Warren and Laurie -- Backdated to July 4th

[xp-angel.livejournal.com]

Although Warren had more money than King Midas, there was one chore he lloved to do himself -- his car. Everything about it,he loved. Detailing,washing, waxing....he may not have a clue about how it ran, but
damn if he didn't appreciate a sparkling car.

He was pleasantly pleased at the supplies at the Mansion so taking advantage of a nice day, he parked his Jaguar and started cleaning
away. By the time he was starting on the outside, it was only natural that he take his shirt off. Wings casually tucked down, Warren soaped up a sponge and started to get to work.

"I never would have guessed that you were someone who would wash his own car," Laurie remarked, taking the time to admire Warren's physique.

She might have her hands full with her current partners but that didn't mean she couldn't admire a good looking man, especially one who happened to sport white wings with what could only be said to be an 'impressive'
wingspan. She wondered briefly if he'd let her do some measurements, or possibly examine them. They had to have some sort of blood supply, and she wondered if his heart would have the requisite enlargement that would be
needed for the increased flow. What she wouldn't give to get the man into a full body MRI, but ethics precluded experimenting on her fellow mansionites. Professor Xavier had been quite firm as to what the limits of curiosity were, and how close a line it was to 'infringement of privacy and bodily autonomy'.

Frankly, she hadn't needed the lecture - she had enough of that through medical school, but she supposed he'd felt a refresher was in order given her history of intellectualism.

Warren grinned widely, as he caught Laurie checking him out. He had vaguely seen the blonde around, but had had no involvement or interaction with her before. He was happy that their first time involved him being topless.

Truly, this was almost second base.

"If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing it yourself," he said, lightly polishing the side mirror. "Plus, an activity that requires me to take my shirt off and get wet? Sign me up." With a wink, he added, "And I'm Warren, by the way. Please, continue ogling me. It validates my presence."

"You have an adequate physique for a person who must use a great deal of energy getting off the ground," Laurie replied, her voice gentle in its musing tone as she gestured at his chest. "I would imagine you would need extra musculature for your wings to work, perhaps hollow bones? Either way, it's a nice car, I can see why you would want to spend time with her. Has Wade commented on her yet?"

Hollow bones? Extra muscles? Warren canted his head in a slight confusion, choosing to answer her last comment first. "Wade doesn't speak to me," he said, leaning on his car. "I make him uncomfortable, but to be honest, I don't blame him. I am an amazing specimen of a man." Taking a few moments before continuing, he let out a breath. "And what do you mean hollow bones? My bones feel like bones. I don't know if I understand exactly what you're saying. All I know is I have wings....I suppose it would make sense that I have more to go with it, but since I've never fully explored my mutation..." Warren trailed off.


"You should speak to him, he likes cars," Laurie replied, reaching down to pull a water logged feather from the ground. She held it out to Warren. "I suppose the bones would depend. There's only a few creatures that fly, and they all have different physiology that allows it. You don't seem to be carrying any visible mutations beyond the wings however."

Curiouser and curiouser. The woman now had his full attention.

"These words you are saying....if someone was interested in discovering the truth behind them, how would one go about it? I, of course, ask not for myself, but for a friend."‎

"Well, you'd need to ask one of the doctor's," Laurie replied with a shrug. "I don't have a license to practice and while I would find it fascinating there are rules to any sort of examination of a sentient being."

Warren rolled his shoulders casually. "What are ethics, other than an imposition? ‎ Besides," he grinned, "I'm not so eager to take my shirt off around the doctors.". Especially considering Jean still wasn't talking to
him, and he hadn't really had much to do with Cecilia since their one night out. "Come," he prodded, "you seem an inquisitive type. You can't tell me that this is an opportunity you want to pass up."


It was true, the idea of investigating someone's mutation beyond her own was more then tempting. But informed consent was needed in such things and she wasn't entirely sure Warren understood that.

"It's true that I would like to fully investigate your mutation but as a student, I'm simply not allowed. I'm sorry but my profession means more to me then soothing my curiosity ever will."

It was almost physically painful to say no, like a wound but she smiled at him even so. "Perhaps in a year or so, when I'm actually qualified we can revisit this conversation."

