X-Men: A Bright New World

[Tight_n_ready]

Wanda

Wanda stood and stared at the newcomers as everything happened at once, first Betsy, one of the TAs had approached and, as she was wont to do, laid down the law firmly. And then to make things even more complicated Theresa had appeared, her flaming red hair easy to spot even at a distance, she was storming towards the gates, and she looked pissed. Her words however, were even more confusing.

"What? No! I... I just got back..."

She shook her head, not understanding what was going on, but before she could even start working out some kind of explanation for everything that had happened the Professor appeared at the gates. He too asked her about her leaving, had she imagined the last two weeks? Except, what had Pietro done to bring her here, it had been faster than she could ever imagine him moving, had it been fast enough to travel through time as well?

"No, I left, but now I'm back, I think... I think Pietro is a lot faster than I remembered, I think he moved me back in time."

She turned to Theresa, an apologetic look on her face and moved closer to keep their words private. "I'm sorry for leaving like that, but I thought we had an understanding, it was just casual... wasn't it?"

She wasn't sure, the way the redhead had reacted implied that she felt something more, and that frightened her, she didn't know if she was ready for a relationship, but she didn't want to hurt Theresa.

---

The mission had surprised her, they were headed back to Europe, and so soon after she had returned, or after she thought she had returned. It wasn't a long trip, the Professor had covered the costs, but after apparently not only teleporting across the world but also back in time it seemed interminably long.

The airport however, was nearly empty, it was hardly the holiday season and it was only a small airport though, so it made sense. They were here looking for Piotr, one of the TAs, he was supposed to be visiting his family but after a month had passed with no word the Professor had grown worried. Wanda wasn't sure why he was so bothered, Piotr might have been a gentle giant, but he could convert his form into some kind of metal, the guy looked almost indestructible.

_____________________________________________________________


Rogue

Rogue glanced up as Mystique entered her room, putting a bookmark in at the page she was reading and sitting up as she closed the book. Something was happening, that she knew, the base had been a veritable hive of activity over the last few hours. Knowing better than to get in the way, she had simply shut herself up in her room with a book until it was all over. Except it wasn't.

She looked expectantly at Mystique, hoping as ever that today might be the day she could finally get out of here and do something before she went stir-crazy. It was only a faint hope though, she had been here for years, and Mystique hardly allowed her out, and she had never asked her to come on a mission.

Then the world appeared to stop, Rogue did a double-take, but Mystique was smiling, this wasn't a joke, Mystique hadn't suddenly decided to start teasing her like the others, she was serious. She leapt up.

"Seriously? Well ah better start naow then."

She rushed around the room, tossing clothes into a duffel bag that she'd dragged out from under the bed. She zipped it up and then threw on the leather jacket hanging in the wardrobe, the whole thing had only taken a few minutes, leaving Mystique standing there in quiet amusement at how fast Rogue had moved.

"Where we goin'?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Betsy didn’t like the idea of going out into the field with people so green. She didn’t like the fact that the professor had practically thrown them to the wolves. She certainly didn’t like the fact that she was practically in charge of everything.

Sitting in that tiny little Russian café with the rest of the team around her, Betsy held her head in her hands, struggling to calm the constant stream of thought that tried to invade her brain. New places, especially big cities, were always the worst for her. The colors, the sights, the sounds, the sheer number of people…it all served to drive her absolutely insane.

“I’m all for hearing ideas on what we should do about Piotr. Does anyone know where he might possibly be? Did he say something to anyone before he left?” She was fishing, struggling to come up with the one thread that would help her focus and pull in their missing comrade.

She glanced up finally, her black hair falling like a solid curtain down her back. Her eyes passed between each of the people assembled, struggling to decide if she trusted them enough to send them to the furthest reaches of Russia to find the wayward Piotr. What if something happened out there in the field? They would be out on their own and shit out of luck if something went wrong.

"Well...?"

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Kitty Pryde.

Kitty didn’t really mind Betsy all that much, she seemed like…a nice person, sometimes. But the fact that she was helping lead this mission, well, Kitty tried to just accept it and bite her tongue. But this mission hit close to home. Close to her heart.

For over a month she'd been waiting for Piotr to return. He never specified how long his trip to see his family would take, and maybe she should have pressed harder. Should have insisted he be in touch, like a good friend would. Even if her school-girl crush and infatuation with him was so much...deeper than that. And now that it had been discovered that something could have possibly happened to him and that he was missing, Kitty couldn't help but feel guilt. Shame. Who knew what had happened to her friend, and there she'd been at the mansion, passing the time by reading books that weren't required of her, and flirting with classmates to pass the time. It wasn't right.

But there was no one, besides Charles, that Kitty felt was closer to Piotr than her. And Betsy may have been more experienced, and a few years older, but she clearly wasn't happy about her recent responsibilities. She wished that the older girl would take it more seriously. This was her Peter that they were here for.

The group on the mission were all sitting there at that small cafe that played music that sounded odd to Kitty's ears, but she could hardly sit still. She knew they all needed rest and energy; the jet lag was definitely making them drag their feet a little, but she couldn't just sit there!

“I’m all for hearing ideas on what we should do about Piotr. Does anyone know where he might possibly be? Did he say something to anyone before he left?”

Katherine looked around. To Sam, Wanda, and Theresa, then back to Betsy again.

"I--I spoke to him, before he left." Kitty spoke up, which really shouldn't have been to anyone's surprise. Betsy's question may have well been asked directly to Kitty, because her friendship with the bigger man was no secret to anyone in the school. "He didn't say much; you know how vague he always is. Blames it on the language barrier when we all know he speaks perfect English." She wanted to laugh at the memory, she just couldn't get it to leave her throat.

