Kurt ducks as a jar of spices flies overhead. "Mind your self, Kurt,"
warns Scott from his seat on the counter. "I tend to stay out of her
way till she asks for help."
"Ja, mein freund. I see why," Kurt ducks again to avoid a spatula this
time as Jean frantically puts on the finishing touches to the dinner.
"I just zought it vould be gentlemanly of me to ask if you needed an
extra hand, und to tell you zat my friend Romana is staying for dinner
vith us tonight."
"Lady friend, Kurt? I see seminary school hasn't made you lose your
touch." Scott says with a raised brow.
"As if zat could ever happen, meine freund." Kurt says with a laugh.
"But seriously, she is a dear friend of mine und I vanted to introduce
her to everyone."
"And, done!" exclaims Jean as she puts the last of the chicken on the
serving plate. "Oh, Kurt! Perfect timing! You and Scott can start
taking the dishes to the table." Scott shrugs and gives Kurt the "I
told you so" look. Kurt smiles and they both start carrying dishes
into the dining room.
Rogue comes in and sits on the other side of Kurt's chair as the rest
of the food is brought in and everyone sits down. "It looks like Logan
has decided to play 'Lone Wolf' again." Rogue says with regret as she
looks at the empty chair across from her.
"Well, his loss is our gain, right?" says Scott as he sits down next
to Jean. "Glad you could join us, Romana," Scott says with a nod of
his head. "My name is Scott Summers, and the fabulous cook here is my
wife, Jean."
"Nice to meet you Romana," says Jean with a smile. "Kurt has told us
some about you, but it is nice to meet you face to face."
"Thank you both for what smells like an incredible dinner and
welcoming me to your school," replies Romana. "I am not sure how much
he has told about me though, so I don't know where to start."
"I for one am going to start with the yams if y'all don't mind," Rogue
says with a ravenous look as she starts serving the food.
"Yes, everyone please eat up!" Jean says with a laugh. " My nosey self
can wait till my stomach's full."
~~~
After the food has been cleared.
"So, Romana, Kurt tells us that you are an immortal?" Ororo asks
as she sets down her glass. "It must have been hard running from the
Eternals for such a protracted period of time."
"For a long time it was," Romana replied. "The first time I met Gideon
was after they killed me and my family in Romania." Kurt reaches for
Romana's hand under the table and gives it a supporting squeeze. "When
I awoke, all I was told was that I was one of them now and had to come
with them. Not about to stay with the man who killed my parents, I
escaped from their group into the mountains while we were on
horseback. I still remember him yelling after me, 'Run all you like,
fledgling. I have all the time in the world!' I had no idea why I was
alive, only that I had to stay away from them. I kept moving over the
years, traveling from country to country, staying in the background,
afraid that he would come back for me." Romana looks to Kurt and
smiles. "It wasn't till I met Kurt and told him about myself that I
have finally been able to face my fears and end the running. I'm ready
to live my life again."
-Jean, if you are truly a telepath, please here me. I need your help
remembering something locked inside that happened when we fought
Selene. If you could help me, I would be forever grateful-
Jean smiles as she sees the obviously happy and in love Kurt Wagner
look affectionately at Romana. -What you have done for Kurt is more
than enough thanks to me. I'd like to help you when I can- She turns
to Scott and kisses him on the cheek. -We all deserve some happiness,
after all-
"If you don't mind me asking, Scott, why do you wear those red
sunglasses?" Romana asks.
"You know how they say people have 'a look that kills?'' answers Scott
as Romana nods. " Well, mine does,"
"Literally," says Jean.
"With a high powered energy beam," finishes Hank.
"Oh. I see," Romana says with a nod. "And the glasses keep you from
destroying everything in sight, so to speak?"
"Yup, though when I am in the field I wear a visor that helps me focus
and control it. That's why they call me Cyclops," Scott says with a
tap to the temple of his glasses.
