All Character's belong to marvel comics.
flash back
psy speech
On friday morning the students awoke to the telepathic voice of Emma Frost calling them to breakfast. Yes, she had tried cooking... again. Dorian was the first to the kitchen because he couldn't get much sleep, but after eating Emma's cooking he might never be able to sleep again. Monet arrived just after Dorian, followed by Everett. Clarice and Shan entered together, just before Jubilee and Angelo showed their sleep deprived selves. It annoyed Monet that Jubilee was allowed to to stay up with Angelo as late as she wanted, but Emma still imposed a curfew on all the other students. Mondo showed up like a zombie, everyone assumed the smell of food had finally reached his room. All the commotion over breakfast brought Jono into the kitchen, the one room in the entire school that he was unfamiliar with. He sat as far away from Dorian as possible but close enough so that he could have a conversation with Jubilee and Angelo as they ate their sugar bombs.
All but Mondo had started cleaning up the kitchen when Cordelia finally stumbled in. Miss Frost glared at her for only a moment before announcing that breakfast was over. "Time for your morning workout. Everyone to the biosphere." Emma was out the door almost before she finished speaking. They filed out of the kitchen, leaving some dishes still in the sink, until only Jubilee, Cordelia and Shan were left. Jubilee helped Shan clean plates while keeping an eye on Cordelia. "Was she serious? She wants us to workout? It's 8 am!"
"She's dead serious." Shan said looking Cordelia in the eye. "Here," Shan tossed her a banana, "get that in your stomach, and it'll help prevent muscle cramps. Now get moving." when she was finished she turned back to the dishes. Cordelia left in a huff. Jubilee and Shan looked at each other and smiled. "Fifty cents says she gets 'lost' on the way. Come on, we better get going..." Shan said as she started to leave the kitchen.
Jubilee followed in silence, but right before they entered the biosphere she finally spoke. "Does Clarice know you dig chicks?" She blurted out. Shan stopped dead in her tracks then spun around to face the younger girl. Shan's mouth hung slightly open in disbelief.
Struggling to find words Shan simply sputtered "W-what? What are you.. huh?"
"I know that you're a lesbian, I just wanted to know if you've told Clarice. It's just... she's so shy, it would be really bad if one day she figured out her room mate's a gay. Know what I'm sayin'?"
"How do you KNOW that?" Shan sounded angry, but she was starting to blush.
"Heh, you give Monet the exact same look Everett does, and if that wasn't enough, I noticed you checking out Frost's sister yesterday. I wasn't too sure if you stayed behind today just to make sure Cordelia left the kitchen, or just so you could get a better look at her..." Now Jubilee was starting to blush.
Shan swallowed the lump in her throat. "No, I haven't told Clarice. I didn't want her to withdraw from us... I haven't told anyone here yet."
"I think you should tell her, it's not like she'd tell everyone, and she'd really appreciate the honesty..."
"I get what you're saying... I just," words failing her, "I'll tell her soon." They stood there for a moment before hearing Emma's voice in their heads. Where are you and where is Cordelia?
They both cracked a smile as Jubilee handed 50 cents to Shan. "You're OK in my book Lee." Shan said throwing her arm around Jubilee as they walked into the Biosphere.
"Just one question: Why Monet?"
Shan chuckled and said rather shamefully, "I know she's a total bitch but you must admit, she has a stellar body."
Once assembled in the biosphere Everett and Monet were pulled away to help Dorian and Cordelia, while the rest of the students split themselves into two teams, one that could use powers and one that could not. The exercise was for improving your skills that don't require your mutant powers: stealth, evasion, hand to hand combat, the element of surprise.
The rest of the day was pretty routine. Training sessions and class in the morning, break for lunch, then back to classes. The end of the day training sessions were canceled though, due to the fact that their plane for New York would be leaving at 6, and all must be packed. Emma Frost has her own personal airplane, one of the perks of being as obscenely rich as she is. She used to hire pilots to fly her plane but in recent times she's been letting her students do the flying. Jubilee and Monet were the only ones with actually piloting experience, but Jono picked it up amazingly quick. Tonight however she ahd a pilot, the same one who would be taking Jubilee's crew to Kentucky. Once they landed in New York, Frost jumped into a limousine and rushed to her meeting at the Hellfire Club while the students were left on their own in the city that never sleeps.
