformed so quickly into that of a horror movie. He wondered why the nurse wasn't doing anything or running around in circles screaming at the sky. Maybe Av only did that... X frowned at himself as the words on the glass formed.

Eat. Your. Soul.

The room began to intensify, as the blood threatened to splash over the edge of the sink and onto Xavier's new clothes. The half-demon boy breathed in the sweet sense, which was quite pleasant to him as a human is attracted to a flower. But there was a problem- they must know about him. The nurse's lack of emotion or reaction led him to believe this. He'd have to deal with that later.

Looking down at the blood, he couldn't help but smile. It was beautiful! He lowered his left hand and dipped it into the red liquid, fearing that moving his right hand from the mirror may stop this lovely illusion. "I must say, you know how to treat a fellow right. Maybe I won't mind it here after all." He let the blood fall from his hands and back into the sink.

The words still appeared on the mirror, disturbing him. How could you eat your soul, especially when he likely hadn't one to begin with? He sighed and stepped away from the mirror, seeing what it would do next.

Hidden Room
0908

Aveline stood quietly, looking up at the ceiling. She liked the red lights. They were so pretty and simple. Light, dark, red, black. They made her sleepy. She blinked her eyes lazily, thinking about going to sleep in the room. But then she spotted something glinting in a dark corner. She frowned and knelt down, looking at it. What could it be? A coin? Her brain? Other canned organs?

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty. I want to play," she called softly as she crawled toward it. She kept her eye on it, sure that if she blinked it would disappear from sight and be nothing more than an illusion, similar to those that had plagued her childhood thanks to her twin.

Corridor Bathroom
0847

Xavier ignored the nurse, examining the dying blood on his hands. Oh, why couldn't he just have a little fun? Was that too much to ask? Apparently here it was, but that wasn't completely surprising to him. He glared at the nurse. "Maybe I'd like to stand around in here for awhile. Seems more pleasant than anywhere else here." He turned around and wiped the near non-existant watery liquid on his new clothes. "Happy? I'm clean," he growled at the male nurse.

It was then that someone or something else entered. He- it, yes Xavier knew it was an it. A creature of some sort, very demonic looking too. His red skin looked very rough to X. His eyes were highly amusing and his teeth extremely beautiful. Maybe there were sane people around here!

He frowned as the thing growled at him, a very demented and tortured sound. He felt like his ears were ringing. It was like nothing he'd heard before. "And you are?" he asked the newcomer.

Hidden Room
0909

Aveline pulled the contents out, sitting on the floor and tilting her head to the side with interest. The screaming she heard was nothing more than elevator music in the back of her mind. She was used to death. It was all too common with her brother around. She looked at the suit, which was very ominous and interesting. She liked the hat the most though.

"Mine.... Mine!" she declared to herself, snatching up the hat. She looked at the rest of the outfit and shrugged, shoving it back in the bag as best she could and setting it back in place. Satisfied, she stood up and placed the hat on her head. It was a bit big, but she loved it nonetheless. The teal haired girl starting twirling and laughing. This was fun! She liked fun.

Fun was water slides, friends, and fireworks. It would be nice to have fireworks here. She'd have to ask for some whenever she decided to leave here. "Darkness darkness, falling down, falling down, falling down. Darkness is falling down, my fair something. Light it up with fireworks, fireworks, fireworks. Light up the sky, make it pretty. Bye-bye darkness!" She continued turning in circles, closing her eyes and ignoring all the objects she was bumping into. Most of them felt like tables though. and nobody cared too much about tables right?

Corridor Bathroom
0850-0909

Xavier looked at the strange thing, watching quietly as he killed the nurse. He found his lips curling into a smile. Blood soon poured from the dead man's neck as the thing tore at it with perfect precision. He was impressed, but also intimidated. This thing could cause damage. Projecting images would do nothing to stop it from attacking and killing him or any of the others here.

“For you.” To this, the teenager gave a simple nod and smiled smugly. He knelt down and looked at the blood, dipping his fingers into it. He could make so many beautiful pictures on the dull bathroom walls, or maybe even his own room.

