"I know where I'm goin'," the feral replied as he sped up, the snow not discouraging him in the least as he walked. The scent of the air around him calmed him greatly, a scent of pure clean air mixed with the vibrant scent of evergreen trees. His favourite pastime as of late had been to take long hikes through the forest, enjoying the crisp winter air and pristine snow. Already he had memorized numerous paths to his favourite lookouts; one near the lake, the other at the small waterfall, and another where he was heading now, at the entrance to a sort of natural tunnel created by dozens of huge, tall, evergreen trees.
Zelgadis slipped behind him, but caught himself, and he was inwardly relieved that his part golem physiology kept him from feeling anything but the most extreme cold. He had pulled the lower half of his mask over his face as he walked, that added with his hood hiding everything but his eyes from view. The wind played with his cape, tugging on it as he walked, the wind making his eyes tear slightly. "You ready for this huge get together the girls are planning?"
"Pretty much," Wolverine shrugged. "Ain't nothin' to it, really. You?"
"I'm not sure. I never really know how to react when they plan these things. This 'Christmas' thing, it's still weird to me."
"Nah. S'just like every other holiday. The darlin's just like this one more than the others." He shoved his way through a bush and side stepped around a birch tree before beholding what he had been looking for. A huge eight foot pine tree stood proudly before him, and a quick sniff of the air told him that it wasn't home to any birds. "Stand 'side. M'gonna take it down." A quick clench of his fists made his adamantium claws pop out with a whisper of metal on metal, and he grinned ferally as he stepped forward, ducking under the lower branches before pulling a fist back.
With a loud yell of, "Timber!" and two savage slices to it's truck, the tree came crashing down.
The only drawback was that it landed on Zelgadis, who screamed shrilly as said evergreen tree slammed him into the ground.
Sighing in exasperation, Wolverine stalked over to the pair of legs that were sticking out from under the tree, grabbed the chimeras ankles, and hauled him free, arching an eyebrow curiously when Zelgadis yelped and started patting at his legs, doing a little dance as he suddenly shrieked and grabbed at his crotch. "What tha hell?"
"The squirrels! The squirrels!!" Zel screamed, flailing one leg in an attempt to kick one of the vermins out of his pants.
Rolling his eyes again, Wolverine popped his claws again and sliced off the bottom of Zel's pants, turning them into cut off shorts and freeing the two black squirrels that had been trapped in there. "You are truly pitiful," he muttered to the chimera before sheathing his claws and turning to the tree. "C'mon, let's get this thing home."
Just getting his breath back from hyperventilating in horror, Zelgadis looked up from his ruined pants to Wolverine, then sighed heavily and went to help him haul the tree home, not looking forward to the hour's walk that lay ahead of them.
~*~
The blare of noise that came forth from the air horn was loud enough that it made the walls of the fourth floor vibrate, and Tvashtar snickered from where he stood beside Lashana as numerous groans and cries of protest came forth from the various rooms around them. Chuckling rather evilly, he grabbed the air horn from her and blared out another loud belch of sound, this time ducking the various pieces of furniture that came his way.
Grinning, Lashana started pacing up and down the hall, yelling as she did so. "It's Christmas and tonight's the big get together so y'all'd better get yer arses in gear now!" she cried, her voice wavering with mirth as she broke out into song. "Deck the hall with poison ivy, fa lala lala la la lala! Tis the season to be naughty, fa lala lala la la lala! Smash the windows, slash the tires, fa lala lalala la la la. Set the teachers hair on fire! Fa lala la la, lala la laaaaa! All together now! Deck the halls with--"
"Alright amiga!" Malcho yelled from within his room. "We're awake! We're awake!!"
"Good! Now GET UP!"
"That means you too, Kadrith!" Tvashtar added with a toothy grin, chuckling at the low grumble from the end of the hall. "Either get up or we'll get Xellos to come give you incentive!"
The mass stampede of people shook the Palace down to it's foundation, and after the last Harem Member had pounded past her, Lashana slowly crept out from under the small table she had taken shelter under, seeing that Tvashtar had merely leapt up to cling to the ceiling with all four sets of talons. "Well," she said cheerfully. "That worked well."
"Speak for yourself," he muttered as he dropped down to the floor, flexing his hands. "That just took a year off my life."
She laughed and slapped his arm as she walked past him and headed for the stairs. "You're Immortal m'dear. I don't think it matters."
"Sure it does!" he protested as he joined her, keeping pace with her as they descended the stairs. "Besides, I don't like the thought of living forever."
She frowned curiously and glanced at him. "Why?"
He turned golden eyes on her and reached out to trail the smooth curve of a talon across her left cheek. "I don't want to see you die, kelestra. You made me a part of your family, and now I can't even imagine living without you."
