Forgotten - Chapter 12 - This House
Smile-Evily …and while I say your handle I actually find myself smiling evily ;3 Thank you! I'm so glad that you're enjoying this :D
I had a Guest leave the comment that the Telissa/Toad story is interesting, and that really makes me happy. I'm really thrilled to hear that and very very relieved as well. The whole idea of Toad and Telissa..well, it turned into a very different thing than what I initially thought it would be. Not only did I assume that it wouldn't be romantic in nature, but I also assumed it would be more in the background. But a lot of these stories… I kind of feel like they demand to be told, and I really struggle with it. Mostly because I'm uncertain if anyone will trust and just follow me on this. You know, they say a basic rule of writing is not having more than a few main characters in your story, because it's too much for people to follow… and I couldn't disagree more. I think that technically, every single person is a main character in multiple stories, and I'm kind of tired of hearing that I need to limit the vision. I mean, honestly! Why not make the story richer by adding something you are unaware of that totally ties into the original concept?
…also, this chapter… Oh yeah. Totally off book here :|
Marvel does what Marvel does, and I do what I do :) That's the simplest way to 'splain it. And here's what I do :) Please do Enjoy…
When Kurt landed the three of them on the top of Mei's roof with a 'bamph', the furry girl with wings hissed and darted behind Mei.
"Well, that's a fine way to greet someone." Mei said, twisting about to look down at her. She turned to face the three X-men and smiled. "Welcome to my home." She motioned to the rooftop door. "Please, come in and take your ease." As she said this, the door clicked, and then creaked loudly as it slowly swung open.
"Uh…Mei honey, that's a little creepy." Rogue warned. Mei only nodded with a chuckle. She ushered the furry-winged-girl down the stairs first, then turned and beckoned for them to follow. Rogue moved to follow looking of her shoulder at Beast and Nightcrawler with an expectant expression. Beast sighed and nodded, motioning for Nightcrawler to follow. The X-men had gotten used to keeping Nightcrawler in the middle of any group, just in case a quick teleport was necessary.
The stairs led down to a long hallway, lined on one side of the wall with bright windows that faced a sunny sky. All evidence of the buildings that flanked this one were gone. On the opposite wall were doors…many many many doors. In fact, it was difficult to find more than 3 inches of bare wall between these doors. Each door was a simple wooden door painted white to match the trim and baseboards, with a crystal door knob and nothing else. No identifying markers or unique characteristics.
"What sort of rooms are these?" Nightcrawler asked, puzzled.
"Bedrooms." Mei answered.
"They look more like broom cupboards." He murmured in shock.
"They can be." Mei said with a chuckle. She made a big show of slipping a beaded bracelet off of her right wrist to her left. She reached for one of the door knobs, pulling the door open to reveal a 4 foot by 4 foot empty room. She repeated the process, revealing the same thing at the previous door's neighbor. The third door revealed a similar room with a single vacuum cleaner inside. "Ah! That's where that went!" she crowed, pulling the vacuum out into the hallway before shutting the door.
"I thought you said…" Kurt trailed off as Mei held up a single finger over her lips. She held up her bracelet, the beads going somewhat slack as she singled out one bead after the other. They were all smooth and polished, each of the beads a different color and type of stone. Mei nodded to herself when she pulled up a vibrant purple bead. She placed the bead into the center of the doorknob where the key should go and the clear crystal knob turned the same color purple as the bead. Mei knocked on the door. After a moment the knob turned, and the door was wrenched open from the other side.
"I know, I know, I'm on it I…promise." The young man answering the door paused as he exited the room, eying the X-Men warily. He had curly light brown hair and pale skin, long gangly limbs and extraordinarily bright blue eyes.
"Kevin, you realize you're not wearing shoes, right?" Mei asked. The young man—Kevin—looked down at his bare knobby feet.
"Odin's Ravens!" He cried, dashing back inside. He was a few seconds before returning, shoes in hand. "I'm not late yet, am I?" He asked, hopping as he craned one leg up placing that shoe on before doing the twist to get his foot into his shoe. It was impossible not to notice his eyes though, because they had turned a pale, almost sickly yellow-green.
