31 December, late afternoon
I don't know if I'm still retaining some of Jean's knowhow,
or what's 'wrong', but since our workout this morning, I've
been more "aware" psychicly. I guess linking to that level
of telepathy might have served as a psychic kickstart, mixing
up with with what I've taught myself?
Or perhaps I'm just subconsciously starting to use what I
'learned' from her. Either way, Ol' Cueball was surprised
that I didn't "absorb" her personality...and from what I now
know about my 'new' powers, so am I...but another scan from
Bones indicates that the primary power they think I should
still be saddled with has burned out.. I'm "here" and I'm stuck
in a body that is half-alien-half-human or something like that!
(By the way, "Bones" is my nickname for Dr. Hank McCoy)
So, now, Chuck want's me to work with a couple of other telepaths,
since I've shared so much of Jean's psi-knowledge. I'm not sure
what to think of the people he wants me to work with, though.
Liz Braddock seems to possess something similar to my rather
ill-defined Sight-gift, but she's pretty aloof and from what
Kitty tells me, possessed of a ruthless streak. At least she's
got the good taste of British Anastocracy, and wears stuff that
doesn't clash with her naturally purple hair. I don't know her
well enough to say much more... but I think I'm going to like
her. She's a friend of several of the members here, and has
been been here since a little accident caused her to gain some
interestingmystical powers in addition to her innate Sight-gift
and telepathy.
And speaking of taste, Emma Frost doesn't seem to have much.
She's dresses like a dominatrix in reverse. EVERY thing is white!
At least she buys quality stuff. Sheesh. She's even more ruthless
than Liz, and what I now know about her lends more credence to
the abundant rumours concerning her reputation as a corporate
tycoon...
She doesn't see why she should waste her time working with such
an "insignificant" psi-talent such as my self. Well, I think a
few carefully placed comments about some stocks on Wall Street
convinced her that reliable precog native abilities, though very
short range, aren't anything to sneeze at. Not that I'm looking
foreword to working with her...or she with me.
The one that really unnerves me though is Charles's daughter
from his first marriage. Heather is as bald as he is, but totally
the opposite. I think her arrogance could sustain the entire WWF
sometimes. I thank the Bright Lady that I've got this hellacious
set of psiscreens that came with this body, else she'd be snooping
everywhere she's not welcome. I'm NOT taking lessons from her, that
much I already convinced Xavier of...
As far as other "lessons" goes, I'm not looking forward to flying.
I mean, being able to go fly in a thunderstorm would be great, but
I don't like the idea of being shot at while doing it...Flying
should be fun, I think.
Then there's different mandatory training with other vAnaous
X-Men: Self-defense with Logan and Ororo, firearms with Bishop
and Shard; acrobatics with Kurt and Hank... Boxing with Lorna,
who possesses the roughly the same strength as myself, and is
almost as invulnerable...the list seemed endless to me!
The greatest pleasure, however turned out to be fencing with
Kurt and Liz. I may be able to lift a locomotive now, or not
be injured by anything short of ground zero of a nuke, but I
don't like getting hit, and Kurt agrees with me that skill is
as vital as my new physical attributes.
On other fronts, I've also jotted down notes on what sort of
college courses I'm interested in. And most of them, to Charles'
disappointment are artistic or computer related.
I keep telling him, even though he's certified that I'm a genius,
not all of us are good at math or science! And at least I've
got Hank on my side...
Supper time:
I had snack off to spend my New Years Eve quietly, reading in
the Library, eating my dinner, when several of the 'students'
tumbled in, intent on dragging me out to celebrate...
I managed to pry myself away from most everyone with the promise
that Liz and Allison could do my makeup. It took me 15 minutes
to shower, put up my hair and pull on one of those sheer black
body stockings that covered me from throat to toe, a black
velvet dress with a swirling skirt, knee high boots, matinee
gloves and my favourite jewelry: silver with blue and white
topazes.
Then a knock on my door heralded the invasion of Dazzler and
Psylocke, with a huge Caboodles box full of makeup.
It didn't take the resident rockstar and former supermodel-
turned-spy long to transform the new me from a fairly pretty
young woman into someone who would stop traffic, either. Which
was fine with me. I hate taking a lot of time to get ready to
go anywhere!
But, the look on the guys' faces was well worth the ladies'
efforts to dress themselves to the proverbial nines. Ororo in
sky blue to Jean in pine green to Liz's sapphires and Lorna's
ice green, where as the guys were in varying states of formality:
Remy and Worthington in black tie, to Logan's understated
Japanese suit... I felt like a raven among the peacocks, but
didn't mind it in the least.
I slid on my fringed velvet stole, as it seemed the cold no
longer affected me, and stepped bravely in the shadows prof-
fered by Liz as the mode of transportation...the ostensible
result of her "little accident", I guess.
For a few moments of sensory deprivation, and utter peace
before I emerged into the corner of a glittering ballroom,
feeling a wave of nausea and disorientation hit me as the
shadows slid off my skin and my clothes. Nobody's told me that
'shadowwalking' would hit me like a shot of tequila!
