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poster: Jen date: 29 June 2002, 12:23am EST Annie and I left the professor and headed back to her room to face whatever demon awaited us. We stopped by the library and I sent Cass an email warning her. Warning my roommate about my mentor and my… boyfriend hunting her down was unnerving to say the least, but I'll get over it. If Xavier wants to play this way, I'll just feed Cassie as much information as I can get. Annie seems pretty unnerved. She doesn't really know Cassie, but on top of just learning about the X-Men, The Professor's reaction has to be bothering her. My father paid tuition for me to be here and out of his way, but she is here under Xavier's good graces and has to be wondering if she's free to leave anytime she wants as he promised. I'm really glad I'm not her. I saw Pete and Hector at the top of the stairs and think I might owe Dr. Grey a big thank you. Making Pete and Hector squirm will be more satisfying than breaking a few bones. And a lot less trouble for me. I know it's savage and I should be ashamed of myself, but I like the flash of fear their eyes when they see me and their fear tastes sweet. "Whoa. What did you do to them?" Annie asked as the boys fled down the hallway. "Not as much as I'm going to." "They get you again?" "Something like that." Annie stopped outside her door and put a finger to her lips. "In and out. Cover me." I rolled my eyes. Annie had seen way to many bad war movies, but something did smell off. It smelled like dry cleaning fluid, cashmere and perfume. I couldn't think of three scents that would be more un-Annie, but before I could say a word Annie threw open the door and marched in. "I was wondering if you planned to return or if you were just going to leave that mess in the bathroom." Annie has obviously gotten a roommate. Who looked just like Dr. Grey. A perfectly polished, pearl wearing preppy roommate. Xavier couldn’t have made a worse match if he tried. "Mess?" "You left a towel. There on the floor." The Jean-clone said it as if it were the nastiest thing she'd ever seen. Not that I could argue with her. Max did the same thing. I was forever picking things up because I couldn't relax in his room with stuff thrown all over. Annie looked at the towel blankly. "I'll get it later." "Later?" "Yes,
later. We have a test tomorrow. Night, Ange,"Annie said giving
the girl a jaunty wave. "Don't wait up."
poster: nacey date: 29 June 2002, 2:14am EST The dinner that we had in the diner was... well... it seemed more fat than actual food content. Logan wolfed it down, muttering that they never made stuff like that at the Mansion. I neglected to tell him that it was for good reason. I didn't want to be stuck with the guy for days and have him in a bad mood with me for criticizing his taste in cuisine. We got back to the motel pretty quick, as Logan wanted an early start. I thought it was a good idea. He took the bed by the window, me the one by the door. I was just getting settled when the mobile phone went off. I forgot we even had the blasted thing. "Logan," I groaned, "You get it, you're closer to the bag." Logan swore and grumbled, and with a kick of the bed he dug out the cell phone. "Y'ello? Hi. No. Would it have killed you to send a mental message? Oh. Right. Sorry. What? You're kidding. Why the hell are we following if- oh good point. Right. Okay. We're doing okay. I've got her trail. Yeah. We'll get there eventually. Yup. Right. Say hi to Marie for me will ya? Thanks. I mean it. Right. Bye." Logan hung up the phone, then looked to me, pursing his lips. "What was that about?" I asked him. "They got an email from Cassie." "Is she okay?" I burst out before Logan could continue. He waved a hand. "The letter says she's fine, but the Professor ain't so sure. He still can't read her mental signals, and that's got him on edge. He still wants us to track her down and make sure she's okay. Just to be safe." "Right," I nodded. "I guess we better get some sleep then if we're going on the road early." "Yep,"
grunted Logan, throwing the cell phone in his back pack and switching
off the light.
