Chapter 2: Sympathy Pours from Your Eyes
Rane shook off her thoughts of Troy and took in the new room for what it was, a safe haven that felt welcome and warm. She sat on the cherry-wood canopy bed for a few minutes, and then lost herself in unpacking the few things she had brought. She knew she had enough clothes, and she hoped that there was not a dress code for the teachers. After thinking about it, she figured that the staff would not mind anyway, since she was going to be the art teacher. She remembered the way her art professor from college dressed and laughed to herself about tie-dyed trenchcoats. She felt inspiration about her new job and set to work creating a lesson plan as soon as she finished unpacking. She used a spiral notebook as she busily scratched down random lyrics in the margins that came to her while she was planning various projects. She became so wrapped up in her writing that when she heard a knock on her door at six, she nearly leapt off the bed in surprise.
"Uh, come in!" she called and put on a pull over sweatshirt over her plain t-shirt and athletic pants. A handsome, yet rather unruly looking man opened the door with a casual flair all his own.
"Hey there," the man strode in as if he owned the place and offered her an outstretched hand, "my name is Logan."
"Nice to meet you, Logan." Rane shook his hand, trying her best not to look as bewildered as she felt.
"Charles asked me to escort you to the meeting," he continued while releasing her hand and leading her from the room, "your name is Rane, right?"
"Yes, how did you know?" she asked.
"Marie and Kitty are always talking about some folks name Rane and Troy," he smiled at her, and then said sarcastically, "so I figured by how happy they were, and how that you are female, that you must be Rane."
"You figured right," she smirked at his brash comments, "and I hope they have said nothing good of me."
"Well, aside from being a rather outspoken person," he smirked right back, "I heard you are quite the little activist." She winked at him.
"I try my best." As she said that he opened the door into Charles's office. Several adults and a few of the older students were sitting or standing inside, talking noisily. She felt eyes upon her, which made her feel uneasy, but felt better as Charles came to greet her.
"I trust you have unpacked and are situated?" she nodded an answer as she looked around the room, "Good, and hopefully Logan gave you no troubles?"
"None that I can think of." Logan gave her a little smirk that made her start feeling at home. She took in the room for a moment before they started talking, but she was unable to get very far. Before the Professor started speaking again, however, she noticed a dark shadow in a corner that seemed out of place. She found herself staring into a pair of amber-yellow eyes and turned her vision sharply out of habit. The shadow stayed there, leaning against the wall, with a dart-like tail moving slowly, rhythmically like a cat's.
"First on our agenda tonight," Charles's voice filled the room, "I would like to introduce a new professor who shall be teaching during spring term, Miss Rane Lassen."
"It is wonderful to meet you all." She tried her best to be cordial in a shy voice.
"Likewise," Ororo smiled, and Rane felt her warmth. She was introduced to everyone, including Scott, Ororo, and Logan once more, who showed her a sample of their skills.
"Now, where is Kurt," Scott said, looking around, "I thought he was here."
"I am here." The shadow moved away from the wall. The artist in Rane poured over this revealed shadow. Striking midnight blue hair and royal blue tinted skin that looked to have a fine film of hair offset his bright, amber-yellow eyes. There were intricate tattoos inscribed all over his face and neck, and his close were of many layers and very distinctive underneath his black trenchcoat.
"This is Kurt Wagner," Charles smiled at him, "and he is our foreign language professor." Kurt teleported right next to Rane, and she almost jumped because she was so startled.
"I teach German, Vrench, and Russian," he said, revealing sharp white teeth, "although, my accent gets in ze way zometimes." He teleported away again, and Logan gave an approving glace for startling the new woman. Rane could feel Kurt watching her from time to time, but it wasn't in a bad way. It was as if he were studying her.
"I'm guessing by your clothes that you're here to be the new physical education teacher?" Scott asked.
"Actually," Rane replied, "I am here to teach fine art."
"Charles," Logan tried his best to look hurt, "are you replacing me?" Rogue and Bobby could not contain their laughter, which made Charles smile.
"Sorry, Logan, bit her credentials are better," he looked to Rane, "why don't you show them a bit of your skill, Rane. I myself am curious."
"Okay," she looked around, "does anyone have any coal?"
"There is some in the science labs, upstairs." No sooner had Ororo said it than Kurt was gone and back, and he handed Charles a large piece of coal. He gave it to Rane, and she held it between her palms and began to concentrate. The bit of coal became smaller and smaller, its impurities falling to the ground. The coal lump began changing shape, into a prism, and quickly became while and fell into her hands as she relaxed. The uncut diamond was clean and clear, its surface glinting in the light. A little pile of impurities was lying at her feet, and she was out of breath. Scott picked it up and looked it over, followed by Ororo, who passed it around the room.
"My friend called it organic manipulation," she said as her breath came back to her, "and that there is still the most difficult thing for me to do."
"What else are you capable of?" Rogue was studying the diamond as Charles asked her the question. Rane pulled a thin plastic vial from her pants pocket. She removed a very small seed and placed it in her hand. She slid the vial back into her pocket and began to concentrate again. Vines burst forth from the seed and tumbled towards the floor. Thorns and leaves emerged and fell open along the way as she slowed the growth, and small buds began to appear. They soon bloomed into full white roses.
"I can also reverse the progress, and change small things about the physiology." She admired the flowers.
"Can you heal?" Ororo fingered one of the white blooms.
