IC: X-Men: Aftershock ((By Invitation Only))

[ACursedDreamer]

Kurt Wagner crouched on the roof of Xavier's School for the gifted, thinking over the tremendous burden of the last few days. He bit his lip as his 3 1/2 foot long tail flicked back and forth, yellow eyes stared out and watched as Storm clouds slowly rolled towards the school.

"Storm, vhat do you think vill happen now? I saw on zee T.V. that zee President is going to be making another announcement reguarding us." Kurt seemed to be a little bit more nervous than most. He did after all try and assassinate the President only days before. He pulled his green overcoat off and sat it down beside him on the rooftop. He thought about everything he'd been through with Xavier and his X-Men..

..lingering in the fore front of his mind the death of Jean Gray. He felt partially responcible. He was really the only one besides Xavier who could have done anything to help rescue her.. and he hadn't been able too. He couldn't beat the pyschic barrier she had erected to keep him from doing just that...

Nightcrawler had been welcomed by Professor Charles Xavier to be part of the team. To become an X-Man. To have friends, family, and a home again. Something he'd lost when he parted ways with the Circus.. a small smile crossed over his lips as he thought about the circus. He wasn't ill treated there. He had people who'd genuinely liked him.. and he'd had a family.

Now, now he had a different family. Now he had a goal. Now. Now he had direction. He would go later on and speak with the Professor again, but this time he would talk to him about the possibility of being able to teach the students. He wasn't good at much, but he thought he could maybe help them all with some basic acrobats and gymnastics.. He nodded. Reaffirming to himself that this is what he'd planned on doing...

 

[Starsailor2804]

Being a huge supplier to the United States government in military arms and technology Tony Stark knew nearly everything that was going on at all times. With his ability while in suit to hack easily into databases Tony Stark knew much more than he probably should, and if the government ever found out he would surely be in trouble. Though, it was doubtful they would do anything too bad to him considering just how much he supplied them. So, he definately knew about the President's speech coming up, knew exactly what it was about, and what he was going to say. It wasn't going to be good for so many reasons, however his loyalty lied and would always lie with the government.

Returning from an upscale shindig by one Senator from New York that he had funded in his last campaign Tony had received a telepathic communication from none other than Charles Xavier. This wasn't the first time he had received such a communication, however it wasn't something one could really get use to. Xavier wanted to see him but didn't tell him why. Tony had an idea why, it wasn't that hard to figured out considering the recent events in the news and the upcoming speech by the President.

The next day he arrived at the Xavier Institute and stepped out of the limo when the driver opened the door for him. Walking up the stairs and into the building he was sure to be approached by one of the teacher's, if not Xavier himself. He was of course a very powerful man and had donated a sizable sum to keep the Institute up and running, as well he had donated much of the technology that allowed for it to be a real base of operations for the X-Men.

 

[dragonrazor]

Logan stood next to the door, leaning against the wall. He had a Cuban cigar in his mouth, and he puffed gently on it every few seconds. One good thing about being able to heal himself, smoking and alcohol had no effect on him. He had heard from Xavier that Stark would be arriving, and had decided to post himself at the door to keep the kids from clustering around the billionaire. When the man stepped inside and looked around, he almost looked as if he expected a mob. Logan grinned, and took the cigar out of his mouth, then cleared his throat. He waited for Stark to turn around, then grinned, sizing him up. The man had a certain aura about him. He wasn't a mutant, but he didn't smell human anymore either, Logan decided. He stuck the cigar back in his mouth, taking another puff, then blew it in Stark's face.

"You the guy they call the Titanium Titan? You look...SHORTER than I expected. Not as muscular either, Bub. Anyways, welcome to Xavier's School for the Gifted. I'm supposed to take you to see Charlie."

With little more conversation than that, Logan pushed off from the wall and started walking down the hallways, not bothering to look back to see if Tony Stark were still following. He had been ordered to take him to the study, and that's what he was going to do. Still, Logan wondered why Xavier had asked the billionaire to be there.