"You have about fifteen minutes." Mei soothed. "No reason to panic." Kevin sighed, hopping to the other foot so that he could jam his remaining unfettered foot into the other empty shoe. "How did Jen manage to convince you to take her shift anyway?" At a mention of the name 'Jen', Kevin's eyes flashed a very vibrant shade of berry-violet before returning to a dark dull indigo.
"Oh… the way she usually does." He said with a sigh.
"Ah." Mei said, some secret bit of information being exchanged in this very inconclusive sentence. "Well, you'll be working with Cassi and Rei if that makes you feel any better." His face became clear, his eyes turning a slightly more vibrant shade of sky blue.
"That'll be nice at least."
"By the way, Kevin, this is Beast, Rogue, and Nightcrawler." She said motioning to the X-men in the hall. "And you know Clara already." She said, her chin tilting towards the girl who was evidently trying to take refuge in Mei's shadow. A bit of green leaked into Kevin's eyes as they landed on Clara, turning them teal. When his gaze swung to the X-men, they turned a vivid reddish-orange.
"uuuuh… X-Men?" He asked, looking to Mei.
"You remembered! Very good!" Mei murmured. She turned her attention to the X-men in question. "Kevin will be transferring to Xavier's this fall." She said with an approving grin, as if it were something she felt deserved to be bragged about.
"As long as the paperwork gets processed on time." He said with a shaky smile. "I'd better get down there."
"Turn." Mei instructed, rotating her wrist while pointing down as if to illustrate how he should turn. He turned, ending with stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Well?"
Mei nodded slowly. "Very nice." She said, her voice deepening. His eyes were a dull navy blue, but his cheeks were pink.
"Thanks." He chuckled under his breath. He reached back closing the door, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather strung bracelet with a single round purple bead that matched the one Mei had used almost exactly. He set the bead into the keyhole and the knob turned crystal clear again. "It was a pleasure meeting you." He said with a nod to the X-Men, who nodded in return. He gave Mei one last grin before taking the stares and calling over his shoulder, "Later!"
"Don't threaten me." Mei nearly sang back at him. She reached down, turning the door knob on a simple 4 by 4 room. Mei smiled at Nightcrawler's amazed expression.
"How…" He began, but trailed off when he realized he had no idea how to word his question.
"The simple answer to all of your questions is Magic." Mei replied with a smile.
"You didn't have anything like the back at the dinner." Rogue murmured, an equally awed expression on her face.
"No. I did not. I didn't need it there." Mei said with a shrug. She eyed the bracelet again, this time picking through the beads till she found a milky yellowish-orange bead, setting it into the keyhole on the doorknob. "Comes in handy though." She turned the now milky yellowish-orange door knob, opening the door to reveal an enormous room with a kitchen in the far corner, a small door (perhaps a pantry?), and a number of various chairs and sofas in different arrangements around tables, TVs, stereos, and book shelves. "Especially when you want to be lazy and avoid the stairs. Ladies, Gentlemen, this is the second floor." She said with a smile. "Communal living quarters." She elaborated, gesturing for them to enter.
The fluffy-winged girl – Clara, Mei had called her – skipped swiftly inside. There was a dark haired young man lazing on one of the sofas nearest the TV. He looked over at the new comers with a bored expression, but his black eyes snapped to Clara. His face suddenly sharpened as he began to rise.
"Well, hello. What hav—" Clara beared her teeth, hissing viciously at him almost instantly before he'd even risen to full height as a response to his greeting. He shifted back, sitting back down and drawing both hands up in a mode of surrender. "Okay then."
"Clara!" Mei barked, striding forward. Clara's feathers puffed up while her fur frizzed, her neck sinking into her hunched shoulders. It was a very obvious defense mechanism…one that completely canceled out the scalding glares and vicious hisses.
"I… I'm s-sorry." She began, her voice as soft as her feathers and light as her fur.
Mei planted her fists against her hips, shaking her head. "Somehow I doubt the sincerity behind that statement." She said with a sigh. "No hissing or glowering at anyone who doesn't deserve it. Honestly, you don't even know Gary."
"Yeah." Gary nearly whimpered, feigning hurt, from his position on the couch.
"Get to know the boy, realize what a tosser he is, and then you can hiss at him."
"..hey.." Gary mumbled actually sounding hurt this time.
