Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with X-Men or anything Phantom related (which really bums me out). Only original characters are mine.
AN: Romance starts to form in this chapter, and there will be a lot more of that coming up in future chapters. For now, it'll start slow; no need to rush into anything. (wink) Anyway, enjoy the chapter, and please review! Thanks!
Chapter 10: The Start of Something:
Erik stirred at the sounds of young laughter, rubber balls being bounced, and happy shouts. For a moment, he thought it to be a pleasant dream, because the sounds were so joyful that he thought his imagination was playing tricks on him.
As he rolled over in bed, trying to hold on to this happy dream, bright sunlight shot through his closed eyelids and jolted him awake. Grunting in surprise, he sat up, rubbing his spot-filled eyes as full wakefulness came to him. Once his eyesight cleared, Erik realized that the sounds he thought were part of his dream were actually coming from outside his window.
Slipping out from beneath the sheets, he headed over to the elegant steel-and-glass windowpane to take a look. From here he could see a large ball court of some kind, and an array of students playing numerous games. A few taller figures – clearly teachers – watched from the side, just in case order needed to be kept.
A soft knock sounded on his door. "Come in!" he called, turning to see who it was.
Annora's head poked in. "Oh, good, you're up!" she happily exclaimed. "Come on, let's get some breakfast in you, and then I'll take you to meet Scott in the Danger Room."
Erik blinked at her. "The Danger Room?" he asked nervously.
She chuckled. "Don't worry; it's just something we call the room we train in. It's part gymnasium, part hologram-survival course, and has all sorts of fighting scenarios and levels for us to beat. The higher the level, the more dangerous the scenario, and the harder it is to beat. The computer keeps track of your wins and losses. So far, Wolverine's got the record score for wins, but that's probably because of his healing ability. He can take a beating and keep on going without blinking."
Erik gave a small chuckle, one of the few genuine laughs he'd ever given in his life. "That could be it. Now, should I clean up first, or wait?"
"I'd wait until after training, otherwise it'd just be a waste of water and soap," she advised. "But you're free to scrub your face and brush your hair, if you'd like."
While he dressed and cleaned up, Annora waited outside. He washed his face, combed back his hair, and chose an outfit he wouldn't mind getting dirty or soiled. A black half-mask that covered the top part of his face came next, and just as he settled it into place, he realized that Annora had seen him without it and not even winced. Could she have not noticed his hideous face?
He dismissed the idea as he opened the door. It was impossible for her not to, since it took up so much of the right side of his head.
"There you are," she greeted him, a smile on her mouth. "You know, you don't have to wear that."
Erik stared at her. "What?"
She gestured towards the mask. "You don't have to hide behind the mask. We've probably seen worse among the mutant and human populations, but if it makes you feel more secure, then you can go ahead with wearing it." She shrugged and headed off down the hall, motioning for him to keep up.
He didn't know how to reply to that, so he didn't. As he followed Annora down to the lower levels of the mansion, Erik tried to fight his way through the tangled mess of feelings he was experiencing. For so many years, he had longed to be able to remove his mask and walk around like a 'normal' person. When he'd discovered his mutant powers, he knew that 'normal' was something he would never be, and so he had resolved to isolate himself away from the world outside the Opera House.
Now, he was being offered the chance to 'fit in' with others. However, no one here had a face that was scarred or deformed in any way; the worst he'd seen was Beast, who was covered in blue fur and had claws on his fingertips. Erik wondered if they really would accept him if he went without his mask.
'No, it's best to wear it,' he decided. 'At least until they actually accept me with the mask.'
By then, they'd reached the kitchen, and Erik felt his stomach demand food. Annora heard the growling noise, and laughed.
"So, what would you like for breakfast?" she asked. "Everyone else has already eaten; we tend to get our day started early around here, since this is a school. We teachers have to be up and preparing breakfast long before we rouse the students for their morning classes."
"May I ask what there is left to eat, after the students finish their meals?" he questioned, looking around. "Or what do you suggest I have, since I have to face your fearsome leader this morning for training?"
Erik liked watching Annora's face develop a thoughtful look; it was interesting.
"Well," she said, tapping the right side of her chin with a forefinger, "I suggest eating healthy and eating light. You don't want to be sleepy in the middle of Cyclops's testing, but you don't want to be hungry, either."
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Are you allergic to anything? You really aught to let us know so that we can plan our future meals around it."
