Laß dich nicht unterkriegen! -(Keep your tail up) - By Syreene
* This story involves Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Logan/Wolverine,
Ororo/Storm, Scott/Cyclops, Hank McCoy/Beast, Jean Grey, all property
of Marvel, and a character of my creation, an immortal gypsy named
Romana Verrone who was on the run from the Eternals for many years. No
profits are being made from this, as this was written for my own peace
of mind, and I long for a compromise between the religious and
swashbuckling sides of my favorite fuzzy elf.
* This occurs after "Keeping the Faith," as well as the
latest Nightcrawler mini-series
It had been over three weeks since she had seen Kurt. After the
death of Selene, all troubles Romana had been having with the Eternals
seemed to vanish. She set herself up again with Kurt's help in one of
the houses she had bought around the city, and soon things fell back
to normal again. Kurt went back to the church and did his best to
straighten things out with the Brothers, and Romana did her best to
get back to the life she had established as a private art restorer
before she went on the run again. They'd been chasing after me for
over 600 years.it's hard to believe that they are finally gone! She
had gone to see Kurt a few times at the church, but so many times
their talks ended with them arguing about religion. The last time was
the worst.
"I can't believe you put up with those religious bigots! They
treat you like dirt in the name of God, corrupting the Bible for their
own purposes, abusing it for money and power! You say you love
God.what does He care what sect you are in, as long as you love God
with your heart?" she had asked him.
"Der Catholic church took me in vith love und understanding, Romana.
Zey gave me a chance to help people vithout hiding my face, ven no one
else vould!"
"They took you in and hid you away, Kurt! They keep you away from most
of the parishioners and only let you out after hours! It's like you
said.you are their own Quasimodo that they hide in the church from all
the 'normal' people.I've watched your 'beloved Church' burn my friends
at the stake and torture them with glee, Kurt! I escaped from your
'beloved Church' when they thought the twenty stones they tied to me
were enough for me to drown in the river for being a gypsy! I was 14,
Kurt!" she yelled, the years of anger coming out in her voice.
With a mixed look of sorrow, betrayal, and anger, Kurt had teleported
away. And now, as she stares out the window into the dark storm, she
cannot help but wonder if she would ever see him again. Did I push to
hard? She rests her forehead against the glass. I have seen so much
death and loss in the name of religion.I just wanted him to be true to
himself. Please Kurt, whatever you are doing, be safe.
* Knock * Knock *
The noise startles Romana from her reverie and she runs to the
door. "Kurt?" She opens the door to see a waterlogged and bedraggled
man in a black raincoat, his head bowed to the storm. He looks up with
a sad face and says, "Romana, I.I need someone to talk to."
"Then stop being a fool and come in from the rain, Kurt!" Romana
says and ushers him inside and takes his coat. "If we are going to
talk though, I want to see your face." She hangs up his coat to dry
and turns around. Kurt still hasn't moved other than turning off his
hologram inducer, and stands there with his head bowed to the ground.
"Kurt." she says quietly as she touches his shoulder. " What happened
to you?" He looks up and she can see the ragged lines of tears and
exhaustion in his face. "You look like you're about to drop.come sit
by the fire." She ushers him into a plush chair where he sits with a
thump, his tail wrapped around his waist.
"So much has happened.so much has changed. I needed a clear
voice, so I came to see you." He places his hand over hers on the
chair arm as she kneels on the rug beside him. "I have felt so
hopeless.I find so much horror in der world, and I am incapable ov
stopping it! I discovered a child slave ring in der city.but zey vere
part of a large organization zat I alone could not stop. Such horrors
I saw, it shames me to admit I vanted to kill zem myself! But zat
vouldn't stop it.others vould just take zer place. I couldn't report
zem vithout having to lie or reveal myself to der police, und I doubt
very much zey vould believe a blue demon." he leans forward and places
his head in his hands. "Ach, Romana.vat am I to do? How can I be true
to my beliefs vithout standing by to der horrors of der world?" he
asks with a sob.
Romana moves in front of Kurt and places her hands on his knees.
"Kurt.poor soul.I wish you could see what I have seen about people
over the ages.as a whole they tend to be a cruel and ignorant mob. You
have been trying to light a candle in a whirlwind! If you want to make
a change, you have to do it one person at a time.the goodness and kind-
heartedness you foster in one soul will spread as they help another
and another, and then you won't be so alone in your efforts." When
Kurt looks up and she sees he is truly listening, she continues. "Look
at what happened when we met, Kurt. Look at how many lives you have
changed! You saved me from Selene and kept Erg and me from being
trapped on the Hill, you helped the Morlocks build their new life of
peace, and you made Callisto realize it's okay to reach out for help.