He sat for a few moments, thinking. Xavier decided to keep the man here until he was sure the nurses were gone. Then he would be free to drag the body back to his room and make a decoration or feast of it. He would like a fresh meal. Grinning again, he looked at the blood on his hands. He licked it, nodding in approval. He usually didn't eat humans- he didn't like to think of himself as a cannibal. But was it really cannibalism if he consumed a full human? Either way, he would look at this as a treat for now. He could regret later.

He continued eating the blood slowly, savoring the metallic taste. Is this what normal human blood tasted like? So delicious, yet so bitter? Xavier's own blood tasted more like a hot liquid mixed with many hot peppers. He liked this much better. He actually hated spicy foods.

Xavier looked up sharply as Keiko entered, staring at him. She released a blood curdling scream, causing him to jump up and rush over to her. He could see Jack and Sarah coming through the hall and he cursed. He shoved Keiko out of the doorway and back into the hall, then retreated into the small room with his only possession. Jack soon stumbled back at the sight, while Sarah went to help the troubled girl. He glared coldly at all of them, moving the nurse farther into the bathroom. "We're all mad here," he growled at them. X continued feasting on the dead nurse's blood. He didn't care what they thought of him at the moment.

Residential Bathroom
0915-0921

Xavier punched the mirror and smiled, then went about breaking everything he could in the small room in the next few minutes. He had long forgotten the body and blood and Keiko. He even forgot about the staff outside likely waiting to taser him and restrain him as they'd done to Devan. Though it seemed they hadn't done a very good job, considering that another set of staff members were running around trying to find him. If it was that easy, then he wouldn't mind being locked up.

“Xavier, I’d like to know what you’re doing in there, please,” a male voice called from the hallway. He sounded a lot calmer than Sarah, Jack, and Keiko had before they'd left. The teenager chuckled a bit.

"I'm just washing up is all! Don't mind me or that pool of blood at your feet! I assure you, it is only an illusion." X laughed again, knowing well enough that they wouldn't believe him. It was only a matter of time before they barged in and dragged him away. He paused, thinking of Devan. Maybe that crazy kid could be useful to him...

Hidden Room
0916

...You should tell everyone; explain to everyone that he was a mean doctor, a bad doctor, and that you did the right thing and killed him. You can tell them that I said it was okay, and if they don’t like that, then they’re mean too. Aveline smiled, thinking about parading up and down the halls bragging about how she killed Trephan. To a normal person, it was an irrational idea that would likely cause more harm than good. But of course, she thought it would be fun and if this man had told her she could, then what was there to worry about?

Do you like that hat, Aveline? She nodded quickly before the man's next words came. You can keep it, if you like. And the coat; there’s a coat in that bag too, if you want it. It’s very pretty, very shiny. Aveline continued dancing, trying to waltz without a partner or any lessons. Was it three steps? Or seven? Aveline preferred seven steps to the three. She also did like the hat, but the coat may cause some suspicion. It was too noticeable for her liking and thus, she would leave it in the bag. Perhaps another time she could come back and take it too.

...I can make anything you want happen; all you have to do is tell me what you want. "Anything? Can I get out of here then? Why am I here? Who are you? Can I have an unlimited amount of candy? And a pony?" Her mind was soon filled with all of the wonderful things she could be granted by this stranger. She was starting to like this place- she could kill people without charge if they threatened her and be granted endless wishes.

Residential Bathroom
0921

“I'd like you to come out and talk to us face to face, Xavier. We just want to have a chat with you, that's all, but it's not very easy to do that through a locked bathroom door. How about you come on out so we can do this properly?” Xavier snorted. He was quite enjoying this conversation through the locked door. IT was locked for a reason now, wasn't it? The dark haired teen looked at the mirror and gave a small salute to the words scrawled onto it. This was a fun place to be- the walls complimented him.

"I'll be out in a second," he mumbled, running his hands through his hair, leaving a small coat of blood on it. He figured he had another thirty seconds or so before the staff members barged in to sedate him. He sighed and sat on the floor in front of the door to wait for them.

