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poster:nacey Posted on: 4:01 pm on Feb. 3, 2003 OOC: Shit. I lost my original post of this and it was better on my part, much better. But this will have to do. Sarah is great as usual though *waves to Jen* I was going crazy. No seriously, I was losing my mental faculties. I felt like clawing the curtains down, because the sensation of ripping up fabric would dull, for five seconds, the throbbing my head was doing. Every one of my senses was tingling beyond bearing, and I didn't know where my girlfriend was. I think she took a break from watching me prowl about worse than a puma at the zoo on a gallon of java. I tasked myself with a simple enough mission to keep me occupied for five minutes. Find Sarah. Seemed simple enough. I slunk out the door and began to sniff out Sarah. I tried not to whimper at the fact that the scents about me seemed to get all mixed up before they got to my brain. Maybe the Black Queen had some kind of weird shit going on in this Mansion, to stop people thinking straight or something. Whatever it was it was making things very difficult. I don't think I would have found Sare if she hadn't been walking down the grand hall towards me. I tried not to jump to a run when I saw her, but I was really weirded out. "Hey Max. What's wrong?" I hugged her tightly, trying to breath in her smell and ground myself. Her scent was strong enough for me to feel at least a little bit safer, but it wasn't as clear and as encompassing as it should have been. But everything was like that here. "This place..." I squirmed and glared about me like something was about to jump out at any minute. "I can't take it." "We'll be gone soon. They're working with Cass now." She seemed perplexed. "I don't feel anything odd about this place. Except the way Margaret looks at me." I shuddered. "There's nothing I like about it. My smelling's all funny and I feel like I'm being watched all the time... like there's nowhere I can hide..." I glanced about myself as the feeling took a hold of me again. She ran a gentle hand through my hair. "I'm sorry I dragged you out here." I touched my nose to hers. "I came here of my own volition, babe." I frowned for a minute, forgetting my discomfort for a minute. "What about Cass? How was she when you last saw her?" "I talked at her for a while, but she never twitched." I looked down to the floor, grief splashing through me. "She was nice to me from day one." I winced a little. "Never cared what I looked like." I sighed. "This sucks." I'd never talked about Cass like this. I'd always been determined that she'd live, that this'd all be okay. For the first time, I was admitting to myself that she mightn't come out of this. "Me too. The first night I was here I started to run away, but she seemed so upset for me so sure that it was a mistake..." I gave a heavy sigh, putting my hands on Sarah's shoulders. "I know it's not much, but I'm going to stick around for her. Even if it is sending me off the deep end. I owe her that much at least." "I'm sure she'll appreciate it. She'll need all the friends she can get when she wakes up from this." My stomach dropped at that and I felt my skin prickle again. "You think she will?" "Absolutely... provided the three of them can put aside their own personal agendas long enough to help her." Her conviction bolstered my spirits somehow. She was far more cynical a person than I was, and if she believed that she'd be okay... With a sigh I hugged her. "Let's go back to our room," I said. "Talk to me for a while or something, I have to keep my mind occupied or it picks up on the weird assed vibes of this place..." "Any place she can't be looking at me sounds great." She smirked and tugged at me hand. "I'll try to keep conversation going, but you know it's not one of my best skills." "Ah, it's all right," I said. "We got plenty else to fall back on."
