The Big Top (Open)

Mira likely would be catching some level of heck when she was found to be missing from the Institute later. But the loner of a 'she cat' didn't much care. What she did care about was checking out this strange crowd who seemed intent on erecting a swarm of brightly coloured tents. As she vaulted over a low-lying fence the tall, slim built female wove between the busy folks; apparently accepted as 'normal' here by their non-angry looks in her direction. Thanks to a hooded jacket with long sleeves and flaring coat-tails flapping about; as well as the baggy trousers, if not for Mira's tail flicking to and fro she would appear to be a normal human teen albeit mistaken as a boy thanks to the coat.

But the folks didn't seem to look sideways at her; quite the opposite in fact, as she was vigorously waved over to help tie down tent lines or the like. Though she was mightily confused when a few of them apparently thought her name was 'Kurt'. She didn't think she looked male enough for that name; but that wasn't the end of her confusion. As she in turn would confound the people she tried to talk to "I'm happy to help but Kurt's not m'name sorry". Which resulted in both parties giving each other a comically perplexed look before the humans simply redirected 'Kurt' to another series of tasks.

However; the men eventually did notice that 'Kurt' wasn't quite the same colours 'he' had been earlier in the day...and his clothes were somewhat different. But, they'd seemed willing to shrug that off as 'fatigue of travel' since the creature they thought was Kurt was doing its best to help them like Kurt always seemed to. Even if that feeling of something being 'off' about 'Kurt' was growing in the minds of the more watchful members of the family. Though Mira wouldn't be found out till some younger male 'prankster' decided to sneak up on 'Kurt' and try to either hug or tackle 'him' from behind to make him Bamf.

Something entirely different than what had been expected would occur this time; as the human gave forth a startled yelp when his large hands cupped two body parts that Kurt had never had. The now somewhat freaked male only barely manages to scramble backwards three or so steps before the tall female he'd just fondled decided to spin and kick out at him. She wasn't said to have a quick temper for nothing after all; but the calm before the 'storm' of shouting served to show the folks she'd been helping that she was most definitely not who they thought.

So, when their thought processes finally caught up with the fact that some female version of the Kurt they all knew had just dropped one of their own; the reaction was to a point predictable and loud. As well as resulting in Mira needing to run like hell with a small horde of enraged menfolk trying to make the 'blue-eyed she-devil' pay for hurting one of their companions. Despite the men chasing her not knowing what she was saying; perhaps Kurt himself would catch her words and understand her panicked shouting "BAD DAY BAD DAY BAD DAY!".

Unfortunately, despite his whistle to warn others to clear out; one entity was not well taught in that regard. Said entity being the female Kurt was trying to greet; who's quick actions in a comically manic back-pedal saved her from splatting into Kurt as she yelped in fright. Thanks to her yelp and breathing hard from running the sulfur burst Kurt had triggered left Mira coughing a bit as she slowed to a backwards halt and looked up at Kurt confused. Well; confused for a few seconds as she sheepishly chuckles "ok dude I was never real good at German, but I think you greeted me so; hello in return".

As the girl looked Kurt over she kind of laughs "and now that I can see you, I can agree there was some confusion...though how they mistook me for you after I spoke boggles me...I'm called Mirandel Hellsing by the way". As he extended his own hand Mira winced faintly before extending a 'hand' that could more accurately be called a 'taloned claw' as the appendage slipped free from her sleeve. Obviously while her base appearance nearly mimicked Kurt's own there were some clear differences.

As Mira politely shook hands she seemed to cringe worriedly "I'm sorry about your friend if you saw me lash out at him...I...don't react well to being felt up by men I don't know". At least Mira seemed apologetic after she'd calmed down, looking up at Kurt half concerned; like she thought he would actually be very angry with her. At least for a few seconds more before she finally realized how odd it was that Kurt DID look like her...just male "you...don't think we're related...do you?...I mean it is a neat surprise to find out I'm not the only fuzzy elf with a tail in the world...not to insult you or anything with that description; but I wonder if we're actually family...".

While she was stationary and trying to calm down from her freak out the 'she cat' started looking around "I'm sorry for causing any trouble here...I was just walking along and saw the tents and well...kinda snuck in...I'm not in trouble am I?". She half grins at Kurt "I mean...I was trying to help out where the guys pointed me to when they thought I was you...". Likely while Mira was stilled and chatting the rest of the humans Kurt dealt with daily were probably only backed off since Kurt was dealing with Mira now.

