P.S. anybody who has a good bio for Blink, please email it to me if ya can. Thanks again!
Proponent of EVO: Hiya! Thanks for the R&R. You rule!
Red Witch: Thanks again for the idea. Yep, it's (mattb3671 does his best Hannable Lecter) 'Hello, Clarice" time! Thanks!
Agent-G: Yes, I didn't want to do the old 'touched Ms. Marvel' thang for Rogue. Thanks, I wondered how my explanations would go over. And yeah, I liked Blink in your series, so I got her in mine. Thanks!
Chapter 15 – New People, New Powers, New Evil
On the road home, in the Hummer, evening
They were about fifteen minutes away from the Institute, Bobby was driving, Logan riding shotgun.
'Hey Chuck, can you hear me?' thought Logan.
'Of course Logan. Is everyone well? No injuries?' Charles inquired.
'Yeah, we're fine. We got the new girl. Her name is Clarice Ferguson. She does look a bit different. She is very timid, scared. She musta had a rough time of it. Stupid mutant haters.' Logan could even growl while thinking.
'It is a shame. When will you be back?' asked Charles.
'Around 10, 15 minutes. I don't think we need a crowd on this one, just you and Hank.' Logan thought.
'Very well. We'll be waiting in the motor pool when you arrive. Thank you, Logan.' replied Charles.
'Yeah, yeah. You're a good man, Charlie Brown. See ya soon.'
Logan turned his attention back to the kids. They were telling Clarice about life at the Institute.
"Yeah, and there's a Jacuzzi as big as some peoples' pools." Bobby was explaining some of the facilities.
"Ja, and plenty to eat, too. Do you get hungry all ze time since your manifestation, Clarice?" Kurt asked.
"No, just like before. I am sort of hungry now though." She answered timidly.
"Not a problem! So am I, and elfie here is always starvin'. We'll fix a snack when we get back." Mally stated. "How old are you Clarice?"
"I'm 17 years old." She replied, smiling at Mally.
"Right, so am I. Rippa, you'll be in classes with Rogue, when yer ready fer school, that is."
"What about you? You won't be there also?" Clarice asked.
"Nah, bigfoot here is taking a GED course, so he only stays half a day," piped Rahne, "But me an the rest of the kids are just a grade or so below you an Rogue. We'll be there at meals and such."
"Hey, you vill get to meet Dr. McCoy vhen ve get home," Kurt smiled. "He looks like a big hairy lion/ape type mix. He is blue, kind of like me, and very nice."
"How many...different looking people are at the Institute?" Clarice wondered.
"Vell, me, Mally, Dr. McCoy, maybe young Freddie are the only ones that look different all ze time. Freddie is ze biggest 13 year old boy you have ever seen, but he is nice. Bobby and Rahne look like they do now, most times. A girl named Paige can look a zillion different ways, and a boy named Scott always has red sunglasses or a visor on. Another boy, Sam, his legs get kind of fiery when he flies. That's about it." Kurt smiled.
"My..." Clarice was surprised. "And this Professor helps all of you?"
"Yeah, he's really bonzer! You'll meet him too. Hey, we're turning in right now. Check out the mansion! Ain't it grand?!" Mally laughed. "Biggest house I eva saw!"
Clarice was impressed. She didn't know about this place for sure yet, but it was better than the sewers, by far. And these people seemed so happy, well, the kids did, the Logan fellow just seemed...grim, but satisfied.
They pulled into the big underground garage and parked. She saw the big blue man Kurt had described, along with a bald man in a weird floating chair. She took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car.
The Institute, the walking path, eveningForge and Rogue had been walking for about five minutes, neither one talking very much. Rogue was smiling, which, to be honest, was fairly odd for her. Forge started talking.
"So, Kitty told me about your news, good news I guess. How do you feel about it?" he asked.
Rogue paused. "Forge, why were you so interested about me when Ah was hurt? Doc McCoy said you stayed with me the whole time."
He shrugged. "I don't know. I guess...I've always been 'interested' in you, you just always seemed so...distant. But I guess I know why. Your power didn't exactly lend itself to close relationships."
