Sorry for the delay! Been tossing ideas around for a while and editing some old stuff from the New Recruit (man, there were some bad typos there!) but I'm back and ready for action!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my words. Thank you and Enjoy;D

Chapter 37: Break Dance

Well…Tarina 2.0 definitely wasn't wrong.

I've never seen dancing like this. The stage is massive, but then, it has to be. The concert begins with two dancers to start (a young boy with a dorsal fin rising out of the back of his head like a Mohawk, and none other than Tarina's daughter, Shay) but soon escalates into an intricate ring of clever choreography and incredibly fast movement. At first, I watch and clap, like the ignorant tourist, I am when little Shay and the boy with the dorsal fin start off the dance in an adorable little ballet of mirroring hand movement and careful footing. However, my appreciative gasps of awe at the sheer cuteness soon turn into a sharp inhalation of shock when both children suddenly start fighting each other.

I mean literal karate chop, taekwondo, martial arts fighting!

I glance around quickly, panicked, but most others are applauding and looking on like it's no big deal. And I guess it isn't! For, a moment later, Tarina and Aaron enter from opposite sides of the stage and they too engage in the dance-fight. I watch in awe as Tarina takes a run start towards Aaron, who crouches, his large hands poised, and leaps into the air, kicking high. He ducks, narrowly avoiding a round house kick to the face, and is soon forced to leap into the air himself to avoid having his legs swept out from under him as Tarina hits the floor in a wicked break dance that would've knocked me off my feet in a hot second.

More and more people join the fight/dance and I find myself amazed rather than appalled as old and young engage in feats of incredibly agility and skill, all the while, never actually attacking one another. Any impact is made through simple and complex blocking techniques, but never with the exchange of blows. Even so, I can tell that an attack from any of these dancers, particularly from either Aaron or Tarina (hell even little Shay could probably whoop my ass would prove detrimental to anyone's health.

I want in.

In fact, that's exactly what I say as Tarina and her family step off the stage to join me in the stands, and Tarina grins at me, the action pulling the scar on her chin taut, and says, "Be glad to have you! Classes start Monday afternoons, but I have some time in the mornin' to get you caught up, if you're interested."

"Absolutely." I want to get started as soon as possible. One of my biggest handicaps has always been my inability to access my Mutant powers while united with my physical form, leaving me defenseless in an emergency. And even when I am in my astral state, I always run the risk of being unable to concentrate well enough during a fight due to pain or distractions. Not to mention those inhibitor collars making life miserable for Mutants all over. It'll be nice to finally be able to really defend myself without relying on my abilities, luck, or other people to come to my rescue.

The festivities continue on through the night and, with the help of Tarina, I'm introduced to all sorts of interesting characters of many different shapes and sizes and personalities, but mostly, I just stick by Tarina. Aaron often leaves with Shay to explore, which leaves Tarina and I time to talk and catch up. She tells me about who she was before she was abducted by Magneto and the early Brotherhood of Mutants, and what her life was like before she even realized she was a Mutant. She was able to sense people coming her way even if she couldn't see them. She describes it to me as the faint ringing of a time bell in the back of her mind followed by a random image of that person. Sometimes she just knows what those people's abilities are just by looking at or sensing them. Like she's known them all her life and only just remembered.

Her home life was no more glamorous than mine. She, like myself, came from a family of middle class Metaphobes (Mutant Haters, as I am told); only, after being set free of Stryker's Island, she actually returned home. However, the welcome wagon was sparing. Her parents didn't want a Mutant for a daughter and, after many painful weeks of living under their disapproving stares, she left to find a new home.

Tarina began teaching a regular dance class for a job until she was able to afford her own home and then began taking martial arts classes as well. She said that she did this, not only to learn to protect herself, but because of the lasting effects of Stryker's experimentation back on the Island. "I was lookin' awfully weak, an' I knew if I didn't do somethin' I'd probably blow right over!" She tells me and I shift uncomfortably.

I know the feeling.

I still feel weak after those seventeen years as an invalid in Sinister's lab, and nothing seems to feel (or fit) right anymore. I move awkwardly and every now and then I get these random aches and pains that sometimes making it difficult, if not impossible, to walk. I need this, I realize.

"Anywhoo," Tarina continues to tell me. "I was doin' alright for myself fer awhile with this here dance class and, after a while, I started incorporating dancing with fighting."

"Wait," I interject, shocked. "You mean, you created dance-fighting?!"

"Well," She thinks on this ponderously. "I mostly took different types of fighting styles and put 'em to a rhythm but…yeah, I guess I did!" Tarina sits back, seeming quite impressed with herself. "Not bad, huh?"

"Not bad at all. Now…what's the story with Genosha?" I ask somewhat cautiously. I haven't seen Erik all night, but I knoew better than to trust him. To my surprise, Tarina laughs, her nose crinkling under her make up, and says, "Good to see you still got your wits about you!" She sighs and asks, "So I take it Erik hasn't got you convinced either?"

