Cipher's Elegy
By Cypher
Chapter Six: Just a Day in the Life...
"Watcha doing?"
Douglas jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of the youngest mutant in the mansion.
Jamie giggled and stepped back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no. It's my fault. I was...concentrating." Douglas set the pad he was writing on aside. "Did I miss our lesson?" As per his agreement the last week, Douglas had begun to spend some time with Jamie, teaching him to use his powers in a more offensive way.
"No. I was just wondering what you were doing." Jamie climbed onto Douglas' bed and sat next to the older mutant, eyeing the pad. "Whatcha writing?"
Douglas looked at the ceiling, but indulged the mutant's curiosity. "It's a letter to my parents, so they know how I'm doing."
Jamie tilted his head. "Why don't you e-mail them?"
"It's better to write than e-mail. You know how the older generation isn't really into computers and such." That, and last time I sent them an e-mail, it got lost amongst all the other crap they get from work. Sometimes having diplomats for parents just isn't all it's cracked up to be. Douglas sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, grimacing as he recalled what it now looked like.
Jamie noticed the change in his facial expression. "I'm sure it'll be back to normal soon enough. I think it's kinda neat, anyway."
"You want me to ask Kurt if he has some extra for you?"
Jamie quickly shook his head.
Douglas laughed and ruffled his friend's hair. Now he could laugh at it. Earlier, though, when it had happened...
Douglas hummed as he stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wiping his face. His nose caught a whiff of sulfur, but he brushed it off as Kurt just needing to grab a brush or something. Yawning, he started drying his hair. A flash of blue caught his eye, and he paused. "Blue?" Slowly he removed the towel from his head and faced the mirror.
His hair was blue.
Royal blue.
The sulfur smell he had picked up on earlier told him exactly who was behind this.
"KUUUUUURRRRRTTTT!"
Actually, after he had run out (and back in again when he realized he had forgotten a bathrobe), he found Kurt and Bobby laughing at him. Kurt's laughing died slightly when he noticed what color Douglas' hair was, indicating it was Bobby who chose the dye.
"Now you and Kurt look like relatives or something!"
Kurt had tackled Bobby at that, but both boys stopped fighting when Douglas had grabbed both of their shirts and looked them straight in the eyes, his own burning with an intense fire.
"You have one minute to run. Then I'm going to do something VERY painful to both of you."
Kurt, wisely, teleported away immediately. Bobby swallowed nervously and backed off a bit before running for his room.
Things went downhill from there.
Bobby ended up limping to breakfast, while Kurt teleported in as usual, a grin on his face. When Douglas entered, the room went silent, for all of two seconds, before erupting with laughter. Kitty was the only one who hadn't laughed, and glared at Kurt while saying soothing things into Douglas' ear. At one point she even said the color made him even cuter, and Douglas could've sworn he caught a hurt look cross Kurt's face.
She understood just how hard this was for me. It was Douglas' first time in a public school, and he was immediately labeled two things: nerd and taken. Nerd because he always had a book to read, and taken because Kitty glared at any girl who approached him in a more than friendly way. Still, by the second day he had begun to fit in. Other than some white-haired kid, Pietro, bothering him, school was going pretty well.
But on the third day, Kurt and Bobby pulled the hair prank, and now he had blue hair. It had gotten some surprising looks, along with some questions on whether Douglas was actually related to Kurt somehow. Damn Bobby picked a good matching color. Pietro just started laughing when he caught Douglas' new looks, and for some reason, one girl kept asking him out despite Kitty's looks of death. She had a thing for blue, apparently.
On the way home, Scott had taken pity on the sophomore and stopped at a convenience store to buy some blond hair dye. The instant he got home Douglas locked himself in the bathroom to try and get his hair somewhat back to its normal color. He was mostly successful.
Mostly. He had blond hair, but there were blue streaks along his head.
"So what else are you writing to them about?"
Douglas sighed and picked up his pad again, glancing over it. "My hair, public school, how things are going, Kitty." He smiled softly at that. Kitty had offered to play Scrabble with him later to take his mind off what the pranksters had done.
Jamie tried not to look hurt. "What about me?"
"What about you?" Douglas got off the bed and set the paper and pen on his desk.
Jamie sat up on his knees. "Aren't you going to tell them about me?"
"Well, I could, or we could go hang out in the yard and annoy Rahne with a few dozen of your clones."
