"As long as you're sure," Paige said. She absently ran her fingers over some of the surfaces in her immediate area, just exploring materials and textures. It was an unconscious habit that she'd developed when her mutation had surfaced.

Charles noticed but didn't comment. "I'm quite sure," he said. "Feel free to make yourselves comfortable, I think the children will be occupied for a while, now."

"Alright," Paige said, still a bit cautious. "Thanks."

Charles nodded and gave them a bit of room to settle in again, going to scold Tony and Logan for a bit. Because clearly they never listened to him.

Paige did try to find a new apartment for them, she really did. Every landlord she talked to, however, turned her down. She still went to work and everything, but an apartment just wasn't happening. So she and Crystal kept staying in the guest rooms in the Xavier mansion for the time being.

After about a week, Charles started hinting that it seemed like they'd lost a few things in the move and maybe they'd like to do a bit of shopping as payment for watching the kids? Especially since, much to their surprise, the kids loved both girls.

Paige was a bit resistant at first, but it didn't take too much nudging to get her to give in. They had lost some things, after all, and some of it needed to be replaced.

Crystal ended up going with her, and Raven went with them to "supervise". Or just get away from her own child for a little while and do some shopping with other ladies.

"So, how are you two settling in?" she asked as she drove them to the nearest mall.

"Settling in?" Paige asked. "Well enough, I guess, but we're not staying. Just until we find a place."

Raven laughed a bit. "Well, you can stay as long as you want. As for settling in, that house is a bit... crazy. I know it can take some getting used to."

"It's not that bad, really," Paige admitted. "It could be so much worse."

"Yeah, that house is great." Raven smiled. "You won't find a more giving soul than Charles, either." She looked at the two of them critically. "Which you two look like you could use, no offense."

"We were just... having a rough time, that's all," Paige said, squirming a bit in her seat. "We'll be back on our feet soon."

"Everyone needs help sometimes," Raven said as she parked. "Even Charles, though he won't admit it sometimes."

Paige made a vague sound at that and got out of the car.

"I still think he didn't have to do this for us," she said. "We could have managed, eventually."

"Oh sweetie, everyone he adopts would have made it okay without him," Raven said with a kind smile. "But he likes to help people."

Paige glanced at her, raising an eyebrow a bit.

"You too, then," she said. It wasn't a question. Clearly, Raven spoke from experience.

"Yeah. We were both kids, but yeah." Raven shrugged a bit. "And Erik. Logan, not so much, and Tony got adopted in later. And almost all the kids."

"Most of the kids?" Paige asked, curious. She thought back to the younger kids for a moment. "Who wasn't adopted?"

"Pietro and Wanda," Raven said. "They're actually biologically related, not that Charles lets that change anything."

"No, I doubt he would," Paige mused. "Charles treats them all the same."

"Yes he does." Raven looked at them. "He'll treat you the same for as long as you choose to stay, as well." Because she knew just how hard it could be to go without acceptance for a while.

"I've noticed," Paige murmured as they headed into the mall. She glanced at Crystal. "So what do we need?"

"Some basics, I need a new jacket, maybe a pair or two of nicer pants and shirts in case we get any more interviews..." Crystal shrugged. "Another pair of jeans would be nice, maybe a few long-sleeved shirts. Maybe."

Paige nodded.

"My nice blazer got ruined," she said. "So I need a new suit, pretty much, and a new jacket. Maybe some jeans. Couple of sweaters for the winter."