Spykes, Blonde hair and fingerless gloves
By Caith
Chpt. 2 - window shopping
" What's your name?"
" .. Alice Greenfield."
" Mother's maiden name?"
" Ruby Greenfield ."
" Social Security number?"
" 182374569718"
At the Bank, Alice rattled off answers as the accountant set her up. When she and Ororo walked out of the bank, she had two hundred bucks safely in her pocket, and the rest was in the safe. Now, where was the shop..?
" Alice?"
" Yes?"
Ororo smiled a the girl , her mind wandering over the numerous times she had seen girls in the same position.
" Where was it you said you wanted to go?"
Alice's grey eyes stayed on the street as she said
" The sports equipment place."
Ororo, again, decided to look politely puzzled .
" Why?"
" Well, according to the Professor and Kitty, Bayville high is within driving and biking distance. I'd like to get myself a decent pair of roller blades ."
Ororo didn't say a word as Alice went on,
" I mean, when it gets cold, I'll ride with Scott, but I'd like to Roller blade again. I mean, I had a pair in Montana, but-"
She cut off the thought, and Ororo Monroe smiled sadly. She knew that this girl was keeping it all locked up inside of her- who could blame her, it had only been a day since she had arrived at the institute- but the Professor was bound to ask, and then Alice would have to spill.
" We have to meet back up with Scott , Kurt, and Evan, wherever they are, and Rogue and Kitty."
Said the African woman pointedly.
" I know, but I'd like to get this over with, if I'm gonna go to Bayville tomorrow."
" It's still pretty early in the school year, I don't think you'll have to worry about that."
" Yeah, well .."
Ororo gave up, deciding she didn't stand a chance against the stubborn streak of this girl, and allowed herself to be dragged into Elite Sports .
As soon as they were inside, Alice bolted down the aisle, leaving Ororo to gaze at soccer Kleats, five bucks a pair .
Meanwhile, at Target , just down the road ...
" Hey, Rogue, what do you think of this?"
Kitty smiled her greatest paparazzi smile as she walked out of the dressing room clad in a light pink tank top and skirt, with a shocking pink jacket on top of that. Rogue, who was eyeing Kitty with distaste, said
" Kitty, it's perfectly you."
" How do you know?"
" It would make me puke."
" Oh, your real nice!"
Kitty laughed and agreed to be dragged to the other part of the store, which sold leather jackets, chains and black eyeshadow.
" Hey, Rogue?"
" Mmm-hmmm?" was the only answer Kitty got as Rogue glanced at a real leather thong [1]
" What do you think of Alice? Really, I mean?"
Rogue sighed and sat down on the floor by next to Kitty.
" Honestly?"
" Yeah."
" I think she's really cool."
" But why? We don't know anything about her."
" I know, but something tells me that Alice is a girl you can trust with a secret . I like her."
Kitty nodded thoughtfully, thinking about the first impression she had got of the girl yesterday. It had been scary enough when Alice had told them that she didn't have just one power, she had many, but it was even scarier the way she had picked up that granite bench, and when she refused to tell them about her last power.
Not even Alice knew enough about her dad, whom, she said, had walked out on her mom when she was born. And her mom was on the run in Montana, for reasons she refused to reveal. Last night she had shared a room with Kitty, and the girl was creeped out when, at four in the morning, she realized that Alice wasn't in the makeshift bed by next to her. The blonde mutant had sneaked back in at five o' clock, and all was as it should be, but it didn't stop kitty from wishing the girl would get out of her room, and soon.
In fact, Rogue was going shopping with Alice as soon as they all met up again, to help her decorate her new room. Xavier had insisted on giving Alice a student's loan to buy her bedclothes and stuff, and a few new outfits, but the rest was coming out of the southern girl's own pocket.
" Is her class schedule going to match ours?"
" According to Principal Kelly, he's allowing her to have all the same classes as me."
" Oh."
Kitty was once again left to her thoughts as Rogue dove into the shirt rack.