"It's a shame that they can't make some kind of special contacts to
help you," Romana thinks aloud. "But I guess it would be a pain
putting them in," she finishes with a small giggle, thinking of how
many sinks he would end up going through. "So it's Beast, Storm,
Cyclops, Rogue, Nightcrawler." Romana comes to Jean and halts.
"I used to be called Phoenix, but now its just Jean." she says with a
grin.
"And Logan?"
"They call him Wolverine," answers Ororo. "He has adamantium claws
that come out of his hands, and he fights like a demon possessed. I'm
afraid he just isn't as much of a 'people person' as the rest of us
might be."
"I got that impression.but I also got an odd feeling when I met him. I
have to ask, and feel free to tell me to mind my own business,
but.just how old is Logan?" asks Romana.
"I don't think even he knows the answer to that one, child." Ororo
answers. "His life has been full of mysteries and fragmented
memories."
"Goodness. I thought it was hard living this long, but I can't imagine
how hard it must be to live long and only remember it in pieces."
Romana says.
"Yeah, but he deals with it in his own unique way," laughs Rogue.
"Well, it's been wonderful meeting you Romana, and I'd love to stay
and gab more, but I have a date! A certain Cajun wants to make things
up to me." Rogue winks. "You can borrow the outfit, Romana. Dinner was
great, Jean! See y'all later!"
"I will help you and Scott with the dishes," Ororo says as she starts
collecting plates.
"I know how you don't like finding blue hairs on your dishes, Jean, so
I will regretfully pass on this duty. I thank you for such a delicious
repast, however. Now it is time for me to nourish my mind as well back
in the library." Hank says as he gets up from the table. "Romana, fair
lady, it was my pleasure to meet you at last." Hank bows over her hand
and departs.
"My, are all of you so gallant?" Romana asks Kurt.
"Only the blue furred ones," Kurt says in a mock whisper as everyone
laughs.
"I'm glad we all got to meet you, Romana. You are welcome to visit
again, and hopefully the rest of us will be in better health." Scott
says as he starts cleaning up the table.
"Yes," Jean says as she takes her hand. " Please feel welcome. I have
been trying my best since the Professor has been away to keep our
'family' together, and it was nice to see us laughing and getting
along again. I think you had a big part in that."
-Come see me in four days, Romana. I should be able to help you then-
"Thank you," Romana says with a smile. "Thank you all for everything."
"Kommt, liebchen. I vill take you home." Kurt says as he offers his
arm to her and they walk to the entrance of the school. "We've had
quite a day." Kurt 'bamfs' away for a moment, and then reappears with
Romana's gym bag. "Vat is wrong, liebling?" he asks, seeing the look
of melancholy on her face.
"This day has been so incredible, Kurt. I guess I am afraid that when
I wake in the morning I will find it's all just been a dream."
"I understand, Romana." Kurt says as he holds her in his arms and
kisses her gently on the forehead. "I don't vant zis day to end,
either."
"Then why should it? Please, my love.let me stay with you tonight."
Romana pleads as she rests her head against his shoulder. "Let me wake
up in your arms, knowing all this is real."
"Ach, liebling. You can tempt blood from a stone," Kurt says with a
sigh. "I vould have you by my side for eternity if I could. Of course
you can stay."
"Then kommt wit mir, meine liebchen," Romana says with a mischievous
grin, "and walk the moonlight with me." As they walk the grounds
towards the woods, Romana looks up at the full moon in the clear and
warm night sky. "You know, I could've sworn it was November in
Massachusetts."
"You can thank Ororo for zat, liebling." Kurt says with a smile as he
looks at the moon. "Ven she is happy, der veather on the grounds is
always a balmy 72 degrees. "
They walk for a while through the woods until they open up to a
beautiful still lake, the full moon's light reflecting off the waters.