poster: Allison date: 29 June 2002, 2:48am EST “I’ve been nothing but nice to that girl, well except for the freaking her out thing, but honestly.” "Maybe she's just tired from traveling," Sarah offered. “Since when do you look on the bright side of life?” all I got was a blank stare, “Monty Python, remember them? Oh, it was a different movie anyway…” "I'm not a total psycho." “Yeah, but it works for you. This lighter side is freaking me out,” I grinned. "Well I'll try to return to my openly hostile self if it'll make you feel better," she replied flipping through my notes. “Is there a Rosetta’s stone for this stuff?” “The ‘z’s are ‘i’s and the lumpy things are ‘r’s,” I answered immediately, I was use to the illegibility of my handwriting. “And it really would, thank you.” She shot me a withering look and just went back to looking over the notes, recopying what she felt was important. I just stood and looked around the room, tapping my foot as I fiddled with the lamp on the deck. I flicked it on and the beam hit my hand. “Jesus, is that a heat lamp?” "Yes and no. It's hot, but it also simulates sunlight." “Your very own tanning lamp, neat,” I continued playing with the switch. "You'd think it was less neat if you had to sit under it 3 hours a day." “You’re probably right… Are you hungry?” she shot me a look. “Let me rephrase that, do you want to go get some food with me? I have some cookies hidden away in the kitchen.” "I could use some coffee. Something tells me I'm going to up all night," she threw down the pen and stood up. “I don’t drink coffee, it might stunt my growth, soda and hot chocolate are good,” I explained as we made our way down the hall. Sarah looked up at me and mumbled "We wouldn't want to do that now, would we." I nodded, “Who would reach the top shelf, and change light bulbs?” "Clean the chandelier in the front hall." I looked at my arms and hands then stretched my fingers briefly. “You know that just might be possible. But don’t tell the teachers, no need for them to be getting any ideas.” "If they're going to punish you they will find something far worse. Trust me." “Ouch, what did you have to do?” "Which time?" she asked leading me into the kitchen. "They don't find my usual disposition as comforting as you do." “Which is a damn shame. They better not have eaten my cookies,” I grumbled shuffling around the kitchen. "You actually think cookies lasted more than an hour around here?" “They were my cookies, I made them; they could’ve at least left a few!” I huffed. "Next time you should stash them in your room," she snickered. "But then you'll have to listen to your roomie about the crumbs." "Bastards all of them. Aha!" I looked at Sarah, "I told you height had an advantage." I pulled down a small bag of cookies and began to munch, “Aren’t oo akin offee?” "Yeah. Toss me a filter, please. Bottom shelf." I tried tossing her a single one, but it floated to the floor. I grabbed another one and passed it to her, from across the room. "Don't know if I'll ever get used to that. You sure you don't want some?” “I’ll pass,” I began digging around in the fridge looking for the 2% milk or Dr. Pepper. I ended up taking both. “You need anything while I’m in here?” Sarah didn’t answer but I could her here standing up straighter, “Cameron.” “Hey, Sarah.” “Cammo, do you know who ate the rest of my cookies?” I asked, popping out from behind the door. “Uhhhh,” he shifted uncomfortably, “New look?” “Old favorite,
actually,” I responded, tapping the nose ring.
poster: cammogirl date: 30 June 2002, 12:09am EST I had been practicing combat all day, and I was buggered. Well and truly buggered. I was hungry beyond belief, so I ripped off my boots, mindless to the fact that I was still in my leather uniform and padded my way to the kitchen. The other X-Men were generally less blase about their uniforms, except me, Logan, Max and Rogue. The collar was tight around my neck, and so I unzipped the bugger halfway to my belly-button. Actually, damned close to my belly button. "Hey Sarah," I said. She looked to be in a good mood. I was glad. "Cameron,"
