It was annoying really actually that the only clothes to get changed back into were the ones which Liesel had arrived in. It wasn't that she disliked the clothes which were loaned to her, they were comfortable, it was just...there really was nothing nicer than getting into clean clothes, preferably pyjamas, once a shower had happened. But no, her slightly sulking expression dwindled though when something was handed over her shoulder.

She was sitting on one of the sofas with an annoyed expression waiting for Erik. She hadn't heard his footsteps coming from the corridor behind her, yet the item of clothing in his hand caught her attention. Taking the cardigan from his hand she held it to herself, she inhaled the scent and smiled. Shutting her eyes she buried her face in the soft material before sending a smile up and over her shoulder. "Thank you!" Considering all of her luggage was back in Argentina, and who only knew what was happening to it there; she didn't want to know, she was really quite thankful to have at least one thing which belonged to her. It still smelt of fresh, warm air. Which was odd considering all that it had been through. There was the partial lingering scent which went with the male who had held onto it until now. But that was just a minor thing really. If anything it oddly added to the comfort of it.

Pulling it on she stood up slowly and buttoned it up. Erik moved around where she was and watched her do so. Once she was done, she looked at him expectedly. "Ready?" He asked, looking around he could see no one else was present to even notice them acting a little suspiciously.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Liesel nodded in return, in the grand scheme of things, this was perhaps the easiest thing Erik had asked of her. It definitely didn't come close to tailing an ex-Nazi. Or even trying to fry the circuits of all the electrical equipment in a bank.

"At least we won't need to be actually breaking into anything." Erik stated while walking towards the door. Opening it he simply looked both ways before exiting the room. He half expected to see guards positioned outside. Considering the looks they all received, it was more than clear there was very little trust between the people of this place and themselves.

"Apart from a filing cabinet perhaps." Liesel wished to state in a whisper. She opted not to speak too loudly in case there were people still loitering around. As yet they hadn't seen anyone, nor heard anything. Everywhere was dark, each room was dark. Shadows from outside crept through the windows and made the rooms look eerier than they actually were. In contrast it made the corridors look stark and bright. The lighting almost blinding in the contrast to the darkness to either side when they moved past an empty room.

"Apart from that." Erik said while noticing the room he had earlier seen the three walk into for some sort of meeting. He did find it odd however how he wasn't included, it wasn't like they hadn't seen him trying to sink the man down into the dark depths after all, was it?

"That's easy to sort out though, right?" Liesel asked while walking into the room and clicking her fingers. Being able to tune in and tamper with the electrics, she managed to light the room dimly. She simply side stepped as Erik moved past her and started looking over the filing cabinets in the room.

"As easy as sorting out the lights." He replied while running a finger over one keyhole. Hearing a click, he pulled the top draw open. Inhaling slowly he flicked through the files and shut it quickly before moving on. There were so many brown envelopes in here, luckily all were labelled, but it still didn't mean finding the one they specifically needed was simple. 

Deciding it was quicker with help, Erik opened all the locked drawers and watched from the corner of his eyes as Liesel speedily flicked through. She shook her head each time she didn't find anything in a drawer. It wasn't like they expected the file to be near the top, or front, but this was a bit ridiculous. In the end she took to standing beside him when she had checked all the cabinets he had unlocked. Eventually they exchanged a look though when he had found a rather thick file. Liesel let out a low whistle, that was one extensive file. Though really she wasn't surprised. Looking to the side as Erik placed it in a briefcase she hadn't even clocked he was carrying, she back stepped and followed him out of the room.

"We leave now?" She asked hesitantly, she wrapped her cardigan around herself, more for comfort than anything else as she looked at him.

"Yes," Erik glanced at her briefly before moving towards the double doors which led out of this cold, dark building. He got a relieved smile from her, the damp air did make her shudder, and she pulled her cardigan more around herself again as she padded after him with a small sigh. She looked happier for being outside, and Erik couldn't help but inwardly be content with that. Being shut away wasn't good for either of them, he saw how her expression fell when told they didn't have free rein of this place.

"Thank God." Liesel said relieved. Honestly, she didn't like this building. It was rather unwelcoming, distant and formal. Safe to say, she wanted out.

As a way of agreeing he merely nodded. He couldn't say he was sad to see this place go. He didn't exactly feel very welcomed or wanted here either. He found the thought of them all banding together rather ridiculous. So far nothing had come to fruition. There had been no meeting to discuss any plans, just an uneventful tour; which did have some use, and that was it. They were better off on their own. It wasn't like they hadn't got this far with these people, was it? They had done fine enough on their own so far. 

