Chapter 18
Kurt glanced around the hallway with a sinking feeling. The bell signaling the start of class had rang several minutes ago, but no one was moving. Added to that, the teachers had come in the hall to see what was going on, only to gape in amazement at the sight of Kurt in his true form.
All around the hall the whispered comments continued, some of them getting downright vulgar.
"Is that fur he's covered in?"
"Like, it's that freaky German exchange student that stays at Xavier's. I always wondered why there was no news footage of him."
"He's got fangs I saw them!"
"Cool. He's got Vulcan ears."
"It's got a tail."
Kurt winced at the sound of being called 'it' and jerked his tail away before one of the students in question could grab it. It was a concept that no one else would understand since they didn't have a tail, but having one pulled really hurt.
Kitty and Rogue were looking at Kurt with a mixture of sympathy and shock. Even they still couldn't comprehend what had happened. Although, Kurt's image inducer had been accidentally turned off at school once before. But that had been in front of only one student and Jean had been able to erase the guy's memory of what happened.
That wouldn't be happening this time. There was no Jean of Professor to alter their memories of what happened.
Principal Kelly, who had so far just stood saying nothing, was suddenly knocked out of his temporary shock at the student's comments.
"So," he sneered at Kurt, "you're the Bayville demon we've all been seeing on the news."
"Nein," Kurt said weakly, taking a step away from Principal Kelly. He'd heard the word before so many times. Demon. And it hurt just as much now as it did the first time.
Rogue also recovered from her shock about that time. "What call do you have to call him a demon?! You don't even know him! You've never even tried!"
Principal Kelly didn't even look at Rogue as he spoke. "You're already in trouble for being late, I suggest you don't say anything." The Principal continued to glare at Kurt and finally opened his mouth to speak, and he was practically hissing at Kurt.
"I've put up with a lot from the Xavier Institute. The other students have put up with a lot," Kelly narrowed his eyes before he continued, "but sending this ... this thing here is the last straw!"
Kurt closed his eyes at the Principal's words as he heard Kitty and Rogue gasp while the majority of the hall seemed to be cheering their Principal on. It took everything in his power to keep from either bolting or bursting into tears.
'Why now?! Why did he have to get exposed now?! Didn't he have enough to deal with? Is asking to live in peace too much?'
"Don't worry Principal Kelly, we'll get rid of him."
Kurt snapped out of it as he heard some people surrounding him. As he opened his eyes and cautiously glanced around. It was a couple of the football players.
And they all suddenly lunged at him.
"NO!" Kitty screamed while Rogue and Tabitha, who had come running from down the hall, both rushed forward.
Kurt didn't even hesitate. He could never go back to school after this incident and using his powers was the only way he was going to get out of there.
Within in the blink of an eye, Kurt had bamfed away from his previous spot and three football players were lying in a pile where he had just been standing.
With a snarl, Principal Kelly turned on his heel and strode into the office. "Connie, get me the number of the Xavier Institute! This has gone far enough!"
Kitty, Rogue, and Tabitha didn't waste any time sticking around after the Principal left. They ran down the hall trying to ignore the heated conversations about what just happened while at the same time trying to ignore the glares they were getting.
"We have to find a pay phone," Rogue said, "make sure Kurt teleported back to the Institute."
"Yeah. Blue's already had two attempts on his life ... he doesn't need a third," Tabitha said in agreement with Rogue.
Kitty, in the meantime, shook her head sadly. "This is so not what Kurt needed right now."
"Wow girl we're sorry we even told you to ask him out."
"How did you not notice he had fur?"
Rogue, Kitty, and Tabitha all stopped in their tracks and looked to the side at the scene they had inadvertently strode into.
Amanda being confronted by a couple of her friends.
"I actually knew before I even asked him to the dance," Amanda admitted closing her locker and turning to look at her friends.
Her friends gaped at her. "You knew! And you still went out with that freak!"
Rogue, Kitty, and Tabitha all stepped up behind Amanda while Amara, Bobby, Sam, and Ray (who had all come from around the corner) stepped up behind the friends.
"Considering who ya'll are saying that in front of, you wanna rephrase that?" Rogue said as she leaned against a locker with a threatening look on her face.
