*Chapter Four: Black*
Black is an empty space
The place in which I desire
To hide within
Dark is a thing to fear where nothings revealed
The depth below I'm falling
~Collide
*****
Charles Xavier stared down below into the courtyard of his mansion.
His safe house; a place that extended its happily awaiting arms to those that were unique, those that were scared, to give them comfort and promise them security within these walls.
For some though, he thought with a certain distinct weariness, security would not be accepted at all.
He scanned his newest recruits, those who had arrived sporadically the other day, settling in with ease. Smiling, he recalled the warm acceptance the others had given to the newcomers.
His children - for he loved them like any self-respecting father would and referred to them privately as his own - were inspirational, and he was pleased to know that he was, in his own way, helping each and every one of them.
Outside, however, was a different matter.
While Xavier was safe in his office with nothing but peaceful tranquility resounding in his ears, on the grounds was a load of ruckus.
Already, the newest members had separated themselves from within the bunch.
A sixteen-year-old boy by the name of Ryan Archer was grinning deviously as he talked to Bobby, glancing over at Sunspot every so often. Ryan, though having been dealt a grueling hand, still exuded energy and playfulness.
Ryan, newly named Lynx, had black, semi-long, punk styled hair that frequently fell into his left eye and was covered by a beanie of some sort. That was all thank to his mutation - he looked like an overgrown cat, if you wanted to put it bluntly, especially with the green cat eyes that now sparkled as apparently the target had moved from Sunspot over to Scott.
Scott was a talking to two giggling girls, one of whom mimicked him whenever he wasn't looking.
The girl on the left was seventeen-year-old Abigail Lesthour, also called Heart Star. She was a cute, energetic girl with long, wavy auburn way that reached past her waist, and large, blue puppy-dog eyes.
Her companion, on the right, was Keely "Numb" Woodrow, who was also seventeen. Keely was the one mimicking him, and she kept glancing over at Ryan and sharing a smirk with him and Bobby. She was probably just as energetic, maybe even more, than Abigail.
The first thing that had happened once she'd arrived was a minute bomb going off, spraying everybody within the vicinity with shaving cream, immediately exclaiming, "It wasn't me!" accompanied by a lop-sided grin.
The youngest newcomer was a Lauren McCann, and just yesterday had been given her new name, Intwine.
She was thirteen, and painfully shy. She was off to the side, leaning against a tree, large light brown eyes scanning the words as she read a book, fiddling with a strand of her dark brown, highlighted green hair, framing her face in waves. Alongside her sat Dainton "Gabriel" Hazard, who was now facing a break down if he didn't have a cigarette soon.
Over with Beserker and Sunspot, was sixteen-year-old Lucca James Bolton now also known as Shatter. Lucca was talking even more animatedly than the others, and laughs could be heard over Scott's lecturing.
Finally, Keely said something and Scott's lips twisted. He nodded as she bounded over towards Ryan, dragging Abigail with her.
Kitty intercepted however, tripping them both, having been tackled by Kurt during a tackle-football game. Chaos ensued.
*****
Over at the Brotherhood House, things were slightly different.
Mystique had brought back two recruits, and so far, things had not been very pretty.
Except 'that', Lance was reunited with a long lost family member.
This happened to be sixteen-year-old Denise Lynn Saylors, also known as Vesuvius. And so far, she had accomplished two things: driving Lance up the wall, and stealing his Jeep even more often than Tabby had.
She looked rather like Lance in some aspects; she had the dark brown hair, except she wore it up, and her eyes, though green, were shaped nearly identically to his, aside from them being more feminine.
The other new mutant, Michael "Ghost" Graves, who was seventeen, had also accomplished two things. Nearly trying to kill (he was quickly subdued, surprisingly, by Neona) Lance and Pietro, and making quick friends with Tabby and Todd.
Neona and Wanda had become good friends, if that's what they wanted to be called, and tried to mainly stick to themselves.
Denise, however, had been able to plan a huge slumber-party for just the girls in Tabby's room (whom she was boarding with) which would take place this weekend.
Todd and Blob had had to move in together also to make room for Michael, as he was adamant in not having to bunk with any of them.
For the most part, they remained separated.