" So tell me Kurt," Romana asks as she sits on a rock and removes her
shoes. "What has been going on to make such a diverse 'family' as
yours so strained? I'm no telepath, but I could see the weariness
under their smiling faces."
Kurt sighs deeply as he sticks his hands in his pockets.
"Unfortunately not everyone is as mutant friendly as yourself, Romana.
Ve have vorked in secret trying to defeat der evil done by criminal
mutants, und in public der Professor und Jean have tried to encourage
mutant sympathy vith der people. It vas a dream zat der Professor used
to get us all together.a dream zat mutants und humans could get along
und live in peace."
"But." urges Romana as she puts her feet in the water and pats the
rock beside her, motioning him to sit.
"But.it seemed zat der more ve did, der vorse things got. Hatred und
anti-mutant organizations grew despite our best efforts. As our dream
became tarnished, a new idea flourished. Der idea zat maybe mutants
shouldn't get along vith humans.zat ve are better than zem, und should
treat humans as our inferiors. While some of us stayed true to our
original idea, many new mutants split from us, und some not so new.
Zey started forming zeir own vigilante groups, which in my opinion
only gives der hatred feet to stand on. "
"And now that the Professor has 'outed' himself on national
television." says Romana with a groan.
"Every two-bit reporter und protestor has been camping outside our
gates for weeks. Anyone involved vith der school vas harassed und
questioned to no end about if they vere mutants zemselves und their
relationship to der Professor. I still do not know why he did it. He
has changed, und vithout zat guidance, things have begun falling apart
at der seams. Der others do their best, but zere is a definite schism
between much of der X-Men, let alone between der rest of der world und
us. Things just aren't as black und white as zey used to be." Kurt
finishes with a heavy sigh and sits beside her on the rock.
"Over the years the world generally stays the same, Kurt. It's just
our perceptions of it that change as we grow wiser." Romana says as
she turns to face him and gently touches his cheek. "I wish I could
take away all the cynicism and regret I see in your face, iuberia."
Kurt cups her hand with his. "Being vith you makes it bearable,
liebling. My faith comforts my soul, but looking into your eyes und
seeing you smile at me, it fills my heart vith such joy zat zere is no
room for sorrow." Kurt tenderly kisses the palm of her hand and places
it over his heart.
Romana leans in closer and gently runs the tip of her forefinger
across his lips. "And you call me a temptress." she whispers with a
smile and kisses him softly.
Kurt shifts behind Romana so that she is sitting between his legs.
Romana sighs in happiness and leans back against him, enjoying the
warmth of his fur as his arms wrap around her. They sit in silence for
a while, enjoying the moment of peace together. Kurt then gently
kisses her behind her ear and whispers, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, silly." Romana says with a grin. "I should poke you just
for thinking you had to ask."
"Well, I don't vant to offend, but, due to past encounters in my life,
I need to know. You aren't a sorceress, are you? " Kurt asks with
concern.
Romana turns to face Kurt's troubled eyes. "I have traveled in those
circles many times, and called many who wield magic my kin. I won't
lie to you, my love; magik in one way or another has been around me
most of my life. But am I a witch who can summon demons or cast love
spells on unsuspecting gentlemen? No. I do confess, though," she says
with a sheepish grin, "that in your case I almost wished I could.
Alas, my abilities fall far short of that." Romana then turns back to
the lake and draws up her legs to rest her chin on her knees.
"You have no need of supernatural powers, liebchen. You are doing just
fine on your own." Kurt says with a chuckle as he wraps his arms
around her waist and hugs her from behind. Romana lets out a relieved
sigh as she leans back in his arms, her head cradled in the crook of
his neck.
"They really hurt you, didn't they?" Romana asks softly.
More zan you vill ever know. Kurt sighs heavily in to the darkening
night and thinks for a long moment before he says, "Someday I vill
tell you about it, liebchen.I promise. So vat abilities do you have?"
Kurt asks, trying to change the subject.