"He just said that he needed to see his family. So, we need to start there. But we have to get out of this city, I don't think he's here. I remember him saying a while ago that his family had a farm, here in Siberia. We should start there. If he's not there....well, let's just hope he is." She sighed, really wanting to think the best and stay positive. She hoped that all of this was just some big misunderstanding.

"If everyone's done eating, we should go."

 

[Remec]

Cannonball/Sam

The last half week had been such a whirlwinf, Sam was still sorting it all out in his head. Not that it was keeping him out of touch, mind you, he was still perfectly on target as far as working on their mission; the idea of even being on a mission, that had him a tad bit flummoxed whenever he was left to think about it on his own.

Russia?!? I'm in Russia! Ma would love seeing this place. Paige and the others will be so green. I wonder if I can find something to bring home to them? He had already picked up a handful of postcards and touristy knickknacks from a stand at what passed for an airport here, but felt he should keep an eye out for something more significant.

Which is what he was psyching himself up for, anyway, listening and watching for anything that might point towards what might have happened to Mr. Rasputin. He wasn't a TA Sam had had to deal with much, yet, but he always seemed like a nice guy. Sam's eyes drifted over towards Kitty and he wondered if how much of the rumors he'd heard had been on target and what was actually going on between his teammate and their, potential, rescue.

He had not done much talking, let alone flirting, with any of the women on the mission with him while still on campus or on the flight over. Instead, Sam had used the time before they left to practice his flying and manipulating his blast field. On the flight, he had reviewed one of the English-Russian dictionaries he had found in the school library.

"Ah think Kitty is right. The family farm should be our first goal, and spread out from there...being careful to take note of anything odd between here and there, of course."

 

[Remec]

Madrox

Thursday morning

And I thought all those hours of manual labor on the farm had been bad.

Madrox groaned as he heard the alarm go off for the third time. Apparently, the clock in his dorm had no upper limit to the number of times its snooze bar could be struck. Plus, in slightly less than a week of training, Jamie had managed to lose his internal alarm for waking at the crack of dawn.

Granted, said crack came almost two hours earlier than he'd been exposed to for the last decade or so, but still, he had thought he could acclimate more quickly than this.

At least I stayed asleep this morning, and didn't get up at 3:00 for the first time since I arrived.

He drug himself out of bed and rapidly struck his palm against the wall three times. Jamie then went about getting dressed while he shaved, showered, and had breakfast. Once outfitted, he gather himself together...bit by bit...and joined the others before the Professor as the headmaster had wanted to speak with them all that morning.

The talk went about how Jamie had figured it would, and he found his attention drifting from the Professor to Alison and thoughts about the other women he'd met who had been sent elsewhere a few days earlier. His mind was refocused as a young girl, near to his own age, passed through the room and was brought over to the group by Charles.

"Ahh, Jubilee. Perfect timing. I would like everyone to meet Jubilation Lee here. Formally at least, as you've no doubt seen her around. She will be here to keep you all...company," Charles said. The Professor continued talking, but Jamie had been stopped by the idea of what sort of company Jubilee might make for him.

Charles' talk had ended with some small gifts--tools for their use while students at his school--and a quick admonishment to remain on campus. Jamie raised a hand at this. "Sir, I had not known I would be staying on when I arrived, and have a room and some belongings back in Salem Center. Would it be okay to go and fetch them later today?"

While he waited on Charles' answer, Jamie pondered on if Jubilee might want to come give him a hand. Or maybe...Alison has a car, right? We could make it field trip, of sorts. Although, we'd probably have to take the French guy with us...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Footsteps came up to the outer gate, a card ran over the scanner's eye and the gate slid open. The footsteps walked onto the estate and followed the pathway to the mansion, the footsteps originated from black spec ops boots, blue jeans fell over the boots, the jeans was tattered and well-worn, a black leather jacket hung over the jeans, glimpses of a red flannel shirt can be seen under the jacket's edge. One arm is holding an old army duffel bag in place over his shoulder, it's olive green faded and in places scuffed. An old, battered cowboy hat masks the person's face, a half-smoked cigar clenched between his lips, puffs of cigar smoke following in his wake.

He sniffed the air, yup things have changed indeed, but it would not have changed more than him. He narrowed his eyes as he approached the mansion, it seemed like Charlie was gone, that was strange. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, the place haven't changed one little bit, it felt like stepping back through time, only this time there was no Charles Xavier to welcome him, to explain to him how he had come here on a violation not quite his own. Charlie hated smoke inside his mansion...tough.

James grinned and walked further, dragging on his cigar with relish, he heard voices and headed in that direction. Pretty soon he found himself at the Professor's office door, he placed the duffel bag down and pulled both doors open. He took the cigar from his mouth and blew out a trail of smoke, he looked over the assembled group and flashed a smile,

"Well if it isn't Jubilation Lee, long time no see kiddo."

He looked at the others,

"And I don't know either one of you at all."

 

[Shadowlace]

Siryn

Theresa sat in a comfortable sweater dress and her classic stockings. She as not a fan of coming to Russia. It as cold here, and not like the cold in Scotland, but cold. She looked at the team and sighed, this could potentially be a disaster!

She was sat close to Wanda as she found her self somewhat attached to her at the moment. Originally she thought her and the brunette could easily get along with each other but apparently Theresa found her self somewhat enthralled with the woman. Theresa was gonna need a distraction soon from Wanda or she could get attatched far to quickly. Theresa though looked down at the hot chocolate she had made and smiled as she looked over at Sam and than Kitty. She did this cause she really hadn't been paying much attention she was distracted by the conversation she was gonna have with Wanda when this was over with. I mean she had feelings for the woman but didn't know if she wanted to be serious with her or not. They were good friends after all, would they make good lovers too?

