Finally, home again.
Prolonged trips had never been a favorite of Oliver Manery, and he reflected on just that as he stepped through the gate of Xavier's School for Mutants...Gifted Youngsters. Oliver grinned. Youngsters. What a funny word. He'd always found it a funny word.
In fact, as he walked down the gravel road to the mansion, he recalled his first visit to this school. The Professor had actually called him a Youngster back then. Oliver had found it funny then as well, but he guessed that someone of the Professor's age had the right to call nearly anybody a Youngster.
The boy of nineteen spent nearly twenty minutes just wandering around the school, looking at old things. His long trip back to Ireland to acquire information on what had happened to his parents and to get their money from the bank there--he was ever practical--had left him utterly exhausted and ready to return to the mansion. His home. His walk through the hallways got him caught up with many old faces, excitement blooming as he met up with people he hadn't seen in months. He'd spent far longer than intended in Ireland...four months. It was all because of those damn police...bank complications. Not to mention he'd met up with someone...Oliver shrugged inwardly. He hated thinking about that.
At last Oliver made his way to the lounge, the standard place for a returning mutant to visit. There he found yet more old faces...
"Hey guys," he said simply.