At The Wendy's parking lot ...
Kurt grinned as he leaned over the side of the car , gazing at the little brown birds that flocked to the fallen french fries . After a quick stop at the Harly-Davidson to look at bikes they could never afford, the three boys of the X-men had gotten hungry. Scott was in a bad mood, partially because he didn't like Wendy's but had gotten beaten out by a two to one vote; and partially because , instead of going shopping with them, Jean had stayed at home to study for a Biology exam . Evan was now currently throwing a french fry on the bumper of the guy by next to them . Kurt sighed and yanked the other boy back into the car.
"Vere are ve going next?"
Scott turned in the seat.
" To Target, to get Rogue and Kitty, and then off to find Mrs. Monroe and Alice."
At the mention of the new girl, Evan seemed to perk up. The other two noticed right away.
" Ve are hearing Vedding bells in the air, no?" Kurt teased .
" Shut.. shut up!" Evan's tan skin turned bright red, and he refused to look at the holographic german.
" Evan and Alice, sittin' in a tree ..." Scott chanted.
" I said, shut UP!" Both Kurt and Scott got french fries in the face.
" Oh, are we a widdle bit sensetive ?"
Evan growled, but then his look softened . He hadn't really thought that Alice would go for him, heck, he hadn't thought he'd be intrested ... but here he was, thinking about that crazy girl while throwing french fries at his best friends .
" You think I've got even the tiniest chance?"
Kurt looked up at the sky, a thoughtful expression on his face.
" On a 1-10 scale?"
" .. Yeah."
" I'd have to say 6."
" Oh, your real nice."
" well, he's right, Evan," said Scott, adjusting his mirror to look at the younger mutant.
" She's to darn serious for you. Now, Kitty -"
Evan grinned as Kurt looked up.
" Look who's talkin', lover boy!"
" Vat? Are you crazy? I've never liked Kitty!"
" Liar, liar, pants on fire!"
" I'm not lieing!"
Back at the Xavier Institute ...
Charles looked out his study window, eyes troubled as he watched the wind catch a haze of bright red leaves, like fire, then carry them across the grounds.
" ... Chuck?"
" Yes, Logan?"
The Canadian man walked in, scowling. Logan had never been one accustomed to indoors, and he didn't like the study at all. He only put up with it because he wanted to talk to the professor .
" we don't know anything about that girl. Heck, she's only been here for a day. Why should we trust her?"
Xavier turned his hover chair around so that he faced the wolverine.
" ... because she came to us, Logan. she came to us with a purpose , and I have every reason to trust her."
" We don't know anything about her and her family."
" Well, we'll see about that . I promise I'll talk to her about it, to ease your suspicion ."
Logan growled softly, by way of thanks. As he turned to the door, he didn't see the sad smile that played across the professor's face. As the door slammed, he turned back to the window .
Alice, who are you ...?
At the Elite Sports store ....
Alice examined the roller blades . They were black and orange, precisely her size, and they were thirty-five dollars. Cheap, but she had checked for sturdiness. she was used to this. After all, she had purchased her own blades back in Montana . she smiled as a slight breeze pronounced the arrival of Ororo.
" Have you found anything?"
" yep. sure have."
Holding up the roller blades, she walked to the front desk, where a tanned , sports crazed cashier fang the price up for her. She paid for them, and then walked outside, looking up and down the street, Ororo close behind her.
" where's Rogue and Kitty?"
" I don't know -"
This thought was cut off by a yell of " Hey, girlfriend !" and the appearance of Kitty, holding shopping bags and looking satisfied, and Rogue, who looked positively harassed .
" hi! Where were you two?"
" Well, we went to Target, and man, they are having a blowout early school year sale! It kicks butt-"
Kitty's words were cut off by the screech of tires that announced the arrival of Scott, Evan, and Kurt.
The three male mutants jumped out of the car and ran towards the girls.
" Hey, Miss Monroe, what are we doing now?" Scott asked, looking from one girl to the other.