"Only to an extent," Rane replied, "I can resurface and change only if I know exactly how to do so. I could heal surface wounds and broken bones if you asked from my knowledge of anatomy, but ask me to heal organ tissues, and I would not be able to help. It took me quite awhile to learn how to do this." She began to change the color of the blooms from white, to red, to yellow, to peach, and then back to white again. She returned the plant to seed form and slipped it back into the vial. The thorns had torn up her hand considerably, but with a pass of her hand, the abrasions were gone. She continued on to explain that even though she could not do some of the things she wished she could, her assets were still very powerful.
The next couple of weeks went very well. She got to know several of the students and faculty. She, Rogue, and Logan spent a lot of time together, and started up an odd sort of fellowship. Whenever they spent time together, she felt like she was a kid again, and it made her so content. Her supplies for her painting and drawing classes arrived and she started to set up her new classroom.
Troy had called her to let her know that things were okay with the recording company since she decided to leave for a while. Rane told him about the job and asked if he could bring down some of her art from her home. She didn't want to see him really, but she knew that he wanted to visit just to be sure that she was all right; she could hear it in his voice. He would be coming in a week, so her first few days of class would have to revolve around theory.
Rogue was around her all of the time, and Rane felt as if she had gained a little sister. After finals, Charles let her know that her classes had been filled for the coming semester. Rogue and Rane celebrated by sneaking out and renting movies which they started watching in their pajamas in the common room. Bobby and Kitty joined them followed by Logan who had nothing better to do, so he said.
"What are you watching?" he sat next to Rane in his casual manner. Kitty and Rogue quickly hushed him. He made a face at them, and then turned his attention back to the screen. It was a 1980's horror film, one of Rane's favorites. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, and it was not because of the movie. She felt a pair of eyes on her. She swung her legs up across Logan's lap and lied down across Rogue and Logan. He looked at her oddly.
"What do I look like," he asked, "a doormat?"
"No, you look comfortable." She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You are such a kid." Logan scoffed while Bobby, Kitty, and Rogue laughed aloud. Rane had really done it because of those eyes she felt watching her. She didn't feel them again directly for the rest of the movie. The movies were good, and the five of them stayed up until eleven before heading toward bed. Rane stopped in with Rogue while the others left for their rooms. They hung in the hallway and she expressed the strange sensations she had been feeling.
"It's really odd."
"What's odd?"
"Sometimes, when I am around the mansion," she crossed her arms, "I feel like someone is watching me." Rogue stepped into the dark hallway and looked left, and then right, and she smiled at Rane.
"Well, maybe that's because Kurt is watching you from down the hallway." No sooner had she said so, his form appeared behind her in a puff of black-blue smoke. He grabbed Rogue around the waist, to which she shrieked and fell backward, taking Kurt with her. Rane hurried into the room and shut the door.
"You guys are going to wake everyone up!" Rogue struggled to her feet and laughed at Kurt who looked more than perturbed. He got to his feet and looked as if he was going to give the southern girl a lecture, but her remembered that Rane was in the room. He mumbled something inaudibly in German before he looked at Rane.
"I'm zorry," he switched from looking at her to the floor, "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just didn't know how to introduce myself, I mean. Rogue talks about how vonderful you are during class, and I vas just so unsure of-"
"Kurt, it's okay," Rane shook her head at his apologies, "you don't have to worry about who I am to introduce yourself."
"Zorry," he gave a weak smile, "I guess I am used to being careful."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks people are frightened of him." Rogue hugged him like a brother and he visually relaxed. Rane's expression went soft as she watched Kurt, a mutant even afraid of other mutant's judgment.
"I doubt you are anything to fear." She closed the distance between them and offered her hand. He watched her for a moment with curiosity, and then took her hand in his, which only had two digits and a thumb. Instead of merely shaking hers, he kissed her hand lightly over the knuckles, and let her go. She blushed unconsciously at the gesture, which made him smile.
"Again, forgive my behavior."
"You don't need forgiveness," Rane snapped out of her little trance, "but I forgive you if it eases your mind."
"Indeed, it does," Kurt smiled, "and I hope to be speaking vith you again zoon. Goodnight, ladies." He disappeared with the familiar black cloud. Rogue looked very confused as to what just happened. Rane just shook her head and said goodnight.
There was a wealth oh talent to be found in the school. The student's aptitude for art and techniques were good, and Rane watched them progress with terms and basics with hope in her heart for when they started on projects. It was still a couple of days before Troy would be there with her examples. As the day came closer and closer, she dreaded it more and more. She distracted herself with work and getting to know her students, anything to keep from thinking about him and her other life.
Bobby turned out to be her most apt pupil. Rogue had convinced him to take her drawing class, and he had taken to it with ease. Rane could not wait to see his potential unfold when they started their first big project. He seemed indifferent about his talent, consumed in his modesty. It amused Rane to no end.
She had started a painting during her free period, and it sat on an easel by the window. The painting reflected the view outside, where, through trees and foliage, stood a fountain on the mansion grounds. Outside it was vibrant in color with yellows and greens, but the start of her painting was washed with blues. There were two figures standing beside the fountain. Rane had been adamant about finishing it, and she eagerly waited for her free period. One day she gained a little surprise before starting on it. Rane had left her classroom for a moment to get something to drink. She returned a couple minutes later to catch Kurt in the room.
"Hello?" she said quietly. Kurt had been staring at the painting by the window. He turned around, startled by the sudden inquiry, and smiled at her.
"Good afternoon, zorry for the intrusion."
"That's okay," she walked over to her desk and left her cup of dark coffee on top of a binder, "but what are you doing in here?"