poster:Allison Posted on: 8:55 pm on Feb. 7, 2003 I balanced a container of spaghetti in one hand, and transferred the hot brownies on top of it and used my free hand to knock lightly on Cam’s door. I waited a beat and didn’t hear any sort of response, not even the least bit of shuffling. I thought that maybe he was asleep so I slowly turned the doorknob and peeked my head in quietly. I looked around and didn’t see him, I didn’t see much of anything really, all his posters, and bulletin boards were gone, his sort of swimming shrine, they were all gone. The window was open and the wind was blowing the curtains around. It looked like someone had hooked up a vacuum to the window and sucked everything out. I stepped into the room and put the food down on his desk, “Cam? Are you in here?” From the other side of the bed I heard a distinct sigh, I tried not to leap across his bed getting over there. I was at a loss, even my overactive imagination had no idea what had gone on in here, and I was just completely confused. There was a Cammo sized lump on the floor, covered in a blanket. “Cam…” I poked it gently, “that’s you right?” There was a funny moaning sound from the blanket, that I took as a yes, so I pulled at the blanket but it was wedged underneath him, and I had no leverage as I was leaning down from his bed. "I like dark," he said. “Well that’s a good reason to have the lights off but is it really necessary to be on the floor under a blanket?” I asked sort of confused. When I didn’t get any response, I sighed, “Seriously Cam, what happened here?” "I got rid of it all." I could see as much, “Why?” He was quiet for a moment. "I had to." I slid off the bed and onto the floor beside him, “But… why?” I was starting to sound like a broken record. "It's not me anymore." He sounded so broken, it tore at me. Gently I pulled the blanket away from where I assumed was his head, “What do you mean? Just because you couldn’t get in the water today doesn’t mean that you’ll never go in ever again…” He just sobbed. “Hey now,” I brushed my fingers lightly through his hair, “Don’t tear yourself up over it. I know its gotta hurt right now but if you give it some time, things could change…” He lifted his head, looking to me, and his eyes were red. "I don't want them to. I don't want to..." He frowned. "I can't." “You don’t want things to change? And you can’t what?” If I said I was a little confused before, I was downright perplexed now. "Even if I wanted them to change, I don't know how to change them..." He moaned. "I feel trapped." My hand sort of ceased its movements a moment, “Trapped how?” "I can't be who I used to be, it hurts too much, it doesn't feel right..." He paused, then went on. "But it's who I am. I can't be who I'm not..." I nodded sort of understanding, “I suppose, but there’s more to you than swimming.” "You don't get it," he said. "You don't get it! When I was in the water, I felt like I was born to be there. I felt like nothing else was as right as that. And that's gone, Annie, it's gone!" I had no idea what to say or do; I just dropped my hand down to his and gave it a gentle squeeze. Cam moaned a little, cradling his forehead in his hand. "I'm sorry..." I blinked a bit, “What are you sorry for?” "When we started I was normal... kinda. Now I'm just a huge fuck up." “Oh, but Cammo, you’re my fuck up,” I said with a small smile. He gave a half-sobbing half-laughing sigh, and burrowed himself into my arms, clutching me tightly. "I love you Annie." I let out a relieved sigh, and held him back, “Love you too, swimming or no, X-men or no, it doesn’t matter.” He just squeezed me tight, snuggling down against me. I kissed the top of his head and rocked with him a bit, things might not be easy but we’d get through them, I know we will.
poster:Amezri Posted on: 3:56 am on Feb. 10, 2003 OOC: I know, this sucks. *shrug* My Latin is limited to dictionary searches and basic, basic grammar. If you can do better, please do. Kurt paced anxiously as the three telepaths sat around Cassie's bed. It seemed like they'd started hours ago, but glancing at the clock, it had been barely half an hour. "Cassie, please be all right," he whispered. He sighed, sinking into a nearby chair. He felt useless just sitting there, but there was nowhere else he could stand to be. He had to be there - watching her, making sure she was okay. From several feet away, he watched the slow and steady rise and fall of her chest. It hypnotized him, falsely reassuring him that she was okay. He smiled slightly as he remembered the sweet, centered, lovely girl she had been mere months before. Hydra was like a cancer in her mind, eating away at who Cassie really was. Suddenly, Cassie started gasping and choking, struggling slightly. "Cassie?" Kurt lept from the chair, rushing to her side. Not knowing what else to do, he held her