Mei looked back at him over her shoulder. "Where are Lehla and Leila?" she asked. Gary blinked, his pupils expanding to cover all of his eyes.
"uuuuuhhhhhh…. Oh! Leila's downstairs sipping a cappuccino. Seriously? Bad Idea, I'm thinking. And uh…uhh…" His face pinched into a grimace. "I can't see Lehla.." He said, before the black covering his eyes receded to normal pupil size.
Mei nodded. "Thanks. Can you go and get Leila, please?"
"Sure!" he said excitedly, levering himself off the couch and practically dashing by the X-Men before his head popped back from the other side of the doorway. "Whoa! Top floor?"
"Practice." Mei said as if it explained everything.
Gary pointed at her. "Right! Good plan." He said before dashing back towards the stairs.
"Rogue, if you could just shut the door behi—"
THUNK!
…
"I'm okay!" Gary yelled from somewhere unseen beyond the shut door.
Mei nodded. "He hasn't failed…he just found another way not to do it."
"Edison." Beast responded almost as a reflex.
"Bastardized version," Mei said with a nod. "but yes, Edison."
"Why is he here?" Rogue asked, walking further into the room. "And the other guy, Kevin… And all the others."
"Their stories are theirs, and personal to them." Mei said, her arms crossing comfortably across her stomach. "Suffice to say, you started something special."
Rogue blinked. "I did?"
Mei smiled. "Before taking you in, I had very little to do with anyone who wasn't already affiliated with my house or my family. But.. after helping you and …well, everything that I lost…" Mei shrugged. "I was helped by someone who owned a house similar to the one I operate now." Mei said with a smile as she gazed up at the ceiling, as if admiring what she'd built. "I realized that was something that I wanted to do…" Her gaze returned to Rogue. "My house stands now as a neutral refuge for those in need."
"You take in mutants, you mean." Beast surmised.
"Not just mutants." Mei corrected. "Gary and Clara here aren't mutants at all." Mei said, motioning to Clara who was blinking rapidly.
"He isn't?" Clara asked, her head tilting to the side as though she were trying to mimic a curious dog's expression.
Mei's gaze slid over to Clara. "No. He isn't."
"But…but he doesn't smell right…" She said, her gaze sloping down her nose as her expression pinched in frustration.
"Clara-Love, the only scents you've managed to sift through are of the human variety, along with myself and my brother." Mei soothed. "Our scents are somewhat unique, considering." Mei smiled brightly. "You have much more to learn."
There was a loud bumbling clatter in the pantry—behind the small door that was on the far wall, farther into the kitchen—followed by an 'ow'. Mei sighed, walking over to the door and opening it
"Really? The pantry?"
"It was the closest dark spot I could find." He grumbled.
"Why are you upside-down?" Clara questioned, peering inside curiously as Gary righted himself.
"Don't judge me." He muttered. He exited the pantry, shutting the door behind him. He was panting just a bit before he began talking to Mei. "Bethany and Leila are talking to this guy who's lookin' for you. Says he needs to see y—"
Mei held up a hand for him to stop talking, her gaze staring away into the wall or empty space. Her pupils dilated, her eyes widened, a brow raising, and the tiny pull of a smirk at her lips certainly worried Beast.
"How interesting."
"That isn't what I'd call him." Gary grumbled. "You want me to play courier, or.."
"No. You stay here. I have this." Mei said firmly. She took a deep breath through her nose, and as she slowly released it her hair seemed to lift as thought there were no gravity to weigh it down. "Bethany. Please bring our guest to the common room. Leila, it is urgent that I speak with you and your sister before sunset today." Her voice had a strange echo-ey tone to it, yet it somehow seemed confined to the space around them. It wasn't echoing off the ceiling or floor, like so much noise bouncing around…it just… reverberated in the air. After the moment passed, a shiver when down Beast's spine. He noticed that it affected Rogue and Nightcrawler as well, but not the other two surrounding Mei. Slowly, as if taking it's time, Mei's hair settled back as it had been before, and her pupils returned to a normal size.
"On their way then?" Gary asked. Mei nodded firmly, and suddenly her tone was more severe.
