AN: I don't own any of the X-Men Characters. I do own Kelpie, however, Gerri, Aunt Erika, Kelpie's foster family, the story-line, and all animal characters she converses with, including the gang members :P. Vixen belongs to one Melody S. (an ex-friend of mine), Aquifer belongs to Rob G. (soon-to-be famous fantasy writer!), Sensherak (aka Alan) belongs to an ex-online/rpg-bf whom no longer speaks to me, Jonny LeBeau belongs to an ex-online/rpg-acquaintance. Phew! If I've missed anyone, let me know :P
If any of you have read my bio, you'll know that I'm not fluent at Gaelic at all, I only know a few words and phrases. If any of you happen to know Gaelic, and I make a mistake, please, let me know, it's the only way I'm gonna learn! There are some Gaelic words in here that I've acquired through reading and such. Diolain means bastard; Mionnaich is just a curse word, with no real specific meaning. Galla means bitch; and a bhidse means sod it, which is basically our equivalent of damnit. Tha mi duilich means I'm sorry. Tapadh leibh means thank you (formal) Tapadh leat means thank you (informal); and 'S e do bheatha means you're welcome. A chara means my friend; A leanbh means my child or my dear; Fòghnaidh means good or that'll do; Caidil gu math means sleep well and athair means father. For this chapter, I've added a few French/Cajun words for Jonny LeBeau: mon amí means my friend; Bon means good, Ouí means yes, and cherè means dear.
Please review, guys, as it keeps me in good spirits and in the writing mood. At the moment, I'm merely doing this as a pastime because I'm bored outta my mind, but next week I'll be going back to school and I'm going to need some motivation to keep posting :P
CHAPTER 8
"Hank?" asked Kelpie as she straightened a pad of gauze. It had been two weeks since she had woke up from her memory experience. She had been released from the infirmary, but still spent a lot of time in the lab.
The two had grown very close for such a short time. He looked upon her as he would a daughter and she looked to him as a father-figure. It was beneficiary to both parties, really. Not only did they have companionship, but she helped him brush up on his Gaelic and taught him things about plants he had never found in any textbook. Not to mention her own creations. As in the way that she had the power to summon any animal to her side, she also had the unique ability to create her own plants. He was intrigued by the process and drilled her on 'new species' constantly.
In return, he helped her with her English, though her accent still remained, and introduced her into the world of science. Unfortunately, they were finding she wasn't a born scientist. New scorch marks on the walls were beginning to speak for her experience on the subject.
"Yes?" He sat at his computer, taking notes on her newest creation.
"Why do I 'ave tae go tae school?"
Hank continued typing, an indulgent smile on his face. "Because, a leanbh, you need an education."
Kelpie frowned. "Canna I learn 'ere? Ye've taught me so much already and I've gone all these years without it, I dunna ken why I should need it now."
Hank finished typing and closed the program then spun in his chair to face her. "You can't learn everything here in my lab. There's only so much I can teach you."
Kelpie's frown deepened and she looked down at the stack of pads.
Hank sighed. They had had this conversation last week when Xavier had suggested she start attending regular classes. "Kelpie, you must go to classes. I understand that you feel…"
"Stupid?" asked Kelpie sullenly.
He gave her a stern look. "Ignorant of the material, but that's the point of school. To teach you what you need to learn for the real world. Besides, it's a good way to meet new people. You don't have any friends, Kelpie, and that's something that is essential at your age."
"I've lived in the real world for nine years without school and I did just fine. As tae friends, I 'ave ye. What other friends do I need? Besides," she added hurriedly when he opened his mouth to say something, "What about our studies? If I go tae school, we willna 'ave time tae discover new plants. And what about yer Gaelic? It's terrible! Ye dunna ken what I say 'alf the time and my English is just as bad, so 'ow am I supposed tae ken what the teachers are sayin'?"
"Don't worry, you'll understand them just fine. It's not like they talk British, or eighteenth century English. And you need friends your own age, Kelpie. Not that I don't enjoy our time together, because I do. But I'm an old man--"
"Nae ye ain't!"