Jamie brightened, but pretended to think about it. "Well, an annoyed Rahne is fun..."
Douglas headed for the door and shook his head. "I was about to mention you when you came in. Come on, let's go practice on Rahne. Then we both have homework to get to."
Jamie groaned and followed Douglas. "You know, Kurt never bothers me about homework."
"Kurt isn't the one teaching you French, either. Now let's hurry, or else we'll have to bug someone less fun, like Sam."
~*()*~
Kurt's tail lashed out as he observed Jamie and Douglas head out the front door. Some people had already figured out that Douglas was helping Jamie with his powers, while most just assumed the older mutant was spending time with the youngest one out of pity or guilt. To Kurt, though, the interaction was yet more fuel for the fire that was building against the newest addition to the Institute.
My room, my love, my little brother...verdammt. He let out a soft growl. It's like he's trying to take over my life! His tail curled and uncurled, thrashing the floor. What is it he has that I don't?!
Kurt felt his tail droop as another part of his mind spoke up. Maybe it's what he doesn't have. He doesn't have fur, he doesn't have fangs, he doesn't have weird hands, he doesn't have a stupid accent.
Shut up! It's not that! Kurt's heart twisted slightly, knowing it was probably true. He tried to push the negative thoughts aside, knowing that one of the telepaths at the institute would pick up on it and want to talk about his feelings. It's not that. They like me. They accept me.
They just like him better.
This time it was Kurt's shoulders that slumped and he teleported to his room, no longer wanting to go watch television in the rec room. They don't like him better. The New Mutants aren't exactly accepting, and the X-Men don't want him on their team either.
But some of them still like him better.
Climbing up the wall, Kurt jumped onto his light fixture and hung upside-down, crossing his arms. So what do I do about it? He thinks I'm his friend. I may not like him, but I don't want to hurt his feelings. I don't want to hurt anybody.
Then perhaps it's time you rethought that policy. At least with him. Especially if you don't want to hear about his relationship with Kitty.
Kurt nodded slowly. While he still felt uncomfortable with the idea, the inner voice made sense. He had to somehow convey to Douglas that he didn't want to be friends. But how exactly do I go about doing that?
~*()*~
"Alright, Douglas. I want you to focus on reaching out with your mind, to try and contact me."
Douglas fidgeted in the chair and nodded. He couldn't really understand why these exercises were necessary. He didn't have anything against telepaths, but he really didn't want anyone poking around in his head. Still, might as well please the man. He is the headmaster. Closing his eyes, Douglas concentrated on clearing his mind and thinking towards Xavier. This is so stupid. How can one think towards a person?
Xavier, on his part, had his hands resting on his head and tried to aim his telepathy towards the appropriate part of Douglas' mind. Unfortunately, he kept picking up on a knowledge barrier. Languages, mathematical equations, even some trivia blocked his way, and his ability to maneuver towards the necessary part of Douglas' mind. Perhaps this is why he takes a few minutes before speaking. He has to sort through all this information. "Douglas, can you order your thoughts?"
"I'll try."
Xavier noticed how the information around his mind swirled about him, creating an opening, but only for a moment. Before he could move forward, new information appeared to block his way. The information that had been pushed aside lurched forward and flooded the area before him. This is pointless now. It'd be like trying to navigate pea soup. "Alright, Douglas, that's enough."
Douglas rubbed his forehead, frowning. What a headache. "What'd you do?"
"Nothing, why?"
"I've got what feels like a sinus headache." He pinched the bridge of his nose to try and relieve some of the pressure. Nope, not sinus. Just feels like it.
Xavier folded his hands together. "I'm afraid that's from you attempting to order your thoughts for me to get through. Apparently your mind refuses to allow anyone through. The instant I had a clear path more information appeared to block me."
Douglas ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry."
"There is no need to apologize. I don't believe you are behind it, it is merely a side-effect of your abilities."
Douglas nodded, but glanced at the clock.
"Yes, I know you have a date with Kitty. We're finished here, go ahead."
"Thanks. Later, Professor." Douglas dashed out of the study, not looking back.
Xavier merely shook his head and rolled his chair towards the basement elevator. Perhaps Cerebro could find a way for me to scan Cipher harmlessly.
~*()*~
"Evening, blonde."
