She was a timid thing, probably wouldn't last long in this war. Yet, she'd taken Sabretooth down. He wasn't the smartest man I knew, but he wasn't incompetant either. I dressed quickly, happy I'd talked her into accepting a room among us. She'd been reluctant to give up her apartment, her security in the sapian's world. I couldn't blame her, but if she stuck with us there would be no going back. On some level, I knew she realized this.
I had to see what she was capable of, if she couldn't hold her own I would have to find a place among us for her that didn't involve her in the front lines. I couldn't risk anymore of our kind's sacrifice, there'd been too many deaths at my hands already. If she did sit back, then I'm sure I'd hear about it from Mystique.
I chuckled to myself as I tied my hair back from my face. Mystique had been rather soliticatious with me last night, where I'd kept her at arm's length. I didn't have many women among my ranks, most of the time they'd just complicate things. Last night, she'd complicated things. Of course, the young Isis was attractive, but it had seemed like Mystique was marking me as her territory. That wouldn't do, I didn't plan on giving into my baser instincts and I didn't need corruption due to jealousy.
I had to see what the girl was capable of, see if it was even worth the trouble it would cost to keep her around. Mystique was a shifter, she'd earned her place among us. Isis was my variable, either she had the potential or she didn't. Creed wasn't one to respect weakness though, and to have brought her back here had left me drawing several conclusions. That was another thing I had to keep in mind, if she stayed I'd have to keep Creed from her. He was known to be vicious with women, and I didn't need her crying foul after he got hold of her.
"Bossman!" The toad stumbled out of a room to the side. "Gotta hand it to ya, bloke. You can sure keep 'em coming."
The old London accent was a nice change around the place, even if he was one of the more disgusting among us. He bounced along beside me as I entered what we considered our central room. It was a place for training, practice, and tactical meetings. The chairs had been pushed to the sides as Pyro and Avalanche fought hand to hand in the middle of the room.
Isis was sitting quietly in the corner. I smiled seeing her already up and becoming involved. I glanced to the other side of the room seeing Sabretooth leaned against the wall, but his golden gaze wasn't on the brawlers. No, it was settled on the lady, and she was doing a grand job of ignoring it.
I looked to Toad, pointing at Creed. "Keep an eye on him." I ordered, then turned to make my way to the newest among us.
She smiled softly as I approached, sitting back to keep her eyes on mine. "Good morning, my dear. Hope you were able to get some sleep, I know most aren't used to the early and late hours. I apologize if they kept you up at all."
She laughed softly, "I assure you: I can sleep through anything, anywhere." I gave her a curious look, deciding to leave it for the moment. I had more important things to find out from her, even if the statement brought even more questions to my mind.
"Well, good." I clapped my hands, the boys seperated quickly from each other. Pyro had been among us long enough, to understand I demanded attention swiftly. Avalanche wasn't stupid either, he caught on to the living we maintained quickly. "Who's up to spar?"
They exchanged trouble glances, but neither said a word. I scoffed in irratation, "Not with me, fools." I moved to the side indicating Isis. Pyro grinned, instantly stepping forward. He wasn't the most stable among us, probably wouldn't even bother him if he killed her. It would get an honest challenge from her at least.
"Isis meet Pyro." I held out my hand, assisting her from the chair across the room to stand in front of Pyro. I smiled at her, "Pyro, I'd like to introduce your newest opponent Isis." Her eyes widened, her face paled, and I squeezed her hand reassuringly. I was a lot of things, but I understood first times. She'd either survive or not, but if she wasn't thinking clearly it wasn't worth even wasting the energy.
I released her backing away to stand to the side, Avalanche moved beside me. His brown eyes eager to see the violence about to erupt.
Pyro stood stock still, except for the hand flicking the zippo open and closed in his hand. His blond hair was messy, his grin wide and toothy, and his scrawny body made him look wild, uncontrollable. Her hair had dropped from the bun, but still remained in its braid. She kept it long, that was good for her reach, but did it hurt to cut it? She had said each hair was able to feel. So that was a weakness, also she had no muscles whatsoever. I could clearly see that through her t-shirt and jeans, but she was small enough that fast was a good possibility.
Pryo moved quickly, his hand shooting a flame at her feet. "Lovely lady like to dance?" he cackled. She moved quickly, her mouth dropping as he continued his assault on her. It was rather disheartening to see her avoid attacks, but not return them. She worked her way in a circle only steps from him, he was prancing from leg to leg. Clear enjoyment written on his face as he taunted her with the flames. She was close to him now, and I saw his hand reach out patting her ass.
She turned giving him a hard look, but he only laughed harder. It was in that instant I realized she'd gotten close enough to get her hair around him. It was instantaneous as it curled around his hands, pinning them to his body. He struggled on his feet, pulling against her.
"You will not touch my ass again." She gritted between her teeth. Then amazingly I watched as small white currents ran through the brown mass, shocking him. He threw his head back, his mouth clenched shut as his body vibrated with each current that touched him.
I clapped, ending the small contest, as it were. "Bravo, Isis." She released Pyro, slowly backing away from him. Her blue eyes glanced at me, but her attention was focused on the maniacal man that dropped to his knees in front of her. I put a hand to her shoulder, "We do not fight with our brothers or sisters over trivial matters." I looked down at Pyro, "He was more than happy to oblige our field test, weren't you Pryo?" His bright eyes met mine, glistening with pain. He nodded quickly as he remained on the floor, allowing his body to recover.
She didn't say anything, but moved a step closer to my body. Good. It was a silent acknowledgement of my trust. She wouldn't take much to mold, to become a warrior for our side. She looked innocent, sweet, demure, quite normal. Not only would she be qualified for hand to hand, she'd be a perfect spy. It would be easy enough to send her in as bait to draw out the bigots that overran our cities. Who would ignore such a sweet young thing?