AN: Well, well, it's been awhile! I'll try to keep this breif, but before we get started, there's some things you need to know:
1. Again, you don't have to have read "To Meet A Mockingbird" to enjoy this fic, but as with any sequel, reading the preceeding fic is always helpful. This fic picks up pretty much right after the last one left off...
2. "To Meet A Mockingbird" was my very first fic, written many years ago. I started writing this one a bit after that- but never finished it. This means that those used to my writing may find this...well, a little more simplistic. But, once post the written chapters from my early days of writing, I plan to continue and finish this fic. So, I aplogize if the writing style may change a bit, but I guess my point is that this story, although cheesy in many parts, will only improve.
Note: There's a "reveiwers" reply at the end- thanks, guys! Now, let's get on with it!
Disclaimer: Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.
Book Two- Birds Of A Feather
Chapter One
Rose changed into her pajamas, and sat with Kitty on one of the beds.
"So, what's up?" Kitty asked, looking at Rose expectantly.
"I don't really know." Rose sighed. "Everything happened so fast!"
"I know what you mean. When I first came here, I was, like, pretty confused, too. But don't worry, it all gets to be a normal routine. Well, as normal as mutant manor can be…"
"Mutant manor?"
Kitty giggled. "Yeah, that's what we all call the institute. Catchy, huh?"
Rose laughed. "Yeah, I guess." She sighed again.
"I wish there were time today to give you a tour of the mansion…" Kitty said, filling the silence.
"That's okay, I can wait until tomorrow."
Kitty smiled. "Yeah, we'll have plenty of time."
There was a long pause.
"What are you thinking?"
"I just…well, I'm just wondering why I didn't notice that Rogue and Evan were mutants."
"And Amara."
"Yeah."
"Well, we're all good at hiding, I guess. I mean, we didn't suspect anything when you came along at first either."
"Yeah."
"So I guess you didn't, like, look them in the eye?"
"Well, it's not like it's at first glance. With you, we made eye contact for a while. And, with Kurt, I was trying to see if he was mutant- concentrating."
"Oh."
Suddenly, Rogue burst in, clearly in no better mood than before. She was in her pajamas, and quickly brushed her hair before climbing into bed.
"Oh, hi, Rogue."
"Yeah, hi."
"So, Rogue, any advice for me?" Rose asked, trying to be friendly.
Rogue just rolled her eyes. "Yea, how 'bout 'don't ask me stupid questions'?"
Rose gave Kitty a look, who shrugged as if to say, 'Oh, well. Nice try.'
"Hey, Rose, I was wondering…"
"What?"
"Your singing. Is that…"
Rose nodded. "Yeah. It's not normal...I keep accidentaly breaking stuff. It only stared happening recently, like in the last year or so. It's really kind of a pain." She laughed. "Anyway, what is it like here? What do you do?"
"It's great! Believe me, it's so great knowing you don't have to hide from everyone all the time. As for what we do…we just hang out; go to school; do homework; train; and go out to do stuff. Like parties!" She grinned at the thought, at Rose smiled, too. "Seriously, though, this is the best place for you to be if you're a mutant. The professor can be strict, but he really does take care of us."
"That's nice."
Rogue got fed up with all the chatter at this point. "Yeah. Great. Thrillin'. Wonderful. Now will you go to bed so ah can get some sleep?"
Rose stuck her tongue out at Rogue, who was now facing the other way and couldn't see her. Kitty giggled at this, then Rose got into her own bed.
"Finally! Peace and quiet!" said Rogue, as Kitty turned out the light.
"Hey, Rose," Kitty whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Welcome...home!"
"…Thanks, Kitty." Rose thought about this, as Kitty and Rogue drifted off to sleep. "Home" She whispered, only loud enough for her to hear. "I have a home…"
Then she, too, fell asleep.
When Rose woke up, it was only 6:30. Still tired, but unable to sleep any longer, she got up and quickly changed. She opened the door slowly, grateful it didn't creak, since she didn't want to wake anyone up. As she closed the door, she heard a voice.
"You're up early, Rose." Rose looked around.
"Professor?"
"I'm in my office."
"But, how-"
"You hear my voice because I am projecting my thoughts through telepathy."
"Telepathy?"
"Yes. If you come to my office, I will explain. Downstairs, the left hallway, last door on the left." Rose walked down the stairs, following the directions until she came to a door.
The professor was sitting behind his desk, and looked up as Rose walked in. The room was small, and the only light came from the large open window behind his desk that overlooked the backyard. The sun was just rising, and it looked as if it was going to be a clear day.