" Well, you are taking Kitty and Me and the boys home, and Rogue and Alice are going room decor shopping."
Scott turned to the two girls, a bit puzzled.
" how do you two plan to get back to the mansion?"
rogue flipped her single lock of white hair out of her face and batted her eyelashes at Scott.
" Oh, we'll find a way home, sugah."
Alice grinned, her large eyeteeth showing as she flashed her grey eyes.
" don't y'all worry about us, we're big girls, we can take care of ourselves."
Scott nodded uncertainly, and Kitty and Ororo climbed into the back with Evan . Kurt sat up front with Scott .
Was it just Rogue's imagination, or was Evan gazing at Alice?
Uh-oh.
Kitty waved as they pulled away, moving her arm wildly until Ororo yanked her back down into the seat.
And the two southern mutants were left alone .
" So?"
Alice turned to Rogue, eyes alight with impish glee.
" where do we head now, eh?"
Rogue smiled, in spite of herself .
" Well, I'd have to say that we hit Walmart first, it may be pathetic, but it's cheap; and if you want really good stuff for your room, you want Hot Topic at the mall ."
" Cool! Let's hit both, eh?"
With a laugh, both girls ran down the street .
Walmart .....
" what do you think of this?"
Alice walked out of the dressing room clad in black, loose jeans, and a shirt with a dragon and an ace of spades on the front.
Rogue looked her up and down.
" I sort of like it, but only when the weather gets cold , I sort of like the jeans and tank top fiasco."
Rogue nodded her head to their shopping cart, which was filled with jeans, multi-colored tank tops, four pairs of jeans, feminine underclothing ( to use the fancy word ). And a pair of sneakers and boots.
" Cool. I think we're set! wait ..."
Alice ran off between the shelves, re-appearing five minutes later with a fluffy white pillow.
At the other girl's look, Alice said
" Well, how am I supposed to fend off boys without the proper necessities?"
At this, Rogue had to laugh, and both girls walked off to the checkout counter.
The Xavier institute, medical lab-
" Charles, is it even possible?"
" I don't know, Ororo. we'd have to do a DNA test to be sure."
" but, surly Logan won't agree to it-"
" And neither will Alice, I know. but I've got to talk to her mother first, since from what she's told us, she's her only living relative."
" Will you accept her into the X-men, Charles?"
" I don't know, Ororo, I really don't know. I have to see how she does in school tomorrow, her control over her power, etc."
" .... what if she's dangerous?"
" I won't turn her away, Ororo. I have never turned away a child who came to me."
" But, Charles-"
" I didn't turn out Rogue, did I ? not even when her power proved to be to dangerous to handle?"
" I guess not, but -"
" Ororo, if you have something against the girl, say so now."
" ... I have nothing against Alice as a person, Charles. you know that. she's a good girl, from what I've seen of her so far .... but her eyes are so cold ..."
" Ororo, trust me. I will unravel all of Alice's secrets, even if I have to dive into her mind to find them out."
" of course, Charles ."
At Hot Topic in the mall ...
" I like this poster, what about you?"
Alice examined the poster, her blonde hair falling into her face as Rogue continued to turn the frames.
" I like that one ."
Rogue stopped and examined the poster of wolves, standing on a cliff as a pack, facing the moon. It was sort of eerie.
" what do you think?"
Rogue looked up from the poster to Alice.
" I think it suits you perfectly."
" cool! Now, what about these lava lamps?"
Rogue smiled as Alice dragged her over to the other side of the store. she liked this girl, she really did. she had a personality just like Rogue's, dark and sinister at first, and then soft and cuddly. she knew about the soft and cuddly thing, because Alice had stopped at the toy store to get a pink plush wolf .
Hey, we can't all be perfect.
So far, she and Alice were having a blast. It was kicking butt, being able to walk into her favorite store without Kitty cowering in a corner . Cool .
" Hey, don't we have to go buy your school stuff?"
