Chapter 02
A Vane AffairThe return of Scott Summers and Kitty Pryde to the mansion on Monday has prompted the arrival of more of the Institute's students returning from the holidays. Tuesday, it was Kurt Wagner's return from Germany. On Wednesday, Jean Grey arrived in the late afternoon followed by Aurora Monroe in the evening. Logan came in through the back door in the kitchen before dawn with a heavy army-type sack, as always kept the whereabouts of his vacation (or training grounds) a secret once everyone found him drinking coffee and reading the newspaper in the kitchen. The remainder of the week ended on the following Monday, now the mansion is complete with the entire student body and off to school in Bayville High.
It was another year for what remained of the tiny mutant population that inhabit the grounds of the school. Ever since the tragic events that has ultimately revealed the identities of Professor Xavier's students, Principal Robert Kelly has barred the admission of any mutants from the school. The trouble is that he might never be able to identify which student entering the school would be a mutant, and he would look bad in the eyes of the Bayville public if he would accuse any one of the young enrollees as a mutant without proof. For the meantime, Kelly would be serving his last term as principal and will be devoting his time in public office for next year.
The change was somehow an improvement. Most of those who had an overwhelming animosity towards Professor Xavier's students have already left or graduated Bayville High. The Brotherhood of Mutants were never heard from again, though Jean Grey and Scott Summers are now attending at the New York State University and studying in the degree of their choosing. Rogue, Kurt and Kitty are now in their senior year in Bayville High. Along with the other mutants, they tried to continue to live and study normally among the rest of the normal Bayville students. Yet others who are still in their junior level of high school continued to stare at them as if they were experiments of a freak lab accident.
Jean Grey arrived at the mansion back from college a week after school started. Though she is now living in a dormitory near her college, she always finds time to come home at least once a week to be with her surrogate family of mutants. After greeting the professor in his office, she enters the common room on the first floor where most of them were inside, some watching a movie or playing with the foosball table. Rogue was not among them she thought as she sighed. Jean was carrying in her hand a thick white envelope about the size of a standard greeting card as she sat down at the sofa between Kitty and Amara while everyone greeted her.
"Guess what. I got some invites to a fashion show this coming Friday. And get this. The designer and host of the show is none other than Derek Vane!" Jean began as she opened the envelope and revealed the invitation cards.
Kitty and some of the girls chattered excitedly among themselves as they crowded around Jean. It was a known fact among the women of the Xavier Institute as well as all over the United States that Derek Vane and his Vanity line of clothes are one of the hottest trends of the year.
"Really?" Chirped the excited Kitty as she sat closer to Jean, fixing her sights towards the glossy surface of the cards. "The Derek Vane? But those invitations are so hard to get. How did it end up right in your lap?"
Jean grinned as she explained, gathering the attention of most of the female students.
"I got this from a friend I'm sharing a room with who's taking up fashion design in another college. It's kind of like a friend of a friend thing that began with one of Derek's relatives and handed her a bunch of invites. What's left of them landed on my friend and gave a couple of them to me.
"The problem is that I only counted ten in here. Which I take one for myself so that leaves nine." Jean explained as she counted fingers and looked around. About twenty pairs of women's eyes were staring back at her. One thing that she never counted on was the furry blue face of Kurt Wagner, the resident party animal known as Nightcrawler.
"You too, Kurt?" Jean shot him a curious look.
"Vhy nött?" Kurt said in his German accent as he disappear right in front of Jean and leaving a puff of smoke that smelled of sulfur. He instantly appeared behind the sofa and staring at the invitation cards. "You know zat ze Fuzzy One loves to party und hang out vith beautiful ladies."
Jean rolled her eyes and shook her head sideways to the left.
"Kurt, I think that these invites are going to be given only to the ladies." Jean gave a strained smile at Kurt.
Just like the Titanic, Kurt sunk slowly to the floor and began sulking and fiddling his thumbs around each other. Jean cocks her head from behind and lets out a long sigh, trying to see what Kurt was doing. Though Jean was never known to play favorites among the rest of her fellow students, she somehow had to draw the line somewhere. Right now the problem lies on handing over the remaining nine tickets randomly among the others students and thinking it might result to some serious objections, either way it was almost the same as being handpicked from a crowd. Looking around the room for a minute to try to solve the problem, Jean spots a large plastic tumbler filled with red plastic straws sitting on top of a small table for some unknown reason. An idea instantly struck her mind. With her eyes slightly squinted she stretched out her hand towards it. The tumbler nudged slightly off the surface of the table before it hovered across the room and into her hands.
"Okay. Someone grab me a pair of scissors. We're about to play a game of 'drawing straws'."