Emma knew she would be arriving after the meeting began, but as White Queen of the Inner Circle, nothing of importance could be decided without her. The Inner Circle had a very strict dress code, her main hold up was changing out of her white business suit and into her corsette, cape and knee high boots. All white of course.
Entering the inner sanctum of the Hellfire Club she overheard The Black King, Sebastian Shaw proposing the use of the Hellions to further some of their less than legal agendas.
"Shaw, I'd advise a different course of action. These children will bring us more power than we can dream of, but right now they're too independent, and if you keep abusing them they may jump ship. We'd have to start over and I for one refuse to do that."
Turning to face her, Shaw said, "I think they're becoming more loyal to you than to this club and that bothers me. Let's put this to a vote: should we listen to Emma, or use the children for the reasons we decided to start the school for in the first place."
"Pierce?" Shaw asked. Donald Pierce, the White Bishop looked over at the white queen, equally icy glares locked on to each other. He put his arm out and slowly turned his arm to point thumbs down. Going around the room they all followed, Harry Leland the Black Bishop, thumbs down. Frederick van Roehm, a Black Rook, thumbs down. Trevor Fitzroy and Emmanuel Da Costa the White Rooks, thumbs down. Selene the Black queen giving a thumbs down with an especially wicked smile. Finally Shinobi Shaw, the White King, son of Sebastian, gave a thumbs up. Frost knew Shinobi just did whatever his father didn't want, but she was thankful to the boy who was supposed to be her counterpart.
The only person left in the room who had not voted, was Tessa. Though she had no official standing, she was at every meeting of the Inner Circle. She was The Black King's personal assistant of sorts. She made eye contact with Emma. Then gestured a thumbs up. Emma saw Shaw's reaction, and savored it. In the end it really didn't matter, Tessa's vote didn't count, and wouldn't have been enough to turn the tables either way. The defeat shone in Emma's eyes for just a moment before she took her seat. Then, all business like, they continued their meeting.
Emma returned to her penthouse apartment at an un godly hour, after making sure everything would be in order for the party, double checking flight times for the students, replying to assorted business related mail, and of course cursing herself for thinking a group of backstabbing socialites wouldn't do what's in their nature to do. As she set the alarm for the apartment, she did a scan of the minds, checking for all the students. All were accounted for, except for the one and only Miss Lee. Emma groaned in frustration, checking the time. It was just after 4. She checked Jubilee's room, and there was no sign of her. Emma walked out to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Hesitating before drinking it, she decided to dump it out. "This is Jubilation I'm dealing with, I think I'll need something a little harder." And she poured a shot of whiskey.
An undeterminable amount of time later Jubilation finally showed herself. "Lee, where have you been?"
Emma caught the sleepy teen off guard, and she jumped. With a slight pant in her voice she answered "I've been in Angelo's room since, like twelve... what time is it now?"
"Late. What were you doing in Angelo's room? Were any of the other boys in there? Why were you using your psi-shields?" Emma interrogated.
"Whoa Mom, one question at a time. I wasn't using psi-shields, I fell asleep. No one wanted to go out tonight, so Ange and I talked to pass time. Most of the kids fell asleep watching movies in the living room, so, there was no one else in the room. But don't worry, the whole night, I'm slightly sorry to say, was incredibly PG." As she talked she walked over to the kitchen table, where the older woman sat taking in her story.
Emma sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Tomorrow is a big day. For the both of us I believe. It's late, we need to be at the club early, get some sleep, I'll wake up the other children and send them to their beds." Slowly she lifted herself out of the seat. She wondered how a relatively small frame such as her own could weigh so much.
"I'll go. you look like you need the rest a little more." The young girl launched herself from her seat with renewed energy. "And I promise I won't let you down Frosty." She added before darting through the dark apartment.
