16561/You Find the Darndest Things In The Surf

You Find the Darndest Things In The Surf
Date of Scene:	13 December 2023
Location:	Genosha
Synopsis:	Joshua Foley is in Genosha when a girl washes up on a beach, nearly dead. He heals her wounds, and helps Kiana over the ensuing two weeks before he returns home.
Cast of Characters:	Kiana, Joshua Foley

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Kiana has posed:
Genosha has been recovering since the attack by Brainiac's gigantic Wild Sentinels almost four years ago. Though there are still scars, the vegetation has recovered. The cities are further along than most might have believed. But then it was the industrious use of mutant powers (or more accurately in those days, mutate powers) that had originally built Genosha so rapidly into a thriving technological nation.

The numbers of people have not recovered yet though. Between those who were away from the island or fled it successfully, and those shrunken by Brainiac and later recovered, the island's population was reduced to about 150,000 humans and mutants. Though more have come to settle Genosha, tempted by well-paying jobs and opportunities that look like they can be near limitless.

This particular stretch of Genoshan shoreline is mostly recovered, though there wasn't much here to have drawn the Sentinel attacks even in 2020. A few roads with views of the Indian Ocean, sometimes of the white, sandy beaches where the tropical vegetation hasn't grown too close.

A small cluster of buildings sits at a crossroads, with one street leading down towards a beach nearby. There's a small building being used as a diner with a few tables out front in the warm sun. A half dozen small shacks that provide habitation. A little one-stall car garage that also looks like it does work on boats from the fact one is sitting in front with the engine in the bay being disassembled.

And there's Old Ned's stand. Ned is in his sixties, with permanently tanned, leathery skin. Small little nubs can be seen around the outside of his face, sort of like some reptiles have, signaling his mutant heritage. He's wearing a faded Hawaiian print shirt and an old brown hat to keep the sun off as he sits in a folding lawn chair next to his stand where jewelry, carved figures and all manner of crafts can be seen. He's currently whittling away on some beach wood. It's not clear yet what it is, but it is starting to take some form.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Genosha had put out a call to all mutants to come help, if they could. While Joshua Foley primarily has found himself helping out at Xaviers and Nettie's friends, the young man has also been busying himself at the Bushwick Clinic. He had seen that there was an expedition for the week of and after Thanksgiving for volunteers to help out so that the overworked hospitals and clinics of Genosha could get a much needed break.

Most are willing to overlook that Joshua does not have a medical license when they realize his talents and what his powers can do. After a very long shift at a hospital need the beach, Joshua was tired, but not in a bad way. He had helped others. He had gotten to provide care and comfort. And for a mutant that had been discarded from his family and is trying to build a new one, that feeling is desperatedly needed after his fall.

Finishing his shift, the golden hued mutant is wearing a volunteer's jacket over the hospital scrubs matched up with a pair of no-scuff shoes. He had found a stand selling smaosas, little deep fried pockets of meat, spics and vegetables in a little pop in your mouth ball and was currently looking over the wares of Old Ned. He's eyeing some of the pearls, though his eyes are not quite descerning. "How much does a pearl usually go for?" he asks curiously, taking out another little pocket of meat to snack on.

Kiana has posed:
Old Ned reaches over to his drink, taking a sip of the beer, which has gone warm from being in the sun as long as it has. He doesn't seem to mind though. "Depends on the type and quality. Color, size, luster, all of that," he replies. "A single pearl from the States might cost $20 or $30 for an individual pearl by itself. Fresh water ones aren't in as much appeal. The South Sea and Tahitian varieties we get here are the most sought after, $300 to... oh, maybe even $1500 American," he comments. "Not counting turning it into jewelry of course."

Ned reaches over, picking up a pair of earrings with black pearls. "These are $600," he says. "Local boy, Rafael, occasionally finds some he sells me," he says, letting Joshua hold the earrings and look them over if he likes.

Taking another sip of his beer, Ned looks Joshua over. "You working over at the hospital?" he asks. He gives a little taps of his nose. "Can smell some antiseptic on you," he says. Must have a good sense of smell to have noticed.

Joshua Foley has posed:
There's a low whistle from Joshua after he swallows his little chewed up pastry of meat and veggies. "I may only be able to afford the freshwater ones." he admits with a chuckle. Volunteer work does not get paid money. They're paid in experience! At least that's what he heard the others talking about when they had arrived on the Island. He looks the earrings over for a moment, but $600 is well out of his wheelhouse of a budget which may be only the size of an inflatable dinghy.

