Chapter 4: Discord
Dinner was a strange affair. The large table in the dining room was piled high with a wide array of foods ranging from salads and pasta to a large roast and a plate of steaks.
"Goodness!" Natasha exclaimed, "do you eat like this every night?" the question was asked to no one in particular, but Dr. McCoy answered dutifully.
"Certainly not," he smiled kindly, "the madness would likely send Logan on a rampage." He allowed his tone to grow serious as he explained, "This is simply a... welcoming feast. Usually, we let the students make their own meals. The Professor, Ororo and I usually dine together," he lead Natasha to a pair of empty seats, "I would be most honoured if you would consider joining us."
"I would like that very much." Natasha smiled softly at the man, her gaze lingering perhaps a moment longer than it should have.
It was not long before the younger students began to grow unruly. They began to balance on chairs to reach dishes, or use their powers to draw the food closer, rather than asking politely for it to be passed.
"That's it!" Logan slammed his fists onto the table as a blob of mashed potatoes narrowly missed his cheek. "New Mutants have extra training at 8 o'clock. Juniors – I'm bumpin' you lot to 9. Don't expect tonight to be easy" he snarled in annoyance, spearing a whole fried chicken and grabbing the half-full plate of steaks before disappearing into the kitchen. Almost immediately, the babble turned into a terrified silence.
"Alas," sighed Beast dramatically, "how I did hope we could last through one day without baiting Logan's temper."
The New Mutants slumped out of the Danger Room looking bruised and battered. As they stumbled past the assembled Juniors, not even the fresh, earthy smell of Rebirth's ability could mask the scorched scent that clung to their hair and clothing.
Nervous and not wanting to upset Logan further, the Juniors hastily piled into the Danger Room, doing their best to mask the fright they felt over their upcoming beating.
One minute dragged into two, and two became three. Suddenly, Logan's voice crackled over the intercom, his tone clearly pissed. "Where the HELL is the Newbie?" He demanded
"Sorry! Sorry!" Avalon's voice flitted through the room, "I'm here! I lost track of time – I was with Dr. McCoy..." She apologized, panting slightly.
"Get the hell out of my Danger Room!" Roared Logan, startling everyone but Ava, who stood patiently while he roared. "Come back when you're dressed right! We gave yah a uniform – now go wear it!"
As if on cue, nine pairs of eyes fell on the 'new girl'. Teala huffed, crossing her arms exasperatedly. "Isn't that a little... flashy?" she muttered under her breath.
"Watch it Windy," Ava growled.
A few of the boys gawked, Kyra looked impressed while Ali just looked embarrassed. Avalon looked like she was more suited for a club than the Danger Room. Her long hair hung loose down her back, brushing the bare skin at the bottom of her rib cage. Her shirt was now both midriff baring and sleeveless, extending from the collar to appear strapless. She had paired the shirt with elbow-length cuffs that looped around her middle finger, barring her palms. A black standard utility belt accented the super-short shorts she wore with the outfit, finishing with a pair of knee-high heels. The entire outfit was the rich grey of pregnant storm clouds with a dewy sheen, as opposed to the standard black of the training uniforms.
"Avalon! I said OUT" Logan repeated, his tone menacing.
"Why?" Challenged the teen.
"Because, that is NOT a standard trainee uniform and I KNOW you were issued one."
"No, its MY uniform. The one Beast and the Professor made for me."
"It's not STANDARD!" Logan's roar was meancing, but the stubborn storm user refused to budge.
"SO?" Ava's tone was critical, "Neither is Teala's, Allen's, Kane's, Ali's or Xal's. And LOOK at Lynx – he's not even wearing a damn uniform!" She began to swear.
"They are modifications" Logan's tone grew dangerous, " and they are ALL relevant to their mutations. None of them are dressed up and ready to walk a street corner!" Too late, Logan realized the line which had been crossed.
Amaranth lightning exploded in the danger room, targeting the control booth.
"SCREW YOU!" Avalon screamed, tears streaming down her face as she stormed out of the Danger Room.
The rest of the juniors stood stunned. Even Teala's mouth hung agape in awe. Logan had gone too far. Sure, the uniform looked impractical, but at the very least, she could distract the boys they went up against with her assets. Plus, if Xavier had made it, there must have been a good reason.
Students practically dove out of Avalon's way as she tore through the mansion. She was glowing with electricity and crying – a combination no one wanted to deal with.
It was only once she collapsed into a sobbing heap in the middle of the west hall that the other students managed to muster the courage to approach the girl. Bobby, seeing it was Avalon shaking on the floor, quickly sent Amara, Jamie and Sam in search of Xavier, Ororo, Hank, Logan or any members of the J-Crew they could find.
Icing up to protect himself from the electricity, Bobby knelt at Ava's side, stroking her hair and offering soothing words.
"Ava, shhhh, come on now," he murmured, "what's wrong?"
Avalon threw herself into his chest with a raking sob, the electrical glow slowly beginning to fade as she cried out her frustrations. When the glow had vanished completely, Bobby de-iced and pulled her close, leaning back against the wall.
Avalon sniffed, wiping her eyes half-heartedly. "H-he call-lled muh-me a st-street whore!" she sobbed.
"Who?" Bobby demanded, trying to decide which of the juniors would actually be gutsy enough.
"L-Logan!" Ava sobbed. She took a moment to calm herself before continuing. "He said my uniform wasn't standard, and when I refused to change, he said I looked like I should be workin' a street corner..." She still shook slightly from shock and sorrow, but she managed to relay the incident.
Gently, the boy coaxed Avalon to her feet, supporting her as he lead her carefully to the library, where he expected to find Xavier. Passing Jamie on the way, the young boy nodded, indicating he was heading the right way.
What Bobby did not expect upon entering the room was to find Logan in the library with the Professor, Ororo and Hank in tow. The sight of Logan cued a fresh bout of tears from Avalon, and Bobby glared at the teachers, cradling Ava and trying to comfort her.
"Avalon; please accept my most sincere apologies. Logan's actions were far from appropriate." Xavier apologized, his tone slightly disapproving as he spoke of Logan.
"He wouldn't even let me explain!" sobbed the girl.
"I'm sorry kid. I shoulda listened." Logan's tone was surprisingly repentant; Bobby took a step back in fear as the older man continued. "Ol' Chuck was right - it's just – I look at yah kid, an' you got so much potential. I'd hate to see you sidelined for some avoidable injury."
"But I –" Ava tried, but Logan pressed on.
"You ain't even been here a day kid, but your attitude has marked you one of my top two candidates for the J-Crew's leader. You got a presence kid, and you got respect. I don't wanna loose that."
Ava sniffed slightly and gave a watery smile. "You mean it?"
"Yea Thundercat, I do." He smirked.
Avalon returned the grin. That nickname was really starting to stick. "I promise the alterations were relevant" She assured him. "I may be a bit of a valley girl, but I'm not completely crazy."
Alrighty, I know... its short and it's very Ava-centric. I'm working on it... I really am! And to prove it, I am actually gonna promise to have ANOTHER chapter posted in the next 72 hours =D
I was considering spoiling you, but now that I'm totally re-hashing the next chapter, there are a few details I need to clear up before I finalize it. (Rook, this means you! lol)
So, I hope you enjoy, and PLEASE REVIEW :D
X3 Emmy X3