"She hungered for light and hated it."

[Basil Benson]

Basil sighed. " I wish I was capable of being as optimistic as you always are."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"It comes with practice and stubbornness." Colette continued to gently stroke Basil's head. "If I did not push myself to find ze good in zings, I would be a puddle of sadness all day. Literally."

[Basil Benson]

"I'd wallow in your sadness puddle." Basil said, then after a moment commented. "Wait that's not consoling is it..."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"No, but it is unintentionally sexual." Colette giggled softly.

[Basil Benson]

"Mmm yes. Unintentional." Basil stated, suggesting maybe it wasn't. There was another long pause, and then.

"I'm sorry. About her. I guess at least now you know a little of my nonsense now, easier to make proper judgment calls later."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Do not worry Basil. As sad as it may sound, I have some understanding of how she must feel. At least, in part. And you as well."

[Basil Benson]

"How do you mean?" Basil asked, sounding completely confused.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette was more comfortable talking about the things she liked than about herself, but she gave it her best shot.

"Well, like yourself, it is apparent at first glance zat I carry ze X-gene. Zere is no means for me to hide zis, and it is a fact about myself zat I have come to accept. But zat does not mean zat I enjoy it. Have you never wondered why I put so much zought into my clozing? Were I like zem -" she pointed to some of the other people on campus, those without quite so obvious physical signs of their mutations. "- I would probably wear seldom ozer zan a t-shirt and some jeans. But because I look different, I have to do my best to counteract zat negative first impression zat people have when zey first see me. My own roommate asked me if I were a slug. So you have my sympazies and understanding when you say zat even here ze people misjudge you based on your appearance and what you can do, razer zan your character."

Colette's voice was quiet; the girl swallowing before she continued, despite not needing to physically. "Your mozer may have her own motives, selfish ones even, but she also wants to keep you safe. My mozer tried to do ze same for me. She had no reason to protect her reputation, hers was tainted once she married a mutant. But even before I was born zey knew I would be different, zat it would be dangerous and hurtful for me to be placed wiz other children. So until zis autumn, I have spent most of my life in our flat. I was home schooled, and was not allowed to even walk ze streets for fear of my own safety. I was not a prisoner zough, my mozer would work nights so zat she could be home to keep me company during ze day while my fazer was at work. Togezer zey would save zeir money to get me ze zings I needed to be happy, such as my tablet so zat I could talk to ozers my own age. Every spring we would depart on a trip to ze countryside, where I could run around in a big flowery field and enjoy ze sunshine. My poor mozer, she always looked so heartbroken when ze time came to tell me we had to return home; my fazer couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Imagine, Basil. Growing up in France and never having been able to once eat inside of a restaurant, or ride ones bicycle down a winding dirt lane. I had never even seen Paris until undertaking ze ride to ze airport. Do not let yourself be held back by silly rules and selfish vanity for reputation and public image, ze way I was out of necessity."

[Basil Benson]

Basil let Colette finish her story all and all being a good listener, especially when stories were involved. He could argue with her of course, but at the moment he was now more concerned about her than his stupid situation with his mother.

So instead of arguing, he put his arms around her.

"You don't have to worry about what other people think of you. If someone has a go at you, I'll convince them I am coming to gut them like a haddock while they sleep."

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette gave a little snort of a giggle, as though Basil had something very foolish.

"Zat is very kind of you Basil, but I much prefer you as a gentleman zan as a ruffian."

[Basil Benson]

"There is a middle ground you know, the gentleman thief?

Arsene Lupin may have been above killing, but not trickery."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Ah, so you do appreciate ze classics." Colette thought about that for a moment. "Well, zere is a zird job you would be excellent at."

[Basil Benson]

"I don't need to steal things, not even in the Robin Hood sense. I have plenty, and no one I'm aware of is being oppressed through taxation and dickery." Basil finally let go of Colette.

"I should probably pick up my belongings now. I'm still rather attached to them I suppose."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Yes, you must learn to play more nicely wiz your toys."

[Basil Benson]

"Or what?" He asked.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Or you will break zem all, and zen you will no longer have anyzing to play wiz."

[Basil Benson]

"I suppose you're right." Basil replied, a bit disappointed in her response. He got up and collected his things.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Here Basil, allow me to help you." Colette offered as she got to her feet.

[Basil Benson]

"Oh that's alright. I made the mess, I should pick it up."