I shake my head, "I don't trust him. It seems like this place is just a ploy to get at the Humans. I know Erik. Or at least," I add uncertainly. "I used to…I don't think he's given up on eliminating the Humans just yet."

Tarina leans forward, a look of sudden, alarming urgency in her brown eyes, and I lean forward as well to listen, but her voice comes through telepathically rather than verbally, "' You're right. Something's going on 'round here. Somethin' bad. Been hearing rumors about Mutants going missing; secret missions where Magneto'll be gone for days, weeks, at a time. More guards, more security, more speeches. Everywhere ya go, someone's preachin' about the Human Threat.' " Tarina's eyes narrow as I hang on her every word. " 'D'you understand what I'm saying?' "

" 'He's recruiting.' " I realize with a shock. I curse aloud, then say telepathically, " 'He's started recruiting a Mutant army.' "

Tarina sits back, impressed. " 'In secret, of course. But you'll find out fer yourself soon enough.' "

" 'What do you mean?' "

" 'Erik's always lookin' for new recruits. Been workin' on you fer how many years? And now he's got you living in his cozy little cottage by the ocean, ain't he?"

" 'How did you—?' "

" 'Lucky guess.' " She explains vaguely, but when I glare at her, not accepting this answer, she sighs and says, " 'Ain't nobody lived there and you came from the east side of the Island near the beach. C'mon!' "

Accepting this, I nod and listen intently as she leans forward once more and says, "Listen, Nightshade," Says Tarina aloud, meeting my eye dead on. I've never seen her face so grim, so set with determination, before. There are still traces of the old Tarina but this is a whole other woman sitting before me. Her tone drops to a low whisper, giving me the impression we might be watched as we speak, and I lean forward to listen as she says, "We need your help. Magnus is going to try and recruit you again. He thinks he has the upper hand and worse, he already has leverage against you. But this may prove to work in our favor." Our? I can't help but wonder, but nod and hold my silence as she continues to say, "We need someone on the inside, someone to get close to Magnus somehow."

I think on this a moment, then ask the obvious question, "Why me?" To elaborate further, I say, "I mean, how do you know you can trust me?" For all she knows, I could be behind Erik 100% and she's dishing some seriously incriminating slander.

But Tarina only smirks knowingly, giving her head a slow shake so her curly, dirty-blonde hair sways about her collar. Then she looks up, meeting my eye with such intensity, I feel a shiver send goose bumps up and down my arms as she says, "I would trust you with my daughter's life, Elizabeth. You never gave up on me back on that Island. You have no idea…" Her words trail off as she absently draws a finger across that mysterious scar on her chin. Then she lets out a half-hearted laugh and says, "And besides, I can sense emotions, 'member? Animosity is ma' specialty! You'd do well to remember that."

I laugh with her and say, "I'll—take that under advisement."

The party (gala, shindig, whatever it is) ends later on that night and, after parting ways with Tarina, Aaron, and little Shay, I am escorted back to my new house by the sea by a striking woman with feathers sprouting from her head, arms, shoulders, back and probably everywhere else that I can't see. Her bright green eyes that remind me of Tabitha seem on high alert and her head turns sharply from side to side, as though looking for something in the darkness. Feeling I should say something, I murmur, "Thank you for walking me. You really didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did." Is her clipped reply. When she says nothing else, I ask, "Anything I should be worried about?"

"No." But when the breaze rustles a pile of leaves nearby, the bird-woman crouches, drawing me back before finally realizing what it is and allowing us to continue on. That didn't seem like nothing to me.

"Are you—"

"Yes, I am sure, my lady." She snaps, quickening her pace to where I have to rush my own to keep up with her. How odd. My lady? Is that what Magneto requires his guards to call Genoshans? How old-fashioned of him! "Magneto gave me strict orders to see you home safely and that is what I intend to do."

Magneto arranged this? Tarina is right. He really is trying to recruit me again. "How very kind of him." I mutter under my breath, ignoring the disdainful look I get from Polly the Giant Fucking Parrot over here, and feel relieved when I see my little house drawing nearer in the distance. I get to my door and turn to thank the woman, obligatorily, but before I get the chance, she opens her arms, revealing a set of hidden wings hiding in the folds of her shawl, and takes to the air without a second glance. "Thanks." I mutter to myself.

At a loss, I go inside, lay down on the luxurious couch beside the dormant fireplace and, moments later, fall into a deep sleep.

I. Hate. This class.

But I love this class.

But I hate it.

But I love it.

I don't know what to think anymore. The fighting part, I can absolutely get behind. The intricate moves and countermoves, blocking, pivoting, and striking are, while challenging, at least somewhat doable, but incorporating dancing into the equation?

Hell no!

Tarina, going easy on me, moves too fast for me to react and each time I think I'm starting to get a feel for the movements, she switches her footing, or throws an unexpected punch and I end up tripping myself up. I know it's only my first day and so I'm trying not to get too frustrated. The dance, known as the Deadlocke Tango, is dramatic and flowing at times, and accentuated and fast paced at others. There are times where it mirrors a slow dance one might see in Japan, while other times, a deadly tango wrestles its way into the fight.