Rogue was sort of startled by the blunt answer. 'He's always been interested?' she wondered. "How come you nevah mentioned anything before?" she asked.
"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. It must have been tough, what you went thru. But," he admitted, "I was going to ask you to dance at the bonfire, before......you know."
Rogue walked for a minute or two in silence.
'Great, I blew it now, she's trying to think of a way to let me down easy' Forge moped to himself.
Rogue stopped and turned to him. "This is all new to me Forge. Ah don't know what to say." She explained. "Can Ah ask you one thing, and have it be just what it is, fah now at least?"
"Sure." He responded. At least she didn't 'think of you like a brother' he mused.
"Can we......hold hands while we walk? Ah......understand if you don't want to, Ah mean, Doc don't know if it's permen –"
Forge took her hand in his before she finished, pulling her along with him. "Lets go up to the Stables and see the horses. You can touch them now, and their winter coats are coming in. Their real soft." He said, trying to hide the fact that he was incredibly relieved.
They walked the rest of the way to the Stables in silence.
The Institute, motor pool, evening"Hello," greeted the Professor, "My name is Charles Xavier. My associate here is Dr. Henry McCoy. You must be Ms. Clarice Ferguson. Thank you for agreeing to come talk with us."
"I can leave anytime I want, right?" Clarice asked. She was still a little scared.
"Of course. And let me assure you, although we have two telepaths at the Institute, myself and a girl named Jean Gray, and we will not invade your privacy at any time. Now, is anyone hungry?" Xavier asked, smiling at Kurt.
"Ja, you know it Professor! Let's show Clarice the kitchen!" He !BAMPH!'ed over to the evelvator, pressing the up button.
"Are you in good health, Clarice?" Dr. McCoy asked, walking next to Clarice. "If you decide to stay, I would be honored to be your physician. If you need any help, please do ask." He grinned his big lion grin, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.
"Th-thank you, Doctor. I'll let you know." Clarice was pretty amazed at the differences in the people she was meeting.
"What, if I may ask, is your mutant ability?" the doctor asked.
"Well, I can do portals, to go from place to place." She didn't mention the fact that she could throw her 'spears', knocking people and objects out of normal time. She still wanted something on her side, just in case. It all still seemed nice though.
The Brotherhood House, Magneto's Office, evening"I could not locate Arkady, Magneto, but we did pick up a girl near the French Riviera. She is quite talented," Mystique went on, "and will fit in well with the Brotherhood. Her name is Marie Claire d'Agastino. She controls gravity to a certain extent. She is downstairs with Victor, Remy, and the other new Acolyte, Piotr Rasputin. They are meeting the others."
"Well then, perhaps we should join them, before Sabretooth's stunning charm kicks in. Come, Mystique." Magneto commanded. "Afterwards, I have a meeting I would like you to accompany me to." They walked downstairs.
St. John, Todd, and Lance were staring at the new girl. She had long dark hair, with a very Mediterranean appearance. Olive skin, dark eyes, full lips, and a very curvaceous figure.
"Man, she's thick like a brick, yo?" Todd whispered to the others.
"Too right. She's a looker alrighty." St. John replied.
Pietro appeared next to them. "Who's this?" he asked, checking her out. "Why didn't someone call me?"
"Because, 'dear' brother, you have not paid your cell phone bill, idiot." Wanda ripped, sitting at the table with Tabitha. He shot her a dirty look.
"MY NAME," the new girl spat, "is Marie Claire. I am from Franze, and I am only here because my parenz do not want me anymore. No one wants me anymore, but I do not care. I do not need them, as I do not need anyone. Now, will somevune show me to my room, s'il vous plait."
"If you don't need anybody, find it on your own." Wanda said, smirking.
"You American girls are such...beetches!" said Marie Claire, looking daggers at Wanda.
The boys all stifled laughter. Wanda looked at them hard, and they calmed down. She raised her hand and blasted Todd just to make a point. He flew into the corner, groaning.
"What is it with other girls calling me a bitch?" Wanda growled. "First the X-brat, now this newbie. Perhaps you need a lesson in who's who around her – "
Wanda's arms suddenly became to heavy to hold up. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the floor. Some force was holding her down with great pull.