 

[Masume]

The sun hadn’t broken through the dark clouds in days. Ever since the loss of Jean, Ororo hadn’t been the same. She was colder, more distant and quiet. She was physically and emotionally drained but no one suffered as much as Scott did. They all were attached to Jean, they all loved her dearly. She was a sister to her but Scott was her lover. His pain was evident every time she saw him. He stuck to himself and no one questioned his attitude. They only hoped it would change soon.

“Oh Kurt. All we can do is wait…plan and pray. Let the past rest. Right now our main concern is resolving this peacefully.” Ororo laughed softly at her words. There was no way this could be resolved peacefully. Not now. Not after everything that happened and even she was losing face in the peaceful approach. She stood by Xavier there was no doubt about that and she always would until there wasn’t a breath left in her body she would fight for his dream.

But violence. It seemed like their only approach

Before she and Jean had met Kurt, she would come to the school’s rooftop to be alone. Now she had a guest to bring whenever she felt like having company. Jean used too but now…

“I’m going inside. Coming?”

 

[ACursedDreamer]

Kurt

Kurt nodded, listening to Storm. He could feel her pain. He could feel the pain that hit all of them, that made them all ache with loss. He was the most inhuman in appearence but his ability to percieve the emotions of the others made him almost empathic and quiet more human than all the rest. He uttered a silent prayer for her soul. He'd done so, many times over the past few days.

"Yes. Zhe past must be Zhe past. Only it is written in stone, ve must do our best to make zhe future in the image that vill allow all of us to live life together side by side..." He looked out and could smell the rain in the air. He nodded slightly for no apparent reason as if consouling himself over something.

"I vould like to wait here and see the rain. I vill come inside in a little vhile and find you. Until then, my dear." He offered her a courtly bow and a friendly smile. He then turned away from one storm to watch another.

 

[Starsailor2804]

As Tony turned he saw the mutant known as Wolverine leaning against the wall with a cigar in his hand. He knew who this one was as he knew the same about many of them, much more than they knew about him. That was his relationship with Charles, they weren't all that close, but close enough to have worked together and exchanged information on numerous occassions. The thing he knew most about Wolverine, or Logan, was that he had a real arrogance to him, throwing himself into battle without thinking first.

Breaking a slim smile as the mutant called him Titanium Titum and then broke him down a few levels with the insults, Tony could only reply with simple reply for he didn't want to cause problems. "Well you have just added yet another nickname to the long list, but I must say it is one of the better ones I have been called."

As Logan pushed off the wall, turned, and walked away Tony followed his less than dignified walk. The man was really not much more than a human with a beast inside him, but at least he was always loyal and could always be relied on when the situation got tough.

 

[lushlips18]

Rogue

Rogue sat at the kitchen table absent mindedly stirring her cereal around in the bowl. alot had happened in the past few days. Jean was gone....Pyro had joined the brtoherhood....the President was still dealing with the issue over them and then there were things with her and Bobby. It was hard caring about someone and being with them but not able to touch them. Unlike the others she could never have a normal life. She had to constantly be an guard making sure that her flesh never came into contact with anyone elses. She wished Xavier would give them something to do to keep their minds off of everything.

 

[CuriousKatie]

“For the last time, Kitty, I didn’t take your stupid iPod!” Jubilee raged as she stormed down the hall heading toward the kitchen, Kitty Pride hot on her heals.

“Then where is it, huh?!” Kitty raged in reply. “It was right there! On my desk, and now it’s gone! How do you suppose that happened! iPods don’t just walk away on their own, you know!”

“Maybe you left it somewhere else!” Jubilee snapped back as she kept moving.

“I don’t think so!” Kitty snapped back as they entered the kitchen, Jubilee stopping near the kitchen table and jerking her head a bit in greeting to Rouge.

“Have you looked everywhere?!” She snapped as she rounded on the enraged brunette.

“Yes!!” Kitty all but yelled. “I looked everywhere! My schoolbag, my jacket, I even checked my shoes! It’s not there!” While Kitty had been ranting, Jubilee had spotted something on the kitchen counter near the door that lead outside.

