Dismal Angel 2010 - Episode 3
Chapter 5: Harsh
Rogue found Kitty Pryde sitting at the top of the stairs in tears, face in her hands, hysteric sobs. It wasn't the first time she'd seen Kitty Pryde shed a tear, there had been many men who'd broken the girls heart over the last seven years, she assumed this must have been the reason – since it seemed to be the only time Kitty did cry.
Kitty's sobs seemed to echo throughout the large foyer, making her seem even more upset than she probably was.
"What's wrong?" Rogue hurried up the stairs to her friend, "Kurt and you have a fight?"
It was no secret that Kitty and Kurt for the past eight years, had been having a relationship that was on and off more than blinking Christmas tree lights.
"No…" Kitty sniffled, "god, its nothing," she sighed, drying her face on the slightly overlong sleeve of her grey-blue sweater. "I don't know…I'm just being stupid, nothing is wrong, really…" she sucked in a breath, trying to calm herself.
Rogue watched her closely, "then why the tears?"
"I hate myself," Kitty sighed, "y'know if I'd never accused Remy of being the one who killed Jared all those years ago then maybe you wouldn't have accused him, and maybe he wouldn't have stayed away so long, and maybe he wouldn't be such an ASSHOLE to me now," Kitty sniffed again, blinking more tears.
"What did he say to you?" Rogue raised an eyebrow, it was obvious something had been said to make Kitty react this way. Kitty wasn't the kind of person to burst into tears for no reason.
"Just that he couldn't give a shit for my friendship…" Kitty ran her fingers through her hair, she let out a sob, "I've tried so hard to make him feel welcome here and that I was still his friend…and he just threw it back in my face," she rubbed the corners of her eyes a little, "he's changed so much…become so…hostile…so cold…and then he acts like nothings the matter…"
"He's been pretty…harsh…lately," Rogue admitted, "He's been that way with me too…"
Kitty gave a deep sigh, pulling herself together, "You're right, he is an asshole. I wanna take that long fucking ponytail of his and strangle him with it."
Rogue smirked a little, "only good use for it, I think," she grinned, but then became serious, "I really don't like who he's become lately," Rogue admitted, "seven years have changed him totally – and if he doesn't want your friendship, that's his loss," she added. "You shouldn't waste your time on him."
Kitty stood up slowly, "the sooner he gets out of this mansion the better," she muttered, she dried the last of her tears away, then walked off quickly.
Rogue gave a nod even though Kitty was no longer in the room. Kitty was right, the sooner Remy was gone, the sooner things could go back to normal in the Mansion.
"Sitting on the stairs again, Rogue? You know there are some perfectly good arm chairs in the living room," Bobby Drake had approached from behind, he sat down beside her, grinning from ear to ear in that impish way he always did. He looked particularly handsome today in dark blue jeans, a light grey t-shirt, and his hair slightly gelled into small spikes, his eyes twinkling as always.
Rogue smiled a little, "I know," she rolled her eyes at him.
"Kitty just passed me, she looked upset."
"Remy was an asshole to her," Rogue shrugged, "I think Kitty's just feeling a bit sensitive this week."
"It must be PMS," Bobby decided, "after having lived in a mansion for almost 9 years with women everywhere, you start to recognise the signs…" he joked, Rogue elbowed him playfully in response to this. "By the way, did you speak to the Prof about trying to get rid of Remy?" he asked, he scratched the back of his neck absently, looking at her, his pale eyes seemed so transparent through the last of the light coming through the large windows in the foyer.
"Yes," Rogue sighed, "He's asked the swamp rat to become of the X-Men all over again," Rogue pouted, she rested her chin upon her fist, "can you imagine? The guy is a thief, and a liar and so irresponsible and the Professor actually wants him to stay!"
"Bummer," Bobby made a face, his voice hoarse, "you think he'd have had the decency to get rid of the loser considering all he did to you," he admitted. "Didn't he give you any consideration at ALL? Doesn't seem like it…"
Rogue shrugged, "I guess he thinks Remy deserves another chance…" she sighed unhappily, shaking her head, "It's just so not right."
"Has LeBeau said he'll stay?"
"Not yet, as far as I know," Rogue admitted, "probably only a matter of time."
"We can always hope he says no," Bobby grinned, and slipped her arm around her shoulders casually, "y'know what I think you need?" he asked.
