On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Three musicians out of tune,
Two dancing lovebirds
And a Wolverine in a pear tree.
Kitty was irritated.
Granted, she never was often. Life always passed by her in such a way that made it seem pleasant. There were few instances where she was hurt and confused (revealing her mutation to her parents had been one of those moments). Otherwise, she was able to guide herself through the most embarrassing aspects of her teenaged life and retort back on its worst.
This…this…was ridiculous.
She had been assigned by Storm to head the Christmas pageant this year. While this was an honor (and the first time someone gave her that much responsibility over her peers), rehearsals were becoming more and more unbearable. Sure, it was easy to direct the younger students. Kitty had them as animals in the traditional Christian scene that sparked a million religious imaginations and made-for-TV movies and that didn't require much. But the people her age were insufferable!
And worse, they instigated once Kitty positioned everyone perfectly and was about to take it from where they left off. As the musicians providing the background music, Bobby, John and Rogue were constantly at each other's throats with their powers or making jokes at each other that got the cast in stitches. Fuming, Kitty would wait patiently until it was out of their system before starting again. She usually tolerated their antics until this last round.
She hoped that this would be the final one too. Storm had already come in to check on things when they were chaotic and was not impressed to see everything and everybody out of hand. Kitty was so embarrassed to see her mentor so distressed, having to endure the disappointed stare and muttered words of reprimand. She was determined to hold down the fort and make this play the best ever. Storm had faith in her to do this and Kitty wanted to prove her right.
It began as it always did. John would lift his pocket lighter to his back and flick it. His hands would swerve a few times before forming the perfect fireball. Then, his play instrument – a guitar – would drop to his feet in a rebellious thud.
This was the signal. Bobby's interest piqued. He and John always competed with each other. If there was fire, Bobby would retaliate with ice. From her director's chair, Kitty saw Bobby move his fingers in a gentle gesture, peach digits twinkling their silver and blue pathways to solidify John's creation. There, the race would continue. Which was going to win – fire or ice?
On John's other side was Rogue. She always caught onto the boys' rambunctious battles. Intrigued, she would either increase Bobby's powers to compete with John or would reach over to cease the fiery tongues. She chose carefully, depending on who was winning, and soon had John and Bobby in agony, despite her careful ministrations. The screams from both Bobby and John alerted Kitty of the new misdeeds.
By then, Kitty was on the Nativity scene and excited to see no scripts in hand. Sighing, she called the actors off and strode over to the trio. She expressed her indignation time and again. Now, she had to squash it once and for all. She needed music for this piece and she was going to have it when it was required, by God!
Kitty was quiet about her plan. Pleading a break from those actually paying heed, she grabbed Rogue and Bobby and dragged them to the other side of the stage. While they still held their devices, they struggled to keep up with Kitty with the bulky items in hand. Rogue almost tripped over her own feet in an attempt to regain control.
"What is this about?" she challenged Kitty as she attempted to struggle from the ugly grip. "We didn't do anythin'."
"Oh, come on, Kitty," Bobby begged. "You can't make us work this hard. We need a break."
"Bobby's right," Rogue added. "I mean, Kitty, we've been at this thing for weeks now."
"Well, I thought we'd have an exercise before resuming our practice runs," Kitty replied carefully.
She soon stopped on side of the stage and dropped Bobby through the floor, with only half of his body showing and enough of his arms to use his drum. She did the same to Rogue some feet away, although Kitty only had Rogue's head and hands and wrists visible for her horn. What made this arrangement wonderful was that they were out of reach of the other and well away from the rest of the participants and could play their parts when called to.
John watched this interaction with horror painted on his face. Both of his instigating classmates, now immobilized, did not stand a chance against his flames. However, the way Kitty performed this act was too perfect and psychotic, which prevented his laughter. When her eyes alighted on him, John drew back in fright. Kitty was serious. Being the scapegoat of their antics caused her to be vengeful.
Dammit! John resumed his position and waited.
Satisfied with her work, Kitty found her seat again and sat down, waving her hand. "Now, from the top!"
By the hour's end, Kitty was able to get through the whole production and point out the minor flaws to be worked out later. Finally, when everyone left with a promise of another rehearsal the next day, Kitty went over to Bobby and Rogue and released them from their prison. Immediately, the pair hooked arms and ran for the doors together. John did the same. All of them did not say another word.
Smiling, Kitty crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned against the nearest wall. She observed the results of her drastic actions from this spot. It was dramatic. Rogue was mouthing off about the incident. It wasn't disrespectful. No, Kitty heard the words of a desperate woman clinging to life. Being stuck with only few bodily functions changed Rogue in such a way that made her grateful to be freed.
Kitty laughed. That should keep those musicians in tune until the play's end.