Gifts and Curses
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "And the dish ran away with the spoon. But Hawaii was the only state that would recognize the marriage as legal"
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Chapter 20 – Cigars all round
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By the time evening came, Rahne had almost got used to Ebony being around…almost.
"Rahne, I really don't think you can outstare that cat", pointed out Hank.
Rahne ignored him. Currently in wolf form, she and Ebony were staring each other out for a piece of hamburger Imara had thoughtfully placed between them on the floor. Oblivious of the conflict she had created, Imara was happily constructing 'thingies' out of play dough. What the 'thingies' actually were, was anyone's guess, most people assumed it was due to a backlash of Forge genes, and hoped she'd grow out of it. Toby, on the other hand, was surprisingly more creative. He could whip up a detailed model of almost anything, as long as it was explained to him first. He'd currently created a realistic-looking wolf and cat, both staring each other out, much like the real-life models were doing.
"I swear, he's like that girl from that Lionel Ritchie music video", said Kurt, watching in amazement.
"I know", grinned Hank, "he has quite a talent"
Imara gave an evil laugh, squishing two of her 'thingies' together, making snarling noises.
"……I couldn't have the normal child progeny could I?", sighed Forge, as his daughters 'super thingy' was stomped around the room, Imara providing Godzilla-like noises, "…I'm not sure where she gets it from"
"Its both of you mixed together into a volatile combination", said Hank, "…we all saw it coming a mile off"
"SUPER BLAST!", shouted Imara, hurling her play dough projectile across the room, it hitting someone with a thud as he entered the doorway.
"Oh, Imara!", groaned Evan, trying to pluck the play dough goop out of his spikes, "thanks a lot!"
"You're welcome", said Imara, smiling sweetly at her cousin.
"Ugh", said Evan flicking the gloop onto the floor, it hitting Ebony on the head, causing the not-a-cat to spit in anger, running off. Rahne wagged her tail, giving a happy yip of victory, picking up the piece of hamburger and trotting off with it.
"…..Right then", blinked Even, then grinned, "Hi, Uncle Forge!"
Forge blinked.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing", said Evan with a smile, "just saying hi"
"You never call me Uncle", said Forge, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, "unless you want something"
"Well, I should start", said Evan with a nod, "After all, you married my Aunt, therefore, you are my Uncle, and family look out for each other…"
"Ahhhh", said Forge with a smirk, "so, you want me to take the fall for you over something"
"…..More like make her mad at you so she's less mad at me when she hears my thing", said Evan.
"What did you do?", asked Forge, "you didn't blow up another factory again, did you?"
"No", said Evan, then coughed, "I kind of got married without her there…actually, I just got married this morning"
"Ouch", winced Forge, "you're a dad man walking. Congratulations, though".
"Oh gee, that will be a lot of use when I'm dead", said Evan, then sighed, "When Auntie O is mad at you, what do you do?"
"Duck and cover?", tried Forge.
"No...I mean when you want to make up with her after she gets mad and tell her you're sorry", said Evan, "I need to know in advance"
"Wear protective clothing and then go tell her I'm sorry", said Forge with a nod.
Evan sighed.
"I'm sorry, I was looking for advice from a man with a backbone"
"Mine vanished after I started dating your Aunt", said Forge, "tell it to come home if you ever see it again".
"God speed, Evan", smiled Hank, "we shall remember you fondly"
"Ja, do you vant to be buried with your skateboard?", grinned Kurt, "I can make you a lovely eulogy"
"Bye Evan!", grinned Imara, giving him a wave, "you were my favourite cousin"
"…I'm your only cousin!", said Evan.
"Oh", Imara blinked, "….looks like I won't have a cousin anymore then"
"Comes to something when a five year old knows your in for it", sighed Evan, "is she in the attic?"
"Yeah", said Forge, grimacing at the thought of all those dull, boring plants, "I'd get rid of any metal on you, if I were you, you'd be less conductive"
"Thanks for the advice", said Evan dryly, "I'm so glad you're part of my family".
"You're welcome", grinned Forge as his nephew walked to the upper levels like a man going to his execution.
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In New York, Shan and Tabby were coming to the end of their date.
"You know, this is the best first date I've had in a long time", admitted Tabby, "I usually fall into the 'Boy, Can You Pick 'Em' category".
She smiled over in Shan's direction.
"You're definitely different, though", she said, then chuckled, "and I could use the change"
"Tell me about it", said Shan with a chuckle, "the last woman I dated kept a goldfish cracker in a tank….she called it Chandler". (1)
Tabby laughed, shaking her head.
"That is creepy", she said, "I did date someone once who had a stuffed dog called 'Rowdy' who she bought from some garage sale" (2)
Shan smirked.
"Sound like the chick I dated who was really into taxidermy", she said, "she had a stuffed squirrel army" (3)
"Okay, you win", laughed Tabby, holding her hands up in surrender, "there's no way I can beat an army of dead squirrels"
"No one ever does", smirked Shan, "I think that's definitely considered 'rock bottom'".
Tabby laughed, nodding, then sighed as they got outside her dorm house. She glanced up at her window thoughtfully, then smiled at Shan.
"You know..", she said suggestively, "my roomie is in Bayville with her boyfriend at the moment, so I have the place all to myself".
Shan blinked before sighing.
"As much as I'd love to, I'd like to do this right", said Shan, "have a few other dates first, huh? Get to know each other"
Tabby blinked in surprise.
"Wow….no one's ever wanted a real relationship with me before", she said, "I mean, I've wanted it but not the other way around.."