she said. Woah. Annie. Different. Make-up - owch. Different clothing. Tighter, cuter... rough tough look. Oh hell. Very cute. I instantly wished I was wearing something a little looser and more... breathable. I pulled at the jumpsuit around my hips thoughtlessly, muttering without thinking. "Uhh... new look?" "Old favourite actually." I coughed, looked around me and I think I was blushing. Sarah frowned at me. "Are you okay?" "Long day," I said. I walked over to the fridge, bent over and stuck my head inside. Okay. What did I want? Salami... yes... lettuce... yes... tomatoes... yess... sandwich time. Cheese too. Delicious. I pulled them out, and grabbed the bread. "So what have you girls been up to?" "Mutiny, brining about the Apocalypse...Uber zesty..." I met Annie's sudden gaze and I blushed. I slapped a smile on my face then, looking back to the meal I was preparing. Must not look at girl in black jeans that hug behind. "Sounds like fun." "You?" "Getting my ass kicked by Jean Grey." Annie laughed. "Did she blind with hairspray? Or gouge you with the stilettos?" I lifted a brow at her then, eyeing her. "She might look like the beauty queen but she's dangerous. For one thing she's the only person that knows where I am when I'm invisible. That's why I spar with her." Annie looked doubtful. "Trust me, when you're face to face with her, and she starts with the telekineses, you can joke aaaall you like." "Fat chance of getting me into one of those," she gestured at my uniform, "It'd suck to know you look better in it than I would, besides I'm not vigilante material." I looked down at myself, slamming my sandwich together before stuffing the ingredients into the fridge. "Okay, A, I am sure you would look absolutely gorgeous in one of these jumpsuits, B," I looked to her with a hint of seriousness before closing the fridge. "You never know what life will pull on you." "Woah... disaster area much? I hope you're going to be cleaning up after yourself, Cameron." "Oh of course I am,"I said. I turned to see a rather amused looking Rogue in the doorway. She narrowed her eyes at me and Annie and wrinkle her nose. "Hmm... break it up kiddies, can't breath for the sexual tension foggin' up the room." She wandered over to the fridge with that trade-mark slink of hers, and she was also decked out in the leather gear, unzipped some ways but still wearing her boots. "Cameron, you didn't eat all the salami did you?" "'Course not, Ma'am." "Don't you Ma'am me, buster," she said from inside the fridge. "Or I'll wipe the floor with your ass next practice spar." "Too late," Annie smirked. "Jean already did you the honours." Rogue tittered, closing the fridge door behind her as I cleaned up after myself. "Well, he obviously needs practice in that mental blocking I mentioned to him." "Yes, everyone keeps mentioning it to me," I said with a sigh. "What everyone seems to miss is that I have the psychic sensitivity of a brick wall." "All ya need is a bit of practice," Rogue said. "Professor taught me all the mind control I needed ta know after I got my extra powers... I'm sure he'll help you out if ya ask him." I sighed. "Maybe."
poster: Allison date: 30 June 2002, 11:28pm EST Gorgeous? Shit, Jean must’ve hit him harder than I thought. And great, Sarah and Rogue are both smirking at us. Of course, Rogue’s insane, apparently not getting any for a few hours had led her to see sexual tension in a little bit of teasing. But damn, am I glad Sarah was the only other person who heard my diarrhea of the mouth that was “Uber Zesty.” I’m female; I reserve the right to perv on guys, especially when they prance around in front of me in leather, twice in one day. Only normally, I don’t vocalize that fact; it leads to the looks I’m receiving right now from outside parties. The coffee maker beeped, and Sarah took the pot off the stand, and a mug from the cabinet. “You sure you don’t want any?” she asked me. “I wouldn’t suggest it,” Rogue stated, “That is, if you value your stomach lining.” “Wimp,” Sarah muttered. “I’ll pass, I’ve got my soda. You ready to bring about the end of the world?” I asked, grabbing a bag of chips with my free hand. “Ready to try,” Sarah shrugged. “End of the world?” Cameron asked between bites of his sandwich. “We’re gonna pass ourselves a math test, wanna help?” "Depends, do I get freshly baked goods in the deal?" "If we pass, someone stole all the ones I made last night." "Okay, we can consider this a deal in progress. Are you doing the same stuff I looked at earlier?" "I'm pretty sure, Sarah might need your help on something else, though." "Okay, just let me grab mission briefs from my room, and I'll hang out here so I can be on call. Like a vet or something." "We were going to go up to her room, there be books and notes. That's not a problem is it?" "Nope. I'll be there in a tick," Cammo, said heading out of the kitchen. "I do not need his help. I'll be fine." Sarah stated. “But-“ I began thoroughly confused, and then I sighed. “Then you can help me, unless you have something more important to do.” She just grabbed her coffee and left. I shrugged at Rogue and then reshuffled my snacks in my arms and followed her.
