By Torch Light
Chapter 1 - The Stranger Stays
The clouds above gave the huge mansion a looming, ominous feeling as the stranger followed the long drive up to the house ahead. Boots clacking softly against the pavement, the young figure pulled tighter at the hooded cape she wore and hurried towards the large wooden doors of the building. Unease washed over her as the doorbell echoed throughout the house. A brief wait, and the door slid open.
The figure slipped into the house silently. "That wasn't an invite, bub," a voice growled. "My apologies. I'm looking for Professor Charles Xavier." The voice from under the cloak was languid, relaxed, almost sounding bored.
Logan shifted his weight and leaned against a nearby wall. "What do you want?" The stranger threw back the hood and smiled warmly. "This isn't about what I want. The Professor requested my presence at.well, whatever this is, so here I am. Now, are you going to take me to him or not?"
Logan watched as the figure slipped a rapier blade from a pocket of the cloak. Rushing the stranger, claws extended, Logan nearly rammed the young girl up against the wall. "You think you scare me?" he spat, pushing his claws very near the tender flesh of her exposed throat.
"Oh. Please." The figure straightened, staring straight into Logan's eyes. "I don't want trouble. I came here to speak with the Professor, not to play chicken with you. Now if you'll please remove your. hands. from my neck." The girl pushed his hand gently away as Logan retracted his claws. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?" The stranger replaced the rapier back into her pocket and relaxed once again, an amused look on her face.
"And the Professor?" Logan jerked his head towards the staircase. "In his office. Follow me. And don't touch anything." He headed up the stairs while the stranger cast a quick glance around the room. She nodded, shrugged, and then obediently followed Logan's retreating back.
Remy LeBeau watched all this from a short distance away. At first he had been just casually interested, but when the figure had removed the hood to reveal gorgeous features framed by wild honey colored hair. well, the girl had by then perked up more than just his interest.
Beauty and spirit. One didn't see that often enough, Remy thought. He wondered what the girl was doing here, of course people were almost always coming and going from the mansion. but this girl seemed like she needed to see the Professor soon. Real soon.
Remy shrugged absently, figuring he'd probably find out soon enough, and sauntered back towards his room.
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"So that's all I could get," the blonde girl finished up. The Professor folded his hands and sighed, both habits of his when he was thinking. "Thank you for the information, Viktoria. This will indeed prove to be quite helpful." He turned towards the window and sighed heavily once again.
Viktoria rose from her chair and started towards the door, only to turn back again quickly. "I found as much as I could. It looked like they all left in a real hurry, but I can go back if you want."
The Professor shook his head. "No, that's fine. You were lucky this time, no need for you risk that again. Now that we know where to look, Cerebro should pick up any recent mutant signatures, and the like."
Viktoria nodded and headed back towards the door. "Oh, and I want you to stay here, Viktoria. Unless you have a safe house somewhere?" Logan watched as the girl's eyes studied the floor.
"I, uh. no," she stammered. "But I wouldn't want to impose."
The Professor dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. "Nonsense. We have plenty of rooms. Welcome to Westchester School." He turned to Logan. "Will you please show Viktoria to a room?" He turned away, staring out the window again, and the two considered the subject closed.
"Now I'm a damn bellhop," Logan muttered to himself, and led Viktoria down a long corridor to her new room. He opened the door and gestured expansively. "Here it is. I'm sure you know how everything works. Bed. Shower. Dinner's at seven." And with that, he left.
Viktoria looked around the room. It was.expensive, if nothing else. A queen size bed dominated the far corner of the room. Large bay windows allowed for the only light coming in, although she noticed a lamp on both the side table near the bed, and on top of the chest of drawers. Viktoria shrugged and tossed her cloak on the back of a chair.
I'd better get my things from the car, she thought. Shutting the door with a soft click, she treaded through the hallway towards the stairs.
"Who are you?" A new voice sounded behind her. Viktoria rolled her eyes and turned to face the voice. Sure are an inquisitive bunch, she mused silently. Searching the face swiftly, she smiled at the boy and held out her hand. He was young, looked to be about her age, maybe a year younger. Blonde hair, slender build, playful grin. good looking all around.
"Viktoria Cole." The boy took her hand and shook it firmly. "Robert Drake." He looked her over and grinned. "You can call me Bobby though. Did you just move in?" His thumb jerked towards the door she had come out of down the hall.