Handing the earrings back, there's a chuckle and a nod. "I am volunteering there. From New York originally. Here for the next couple of weeks." He looks around at the recovering tropical paradise. "Needed a change of pace." he admits with a hint of sadness in his voice. But already, his biokenesis is idly scoping out the old mutant. He's learned to keep his hands off people that just want to age gracefully, but if there's something terribly wrong he has been known to make a recommendation or two.

Kiana has posed:
Ned is showing his age in the typical ways, though he seems in fair shape for all that. There are some differences to his olfactory system that are noticeable. He seems like a tough one, someone who has made it out the other side of a tough past, hard and resilient as old oak.

"I usually send those to a friend in the city to sell in her jewelry shop," Ned says of the pearl earrings. "Here, take a look at these. Mother of pearl, beautiful luster to them," he says of other earrings which are pearl colored though lacking pearls themselves.

"Good onya to come out to the island and help us out," he says, looking Joshua over and then giving an approving nod. "Folks been kind after what happened. I was lucky. Was away visiting my son at the time," he says.

He glances over, seeing someone running up from the beach. A young teenaged boy, dark hair and olive skin, he has a Latino look to him. He's rather scrawny, arms and legs pumping as he runs along the road towards the stand.

Joshua Foley has posed:
A smile as he observes Ned's health, Joshua feels a small sense of relief. He's handled much much worse. When offered the other earrings, Josh takes them. His fingers run over them, feeling the distance between the two stones and gives a gentle oooh of recognition. "These are very nice. You do wonderful work on them!" comes the praise from the young mutant.

"I saw what happened on TV. I wasn't a mutant at the time. At least, I didn't know I was one." He's not going to go into that with a complete stranger. "But I feel that I needed to come out at some point to help, I only wish it'd been sooner." With that admission, he is handing back over the other set of earrings. Looks like Joshua may be a no-sell today.

That is when he hears the crunching of feet on stone and the panting of breath and notices someone running at a full tilt towards the stand. "That your son?" he asks as the boy approaches. Maybe it's his grandson? He steps back, because it appears he's in a hurry to get to the shopkeep.

Kiana has posed:
"Can let you have these for $40," Ned says of the second pair of earrings. "Or I have a couple of necklaces with pendants using mother of pearl too if you like one of those instead," he says, turning to find such a necklace among his things.

Ned glances up at the approaching boy. "Nah, that's Rafael. The boy I mentioned. Lives over there with his mother," he says, motioning towards one of the more ramshackle dwellings in the area. "She works over at the diner," he comments, though he keeps his eyes on Rafael, as the boy seems to have a frantic look about him.

Rafael waves as he draws near, calling out in English that has a noticeable Spanish accent to it. "Ned! Ned, there's a girl I found in the surf. She wasn't breathing," he manages to get out between gasps for breath. "Come on, she's down on the beach," he says. The lithe boy starting to take steps back towards the beach already, waving at Ned, and Joshua, to come with him, bare feet ready to pad back down the path to the ocean shore.

Joshua Foley has posed:
"I can do $35." Joshua is from New York. He know what it means to haggle. And now that Ned has named a price, he can work with it, because he really did want to get something nice to bring back home. When Ned mentions the boy's name and where he lives, the grey eyes of the healer rise towards the diner in question and he ahas gently.

He was about to continue the haggling when suddenly Rafael makes his announcement. Haggling, the earrings, gifts are forgotten about as he sets the jewelry down on the counter and his attention turns to Rafael immediately.

And the boy doesn't need to ask twice. Duty, like a moth to a flame, draws Joshua forward, already breaking into a hard run - even as Rafael is saying to follow, he's picking up the pace to make his way towards the beach.

She's not breathing. On the beach. Possible drowning victim. Joshua knows CPR, he can help if there's a chance. If not... there's more drastic things he can do. But figure out the issue when you get there, he chides himself, instead of trying to second guess what you're coming in on.

His hand goes into his pocket to fetch his phone - but calling the clinic is going to have to wait. He needs to concentrate on getting to the victim.

Kiana has posed:
Ned is up and out of his chair quickly. He's not as fast as either Rafael or Joshua, though the old mutant is able to reach a better pace than most his age could. He runs with an odd loping gait, more like leaping from one step to the next rather than running smoothly.