"I vas admiring your artwork," he smiled, looking at the painting again, "it is very lovely, and I think I recognize your scene, here."
"Yes, it is the courtyard outside in a blue wash."
"No," he looked at her again, his eyes seemed to be dancing, "it is from the legend of the Immortal Knight, isn't it? A warrior had been so gifted in battle that a spell caster granted his vish of immortal life and zervice to his kingdom. Only vhen his lady had died did he realize vhat a terribly lonely thing immortality was, especially vhen he vould see his vife's ghost by zeir fountain."
"I didn't think anybody knew much about that legend," she marveled at his knowledge and stood beside her unfinished work, "how did you?"
"How did I know of it?" he repeated the question aloud, "I read vhatever I get my hands on, and Professor Xavier has a vide selection of books."
"I will have to consult with him about it."
"Your vork is amazing." Kurt suddenly changed the subject.
"This?" she gestured to the painting, "but it is unfinished."
"No matter," he studied it, "this skill is evident. You have a very delicate touch, it is like seeing a part of you on this."
"How so?"
"I am not sure," he laughed slightly, "but that is vhat I see. Zere is a little part of you in this. You may find that all of your secrets have already been given away. I can't vait to see more of your artwork."
"Why is that?" Rane's brow furrowed.
"Because," he looked at the painting again, "I vould like to see more of you."
"Why would you want to?" She suppressed a blush. Kurt looked back to her; his eyes were soft, but still shining.
"Because I find you intriguing, Miss Rane Lassen, and I vould like to know you better," he began to leave, " I von't disturb your work time." Before she could come up with an adequate answer, she heard her classroom door shut, and when she looked into the hallway, there was nothing but a puff of blue-black smoke. She thought about it for a while, how she could be so interesting when Kurt was so mysterious and aloof. He was the intriguing one! As she worked, she tried to see how part of herself could be in the image before her, and it made her work even more carefully. She sighed and quit after an hour, and she had reached no conclusions.
Finally, the day of Troy's visit came. He agreed to come down wither her artwork on a Saturday, and if the weather permitted she was going to show him around the mansion grounds. However, she awoke to curse the clouds outside her window, which were gray and heavy with rain. She sighed and put on a pair of black jeans, which were far too large for her, so she wore a belt, and her favorite blue tank top, which, ironically, bore Troy's band name. She didn't really care; she was comfortable. She only told the faculty of his visit, and most of the students were away for trips or family that weekend. It made her, in fact, rather lonely without being able to talk to Rogue, Kitty, and Bobby, but Logan was around. She could also feel Kurt about, but had yet to see him. She wandered into the kitchen and helped herself to a bowl of cereal. Logan walked in a couple moments later and picked up the box.
"Lucky Charms?" he smirked.
"So, who cares?" she said indignantly and tousled her hair.
"Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers," he teased, "you just seem to be taking after some of your students."
"I'm only 23, Logan," she smiled, "besides, this stuff is damn good." She pointed to the cereal with her spoon.
"Whatever you say, Rane." Logan got up and helped himself to some of the coffee Rane was brewing.
"Damn straight." She muttered and started munching on her breakfast again.
"So," she heard Logan start again, "who is this guy coming to visit today?"
"His name is Troy Ellen," she said between bites, "he is one of my best friends, and he is in one of the bands I work with."
"No, I meant who is he to you?" Rane nearly dropped her spoon, but recovered.
"Just an old friend." She choked, hoping that she sounded convincing.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." And that was that, Logan never brought it up again, but Rane was very shaken. She left to her classroom and worked furiously on her painting, which was progressing everyday. About an hour and a half later, she heard her door open, and she turned to see who was there. A man in his mid-twenties stood in the doorway. He was dressed casually, jeans and a t- shirt, but it was the rest of him that was truly marvelous. He had very Greek features, and medium length black hair that he would shake to get out of his eyes which were light blue. He had a lean, almost lanky build. He was beautiful.
"Hey, Rane." He gave her an unsure smile. She took off her smock and rushed over to hug him, happy now since he was finally there. She felt his arms holding her tightly.
"Hey, Troy."
"I'm glad to see that you are doing well." He smiled, suddenly pulling away from the embrace stiffly.
"I wonder if well is the right word," she smiled weakly, and then continued before he could answer, "Did you bring the stuff I asked for?"
"Ye-Yes," he was caught a little off-guard, "it's all in my car out front, let me help you with it."
"By the way," she asked as they left for the front door, "who let you in?"
"Some rough-looking guy named Logan," his brow furrowed, "he said something about being your bodyguard." Rane smiled and laughed. She explained about her whole experience as they carted things in and went back out for more. He helped her set them up or hang them on the walls as he filled her in on what everyone at home was doing. It made her feel a little homesick, but she knew she would be returning to them someday.
"There is a benefit in a few weeks," he smiled, "it's for mutant awareness. Everyone is coming, including some prominent figures in the mutant community. The guys and I would love it if you came." Rane was high up on a ladder.
"That sounds great," she called down while hanging the last painting, "can I bring a friend?"
"Certainly." He smiled, knowing that she would be coming. She got down from the ladder, and he watched her with amusement.
"That's the last," she sauntered over, and then noticed that he was staring at her a bit, "what?" Troy grabbed a lock of her brown and black hair.
"You still going to dye your hair like that?"
"Yeah, is there something bad about that?"