"Um, yeah. I guess so. I was just on my way to get my things though." Bobby perked up instantly. "I'll help you. If you want, that is." Viktoria shrugged. "My car's outside," was all she said and continued towards the stairs. Bobby followed Viktoria, taking in everything from her high black boots to her tawny blonde hair that fell down her back in golden waves. A short denim skirt and black turtleneck and a pair of sunglasses with blue lens completed her outfit. She had a good figure too, plenty of curves, which Bobby admired fully.
"So where ya from?" he asked politely. She didn't turn around to answer, just continued down the staircase. "Originally? Or recently?" Bobby shrugged. "Either. Both."
"Originally from Baltimore," she replied. "Ah, a big city girl. I lived in NYC for a little bit." Viktoria turned towards him; her eyes behind the blue lens seemed to be studying him. Those glasses match her skirt, Bobby thought dreamily.
"Did you like it there?" she asked. "It was alright. Too get up and go for me, I guess. You know how it goes." Viktoria's eyes searched his again. "Sure."
"Why'd you leave Baltimore?"
"Hmm? Oh. I uh, relocated. Lived around the country for a while. Different place, you know. Went to Canada briefly, and now I'm here." Bobby nodded knowingly. He understood if she didn't want to discuss her past, he wasn't exactly up for a gabfest himself, although something about this girl made him babble on like a little kid.
They passed out the front door of the manor and onto the grounds. "Beautiful place," Viktoria commented. "Oh, yeah. Hey, is that your car?" Viktoria nodded, a slight grin on her face. "Yep. Gorgeous, isn't it?" Bobby laughed. The car was a sleek 97 Corvette. Jet black. It would have been perfection on 4 wheels except for the huge dents in the back and the busted taillights. Viktoria watched Bobby eye the car warily.
"Old boyfriend," she explained. "Very bad temper. Figured I'd get around to fixing it sometime, but I guess I'm just lazy." Bobby whistled. "Some temper. Anyway. Uh yeah, we have a garage here. And Scott's pretty handy with a wrench. Blue, too."
"Blue?"
"Hank. Sorry. Hank McCoy. I just call him Blue 'cause. well, he's blue." Bobby shrugged helplessly. "I'm guessing you don't mean 'blue as in sad', huh?" Viktoria asked, pulling out her keys. Bobby smiled sheepishly. "No, blue as in the color. He's a real cool guy though. Like an. older brother type? Real smart too." Viktoria just nodded. Blue. well, that's different, she thought. Maybe this place will be somewhat interesting after all.
She popped the trunk of the car to reveal a large duffel bag and knapsack. Bobby picked up the duffel bag and grunted under the weight. Was she carrying around a rock collection, he wondered?
"That's a woman for ya. Packs everything she owns in a single bag," Viktoria teased. "Including her favorite bricks and boulders." Bobby huffed something that resembled a laugh and started back towards the mansion with Viktoria in tow.
"Need help wit dat, chere?" Viktoria turned to see a tall figure offer her a hand. "Well, whatever shall I do? All these strong, gorgeous men falling all over themselves to help me!" Bobby put down the duffel and gestured to the man. "This is..."
"Remy LeBeau," the tall man finished. He took Viktoria's hand and kissed it softly. "Aren't you a charmer?" Viktoria laughed and turned to Bobby. "And to think we only shook hands!" Bobby offered her a grin, and picked up the duffel again. Viktoria adjusted the pack on her shoulders and continued to follow Bobby back to the house. Remy kept pace at her side.
"You gonna live here now, petite?" Viktoria nodded. "The Professor decided it would be good for me. Work on my control. Or something like that," she tacked on quickly.
"I see. An' what you do, petite?"
"Eh. I know a few tricks." Viktoria replied. She set down her knapsack on a nearby chair, while Bobby and Remy stopped to watch what she was going to do. Viktoria made a swift motion with her hand, almost as if she was pushing someone away and Remy could see tiny flames trailing behind her fingers in the air. She closed her eyes and concentrated, her entire body immediately bursting into flames. Viktoria stood like that for a moment, and then the fire began to swirl into a small ball near her hand. She pressed her hands over the small flaming ball and blew, extinguishing it.
