I don't own Jubilee, Sabretooth, the X-Men, or Generation X. I'm borrowing them for my own nefarious devices. Marvel owns them and tortures them (and their readers) more than I ever could.
I don't own Asher or any characters within the Anita Blake universe. I humbly bow down before the almighty Laurell K Hamilton, for she is a goddess.
I don't own Methos or any characters within the Highlander universe, I believe Rysher does. Rysher scares me, so I wouldn't dare infringe upon their copyrights.
The idea behind the links is a concept adapted from L.J. Smith's Dark Visions Trilogy. L.J. Smith is a goddess among writers for young adult fiction. I bow down before her.
Kora is an original character, so I do own her. Please don't use her unless you ask and recieve permission. (By me, people. Don't get smart.) Not that any of you would want to borrow her. Sheesh.
Also included in this already mind boggling crossover, Kindred: The Embraced. Rysher or Universal, or whoever is claiming Kindred owns Kindred. I do not claim Kindred, therefore Kindred is not mine. Even if I did claim Kindred, it's still not mine. I'm sure the owners of Kindred are laughing in my face for that. =P
Title of Series: The Web - Winter Closing In
Part One
"She Thinks It's Fun To Have No Remorse"
CREED
*Duuuuuude.*
Hmm. From the amount of awe pouring off of her, you'd think she'd never seen a mansion before.
*Are we staying there? Dope!*
Jae makes a mad dash up the stairs, probably to find the biggest room and call dibs. How the fuck can she have that much energy after being in the car for so long? I've been standing for five minutes and I still haven't straightened my spine out.
Adam, excuse me, Peter as he's calling himself now, stumbles up beside me. *Did you get her the decaff on that last Quickie-Mart stop?*
*Yeah, but she switched with you.*
Peter Shale, Methos's latest incarnation, blinks at me in shock. *You saw that and you didn't say anything!?* I shrug. If he didn't notice, why should I say anything? *Well, that would explain why I kept falling asleep in that last stretch. And the weird taste. I thought that was just cheap coffee.*
Asher comes up beside us, the light of an almost full moon shining down on him like some cosmic spotlight. It's about eleven at night and he looks the most awake out of all of us. Kore's still asleep in the back seat of the van. *I'll wake Kore up and we can scout out which rooms we'd prefer.*
I grunt and nod, shouldering a duffel bag containing the most basic of necessities, two guns, a grenade, and the number of an all-night Chinese delivery place Jae had pulled out of a telephone book after a gas up an hour and a half ago.
*Holy... I found my room. Guys, get in here! You have to see this. It's furbished and everything!*
Peter rolls his eyes, grabs his coat, discretely hidden sword, and a backpack filled with books, and moves up to the front door. *It's not all that gre-... Never mind. Is that gold in the trim?*
*Yeah. My realtor said the old lady who owned this place was loopy. She left a lot of weird shit here when she died. Said she was anti-social.*
*Anti-social doesn't begin to describe this room. This... this is decore!*
This time, I'm the one who rolls his eyes. Ash and Kore make it into the main hall, Kore looking a little wilted around the edges. She's still getting over the first thirty-seven hours of no sleep from when we started this trip. She thought the surroundings were so fucking interesting that she just had to stay up and watch. After the first fourteen hours, she'd looked like a junkie detoxing. By the first twenty-four hours, she'd looked mostly dead. By thirty hours, she was so high on sleep deprivation, she was vibrating. Jubilee had helpfully plied her with coffee in an effort to continue her sleep-fast. Once the caffeine crash hit, Kora passed out. Maybe now that she doesn't have a moving bed she'll be able to make up for the lost sleep.
We all travel up one set of stairs to the top floor. One of the main reasons I chose this house was because it wasn't tall, but wide. A neat half circle, the front was almost completely flat with a slight inward curving where the door was. This curving was only present for the first floor and petered out into a flat edge by the second floor. The rounded area that went around to the backyard was all heavily tinted glass that could be covered with sliding steel. It made me wonder about the species of the woman living here.
The strangest thing about the construction of the building was the layout of the bedrooms. There is a set of stairs in the front of the house on each side of the front door. From the left staircase, we go to the second floor follow the hallway along the windows. There are two doors on the curved wall before a straight hallway leading down to a wall that is the main support of a completely round room. The hallway splits in two and then converges together once the circular room is out of the way. On the other side of the hallway is two more doors to two more bedrooms.