Mystique was gone again, (Todd decided she was finally going to find a guy and elope, then kill him) so all was right in the world of the Bayville Boarding House of Mutants.
*****
Friday.
At last.
For some anyway. For the newest addition to the X-Men team, however, all that meant was Danger Room sessions.
And so far, they weren't looking all that great.
Dainton, sadly, wasn't much help because of his particular mutation, as well as Abigail and Lauren. Ryan, Keely and Lucca weren't working as a team as well as they should, nor were they paying any attention to their surroundings.
Finally, Scott called for an end over the intercom and Wolverine came out, frown lines deepening.
"You new recruits are going to have to learn to work together, or you're all doomed. We're going to pair up. Spunky - you're with Stripes."
Keely grinned sheepishly as she scooted over to where Rogue was; though her eyes continued to sparkle with all the new excitement this place had given her.
"Lynx - Kurt."
"Alright!" Kurt exclaimed, and high fived Ryan, whose cat ears were twitching with anticipation.
"Heart Star, Intwine, you're gonna work with half-pint."
Abigail returned the smile Kitty was giving her, slinking over to where Shadowcat stood, and immediately began to strike up a conversation, though discreetly so as not to have chores after this. Lauren walked over, body rather scrunched up, cracking her fingers nervously.
"Shatter, you'll be with Spyke."
Lucca gave a slight nod in recognition.
"And Dainton," Wolverine frowned, noticing the small shiver run down the younger boy's back, "You'll be working with Scott."
Dainton gave no recognition to the gentle, semi-supportive look Scott gave him.
"Numb, Rogue, Lynx, Nightcrawler, Shatter, and Spyke on one team. Heart Star, Intwine, Shadow Cat, Vaccine and Cyclops on the other. Your goal: To eliminate the other team by means of pinning them to the ground, or making them immobile, for at least two minutes."
Needless to say, the practice with the original X-Men didn't really help. The newest recruits had gotten a bit confused, and a few were too independent for their own good.
By the time it was all said and done, Abigail was shaking uncontrollably and had to be warmed up by Amara, Shadowcat was knocked unconscious, and Vaccine had a couple of claw marks on his stomach.
But no serious injuries, of course.
***
It was midnight.
To each his, or her, own.
Keely had bunked up with Abigail, leaving Lauren to be paired with Kitty.
Abby was sound asleep, while Keely sat on the balcony, her brow knit together tightly. She bit her lip and fiddled with the edges of the gloves she wore, seeing as her hands were always cold thanks to her mutation.
Her sister had called the other day, two days after she'd arrived. Her mother had gotten another job, as well as her oldest brother, Seth.
Frowning, she wondered about Xavier and his promise that in no way would her family be indebted to him.
'Strange,' she had thought, 'He's either absolutely loony-rich or lying.'
Once she'd arrived, she knew the truth.
Completely, unabashedly, truly and utterly loony-rich.
She'd been the first one to arrive, and the first one to be befriended by all, more or less
***
Ryan was restless.
Even with that grueling session today, he still had a buzz of energy around him, keeping him awake.
That among other things.
He flexed his hand in boredom, extending his claws and retracting them every so often so as not to stab himself.
He frowned, glaring at one of the claws
_[nails, outraged yells, a crucifix]_
and growled.
He'd been "rescued" by Storm, having been found wandering around the streets in a half daze, his father's yells still resounding in his ears.
_[he tried to hammer me to the motherfu... I can't believe he... he tried to hammer and nail and hammer... oh my god he tried to... the crucifix above my bed... oh my god!]_
Whimpering in his head, he pulled the blanket tightly around himself and stared into the seemingly unending abyss of darkness beneath the bed.
But not before reaching above him to the desk at his head and flipping on the light.
***
All she'd ever wanted was comfort.
To believe that she was okay.
Lauren sat on her bed, hands folded atop her lap. She glanced at Kitty for fear she'd wake up and catch her.
Catch her?
At what?
She was just sitting there, completely alert to everything around her. To any noise or any movement - she heard and saw all.
The corner of her lip twitched; she fought not to smile. To not laugh at herself for being so paranoid.
He was all the way over in England.
Not the States, but in England.
He wouldn't find her.
Never.
Never ever.
She chanted this in her head until finally her body demanded rest, and all she saw was the black of dreamless sleep.
