Disclaimer: I do not own, nor am I making any money from the X-Men
characters. Thank you to Corrinth for the use of her character Dr. Ilehana
Xavier. I do own Blaze, and appreciate authors not using her without
asking.
A/N: Reviews always welcome!
Scene 17
"Blaze?" She came round again quicker that time, to find Storm leaning over the bed with an anxious look on her face.
"Hello." The redhead smiled, seeing Ororo smile back, relieved.
"Blaze I need a favour. I don't know if Ilehana has told you about the cure you were given?"
"She has." Blaze sighed. "And about the note that came with it. You want me to come with you, meet this Garthen Doking?" Storm nodded.
"The Professor doesn't want me going alone, but this man wont meet me if I bring another X-Man, and..."
"You have to hear what he says." Blaze finished the sentence for her friend. Quickly she sat up, swinging her legs round and on to the floor. As earlier, when Ilehana had woken her to carry out some tests, Blaze felt slightly numb, like something important was missing at the back of her mind. Not able to place the sensation she resigned herself and got up. "How long till we meet him?"
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Cyclops drove the two women to the restaurant, before taking his car and hiding two blocks away in case he was needed. He didn't think he would be, both girls could easily take care of themselves.
The doorman on the swish designer eating spot smiled graciously as Blaze and Storm approached him, opening the door without asking their names. In the queue roped off to one side, those waiting offered snide comments that the two mutants could just walk in like that. Blaze and Storm exchanged smiles, it was about time they got priority treatment.
A scantily clad waitress seated the women in a comfortable corner by the bar, bringing both of them champagne without asking. With a sigh, Blaze relaxed back against the red suede seat, and sipped the champagne. Even in the subdued lighting of the restaurant, to Storm Blaze looked pale and ill.
Storm glanced up as a shadow fell over them. The waitress had returned to usher them through to the main dining hall. This room was civilised where the bar had been bright and cheerful, but no less glamorous. The chairs and tables were black and gothic looking, covered in pristine white tablecloths and on a cold slate floor. Crystal chandlers were mirrored by crystal baubles in the centre of each table, giving out soft pastel coloured light. Most of the tables were full already; restaurant staff were rushed off their feet. But on the far side of the room, in a prime position just far enough away from the other diners, a man in a suit sat calmly at a table set for three.
Garthen Doking was a tall man, though not well muscled. His jaw line was too sharp for classic good looks, but his regal nose sat well between startling blue eyes. Eyes made all the more startling for his flawless tanned skin and dark hair. Blaze reckoned his age between thirty and thirty five years. Her years as a thief had taught her well that that suit was much more expensive than it appeared at first glance, the material was rich quality and the stitching perfect. The watch on his wrist was worth more than her entire outfit, and the easy way he tipped the waitress enough to make her eyes bugle made Blaze's fingers itch to get near enough to lift his wallet.
"Ladies." Garthen's accent was an easy American one, relaxed and in his natural environment. He indicated that they be seated and take up their menus. "It's good to see you both. You are feeling better I trust Blaze?"
"Yes, thank you." The Englishwoman smiled at him, whatever happened tonight, this was the man who had saved her life. Eyeing the menu she whistled appreciatively at the prices.
"Oh, don't fret about the cost, ladies. The chance to entertain to such glamorous guests is well worth the expense." Garthen smiled again, flashing brilliant white teeth as he included both of them in his actions. Storm smiled too, though she wasn't quite sure why.
"Why have you asked us here?" She asked in her soft, elegant accent. "What can you tell us about these rings?"
"In time, in time, Storm, please. I find it is best not to think on an empty stomach. You are ready to order, ladies?" He caught a waiter's attention with a slight wave of his hand. This is a man who is used to being served without question, Storm realised. The question is what does he want of Blaze and I?
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Professor Xavier put down the book he was reading and watched the slightly oversized cat sitting on his windowsill, staring off into the night. Her tail swished gently, muscles in her neck and back rippling against grey tabby fur, every inch of her a huntress.
**Do you want me to open the window for you, cat? Or shall I open a tin of sardines for you? Maybe I should find some yarn for you to play with? ** The humour in his voice made the cat turn round to him, orange eyes blazing.