" Oh, yeah! I forgot about that! but first, let's get a bite to eat, eh?"
Rogue grinned in spite of herself- hell, she'd been grinning all day! When Alice was with the others, she was cold and calm, empty as a blank piece of paper. But in the presence of the other southern girl, she was more like her real self, playful and carefree. that was really cool.
At the Food Court ....
" Man, the food here sucks."
" Really? I think it tastes alright."
Rogue made a face.
" You think everything tastes alright !"
" How'd you know that ? I mean, I've only been here a day!"
" I just ... know ."
Both girls sat on the cheap plastic seats that the mall supplied because they didn't have enough customers, eating Burger King . Rogue was now currently seeing if she could build a tower out of french fries without knocking it down, and Alice was gazing around the mall, dwelling on what had happened in the span of forty eight hours. Her iron grey eyes were constantly being clouded by her wispy hair, which, having been long, was now curling at odd angles, not straight as a rod, as it usually was. Rogue glanced sideways at her companion, questions rattling about in her head. Who was Alice, what was her Mom like, who was her dad? Did she live in a city or in the country ? But, the only thing that popped out of the mutant's mouth was
" He likes you, you know."
Alice looked up, her eyes glinting with confusion and interest.
" Who does ?"
" ..Evan. Evan Daniels. you know, the African American guy with the blonde hair ?"
" Oh, him?" Alice seemed genuinely surprised .
" How do you know ?"
" I saw it in his eyes, sugah. I'm good at this sort of thing."
Alice rolled her eyes. " honestly, after I've only been here for two days, he's gonna ask me out on a date?"
" I think he just might. The thing about Evan is he's straight-foreward, and he's had millions of girlfriends. But, I dunno. you might make him nervous."
" you think he'll ask?"
" What, you actually interested? Look, Alice, I don't know you quite that well yet, but I can tell that your not his type."
" How do you know?" Alice sighed inwardly as she thought about that nosy brat ... the one with the really cool hair, and the laughing eyes ..
Whoa, down girl. down. you haven't even been to school here yet! She scolded herself. there might be tons of great guys there ..
But none as great as Evan ....
She was torn from her .. strangly confused thoughts by Rogue, who looked at her with a smile.
" I'm sure he'll ask if he's interested, girl . Don't worry about it ."
alice nodded, her gaze locked on the skylight.
" Rogue ."
" Yeah?"
" What is your power?"
Rogue winced. Damn it, she had to ask. Well, she should have suspected it.
" I ... can absorb the powers of other mutants ."
Alice's gaze whipped around to her .
" Like, permanently?"
" No .. it's only temporary. But it's not just powers I absorb. Memories, dates, times, - All of it processes into my brain, and it's like I become the person I'm touching."
" touching?"
" I can only absorb the person's power by touching him with my skin. that's why I cover up."
Alice nodded understandingly.
" that sounds cool, but by my guess, it really sucks, right?"
rogue looked at her.
" How'd you know?"
Alice grinned.
" Just a lucky guess!"
" really? ... and what about yours?"
Alice looked uncomfortable .
" what do you mean?"
" your extra power? The one you refused to show the others?"
Alice was quiet.
" ... Hello? anyone here ...?"
" ... Rogue?"
" Yeah?"
Alice turned to her, eyes blank.
" don't ask me that ."
" .. Of course ."
" Thanks. I think it's time to go now."
Both girls stood up, Alice refusing to meet Rogue's eyes. The southern girl toyed with the white streak in her hair as they walked out of the mall, hailing a taxi to the mansion .
Note: Yes, of course I leave you hanging, oh, and Fuzz? Kurt and Kitty Forever? I beg to differ.
And I'll work on Alice's character , k? Oh, and the one who thinks he/she knows what Alice's secret power is ... you'll find out .. when I choose! I am the game master, I control your fate! a ha ha ha ha!!
( gets hit in the head with a coke bottle, critics trying to yank her off the screen with a cane.)