"What, you mean other than the fact that I am an immortal?" Romana
laughs. "My mama always told me that I had 'The Sight,' which I guess
Hank would call a 'limited pre-cognitive visual ability.' I would call
it 'being able to see 10 seconds into the future. When I use my cards,
though, I can usually predict farther ahead, just not as clearly."
"Und vat about zat green fireball zat hit you ven Selene
attacked behind der church? I remember you saying 'Not again.' How
many times has zis happened, Romana?"
Romana rests her chin on her knees and is quiet for a moment as
she stares out over the water. "I-I'm not sure what it is, Kurt. I've
been searching for answers, but I always come up short. All I know is
it happens sometimes when," she tightens her arms around her knees,
"when people die. I was hoping that maybe someone here at the school
could help me find out what's happening to me."
"Danke, liebchen." Kurt says with a soft sigh. " I am sure
zat ven Herr Professor comes back he can help you. Ve vill find out
answers to all our questions. I hope I didn't offend you."
"It's all right. I guess you have been on the receiving end of
bad intentions too many times, huh?" Romana asks with sympathy as she
turns around to face him. Seeing the answer in his eyes, Romana
continues, "Well don't worry, iuberia. I can tell your future and
finish your sentences for you, but I can't cast a spell that will make
you love me. I would like to do that on my own, anyway." With a glint
in her eye, Romana runs her fingers delicately along Kurt's tail.
Kurt's eyes drift closed until she reaches the spaded end of his tail,
when he inhales quickly.
"I get your point," Kurt says as he coughs and halts her hand with
his. "Maybe it's time ve headed back to der mansion." Kurt stands up
and straightens his clothes.
Romana chuckles to herself. "Very well, Kurt. As long as I've made my
point."
Kurt takes her hand and pulls her up into his arms with a mischievous
smile. "Maybe ve can go over it again inside, liebling.just to make
sure I have everything clear."
"I thought you'd never ask." Romana says as she puts her arms around
his neck, and with a whiff of brimstone and smoke drifting out across
the water, they are gone.
warns Scott from his seat on the counter. "I tend to stay out of her
way till she asks for help."
"Ja, mein freund. I see why," Kurt ducks again to avoid a spatula this
time as Jean frantically puts on the finishing touches to the dinner.
"I just zought it vould be gentlemanly of me to ask if you needed an
extra hand, und to tell you zat my friend Romana is staying for dinner
vith us tonight."
"Lady friend, Kurt? I see seminary school hasn't made you lose your
touch." Scott says with a raised brow.
"As if zat could ever happen, meine freund." Kurt says with a laugh.
"But seriously, she is a dear friend of mine und I vanted to introduce
her to everyone."
"And, done!" exclaims Jean as she puts the last of the chicken on the
serving plate. "Oh, Kurt! Perfect timing! You and Scott can start
taking the dishes to the table." Scott shrugs and gives Kurt the "I
told you so" look. Kurt smiles and they both start carrying dishes
into the dining room.
Rogue comes in and sits on the other side of Kurt's chair as the rest
of the food is brought in and everyone sits down. "It looks like Logan
has decided to play 'Lone Wolf' again." Rogue says with regret as she
looks at the empty chair across from her.
"Well, his loss is our gain, right?" says Scott as he sits down next
to Jean. "Glad you could join us, Romana," Scott says with a nod of
his head. "My name is Scott Summers, and the fabulous cook here is my
wife, Jean."
"Nice to meet you Romana," says Jean with a smile. "Kurt has told us
some about you, but it is nice to meet you face to face."
"Thank you both for what smells like an incredible dinner and
welcoming me to your school," replies Romana. "I am not sure how much
he has told about me though, so I don't know where to start."
"I for one am going to start with the yams if y'all don't mind," Rogue
says with a ravenous look as she starts serving the food.
"Yes, everyone please eat up!" Jean says with a laugh. " My nosey self
can wait till my stomach's full."