Rafael only slows for whomever is fastest, which would be Joshua. Soon they are arriving down on the beautiful sandy beach. The waves are lapping up on shore, little rollers only large enough on this stretch to do some wake boarding on but not surfing.

At the waters edge a body can be seen. There are marks that show Rafael dragged her out of the water and up onto the wet sand far enough the waves are just lapping at her feet before receding.

The girl looks to be in her late teenaged years. Very slender but with an athletic tone. A leanness and long limbs that might make one think of an Olympic swimmer. Her skin is quite tan, and seems naturally dark. She's wearing some kind of bathing suit, a bikini whose coloring changes from aqua green to blue. Though the fabric itself would seem unusual, should anyone eventually notice it.

She's also clearly been through a rough time. There are bruises and abrasions, and a number of cuts as she lies there limply on the sand. She looks like one of the X-men after a ferocious battle.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Following Rafael down to the beach, the sight that he comes across is one that is familiar to him. How many times has he had to treat one of his comrades after a battle against a big bad that threatens the world. Or even a young woman that was beaten up because she had a tail growing out of her. Too much. Well too much.

Tossing the phone back into his pocket for now, Joshua slides into the sand to come up alongside of her, not willing to move her until he's done an assessment. And already, he's looking her over, his biokenesis flairing to life in a soft golden glow that radiates off likewise colored skin like flames.

"She's got a heartbeat. The cuts and abrasions can wait. The fact that she's not breathing is the thing that needs to be addressed at the moment." He rattles off to himself, as if reminding himself, before seeing the function of her lungs. "Okay. She's breathing, not much..." His hand moves to tilt the young woman's head back, opening her mouth and throat, because he notices. "Osmosis?" Confusion knits Joshua's brows and he realizes what he needs t do. At least it's warm south of the border.

Stripping off his jacket, he tosses it to the side. They are quickly followed by his shoes and socks and shirt. His arms slip under the girls' knees and then across her back, lifting her up to hold her closely to him. "We're going back into the water." he announces.

Holding her next to him, careful steps bring him into the water, deeper and deeper, until he's fully immersed to his chest and the woman is up to her frame being covered, only her head above water.

As he starts to use his power to patch and heal, closing wounds, dimming and unclotting bruises, he tries to search for the worst damage to heal it first. Most of it is pretty easy to take care of. But the important part is that he's rocking her back and forth and swirling her in a circle in the water, keeping it agitated and washing over her skin.

Kiana has posed:
Rafael is anxiously bouncing back and forth from one foot to the other. "I wasn't sure what to do. I checked and she wasn't breathing that I could tell, and I couldn't feel a heartbeat," he says.

When the boy hears what Joshua plans, he looks to Ned worriedly. "Back in the water?" he asks as if he didn't hear it right.

Old Ned makes a calming gesture to the boy. "Think he's saying she might be a water breather. Knew a girl in Carrion Cove could do that. Before," Ned says, not needing to be more specific as to what even he had known her before.

When Josh gets her into the water, the Polynesian girl's lungs start to work a little more, though so weakly that he might end up deciding to use his healing power there first. The result will be more steadied breathing and oxygen getting back into her system.

Blood loss is the next immediate concern. Though some of her wounds seem to have clotted despite being in the water, some of the most serious ones have continued to loose blood. Joshua is able to close over the worst wounds, and to help rebuild her blood volume as well.

The bruises tell a story, though not a clear one. Some could be impacts of nearly any sort. One looks like a handprint. Another pair of bruises are like bands across her arms, side by side, like maybe a rope or tentacle or God knows what.

"She going to make it?" Ned asks. He's waded out into the water, as has Rafael, staying nearby in case they can help.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua does not answer the 'will she make it' question. He's had so much touch and go that he's learned the doctor's adage of only saying they're good when you're sure that they will be back on their feet and walking out of the hospital.

Instead, his focus is on the young woman in his arms. The first hint was that she was in a type of swimsuit. Not many come swimming here anymore. But she could have fallen from a cruise ship. That would have been a helluva story. But he can see her porous skin pulling in and expelling the water. "There you go." he coaxes. "Take some deep breaths. You're safe." He's working on closing those wounds, especially the open ones, before they draw unwanted attention.