down firmly, but gently. "Cassie!" *** "You're not getting rid of me that easily!" Hydra snarled, hands wrapping tightly around Cassandrea's neck. Selene and Xavier immediately rushed forward, trying to pry the crazed girl off. Emma stood scowling, arms crossed. "Cassandrea, shapeshift." Not wanting to comment on her own stupidity, Cassie shifted and slipped out of Hydra's grasp. Hydra lost her balance, leaving an opening for Selene and Xavier. They tried to restrain her, but since she was also in liquid form, found it extremely difficult. "How do you expect to stop me?" Hydra taunted. "I have all the power here!" Finally tired of watching their failure, Emma stepped forward. "Any power you had over this mind, I granted you. What you gained after that was taken from her." She turned to Cassie, careful not to expose her back to Hydra. "You have the power here, Miss Reina. This is your mind and *you* have to take it back. The rules of the physical world do not apply here." She was about to say something about the Cripple over there, but actually had the tact not to. "But I don't," Cassie whimpered, backing away from Hydra. "I don't know how. I can't!" She stumbled and fell onto her back, still scrambling backwards. "I've been fighting her for so long. I can't do it anymore." Xavier approached her, though still relatively safe behind Hydra. "Cassandrea, you have to try. There are people waiting for you to get better - people who love you." "Your mind does not tire as easily as your body," Selene said firmly. "The fatigue is an illusion. You are still strong enough to defeat her." "You won't ever be stronger than me!" Hydra growled, lunging forward to tackle Cassie. She shrieked in response, kicking and thrashing. "Get away from me!" she screamed uselessly. What could she do here to protect herself? Their powers were the same and Hydra had the edge. The answer suddenly dawned on her and she hoped she was strong enough to try it. Hydra snarled again, lifting Cassie to a standing position. "They can't protect you anymore," she hissed, manifesting a glob of water. "I'm taking over this body." She dropped her twin, the impact bringing the girl to her knees. "So long, Cassie." With one final growl, Hydra threw the high-powered glob. It broke apart on impact, spraying water everywhere. Through the mist of liquid, a shadowy figure remained. Her worn demeanor all but gone, Cassandrea stood before them in a white dress and a dark blue cloak draped around her shoulders. In her left hand she held a silver asthame; in her right she cradled her Book of Shadows. "You have no power here, Hydra," a voice that was not Cassandrea's boomed. "Oh, you have *got* to be kidding me," Hydra said as she rolled her eyes. "Nice outfit." She threw another glob of liquid, this time followed by two ribbons of liquid shaped like blades. Cassandrea deflected them without so much as a wave of her hand. "You are no longer welcome here," she said again in the voice of the Elder Spirits. "You will be banished from this place." With a growl of frustration as each of her attacks were brushed off, Hydra reverted to petulant shouting. "You can't get rid of me! I'm strong than you are!" Ignoring her, Cassandrea opened her Book of Shadows to the proper spell. Lifting the asthame and pointing the silver tip at Hydra's heart, she began to recite the words. "Sambucus spiritu..." Elder spirits... "That's not going to work here! I won't be cursed away!" "Hostium annullare..." Destroy this enemy... Hydra made one last dash towards Cassie, but the shield in place around her target stopped her cold. "Cassie!" "Pax ad mens adducere." Bring peace to this mind. As the last line was uttered, Hydra screamed in both pain and rage. The power she acquired evaporated from her like water from a boiling pot. "How could you do this to me?" she shrieked. "I protected you! I helped you!" "You did help me - in the beginning," Cassandrea said quietly. "But you helped yourself to my powers and tried to take over my body. That won't happen again." Hydra cursed and spat as she began to fade away. "You're nothing without me. Nothing! You're weak! You will fail again and I won't be there to protect you!" Ignoring her cries, Cassie walked past the fading ghost to Xavier. Her attire faded from ceremonial garb to normal street clothes. "Professor... I'm.." "Listen, if this is all over, I'd like to get back to my own body. I have more important thing to attend to," Emma interjected with her normal subtltey. There was no sound, no warning. One second she was there and in another Emma Frost was simply gone from Cassie's mind. Selene and Professor Xavier both smiled slightly before they too returned to their own bodies and minds. Cassie sighed, finally able to think clearly. She turned to watch as like the last traces of fog, Hydra dissipated into the air.