"Somebody help me! Pietro!" she screamed, not able to move.
Marie Claire moved to stand over top of her. "No one can help you," she smiled, "unless they want ze same treatment. Now, you, my rouge friend, get up and show me to my room." She released Wanda, who was gasping for air.
"Children, please," irated Magneto, walking in with Mystique in tow, "let's act like young adults, please." He walked to Marie Claire. "Hello, Ms. d'Agastino, my name is Magnus. I am your benefactor. I trust you have met everyone?"
"Well enough," she said. "I would like to rest. Can someone show me my room?"
"Mystique, show the girl her room, please, then meet me upstairs." He looked about the room, making eye contact with everyone, coming to rest on Wanda. "The rest of you, behave yourselves. You're mutants, not humans. I expect better." He turned and walked into the wing where the Acolytes quartered.
The Institute, the Stables, eveningForge opened the stable door for Rogue, following her in. The Institute had three horses, two mares and a stud. They were in separate stalls, resting, blankets over their flanks. Forge reached into a container and pulled out a carrot, handing it to Rogue. "This makes you an instant friend." He smiled. "Go on, Ms. Einstein looks hungry." He pointed to a mare who had stuck her nose over the stall door, and was looking at them. She snorted.
Rogue was a little apprehensive. They were huge creatures. She grabbed Forge's hand, pulling him with her.
"What are you worried about?" he smiled. "Your invincible now, right?"
"That don't mean Ah don't get sceard, boy. Come with me, please." She asked him. They walked over to the horse, who snorted at the sight of the carrot. Rogue held it out, and the mare gobbled it up. Rogue smiled.
"Pet her along her nose, she likes that. Go on." Forge insisted at Rogue's hesitation.
She reached up and stroked the horse. The mare lowered her head a bit, pushing into Rogue's hand. Rogue giggled like a child.
Forge looked over at her. He had gotten two more carrots, and given them to the other horses, so they wouldn't get jealous. Rogue looked terrific, so happy she almost had a glow.
"She likes it, Forgie, she's pushin' on my hand!" Rogue reached higher up and scratched the top of the mares' mane. The horse lowered her head more so Rogue could get the top, and whinnied quietly. Rogue giggled again.
"I've never heard you laugh like that." Forge said, grinning at Rogue.
"Her hair is so soft an thick, Forge, it's wonderful! An she likes mah touchin' her!" Rogue marveled.
"Just washed her yesterday, and there's a conditioner just for horse hair. It works really good." He said.
"You take care of tha horses?" she asked, looking at him.
"Most times. Mr. Logan helps too, and Pappy has been pitching in lately. He's the one who braided Big Mickey's hair." Forge replied, pointing to the stud. "Now he thinks he's Don Juan, don't ya big man?" The big horse stamped his front leg in response.
"He answered you!" Rogue exclaimed, amazed. "Does he really understand you?"
"Well, not really, but they sense things, kind of like children do," Forge stated, "And they learn phrases and tones like dogs do. Quicker, actually."
"Incredible..." Rogue breathed, "What's tha other girls' name?"
"Senorita es Bonita." Forge said. "Or just Bonnie for short. The Professor named them before we got here."
Rogue looked stunned. "The Professor named horses 'Big Mickey' and 'Senorita es Bonita'? Whoda thunk it..." she wondered. "I'da figgered he'd of given them all regal names an such."
Forge laughed. "Yeah, I guess he's got a comic side we just don't see much. I built him a saddle that works with his disability. Sometimes he rides, mostly when everyone's at school. Makes Mr. Logan a nervous wreck."
Rogue turned to Ms. Einstein. "Thank ya, ma'am. Your just darlin'." She looked back at Forge. "Let's go back now. There's sumthang Ah gotta do."
"Sure." Forge agreed. "The horses have to bed down anyway. They're probably tired." Big Mickey snorted, as if to say 'Bring it on, buddy, I'm always ready!'.
"Oh, I know big man, but I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest, stud." Forge tapped him on the nose.