Erik looked briefly at Liesel, she still had her arms wrapped around herself. It was chilly outside, it even looked like it had been raining. Small puddles were dotted about the pavement. Which of course, Liesel couldn't help but purposely trot though with a rather childish grin. That seemed to distract her from the chill of the air as she contented herself with the puddles. Erik just continued walking towards the road, leaving her to it. Looking to the road, he couldn't help but let a small smile tug away at his lips. Even being outside she seemed back to normal. Forever looking about as if something was going to suddenly appear wasn't exactly a good way to exist in any place. That building made her feel paranoid, clearly.

"From what I know about you, I'm surprised you managed to stay this long." A voice from behind spoke. Both of them stopped and looked towards Charles. They hadn't even registered his presence. It seemed he was loitering in the shadows to the side and had watched them long enough until he decided to stop them in their tracks. His words were evidently directed towards Erik more than Liesel. Be fair, Charles didn't really know anything about Liesel, which she was somewhat thankful of.

"What do you know about me?" Erik asked in a hard tone as he stared down the shorter male.

Charles smiled awkwardly and shrugged slowly. "Everything?" He offered as an answer, which just caused Erik to frown more in his direction.

"Then you'll know to stay out of my head." He turned to leave, he placed a hand on Liesel's arm and started to gently pull her away too.

"I'm sorry, Erik. But I've seen what Shaw did to you. I felt your agony. I can help you." Charles said while following after them.

"I don't need your help." Erik said stopping from hearing what Charles had said. As if he couldn't grow anymore tense, Erik somehow did. What that man did to him was something that he kept to himself. Even Liesel didn't know the scales of torture that was inflicted on him. And he didn't want her to know, because he mainly didn't want the pitying looks, like the one Charles was sending his way.

"Don't kid yourself. You needed my help last night. It's not just me you're walking away from." Charles said simply while the pair in front of him turned and looked at him fully. "Here you have, both of you have the chance to be part of something much bigger than yourselves. I won't stop you both from leaving. I could, but I won't." Charles said while turning on his heels and walking back to the building. "Shaw has friends. You two could do with some."

"I feel like I should mention he is very annoying." Liesel said once she was sure he was gone. She didn't like the somewhat gloating, and the fact he was evidently right; she specifically didn't like the 'I told you so', that Charles was basically projecting their way. Tilting her head to the side, she looked up at Erik. "Plans?" She asked, though she could see he was thinking over everything. His expression was blank in thought, yet so far he hadn't replied to her which meant even he didn't know yet. "Also...you've had two people in your head? Bloody hell, Erik." Liesel said while suddenly darting after him when he continued to walk away. "What did Charles help you with?" She continued talking, she was curious and wanted to know what aid the smaller Englishman had given. Giving help to Erik was never an easy thing, but if he succeeded then her views on Charles were going to vastly improve. At the moment she just sort of looked at him as a little busybody.

"It doesn't matter." Erik's tone was blunt, and to the point as he frowned and continued walking. Liesel sent him a look which stated she didn't believe him. "Do you want to stay?" He asked suddenly while sending her a look. His question caught her off guard as she looked suddenly miffed as to why he would even bring this up. Erik watched her expression turn thoughtful, he wouldn't stop her, if she wanted to stay...he wouldn't stop her.

"Do you want to stay?" She countered in return, shoving her hands in her pockets as she looked around the damp surroundings with a small sigh, she flicked her green eyes back up at him.

"I don't know." Erik replied, he needed to think over this offer which was still held out to them. "You can stay you know?" It wasn't that he wanted to part ways,  he didn't want that.

"Nein." Liesel shook her head. She wrapped her cardigan more around herself again when a cold breeze shot past them. "I don't like the feel of the place." She explained while shooting a look over her shoulder. The building still remained cold, and dark. Spending a night in that place didn't exactly fill her with much confidence. "I would be the odd one out, as it were." Erik looked confused at this as they crossed the road. "They are all so close, it's very...united. I do not fit into that unit, not without intruding." Liesel said while looking up at the night sky. That's honestly how she felt. They all seemed to get along with each other so well. She genuinely felt like to get to know one, if not all, she'd have to split them up and do it separately; and that just seemed like too much work at the moment.

----

"Hallo! Guten Morgen!" Needless to say to have these simple statements suddenly cut off an otherwise serious conversation, Charles turned in his chair in confusion. Liesel's face peeked around the door frame with a grin. She even lifted up an arm and waved her hand limply. A few seconds later Erik appeared around her and in the door frame. He wasn't looking as enthusiastic and happy as her, yet he looked less serious than the last time Charles saw him.

