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poster: nacey date: 2 July 2002, 11:49pm EST Being on the road is really boring. I can tell you that for nothing. And this training for catching a scent is hard. I have to really concentrate and try to 'smell differently' as Logan puts it. I think maybe my nose just isn't built right. At least I thought it wasn't until we crossed the state border up into Connecicut. That's when I smelt it. Just the tiniest waft. And it wasn't perfume, and it wasn't clothes. It was her. Pure Cassie. It was on the wind, distant, like the tiniest tickle of scent. I gasped, eyes wide, and I looked to Logan. "Holy shit, Logan, I can smell her! I can smell her!" "Well we know the range of your sense of smell," he said with a wry smile. "We need to widen it, I think." "How close are we?" I asked him. "Real
close," he replied. "Real close kid.
poster: Allison date: 3 July 2002, 12:12pm EST I had been sitting outside on the front steps, enjoying one probably the last day I could get away with a short sleeved shirt until May. Cold weather sucks. I saw Cammo walking towards me from the edge of the grounds; he was in a quiet mood, he normally is after he does a few laps around the property. Neither of us said anything as we sat across from each other, just contemplating. I pulled out a ripped piece of binder paper I had used for scribbling my ideas for his dessert. I looked from Cammo down to my list and felt kind of bad. I wouldn't feed half of this stuff to Doctor Grey, let alone him. Ice Cream Cake with Saffron and Sushi Ice Cream, Chocolate Cake and Tabasco Icing. Liver pudding filling? I didn't want to kill him if he did eat some of it, so I decided to replace the fish part of the sushi with gummy fish, the rice and other elements would stay. But I needn't tell him that… Of course, this bet almost made me flunk Worthington's test, I was too distracted to pay much attention half the time. Of course I still got it finished early and was pretty confident with my answers. I don't know how Sarah did, but Cammo better be careful or else he's going to be stuck spending all his time studying for classes he's not even in. Any deep thoughts either of us we’re having we’re shattered when some little kid came flying out the door, soon followed by another yelling, “I did so tag you! You’re It!” He grinned and slid across the step so we were side by side. "And what has you so enthralled?" he asked, trying to get a peek at my paper. "Your downfall, do you know what you're going to make me yet?" I answered shoving it into my pocket. "I believe the more accurate question is; do you know where you are taking me?" he began pulling at my pocket to try and get my paper. "I haven't given it any thought. It would be a waste of time. Watch your hands!" I slapped at his arm. "What, no hints?" "None, now if you will excuse me, I have to go shopping," I jangled my keys in front of his face. "Why? The professor has everything." "Not everything," I grinned wickedly, before leaving him. * The liver pudding had been cut from the list; I wasn't willing to touch it so Cameron lucked out. Even with out the liver I figured there was no way he'd eat an entire slice of this cake. I had prearranged it with the head of the kitchen staff so I could work in the main kitchen and instead of the student's and not have to risk anyone else finding out what was in it and passing it on to Cammo. The ice
cream was churning in the fancy mixer; another hour and I could assemble
the cake. It would have to freeze over night, and then tomorrow afternoon
I'd ice it and serve it to my victim.
poster: Amezri date: 3 July 2002, 1:04pm EST "Oh, crap. Crap, crap, crap!" "What's the matter?" "I forgot about my meeting with Callisto this afternoon," Marrow huffed. Rahne giggled. "You best run along before *she* finds *you*." She laughed some more as her friend ran out of the room and down the hall. Now that the room was empty, the metamorph felt a bit lonely and went in search of some more companions. No one seemed to be in their rooms. She sniffed the air. /Ah hah!/ she beamed, catching the female sent. Just as she was about to knock, Cassie opened her door. "Oh, hey, Rahne. Que paso?" Cassandrea stepped out of her room and shut the door behind her. "Just gonna go check my e-mail. Come on. You can keep me company." Shifting into complete wolf form, Rahne howled and followed Cassie down the hall, nipping at her heels. Cassie gave the wolf a wry grin, wondering what it would be like to change into an animal. It seemed.. fun. The wolf rested her head in Cassie's lap as she settled in the chair and logged into her e-mail. It was kinda of weird because it was like having a pet around, but you knew that this was really a human girl, so... weirdness. But hey, who was she to talk about weird? Her boyfriend was a fuzzy, blue elf. /If he's *still* my boyfriend,/ she thought sadly, absently scratching wolf-Rahne behind the ear. /Oh, another e-mail from Sarah./ She clicked the message and glanced over it before she read it completely. "This is bad. This is really, really bad." "You should tell Ms. Frost," the wolf said. Cassie merely nodded in reply as she printed out the e-mail. {Tell me what, Miss Reina?