Theresa than finally piped in and looked at the others." Well I could try me Brother? I mean Sean does work for interpol. Thats if we get stuck. Otherwise I think checkin' out the lake I'll be fine" She than sipped on the hot chocolate, imagining her self naked and entwined with one of the others in her bed. She though sighed and waited to see if the others did.

 

[Shadowlace]

Jubilee

Jubilee had been doing most of her training and studies on her own for awhile now. She felt a tinge of sadness as her first Doug had left the mansion. She was sad as she wanted to ask the awkward guy officially out on a date but found herself now with out him. She though continued on practicing her powers and her combat skills.

She was just out of her morning session and had picked up playing her favorite Poke'mon game when the professor pulled her aside and wanted her watch a bunch of newbies. She looked at him and whined "Really I have to watch newbies, Why can't someone else do it? I mean Why me?"She asked and yet got the pseudo psychology response from the old guy.

" Jubilee I now you are throwing your self into your studies and exercises since Douglas left, and That is good, but you haven't talked to anyone since then either. So as a senior student here I need you to keep an eye on them and show them around. Make friends, have some fun, fun out side your little videos games got it" He says as he lead her from the gym to meet with the others and she sighed as she saw them gathered there.

She was about to speak when Logan came in. Jubilee blushed and than ran over and hugged the old bear and kissed him on the cheek."Hi Logan I'm happy your back, I have been practicing every day for a while now trying to master what you taught me."She says with a school girl glee. This as Logan, her mentor and friend, she bounded to him first time she met him, and had a kinda school girl crush on this rugged man she was latched on to. Jubilee blushed and pulled away and than looked to the others. She felt embarrassed now as she was to show them about and keep them in line, but clearly one canadian threw her off her game.

 

[Remec]

Madrox

Jamie was still inwardly pondering what exactly he wanted to do about the Professor turning down his request to go get his belongings from Salem Center. He considered sending himself to go do it anyway, but wasn't sure he knew the others sufficiently to ask them to go along when they'd be directly told not to.

Then there came a clamor of someone's entrance...a subtle wafting of cigar smoke...and a gruff voice that was punctuated by practical, if not actual, squeals from Jubilee. Jamie thought the slight girl was going to overbear the short, stocky man in leather and denim, but he caught her easily and held her to him and off the floor like Jubilee weighed even less than her pixie-like body would indicate.

Jamie's brain ran through the material they'd been covering over the last several days and a smile crept onto his face. "Logan?" he started as he stepped to the man as Jubilee detached herself. "You would be Professor Logan, one of our teachers here? And, if I remember the orientation paperwork, acting Headmaster when Professor Xavier is away from campus on business? That would be you?"

He extended a hand to Logan. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Jamie Madrox, one of the latest students here."

 

[DeathsKnight]

James met Jubilee's enthusiastic greeting with a smile of his own, then one of the students stepped forward to introduce himself. Of course the whole Professor and Acting Headmaster was titles that James did not wish to bear, but he was there and if these kids wanted any hope in the future, it was on his shoulders right now. He grunted and shook hands with Jamie Madrox, he took a drag on the cigar and looked the kid over,

"What's botherin' you Chuck? That frown and those gears turning in the back of your eyes seems to tell a story of their own."

He glanced at Jubilee,

"Since I see no sign of Charlie, any idea where the old man went?"

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Dazzler.

Events for Alison Blaire had certainly changed over just the course of one week. What had started as her coming to the mansion to retrieve her car that someone had stolen, and suddenly turned into her running into an old crush, and deciding to stay at the school for the Gifted.

After discussing her enrollment there, Alison and Charles did have some time to talk. They'd decided with everything going on; him busy with the X-Men, training the new students, and always away or on the phone with more important matters, they agreed that it was smart to put their relationship on hold for the time being. With everything that was going on, it just wasn't going to work.

And that gave Alison some time to smooth things over at the strip club in the city. At first, she had told them that she was sick. No one wanted a sick stripped dancing all over their customers. But now that almost a week had gone by, she wondered when they'd start calling her again and asking her to come in. She had, after all, signed a contract to...add on additional...duties.

But the blonde didn't regret her decision in staying one bit. She was learning more and more about her powers than she ever had before. For once, she wasn't afraid to use them. Never really having the drive to see her true potential, Alison had always been afraid to explore and learn more about what she was capable of. She didn't want to accidentally hurt anyone, or herself. But over the past few days she had begun to master the light converted by sound. No longer exhausted or drained, she could more easily control the color, direction, and duration of the light that she produced. It was beautiful, yet could be deadly, Charles taught her. If she focused too much control on the intensity of her light, she could blind another student, if she wasn't careful.

So, with the help of Remy and Jamie...Alison practiced, practiced, practiced. And in turn, she liked to say that she had gained two more friends. Someone like her that she wasn't afraid to be herself around. She didn't have to hide behind the image of a stripper or lounge singer. She could just be Alison Blaire. Or Dazzler, as some of the students were beginning to call her after they had found out her stage name.

Of course, that meant in the meantime, her and Remy had...made amends, of the sort. She had forgiven him for taking off in the middle of the night and taking her car out of the city. And he had forgiven her for the way that she had blown up on him; even if she still felt, in a way, that he had deserved it at the time.