**Dad, that's not funny. You could just...** With a wail Ilehana the cat fell backwards off the windowsill. Starting his wheelchair towards his daughter Xavier was overtook by a wave of sharp pain, followed by disturbing quiet, a scream pulled from his lips too. The cat landed on her feet, then slipped and collapsed sideways. Xavier fell unconscious in his wheelchair.
Bobby and Rogue were first to the office, along with Colossus and Jubilee. Bobby ran to Xavier's side, checking his pulse and breathing as Rogue and the others stood shocked in the doorway. In a flash like anger personified Wolverine appeared dressed in grey training gear, claws unsheathed. He rushed past where Bobby was talking gently to the Professor as the older man came round, scooping up the cat in his arms.
"A cat?" Jubilee muttered to Colossus and Rogue. "I didn't know he had a cat."
"Vixen." Rogue filled in, almost under her breath, trying to deny the twinge of jealousy she felt at the tender way Wolverine placed the waking cat on her feet on the Professor's desk. True to instinct, the first thing Ilehana-Cat did when put down was sit and shakily begin to wash herself, glaring slightly at Logan for showing too much affection.
"You okay Professor?" Rogue asked, taking her place by Bobby's side, concern obvious on her face. The obviously shaken man reached out and stroked his daughter's cat-fur absently, as if to reassure himself that she was still there. She looked up at him soulfully, unable to respond.
"Our telepathy." He slurred through unwilling lips. "Our telepathic powers have been drained."
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The main course arrived almost as soon as their starters had been cleared. The food here looked to Blaze too good to eat, but as always her stomach got the better of her artistic taste and she tucked in whole-heartedly. Storm was a little more refined, and much less trusting. Garthen smiled and chatted about unimportant things, the stock market, places he'd visited that Blaze could respond to with acknowledgements that she knew them too. At no point did Blaze mention Gambit, but Storm knew that he must have been with her in some of these places at least. As the meal went on, and Blaze seemed still not to remember Gambit, Storm marvelled for one at Xavier's power. But also it troubled her, and she hoped dearly that Xavier would not be to long before he removed the inhibitions from Blaze's mind.
A/N: Reviews always welcome!
Scene 17
"Blaze?" She came round again quicker that time, to find Storm leaning over the bed with an anxious look on her face.
"Hello." The redhead smiled, seeing Ororo smile back, relieved.
"Blaze I need a favour. I don't know if Ilehana has told you about the cure you were given?"
"She has." Blaze sighed. "And about the note that came with it. You want me to come with you, meet this Garthen Doking?" Storm nodded.
"The Professor doesn't want me going alone, but this man wont meet me if I bring another X-Man, and..."
"You have to hear what he says." Blaze finished the sentence for her friend. Quickly she sat up, swinging her legs round and on to the floor. As earlier, when Ilehana had woken her to carry out some tests, Blaze felt slightly numb, like something important was missing at the back of her mind. Not able to place the sensation she resigned herself and got up. "How long till we meet him?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cyclops drove the two women to the restaurant, before taking his car and hiding two blocks away in case he was needed. He didn't think he would be, both girls could easily take care of themselves.
The doorman on the swish designer eating spot smiled graciously as Blaze and Storm approached him, opening the door without asking their names. In the queue roped off to one side, those waiting offered snide comments that the two mutants could just walk in like that. Blaze and Storm exchanged smiles, it was about time they got priority treatment.
A scantily clad waitress seated the women in a comfortable corner by the bar, bringing both of them champagne without asking. With a sigh, Blaze relaxed back against the red suede seat, and sipped the champagne. Even in the subdued lighting of the restaurant, to Storm Blaze looked pale and ill.
Storm glanced up as a shadow fell over them. The waitress had returned to usher them through to the main dining hall. This room was civilised where the bar had been bright and cheerful, but no less glamorous. The chairs and tables were black and gothic looking, covered in pristine white tablecloths and on a cold slate floor. Crystal chandlers were mirrored by crystal baubles in the centre of each table, giving out soft pastel coloured light. Most of the tables were full already; restaurant staff were rushed off their feet. But on the far side of the room, in a prime position just far enough away from the other diners, a man in a suit sat calmly at a table set for three.
