There was a timid knock on the door. It was so soft that Todd almost didn't bother venturing out of the dream world to acknowlege it. He would've been perfectly content to lie there in half-wakefulness and pretend he'd heard nothing, but the knock persisted just a fraction stronger and it was followed by an equally nervous whisper.
"Todd? You awake?"
His eyelids cracked open just enough to let blank featureless light in. "What time s'it?"
"Um, about six thirty." There was a dejected pause. "Okay, I'll leave."
"No, no, wait." Blankets and sheets tangled his limbs as he squirmed out of the warm cocoon. Todd felt a shudder go through him at the sudden drop in temperature and twisted the doorknob to allow Kurt inside.
As soon as the door opened however, Kurt bamfed away. Todd blinked owlishly in confusion. "Where . . .?"
"I'm right here." At the voice, Todd looked over his shoulder to see Kurt sitting atop his bed, bundled in his robes from yesterday. The elf smiled winningly. Todd flung the door shut and blew a raspberry at him. Kurt raised both eyebrows, astonished. "What was that for?"
"For makin'me get out of a nice cozy bed when you could've just done that!" Todd climbed right back on the bed and stuck his legs under the blankets, shivering. "I hate cold mornings," he whined.
Laughing, Kurt shook his head. "But it's not polite to teleport into people's rooms without their permission. Especially if you're not sure whether they're decent."
"Uh-oh. Somethin' tells me you figured that one out the hard way." Todd snickered when the elf blushed under his fur. "What's up?"
"I wanted to know if you'd like to catch an early breakfast? Before anyone else shows up? I don't think I'd do much good for everyone's appetite."
A wry look crossed Todd's face. "You shouldn't think that, yo. Specially since you ain't the guy who eats with their tongue."
The German boy gave a small hint of a smile, but looked a little hurt. "Sorry," Todd began, feeling a pang of remorse. Something he hadn't felt in a long time - for anything. "It's not like it don't suck and all, but - "
"Nein!" the elf interjected quickly. "Don't apologize, you're right. I talked my Mama and Papa into letting me come here to meet people like me, so I wouldn't be afraid to show who I was. I shouldn't be – at least not here. It's just . . . everyone still looks so normal. "
"You were expecting somethin' weirder?"
Kurt sighed. "Rather selfish, isn't it? I wouldn't wish this form on my worst enemies."
"More than I could say for myself, yo. You don't act like a monster, and that's the important thing."
"That's exactly what my mother --" Kurt trailed off as his eyes fell upon something they hadn't before. The shirt Scott had loaned him to sleep in hung loosely on Todd's diminutive frame, allowing glimpses of skin concealed yesterday by the boy's normal attire. A dark bruise spread across the base of Todd's throat and several smaller ones clustered in the area below his collarbone. Patches of gleaming raw skin and various scrapes decorated what Kurt could see of his back and he was sure they continued on downwards beneath the cloth. "Wh-Who did all that?"
Todd flushed in embarrassment. "Some jerk at school. Duncan Matthews. I wasn't being careful." He fished a wad of paper bills out from the back pocket of his jeans which were draped over the back of a chair. "Guess my eyes were too big for my own good. Otherwise, I woulda been outta there before those jocks messed around with me."
He needn't have avoided the elf's gaze. Kurt may have been educated about stealing, but he knew about starving as well. "So this Duncan . . . he beat on you because he thought it was justice?"
"He beat on me because he thought it was fun. Ain't the first time, yo. Would've been a lot uglier if Summers hadn't shown up when he did. I'm nothin' without my powers," he grumbled darkly. And even then, not much.
"That's not true."
Todd was about to argue, but bit his lip and glanced at the bedside clock. "We still goin' to the kitchen? I'm starvin'."
---------------------------------
Six forty-five found the pair in the dining room. Kurt hung from the chandelier by his feet to consume a plate of breakfast foodstuffs, a glass of milk curled carefully in his tail. Todd had coughed something that sounded like 'show off', but was highly impressed when the elf didn't spill a drop. Everything edible went in his mouth.
By seven o'clock, Kurt had finished his third helping of eggs and bacon, fifth muffin, and third large glass of milk. Todd did more wide-eyed staring than chowing down.
"Man, I thought I was hungry. You didn't eat this much last night!"
"I was too nervous," Kurt informed him around a mouthful of blueberries and sweet bread. He swallowed. "Und porting takes a lot of energy. Especially if I have a passenger."
Todd grinned in rememberance. "That was trippy, yo."
"You've said that five times already!"
"And I'll say it again. That. Was. Trippy." Todd crunched into a bacon strip. "Yo."
Kurt laughed. "What is with that word?"
"What you talkin' about, yo?"
"Yes!"
"Huh?"
"You just said it!"
"What did I say, yo?"
"That!"
"What?"
"Ach! You know what I meant."
"No I don't, yo."
The playful grin the frog-boy was trying to hide clued him in. "Nevermind. Just pass the salt, frosch-beine." Todd attempt at seriousness dissolved into laughter and he did as asked.
They ate in silence for a while, broken only by silverware clinking against china. The sun had just begun to rise when the boys had arrived at the kitchen, pleasantly surprised to find food already cooked and covered to be kept warm for them. Kurt could not help but think of the old storybook tale he'd been read to as a child.