Hank chuckled. "Okay, I'm not old, but I am middle-aged. I'm old enough to be your uncle, and I'll gladly fill that role if you want me to--"
"I do, but--"
"But you need someone your own age. Someone that you can get into trouble with, that way I can fill my uncle role by chewing you out for it," he said with a teasing smile.
Kelpie smiled half-heartedly, then turned serious again. "But I dunna wanna leave."
Hank frowned. "Leave? Why ever would you leave?"
Kelpie looked down at the stack of gauze again. "Well, if I go tae school, I willna be able tae see ye."
Hank frowned and rose, going to stand beside her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Is that what this is all about? Our studies together? You're afraid we won't continue them?"
Kelpie shrugged, but didn't look at him and Hank sighed. "A leanbh, of course we'll continue our studies. Granted, they'll be shorter than before, but you're always welcome in the lab and in my office."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope. "Really?"
Hank laughed. "Of course. Did you really think that I would kick you out of here?"
Kelpie shrugged again, looking away.
Hank put both hands on her shoulders. "I enjoy our time together, a leanbh. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Kelpie was quiet for a moment then suddenly lunged forward into his arms and hugged him tightly around the waist. "Tapadh leat, Hank," she whispered.
Hank stood shocked for a moment, then smiled and wrapped his arms around her. He knew she wasn't one to show affection, especially to men, he'd found, so this was a rare occurrence. He held her only as long as she felt comfortable then stepped back when she did, but he placed his hands on her shoulders again. "Now promise me," he said sternly but with a smile. "That you'll at least give school a try."
Kelpie wrinkled her nose, but nodded.
"Fòghnaidh," he said, removing his hands. "Now, off to bed with you, it's late already and you have a big day tomorrow."
Smiling, she nodded again and left, waving over her shoulder. "Caidil gu math, Hank!"
"Caidil gu math, a leanbh."
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The next morning, Kelpie woke to her alarm. Reaching over, she shut it off and lay back against the pillow, staring up at the flowery canvas above her. She was dreading today. What if one of the teachers called on her to answer a question and she didn't know it? Would the other students laugh at her? Would any of the students talk to her? Who was she going to sit with at lunch?
Sighing away her fears, she rose and dressed. With the money she had kept from her last steal--had it been over a month already?--she had gone on a shopping spree and bought all new clothes. Today she chose her usual attire: hip-hugger blue-jeans that flared at the shin, a white tank-top covered by a blue denim jacket, and brown leather boots that disappeared under her jeans.
Before leaving her room, she glanced at the table she had made from a stump that sat beside her bed. On it lay four throwing knives and her dagger ring. She pondered whether to bring them. She would probably get into trouble carrying the knives, but the ring… Shrugging, she grabbed the plain silver band and slipped it over her middle finger, then shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, after shouldering her bag, and left the barn.
Scarce minutes later she found herself standing outside her first class, History with Professor Monroe, a full ten minutes early. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and slowly stepped in, looking around. It was a fairly large room, full with desks and chairs. She smiled and knew she was going to like this room, if not the class. Covering the walls were vines and plants of all kinds, giving the room the look as if you were outside in a forest rather than in a classroom. It reminded her of her own room and she relaxed considerably.
At the front of the room was a chalkboard, next to it was Storm, writing dates and events down for the day. She straightened and turned to see who had come in, smiling when she saw Kelpie. "Kelpie, welcome. You're here early."
"Aye," Kelpie said, suddenly nervous again. She shifted her feet, looking down then up again, "I 'ope ye dunna mind."
"Not at all, that's fine. I'm glad, actually, it gives me time to find a place for you to sit."
"Um..if it willna be too much trouble, could I 'ave a seat in the back? I dunna feel comfortable with people behind me. It makes me nervous and I canna concentrate."
"Of course. There's an empty seat right over there." She pointed to the last row, second from the window. Once Kelpie had taken her seat, Ororo said, "Professor Xavier tells me you've never been to school before, is that right?"
Kelpie folded her hands and clutched them nervously. Was she going to quiz her on what she knew? She didn't know anything! What if Storm kicked her out of class? She blushed slightly and nodded before lowering her eyes to her hands in front of her.
Storm studied her for what seemed like hours, but in reality was only seconds, then said, "That's okay. We'll take it slow for today so you can keep up."