Garthen Doking was a tall man, though not well muscled. His jaw line was too sharp for classic good looks, but his regal nose sat well between startling blue eyes. Eyes made all the more startling for his flawless tanned skin and dark hair. Blaze reckoned his age between thirty and thirty five years. Her years as a thief had taught her well that that suit was much more expensive than it appeared at first glance, the material was rich quality and the stitching perfect. The watch on his wrist was worth more than her entire outfit, and the easy way he tipped the waitress enough to make her eyes bugle made Blaze's fingers itch to get near enough to lift his wallet.
"Ladies." Garthen's accent was an easy American one, relaxed and in his natural environment. He indicated that they be seated and take up their menus. "It's good to see you both. You are feeling better I trust Blaze?"
"Yes, thank you." The Englishwoman smiled at him, whatever happened tonight, this was the man who had saved her life. Eyeing the menu she whistled appreciatively at the prices.
"Oh, don't fret about the cost, ladies. The chance to entertain to such glamorous guests is well worth the expense." Garthen smiled again, flashing brilliant white teeth as he included both of them in his actions. Storm smiled too, though she wasn't quite sure why.
"Why have you asked us here?" She asked in her soft, elegant accent. "What can you tell us about these rings?"
"In time, in time, Storm, please. I find it is best not to think on an empty stomach. You are ready to order, ladies?" He caught a waiter's attention with a slight wave of his hand. This is a man who is used to being served without question, Storm realised. The question is what does he want of Blaze and I?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Professor Xavier put down the book he was reading and watched the slightly oversized cat sitting on his windowsill, staring off into the night. Her tail swished gently, muscles in her neck and back rippling against grey tabby fur, every inch of her a huntress.
**Do you want me to open the window for you, cat? Or shall I open a tin of sardines for you? Maybe I should find some yarn for you to play with? ** The humour in his voice made the cat turn round to him, orange eyes blazing.
**Dad, that's not funny. You could just...** With a wail Ilehana the cat fell backwards off the windowsill. Starting his wheelchair towards his daughter Xavier was overtook by a wave of sharp pain, followed by disturbing quiet, a scream pulled from his lips too. The cat landed on her feet, then slipped and collapsed sideways. Xavier fell unconscious in his wheelchair.
Bobby and Rogue were first to the office, along with Colossus and Jubilee. Bobby ran to Xavier's side, checking his pulse and breathing as Rogue and the others stood shocked in the doorway. In a flash like anger personified Wolverine appeared dressed in grey training gear, claws unsheathed. He rushed past where Bobby was talking gently to the Professor as the older man came round, scooping up the cat in his arms.
"A cat?" Jubilee muttered to Colossus and Rogue. "I didn't know he had a cat."
"Vixen." Rogue filled in, almost under her breath, trying to deny the twinge of jealousy she felt at the tender way Wolverine placed the waking cat on her feet on the Professor's desk. True to instinct, the first thing Ilehana-Cat did when put down was sit and shakily begin to wash herself, glaring slightly at Logan for showing too much affection.
"You okay Professor?" Rogue asked, taking her place by Bobby's side, concern obvious on her face. The obviously shaken man reached out and stroked his daughter's cat-fur absently, as if to reassure himself that she was still there. She looked up at him soulfully, unable to respond.
"Our telepathy." He slurred through unwilling lips. "Our telepathic powers have been drained."
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The main course arrived almost as soon as their starters had been cleared. The food here looked to Blaze too good to eat, but as always her stomach got the better of her artistic taste and she tucked in whole-heartedly. Storm was a little more refined, and much less trusting. Garthen smiled and chatted about unimportant things, the stock market, places he'd visited that Blaze could respond to with acknowledgements that she knew them too. At no point did Blaze mention Gambit, but Storm knew that he must have been with her in some of these places at least. As the meal went on, and Blaze seemed still not to remember Gambit, Storm marvelled for one at Xavier's power. But also it troubled her, and she hoped dearly that Xavier would not be to long before he removed the inhibitions from Blaze's mind.