} "Uhm.. well, Professor Xavier's sent Wolverine and Claw to look for me." {Yes. I expected as much. I'm sure they will soon arrive and attempt to retrieve you. The question is, Miss Reina, do you wish to return with them or stay here with us?}
poster: Jen date: 3 July 2002, 5:43pm EST “So how’d it go with the Red Menace?” Annie asked as I dropped into the seat at the table with her and Cameron. “Not as bad as I expected. “ “See,” Cameron said, draining his soda, “I told you if you gave her a chance you’d see she wasn’t as bad as you thought.” “I wouldn’t go that far,” I said rubbing my temple wishing the ache would just go away. “She just spent an hour throwing things at my head; that telekinesis thing of hers is a bitch.” That earned me sympathetic nods from around the table. “She tried to show me that mental shielding thing, too.” “She’s tried to show me a dozen times,” Cameron said. “I still can’t do it. How’d you do?” “All I managed to do was give myself a headache.” “I didn’t even manage that. Anyone else need another drink?” Cameron asked standing up. “Milk will go best will your freshly baked goods,” Annie said, giving Cameron the biggest, fakest smile I’d ever seen. Cameron grinned back at her. Obviously there was a private joke running here. We both declined and he headed off, Annie’s eyes in their usual position: fixed on his butt. Which I had to admit wasn’t bad. God, Max needs to get home fast, I’m starting to scope out his friends. This isn’t good. Thankfully Annie hadn’t noticed my sudden interest in her guy. She was too busy watching him herself, which, I had to rib her for. Moral imperative and all that. “What’s this for?” Annie asked looking down at the napkin I shoved into her hand. “You’re drooling.” "Well the food looks really...edible?" “Forgive me if I don’t believe it’s the food you’re considering nibbling on.” "Not everyone is into biting like you and Max." “What are you two into then?” “It’s not like that. Cammo and I are friends.” “Yeah right. When you both get your heads out of your asses be sure to leave me a schedule-” “In triplicate,” she finished, laughing. “It’s really not like that-” “It’s not like what?” Cameron asked, returning to the table. “Never mind.” Annie answered quickly, the hint of a blush shining out from under her dark makeup. He didn’t look like he was buying it as he sat down with 3 glasses of milk. “So where is your latest creation?” “You sure you’re ready?” I tuned out their little banter as I caught a familiar scent and perked up. “What is it?” Annie asked. “Danger afoot?” “No.” I slumped back into my chair. “Just mail.” I will not run. I will not run. I chanted silently as I tried to cross the cafeteria in a dignified manner after Mr. Summers called my name. Dignity went out the window when I got close enough to snatch Max’s letter from Scott’s hand. “He’s been gone what? Two days? And he wrote you a letter. How sweet,” Annie chirped. “So what does it say? Is he having fun?” I wasn’t
sure what Max would have written, but I was sure I didn’t want to share
it with anyone else. “Enjoy desert. I’ll catch up with you later.
poster: Allison date: 4 July 2002, 9:43pm EST I watched Sarah leave and then turned to Cammo, “Fat chance of that happening. Are you ready?” “When ever you are,” he smirked. “Give me five minutes,” I stood up from the table and headed into the busy kitchen. The frosting had been mixed last night I just had to stir it a bit before I slathered it on the cake. I did my best not to cackle when I finished the job and looked for a knife. As I carried my creation out to the cafeteria, I passed Jubilee. An idea began to form in my head so I stopped and asked, “Do you have a Polaroid camera?” “Of course, why?” she asked. “I’ll explain in a minute, could you go get it and bring it to the table where Cammo and I are sitting? We have a bet going and I want permanent evidence.” I motioned with my head. “I’ll be there in a jiffy,” she answered bouncing up from her seat, the moment she heard the word ‘bet’. “Great.” I continued over to the table and grinned wickedly at Cammo. He made a motion towards the knife but I stopped him. “Not yet, we have to wait.” “For what?” he asked confused. “A witness.
