(SN: I expect you to be faster about it when it's your turn again, Di, got that? It's brutally obvious how different our writing styles are. My god, this is my most popular story.. bloody pathetic. Warning, a humorous chapter approaches!)

Keladry of Mindelan had a growing headache. It wasn't an actual pain, it was more of the kind of thing that foretold a headache.

Right now, she was attempting to explain how the cafeteria worked, and just why everyone was giving them angry stares for coming in late.

Neal wasn't making it any easier with his constant comments, but Dom was keeping him busy.

If it weren't much too indignified, Kel probably would have screamed in frustration.

"What exactly is this stuff?" asked Kitty, prodding her soup. "There's not meat in it, is there?" She sniffed it hesitatingly.

"Of course there's meat!" said Owen cheerfully as he sat down by Kel. "New friends?" he asked, grinning.

"Why can't you all just shut up?" whimpered Kel. "What's wrong with the meat?"

"Kitty's a vegetarian," said the blue boy- Kurt- solemnly.

"And a Jew," she added. "This stuff is definitely NOT kosher." She prodded it again and something twitched in her bowl. "Ew, it just, like, MOVED!"

"Hank seems to be getting along well at least," said Rogue, glancing over at him. He and Numair were having an avid discussion on mutants vs. mages.

"Glad someone's happy," said Remy. He too was casting dubious glances at his soup.

"It's fun having new people, isn't it?" asked Owen, still grinning.

"Urge.. to kill... rising.." muttered Kel.

"Ya got that right, darlin'," muttered the hairy guy, Logan.

" 'Darlin'?" echoed Kel, blinking.

"He calls women that until he can figure out a nickname for them," said Kurt. "For you, it might be... uh, something like 'Scar' or 'Nutso'."

Kel prided herself on her grip on her emotions. But it had been a good long while since she'd been in Yaman, and it showed. And anyway, there was nothing in her Yamani or her warrior training about dimension hoppers. 'I should have smacked them with my sword when I had the chance.'

"Having fun?" asked Lady Alanna, passing by. Who knew that someone with a history like hers could have such an evil grin?

"Save me," Kel begged.

"Oh, I'm looking for someone else to have all the fun today," said Alanna. "George is visiting." She walked off.

Kel began to bang her head against the table.

"So the Lump's finally begun to crack," drawled Neal, finally free from his cousin's clutches. He sat down next to Kel. His grin was eerily like Alanna's. "Never thought I'd see the day. Of course, I never thought I'd see her make so many friends, either." He shrugged. "I suppose I should get used to it though."

Kel shoved him off the bench.

Neal picked himself up, brushing himself off with the most dignity he could muster. Which, in retrospect, wasn't much. He sniffed. "Peasants," he muttered. "You resort to shows of strength since you lack the brains for more insults."

"You're my friend too," replied Kel.

Owen stood over by Neal. In a rare moment of brains, he said, "I think we should go now. Kel's got that killer glint in her eyes."

Neal cocked his head. "Actually, I think that's more of a 'come-too-close-and-I'll-castrate-you" glint."

Owen patted his friend's shoulder. "All the more reason to get moving." They did an about-face and walked off.

Jean was rubbing her temples. "You couldn't exude more hostility, could you?!" she snapped at Kel.

Kel blinked.

"She's a telepath, very touchy about these things," explained Scott with a shrug.

"Yes, mama, I'm enjoying being under the King's service. I get told what to do and get stuck with all the unpleasant jobs," Kel muttered.

"What, you're not enjoying our company?" said Kurt in a tone of mock surprise.

"Come a little bit closer and say that," replied Kel.

Kurt edged a little closer to Kitty.

The three others, Sam, Rahne, and Ray, were looking rather dazed. They were still attempting to wrap their minds around the fact that they'd been included in one of the adventures. Or perhaps they had eaten the soup.

A FEW MINUTES LATER

Kel had finally gotten everyone to finish the soup and they were now trying to sort out the problem of what to do with everyone.

They were all lined up in front of the high table. King Jonathan frowned. "I suppose we could.. no there's not enough room there. Or- no, still not enough room." He rubbed his temples.

"Having problems, sire?" asked Daine sweetly. She had come over to fetch her husband and remind him that, no matter how fascinating Hank was, he still had a class to teach.

"Yes, thank you for noticing and being so supportive," replied Jon, grinding his teeth somewhat.

"You know, that's not good for you," said Scott. "I used to do that in my sleep. Gave me the most terrible toothaches."

Jonathan blinked. "Thank you for the information," he said, looking somewhat dazed.

"We could put them all up in Mithros's Chapel," suggested Thayet. "It's only for a night, after all."

"Good thinking," said Jon, still looking dazed. "That should work."

"Whose what?" asked most of the X-men in unison.

TEN MINUTES LATER, THE CHAPEL

"This doesn't look like the most comfortable place for our repose," commented Hank, looking around at the bare stone floors.

"We don't have anywhere else that's big enough," said Kel with a shrug. "And most of the guest rooms are full up since it's getting close to Midwinter." She looked over at Remy and Rogue, who were shivering. "What's the matter with you two?"

"It's COLD!" they shouted in unison and looked terrified to have the same thought as the other.

"Southerners," muttered Logan. "Pathetic."

Numair came in, a large basket of blankets following behind him. He floated it down and went over to continue his discussion with Hank.

Several of the X-men looked as though they were about to speak.

Kel shook her head vehemently. "Don't ask!" She sat down on the stone floor, looking a tad frazzled. "It's not worth it."

The X-men shrugged and broke off into small groups, talking.

(Yes, Di, I know that was a bit humorous but I simply couldn't resist.)