Warren simply smiled in response. "As long as you know that I'm a very willing subject. ‎Anytime you want to play doctor, I'm happy to acquiesce.". He reached for his jar of wax and dabbed a rag in it.

"Seriously though, is a workup something that's expected once you manifest? I honestly wouldn't have even thought about my body's physiology although what you're saying makes sense. And if all mutations are
different," he continued, starting to polish the hood of his car, "how can a baseline be achieved? I doubt there are any detailed medical records in my past for anyone to compare to."

"Not expected, no," Laurie noted, glad to be back on less shakes ground. "But with how dangerous the world is out there it's always a good idea to be prepared for all eventualities.'I've found knowing my own break points in regards to physiology has been helpful in the past."

Like the fact that inhibitors would kill her given a sufficient amount of time. God forbid she would ever be at a point where one was needed.

That made sense, so he said as much. "Wouldn't that be more useful for people with more interesting powers than mine? All I can do is fly. Boring."

"Is that how you truly feel, or is that how you've trained yourself to respond?" Laurie asked, eyeing him curiously.

People had longed for flight like birds since as far back as written record, even longer. To have a man born with that power and not know a gift it was was strange indeed.

She would swap her own abilities with him in an instant.

Warren gave her a startled look. "I fly. That means I go up in the sky and come down when I decide. Other people in this mansion can control ‎minds. Some have incredible regenerating abilities. I heard there's one girl who can absorb someone's entire psyche with a single touch. " He shook his head. "Flying, while amusing, isn't nearly on the same scale."


"For someone ignorant of their own biological makeup, you appear exceedingly ready to denegrate an ability you have not even begun to study," Laurie noted, her gaze flicking from his feet to the tips of his
wings before settling back on his face with a quizzical expression. "I am forced to conclude that you either have the self esteem of mud and are covering by acting like an over sexed lothario, or you are truly ignorant
to a staggering extent of all that you could be. Either way, I can see why you are here. I would suggest you speak to Scott Summers at your earliest convenience as he has had dealings with flyers in the past."

Was this woman for real? She talked like a robot. "It's a grass is greener type thing," he said by way of explanation. "What's your power? You can't tell me you've never wished for something else."


"I've had somebody else's power - I found it interesting but ultimately a bad idea," Laurie replied, moving a little closer now that he'd stopped splashing water about. He'd done a good job on the car, and it gleamed in
the afternoon sun. "I can produce pheromones that have a variety of physical affects on people."

"Short term, everything is fun." Finishing the hood, he stood up and stretched. "And your pheromones sound intriguing. I could use a little extra in convincing women I'm God's gift to them."‎


Laurie's eyes widened and she stepped back from him immediately.

"I don't do that, not ever. At least, not without more reason then 'I want someone to like me in the pants region'."

Well. That was an interesting reaction.

"Although I'm fairly certain I was joking, your answer tells me that you've had some bad experiences with it. My apologies if I caused you some discomfort."

"My father's powers were similar to my own, at least that is what mother says," Laurie replied, trying to explain the moment of revulsion she'd felt. "He used them to make her love him till I came along. That you would joke on such a thing - women are not things Warren. We are not here to amuse you until you are done with us. I would hope that you have more respect for your partners then that."

And that escalated quickly. Yikes.

He put his hands up in defeat. "I have a very sincere feeling that nothing I say will be useful right now. I will therefore apologize for the poor taste of my joke. I've been told before that I shouldn't be allowed to joke, and I'm starting to believe it. I respect women, I swear."

"I hold no ill will toward you," Laurie replied, forcibly relaxing but still keeping her distance. "You are a man used to flirting, and having his charm smooth his way through any situation. But not all jokes are welcome or without harm. You need to be aware of your words, even though I am sure you meant no real malice."

"Malice takes effort and I'm fairly apathetic towards that.". He shrugged a shoulder.‎ "Anything I can do to make it up to you? I bake excellent pastries."

"I do enjoy a good pastry," Laurie admitted, relaxing further. "And watching other people cook."

"Well then," he said, reaching to dry his hands with a towel. "Now I know what I'm doing for the rest of the day. Any suggestions? I do aim to please."