Kelpie looked up, surprised, "Oh, nae, I dunna wanna put the other students--"
"Nonsense. They'll be glad for the break."
Before she could protest more, a bell rang, making Kelpie nearly jump out of her seat. The door opened and students began to pile into the room. She fought down her claustrophobia and took her history textbook that Xavier had given to her out of her bag. She placed it on the desk in front of her and stared at it as if it held a world of secrets as a boy sat in the desk next to her. She avoided looking straight at him, but studied him out of the corner of her eye. He, however, had no such scruples and looked straight at her. She tried to refrain from blushing under his unwavering stare and barely succeeded.
When Storm started the class, the boy leaned over and whispered to her, "Greetings." He had to be at least her age or a little bit older. He had long black hair and piercing brown eyes that held tiny green specks. His ears were somewhat pointed, but his hair covered them well. He had fair, smooth skin and thin lips that curved up in a pleasant smile.
Kelpie stared straight ahead, pretending to be absorbed in Storm's lecture, when in reality, she hadn't heard a word Ororo had said.
"My name is Alan," he continued, leaning closer. "What's yours?"
She glanced at him, then back up to Professor Monroe. "Kelpie," she whispered.
She saw his eyebrow raise. "What's your real name?"
Kelpie frowned. "Tis none o' yer business."
He smiled. "That's pretty long. I might just stick to callin' you Kelpie."
Her face softened and she smiled back at him.
Storm told them to turn to a page in the book and the conversation between them stopped.
When the bell rang at the end of the period, Kelpie thankfully shut her book and placed it in her bag. Glancing over at Alan, she found he was engaged in a conversation with another student, so she grabbed her bag and hurried out to find her next class.
Walking down the hall, she was glancing between her class schedule and the room numbers over the classroom doors when she suddenly collided with someone and fell backwards. Landing on her backside, she looked up to find a boy who was a bit shorter than she with black hair and soft brown eyes.
"Ach, tha mi duilich--" she started as she reached for his books
"Hey!" he said, glancing at her angrily. "You ran into me, so don't take it out on me!"
"Nae," she said quickly, handing him a notebook, "I said I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Oh," he said, mollified. "Sorry. And I guess it wasn't entirely your fault. I wasn't paying attention either. It's my first day here and I'm lost."
She smiled. "Me too. What's yer name?"
"Rob. But you can call me Aquifer."
She held out her hand. "Kelpie." They shook. "So what's yer next class?"
"History with Miss Monroe, but I can't seem to find it."
"Oh, I just came from there. 'Tis down the 'all and tae the right. Ye canna miss it."
"Thanks," he said as he headed in that direction. "Maybe I'll see you later."
"Aye."
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Hours later, Kelpie sat down under a tree on the school grounds, an apple in one hand and two textbooks in the other. She took a bite and began working on her homework--little good it did her, since she still wasn't very good at reading English--but her thoughts strayed to what had happened earlier that day.
After she had met Aquifer, she had finally found her next class--Philosophy with Mr. Wagner--and had sat in the back once again. And, once again, a boy had sat next to her… He just didn't have the same manners Alan had.
After eyeing him eyeing her ring, he had leaned over and whispered, "So, ya gotta boyfriend?"
She glanced up from her notebook, frowning slightly. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Just wondering. I was just thinking that if you got that ring from him then he's gotta be pretty cheap."
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her notebook.
"So did he give it to ya?"
She continued taking notes. "Did who give it tae me?"
"Your boyfriend."
"Nae."
He frowned. "Then why are you wearing it? It's ugly."
Without looking up from her paper, she lifted her fist and touched the button on the bottom of the ring. The six-inch blade slid out, pantomiming a finger flicking him off. Another touch of the button and it disappeared just as quickly. No one else had even noticed.
"It may be ugly, but 'tis useful. 'Specially when it comes tae people who canna learn tae mind their own business."
The boy gulped loudly an didn't speak to her again.
The sound of footsteps brought her back to the present and she looked up. Aquifer stood in front of her. "Ah…would you mind If I sat with you?"
"Sure." She moved over and he set his backpack on the ground and sat next to it. Balancing his lunch tray on his knees, he asked, "So how do you like it here?"
