xp_logs | Sarah sees Leech again for the first time since the massacre.

"Miles think Lorna will be fine," came the hushed whisper from down the hallway. Alison smile, looking down at the intent little face raised up at her, etched with concern as Miles clung to her hand, trotting beside her as they went down for the (not quite hourly) visit to see Lorna.

"I think so too, sweetie," she murmured back, smiling at him softly and earning herself a brilliant smile in return. As they turned the corner, Miles let himself lean out to the side, his free arm swinging out as any child's would, trusting her to hold on to him as he went off balance.

Having heard a familiar little voice in the hall, Sarah watches them leave from her doorframe. "Be careful she doesn't drop you Leech, these floors aren't the softest in the house." She talks to him like one would talk to a younger sibling, and even the use of the name 'Leech' sounds more friendly than cruel.

The unusual softness to her voice doesn't go unnoticed, though Alison does frown at the use of that name. Miles stops dead in his tracks, eye widening in near fear for a heartbeat - fear that has nothing to do with the voice, and everything to do with that name bringing far too close memories back. Before he can react any more however, Alison reaches down, turning his cheek gently so he looks at her. "This is Sarah. She knew you before," she says gently, sliding a look at Sarah, which is followed by a pair of completely blue eyes. Taking a few hesitant steps towards the older Morlock, Miles looks up at her searchingly, trying to remember her.

Sarah kneels where she is, sitting on her heels and bringing herself to eye level with him, in an effort to seem a little less imposing. "It's okay if you don't remember," she says slowly, "you were very little the last time I saw you." She rests bone-covered hands on the tops of her legs, and watches him thinking. "I'm Marrow."

Another hesitant look is turned towards Alison, who nods at him quietly. That's all Miles needs apparently, and he turns towards Sarah, staring at her intently as he walks closer slowly - and then stops, just a bit more than five feet away from her. "Can Miles come closer, Marrow?" he asks solemnly - finally having a choice as to whether he affects people or not with his own power, and exercising it every chance he gets now. Still wanting to remember, even though something deep inside of him cries in sadness at the thought.

Without hesitation, Sarah nods. "You're not going to hurt me." She flexes her fingers gently, remembering the initial shock of coming into contact with his powers. Her hands would bleed, but it was well-worth it, just this once.

Eyes fixed on hers, Miles closes the distance, small green hands reaching out slowly to rest on her cheeks lightly - a habit he's picked up with Alison without realizing it much. After a long moment of staring at her face, small hands patting her cheeks now and then, he sighs, shoulders slumping as he looks down. "Miles not remember," is the soft whisper.

Sarah's eyes dart, like she isn't sure what to do next. She sighs finally, keeping her bleeding hands at her sides, and hopefully, out of sight. "That's okay Leech, you don't have to. Just know that I'm your friend."

Taking a deep breath, Miles holds it as he nods at her - debating whether to argue about the name she's using for him, or that it makes him twitch each time from the memories of the other names the people who called him that used too. And decides to ask Alison later, instead, not sure about the rules here just yet. "Ok," he says solemnly - before offering Sarah a shy smile, not quite certain enough about this new environment to risk hugging her just yet.

Sarah's eyes never leave his, and she just sits there, something inside of her hoping that if she stays there long enough, he would remember. She finally speaks again, "Have you seen Artie yet?"

Miles' expression brightens slightly at this, and he nods. "Artie is Miles' roomie!" he grins proudly, shifting weight from foot to foot, as though his small body is unable to contain his cheerfulness at the situation. From the way he says this, it's not hard for Sarah to guess that Miles doesn't remember Artie from before, simply thinking him another of the children in the school. Having backed away a bit to give them some privacy, while still making sure to stay in Miles' sight should he turn around, Alison leans on the wall, looking down and remaining quiet.

Sarah smiles sadly and wonders if Artie remembers Leech at all. "I'm Artie's friend too." She bites her lower lip, like she wants to say more, but can't.

Miles tilts his head to the side, sobering up as he catches on to the undertones of her smile. Reserve vanishing, he gives in and impulsively throws his arms around her neck for a brief, but fierce hug. "Good. Miles thinks friends are good," he says this with all the fervor of someone whose entire life has been changed for the better by his friends, not so long ago. "Miles will be your friend too."

Sarah's eyes widen as he launches himself at her, and it nearly knocks her off balance. She speaks softly to him in his ear. "Good. I've missed you. And Artie too."

He grins at her as he pulls back, shyness once more reasserting itself as he locks his hands behind his beck and shifts from foot to foot. "Miles thinks Sarah is very pretty," he finally blurts out, before eeping to himself and turning to peel off at a dead run towards Alison, flinging his arms around her legs and hiding his face against her with a squeak of little boy embarrassment.

Sarah stares at him, her mutation coming back full force keeping her from really realizing what he's just said. Choking back her reaction, she manages to smile at him. "Come back and visit me again soon, okay?" There's the slightest hint of pain in her voice, but she hopes he doesn't notice... she doesn't want to scare him off. "And if anybody's mean to you, tell them that Sarah doesn't like people being mean to her friends."

Face still buried against Alison, Miles turns slightly, the corner of a still very shy smile peeking through, and nods, before hiding again with a giggle. Wordlessly, Alison picks him up, maneuvering him so that he can't quite see Sarah fully until she's had time to regain control of her expression properly. "Miles will come visit often," the corners of his eyes wrinkle as he peeks over Alison's shoulder, "see you soon, Sarah Marrow!" He uses both names practically, since she has as well and he's not sure which one is the Important one yet.

After a couple deep breaths, Sarah doesn't quite feel like she's dying anymore. She keeps her spot on the floor and looks up at him. "Good. See you soon Leech. I'm glad you're here."

A small green hand waves at her before resuming clinging to Alison's blouse, and a soft giggle echoes down the hallway as she turns the corner, heading for the medlab to see Lorna.

"Miles is glad is here too."