poster: Amezri date: 1 July 2002, 2:27am EST "I don't think it was such a good idea for me to come with..." "Oh come on, you've been training with Ms. Frost. This'll be cake!" Alison smirked as she dragged Cassandrea deeper into the forest. /The *Brazilian rainforest*. Whose brilliant idea was this?/ Cassie scowled as she followed the Dazzler closely. "I've only been training for two days." "You've been at Xavier's since you were 18, right? Right. And I bet they were training you that whole time." Cassie hesitated. "Nothing to prepare me for this... I mean, I was never X-Team material. I was bad at the holo-courses and forget combat training..." As she ducked under yet another branch, Alison looked back at her teammate with a - hopefully - reassuring smile. "Look, I know that thing with Ben spooked you. I was there, remember? He was a totally nasty guy. I don't know what Xavier has you guys believing over there, but with your powers and that witchcraft stuff you do, you shoulda been able to wipe the floor with him." Alison saw the self-doubt and fear spread across Cassie's face. "Aw, no, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that they were holding you back, you know? You're one of us now and you're on this mission because you're ready for it." /As much as I hate to admit it,/ Cassie sighed, /she's right. I *am* ready for this. That's what I've been training hard for, right?/ "Yeah, okay, I'm ready. Which way are we heading?" "Over that ridge." "All teams check in," they heard in their earpieces. "Callisto, this is Domino," the voice buzzed in Cassie's ear. "Blink and I are in position outside enemy camp. We've spotted eight hostiles. Three currently patrolling this side of the perimeter." "Wolfsbane checking in. Marrow and I are in position. We've got four hostiles on this end." Cassie frowned. "That makes fifteen of them and six of us." "Fifteen? Nah. I'd say closer to twenty. Maybe thirty," Dazzler smirked as she pressed the communicator button. "Callisto, this is Dazzler. Hydra and I are approaching position." "You two, get a move on," came Callisto's gruff reply. "Everyone else, hold your positions and wait for my signal. We're going to hit them hard this time. Blink, use your powers with discretion. We don't want a repeat of last month's fiasco." "No need to worry, Callisto. I have been practicing. This time there will be no missing." Blink replied over the comms in her familiar rhyming speech. "Come on," Dazzler said with a tap. "You better put your game face on." Still not happy with those odds, Cassandrea shifted into her liquid form. During the mission briefing, Emma had told them that the special ops group would be heavily armed. They were some sort of misguided task force whose purpose was to track down and capture mutants for government experiments. "Hey, what happened with Blink last month?" "Uh... let's just say you should stay far, far away from any of her glowing darts." *** Cassie sighed as she slumped in her seat on the transport. She didn't really want to claim their battle as a victory. They had killed so many people, bad people, but people nevertheless, and it just wasn't right. Not that she had directly killed anyone, but still... it was against everything she believed in. "Hey, Cassandrea. Thanks for the save back there." Rahne was still in transitional form, which provided her with a faster healing ability than either her pure human or wolf form. Her Scottish brogue sounded even heavier as she spoke around the fangs. "Yeah, no problem." "Hey Cassandrea?" "Yeah, Rahne." "We don't always do this kind of stuff. You know, the killing? I mean, sometimes we have to, but we don't always. I--" Rahne stopped suddenly, wondering when she even felt compelled to explain it. "Anyway. We just want to give mutants like us a chance. To live with regular people. It's hard because some of us look so different, like Clarice and Marrow." /Like Mr. McCoy and Kurt.../ Cassie thought sadly. "Ms. Frost is going to help change all of that. And... I'm glad you're on our side," the wolf-girl smiled, flashing her fangs. *** After the long flight back to the Hellfire Mansion, Cassie was wiped. She headed straight for her room and her nice, soft, warm bed. E-mail checks and whatever else could wait until tomorrow... or whenever it was that she got up again.