“Maybe because it right there!” She snapped, pointing at the object. It was Kitty’s iPod, complete with headphones.

“Oh…” Kitty said a little sheepishly and went to retrieve it. Jubilee rolled her eyes and plopped down on a stool at the kitchen table. “What’s it doing there?” Kitty wondered. “Guess I was a little preoccupied.” She shrugged.

“You came in here with your nose buried in a magazine!” Jubilee grouched. “A bomb could have gone off in here and you wouldn’t have noticed!”

“Well… it was a very interesting magazine!” Kitty defended herself.

“Jesus Christ, Kitty! It was Teen People!” Jubilee snapped in exasperation.

“Hey!! It had Orlando Bloom on the cover!!” Kitty snapped back, as if that made it all perfectly understandable. Jubilee let out a suffering groan as she rolled her eyes and dropped her head down on the table, her forehead hitting it hard enough to make Rouge’s cereal bowl rattle.

“Rouge, I’m begging you,” She said tiredly, her forehead still on the table, “put me out of my misery, please. Just make it quick and painless, that’s all I ask.” Kitty let out a sound of insult and whirled around, yanking the refrigerator door open.

“Sparkplug!” She muttered darkly as she rummaged around in the fridge, taking a shot at Jubilee’s mutant gifts.

“Airhead!” Jubilee muttered equally as darkly, her forehead still on the table, taking an equally stinging shot at Kitty’s gifts. Kitty let out a guffaw of outrage and slammed the refrigerator door shut.

“Take that back!!” She shot, furious.

“Fine.” Jubilee said tiredly, not moving her head an inch. “I take it back. I’m sorry for calling you an airhead.” Kitty had not expected that one. She’d been rearing for another round of arguing but Jubilee’s words hat knocked the wind right out of her sails. She stood there staring at the black-haired girl, whose forehead was still resting on the kitchen table. She opened her mouth to fire back, but thought better of it. Again she opened her mouth to take a shot at Jubilee, but nothing came out.

“Ahhhh.” Jubilee sighed in relief, her forehead still on the table. “Sweet silence. This must be what heaven sounds like.” Jubilee said sarcastically. Giving a loud angry huff and throwing her hands in the air, Kitty stormed out of the kitchen, iPod in hand, muttering darkly under her breath as Jubilee snickered and rolled her head over to rest her cheek against the cool table top. She placed her hands under her head, resting her chin on top them, and looked at Rouge, who, Jubille had to admit, looked… tired.

“Hey.” Jubilee said softly, smiling at her. She and Rogue, along with several other kids, had been there when Jean… When Jean had… Jubilee still had a hard time thinking about it. Jean was gone! She’d never again walk through the door and tell Jubilee to get her feet of the kitchen table, helping her to do so via telekinesis if she gave her lip about it. As much as she’d hated it every time Jean did that, Jubilee couldn’t help but miss it. She missed her. “How’re you holdin’ up?” She asked Rouge.

 

[Jeremy Davis]

Enter the Cajun Thief...Gambit

~The plane from New Orleans to New York was long and boring for the Cajun Thief. It wasn’t like he could do anything that could pass the time accept sleep and that was impossible due to the little girl behind him with the mommy that couldn’t control her.

After the plane landed he headed for the Airport exit and grabbed a cab which brought him to the Xavier School for the Gifted. Gambit Stood outside the gates and looked up at the mansion, then over its sprawling grounds. Dis is a school? He shook his head and walked through the gates.

Reaching into his trench coat as he walked to the door, he pulled out a cigarette and slipped it between his lips, then took a lighter out and lit the end as he inhaled. A puff of smoke jetted out of his nose as he exhaled, and he tucked the pack and lighter back into his coat. Hope the school isn’t smoke free else I may have a problem

He stopped below the steps of the Mansion and watched as some of the kids walking around the gardens, while others were playing Basketball on the courts. The Cajun then shook his head and chuckled to himself. Looks like your going back to school Lebeau. He dropped his butt onto the ground and ground it out with his boot, then he finished the walk up the steps and to the door of the Mansion before ringing the bell.~

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

Rouge glanced up as Jubilee and Kitty entered the room. The two of them were at it again and she gave a small grin. It made things feel almost...normal. This time it was over an ipod. She glanced up amused watching the entire ordeal. Jubilee then joined her asking how she was doing. She looked down at her cereal pushing it around in the bowl again.