The two girls gulped and turned around only to find themselves facing more mutants. They then forced their way away from the lockers and bolted down the hall. Bobby, Sam, and Ray were laughing the entire time.
Amanda turned shyly to the girls behind her. "Thanks."
They all nodded absent-mindedly as Tabitha reminded them that they should probably find a phone and make sure Kurt had ended up at the Institute.
"Yeah, because we're all probably in trouble today whether we show up late for class or not," Bobby pointed out as they all ran down the hall.
However, Kitty hung back a little because Amanda was looking at her a little strangely. Being around Kurt's old girlfriend felt really weird for some reason.
"You'll take care of him won't you?"
Kitty jerked her head up at Amanda's voice. "What?"
"Kurt. You'll take care of him, right? I don't what's going on at the Institute, but I know he'll need you Kitty," Amanda answered.
Kitty looked at the other girl in surprise. There was no malice or insincerity in Amanda's gaze. Only complete honestly. And Kitty realized with a start exactly what Amanda was subtly telling her.
Kitty smiled back at Amanda. "You'll never have to worry about Kurt. I won't let anything happen to him."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile back at the Institute, Kurt suddenly appeared at the front foyer with a loud BAMF. It had taken three separate teleports to get himself back to the Institute and the action had nearly drained him of energy.
"Elf! What are you doing back here?" Logan said as he entered the foyer.
Kurt didn't answer and started swaying on his feet. With a sinking feeling, Logan realized that his image inducer was turned off and he'd returned from school in a rush.
"Ich bin müde," Kurt mumbled as his knees buckled and he sank to the floor in the foyer in complete exhaustion.
Logan ran up to Kurt and gingerly picked him off the floor. He didn't seem to be hurt in any way, just plain exhausted. The Elf was already fast asleep.
*He'd tried to too much teleporting too fast and his system was already exhausted. Why don't you take him upstairs Logan?*
Logan turned his head as the Professor entered the foyer. "Why did Elf rush out of school so fast?" Logan asked, nodding to the limp body in his arms.
The Professor sighed. "I was able to scan his mind ... apparently Principal Kelly accidentally turned off his image inducer when he grabbed Kurt by the wrist."
Logan growled. "What was he doing grabbing Elf by the wrist anyway Chuck?"
"I intend to ask him that Logan. I didn't just scan Kurt's mind. I received a phone call a few minutes ago from Principal Kelly himself. He'll be coming later this afternoon before Kurt's parents arrive," the Professor explained.
Logan looked up at the Professor. "Who's picking up Elf's folks?"
"Jean agreed to pick them up since she had some late classes and would be in town anyway," the Professor said. He then paused and seemed to be considering something very important.
"Take Kurt upstairs to his room Logan. He's going to need his rest. I have a feeling this meeting with Principal Kelly isn't going to go well."
Logan paused with one foot on the first stair. "What do you mean?"
"I have a feeling Principal Kelly is going to ask Kurt to be removed from school," the Professor said.
Logan growled. "Can he actually do that?"
The Professor closed his eyes as if he was in pain before speaking to Logan. "I was actually beginning to wonder if having him home schooled for the rest of the year wouldn't have been the best option anyway. He's incredibly stressed out, has already had two attempts on his life, and even if he was allowed back in school he doesn't need the harassment he'll most certainly get. The constant stress isn't good for either him or the baby."
Logan calmed down at the Professor's explanation and headed towards the stairs with a forlorn expression. "I hear ya Chuck. But that doesn't change the fact that this situation is completely unfair to Kurt."
The Professor nodded gravelly. "Nothing about Kurt's life has been fair Logan."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"He's a danger to the students and faculty! You can't actually expect me to keep that 'thing' in my school?!"
Principal Kelly had shown up sooner than expected. He'd barged onto the grounds during lunch hour and had demanded to see Charles Xavier.
Logan growled at Principal Kelly while the Professor fixed him with a stern glance. "Mr. Kelly, you will refrain from calling Kurt 'thing' in front of me. You may be the Principal of Bayville High, but this is my property."
Kelly bristled under the reprimand, but didn't back down from his position. "Okay, Mr. Wagner is a danger. I can't allow him back into the school."
"Did he actually attack anyone?" Logan growled from the corner. "Nein. I didn't."