"No," he smiled again, fondling the hair he had caught, "I think it's cute." Rane's world melted around her in that instant that his expression changed from comical to loving. She cupped his face in her hands and closed the gap between their mouths. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and back possessively. Every moment of that kiss was exquisite torture, their fervor deepening with each passing second. She pulled back for a moment to find herself pinned against the wall and to see the lust gleam in his eyes. He kissed her again as she felt familiar hands exploring her frame as if for the first time. His touch ignited her senses, and as he bent to new neck, kissing and biting and exploring every inch, she felt her control slipping. She surfaced from the waves of pleasure that moment and pushed him away.
"Rane, I-" he tried to think of something to say as he watched her slide down the wall to the floor.
"What are we doing, Troy?" she pleaded, holding a hand against her forehead while the rest of her body was lax, "Who do you love?"
"I'd better go," he said after a long moment, and then turned and started to leave the room, "I will call you, I'm sorry." The door clicked shut, and Rane still sat on the floor stunned, her body unwilling to move. "You and only you." She mumbled the words that had been said so freely from Troy not long ago. She felt eyes staring at her with such empathy that the grief she was trying to suppress spilled over. She sobbed as quietly as she can as she shivered. She became so tired from her sadness that she fell asleep sitting there in her classroom.
When Rane awoke, she was lying in her bed in the same clothes. She wondered if it had all been a dream, that she simply fell asleep and that Troy had not visited yet. Then she saw Kurt standing by the window.
"Kurt," her voice came soft and raw, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, you are awake," he smiled softly and knelt by her bedside, "I saw you asleep in your classroom and I brought you back here. I vas vorried about you." Rane realized that it wasn't a dream, and tears welled into her eyes without permission.
"I can't believe it." She said as they spilled over and fell down her cheeks and onto the bedsheets.
"Please don't cry," she felt one of Kurt's hands tentatively brush some of the tears away, as if he was unsure of touching her, "you can tell me vhat happened." She saw Kurt differently, his heart open to whatever she had to say, and the honestly was livid upon his face. She relaxed under his comforting gaze. And began to tell him about her relationship with Troy. They had dated for more than a year, but then he met Ann. Ann was more than good looking, she could have been a model. She had long, wavy blonde hair paired with stunning blue eyes. Her body was beautiful too, tall and curvy, and her legs went on for days. Rane didn't think Troy would be interested in such a stereotype, but Ann's temperament was fun loving, yet hard- working, just like Troy, and they had a lot in common.
She started noticing a change in Troy's behavior. He started to treat her more and more like a sister instead of a lover. Their intimate life remained the dame, but she would see him less and less, and she noticed him spending a lot of time with Ann. Rane tried to give Troy the benefit of the doubt, but she became to suspicious when he didn't come home one night. She and Ann had become rather close, and Rane had one of her house keys. It was nine in the morning when she got to Ann's house. She made an alibi of returning a movie that she had borrowed incase there was nothing going on. She trembled as her fingers touched the doorknob to the bedroom, but she gripped it sharply and entered the room. The videotape in her hand crashed to the hardwood floor, which woke Troy and Ann. They had been entangled with the sheets and one another, and both of them were nude. Troy wrapped himself up as quickly as possible, seeing how hysterical Rane had become. There was pain pouring from all of her features as she drilled into them hateful looks and vehement curses. When Troy tried to grab her shoulders to calm her down, Rane struck him violently across the face and left the house in disgust. She broke off their relationship two days later, much to Troy's discontent.
"He didn't understand," she was now sitting on the floor next to Kurt, "he didn't think I meant it when I said I only give people one chance."
"That is a hard thing to ask though, Rane," Kurt had listened whole- heartedly, "second chanced are things that can prove to be best."
"Well," she sighed, running her hand through tangled hair, "I resisted his attempts at a fresh start and just told him to be with Ann. They have been together for six months now, but he comes back every so often, trying to be more than a friend.'
"Vhat do you mean?"
"Kurt," she paused, as if contemplating whether or not to continue, which she did, "when I met Troy, I was a virgin. The only reason I had sex with him was because I thought he was the man I was going to marry."
"Oh, I'm zorry." Kurt looked down for a moment, and then looked back up to listen again.
"Well," she liked a little ashamed, "I only gave into the temptation once or twice when I felt particularly lost. It just felt so right to be loved by him again, but then I would feel so cheap afterwards."
"But you know he still loves you."
"He loves Ann now," she turned and looked at him straight in the eye, "I now he is just doing all of this because he feels guilty about what he did to me. I want him to stay with her, bit every time he tries something it just tears me apart." Kurt looked over at her, and then wrapped an arm around her shoulder since she looked like she needed comfort. He was surprised to have her turn and lean into him, wrapping her arms around his stomach and burying her face into his shoulder like a lost little girl. He heard her crying softly.
"You don't need to cry," he said as he stroked her shoulder a little, "you have cried enough for him already, I think."
"Who are you?" she turned her tear-stained face up at him, "were you put here just to ease me? Do you have little wings sprouting from your back? Honestly, I have never felt this comfortable around someone whom I have known for so little time."
"Perhaps we have known each other longer than ve think," he found himself hugging her tightly, "perhaps it vas in God's plans that ve vere to meet." She looked at him again, and for a moment, he saw Amanda's face staring up at him. He involuntarily grimaced.
"You okay?" Rane's voice rang, a concerned visage breaking through the illusion of his former love.
"Yes, of course," he put on a smile, "now let's go get zome dinner, it's almost zeven." Rand did not question it that night, but she knew something was bothering Kurt deeply, and she was determined to know what it was.