The fact that they are shaped as hands or tentacles is not lost on him. He has no idea what horror of the deep may have sought to attack her - or maybe tried to eat her - but he's doing his best to make sure that there is no trail to follow.

His hand moves, one hand holding her back to continue the assisted breathing. The other touching and making sure the worst wound get the most direct attention.

If he was smarter, he would have documented the injuries with his phone. And under normal circumstances, a regular doctor would have had time to take the pictures later. With Joshua, it's an all or nothing proposition. He either heals all the injuries or none of them. The woman is getting all.

As he starts to sense her lifeforce growing stronger, he calls out. "I think so!" Not exactly wholly optimistic, but encouraging. "You can wake up when you're ready." That to the girl in his arms. "This might be a little awkward." he suddenly realizes. "Sorry."

Kiana has posed:
Rafael edges closer, watching as a deep cut across her scalp seems to knit itself closed under Joshua's touch. "She's really beautiful," he murmurs softly. Because a boy his age can't really help but notice such things, can he? Watching Joshua move to mass of bruises on her abdomen, the Latino boy murmurs of the healing, "I wish I could do that."

"You can, lad," Old Ned says, resting a hand on the young teen's shoulder.

It draws a surprised look from Rafael. "I can?" he asks uncertainly.

The older mutant gives a nod. "Of course. Go to medical school," he says. Rafael lets out a sigh, though afterwards there might be a thoughtful look, though his attentions are back on the lovely young woman being ministered to by Joshua's healing touch.

She's breathing more clearly. As Joshua causes her body to regenerate blood, the girl seems to stabilize quite a bit more. It isn't long before his words prove prophetic. Pretty brown eyes flutter open. Blinking uncertainly as they look around as if trying to make sense of things. Giving Joshua a moment before any panic might set in.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua is well aware how beautiful the woman in his arms is. Under different circumstances, if he was someone else, he'd have quips and pithy remarks on it. Not his wheelhouse. That and he's overriden by the save her life so she can be beautiful on her feet instead of a gorgeous corpse.

He doesn't quite tune out Rafael and Ned, but his attention is sorta locked on to the girl as he feels the stir of her body. Aha! When those brown eyes opened, the tanned woman will find herself looking up in the golden skin, grey eyes and blonde hair of the mutant that's holding her. A smile is offered.

"You were in pretty rough shape." he offers to her. "You're in Genosha, and you're safe." The first three concerns addressed, he slows his movements so that he can judge if she's ready to pull away and be ambulatory on her own.

And then there's a realization as he looks her over fully. "Can you understand me?" Because she may not be able to speak English and only able to make dolphin noises or something - not that he's thought of her anything other than a mutant.

Kiana has posed:
Confused emotions fly through the teenaged Polynesian girl's eyes as she starts to make sense of things. Joshua's gentle words that much more stimulus that she needs to make sense of while her mind is still fogged and groggy. But helpful as it turns out, once their import has managed to be grasped by the young woman.

"Yes, I understand you," Kiana says, eyes focusing up on Joshua for a few long moments. Like a touchstone with which she can let her mind grow calm enough to begin to sort things through more fully.

She sits up, though a hand going about Joshua's torso to hold herself to as she further gets her bearings. The girl's eyes go to Ned and Rafael. The latter gives her an excited smile. "I found you. In the surf. But you're going to be ok," he tells her, glancing to Joshua as if to confirm he's said the truth.

Ned rests his hand back on Rafael's shoulder. "It's true lass. We didn't think you had made it, but this fellow here seems to have a way with healing," he says.

This draws the girl's attention back to Joshua. She's sitting up out of the water now, and doesn't seem to be having any distress with breathing air, not that he noticed water running out of as if her lungs had emptied. "How did I get here?" she asks. "Where did you say this is?"

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua remainds in place, allowing her to get her bearings back into place and to parse out the situation that she's in at the moment. As she seems to be at least grasping something and announces that she understands him, there's at least a little relief in his eyes, his skin warm under her touch when she steadies herself.

As the others help with the explanation, Joshua nods. "He thought you had drowned." Honestly, Josh had thought the same, but now he knows different. "But apparently you had beached yourself?" A curious question, but one he needs to ask to understand.

It's her next questions that knit his brow together, his hand sliding down and then off of her back to make sure she can stand on her own. "You're in Genosha." he explains. "Are you from here?" She could be a tourist after all.

