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His conversations with Gene and Guppy have left Charles worried about Autor.

What he's doing is familiar as Charles spent a good part of his childhood observing and listening as he tried to figure out what to say, what he shouldn't say and how to not be thought mad. What helped him the most was Raven who would point out when he was being strange and rude. Though he also was willing to listen because he knew that people didn't like him and wanted them to.

He takes another sip of his Scotch and listens to Milliways with a search for any thoughts of Autor as he flips through the Sunday New York Times

(OOC: Charles is more actively listening than he normally does. Please add thoughts in narration and if they are thinking about Autor but not focusing with Charles, feel free to tag the thoughts in. Then Charles may come and talk to them. All threads happen before the one with Autor. Thank you.)

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She looks up, pleased at the compliment on her handiwork.

"Oh, thank you!" She picks up a fresh daisy, twirling the flower on its stem. "I saw them when I was outside earlier, and I thought I'd see if I could remember how to make a flower crown. I think I have enough to work with here -- it's been a while since I made one."

Everything about her is pleasant and polite...though the odd staring eye motif on her pendant, and on the red headband that holds back her hair, might be a trifle unsettling. (Some cultures do wear similar designs as protections against the evil eye, though, so it might well be normal for her.)

They are interesting and Charles isn't sure of what to make of them but he hopes to learn in time,

"You seem to be doing quite well with them. Your memory is clearly good."

Punie's smile turns a little shy. "I was thinking that I'd have enough to make one each for my little sisters...but I kind of want to keep this one for myself. Which is really childish, and I ought to be old enough to know better...." She trails off, almost embarrassed, but then adds quickly, "Though I can always go pick more, if I need to. These are wildflowers from outside, not ones from the greenhouse."

At the word greenhouse, there's another pleasant flicker of memory.

"No, it doesn't sound childish simply as if you want to enjoy your own work. Its wonderful to share but also to be able to have something for yourself, there's no reason to choose,"

Her memory is nice, he's glad that Autor does have some friends.

Punie looks more than a little relieved. "It's nice of you to say so," she says. "It's hard to know what it means to be a grown-up, sometimes, but I suppose it's all right to do something like this just for fun, once in a while."

There's a sudden internal admonishment -- oh, I'm forgetting my manners! -- before she gets to her feet, and drops a little curtsy of greeting. "My name's Punie. Punie Tanaka."

"Charles Xavier and I think that's a rather key part of being an adult. Without a balance between work and play, life ends up becoming difficult,"

He bows in return to her.

"If you'd like to join me, there's plenty of -- " She stops and looks down at the table, strewn with flowers. "There will be plenty of space in just a moment." She quickly moves most of the flowers to one side of the table, nearer to her teacup, before she sits back down.

"I think the last time I made a daisy chain, I was perhaps five. I wouldn't wish to waste your flowers,"

He sits down with a grin, the table is cheery and she has improved his mood a great deal.

That prompts a bit of a blush, but she recovers quickly. "The ones from outside are lovely, but the ones in the greenhouse are almost too nice to pick. I wasn't aware that the greenhouse was open to everyone until just recently. Most places that have greenhouses that I know of usually need a key to get inside, or belong to someone in particular so you have to ask their permission first."

Punie sets her crown aside for a moment to pick up her teacup, and sip the still-warm tea. "It's wonderful that it's open for everyone to appreciate."

"It is but Milliways is good about that. Its meant to be a haven for everyone, which I appreciate. We all need someplace where we don't have to be who everyone thinks we are."

"That's very true." One more sip of tea, before she takes up her string of flowers and a new daisy to add to it. "I'm glad I was able to find this place -- I'm actually going to a new school where I'm trying to make friends, but some of the older girls don't like me very much."

There's a little sadness, but most of it is wrapped in a peculiar sort of satisfaction, as if their dislike actually pleases her in some way...or if she has enough self-confidence to not be overly bothered by it.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Schools can be complicated places with the various groups within them. I hope you can find your place there."

Punie nods, with a modest smile. "I'm only there for a year, at least. I'm an exchange student, so I'll be able to go home once the school year ends. But I've made a few friends there, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to make even more friends here. Are you able to come here very often?"

From the hopeful light in her eyes, she's perfectly willing to consider Charles a possible friend.

"I am, yes, its been a good find for me,"

He's learned more of his challenges and to be hopeful about the future.

Punie beams. "My mascot Paya-tan sometimes follows me here, so you might be interested in meeting him at some point, too. He's about so tall" -- measuring from the floor, she indicates a point that's only barely halfway up the table leg -- "and looks a little like a puppy dog. He's very friendly."

Most of the time. But Punie's getting a little ahead of herself, in her excitement over a possible new friend.

"I'll keep an eye out for him."

Punie smiles, and adds another flower to the crown. It's about three-quarters of the way finished by this point. "He can be rather protective of me, so I'll be sure to mention that I spoke to you, beforehand. He even follows me to school when he isn't really supposed to, but I know that's because he wants to be sure that I'm safe."

Her explanation may go some way toward explaining why the brief flicker of an image in her mind is that of a cute little dog-like creature, much as she described, holding a vicious-looking knife that is nearly as big as he is. For some reason, it's a comforting thought to her.

The knife is unexpected but then Charles knows how often people here aren't what they seem,

"Thank you, that sounds as if it would be useful."

It's good to be helpful. And Punie can be quite good at it, when she wants to be.

"Though now that I think of it, is there anyone else you've met who you think I might like? I haven't been able to come here much, so I feel like I'm missing out on all sorts of fun things at times. And it's always easier to make friends if you know someone in common."

"You and my sister would get along, her name's Raven and she's about my height with blonde hair."

"Oh, really?" Punie lights up at this news -- oh, family, how wonderful! -- and nearly drops her next flower in her enthusiasm. "Is she your younger or older sister? I have two little twin sisters, but they're only eight years old, and I don't know that I'd want them to come here just yet. They can be very naughty sometimes, and I'm sure I'd have to scold them quite a bit for getting in people's way."

"Younger than me but not my very much. Her idea's of fun aren't always the same as mine but she's good for me,"

He knows that she might be older even but he considers her his younger sister.

"I'll be sure to look for her, if she comes here."

Her flower crown is almost finished, and when she adds the last stem she holds it up to check her handiwork.

"There, I think that will work!" Carefully, she places it on her own head. The little white petals stand out like snow against her blonde hair. "Is it too silly-looking?"

Her overall thoughts are pleased, though there's still that hint of embarrassment at making something so childish.

"She does come here. No, it looks beautiful,"

He appreciates something that's lovely just for the sake of being instead of with any deep meaning to it.

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