Douglas waved towards Logan, not really paying attention to the instructor. Must he call me blonde? In all my years no one's ever called me that. Well, there was the occasional blonde joke, but really.
"You know, you should really try interacting with the world rather than read through it." Logan snatched the book from its place on the table.
"Hey! Careful with that! It cost over two hundred dollars to get that copy!" Douglas reached to grab the book back.
"Tough, kid. Try eating without reading. Even when you're alone." Logan closed the book and headed for the door.
Douglas ground his teeth, but knew trying to take on the feral mutant would just land him a trip to the infirmary, as well as cleaning the Danger Room. I was just getting to the good part! Gott verdammt!
Jean, who was passing by, gave him a strange look and raised an eyebrow. "What're you fuming about?"
_Just cursing the very existence of Wolverine and praying that his pillow spontaneously combusts some night because he took my book!_ Douglas blinked as he realized he talked to Jean in German. Damn, I've been talking with Kurt too much. "What I said was I'm pissed at Logan for taking my book."
"Ah. Well, why don't you read another book?" Jean pushed her hair back and leaned against the doorway.
"Because I was getting to the good part and I want to see what happens." Douglas crossed his arms and took on a pouting look.
Jean tried not to giggle. He looks cute pouting. I'll have to tell Kitty to try and get him to do it sometime. "I thought they were just archeology books."
"But the mythology and the lives of the pharaohs are fascinating! Have you ever just sat down and read about the lives of the children of Gods? I mean, it's laughable, but at the same time it's amazing what they did."
"I'm sure it is, but maybe you should read another book until Logan decides to give you back the one you were reading." Jean stood up again. "Or you could hang out with Kurt. Or maybe Kitty's free."
Douglas' cheeks turned a bit red. "I, ah, have a game with her later. But she has to finish her homework. Kurt might be available to talk with, though." He stood up and grabbed his plate. "Thanks." Douglas placed his dishes in the sink and headed for the main staircase.
Jean smiled after him, but as soon as he was out of sight she frowned. You have no idea Kurt's upset at you. I hope if you spend some time together you can patch things up.
Douglas paused outside his room. Remembering how his roommate liked to have alone time, he knocked on the door. It's silly, I know, but it was his room first.
"Come in."
Douglas opened the door and raised his eyebrows when he saw Kurt hanging from the light fixture. "Are you sure the blood doesn't rush to your head when you're doing that?" He shut the door and took a seat on his bed.
Kurt shrugged and teleported to his own bed, his tail wrapping around a pillow. He learned his lesson last time, when he broke a bedpost. Frauline Monroe wasn't happy to find that out. "What do you want?"
Douglas rubbed his arm. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to talk or something. I've got time to kill before Kitty can play Scrabble, and Logan took my book. I figured I hadn't been spending much time with you, so I figured we could talk a bit."
Kurt smirked. I knew Herr Logan wouldn't like his bookworm habit. "Well, I don't have much to talk with you about."
"Oh come on." Douglas grinned. "I talk to you about Kitty all the time. There must be something or someone going on in your life, right?"
Kurt's face fell momentarily. No, actually, there isn't. "Well, there was another prank I was planning with Bobby..."
"Say no more. I might have to testify against you." Douglas rubbed the back of his head. Well, he isn't seeing anyone. "So...would you mind if I set you up on a blind date?"
Kurt's eyes nearly bugged out at the suggestion. "You can't! Someone would feel the fur or fangs-"
Douglas held up a hand. "I meant with someone here. Kitty's roommate, Rouge, she's kinda cute. Do you think there's any chance you and she...?"
Kurt stared at the blond, trying to figure out if he was serious or not. Well, it's not like we look alike. "You mean...you don't know?"
Douglas blinked, tilting his head. "Know what?"
"Dude, Rouge is my sister."
"Oh?" It took a minute to completely register with Douglas. "Oh! You mean I just suggested...with your sister? Man, I'm sorry! I had no idea!"
"It's alright. Not like we advertise it or anything." Kurt tried not to laugh at the disturbed look on his roommate's face. Obviously that we were related never crossed his mind.
Kitty chose that moment to phase through the door. "Douglas? Are you, like, ready to play?"
"Yeah. Um, talk later Kurt?"
"Ja, I suppose." Kurt hopped off his bed and went out to the balcony.
Douglas opened his door and stepped out into the hall.
