Chapter Twenty:

The morning shone brightly through the open windows of the Malloy's living room, though only one person was present to enjoy it.

Mystique stood with her arms folded, enjoying the warmth of the sun against her bare skin. She was in her natural form and had not donned any real clothing. If any of the other guests awoke, she would form her skin into some illusion that would be less revealing to young, impressionable eyes. She had to think about the children, after all.

Today, she would need to speak with Pyro alone before she and Toad returned to the Island. She had not been displeased with the turn of events, and she did not think Erik would be either. At least one new mutant had been identified, and she was quite confident that Pyro had met more, considering the access he had to the Underground during his time with the Malloy family. The staff at the club they had attended had recognized the boy, even greeted him as a friend. He was making associations that would benefit the Brotherhood in time.

Mystique smirked to herself as she reflected on the night's events. It had not been the strangest experience she had ever had, but certainly notable, even among her sorted history. She expected Erik would find it most amusing as well.

Her face darkened slightly as she thought about the list Toad had with him. Erik's list of mutants he wished to locate. Mystique did not mind the search for other allies, though she had been privately questioning his methods since this whole nonsense with the Malloy family began. Instead of approaching mutants directly, and en force, Erik assigned the search first solely to Pyro, and now to Toad, without letting her know about all of his plans. The Lady Deathstrike was also out on some mission for Magneto, and even though Mystique had known about her departure, she had not been given details. Something in Erik's actions was unnerving her, and the only thing she had to rely on was her own faith in his decisions.

Before her mind could form more arguments, Mystique heard someone walking across the roof-top deck. She frowned, and decided to see who else might be awake.

Mystique moved stealthily, simply because she preferred to remain unnoticed until she was sure she wanted to engage the other early riser in conversation. She exited out onto the roof, and stepped cautiously forward.

Near the edge of the roof, she spotted the witch sitting cross-legged atop of a round wooden table. Her name was Nancy, Mystique remembered, the one who had shown up with the ditsy vampire. She paced toward the younger woman, and heard her chanting quietly. The smell of incense clouded the morning breeze, and she could see several candles lit nearby.

Mystique watched the witch curiously for a few moments. Nancy had her eyes closed, focusing on the dagger that was hovering about a foot in front of where she was sitting. The shape shifter had no idea what the incantation was. She had never had much interest for magics, but she certainly knew of one other person who did. Someone who had been very close to Erik Lensherr... at least, in the past.

The dagger hovered for another few moments, and then shot out through the air. Mystique grimaced as the witch's blade skewered a passing bird and then fell solidly into one of the deck's wooden railings.

"Impressive," Mystique said aloud, not bothering to hide the disgust in her voice.

"Thanks," Nancy replied, taking a quick drag from her cigarette before continuing, "What the hell do you want?"

"What makes you think I want anything?" Mystique asked smoothly.

"Why else would you be hanging out up here watching me commune with nature..." Nancy shot back, not bothering to glance behind her as she spoke.

Mystique walked around the table, molding the shape of a white dress over her body before facing the young woman.

Nancy rolled her eyes as she watched Mystique's transformation, "Relax, chick. It's not like I've never seen a boob before."

Mystique grinned coolly, but did not immediately reply. She studied Nancy closely with her yellow eyes. The young woman obviously embraced every medieval stereotype of the term 'witch' with pride, even down to the Land of Oz style striped socks. However, Mystique also noticed the scars on her inner arm, remnants of past drug use... or medical treatment.

Nancy scowled at the blue mutant as she stared at her, regarding Mystique with undisguised suspicion. She shifted uncomfortably and snuffed her cigarette against the table surface.

"So..." Nancy began, shaking her head once and crossing her legs as if to concentrate again, "You and the Toad guy are part of the Brotherhood, huh? The one's who tried to blow up the Statue of Liberty a couple years back?"

Mystique nodded, folding her arms over her chest, not bothering to correct Nancy's assumption of their motives during the Liberty Island mission.

"Hardcore," Nancy said with a touch of sarcasm.

"We try," Mystique replied, mimicking the witch's tone, "Is your coven in New York?"

Nancy's head jerked toward Mystique, her eyes once again filling with suspicion.

"No..." Nancy said, "I'm from L.A. So is the she-vamp. When Harm heard that Becca got shot, she just had to come and visit..."

Mystique smiled, feigning interest, "Have you been friends for a while?"

"I've known the idiot twins since high school," Nancy replied, ditching her spell in favor of another cigarette, "Harmony only got vamped last year. Sebastian does his good will thing for newly-mades, you know..."

"I didn't know," Mystique replied, and then paced her next question carefully, "How long have you been practicing your craft?"

"More than a few years," Nancy replied with a snide grin, "How long you been practicing yours?"

Mystique raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Much more than a few years. You don't get a choice when you're a mutant."

"Boo hoo," Nancy replied, "No offense but the self pity crap some of you mutants parade around really pisses me off."

"Do you know many mutants?" Mystique asked, "Back in Los Angeles?"

"A few," the witch said, "Some think they're monsters to begin with... but I guess you know that..."

Mystique let the comment slide and continued, "And you educate them otherwise?"

"You're one curious bitch" Nancy said, finishing her cigarette and staring another.

Mystique felt a real grin form on her face in spite of herself. If the witch had been a mutant, she probably would have tolerated her as a recruit for the Brotherhood. The boys needed a tough bitch to push them around sometimes, and she did not always have the time.

"Yes, I am," Mystique replied, "One more question, and then I promise to leave you to your bird watching. Where did you get those scars?"

Nancy jerked as if she had been struck. Her face filled with anger at Mystique's audacity. She pushed her shirt sleeves down past her elbows and seethed.

"None of your damn business," Nancy spat and spun her legs around and off the table. The carefully arranged spices and stones were scattered. Mystique grinned darkly as the girl stormed away, but then called to her with fabricated concern.

"I just don't like to see someone so gifted ruined with drugs," the shape shifter called, holding out a pleading hand.

Nancy froze, and glanced back toward Mystique. A dark humor had replaced her quick temper as she called back.

"What? You think I'm a junkie or something?" Nancy asked with a laugh.

"Well, the scars..." Mystique began, playing the role perfectly, "I've seen a lot of mutants take that path, but it's not the answer..."

Nancy laughed again and put her hands to her face. Mystique simply waited, hoping the young woman would react as she expected.

"Are you kidding?" Nancy shouted, storming back toward her, "Drugs...right. As fucked up as I am, let me put drugs on top of it! Let me tell you, sister. One thing you learn in the psyche ward is that drugs don't do shit!"

Nancy yanked her dagger out of the wooden railing for emphasis before she stormed off again. The bird's body fell heavily to the ground with a sickening thump. But, Mystique did not grimace this time. She simply watched the young woman leave and smiled.

A witch from an institution, Mystique thought, Now, why does that sound so familiar...