Disclaimer- Marvel owns these characters lock, stock, and barrel. I'm using them without permission but without malice or profit.
Warning- Spoilers from decades of X-History. Step at your own risk.
"Teller of Tales"
Rachel Grey turned the ignition and got Scott's car moving again. She stole a glance over at her best friend in this- or any- world, and felt twinges of guilt, and no small amount of concern. Kitty was staring out the window, arms tightly wrapped around her. Tears stained her cheeks, and she was still shaking softly. Rachel had instantly regretted the quip about the habitual X-men resurrections- there was an image she'd pulled from Domino during that squabble with Cable that might have meant Wisdom was still alive, but she wasn't positive and didn't want to give false hope. If Pete were still alive, and had wished to contact his ex-lover, he would have; that he hadn't meant that he was a coward- and thus undeserving of her; or he was dead, and she needed to bury him in her feelings and memories.
The CD was still playing. "Teller of Tales", Kitty had said, when she tried to change the subject earlier. It was Emma Bull on vocals, and a much folksier aspect to it. She was singing about fanciful snippets- a man drinking down the sea, or a giant from space who held a star in his hands. "I heard of a tree with its roots deep in hell, of a carpet woven with light. I heard of a secret that will never be told- it will be in his heart 'til he dies," went the CD. Not wanting to bring up Pirate Kitty- for fear of following the loss of one deceased loved one with another, Rachel moved her finger to the skip button.
"No, Ray, leave it, please." Kitty's voice was hoarse. "Don't worry, I'm not going to get all maudlin about Illyana right now."
Rachel's eyes grew wide with astonishment- had Kitty heard her thoughts? She didn't think she was transmitting them, and she'd cut the link to give her friend a little privacy to ruminate about loves lost. It must have just been an educated guess. "How are you feeling?"
"I'll survive." Her tone was bitter, but Rachel knew it wasn't directed at her. She had heard the tone before, when Kitty would reminisce about all her dreams, what she'd hoped to be someday- a Nobel winning scientist; a world-class dancer; the ace of the Cubs' rotation; President. Life was hard and had dealt her a bad hand, and while she persevered, made lemonade and played the cards like a shark, she mourned, in the silence of her soul, all the goals and aspirations that this fouled up world had destroyed.
They drove along in silence for a minute or so, each of them lost in thought. Kitty decided to break the reverie, "So, Red, how's things with you?"
"Just fine, Kitty." Rachel said, almost reflexively, "I can't complain, really." Even as the words left her mouth, she knew that it wouldn't go unchallenged. Her friend knew her too well.
Oh really? Kitty sent the thought, The thing is, Ray, I know that's a load of shit. And if we have to have this heart to heart, it's not going to be a one-way street. I know you're hurting too, and it isn't just about Jean. Telekinesis may be a function of will, but some burdens are best shared.
This is your show, kiddo, your music. If it were Psychic Fractal Geomancers or Macrocosmic Jelly, I would be all over this; really I would. It helped to talk about my issues with Scott earlier, but other than that and my mom, I'm doing all right. She didn't mean to be evasive- it was just difficult to open up, even with her best friend. She knew that Kitty had other friends, as dear to her as she. Illyana and Doug. Peter and Ororo. Even Kurt and Logan. All of them as close to Kitty Pryde as she, and Rachel was loathe to say anything else that might drive another wedge between them, because she really didn't have anyone else. She didn't seem to have the knack.
Ray, I know that you are a little scared. I know things haven't been that good between us lately, but I am your friend and that isn't going to change. In response to the shocked expression in those wide, emerald eyes, she went on, I know you feel so alone, Rachel. I think I know how much I mean to you- you hide it, but we've been so close for so long, you can't shut everything out. It scares me a little, but I love you too, you silly girl. And I won't let a stupid fight tear apart our friendship. So tell Aunt Kate what the trouble is.
