Issue 1 Downtime

After being dropped off by a car at the gate, Callie took her duffel bag and headed out in search of some place to eat. Frankly, she was starving and getting settled in could wait.

It took her a little bit, but eventually someone pointed her in the direction of the cafeteria. Getting some lunch, Callie sat down, bowing her head momentarily before starting to eat.

At the table next to her, a guy, wearing coveralls and apparently composed of entirely of brass, sat. He was digging into some very British porridge.

"Morning," Callie says happily.

"Morning. You're chippy today, huh?" He replied, with a small hint of a smile.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Callie says with a cheerful smile, "It's a nice day outside. Cool and breezy with some gorgeous clouds. And I just found out the food here ain't awful."

"You must not have gotten the porridge then. Good choice."

He scooped up a chunk and let it glop into his bowl for emphasis.

"It is a nice day, for sure."

"Gonna take advantage of it? Cut out for the day?" Callie asks.

"Nah, I wish I could, but I've got cars lined up for service in the garage. I'll enjoy the walk back as much as I can, though!"

"You're a mechanic?" Callie asks.

"Yep. You a student?" He asked in reply.

"Always," Callie says, "Isn't everyone though? Even if you don't go near a class today, you'll probably learn something new."

Callie smiles, "Anyway, I'm Callie. Kaliyah Shah, actually, but Callie to just about everyone."

"Robert Bowen. But just call me bobby. Proprietor of The Brassworks, and reserve x-guy when needed."

"Good to meet you, Bobby," Callie says.

"Ditto, Callie."

"You said you were with the teams a sec ago," Callie says, "What's that like?"

"What have you heard?" He asked, curious how a newcomer perceived the x-men.

"Well, I heard you guys were a bunch of race-traitors that are no better than the people you end up fighting," Callie says, "But I've had odd company the last few years."

"Yeah, we get that, sometimes. Mostly after something big blows across the island. You can't please everyone."

"You still didn't answer my question," Callie points out.

"... No, the x-men are not race traitors. And neither are the Brotherhood. Nor the acolytes or the Morlocks."

"Uhm. That's nice," Callie says, "But I meant my earlier question. About what it's like."

"It's tough, but fulfilling. You take what genetics gave you, and use it to make a difference, rather than crawling to a corner and cursing your genes."

"You really don't need to be so defensive, y'know," Callie says.

Bobby looked at her fora moment, smirked, and then resumed eating.

"Cute. Very cute."

"I'm sorry?"

"You're sorry you put me on the defensive? Cool." He replied.

"I accept the apology."

"Well, that's good," Callie says cheerfully, "I'd hate to offend the first person I met at my new school."

"Good to meet you, Callie."

Bobby got up, taking his empty breakfast tray with him.

"I need to get back to the town. Catch you around."

"I'll be seeing you," Callie says, "Remember to enjoy the day."