"You two decided to stay." Charles looked between them, trying to hide his happiness over such a thing. It seemed wherever they went last night, it wasn't too far and between them they had talked about the offer he had set out to them. He was glad that they came back. He had meant what he said to them, being here with him and the others could do them some good. From what he had spied in Erik's mind, it had been himself and Liesel for so long, they didn't know what it was like to be with others.

"Ja, well..." Liesel trailed off with a wave of her hand again. "What you said to us, is as you say; food for thought, a lot to take in and process, yes?" Liesel said, slightly struggling with the terminology with a confused frown and hand gestures, as if that would help her get the point across more. Charles just smiled at her and turned in his chair more, he gave a nod and was even more glad that what little he said last night, had resonated so much with them.

"We had to think on the offer." Erik simply explained as if Liesel's strange ramble wasn't explanation enough. Although from the bubbling pleased look Charles was trying to keep at bay, Erik was certain he understood her well enough. But even still, considering out of the two he spoke the better English, he believed the bemused looks being sent their way by the man in the black suit was because he simply didn't understand Liesel...especially considering she spoke so quickly. It was something they'd get used to eventually, he was just used to it now. Liesel sent him a look as if to say: that is what I just said. "You're trying to find others?" Erik decided to ignore her look and looked to the two males in the room. "What if they don't want to be found by you?" It was a simple question, being outed wasn't what people wanted, what they could do was a secret, it being in the open could lead to repercussions.

"What do you mean?" The man behind the desk shifted and looked at him with a hard look.

"You're human." Liesel stated plainly while leaning her head against the door frame. "If you came knock, knock, knocking on my door I would slam it shut, no offence." She said casually while rolling her eyes up at Erik as he shortly sighed over her words. She wasn't the best, tactfully with words. And her broken English didn't help, Erik didn't think she meant to sound so blunt...but it happened anyway.

"She has a point, you know." Erik agreed, though slamming a door shut may have been a little drastic...but then again, maybe not. "If a new species is being discovered, it should be by its own kind. Charles and I find the mutants. No suits."

"First of all, that's my machine out there. Second of all, much more importantly, this is Charles's decision. Charles is fine with the CIA being involved. Isn't that right?" As if secretly pleading to agree, the man looked to Charles.

He seemed to muse over everything that had been spoken, yet relented and shook his head. "No. I'm sorry, but I'm with Erik. We'll find them alone."

"What if I say no?"

"Then good luck using your installation without me." He smiled lightly, even as the man opposite sighed defeatedly.

----

"May I ask you something?" 

Of course upon the ending of the earlier meeting, it was set into action to go find the others and bring them to the installation too. Well, Hank was needed as it seemed like he was really the only one present who knew how to fully work the machine. Raven didn't like being left out, so she had to come too. If she knew her brother was about to be wired up to some unknown, possibly dangerous machine, she was going to be present even more so if something went wrong.

Charles turned and looked to Liesel, as yet he hadn't exactly had a proper conversation with her. He found her a little hard to figure out, time would surely make him more used to her. Her moods seemed to change rather suddenly. A constant was happiness; but that was only in the presence of one male in particular. She was extremely loyal, that much Charles had figured out. Loyalty wasn't a bad thing, by all means it was a good trait to have. But seeing as how her loyalty was to someone who, as yet, Charles was not wholly sure was dedicated to this cause, he could already foresee problems. 

It wasn't that he didn't believe Erik wished to take part, rather...he had been in his mind, he had seen what he had planned for Shaw. That was enough to cause a slither of doubt to stay in his mind. "What is it?" He asked while rolling his shirt sleeves up, there were preparations or some such happening elsewhere. Standing in the hallway was just them two, which meant that she had hunted him out for a purpose, which really made him even a little more confused. She didn't seem the type to hunt someone out to talk to them, rather, she seemed like she'd wait to be spoken to before talking.

"You have been in his mind, yes?" Liesel asked hesitantly, it wasn't that she didn't believe what was said, it was just she wanted clarification. It troubled her to know that she was now not the only person who knew what had happened to Erik, but rather, Charles knew everything that happened to Erik, whereas she didn't. He kept her out, to a point, for her own safety and peace of mind, Liesel knew that. Even if talking could help heal old wounds, it wasn't going to happen with Erik, not anytime soon.