"Well Jean's gone and ya know I can't touch Bobby....but other then that fine" She gave a small frown. "How about you?"

It was then she heard the doorbell at the door. "I'll get it....hold that thought", Rouge said giving a small smile as she got up and went to the door opening it. "Can I help ya?"

 

[Jeremy Davis]

~His back was to the door when it opened, and he turned around and smiled when he saw the girl at the door. She was younger than him, but not by much. He gaged her to be a student, but he could have been wrong.~

I hope that you can, Cher. I recieved a letter from a Ms. Ororo Munroe asking me to come to da institute. Ororo and I are old friends. She mentioned about me possibly becoming a teacher.

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

"Oh...follow me then" Rouge nodded. She wasn't sure where Storm was but she could at least take him to her office while she looked for her. Unless Jubilee or Kitty knew where she was which would make it alot easier. But looking for her would give her something to do. She walked down the halls to a oak door and opened it.

"I'm not sure where she is at the moment but I'll find her and let her know your here".

 

[Jeremy Davis]

~He nodded to her and followed her into the Mansion. He allowed his eyes to look around and noticed a few classes in session, the kids taking notes and looking at chalkboards. After taking a few turns, they reached an office and he looked at the girl who brought him~

Name's Gambit... and you are?

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

"Rouge." By the way he talked she defintly knew he was from Louisanna. Then a thought struck her. Something he had said about teaching here. They couldn't be replacing Jean already. It was too soon. Too sudden. Did this mean they were done searching for her? Had they lost hope?

"Are you taking over Ms. Grey's position?"

 

[Jeremy Davis]

I don't think so. I havent been offered any positons yet, Cher. I was just contacted a month ago by Ororo. She and I go back a few years.

~He looked Rogue over for a second, his black eyes moving down then back up until they looked into her eyes. He then reached out to touch the white strands of her hair~

That's an interesting name. I assume its a nickname? And what happened to you that you got dis white streek?

 

[ACursedDreamer]

Professor Charles Xavier

The good Professor was in the midst of speaking with Cyclops. He had been rather withdrawn, with good reason, but Xavier's main concern was his attitude. He'd noticed a bit of a sour streak in Scott reguarding the students and his normal activities. He had also noticed a few alcoholic beverage containers in the trash as of late, the Professor was thinking of two possible and entirely likely suspects. Logan, and Scott.

"Scott, please. Try not to block us all out. We know you are hurting. We all are, perhaps not as much as you, but we are all feeling pain and remorse..." The alarm on the Professor's watch sounded. He looked down and frowned at it, then he shut it off. "Scott, I must cut this meeting short. Please, do me a favor, come back and speak with me later about this. Until then..."

The Professor had nothing he could think to add, he turned the chair around and wheeled slowly out of the room. The stench of Logan's cigars hit him like a fist. He shook his head, Logan was a problem sometimes.. but he was trying. He was trying to come to terms with everything, and be a member of this team. Xavier moved down the hallway and towards his personal office. He opened the door and moved inside, knowing Mr. Tony Stark should be arriving very shortly. He folded his hands on his desk and slowly let his mind wander...

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

Rouge was about to walk off when she felt his eyes on her and she looked up. His fingers where then in her hair asking about her white streaks.

"Had a run in with Magneto"

She remembered that night. He had made her take his powers and tried to use her to carry out his plans knowing full well it would have killed her. If it hadn't been for the X-men she may not have been alive today.

 

[ACursedDreamer]

Nightcrawler

Kurt sat on the roof top until the rain began. He felt the cool wet drops on his face, and soaking into his hair and clothing. He sighed, contented for the moment. This new home was nice. Comfortable, with many interesting nooks in it. Plus, there was so much ground here. Nightcrawler could wander for hours and not worry about being spotted by humans. He finally picked his coat up and sighed slightly, he'd been recently working on teleporting to locations he couldn't see but that he was very familair with. He always did his best to make sure they were spots that weren't usually inhabited like the top corner of a room, or hanging off of things like flag poles... Bamf!.