Schönheit und das Tier had been his favorite the moment he'd laid eyes on the old leather cover. Framed in the center of it was an illustration of a soft, beautiful woman cradling the hairy form of a monster in her arms . . . and not staring in horror. Now here he was; a beast confined to an enchanted mansion of sorts and currently dining with a Frog Prince.
Someone up there was pulling his tail.
-------------------------------
Xavier wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose and hung up the phone. This was not turning out as well as he'd hoped. His eyes surveyed the faxed document with more than a bit of anger. Todd had not lied to him; he would have known it. The boy probably was unaware of all this. For about the twenty-seventh time that morning, Charles scanned carefully through the words on the paper.
"How in the name of the Goddess does one adopt a child who ran away?" Ororo murmured.
"I don't know, Storm. But this was on file at Bayville Social Services. It's not genuine, but convincing enough that the fraud would have gone unnoticed."
"She wants him. Raven probably had her eye on him for some time." Ororo paced over to a chair and sank down into it. "We can't let Todd go to school with her there."
Xavier shook his head. "We cannot protect Todd without telling him who Raven really is. That is something I'm not ready to reveal to the students just yet."
"When will you be, Charles? She could hurt them."
"Yes, I know full well what she can do, but I don't believe she will. The children have enough to deal with on a daily basis. On top of it all, they shouldn't have to worry about their principal being in league with Magneto. Raven knows that if she harms my students, it will betray her identity and cause me to take immediate action against her. This is something she can ill afford in her current position."
"Why not just tell Mystique to get out? Tell her you know who she is?"
Charles sighed. "If I do that, she may shed the guise of Darkholme, but attempt to return as someone else. Cerebro is powerful, but it can't tell me everything. Mystique's signature is very difficult to pick up; it was by sheer luck I found her this time. We're at a stalemate."
Storm sighed and brushed a loose strand white hair behind her ear. "I understand then. But why do I feel like we're letting him walk into the jaws of a tiger?"
-------------------------------
"I've been thinking . . . about what you said," Kurt said softly, as he rinsed his plate. Lethargic as usual, Todd had initially protested to clearing the table, but gave in guiltily when Kurt started doing it by himself.
"About what, dawg?"
"Being nothing without your powers? What did you mean?"
Todd did not reply, save for an unintelligible mumble as he dried the silverware with a towel.
"Vas?"
"Nothing." Silence for a few moments, then the forks and knives were dropped with an angry clatter back into the dish rack. "What I said doesn't matter. As if my powers would make a difference to those walkin' steroid factories anyway. Only thing I can do is run away like a coward."
Kurt let the dish he was working on fall back into the soapy water. "There's nothing wrong with running away," he replied quietly.
"Yeah, sure. I've heard all the excuses why too."
Oh for God's sake. Kurt sighed. "I know what you're talking about. The whole 'take it like a man' thing, right? Listen, I tried to 'take it like a man' once. And I was nearly burned alive because of it."
The elf turned his face away from Todd's questioning eyes. "Some children started throwing rocks at me while I was out at night. I . . . started throwing them back. I didn't want to hide anymore. I was angry."
"Waitadamnsec. You're not telling me a bunch of mutie-haters got all sixteenth century witch-trial on yo ass?" Kurt looked him in the eye. Todd knew a load of bull when he heard it, and he could tell by the older boy's expression that this was as far from livestock manure as it could get. "Why didn't you just teleport, man?"
"That was the night I discovered my powers, fortunately," Kurt explained. "And not a moment too soon. My fur took a while to grow back." he added sheepishly.
Todd uttered a strangled little noise.
"I was ashamed of hiding behind my Mama und Papa. Besides, I already looked like a monster; so I thought maybe I could scare them off for good. They started out as a few. But I . . . I couldn't bring myself to hurt them, and they kept getting up. Before I knew it, bigger people came running to see what their kids were doing and why they were screaming. Mother said it was a miracle I escaped with my life. I'll tell you now, I felt a lot lamer recovering from burns than I would have if I'd just run home."
Wide-eyed, Todd agreed by nodding his head.
"Good. So that means you won't kick yourself for staying in one piece, ja?"
Todd stared a moment, head tilted in thought. "Y'know, maybe you got a point there."
Todd? Kurt? Both boys started and looked at one another, each recognizing Xavier's voice. Sorry if I'm intruding. I would like to see you in the library as soon as possible. There are a few more introductions to be made.
A silence followed, and Kurt knew the announcement was over. He swallowed dryly and replaced his cowl. More introductions . . . wunderbar. Todd must have noticed his unease because the frog-boy's voice was surprisingly gentle when he spoke.
"Hey, come on. There are still some things you shouldn't run away from." Kurt looked over and pale gold irises met their twins. Todd, quite unsure of himself, offered his webbed hand. He had never really cared about anyone besides 'numero uno' before. But Kurt seemed to care about him . . . so it was only fair, right?
Gathering up his courage, Kurt exhaled shakily and clasped blue fingers around his friend's palm. "Okay. Let's do this." He smiled at Todd with more than a hint of nervousness before concentrating on the library.