***
While Lucca was asleep, Dainton was not.
Dainton wasn't in the Xavier Institute.
Instead, he had sneaked out - more like waltzed out, in all honesty - right through the gates and headed downtown.
To the clubs.
And booze.
And, -GOD- did he feel good right now.
There was something wrong about the whole situation, he knew, but he just couldn't help it if being in pain made him feel... alive.
To be kissed so roughly, sometimes bit, and nearly clawed at because the other person needed to hold on so desperately...
There was nothing like it.
Sometimes to be smacked around.
Sometimes worse.
But it was always okay, always.
Because he felt alive.
Besides, who didn't like sex?
-End Chapter Four-
*****
*shrieks* Oh the horrendous-ness of it all!
Flame, flame.
And no lying by telling me it was okay, for it wasn't. It was rushed, the characterization I'm most decidedly sure was off, and-and... blergh.
Love and Peace
-Holly
P.S. The next chapter will focus mainly on the Brotherhood, and from there on, I suppose, it'll probably focus on one character/coupling in each chapter.
REVIEW REPLIES:
Mickey: Dude, I LOVE Trigun. That's my favorite anime right now. I can't get enough of Vash - he's the coolest. Him and Wolfwood. *sigh*
Dead C Junkie: Pairings. F*&@. I wrote them down but I left them at my dad's house... but then again, I'm still waiting for YOU to decide on what's goin' on with Dainton you silly moo.
Emerald Knight1: THANKS! *glomp*
Sphinx: Aww *GLOMP* You are so f-ing sweet, thanks so much for still reviewing! I'm glad you like Neona, and I'm surpised about Tabby. I wasn't really sure if she was IC, but, thanks for the encouragement.
sycommansonboy: Lucca, lucca, lucca. Glad you liked that last chapter, and I'll try to give Lucca a bigger role in the the upcoming chapters (maybe the next one, I'll try, I promise)
Im4everaqt: The other sweetheart! *GLOMP* ^_^ You've gotta f-ing update your story dude, i'm going BONKERS! ...teehee, bonkers. I used that watch that show all the time... Yeah, don't mind me.
Black is an empty space
The place in which I desire
To hide within
Dark is a thing to fear where nothings revealed
The depth below I'm falling
~Collide
*****
Charles Xavier stared down below into the courtyard of his mansion.
His safe house; a place that extended its happily awaiting arms to those that were unique, those that were scared, to give them comfort and promise them security within these walls.
For some though, he thought with a certain distinct weariness, security would not be accepted at all.
He scanned his newest recruits, those who had arrived sporadically the other day, settling in with ease. Smiling, he recalled the warm acceptance the others had given to the newcomers.
His children - for he loved them like any self-respecting father would and referred to them privately as his own - were inspirational, and he was pleased to know that he was, in his own way, helping each and every one of them.
Outside, however, was a different matter.
While Xavier was safe in his office with nothing but peaceful tranquility resounding in his ears, on the grounds was a load of ruckus.
Already, the newest members had separated themselves from within the bunch.
A sixteen-year-old boy by the name of Ryan Archer was grinning deviously as he talked to Bobby, glancing over at Sunspot every so often. Ryan, though having been dealt a grueling hand, still exuded energy and playfulness.
Ryan, newly named Lynx, had black, semi-long, punk styled hair that frequently fell into his left eye and was covered by a beanie of some sort. That was all thank to his mutation - he looked like an overgrown cat, if you wanted to put it bluntly, especially with the green cat eyes that now sparkled as apparently the target had moved from Sunspot over to Scott.
Scott was a talking to two giggling girls, one of whom mimicked him whenever he wasn't looking.
The girl on the left was seventeen-year-old Abigail Lesthour, also called Heart Star. She was a cute, energetic girl with long, wavy auburn way that reached past her waist, and large, blue puppy-dog eyes.
Her companion, on the right, was Keely "Numb" Woodrow, who was also seventeen. Keely was the one mimicking him, and she kept glancing over at Ryan and sharing a smirk with him and Bobby. She was probably just as energetic, maybe even more, than Abigail.
The first thing that had happened once she'd arrived was a minute bomb going off, spraying everybody within the vicinity with shaving cream, immediately exclaiming, "It wasn't me!" accompanied by a lop-sided grin.
