The Owlman gave a sweeping bow, at her assent. She was still wary, but that was perfectly understandable. He was, after all, a big strange owl person in a big strange city asking to take her to a strange place. He wished he had had the time to make er a little more comfortable, but the boss was calling so he really didn't.

He slipped the Squawk Box into his pants pocket, grabbed what remained of the bread, and threw it with a splash into the pond where it was swarmed by ducks. With a sashaying walk he lead Casper on to the building in which he worked and lived: International Heroes L.A. Headquarters.

---

It was lucky that this small park was withing walking distance of the big, impressive building. He remembered the first time he had ever seen it, when he had been coaxed back into the world. The first time he had seen his room his jaw had nearly broken from how fast it had hit the floor. It compared significantly better to his old room before he'd become...what he was. It had a private garden, for gods sake! It's luxury compared to the crudely built hovels he had spent years living in and out of did not even bare mention, and yet...

He'd come to think of it as the X-Men problem. Sure, mutants were feared and persecuted and you were supposed to sympathize with the X-Men but at the same time they were all supermodels that lived in a luxurious mansion. Even guys like Beast, who were supposed to be monstrous, were still ruggedly handsome in there own way. All the ugly mutants, the really ugly ones, were either with the Brotherhood or lived in the sewers as Morlocks. Villains or side-characters. When he had first shown up he had taken a good look around and had gotten that same feeling as when he'd really started thinking about the X-Men. Even here, in the heart of an organization that should accept him implicitly, he still didn't feel as one with the human race.

It wasn't the only reason he'd started reaching out to others like him, but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't a big part of it.

Speaking of supermodels, as he pushed open the doors there was one now working the reception desk. He was seeply tanned, with a mob of blond hair that just seemed to naturally fall in such a way that was incredibly stylish. He had three earring running up one ear, all shiny metal in the shape of diamond, and he quirked a single golden eyebrow above one of his deep blue eyes upon seeing The Owlmans companion.

The Owlman wasn't jealous. He didn't wonder in a silent rage why half the metas you met had to be so hot. He definably didn't want to creep into the guys room and carefully shave off all his hair while he slept. These were thoughts that did not go through his [i]giant freakish feathery head[/i].

He shook his head and set down the magazine he'd been reading. "Owlman, baby. Pick up another stray? You know, this is the second one we've had this morning. She meta?" 

The Owlman shrugged as he approached, and the guy signed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course you didn't ask. Heeey." He said, adopting a calmer demeanor as he runs his eyes over the state of Caspers face and clothing. "Welcome to superhero HQ. We help people. You doing okay honey? Is there anyone you want us to call?"

[@Pirouette]