Jamie was as sweet as could be. Even funny. He had a little bit of a cocky, confident side to him as well when he let loose...and that was always fun to watch when him and the Cajun were together. Being stuck together in both classroom training and in the field, it was easy for Alison to immediately feel a close bond between the two, even if maybe it wasn't reciprocated. The only thing that made her uncomfortable was sometimes finding a TA, or more experienced student five or six years younger than her, showing her "the ropes". At 24, Alison had probably seen more things than most of these teenagers had in their lifetime, and yet...they were all much more experienced than her when it came to control. But she liked to think she was getting better. Currently, the professor and the guys had been helping her create three-dimensional objects with her light, even if her attempts so far had failed.

Sitting in Charles' office while he announced his departure and introduced them to Jubilee, Alison stared over at the younger girl. Another teenager, closer to Jamie's age, she guessed. Alison had a hard time taking authority from someone younger, but not soon after Charles had left, another man had entered. His pressed eyebrows and facial hair told her that he was not a teenager. Same with the smoke that hid his face until it finally disappeared. Jubilee practically tackled the man by the doors to the office, and Jamie was standing up to introduce himself. Feeling awkward, and unsure what to do, her blue eyes glanced over at Remy to see if he would do the same. He just smiled at her, and she knew he wasn't in a hurry to get up, either.

"You just missed Charles--I mean the Professor." She told the man, interrupting if someone else had intended on answering. "He said he was flying out of town, so if you need him, you can call him." Alison shrugged, pushing her blonde hair behind her shoulders as she finally stood. In her hands she still held that phone that Xavier had given them. She'd have to ask one of the guys how to use it later; she wasn't the best with electronics. She could still hardly believe that this was the guy, as Jamie said, that was left in charge when Charles was gone. A professor. Logan. A great example for all students, she could tell, with that cigar.

"I think the three of us were going to go outside, or use the training room to practice some, if you two wanted to join us." She offered Logan and Jubilee. Judging by their reunion, she wasn't sure if they wanted to...catch up, or something. It was clear that the younger girl had an obvious crush on the older man.

"I'm Alison, by the way. That's Remy, over there." She pointed behind her to the Cajun, grinning. "He's a mute, don't mind him." She joked, even if only her and Jamie knew the truth of it. The other two would find out the truth in Gambit's personality soon enough.

 

[Lachiyous]

Gambit

Over Three Years Ago. [Somewhere. In the Old World of Europe]

On the sacred. Parchment, entitled. Blueprint - Map to Becoming a Hero. Well. To begin. Honestly. Was there such the. Documentation? If so, where. Where upon the. Four corners of the. Universe. Could it be hidden? Because so much. So, so much. Pain. Misery. Heart ache. Any the thing, negative. Nothing the, positive. Could simply be...avoided. On the sacred. Parchment...

What parchment?

One could sorely be in necessity. Because. Without such. Real or Imaginary parchment. There may be. Something similar. Fork in the road. Opportunity. Perhaps even, chance. Which, when the dust settled? The threat for...

Not becoming a hero. Considerably. Just as overwhelming. And tantalizing.

<>Le Diable Blanc. I've been waiting a long time for this moment. For you.<>

"Chere, you not tell.."

<>A moment. Yes. That will be all, Celeste.<>

"But he needs me--"

<>LEAVE us. That's right.<>

There after...

<>Now then. Let's speak. About the terms of your new contract. Freelance. Under my employment.<>

"What make you t'ink dat goin' happen? Gambit not for sale..."

<>LeBeau, please. I know everything and anything there is to know. About you. While we're at it. Everyone is for sale. If the price is right. You see...<>

"See what? Dis make no sense!"

<>The girl is mine.<>
========================================================================
Last Week. [Westchester, New York]

Saving one. Another human. Life. From potential danger. Does that qualify a good notion? Said good notion, shall it. Equate. Safe passage way. Unto the Gates, no. Kingdom of Heaven? Not one deed? Then what does that singular. Positive. Experience do? What does it signify? Indicative. What does it translate to?

Does one. Rescue. One small glint of. Sunshine. Does that even MEAN anything. In the greater scheme. Within the big picture? Or. Shall it all. Be. For.

Naught?

And if so. Would it have been better. Following such the logic. If he hadn't been around the corner from The Brazen Fox. On that particular Friday evening? If nothing was changed. If no true. Blue. Magnanimity, was to be carried out. Then what was the point? What was the point?

One candle of flickering light shall not overturn a whole building of encompassing darkness.

Feeling or no feeling. It just was not. Possible. Least of all for him...
========================================================================
This Week.

Le Professeur. This Charles Xavier. The bald man. Seemed like his intentions were in the right place. Guy was honorable. Smart too. Knew what he was talking about. As far as could be seen.

The Cajun observed the man. The fashion in which he tended. To both, a new individual. And with Alison. The two of them. New. It had appeared. To the use of their mutant abilities. (he had guessed this anyhow with the person he hadn't really known and more or less knew this of her all ready) Yet, step by step. Moment to moment. He could see the man. And the patience. Diligence even. Keeping on them. To keep at their routines. Practicing. Control. Perhaps for the first time.

Yet the use of Gambit's powers. His capability. The control with which he possessed. Never was an issue for him. Well tuned. Polished. Not unlike his silver tongue, he had learned his way. Many, the year ago. So it was. Now. Almost. A waste of time for him. To be going through the motions. Which of course he did. Blindly. Never missing a beat. Yet. Still. Because of the underlying theme of. Lackluster. Carefully masked of course. Well. It made him consider. And re-consider. His place, therein.

Was he where he was supposed to be? Is this what he was fated to be. A member of a team. An X-Man? What did that even entitle anyhow...?