"Good morning, Kurt, Todd," the Professor greeted as a cloud of sulfurous smoke appeared before them. The smell of brimstone lingered a bit longer than Jean appreciated, accented by the pungent odor of unwashed clothes and . . . mold? Algae? She fought to keep from wrinkling her nose. "May I introduce Jean Grey? Jean, this is Kurt Wagner and Todd Tolenksy, our two newest recruits as of last night."
"Guten tag, Fraulein Grey," mumbled the covered figure.
"'Sup, Chica?"
Oh no. Why is he here?
"Hi!" Jean greeted them cheerfully, not skipping a beat despite the warning bells sounding in her head. "Welcome to the Institute. I think you guys are going to fit right in here." At least one of you is . . .
Kurt nodded and looked imploringly at Todd who gestured rather unhelpfully for him to say something. The elf scowled and turned his brain hopelessly to the task of starting a conversation. He felt dry-mouthed and suddenly stupid; as if he only knew a few syllables of English. Fortunately, Jean didn't wait for him to stammer out a sentence.
"Hey, Kurt," she started, "I was wondering if you'd like a tour of Bayville." She had to warn the German kid about him as soon as possible . . . there were only so many ways a thief like Todd Tolensky could influence someone as naive as Kurt. Of course there was always one-way telepathy, but right now that option would be more than a bit awkward. "Would you like me and Scott to show you around after we get back from school?"
Kurt blinked. "Er . . . me and Todd, ja?"
Damn. "Oh, I'm sure he's already seen everything. He practically grew up here. Anyway, we'll be back around four."
Todd turned away to practiced his glare of burning death on a helpless trashcan. Fine wit' me. Got better things to do than hang around with the 'social elite' anyway.
"Danke, but I prefer to stay indoors today," Kurt replied, embarrassed and upset. She hadn't even glanced Todd's way. Apparently, Jean was the type of girl who turned up her nose at people like Todd; people from the wrong side of the tracks. I'm sure she's not a bad person, the practical side of him mused, though his fur bristled under his robes. She just doesn't realize that she's being a dummkopf and hurting him.
"That's okay, we'll all hang out together here," Scott offered quickly. "This place has a nice gym. Either one of you shoot hoops?"
"I dig basketball," Todd mumbled.
"Vas is dis basketball?" The elf seemed grateful to change the subject.
Professor, Jean sent quickly while Scott was explaining the game rules to Kurt. I need to warn you about Todd. I don't think it's a good idea for him to stay here. He steals everything he can, disrespects the teachers at school, vandalizes property -
The Professor did not frown, but she could see the disappointment in his eyes. Jean. What Todd does at school is his business and mine. It is not for you to decide whether or not he should be given the same chance as you three. I'll also have you know that you are sending Kurt the entirely wrong message about acceptance here at this Institute. Xavier cleared his throat. "Well, I believe it's about time you three left for school."
"Sure thing, Prof. I'll go get the car ready."
Crestfallen, Jean made as if to slink away after Scott. Not so fast, Jean. You haven't exactly met Kurt.
"I can assure you, Kurt," The Professor was saying gently, "You're among friends here. I will understand if you aren't ready, but I think you should introduce yourself properly."
The hooded boy sighed and peered darkly over at Jean. I don't care if she screams, he told himself, gripping the fabric over his head. He paused to think of the flicker of hurt he'd seen on Todd's face before it had turned dark with indifference. I wouldn't terribly mind if she peed her pants either. Kurt pushed the cowl back and let Jean see his face. As he expected, her pristine features twisted into a look of shock and she let out a gasp. Good, he thought bitterly. Maybe now she'll treat us as equals.
Jean heard. She had felt a twinge of shame at the Professor's words. Now her face burned with it. I'm sorry.
Kurt stiffened as her thoughts reached them. "Sh-She's telepathic too?" he gulped. Judging by Todd's thunderstruck expression, he had received the same form of apology.
Xavier nodded and immediately, the German boy began to stammer out an apology of his own. It was one thing to think something, but another thing entirely to be overheard. "Don't," Jean interrupted. "I completely deserved that. Todd, if you would like to catch a ride with us, Scott and I will be waiting outside." She looked his way this time while addressing him. Too confused to be a smartass, he simply nodded. They watched as she stepped out of the library toward the garage.
"Okay," Todd muttered after she had left. "I know I missed somethin'."
The elf moaned and covered his eyes. "I can't believe she heard me."
"It's all right, Kurt. Jean is here to learn control, just like the rest of you. What she primarily has to work on is her shielding; to avoid picking up stray thoughts from another's mind. But in this case," Xavier's expression came very close to a smirk. "I can't say karma wasn't having a bit of fun."
After a few moments, the corners of Kurt's mouth twitched into a grin. "Möglicherweise."
"Todd, you'd best hurry if you're to catch that ride. I'd like to speak with you after you return from school."
"About what?" Toad asked, sounding panicky. I didn't do noth -- wait, wait, yeah I did. "Uh, the money?"
"That we can take care of now," replied the Professor. "But there's something else. You aren't in trouble, Todd, don't worry. I understand you cannot possibly return the money to each individual person, as you probably did not see any faces. However," Xavier continued, "You'd best dispose of the incriminating evidence."
"Well, when you put it like that, Prof . . ." Todd fished out the crumpled bills from his pockets and handed them to Xavier. He'd had his fun, and was too relieved at not being hauled to the police station to be a fuss bucket about his earnings. Especially since it didn't look like he'd need them.