All of our attitudes have changed since we met you, and we all will go
out and affect other people for the better of it. Some day you or
someone you helped will be able to help someone who can do something
about the greater evils in the world, Kurt, but until then, you can't
give up! Only when you give up do you truly lose."
"Meine Fraulien." Kurt says as he takes hold of her hands and
kisses them. "I vish I had met you years ago, as you do have a vay of
cutting through to der core of zings."
"It comes from having over 700 years of experience, mein Herr,"
she says with a sly grin. "I have gone through many of the same
dilemmas you are facing now, if not in the same way. I just wish I
could ease your pain ahead of time."she places her hand on his cheek
and smiles sadly.
"You have been a strong und much needed voice in der turmoil of
meine heart, Romana. I can't zank you enough." He says as he cups her
hand gently. Romana moves her hand slowly down to his chest, above his
heart.
"Knowing that there is a place for me in your heart is thanks
enough, Kurt." She looks deeply into his eyes as she feels his heart
beat faster under her hand.
"Romana." he leans toward her and cups her cheek in his hand,
then running his long fingers through her hair. " You are truly a
timeless beauty, with the wisdom to match. If only." she places her
fingers on his lips.
"No, don't shut me out like that my love." She sees Kurt's eyes
sadden. "I know how I feel, and I will always be here as your friend.
I ask for nothing more in return, other than you think about what I
say, and be my friend." She says with tears welling in her eyes.
"Ja, liebchen," he says with a sigh as he gently cups her head
with his hands and kisses the tears from her cheeks. "No matter how
much it hurts, du wilst always bir meine freund." They hold each other
tight for what seems like forever, neither of them wanting to break
the contact lest it never comes again.
Then, with a swipe of a stray tear, Romana leans back and says,
"Well then, from one friend to another, I have something to give you."
she gets up and opens a video cabinet beside her television and pulls
out a small 8mm reel case of film. "I think with all that's happened,
you might like some memories of a happier time." She hands him the
reel and he turns it around to read: "The Bavarian Circus of Wonders,
c.1970."
"Unglaublich!" Kurt exclaims.
"And without further ado," says Romana as she picks up a remote
and opens her cupboard to reveal a large screen TV, "it's show time!"
she clicks the remote and the lights dim as the TV flickers on with
the title of the circus on the screen. Kurt moves to the couch and his
eyes get bigger as he watches his past in silent amazement. Romana
leans over the couch and shakes a bowl towards him. "Popcorn?"
"Danke schoen. this is incredible! I can't believe you found
zis!" Kurt exclaims as he takes the bowl from her. Romana climbs over
the couch and sits beside him, the bowl between them.
"I remember when they filmed this... I had snuck in with the
camera crew so I could watch you and the 'Flying Szardoses.' Look!"
she says and points to the screen. "You're about to be introduced!"
They both watch the film as a much younger Kurt Wagner appears on the
high platform in a puff of smoke and bows to the crowd. "I guess
that's why I was so amazed when I first saw you at the church." Romana
says thoughtfully to herself. "You know, I always wondered how you did
that. care to reveal the secret?" she asks with a raised brow.
"Heh, heh. I'd show you, but you have to vait at least an hour
after you eat." Kurt says with a wink.
"I'll remember that." she says. Kurt watched on wistfully as he
performs daring flips in the air to the oohs and ahhs of the crowd
below. "Ahh. the applause."
"Do you miss it?" she asks with a questioning glance. "Flying
through the air, all eyes upon you as you pull off one amazing feat
after another to the amazement and applause of the crowd?"
"Honestly. sometimes I do." Kurt replied. "It vas der only time
in my life vere I felt der vorld accepted me for who I vas because of
vat I did, not vat I looked like. Granted, my friends love und accept
me, but I vas dealing vith 100s of people a night back zen! I felt
like I vas invincible."
"I can imagine," Romana replied as she rested her head in her
hand against the couch to face him." To be appreciated by the masses
and truly judged by your actions, not your looks. To fly free through
the air like a bird." she says longingly.
"Fraulien, I am shocked! Are you trying to tell me zat in all
your time at the circus, you never vent up on der trapeze?"
"I joined the circus to hide, Kurt." Romana said with regret. "I
stayed in the background and on the move to stay away from the
Eternals." The film of the circus ends and Romana turns up the lights,
as Kurt stands up and takes her hand.
"Zat, meine liebchen," he says as he bows and kisses her hand,
"is something I vill have to rectify."
