The group exited the car, now joined by two new individuals: Erik Lehnsherr, the man who had been in the water, and Isabella Ambrose, the girl Sophia had seen waiting at the docks.

"Welcome to my facility," the man in black said as they all began walking behind him. "My mission has been to investigate the application of paranormal powers for military defense."

"Or offense," Erik interjected, his tone sharp.

"This guy—Shaw, Schmidt, whatever you want to call him—is working for the Russians. We might need your help to stop him," the man continued.

"Marvelous," Charles replied. "So we're to be the CIA's new mutant division, then?"

"Something like that," the man answered.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

As they approached a sleek aircraft, another man proudly explained, "It's a supersonic jet—the most advanced plane ever built."

Sophia glanced at the plane, trying to grasp what made it so advanced, but she didn't question it.

"You should see it in real life—it's incredible," he added, his enthusiasm evident. "Hank, these are the special new recruits I was telling you about," the man in the black suit said, gesturing to the mutants. "This is Hank McCoy," he introduced, raising a hand toward a young man. "One of our most talented researchers."

Charles stepped forward, extending his hand to Hank. "How wonderful—another mutant already here," he said with genuine surprise. "Why didn't you say so?" Charles asked, turning to the man in the suit.

"Say what?" the man replied, clearly confused.

Charles paused, realization dawning on him. "Because you didn't know," he said, his tone softening. "I am so, so terribly sorry," he added, looking back at Hank with sincere regret.

The man in the black suit approached them, his expression puzzled. "Hank?" he asked.

Hank shrugged slightly. "You didn't ask, so I didn't tell."

Raven stepped forward, curiosity piqued. "So, what's your mutation? Are you just super smart?"

"I'll say," Charles interjected. "Hank here graduated with honors at the age of fifteen."

"I wish that's all it was," Hank replied, his gaze lingering on Raven, a hint of something deeper in his eyes.

"You're among friends now, Hank. You can show off a little," Charles encouraged, his tone gentle.

Sophia stepped closer to Charles, leaving Isabella and Erik behind as she moved forward, her curiosity drawing her nearer to the conversation.

She watched in astonishment as Hank removed his other shoe, revealing that his foot had transformed into a hand, or was it a hand? She had no idea what she was looking at but completely in awe and utterly confused, she tilted her head, trying to process what she was seeing.

Sophia heard Charles chuckle softly beside her. "Splendid," he said, clearly impressed. She glanced over at him, still struggling to fully grasp this whole mutant phenomenon.

He walked over to where Sophia and Charles were standing, trying to squeeze past them. "Sorry, can you...?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, of course," Charles replied, gently guiding Sophia back with him.

Sophia watched in disbelief as Hank jumped up and hung from the plane upside down, effortlessly defying gravity. The others around her laughed, but Sophia leaned closer to Charles and whispered, "Is it rude if I admit I'm slightly terrified?" Charles chuckled softly, clearly amused by her honest reaction.

Sophia watched as Raven approached Hank, admiration in her eyes. "You're amazing," she said sincerely.

"Really?" Hank asked a hint of surprise in his voice.

Raven smiled warmly at him, her genuine appreciation shining through.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Sophia stood beside Isabella inside, both of them quietly observing the conversation between Erik and Charles outside. Though they could only catch bits and pieces, the tension was palpable. As they noticed Charles heading back inside, Isabella quickly grabbed Sophia's hand, pulling them away from the door to avoid being caught eavesdropping. They ducked out of sight behind a wall, holding their breath until they heard his footsteps fade.

Once the coast was clear, they exchanged a glance before breaking into quiet laughter.

"They're so weird around each other," Isabella whispered, grinning.

"Right? But it's kind of funny," Sophia replied, chuckling softly.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Sophia trailed behind the group, feeling somewhat out of place as neither a CIA agent nor a mutant. She just tried to stay out of the way.

As they entered the room, Hank proudly announced, "I call it Cerebro."

"Isn't that Spanish for 'brain'?" Charles asked.

"Yes," Hank confirmed.

"Okay, so the electrodes connect Charles to the transmitter on the roof," Hank explained. "When it detects a mutant, Charles's brain sends a signal through a relay, and then the coordinates of their location are printed out here."

"You designed this?" Raven asked, clearly impressed.

"Yeah," Hank replied, nodding.

Sophia watched as Charles adjusted the device on his head. "What an adorable lab rat you make, Charles," Erik said, circling him with a smirk.

"Don't spoil this for me, Erik," Charles replied, trying to stay focused.

Sophia stood in front of Charles, laughing softly. Seeing his amused glance, she placed her hand over her mouth and managed to say, "I'm so sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but... you look great." She giggled.

"Okay, right," Hank said, adjusting Cerebro. "Are you sure we can't shave your head?" he asked, half-joking.

"Don't touch my hair," Charles shot back.

Sophia stepped back, watching as Hank powered on the machine. She noticed Charles gasp and grip the rails beside him, his expression tense. Unsure if it was working or causing him pain, she was relieved when his tension broke into a laugh.

"It's working!" Hank exclaimed, confirming her hopes.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Sophia sat with Isabella outside, both holding drinks in their hands. "Is it weird that they went to a strip club alone?" Sophia asked, glancing over at Isabella.

Isabella sighed, then clinked her glass against Sophia's. "Definitely weird," she replied with a small smile.