Erik shook his head. "Not that I know of. I've eaten many fruits and vegetables with no side-effects, but I have every confidence that your doctors here can treat whatever illnesses I encounter."
Once again, Annora smiled at him. "Alright, then," she said, rubbing her hands together. "I'll make you a fruit smoothie. It should keep you on the full side until lunch, but if not, then you're welcome to have a small snack."
This morning was proving to be full of 'firsts' for him. The very first thing was waking in a room full of sunlight instead of darkness; next came the welcoming sight of Annora at his door, right before she told him he didn't have to wear his mask if he didn't want to. Third, she asked him what he wanted for breakfast, and proceeded to find about any risks he might have concerning his health. No one had ever done these things for him before, and it left him feeling…good.
Now, Annora was asking him about favorite fruits and vegetables. Since he disliked the idea of veggies and fruit together in a blender, Annora managed to produce a marvelous creation that he rather liked. Milk, ice, orange juice, peaches and strawberries mixed harmoniously together in the blender, and Erik was able to savor his very first fruit smoothie.
'How did I not manage to come up with this on my own?' he wondered as he sipped the delightful concoction. 'I thought I was a genius, and the mixture is so simple!'
Ah, well, it still tasted divine, and he made a note to try several different mixes in the near future. Right now, he had business to take care of.
Once his glass was empty, Annora led him to what looked to be an elevator, which he hadn't noticed before.
"Father uses this to get from one floor to another," she explained, "and where we're heading, the elevator is the only route down there. The stairs are for dire emergencies, if you can find them."
He was startled as the elevator headed downwards. Since they had been on the ground floor, the training room had to be located underground.
"Are there any more hidden surprises I should know about?" he murmured to her as the doors slid open.
Annora smirked at him as she led him down the hall. "Well, there's our medical center," she gestured towards a closed doorway. "That's where we get patched up after training or after a mission. Hospitals tend to not admit mutants, so we have a fully-stocked medical area where Jean or Hank can treat our wounds. They can handle most injuries, and if more help is needed, we have contacts that can be called in for emergencies."
'Well, that's good to know,' he thought, 'At least if I get hurt, they're equipped to see to my wounds.'
As she escorted him down the hallway, Annora pointed out Beast's laboratory, several storage rooms filled with medical supplies (amongst other things), and, finally, the Danger Room.
Swallowing hard, Erik saw Scott approaching them, clad in a leather outfit that outlined his fit physique, but nothing more. The outfit looked very flexible, but durable, and probably provided some kind of protection from attacks.
"Good morning," Scott greeted them. "Did she feed you?" Erik nodded. "Good. First, we'll see what kind of shape you're in, then work from there. Annora, if you'll excuse us?"
She nodded and gave Erik an encouraging smile. "Good luck," she wished him before turning and walking away.
Looking at his new teacher, Erik began to wonder if he'd survive the morning.
"Okay, one last turn," Annora yelled at her students. "Shake, step, arms up, and pose!"
The girls finished simultaneously, though Kitty was still a bit wobbly. The poor girl was clearly upset by this, and knew she only had a few days left to get herself up-to-speed with the rest of the class. The recital was coming up, and Kitty was beginning to look worried.
Sighing, Annora told them to take five minutes, her eyes meeting Kitty's as she motioned for the young girl to come over. Obedient, poor Shadowcat looked terrified as she approached her teacher.
"Oh, don't look at me like that!" Annora huffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not kicking you out of the class, especially not when you've worked so hard to get this far, busted ankle and all."
Kitty sighed her relief. "Then what?" she asked timidly.
"Loosen up, smile, and try to have fun," Annora bluntly told her. "You're moving like a robot, and you're far too tense. Just relax and go with it. If you think about it too much, you might just trip over your own feet – again!- so just try to shake it off a little, okay?"
After receiving a hug of thanks, Annora sent her student off to the water cooler in the corner –she always stressed the need to stay hydrated while dancing.
"So, how's everything?" quipped a smooth Southern voice.
Annora turned her head and gave Rogue a grin of pride. "Well, Kitty's having a small post-ankle injury issue, but I think she just needed a pep talk."
Rogue chuckled softly. "No, honey, I mean with the new tall-dark-and-handsome Frenchman, Mr. Garnier. What do you think of him?"