All three adults turned to see Kurt standing in the doorway to the Professor's office glaring daggers at Principal Kelly. The Professor and Logan had thought he was still asleep in his room.
"In fact, he vas the one who grabbed me by the wrist," Kurt added.
The Principal had backed up a step when Kurt had entered the room. Even after seeing Kurt in his true form mere hours ago, the sight still seemed to repulse him.
"It doesn't matter what he says. He's still a ... a..."
"Freak. Mutant. Demon. Monster," Kurt suggested for the stuttering Principal. There was anger in his voice as he said each one.
"Kurt ...," the Professor began, but Kurt didn't give him a chance to say anything else.
"Nein Professor. Let him have his say," Kurt started as he walked into the room. "I mean, it's not like I haven't heard it all before. All from people who all thought I was something to be despised and treated like I was nothing just because they couldn't see anything beyond what their eyes tell them!"
Principal Kelly seemed to get his speech back at those words. "Know wait just a minute ..."
"Nein! You wait just a minute. Everyone at zhis Institute has been harassed and persecuted at their school just because we're mutants. Do you have any idea how much there is to deal with in having these powers? Do you really think this is fun all zhe time? Do you think it doesn't hurt each and every time I'm called a demon or a monster? We may be mutants, but we're still human beings. We have just as many feelings as you. Just like each and every other student at Bayville we have cares and worries. But at least before we were exposed as mutants we could count on the faculty to help us with the harassment. You're the Principal! You should be looking out for all of your students! Du bist das Monster, nicht mich!"
Principal Kelly had stepped back with a pale look on his face. Kurt had shouted out his last statement, but it had lost some of it's fire given the fact that he'd had tears running down his face as he spoke.
"Kurt!" the Professor said sharply to get his attention. The last thing he wanted was for Kurt to get himself incredibly worked up. "That will be enough."
"Don't worry Professor. I've said all I have to say," Kurt said as he sadly turned around and walked out the door. "I'll be perfectly happy to have home schooling right here."
The Professor sighed and placed a hand over his forehead.
*This did not go well Charles. Want me to go check on Elf?*
*No. Give him some time to compose himself. He's in a very emotional state right now. But if you would be so kind as to escort our 'guest' out of here.*
Logan walked towards the door and gestured with his hand for Principal Kelly to follow him. "Let's go bub. This meeting is over."
Principal Kelly quietly followed Logan out of the mansion and towards his car. He seemed to be in a daze the whole time, but that because he was completely shaken by what he had just witnessed. As Kurt had been shouting out his speech, he'd started to cry silently without even realizing it and for the first time since this whole mess had started ... Kelly hadn't looked at a mutant as a mutant.
For one brief moment, Kelly had only managed to see a very frightened and upset teenage boy. Kurt had seemed almost ... human.
That thought scared Kelly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well that's it for this update. In the next chapter I bring in Kurt's foster parents. Anyone have any ideas for some German sounding names I could use?
Oh well. I hope everyone likes this.
And no, I'm not going to have Kelly do a complete 180 towards mutants. I just wanted to give him the start of an idea that mutants are people too.
The German:
Ich bin müde I'm tired
Du bist das Monster, nicht mich. You're the monster, not me. (A/N: I used the du instead of the sie form, because I think with how angry Kurt was he wouldn't be too big on formality.)
To the reviewers:
Ultrabrattan: I like the fact that you're a comedian. Azazel I only read about in one comic and I'm not sure how I would write him. Shrug. I'm just making this up as I go anyway.
Raskolian Phoenix: You are so correct in what you're saying. However, I plan on Kurt's foster parents being a positive thing for Kurt. He'll have an easier time if he had their complete support.
me: If you're actually still reading this ... my story is a Kurtty. And I plan on writing some sequels to this story. I really hate Lancitty stories. Lance kind of annoys me.
Scrawler: Thanks for the support. Since Kurt is graduating that year he only had to be home schooled for about another two months. So, it's not that bad. I guess. Oh well. Keep reading. I like the support.
Weirdlet: Yeah! The purring is back! It's like I have my own fuzzy blue elf for a reviewer. hee hee.
And to everyone else, keep reviewing. If I missed some questions I'm sorry, but I got this done fairly late at night.
And ~C~ you're still insane, but I like that.