The youngest newcomer was a Lauren McCann, and just yesterday had been given her new name, Intwine.
She was thirteen, and painfully shy. She was off to the side, leaning against a tree, large light brown eyes scanning the words as she read a book, fiddling with a strand of her dark brown, highlighted green hair, framing her face in waves. Alongside her sat Dainton "Gabriel" Hazard, who was now facing a break down if he didn't have a cigarette soon.
Over with Beserker and Sunspot, was sixteen-year-old Lucca James Bolton now also known as Shatter. Lucca was talking even more animatedly than the others, and laughs could be heard over Scott's lecturing.
Finally, Keely said something and Scott's lips twisted. He nodded as she bounded over towards Ryan, dragging Abigail with her.
Kitty intercepted however, tripping them both, having been tackled by Kurt during a tackle-football game. Chaos ensued.
*****
Over at the Brotherhood House, things were slightly different.
Mystique had brought back two recruits, and so far, things had not been very pretty.
Except 'that', Lance was reunited with a long lost family member.
This happened to be sixteen-year-old Denise Lynn Saylors, also known as Vesuvius. And so far, she had accomplished two things: driving Lance up the wall, and stealing his Jeep even more often than Tabby had.
She looked rather like Lance in some aspects; she had the dark brown hair, except she wore it up, and her eyes, though green, were shaped nearly identically to his, aside from them being more feminine.
The other new mutant, Michael "Ghost" Graves, who was seventeen, had also accomplished two things. Nearly trying to kill (he was quickly subdued, surprisingly, by Neona) Lance and Pietro, and making quick friends with Tabby and Todd.
Neona and Wanda had become good friends, if that's what they wanted to be called, and tried to mainly stick to themselves.
Denise, however, had been able to plan a huge slumber-party for just the girls in Tabby's room (whom she was boarding with) which would take place this weekend.
Todd and Blob had had to move in together also to make room for Michael, as he was adamant in not having to bunk with any of them.
For the most part, they remained separated.
Mystique was gone again, (Todd decided she was finally going to find a guy and elope, then kill him) so all was right in the world of the Bayville Boarding House of Mutants.
*****
Friday.
At last.
For some anyway. For the newest addition to the X-Men team, however, all that meant was Danger Room sessions.
And so far, they weren't looking all that great.
Dainton, sadly, wasn't much help because of his particular mutation, as well as Abigail and Lauren. Ryan, Keely and Lucca weren't working as a team as well as they should, nor were they paying any attention to their surroundings.
Finally, Scott called for an end over the intercom and Wolverine came out, frown lines deepening.
"You new recruits are going to have to learn to work together, or you're all doomed. We're going to pair up. Spunky - you're with Stripes."
Keely grinned sheepishly as she scooted over to where Rogue was; though her eyes continued to sparkle with all the new excitement this place had given her.
"Lynx - Kurt."
"Alright!" Kurt exclaimed, and high fived Ryan, whose cat ears were twitching with anticipation.
"Heart Star, Intwine, you're gonna work with half-pint."
Abigail returned the smile Kitty was giving her, slinking over to where Shadowcat stood, and immediately began to strike up a conversation, though discreetly so as not to have chores after this. Lauren walked over, body rather scrunched up, cracking her fingers nervously.
"Shatter, you'll be with Spyke."
Lucca gave a slight nod in recognition.
"And Dainton," Wolverine frowned, noticing the small shiver run down the younger boy's back, "You'll be working with Scott."
Dainton gave no recognition to the gentle, semi-supportive look Scott gave him.
"Numb, Rogue, Lynx, Nightcrawler, Shatter, and Spyke on one team. Heart Star, Intwine, Shadow Cat, Vaccine and Cyclops on the other. Your goal: To eliminate the other team by means of pinning them to the ground, or making them immobile, for at least two minutes."
Needless to say, the practice with the original X-Men didn't really help. The newest recruits had gotten a bit confused, and a few were too independent for their own good.
By the time it was all said and done, Abigail was shaking uncontrollably and had to be warmed up by Amara, Shadowcat was knocked unconscious, and Vaccine had a couple of claw marks on his stomach.
But no serious injuries, of course.