As Mira loosened up a bit more she lowered her hood; thus revealing she wasn't dark-toned thanks only to a shadowy hood. But, also because her fur was shadow-toned with odd; almost reflective shimmers to it. Almost like the stone Obsidian with its bright, shiny edges; which seemed most apparent on her face, tail and ears as that was where her 'fur' was shortest. Which in turn might lead to the illusion of somewhat light coloured hide; at least in comparison to Kurt's own dark, almost indigo-blue fur.

Now that her eyes were no longer overshadowed, their uniqueness was on full display; revealing them to be blue over black sclera instead of some normal 'human' look. As she listened to Kurt the girl nodded "yeah, I can even shape alter into a wild form that looks pretty cool...". Then the girl looks sheepish "Controlling that shape is still a bit...dodgy at the moment though...eheh".

Hearing Kurt point out that his friend of a sort would be ok; Mira breathed a soft sigh of relief "Oh good, I had tried not to kick out full force..I was taught not to wound people just for startling me by my Teacher's in the boarding school near this side of town after all".. After learning the real reason she'd been pounced Mira somewhat sheepishly laughs "well I guess now he knows I can't poof from point a to point b...though your skill sounds like a useful ability...and if he had meant offence I have to admit I would have been more annoyed". If nothing else, at least this odd girl was honest about her thoughts.

As Kurt revealed he was a 'Foundling' Mira brightened up a bit "I guess I could describe myself the same way, though whoever might have been my...birth mother just dumped me on my adopted folks doorstep...in the cold of night". As she revealed that bit of her past as it had been told to her by her adopted father Mira seemed to be trying hard to rein in an angry response to the memory; as exemplified by the soft growling undercurrent to her words. She seemed to cheer up once more as Kurt pointed out he didn't find the nickname offensive "oh, good to know; glad your...extended family seems to like you so much...I've seen quite a lot of humans who don't like mutants like myself too much before...".

She had nodded in agreement to his offer of sitting in his 'home' as she thought of his camper; to talk "I'd be happy to share my life story Kurt, you can call me Mira by the way; just so you don't think you need to say my full name". As they walked and Kurt laughed at his joke Mira seemed to fuzz up in a blush as she chuckled softly as well before she responded "good to know my apology is accepted, for all we know there could be a whole race like us really; maybe even hidden away in places humans haven't been able to explore yet!" she laughed. Hearing Kurt's last query as she stopped laughing Mira grinned "I don't know really where I was born; but I was raised in London, England...nice place...when its not as smoggy as pea soup".

Hearing the apparently older mutant point out he had to work Mira laughs a little more at Kurt's words before responding"nice to hear I en't the only one needing to practice their skills to keep em in shape". As the two continue their little chat she smiles "no worries there my new friend; I wouldn't want to give your...extended adopted family a collective heart attack...". Then the female grinned lightly "and I'm decent at most acrobatic moves myself, though I tend to end up laid out more often than successfully landing a trick".

Instead of seeming down thanks to what still needs work however, her tone stays light "I'm pretty good at Parkour though!". At Kurt's query of the place she mentioned the 'she-devil' would nod emphatically , grin widening "yeah, its called 'Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters' and its main purpose is teaching people like us". Here she would motion her hand between herself and Kurt before continuing; "and those with special abilities but look more human, how to get along with normal folks".

She then smiles brightly "although it seems you got a good start on that bit, since yer 'family' seem perfectly happy with you". Then she faintly winces "I didn't do much better in 'normal' school...I barely got halfway through middle school before well...the 'normal' people decided I should be expelled till I got rid of what makes me well...me...least after I stuck up for another kid with visible differences". As she finished speaking on that bit of her history the younger female would appear to almost...deflate remembering why she'd been kicked out.

Hearing Kurt chuckle and point out that his friend learned his lesson she would seem to perk up once more however "oh good to know...but what about the others who chased me when they realized I wasn't you?". Hearing about Jimanie would incur a curious feline headtilt "huh...she actually sounds like a fun person; I'd love to meet her if she's not busy with some task or other". Mira would shrug in a seeming nonchalant manner on the topic of wondering about ones real parents but her words revealed there to still be a shard of anger even now, though her growl was controlled this time "just because they bring us into the world doesn't make them 'parents' any more than a fox kit raised with a barn cats kittens makes it a cat". Then she would continue with marginally less heat in her voice "I only wonder what sort of heartless wretch would throw a baby out into the cold uncaring world, with never a thought that the infant might not be found by someone to take care of it". Clearly Mira had more violent thoughts about the ones who brought her into being.

