Welcome, please make yourself happy

[Embers]

Marlin was not having a good day, though even if he did he would’ve found the worst in it. Yet today he didn’t even have to look for the negative, he had just gotten off his flight from Romania that had been more hours that he chose to count, then his luggage had been sent to some place called Halifax, wherever that was. The airline had assured him that his luggage would be found and returned but there would be at least a three week wait, so he had three weeks to live off his spare clothes in his nap sack and what he was wearing. Of course it got worse, his hotel information was in his suitcase, so he had to go directly to this institute place his parents had shipped him off to at three in the morning. He was able to get a taxi quickly though and for a moment he was slightly optimistic, slightly, but of course the taxi driver didn’t speak much English and he didn’t either and neither he nor the driver could understand each others accents, so it took Marlin nearly an hour to explain where he needed to go, then he had to sit for the next two hours in silence with a stranger (the driver) as they drove all the way across town.

It was finally six in the morning when Marlin arrived and he was exhausted confused, and extremely pessimistic. He approached the large iron gates at the entrance or the drive way to the Institute, and seeing that they were locked he looked around for a door bell or something. After a few minuets he found what looked like a intercom thing, and he pressed the button and as he released it he heard a electronic voice above him say “Identify.”

His limited English didn’t include this word and he had no idea what it meant, “umm Hello?” he mumbled thinking that it might be some sort of greeting, like salutations.

“Identify” it bellowed louder.

“Hello I am to enroll here.” His accent caused his enroll to sound more like a inrull.

“Identify, state your name!” A large weapon emerged from the ground right in front of him and he jumped back. Oh name he knew what that was.

“Marlin” he said as clearly as he could, it would be just his luck that the gun would fire and he would get injured or worse, but oh well.

The gate jerked open and the intercom bellowed a “Welcome Marlin” Marlin followed the path up to the door and rang the bell. He hoped no one would answer, if no one did he could go home, but of course some one did.

[Sparrow]

Sparrow headed down the stairs, singing to himself as he went to get a glass of orange juice. Although it was six in the morning, Sparrow was up. He normally was; since he was one of the few morning people out there. He just had to be careful his singing voice didn't wake up any not-so-morning peoples.

And I cant fight this feeling anymore
Ive forgotten what I started fighting for
Its time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars
Baby, I cant fight this feeling anymore... He was about to continue on the second verse when the door swung open and a stranger walked in.

Most people would ask the immediate question, "who are you?" However, this was Sparrow James and that was just not his style.

Hey dude, what's up? The outgoing X-men asked, not at all confused by this sudden entrance. He slid down the banister the rest of the way and grinned. I'm Sparrow. You are? Sparrow asked, holding out one hand in an introductory way.

[Embers]

Strangely the door opened for Marlin, and despite his warnings not to go in he walked in and looked around. The place was huge, not as big as his house, but nearly. The massive stairs that went up from both sides of the walls were a deep mahogany looking wood and Marlin knew they would’ve coasted as much as a new car, yet this guy appeared out of nowhere, and slid down them singing. Marlin was surprised to be greeted with a “hey whats up?”, becasue firstly he didn't know the guy, and sadly his English didn’t include slang, so he took the question literaly. He looked above his head and searched for what this guy was talking about. “I believe it’s called a chandelier?” He stuttered.

[Sparrow]

Sparrow tilted his head to the side curiously and then it clicked in his head. This kid's accent was thick and he must not speak very good english. With a slight laugh at his own stupidity, Sparrow stuck his hand back in his pocket and grinned.

It's a term which means hello in English. I'm sorry, my name is Sparrow James. Welcome to the Institute. He said slowly and clearly with an amused look in his eyes. Where are you from?

[Embers]

Marlin observed the boy who spoke to him, well a youth or man. He was very handsome a very defined jaw and welcoming eyes. At his laugh Marlin almost felt like smiling, almost. The explanation of his strange greeting made Marlin withdraw inwardly on a personal scale, he knew he was different here and he didn’t know too much English but he believed he knew enough to get by yet, apparently not. When Sparrow reached his hand out Marlin looked at it in confusion for a few seconds, he knew it was a greeting, but because of his ability no one had ever shook his hand. “Umm nice to meet you Sparrow James, I am Marlin Abendroth. I am from Romania, but my accent is a mix of German and Romanian.” He just pretended not to notice Sparrows out stretched hand, almost as if ignoring it would get him home, but that wasn’t going to happen. He was stuck here for the time being.

Suddenly Marlin felt a jerk in the bag he was holding, it was Ghandi. Oh great I don’t even know if they allow pets and with my luck they wont and they’ll send Ghandi home, or worse. Marlin set his bag down hoping his action would mask Ghandi’s untimely movement. Then he gave his best smile to Sparrow, which unfortunately was almost like a smirking grin with too much teeth. Please don’t notice he prayed.

[Sparrow]

Well, its great to meet you Marlin Abendroth, right? Sparrow said his name cautiously, hoping he pronounced it correctly. The youth spoke with such a thick accent, it was difficult to tell.

Romania huh? That's pretty awesome. I've never been anywhere outside of the country before but I would love to travel. I also have a lot of commitments at home, he tried to say it casually but something shone in his eyes as he immediatly thought of Desirae and their soon to be born child.

Suddenly, Sparrow saw Marlin's bag twitch. Or he thought he did. The boy seemed to notice this strange movement and nervously placed it on the ground. Dude, what's in your bag? He asked bluntly.

[Embers]

(Verdammen Sie is German for Damn )

Verdammen Sie he saw. He didn’t know what to say, should he lie and hope no one ever finds out? But Marlin wasn’t a liar he hated lying. “Its Ghandi.” There it wasn’t the truth and it wasn’t exactly a declaration that he had a ferret in his bag, although thinking on it he wasn’t sure he worded it right. At that moment his bag fell over and started to spasm. Verdammen Sie Ghandi must be stuck in or under something, he had to get him out he could be hurt. Quickly he bent down, opened his bag and reached in for Ghandi, but Ghandi leapt past his arm, then climbed up his back onto his raven black hair and began hissing at Sparrow defensively. Marlin quickly reached up and took Ghandi from his head and set him on his solder, then pointed to him. “Ghandi.” Marlin hoped his pointing would be enough to explain who Ghandi was, and that they were allowed pets.