"I'll make sure this goes to a charity."
"Cool, I'm down with that," Todd grinned. "Steal from the rich, give to the poor, huh?"
"Yes. Somewhat." Xavier's eyes laughed briefly, but the rest of his countenance was stern. "Although, I can assure you, 'Sir Robin Hood', that if I am obliged to donate stolen money in my name again, there will be consequences."
The boy coughed and looked down, apparently fascinated with the carpet. "Yeah, understood. Won't happen again." I mess up and he kicks me out. Ain't no question 'bout it.
"Wonderful. I'll expect you here after school, four o'clock at the latest. If there's any trouble at all, call me." The Professor handed Todd a small white piece of paper with the number to the Institute printed neatly in black ink.
"Have a good day at school," Kurt wished him, a bit enviously.
"I'll try not to have a bad one. Later, yo!" Todd, realizing that he'd kept Scott and Jean waiting for five minutes already, casually strolled down to the garage.
"Ja, later." The elf stared after him wistfully.
"Why don't you come with me, Kurt? Ororo and I can help get you settled in and give you a tour of the mansion." Kurt followed Xavier as he wheeled out of the room.
As soon as Scott found a suitable parking space and pulled into it, Todd leapt out and over the backseat door. "Thanks. Catch you guys after school," he called, hitting the asphalt at a crouch.
"Okay, Todd. We'll wait in the lot," Jean replied, waving to his retreating back as he walked toward the entrance. She sighed as soon as he had disappeared from sight and leaned back against the soft leather seat.
"Jean?" Scott queried. "You okay?"
"Oh . . . uh, yeah. Just kinda mad at myself. I really screwed up this morning. Everyone must think I'm a first class snob."
"Come on, Jean, you aren't a snob," Scott soothed. Or tried to, anyway. Jean still looked rueful. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Even I had a little trouble believing the Prof let Tolensky in at the drop of a hat. But he knows what he's doing, and we have to trust his judge of character. He probably saw something in Todd that the rest of us missed."
Jean looked up at him finally, the smile he so cherished peeking around the clouds. She opened her mouth and whatever she was about to say was cut off rather abruptly by honking. Duncan waved to her from his car, a white square of gauze taped to his forehead near his left temple.
"I'll see you later, Scott!" Jean opened the passenger door and walked quickly toward Duncan's vehicle, voice raising to rant at the jock for being stupid enough to drive with a head injury.
It was now Scott's turn to sigh and slump forlornly against the upholstery. "But what you see in him, Jean, I never will."
-------------------------------
The locker slammed shut with a shuddering bang, fortunately before Todd had put his fingers within range. His eyes trailed up to the meaty fist resting against the steel door and recognized both the football jacket and the spacing of the thick knuckles. "Hello, Jeff," Todd muttered. The collar of his shirt rose up to choke him as he was spun around and flattened against the metal cabinets.
"Bet you think you're safe, huh? Fuckin' leapt for joy when Duncan got his ass hospitalized, I bet. Well I got a message for you, stinkweed. Duncan got let out a bit earlier than what's good for you, but his injury's gonna keep him out of practice for a little while. He'd like to thank you personally for that after school, but for now, here's a little sample of his gratitude."
It was all the warning Todd had before Jeff's fist slammed into his kidney. He crumpled over, barely catching himself from falling on his face. Desperately, he scrabbled to get his legs beneath him only to be kicked back down and called some choice names. His mind railed against him for trying to escape when it would have been over sooner if he'd just lied still. Now Jeff would feel the need to teach him his place.
Felt a lot lamer recovering than if I'd just . . . The elf's voice echoed in his memory.
I am worth it. I am . . . well at least someone thinks I am, right? Another kick, and Jeff's hands grabbed his arms, yanking on them sharply. Todd was dimly aware that he'd curled into a defensive ball and that a crowd was starting to gather. A few cheerleaders were shouting words of encouragement; or at least he thought so - they sure as hell weren't telling Jeff to stop.
Dammit, I am not a fuckin' punchin bag. So stop layin' around like one and do something!
Todd swung his legs, spindly limbs tangling with the jock's enough to send Jeff stumbling off-balance with a curse. The freshman lurched to his feet and bolted down the hall. His sneakers had difficulty finding traction on the waxed floor and he was certain he heard more than one pair of heavily pounding footsteps behind him. He made a mental note to slime the janitor's closet next chance he got. Todd rounded a corner, failed to check his speed, and did even not see the coach until both of them were sprawled in a heap of limbs and hot beverage.
Cursing a vile streak, Coach Sanders sat up to glare, first at the mocha latté all over his shirt front, then at the hastily apologizing freshman sprawled across his lap. "Tolensky," he growled and caught hold of the boy's shirt, dragging Todd up along with him. "I think we'll be takin' a little visit to Principal Darkholme."
Please, not her. His day was already shot to hell. "Aw, no, come on! I said I was sorry! Homeroom's in five minutes anyway, yo!"
"You skip that every day, why break a perfect record? Shut up and start movin'." With a particularily unhelpful shove between the shoulder blades, Todd was forced to lead the trek of doom to the main office. Coach Sanders muttered behind him all the while about dry-cleaning bills and how expensive lattés were getting at Starbucks.