Rane shook off her thoughts of Troy and took in the new room for what it was, a safe haven that felt welcome and warm. She sat on the cherry-wood canopy bed for a few minutes, and then lost herself in unpacking the few things she had brought. She knew she had enough clothes, and she hoped that there was not a dress code for the teachers. After thinking about it, she figured that the staff would not mind anyway, since she was going to be the art teacher. She remembered the way her art professor from college dressed and laughed to herself about tie-dyed trenchcoats. She felt inspiration about her new job and set to work creating a lesson plan as soon as she finished unpacking. She used a spiral notebook as she busily scratched down random lyrics in the margins that came to her while she was planning various projects. She became so wrapped up in her writing that when she heard a knock on her door at six, she nearly leapt off the bed in surprise.
"Uh, come in!" she called and put on a pull over sweatshirt over her plain t-shirt and athletic pants. A handsome, yet rather unruly looking man opened the door with a casual flair all his own.
"Hey there," the man strode in as if he owned the place and offered her an outstretched hand, "my name is Logan."
"Nice to meet you, Logan." Rane shook his hand, trying her best not to look as bewildered as she felt.
"Charles asked me to escort you to the meeting," he continued while releasing her hand and leading her from the room, "your name is Rane, right?"
"Yes, how did you know?" she asked.
"Marie and Kitty are always talking about some folks name Rane and Troy," he smiled at her, and then said sarcastically, "so I figured by how happy they were, and how that you are female, that you must be Rane."
"You figured right," she smirked at his brash comments, "and I hope they have said nothing good of me."
"Well, aside from being a rather outspoken person," he smirked right back, "I heard you are quite the little activist." She winked at him.
"I try my best." As she said that he opened the door into Charles's office. Several adults and a few of the older students were sitting or standing inside, talking noisily. She felt eyes upon her, which made her feel uneasy, but felt better as Charles came to greet her.
"I trust you have unpacked and are situated?" she nodded an answer as she looked around the room, "Good, and hopefully Logan gave you no troubles?"
"None that I can think of." Logan gave her a little smirk that made her start feeling at home. She took in the room for a moment before they started talking, but she was unable to get very far. Before the Professor started speaking again, however, she noticed a dark shadow in a corner that seemed out of place. She found herself staring into a pair of amber-yellow eyes and turned her vision sharply out of habit. The shadow stayed there, leaning against the wall, with a dart-like tail moving slowly, rhythmically like a cat's.
"First on our agenda tonight," Charles's voice filled the room, "I would like to introduce a new professor who shall be teaching during spring term, Miss Rane Lassen."
"It is wonderful to meet you all." She tried her best to be cordial in a shy voice.
"Likewise," Ororo smiled, and Rane felt her warmth. She was introduced to everyone, including Scott, Ororo, and Logan once more, who showed her a sample of their skills.
"Now, where is Kurt," Scott said, looking around, "I thought he was here."
"I am here." The shadow moved away from the wall. The artist in Rane poured over this revealed shadow. Striking midnight blue hair and royal blue tinted skin that looked to have a fine film of hair offset his bright, amber-yellow eyes. There were intricate tattoos inscribed all over his face and neck, and his close were of many layers and very distinctive underneath his black trenchcoat.
"This is Kurt Wagner," Charles smiled at him, "and he is our foreign language professor." Kurt teleported right next to Rane, and she almost jumped because she was so startled.
"I teach German, Vrench, and Russian," he said, revealing sharp white teeth, "although, my accent gets in ze way zometimes." He teleported away again, and Logan gave an approving glace for startling the new woman. Rane could feel Kurt watching her from time to time, but it wasn't in a bad way. It was as if he were studying her.
"I'm guessing by your clothes that you're here to be the new physical education teacher?" Scott asked.
"Actually," Rane replied, "I am here to teach fine art."
"Charles," Logan tried his best to look hurt, "are you replacing me?" Rogue and Bobby could not contain their laughter, which made Charles smile.
"Sorry, Logan, bit her credentials are better," he looked to Rane, "why don't you show them a bit of your skill, Rane. I myself am curious."
"Okay," she looked around, "does anyone have any coal?"
"There is some in the science labs, upstairs." No sooner had Ororo said it than Kurt was gone and back, and he handed Charles a large piece of coal. He gave it to Rane, and she held it between her palms and began to concentrate. The bit of coal became smaller and smaller, its impurities falling to the ground. The coal lump began changing shape, into a prism, and quickly became while and fell into her hands as she relaxed. The uncut diamond was clean and clear, its surface glinting in the light. A little pile of impurities was lying at her feet, and she was out of breath. Scott picked it up and looked it over, followed by Ororo, who passed it around the room.
"My friend called it organic manipulation," she said as her breath came back to her, "and that there is still the most difficult thing for me to do."
"What else are you capable of?" Rogue was studying the diamond as Charles asked her the question. Rane pulled a thin plastic vial from her pants pocket. She removed a very small seed and placed it in her hand. She slid the vial back into her pocket and began to concentrate again. Vines burst forth from the seed and tumbled towards the floor. Thorns and leaves emerged and fell open along the way as she slowed the growth, and small buds began to appear. They soon bloomed into full white roses.
"I can also reverse the progress, and change small things about the physiology." She admired the flowers.
"Can you heal?" Ororo fingered one of the white blooms.