The trouble is that I am alone, Kitty! Being part of the XSE is fine, but it isn't the family Excalibur was. I love them all- even gruff old Bishop- and I'm proud to fight by their side, but it just isn't the same. We come back from the Savage Land and scatter to the four winds. Logan goes rogue on us, scares the shit out of me and tries to get me to kill the President, then he kills poor Jean-Paul after trying to gut you. Bishop's either playing detective down in Mutant Town or mooning after Sage. Ororo and I aren't particularly close right now. Of all the counterparts to the X-Men that were my family, she is the most different, nothing like the serene goddess who helped me in the pens. Sam went back to the Bush League to play with my brother. And then there's Kurt…
An eyebrow arched. Kitty had been waiting for his name to come up. Something had happened to them in the Danger Room a while back – they'd shared a kiss during a swashbuckling scenario that was just so Nightcrawler.- and then, apparently, the moment was lost. Kitty liked Kurt a lot-they even cracked jokes about how creeped out she'd been when she met him those long years ago. Now, especially after their time with Excalibur and his being there on the anniversary of Peter's… incident, she was as close to her as any on the team. But thinking of him romantically was another story. He was certainly attractive- for all his boasts about it, he really was truly and devastatingly handsome. Lean, muscular, oh so flexible, with a boyish yet rakish charm that was well nigh irresistible. Drool worthy, definitely. But aside from the quasi-fraternal feelings she had for him, she would never get involved with Kurt because she could never compete. Amanda, Cerise, heck, the Queen of Ruritania whose wedding they'd crashed was looking at him with thinly disguised lust. Now Rachel and Ororo? And that nurse from those horrible murders- Christine… something. Palmer, that was it. And let's not forget that they said he had a kid from an alternate dimension with the Scarlet Witch. And Kurt- and she loved him dearly- seemed a little too cavalier about the whole thing.
She listened a moment while she considered all this. "They asked for excuses for what I would do, and reasons for what I had planned. They asked me for justice as if it were mine
I asked for reprieve and was damned," sang Emma, her higher pitched voice settling nicely on her memories.
Finally, she asked a question that had been plaguing her. Rachel, when was the last time you had a boyfriend?
Franklin. The thought came quickly, and was tinged with sorrow. Alistair was a little blatant about his feelings, and he was a cutie. Decidedly not my type. though. Excalibur didn't leave much time for a social life. I must say that Rory Campbell was pretty hot- I loved the look on his face when I kissed him after my parents' wedding- but I left before anything could happen between us. I wonder what he's up to now that the Legacy thing's all settled. After that, well, Mother Askani wasn't exactly a socialite, and Gaunt had no conception of personal hygiene or how to treat a lady. I got caught up in my studies after my brother rescued me, and then there was Bogan.
Two figures appeared in the halls of the mansion with the soft bamf that was Nightcrawler's trademark. Piotr pinched his nose once, his eyes watering, then moved quickly to escape the noxious cloud. Kurt laughed heartily and followed him. That was probably the first time he'd teleported Peter since his return, and clearly the young Russian, despite his incredible endurance, was out of practice.
"I apologize, mein freund," he said cheerily. "I seem to have gotten a little carried away. I am most eager to begin the evening festivities. Where shall we begin our search for the beautiful damsels?"
Piotr let out an explosive breath, hoping that it was now safe to inhale. "I still do not think that this is such a good idea, Kurt. There are too many things that could go wrong."
Kurt staggered back in mock amazement, "Go wrong? Not while the 'Fabulous Nightcrawler' is in charge of everything. I am insulted at the very suggestion. You cut me to the bone, Peter, to the bone! Why, a slight of this magnitude can only be answered in one way!"
"You wish to duel me, tovarisch? It has been a while since our lessons on Muir, but I am, I think, up to the challenge."
"A duel it is, but as the insulted party, it is for me to decide the nature of the weapon. Since I, the preeminent swordsman of all those bearing the X, have no desire to embarrass you with the blade, I must find a more equitable challenge." Kurt's extravagant manner and towering confidence was a persona into which he easily slipped. Growing up with Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks as role models could do no less.
"Was it not Katya that bested you during your last fencing match?" Piotr asked, with a slight smile.
"Ja," Kurt assented in his native German, "but there were mitigating circumstances." He noted an amused smirk on his friend's face, "Nevertheless, our little Katzchen has decidedly grown up, and has become quite the magnificent young woman. It pains me that such a beautiful fräulein should have suffered so much in her young life."