Jae pokes her head out of the door of the circular room. *Guys, this is so Ash in here.*
ASHER
I do have to admit, the room is nice. It's fairly large and the white walls are covered in what looks to be sheer crimson drapes. Florescent lights follow the outer rim of the room and cast away all the shadows. A large poster bed sits on a raised dais with tall, narrow dressers and tables placed around the room. There are no windows or closets here. The previous owner was probably a vampire who used this as a day room.
*If no one objects, I'll be happy to take the room.*
Everyone shakes their heads at me, all probably assuming that this would be the safest room for me to take the room furthest from the windows. I go to the bed and drop my luggage bag on the bed. I'll bring my coffin in from the van as soon as I do some redecorating. The bed and furniture have got to go.
*Anyway, this is the room y'all gotta see ta believe!* Jae grabs Kore's hand and drags her out of the room and down the right side of the hall. She opens the first door on the right and steps back with a flourish.
*Oh.*
*My.*
*Gods.*
There's a moment of awkward silence before Kore finally takes a step into the room. She almost trips on her first step, but she quickly gets the hang of stepping on the soft floor. *Is everything supposed to be padded?*
Creed groans. *Let me guess, this is the room you want?*
Jae nods happily. *It's perfect! Check this out.* She walks over to the bed, all mattress and no frame, and bounces on it. Then against the wall, and back to the bed. At least there's no way to hurt herself in here.
*I feel like I've been transported to an insane asylum.* Peter's rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand as though to make sure he's awake and actually seeing what he thinks he sees.
Jae giggles happily as she continues her bouncing. *If the cherie wishes to have this room, I believe we should leave it to her.* To be honest, I don't think anyone else would have slept in it anyway. Jae jumps up to hug me when no one contests my words.
*Let's go see what else there is for the rest of you!* Jubilee grins and walks back out the door and into the long hallway.
JUBILEE
Must remain calm. Must not start laughing. Might not be able to stop. Might bust a gut or something equally important. Must try not to focus on the expression on their faces when they saw my long, padded room. That really was great, though. Total Kodak moment!
We opt to continue going to the right, as there's only one more door there before the staircase. I throw the door open and peek in.
*It's mine.*
Whoa, never seen Creed get that possessive over anything except his grenades. Yeesh, the way he pushes me out of the way to get into the room is just downright rude. Although, if I had been him, I woulda probably claimed it up real fast.
The room's not as long as mine, but it is wider and it doesn't curve inward to give way for the hallways that circle Ash's new room. The carpet's plush, the walls are clean, and there's a huge television/stereo system taking up the wall opposite the bed, a long and tall captain's bed with drawers underneath it's mattress. A dvd player, Playstation, and tape deck are the room's only other decorations.
I never really figured Vic for a technology junkie. Weirder things have happened, though. Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised. He pulled a cd case that dwarfed my puny 24 cd carrier and pumped the strangest jams every time he got to drive. ...Which reminds me of how I only got to drive two times the whole four days we traveled cross-country. Hmm.
*Well, as long as that's settled.* Peter raises an eyebrow at Vic, who simply grunts and puts his bag on the bed. *I'm going down the other side to see what's left.*
METHOS
I'd prefer the room closest to the stairs, seeing as there doesn't appear to be a bathroom up here. Who on earth would build a house for this many people with only two bathrooms, both of which downstairs?
The moment I open the door, I'm in heaven. One whole wall is covered in books. The layout of the room is about the opposite of Vic's, but without the bulky television, it somehow seems larger. There's a single mirror hanging beside the door and a plain metal-framed bed furthest in the corner furthest from the door. Beside the bed, across from the room-length, ceiling to floor bookshelves, is a wood desk.
*I've got the room opposite Vic's.*
They crowd in at my door to see what I got. Asher chuckles lightly while Jubilee wrinkles her nose at the books. Yeah, well, she apparently thinks padded walls are ideal, so screw her decorating tips.
*That leaves one more room for Kore.* Vic moves to the next room over, closest to the center hallway and opposite Jubilee. He opens the door and gestures Kore in.