"Only to an extent," Rane replied, "I can resurface and change only if I know exactly how to do so. I could heal surface wounds and broken bones if you asked from my knowledge of anatomy, but ask me to heal organ tissues, and I would not be able to help. It took me quite awhile to learn how to do this." She began to change the color of the blooms from white, to red, to yellow, to peach, and then back to white again. She returned the plant to seed form and slipped it back into the vial. The thorns had torn up her hand considerably, but with a pass of her hand, the abrasions were gone. She continued on to explain that even though she could not do some of the things she wished she could, her assets were still very powerful.
The next couple of weeks went very well. She got to know several of the students and faculty. She, Rogue, and Logan spent a lot of time together, and started up an odd sort of fellowship. Whenever they spent time together, she felt like she was a kid again, and it made her so content. Her supplies for her painting and drawing classes arrived and she started to set up her new classroom.
Troy had called her to let her know that things were okay with the recording company since she decided to leave for a while. Rane told him about the job and asked if he could bring down some of her art from her home. She didn't want to see him really, but she knew that he wanted to visit just to be sure that she was all right; she could hear it in his voice. He would be coming in a week, so her first few days of class would have to revolve around theory.
Rogue was around her all of the time, and Rane felt as if she had gained a little sister. After finals, Charles let her know that her classes had been filled for the coming semester. Rogue and Rane celebrated by sneaking out and renting movies which they started watching in their pajamas in the common room. Bobby and Kitty joined them followed by Logan who had nothing better to do, so he said.
"What are you watching?" he sat next to Rane in his casual manner. Kitty and Rogue quickly hushed him. He made a face at them, and then turned his attention back to the screen. It was a 1980's horror film, one of Rane's favorites. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, and it was not because of the movie. She felt a pair of eyes on her. She swung her legs up across Logan's lap and lied down across Rogue and Logan. He looked at her oddly.
"What do I look like," he asked, "a doormat?"
"No, you look comfortable." She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You are such a kid." Logan scoffed while Bobby, Kitty, and Rogue laughed aloud. Rane had really done it because of those eyes she felt watching her. She didn't feel them again directly for the rest of the movie. The movies were good, and the five of them stayed up until eleven before heading toward bed. Rane stopped in with Rogue while the others left for their rooms. They hung in the hallway and she expressed the strange sensations she had been feeling.
"It's really odd."
"What's odd?"
"Sometimes, when I am around the mansion," she crossed her arms, "I feel like someone is watching me." Rogue stepped into the dark hallway and looked left, and then right, and she smiled at Rane.
"Well, maybe that's because Kurt is watching you from down the hallway." No sooner had she said so, his form appeared behind her in a puff of black-blue smoke. He grabbed Rogue around the waist, to which she shrieked and fell backward, taking Kurt with her. Rane hurried into the room and shut the door.
"You guys are going to wake everyone up!" Rogue struggled to her feet and laughed at Kurt who looked more than perturbed. He got to his feet and looked as if he was going to give the southern girl a lecture, but her remembered that Rane was in the room. He mumbled something inaudibly in German before he looked at Rane.
"I'm zorry," he switched from looking at her to the floor, "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just didn't know how to introduce myself, I mean. Rogue talks about how vonderful you are during class, and I vas just so unsure of-"
"Kurt, it's okay," Rane shook her head at his apologies, "you don't have to worry about who I am to introduce yourself."
"Zorry," he gave a weak smile, "I guess I am used to being careful."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks people are frightened of him." Rogue hugged him like a brother and he visually relaxed. Rane's expression went soft as she watched Kurt, a mutant even afraid of other mutant's judgment.
"I doubt you are anything to fear." She closed the distance between them and offered her hand. He watched her for a moment with curiosity, and then took her hand in his, which only had two digits and a thumb. Instead of merely shaking hers, he kissed her hand lightly over the knuckles, and let her go. She blushed unconsciously at the gesture, which made him smile.
"Again, forgive my behavior."
"You don't need forgiveness," Rane snapped out of her little trance, "but I forgive you if it eases your mind."
"Indeed, it does," Kurt smiled, "and I hope to be speaking vith you again zoon. Goodnight, ladies." He disappeared with the familiar black cloud. Rogue looked very confused as to what just happened. Rane just shook her head and said goodnight.
There was a wealth oh talent to be found in the school. The student's aptitude for art and techniques were good, and Rane watched them progress with terms and basics with hope in her heart for when they started on projects. It was still a couple of days before Troy would be there with her examples. As the day came closer and closer, she dreaded it more and more. She distracted herself with work and getting to know her students, anything to keep from thinking about him and her other life.
Bobby turned out to be her most apt pupil. Rogue had convinced him to take her drawing class, and he had taken to it with ease. Rane could not wait to see his potential unfold when they started their first big project. He seemed indifferent about his talent, consumed in his modesty. It amused Rane to no end.
She had started a painting during her free period, and it sat on an easel by the window. The painting reflected the view outside, where, through trees and foliage, stood a fountain on the mansion grounds. Outside it was vibrant in color with yellows and greens, but the start of her painting was washed with blues. There were two figures standing beside the fountain. Rane had been adamant about finishing it, and she eagerly waited for her free period. One day she gained a little surprise before starting on it. Rane had left her classroom for a moment to get something to drink. She returned a couple minutes later to catch Kurt in the room.
"Hello?" she said quietly. Kurt had been staring at the painting by the window. He turned around, startled by the sudden inquiry, and smiled at her.
"Good afternoon, zorry for the intrusion."
"That's okay," she walked over to her desk and left her cup of dark coffee on top of a binder, "but what are you doing in here?"