They left the stable and started back to the mansion. Rogue slipped her hand back into Forge's, giving him a little smile. 'And Ah thought he was all gadgets and gizmo's...' she thought, matching his stride.
The Institute, the Kitchen, evening"Vhat can I get you, Clarice?" Kurt asked. "Ve have most everything. Vant some cookies?" He was munching on a sugar cookie as he spoke. Mally was busy dishing out some left over pasta salad. Bobby and Rahne had their heads in the fridge, searching.
"No, thank you..." Clarice responded. "...Do you have any...hot dogs? I like hot dogs." She softly asked.
Rahne popped up from the fridge. "Yeah! That's usin' yer noggin! Hot dogs are one of me favs!" she piped, pulling out some wieners. "An we've got all the toppings too, what do you like on it?" she asked Clarice.
Mally smiled at Rahne. "Kinda cannibalistic, ain't ya dingo?" he jibed.
"Shaddup, ye bonnie rabbit, eat yer noddles!" she shot back, sticking her tongue out at him. "So, what ya take?" she asked Clarice again.
"Just mustard, please. Can I have two?" she answered.
"Only two?" Kurt wondered. "I want four Rahne, please, all the way." He said, pulling out chili and relish and kraut. "Can't forget the apple butter!" he stated, getting disgusted looks from the others. "Vhat!? It is good, I svear!"
"Ye can fix yer own, my duckie," Rahne said, "What ye puts on a hot dog makes me wanna hurl." She held her nose. "Do ye be wantin' one Professor? Dr. McCoy?" she asked. They were sitting at one of the tables.
"No, thank you." The Professor replied, smiling.
"I try not to imbue after eight o'clock," the Doctor stated, "I don't get as much activity as I used to. But many thanks, Rahne."
"Ye still cut a fine figure, Doctor, whoo-whoo!" Rahne teased. Dr. McCoy's face turned purple, his equilivlent of red.
"...er, yes, well, hmmm..." he stammered, looking out the window.
"Hello Rogue, Forge. Come meet Clarice Ferguson..." the Professor said a second before they came thru the doorway.
Forge sat down on a stool at the counter. "Hello, I'm Forge." He introduced himself. Rogue just smiled at the new girl, walking by her, to the Professor. She leaned down and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Professor." She whispered, moving to Dr. McCoy. She hugged and kissed him too.
"Ah always wanted ta do that." She said, noticing their astonished faces. "Sorry," she said, walking to Clarice. "Ah had to get that outta mah system. Hello, Ah'm Rogue." She reached out and hugged Clarice, surprising her. "Welcome. Ah hope you like it here. It's a wonderful place filled with wonderful people." She let go of Clarice, who was smiling.
"Nobody has hugged me in years..." Clarice thought out loud.
"Ah know tha feelin'." Rogue smiled back at her. "Ah gotta go find Ms. Munroe an Mr. Logan. See ya'll later." She waved, leaving the kitchen, touching Forge on the shoulder as she left.
Mally looked at Forge. "Crikey, what'd ya do to that girl?" he asked smiling.
The Brotherhood House, Acolytes wing, evening"Hello Piotr, I trust you are getting along well." Magneto asked the new acolyte. "Is there anything you need?"
"Da, I would like to rest, if that is alright." Piotr said, monotone. He kept his feelings about all that had happened to him locked inside. He just wanted to use his ability to avenge the lives of his parents and sister.
"Of course. We'll talk more in the morning. Good night, young man." Magnus had to use tact with this boy. He was a valuable asset. He left Piotr's room, closing the door. As he turned to walk down the hall, Sabretooth was right in front of him.
"Move." He commanded. Victor growled, but moved out of the way. Magneto walked away.
"Why you wanna be annoyin' ole Mags, mon ami?" Remy said from his room across from Piotr's. "Is not so healthy for the kitty kat."
Victor gave him the finger and walked off, dragging his claws down one wall, shredding the wallpaper.
Magneto walked in his office, where Mystique was waiting. "Lets' go." He said, walking to the balcony. Outside a large silver platform was floating in the air. They stepped on it, and it transformed into a ball, flying off.
End - Chapter 16 – The Meeting with Fisk