"Kurt, my friend," the tall man spoke in a stern voice, "your grasp of the fine art of subtlety never fails to astonish me. However, I do not feel Katya would appreciate such a blatant attempt to play matchmaker. That ship sailed long ago, and I, fool and coward that I am, jumped overboard before we had left the safety of the harbor."
Kurt nodded gravely. As dear as Peter and Kitty were to him, he felt he must accept Peter's rebuff at face value. Despite his heart-to-heart with Logan in Paris, the unwritten rule against deep discussions of the love lives of his fellow X-men remained in force. He glanced up at the giant frame walking beside him, his yellow eyes narrowing. Ideas percolated through his brain, bubbling up into a mischievous scheme. "Ah, well if that ship has sailed, then perhaps we should see what else is in the port! Our duel is thus: at the bar tonight, we will each attempt to steal a kiss from a beautiful woman. On the lips, of course. I do not want you to play your 'perfect gentleman' role to get an inconsequential peck on the cheek."
"Nyet! I cannot! I am not ready for such… personel interaction." His blue eyes were a bit wild, exhibiting fear, but not panic.
"You have already accepted. You would not be so churlish a knave as to renege now!" Kurt spoke dramatically, and then continued in a less theatrical tone, "Peter, I am your friend, and I refuse to watch you shelter yourself away like this. This duel is but a game- I am not asking you to fall in love. I am merely asking you to try to enjoy life. You are no longer captive to anything but your own insecurities, and if you continue to wallow in these fears, they will eat you up inside. You will be of little help to the team if you regress to the doubt-plagued farm boy I met those long years ago."
Piotr was taken aback. It was a low blow, but a valid one. He had been distracted of late, and it had affected his performance. He sighed heavily, heavily muscled shoulders drooping in defeat. "Da. You have made your point. I will take part in this… challenge of yours." He noted the slight smirk on the blue furred face, then spoke again, "I wonder, comrade, if this is merely a ploy by you to share another embrace with the lovely Miss Grey."
Feigned innocence marked his devilishly handsome face, "Who? Me?"
So what about Kurt? thought Kitty.
I fear Herr Wagner only has eyes for an African Beauty Rachel responded, referencing the English translation of Ororo. That ship hasn't just sailed- it sank as soon as she walked into the Danger Room with the Old Man on her arm. I was stupid to think it was anything but him getting swept up in his swashbuckling persona. If he were interested in me, it would only because he couldn't get her, and quite frankly, I've got too much pride to be anyone's plan B.
Wishing she had her friend's self-confidence, Kitty could only nod silently. She didn't know if it was the strength of Rachel's relationship with Franklin, which ended with his death at the hands of Sentinels, or that she was simply self confident enough that she was willing to wait… Kitty stifled a giggle, Oh God, you aren't waiting for Franklin to grow up, are you?
Rachel just had to laugh back, Yeah, Kit, I'm sure Reed and Sue would love their son dating a girl over a decade older- Remembering the age difference between Kitty and Wisdom, she hastily thought, in a Seinfeld-esque manner, Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Sure Ray, rub it in. She wasn't too upset, but she did feel the emptiness of not having someone special in her life. Helping Peter work through his issues was one thing, and while she knew he still cared for her and that she was helping him a lot, she needed some normal, everyday human interaction. Besides, he'd been pretty dismissive of her today when she asked if he wanted to get together today for a coffee. "Nyet, Katya," he'd said, claiming he didn't want to take up too much of her time. Obviously meaning that he'd had enough of her presence for the day. She chewed her bottom lip, lost in thought. You know what you need – what we both really need – is a night on the town. Go dancing, meet some nice boys, actually have a good time.
With a sideways glance, Rachel considered the proposal. She'd received some vague images about Colossus in her friend's mind, along with a sense of frustration. Perhaps a night out would do them both some good. You sure, Pryde?
Hell yeah! It's time we ditched the spandex and our reservations and got out there and broke some hearts. We've been running around, saving the world for so long that I just feel the need to go out and be a little crazy, y'know? We've earned it, right?