Fortunately, Hank caught ahold of me and held on, so that my
knees didn't buckle.
"Why didn't ye warn me, Hank?" I whispered.
"My apologies, Mademoiselle," he replied, "It is easy to over-
look the fact that though your lovely visage is well aquatinted
to us, that the eyes behind the face are new, and most unaccustomed
to some of our idiosynchracies..."
I couldn't help but laugh, "No kidding! Now, how about telling
me where we are?"
"Our noctiforous mode of conveyance has brought us to the
mysterious, oft maligned Hellfire Club, for the New Year's Gala."
he continued as he escorted me out into the glitterati of Society,
"Our charming Baroness Braddock is Black Bishop of this august
organisation, and from our affiliate school, the inestimateable
Emma Frost is White Queen. I shall impart more of this history and
minutae of our relations with the Inner Circle later, but for now,
let us partake in the libations and festivities.."
And throughout the evening, I notised dozens of celebrities
and V.I.P's from all over the world. Hank introduced me to
Sersi, an immortal psionic who was attending with Hercules
(both are Avengers), where I found myself digressing into a
discussion of Classical history and fashion.
I surprised Hank and myself both, by maintaining my composure.
I think Sersi could sense my excitement and utter fascination
with their anecdotes and observations, though by the time the
four of us got to historical fashion, I was holding my own!
I left Hank with a group of other prominent scientific types
and decided to mingle a bit. I thought I saw Jean across the
room, and made my way over to her, though I wondered where
she'd found time to change from her dark green taffeta evening
gown into that stunning little black number. Something about
it wasn't quite the style of the woman I'd gotten aquainted
with...
She turned toward me, and for once, I was surprised. She looked
exactly like Jean, but different. More predatory, with a definite
edge to her.
"Hello, Rogue..." she said in a silky voice, "I'm surprised to
see you here."
I returned her stare, "I'm not Rogue. I'm Anastasia D'Vir'. I'm
sorry, but I don't recall meeting you before, though you do
look familiar, Ms. ....."
She looked confused for a moment, and then pasted on a rather
convincing smile, "Ah, a pleasure, Ms. D'Vir'. I'm Madelyne
Pryor, and it's nice to meet you."
The woman introduced me to a striking young Oriental man with
dark blue eyes, and a young man with green hair. Lord Shinobi
Shaw, and Lord Trevor FitzRoy, whom I determined to be the Black
King and White Rook respectively.
Though I didn't really want to talk to her, Madelyne insisted
that I join her...
I don't know if I'm still retaining some of Jean's knowhow,
or what's 'wrong', but since our workout this morning, I've
been more "aware" psychicly. I guess linking to that level
of telepathy might have served as a psychic kickstart, mixing
up with with what I've taught myself?
Or perhaps I'm just subconsciously starting to use what I
'learned' from her. Either way, Ol' Cueball was surprised
that I didn't "absorb" her personality...and from what I now
know about my 'new' powers, so am I...but another scan from
Bones indicates that the primary power they think I should
still be saddled with has burned out.. I'm "here" and I'm stuck
in a body that is half-alien-half-human or something like that!
(By the way, "Bones" is my nickname for Dr. Hank McCoy)
So, now, Chuck want's me to work with a couple of other telepaths,
since I've shared so much of Jean's psi-knowledge. I'm not sure
what to think of the people he wants me to work with, though.
Liz Braddock seems to possess something similar to my rather
ill-defined Sight-gift, but she's pretty aloof and from what
Kitty tells me, possessed of a ruthless streak. At least she's
got the good taste of British Anastocracy, and wears stuff that
doesn't clash with her naturally purple hair. I don't know her
well enough to say much more... but I think I'm going to like
her. She's a friend of several of the members here, and has
been been here since a little accident caused her to gain some
interestingmystical powers in addition to her innate Sight-gift
and telepathy.
And speaking of taste, Emma Frost doesn't seem to have much.
She's dresses like a dominatrix in reverse. EVERY thing is white!
At least she buys quality stuff. Sheesh. She's even more ruthless
than Liz, and what I now know about her lends more credence to
the abundant rumours concerning her reputation as a corporate
tycoon...
She doesn't see why she should waste her time working with such
an "insignificant" psi-talent such as my self. Well, I think a
few carefully placed comments about some stocks on Wall Street
convinced her that reliable precog native abilities, though very
short range, aren't anything to sneeze at. Not that I'm looking
foreword to working with her...or she with me.
The one that really unnerves me though is Charles's daughter
from his first marriage. Heather is as bald as he is, but totally
the opposite. I think her arrogance could sustain the entire WWF
sometimes. I thank the Bright Lady that I've got this hellacious
set of psiscreens that came with this body, else she'd be snooping
everywhere she's not welcome. I'm NOT taking lessons from her, that
much I already convinced Xavier of...
As far as other "lessons" goes, I'm not looking forward to flying.
I mean, being able to go fly in a thunderstorm would be great, but
I don't like the idea of being shot at while doing it...Flying
should be fun, I think.