The amphibious teen didn't even have to look behind him to see Jeff and his cronies sneering at his misfortune. All he'd done was delay the inevitable; they'd resume their little 'chat' with him after school. Todd shook his head miserably.
What a day, yo. What a damn day.
------------------------------
Magneto had given the order. The boy was to be recruited. About bloody time. Raven was anxious to get this over with; the faster the better. Once Tolensky infiltrated the mansion as his first assignment, he could pass her priceless information - straight from Cerebro. All the mutants that showed up on the machine, either her or Magneto would be able to get to first. In war, numbers were almost everything. Next, came strength and integrity. They would find the best mutants, and Charles would have only his pitiful band of sycophant do-gooders. Upon finding themselves outnumbered, they too would leave Xavier and his shining ideals behind to join the Brotherhood.
Todd's mutations had been evident enough without Cerebro, and his background was perfect. No parents, more enemies than friends, no place to go if he should fail. Not that he was worth much, dead or alive. Magneto had stressed carefully to her that this boy was not to be treated like an expendable tool as he might be tempted to stay with Xavier and pass him information on them.
But Raven knew the boy better than the Master of Magnetism. 'Toad' wasn't someone who believed in causes; all he cared about was getting from one day to the other. If she approached him promising a means to gain vengeance against all those who'd persecuted him, as Magneto expected her to, the little wart would most likely cringe and insist that he didn't want any trouble. There was very little else that Todd could not provide for himself. Raven was quite sure he actually enjoyed stealing.
In order to convince Toad that Magneto's Brotherhood really was what he needed, Raven would have to use her best tactic: intimidation.
"Mr. Tolensky." The tone was clipped and carefully measured. Todd knew Principal Darkholme's voice by heart and so did not raise his eyes from the linoleum floor as he shuffled into her office.
Raven sniffed the air as he walked past and immediately regretted it. "Ugh. Excuse me while I open a window."
Todd did, grateful for the opportunity to roll his eyes once her back was turned. Snotty ho. If you just ran like hell to get away from an ass-kicking, you wouldn't smell like potpourri either. He hopped up on a chair in his usual posture, waiting for the lecture to begin. The sooner this was over the better. As he had told Scott before, this dame was freaky.
"So, 'Toad'." He smiled at her nervously, unable to determine exactly what that sugar-coated tone of voice was for. Raven continued, uninterrupted. "Shall we have a talk about your new friend, Scott Summers?"
"What about him? He's cool," Todd replied, scratching the canal of his ear with his little finger. Whatever broke the eye-contact. She was seriously creeping him out. "If it hadn't been for him, those jocks woulda stomped my skull flat." Todd could have kicked himself. Aw, why'd I mention that! Now she's gonna --
"Hmmm, yes. I guess you've noticed that Scott has special powers?"
Huh . . . ? Oh, this is so not good, yo.
"There are others like him." Raven's eyes locked with Todd's unwilling ones and held them captive. His blood ran cold. "We need to know more." Her voice was hypnotizing as she walked toward him. Before he had the wits to react, she was at his side . . . then behind him. Long fingers touched his face, almost affectionately squishing his cheeks. "Much more."
Fuck. She knows.
"Look, lady," he said weakly, "I don't wanna --"
"SILENCE!" intoned a distorted voice that sure as hellfire didn't belong to a female principal. Nails - no, claws! - pierced through fabric to dig into the flesh of his shoulders. In startled pain, Todd dared to look behind him. His heart immediately attempted to hide itself in his airway, choking off a cry of terror. "You'll do as you're told! UNDERSTAND?"
Todd found the voice to scream as soon as he could inhale. He struggled wildly, trying to twist his shoulders out of her painful grasp. Raven's lips parted in a jagged sneer as she released him. Todd went sprawling onto the carpet and scrambled backwards, legs and elbows working overtime to get him away from the thing towering over him. His heart hammered so frantically he was sure it was going to burst.
"Oh, did I startle you?" The hulking beast purred.
The boy gasped heavily, barely able to pull in enough air to form coherent words, let alone think of stringing them together. The creature shambled towards him and he slammed his back against the desk, bringing his arms and knees up to shield his face. He was hers now. All hers. Raven's mouth curled into a feral grin.
"There, there, Toad," her normal voice mocked him as she shifted into her true form - a blue skinned woman with brilliant red hair. "No need to be frightened."
"Wh-What are y-you?" he croaked faintly from behind his hands.
"My name is Mystique. I'm a mutant like you, Scott Summers, and quite a few others. And I've got an interesting proposition for you."
"I dun wanna hear it," moaned Todd, hunching further over. Mystique's fingers grabbed his jaw and she forced him to look up at her.
"You. Will. Listen." She said. Todd looked up with terror-filled eyes and didn't interrupt her again.
-----------------------------
Kurt looked around the large room in astonishment. Surely he didn't deserve this much. As if the four poster bed wasn't enough, there was a stereo too? With a vinyl record player? He turned bewildered irises to Xavier who smiled in return. "Your parents told me of your affinity for a certain British band and that you were packing your records to take with you. So I made sure you'd have the means to listen to them once you got here."
"Danke, Herr Professor," the elf near purred. "Sehr, sehr durchdacht von Ihnen!"
"You're quite welcome," Xavier chuckled.