Th-th-th-that's all, folks!
By Caith
Chpt. 2 - window shopping
" What's your name?"
" .. Alice Greenfield."
" Mother's maiden name?"
" Ruby Greenfield ."
" Social Security number?"
" 182374569718"
At the Bank, Alice rattled off answers as the accountant set her up. When she and Ororo walked out of the bank, she had two hundred bucks safely in her pocket, and the rest was in the safe. Now, where was the shop..?
" Alice?"
" Yes?"
Ororo smiled a the girl , her mind wandering over the numerous times she had seen girls in the same position.
" Where was it you said you wanted to go?"
Alice's grey eyes stayed on the street as she said
" The sports equipment place."
Ororo, again, decided to look politely puzzled .
" Why?"
" Well, according to the Professor and Kitty, Bayville high is within driving and biking distance. I'd like to get myself a decent pair of roller blades ."
Ororo didn't say a word as Alice went on,
" I mean, when it gets cold, I'll ride with Scott, but I'd like to Roller blade again. I mean, I had a pair in Montana, but-"
She cut off the thought, and Ororo Monroe smiled sadly. She knew that this girl was keeping it all locked up inside of her- who could blame her, it had only been a day since she had arrived at the institute- but the Professor was bound to ask, and then Alice would have to spill.
" We have to meet back up with Scott , Kurt, and Evan, wherever they are, and Rogue and Kitty."
Said the African woman pointedly.
" I know, but I'd like to get this over with, if I'm gonna go to Bayville tomorrow."
" It's still pretty early in the school year, I don't think you'll have to worry about that."
" Yeah, well .."
Ororo gave up, deciding she didn't stand a chance against the stubborn streak of this girl, and allowed herself to be dragged into Elite Sports .
As soon as they were inside, Alice bolted down the aisle, leaving Ororo to gaze at soccer Kleats, five bucks a pair .
Meanwhile, at Target , just down the road ...
" Hey, Rogue, what do you think of this?"
Kitty smiled her greatest paparazzi smile as she walked out of the dressing room clad in a light pink tank top and skirt, with a shocking pink jacket on top of that. Rogue, who was eyeing Kitty with distaste, said
" Kitty, it's perfectly you."
" How do you know?"
" It would make me puke."
" Oh, your real nice!"
Kitty laughed and agreed to be dragged to the other part of the store, which sold leather jackets, chains and black eyeshadow.
" Hey, Rogue?"
" Mmm-hmmm?" was the only answer Kitty got as Rogue glanced at a real leather thong [1]
" What do you think of Alice? Really, I mean?"
Rogue sighed and sat down on the floor by next to Kitty.
" Honestly?"
" Yeah."
" I think she's really cool."
" But why? We don't know anything about her."
" I know, but something tells me that Alice is a girl you can trust with a secret . I like her."
Kitty nodded thoughtfully, thinking about the first impression she had got of the girl yesterday. It had been scary enough when Alice had told them that she didn't have just one power, she had many, but it was even scarier the way she had picked up that granite bench, and when she refused to tell them about her last power.
Not even Alice knew enough about her dad, whom, she said, had walked out on her mom when she was born. And her mom was on the run in Montana, for reasons she refused to reveal. Last night she had shared a room with Kitty, and the girl was creeped out when, at four in the morning, she realized that Alice wasn't in the makeshift bed by next to her. The blonde mutant had sneaked back in at five o' clock, and all was as it should be, but it didn't stop kitty from wishing the girl would get out of her room, and soon.
In fact, Rogue was going shopping with Alice as soon as they all met up again, to help her decorate her new room. Xavier had insisted on giving Alice a student's loan to buy her bedclothes and stuff, and a few new outfits, but the rest was coming out of the southern girl's own pocket.
" Is her class schedule going to match ours?"
" According to Principal Kelly, he's allowing her to have all the same classes as me."
" Oh."
Kitty was once again left to her thoughts as Rogue dove into the shirt rack.