~Ice~
Kurt glanced around the hallway with a sinking feeling. The bell signaling the start of class had rang several minutes ago, but no one was moving. Added to that, the teachers had come in the hall to see what was going on, only to gape in amazement at the sight of Kurt in his true form.
All around the hall the whispered comments continued, some of them getting downright vulgar.
"Is that fur he's covered in?"
"Like, it's that freaky German exchange student that stays at Xavier's. I always wondered why there was no news footage of him."
"He's got fangs I saw them!"
"Cool. He's got Vulcan ears."
"It's got a tail."
Kurt winced at the sound of being called 'it' and jerked his tail away before one of the students in question could grab it. It was a concept that no one else would understand since they didn't have a tail, but having one pulled really hurt.
Kitty and Rogue were looking at Kurt with a mixture of sympathy and shock. Even they still couldn't comprehend what had happened. Although, Kurt's image inducer had been accidentally turned off at school once before. But that had been in front of only one student and Jean had been able to erase the guy's memory of what happened.
That wouldn't be happening this time. There was no Jean of Professor to alter their memories of what happened.
Principal Kelly, who had so far just stood saying nothing, was suddenly knocked out of his temporary shock at the student's comments.
"So," he sneered at Kurt, "you're the Bayville demon we've all been seeing on the news."
"Nein," Kurt said weakly, taking a step away from Principal Kelly. He'd heard the word before so many times. Demon. And it hurt just as much now as it did the first time.
Rogue also recovered from her shock about that time. "What call do you have to call him a demon?! You don't even know him! You've never even tried!"
Principal Kelly didn't even look at Rogue as he spoke. "You're already in trouble for being late, I suggest you don't say anything." The Principal continued to glare at Kurt and finally opened his mouth to speak, and he was practically hissing at Kurt.
"I've put up with a lot from the Xavier Institute. The other students have put up with a lot," Kelly narrowed his eyes before he continued, "but sending this ... this thing here is the last straw!"
Kurt closed his eyes at the Principal's words as he heard Kitty and Rogue gasp while the majority of the hall seemed to be cheering their Principal on. It took everything in his power to keep from either bolting or bursting into tears.
'Why now?! Why did he have to get exposed now?! Didn't he have enough to deal with? Is asking to live in peace too much?'
"Don't worry Principal Kelly, we'll get rid of him."
Kurt snapped out of it as he heard some people surrounding him. As he opened his eyes and cautiously glanced around. It was a couple of the football players.
And they all suddenly lunged at him.
"NO!" Kitty screamed while Rogue and Tabitha, who had come running from down the hall, both rushed forward.
Kurt didn't even hesitate. He could never go back to school after this incident and using his powers was the only way he was going to get out of there.
Within in the blink of an eye, Kurt had bamfed away from his previous spot and three football players were lying in a pile where he had just been standing.
With a snarl, Principal Kelly turned on his heel and strode into the office. "Connie, get me the number of the Xavier Institute! This has gone far enough!"
Kitty, Rogue, and Tabitha didn't waste any time sticking around after the Principal left. They ran down the hall trying to ignore the heated conversations about what just happened while at the same time trying to ignore the glares they were getting.
"We have to find a pay phone," Rogue said, "make sure Kurt teleported back to the Institute."
"Yeah. Blue's already had two attempts on his life ... he doesn't need a third," Tabitha said in agreement with Rogue.
Kitty, in the meantime, shook her head sadly. "This is so not what Kurt needed right now."
"Wow girl we're sorry we even told you to ask him out."
"How did you not notice he had fur?"
Rogue, Kitty, and Tabitha all stopped in their tracks and looked to the side at the scene they had inadvertently strode into.
Amanda being confronted by a couple of her friends.
"I actually knew before I even asked him to the dance," Amanda admitted closing her locker and turning to look at her friends.
Her friends gaped at her. "You knew! And you still went out with that freak!"
Rogue, Kitty, and Tabitha all stepped up behind Amanda while Amara, Bobby, Sam, and Ray (who had all come from around the corner) stepped up behind the friends.
"Considering who ya'll are saying that in front of, you wanna rephrase that?" Rogue said as she leaned against a locker with a threatening look on her face.