One of them returned with a pair of scissors and handed them to Jean after counting the straws, which totaled twenty-five. Pulling out nine from the bunch, Jean took the end of each plastic straw and snipped the tip off in an angle so that it appears pointed. After that she grabbed the remainder of the untouched straws and with her left hand she covered the snipped-out ends. Her right hand held the middle of the straws and began rolling it in her hands. She did this for about half a minute and stopped, making sure that the snipped straws are well mixed with the untouched ones.
"Okay, let's begin."
A few of the girls refused the straws, which they explained that they have dates on Friday though they were now regretting it. This made the chances of getting the special straw a bit higher as Jean offered the straws to the remaining fifteen girls. Including Kitty and Amara, five other girls managed to pull out the special straw, leaving only two more.
"Kurt? You wanna try your luck?" Jean called from behind the sofa then peeked. She made up her mind to include Kurt after watching him sulk. It took a little less than a second when a puff of smoke starts to clear out from behind the sofa and Kurt reappearing in front of Jean with a straw tucked between his index finger and thumb. He jumps more than ten feet in the air and cheered when he managed to pull out that special straw.
"Yes! I - am - going!"
After counting the straws in her hand to make sure that Kurt was not cheating and confirmed that there was only one left, Jean continued.
"One more to go." Jean called out and searches around the room. "Anyone else want to try?"
Most of them shook their heads or waved or said 'no' to Jean. All the girls are accounted for in the common room except for Rogue.
"Jean." Kitty whispered in Jean's ear as she distributed the card to each of the lucky ones who got the special straw. "I think that Rogue should get the last one, don't you think?"
It was probably the only conclusion, now that only one invitation card was left and there are no other takers. Though the thought of giving the last one to Scott occupied her mind, Jean decided that it was best to give it to someone who needs a bit more cheering up.
With a nod, Jean handed the last card to Kitty and smiled.
Jean and some of the girls assembled at the garage door that late afternoon. It was now ten minutes past four in the afternoon when Jean checked her wristwatch and shifts her eyes towards the excited women. It is a night to look forward to as everyone wore their most fashionable and stylish attire they could think of. The door opened at the back of the garage as Kurt emerged a little more than enthusiastic. For the last hour he checked to make sure that the image inducer's batteries were fully charged and wore leather gloves to cover his furry three-fingered hands also covered by the hologram. He dons a shiny black leather overcoat that matches along with his black velvet tight shirt, a tight pair of black leather pants and combat boots. His dark blue hair was combed and gelled to the back of his head and wearing dark shades over his eyes, making him look like the actor in a popular cyber-punk film of the year. The professor gave Jean permission to use the X-Van with its armor removed and enough space to accommodate ten people.
"Okay. We're all set now." Jean said as she counted heads and winced, noticing that two more girls were missing from the group.
"Kurt. Where's Kitty and Rogue?" Jean shifts her eyes towards him.
"I don't know. I haven't even seen them vhen I came down." Kurt shrugged. Just when Kurt was about to teleport back into the mansion to search for Kitty and Rogue, a loud commotion interrupted the murmuring within the group. They all shifted their sights towards the door at the back of the garage. Kitty appeared through the closed door, which her powers allow her to phase though solid matter. Her hand was still phased through the door and pulling at something when a slender outstretched arm of another woman appeared. With one final tug, Kitty managed to pull the rest of what was attached to the arm out through the door.
The black wifebeater and see-through green silk top that was draped over her entire upper body, a metal-studded leather choker, leather gloves and her leather mini skirt over her black stockings and boots were part of Rogue's usual attire of a very gothic theme. What they did not expect her bring, yet to no surprise from others, was a scowl carving her face.
"I kinda told her just now, you know, making sure that she won't back out on the last minute." Kitty gave off a strained smile as Rogue managed to remove her arm off Kitty's hand.
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to be hanging around too many people." Rogue complained as she stood with her arms folded on her chest.
Jean shook her head slightly as she approached Rogue. Standing next to her, Jean swept her arm across Rogue's waist and pulled her inside the van.
"That never stopped you before." Jean smiled before sliding the side door of the van shut and jumping in the driver's seat. "Come on, Rogue, it's about time you get to have fun with the rest of us."
The drive through Bayville towards the city of New York took almost an hour as Jean sped across Manhattan passing through Times Square. About a couple yards straight down to the right corner of Radio City, through their windows Jean and her friends saw two bright column of Dominator spotlights spiraling through the early evening sky and the beat of techno music boomed louder through the large speakers. Various people crowded near the entrance of Equinox, a popular disco club as Jean drove past the club to find an open parking space. It took almost ten minutes and another twenty yards from the club to find an empty slot. After Jean fed the parking meter, everyone strides down the sidewalk with each step in the fast rhythmic beat of the bass. A large computer-generated sign that projected over the top of the entrance wrote 'The Vanity Show' in a kind of Seventies design on a white background.
