The mansion is quiet. It is late at night, and nothing but a floorboard groans. All of the children, even the ones that like to stay up, are asleep. Erik Lehnsherr sits in the study. Illuminated by the warm light of the fire and the lamp, he reads. Unlike Charles, who has grown a bond with all of the mutants, Erik has preferred to keep to himself.

He has always been on his own, and would much rather like his own company than that of others. Even when he is with Charles, he often finds himself lost in his thoughts. Charles Xavier can talk for a long time. The man likes to hear himself think. Of course he would, thought Erik, when Charles really can hear everyone's thoughts.

At times, Erik has found this rather irritating. His thoughts are his own, and he believes Charles's mutation to be a certain invasion of privacy. More importantly so when his thoughts are of you.

A mutant, but not a child like the others. Older. Somewhere between his and Charles's age. Erik has not decided on if he likes you or not.

Erik does not take to liking people easily.

But when he sees you, walking into the study, he decides to acknowledge you. "Does nobody in this house sleep?"