Remy stood speechless for a moment, his jaw nearly dragging the ground. "Well. dat was pretty. Do you jus' catch fire like dat sometimes?" Viktoria shook her head in the negative. "Nah, that's just for show. I believe the technical term is psychic fire. I can control it with my mind. So. what do you guys do?"
Bobby produced a tiny figure of a girl made completely of ice and presented it to Viktoria. "I can manipulate ice," he said simply. Viktoria smiled at the little figure in his hand. "It's so. perfect." She arched an eyebrow to Remy, who was currently searching for something in his jacket. "And you?"
Remy pulled out a playing card, focused on it until it flashed pink. He flung the card out an open window, and all three heard a small explosion.
"I make tings go boom," he replied. He slipped the rest of the deck back in his coat pocket and flashed a grin. Viktoria returned it. "How technical." Remy shrugged carelessly. "I can charge any object with kinetic energy, causing it ta explode. You like dat better?"
"What the hell was that?!" A brown haired man with red sunglasses suddenly ran into the room. "Remy, did you do that? Who are you?" It was obvious the man was quickly losing his patience.
Viktoria rolled her eyes at his rude behavior. "Aren't they're any women in this house?" she asked incredulously. As if on cue, a young woman with short auburn hair entered the room behind the man. "Scott? What's going on?" The woman noticed Viktoria and gasped. "You again!" The brunette arms crossed her chest as she scowled at Viktoria. "Hello, Wanda. It's lovely to see you, too." A shadow crossed the blonde's face as the two women stood staring at one another for a long moment, lightning passing between them. Remy's eyes darted from one girl to the other, and quickly stepped between them, smiling brightly.
"I see you two have met before?" Viktoria pulled her eyes away from Wanda to regard Remy. "Ah, yeah. Briefly." She picked up her knapsack and duffel bag from beside her. "I better go unpack my things.since I'll be living here and all." She smiled sweetly at Wanda, then turned on her heel and left.
Remy surveyed the hostile scene and decided to follow Viktoria instead. He stepped out of the room just as Wanda screeched "She's dangerous, Scott! I don't want to have anything to do with her!"
Chapter 1 - The Stranger Stays
The clouds above gave the huge mansion a looming, ominous feeling as the stranger followed the long drive up to the house ahead. Boots clacking softly against the pavement, the young figure pulled tighter at the hooded cape she wore and hurried towards the large wooden doors of the building. Unease washed over her as the doorbell echoed throughout the house. A brief wait, and the door slid open.
The figure slipped into the house silently. "That wasn't an invite, bub," a voice growled. "My apologies. I'm looking for Professor Charles Xavier." The voice from under the cloak was languid, relaxed, almost sounding bored.
Logan shifted his weight and leaned against a nearby wall. "What do you want?" The stranger threw back the hood and smiled warmly. "This isn't about what I want. The Professor requested my presence at.well, whatever this is, so here I am. Now, are you going to take me to him or not?"
Logan watched as the figure slipped a rapier blade from a pocket of the cloak. Rushing the stranger, claws extended, Logan nearly rammed the young girl up against the wall. "You think you scare me?" he spat, pushing his claws very near the tender flesh of her exposed throat.
"Oh. Please." The figure straightened, staring straight into Logan's eyes. "I don't want trouble. I came here to speak with the Professor, not to play chicken with you. Now if you'll please remove your. hands. from my neck." The girl pushed his hand gently away as Logan retracted his claws. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?" The stranger replaced the rapier back into her pocket and relaxed once again, an amused look on her face.
"And the Professor?" Logan jerked his head towards the staircase. "In his office. Follow me. And don't touch anything." He headed up the stairs while the stranger cast a quick glance around the room. She nodded, shrugged, and then obediently followed Logan's retreating back.
Remy LeBeau watched all this from a short distance away. At first he had been just casually interested, but when the figure had removed the hood to reveal gorgeous features framed by wild honey colored hair. well, the girl had by then perked up more than just his interest.
Beauty and spirit. One didn't see that often enough, Remy thought. He wondered what the girl was doing here, of course people were almost always coming and going from the mansion. but this girl seemed like she needed to see the Professor soon. Real soon.