"Tell me, because I'm dying to know," Rogue rolled her eyes at him, but smiled at his behaviour.
"Dinner, and a few drinks, to take your mind off of things," he responded, he absently curled a finger through a lock of her hair, "how about it?"
Rogue paused, he was probably right, dinner and a drink might help take her mind off all of this chaos involving Remy, "you're right," she decided, "okay."
"Great, be ready for seven," Bobby squeezed her shoulder in a comforting and friendly manner, then got up and left.
"Ah, Remy, do you have a moment?"
Remy was in his room, staring out of the window and smoking serenely when Hank McCoy stood at the open door, he gave a gentle knock upon the threshold to announce his presence. "Oui, Que peux-je faire pour vous?" Remy glanced over his shoulder, and smirked a little as if secretly amused at something.
"Parler anglais, mes Français sont mauvais," Hank announced, revealing his French was quite bad.
"Alright, fair enough," Remy turned back to the window, arms folded casually.
"Rogue…came to see me, she suggested to me that you might be experiencing some slight difficulty with the control of your powers," Hank stepped in with grace that carried his bulk smooth and animal like across the room.
Remy rolled his eyes although his back was turned to the blue-furred beast, "what makes her think that?" he asked, even from behind Hank could see his posture became so much more apprehensive.
Hank paused, "Well…she did mention that sometimes when people touch you, you cause electric shocks," he scratched his chin thoughtfully, folding the other arm casually, watching Remy with his curious indigo coloured eyes.
Remy laughed, "Mon ami, I think she is drinking too much lately…electric sparks? Perhaps she is carrying flints in her bra – that's if she still wears one," he added thoughtfully, glancing over to Hank, his eyes glittering with amusement.
"Well…Kitty has apparently experienced this also," Hank admitted softly, he was watching Remy's reactions, he could see the man had something to hide.
"Not recently," Remy said quickly, without thinking, but then feigned a smile, "Seriously, Mon ami, my powers are in perfect control, go ahead," he reached out his bare hand, "try the theory out for yourself."
Hank reached forward and pressed his fingertips to Remy's hand, with no other result other than the skin to skin contact. "Hmmm, no electric reaction what so ever, and yet, why do I get the feeling that Rogue and Kitty might be on to something?" he slowly pulled his hand away.
"Please, I would rather not discuss the matter any further," Remy stated calmly.
Hank looked at him, "Remy, your powers went out of control once and caused a seventeen year old boy a very early death, if you do not take your powers seriously, it could happen again," he warned.
"It's not likely to happen again," Remy stated, "besides, these days I don't even use my powers," he added.
"You don't?" Hank asked, "perhaps this is a build up of your powers causing these sparks," he theorised.
"Kinetic energy? Causing electrical sparks? Is this possible?" Remy seemed extremely sceptical.
"Science has its ways," Hank replied, "you may have manifested some new abilities you might never even have known about," he explained carefully, he could see Remy was beginning to become more rigid every time he spoke.
"I thought new powers only manifested during puberty," Remy replied, stubbing his cigarette out, he didn't look to Hank as he spoke.
"Not necessarily," Hank admitted, "its possible in some mutants that the mutation isn't triggered until adulthood," he pointed out, "also, it's a possibility that this sparking of your powers might be some kind of evolution of your kinetic abilities, or it might be something completely different."
"Its just the carpet," Remy assured, feigning a smile.
"Rogue said you'd say that," Hank smirked, "Remy, come down to the lab, I'd like to run some tests on you."
"I'd rather not," Remy folded his arms, looking rather stern, "nothin' personal, I just don't like scientists," he gave a wan smile, his eyes became somewhat darker and more suspicious.
"Nothing would hurt," Hank assured, he was hoping he could convince the man.
"I said no, mon ami, don't make me say it again," Remy warned, his voice suddenly becoming much colder, he turned his back to Hank again, facing the window, staring through the small gap between the slats in the blinds. "You know, I wish everyone in this place would just leave me alone, get on with your lives and pretend I'm not even here…" he frowned.
"If that's what you'd like…" Hank trailed off, feeling a little dejected, but then he brightened up, "well you know if you have any problems with your powers…any at all, you can speak to me or the Professor, we'd be glad to help."
"Thank you but no thanks," he said. "Bye, Hank," he stated, finalising the conversation, for as far as he was concerned, the conversation was now definitely over.
Hank gave a curt nod, then left the room closing the door silently behind himself.