The room looks bigger than Jubilee's, probably because it lacks the foot of padding from the walls and ceiling. It's brightly lit by florescent lights and grow-lamps. It's slightly humid with plants covering every inch of wall that isn't a panel of mirror. A planter moves from the open side of the door, along the curved wall, to the side where my room would be. It's tall and thick enough to be used as a sitting area where the plants aren't creeping over the edge. Looking in closer, I see a black irrigation hose that's probably kept the plants watered since the house was emptied.
*Uh, Kore? If you want us to redecorate...* Vic's eyeing the place with a dubious expression.
*Why? I think it's nice.* Kore moves to the bed at the far end of the room and sits down, giggling when the bed moves under her. Must be a waterbed. It's then that I notice a wooden door across from the bed.
*Does that door lead to the hallway by Asher's room?*
Vic looks over at the door. *Might be to the bathroom.*
*Wait, there's a bathroom up here?* I think my jaw has fallen open, so I audibly snap it shut.
*O' course. Who'd put this many bedrooms up here without a bathroom?* Now he's eyeballing me dubiously, as though wondering if I'd lost my bloody marbles.
I scowl at him. *How do we get to the bathroom?*
He shrugs. *Down the hallway and round Ash's room would be my guess. I bet there's a door at the other end of the hallway there.*
I leave Kore's new room and walk down the hallway, past Ash's door and around to the other side, where there is indeed a door. Upon opening the door, I find a T-shaped bathroom. A toilet is on the left side, in back of Jubilee's room, the sink right in front of the door, and a large whirlpool sunken into the area just beyond Kore's door.
*I hope there's a bloody shower downstairs.*
KORA
Everyone goes back out to the van to get their belongings, except Victor. He goes into the kitchen to find a phone. He orders dinner to be delivered as Ash and Peter pull Ash's coffin out of the van's trunk.
It wasn't the one he normally uses, he told us. He'll have to buy a new one for that, but it is the one he uses to travel because it's smaller and easier to transport. He also says that he could lift it by himself, but because of the length it would just be awkward to carry upstairs.
Peter grumbles the entire trip up to the second floor.
*Hey Vic, see if you can get the delivery guy to bring a paper.*
I hear Victor mutter into the phone as I pass by with my suitcase and backpack. *It'll be here in about forty minutes.*
*Cool.*
I frown as I look around my room. There's really no place to put clothes. I guess I'll just have to leave it in the suitcase at the foot of my bed for now. *I think I'll need a dresser.*
*Come take a look in my room, ma cherie, and see if any of the furniture in here appeals to you. I was going to get rid of all this stuff anyway.*
I nod in Ash's general direction and send an okay. *I'll do it later though. I haven't seen the rest of the house yet.*
I go down the stairs and meet the front door. If I go straight and veer to the left slightly, I'll reach the kitchen where Victor's still stalking around and checking out the drawers.
I go to the direct left and reach a large entertainment area. On the right side of the room is a long dining table with chairs. The room is divided by a series of curved couches, planters, and a fireplace. The windows are just beyond the couches and overlook the backyard. I move to the door on the left side of the room. It's a short hallway with one bathroom on the left and a pool room on the right. Just beyond the bathroom is a door that leads back to the main hall and the staircases.
What an odd house.
METHOS
Mmm. The delivery guy's here. I can smell the food already.
I make my way to the kitchen where Kore, Jae, and Vic have already congregated. I sit down at the table with a plate clutched in my hands, waiting for the cartons to be opened. Ash walks in just as we all sigh in appreciation over the scents.
Vic's the first to start in on the Mongolian beef, so I take the lemon chicken. Jae's dumping fried rice onto her plate while Kore's staring at the eggrolls with fascination.
*You eat it, Kore. Not stare at it.*
She blinks at me, then obediently takes a bite. Then she smiles brightly and tosses the rest of it into her mouth. I grab one before she decides to eat them all.
*Hey Ash, do ya need ta feed tonight?* Jae's watching Asher while stuffing chow mein into her mouth.
Ash shakes his head and smiles. *No. Last night from Victor was well enough.*
Jae shrugs and dips into the dumplings.
*Mmm. Try the hot n' sour soup.* Vic hands me the container of soup and a mug.
I pour the soup, take a sip, and close my eyes in bliss.
*Hey, don't hog it all.* I hold the soup out to Jae who takes it with a grunt of appreciation.
*I like this.* Kore's holding up a bright red Peking spare rib with her fork, then biting into it. Ash moans his appreciation of the little rib as Kore enjoys it.