Remy shrugged absently, figuring he'd probably find out soon enough, and sauntered back towards his room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"So that's all I could get," the blonde girl finished up. The Professor folded his hands and sighed, both habits of his when he was thinking. "Thank you for the information, Viktoria. This will indeed prove to be quite helpful." He turned towards the window and sighed heavily once again.
Viktoria rose from her chair and started towards the door, only to turn back again quickly. "I found as much as I could. It looked like they all left in a real hurry, but I can go back if you want."
The Professor shook his head. "No, that's fine. You were lucky this time, no need for you risk that again. Now that we know where to look, Cerebro should pick up any recent mutant signatures, and the like."
Viktoria nodded and headed back towards the door. "Oh, and I want you to stay here, Viktoria. Unless you have a safe house somewhere?" Logan watched as the girl's eyes studied the floor.
"I, uh. no," she stammered. "But I wouldn't want to impose."
The Professor dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. "Nonsense. We have plenty of rooms. Welcome to Westchester School." He turned to Logan. "Will you please show Viktoria to a room?" He turned away, staring out the window again, and the two considered the subject closed.
"Now I'm a damn bellhop," Logan muttered to himself, and led Viktoria down a long corridor to her new room. He opened the door and gestured expansively. "Here it is. I'm sure you know how everything works. Bed. Shower. Dinner's at seven." And with that, he left.
Viktoria looked around the room. It was.expensive, if nothing else. A queen size bed dominated the far corner of the room. Large bay windows allowed for the only light coming in, although she noticed a lamp on both the side table near the bed, and on top of the chest of drawers. Viktoria shrugged and tossed her cloak on the back of a chair.
I'd better get my things from the car, she thought. Shutting the door with a soft click, she treaded through the hallway towards the stairs.
"Who are you?" A new voice sounded behind her. Viktoria rolled her eyes and turned to face the voice. Sure are an inquisitive bunch, she mused silently. Searching the face swiftly, she smiled at the boy and held out her hand. He was young, looked to be about her age, maybe a year younger. Blonde hair, slender build, playful grin. good looking all around.
"Viktoria Cole." The boy took her hand and shook it firmly. "Robert Drake." He looked her over and grinned. "You can call me Bobby though. Did you just move in?" His thumb jerked towards the door she had come out of down the hall.
"Um, yeah. I guess so. I was just on my way to get my things though." Bobby perked up instantly. "I'll help you. If you want, that is." Viktoria shrugged. "My car's outside," was all she said and continued towards the stairs. Bobby followed Viktoria, taking in everything from her high black boots to her tawny blonde hair that fell down her back in golden waves. A short denim skirt and black turtleneck and a pair of sunglasses with blue lens completed her outfit. She had a good figure too, plenty of curves, which Bobby admired fully.
"So where ya from?" he asked politely. She didn't turn around to answer, just continued down the staircase. "Originally? Or recently?" Bobby shrugged. "Either. Both."
"Originally from Baltimore," she replied. "Ah, a big city girl. I lived in NYC for a little bit." Viktoria turned towards him; her eyes behind the blue lens seemed to be studying him. Those glasses match her skirt, Bobby thought dreamily.
"Did you like it there?" she asked. "It was alright. Too get up and go for me, I guess. You know how it goes." Viktoria's eyes searched his again. "Sure."
"Why'd you leave Baltimore?"
"Hmm? Oh. I uh, relocated. Lived around the country for a while. Different place, you know. Went to Canada briefly, and now I'm here." Bobby nodded knowingly. He understood if she didn't want to discuss her past, he wasn't exactly up for a gabfest himself, although something about this girl made him babble on like a little kid.
They passed out the front door of the manor and onto the grounds. "Beautiful place," Viktoria commented. "Oh, yeah. Hey, is that your car?" Viktoria nodded, a slight grin on her face. "Yep. Gorgeous, isn't it?" Bobby laughed. The car was a sleek 97 Corvette. Jet black. It would have been perfection on 4 wheels except for the huge dents in the back and the busted taillights. Viktoria watched Bobby eye the car warily.
"Old boyfriend," she explained. "Very bad temper. Figured I'd get around to fixing it sometime, but I guess I'm just lazy." Bobby whistled. "Some temper. Anyway. Uh yeah, we have a garage here. And Scott's pretty handy with a wrench. Blue, too."