~~~
After the food has been cleared.
"So, Romana, Kurt tells us that you are an immortal?" Ororo asks
as she sets down her glass. "It must have been hard running from the
Eternals for such a protracted period of time."
"For a long time it was," Romana replied. "The first time I met Gideon
was after they killed me and my family in Romania." Kurt reaches for
Romana's hand under the table and gives it a supporting squeeze. "When
I awoke, all I was told was that I was one of them now and had to come
with them. Not about to stay with the man who killed my parents, I
escaped from their group into the mountains while we were on
horseback. I still remember him yelling after me, 'Run all you like,
fledgling. I have all the time in the world!' I had no idea why I was
alive, only that I had to stay away from them. I kept moving over the
years, traveling from country to country, staying in the background,
afraid that he would come back for me." Romana looks to Kurt and
smiles. "It wasn't till I met Kurt and told him about myself that I
have finally been able to face my fears and end the running. I'm ready
to live my life again."
-Jean, if you are truly a telepath, please here me. I need your help
remembering something locked inside that happened when we fought
Selene. If you could help me, I would be forever grateful-
Jean smiles as she sees the obviously happy and in love Kurt Wagner
look affectionately at Romana. -What you have done for Kurt is more
than enough thanks to me. I'd like to help you when I can- She turns
to Scott and kisses him on the cheek. -We all deserve some happiness,
after all-
"If you don't mind me asking, Scott, why do you wear those red
sunglasses?" Romana asks.
"You know how they say people have 'a look that kills?'' answers Scott
as Romana nods. " Well, mine does,"
"Literally," says Jean.
"With a high powered energy beam," finishes Hank.
"Oh. I see," Romana says with a nod. "And the glasses keep you from
destroying everything in sight, so to speak?"
"Yup, though when I am in the field I wear a visor that helps me focus
and control it. That's why they call me Cyclops," Scott says with a
tap to the temple of his glasses.
"It's a shame that they can't make some kind of special contacts to
help you," Romana thinks aloud. "But I guess it would be a pain
putting them in," she finishes with a small giggle, thinking of how
many sinks he would end up going through. "So it's Beast, Storm,
Cyclops, Rogue, Nightcrawler." Romana comes to Jean and halts.
"I used to be called Phoenix, but now its just Jean." she says with a
grin.
"And Logan?"
"They call him Wolverine," answers Ororo. "He has adamantium claws
that come out of his hands, and he fights like a demon possessed. I'm
afraid he just isn't as much of a 'people person' as the rest of us
might be."
"I got that impression.but I also got an odd feeling when I met him. I
have to ask, and feel free to tell me to mind my own business,
but.just how old is Logan?" asks Romana.
"I don't think even he knows the answer to that one, child." Ororo
answers. "His life has been full of mysteries and fragmented
memories."
"Goodness. I thought it was hard living this long, but I can't imagine
how hard it must be to live long and only remember it in pieces."
Romana says.
"Yeah, but he deals with it in his own unique way," laughs Rogue.
"Well, it's been wonderful meeting you Romana, and I'd love to stay
and gab more, but I have a date! A certain Cajun wants to make things
up to me." Rogue winks. "You can borrow the outfit, Romana. Dinner was
great, Jean! See y'all later!"
"I will help you and Scott with the dishes," Ororo says as she starts
collecting plates.
"I know how you don't like finding blue hairs on your dishes, Jean, so
I will regretfully pass on this duty. I thank you for such a delicious
repast, however. Now it is time for me to nourish my mind as well back
in the library." Hank says as he gets up from the table. "Romana, fair
lady, it was my pleasure to meet you at last." Hank bows over her hand
and departs.
"My, are all of you so gallant?" Romana asks Kurt.
"Only the blue furred ones," Kurt says in a mock whisper as everyone
laughs.
"I'm glad we all got to meet you, Romana. You are welcome to visit
again, and hopefully the rest of us will be in better health." Scott
says as he starts cleaning up the table.