poster: Angelface date: 10 July 2002, 10:01pm EST Why mother and father wanted me to come to this place is beyond me. Xavier's 'any mutant is welcome' policy clearly uninformed. How is anyone supposed to buy his cover that this is a boarding school for the Gifted with so many strange students around. Like my roommate. The word 'freak' is all encompassing with her. From genetics to clothes to that noise she calls music, nothing about her could be deemed normal. What sane person would have that many peircings and shop at the Salvation Army willingly? And she has a boyfriend. A really cute, older boyfriend. I can't believe Cameron hangs around her so much. He could do so much better. Then again, she's probably easy. That would be enough for most young men to overlook her ghoulish appearence. I can't imagine why the teachers let her wear that. Besides it being disturbing, isn't it against dress code in the class run by that mogrel Wolverine? I don't understand why that class is required. It makes me all sweaty and I could break a finger or something and lose my place in the symphony. And be stuck here even longer, god no! I simply wouldn't let that happen. I was getting out of this place and into someplace where I could study my music full-time instead of 3 days a week, which was the best Xavier said he could do. The man has more money than Bill Gates and that's all he can manage. I refuse to believe that. We're 30 minutes from the cultural and muscial center of the world. The man simply does not have a clue. Mastering my 'abilities' can wait. My music can't. I should look into joining another symphony, one that travels and takes me away from the wreckage of this... school. It really wouldn't be so bad if the Professor just implimented some screening, of teachers and students alike. And speaking of students he should screen; a prime candidate just knocked at my door. Sarah may look normal and she, unlike my roommate, seems to know what an iron is for, but she's as savage as Wolverine. I swear she hissed at me yesterday for bumping into her. "May I help you?" "Hey Angie, you missed mail call. I think Mr. Summers has a package for you." "It's An-gel-i-ca. Really? Uh, thanks for telling me." I guess its something from Mother and Father. "Angelica, right." Sarah said rolling her eyes. "It's my name, I imagine even you can remember that." "I can remember how to kick your ass too. Hell, I could probably do that in my sleep." "Neanderthals, all of you." She and that Wolverine person must get along quite well. "And here I've been on my best behavior." "Some of us have higher standards than others." "True, and since hitting someone who can't defend themselves is beneath mine. I'll go." Sarah stopped in the doorway. "Don't forget your package. I'd hate for you to be deprived of your treats from home one second longer than necessary." "Don't worry, I won't." She is a total savage. No wonder her roommate ran away. If I had to live with her, I'd bolt the first chance I got. I guess I should go down and get my care package. Mother will surely have sent some things to make this place more tolerable.
poster: Amezri date: 15 July 2002, 6:15pm EST To an outside observer, it would seem as if Cassandrea had been brainwashed by Emma Frost and her group. And who's to say she hadn't been? Almost overnight Cassie had turned into a stone-faced, tough as nails cynic. Occasionally, one of the other girls could get the old Cassie to shine through the new facade, but it took quite a bit of taunting. She stopped thinking or speaking about her former allies at the Xavier Institute and spent a majority of her free time training with Emma and Domino. After a brief mental scan during their last lesson, Emma had called for a meeting with her newest pupil. The White Queen planned her next move very carefully. {Please sit down, Miss Reina,} Emma projected, gesturing at the empty seat. "We have been tracking the Wolverine over the last few days." The blonde stood slowly, letting silence fill the room. {We expect their arrival shortly.