Questions, questions...

Not enough answers. He didn't bring up anything. To anyone. Nor would he. It just wasn't the time...
========================================================================
Thursday Morning.

After. After Xavier inducted him. Her. And the younger teenage male. Officially. Into the School. Onto the team. As an X-Man. Then, he left. Not before another teenage girl appeared.

Too much transpired. These office walls. Constricted him. As did the Mansion. In the last few days. He needed to remove himself. Get up, and. Get.

Out.

Wordlessly. Soundlessly. The Cajun slipped on out. Through the door. In the middle of the exchange of pleasantries. And seemingly. When a shorter and older stranger had also made an entrance. The cigar caught Gambit's attention. If, but. For a moment. Before...

He paced his steps. Across the hallway. Zipping by. To the closest exit. And cleared the door. In departure. Respite.

Breeeeeeeeeeeeathe!

Phew.

Fresh air.

All right. Everything. Was. Hmph...?

He glanced down at the pack of Marlboro's. In the palm of his hand. It was empty!

"Dats jus' great..."

Grumble. Huff.
========================================================================

 

[Remec]

Madrox

As Jamie opened his mouth to respond to Logan, he paused and his brow furrowed just a bit as he pondered if being called 'Chuck' was some sort of Canadian slang. The hesitation allowed Alison to pipe up in his place and he merely nodded as he stepped back and let her speak.

Outside? Training room? We were?

His eyes widened slightly as Jamie processed Alison's assertions and thought about what sort of training he'd love to get up to with her or Jubilee or both. The myriad permutations boggled his mind, and that was just with himselves and the two women involved; if he added in Logan or Remy, well then things really got interesting. To say the least.

"Um, yeah...I think Alison hit all the necessary details. Although, I do have some luggage and stuff to see about having sent out to the campus from Salem Center. Or else see about going and getting it." Jamie wondered if Logan was likely to phone the Professor or was more of the I'm-in-charge-so-I-can-handle-it sort of leader. "I hadn't realized I was going to be staying on, so it's all in a room at the short stay hotel. Near that club with the bright neon pink sign out front."

There had been more than a couple times when he first arrived in town, before Jamie had come out to the mansion, when the music, laughter, and assorted aromas wafting up to his room from that club had almost enticed the former farm boy into checking them out and expanding on his experiences. He even considered behaving by a technicality by remaining in the room while sending himself to check things out, but lack of a lot of free money on hand and the need to stay focused on his upcoming meeting with Charles had made him stay in.

Jamie looked at Logan, then Alison. "Do you know the place I mean?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

He glanced at Jubilee as the blonde introduced herself and the other member, the "mute" one slipped passed them and from the sound of it, out. James cocked an eyebrow, either he was really keen to get training, or the tobacco smell which clung to him explained the sudden departure also...in a way. He took a drag on his cigar as Jamie spoke up, the subtle raise of body temprature and increase in heart rate told James all he had to know. From what he saw from the blonde, Jamie had a point in those private thoughts of his.

"Tell yah what bub, I think you have been taken f'r a ride. The only two official things I do around here is go on missions when asked and teach self-defence. I am not the type you want f'r headmaster."

He took another drag,

"Why don't we do as Allison said, follow her so-called mute friend outside and you guys can show me what I'm workin' with. Then we can pick up your gear from the hotel next to the place I think I should know..."

He paused, looking at Allison,

"F'r some strange reason you seem familiar..."

He sniffed,

"It will probably come to me later."

He playfully poked Jubilee with a blunt finger,

"Come, let's find out if you really trained as you should have."

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Dazzler.

Alison, of course, had only been kidding when she'd called Remy a mute. Since the night she first met him in that alley she found that the smooth-talkin' Cajun always had something to say. And while she'd expected him to at least introduce himself, or say something in reply to her, he just left. In silence. Mute.

What the fuck was wrong with him? Was it something Charles had said, or did something else upset him? Or did he just want to be alone?

Unsure what to do, Alison's thoughts were distracted by Jamie telling Logan about Salem Center. She knew where that was. She briefly remembered Jamie telling the Professor the same thing, in how he'd needed to get his things, but before Alison had just brushed it off. Even if she knew it was close to home. Close to work. She had some loose ends to tie up herself, no pun intended, and she couldn't deny that the thought of having someone to go with her back to the city did tempt her.

"...so it's all in a room at the short stay hotel. Near that club with the bright neon pink sign out front."

Shit.

Alison froze. Now Jamie was getting a little too close for comfort. She cleared her throat, her jaw tight, trying to hide the pink on her cheeks. She'd managed to be doing a good job until Jamie looked directly at her.

"Do you know the place I mean?"

Of course she did. But Jamie still had to be a kid! A teenager. He wouldn't have gone inside the strip club, would he? No, he would have said something if he'd recognized her. She hoped. Or was he asking because he knew who she was? She heard that some people here could read minds. Was that another power that Jamie had, besides the multiplication?

"Hm? A club? No, I don't think I do..." She managed to say, then cleared her throat. She was ready to change the subject back to getting out of that office and getting back to practicing, especially since Jamie and Logan seemed to be finishing up their conversation. But it didn't take long for her to feel the cigar-smoking man to look over at her too, and raise a brow.

"F'r some strange reason you seem familiar..It will probably come to me later."

God, she hoped not. What was she supposed to say? If I look familiar, it's because I either took my clothes off on stage, for a show that you paid to see. Or I gave you a lapdance, and you put money in my g-string.