At The Wendy's parking lot ...
Kurt grinned as he leaned over the side of the car , gazing at the little brown birds that flocked to the fallen french fries . After a quick stop at the Harly-Davidson to look at bikes they could never afford, the three boys of the X-men had gotten hungry. Scott was in a bad mood, partially because he didn't like Wendy's but had gotten beaten out by a two to one vote; and partially because , instead of going shopping with them, Jean had stayed at home to study for a Biology exam . Evan was now currently throwing a french fry on the bumper of the guy by next to them . Kurt sighed and yanked the other boy back into the car.
"Vere are ve going next?"
Scott turned in the seat.
" To Target, to get Rogue and Kitty, and then off to find Mrs. Monroe and Alice."
At the mention of the new girl, Evan seemed to perk up. The other two noticed right away.
" Ve are hearing Vedding bells in the air, no?" Kurt teased .
" Shut.. shut up!" Evan's tan skin turned bright red, and he refused to look at the holographic german.
" Evan and Alice, sittin' in a tree ..." Scott chanted.
" I said, shut UP!" Both Kurt and Scott got french fries in the face.
" Oh, are we a widdle bit sensetive ?"
Evan growled, but then his look softened . He hadn't really thought that Alice would go for him, heck, he hadn't thought he'd be intrested ... but here he was, thinking about that crazy girl while throwing french fries at his best friends .
" You think I've got even the tiniest chance?"
Kurt looked up at the sky, a thoughtful expression on his face.
" On a 1-10 scale?"
" .. Yeah."
" I'd have to say 6."
" Oh, your real nice."
" well, he's right, Evan," said Scott, adjusting his mirror to look at the younger mutant.
" She's to darn serious for you. Now, Kitty -"
Evan grinned as Kurt looked up.
" Look who's talkin', lover boy!"
" Vat? Are you crazy? I've never liked Kitty!"
" Liar, liar, pants on fire!"
" I'm not lieing!"
Back at the Xavier Institute ...
Charles looked out his study window, eyes troubled as he watched the wind catch a haze of bright red leaves, like fire, then carry them across the grounds.
" ... Chuck?"
" Yes, Logan?"
The Canadian man walked in, scowling. Logan had never been one accustomed to indoors, and he didn't like the study at all. He only put up with it because he wanted to talk to the professor .
" we don't know anything about that girl. Heck, she's only been here for a day. Why should we trust her?"
Xavier turned his hover chair around so that he faced the wolverine.
" ... because she came to us, Logan. she came to us with a purpose , and I have every reason to trust her."
" We don't know anything about her and her family."
" Well, we'll see about that . I promise I'll talk to her about it, to ease your suspicion ."
Logan growled softly, by way of thanks. As he turned to the door, he didn't see the sad smile that played across the professor's face. As the door slammed, he turned back to the window .
Alice, who are you ...?
At the Elite Sports store ....
Alice examined the roller blades . They were black and orange, precisely her size, and they were thirty-five dollars. Cheap, but she had checked for sturdiness. she was used to this. After all, she had purchased her own blades back in Montana . she smiled as a slight breeze pronounced the arrival of Ororo.
" Have you found anything?"
" yep. sure have."
Holding up the roller blades, she walked to the front desk, where a tanned , sports crazed cashier fang the price up for her. She paid for them, and then walked outside, looking up and down the street, Ororo close behind her.
" where's Rogue and Kitty?"
" I don't know -"
This thought was cut off by a yell of " Hey, girlfriend !" and the appearance of Kitty, holding shopping bags and looking satisfied, and Rogue, who looked positively harassed .
" hi! Where were you two?"
" Well, we went to Target, and man, they are having a blowout early school year sale! It kicks butt-"
Kitty's words were cut off by the screech of tires that announced the arrival of Scott, Evan, and Kurt.
The three male mutants jumped out of the car and ran towards the girls.
" Hey, Miss Monroe, what are we doing now?" Scott asked, looking from one girl to the other.