Then there's different mandatory training with other vAnaous
X-Men: Self-defense with Logan and Ororo, firearms with Bishop
and Shard; acrobatics with Kurt and Hank... Boxing with Lorna,
who possesses the roughly the same strength as myself, and is
almost as invulnerable...the list seemed endless to me!
The greatest pleasure, however turned out to be fencing with
Kurt and Liz. I may be able to lift a locomotive now, or not
be injured by anything short of ground zero of a nuke, but I
don't like getting hit, and Kurt agrees with me that skill is
as vital as my new physical attributes.
On other fronts, I've also jotted down notes on what sort of
college courses I'm interested in. And most of them, to Charles'
disappointment are artistic or computer related.
I keep telling him, even though he's certified that I'm a genius,
not all of us are good at math or science! And at least I've
got Hank on my side...
Supper time:
I had snack off to spend my New Years Eve quietly, reading in
the Library, eating my dinner, when several of the 'students'
tumbled in, intent on dragging me out to celebrate...
I managed to pry myself away from most everyone with the promise
that Liz and Allison could do my makeup. It took me 15 minutes
to shower, put up my hair and pull on one of those sheer black
body stockings that covered me from throat to toe, a black
velvet dress with a swirling skirt, knee high boots, matinee
gloves and my favourite jewelry: silver with blue and white
topazes.
Then a knock on my door heralded the invasion of Dazzler and
Psylocke, with a huge Caboodles box full of makeup.
It didn't take the resident rockstar and former supermodel-
turned-spy long to transform the new me from a fairly pretty
young woman into someone who would stop traffic, either. Which
was fine with me. I hate taking a lot of time to get ready to
go anywhere!
But, the look on the guys' faces was well worth the ladies'
efforts to dress themselves to the proverbial nines. Ororo in
sky blue to Jean in pine green to Liz's sapphires and Lorna's
ice green, where as the guys were in varying states of formality:
Remy and Worthington in black tie, to Logan's understated
Japanese suit... I felt like a raven among the peacocks, but
didn't mind it in the least.
I slid on my fringed velvet stole, as it seemed the cold no
longer affected me, and stepped bravely in the shadows prof-
fered by Liz as the mode of transportation...the ostensible
result of her "little accident", I guess.
For a few moments of sensory deprivation, and utter peace
before I emerged into the corner of a glittering ballroom,
feeling a wave of nausea and disorientation hit me as the
shadows slid off my skin and my clothes. Nobody's told me that
'shadowwalking' would hit me like a shot of tequila!
Fortunately, Hank caught ahold of me and held on, so that my
knees didn't buckle.
"Why didn't ye warn me, Hank?" I whispered.
"My apologies, Mademoiselle," he replied, "It is easy to over-
look the fact that though your lovely visage is well aquatinted
to us, that the eyes behind the face are new, and most unaccustomed
to some of our idiosynchracies..."
I couldn't help but laugh, "No kidding! Now, how about telling
me where we are?"
"Our noctiforous mode of conveyance has brought us to the
mysterious, oft maligned Hellfire Club, for the New Year's Gala."
he continued as he escorted me out into the glitterati of Society,
"Our charming Baroness Braddock is Black Bishop of this august
organisation, and from our affiliate school, the inestimateable
Emma Frost is White Queen. I shall impart more of this history and
minutae of our relations with the Inner Circle later, but for now,
let us partake in the libations and festivities.."
And throughout the evening, I notised dozens of celebrities
and V.I.P's from all over the world. Hank introduced me to
Sersi, an immortal psionic who was attending with Hercules
(both are Avengers), where I found myself digressing into a
discussion of Classical history and fashion.
I surprised Hank and myself both, by maintaining my composure.
I think Sersi could sense my excitement and utter fascination
with their anecdotes and observations, though by the time the
four of us got to historical fashion, I was holding my own!
I left Hank with a group of other prominent scientific types
and decided to mingle a bit. I thought I saw Jean across the
room, and made my way over to her, though I wondered where
she'd found time to change from her dark green taffeta evening
gown into that stunning little black number. Something about
it wasn't quite the style of the woman I'd gotten aquainted
with...
She turned toward me, and for once, I was surprised. She looked
exactly like Jean, but different. More predatory, with a definite
edge to her.
"Hello, Rogue..." she said in a silky voice, "I'm surprised to
see you here."
I returned her stare, "I'm not Rogue. I'm Anastasia D'Vir'. I'm
sorry, but I don't recall meeting you before, though you do
look familiar, Ms. ....."
She looked confused for a moment, and then pasted on a rather
convincing smile, "Ah, a pleasure, Ms. D'Vir'. I'm Madelyne
Pryor, and it's nice to meet you."
The woman introduced me to a striking young Oriental man with
dark blue eyes, and a young man with green hair. Lord Shinobi
Shaw, and Lord Trevor FitzRoy, whom I determined to be the Black
King and White Rook respectively.
Though I didn't really want to talk to her, Madelyne insisted
that I join her...