The two girls gulped and turned around only to find themselves facing more mutants. They then forced their way away from the lockers and bolted down the hall. Bobby, Sam, and Ray were laughing the entire time.
Amanda turned shyly to the girls behind her. "Thanks."
They all nodded absent-mindedly as Tabitha reminded them that they should probably find a phone and make sure Kurt had ended up at the Institute.
"Yeah, because we're all probably in trouble today whether we show up late for class or not," Bobby pointed out as they all ran down the hall.
However, Kitty hung back a little because Amanda was looking at her a little strangely. Being around Kurt's old girlfriend felt really weird for some reason.
"You'll take care of him won't you?"
Kitty jerked her head up at Amanda's voice. "What?"
"Kurt. You'll take care of him, right? I don't what's going on at the Institute, but I know he'll need you Kitty," Amanda answered.
Kitty looked at the other girl in surprise. There was no malice or insincerity in Amanda's gaze. Only complete honestly. And Kitty realized with a start exactly what Amanda was subtly telling her.
Kitty smiled back at Amanda. "You'll never have to worry about Kurt. I won't let anything happen to him."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile back at the Institute, Kurt suddenly appeared at the front foyer with a loud BAMF. It had taken three separate teleports to get himself back to the Institute and the action had nearly drained him of energy.
"Elf! What are you doing back here?" Logan said as he entered the foyer.
Kurt didn't answer and started swaying on his feet. With a sinking feeling, Logan realized that his image inducer was turned off and he'd returned from school in a rush.
"Ich bin müde," Kurt mumbled as his knees buckled and he sank to the floor in the foyer in complete exhaustion.
Logan ran up to Kurt and gingerly picked him off the floor. He didn't seem to be hurt in any way, just plain exhausted. The Elf was already fast asleep.
*He'd tried to too much teleporting too fast and his system was already exhausted. Why don't you take him upstairs Logan?*
Logan turned his head as the Professor entered the foyer. "Why did Elf rush out of school so fast?" Logan asked, nodding to the limp body in his arms.
The Professor sighed. "I was able to scan his mind ... apparently Principal Kelly accidentally turned off his image inducer when he grabbed Kurt by the wrist."
Logan growled. "What was he doing grabbing Elf by the wrist anyway Chuck?"
"I intend to ask him that Logan. I didn't just scan Kurt's mind. I received a phone call a few minutes ago from Principal Kelly himself. He'll be coming later this afternoon before Kurt's parents arrive," the Professor explained.
Logan looked up at the Professor. "Who's picking up Elf's folks?"
"Jean agreed to pick them up since she had some late classes and would be in town anyway," the Professor said. He then paused and seemed to be considering something very important.
"Take Kurt upstairs to his room Logan. He's going to need his rest. I have a feeling this meeting with Principal Kelly isn't going to go well."
Logan paused with one foot on the first stair. "What do you mean?"
"I have a feeling Principal Kelly is going to ask Kurt to be removed from school," the Professor said.
Logan growled. "Can he actually do that?"
The Professor closed his eyes as if he was in pain before speaking to Logan. "I was actually beginning to wonder if having him home schooled for the rest of the year wouldn't have been the best option anyway. He's incredibly stressed out, has already had two attempts on his life, and even if he was allowed back in school he doesn't need the harassment he'll most certainly get. The constant stress isn't good for either him or the baby."
Logan calmed down at the Professor's explanation and headed towards the stairs with a forlorn expression. "I hear ya Chuck. But that doesn't change the fact that this situation is completely unfair to Kurt."
The Professor nodded gravelly. "Nothing about Kurt's life has been fair Logan."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"He's a danger to the students and faculty! You can't actually expect me to keep that 'thing' in my school?!"
Principal Kelly had shown up sooner than expected. He'd barged onto the grounds during lunch hour and had demanded to see Charles Xavier.
Logan growled at Principal Kelly while the Professor fixed him with a stern glance. "Mr. Kelly, you will refrain from calling Kurt 'thing' in front of me. You may be the Principal of Bayville High, but this is my property."
Kelly bristled under the reprimand, but didn't back down from his position. "Okay, Mr. Wagner is a danger. I can't allow him back into the school."
"Did he actually attack anyone?" Logan growled from the corner. "Nein. I didn't."