"Like, what's wrong with fuzzy?"
"I'm not sure. You could've told me that Rouge was his sister, though."
"You didn't know?"
"How could I know?"
Kurt shook his head at the fading voices. He wants to set me up for a date. He just doesn't get that I want to date Kitty. He sighed, gazing into the reflection of the moon on the water. He's really trying to stay on my good side. It's hard to stay mad at someone like that. He glanced back towards the door, his tail swishing and curling lazily. I guess you really can hate and like a person at the same time.
Logan's voice floated through the door. "Elf. You got one more chore to do."
Kurt sighed and headed for the hallway. Maybe I'll figure out a game plan while I'm waxing the X-Jet.
~*()*~
"Like, eugenics is not a word."
"Is so." Douglas dug into the bag of letters and pulled out seven tiles. "So I used all seven tiles, triple word score..."
"I challenge." Kitty crossed her arms.
Douglas sighed and looked over his shoulder, where Hank McCoy was reading on a couch. "Hey, is eugenics a word?"
"Yes. It's the experimentation and observation of genetic manipulation in living organisms." Beast turned the page of his book. "I do wish you wouldn't use me as a dictionary."
Douglas smirked. "But you're so much more convenient."
Kitty giggled as Hank rolled his eyes. "You, like, shouldn't tease him too much. He is the resident doctor, after all."
"Oh. Good point." Douglas looked at the tiles he had drawn, and wrinkled his nose. "I really wish we could use foreign words."
"You know the rules." Kitty shifted the tiles around on her stand. No, that's not enough points.
Douglas let out a heavy, and Kitty was pretty sure, dramatic sigh. "I know. Sometimes rules suck."
Kitty nodded, smiling. After a minute, she looked up and noticed Douglas had on his thinking face. Uh oh. Either he's got a really good word cooking up, or his mind's wandering. "Whatcha thinking about?"
"Huh? Oh, um...Exodus."
"Exodus? But you're an atheist."
"I know, but it's mentioned in the book I was reading. In fact, the way it was written Exodus seemed personified." Douglas ran a hand through his hair. "That's why I was so upset at Logan. Exodus was becoming a more frequent word, and I was hoping for an explanation."
Kitty furrowed her brow. "Wait, I thought the book was about ancient Egypt."
"It is. That's why it's so fascinating." Douglas leaned forward and put his hands together. "Either Exodus was predicted by the ancient Egyptians, along with the apocalypse since the two are often used in conjunction, or this is a God no one else has discovered."
"Really? You think you discovered an undiscovered myth of Egypt?" Kitty forgot about her tiles and sat on the edge of her seat. "No wonder you're so interested in that stuff."
Douglas nodded. "Archeologists have difficulties translating writings they find, but because of my powers..."
"It's a snap for you. So why don't you tell someone?"
"Because it's mentioned in a few other mythologies and in a couple cases, it seems as if Exodus was part of a royal lineage somehow. So I'm trying to figure out if it's something about the Bible, or a bizarre coincidence, like the pyramids in South America and Egypt."
"Hmm." Kitty rubbed her chin. "Ah!"
Douglas sat up. "What? You figured it out?"
"No." She picked up her tiles and placed them on the board. "Lineage. Double word score and triple letter score."
Douglas' head fell, but he laughed. "You're welcome."
Kitty laughed as well. I'll have to get Mr. Logan to give Douglas his book back. If he's going to discover an unknown God...like, that is totally worth him reading while he eats.
~*()*~
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Author's Prattle: Sorry it took so long to get this out, but midterms, and now finals, have befallen me. Sorry if this chapter is a bit dull, too, but I need it to help bridge the way to the big climax. I figure one more school-based chapter and then we can get to the good stuff. Again, if you know what I'm doing, don't spoil it for others. Cipher and Kitty are going to be together for the rest of the fic, but Kurt will be there too. The triangle will expand and grow, but we're about halfway through the fic (I hope), so it will end eventually. And for you Jamie fans, there you go. More Jamie.
Disclaimers. Of course, I don't own X-Men Evolution, its characters or settings. Nor do I own Cipher or the mysterious villain (who you might already know if you're well versed in the X-Men genre). They all belong to Marvel, and probably a few other people, but not me. I'm just using artistic license to write for fun.
So, until the next chapter, hope you enjoyed reading and reviews are always welcome!