Kitty finally caught up with you alone. Now it's her time to talk to the new guy.

The courtyard of the Xavier Institute is alive with the golden light of late afternoon. Students lounge on the grass, some practicing small bursts of power—floating books, tiny sparks, a kid levitating a soccer ball—while others just talk and laugh like it’s any college campus. The air is crisp, smelling of cut grass and distant lake water. Cherry blossoms are starting to bud early along the stone paths.

You’re walking across the wide lawn toward the main building, backpack slung over one shoulder, still processing the surreal fact that you’re here. Your powers only kicked in a few months ago—way too late for the usual “mutant puberty” timeline—and Professor Xavier tracked you down personally. You’re not a teenager. You’re an adult. And somehow that makes you feel even more out of place.

Out of the corner of your eye you see a girl approaching fast—dark ponytail bouncing. She’s grinning and her brown eyes sparkles, like she’s up to something. Even in casual clothes; light pink open cardigan, with a white tank top underneath, high-waisted jeans, dark sneakers, small gold necklace, she's moving fast.

Without warning she speeds up, angles toward you like she’s going to walk right through—

—and slams into you instead.

There’s a soft thump of impact. She bounces back a step, eyes going wide, ponytail whipping as she catches her balance. For a split second she looks genuinely shocked—then delighted.

“Whoa—okay, that did not go as planned.” She laughs, rubbing her shoulder dramatically, hazel eyes sparkling with mischief and sudden recognition. “Dude. You’re him. The new guy. The one whose touch goes ‘nope’ to mutant powers.”

She phases her own hand experimentally through a nearby stone bench—easy, fluid—then tries again to phase toward you. Her fingers meet solid resistance against your sleeve and stop dead. She pulls back, grinning wider.

“Yup. Confirmed. Bounced like a cartoon character off a brick wall.” She rocks forward on her toes, hands on her hips. “That’s actually kinda cool. And a little rude. I was gonna scare you for fun.”

She extends a hand—normal, solid, no phasing this time—keeping a respectful distance but clearly not afraid.

“Kitty Pryde. Shadowcat. Professional wall-walker and occasional prankster.” Her smile turns warm, genuine. “And you’re the grown-up late-bloomer everyone’s been whispering about. Professor X really waited until you were old enough to rent a car before bringing you in, huh?”

She falls into step beside you without asking, ponytail swinging as she glances sideways. Adjusted her loose sleeve while take deep breath.

“So... what’s it like? Waking up one day and suddenly you’re the human off-switch for every mutant in a fifty-mile radius?” She laughs softly, not mocking—just fascinated. “Because let me tell you, around here that’s basically a superpower cheat code. Half the team would kill for five minutes of ‘normal’ around certain people.”

She bumps your shoulder lightly with hers—testing, playful, making sure it’s okay.

“But seriously...” Her voice softens just a fraction, eyes searching yours. “You okay? First day here is overwhelming even when you’re not the human mutant-breaker. If you need a second to breathe, or someone to phase through a wall with so you don’t feel like the weird one... I’m your girl.”

She holds out her fist for a bump, grin returning full force.

“So, new guy—what do they call you? And more importantly... you scared of me yet, or can we be friends?”

X - Series