" Well, you are taking Kitty and Me and the boys home, and Rogue and Alice are going room decor shopping."
Scott turned to the two girls, a bit puzzled.
" how do you two plan to get back to the mansion?"
rogue flipped her single lock of white hair out of her face and batted her eyelashes at Scott.
" Oh, we'll find a way home, sugah."
Alice grinned, her large eyeteeth showing as she flashed her grey eyes.
" don't y'all worry about us, we're big girls, we can take care of ourselves."
Scott nodded uncertainly, and Kitty and Ororo climbed into the back with Evan . Kurt sat up front with Scott .
Was it just Rogue's imagination, or was Evan gazing at Alice?
Uh-oh.
Kitty waved as they pulled away, moving her arm wildly until Ororo yanked her back down into the seat.
And the two southern mutants were left alone .
" So?"
Alice turned to Rogue, eyes alight with impish glee.
" where do we head now, eh?"
Rogue smiled, in spite of herself .
" Well, I'd have to say that we hit Walmart first, it may be pathetic, but it's cheap; and if you want really good stuff for your room, you want Hot Topic at the mall ."
" Cool! Let's hit both, eh?"
With a laugh, both girls ran down the street .
Walmart .....
" what do you think of this?"
Alice walked out of the dressing room clad in black, loose jeans, and a shirt with a dragon and an ace of spades on the front.
Rogue looked her up and down.
" I sort of like it, but only when the weather gets cold , I sort of like the jeans and tank top fiasco."
Rogue nodded her head to their shopping cart, which was filled with jeans, multi-colored tank tops, four pairs of jeans, feminine underclothing ( to use the fancy word ). And a pair of sneakers and boots.
" Cool. I think we're set! wait ..."
Alice ran off between the shelves, re-appearing five minutes later with a fluffy white pillow.
At the other girl's look, Alice said
" Well, how am I supposed to fend off boys without the proper necessities?"
At this, Rogue had to laugh, and both girls walked off to the checkout counter.
The Xavier institute, medical lab-
" Charles, is it even possible?"
" I don't know, Ororo. we'd have to do a DNA test to be sure."
" but, surly Logan won't agree to it-"
" And neither will Alice, I know. but I've got to talk to her mother first, since from what she's told us, she's her only living relative."
" Will you accept her into the X-men, Charles?"
" I don't know, Ororo, I really don't know. I have to see how she does in school tomorrow, her control over her power, etc."
" .... what if she's dangerous?"
" I won't turn her away, Ororo. I have never turned away a child who came to me."
" But, Charles-"
" I didn't turn out Rogue, did I ? not even when her power proved to be to dangerous to handle?"
" I guess not, but -"
" Ororo, if you have something against the girl, say so now."
" ... I have nothing against Alice as a person, Charles. you know that. she's a good girl, from what I've seen of her so far .... but her eyes are so cold ..."
" Ororo, trust me. I will unravel all of Alice's secrets, even if I have to dive into her mind to find them out."
" of course, Charles ."
At Hot Topic in the mall ...
" I like this poster, what about you?"
Alice examined the poster, her blonde hair falling into her face as Rogue continued to turn the frames.
" I like that one ."
Rogue stopped and examined the poster of wolves, standing on a cliff as a pack, facing the moon. It was sort of eerie.
" what do you think?"
Rogue looked up from the poster to Alice.
" I think it suits you perfectly."
" cool! Now, what about these lava lamps?"
Rogue smiled as Alice dragged her over to the other side of the store. she liked this girl, she really did. she had a personality just like Rogue's, dark and sinister at first, and then soft and cuddly. she knew about the soft and cuddly thing, because Alice had stopped at the toy store to get a pink plush wolf .
Hey, we can't all be perfect.
So far, she and Alice were having a blast. It was kicking butt, being able to walk into her favorite store without Kitty cowering in a corner . Cool .
" Hey, don't we have to go buy your school stuff?"