As Emma collapsed into bed, she could hear faint yelling and could only imagine how unpleasant it would be to wake up to Jubilation, when left to her own devices.
All of the students got a late start the next morning, it was especially bad considering that most of them still needed to get something to wear for the soiree that night. Surprisingly enough Angelo and Jono already owned tuxedo, Angelo's being a gift from Miss Frost herself. Of course Monet had a gorgeous gown, or 30, and Cordelia didn't need a new one, though she would probably be buying a new one with Emma's money anyway. Shan has always been very careful about spending money, especially someone else's, and so she borrowed a dress from Monet. It was slightly flashy for her tastes, but she was still grateful. That left Jubilee and Clarice to find dresses, and Mondo Dorian and Everett to rent a Tux. Monet went with the boys to the rental shop, while Angelo and Jonothan went with Jubilee and Clarice to find dresses. Shan went to the Club early to see if Miss Frost needed any help and Cordelia went off on her own. Most of them silently hoped she'd get kidnapped, and they's be sent on a mission to get her rather than go to the Club. Of course things could never work out quite so well.
At forty five minutes passed six o'clock, two limousines pulled up to the front of the historic Hellfire Club building in downtown Manhattan. Eight well dressed teenagers stepped out on to the street and rushed inside, knowing they had only fifteen short minutes before the street exploded into the social epicenter for anyone possessing or desiring wealth and power. Upon entering the building the Hellions were met by the entire Inner Circle, save for The White Queen. Clarice was the first to speak. "Lord Black King," she bowed her head humbly before continuing, "Where is the White Queen, we would... appreciate audience with her." No one, not ever Sebastian Shaw, expected this to come from her.
"I'm sorry, but your request can not be met at this time. She is finishing with some important work and must not be disturbed. Now, Clarice, Dorian, Angelo and Jonothan, if you would please follow my dear Tessa, she will escort you to where you will be spending most of the evening." He paused, waiting for them to leave. The students all exchanged slightly worried glances but complied, for Emma. Once they were out of sight The Black King spoke again. "Though the Inner Circle is made up of mutants and other super powered beings, the club does not cater solely to our kind. The rest of you are free to visit them later, but we now need you to help greet guests. Introduce yourselves, be friendly, make new contacts, they will be of use to you as well as the club."
Almost as if planned, "Cordelia, there you are!" Shinobi Shaw, The White King rushed over to the stairs. At the top of one case stood Cordelia, dressed in a black leather outfit, similar to that of the rest of the females of the Inner Circle. At the top of the other staircase was her sister Emma, their White Queen, and all of the students felt a little better about the night.
"Perfect timing my dear." The Black King said walking toward Emma. This is where Jubilee's powers of observation kicked in. She had been to more of these gatherings than any of the other students, but the tension in this room could be cut with a fish, it was so thick. Emma, flashed a fake smile at Sebastian, and if one looked close enough, a few of her hairs were out of place. Emma prided herself on a flawless appearance. Why would she enter if she wasn't ready? Cordelia, though trying to act interested in whatever Shinobi was saying couldn't stop looking over at Emma. And the final piece to this triangle came from Selene, the Black Queen, Emma's number one rival. She was also glaring at Emma. Emma surveyed the entire room before descending the stairs.
Where are the other students? her psi voice questioned without her fake smile wavering even slightly.
Jubilee heard the "voices" of the other students in her head all talking at once, and she physically winced from the sudden onslaught. Had Emma linked them together? If so, why hadn't anyone else felt it? Was this her latent telepathy just picking a horrible time to emerge? She needed to speak to Emma...
Then from outside, there were cars. doors slamming, a few horns honking in the distance. foot steps. Knocking. It had begun. They all put on their happy faces as the servants open the large doors and their world was transformed, if only for the night.
Around 8:30 Jubilee finally got time to rest and visit the school mates in their 'holding cell' as she called it. She walked in to a most amusing sight. Jono was standing in front of the mirror... fixing his hair. She giggled a little before speaking "Wow, does this mean you actually spend time on that 'just rolled out of bed'/'I don't care about the world 'cause it don't care about me' look?"