To be honest, Annora was trying not to. In spite of herself, she was developing a sort of crush on the man, and it didn't help that Mr. Erik Garnier was indeed tall, dark, and handsome. He also possessed a wonderful French accent, a smooth, almost hypnotizing voice, and green eyes that were so intense, it made her heart stop beating whenever he looked at her. Yup, the man was definitely hot.
And of course, it wasn't often that a full-grown male mutant came to the school. On the rare occasion that one did come, they didn't stay long. Most of the time, adult mutants came seeking aid from the X-Men, and once they'd been helped, they disappeared back to wherever they came from. Few stayed longer than a week or two.
But here he was, someone new, adult, attractive, and male. In the common sense part of her mind, Annora knew it would probably be a bad idea to start thinking of Erik as anything other than a mere friend.
'He'll probably take his training, thank us for our help, then head back to France.'
This was often the case with past students, male and female. Once they came into their full potential, 99% left to 'find their place' in the world. Some took their education and sought normal jobs, attempting to pass as regular humans; others went in search of other mutants, either to teach, protect or help in any way they could.
Of those that remained to become X-Men, nearly all the males and females had formed into romantic pairings. Scott and Jean, Rogue and Gambit (though neither one would admit it), and there were rumors of Beast finding romance with a human he was treating at a hospital in the city. Logan was, well, Logan, and he was very much a loner.
'Plus, it'd be way too weird to form a romance with any of the guys; they're family!'
But Erik wasn't, so it was only natural, in Annora's mind, that she find him appealing. She hadn't grown up with him, and though he appeared older than her, he was closer to her age than most of the X-Men.
"Hello, Earth to Annora!" A gloved hand waved in front of her eyes. "Come on, Sugar, come back."
Startled, Annora blushed as she came back to herself. "Sorry, I was thinking."
Rogue smirked. "I'll bet," she teased. "But really, darlin', if you're interested in him, then ask him out."
Annora shook her head. No, she couldn't do that! What if he said no, or worse, what if he laughed at her? Nope, it was probably best just to leave it alone.
"Okay, girls, back to your places!" she shouted, clapping her hands.
Squeals of various loudness levels rang through the room as her students dropped their water cups and ran to take their marks. Annora had to smile at the sight of their skirts fluttering from their movements, the light, airy material slowly settling back down as the girls stood in their assigned places.
'Hard to believe most of them thought they had two left feet,' she thought with a grin.
Out loud, she yelled, "Once more from the top, ladies!"
Then she hit the play button on the music player, eyes searching for any misstep.
After all the students had gone up to their dorm, Annora joined her fellow teachers and X-Men in the den that was nestled between the men and women's wings. Here they could put on music or a movie, read a book, or just sit and chat, all in a nice peaceful setting. No students allowed here!
Spotting Cyclops on the couch, she flopped down beside him and offered him a can of soda. "So, how'd the new recruit do?" she asked, sounding nonchalant, but actually eager to hear what he had to say.
To her relief, Scott smiled. "Well, he's not in too bad of shape, physically and when it comes to his powers. He must have been working out before he came here, because he can climb, run and jump like the best of us."
Annora waited while Scott took a sip from his pop can. "As for his powers, he's got strength behind it, but not much skill or finesse. It's like he's trying to do surgery with a chainsaw instead of a scalpel, so I'm going to help him sharpen his skills, while the Professor helps with that force field thing he's got going."
Annora felt her jaw drop. "Force field?" she squeaked.
Scott nodded. "He didn't know he could do it, either, but when a battle droid sprang on him in the Danger Room, he got scared and put his hands up to protect himself. That's when a black shield popped up and repelled the droid. Good thing, too, or else Erik would be in the medical ward instead of his own room, nursing a bruised shoulder."
"Bruised shoulder?" she gasped, completely forgetting about force fields. "What happened?"
Her foster brother gave her a playful punch in the arm. "Nothing serious. He just tripped and fell against a wall, that's it. Jean gave him a bag of ice and some medicine to dull the pain, so he should be fine by morning."
Relieved, Annora thanked him and headed to check on Erik. 'Maybe I should bring him dinner?' she wondered, heading up the steps. 'Maybe dessert to sweeten his mood?'
She didn't see her friends grinning at each other behind her back.
AN: Oh, Annora's got a crush! No romance yet, but there will be, coming up soon.
Meanwhile, please be kind and review! Thanks!