"I still can't believe . . ." murmured the young mutant, walking towards his bags which were on the bed. "This bedroom... is mine?"
"Of course, Kurt. That's why your parents sent you here. Because they knew you would be happy."
His spirits dampened a little when he caught sight of the large mirror. Why would he need a mirror? Why would he want one? "I'm still going to scare people."
Storm placed a box on his bed next to the rest of his belongings and glanced up to see the Professor's faint smile. "I have a surprise for you, Kurt." Xavier handed the boy a small object that looked like a watch. "Put this on."
Kurt regarded the holowatch curiously, but did as the Professor said. It was a rather handsome sports watch, though the time was just a little off. And it was digital. And ugly. But of course he'd sooner stick his tail in a crocodile pit than say any of this aloud. Let's see now, how did you set the minutes on one of these blasted things? The elf's furred digits found the buttons on either side of the clock face and pressed them.
It wasn't the time that changed.
Inhaling sharply, Kurt stared at his arm, his furless pink fingers, then finally . . . haltingly . . . the mirror. What he saw nearly made his heart stop. "I don't believe it!" Storm stifled a giggle as the elf-turned-human looked down, to his left, right, then finally turned a small semi-circle to make sure his tail wasn't visible. "I . . . I'm normal!"
Ororo's mirth faded. "Of course you're normal, Kurt," she said gently. "But not because of that machine."
"Storm is right, Kurt. Normal is what you truly are. Never think otherwise. This is just a disguise, so you will not be persecuted by those who do not understand your gifts."
My gifts? Nein, more like my curse. Kurt pressed the buttons again, turning his holo-disguise back on. He could not wait to show the others who he truly was - and how he was truly meant to be.
-------------------------------
The refusal was soft-spoken, but not low enough that Raven missed it. Slowly, she knelt down to his level and gripped his chin, forcing him to look her in the face. "I beg your pardon?"
"I - I said n . . . no. Find s-someone else."
Once Mystique processed it, her reaction was below freezing. Her fingertips stroked across Todd's pale cheek. "Did nothing get through your incredibly dense skull the first time you brushed off a direct order?"
"Y-You ain't the boss of nobody." Raven closed her eyes, firmly telling herself several good reasons why she should not fracture every bone in the boy's scrawny form. Stubbornness was not something she had been expecting to deal with, nor was stupidity. The boy couldn't refuse her; he didn't have that option, nor did he have the courage to pretend he did. Her baleful glare locked onto him. Tolensky could not suppress the shudders that took over his body.
"Oh, but I am. You slipped through the fine cracks of society a long time ago, my dear child. Refuse to carry out this assignment, and I will personally see to it that you never crawl out."
Her fingers were on his throat now, pressing lightly against his jugular. She didn't have to say a word. Todd knew what those fingers could turn into, as easily as he felt the blood sliding down his chest in fat droplets beneath his torn sleeve. "Stand up. Unless you have any more last minute 'heroics'."
With great effort, Todd unfolded his legs out of the cramped ball he'd curled into and reached up to grasp the corner of Darkholme's desk. His thumb brushed against something hard and sharp-cornered as he forced himself upright. He wondered if it was heavy enough to use as a weapon. He wondered if he was out of his mind for even thinking about fighting back.
Mystique was having disturbing thoughts as well. The boy was afraid of her, but he was clinging to hope nonetheless. Hope that didn't exist, or wasn't supposed to, as far as she knew. But something had obviously happened last night . . . something crucial that she had managed to overlook. The boy had not been at any of his local haunts, but Raven guessed he'd found some place off the streets with what he'd managed to steal. The shape shifter did not know half the story, but she was certain of one thing - Magneto would make her pay dearly if her carelessness had cost him this recruit.
"Well? What's your answer now?" she demanded, fear giving an edge to her already sharp tone.
"Please, just let me go, lady. I swear to God I won't tell anybody. I - I don't want any part in this, yo." He felt a burning sensation start behind his eyelids, which were closed tightly for as much protection as they could give him.
A bang shuddered the desk behind him and Todd's eyes snapped open to find himself pinned between her clawed arms and the metallic furniture. Raven roared, a primal sound of rage that made one's throat raw just listening to it. Her face was stretching and shifting in places where no face should. The boy could not help the scream that tore from his own lungs. He jolted backwards with a bruising violence until he was on top of the desk, sending papers flying with his efforts to break away from Mystique.
His hand closed around the sharp-cornered thing he'd found earlier and with strength born from the basest of instincts, brought the marble paperweight slamming across her face. Both mutants cried aloud as blood spurted, from both Raven's mouth and Todd's knuckles as they grazed across her fangs. Todd drew his legs up and kicked with all his strength into her chest, knocking his path clear and momentarily stunning her with pain. Amber eyes darted about wildly for escape, counting the precious seconds until the shape shifter would recover her second wind and tear him a new one. Almost instantly they fell upon the open window.
Mystique leapt to her feet with an inhuman howl, ready to dish out extreme punishment. The room was empty. She sneered, changing back into her guise as Principal then stalked out of the office. It was time to hunt, apparently.
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Lunch period at Bayville High was seldom anything pretty the first five minutes after the bell rang. Scott literally had to swim through the ocean of students to get to his locker. "Hey Scott, want to meet in the cafeteria?" Paul tried his best to ask over the din of voices. Scott could barely hear him anyway, but he got the gist of it.