She would be lying if she said she had no reservations. Their discussion had left them both in an emotionally vulnerable place, and it wasn't done- there were still four more tracks to go on this disc alone. Kitty'd been skirting around her feelings about Peter, so who knew how that would go if any song forced that into the spotlight. But Kitty wasn't going to go all to pieces over some guy she met on the dance floor. With a few notable exceptions, she was a mature, level-headed young woman who really needed the release that a night out would bring. You know Emma won't approve. Wasn't there something she wanted you to do?
Kitty shrugged her shoulders. What Emma Frost wants … isn't important. Neither is her approval. What is important is that you and I go out, have a great time, and don't get to sleep until sunrise. Now are you in or not?
For you, girlfriend, sure… By the way, Kitty, now that we come to talk about it, whatever happened to Rory? I wouldn't mind dancing with him tonight.
Kitty nearly choked on her frappuccino. Um, I don't think he's your type, Ray. She buried all thought of the image Amanda had shared- that Rory, in another timeline had become the Master of the Hounds, Ahab, who had been responsible for most of the pain in Rachel's young life. I think you can trust me on this.
The song was playing its final refrain as she thanked God she didn't let her knowledge of Rory's future slip through. "Spin out tales like a spider spins webs, lead me by voice and by feel. Show me the places where beauty still walks, and I'll tell you why it's not real." She thought to herself, Real or not, Rache and I need a little beauty in our lives.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. It isn't that this is exactly filler, but I had to wait for it to write itself. It was about time for Kitty to turn the tables on Rachel, and she isn't done yet. I'm glad Amokitty asked to see Kurt and Piotr. I fear I'm being too heavy handed, but I am trying to set up the contrast between women and men discussing relationships, where men are uncomfortable and tend to cut it short wherever possible, while woman are generally much more mature about the whole thing. It also gives me a good goal for the ending, now that both pairs are ready for a night out. Thanks go to the real life band Cats Laughing, now sadly broken up. The lyrics I include are from their first album, tying the song to the chapter title. I've been listening to each song repeatedly as I prepare each chapter. Good stuff, in my opinion.
To my reviewers, thank you so much! That some of you consider this a favorite story is extremely flattering.
To RandomMarvelFan, I am very happy to see that it has an emotional impact. I've teared up a couple times myself, but that is the power of the original stories. The writers at Marvel have done some awful, awful things to our favorite mutants. Kitty is so hard to write- for one, she's smarter than I'll ever be, which I know I'm not representing well. She also has so much rich, deep history to work from. I hope I'm doing her justice.
To Madripoor Rose, yeah, well, Doc Samson was unavailable, and lord knows these girls have themselves some issues. My experiences in college left me the impression that was what best friends were for. Well, the women, anyway. The guys were there to help you find the toilet when you'd had way too much to drink. As for Pete Wisdom, I'm sorry I spoiled anything. I tend to forget that not everyone's read all the comics. I do hope Marvel eventually does Essential Excalibur- maybe with the new series starting in the fall.
To david, part of my concern is the grasp of history. Whether Piotr loved Zsaji is up to debate- her healing powers had the effect of forging an emotional bond. It was noticeable with the Human Torch as well. And the reason Colossus left with the Acolytes was because he gave his word that he would return, and he was hoping to be a voice of moderation. From the kiss they shared before he returned, it was clear to me that he'd already forgiven Kitty for her "betrayal". I guess that Excalibur #92 is some of the worst Colossus characterizations for me, where he comes across all barbaric and insane, when right before he got there, he had worked with Logan and Ororo in the Morlock tunnels to defeat Gene Nation (Uncanny #325). He was completely rational, already knowing he needed to atone for his mistakes before he would be able to return to the X-men. He also kissed Callisto passionately. How he got from that to the crazed, jealous jerk, I don't know. That issue also had Piotr and Ororo talk about why he wasn't returning, which made her melodrama about it in "Storm of Contention" a bit curious. And Piotr's panic at seeing them equally curious, since he already had. Still, I would recommend Trynia's stories, especially to Pryde-Wisdom fans. They are engaging reads, and I love a good space romp. It's hard to get every character "right" to everyone's satisfaction. I know there are Wisdom or Emma Frost fans that will hate how I treat them.