poster:Jen Posted on: 3:04 pm on Feb. 11, 2003 OOC: I hope this makes sense. I’ve been fighting with my students over the freaking gradebook/ harddrive disaster all day. I did, however, get some great new Sarah lines to use in the future. Not sure that’s a good thing… A telltale whirr broke through the quiet that has settled over us as I tried to bleed some of the tension from Max’s frame. His muscles were knotted up tight, but the backrub seemed to have helped a little. At least the drapes and furniture didn’t seem to be in any immediate danger. I rolled off his back before I got dumped on the floor. “Is she ok? Did it work?” Max blurted as he ripped open the door. Xavier smiled softly. “It appears our intervention was successful.” Relief flooded Max’s face. “Thank god.” I bit my lip and moved toward the door, taking Max’s hand. I’d like to have a definition of successful. Are we talking ‘It was a successful mission, sir. Minimal damage, no casualties’, or a successful mission ‘We burned the village to save the village’ kind of thing. With these folks it could be either. “And Hydra?” I asked watching him carefully. His eyes bored into me. I’m sure he knows just how little I trust him, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. If he were as altruistic as he tries to appear, I would think my distrust would sadden him or have him protesting, but it doesn’t. Maybe he’s used to it. Mr. Logan isn’t exactly the trusting type. Or, he’s simply not to be trusted. “Cassie has eliminated the Hydra personality from her mind, but she still faces many challenges. She will need her friends at her side.” Max gripped my hand tighter. “Can we see her?” “She’s sleeping, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. I need to inform Logan and make preparations to return home. You two have a lot of work to make up.” Knew we wouldn’t get off that easy. ****** Kurt sat at Cassandrea’s bedside on a hard chair. He didn’t even look up when we came in. “How is she?” Max asked putting a hand on his shoulder. She looked better, but still too pale and far too still. Kurt smoothed Cassie’s indigo lock from her face, when he spoke he sounded so very tired. "Better than she was.” Not that that’s very good. “You want to sit with her?" Max gave Kurt’s shoulder a squeeze. “Sure thing. Why don't you go get something to eat?” "I'm not hungry." I moved to his other side, ready to remove him from the chair if necessary. He was going to be of no use to anyone if he ran himself into the ground. “Kurt, you need to eat,” I said as gently as I could. His stomach rumbled in response. “See?” Emma leaned in the doorframe, a sneer on her face. “All her friends have gathered to see little Cassandrea. How touching.” Max growled low in his throat. “We’ve always cared what happened to Cassie.” “Oh yes. That’s why Xavier never bothered to teach her what she needed to know.” “Well, we see how your lessons ended up,” Kurt snarled getting out of his chair. “If Xavier hadn’t interfered-” Emma started hotly, then she shrugged, her icy demeanor fully in place. “That’s all water under the bridge now, isn’t it?” She pulled a card from her handbag and offered it to me. “When you get tired of playing with the Boy Scouts,” she purred, “There’s a place for you at Hellfire.” “What makes you think she wants to be your next puppet?” “She put my card in her pocket,” Emma said smugly, before sweeping out the door. “Sarah, what-” Max broke off whatever little tirade was forming when Selene appeared in the doorway, her words startling us, a sure sign of how messed up our senses were in this place and how upset with me he must be at this moment. “Has she awoken yet?” “Not yet,” Kurt said quietly. “Shouldn’t she be awake by now?” “Not necessarily. The battle for her mind was exhausting, both physically and mentally, but she was successful and should be almost her old self when she awakens.” Max voiced the thing Kurt and I were afraid to. “Almost?” “Yes, almost,” she snapped. “Did you think she could go through something this extreme on a physical and psychic level and come out unscathed? Mr. Wagner, your girlfriend seems to be in good hands and you and I have a small matter of payment to discuss. Shall we?”
poster:Amezri Posted on: 5:58 pm on Feb. 17, 2003 Silently, Kurt followed Selene back to her office. He hadn't given it a second thought once the price for Cassandrea's treatment was agreed upon, but now that she was healed, he could think of nothing else. "I've waited very patiently to complete our transaction," Selene smiled, leaning back against the edge of her desk. "Now that your girl is on her way to recovery..." She left the sentence unfinished, hanging menacingly in the air. Kurt swallowed, looking anywhere but in the Black Queen's eyes. "Let's just get this over with," he mumbled. Selene stepped around her desk, sliding open a drawer. The item she retrieved glinted silver in her pale hand. She moved towards him slowly, almost daring him to run out of the room. He stood his ground, fear showing in his eyes. "There's no need to be afraid. This won't hurt a bit." Taking him by the hand, Selene guided him to one of the chairs in her office. "Once this is over, I won't have anything more to do with you," he whispered as he allowed himself to be seated. "That's what you said last time," she smirked as she ripped open the package in her hand. "Tell me, what would Ms. Reina think if she knew what you're giving in exchange for her life?" He glared at her dangerously. "It's a small price to pay." "Don't lie to me," the Black Queen smirk, easily reading his true thoughts. "You hate it. And you hate me." Kurt hissed sharply as the needle punctured his jugular. There were other ways to get his blood, but she preferred this method - it caused the most pain. Selene's eyes twinkled as she drew the blood into the large vial. This would make an excellent addition to her collection of genetic material. "The last sample you provided me with was very benficial to my research," she said, removing the needle from his neck. "It's a pity you never had a chance to see the outcome of those experiments." "You're sick, Selene," he sneered, pressing a small bit of gauze against his wound. She stared at him for a moment, nearly emotionless. "Perhaps," she finally smiled. "You are free to go." Kurt stared at her blankly. "What about the rest of your payment?" "Go." She waved him off, walking back to her desk. Margaret had slipped into the room unnoticed and was now collecting the vial of Kurt's blood. "Please bring that down to the lab, Margaret." Forcing his body into motion, Kurt rose from the chair and swiftly made for the door. No sooner did he have his hand on the fancy brass knob than Selene halted him with a mental command. /I will call on you when I wish for our transaction to be completed. You owe me much and I do not wish to use all my resources so quickly./ "Yes, Selene," he answered through gritted teeth. "Have a nice trip back to Westchester," she said pleasantly, turning to some papers on her desk.