"Sure, as soon as I get my lunch," he called back. The locker halls thinned out rapidly as people rushed to beat each other to the lunch lines. Retrieving his sack lunch, Scott closed the door to his locker to find someone leaning behind it.
"H-Hey, Summers . . ." Todd's voice quavered.
He stared at the younger boy for a long moment, taking in everything; the rips in his sleeve, the haunted wide eyes, the blood-soaked toilet paper wrapped around his right hand as a pathetic makeshift bandage. "What the hell happened to you?"
Todd did not answer or even look at him. Scott then mentally kicked himself for disregarding the obvious. Duncan was back; he'd made a point of moping about Jean's resulting fuss over the jock all that morning. Duh, Summers. "Okay . . . okay, let's get you to the the nurse's office."
The suggestion seemed to have a negative effect on Tolensky. He yanked his arm away as the older boy reached for it. "No office," he muttered, face ashen.
Scott winced, understanding. If Todd went to the nurse's office, one question would lead to another and the freshman would be obliged to name some names. He rather doubted the school's star quarterback would get anything worse than a slap on the wrist, but Duncan wasn't the type to let a tattler go unpunished. "I know you're going through a rough time. I'm not asking you to sell anybody out. What's important right now is that you get your injuries patched up, and we can do that at the Institute. Right now we'll just go to the office to call the Professor, and Ororo will come pick you up. We'll figure it all out at home. Sound good?"
It sounded very good. Lulled by the sincerity in the older teen's voice, Todd nearly nodded. But then he seemed to wake up and his gut dropped in panic. "Not the office," he repeated, shaking his head. "Not there."
"What's so bad about the office?"
"Monster," was the whimpered response.
One of Scott's eyebrows rose. "I didn't quite catch that."
"Nothin'. Can't you . . . call from a pay phone?" Todd begged, starting to feel nauseous. The floor tiles beneath his feet had a marble pattern and the lines seemed to squirm and crawl in his vision. He closed his eyes to make it stop, then decided the floor was a lot better than staring at the darkness behind his lids.
Scott was becoming preoccupied with avoiding using his nasal passages to breathe. There was a strong smell coming off the amphibious mutant, as if a dumpster had been left open and not emptied for months. Duncan's buddies had probably tossed the poor kid into one after they were through. "Sorry, but we're gonna have to go to the office to get checked out. It's school policy. Come on, Todd, nobody's gonna hurt you right under Darkholme's nose."
Oh man, Shades, you don't know shit. Well, how could he? Summers hadn't seen Darkholme's face mixing around like something out of a tweaky horror flick. What was he supposed to say that wouldn't make people think he'd spent the whole morning smoking joints? Maybe if he was one of those kids who never misbehaved in their whole freakin' life, he'd have a chance at being believed.
The freshman tried to swallow past a lump in his throat. Darkholme was wrong. He hadn't slipped through the cracks. He'd dived into them headfirst. Not even the Professor would take his word over the principal's, and he was sure that if he told Xavier what Darkholme had wanted Todd to do, the guy would kick him out for his own protection.
Todd Aaron Tolensky was by his own damn self because he was a thief, a freak, and homeless white-trash.
"Nevermind," he muttered dully. "Just dun worry about it, I'm cool." Scott's lips were forming a question but Todd couldn't hear it. The hall was bulging in and out while a logical part of his mind told him that he should find a rest room and retain at least a bit of his dignity if he couldn't keep his breakfast. He took a step forward and the floor rose up to meet him.
The world lit up again dimly. Somebody's arms were around his bony shoulders. "It's okay. Shhhh. It's okay." Scott's voice seemed very far away. Todd could hear his breath hitching and forcing gasps out of his lungs while a hand rubbed his back. His face felt unpleasantly damp and it took him a moment of further despair to realize that he was still in the nightmare.
"What's wrong with him?"
"The fuck? Is Tolensky having a panic attack? Jared, c'mere, you've gotta see this!"
"Someone should go get a teacher or something."
"God, Matthews is an asshole. Has to prove his pecker's so big . . ."
"Gimme the camera!"
"Somebody get the nurse! He's bleeding!"
"Don't trouble yourselves. I've got it," Scott informed the vultures, his tone in no uncertain terms implying that they weren't helping. Some of them left, getting the message. More wandered off once they figured there was nothing that interesting about an upperclassman trying to talk down a hysterically sobbing freshman.
Though it seemed like hours, it was only halfway through lunch period when Todd was able to compose himself. Humiliation could be an amazingly strong motivator when the occasion called for it. As his trembling gradually subsided into a sort of calm apathy and a few half-hearted attempts to get up, Scott took the initiative and helped Todd to his feet. For a moment the boy looked up gratefully and then quickly down again with no readable emotion. He still shivered.
"Come on," the older boy sighed, allowing Todd to lean against him. The poor kid was completely unhinged about whatever had happened. He was going to need some sort of anchor until he could have a proper talk with one of the adults at the Institute. Scott could manage being an anchor just fine. "Let's go find a pay phone."
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The Professor turned the page of his book with one hand and reached for the phone with the other just as it began to ring. "Yes, Scott?"