Hidden Room-Residential Hall
0918-0932

"...This is my home at the moment; I am in complete control here, but outside is more difficult. I think you should stay... Those things are small, though. I know small things are nice, but there are big things I can give you too. I can do anything you like, help you do anything you like. Because I am The Instigator, and you're here to have fun, Aveline."

Aveline nodded and left the room with her new hat, not fully understanding just how much control the Instigator really had within the asylum. She looked out from under the brim of the dazzling, fantastic hat. There were still no signs of nurses. This was odd. "Hello?" she said softly, wondering if her new friend, her magical genie, would answer her again or not. Before she could even think to ask for her pony again, she heard Kieko's sobs as Sam's group headed towards the TV room. Alarmed, she pulled the hat down over her face and sat, hoping that they'd somehow miss her.

It must have worked, since the group passed by, likely too traumatized by whatever her twin had done. For once, she was thankful that she was used to the smell of blood, the scent of death. Aveline stood again and started walking down the hall, into the residential hall. She noted the staff surrounding a particular corridor and began to walk the other way. As she did, a girl rushed by her. Aveline glared at the girl, a small pout on her face. What right did this girl have to nearly run her over? It seemed to the crazy that paranoia had begun to take over.

Ignoring whatever commotion Xavier had cause, she set her mind to finding the boy she had attacked earlier. She reckoned he'd be fine for another round of fighting, and with her new friend she would most certainly win. The only problem would be finding him, as he hadn't been with Sam's group. For all she knew, he was still in solitary confinement or he could be wandering freely like she was.

She shrugged and walked back to the Main Hall as quickly as possible. She'd prefer not to be locked up again. But maybe the Instigator would let her kill another doctor! Oh, what fun that would be! Aveline smiled happily and skipped in circles for a few minutes, before her mind drifted back to the parade of Sam, Sarah, Kieko, a dog, and Jack. The girl who'd tried to kill her had also come this way. Oooh, maybe it's hide and seek! she thought to herself, commending the asylum for its wonderful ideas. Between candy, games, and sparkling top hats, she was highly satisfied.

Aveline opened the door to the TV room. She found her attacker a screaming, crying mess on the floor and laughed, pointing at the girl like they were on the playground and she had just fallen from the swing. "That's what you get! That's what you get! That's what you get!" she screamed at her, enjoying the girl's torture as she did not know the girl had only just woken up. She stuck her tongue out at Elise before looking at the others and waving happily, oblivious to their side conversation.

Residential Bathroom
0925

Oh how he wished he had a cigarette. The small stick hanging out of his mouth would just complete the scene perfectly in his mind. the clam before the storm if you will. Xavier grinned up at the guards as they lifted him off the ground in a rough, rude manner. He was a half demon, half human freak- not their dog's chew toy. "Hey! I have limbs just like you fellows," he said in a jesting tone. "Unless you're God knows what and you feel no pain and are made of very firm gelatin. In which case, I might find it hard to resist eating you as well."

He knew that his words were more optimistic than usual, likely a result of the blood. Food did make him crazy sometimes. Or maybe it was only rational to act irrationally in a situation where you are being manhandled in an asylum. Xavier considered acting crazy like his twin. Maybe spasmodic emotions and actions were the way to stay sane here. Or to leave.

Television Room
0933-0939

Aveline ignored Sam's words, sticking her tongue out one last time at Elise to prove her point. She glared at same, crossing her arms over chest and daring him to say anything else to her. A few moments passed, with nothing interesting happening. She was determined to stare down this staff member. She would gladly kill him as well. It was something to do to people who got in her way, unlike the senseless murders Xavier committed.

Before she knew it, somebody was yelling at her. Aveline whirled around to face her challenger, just in time to see Jack coming at her. Her mouth fell open a bit as she backed up slowly. "My hat. This is my hat. I found it. Mr. Incinerator said I could have it!" She clutched the hat on top of her head with a fierce passion, ready to die for it. It had sparkles on it after all.

She growled at him. Common sense told her that she wouldn't be able to attack him so easily. Standing her ground was the best she could do. Aveline wasn't the kind to run away unless absolutely necessary.