"I vas admiring your artwork," he smiled, looking at the painting again, "it is very lovely, and I think I recognize your scene, here."
"Yes, it is the courtyard outside in a blue wash."
"No," he looked at her again, his eyes seemed to be dancing, "it is from the legend of the Immortal Knight, isn't it? A warrior had been so gifted in battle that a spell caster granted his vish of immortal life and zervice to his kingdom. Only vhen his lady had died did he realize vhat a terribly lonely thing immortality was, especially vhen he vould see his vife's ghost by zeir fountain."
"I didn't think anybody knew much about that legend," she marveled at his knowledge and stood beside her unfinished work, "how did you?"
"How did I know of it?" he repeated the question aloud, "I read vhatever I get my hands on, and Professor Xavier has a vide selection of books."
"I will have to consult with him about it."
"Your vork is amazing." Kurt suddenly changed the subject.
"This?" she gestured to the painting, "but it is unfinished."
"No matter," he studied it, "this skill is evident. You have a very delicate touch, it is like seeing a part of you on this."
"How so?"
"I am not sure," he laughed slightly, "but that is vhat I see. Zere is a little part of you in this. You may find that all of your secrets have already been given away. I can't vait to see more of your artwork."
"Why is that?" Rane's brow furrowed.
"Because," he looked at the painting again, "I vould like to see more of you."
"Why would you want to?" She suppressed a blush. Kurt looked back to her; his eyes were soft, but still shining.
"Because I find you intriguing, Miss Rane Lassen, and I vould like to know you better," he began to leave, " I von't disturb your work time." Before she could come up with an adequate answer, she heard her classroom door shut, and when she looked into the hallway, there was nothing but a puff of blue-black smoke. She thought about it for a while, how she could be so interesting when Kurt was so mysterious and aloof. He was the intriguing one! As she worked, she tried to see how part of herself could be in the image before her, and it made her work even more carefully. She sighed and quit after an hour, and she had reached no conclusions.
Finally, the day of Troy's visit came. He agreed to come down wither her artwork on a Saturday, and if the weather permitted she was going to show him around the mansion grounds. However, she awoke to curse the clouds outside her window, which were gray and heavy with rain. She sighed and put on a pair of black jeans, which were far too large for her, so she wore a belt, and her favorite blue tank top, which, ironically, bore Troy's band name. She didn't really care; she was comfortable. She only told the faculty of his visit, and most of the students were away for trips or family that weekend. It made her, in fact, rather lonely without being able to talk to Rogue, Kitty, and Bobby, but Logan was around. She could also feel Kurt about, but had yet to see him. She wandered into the kitchen and helped herself to a bowl of cereal. Logan walked in a couple moments later and picked up the box.
"Lucky Charms?" he smirked.
"So, who cares?" she said indignantly and tousled her hair.
"Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers," he teased, "you just seem to be taking after some of your students."
"I'm only 23, Logan," she smiled, "besides, this stuff is damn good." She pointed to the cereal with her spoon.
"Whatever you say, Rane." Logan got up and helped himself to some of the coffee Rane was brewing.
"Damn straight." She muttered and started munching on her breakfast again.
"So," she heard Logan start again, "who is this guy coming to visit today?"
"His name is Troy Ellen," she said between bites, "he is one of my best friends, and he is in one of the bands I work with."
"No, I meant who is he to you?" Rane nearly dropped her spoon, but recovered.
"Just an old friend." She choked, hoping that she sounded convincing.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." And that was that, Logan never brought it up again, but Rane was very shaken. She left to her classroom and worked furiously on her painting, which was progressing everyday. About an hour and a half later, she heard her door open, and she turned to see who was there. A man in his mid-twenties stood in the doorway. He was dressed casually, jeans and a t- shirt, but it was the rest of him that was truly marvelous. He had very Greek features, and medium length black hair that he would shake to get out of his eyes which were light blue. He had a lean, almost lanky build. He was beautiful.
"Hey, Rane." He gave her an unsure smile. She took off her smock and rushed over to hug him, happy now since he was finally there. She felt his arms holding her tightly.
"Hey, Troy."
"I'm glad to see that you are doing well." He smiled, suddenly pulling away from the embrace stiffly.
"I wonder if well is the right word," she smiled weakly, and then continued before he could answer, "Did you bring the stuff I asked for?"
"Ye-Yes," he was caught a little off-guard, "it's all in my car out front, let me help you with it."
"By the way," she asked as they left for the front door, "who let you in?"
"Some rough-looking guy named Logan," his brow furrowed, "he said something about being your bodyguard." Rane smiled and laughed. She explained about her whole experience as they carted things in and went back out for more. He helped her set them up or hang them on the walls as he filled her in on what everyone at home was doing. It made her feel a little homesick, but she knew she would be returning to them someday.
"There is a benefit in a few weeks," he smiled, "it's for mutant awareness. Everyone is coming, including some prominent figures in the mutant community. The guys and I would love it if you came." Rane was high up on a ladder.
"That sounds great," she called down while hanging the last painting, "can I bring a friend?"
"Certainly." He smiled, knowing that she would be coming. She got down from the ladder, and he watched her with amusement.
"That's the last," she sauntered over, and then noticed that he was staring at her a bit, "what?" Troy grabbed a lock of her brown and black hair.
"You still going to dye your hair like that?"
"Yeah, is there something bad about that?"