"They are. Gary, you're at the ready. If anyone resorts to violence, I want you putting them in the darkest oubliette you can find. Clara," Mei turned her head back towards Clara. "I want you behind me. If anything happens, you take to the wind back to Man." He pointed to the X-men. "You three, on your best behavior."
"Who've you got coming to supper, Mei?" Rogue asked growing genuinely concerned.
"I apologize for the urgent dramatics. The price of operating a house based on a foundation of neutrality, I'm afraid." Mei sighed. "Those who come here are allowed three meals and a night to rest their ease while I consider their request. I'm never entirely certain my visitors are straightforward or for that matter that they do not wish to bring this house down around my ears." She smiled tightly. "I like to render the benefit of the doubt to any of my visitors, but I'm not such a fool that I wouldn't prepare for the very worst." She gave Rogue a more relaxed, easy smile. "I'll admit, I've been quite lax in preparing for your visit… moreso for my preexisting trust towards you."
"I'd still like to know who's coming ." Beast said firmly.
"Hold on to your seat, Henry." Mei said with a grin. "I'm going to ask you to keep a firm grip on your skills at diplomacy."
The door knob rattled and turned, then a peach-skinned Bethany lead Mortimer—the Toad—Toynbee into the room. Upon seeing the X-men, Mortimer crouched into a ready stance, and they seemed to crouch in response to his presence. Mei darted between them, she threw her arms out as if to keep them at bay before slamming them together in a great clap. A gush of wind burst forth from the center of her joined hands, nearly knocking the mutants off their feet.
"Manners!" Mei barked on par with a General. "You, Toad." She began, facing Mortimer. "Mind yourself. My house is neutral, and you will remain unharmed as long as you're willing to return the courtesy."
"With them here—"
"If you have any problem keeping with the peace, I'll be more than happy to suck the air from your lungs and leave you gasping at my feet in seconds." Mei countered levelly. Mortimer considered her words, eyeing the X-Men carefully. She turned, looking over her shoulder at the X-men. "It goes without saying that the same passivity is required of you while you are here." She said simply. "Honestly, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Just remember: Diplomat, Southern Hospitality, and WWJD." Beast rolled his eyes but nodded. She turned back to Mortimer. "Mortimer T—"
"I prefer Toad." He grumbled.
"Toad, then. You have something you want, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Then make your request."
Toad eyed the X-men momentarily. "We've come across a boy who's missing his sister. Separated by the government they were. We've been looking for her, to reunite them."
"You can't track her down?" Rogue asked, somehow managing to keep antagonism out of her tone.
"Yea, we found the facility she was supposed to be in…" Toad spat. "What was left of it at least. It was a burnt out ruin by the time we got there."
"This girl has a name?" Mei asked.
Toad was eyeing the X-men again, clearly uncomfortable with discussing details in front of so many strangers and the X-men.
"Scarlet." A pleasant feminine voice commented. "Her name is Scarlet." Toad glared at the girl at the bar.
"So you employ psychics?" He hissed.
"I wouldn't refer to her as a psychic." Mei said. "She's certainly no more psychic than I am." Mei smiled over her shoulder at this new young lady.
The woman was in her late 20's and very slender. Still, something in her air made her seem mature enough, even though she could probably pass as a teenager if she so desired. She had long dark cherry-wood hair that was rolled up in a tiny knot at the back of her head, though it also trailed down past the nape of her neck. He skin was milk-white pale, her face was smooth and high-set – her cheek bones, her forehead, all set high and sweeping into the other features of her face. Her blue-grey eyes seemed almost too bright, weighted down only by their secrets. She wore a dark berry-red shirt under a rich, rusty brown overcoat which was cinched neatly over her chest and waist but flared out past her hips. She stood with gentle poise, moving forward with certainty towards Mei. Dark denim jeans were tucked into knee-high brown boots.
"Mei, it's so good to see you." She murmured
"Anya." Mei said with a nod. "Always a pleasure." She nodded to Toad. "You know who he's talking about?"
Anya nodded. "Indeed. She's at the Militia house right now."
"Militia house?" Beast asked. "You're with Militia?" he asked, surprise evident in his tone.
Anya nodded. "Indeed." She said with a small smile. "The Militia Men rescued the Scarlet Witch from a facility in Boulder, along with three others. They have been at Militia house since then… recuperating."