Yeah, no. That just wasn't going to work. Not in a school. She'd hardly been there for a week, the last thing she needed was for everyone to know that she was a stripper. Or at least, she used to be. Or...well, was she still? It was hard to tell, since she hadn't exactly officially left the club yet.

"Probably not, a lot of people look like me." She shrugged, really hoping that Logan didn't know who she was. Her biggest worry right now was going outside and him seeing her light. Surely, upon seeing that, it might spark a memory that she hoped wouldn't return to him. So, she'd just have to be careful. As of right now, Gambit was the only one who knew her secret. Well, at least as far as secrets about the strip club. Ready to get the hell out of there and go with the others outside, Alison couldn't get out of that office any faster. Anything to keep the conversation from going back to the strip club. With the neon pink sign.

Rushing out the door, past everyone, Alison hurried down the hall and called out Remy's name for him to wait up for her.

 

[Tight_n_ready]

Wanda

Wanda glanced at the redhead beside her awkwardly. It was clear that neither of them was really sure where to go with their... well what was it? A relationship? A friendship? She hadn't expected Theresa to react like she had to the idea that she was leaving, did it? Had it meant that she had something deeper for her? She wasn't sure how she felt about that revelation, she couldn't imagine herself in a relationship. She dragged her mind away from Theresa, it was bothering her, it really was not the issue at hand right now.

She nodded at the others, "if that's where he was heading then it can only make sense to start there, try and retrace his footsteps, that kind of thing."

 

[Shadowlace]

Jubilee

"Good" She replied to Wolverine as she than looked at the others and blushed before she pulled her self away from him. She adjusted her outfit and than shut off her game.

" He left a while ago. Said there was something he needed to look into? As for what i don't know, I'd say ask Betsy but she and a few others went to go look for Piotr." She says as she stands there an arm across her stomach and her other hand rubbing her arm.

"Yeah I can spar and show you my moves" She says as she than looks at the others and smiled. She was told to watch them. It was a little scarey to do so but with Logan here she will gladly watch them, as she knew the Old Man would watch them as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

Betsy

Betsy slowly digested the information that was relayed to her about the possible whereabouts of Piotr. She let out a deep sigh, thinking about the man that was sweet to her, and now missing completely. She glanced around at each different member of this little expedition. They were all invested to a certain degree in this, but no more so than herself and Kitty.

“Theresa, if you would give me your brothers number, I will get into contact with him. Kitty and I will stay here in the city and see if we can make contact with anyone that might know where he is. I would like the rest of you to go to the farmhouse and see if he is there.”

Betsy turned her gaze towards Kitty. “You and I are too close to Piotr to make rational decisions. I think it best if we take ourselves out for the time being.”

“We can remain in communication through the phones that the Professor has give us. Keep them with you at all times. We have no idea what has happened to Piotr and we don’t know if it can happen to the rest of us as well.”

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Kitty Pryde.

There were lots of good ideas floating around to help find Piotr, and Kitty was anxious to get started. The longer they stayed here, sitting around in the cafe, the longer it would take to find her best friend. Was he okay? Had someone hurt him, or worse, killed him?

No, Katherine couldn't think about that right now. She at least hoped that he was okay, just maybe off the grid and out of contact. That would be the best-case scenario.

The farm, obviously, was the best idea they had going for them. In fact, it was the only lead they had right now. If that was a dead end, she could only hope that there were more clues to lead them to where he was. Siryn's brother was also their next big break. Working for Interpol was huge, and if they got stuck, surely, her brother might be able to help them out if Piotr had gotten himself into something out of their reach.

“Theresa, if you would give me your brothers number, I will get into contact with him. Kitty and I will stay here in the city and see if we can make contact with anyone that might know where he is. I would like the rest of you to go to the farmhouse and see if he is there.”

Kitty stared at Besty, in disbelief. Shock. She was stunned. Stay here? Stay here? There was no way!

“You and I are too close to Piotr to make rational decisions. I think it best if we take ourselves out for the time being.” Betsy added before Kitty could open her mouth to reply. Now she was stunned to even more silence.

Kitty knew that she was close to Piotr, but...Betsy had hinted that she was as well, and that only set her off even more. Since when? What did that even mean?

"You want me to what?" Kitty started, sitting up straighter and placing her small hands flat on the table in front of her. "Betsy! I am close to Piotr and I am being rational. No one else here would have even known about the farm if it hadn't been something Piotr mentioned to me. You don't know a damn thing about him, so don't even pretend to be on my side! If anything, my friendship with him is more helpful than it is harmful. If you split up the team, we aren't helping anyone. Are you trying to sabotage the mission?" She accused, her eyes squinting, glaring over at the other girl across the table.

Kitty's eyes were already watering, ready to burst into tears at any moment. Shit, maybe she wasn't in her right mind, but Betsy was trying to keep her from being there at the farm! She wanted to be the first to find her friend. The first to wrap her arms around his big frame and tell him how worried she'd been.

Glancing around the table, Kitty looked for support. Anyone to back her up. Anyone. Lastly, her eyes were on Sam. They were friends now, right? Would he back her up and help her? Her eyes pleaded for him to say something. Anything to help her to be able to come along. But she knew her place. Knew her role. If this came back to Xavier that she couldn't be a 'team player', would he ever let her on another mission with the X-Men again? Maybe not. This mission was a test, and she was already failing the second she started doubting Betsy's decisions.

Emotional, frustrated, and helpless, Kitty wrote a few things on a cafe napkin. Just little details about Piotr's family farm that she remembered him mentioning, and she passed it to Sam. She trusted him. Trusted that he would help her, if not Piotr.