***
It was midnight.
To each his, or her, own.
Keely had bunked up with Abigail, leaving Lauren to be paired with Kitty.
Abby was sound asleep, while Keely sat on the balcony, her brow knit together tightly. She bit her lip and fiddled with the edges of the gloves she wore, seeing as her hands were always cold thanks to her mutation.
Her sister had called the other day, two days after she'd arrived. Her mother had gotten another job, as well as her oldest brother, Seth.
Frowning, she wondered about Xavier and his promise that in no way would her family be indebted to him.
'Strange,' she had thought, 'He's either absolutely loony-rich or lying.'
Once she'd arrived, she knew the truth.
Completely, unabashedly, truly and utterly loony-rich.
She'd been the first one to arrive, and the first one to be befriended by all, more or less
***
Ryan was restless.
Even with that grueling session today, he still had a buzz of energy around him, keeping him awake.
That among other things.
He flexed his hand in boredom, extending his claws and retracting them every so often so as not to stab himself.
He frowned, glaring at one of the claws
_[nails, outraged yells, a crucifix]_
and growled.
He'd been "rescued" by Storm, having been found wandering around the streets in a half daze, his father's yells still resounding in his ears.
_[he tried to hammer me to the motherfu... I can't believe he... he tried to hammer and nail and hammer... oh my god he tried to... the crucifix above my bed... oh my god!]_
Whimpering in his head, he pulled the blanket tightly around himself and stared into the seemingly unending abyss of darkness beneath the bed.
But not before reaching above him to the desk at his head and flipping on the light.
***
All she'd ever wanted was comfort.
To believe that she was okay.
Lauren sat on her bed, hands folded atop her lap. She glanced at Kitty for fear she'd wake up and catch her.
Catch her?
At what?
She was just sitting there, completely alert to everything around her. To any noise or any movement - she heard and saw all.
The corner of her lip twitched; she fought not to smile. To not laugh at herself for being so paranoid.
He was all the way over in England.
Not the States, but in England.
He wouldn't find her.
Never.
Never ever.
She chanted this in her head until finally her body demanded rest, and all she saw was the black of dreamless sleep.
***
While Lucca was asleep, Dainton was not.
Dainton wasn't in the Xavier Institute.
Instead, he had sneaked out - more like waltzed out, in all honesty - right through the gates and headed downtown.
To the clubs.
And booze.
And, -GOD- did he feel good right now.
There was something wrong about the whole situation, he knew, but he just couldn't help it if being in pain made him feel... alive.
To be kissed so roughly, sometimes bit, and nearly clawed at because the other person needed to hold on so desperately...
There was nothing like it.
Sometimes to be smacked around.
Sometimes worse.
But it was always okay, always.
Because he felt alive.
Besides, who didn't like sex?
-End Chapter Four-
*****
*shrieks* Oh the horrendous-ness of it all!
Flame, flame.
And no lying by telling me it was okay, for it wasn't. It was rushed, the characterization I'm most decidedly sure was off, and-and... blergh.
Love and Peace
-Holly
P.S. The next chapter will focus mainly on the Brotherhood, and from there on, I suppose, it'll probably focus on one character/coupling in each chapter.
REVIEW REPLIES:
Mickey: Dude, I LOVE Trigun. That's my favorite anime right now. I can't get enough of Vash - he's the coolest. Him and Wolfwood. *sigh*
Dead C Junkie: Pairings. F*&@. I wrote them down but I left them at my dad's house... but then again, I'm still waiting for YOU to decide on what's goin' on with Dainton you silly moo.
Emerald Knight1: THANKS! *glomp*
Sphinx: Aww *GLOMP* You are so f-ing sweet, thanks so much for still reviewing! I'm glad you like Neona, and I'm surpised about Tabby. I wasn't really sure if she was IC, but, thanks for the encouragement.
sycommansonboy: Lucca, lucca, lucca. Glad you liked that last chapter, and I'll try to give Lucca a bigger role in the the upcoming chapters (maybe the next one, I'll try, I promise)
Im4everaqt: The other sweetheart! *GLOMP* ^_^ You've gotta f-ing update your story dude, i'm going BONKERS! ...teehee, bonkers. I used that watch that show all the time... Yeah, don't mind me.