* This story involves Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Logan/Wolverine,
Ororo/Storm, Scott/Cyclops, Hank McCoy/Beast, Jean Grey, all property
of Marvel, and a character of my creation, an immortal gypsy named
Romana Verrone who was on the run from the Eternals for many years. No
profits are being made from this, as this was written for my own peace
of mind, and I long for a compromise between the religious and
swashbuckling sides of my favorite fuzzy elf.
* This occurs after "Keeping the Faith," as well as the
latest Nightcrawler mini-series
It had been over three weeks since she had seen Kurt. After the
death of Selene, all troubles Romana had been having with the Eternals
seemed to vanish. She set herself up again with Kurt's help in one of
the houses she had bought around the city, and soon things fell back
to normal again. Kurt went back to the church and did his best to
straighten things out with the Brothers, and Romana did her best to
get back to the life she had established as a private art restorer
before she went on the run again. They'd been chasing after me for
over 600 years.it's hard to believe that they are finally gone! She
had gone to see Kurt a few times at the church, but so many times
their talks ended with them arguing about religion. The last time was
the worst.
"I can't believe you put up with those religious bigots! They
treat you like dirt in the name of God, corrupting the Bible for their
own purposes, abusing it for money and power! You say you love
God.what does He care what sect you are in, as long as you love God
with your heart?" she had asked him.
"Der Catholic church took me in vith love und understanding, Romana.
Zey gave me a chance to help people vithout hiding my face, ven no one
else vould!"
"They took you in and hid you away, Kurt! They keep you away from most
of the parishioners and only let you out after hours! It's like you
said.you are their own Quasimodo that they hide in the church from all
the 'normal' people.I've watched your 'beloved Church' burn my friends
at the stake and torture them with glee, Kurt! I escaped from your
'beloved Church' when they thought the twenty stones they tied to me
were enough for me to drown in the river for being a gypsy! I was 14,
Kurt!" she yelled, the years of anger coming out in her voice.
With a mixed look of sorrow, betrayal, and anger, Kurt had teleported
away. And now, as she stares out the window into the dark storm, she
cannot help but wonder if she would ever see him again. Did I push to
hard? She rests her forehead against the glass. I have seen so much
death and loss in the name of religion.I just wanted him to be true to
himself. Please Kurt, whatever you are doing, be safe.
* Knock * Knock *
The noise startles Romana from her reverie and she runs to the
door. "Kurt?" She opens the door to see a waterlogged and bedraggled
man in a black raincoat, his head bowed to the storm. He looks up with
a sad face and says, "Romana, I.I need someone to talk to."
"Then stop being a fool and come in from the rain, Kurt!" Romana
says and ushers him inside and takes his coat. "If we are going to
talk though, I want to see your face." She hangs up his coat to dry
and turns around. Kurt still hasn't moved other than turning off his
hologram inducer, and stands there with his head bowed to the ground.
"Kurt." she says quietly as she touches his shoulder. " What happened
to you?" He looks up and she can see the ragged lines of tears and
exhaustion in his face. "You look like you're about to drop.come sit
by the fire." She ushers him into a plush chair where he sits with a
thump, his tail wrapped around his waist.
"So much has happened.so much has changed. I needed a clear
voice, so I came to see you." He places his hand over hers on the
chair arm as she kneels on the rug beside him. "I have felt so
hopeless.I find so much horror in der world, and I am incapable ov
stopping it! I discovered a child slave ring in der city.but zey vere
part of a large organization zat I alone could not stop. Such horrors
I saw, it shames me to admit I vanted to kill zem myself! But zat
vouldn't stop it.others vould just take zer place. I couldn't report
zem vithout having to lie or reveal myself to der police, und I doubt
very much zey vould believe a blue demon." he leans forward and places
his head in his hands. "Ach, Romana.vat am I to do? How can I be true
to my beliefs vithout standing by to der horrors of der world?" he
asks with a sob.
Romana moves in front of Kurt and places her hands on his knees.
"Kurt.poor soul.I wish you could see what I have seen about people
over the ages.as a whole they tend to be a cruel and ignorant mob. You
have been trying to light a candle in a whirlwind! If you want to make
a change, you have to do it one person at a time.the goodness and kind-
heartedness you foster in one soul will spread as they help another
and another, and then you won't be so alone in your efforts." When
Kurt looks up and she sees he is truly listening, she continues. "Look
at what happened when we met, Kurt. Look at how many lives you have
changed! You saved me from Selene and kept Erg and me from being
trapped on the Hill, you helped the Morlocks build their new life of
peace, and you made Callisto realize it's okay to reach out for help.
