TITLE: Between a Wolf and a Hard Case
AUTHOR: MekJaffa
SYNOPSIS: Minor Spoiler for X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing: Why didn't Illyana recruit Rahne for her new team, the Dark Riders? Inquiring werewolves want to know!
DISCLAIMER: Marvel owns everything. I am making no money off this fic.
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"Hey, Dani," Kate Pryde said as she sat next to Dani Moonstar at the bar on the main bar on Krakoa.
"Kate," Dani said. She was nursing a drink and had a basket of pretzels between them. "Have a drink?"
"No, I'm cutting back. The resurrection protocols don't stop you from gaining weight, and I want to maintain my figure. Thanks anyway. What did Mr. Sinister want?" Kate had seen Sinister talking to Dani at the bar, and in spite of all mutants being welcomed on Krakoa, Kate's history with Sinister had motivated her to come over and look into it after Sinister had left the bar.
"Oh, a little pet project—or pet peeve—of mine," Dani explained. "I asked him to take a crack at the fruit Krakoa grows for ulcers."
Kate made a face. "Doug and Mondo couldn't do anything? It still tastes like something that came out of Sabretooth's ass?"
"Now it tastes like something cherry flavored that came out of Sabretooth's ass."
"Oog. Thank you for the lovely mental image. But you think Sinister can fix it?"
Dani shrugged as she sipped her drink. "Beats me. If he can't, the prof has said he'll reach out to Mr. Fantastic; they do still speak, and we could play it as another gift to the world. Whatever. I don't care as long as it's done. I'm getting desperate."
"You have an ulcer?"
"Not yet. But I think I'm headed for one."
"Why? What's up?"
"Team issues…and personal issues. Y'know, the soapy stuff that gets thrown in."
"Why? What's going on? If you don't mind my asking. It's your team…" Kate trailed off. There was an unwritten rule that team leaders did not stick their noses in another team's business unless it was ok with that team's leader.
"No, it's fine," Dani said. "You know 'Yana has her own team now."
"Yeah," Kate said, "what does she call them, the Dark Riders. So she's left the New Mutants?"
"Not according to the official roster," Dani said, "and she still comes around. Like we could stop her."
"I think it's the coffee. I wish she'd let some of us have it."
"We're trying, Kate. But anyway, 'Yana recruited Wolf Cub for her team."
"So I hear. Seemed to do all right in that Man-Thing kerfuffle. He wouldn't have been my first choice, but it's probably good to give Wolvie a break and not have him have to be rent-a-schnaz for everyone."
"I suppose, but the problem isn't Wolvie or even the nose thing. It's the wolf thing."
"Whaddya mean?"
"You don't see it? You're 'Yana's best friend and you're missing it?"
"Missing what—"
And Rahne Sinclair was at Kate's elbow, on the opposite side from Dani. "Oh, hi, Kate! Listen, I was wondering-" She spotted the pretzels. "Ooh. Sorry, luv, but I am feeling a bit peckish. Would you mind if I had one of your pretzels?"
"Help yourself."
Rahne pulled the basket over and began munching pretzels. "So, Kate, has Illyana told you if she has a problem with anybody?"
"A problem, Rahne?" Kate said. "'Yana? If she has a problem anybody, she doesn't hide it. She goes right for jugular…literally and figuratively. You of all people should know that."
"Oh, aye, aye. We go way back, 'Yana and me. Not as far back as you and she go, but I have known her longer than anyone else on the team."
"Really?"
Rahne nodded. "The night lady Moira rescued me from my father's mob, Illyana was living at the house. We crossed paths."
"I didn't know that," Kate said.
"Most people don't," Rahne said. "Anyway, that new team of hers, the Dark Riders she calls them. What do you make of them?"
"Ok, I guess. They went after Man-Thing and came home alive."
"Oh, aye, aye. And that Wolf Cub lad. What do you make of him?"
Kate finally realized what Dani had been getting at, but she hoped she could hide her reaction from the young werewolf, who even in human form could read the smallest tells.
Kate said, "Fine, I guess. Other than that, you know, team leaders stay out of other teams' business."
"True. But still, why him? I mean if Illyana needed a supernose, there are others with more experience. There's me and Catseye and me and Wolvie and me and X-23-"
"You mentioned yourself three times," Kate interjected.
"I did?" Rahne said. "So I did. But still, did she say anything to you?"
"We don't talk shop. I suppose you could ask her."
"Nah. I don't suppose it's that important." Rahne swallowed the last pretzel. "Oh, I'm sorry, luv! I ate all your pretzels."
"No problem. I'm cutting back."
"Fair enough. Dani, later." Rahne turned and left the bar.
Kate and Dani sat facing straight ahead, towards the bar.
Kate said, "I think I see the problem."
"Mm-hmm," Dani said.
"And she's a walking lie detector."
"Mm-hmm."
"I think I will have that drink."
The bartender brought them both drinks and another basket of pretzels.
Kate sipped her drink, then said, "Ok, Dani, if you don't mind my input…"
"No, please."
"…Ok. I see the problem, and if it were Rahne and anybody else, that could be a big deal. But we're talking 'Yana here, and she's always been…" A grimace: "…yeeee…"
Dani nodded.
"If Illyana has even noticed," Kate went on, "would she even care?"
"What wouldn't I care about?" Illyana said as she sidled up to the bar on the other side of Dani. She spied the pretzels. "Ooh. I could kill for a pretzel. Dani, do you mind?"
"Help yourself," Dani said. "I'm sure the Five don't need more business."
"Spawn of the pit! I was joking." She started munching pretzels. "So, Dani, what's bothering Rahne?"
"What do you mean?" Dani asked.
"I passed her outside and I got a bit of a cold shoulder. She didn't do or say anything outwardly, but I got this chilly energy off her. Any idea what that was about?"
"Well," Dani said carefully, "she asked about that new team of yours. How'd they do?"
"The Dark Riders? They didn't kill anyone I didn't want them to kill, so I consider it a success."
"And Wolf Cub? Any problems with him? Rahne was wondering."
"Professional curiosity, Dani?"
"Well, Y'ana, she did point out that he's a bit green around the gills."
"So were we back in the day, Dani, but that didn't stop us from saving the world."
"That's true, that's true."
"And that was it?" Illyana asked. "Nothing else?"
"Nope," Dani said. "You could always ask her."
Illyana thought it over. "Nah, it's probably not that important anyway." She swallowed her last pretzel. "Oh, sorry, Dani, I ate all your pretzels."
"No problem. Join us for lunch?"
"No, I have to head out. Seems nothing gets done around here without me. Kate, we'll catch up before you leave the island."
Kate nodded and Illyana left.
Kate turned back to facing straight ahead and said, "Question answered."
"Mm-hmm," Dani said.
"And she's another walking lie detector."
"Mm-hmm."
"And they're both on your team."
"Mm-hmm."
"And 'Yana can pull rank as the great captain of Krakoa."
"Mm-hmm. And she's your best friend."
"Mm-hmm. And Rahne is your best friend."
"Mm-hmm."
"The only good news," Kate said, "is that they're not both telepaths."
"Mm-HMM!" Dani affirmed.
The bartender put down more pretzels. Kate and Dani drank and munched pretzels.
Kate said, "You know, Dani, I'm usually either off the island with the Marauders or otherwise busy. But if you could let me know how things go with that ulcer fruit thing, that would be great."
"Kate," Dani said, "if it works out, you'll be the first one I call."
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Nothing to do with the story. I'm just amazed that "Mm-hmm" is in the spell checker.