JUBILEE
*I'm so full.* I'm not whimpering. I'm quietly keening.
We've all retired to the couches by the windows. We've got a damn big backyard, that's for sure. Trees and shrubs and more trees. The surrounding land isn't as big as Xavier's, and the neighbors are certainly closer, but I think this place is hella nice all on it's own.
I pull out the Classified section of the newspaper and start searching.
*Whatcha lookin' for, Jae?*
Creed comes and looks over my shoulder. *I need transportation. Seein' if there's anything I find interesting.*
Creed nods. *Gimme a page.* I hand him the one with the trucks for sale.
Peter wanders over. *A car?*
*Not if I'm lucky.* I'm searching for a particular something. See, I'll never be able to fly like Storm or Rogue, but maybe I can fly in another way.
Creed raises his eyebrow and points out a Geo Tracker. *Ew, man. They're, like, totally gutless.* Something about Vic's expression makes me think that was the point.
Oh. Oh! I think I've found it! *Perfecto!* I check the address. Waitaminute. *Vic, what's our street again?*
*Huh? Crescent Way. Why? Whatja find?*
*Whoa. Oh, never mind that. I need to use the phone. Kitchen, right?* Vic nods at me and I hop to the kitchen, literally. I feel Ash and Kore laughing in my head.
ASHER
*You do realize that it's almost midnight? The owner of your would-be vehicle might not appreciate your call.*
*Pish. They shouldn't leave their number in the paper if they don't expect weirdoes to call at weird hours.*
Jae turns her attention from me and back to the phone.
Vic snorts. *Watch them hang up on her.*
We wait a moment, listening for the tell-tale squeal of indignation that would surely rise when the phone was hung up in her ear. The moment leads into another, and then another. All we really hear is Jae talking with quiet excitement, still trying to keep her vehicle a surprise.
I wonder if it will be one of those rolling Wiener-mobiles. It would explain the mysterious air about the whole deal, not to mention the tastes that girl has. Her room? Ick. I'd go, well, insane if I had to sleep in there. Jae? She just thinks it's fun.
Ten minutes later, Jae walks out to greet us, a bright smile on her face. *I'm gonna head over there tomorrow around seven in the evening and get me m'wheels. I'll need to stop at a bank and get me some cash.*
Peter tilts his head at Jae. *Do you even have money?*
*Yup. I toldja, Frosty gave me a license, credit card, bank card, social security card. I'm all set!* She grins even brighter at us. In a few moments, she will most certainly be incandescent.
*Ya know how much she has put away for you?* Vic's watching her with weary eyes. I wonder if he caught the Wiener-mobile thought. I could just see him trying to park one of his muscle cars next to that.
*Knowing her? She emptied my old account into the new one and added a couple thousand.*
*Will that be enough for what you want to buy?*
Jubilee starts glowing at me. *Should be. You can always pick up the rest if I can't, right?*
Vic just grumbles at her.
CREED
*That's it. I'm going to bed.* I stand up, stretch, and walk my way out to the staircases.
Everyone else is agreeing with my sentiments and following. Gee, I've always wanted to be a team leader. What a dream come true. Not.
*Jae? I'm not going to end up draggin' yer ass all over town, am I?* Jae blows me a raspberry.
*Nah. Like I said, get me to the bank and back and I'll be happy. I'll take it from there.*
Peter looks up sharply. *You sure?*
Jae nods happily. *Yeah, the owner's pretty local.*
*I think I'll take a bath before I go to sleep.* Kore's lookin' a little spacey.
*Don't drown in there.* ...Sure, it's not the nicest things I could have said, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Kore giggles at me and waves a negligent hand as she moves past me to go to her room. *Okay.*
Jae rolls her eyes and disappears into her room. The moment her door closes, I can hear a muffled, "WEE!"
And people think I'm strange.
I'm finally laying back in my room, my luggage kindly placed on the floor beside my bed, probably by Ash because Peter doesn't strike me as the self-less type and the stuff's probably too heavy for Jae or Kore.
I hear a mental yawn and a sleepy, *G'night Kore. G'night Ash. G'night Vic. G'night Petey.*
*Peter, brat.*
*G'night Peter-brat.*
I chuckle aloud. *Yeah, yeah. Good night, John-boy, and all that crap. Now shut it.*
I get a mental raspberry for my efforts.