Mira nodded at Kurt's explanation of how his adopted family fully got to know him "least the others didn't turn on you like a pack of winter-starved wolves when they learned of you in the entirety". Then she smiles, more at ease again "and it probably helped that your stepmother and her lil ones took to you so well, your adopted mum sounds like someone my own adopted mum would have...loved to meet...". Trying to hide the growing sadness in her voice Mira would chuckle at Kurt's admission of being a bit slow "we all have our faults Kurt, no shame in that; I have my moments of lackwittedness too".

As they entered the camper fully Mira chuckles, one hand carefully taking the glass as she found a seat to perch on "nice to meet you as well Kurt; thanks for the tea by the way". As she sipped quietly, she seemed to prove that some people really did stick their pinky out when drinking tea, before she took a breath and grinned a bit at the last bit of Kurt's words "heh I would love to say I heard about your show two months back but I've been across 'the pond' for a long while now". She smiles softly as she goes quiet "yeah...England is nice...I wish I could go back and visit the place I called home...". As she goes silent another cue that all was not right in the girl's heart would show itself in the way her eyes appeared to gain a misted; faraway look; as if revisiting old memories that were at once loved...yet hurt on some soul-deep level.

This time as Kurt spoke, at first querying the girl; he would only see a mute nod in response to his question about checking out the school. Then, before it would seem her own emotions had fully choked off her words the girl spoke in a more subdued tone than Kurt had previously heard "yeah...the Professor's got a real nice open door policy; open to all no matter what; heck he let me in even though he found out I'd...done wrong". After taking a steadying breath; and another quiet sip of the tea, Mira looks at Kurt "I...used the 'other me' to make a human sorry for attacking my adopted mum...I...killed him...".

After admitting this fault, Mira had looked down at the glassy surface of the tea within the cup as she nodded to show she heard Kurt's words. Then she managed to speak up again; still in the oddly subdued tone "I tried to make it feel like home fer a double handful of kids myself when dad went off to find the rest of the men responsible for mum's death". Then she looks up, her personality seeming a bit brighter again "it was kids like us...y'know, mutants? that I was to try and do good to honour me mum's memory by helping...its what would have made her smile...". Obviously the further down memory lane the more Mira's inherited Brit accent shone through as she spoke, but at least she was sounding happier as she talked.

Till she even giggled at Kurt describing himself as a fuzzy infant when his own adoptive mum found him "that was how my own adopted mum described me as too!". Then she looks sheepish as she continues giggling "though she used to claim I sounded like a mewling kitten when I cried instead of the screaming cries of human children". In the first few seconds of Kurt hugging her; Mira would seem to have frozen out of shock, but she loosened up quickly enough. At least that would show Kurt that his attempt at helping the girl not feel so alone was accepted. Even if Mira herself would show an odd method of a physical 'thanks' for the hug; in the form of her tail snaking toward his own and giving it a mini-hug by wrapping around it.

Despite her enhanced senses however, she had not heard Margali's entrance nor her approach until the queenly woman had spoken. The tone in the woman's voice; let alone the fact that she hadn't noticed the woman till she spoke, caused a comical jolt in the girl as she tried to look at the woman. Though she didn't move too fast so she wouldn't shove Kurt away as the woman; no Margali, made it easier to look at her by sitting across from the two "um...thank you for thinking me pleasant Ma'am, Kurt was just talking about you...um...Matron Szardos?". As the girl tried to be polite in her greeting she could be heard to faintly 'stumble' over pronouncing Margali's last name, as well as sounding unsure of whether 'matron' was her proper title.

Mira would then headtilt at Margali mentioning how Mira 'begged a bit of a question in her mind' but the girl nodded at the second actual question quick enough. She even smiles a bit as she vocally responded "Oh yes I am happy where I live now, I was telling your adopted son about Xavier's Institute before you walked in actually...I'm called Mirandel Hellsing by the way". By this point Mira was back to sounding and looking genuinely happier; though whether that was a 'front' to hide her sadness from the likely perceptive Lady Margali or not remained to be seen...