"Yes." Charles frowned slowly, he wasn't sure where this was going. Yet, he was being honest. Lying, even after what he said, would hinder the future of their possible friendship.

Liesel seemed to struggle to think of the right words to use. She rolled her hands in the air before sighing and stepping closer to him. "It is not a pretty place to be. I can only imagine, but can I ask you something, a favour of sorts?" She seemed hugely troubled, even more so for asking for a favour. It was clear to Charles that Liesel was a person who didn't ask for favours, or for anything from anyone.

"Yes, what is it?" Charles looked at her with a curious expression.

"Don't...please, don't do it again." Liesel said while flicking her eyes to a group of black suited people who strolled past. They paid them no mind, yet the hardened look Liesel sent their way was more than clear that she was hyper-vigilant. She hadn't lowered her guard at all since coming, and returning here, that much Charles had noted, Erik wasn't exactly any better. "I saw the pain in which was inflicted on him by Emma. I am not saying you were the same...but it does not settle with me, do you understand?" Liesel asked, Charles was looking a little perplexed by her words which caused her to sigh. "I don't want him to be in pain..." Liesel admitted quietly with a saddened look, Charles's confused expression turned to one of honesty, he smiled kindly at her as she looked awkwardly at him.

"I do, I understand. I won't do it again, you have my word." He smiled slowly while nodding his head, he placed a hand reassuringly on her shoulder and smiled. Liesel smiled in turn, although Charles didn't have the heart to say unless he ever needed to use his telepathy on Erik, then of course, there goes the promise. Charles sighed and caught sight of a figure down the corridor, his blue eyes flicked sidelong to see Moira flitting down the end of the corridor and sent them both a wave.

Liesel turned and looked at her and then smiled at the male beside her. "Sly." She whispered, dragging the word out with a smirk.

"What?" Charles said with a laugh. His eyes widened and he pushed a hand through his hair as he shuffled from foot to foot, a little embarrassed acting yet trying to act normal, all in all, it just made Liesel laugh over how Charles reacted.

Liesel smiled and rocked on her heels. "You like the look of her." She stated with a knowing look and raised eyebrows.

Charles double took, perhaps a little forwards in her words he decided to get back on track with their other conversation with an awkward cough and a gestured hand to the corridor. He had a feeling that they were being looked for. "I understand completely, Liesel. I do, I had no other option; you must understand. If I didn't do what I did, Erik would've surely drowned."

"What?!" Liesel's eyes widened as she looked at him with a worried expression firmly on her face.

"You didn't know." Charles looked to her as she shook her head. "I thought he told you." Charles sighed and put his hands in his pockets. Why wasn't he surprised that Erik kept some details out for her?

"That was when...oh, I see." She pieced it together in what she remembered. She managed to figure that between the submarine leaving and drawing close to the coast guard, Erik was submerged. "Thank you for that then. I guess he did not thank you?"

"No. He seemed rather abrupt on the matter." Charles said with a small smile and a quiet laugh, he didn't take it to heart, considering the moment and what subsequently happened afterwards.

"He can be like that." Liesel nodded swiftly and smiled too.

"You two have been together for a long time, hm?" He asked quietly, though to be honest; he had seen Liesel in Erik's mind. Childhood for the both of them looked tough, tough was not even the correct word for the horrors they were put through. But he wasn't going to voice this. He was finally conversing with her, without any flitting moods and odd moments. He wanted to get along with those present, maybe the mutants more so, not to have favouritism or anything.

"Ja!" Liesel exclaimed with a smile. "Oldest known friend." She seemed proud of that, a big smile still on her face as she looked at Charles.

"Just a friend?" Charles decided it was his turn to tease her. She looked at him with wide eyes and even flapped her hands at him to be quiet. He laughed gently over her reaction. Now it was her turn and he couldn't help but laugh quietly. Although from how he saw it, it seemed like their relationship often resembled what he had with Raven; that almost adopted brotherly and sisterly love, and need to look after and out for each other.

Looking dejectedly to the side, she crossed her arms with a light pout. "We grew up together, we've known each other since we were young. But we weren't always together, you see." He quietened down and looked to her as she explained this. Liesel looked at him sadly, "I know, you know." She stated a little blunt sounding, her green eyes darkening as she stared hard at Charles.

"I didn't want to mention it." He admitted quietly, sounding sad really over that.

"If you have been in his mind, you would've seen everything. And it just so happens that everything...sometimes involves me. You said you wished to help, yes?"

"I do." Charles answered honestly as they reached the end of the corridor.