"Blue?"
"Hank. Sorry. Hank McCoy. I just call him Blue 'cause. well, he's blue." Bobby shrugged helplessly. "I'm guessing you don't mean 'blue as in sad', huh?" Viktoria asked, pulling out her keys. Bobby smiled sheepishly. "No, blue as in the color. He's a real cool guy though. Like an. older brother type? Real smart too." Viktoria just nodded. Blue. well, that's different, she thought. Maybe this place will be somewhat interesting after all.
She popped the trunk of the car to reveal a large duffel bag and knapsack. Bobby picked up the duffel bag and grunted under the weight. Was she carrying around a rock collection, he wondered?
"That's a woman for ya. Packs everything she owns in a single bag," Viktoria teased. "Including her favorite bricks and boulders." Bobby huffed something that resembled a laugh and started back towards the mansion with Viktoria in tow.
"Need help wit dat, chere?" Viktoria turned to see a tall figure offer her a hand. "Well, whatever shall I do? All these strong, gorgeous men falling all over themselves to help me!" Bobby put down the duffel and gestured to the man. "This is..."
"Remy LeBeau," the tall man finished. He took Viktoria's hand and kissed it softly. "Aren't you a charmer?" Viktoria laughed and turned to Bobby. "And to think we only shook hands!" Bobby offered her a grin, and picked up the duffel again. Viktoria adjusted the pack on her shoulders and continued to follow Bobby back to the house. Remy kept pace at her side.
"You gonna live here now, petite?" Viktoria nodded. "The Professor decided it would be good for me. Work on my control. Or something like that," she tacked on quickly.
"I see. An' what you do, petite?"
"Eh. I know a few tricks." Viktoria replied. She set down her knapsack on a nearby chair, while Bobby and Remy stopped to watch what she was going to do. Viktoria made a swift motion with her hand, almost as if she was pushing someone away and Remy could see tiny flames trailing behind her fingers in the air. She closed her eyes and concentrated, her entire body immediately bursting into flames. Viktoria stood like that for a moment, and then the fire began to swirl into a small ball near her hand. She pressed her hands over the small flaming ball and blew, extinguishing it.
Remy stood speechless for a moment, his jaw nearly dragging the ground. "Well. dat was pretty. Do you jus' catch fire like dat sometimes?" Viktoria shook her head in the negative. "Nah, that's just for show. I believe the technical term is psychic fire. I can control it with my mind. So. what do you guys do?"
Bobby produced a tiny figure of a girl made completely of ice and presented it to Viktoria. "I can manipulate ice," he said simply. Viktoria smiled at the little figure in his hand. "It's so. perfect." She arched an eyebrow to Remy, who was currently searching for something in his jacket. "And you?"
Remy pulled out a playing card, focused on it until it flashed pink. He flung the card out an open window, and all three heard a small explosion.
"I make tings go boom," he replied. He slipped the rest of the deck back in his coat pocket and flashed a grin. Viktoria returned it. "How technical." Remy shrugged carelessly. "I can charge any object with kinetic energy, causing it ta explode. You like dat better?"
"What the hell was that?!" A brown haired man with red sunglasses suddenly ran into the room. "Remy, did you do that? Who are you?" It was obvious the man was quickly losing his patience.
Viktoria rolled her eyes at his rude behavior. "Aren't they're any women in this house?" she asked incredulously. As if on cue, a young woman with short auburn hair entered the room behind the man. "Scott? What's going on?" The woman noticed Viktoria and gasped. "You again!" The brunette arms crossed her chest as she scowled at Viktoria. "Hello, Wanda. It's lovely to see you, too." A shadow crossed the blonde's face as the two women stood staring at one another for a long moment, lightning passing between them. Remy's eyes darted from one girl to the other, and quickly stepped between them, smiling brightly.
"I see you two have met before?" Viktoria pulled her eyes away from Wanda to regard Remy. "Ah, yeah. Briefly." She picked up her knapsack and duffel bag from beside her. "I better go unpack my things.since I'll be living here and all." She smiled sweetly at Wanda, then turned on her heel and left.
Remy surveyed the hostile scene and decided to follow Viktoria instead. He stepped out of the room just as Wanda screeched "She's dangerous, Scott! I don't want to have anything to do with her!"