"I still don't understand why this is happening at all" Horatio sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back, "Shouldn't contact with you and Polly have made me better?"

"Apparently not." She kissed his forehead. "We'll have you up and going in no time. :3" She went back to making pancakes and placed some fresh ones in front of Max.

"Thank you" Max nodded

Horatio sighed and soon Pietro was done eating so he got up, saluted them and took off.

"You're welcome." She said cheerily at Max. She made several helping before Pietro headed off. "Be careful!" She said waving Pietro good-bye.

She turned back to Horatio, "How about we move you over to the couch, hm?" She asked gently.

"I'm not fragile" Horatio complained, getting up to move himself to the couch. Determined to not have help, he wavered a bit but managed.

Ceres followed closely but let him do it himself. "I know. I'm just...I'm just worried." She took his hand into hers, "I just found you... I... I don't want to lose you again." She said softly

Horatio frowned, he knew the feeling. "I understand" he sighed, "Don't worry, I'll be alright"

"Let me know if it gets worse before Pietro gets back. Maybe I can stabilize you with my aura like I did with Max."

Horatio looked at her curiously, "what did you do with Max?"

"Well before we were able to make him bigger, I... It's hard to explain. I sort of wrapped my soul around his."

"... okay then..." he shook his head, "I keep forgetting that you're going by Max now" he directed to Eric, "There is another Max that I know... and quite honestly, he's a dick."

"Though I everyone on campus has made the connection between Max and Eric. Espiecally after Pietro arrived...I saw the sewing class working with red and purple material the other day."

"-_- Seriously?" Eric questioned, "<_< wait... and they aren't freaked out about it? I was kind of labelled a terrorist. Mind you, I didn't go after Canada much-though I did almost kill the prime minister in that summit meeting with the other leaders of the world...."

"Eric. This is a place for fresh starts. You should know we teach our students to judge people first hand not by what they hear from others..."

"Good thing none of them met me before then" Eric shrugged.

"How are you certain there are not such people here?" Horatio asked, "I'm fairly certain I've heard a few that are only staying far out of your way."

"You didn't see Eric when he was out of control of his powers. It spooked a lot of the kids.... The counselor has had her office packed with students after everything that's happened. But people are starting to calm down..."

"I haven't seen a lot of things" Horatio commented, "but I hear plenty"

"Oops. Sorry. I'm sure you hear people say that sort of thing a lot. My bad, big brother."

"I'm used to it" Horatio shrugged.

She poked his cheek, "Doesn't mean you enjoy it." She kissed his forehead. "How are you holding up? Would you like some tea? Coffee? Soup?"

"I'm fine" Horatio replied, "Please don't fuss."

~

Meanwhile, Pietro had just given Iron Fist the heads up that they could use his help and while the hero was settling a few things, Pietro decided to go pick up the stone.
He arrived the place shortly, looking around a bit uncertainly.

"Ah, you must be the one who runs like the wind." A elderly woman with a large staff appeared beside him, looking him over, "Come, we've been expecting you."

"Woah-uh-hi?" Pietro jumped at her sudden appearance, "ooookay. I'm just supposed to pick up something?" he stated uncertainly as he followed her.

"Yes, Yes. Ceres sent you." She lead him inside where a table was filled with Asian type food. "But first, won't you humor an old lady and have something to eat? You must be hungry, running all the way here."

Pietro licked his lips, "Hungry? Me? Always" he grinned and sat down.