poster:Angelface Posted on: 10:27 pm on Feb. 23, 2003 I hope Annie has that kitchen disaster in hand. Although I might have just made things worse sending her in there. Oh well. Not my problem. If they trash the kitchen, Dr. Grey will have them scrubbing everything in sight for a week. Which would keep Annie out of the room. Hmmm… maybe I just did a good thing. Of course, right now I had to find the Professor, a seemingly easy task most days, but tonight, he was nowhere to be found. Instead, I ended up in the garage looking for the Fearless Leader, as I've heard some kids call him. I knocked on the wall, "Excuse me, Mr. Summers? Scott?" “Just a sec,” One of the two pairs of greasy legs beneath a half assembled car. I assume it’s half assembled, there are quite a few bits and batts strewn across the drop cloth. I waited for the form to slide out from under the car. I had to smile, Mr. Summers had a huge black smear across his forehead. "Well Angelica, what can I do for you?" "Well, I can't find the Professor, and I was talking with Annie and Freda..." I realized I was babbling a bit and paused, "Kurt, Cassie, Max AND Sarah, are all missing." “We’re aware of it. Everything’s under control.” He wiped his hands on a rag, a bit nervously in my opinion. I nodded, "Well, all right then, I'll inform the others." “Just tell them everything’s fine.” I narrowed my eyes a bit. If everything were fine, he wouldn’t have felt the need to repeat himself. I’d better get to bed early. I will likely be needing my strength. I nodded again and turned to go, "I'll talk to you later Mr. Summers, I should be getting to bed, busy day tomorrow..." "Why don't you stick around for a few minutes and see what Alex and I have been working on." “I’m sure the magnificence of whatever you’ve been doing will be lost on me.” There was a muffled comment from under the car. I couldn't make it out, but Mr. Summers obviously could. His snapped ‘don’t be rude’ took me aback. Mr. Summers never snapped at anyone. I straightened. I’d had just about enough of the assumptions about me. Many of them were correct, but I decided I as going to prove them wrong. As long as it didn’t entail getting dirty. I walked closer, "That's a Porsche, right?" “Not just a Porsche. A 1966 911 with a flat 6 2195 cc air-cooled engine with a top speed of 168. Which," he said, giving the legs beneath the car a distinct nudge. “You will never see.” "Wow... that certainly is a lot of numbers..." I said entirely out of my league, "How long have you guys been working on it?" “Six months. I think I got it.” The legs beneath the car replied, sliding out before I could register the identity of the voice. "Got what?" I asked, mildly curious. “The U joint replaced,” Alex said, wiping off his hands. “It’s the thing that attaches the engine and transmission to the drive shaft. It makes the car go," He added with a sneer. I glared at him, "Thanks for the translation." “Well,” Mr. Summer said far too brightly. “I think I’ll call it a night. Can you and Angelica straighten up yourselves?” Now Mr. Summers is one of my favorite people here, but I was ready to throttle him. "Really Mr. Summers, I don't think I'd do a very good job, I don't know what any of this stuff is..." “Then Alex can teach you about some of it while he cleans up. You’ll need to know this when you take Driver’s Ed anyway.” Alex snorted, "Why would she need to take Driver's Ed? I'm sure her chauffer would be displeased." Mr. Summers shot him a warning glare – as much as a man with sunglasses could glare. It was obvious Alex was being chastised for his crass remark, but it was small comfort. “Perhaps you will serve as my chauffer. On the other hand, I think not. A good servant knows hen to keep quiet.” "Well pardon me, your highness, I'm afraid a lowly peasant like myself could never aspire to being even your chauffeur, let alone anything else." Mr. Summers let out an exasperated sigh and stalked out, shaking his head sadly, leaving the two of us glaring at each other. I also turned to go, "I really must be going, busy day tomorrow." "What?" he scoffed, "Going to hide out in the freezer and build up another layer of ice?" “Will that get you to leave me alone?” "Hey princess, I'm not the one who tracked me down to the garage." "How inflated is your ego? I needed to speak with Mr. Summers, not you." "You really expect me to believe that? I tell you at dinner we're working on the car, and then a few hours later you come waltzing in here with some bullshit story about being worried for Sarah." “I could care less what you believe, but for the record - I wasn’t worried about Sarah. Freda was.” He gave me a disbelieving stare. “Fine,” I huffed having had enough of this. “Don’t believe me. I don't have to put up with this. I'm leaving.” “Go ahead,” He spat, slamming a drawer. “I’m not keeping you.” I refrained from stomping until I was well down the hallway. He was an infuriating toad and if I were at all lucky, I would have to have no more to do with him. (Edited by Angelface at 10:32 pm on Feb. 23, 2003)