"No," he smiled again, fondling the hair he had caught, "I think it's cute." Rane's world melted around her in that instant that his expression changed from comical to loving. She cupped his face in her hands and closed the gap between their mouths. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and back possessively. Every moment of that kiss was exquisite torture, their fervor deepening with each passing second. She pulled back for a moment to find herself pinned against the wall and to see the lust gleam in his eyes. He kissed her again as she felt familiar hands exploring her frame as if for the first time. His touch ignited her senses, and as he bent to new neck, kissing and biting and exploring every inch, she felt her control slipping. She surfaced from the waves of pleasure that moment and pushed him away.
"Rane, I-" he tried to think of something to say as he watched her slide down the wall to the floor.
"What are we doing, Troy?" she pleaded, holding a hand against her forehead while the rest of her body was lax, "Who do you love?"
"I'd better go," he said after a long moment, and then turned and started to leave the room, "I will call you, I'm sorry." The door clicked shut, and Rane still sat on the floor stunned, her body unwilling to move. "You and only you." She mumbled the words that had been said so freely from Troy not long ago. She felt eyes staring at her with such empathy that the grief she was trying to suppress spilled over. She sobbed as quietly as she can as she shivered. She became so tired from her sadness that she fell asleep sitting there in her classroom.
When Rane awoke, she was lying in her bed in the same clothes. She wondered if it had all been a dream, that she simply fell asleep and that Troy had not visited yet. Then she saw Kurt standing by the window.
"Kurt," her voice came soft and raw, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, you are awake," he smiled softly and knelt by her bedside, "I saw you asleep in your classroom and I brought you back here. I vas vorried about you." Rane realized that it wasn't a dream, and tears welled into her eyes without permission.
"I can't believe it." She said as they spilled over and fell down her cheeks and onto the bedsheets.
"Please don't cry," she felt one of Kurt's hands tentatively brush some of the tears away, as if he was unsure of touching her, "you can tell me vhat happened." She saw Kurt differently, his heart open to whatever she had to say, and the honestly was livid upon his face. She relaxed under his comforting gaze. And began to tell him about her relationship with Troy. They had dated for more than a year, but then he met Ann. Ann was more than good looking, she could have been a model. She had long, wavy blonde hair paired with stunning blue eyes. Her body was beautiful too, tall and curvy, and her legs went on for days. Rane didn't think Troy would be interested in such a stereotype, but Ann's temperament was fun loving, yet hard- working, just like Troy, and they had a lot in common.
She started noticing a change in Troy's behavior. He started to treat her more and more like a sister instead of a lover. Their intimate life remained the dame, but she would see him less and less, and she noticed him spending a lot of time with Ann. Rane tried to give Troy the benefit of the doubt, but she became to suspicious when he didn't come home one night. She and Ann had become rather close, and Rane had one of her house keys. It was nine in the morning when she got to Ann's house. She made an alibi of returning a movie that she had borrowed incase there was nothing going on. She trembled as her fingers touched the doorknob to the bedroom, but she gripped it sharply and entered the room. The videotape in her hand crashed to the hardwood floor, which woke Troy and Ann. They had been entangled with the sheets and one another, and both of them were nude. Troy wrapped himself up as quickly as possible, seeing how hysterical Rane had become. There was pain pouring from all of her features as she drilled into them hateful looks and vehement curses. When Troy tried to grab her shoulders to calm her down, Rane struck him violently across the face and left the house in disgust. She broke off their relationship two days later, much to Troy's discontent.
"He didn't understand," she was now sitting on the floor next to Kurt, "he didn't think I meant it when I said I only give people one chance."
"That is a hard thing to ask though, Rane," Kurt had listened whole- heartedly, "second chanced are things that can prove to be best."
"Well," she sighed, running her hand through tangled hair, "I resisted his attempts at a fresh start and just told him to be with Ann. They have been together for six months now, but he comes back every so often, trying to be more than a friend.'
"Vhat do you mean?"
"Kurt," she paused, as if contemplating whether or not to continue, which she did, "when I met Troy, I was a virgin. The only reason I had sex with him was because I thought he was the man I was going to marry."
"Oh, I'm zorry." Kurt looked down for a moment, and then looked back up to listen again.
"Well," she liked a little ashamed, "I only gave into the temptation once or twice when I felt particularly lost. It just felt so right to be loved by him again, but then I would feel so cheap afterwards."
"But you know he still loves you."
"He loves Ann now," she turned and looked at him straight in the eye, "I now he is just doing all of this because he feels guilty about what he did to me. I want him to stay with her, bit every time he tries something it just tears me apart." Kurt looked over at her, and then wrapped an arm around her shoulder since she looked like she needed comfort. He was surprised to have her turn and lean into him, wrapping her arms around his stomach and burying her face into his shoulder like a lost little girl. He heard her crying softly.
"You don't need to cry," he said as he stroked her shoulder a little, "you have cried enough for him already, I think."
"Who are you?" she turned her tear-stained face up at him, "were you put here just to ease me? Do you have little wings sprouting from your back? Honestly, I have never felt this comfortable around someone whom I have known for so little time."
"Perhaps we have known each other longer than ve think," he found himself hugging her tightly, "perhaps it vas in God's plans that ve vere to meet." She looked at him again, and for a moment, he saw Amanda's face staring up at him. He involuntarily grimaced.
"You okay?" Rane's voice rang, a concerned visage breaking through the illusion of his former love.
"Yes, of course," he put on a smile, "now let's go get zome dinner, it's almost zeven." Rand did not question it that night, but she knew something was bothering Kurt deeply, and she was determined to know what it was.