Real funny Lee, fer a person datin' one o' us freaks of nature who have to be kept away from the norms.
"OH! Shot to the heart!" Jubilee jokes, slamming her hand to her chest as she walks passed Jon to the previously mentioned 'freak of nature'.
Jono follows behind her, sitting on the arm of the couch next to her. You've gotta tell me gel, are there any cute rich birds out there? There's gotta be, and I'm stuck in here. Oh! We can do what we always do and say I'm a mute burn victim, you american birds eat that up...
"Calm down Sparky, there's no cute girls. It's all old business men, possibly a few call girls they brought so they don't look like losers."
"No they probably came with the club membership." Angelo joked.
"Serious. Why do you think the only girl in here is Clarice. If she didn't have purple skin, she'd be out there with the rest of us." Then adding as an after thought "No offense honey. You're actually the lucky one."
Clarice smiled weakly from where she sat with Dorian across the room "Thank you."
She opened her mouth again as if she was going to speak, then shut it and quickly turned back to Dorian.
"Did you want to say something? We're all friends here Clarice, you can say what you want." Jubilee got up from the couch and began to cross the room.
Clarice turned back to Jubilee with a thoughtful look on her face. "I wasn't offended, I know what I look like. I just... I was surprised that you are not mad. Well you don't look mad, and, well, you do have a temper..."
"Why would I be mad?"
"About Miss Frost replacing you on that Kentucky asignment." Dorian interupted.
"Replace me?" Jubilee couldn't keep the shock out of her voice, she turned to look at Angelo and Jono. They didn't meet her eyes.
"Chica, you weren't replaced." Angelo said to his feet. "She just made an adjustment."
Cordelia came in here earlier with Shan. She had one o' them wicked smiles on. She was the one who told us. Rather surprised she didn't tell you 'erself.
"How could this be? Why would she do that on such short notice? I've gotta go find Frost." She headed for the door.
"It's no use, just wait 'till later. She won't have the time to talk to you and it'll only get worse." Angelo advised.
"You're right... and if I wasn't so mad now, I'd kiss you, but I'd better get out there." And with that she returned to the party.
Later that night, after all the party guests left and her job was done, Jubilee burst into the White Queen's office fuming and shouting. "You told me that this was MY team, My mission! There's no way- -"
"You will do it." The White Queen responded with a certain degree of finality that Jubilee simply ignored.
"No." Jubilee stated plainly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I won't argue with you."
"You already are." Jubilee quipped smugly
"If you wish to act like a child, so be it. You're off the mission. I'll be sending Monet in your place."
"Hey, that's not fair!" a few pafs unconsciously flew from her finger tips. "Ok... who do I have to talk to to get Cordelia taken off the mission?" Jubilee asked, sounding defeated.
"Cordelia is not the variable in this equation, you are."
"What did I do wrong? I got dressed up, I put on a little act, and I played very nicely with the others, I did everything I was asked, and then some. It's just not fair!" Anger rising in Jubilee's voice again.
"No one said anything about fair Jubilation, it's politics. Nothing personal." Emma turned back to her papers.
"When did you get so cold?"
She lets out a callous laugh. "I didn't. You've just grown soft. Did you think that when I rescued you from the streets you no longer had to fight for your life? If so you were mistaken, now you have to fight harder."
"You never rescued me. I would have made my way home to Xavier's."
Another laugh rose up. "Home? To all your little friends? Haven't we had this discussion?"
"Yes ma'am, we have." Jubilee growled. A frustrated sigh "Whatever, just bench Monet and I'll take your brat."
"How about you go as a part of the team I approved and I'll keep Monet 'on deck'?" Though stated as a question, they both knew it wasn't meant to be.
"Yes oh lordship, my lady, my White Queen." Jubilee said backing out of the room, bowing as she went, much distain in her voice. "Thank you for this amazing opportunity, I only wish that I do not disappoint." She closes the doors.