"Whoa, Professor, you know it always weirds me out when you do that. "
"Sorry, Scott. What are you calling about?"
"It's Todd." From his position in front of the pay phone, Scott looked over at the diminutive freshman who leaned against the wall, favoring his injured hand. The toilet paper was turning into a matted pink and crimson mass. That couldn't be sanitary. Logic bugged him to take the boy to the nurses office, kicking and screaming if necessary. But it was a short-lived idea, as logic had thus far only served to make things worse. Story of my life.
"What happened?" Xavier asked in a somewhat urgent tone, picking up stray emotions. Scott was upset and more than a little worried.
"He had another incident with Duncan," Scott explained.
"With Mr. Matthews? Are you certain?"
"Well . . . no, Todd didn't name anyone. I just thought it was a given."
"Let me speak to him."
"Uh, okay. Todd?" A vacant stare at the floor was all the answer Scott received. He snapped his fingers in front of the boy's face until Todd shook his head clear and reached for the offered phone.
"'Lo?" he mumbled.
"Todd. I'd like you to tell me as clearly as you can what happened to you."
An uneasy feeling stirred up from Todd's gut. This was cutting to the chase awfully quick. He didn't know what to say or where to begin. What did it matter if the result was going to be the same? "I was attacked," he replied. "In Darkhome's office." Todd knew he was being vague. He'd make up a better story on the way home; it wasn't as if Xavier was going to believe the truth anyway. All he wanted was to get out of this place, curl up in the bed he'd left unmade, and pretend the whole day was a bad dream.
The Professor's fingertips were making imprints in the spine of the book he held on his lap as he saw the familiar blue-skinned face in Todd's memories. Obviously . . . very obviously, Mystique had not done her homework. She must have tried to recruit Todd; a major mistake on her part, because now her cover was blown. The chess pieces had shifted. He would have to make a move.
"I believe you should come home as soon as possible, and then we can resume our discussion. Tell Scott to drive you to the Institute before lunch is over."
Todd glanced over at Scott, who appeared to be scanning the cafeteria for someone. A thin blonde boy waved impatiently at a table. Scott held up an index finger telling his friend to wait a bit longer.
"I ain't in trouble am I?" Todd couldn't help but ask anxiously. He was gripping the phone hard enough to make the casing squeak.
"No, you aren't. I know you're telling the truth Todd. You have my trust."
Todd felt his eyes sting with relief. "M'kay," he managed to reply, hurriedly wiping at them. He bade the Professor good bye and hung up.
"There you are." The voice drove at him like needles of ice. Tolensky spun around to face Darkholme. "I've been looking for you so we can finish our little talk." Once again his eyes looked about for escape and she chuckled. "Don't bother. I know all your hiding places."
Scott's hands were suddenly on his shoulders. "Mrs. Darkholme, hi, we were just calling Professor Xavier. I think Ororo should be coming around in a bit to check Todd out of school since he's not feeling well. Is it okay if we wait here instead of the office?"
Raven's eyes widened in alarm for just a fraction of a second too long. "Er . . . yes. Of course," she managed. Her bewildered gaze fell on Todd who swallowed with difficulty.
"I-I-I need to change my home address too. Now that I got one."
Her eyebrows looked in immediate danger of popping off her forehead. "Since when, may I ask?" Mystique's tone would have been dangerous if there wasn't a gurgle in it.
"Last night. Woulda told you this mornin', but . . . things got a little freaky."
Raven opened her mouth, closed it, and without another word turned sharply on her heel to stalk out of the cafeteria. "What was all that about?" Scott wondered aloud. Todd reached up and seized the older boy's wrist in a death grip.
"Can we go home? Now?"
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"You were right, Ororo. I've made a sore misjudgment."
"Both you and Mystique. I have to agree with you on the fact that she would have left Todd alone had she been aware he was one of your students. But now she must know her error, and if she chooses to stay as Darkholme, then you should tell the others who she is. It's only fair to give the children warning so something like this doesn't happen again."
Charles shook his head. "I do not think it is the children who need to be warned. How can they attend school normally if they fear the principal will harm them?"
"Then you should drive her away so this doesn't happen again."
"It won't happen again. I promise that. I cannot drive her away, however, without just cause." He raised a hand to give Ororo pause before she could reply, already sensing the woman's frustration. "Not without revealing she is a mutant. This matter is between her and me, not the students."
Storm was not happy, but she knew that Charles was trying to keep everyone's best interests at heart. And at the same time, battling with his own guilt. "What about Todd? What if he's told the other students for you?"
"He hasn't. He doesn't think they will believe him. Todd didn't think I would believe him."
"And yet you did. Charles, you might save him from nightmares if you alter his memory, but you'll also erase the good that came out of this experience. He learned that he could turn to you in times of trouble. That's not something you can teach verbally. As much as you care for these children, you need to accept that you can't shelter them from everything. So you give them knowledge, and hope for the best."
Xavier stared into the flames of the fireplace and watched the golden light dance on the walls, lost in thought.
To Be Continued . . .
A/N: Y'know what, Logan is just . . . being difficult. He'll show when he shows. And I had originally planned to make this third chapter longer, but this way, since I'm still buzzing with ideas, I can start chapter four and not take nearly as long. --; Chapters, not novellas. Thaaaat's the ticket.