"I fear there is not much help you can give...not in that way. We all must live with our pasts, yes? No matter what they are, or what they were like; we are stuck with them. We choose to move past, or stick in them. We cannot change them, and they make us who we are." Liesel looked around and out of the large almost floor to ceiling window by their sides. "That agony you felt, it is somewhat shared, and it has made us who we are...I don't think you can change that, Charles, sorry. Change happens when a person wants it."

He looked at her for a few moments before giving a slow nod. "Would you perhaps do a favour for me in return?"

"Set a date up with Moira?" Liesel joked and got a look shot her way, it wasn't a serious look or anything. It was more one of mock shock, out of every little bit of seriousness that surrounded them; here she was joking about a date.

Charles made a note to remember that Liesel seemed prone to not taking things seriously. "No."

"Oh...so...what is it?"

"When the time comes, or even...perhaps think about it in the meantime." Charles started as she looked at him seriously now. "Think about change, Liesel. Change doesn't have to be bad, and it can be good. Change happens when a person wants it, yes that is true. But that does not mean you cannot think about what changes can be done, or can happen in the future." Liesel tilted her head to the side in thought, slowly she smiled and gave a swift nod. Charles smiled in return and gestured to the stairs behind her. "Come, I think we've kept everyone waiting long enough."

"I was actually sent to find you, you know?"

Charles looked at her as they descended the stairs. "Yet you chose to chat instead?"

Liesel smiled thinly. "I felt like I needed to say something to you. There are many things I dislike in this world, but seeing Erik possibly in pain is at the top of my list." She smiled and patted him on the arm before jumping down the rest of the steps and walking over to Hank. He looked a little overwhelmed to suddenly having the apparent bubbly German woman now standing in front of him talking away casually. Charles ventured down the rest of the stairs with his hands in his pockets and frowned slowly. Raven and her seemed to chat animatedly, and poor Hank stood by looking even more confused.

"She's trying, you know." Charles looked to the side where Erik simply leaned against the wall. "Feel privileged." With the way he said it, although sarcastic, Charles also felt that Erik was being genuine, that his earlier thoughts were right: Liesel didn't hunt out people to talk to, that if she did this off her own back, it meant she was trying, like Erik said.

"Something tells me I should feel privileged that you two are even still here, let alone talking and socialising." Charles looked to him before nodding to the small group gathered. Erik merely rolled his eyes and walked over, truth be told he had been further exploring this place. But upon seeing Charles and Liesel appear he had hung back, even more so when she went to try and talk to Hank and Raven. "Right! Are we all ready?"

"You're really very optimistic about this." Raven wished to point out while looking to the side at Hank. She was trusting that this machine, whatever it was, was not dangerous to the point of possibly harming her brother.

"I suppose someone has to be here." Liesel pointed out and pointed him. "Charles, the ever eternal optimist! Yes, I think that is your role here."

"What happened to being the source of finding others like us?" He wished to ask as they all moved to the exit.

"Come on, Charles. Now you're putting way too much into your responsibilities." Erik rolled his eyes and crossed his arms firmly over his chest. "And what happened to the two of us finding them?"

Charles shot a look at Erik. "Who's the one being wired up to a machine?"

"But who's the one who's likely to do most of the talking?" Erik countered simply.

"You are a little awkward," Liesel turned and walked backwards looking at the pair. Seeing as how they were walking along a straight path she had no worries about tripping or stumbling.

Charles looked from one to the other. "You know what I was saying about being privileged about you two still being here? I take it back. You two are the worst."

"Oh, don't be like that! Only because you dish it out and can't handle it in return, it is no reason to turn into a pouting stropping child."

"Liesel!" Charles exclaimed exasperated as she laughed, if that wasn't enough Raven laughed too. So much for sibling loyalty!

"What?" Raven asked from over her shoulder when Charles sent her a look. "Okay, yes, you are right, but so are they. You can be down right awkward at times."

"I nearly drowned, and you stared at me for a whole five minutes. You're the definition of awkward."

"He didn't?" Raven turned and looked to the auburn haired woman by her side.

"It was weird."

"Yeah, I feel like I should apologise for that..."

"What happened, happened! No matter! I probably did look like a drowned rat, I think if I saw someone like that I would stare too." Liesel laughed and swung her arms by her sides as she returned to walking normally, completely opting to ignore the aghast look Charles was sending her way, and in his sister's direction too while Erik walked beside him smirking over the situation.

----

Edited: 10/June/2019

Reedited: 16/August/2021