Charles looked over when he felt the girls approach and smiled, making his way over to them expertly.

"I hope you both feel better now," he said, his eyes warm. "I've got a kettle on. How do you take your tea?" He seemed immune to the noise and chaos behind him

Paige was thrown for a moment.

"Um... depends on the tea," she said. "Listen, we're really sorry to impose like this, Darwin said it would be alright to stay the night..."

"Of course it is," Charles said soothingly. "In fact, you can stay here as long as you need a place to stay. We have more than enough room." He grinned and expertly herded them inside so he could pour tea.

"We'll be out of your hair soon," Paige said even as she got herded into the room. She wasn't sure how it happened; one moment she was in the doorway and the next she was being maneuvered to a couch. "We just need to find a new place."

"Of coursen" Charles said. As if it was ever that easy. "Ororo, would you--? Ah, yes, thank you." He smiled as the little one set cookies down next to the tea tray. "Oh yes, how rude of me! My name is Charles." He beamed at both girls.

"I'm Paige, and this is Crystal." Paige carefully sat down on the couch, still hesitant to touch anything.

"It's lovely to meet you both. Darwin told us some about you." Charles smiled and sat across from them, pouring tea. "One lump or two?" He looked at Paige.

Paige blinked again at the shift in topic.

"One," she said. She glanced at Crystal.

Crystal just held up two fingers, not trusting herself to speak right then.

Charles nodded and finished the tea, handing the cups over to the girls, and then each of them got a little plate with two cookies and a scone on it.

"Thanks," Paige said. She was silent for a moment. "Thank you for letting us stay tonight. We really appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it," Charles replied. "We're glad to have you. Darwin speaks well of you both."

"Papa, you're spreading lies and slander again," Darwin called, clearly teasing, as he picked up the youngest one.

Crystal couldn't help but snort a bit. Okay, everything here was crazy. She could deal with it and not freak out for one night. One night would be fine.

"I'm doing no such thing, you've said nothing but good things about these young ladies," Charles replied, smiling warmly. He glanced at the clock and stood up with a soft grunt. Once he was standing, it was obvious he was carrying a good deal of weight in the middle, all in front. "Alright, time for the young ones to get to bed. Hank, Darwin, Alex, if you would?" He gestured to the younger children, and then to the door.

Paige just sat there cautiously, not moving from the couch. She wasn't sure what was going on, but it was best not to get in the way of child-herding.

The three aforementioned boys started herding the youngsters upstairs to bed, grinning and ignoring protests.

Crystal watched them all go, determinedly not looking at Charles at all. After they were gone she looked down at her tea.

"Well, I'm afraid you've missed dinner, but in case you're hungry there's plenty of food," Charles said, smiling at them.

"Oh--" Paige shook her head a bit. "No, we're... we're fine. Thanks."

Charles just studied them both for a moment before nodding.

"Alright," he said. "But if either of you change your minds, please speak up, no matter when."

Crystal just nodded and finished off her tea, not having touched the food, when the boys came back downstairs, chatting.

"Really, Alex? Is that all you think about?" Hank was asking, amused.

"Hey, sue me, I'm a guy," Alex replied, grinning. "Come on, you can't tell me you didn't think it too, if you try to say you didn't then you're a liar."

"Boys," Charles chastised a little. "We have guests, remember."

Hank gave Alex a bit of a Look but went over to Charles anyway. "Sorry, Papa."

Crystal, meanwhile, had figured out they were being spoken about, and had turned to level narrowed eyes at Alex, trying to figure out what he'd said.

Alex saw the look and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" he said. "Something on my face?"

The door opened, and yet another person called out that he was home. Charles, fortunately, had not sat down, and smiled, going to go greet Erik.

"No, just wondering what exactly you're saying that you can't say in front of us," Crystal said, her voice quiet and sharp.

"Hey, you do speak," Alex said. "I was starting to wonder."

"Alex..." Hank said warningly.

Crystal bared her teeth at him. "Not all of us are loud and obnoxious," she bit out, not quite glaring at him but definitely not pleased.

"Geeze, what's got your undies in a twist?" Alex asked, watching her carefully. Darwin had told them that the girls were mutants, but he didn't tell them what the mutations were.

Crystal shrugged. "Oh, I don't know, I don't particularly like people talking about me." And she was uncomfortable around people, but she didn't add that as she stood to look at him more evenly.

"Who says I was talking about you?" Alex asked. "Honestly, why are you so defensive? You don't have to bite my head off, it's safe here."

"Yes, I'm really going to take the word of a loud-mouthed teenage boy about safety," Crystal said, her voice dry. "Forgive me if I take your words with a grain of salt."