} "I understand, Ms. Frost," Cassandrea said simply. "Then you have made your choice." It was not a question. Cassandrea nodded. "If there is nothing else, Ms. Frost, I would like to return to the training simulation I was programming." Emma smiled. It was all going according to plan. "Of course." A kind smile and then a calculated delay before she spoke again, waiting until Cassandrea reached for the door. "Happy birthday, Miss Reina." "I... " She froze, not able to think for a split second. Shaking the feeling, she dipped her head politely. "Thank you, Ms. Frost," she said without emotion, continuing on her way. Behind closed doors, Emma Frost smiled wickedly and congratulated herself on yet another victory over the great Charles Xavier. *** Rahne sniffed the air, acquiring her target. "Directly ahead, moving at a reduced pace," her wolf senses told her. She stood upright in her transitional form, waiting until her prey came into view... and here she comes! With a playful growl, Wolfsbane flew out of the shadows and tackled the other girl. "I got ye now, Cassie!" Reacting on instinct, Cassandrea morphed into a stream of water, slipping out of Wolfsbane's grasp. She began to coil herself around her attacker, stopping just short of drowning her. "Rahne..." Cassie said cooly, dropping the fur-covered girl on her ass. "I've told you plenty of times not to sneak up on me like that. One of these days--" "Yeah, yeah, I'll get meself killed." Rahne shifted to her wolf form, shaking off her wet fur. "Just wanted to have a bit of fun... you've been really boring lately." "I've been training." The wolf snorted. "There is such a thing as too much training. Especially today." /No, not suspicious at all.../ "What do you mean, 'today'?" "Happy birthday!" Marrow shouted as she came skipping down the hall. Cassandrea covered her face. /This is a really bad dream. When I open my eyes, this will all be gone... Ready? Opening my eyes now.../ Nope, they were definitely still there, smiling at her cheerfully. "I don't know how you found out, but I'd rather not make a big deal out of this." It was unlike Alison to be absent from such a disturbance, so of course... "Don't be silly! You're turning 21, chiclet. The big two-one. Which means lots and lots of booze!" She enthusiastically put on a little lightshow in the hallway. "No. There will be no booze. No bar hopping. *No* male stripper," she said pointedly at Alison, "no celebrating of my birth at all!" "Drinking?" Alison gasped in mock shock. "We have three unders and you think we're going drinking?" She couldn't keep the innocent act up for long under Cassandrea's glare. "Okay, yeah, we *were* gonna go drinking... 'til I remembered that you don't drink. But *then* I remembered that *I* do, so does Domino. So we're gonna do a girls thing. We go bar hopping and we drink your shots for you." "Aren't you supposed to buy *me* free shots?" "Well... yeah, but if you're not going to drink them, we might as well." /This is too weird and peppy, even for Alison. And since when did Domino go out to the bars with students?/ Cassie thought with a scowl. "Blaire, I don't know what kind of drugs you're on right now, but I'm not going anywhere tonight." "Aw, come on, Cass! Live a little. Two hours of fun, that's all I ask." Cassie crossed her arms defiantly. "No. There is no way, Blaire. Forget it!" Three hours
later, Cassandrea was on her way into town
poster: Jen date: 15 July 2002, 2:03am EST Life was a whole lot less aggravating when I didn’t talk to anyone and I didn’t worry about knocking the snot out of somebody who deserved it. Like that girl. So sure she’s better than the rest of us. Neanderthal. She’s lucky I was in a good mood with the letter at the B- on my geometry test or else she’d have been picky up those perfectly straight pearly teeth up off the floor. She’s been here a whole day and she’s already getting boxes from home. Probably filled with truffles and champagne bubble bath and special sheets. I should be happy for her. It’s nice that she can live out there with others and still has a family and everything. I don’t think I’m a petty person, but damn I feel cheated. Feel the same way about Max and Cassie. Cameron’s parents call once a week from Australia for Christ’s sake. Australia. They’re just as freakish as I am. What is it about them that makes their parents still love them? The General never even bothered to call and find out if I woke up from my coma. Can’t help but think he’d have been happier if I hadn’t. The only mail I ever get is from Dave – and those are getting rare, and now Max. He must have been serious about writing everyday. Heh. Lurch. Know how that one goes. Catching his scent on the envelope got my attention immediately. I miss him too. I glad he came and spent the night in here the other night so I wouldn’t find myself doing something embarrassing like stealing his pillow or something. I’ve been so unsettled since he left. I shouldn’t let myself get this attached, but it seems to be too late. Jubes popped her head in my door. “Dude - you gotta come back down to the cafeteria.” “What’s up?” “I dunno, but Annie needed a camera.” “That sounds promising. Gimme a sec.” I put the letter back in its envelope and tucked it under my pillow and ran after Jubilee. A little light entertainment was always welcome in the afternoon.