" Oh, yeah! I forgot about that! but first, let's get a bite to eat, eh?"
Rogue grinned in spite of herself- hell, she'd been grinning all day! When Alice was with the others, she was cold and calm, empty as a blank piece of paper. But in the presence of the other southern girl, she was more like her real self, playful and carefree. that was really cool.
At the Food Court ....
" Man, the food here sucks."
" Really? I think it tastes alright."
Rogue made a face.
" You think everything tastes alright !"
" How'd you know that ? I mean, I've only been here a day!"
" I just ... know ."
Both girls sat on the cheap plastic seats that the mall supplied because they didn't have enough customers, eating Burger King . Rogue was now currently seeing if she could build a tower out of french fries without knocking it down, and Alice was gazing around the mall, dwelling on what had happened in the span of forty eight hours. Her iron grey eyes were constantly being clouded by her wispy hair, which, having been long, was now curling at odd angles, not straight as a rod, as it usually was. Rogue glanced sideways at her companion, questions rattling about in her head. Who was Alice, what was her Mom like, who was her dad? Did she live in a city or in the country ? But, the only thing that popped out of the mutant's mouth was
" He likes you, you know."
Alice looked up, her eyes glinting with confusion and interest.
" Who does ?"
" ..Evan. Evan Daniels. you know, the African American guy with the blonde hair ?"
" Oh, him?" Alice seemed genuinely surprised .
" How do you know ?"
" I saw it in his eyes, sugah. I'm good at this sort of thing."
Alice rolled her eyes. " honestly, after I've only been here for two days, he's gonna ask me out on a date?"
" I think he just might. The thing about Evan is he's straight-foreward, and he's had millions of girlfriends. But, I dunno. you might make him nervous."
" you think he'll ask?"
" What, you actually interested? Look, Alice, I don't know you quite that well yet, but I can tell that your not his type."
" How do you know?" Alice sighed inwardly as she thought about that nosy brat ... the one with the really cool hair, and the laughing eyes ..
Whoa, down girl. down. you haven't even been to school here yet! She scolded herself. there might be tons of great guys there ..
But none as great as Evan ....
She was torn from her .. strangly confused thoughts by Rogue, who looked at her with a smile.
" I'm sure he'll ask if he's interested, girl . Don't worry about it ."
alice nodded, her gaze locked on the skylight.
" Rogue ."
" Yeah?"
" What is your power?"
Rogue winced. Damn it, she had to ask. Well, she should have suspected it.
" I ... can absorb the powers of other mutants ."
Alice's gaze whipped around to her .
" Like, permanently?"
" No .. it's only temporary. But it's not just powers I absorb. Memories, dates, times, - All of it processes into my brain, and it's like I become the person I'm touching."
" touching?"
" I can only absorb the person's power by touching him with my skin. that's why I cover up."
Alice nodded understandingly.
" that sounds cool, but by my guess, it really sucks, right?"
rogue looked at her.
" How'd you know?"
Alice grinned.
" Just a lucky guess!"
" really? ... and what about yours?"
Alice looked uncomfortable .
" what do you mean?"
" your extra power? The one you refused to show the others?"
Alice was quiet.
" ... Hello? anyone here ...?"
" ... Rogue?"
" Yeah?"
Alice turned to her, eyes blank.
" don't ask me that ."
" .. Of course ."
" Thanks. I think it's time to go now."
Both girls stood up, Alice refusing to meet Rogue's eyes. The southern girl toyed with the white streak in her hair as they walked out of the mall, hailing a taxi to the mansion .
Note: Yes, of course I leave you hanging, oh, and Fuzz? Kurt and Kitty Forever? I beg to differ.
And I'll work on Alice's character , k? Oh, and the one who thinks he/she knows what Alice's secret power is ... you'll find out .. when I choose! I am the game master, I control your fate! a ha ha ha ha!!
( gets hit in the head with a coke bottle, critics trying to yank her off the screen with a cane.)
Th-th-th-that's all, folks!