All of our attitudes have changed since we met you, and we all will go
out and affect other people for the better of it. Some day you or
someone you helped will be able to help someone who can do something
about the greater evils in the world, Kurt, but until then, you can't
give up! Only when you give up do you truly lose."
"Meine Fraulien." Kurt says as he takes hold of her hands and
kisses them. "I vish I had met you years ago, as you do have a vay of
cutting through to der core of zings."
"It comes from having over 700 years of experience, mein Herr,"
she says with a sly grin. "I have gone through many of the same
dilemmas you are facing now, if not in the same way. I just wish I
could ease your pain ahead of time."she places her hand on his cheek
and smiles sadly.
"You have been a strong und much needed voice in der turmoil of
meine heart, Romana. I can't zank you enough." He says as he cups her
hand gently. Romana moves her hand slowly down to his chest, above his
heart.
"Knowing that there is a place for me in your heart is thanks
enough, Kurt." She looks deeply into his eyes as she feels his heart
beat faster under her hand.
"Romana." he leans toward her and cups her cheek in his hand,
then running his long fingers through her hair. " You are truly a
timeless beauty, with the wisdom to match. If only." she places her
fingers on his lips.
"No, don't shut me out like that my love." She sees Kurt's eyes
sadden. "I know how I feel, and I will always be here as your friend.
I ask for nothing more in return, other than you think about what I
say, and be my friend." She says with tears welling in her eyes.
"Ja, liebchen," he says with a sigh as he gently cups her head
with his hands and kisses the tears from her cheeks. "No matter how
much it hurts, du wilst always bir meine freund." They hold each other
tight for what seems like forever, neither of them wanting to break
the contact lest it never comes again.
Then, with a swipe of a stray tear, Romana leans back and says,
"Well then, from one friend to another, I have something to give you."
she gets up and opens a video cabinet beside her television and pulls
out a small 8mm reel case of film. "I think with all that's happened,
you might like some memories of a happier time." She hands him the
reel and he turns it around to read: "The Bavarian Circus of Wonders,
c.1970."
"Unglaublich!" Kurt exclaims.
"And without further ado," says Romana as she picks up a remote
and opens her cupboard to reveal a large screen TV, "it's show time!"
she clicks the remote and the lights dim as the TV flickers on with
the title of the circus on the screen. Kurt moves to the couch and his
eyes get bigger as he watches his past in silent amazement. Romana
leans over the couch and shakes a bowl towards him. "Popcorn?"
"Danke schoen. this is incredible! I can't believe you found
zis!" Kurt exclaims as he takes the bowl from her. Romana climbs over
the couch and sits beside him, the bowl between them.
"I remember when they filmed this... I had snuck in with the
camera crew so I could watch you and the 'Flying Szardoses.' Look!"
she says and points to the screen. "You're about to be introduced!"
They both watch the film as a much younger Kurt Wagner appears on the
high platform in a puff of smoke and bows to the crowd. "I guess
that's why I was so amazed when I first saw you at the church." Romana
says thoughtfully to herself. "You know, I always wondered how you did
that. care to reveal the secret?" she asks with a raised brow.
"Heh, heh. I'd show you, but you have to vait at least an hour
after you eat." Kurt says with a wink.
"I'll remember that." she says. Kurt watched on wistfully as he
performs daring flips in the air to the oohs and ahhs of the crowd
below. "Ahh. the applause."
"Do you miss it?" she asks with a questioning glance. "Flying
through the air, all eyes upon you as you pull off one amazing feat
after another to the amazement and applause of the crowd?"
"Honestly. sometimes I do." Kurt replied. "It vas der only time
in my life vere I felt der vorld accepted me for who I vas because of
vat I did, not vat I looked like. Granted, my friends love und accept
me, but I vas dealing vith 100s of people a night back zen! I felt
like I vas invincible."
"I can imagine," Romana replied as she rested her head in her
hand against the couch to face him." To be appreciated by the masses
and truly judged by your actions, not your looks. To fly free through
the air like a bird." she says longingly.
"Fraulien, I am shocked! Are you trying to tell me zat in all
your time at the circus, you never vent up on der trapeze?"
"I joined the circus to hide, Kurt." Romana said with regret. "I
stayed in the background and on the move to stay away from the
Eternals." The film of the circus ends and Romana turns up the lights,
as Kurt stands up and takes her hand.
"Zat, meine liebchen," he says as he bows and kisses her hand,
"is something I vill have to rectify."