"There should be a dirt road, with a view of the mountains. I think there was even a lake. If you have a map, I'm sure you could find one in the area." Kitty tried to help, her voice more calm. She couldn't look at Betsy again right now, otherwise she'd just start shaking with more frustration.

"We're wasting daylight sitting here. We should go."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Wolverine

"Good then."

James turned and walked outside, where the other were to be found, he looked around and nodded,

"Well then, let's see if we can get some outdoor training done. First let's see them powers and then we can go hand-to-hand and see if you can handle yourselves."

With a grin he dropped the cigar and crushed it under his boot, ready to get into some activity, the flight had been a long and boring one.

 

[Shadowlace]

Siryn

Theresa blinked as Betsy brought her out of her reverie and nodded as she handed Betsy her phone and pointed to the picture of her brother and smiled." Thats his number and try to not get mad at his whole Irish pride."

With that Theresa walks over to Wanda and leans in."I don't know about you, but lets try not to think about us..and go save Piotr.I would love to have more but I don't know, crap..."She pauses and looks about trying not to think about it."...I am just gonna drop it come on Wanda we should help Sam"

 

[Remec]

Sam/Cannonball

Now that they had a plan of action, Sam felt better about the mission succeeding. Before, he was sure it would be very much like dropping them off in any fairly large sized population that most of them didn't speak the language well and saying go find this person. He shook his head lightly to disperse the bad thoughts attempting to regain a foothold and focused his attention, instead, on paying his portion of their bill and keeping an eye on Theresa and Wanda.

"So," he began once he was with the two and getting his jacket on, readying to leave the diner, "who's got the directions to the Rasputin farm?" Sam looked around the table and then checked all of his pockets and produced the napkin Kitty had drawn on.

"Okay, that's solved," Sam said sheepishly. He continued, "And are we walking, renting a vehicle, or hiring a driver? I'm going to assume flying is to be held in reserve for emergencies." He grinned at the two women, his backwoods charm shining through and making him more boyish looking.

 

[Lachiyous]

Gambit

Twenty Three Years Ago. [New Orleans, Lousiana]

Entitled. Cursed. Prophesized. From birth...

Le Diable Blanc.

The White Devil. Baby with the red eyes. The moment he came unto. His Thieves' Guild, life all therein. Changed. And unbeknownst by every. The one. He was most immediately -- so meticulously -- monitored from afar. Close up. By someone...

Dark and mysterious...
========================================================================
This Past Sunday. [Westchester, New York]

Xavier noted that the Cajun appeared, having somehow come. Into his. Office. Door opening and. Closing. Without audible detection. Were it not for the constant envelope of a psionic field around himself, the newcomer would have most certainly. Snuck. Right in, and caught him by surprise. But then, this was Professor Charles Xavier. No one. Not the any, could sneak up on him, right?

He turned to the stranger, eyes ever so slightly. Narrowed. As he addressed him, "Gambit." Before turning to the woman he had been...sharing the company of. Alison gasped. At the sudden emergence of the second man. She had just realized his presence by the man's spoken....call sign. Before visibly. Huffing at him. The professor nodded. Then his face. Softened, as he spoke. Gently, "We'll talk some more later, Alison. That, I can promise you. As...we've no doubt some..." A glance to the newcomer. "..engaging topics to. Mull over." He rose, extending his hand to her. Leading her out. From that of his. Office. "Until that time. Thank you." A squeeze of her hand. A shared. Look. Between the two. Alison had no problem walking right past...the wretched thief. She hoped Charles would definitively. Send him away. But good! Most especially after what she had...just explained to him. In detail...

Once the door shut. Again. He returned to his desk. Seating himself behind it. And shot a piercing glare to the other man. Still standing. Still silent. Untrustworthy at the best? Just whom. So. Ever, did this. Man. Presume to think that he was? One...teensy...move, and Charles would have him the. HELL. Out of here! So go ahead, 'Gambit'. Just try something.

Silence.

For three minutes.

Not. One. Word.

Until...the Cajun turned. To go...

"Wait. Come in. And have a seat. You and I. We need to speak..."

"Gambit fine...here."

"Suit yourself." He lost a note of enthusiasm in his tone. "But now that you have been. In my home for twenty four hours time. As a courtesy, unpressed that was. Now I thought it time. To bring you up to speed. On a few matters at hand. First and foremost. Miss Blaire." He paused for effect. This individual -- from her words and more specifically, her mind -- had caused the woman dear much strife. So much so it was. Palpable. And he would NOT stand for that to happen. Not to her. Not ever again. His lips thinned, as he continued. The Cajun just watching. "You are to stay away from her for starters. I do not want conflict within my School, Mister Gambit..."

"LeBeau.."

"I'm sorry?"

"De name is LeBeau. Remy LeBeau."

Just who was this man? Where did he come from? And WHY. Was it hard to get a. Read. On him...? Couldn't thread the needle through. The blurry landscape. Of his mind. It certainly wasn't helping his cause...

"Very well, Mister LeBeau. Monsieur, even." He studied him. Intently. Before continuing, "Before I continue. Do we an understanding thus far?"

"Stay 'way from de girl." echoed the man. Standing. By the door.

Wise choice. He nodded, pleased. Perhaps this wasn't a lost cause. "Next. What exactly brought you to my doorstep? Where did you com--"

"She did. Not in de proper..order."

"Who -- Ali..Miss Blaire?" That wasn't possible.

"Dats right. An' when all be said an' done, Le Professeur. Dat girl was brought..."

He shook his head, somewhat. Incredulously.