All three adults turned to see Kurt standing in the doorway to the Professor's office glaring daggers at Principal Kelly. The Professor and Logan had thought he was still asleep in his room.
"In fact, he vas the one who grabbed me by the wrist," Kurt added.
The Principal had backed up a step when Kurt had entered the room. Even after seeing Kurt in his true form mere hours ago, the sight still seemed to repulse him.
"It doesn't matter what he says. He's still a ... a..."
"Freak. Mutant. Demon. Monster," Kurt suggested for the stuttering Principal. There was anger in his voice as he said each one.
"Kurt ...," the Professor began, but Kurt didn't give him a chance to say anything else.
"Nein Professor. Let him have his say," Kurt started as he walked into the room. "I mean, it's not like I haven't heard it all before. All from people who all thought I was something to be despised and treated like I was nothing just because they couldn't see anything beyond what their eyes tell them!"
Principal Kelly seemed to get his speech back at those words. "Know wait just a minute ..."
"Nein! You wait just a minute. Everyone at zhis Institute has been harassed and persecuted at their school just because we're mutants. Do you have any idea how much there is to deal with in having these powers? Do you really think this is fun all zhe time? Do you think it doesn't hurt each and every time I'm called a demon or a monster? We may be mutants, but we're still human beings. We have just as many feelings as you. Just like each and every other student at Bayville we have cares and worries. But at least before we were exposed as mutants we could count on the faculty to help us with the harassment. You're the Principal! You should be looking out for all of your students! Du bist das Monster, nicht mich!"
Principal Kelly had stepped back with a pale look on his face. Kurt had shouted out his last statement, but it had lost some of it's fire given the fact that he'd had tears running down his face as he spoke.
"Kurt!" the Professor said sharply to get his attention. The last thing he wanted was for Kurt to get himself incredibly worked up. "That will be enough."
"Don't worry Professor. I've said all I have to say," Kurt said as he sadly turned around and walked out the door. "I'll be perfectly happy to have home schooling right here."
The Professor sighed and placed a hand over his forehead.
*This did not go well Charles. Want me to go check on Elf?*
*No. Give him some time to compose himself. He's in a very emotional state right now. But if you would be so kind as to escort our 'guest' out of here.*
Logan walked towards the door and gestured with his hand for Principal Kelly to follow him. "Let's go bub. This meeting is over."
Principal Kelly quietly followed Logan out of the mansion and towards his car. He seemed to be in a daze the whole time, but that because he was completely shaken by what he had just witnessed. As Kurt had been shouting out his speech, he'd started to cry silently without even realizing it and for the first time since this whole mess had started ... Kelly hadn't looked at a mutant as a mutant.
For one brief moment, Kelly had only managed to see a very frightened and upset teenage boy. Kurt had seemed almost ... human.
That thought scared Kelly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well that's it for this update. In the next chapter I bring in Kurt's foster parents. Anyone have any ideas for some German sounding names I could use?
Oh well. I hope everyone likes this.
And no, I'm not going to have Kelly do a complete 180 towards mutants. I just wanted to give him the start of an idea that mutants are people too.
The German:
Ich bin müde I'm tired
Du bist das Monster, nicht mich. You're the monster, not me. (A/N: I used the du instead of the sie form, because I think with how angry Kurt was he wouldn't be too big on formality.)
To the reviewers:
Ultrabrattan: I like the fact that you're a comedian. Azazel I only read about in one comic and I'm not sure how I would write him. Shrug. I'm just making this up as I go anyway.
Raskolian Phoenix: You are so correct in what you're saying. However, I plan on Kurt's foster parents being a positive thing for Kurt. He'll have an easier time if he had their complete support.
me: If you're actually still reading this ... my story is a Kurtty. And I plan on writing some sequels to this story. I really hate Lancitty stories. Lance kind of annoys me.
Scrawler: Thanks for the support. Since Kurt is graduating that year he only had to be home schooled for about another two months. So, it's not that bad. I guess. Oh well. Keep reading. I like the support.
Weirdlet: Yeah! The purring is back! It's like I have my own fuzzy blue elf for a reviewer. hee hee.
And to everyone else, keep reviewing. If I missed some questions I'm sorry, but I got this done fairly late at night.
And ~C~ you're still insane, but I like that.
~Ice~