Techno-Girl Visits Science-Bros

[Natalie Denisov]

Natalie knocks on Tosh and Cam's door, "Hey, Tosh. You in?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Yeah, just a sec!" Tosh responded from inside.

After a moment, he opened the door sporting a colorful surf shop t-shirt with... wait, was that Bruce on it? "What's up?"

[Natalie Denisov]

The shirt gives Natalie some pause, getting a puzzled look from her before she shakes her head, "You busy? I need to talk to you about something."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Not at all. Come on in," he said, stepping aside.

[Natalie Denisov]

She steps in, deciding to get right to the point as soon as the door's closed. "I'm going to tell you something and you're going to have to trust me, okay?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"O...kay. That's fair. I do owe you," he answered, slightly puzzled, "Wait. You're not going to ask me to rob a bank, are you?"

[Natalie Denisov]

"God no. I've had enough of that for now. You know the new girl? Shari?" She pauses for a moment and then just decides to rip the bandage right off. "It turns out she's one of those shapeshifter aliens." Then she adds very quickly, "But she's a good one."

[Toshiro Narumi]

Once upon a time, that would have freaked Tosh right out. Instead, he only somewhat nervously said, "Seriously? She just... turned herself in? Not as a trick? I've only met the one but she was tricky."

[Natalie Denisov]

"I trust her and, for now, the Headmistress does to. I know you and Haley are leading the search for these things, but treat her like a helpful resource, not the enemy." Then some fire enters Natalie's eyes and that bit of backbone that Tosh may remember from the Institute crops up, "Cause I swear if you upset her and I lose a friend, I will haunt your computer."

[Toshiro Narumi]

He actually looked a little hurt. "Did you really think I wouldn't take your word for it? If you trust her then I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. And since when do I assume the worst about people?"

[Natalie Denisov]

Natalie cools off a little, "Sorry. Just a little on edge. It's been... kind of stressful lately."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"You're telling me that?" he chuckled, "I'm a trip to another planet away from the sci-fi castaway trifecta."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Well, she's stressed even more so. She's scared to death of the others and I had to talk her out of running, so no matter how serious this shite is for us, it's more so for her for some reason."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Well... being caught between us and them can't be easy. Especially considering how we usually depict aliens. Our culture is pretty primed to demonize her."

[Natalie Denisov]

"She seems like a good person though and she's done quite a bit for me. You know how hard it was for me to make friends at the Institute."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"And you know how terrified I was before my big friendly monster built me up from the inside. Trust me, I know what it's like to be afraid of being someone's punching bag and I have no desire to hurt her."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Glad we're on the same page then. With everything going around, I'm not sure how people are going to react."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Giving people a shot is the Xavier's way, right? Between the ex-terrorist and the, like, two ex-assassins on campus, she'll fit in just fine."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Never underestimate people's capacity to panic."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"No one here's going to form a lynch mob, Nat," he assured her.

[Natalie Denisov]

"I hope you're right."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"If they do, they'll have a shark problem on their hands," he said with a soft smirk.