His hand goes to his chest, briefly covering hers on his skin. "I'm Joshua. That's Ned and Rafael." His hand releases, as he asks.

"What's your name?"

Kiana has posed:
The young woman does slowly rise. In her later teens perhaps. Though not exactly tall, there is a statuesque feeling to her lean, athletic body. A body meant to be in motion, and one can imagine such gracefully fluid movements when it is. Streamlined and sleekly feminine.

"Genosha?" she repeats, the second time it was mentioned, she remembers now. A small shake is given of the Polynesian girl's head. "I don't think I know it," she says.

"Kiana" she answers on the heels of being asked her name. Though it was delivered with clarity, Kiana's expression turns perplexed after. "I don't really remember much. It was dark, and I... I think I was hurting and..." she says before trailing off, shaking her head. "I don't remember much of anything," she says, looking around. Those athletic toned shoulders seem to hunch a little in a self-protective, unsure posture as her eyes flit about as if looking for something familiar.

"Thank you," she says after a moment to calm her worried thoughts. "For saving me. Josh... Joshua?" she says as if to make sure she gets the name right. "And... Ned."

"And Rafael. I found you," the boy says, filling in his name before she gets to recalling it.

"Thank you, Rafael," she tells him, giving him a soft smile which makes the boy look like he could float off the ground.

Joshua Foley has posed:
"Your injuries were pretty damatic." Joshua responds. And for a moment, Kiana is taller than him before he pushes himself to his feet. Still, he's only slightly taller than her. "And if you were having trouble breathing for a long period of time, it could lead to a temporary memory loss."

"You do not remember what happened, then?" Because that would help. But that doesn't seem to be here nor there at the moment.

Though he addresses the issue of his name. "Joshua or Josh, whichever you want to use." Because let's be honest. He may never see the pretty Polynesian girl ever again. "I should contact the local authorities. With all the recovery going on here, I'm sure they'll be happy to provide tempoary aid until you get your memories back, or settle in." he explains to her.

Now that she seems to be fully out of danger, he's making his way out of the water, even if his scrub bottoms are soaked through and he makes his way back to the small pile of clothes he had left on the beach to pull his phone out of his pocket. "What do you remember outside of that?" he asks her thoughtfully. She remembers her name. Anything else important?

Kiana has posed:
A tiny shake of the teen's head answers the question about if she can remember what happened. "Thank you," she says again as Joshua starts to move back up into the sand, leaving her with Ned and Rafael.

Kiana glances down at the water and then a little stream of it squirts up into the air as if from a fountain. Sediment and white flakes that might be salt, fall away from the stream, which defies gravity as it makes a bend and directs itself to her lips where Kiana drinks from it.

"Oooh, that's a nice mutant power!" Rafael says, smiling winsomely at the older girl. "Genosha, you said you didn't know it," Ned adds. "It's the mutant homeland. This island. Off Africa, a bit near Madagascar," he says.

Kiana's impromptu water fountain falls back into the water. "That isn't something you can do?" she asks, seeming to have done it without thought. Ned shakes his head. "Each mutant tends to have different powers. Some have similar ones, but we're all unique in our own ways I guess."

He gestures towards shore, and Kiana walks out of the surface with them to join Joshua. He might notice there's some kind of jewelry on her leg, an anklet worn tight, with a tiny seashell charm on it.

Kiana's eyes search about at Joshua's question. "I don't... really remember much," she says slowly. "A... a ship maybe? And... there's a woman. I can't quite make out her face. I think... maybe she's family? Or... I don't even know. Maybe it's the last person I saw," she says slowly.

Joshua Foley has posed:
When Kiana shows off what she could, Joshua nods in agreement with Rafael and Ned. "Water manipulation would make sense considering that she needs to use osmosis in order to breathe." For Rafael, he explains. "Kiana takes water through her skin, takes the oxygen from it, and then expels the rest." With that out of the way, he's turning his attention back to her.

The comment on the ship piques his interest and he makes a note as he contacts welfare services and have them check the local cruise companies manifest to see if anyone may have reported her as having gone overboard.

"That's a nice charm on your ankle." By bringing it up, Joshua is hoping to spark a memory as Kiana enjoys him on the beach. The phone message sent, he shoves it back in his pocket and moves to grab his shirt to slip back on.