poster:nacey Posted on: 6:18 am on Mar. 2, 2003 OOC: Really sorry about the delay, girls. Life's been fucking crazy. Song competition, viruses to fight off, and hey, even a fight at a Rocky screening! (There were fists flying in the ladies bathrooms, and you can bet the dykes won! Yay dykes!) Anyway, on with our story. We were shuffled out of the medical bay and I walked with Sarah towards our room, quietly fuming. Finally, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Normally I’d be able to, but this place was getting to me far too much. "What the hell was that all about?" I breathed, leaning close to her. "What was what about?" She looked innocent. I pointed back at the sick-bay, motioning a little frantically. "Frost! With the card and the pocketing." "Just keeping my options open." I stiffened, stopping in my track. "You do realise that she's nuts, right? That if it weren't for her Cass wouldn't even be in the situation she's in now?" "Cass has powers now that she couldn't have imagined before. She's practically invincible. Frost gave that to her." I shook my head. "Ohhh no no no, don't fall for that. Cass always had those powers, and Xavier knew it. She needed time to get to know them, get to use them." I pointed at the sick-bay. "What she went through? It's what happens when you get too much too soon." "Time to grow into them doesn' t mean shit if you're dead before anyone decides you're ready." I sighed and shook my head. "That's why we have the school. To keep us safe, to keep us from the fight until we need to be there." "The fight comes to us. Cass couldn't go to class. We couldn't go to the movies. Xavier can't protect us. This school can't protect us." I thinned my lips, trying to control my anger. "You don't side with someone like Frost. If you knew *half* of the things she's done to us..." I shook my head. "I'd rather be dead and with my morals intact that alive and that evil bitch's minion." "I tried dead, but you people wouldn't let me. As for the other..." she shrugged. "Frost's minion... Xavier's minion... I fail to see the difference - except that maybe with her maybe Magneto and others would leave me alone." The very idea that Xavier was in some way as bad as Frost made me see red. "You don't know diddly about Xavier. I realise you have problems trusting anybody, but if you actually sat down and talked to him without it being a confrontation you'd be surprised by what you'd learn." "Oh I'm sure he'd say all the right things. A man like him would be good at that." "Forget it," I said. "You've obviously already made up your mind." I scoffed, turning and walking ahead of her at an angry stride. "I have to wonder if you feel anything for the school or whether you're there just to get what you can. It mightn't mean much to you but it's my home, my family." Her voice was very small when she said: "You're my only family now." I stopped. The rage I'd been feeling swept out of my body and I felt utterly stupid. She's scared, you dolt. I turned, sighing deeply. "I'm sorry." "I'm not planning to pack up tomorrow, you know. It's just a back up plan." "In case of what?" "For when I get told to leave." I blinked. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I tilted my head, stepping to her. "You... you think you'd be told to leave?" "It's just a matter of time. as much trouble as I've been, I'm surprised I haven't been sent away already." I sighed, taking a hold of her hands and meeting her eyes firmly. "You obviously have *no* idea what trouble Logan was when he started out. Or what trouble *I* was. Or Rogue - that's a story and a half." I squeezed her hands. "I'm not giving up on you. The team aren't giving up on you. No one at the school is. We all have our difficulties. Compared to some of our experiences, you're an angel." "Then w - " She obviously changed her mind about what was she was going to say and whatever softness had crept into her in the past few minutes was gone in the blink of an eye. "Then it shouldn't bother you or anyone else that I have Frost's card." I frowned. "It does bother me, Sare. It scares me." "If you and Xavier aren't planning on getting rid of me, then there's nothing to be scared of. And if you are... then you should be scared." I rubbed my forehead. "That's... that's fair enough I suppose." I sighed, putting my hands on her shoulders and meeting her eyes. "No matter what happens, I'll not give up on you, okay? Let's just get that sorted and understood right here." "Don't say that. You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day or when I'm going to do or say the one thing you can't forgive." I cradled her face, tilting my brows up. “Sarah… I love you. Nothing you do could change that. I might get angry at you, you might do something that makes me so mad, or so hurt that I need to go smash something but…” I sighed. “I won’t stop loving you, okay? I never will.” Yay Spotty-Man.