poster: Jen date: 1 July 2002, 5:57pm EST “Why’d you do that?” I snapped as soon as we reached my room. "Do what?" "Invite him in here." "Cammo? Because he can translate the math book and then we can learn?" "I - he shouldn't be in here." "Why? Max is in here all the time, and Cammo isn't going to get any, unless you’re offering." “I am not offering.” Definitely not offering. Willing to back that up with broken bones if need be. I just don’t want any trouble. I’m sure Cameron’s perfectly fine, he is, after all, Max’s friend, but I don’t need rumors being spread. "Then there will be no problem. Why don't you want him to help us, he's just Cammo?" “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the help, I just don’t want him in my room. People will get the wrong idea. Max will get the wrong idea if he catches Cameron’s scent all over my room.” "If Max smells Cammo, then he would smell me too. I'm hoping he would be smart enough to rule out 'threesome' so he probably wouldn't care." “Not necessarily.” I said blushing wildly. Annie obviously didn’t know about the running joke with Jubilee over Max’s waking comment. "What? He wouldn't rule out a threesome? You know what?” Annie said with a grin. “I don't even want to know." “Good call.” Very good call. Annie already has enough ideas about my sex life. I don’t need to give her any more. Annie gave a whole body shudder, earrings jangling as she did so. "Enough with the sex talk, we're here for math. M-A-T-H." “I’d rather talk about sex.” I grumbled, “What were the z’s again?” ~~~~~~~~ Cameron was a big help after he got the ground rules: no sudden moves, stay off my bed and don’t touch me. Guess I should be glad he couldn’t keep his eyes off Annie’s ass as she sprawled across my bed. Otherwise, I doubt he would have stuck around with my less than friendly behavior. The man does know his geometry though. With his help, I think I understand this stuff now too. The sexual tension didn’t go down any once we got to my room. If anything, it got worse. It was quite entertaining. He’s definitely interested. I think she’s in denial. And here I thought I’d be bored with Max gone.
poster: cammogirl date: 1 July 2002, 10:23pm EST Okay. Let me just say that Sarah is, without a doubt, the weirdest chick I've ever met. It makes complete sense to me that Max gets along with her as well as he does, cause he has to be the biggest oddball I've ever met as well. Thing is, he's one of my best friends here. I don't... I don't think I actually *have* a best friend. I've always been so focused on training that I've not really mixed with people as yet, here. Hmm. I never thought about it before. Back home, in Perth, I had heaps and heaps of friends. Shit. I was at a party every weekend. I was one of the most popular people at school. Then it went to the shithouse... people discovered my powers, the IOC developed the technology to detect the mutant gene and my dreams at being an Olympic swimmer were fucked. And I stopped
caring about anything. I glanced up, blinking. "Huh?" Annie frowned at me. "You went all space cadet. Are you ok?" I felt my brow wrinkle. "Uhm... yeah, yeah, I'm fine. What's bothering you?" I musn't be too convincing as she's still frowning at me. "Yes, your fine and I've been given a record contract for singing." "Sure... if you're trying to scare off coyotes..." quipped Sarah. I look at Annie for a long moment. I'd tell her, tell her everything, but with Sarah in the room I can't really bring myself to. I wink at her in that way I always do and smile a little. I don't feel the smile, it almost hurts. "I'll tell you later," I said. Annie sighed, looking a little worried. "You better. Now, do you have any idea about this one?" I helped her with the homework, and Sarah just had this look on her face, sort of annoyed. Really annoyed. This studying session suddenly felt like it was taking forever, and I started feeling annoyed with myself. I wasn't like this, I wasn't hard to get along with, or anti-social. Then again, I wasn't an invisible mutant either. Not before I became one.