"Hello, Rose."
"Hey, Professor."
He smiled. "Do you usually get up this early?"
She smiled sheepishly back. "Yeah. My blessing and my curse, I guess. You do, too, huh?"
"Yes, usually. Actually, all the other students should be rising soon. They are getting up at seven today for a training course." He glanced at his watch, then continued.
"Well, the reason I wanted to talk to you is to ask a couple of questions, for our records, if that's alright. Although, I have some answers for questions you have, too. First of all, you may be wondering why you heard me?"
"Telepathy?"
"Yes. As I told you before, I am a mutant as well. My brain waves are amplified so much that I can use them to project my voice. I can read mind waves of others at will."
"You can read my mind?"
"Yes. When I choose to."
"Guess that means no one gets away with lying around here."
He laughed. "Yes, I suppose you're right, it has come in handy in the past. Oh, please, sit down, you don't have to stand. Now, as for your other question: how I knew you were a mutant."
"I didn't ask that. Oh, you-"
"Read your mind? Yes. To answer your question completely, though, may take some time. I in no way want to offend you, but it is for the protection of the others here that you may have to wait before-"
"You can trust me. I understand."
The professor cocked his head. "Did you absorb my powers?"
"Oh, no. I just figured that was what you were going to say."
"I see. Anyway, the best I can tell you now is that we have a way of tracing mutants, when they use their powers. In your case, you used your powers on-and-off, making you hard to track. That's why we couldn't find you at first."
"Oh."
"May I ask you a few questions now? For my records."
"Sure." He took out a small notebook.
"Full name and birth date?"
"Rose Juliana Redd. Uh, 6-6-86." He wrote down some notes as she answered.
"Let's see- hair, eyes, and height I have- weight?"
"119, last time I checked."
"Your singing and power absorption are your only powers, correct?"
"Yes."
"And, when did they manifest themselves?"
"Well, I had my absorption since I was around five, I think; but my singing happened kind of quickly. I mean, I could always sing at a very high pitch, but so can opera singers. But, my voice just recently started getting weird."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I can go really deep now, and I can go high enough to break things…things other than glass."
"I see. We will have to work on that, then. Parent's names?" He asked slowly, watching her expression.
"John Whitetail Redd and- you want her maiden name?"
"Please."
"Loraine Hope Gardner."
"Do you know their birth dates?"
"Uh, no. Sorry. Only their ages when they- died. He was 36 and she was 34."
"Alright. And, place of birth. Yours, I mean."
"I was born at home. In Darville, Connecticut."
"I think 'place of residence' is a little inappropriate in your case. Hmm. I suppose that's all. I can fill in the rest. Thank you." He set the note pad aside.
"Now, the group is going to be having a practice round today, and I would like you to join in also. That way, they can see your powers and bisa versa. A team needs to know each other, after all. But, some of the time, you will be doing one-on-one training to help you work with your powers."
"Okay."
"As I said before, the group should have been up by now, so I imagine you'll want to get some breakfast and join them. Kitty will show you were to go and what to do, be a guide of sorts. You two have become fast friends, I see."
Rose smiled. "Yeah, she's really nice. Rogue could use some work on her people skills, though."
"Yes, she is quite…different. But, you and she will get used to each other, I imagine. Now, you should go down and get some breakfast. I will see you at training."
"Right. See you later, Professor!"
AN: And so it begins! This should prove to be interesting. A move to a new town, or a new school, is hard enough. But learning to get along with, and lean on, practicly a new family is even harder. I hope you enjoy Rose's story of fitting in and having fun (and getting into a bit of..trouble...along the way, lol)
Reveiwers:
A neeping knight: Ugh! (slaps self on head) Oh, well. I never said I was smart! Thanks for keeping me humble, lol!
CrazygirlHaley5555: Sigh. I knew someone would call me on this! To tell you the truth, there's a good reason for the lack of Evan: The show didn't really go into his character very much until (I think) the later seasons...and, well...(lowers head in fangirl shame) I've only seenall of seasons one and two, and parts of three. Forgive me! I'll try my best to improve on this!
yaya witchy fish: Okay, I think I will, lol!
Yoru91: Thank you very much- I always felt that a relistic character should reflect the real feelings and insecurities we all have to deal with...
paprika90: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! As for what she told Marv, I kind of left it up to the reader to imagine. In my mind, she explained that she had found some good friends and a new place to stay. He will be a continuing character in the story, but less so...