So many chapters. Well, short chapters, but it's better than nothing right? By the way, a lot of the songs I quote for chapters may not have much to do with the chapter except for the couple lines I actually put. So, uh, yeah. Sorry if I'm a little overboard on a few accents…
Disclaimer: Ha-ha, I can't think of anything better than last chapter's, so look at that
Chapter 4: Let the Flames Begin
This is how we'll dance when
When they burn our houses down
This is how we'll sing
Oh glory
- "Let the Flames Begin" by Paramore
Remy stared at the bag on his bed for awhile. (A/N: nice, right? Just one line)
DINING ROOM, X-MANSION
It was quiet for once; dinner wasn't the craziest time of day. Maybe it was because it was summer vacation so most of the New Recruits had headed home for break. Even Scott had gone to visit his brother in Hawaii and Ororo and Evan had gone on a vacation in Africa. The only people left were Kitty, Rogue, Kurt, Jean, Logan, Dr. McCoy and Professor Xavier. Ororo was usually the cook in the mansion, so the seven were eating spaghetti and meatballs cooked by a very eager Kitty (while Jean supervised). It wasn't too bad; the noodles were rubbery and the meatballs were slightly burnt, but all in all it was okay.
Right when they all sat down to start eating, the doorbell rang.
"Who is it Logan? I don't want to read their thoughts without permission."
"I don't know Chuck. I don't recognize the scent. Smells like ash and lighter fluid."
"I do believe it's one of our new X-Men. Rogue, will you get the door please?"
"Alrahgt Professor."
Rogue stood up, pushed her chair in and walked over to the door. Once she got it open she was enveloped in a hug.
"What the heck-"
"G'day Sheila! Moi name's St. John Alderdyce. What's yours?"
"Uh, Rogue," she replied, thanking God that she had on a long sleeve shirt and her uncovered face only reached his bright orange t-shirt.
"That's a cool name!"
"Um, okay? Can you get off of meh?"
"Okay!"
And he let go. She looked at him and the first thing that stood out was his hair that was the same bright orange as his shirt. He looked young. (A/N: John's 19 and god dam- it I HATE accents!!! How the hell do you write an Australian one?! I had enough trouble with Remy's, Rogue's and Kurt's!) A very enthusiastic grin took up the space between his ears.
"Where are your mates?"
"Let meh show you, Ah guess," Rogue said as she lead him into the dining room where everyone else waited. "Guys, this is St. John Alderdyce."
"Welcome John, we weren't expecting you until tomorrow," the Professor said.
"Moi plane got in early. You must be the Professor!"
"Yes I am, and I do hope you keep in mind that lighters may not be lit unless you are in a Danger Room session or have supervision John."
John sighed and pouted.
"What am Oi supposed to do?"
"I suppose flicking one open and closed wouldn't hurt, but don't spread the fire John."
"Okay!"
"Hi St. John-"
"It's just John Sheila."
"Alright. I'm Jean Grey. This is Kitty Pryde aka Shadowcat and Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler."
"And I'm Dr. McCoy."
"Wolverine," Logan huffed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Pyro too."
"And Ah'm just Rogue."
John grinned at her.
"Would you show moi around Rogue?"
"Uh, sure. Ah guess."
"That's a great idea. John's room is the one next to Kurt's."
"Alraht."
Rogue led John throughout the house, pointing out rooms and telling him about the usual chaotic state of the mansion. John took it all in with excitement, glad that he didn't seem to be the only crazy one that resided here. Once they got to John's room, the two dumped his suitcases on the floor and sat on his bed, John having started a lively discussion on fire. Rogue listened to every word, somehow finding it interesting.
"Y' know Sheila, Oi think you're the first one that doesn't tell me to shut up!"
"Well, Ah'm not realleh lahke other people John. Ah'm a loner usualleh."
"So am Oi! What're your powers?" John questioned as he lay back on his bed.
"Ah absorb people through they're skin. Memories, powers if they're a mutant and a little piece of them that stays in mah head called a psyche."
"Awesome!"
"No, it's terrible. Ah can't control it. Ah haven't been able to touch, except in fights, since I was 15! Ah have to be completely covered up all the tahme."
"Awe, that's not fair Sheila! How're you supposed to have a family?"
"Ah can't. Well, Logan's like my father-figure and Kurt's my half-brother but Ah'll never be able to touch anyone. No falling in love, no first kiss, no holding hands, nothin'."
"The Professor's supposed to help you isn't he? Why haven't you gotten control?"
"Ah just can't fahnd out what's keepin' it from meh. Ah want it John, Ah want to control mah powers."
"Oi'm gonna help you Sheila. Oi promise."
Rogue smiled a real genuine grin.
"Thank you John, that means a lot to meh."
LEBEAU MANSION, NEW ORLEANS
Tante Mattie walked into Remy's room and smiled at the lack of Remy.
"Dat's it enfant, y' be bon in da city y' hear?" (child, good)
And she knew that Remy did hear her.
(A/N: The chapters just keep getting longer! Anyway, I just wanted to put in a Rogue-John friendship. Hmm, maybe they need nicknames. Any suggetions? So "Let the Flames Begin" by Paramore really has nothing to do with the chapter AT ALL, but I could see John dancing around a burning house so that's what I put. R&R!)