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she reached over and hugged him tightly, smiling when he wrapped his arms around her to return the embrace. "I love you too, Tvashtar," she murmured as she got up on her tip toes to give him a kiss on the side of his snout. "And don't start worrying yet. I'm not planning on leaving this mortal coil for some time yet."
"Good," he whispered into her hair, giving her a strong squeeze before gently releasing her. "Now, tell me more about this 'Christmas' thing. We're doing what to a tree?"
She chuckled softly and wiped at her eyes. "Decorating it. You'll see. Actually I may need you to help me get the decorations out of the attic..." She trailed off at the sound of explosions from outside and exchanged worried glances with her brother before bolting down the last flight of stairs and making a beeline for the kitchen, where Telca's curses could be heard.
Seeing that all the Harem had congregated there for breakfast, Lashana bit her lower lip and barely managed to weave her way through the chaos without slowing down or running anyone over, barely managing to skid to a stop before she slammed into Telca, who was standing out on the deck lobbing fireballs at the large turkey that Duncan and Kang were chasing around the backyard.
"I hate birds!" Telca yelled to the duo. "If you bring that thing in here while it's alive I'll fireball the lot of you!"
"Uhhh..." Not stupid enough to fight with Telca when she was like this, Lashana sent a frantic look to Remy, who nodded in understanding and immediately moved to distract Telca with a kiss while Lashana turned back to look at the two chasing the turkey just in time to see Duncan trip and crash to the snow, making Kang stumble over him and topple to the ground next to him. The turkey, not happy about being chased, turned and pecked Kang in the forehead before spinning around and bolting, the airborne Kalamadea and Akhor flying after it.
"Ow! Stupid bird!" Axe raised high, Kang got to his feet again and gave chase. "Get back here!"
"A mighty draconian Commander, and a four hundred year old Immortal, brought down by a turkey." Lashana sighed shook her head. "This is pitiful."
"I t'ink dat maybe de duo be in trouble, petite," Remy said as he held Telca to himself, reassuring her just by touching her.
"Yeah...." Frowning, she went into the kitchen to grab a steak knife, then walked back out onto the deck, very aware of everyone's gazes on her as she pulled Telca away from Remy and gave her the knife. "If you don't get that bird in one throw I'm buying a parrot."
Telca's eyes widened. "Don't you fuckin' dare!!" she screamed, fear and disgust in her voice as she flung the knife, hearing Kang and Duncan's yelps of fear as the turkey went down. "Wow. I didn't know I could do that."
Job done, Lashana turned and headed back inside, ignoring the numerous stares of shock from the Guys as she went to get herself another cup of coffee, sipping the warm liquid happily. "Okay," she smiled as she brandished the long list of chores for the day. "We've got a lot to do before people start showing up, so everyone pay attention. Malcho! You and Kenshin are decorating the inside of the Palace. Once Wolvie and Zel get back with the tree I'll need you to help them set it up Malcho. You too Blackie. Actually wait, Kenshin can cook, so nix the decorating. Ken-chan, you help out in the kitchen, bake something. Mewtwo, you're with Malcho. Beast, Nightcrawler already volunteered you to help him hang the lights outside, get Wolvie to help you once he gets back. As for the rest of you: clean! This place has to be habitable by tonight! That means that the pizza boxes hidden in the game room get thrown out and that someone actually has to clean out the fridge! But, if anyone has to get last minute gifts, Telca and I are doing a run to Wal-Mart, so you can come then. Ken-chan, if you need ingredients, just give me a list, kay? Good, did everyone get that?" When no one answered, she sighed. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."
Malcho took a shot at protesting. "But mi amiga! It's only seven in the morning!"
Growling softly, Lashana grabbed a fistful of his hair and hissed. "If I have to be up and cheerful, then you have to be up and cheerful. Comprende?"
He nodded franticly. "Si!"
"We might as well head out to Wal-Mart now," Telca said as she joined them with Remy at her heels. "Especially if we need decorations for the tree." She paused for a moment, then grinned. "And I know where to get the money for it to! Be right back!"
"I hate it when she grins like that," Blackie muttered as he watched her leap into a portal, the glowing doorway snapping shut behind her. "Bad things always happen when she grins like that."
"At least it's not gonna happen to us," Kadrith pointed out, receiving many murmurs of agreement from the group.
~*~
Elsewhere, in the warm den of an expensive mansion, a certain bald telepath rose his gaze from the newspaper he had been reading, one eyebrow arching curiously as he beheld the burgundy haired woman before him. "Yes? May I help you?"
