Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, zip. Blaze owns me.
Scene 03
As Blaze and Boom Boom left the mansion by the front door, an expensive black hardtop sports car pulled up in front of the building. A tall blond young man got out, dressed in a long grey overcoat that came to his calves. He met Blaze's eyes as he passed the girls on the way into and out of the Institute respectively. Neither mutant knew the other, so no words were exchanged. Angel stepped through the door with his shoulders hunched against the rain, and looked about him. Warren smiled when he saw Hank in the foyer, genuinely pleased to see the big blue Beast.
"Hank, long time no see. You look pleased with yourself my friend, what's going on?"
"Angel, well this is a pleasant surprise," exclaimed Hank. "To what do we owe the honour of your visit?"
"I was hoping to speak with the Professor," Angel replied honestly. "If he's back from Europe?"
"He is indeed, though he is changed man Angel. It is a great tragedy when a parent outlives their child. Especially one as unique as Ilehana," Hank sighed deeply, feeling the pangs of misfortune close in on the Institute once more. "I am on my way to see the Professor myself, if you would care to join me?"
"Of course," Angel agreed, though a little insecurity had crept into Warren's voice. "I don't mean to intrude though Beast…"
"You're not at all intruding," smiled Hank, "I only need a moment of the Professor's time, then you can have him all to yourself." Hank raised a large blue hand in the direction of the Professor's office, "After you my friend."
Reaching the Professor's door, Angel raised his hand and rapped a knuckle loudly on the wood three times. There was a pause, before the Professor could clearly be heard saying, "Enter." Warren opened the door and stepped over the threshold. In the hearth a fire crackled merrily, contrasting the bleak grey rain clouds that filled the sky outside the window. Charles Xavier sat in his wheelchair, a pale shadow of his former self. Dark hollows ringed his eyes and he had lost weight. His skin hung loose on him, accentuating the wrinkles around his eyes and across his brow. Warren was aghast. If this was how the Professor was after his recuperation, what had he been like before he left?
"Angel, Beast, what can I do for you?" Xavier's voice had changed too, becoming more sombre and less prone to laughter.
"I was thinking Professor," Hank said, "That it might be a reasonable idea to try and elevate the atmosphere amongst the youngsters. They have had little to smile about in recent weeks. With your permission, I would like to organise a Halloween fancy dress ball."
"I'm not sure," the Professor started to shake his head, but at the same time Angel piped up, "A party? Can I come?"
"We may not be having a party," Hank warned, having spotted the refusal in Charles' eyes. Of course he would refuse, his daughter had only recently passed away. It was churlish of him to even have suggested it to Charles. "It is the Professor's decision."
Xavier sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose between finger and thumb. He closed his eyes, and immediately Ilehana's face filled his mind's eye. She looked right back at him with those same Xavier eyes, flicking her long blonde ponytail back over her shoulder and baring her straight white teeth in a wolf-like grin. Charles thought that Ilehana would approve of Hank's idea to cheer the children. After all, what other occasion suited the inhabitants of the mansion better than All Hallows Eve?
"All right Hank," Charles conceded finally. "You can have your fancy dress ball. I trust you will handle all the arrangements?"
"Of course Charles," Hank solemnly swore, before going back to the door. "I'll give you two some privacy."
Closing the door until it clicked behind him, Hank ambled back down the corridor to the foyer. Kitty, Rogue and Kurt had just appeared around the corner. All three friends were rubbing bumps and bruises, walking with their heads down and shoulders slumped. Not one of them was smiling. Hank decided to see what he could do about that.
"How did your Danger Room session go?" he asked innocently.
"Give it up Beast," replied Rogue. "Ya know if its over this quickly, it can't have gone well."
"I ache in places I didn't even know I had!" exclaimed Nightcrawler.
"Well then," Hank suggested wryly, "You won't be up for a special assignment then, will you?"
"What kind of special assignment?" asked Kitty suspiciously.
"Of the Halloween fancy dress ball variety," nudged Beast, and was rewarded with all three faces lighting up brightly. "Hankenstien's Monster Ball to be exact. I thought we could have a marquee in the grounds with pumpkins lighting the way from the mansion…"
"Apple bobbing!" suggested Kurt eagerly.
"Dancing!" laughed kitty.
"Costumes?" mused Rogue. "What am I gonna wear?"
"So am I invited or not?" asked a voice behind Hank. Angel came over to the group and flashed a dashing smile. Rogue and Kitty visibly went weak at the knees. No two ways about it, Angel was serious potential boyfriend material. "I'll bring pie," Angel added, "Promise."
"Sure you're invited, isn't he Mr McCoy?" said Rogue pleadingly. Hank shrugged, smiled and nodded.
"The more the merrier."
"It's a date," decided Angel, smiling warmly at Rogue. "See you all then." Warren turned and left, pulling his coat collar up to his ears as he stepped back out into the rain. As soon as the door shut behind him, Kitty elbowed Rogue in the ribs gently.
"Rogue," she oozed enthusiastically. "I totally know what you have to go as to the party!"