Even though he was a bit of a wallflower, Oren liked having people around, too. Bigger groups meant that it was easier for him to disappear into the background, which was perfectly fine with him. There was nothing he liked better than people watching. He didn't know what it was like to have people miss him, however. The Syndicate group was all he had ever really known--or all he'd claim to know. The rest was forgettable in his opinion, only it never went away or left him alone no matter how much he wanted it to.
He laughed. "Weird? You'll have to tell me all the ways. Not right now. You can think about it. But I've lived here so long that everything comes as second nature to me. I'd love to know what it looks like through new eyes. A different perspective would be refreshing." He'd never trade knowing practically every inch, especially those that were mutant friendly, of the city. It was home, one of the few things that he felt like he could call his. That was why he hated having to hide in the middle of it. There was something definitely not right about that.
Getting to know Cordelia was going to be useful. It had come to his attention earlier that day that they were woefully unprepared for dealing with recruits in an organized and logical way. Willowbrook had that advantage. Uncontrolled powers could be stronger, but they could also be weaker. He suspected they'd have to do something about that, only he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. He'd just go on quietly mentoring anyone who asked or needed it in his way. Quiet tactics worked best. Let everyone think that he was a paper pusher who loved signing his name next to the X when required. He knew that he was doing his part to help the war effort. And he was more comfortable with helping those younger than he than he was with going out onto a battlefield or on a mission where he might have to do something unsavory. Really, he hated violence, though he appreciated that a lot of the time it was absolutely necessary in a situation such as the one they were in.
"Good choice. Strawberry cheesecake is my favorite, but raspberry everything else. Lemon raspberry squares." He looked strangely satisfied for a moment. Sweets had been a revelation when he'd discovered them. Everything had been, really, but his sweet tooth had remained. And his love of spicy things. He was a fan of having his senses overwhelmed since they'd been so long deprived of everything. Grabbing them a table for two, he settled in and looked at the menu even though he didn't really need it. He, at least, already knew what he was having, but he was always curious. How else would he ever discover new delights to try the next time he was feeling adventurous?
Glancing up at her, he gave a little lopsided smile. "I hope you never do." The sentiment was genuine. If people could stop aging, stop dying, like him, he'd be perfectly content with that much of life. Death was a messy, awful business. As he looked at her he felt sad. He'd bury her one day, and he'd probably look much the same as he did now.