"By de Cajun!" His hand reached for the door knob. A glance back to a somewhat. Befuddled. Xavier. "Now if you 'Scuse Gambit, he goin' make de proper or. Improper. 'Mends. Wit' une jeune fille blonde, no?" His red irises flickered as a victorious. Grin. Lit up his complexion...

Stay away from her for starters?? How....

Her anger was so. Loud. It overpowered almost everything...else. Within her mind's eye. What, the little. Meandering, he was able to screen through. Noooo...he. He could now see a glimpse of it. Rather feel it. Buried underneath the contempt. Passion...

Gritting his teeth. Furrowing his brows. Could it truly be? No, Alison....not him!

"Gambit, wait!.."

Too late. His office door. Closed. Once again. Leaving him...alone.

Sigh. Just who was this guy after all? And what game was he playing at...
========================================================================
Thursday. Now.

Sometimes a cigarette is all it took. Comfortable. Simple. Prop, to facilitate. What? Tension tamer? Relaxation? Hm, no. Sating his actual taste for the rolled up. Tobacco. He wasn't so much as. Addicted to Nicotine. More so, he enjoyed the notion. The experience. Feeling the smoke warm his lungs to their fullest. Capacity. Truth be, it'd been something he'd picked up. Long time, many. Ago. Off and on. Inconsistently, constant. Then again...maybe he was addicted...

Hmph.

"Remy!"

Hearing his name called out. From inside. Gambit recognized her pleasing voice, and made his way. To the entrance, he had just. Momentarily, exited. Wherein Alison was passing by. He reached for her hand, "Chere, what goin' on?" And then realized. Not too long ago. He left her. In the room. Behind...again? He squeezed her hand. Gently. "Dat back dere. Was rude. Didn't mean de nothin' by it. Just...needed some air, eh? Come. It nice on out dere..." Smiling, he escorted her. Hand-in-hand. Back out. Through the door. To escape the interior walls.

The high set Sun. Showering everything with its. Warmest of brilliant, Summer rays. Highlighting even. A hint of red, in his brunette locks. Trick of the light perhaps?

"Now den, 'bout de bef--"

The glass door swung open. Releasing. One, after. Another, after. One more. Three in total. The younger girl, Jubilee, whom he ever so. Briefly met via Xavier. The younger boy, Jamie. And someone else, older. Whom he'd never met before...ever. Yes?

Tuning his gaze upon him, it was this person that spoke, once they had all joined Remy and Alison outside here. "Well then, let's see if we can get some outdoor training done." Huh? "First let's see them powers and then we can go hand-to-hand and see if you can handle yourselves." Who was this guy....

Training. Powers. Hand-to-hand? Sure, and he was the Queen of France!

The Cajun released Alison's hand, and guided her. Back. Behind himself. Making sure that she was safely. Distanced. From this...unknown infiltrator. He motioned for the other two. To also get. Away. From the hatted stranger. his red irises blazed. "Don't know who you are, homme. Don't much care. Dat said, stay 'way from ev'ryone here. And dis place!"

Gambit did a quick. Glance over. Around. Accounting for the three. Others. Making sure they had heeded his advice. If there's one thing he was expertly. Intimate. With. It was the subject -- personality trait, really -- of trust. Or lack there of. This guy -- whomever he was -- could NOT be trusted.

"D'ain't for de likes of you, non?"

Something was just off about the individual. And he didn't like that...
========================================================================

 

[DeathsKnight]

Wolverine

The aggresive stance took by the taller man was amusing to James in a way, but the words wasn't, his eyes narrowed and he stepped up to Remy, he had to look up, but James wasn't worried by that at all, he had faced bigger and they all died. His eyes flashed a clear warning, only a fool would ignore it,

"I am here in the capacity of a teacher, hand-to-hand training to be exact. All my life I have been shunned for being who I am, the Professor brought me here and gave me a place where I belong. F'r the first time in my life I belong somewhere and bub, you are not gonna tell me where I belong and where I am to be. So if you do not wish to learn and practice, then step aside and let those who wish to learn to survive the world out there step up, or..."

With a loud SNICKT six bone claws slid from their housings inside his forearms, his voice a dangerous growl,

"I will cut you down to size."

Of course it was no way to react towards a student, but James wasn't very well known for his tact, nor his temper when confronted. In many ways a personal attack on him or the ones he liked brought out the beast inside, a beast that the Cajun was in danger of meeting.

 

[heartofcourage]

Betsy

“Of course you’re staying here, Kitty. And that’s final.” Betsy would feel the anger, anxiety, and frustration rising in the teen and she knew that Kitty was about to lose it.

Still, her decision was final. There was no way that she could allow the girl, or herself, to go off in search of Piotr. There needed to be clear and level heads involved. If Piotr were…in trouble…she didn’t believe that she was the person that could help him out of it. She would leave that for the others there on this mission.

She watched silently as Kitty scrawled a map on a café napkin, providing the rest of the team with an idea of where they could find Piotr’s farmhouse. Good, Betsy thought to herself. She didn’t want to send Kitty back home so soon after they had arrived. It would have left them a person down in an extremely volatile situation.

The frustration was coming off Kitty in waves and Betsy was finding it hard to keep her head clear. Girls like that were trouble, for her and for those around them. They would hold a grudge, pout, make life unpleasant. With that thought, Betsy let out a loud sigh and stood from her seat.

“I want updates on a regular basis. Let us know what is going on while you’re out there.” Betsy said as she turned her eyes towards Kitty. “And you and I will start here.”

“I would suggest rending a vehicle. I wouldn’t trust a driver that you don’t already know. A car would come in handy if things…happened.” She said as Sam asked what they would need to get to the farmhouse.