"Yes," Jean says as she takes her hand. " Please feel welcome. I have
been trying my best since the Professor has been away to keep our
'family' together, and it was nice to see us laughing and getting
along again. I think you had a big part in that."
-Come see me in four days, Romana. I should be able to help you then-
"Thank you," Romana says with a smile. "Thank you all for everything."
"Kommt, liebchen. I vill take you home." Kurt says as he offers his
arm to her and they walk to the entrance of the school. "We've had
quite a day." Kurt 'bamfs' away for a moment, and then reappears with
Romana's gym bag. "Vat is wrong, liebling?" he asks, seeing the look
of melancholy on her face.
"This day has been so incredible, Kurt. I guess I am afraid that when
I wake in the morning I will find it's all just been a dream."
"I understand, Romana." Kurt says as he holds her in his arms and
kisses her gently on the forehead. "I don't vant zis day to end,
either."
"Then why should it? Please, my love.let me stay with you tonight."
Romana pleads as she rests her head against his shoulder. "Let me wake
up in your arms, knowing all this is real."
"Ach, liebling. You can tempt blood from a stone," Kurt says with a
sigh. "I vould have you by my side for eternity if I could. Of course
you can stay."
"Then kommt wit mir, meine liebchen," Romana says with a mischievous
grin, "and walk the moonlight with me." As they walk the grounds
towards the woods, Romana looks up at the full moon in the clear and
warm night sky. "You know, I could've sworn it was November in
Massachusetts."
"You can thank Ororo for zat, liebling." Kurt says with a smile as he
looks at the moon. "Ven she is happy, der veather on the grounds is
always a balmy 72 degrees. "
They walk for a while through the woods until they open up to a
beautiful still lake, the full moon's light reflecting off the waters.
" So tell me Kurt," Romana asks as she sits on a rock and removes her
shoes. "What has been going on to make such a diverse 'family' as
yours so strained? I'm no telepath, but I could see the weariness
under their smiling faces."
Kurt sighs deeply as he sticks his hands in his pockets.
"Unfortunately not everyone is as mutant friendly as yourself, Romana.
Ve have vorked in secret trying to defeat der evil done by criminal
mutants, und in public der Professor und Jean have tried to encourage
mutant sympathy vith der people. It vas a dream zat der Professor used
to get us all together.a dream zat mutants und humans could get along
und live in peace."
"But." urges Romana as she puts her feet in the water and pats the
rock beside her, motioning him to sit.
"But.it seemed zat der more ve did, der vorse things got. Hatred und
anti-mutant organizations grew despite our best efforts. As our dream
became tarnished, a new idea flourished. Der idea zat maybe mutants
shouldn't get along vith humans.zat ve are better than zem, und should
treat humans as our inferiors. While some of us stayed true to our
original idea, many new mutants split from us, und some not so new.
Zey started forming zeir own vigilante groups, which in my opinion
only gives der hatred feet to stand on. "
"And now that the Professor has 'outed' himself on national
television." says Romana with a groan.
"Every two-bit reporter und protestor has been camping outside our
gates for weeks. Anyone involved vith der school vas harassed und
questioned to no end about if they vere mutants zemselves und their
relationship to der Professor. I still do not know why he did it. He
has changed, und vithout zat guidance, things have begun falling apart
at der seams. Der others do their best, but zere is a definite schism
between much of der X-Men, let alone between der rest of der world und
us. Things just aren't as black und white as zey used to be." Kurt
finishes with a heavy sigh and sits beside her on the rock.
"Over the years the world generally stays the same, Kurt. It's just
our perceptions of it that change as we grow wiser." Romana says as
she turns to face him and gently touches his cheek. "I wish I could
take away all the cynicism and regret I see in your face, iuberia."