"This is it!" Kurt called out from behind the loud music, his eyes open widely at the number of people pushing through to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrities.
Between the two ropes that separated the onlookers and paparazzi at both sides lay a long stretch of aisle covered with a strip of red carpet. About six bouncers stood at each of the posts that held the ropes, trying to keep them at bay when the ones near the street began to cheer wildly. A black stretch limousine pulled over in front of the aisle as the bouncer standing guard at the sidewalk opened the door, revealing a popular rock star and the rest of his band. After the limousine rolled away came another car from behind. A two-seater, hardtop sports car pulled over and from the driver's side emerged a young man with a casual black suit without a tie, complimenting much of his figure like a male supermodel. His long auburn hair wafted through the soft breeze and wore thin sunglasses, which has been the signature look of the former male model turned fashion designer. Beaming at the crowd he raised both his hands in the air, feeling the admiration and the cheers from his fans. The flood of camera flash kept shooting off the silver necklaces that adorn his neck as he flashed his signature grin. Outstretched hands with pens and autograph books reached out towards the host of the show as he grabbed some of them and began scribbling. After signing four or five of these, the bouncers led him inside the disco and the crowd simmered down. It was now those with the invitations are allowed to enter.
"Okay, guys," Jean called at the group, "we're going in."
Inside the huge room is a large stage with a runway at the center occupying almost half of the entire dance floor. Above the small entrance of the stage are several Styrofoam cutouts of letters, spelling out 'Vanity' in red glitters along with the name of the designer under it. Three rows of chairs were lined up at the sides near the fifteen-foot runway for columnists and reporters from various fashion show columns printed in the newspapers and fashion magazines. The neon lights and strobes of different color shot all over the dance floor and stage, giving the place a hypnotic feel as the beat of the music continue to fill their ears.
Most of the invitees converged near the ten-foot-long wet bar at the left side, sipping on their mildly intoxicating drink while some of them danced in the rhythm of house music. Though Jean is old enough to handle one or two strawberry margaritas, she thought to serve as an example and settled for juice drinks along with the others. At the other end of the room is the temporary VIP section. Most of the celebrities and special guests sat on one of the several booths mingling with the other celebrities and the entrance was roped off and guarded by a single bouncer. Jean and the others were lucky enough to sit near where they could see the familiar faces of their favorite stars. Only Derek Vane was not among them and probably at the back doing some last-minute checkups.
It was now thirty minutes since the Xavier students entered the disco when the music died down and replaced with a kind of techno drum roll. Everyone took to their seats while the print media people sat or stood nearest to the runway with their cameras poised and ready to take pictures. The lights in the large room slowly begins to dim and two bright spots merged towards the small entrance where the models will walk out through it wearing the clothes of Derek Vane's design. Multicolored lights sparkled against the silvery white backdrop of the stage and an emcee's voice boomed all over the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to The Vanity Show!"
A wild applause erupted from the audience along with the fast beat of techno music and the runway was lit with the overhead fluorescent lights. Twenty women strolled down the runway in the catwalk, wearing different dresses and attires as they struck their poses at the end of the runway for a few seconds before returning back to the entrance. Jean and the rest of her friends were seated in the middle of the third row, chattering excitedly and pointing out almost most of the clothes they would likely want to wear some time in the future. Then came the swimsuits for the Vanity summer collection, which Kurt could only holler out wolf calls at them until Kitty jabbed her elbow sharply against Kurt's ribs.
The entire show lasted for over thirty minutes as all the models lined up at both sides of the runway in the finale and slightly facing towards the small entrance. A standing ovation erupted when the last model emerged from the entrance with her arm clinging on Derek's right side. The audience once again erupted with wild cheering along with the models as Derek stood at the end of the runway with his hands waving at them. He slowly circles around where he stood, feeling the self-adulation and cheers from his admirers and fans that Derek Vane has been conditioned to ever since he started his career as a male model three years ago at the age of sixteen. His second show was truly a success. Looking around at the numerous faces smiling and cheering for him, he could almost feel like he was in heaven and could feel that nothing could ever take it away from him. Just as he was about to run back into the entrance, his eyes met the eyes of one woman standing alone at the back of the room with her arms folded under her chest. It was something that he never expected as he stared at those dark eyes that seem empty even in her well-chiseled pale face. The unique hairdo was something that he rarely sees everyday as he studied the white streaks that cuts in the middle of her hairline. As he looks down from her face towards the attire she was wearing, the only thing inside Derek's mind is finding out who this strange gothic Cinderella is. Derek made one final bow before leaving the runway as the clamor of applause continues to ring his ears. The show ended and everyone in the room chattered and commented on the designs.
Jean and the rest of her friends lingered on for the next thirty minutes at their table after the show, commenting and admiring the clothes they have seen. Rogue only showed up a few minutes after the show ended, explaining that she had to stand up near the end of the room after leaving the women's powder room. All she said was the show was good as she took her seat next to Kitty.