"You didn't come here for this, Anya." Mei observed.
"Indeed, I did not." She said, reaching out and catching two things that had been hanging on a board by the kitchen wall. They flew out towards her as if beckoned. "I'll take my usual room, at your usual rate, and we can discuss the specifics later."
Mei nodded. "Very well then."
Anya nodded to Toad. "I will speak with Scarlet. Mei will be our go-between to reunite her with her brother."
Toad nodded, seeming baffled by this sudden development. The woman nodded towards the X-Men, and without so much of a sound simply left.
"huh." Gary murmured. "That was weird…" It was interesting to hear that even a denizen of Mei's house found this 'Anya' character out of the ordinary. He looked over at Mei. "By the way, your breasts look amazing today."
Mei closed her eyes, shaking her head.
"What in the—." Beast began.
"Dude.." Toad looked at Gary in shock. "I'm the biggest freak I know, and even I think that was weird."
"He's seen your breasts?" Clara asked Mei, sounding horrified.
"Just once!" Gary countered. "It was an accident… a really really great accident." He scratched the back of his neck, looking pretty guilty. "I, uh… well, I first moved in here by accident, actually. I mean, I was trying to find somewhere to hide, and I kinda barged in on Mei… just as she was getting out of the shower." He shook his head a strong blush settling across his face.
"Just so you know, it's generally better when the girl actually wants the attention." Toad said.
"How would you know?" Rogue asked snidely.
"Rogue." Mei rebuked. "Insults are no substitute for discourse." Oddly enough, Rogue actually looked pouty at Mei's words. Mei took a deep breath through her nose and pointed at Gary. "You, thank you but time and place, Gary. Time and place." She paused, looking Toad up and down. "This Scarlet business isn't really what you've wanted to ask of me."
Toad eyed her, swallowing thickly. "..there's…this girl."
"Ah.. Some of my favorite stories start this way." Mei said with a smile.
"It's not like that." Toad growled. "I mean.." He combed the fingers of his right hand into his hair, rubbing agitatedly at his forehead. "She's a triplet, and she was abducted, but she doesn't know what happened to her siblings. She knows they're alive, but she can't find them…"
Mei's eyes narrowed. "This girl… do her eyes light up?"
Toad's eyes widened just a fraction. "When she's using her abilities, yes." He said with a nod.
"Turquoise."
"Yeah, her eyes are turquoise blue." Toad confirmed hastily. Mei's brow ticked upward just a hitch as she surveyed him.
"Just her eyes?" Mei asked, and that made everyone look a little baffled.
"Uh..yeah…"
Mei smirked. "What's she calling herself?" she asked, turning and walking back towards where Clara was standing.
"… Telissa. Her siblings are Lisa and Anthony."
Mei nodded. "What color is her hair?"
"…brown."
"Good cover." Mei said. It looked as though Toad was about to question her, but she motioned to Bethany. "Bethany, darling, grab the aventurine off the board, and show Toad to a room."
"The hematite is gone.." Bethany said as she eyed the pegboard.
Mei nodded. "Anya will have taken that."
Bethany nodded as well before approaching Toad. "If you'll follow me." Toad nodded dully before following Bethany out of the room. Only once the door closed did Mei relax. She ambled over to one of the stools at the bar and sat herself down.
"It looks like you just got yourself right in the thick of things." Rogue murmured, approaching her from the side.
A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Mei's mouth before she turned to face Rogue and the X-men. "But that isn't a bad thing." She assured. "If Anya is here, it means that Militia is in need of a favor. The Toad's presence brings not only a favor from Magneto, but something personal as well. That's two very powerful houses I'll have in my debt." Mei shrugged. "I'm uncertain how Magneto does business with any of his affiliates… but Militia is very loyal to any who have shown grace to the Militia Men." Mei sighed. "At this point, it won't be about tallying up who's done what any more. We are, what you might call, confidants now." She messaged her temples lightly. "As strong and capable as I am, it is good to have a force that powerful at your back ready to take a swing on your account."
"That sounds an awful lot like politics." Beast observed.
Mei shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I hope one day to have forged connections with Magneto's Brotherhood as strong as those I have to the Militia house." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I'd thought of extending a similar offer to Xavier's… but Xavier is a little…" The X-men could see Mei weighing her words as she spoke. "fickle when it comes to such things."