poster: Allison date: 2 July 2002, 1:53am EST Sarah didn’t look like a very happy camper, but math rarely led to song and dance for anyone. Cammo had been a big help, until thirty minutes ago when he started to brood. I know he said he’d tell me later, but I’m just not that patient, I want later to be now. I sighed, it was only 11, and we’d be studying for another half-hour at least. And what a long half-hour it was too. My focus was completely shot; I was damn near ecstatic when Cammo began gathering up his mission briefs. “Unless you two need any more assistance, I’m going to head off to bed.” “I’ll walk you,” I said, trying not to sound too eager. "God knows an X-Man can't find his way back to his room,” I heard Sarah mutter. When Cameron was out in the hall, I poked my head back in, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything you would.” I punctuated it by sticking out my tongue. "You must live a very boring life." I just shook my head and began walking with Cammo. “It’s later.” "Oh...” He blushed and shrugged. "I was just thinking myself into a funk." “About what?” "Uhh," He shook his head. "You're really gonna think it's stupid." “A definite possibility, but you won’t know until you tell me,” I was trying to keep it light, but I was frustrated with lack of information. He let out a big sigh, and leant against the wall of the hallway. "When- well, before the secret of this-" He casually made his hand invisible as if he were batting away a fly and not even looking at it, and it became visible again, just as easily, "Got out, I had heaps of friends. I'm talking heaps. I was like, a part of the in crowd, you know? Not that we were like the 'in crowd' here in America. We never hassled out anyone, or that shit. Point being... I had people I could turn to and shit and now..." He looked like he had lost his best friend, and he had really. "All I've had since I left home was training for the X-Men. I never let myself have anything else. Max is the closest friend I have and I just. I'm wondering where my life all went nuts." I sighed, “You think you’re the only one? One of my best friends wouldn’t come near me after my mutation showed up. A caramel apple pop. We we’re wrestling over the last caramel apple pop, and my neck did a great impression of a giraffe. Kevin couldn’t handle it, and I couldn’t handle being treated like a leper by all my friends and my family, so one night I packed up my car and two months later I got here.” He sighed. "But you have friends here. Good friends. I just realized that I kinda stopped bothering with my personal life, an obsessed about being an X-Man. It was just a bit frightening." “Cammo, you were pretty much the only person I hung out with before Sarah and I called a truce, yesterday. And apparently, as obsessed as you are, it didn’t leak over, I was completely oblivious to your training,” I paused. “And you have no idea how ignorant I feel.” "Ignorant?" He shifted uncomfortably. "I was trying to hide it from you, till I thought you were ready." "Yeah, but I thought I was a little more observant than that," I shrugged. "I'm trained to be shifty," he said with a little smile. "I wouldn't feel bad." “Yes, well the dumb jock thing is the perfect disguise,” I teased. He looked wounded. "Gee, thanks." “Anytime, Jocko.” "I'm not a jock, I'm a secret vigilante." “A trainee. Speaking of, what do you want me to make you?” He blinked, confused for a moment, then nodded as he remembered. "Whatever tickles your fancy. I'll eat anything." Anything? “Is that so goat boy? If it is, I might have to take you up on it.” "Go for it." He grinned at her. "Tell you what. If you put something in front of me, and I won't eat it..." “You’ll do what?” I challenged. "I'll fix you something extra special myself. But if you can't come up with something..." "I have to..." He grinned. It was a naughty grin. "Take me out into the city for a nice time out, since I've been neglecting my social life so much." “You’re on,” I grinned, and stuck out my hand. Even if he did eat it, it still wouldn’t be that bad. "Great. It's a deal then," he met my hand. I tried not to show how excited I was, this was going to be interesting.
poster: Jen date: 27 July 2002, 11:24pm EST I handed Mr. Worthington my test, ignoring the pained look on his face as he took it from me. Geez, you’d think my papers would be his favorites to grade - mostly blank, but with enough on them for him to wield his happy little red pen. But not this one. This time I answered every question. That alone might be enough to bring about the apocalypse, let alone that I think I got most of them right. Annie was long gone by the time I finished my test. I popped my head in the cafeteria, but didn’t see her, Rogue, or Jubes. I wasn’t hungry and didn’t relish sitting in the cafeteria alone looking like a pathetic sap missing her boyfriend - even if that was exactly what I was. I didn’t get out of the cafeteria fast enough to avoid Dr. Grey though. “Sarah,” she called, “I need to speak to you a moment.” It was too much to hope for that she’d forgotten about the little incident in the hallway. I braced for the latest harangue about my unwarranted aggressive behavior. I could probably recite the lecture for her, but that wasn’t the issue this time. Even worse than having to listen to her rant and rave was the news she shared: she would be taking over the private lessons I usually had with Mr. Logan until he returned. The universe
hates me. Well and truly hates me. As I wove my way through the greenhouse to the orchid collection, I realized just how little her silence meant: sitting on the bench was a note in Ms Munroe’s elegant script. I almost turned and left without reading it and chided myself for my momentary cowardice. If she were going to tell me to stay out of her greenhouse she’d have done it in person. With trembling fingers I opened the note and I read its contents. Relief washed over me quickly followed by a broad grin. Somebody around here didn’t think I was an irresponsible hothead. I carefully tucked the note into my book I went off in search of fertilizer and a spray bottle. I had plants to take care of.
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