"So what do you think?" Jean said as she sips on her strawberry margarita and forgotten about being a role model for the night.
"It was too adorable." Kitty giggled. "Especially the fifth model with the onyx short bellbottoms and a tight baby T." (Author's Note: Could somebody please explain to me what Kitty was saying? Even I don't know what I was trying to describe, no thanks to Fashion TV. :P)
Jean smiled at the rest of her friends and was glad they all had fun especially Kurt who she saw dancing with two models on the dance floor. She then moved her sights towards Rogue, who looked no happier than a five-year-old did on Christmas but somehow she seemed more relaxed as she chatted with another Xavier student on her right. As Kurt returned from the dance floor and taking deep breaths from exhaustion, Jean checked her watch and her eyes widened a bit. It was now a quarter to nine PM.
"Okay, guys." Jean called out to catch their attention, pointing to her watch. "It's time we head home."
Some of them moaned and shook their heads in protest as they stood slowly on their feet. Rogue was the first to stand up and leading the group towards the doors when she stopped suddenly on her tracks. Her eyes widened as she stares at the greenish eyes of Derek Vane who was blocking the way. There was no lascivious intent on the way he shifts his eyes up and down Rogue, in fact he was quite curious.
"Wow. I must say it's been some time since I've seen anyone wear an interesting gothic theme." Derek said in his smooth-as-silk voice as he approaches Rogue. The others behind her whispered excitedly as Rogue stared at him with a hint of disinterest yet her pulse begins to hammer quite rapidly.
"Well if you're here to poke fun at me, it wouldn't matter if you include yourself among them." Rogue said as she cocks her head slightly to the left and placed her hands over her hips.
"No, no, no." Derek shook his head and smiled. "I didn't mean to take it the wrong way. It's just that the way you dress somehow appeals to you." Derek begins to scope out Rogue as he walks around her. "It seems that you were meant to wear something dark, and believe me it brings out your natural shine." Then he nodded and changed the subject. "Anyway, I was hoping that you and your friends could come to my after-show party in a little later at my place. It's not that far off from here."
Aside from Rogue and Jean, the rest of them whispered excitedly as Kitty and Kurt grabbed Jean by both her arms and pulled her closer with the others.
"Come on, Jean." Kitty breathes out through her teeth. "This is, like, something that happens once in a lifetime! I'll even bet my entire allowance for a year that this is gonna be a blast!"
"That's right!" Kurt added and raised his two fingers, both about half an inch apart, towards Jean. "And I was this close to catching that model's cellphone number!"
The spontaneous peer pressure was slowly building up inside Jean as she could only stare awkwardly towards the others; they were all feeling giddy about being invited by a famous designer much like a six-year-old on a sugar buzz. Though the temptation was too much to refuse, Jean was about to answer okay when Rogue cuts her off and said "No thanks." before striding out the door.
All of them including Derek watched Rogue storm out of the disco and their minds went blank for a minute. With an apologetic look, Jean and the rest congratulated and thanked Derek for the show and followed Rogue out to the door.
The crowd outside still remained and many more came as Jean and the rest pushed their way through them and towards open ground. They spot Rogue a little ahead of them as they all ran after her. Though Rogue didn't mind their company, she could only stare blankly at everyone's disappointed looks, especially Jean, Kitty and Kurt's.
"You know, you didn't have to refuse him like that." Kitty blurted out as she crossed her arms across her chest.
Rogue snaps at Kitty as she shot her a stern look.
"I don't know about you but I'm not in the mood to be patronized by some self-loving, egotistical pretty boy. If you wanted to go to his party then go ahead. I don't want any part of it." Shaking her head, Rogue continued her rapid approach towards the X-Van. Everyone stared at her while Jean shook her head. She was unable place Rogue's situation as being an introvert, which was clearly evident in her demeanor, or maybe, just maybe that she actually found Derek attractive in her book, she would not allow herself to be held by him in the way like any other girl who is deeply in love. It was a painful reminder that Rogue will have to live through-- she will never be able to feel the touch from someone she cares for as long as she lives.
As they gave up the prospect of attending Derek's after-show party, everyone's attention was caught back towards the crowd when they were all cheering loudly as Derek exited the disco. It was useless to convince Rogue even on the first try as they all shuffled through the sidewalk to join Rogue and returning envious glances back at the place. After walking a few yards away from the club, the cheers from the crowd instantly changed to screams and yells of horror as they all snapped their heads back at the club. Panic and confusion was evident near the entrance as the crowd dispersed in all directions. Above the entrance of the disco is a towering column of flames that shot out from the hands of a mutant that they are familiar with. The flames hovered in the air; its shape changing to different horrific creatures that almost looked alive and downright intimidating.