She looked to Sarah, who was trying to calm him down. "My hat!" she yelled, as if it would solve their problems. Screaming to deaf people was always the way to get things done, wasn't it? Aveline kept one eye on Jack and one on Sam. She was trusting Sarah to keep everything under control, seeing as nobody gave a flying wing nut what Sam said.

Residential Bathroom to Intensive Treatment
0925-0945

X let himself be dragged along, scoffing at the nurses' words. "If it's unacceptable then how is it that you've let it happen?" He didn't expect an answer, and guessed that he was right. He sighed heavily as he was strapped into place on his wheel chair. As long as he didn't have to stay here for more than five hours, losing his mind was far away.

"Have fun cleaning up," he said to nobody in particular, his voice light and joyful. The small group headed off. Xavier struggled against his restraints, but to no avail. He wondered if shifting his weight enough would cause him to tip over. It seemed like a good idea until he realized that his feet were cuffed to the chair as well.

He let out a loud 'hmmph!' "I suppose you need to check me for any blood diseases now, correct? Or are you just going to clean me up yourselves seeing as I cannot wash my own face without consuming one of your coworkers."

Television Room
0945-0952

Aveline eyed Jack wearily, glad that he was retreating. She was actually scared of him, though she wanted not to show it. "Good boy. Sit," she said quietly as Sarah set him and herself back down on the couch. The small girl hardly even realized Matt's presence. The black dog growling at her was somehow not as dangerous to her as the tall boy.

The unstable girl sat down herself, taking Elise's place against the wall. She kept her gaze on Jack, his eyes shut so tight she was sure they'd never open again. Why did he hurt so badly? A simple sight and suddenly the world was turned upside down for him. She smiled a bit, thinking about what he'd said of his brother and himself before coming here. "Like a circus? Were you in a circus Jack?" Aveline asked sincerely. She kept her voice as level as possible. Nobody seemed to appreciate her screaming.

"I went to a circus once. Xavier bit the ring master." She chuckled and hugged her knees to her chest. "So Mom and Dad said we had to go, but I wanted to stay very badly. Very badly. We were stopped by a fortune teller on the way out. She said something about not being a knave. Or it might of been a knife. Kn-ivvve? I don't know, but she turned right back around once she saw Xavier. She said something in a foreign language like, waa eh la gehtssshina wah hoy! Then she ran away very fast screaming in foreign! I don't think she was ok in the cap if you catch my breeze, ya'll. Then we left and we found a contortionist in our car so Xavier put her in with the engine and I think she learned her lesson." Aveline finished her questionable story and nodded, satisfied for the time being.

Television Room
0955-1000

Naturally, Aveline ignored Sam. She wasn't in the mood to be told what to do- unless she got something spectacular like this shiny hat. She kept a small pout on her face as Jack spoke. She noted his shaky voice, making her feel warm inside. Once he was done, Sam managed to add in a few more words of utterly useless advice. “That’s right; see, you all have some things in common.” She laughed a bit. The thought amused her.

"I'm completely insane, thank you very much." She pointed a pale finger at Jack. "He's bipolar or something. He's scared of a tiny little girl who he could crush in seconds. There is a dog in here and he is talking to it. That makes no sense. And Sarah seems to normal to actually be normal, thus she is not. So it is completely irrational that you even suggest such a thing as relating to one another when we are sitting in a questionable room in a strange asylum. If any of us is like another it's only that we are here." She glared at Sam, proud of herself for sounding lucid at the craziest of times.

Aveline hardly caught what Sarah had been babbling about as she spoke, though she did hear the last sentence, addressed to Sam. “Hey Sam. How did you draw the short straw and get to deal with all of us all on your lonesome?” "Third!" she cried, her hand shooting into the air. This poor, poor man, dealing with a bipolar giant, a dog, and... Sarah. Kieko had slipped her mind again.

"Do we get special pills here? Like the colorful ones I usually take? Oooh, and if we get sick do we get good tasting medicine or the crappy type?" It seemed like the perfect time to find out more about the medical care they would receive.