"Naw," Telca grinned. "I can handle it m'self." Before he could react - for he had read her mind - she lunged at him and, quick as a flash, pick-pocketed his wallet, smiling as she plucked a certain Gold Card into her fingers. Sensing that he was trying to use his mind powers on her, she merely let her mind dip into the gutter and radiated those thoughts to him, a rather evil smirk spreading over her lips when he winced and clutched at his head. "Thanks for the card, Xavier. We'll put it to good use. Ta!"
Cyclops burst into the room seconds after her portal had vanished, rushing over to his mentor with an air of concern, seeing the grimace upon the man's face. "Professor! Are you alright? Who was that?"
"That," the telepath muttered. "Was Gambit's girlfriend. And she stole my Gold Card."
"Oh." Cyclops paused for a moment, then tried to cheer Xavier up. "At least she didn't get the MasterCard."
There was a flash of silver light as a hand reached out and grabbed the card from the wallet that still lay on the floor. "Yoink!"
Xavier sighed.
~*~
"You stole de Professor's credit cards?!" When Telca nodded gleefully and clutched the cards to her chest, Remy beamed and gathered her up in a hug. "My chere! She learns so quickly!"
"That is hardly something to compliment her on," Beast muttered.
"Oh, live a little," Lashana smirked, elbowing him lightly. "I'll buy you a box of Twinkies if you smile."
"For that, my dear," he grinned as he bowed to her, his bright white teeth with fanged incisors a stark contrast to his dark blue fur. "I would smile until the world itself ended!"
"I may hold you to that!" she replied, cocking her head curiously when she heard the front doorbell. "Dammit, someone get the door!" she called as she ran out of the kitchen, blood draining from her face when she saw Xellos answering the door. Gulping, she put on a extra burst of speed and shoulder-checked him into a wall, taking his place as the door swung open to reveal her parents. "Mom? Dad? Shit, you're early! I wasn't expecting you for hours! Uh... we're not even ready for anything...."
Diane shrugged. "We were up early and got bored."
"Early? It's seven in the morning! You were up earlier than this?"
"Six in the bloody morning," Pete, her father, groaned. "You have coffee, right?"
"Gods yes."
"Good."
"Right. Um.... Where's Logan?" Curious, Lashana peeked around her parents, then yelped when a hundred-thirty pound Alaskan Malamute landed on her chest, knocking her to the floor as the large gleeful dog slathered her face with doggie kisses. "Ugh! Logan, you're crushing my ribs...." Groaning, she shoved the dog off of her and wiped at her face with the back of her right hand, grimacing when the malamute wriggled under her left arm then rolled onto his back in a bid for her to scratch his white-furred belly.
"So! How are things going around here?" Diane asked as she helped her daughter to her feet, then let herself into the Palace, pausing to hang up her coat and her husband's before turning to look at the white haired elf.
"Things are.... slow. Most of the guys only got up half an hour ago, though Wolverine and Zelgadis are out getting the tree and Telca and I are just about to head out to the twenty-four hour Wal-Mart for decorations."
Pete winced. "This isn't going to turn out like Easter did, is it?"
She paused. "I really don't know yet."
"Figures."
"Hey, I resent that, Dad."
"Eh! Kelestra! We're ready to go....ut...." Tvashtar froze in place when he saw the elf's parents standing in the Main Hall and took a step backwards in nervousness when they looked over at him. "Um...."
Diane smiled at him warmly. "Hello. You're new, aren't you?"
Taking the initiative, Lashana hurried over to Tvashtar and grabbed his arm before he could bolt, pulling him forward as she walked back to her folks. "This is gonna come as a bit of a surprise, but I, uh..... well, I adopted a brother without telling you. Surprise! You have a son!"
Pete blinked. "You....what?"
She sighed. "It's a long story. Suffice it to say that he was sent here to be my Guardian, since I'm the Chaos Knight and all. And the other Knights before me, well, they were complete wackjobs and tortured him and everything, so I swore to him that he would be safe here. Three months ago, I made a Blood Pact with him, so we're brother and sister now." The explanation was spotty at best, but the gist of it was there.
Still shocked, Diane merely blinked at the six foot tall humanoid dragon for a moment longer, then adapted. "Tvashtar, was it?" When he nodded, she moved forward and gave him a hug, feeling him jerk a little in surprise at the gesture. "Welcome to the family. You'd better tell us the whole story later, hmm? Lashana tends to only give us the gist of things, as if we can't handle what goes on around here."
"Um, alright," the draconid stammered, glancing from Lashana to Diane in shock that was slowly giving way to relief. "It's nice to meet you finally. Lashana's told me a lot about you."
Recovered from his shock, Pete stepped forward and held out his hand, smiling when Tvashtar took it in a strong shake. "You'll definitely have to fill us in."
"I will. But for now," the Guardian glanced down at the elf. "Telca wants to head out to Wal-Mart."