poster:cammogirl Posted on: 10:44 pm on Mar. 5, 2003 I twirled the spaghetti about my fork, pouting into my meal. We'd not said much, and Annie looked sullen, behind the attempt to cheer me up, that is. After half an hour of me picking at my cooling meal, I frowned with an apologetic look. "Listen, Annie... I need to talk to Cyke for a bit. I hope you don't mind... you can wait here, I'll only be about half an hour." She smiled softly. "You do that," she said. "I'll hold the fort." I stroked her cheek, and leaning to her I kissed her softly. "I love you. You're my rock, okay?" I tapped her nose, and she smiled again. With a final kiss I got up and went to find Cyke. When I finally found him he was in his room, apparently just out of the shower. He was in jeans and a t-shirt - very laid back attire for Scott as he was usually not seen in anything less than a sweater and jacket. I fidgeted in the doorway as he answered it, trying not to feel like the right pussy. "Hey, Cameron!" Scott said brightly, but with an edge of concern. "Everything all right?" I wrung my hands, frowning a little. God, why was this so hard to say? Why couldn't I just depend on him, like Max depended on Logan? I suddenly envied my felineque pal. He was so easy with his emotions, so open with them. He'd tell anyone that listened what was wrong with them. Me? I barely told anyone. "Uhm..." I sighed. "God, this is hard." "Why don't you come in out of the hall?" he said, standing back, the concern deepening in his features. "Come on, Cam." I stepped in, battling the heat building at my eyes. I decided to plunge into it. Just say it. "I just ripped down all the posters in my room," I said, my voice wavering. "All my medals. All my photos. Everything." I gulped. "I don't know who or what I am anymore, and all the focus I had on being a part of the team is shot to hell." I shuddered as I said; "I tried today, I tried, but I - I can't go anywhere near water." Cyke's concern hardened to conviction, and he pulled out a seat at his desk. "Oh, Cameron. How long have you been feeling like this?" "Just today," I said. "Sit down, man." I did so. He paced a little, a wrinkle of thought deep in his brow. "First off, I'm really - I'm really glad you came to me with this so soon. It was really brave of you." Brave? It was brave? I'd never been so terrified in my life. He obviously saw the doubt on my face because he looked serious then. "It was, Cameron. What you went through - it's frightening. We've had X-Men that have taken months to front up with their problems. You told us as soon as they manifested, and that's really admirable." "I was scared," I said. "I want to be normal again. It's not brave, it's borne of fear." "All bravery is borne of fear," he said. "And if you want to be 'normal' again," He fingered the quote signs in the air, "There's plenty of options for you. I can organise for you to talk to Jean once a week? Or maybe you'd be more comfortable with the Professor?" I shrugged. "I don't mind who I see." "Well, Jean is more psychologically trained, more traditionally trained, where-as the Professor-" "Is God," I supplied quietly. Cyclops chuckled. "Not quite, but he's as close as we'll get, that's for sure." "I'll talk with him about it," I said, "But I'd rather see Jean regularly." "Fine," Cyke said, slapping my shoulder. "We can do that. You can always talk to me too, about anything. I'm your mentor, remember." I nodded. It bubbled up inside of me that moment, a terrible sinking feeling. "How... how do you deal with it?" Cyke frowned. "Deal with what?" "Knowing that... that people depend on you, and you've let them down?" "You haven't let anyone down, Cameron." "I'm a bad X-Man," I said. "I'm scared of *water* for fuck's sakes. Water! What kind of fear is that? What good am I now?" Cyke looked almost angry then. "Listen to me, Cam. You are a very *good* X-Man. You're one of the best kids I've seen here in a long time. Once you're trained up..." He smiled. "I think you'll be better than most of us X-Men here." "How?" I said with cynicism. "All I do is go invisible." "All I do is blast away crap," Cyke said. "That's a good power!" I said. "So is becoming invisible," said Cyke. "You can slip in and afflict an incapacitating - or even fatal - blow." I blinked. I never expected to hear stuff like that from Cyke. He was always Peace!Boy. "Wow, you almost sounded like Wolverine then..." Cyke gave a heavy sigh. "As loathed as I am to admit it, in some situations his tactics are very useful. But I like to think we only need them in the most extreme of circumstances." I smirked. "Where-as he likes to use them as a matter of leisure." "Exactly," said Cyke. I gave a deep sigh, feeling a little lighter than I did before. "I just wanted to swim today, you know? Clear my head like I always used to. I see water and I start freaking out. It's -" "Understandible," said Cyke. "You promise to keep a secret?" I nodded mutely. "Ororo is claustrophobic." I blinked again. "Wow..." I wrung my lips then gave Cyke a flat look. "But Ororo wasn't exactly a fan of spelunking, was she? Water was my life." Cyke nodded. "I know. Her phobia was formed in her childhood, where-as yours is a recent development. We should be able to figure you out." I gave a wry smile. "Wow... that sounds promising." "You bet," said Cyke.