Aveline stared at Sam, her left eye twitching slightly. "… Sam?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she turned toward the direction of the voice. There were only four people in here- her, Sam, Kieko, and Jack. "Put your hands where I can see them... punk!" Her voice was high and squeaky, obviously falsetto. Index finger pointed toward Matt, she giggled. She had no idea that Matt and the dog who'd just disappeared were the same being. In fact, she hardly had any idea who Matt was at all. To her, he was an intruder to their peaceful discussion of morbid matters.

Intensive Treatment
0948

Xavier sighed and let himself be wheeled into Intensive Treatment. It was moments like these when he wished he'd had a more useful ability such as telekinesis or pyrokinesis. Though if that were to happen, Aveline would either be dead or extremely scarred. Like she isn't already because you're a selfish idiot. He looked up just as he was pushed up to the door.

“Doctor Solaris Dae, Mr. Mason; it’s a pleasure. I would offer to shake your hand, but given that you’re a little tied up right now, I hardly think it would be appropriate.”

"When did I die and how did I get here instead of Hell?" the teen mumbled to himself, eyes glued to Dr. Solaris. Solaris? It was a unique name, much unlike his own. He could see how she'd gotten her name. With such a bright, bold personality, a drop dead gorgeous body and face, and blonde hair, it was hard not to think of the shining sun.

Oh, the sun. How he missed that hideous ball of light in the sky.

The nurse promptly left, which was fine by both the doctor and Xavier. “Oh my. Do you know, Mr. Mason, I think some of the staff here might be just a tad unwilling to linger in my presence. No need to worry though- me and you, we’re going to be ever such good friends.”

"You don't seem like much of a foe to me- rather innocent actually. Is that why you're here?" Xavier gave a small smile.

Television Room
1015-1023

Aveline lowered her hands and stayed where she was at, letting the others do the talking for the poor, naked Matt. She still had not connected the dog's disappearance with his reappearance. The pieces just weren't falling into place for her. She let out a small sigh and watched the events unfold within the little room.

It amused her that Matt was in something like a dress. Meanwhile, Jack was shirtless. To a normal girl, this would be extremely funny and appealing. But to her, it was nothing. Her face fell into a frown, her arms crossed over her chest. "I don't like you at all," Aveline grumbled, not really directing her statement to Jack, but instead to the whole room. "I'm gonna go talk to the médico about my prescriptiono's." She turned and opened the door.

Intensive Treatment
0957

“How about you tell me why you think you’ve been sent to see me, hm?”

Xavier shrugged nonchalantly, wondering if he'd ever be able to get out of this wheelchair. "I ate one of your coworkers- is there any rule against that?" He smiled a bit and clenched his fists. "Will you let me out of this stupid thing?" He struggled against the restraints holding him down, though it obviously wasn't much help. He looked back to the beautiful Dr. Solaris and waited for an answer.

Television Room
1026-1033

Aveline frowned as Sam spoke. She couldn't leave? Why not? Were her feet glued to the floor? She lifted her right foot slowly, just in case. Happy to see that it wasn't, she glared at Sam. "I don't want to drink tea like a hatter. I want to leave. Doors lead out or in. Or both. Unless you get locked out or its an elevator... I got locked out of an elevator once because it broke. So it led to nowhere. But isn't nowhere somewhere? So if some place is nowhere and nothing is something, then why do we call it that?" Completely distracted from her previous impulse to bolt from the room, she sat down on the couch and pondered life's bigger questions.

Nowhere, somewhere... Is there a difference? Did I eat breakfast today? No, I don't think I did. Maybe somebody has food? But if food can kill us, why do we eat it? Should I not eat food? But then I'll die. And dying is bad... And I wouldn't fancy being eaten by my own brother. That would hurt. Wait, which of us is older? I don't remember. Her brow furrowed as she thought, struggling to stay on topic or remember anything other than the past few seconds.

"I'm afraid both Keiko and I need something new to wear." Sarah's voice broke Aveline out of her thoughts. Aveline looked down at herself and noticed that she wasn't exactly in the most fashionable clothing either.

"May I have more appealing clothes as well, darling Doctor Sam?" she asked in her best British accent. Aveline had always wanted to go to England, but like many things in life, Xavier prevented her from ever doing so. "While we're at it, shall we prepare for tea at high noon? It seems to me that I have not eaten anything since my arrival and I do firmly plan to digest at least a morsel before my departure." She looked around at the others, her mouth falling to a slight frown and eyes dangerously serious.

