ℐ ∂ση'т want ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ the вα∂ gυу {Mat}

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kara rolled her eyes and followed him inside. She pulled back her hook and wiped her wet face with her hand, which really didn't help much.

[mationix]

"Welcome to my home," he said, sweeping his arms to his side. It was a large place, having been built under ground. Tall dirt house were thrown everywhere, cable lines connecting from one house to the next. Clothes were hung on the lines, some dripping from water, seeming to have just come out from being washed. Kids and adults were everywhere, the kids zigzagging around the buildings, their loud cries of laughter bouncing off the house, and the adults milling around, some in larger groups than others.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kara stared in amazement. She'd never been around so many people. She never been around so many... happy people. She wasn't used to the sounds of laughter and animated voices. She was used to the cold, dark cells of prison and silence.

[mationix]

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit embarrassed. "Ah...sorry, it can get a bit loud sometimes," he said, chuckling weakly. Reuben gave her a tentative smile, his eyes flickering to the ground, as he shuffled his feet against it, scuffing up clouds of dirt. "It's nice here, it really is, when it's quiet, at least."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I like it," Kara said, a smile spreading on her lips. "It's nice."

[mationix]

Reuben gave her a wide grin, looking quite relieved. "Re-really? That's great, it really is a nice place, huh?" His cheeriness now returned, he gestured for her to follow him down the tiny slope that led from the entrance into the heart of the underground city. "My house is near the edge of the city, follow me."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kara nodded. "Lead the way, good sir."

[mationix]

As he made his way down the slope, the residents of the underground city slowly paused, watching as the two made their way down. Most eyes were on Kara, wide with panic; women motioned for the children to head inside, keeping a wary eye on the new woman.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kara played with the cuffs of her gloves. "What is this place, anyway?" she asked.

[mationix]

"Er...well, this is -what you could say- a 'secret hideout' for mutants. It's been a place to house those who are running from the government; so, a lot of people come here," he replied, glancing over his shoulder to give her a small smile.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(I'm assuming they're at the Refuge? Sorry, I can't remember where his character is)

[mationix]

(Yep! c: )

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Wow," Kara murmured. If only she'd known about this place earlier.

A man walked toward them, clearly intending to talk to them, because his eyes were trained on Kara. He smiled at them and came to a stop in front of them. His blond hair was styled in a sort of spikey way, and despite his smile his green eyes were shadowed. "Reuben," he said. "I got word that you found a new person looking for shelter." He glanced over at Kara, noting her rain-soaked clothes. His smile was friendly, but beyond that his expression was calculating.

[mationix]

Reuben managed a small smile to her, which slowly changed to a tense one as his gaze flickered to the man. "Evening," he replied, the smile almost turning into a grimace, his mind blanking on the name of the man, "oh, er...yes. This is Kara." He gestured to her, before his hand dropped uselessly to his side. He had no idea how much information to give his fellow "inmate", not that he knew that much to begin with...

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"It's nice to meet you, Kara," he said. He held out his hand. "I'm Leo, one of the leaders here at the Refuge."

She checked her hand to make sure she was wearing her gloves before taking his hand. "Nice to meet you, too."

[mationix]

Reuben let out a silent sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. Well, at least this hadn't ended in bloodshed. Realizing that that sounded ridiculous even to himself -why would it, anyways?-, he cleared his throat. "Er...anyways. I was thinking Kara could stay with me. Unless there's a space available...?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"She can stay wherever she likes. We have an apartment open on the south end, if you want to live on your own," Leo said. "If you're both okay with living together, though, I don't care."

Kara gave Reuben a glance. "I think... it would be better if I live on my own." She didn't want to run the risk of accidentally touching someone. It had little to do with modesty, after living in prison for years.