Izkry spent most of the taxi ride glued to the window.  He'd seen Prime Tower in Zurich, of course, but it was less than a third the height of the tallest building in New York.  Even the Roche Towers were tiny in comparison.  And there were so [i]many[/i] skyscrapers!  Switzerland had very few buildings more than a hundred meters tall, and New York had hundreds!  It was insane, and he said as much to Belasý.  She just shrugged.  All the tall buildings had her feeling very small, and it wasn't a feeling she liked.  She felt small enough on a normal basis; she didn't need the feeling reinforced.

The taxi rolled to a stop outside a short, squat building with a large courtyard bordered by hedges.  "Here we are.  Avengers Academy," said the driver.  "You gonna need help with your luggage?"

[color=lightskyblue]"If you would help us get it out of the trunk, we'd appreciate it,"[/color] Izkry replied.  Each sibling had a large suitcase filled with most of the things they'd need for their stay, and a backpack each.  Izkry also had his guitar; Belasý, her favorite rifle -- both in cases.  The pair disembarked and with the driver's help in short order they were loaded up and ready to enter the academy.

[color=lightskyblue]"Danke schön,"[/color] Izkry said to the driver as he thanked the other man and paid him.  The taxi pulled away, leaving the siblings standing on the doorstep of their new home.  Izkry straightened his shirt, one of his favorites with the saying "√-1 2[sup]3[/sup] ∑ Π and it was delicious" emblazoned on it.  Belasý wore her favorite hoodie, and both wore jeans, though Bel's had floral embroidery up one leg.

[i][color=lightskyblue]^Well, Bel, I guess this is it,^[/color][/i] Izkry said in German.  [i][color=lightskyblue]^Shall we?^[/color][/i]  Belasý took a deep breath and nodded, and the two started for the gates.

The lawn past the gates was well-kept, with scattered benches, but what dominated the open expanse was a huge statue depicting various heroes.  Belasý would have walked right past it, but--

[i][color=lightskyblue]^Bel, wait a minute.^[/color][/i]  Izkry set down his guitar case and ran his fingers over the edge of the silvery plaque.  [color=lightskyblue]"It's not about where you were born, or what powers you have, or what you wear on your chest; it's about what you do,"[/color] he read aloud.  Belasý huffed a breath through her nose.  "What powered people did" in her mind at least, was cause trouble.  [i][color=lightskyblue]^Hey, don't be like that Bel.  These people saved millions of lives.  They're heroes.^[/color][/i]  Belasý just shook her head.  It was a disagreement they'd had many times, and one they were no closer to reaching an agreement on.

Past the statue stood a huge man with green skin.  Izkry gulped, suddenly nervous himself.  He'd heard stories about many of the Avengers, but to actually meet one...well, it was a big deal.  With Belasý trailing behind him, Izkry crossed the rest of the lawn to stop in front of the imposing figure.  He set his guitar case down again and extended a hand.  [color=lightskyblue]"Hallo!  I'm Izkry Siskin, and this is my sister Belasý.  Thank you for having us."[/color]

The professor's handshake was gentle, out of necessity.  His hand dwarfed Izkry's, and the young man knew that Professor Hulk could easily crush him if he wanted to!  With introductions out of the way, he and Belasý moved to the side.  Izkry was eager to see who else was going to show up, and Belasý wanted to assess those she would be living with for the foreseeable future.