But after a few moments, she smiled and started laughing. Maybe her and Jack could be in a show together! She already had the hat, and he the talent. It would be splendid, if only he didn't dislike her so much.

Intensive Treatment
1000

Xavier found his lips lifting involuntarily into a smile as the doctor lowered herself to his current height. Her eyes were an interesting silvery color. It was nice to see another face with unusual or unnatural irises. His smile only widened as she spoke to him. He hardly noticed her lack of emotion. "Tragic. Isn't that the word people use to describe the end scene of Romeo and Juliet? It's ironic as well."

He remained quiet as she continued speaking. He nodded in return to her comment. An interesting and complex person, hm? Were there no mirrors around here other than the one which was smeared in blood in the bathroom?

The doctor's laugh caught him off guard, making him eye her wearily. His suspicions were only increased (if only by a bit) when she began to remove her uniform. “I wonder though, what you desire; what makes you curious.” Her voice was like a siren's- alluring and magical, drawing him in with every syllable. Xavier saw the potential danger in it, but ignored it.

"You make me curious," he replied in an innocent tone. "This place as well, but mainly you."

Television Room
1035-1040

Aveline looked at the new staff member with a certain distaste. She liked Sam a lot better suddenly. But at least they had real clothing. As soon as Sarah had found what she wanted, Aveline moved in before Kieko could. She tossed what she liked into a pile to her right and what she disliked into a pile on the left. After creating the two piles, she moved over to the 'I like this' pile. It consisted of two t-shirts, a skirt, shorts, and a pair of jeans that looked about her size. No shoes or socks though. How unkind!

Not caring about anybody else's opinion, she changed into the jeans and a baggy, black t-shirt. The teal haired girl placed the sparkling top hat delicately back on her head. Satisfied and unconcerned about the privacy of the other girls, Aveline walked to the door and threw it open. "Thank you Sam," she said as innocently as possible, before slamming the door shut behind her and looking at the two boys.

"Why are you here?" she asked them, unaware of Devan's nearby presence. "I'm here because I take too many meds for it to be healthy. Not drugs though, I have to take them so I don't go crazy. Me being crazy? That would be horrible!" She began laughing, fully unaware of how much her behaviour unnerved the others.

Intensive Treatment.
1013

Xavier looked over the doctor's beautiful body. It was truly flawless, putting all the airbrushed models to shame in a single glimpse. It was inhuman, but desire and the already overwhelming sense of fantasy hid that from his mind. As she spoke, he clung to every word like a lost puppy, begging for more just to hear her voice. The sound was addictive, more so than human flesh and blood was to him. The attraction he felt towards the doctor was stronger than he realized.

Everything she spoke of, humanity in its pitiful state, enticed him. He'd subconsciously realized these things before, acknowledged them at night while he stared at the ceiling. But only now did he truly see these things, processing them through his mind when he wasn't thinking of Solaris's body. It never occurred to him that the fiction she spoke of was possibly happening right now within the asylum.

Before he knew what was happening, Xavier found himself being touched gently on the side of the face. He involuntarily flinched. He swore he would never get used to others touching him. "No, you’re quite different, aren’t you, Mr Mason? You are a man that embraces his desires beyond the reaches of societal propriety and constraint; a man who sees himself as free, I don’t doubt, but I wonder… do you truly understand.”

Xavier paused for a moment. Yes, I understand perfectly the horrors of this world. Like being trapped in this room for instance, he thought quickly. "‘O happy dagger... This is thy sheath.’” "There rust, and let me die," he finished for her. The death scene was his favourite, who couldn't love it? The tragedy within the unfortunate romance, the irony of the untimely deaths and cowardly priest. It was a recipe for disaster, written by Shakespeare or not Shakespeare, depending on what you believed; how much you doubt old information for the new.

"'Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet. Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks," he spoke softly, not knowing how else to respond. The moment was beautiful, like a delicate rose blooming. He was alone with a woman who truly understood him and furthermore, she was God's perfection.