poster: cammogirl date: 16 July 2002, 4:26am EST The cake that was sat before me looked perfectly innocent. Yep. Perfectly innocent. Brown and yellow and white, with a red topping. I sniffed. Was that tobasco? "That's a nice looking cake," I said. "Ice cream?" "Didn't your mother ever teach you, 'never judge a book by its cover'?" I sniggered. "I've lived here for a few months haven't I? Xavier wrote the entire encyclopaedia on judged books. When can I try it?" I let a finger venture forward to dip into the suspect looking sauce. "When Jubilee comes back." she said, this funny glint in her eye. I suckled the sauce off my finger and winced. "Wow. Spicy. You know, you yanks have a thing for mixing sweet things with pepper." I smiled. "It's weird, but I think I'm getting the hang of it." "Are you sure? I never did get around to sampling it myself, but I did worry that the Tabasco would be a bit over powering." She looked a little worried. "Oh, it is," I said, nodding. "By the time I'm finished I'll have tears streaming down my face. But I told you, I can eat anything put in front of me." I winked at her. "So, where are you taking me then?" Just as I said that, Jubilee came bursting into the room, camera in hand. Behind her slunk an amused looking Sarah. "Did I miss it?" she squeaked, "Whatever I was meant to catch?" "Nope, I've been restraining the eager beaver here," said Annie. "And stick around because we've got some good old fashioned torture, for fun and profit, planned." "Fabulous!" Jubes grinned, sitting down and focusing in on me with the camera. "It's been so slow around here without Wolvie to hassle." "Right!" Annie took to the cake with her knife, and she served me up a slice on a plain white china plate. "Eat up." I took the spork she offered me, and dug into the ice-cream cake. This wasn't going to be nice, I just had a feeling. Bringing a mouthful forward, I took it and chewed. Hotness blasted in my mouth, just like before with the tobasco, and then the icy coolness of the ice-cream battled it. Everything had a slightly fishy flavour. Pulling the spork from my mouth I noticed it had gone a radio-active yellow. "Okay, it wins the prize for weirdest cake of the year," I said, feeling my eyes water. "All in all, tolerable." The camera's flash blinded me for a moment. Ouch. "Come on Cammo," groaned Jubilee. "Can't you look more tortured? More pained? Where's your sense of drama?!" I looked to Annie. "Would I lose the bet?" "The bet just says you have to finish an entire slice, you can express your apreciation however you want." Ah. So it went that I sat there and made these really dumb faces eating a piece of terrible sushi cake, Jubilee doing her best spazzy Austin Powers impersonation, to the point that she actually *climbed* up on the table. Through it all though, was the most important thing of this silly dare. Annie laughed. I like it when she laughs.
poster: Allison date: 17 July 2002, 3:07am EST I can’t fucking believe it, he actually did it. He ate that disaster I put in front of him. “Tough luck, chica,” Jubilee said as I grumbled. “What is it exactly that you have to do?” Sarah questioned. Cameron leaned back in his chair, shooting me a yellow smile, “She has to take me out to the city for a nice evening.” “Yeah, loser spends too much time around here,” I added. Sarah smirked skeptically, “Yeah. Well, we have to go to defense class.” I groaned, “Damn, I’m not a gimp anymore, I actually have to do stuff.” “Yup, and Mr. Summers is in charge of sorting you seeing as Mr. Logan isn’t here.” “Sorted? Is there going to be a big singing hat?” I asked. She rolled her eyes at me, “No, he’s just going to test your skill level so you don’t end up getting your ass kicked.” “Well, we wouldn’t want that now would we.” “It could get in the way of your planning abilities,” Cammo commented. “Oh, shut it,” I waved my hand in his general direction. “Unless you want your night out to end in the Hudson River.” “Oooh, harsh,” Jubilee squealed. I glanced at the clock, “We better go, have fun digesting.” I ruffled Cammo’s hair as I walked past his chair. We were halfway to the gym when Sarah asked, “So there’s nothing between you two, but you have to plan a date.” “It’s not a date; I’m just going with my friend somewhere.” “Alone, and the ‘friend’ is a guy who’s ass you stare at, every chance you get.” “So? Just because I think he’s hot doesn’t mean we’re going to fuck like bunnies. I leave that honor to you and Max. What did lover boy have to say anyway?” “Just traveling with Mr. Logan and his lousy choice in hotels, and not to hurt those little brats,” she shrugged. “Well that’s disappointingly G. I would’ve expected more.” "Such as?" At that moment I did not want to exist in my mind, but I managed to filter some of it. “Doesn’t he miss you, did he wax poetic on the way your hair spikes out, the way your teeth gnash together when someone is annoying you, quite like you’re doing now.” "Glad you noticed that." I gave her a cheeky grin and pushed open the door to the gym. Mr. Summers was already in there looking over his clipboard, and some of the other students were gathered by the walls. He glanced up, “Annie, if you will just remove your jewelry we can begin your evaluation.” “Um, give me a minute,” I said as I began removing my rings, and then my bracelets, chokers and then my earrings and nose ring. It took a few minutes and there was a sizable pile of silver and black accessories on my sweatshirt by the time I finished. More of the class had arrived, and I had the attention of most everyone. “Now stand in the middle of the mat, I’m going to run at you. I want you to defend yourself, however you know how.” “All right,” I stood there stiffly waiting for him to begin. Suddenly he ran at me, the instinctual reaction that had been ingrained after growing up around four boys kicked in. I threw up a knee to his groin just as he was about to grab me. It hit the target, and my normally calm and collected teacher, keeled over in pain. All the guys in the room shielded themselves and grimaced sympathetically. I looked to Mr. Summers, “And at this point in the attack I would run away.” He nodded shortly, raising a hand in response. I hope I didn’t make a bad impression, or do any permanent damage
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