Kurt was on the balcony of his room. He hoped down and strolled into the room, leaving the doors slightly ajar for the nice breeze. He tossed his coat onto his bed and glanced over into the mirror. He stared at his reflection and forced a small smile. Sure, he got stared at occationally. A lot of the student's weren't really used to him yet.. but some had become accustomed to his presence and even the sound of his Teleporting. Bamf!. Now he was crouched ontop of the refridgerator in the kitchen. He looked down and saw the girl Jubilee sitting at the table. He looked around and stayed crouched up there for a few minutes...

 

[Jeremy Davis]

Looks like it was more den a run in I'd say, but to each his own. So are you a student here? Or just a refugee like myself?

~ He walked around storms desk and slide into her chair, before leaning it back and propping his feet up on the table. he was sure Ororo wouldn't mind, and if she did oh well she could give him hell later. he looked around at the room and smiled. I could get to like it here, but come on what can I teach dese kids except about life on da streets of New Orleans and how to pick pocket or break a laser security?~

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

"Well I started out as a refugee but now I'm a student. I should probably go find Ms. Munroe she'd probably like to know your here". Rouge looked him over. He didn't look like the teaching type. He reminded her of Logan...out of his element. Well at least she'd have something to tell Jubilee and Kitty about.

 

[Jeremy Davis]

~Hearing that she was leaving him, he stood and walked around the desk. He then took her gloved hand and lifted it to his lips kissing her knuckles softly~

Well it was a plasure meeting you, Rogue. Im not sure what I will be teaching you and your friends, but hopefully you'll enjoy my classes...

~He let her hand go as she looked to the door, then he walked over to the other side of the desk again to look out of the large windows at the mansion lawn and the kids out in the grounds~

 

[lushlips18]

Rouge

Rouge gave a small shiver. Was this Cajun hitting on her or was he just being polite? Either way she was already looking forward to his class wondering what he would exactly be teaching them. She gave him a small smile.

"I'm sure we will...Gambit" She said not knowing his last name to call him by. With that she nodded and went off to find Ms. Munroe.

 

[Masume]

Effortlessly the humid greenhouse dazzled with rain. The glass haven for her plants grew foggy as drain drizzled everywhere but on her. Lightly brushing a green leaf with her fingertips of a small fig tree a soft smile brushed her lips. This particular tree had been a gift from Kurt. It came on a random day, no special occasion. He simply explained he knew about her love for plants and thought it would fit in perfectly in her sanctuary. Any gift was precious to her. And she always made sure she took extra care of it.

Pulling the band from her hair, letting the blinding white silk flow over mocha shoulders she headed for the greenhouse doors and back to the mansions front floor. Almost immediately, she came chest to chest with a student, the collision hard enough to knock both herself and the person to heir feet.

“Rogue!” she gasped, a slender, mocha hand pressed over her heart. Scrambling to her feet and extending her hand, she quickly checked Rogue’s appearance with her eyes making sure no damage was done.

 

[lushlips18]

Rogue

Rouge got up and looked at Storm nervously hoping there hadn't been any skin to skin contact. She had gotten lucky this time but it was a close call. She really hated her powers they got in the way all the time.

"I was just looking for you. There's a man in your office. Says your expecting him. Gambit he said he was."

 

[Masume]

“Gambit…” She repeated. “He’s early. Where did you leave him? Was he nice to you?” She asked bombarding Rogue with questions. She requested he pay the mansion a visit and speak with Xavier about possibly taking a job as a teacher here. He had a lot of experience that could come in useful to the students here.

“Did you like him?” She asked again, almost taking Rogue back with her, waking and talking. She wanted to know what kind of first impression everyone was getting. Hopefully he would be received well and that would be one more addition to the mansion. A street-smart mutant with extraordinary abilities. They had plenty but the more the merrier.