Kelpie shrugged and finished her apple, throwing the core over her shoulder. "Tis okay, I guess. Where ye from?"
"Iowa. You?"
Kelpie smiled. "Everywhere. Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont. Mostly 'round the New York area."
"Your parents got the movin' bug too?" he asked, smirking. "My parents can never sit still."
"Really?" she asked, avoiding his question. "Where've ye been?"
"Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and now New York. And I doubt this is the last time they move. But I think I'm going to stay right here. What about you?"
"I dunno if I wanna stay 'ere all my life, but ye neva know what's gonna 'appen."
Aquifer nodded, then, "So what's your excuse?"
"For what?" she asked, flipping the pages in her textbook.
"For moving so much. They like mine? Can't sit still?"
Without looking up, she said, "Oh, my parents didna move with me."
Out of the corner of her eye, she could tell he was curious. "Why not?"
"They…they died. When I was five."
"Oh," he said softly. "I'm sorry. If I had known--"
"Nae, 'tis okay. Verra li'l people do."
"What about foster parents? Or were you adopted?"
"Nae, I wasna adopted. I was put in an orphanage for a while, then when I was ten I was sent to a foster 'ome, but I ran away a week after I was put there."
Before he could comment, a group of boys walked up to them and she looked up, curiously. Among them was the boy from Philosophy. She groaned inwardly.
"Hey," said the oldest boy who looked to be a junior at least. "Jesse here tells me you gotta knife."
Kelpie smiled and asked sweetly, "D'ye always believe what Jesse says?"
"Look, we're hall monitors. It's against the rules to have knives during school hours unless you're in Weapons and Defense Class."
"Greetings, my friends," came a voice. Kelpie looked toward its source to find Alan walking toward them. "Is something out of sorts?" he asked, glancing at Kelpie. He gave her a fleeting smile and a wink, then turned to look at the boys seriously.
The leader puffed out his chest importantly. "Jesse told us, Sen, that she had a knife. Since it's against school policy--"
"Did anyone else see it?" Alan asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Well…no…but--"
"Then how do you know Jesse's telling the truth?"
"I ain't lyin'!" cried Jesse, outraged.
Alan shrugged and said calmly, "Until you have solid proof that she's carrying a knife, I suggest you go bully someone else."
The leader frowned, but jerked his head to the left. His group moved away, but he remained. "You watch it, Sen," he said, slowly walking toward his group. "You're gonna get yours some day."
Alan nodded, his face solemn. The area around them seemed to darken, yet the sun still shone brightly. "I'll look forward to that day, but until then, I advise you to stay away from my friend here," he said gesturing to Kelpie.
The boy said nothing, but turned and walked away.
Alan turned to Kelpie, who looked at him with guilt and anger in her eyes. "I coulda dealt with 'em myself," she said harshly.
"Yes, and you would have gotten yourself into a whole lot of trouble. Now, what's this about you having a knife on your person?"
"Tis none of yer business," she said as she began to gather her textbooks. "The kid was seein' things."
Alan crouched down beside her and stared her in the eye as the area around them became brighter once again. "Kelpie, you could get suspended if a knife was found on you." He stretched out his hand, palm up and open. "Give it here."
"And get ye intae trouble? I think not. I'll take my chances."
He sighed and shook his head, lowering his hand. Then he smiled, "Could I at least see it? That way I know what to look out for if I get you mad." He winked.
Kelpie tried to keep it from her face, but finally she smiled. She couldn't help it, his smile was contagious. Then she forced the smile down and put on her best irritated face, looking around. When she was sure no one was looking, she held up her fist, palm toward herself, and touched the button on the ring. The dagger popped out then popped back in.
Aquifer's eyes widened and he choked on his food. It took several hard pats from Kelpie before he stopped coughing.
"Convenient finger you've placed the finger on," Alan said smirking as Aquifer coughed.
"Ye a'ight?" she asked her choking friend.
He nodded, swallowing hard. "What are you doing with a knife at school? You can get in a lot of trouble for that."
"Oh, ye know, I just felt like bringin' it tae disable a few students, kill a few teachers 'ere an there…" At Aquifer's look of shock and dismay, she raised an eyebrow. "Ye canna tell a joke from the truth? Mionnaich, 'tis for protection."