"Right. Right. Mum, Dad, make yourselves at home. If you don't know where something is.... actually wait a second." Akhor! Kalamadea! Can you come here? I need a favour! She waited patiently for a moment before smiling at the white and blue forms that flew over to her, making her rise her right arm for them to land on as she grinned at her folks. "You remember that egg the guys gave me? Well these two, and one other were the result. Mom, Dad, meet Kalamadea and Akhor. They'll be your guides and protectors while I'm gone."
"Protectors?" her father echoed.
"Xellos is feisty today," she said by way of explanation before turning her attention to the two dragons perched on her arm. "You two mind keeping on eye on them for a bit?"
::No,:: Kalamadea telepathed, using his 'wideband' frequency to include Pete and Diane into the conversation. ::We don't mind at all. Though you might want to yell at Korin, he's pigging out on those chocolates you bought for Telca.::
"He's what?! Dammit. I'll just buy another box. Anyway, Kalama, stick with Mom, Akhor, stay with my Dad, kay?"
::Sure.::
"Okay, Mom, Dad, they usually perch on my shoulder like this," she waited until Kalamadea had climbed up her arm to perch on her shoulder, then smiled as he lay down and curled himself around the back of her neck, his tail wrapping around her throat. "Or they stay like this. It doesn't hurt, and they're light enough that they won't bother you. Though if it does, they can just perch somewhere else in whatever room you're in. Okay?"
When they nodded, she sent a silent message to the duo, watching as they vaulted over to her parents. Akhor, sensing Pete's unease, chose to merely perch on his shoulder, while Kalamadea, curled around Diane's shoulders, purring when she scratched under his chin.
"Hey! You're early!" Grinning, Telca joined them with Nightcrawler and Kadrith by her sides, going to give Diane and Pete welcoming hugs. "Welcome to the chaos! Everyone's gonna be running around like mad, but don't let that stop you from having a good time! Anyway, Elfy, we gotta go. Kadrith's coming with, so we've got a full car. Let's motor!"
"Um, Telca?" Meeting up with her at the closet while Tvashtar introduced Kadrith to her parents, Lashana pitched her voice low so only her friend could hear. "There's not enough seat space for the two Guardians, us and Kurt. We don't have a big enough car."
Purple eyes widened at the realisation. "Shit. I didn't think of that. Well, who can we 'borrow' a car from?"
Lashana glanced at her father and gave him the puppy-dog eyes. "Daddy....?"
"No."
"Damn." Frowning she tapped a finger against her chin for a moment before a slow smile spread over her lips. "I know the perfect car. C'mon." Without waiting for an answer, she opened a portal and pulled her friend through it, grinning when they emerged out onto a sidewalk in the middle of Los Angeles, where the darkness of night was kept at bay by numerous streetlights. "Keep watch."
Telca opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again when she recognised the black oldstyle convertible that Lashana was moving to hotwire, her grin mirroring the elf's. "This is a great idea."
"Isn't it though?" Ripping wires free, the elf studied the for a moment before choosing two opposing colours and twining the copper wires together, grinning when the engine roared to life. "C'mon! Quick!"
Having heard the engine of his car come to life, Angel of Angel Investigations dashed out of his hotel in time to see two women drive his car into a portal, the golden doorway snapping shut behind them, leaving only their cry of 'yoinks and away!' floating on the winds. "My car!! Dammit.... Wesley! I need a portal spell! Fast!"
Meanwhile, dimensions away, Lashana brought the car to a sharp stop and yelped when it slid an extra five meters before it finally came to a standstill. "No snow tires. Oh, well."
Pete and Diane watched from the open doors as the car skidded to a stop, mere inches from the rear bumper of his own Silver Intrepid. "If they hit my car...."
"We won't!" Lashana called. "C'mon guys, pile in!"
"I hope we survive this," Kadrith muttered as he followed Nightcrawler and his brother out to the car, waiting until the motorized top for the car had finished rising before opening the door and crawling into the backseat, relieved to discover that there was plenty of room.
"We'll be back soon!" Telca waved to Lashana's parents as the elf threw the car into reverse and slammed her foot on the gas, sending the car screeching backwards.
Panicking, Kadrith dug his talons into the seat in front of him. "Can't you drive facing forward?!"
Lashana snorted. "Baby," she muttered as she slammed on the brakes, cranked the emergency brake and spun the wheel, sending the car into a wicked one-hundred eighty degree spin so that it was facing forward. "Happy now?"
Nightcrawler grinned, ignoring the hyperventilating Kadrith. "That was so cool!"
Sighing, Diane watched as the black
convertible rose onto it's two right tires as it raced around the corner,
it's tires skidding on the icy road. She arched an eyebrow and turned to
her husband. "I don't care what you say," she muttered. "She gets that
from your side of the family."
TBC