Lacy followed her mum inside, surprised by how despite the familiar setting, she felt as though sheâd just entered a strangerâs house. It was still distinctly the same, however. The shoes were still by the door, the same picture frames hung in the hall, even if different pictures now occupied them. None of the ones from her childhood were still there. Gone was the picture of her and James playing, and the one of her with her first gymnastics award. It shouldnât sting like it did, she thought to herself. She was the one whoâd left.
She smiled, asking her mum about the last few years. How was she, Dad, and James? James was at college now, she found out, home for the holidays at the moment. And her father was much the same as heâd been. The two of them were out, though Grace never mentioned where. Lacy wasnât sure, but she thought she detected a hint of relief that the rest of the family wasnât home. She ignored it, smiling and nodding.
When the questions inevitably turned to her, she was a little vague. But she told her mother how she now attended a school for kids like her. (Â She slipped so easily back into her old ways of not mentioning the word mutant. )Â She was working on using her powers for good things, to help people. Her mother changed the subject fast, away from her powers.
Lacy flinched slightly, noticing the tension in the air and seeing the familiar look in her motherâs eyes. Sheâd noticed it, yes, but she hadnât brought it up for this reason. Little habits that Lacy herself had picked up over the years were echoed in her mum now as she brushed it away. But there was always the tell tale signs of lying, and Grace Davies had never been a good liar to begin with.
âTea or coffee? I have some biscuits as well, I think. Why donât you sit down here and Iâll go get them, hmm?â
Grateful for the topic shift, Lacy nodded. She sat down on the couch, perched awkwardly at the edge and as close to the arm as possible. Even before her mum left the room, her eyes were trained to the floor, her posture more slumped than usual; all as if she was trying to make herself as small as possible. Part of her was beginning to regret this.
âThank you. For coming,â she said quietly to Wanda. They were alone for a couple minutes before Mrs Davies returned. Mrs Davies was silent for a few moments after she handed out drinks.
âSo, Wanda, is it?â she said, the name rolling off her tongue awkwardly. âHow exactly do you know Lacy? You, uhâŠâ Grace noticed that the older mutant looked a little old to be attending school with the 17 year old. âAre you a teacher?â she asked. Lacy bit her lip and looked at Wanda.
âOf course---â eyes remained on the shrunken frame of the girl she watched blossom into a confident young woman. To see her in such a state was bewildering to say the least. How a place could drag her back into her old habits so quickly sent an odd sensation to the pit of Wandaâs stomach where she was forced to grip at the stray fabric of the couch. It was the only way to keep herself quiet and tamed. Her tongue darted past her lips as she shifted in the direction of Lacy, keeping her voice low enough for the two to hear.Â
                                 âLittle dove---â
âDo not shrink for these people --- Do not let them force you back into the darkness for their own comfortâ her emerald gaze dipped slightly to meet those of Lacyâs that were trained on the wooden floor. âDo not let them change who you are and who youâve become--- You are Pantomime. Hero. Do not forget that.â Wanda could feel herself growing angry, especially when her words were cut short by the return of the elder woman and her questions.Â
âYes --- Wanda ---  better known as the Scarlet Witch --- you may have seen me alongside the Bro---â her words cut off as she bit back her sarcastic and rather rude remark when she caught the gaze of Lacy in her peripheral vision. â---Avengers. I joined their team recently and took on the position of mentor. You should be very proud of your daughter. She has shown a lot of promise and is one of the most impressive young mutants Iâve worked with.â Wanda spoke openly and honestly --- her grip tightening against the curve of the scolding hot cup.Â
                     âYou should be proud of the hero she is.â