"Why? This is one of the safest places in the U.S. This place is guarded better than Fort Knox, it's security system is ten times better than the White House."
"Yes," said Alan, "And we've seen how easily it is to get in there. I believe our teachers broke in there during mid-day, did they not? And succeed in getting to the president himself?"
Glaring at Alan, Aquifer said, "I hate you."
Alan grinned. "So it is with many people."
The bell rang and they gathered their books, heading back to the school. Looking to Kelpie, Alan asked, "What class do you have next?"
"Literature with Professor Xavier."
He grinned. "Good. I'm going there too."
Alan asked where Aquifer was going and then showed him where the classroom was. Aquifer parted, saying his goodbyes, then she and Alan went the opposite way to Literature.
"Can I ask ye somethin', Alan?" Kelpie asked as they entered the classroom.
"Of course. Anything you desire is yours."
Kelpie blushed, though she wasn't sure if he meant it to be a double entendre. Deciding she wasn't sure if she wanted to find out, she went on with her original question, "Why did that boy call ye Sen?"
"Ah, that, yes. I prefer to be called Sensherak, or Sen, by most of the people in this school."
"Oh, 'ad I ken--"
"No, no. I want you to call me Alan." He winked. "But you and Professor Xavier are the only ones who get away with it."
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The rest of her classes she saw none of her new-found friends, except the last one which she shared with Aquifer. Once again, she sat in the back corner and Aquifer sat in front of her.
When the students piled into the classroom, a boy came to sit next to her. He had a Leonardo DiCaprio style haircut that was light-brown and his eyes were an unusual color of red. He had a bit of a tan and the very hint of a beard.
"Hey," he said with a Cajun accent as he sat down.
She gave him the faintest of smiles, but refrained from saying anything.
"Mah name is Jonny LeBeau. What's yours, mon amí?"
She turned part-way in her seat, intrigued by the foreign words. "Kelpie. And what does 'monami' mean?"
He grinned. "Mon amí," he repeated. "It means 'my friend' in French."
"Are ye from France, then?"
He chuckled. "No, Louisiana. New Awlins. Eva been there?"
She shook her head. "Nae, I've lived in the New York area all my life."
"Ya have a bit of an accent yaself, cherè."
"Aye, my athair was originally from Scotland. I grew up speakin' Gaelic."
He looked confused. "Yur hair is from Scotland?"
She laughed. "Nae, my athair. My father."
"Oh, in that case," he looked up to see if their teacher, Mr. Wagner, was watching, then slipped a card out of his trench coat. It lit up as if charged by electricity and placed it on the desk next to her. It was the Queen of Hearts. He smiled charmingly, "Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Kelpie."
Later when the bell rang, she closed her book and got to her feet sighing with relief. Finally, school was over! For today anyway. She stretched, easing her sore muscles. She had never sat so much in one day before.
Beside her, Jonny gathered his own books and watched her appreciatively as she stretched. When she was finished and prepared to leave, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously and asked, "Uh, Ah was wonderin', would ya like to go somewhere tonight. Ya know, for dinner or somethin'."
She looked behind her then back at him, her eyes wide, "Ye talkin' tae me?"
He chuckled. "Ouí, you, cherè."
"Well, uh…" She didn't know what to say. She'd never been asked out before.
"Come on, cherè. It'll be fun."
"Well…" she considered. "Why not?"
His red eyes lit up. "Bon, how does pizza sound?"
S…sounds good," she said. Actually, she wasn't sure. She had never had pizza before.
"Even better. Ah'll pick ya up around seven, then?"
She nodded. "I'll be waitin'."
"Great. Uh…where is yur room?"
She smiled. "The empty tack room in the barn is my room. Ya canna miss it."
He raised an eyebrow. "Ya live in the barn?"
She kept the smile and shrugged.
"Bon. Ah'll see ya then."
She watched him leave and jumped at a voice behind her, "Sheesh, you don't wait long, do you?"
She turned, smiling, to Aquifer. "Apparently not." As she walked out with him, she asked, "Uh…Aquifer? I need tae ask ye somthin'."
"What?"
"Can ye tell me what pizza is and what it tastes like?"
Aquifer looked at her as if she were mad.