poster:Allison Posted on: 8:40 pm on Mar. 6, 2003 OOC: Its short but hopefully its prelude to a Sarah post *nudge nudge* I sat in Cammo's room, alone nibbling on my brownie, and his after mine had been thoroughly ingested. I had said I'd stay, but I didn't know how long he'd be gone or what to do to pass the time. There was a copy of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy on his nightstand, but I've read that before and I wasn't really in the mood. Idly I glanced out the window and down at the debris that had once been adorning the walls of his room and considered at least semi-precious. I bit my lip and turned from the window, determined I continued out into the hallway, bounding down the stairs. I stopped in one of the supply closets, grabbing an empty box that claimed to have once held a 27" TV set with 'quality picture and sound'. I finally got outside, hefting the box and circling the mansion until I spotted the pile of torn posters and wall ornaments in the waning light. Carefully, I placed the old photos and cracked bulletin board collages into the box. As time passed I found myself casually ogling a picture of a man in a bitty little Speedo, according to the caption his name was Ian Thorpe. I wasn't much interested in the name though. I had discovered a new incentive to get Cameron back in the pool… You know besides his personal happiness and mental well being.
poster:Amezri Posted on: 11:14 pm on Mar. 9, 2003 OOC: Sorry if this sucks. Cassandrea awoke with a start, screaming at the top of her lungs. She recoiled as a hand grabbed her arm, nearly falling out of her bed. "No! Get away!" "Cassie! It's me. It's Kurt. Calm down!" he pleaded as he reached for her again. "You're safe now. You're home." Kurt had convinced Jean to let Cassie sleep in her own bed since she wasn't in any immediate medical danger. He had hoped that she'd sleep through the night. "What.. what happened?" she asked, breathing heavily. "Where am I?" "You're home; in the mansion." His brow furrowed in concern. "You don't remember anything?" No one had mentioned the possibility of memory loss. She closed her eyes as fragments of images and memory flashed in her mind. "No, I remember. Not everything, but I remember." Tears stung at her eyes. "I'm so sorry." "It's all right," he said quietly, pulling her gently to him. Her head rested lightly against his shoulder as he stroked her hair. "You'll be all right." He relaxed as her breathing began to slow. "It'll be okay," he repeated. They both jumped when a knock came at the door. "I'll get it," Kurt smiled. His demeanor changed quickly as he opened the door. "The Professor sensed that she was awake," Jean said simply, entering the room without his say so. Kurt swallowed the growl forming in his throat and shut the door. "Don't upset her," he nearly hissed. She turned and regarded him cooly. "I'm here to help her." "It's okay, Kurt," Cassie called from the bed. "I.. I don't mind. Hi, Dr. Summers." "Hello, Cassandrea. How are you feeling?" Jean went about the normal routine, checking Cassie's heartrate and blood pressure. Cassie remained silent through all of this. She finally spoke up as Jean, satified that all of her patient's vitals were normal, prepared to leave. "Are you... is the Professor going to let me stay here?" she asked quietly. Kurt frowned. "Of course he'll let you stay here, Cass." Jean nodded. "I'm sure whatever he decides will be fair," she said cryptically, shutting the door behind her.
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