"Ah-ah!" Tarina corrects as I go to take my stance. "Arms."

"Right!" I keep forgetting about the arm-thing. It's really used mostly for show, but when a Deadlocke Dancer takes his or her place at the beginning of the dance, that person will hold out their hand, palm up, and cross arms with their opponent/partner. This is called, "Nane." It's a sign of trust and a mutual respect for the other dancer. That and it just looks cool for the audience.

I hold out my arm, bracing my other arm at my side in a locked form, and Tarina meets me in the middle, our forearms touching. This forces contact between the dancers and forces them to look one another in the eye before beginning the dance. It's custom to hold your opponents' gaze for three rotations (meaning we spin in a slow, tight circle) before breaking Nane and diving straight into the choreography. And even after the standard three rotations, I'm still not prepared when Tarina takes a swing at me.

I stagger back to avoid her and immediately fall out of rhythm with her. Luckily, the beat of the song, playing loudly through an impossibly tiny speaker, helps me find my footing once again, and this time, when she comes at me, I adjust my footing appropriately and find myself locked in her cadence once more. We follow each other in a loose circle, pivoting clockwise, then counter clockwise, then counter clockwise again, all the while exchanging and blocking blows.

The song ends with Tarina and I returned to Nane, and I straighten up, positively brimming with excitement. I lasted until the end of the song! That's never happened before! But before I can voice my elation, a round of applause echoes through the dance studio, slow and ponderous, and Tarina and I both turn to find ourselves in the presence of Magneto himself.

"Mr. Lehnsherr," Tarina greets him nonchalantly as he sees himself in without first removing his boots, like Tarina bade me do the moment I stepped onto the polished wooden floor. Apparently the rubber from shoes scuffs the wood. "To what do we owe the honor?"

"Actually, I was hoping to speak with Ms. Hawthorne," Is Erik's smooth reply, his deep blue eyes finding me. "If you wouldn't mind me snatching up your pupil?"

I look to Tarina for confirmation and she nods, "Lesson was over anyway." Tarina turns to me, saying sternly. "Work on yer footing at home or whenever you can. Yer getting' better but you need a little work."

"Thank you," I call after her as she starts packing up her things. "I will!"

I turn to Erik, a little peeved by his interruption but do my best not to show it as I follow him out of the dance studio and down the hall leading to the lounge. "You make a fine Deadlocke, Nightshade." Comments Magnus casually, walking at an unusually leisurely pace and I find I have to slow my roll to keep from passing him. "What made you decide to take up the art of dance?"

"Well, it is a beautiful dance…" I reply, itching to know what it is he wants. "You, ah, you had something you wanted to speak to me about?"

Erik scoffs lightly but makes no comment on my subject change and instead replies, "I'm afraid I have a favor to ask of you, my dear."

There it is. He's going for it! Just like Tarina said.

I instantly feel myself begin to seethe with anger, remembering all too well the lengths Erik will go to secure a powerful Mutant to his ranks and I have to remind myself to play ignorant as he continues to say, "I must confess, all is not entirely well here in Genosha." This catches me off guard. He's admitting to weakness? That's not Erik at all. "I have received intelligence that a malevolent group of Mutants are plotting to invade Genosha. Of course, these are mere speculations; hearsay, if you will. But nevertheless, I am in need of trustworthy individuals that I can rely on to protect my family should an attack by the Humans come to pass."

Bam, bam, bam! That's a lot to hit me with in one sitting! What am I supposed to say to that?!

"I—I don't," I sputter, trying to make sense of what he's asking me. "What is it, exactly, that you want me to do?"

Erik stops walking and I stop just a ways ahead of him. Serious lines form in his aged face and his eyes take a dark look as he says in all sincerity. "I want you to personally guard my daughter, Lorna. Myself and Wanda will be away as of tomorrow and, in the event that these rumors are true, I feel that I can trust you with her care."

"What about your guards?" I ask skeptically, then scold myself, remembering Tarina's instructions to get close to Magnus. How much closer could monitoring his daughter get? Eriks' gaze softens slightly and he steps closer, saying in his best, concerned father's voice, "You are the only one I can count on to keep her safe, Nightshade. I know you. You care more for others than you do yourself and you are stronger than you know." Mistaking my skeptical stare for stunned silence, Erik asks with a smile, "Do I have your word that you will protect my daughter with your life, Ms. Hawthorne?"

I purse my lips, pretending to think about this for an appropriate amount of time, before finally consenting, "Yes." I relent before adding with a hint of conviction, "I will guard her with my life."

What is he playing at? What is his game? I only hope those rumors prove to be just that. I think to myself with growing unease.

For your sake and for hers.

I love Magneto. He's such a bastard but that just makes him all the more endearing, don't you think? Let me know in the review section and, as always, thanks for reading and thanks for the feedback! Until next time...

~THESCRIBE! ;D