Outside Leisure Room 2
1050-1055

Aveline laughed as Sam replied. "I never said they helped now, did I? I just know that they will force feed me if I don't. And that isn't fun, having food shoved down your throat. You can't breath and you feel like your eyes will bulge out..." she trailed off and looked at Sam. He probably had no idea what she was talking about. Surely he'd never had to take pills.

She closed her eyes, thinking about the world would be like if it were in black and white. Did life used to be black and white? In all those old movies it was. When she opened her eyes, somebody was standing before her. And it was not Sam.

She jumped back in alarm. Though Matt wasn't a very tall boy, he was still a male. He gave her an awkward wave. She tilted her head to the side and gave him her best smile. Did he want to play Alice in Wonderland? She loved to play that with Xavier. She got to be the cat and the queen and yell obscenities at rocks. It was her favourite thing to play as a kid, other than everything else of course. She liked being the one that could disappear, off the charts from the evil queen, her second character. Grinning was also incredibly easy and did not get you grounded for three weeks.

"I know you really like that hat.... My friend Jack would really like to try wearing it for a little bit... I would kiss you, if you wanted. I promise I don't have cooties… or any other contagious diseases." The words came slowly to the girl. She looked up at him with big eyes, looking almost sad. He was trying to bargain with her for this hat? For Jack? She knew they thought she was weird, but dumb too? It was an insult!

Aveline shook her head, though it was still tilted to the side. The hat fell off onto the floor. Before he could get it, she dove and clutched it to her chest. "Jack just wants the hat back because he thinks it's his. But it's mine!" she yelled like a defensive six year old. "I would never kiss a disgusting, slime oozing, hideous slug like you," she growled at him, scrambling back up and placing her hat on her head. She wasn't sure if she meant what she said, but she knew that words could be wound worse than a physical injury, because crushing the ego crushed the spirit.

Her eyes searched his, waiting for a response.

Intensive Treatment
1016

Xavier watched in simple minded amazement as the butterfly spread its wings, still wet from the chrysalis. The delicate tree was beautiful, sparkling. But as the jar was placed over it, to keep the mystical butterfly in, X blinked for what felt like the first time in the last ten minutes. Time felt like it had paused, but at the same time it wasn't. It seemed to be whirling around him in a hypnotic way, waiting for his reply to start spinning for the rest of the world again.

"I see a fantasy within a fantasy, but both of which are one reality," he replied, gazing at the tree before looking beyond it at the doctor. He began to wonder if that was what the asylum was. Somewhere in reality, but at the same time a dream. Did that mean that Dr. Solaris was a dream? A mere figment of imagination to take him out of this disastrous place, make up for the loss of sane and beautiful people?

"Is that what you want me to see? or have I missed something?" Xavier asked, feeling like a student. What she was trying to teach him though, he hadn't the slightest idea.

Television Room.
1100

Sarah shrugged and sat the movie back down on the shelf.
"Wouldn't be very fair to the guys to start something without getting their opinion, would it? I mean, what if they want to watch something else?" She started out the door, looking both ways before figuring out where the others had gone. There were raised voices, so she followed them down in time to hear Jack yelling at Aveline. She didn't hear it all, just enough to catch that Jack's brother was dead and Avaline was being what looked to be her normal bitchy self. Sarah tamped down the urge to slap the little idiot, it wouldn't do anybody any good for things to get violent. For one thing, Jack was about half again as big as her. She shook her head as she glanced between the two of them from the door, feeling just the tiniest bit of ironic amusement.
"Listen, Av. Bit of a tip for pissing people off. You need to pick on somebody a bit closer to your own size."

She looked over at the guys and bit her lip. Jack looked to be right on the edge and Matt was standing near him as if the two of them were guarding each other. With a tiny crooked smile, she held out one hand to the both of them; ignoring Aveline for the moment.
"Come on guys. Let's go hang somewhere together and just breathe ok? We're all going through hell and we need a moment to get things together, right?" She finally spared a glance for the other girl. "And if you could manage to not infuriate everyone in your immediate vicinity, that would be really cool."