"As Ned said, this is an island nation, mainly of mutants." he explains. His golden skin already seperates him from the others. "I heal people." he explains, and even in that golden skin, the young Polynesian woman may notice a small patch of black, the size of a fist that is spread across one hip and into his waistline.

A ship. A woman. They have a starting point. His hand rises and settles on Kiana's shoulder, a light squeeze of reassurance offered to her. "We'll figure it out." he promises her. "I'm on the island for a couple of weeks, I'll visit when I get the chance. Once the local authorities check you out and maybe figure out where you're from... I'm sure it will work out."

Because he can feel for her. Even if he was forced away from his family under way different circumstances than hers.

Kiana has posed:
Kiana gets a smile when the charm is pointed out to her, though it doesn't seem to trigger her memories any more than anything else has so far. She seems most comforted by the presence of Joshua, Old Ned and Rafael as EMTs arrive and then there are hospital staff. One can tell it is probably a bit overwhelming for her, and she seems disappointed when Joshua tells her has to leave.

Now it is two weeks later. Old Ned is back in his chair, carving something else. The one from two weeks ago ended up being a dolphin, the driftwood leaving it white and sleek looking as it sits on the stand waiting to find a home.

Kiana is sitting nearby on a thick round log originally cut for firewood, but serving as a seat now. Rafael has brought a kitchen chair out to sit with the pair. Though Old Ned is not used to the boy hanging around him so much as since Kiana arrived. He gets a soft grin before turning back to the girl.

"I can use that pearl you found," he tells her. "Tell you what, find me a second one similar and I can make another pair of earrings from it. Sold the last pair I had in the city," he says. "Do that and I'll give you a cut of the money."

Kiana looks thoughtful. "I'll see what I can find," she agrees. She's still wearing the bikini she was found in, though has a worn man's cotton button up shirt worn overtop, the sleeves long enough she has to push them up for her hands to stick out of the cuffs. Looks like from the size it could be one of Old Ned's.

Joshua Foley has posed:
It had been a good two weeks. Joshua had visited Kiana when he could, the two of them talking and spending time together as she tried to figure out her place. The hospital had given her a clean bill of health and the Genoshan government seemed more than happy to add a one to the number of citizens that they have... which is part of the reason why Joshua was showing up today.

"Evening, Ned!" he greets the old man before he gives Kiana a warm smile. "Hey." he greets, before he hears what Ned's saying. "Already putting her to work, huh?" comes the playful comment before he moves to join them, carrying a small packet of information.

As he settles down next to Kiana, he sets the papers down. "This is an application to become a citizen of Genosha. That way, they can help you further." he explains.

And then he drops the other shoe. "I need to leave in the morning." he explains. "My time in Genosha is done. And I need to return to New York."

Kiana has posed:
Rafael is the first one to spot the golden-skinned healer approaching. His perusal of the older mutant drawing the attention of first Ned and then Kiana. Ned continues to relax in his chair, carving, though tips his head towards the new arrival.

Kiana hops up to her bare feet, moving over to offer Joshua a warm hug if he is accepting of it. A hug which draws Rafael's eyes with just a touch of youthful jealousy.

"He is," Kiana says with a lighthearted laugh of being put to work. The young woman having a very warm way about her which emerged soon enough as she began to come to grips with her situation.

"Hah, yes, I'm a slave driver," Ned says. "Girl found a lovely South Seas pearl while she was exploring the coast. I figure sooner or later she's going to need some money."

"There's so much food just to be picked off the plants though," Kiana protests of the need for money. She turns to Joshua though as he offers her over the paperwork. "Oh, thank you. That is something that I need?" she asks. She's seemed to have forgotten much after whatever tragic ordeal she went through. Simple things like needing to push the button to call an elevator, she doesn't seem to understand the first time she encountered them.

She takes the documents, but then gets a small crestfallen look at Joshua's other news. "That's far away then?" she asks, looking disappointed. "How long until you'll be able to return?"

Joshua Foley has posed:
"I should get a finder's fee." comes Joshua's response, tone playful as he nods down to the paper. "It will allow you to be acknowledged as a citizen of this island. Which is under the protection of other mutants. No other place like it."

When he sees her reaction, he does get a feeling of sadness. It's been a good two weeks, showing her the island when he was off work, visiting, chatting, watching her recover and grow stronger. "You already got her realizing the value of a dollar, huh?" Amusement colors his features.

The exploring and watching her learn and understand. It reminded him of a movie he saw once, but at least he didn't ask her to sing.