Kurt cups her hand with his. "Being vith you makes it bearable,
liebling. My faith comforts my soul, but looking into your eyes und
seeing you smile at me, it fills my heart vith such joy zat zere is no
room for sorrow." Kurt tenderly kisses the palm of her hand and places
it over his heart.
Romana leans in closer and gently runs the tip of her forefinger
across his lips. "And you call me a temptress." she whispers with a
smile and kisses him softly.
Kurt shifts behind Romana so that she is sitting between his legs.
Romana sighs in happiness and leans back against him, enjoying the
warmth of his fur as his arms wrap around her. They sit in silence for
a while, enjoying the moment of peace together. Kurt then gently
kisses her behind her ear and whispers, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, silly." Romana says with a grin. "I should poke you just
for thinking you had to ask."
"Well, I don't vant to offend, but, due to past encounters in my life,
I need to know. You aren't a sorceress, are you? " Kurt asks with
concern.
Romana turns to face Kurt's troubled eyes. "I have traveled in those
circles many times, and called many who wield magic my kin. I won't
lie to you, my love; magik in one way or another has been around me
most of my life. But am I a witch who can summon demons or cast love
spells on unsuspecting gentlemen? No. I do confess, though," she says
with a sheepish grin, "that in your case I almost wished I could.
Alas, my abilities fall far short of that." Romana then turns back to
the lake and draws up her legs to rest her chin on her knees.
"You have no need of supernatural powers, liebchen. You are doing just
fine on your own." Kurt says with a chuckle as he wraps his arms
around her waist and hugs her from behind. Romana lets out a relieved
sigh as she leans back in his arms, her head cradled in the crook of
his neck.
"They really hurt you, didn't they?" Romana asks softly.
More zan you vill ever know. Kurt sighs heavily in to the darkening
night and thinks for a long moment before he says, "Someday I vill
tell you about it, liebchen.I promise. So vat abilities do you have?"
Kurt asks, trying to change the subject.
"What, you mean other than the fact that I am an immortal?" Romana
laughs. "My mama always told me that I had 'The Sight,' which I guess
Hank would call a 'limited pre-cognitive visual ability.' I would call
it 'being able to see 10 seconds into the future. When I use my cards,
though, I can usually predict farther ahead, just not as clearly."
"Und vat about zat green fireball zat hit you ven Selene
attacked behind der church? I remember you saying 'Not again.' How
many times has zis happened, Romana?"
Romana rests her chin on her knees and is quiet for a moment as
she stares out over the water. "I-I'm not sure what it is, Kurt. I've
been searching for answers, but I always come up short. All I know is
it happens sometimes when," she tightens her arms around her knees,
"when people die. I was hoping that maybe someone here at the school
could help me find out what's happening to me."
"Danke, liebchen." Kurt says with a soft sigh. " I am sure
zat ven Herr Professor comes back he can help you. Ve vill find out
answers to all our questions. I hope I didn't offend you."
"It's all right. I guess you have been on the receiving end of
bad intentions too many times, huh?" Romana asks with sympathy as she
turns around to face him. Seeing the answer in his eyes, Romana
continues, "Well don't worry, iuberia. I can tell your future and
finish your sentences for you, but I can't cast a spell that will make
you love me. I would like to do that on my own, anyway." With a glint
in her eye, Romana runs her fingers delicately along Kurt's tail.
Kurt's eyes drift closed until she reaches the spaded end of his tail,
when he inhales quickly.
"I get your point," Kurt says as he coughs and halts her hand with
his. "Maybe it's time ve headed back to der mansion." Kurt stands up
and straightens his clothes.
Romana chuckles to herself. "Very well, Kurt. As long as I've made my
point."
Kurt takes her hand and pulls her up into his arms with a mischievous
smile. "Maybe ve can go over it again inside, liebling.just to make
sure I have everything clear."
"I thought you'd never ask." Romana says as she puts her arms around
his neck, and with a whiff of brimstone and smoke drifting out across
the water, they are gone.