Rogue and Beast exchanged a look. Beast seemed so unrelenting in his glare even though Rogue looked so uneasy. She swallowed and shifted closer to Mei. "Not everyone at Xavier's is like that." Rogue said softly.
Mei smiled softly with a nod. "Oh, believe me, Rogue. I well understand that Xavier is more than willing to consort with less savory sorts when it suits him." She said, her lips pursing in displeasure. "Still, you and your lot are offered the same deal as the others. I deal in information, because we all know that knowledge is power. If Xavier were to wish to find someone, then he could come or send someone to me to make that request." Mei's face become slack in its seriousness. "I don't trade secrets." Mei's eyes hardened slightly. "There are those who are lost, and wish to remain so."
"So, what you're saying is," Beast began. "If we were looking for someone who we'd lost, or we needing information, you'd give it to us."
"Correct."
"But if the information were something sensitive—"
"Such as Magneto's base of operations, or the location of the Militia house."
"—you would most likely refuse to help."
Mei made a slight face, frowning just a bit. "Not entirely. If what you were seeking were dire, I would not be opposed to bringing your request to either organization."
"Acting as Courier?" Beast questioned.
"Sometimes negations can be achieved," Mei reminded. "and if both sides manage to compromise with causing blood shed… well that is worth some risk."
"Not that it would stop you from invading our home and taking whatever information you wanted." Beast accused.
"That was different. That was for family." Mei snapped.
"I don't believe you." Beast growled levelly.
"I do not require your belief." Mei growled back.
Beast's glare went to Rogue again and stayed there. Rogue looked down. "We should probably be going… we learned what we came here for.." she said in a gloomy tone. Rogue reached down and took Mei's hand in both of hers. In both of her bare hands… "I hope we can still keep in touch." She said, sadness tinting her tone.
Mei stared into Rogue's eyes for what seemed like eternity. Mei rose. "Rogue, honey." She began, her voice straining on the affectionate pet-name. She pulled her hand away from Rogue's grip and placed both of her hands on either side of Rogue's face. "Your powers will not work on me." She said, a sad smile torturing Mei's mouth. Rogue's eyes widened, going glassy as she realized that Mei understood what she'd been trying to do.
"I…I didn't.." Rogue stuttered.
Mei nodded, pulling away to rejoin Gary and Clara who were still standing awkwardly by the pantry door. "You are, of course, welcome to return as long as you abide by the rules of my house." She said sounding weary. "I do hope their association with me will not color Kevin and Bethany's applications to your institute."
"You're sending them both.." Beast began.
"I am not sending anyone anywhere. Both Kevin and Bethany have promising, bright futures. Xavier's is the best place for them to learn the skills they need without being shamed over their genetics. Perhaps you can help Bethany discover her abilities…" Mei said, pausing as she eyed Beast. "She still isn't aware of what it is she can do, and she's terribly worried that she's 'a useless mutant'." Mei spat the last words as if she were sick of hearing them. "As always, Adieu… Parting is such sweet sorrow." She murmured, waving a hand as though she were swatting at the air. Before Hank could work up a question, the world went white, and then they were all standing on a rooftop near their camouflaged helicopter.
So…yeah. I was hoping to shed a bit more light on the very mysterious Mei and her (obviously insidious) café. Don't get me wrong, I wanted a little light, but just enough shading to keep the mystery:) So, what did everyone think of this so far?
I find myself at a bit of a crossroads…and, as any good Supernatural fan will tell you, that is where deals are made. As for where this goes form here… I can check back in with the Brotherhood after Toad's visit to Mei's. I can check back in at the Creed house, because Vivianne's been training like mad to master Air and Kedar's still rapidly developing feelings for her (btws, that totally shocked me. I did not see that coming). Also, there's more that Mei has to offer between the three powers that be (namely, Xavier's, the Brotherhood, and the Militia House). So… yeah.
If there's anything you guys are, like, really into or curious about, please leave me a review and comment on it. I'm very interested in hearing your thoughts, concerns, questions, comments, suggestions, :3 whatever you have, I'm all ears.
And I guess I'll just shut up now :) Peace out.