Seeing her face when he says he's leaving, he nods sadly. Taking out his phone, he pulls up some pictures, showing them to Kiana. Of the tall buildings and bright lights of New York. Of friends and those he cares about. "I need to return to them." he explains. When she asks when he'll return? His expression slips further and he lets out a breath. "I don't know." he admits.

"When I can?" he finally asks. "I need to take care of things at home, but when I get the chance, I'll be back here. It's usually every few months. Maybe you can come to New York sometime. I'll show you around." A promise made, he reaches and squeezes her eyes. "You're a cherished friend to me, Kiana."

Kiana has posed:
Kiana's eyes shine at Joshua expressing his gratitude as he explains the benefits of gaining citizenship on the island nation. "I'll definitely apply then," she says, looking down at the papers before peeking over to Ned. He gives an understanding nod towards her, no doubt letting her know he can help her fill them out. Though she can read, there's little doubt she won't understand any number of things being asked for.

Rafael rises from his chair. "Really sorry that you're going Joshua," he says. "I'm sure you've got people who need you back home and all," he says, nodding his head as if to be reassuring. Though maybe there's just a little too much happiness in his eyes after seeing the hug that the golden-skinned mutant received from the girl.

The comment causes Kiana to nod her head. She's only asked Joshua a little about himself, perhaps having asked after his family early on and caught enough in his response to decide to avoid those questions. At least for the time being. "I understand. I've been fortunate, having you here as long as I did. I hope you have a safe trip. And if you can come back..." Kiana says, just letting that trail off.

She goes up on the toes of her bare feet to brush a tiny kiss to Josh's cheek before turning away quickly after the impulsive gesture.

Ned turns to his stand, rummaging in a drawer. "Here, made you this," he says, rising slowly because of his old joints, and moving over to hand Joshua a small jewelry box. Within is a man's chain. A little medallion dangles from it, carved drift wood showing the shape of the Genoshan island, with the three pronged symbol that adorns the flag in the middle of it.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua had hoped to had time to help her apply, he just let time get away from him. He has faith that Ned and Rafael will pick up his slack once he's gone. He had returned her hug, certainetly, leaned into her for several moments before they sat.

"I'm sure you'll keep an eye on her." Josh teases Rafael, clearly realizing the boy has a crush on her. Who wouldn't, after all?

There had not been much talk about his family. He had mentioned Nettie, who had taken him in, and some of the others, but when it came to direct family, he usually clammed up. It's still a sore subject that stings.

But not as much as Kiana's words. Not that she meant them to hurt. He just feels that pang in his own heart that echoes hers, before the kiss comes to his cheek.

Golden cheeks brighten, no from her power, just the blush of affection that caressed his warm skin for Kiana's lips touching against them.

Whatever he was about to say was lost, though, when Ned handed him the box. "What, now you're giving me a discount?" he asks with a playful smile, before he opens it up to take out the small piece of jewelry within. He lifts it in his hand, letting the chain dangle from it. "Oh. Oh this is too much, Ned." he responds, his eyes lifting to study the older man's face and he realizes he doesn't have a choice in accepting it.

Lowering his head, he works the clasp to slip it on around his neck to let it dangle. "Thank you." he says honestly.

While Kiana is turned away, he slips a little package in front of her. "This is for you." When she opens it, it's a small stretch bracelet made of gold and blue beads. "You're going to be fine. And I'll only be a phone call away." he promises her.

Rising up to his feet, he leans over, kissing the Polynesia's crown, and can smell the sun and saltwater in her hair.

And before he changes his mind, he turns to head out, knowing that he better not turn around.

Kiana has posed:
The slightly gruff old man gives a little wave of his hand. "Far less than you've given to Genosha," he replies, and seems to be content to have the conversation move on after that, though he gives a nod of his head to acknowledge the words of gratitude.

Kiana takes the small box from Kiana, opening it up to see the bracelet inside. Her face lights up, like Joshua had been able to draw the sun out from behind the clouds. She casts a radiant smile at him, and then quickly slips it onto her wrist and admires it. She's still wearing the anklet, though he's seen her wear it as a necklace or bracelet as well.

As Joshua hurries off, he can hear her voice. "Safe... safe travels, Josh," she says softly. As he's drawing away out of earshot, the only conversation to be heard is Rafael, offering to help dive for pearls.