Shan smiled, leaning in and giving Tabby a soft kiss.
"Yeah, well it's about time you had the chance", she said, "goodnight, Tabs"
Tabby watched her head off, unable to remove the huge grin from her face. She gave a happy sigh, heading into her dorm house and up to her room. She yawned as she entered, stretching as she click on the answering machine, plodding around the room sleepily. She paused, however, when a familiar voice came from the machine.
"Tabby? It's me, Dad", a chuckle, "boy, are you hard to get hold of, Kiddo"
"That's because I've been avoiding you since you got out of prison", Tabby said to the machine, matter-of-factly.
"Anyway", her father continued, "your mother and I, we've decided to give it another go. We'd love you to visit over the holidays"
"Humph, hardly likely", muttered Tabby.
"So, anyway, I hope your classes are going well…", a pause, "You know, Tabitha, with your Mother getting through rehab appointments and the like, money is getting tight…."
Tabby narrowed her eyes, tossing a boom ball at it, causing the machine to blow up.
"Go to hell", she growled, then winced, holding her head as she sat down on the edge of her bed, "stupid dizzy spells"
She groaned, lying back.
"Of Rahne's given me any gross illness, I'll skin her", she muttered, burring her head in her pillow, "yack"
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"You got married!"
Evan winced.
"Auntie O…please stop screaming", he said, giving a nervous laugh, "I mean, me and Cally have been together for years now, and, well…you know…there's no need to throw a hissy fit about it"
"May I remind you how you reacted when you learned Forge and I were engaged?", asked Storm, "If I recall, you tried to spear him"
"That's different", said Evan, "I was only trying to protect you"
He winced again as storm clouds could be heard gathering outside the house, giving an ominous rumble.
"Okay, okay, but it's done now", he said, then looked at her pointedly, "I love Callisto more than anything in the world. I'd marry her a hundred times over if I could"
Storm looked at him for a minute, then smirked.
"Now you understand how I feel about your Uncle", she said.
"…Yeah", said Evan, a little uneased still by Ororo's sudden calm, "….err..sorry I overreacted?"
"You're forgiven", said Storm, then smiled, pulling him into a hug, "congratulations. I'm happy for you"
Evan blinked, carefully hugging her back, not wanting to spike her.
"Thanks", said Evan, "your approval means a lot to both of us"
"Not that you need approval to do anything", she teased, then arched a brow, "okay the, how exactly did to manage to get married in one day?"
"I got Sidney to pull some strings for us", said Evan, "That wedding co-coordinator of hers might be freaky, but man, he loves challenges. He's like some sort of wedding ninja"
Storm laughed.
"Well, I'm glad for you", she paused, "you're telling your parents, though"
Evan paled.
"But.."
"No way, Mister", said Storm, "Vae has only just got around to accepting Forge..and she still says he smells funny. I'm not incurring her wrath any more"
"Damn", sighed Evan, then looked hopeful, "but she'll blame you anyway. She always does. She'll say you weren't looking out for me"
"You're not weaselling out of this, Evan Daniels", said Storm pointedly, "you're telling her yourself"
"Can I just not tell her?", tried Evan, "she rarely sees me anyway, so we could go on for years without her knowing"
Storm just crossed her arms, tapping her foot.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell her!", sighed Evan, walking out, "but if I don't come back, you have to explain why to Callisto"
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In the dark depths of Limbo, Illyana was meditating, the Soulsword levitating in front of her, glowing. She barely flinched when S'ym appeared near her, clearing his throat.
"You have made the sword, Magick", he said, "why haven't you wielded it yet? It has been days"
"I am biding my time, S'ym", said Illyana, running a finger over the blade, "it will happen soon enough"
S'ym gave a fanged grin.
"And then you will let S'ym take control of the demons?", he asked hopefully.
"If you wish", she sighed, "I just want to kill Belasco and go home"
She frowned, opening one eye to regard the large demon.
"Leave me to my meditation now, S'ym, you're distracting"
"Oh..of course, Mistress", hissed S'ym, bowing his head, "as you wish. S'ym is but your humble servant"
He gave another bow, before stalking off towards the prison area, growling to himself. He stopped finally at a cell, peering inside.
"S'ym wishes she makes up her mind soon", he growled, "S'ym is getting impatient"
"Patience is a virtue", replied the cell occupant, "give her time, it doesn't matter when it happens, only that you release me as soon as it does"
"And then S'ym gets all of Limbo?", smirked S'ym.
"Naturally", smirked the occupant, "would I lie to you?"
S'ym paused to consider this, before shaking his head.
"No", he said, "S'ym believes you. And thanks you for your help"
"Hey, you'll be giving me my freedom", said the occupant, white flashing as he gave a fanged grin, "and I do love freedom. I have my own…..business to attend to"
"Of course", S'ym nodded, heading out, "we will defeat Magick, you and S'ym, and we will be all powerful!"
The occupant rolled his eyes giving a disgruntled snort as the demon vanished.
"Puh", he said, "the power hungry are so easy to corrupt"
He looked out of his bars, his yellow eyes flickering.
"Soon….soon"
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(1) – Taken from 'Friends', based on the sadly short-lived character of Eddie. Man, I wish he'd stayed, he was a nut of the screwiest variety.
(2) – Rowdy is from 'Scrubs', owned by Turk.
(3) – Also from 'Scrubs'. The man known only as Janitor had one…it was a bit frightening. Janitor rocks.
Oooh, ominous..ness. Do review, things go up a gear again in the next chapter. Oh yes.. Until next time.