Chapter 2
As the flash of light faded, the three young mutants found themselves in what appeared to be a lobby. Chairs and plants were scattered out, and there were six doors. Next to each door was a panel of buttons.
Dani walked up to one door at random and started reading off the buttons. "Men's locker room, women's locker room, hot tub, weight room, basketball court, pool, kitchen, game room, steam bath, gymnastics court, track, workout room, massage, library, theatre... wow, this place has everything."
Sam whistled, and Rahne's eyes grew wide. "An' it's all for us?"
Sam nodded. "And with what she said about time, for as long as we like."
Dani finally noticed the bottom button marked "Other." She couldn't resist pressing it. It light up, and a slightly mechanical version of Illyana's voice answered. "Please name the facility you wish to visit."
"Um... never mind!" The light winked out. She turned back to the other two. "We might have all the time we want, but no reason to waste it." She ran her eyes down the list again. "Rahne, since this is mainly for you, you pick first. And remember - Illyana said this isn't totally real, so go ahead and indulge yourself as much as you like."
Rahne studied the list carefully and decided that she had left her sense of guilt back at the mansion. "I think I'll go to the hot tub first... then maybe the steam bath."
Dani gave her a playful nudge. "Wow, is little Rahney getting lazy? Well, it's about time!"
Sam agreed "You just indulge yourself all you like, Carrottop. This is all for you. Me, I think I'll check out the game room, then maybe the weight room."
Dani looked at him in mock anger. "Who said you went next?" She giggled. "But it doesn't matter. I was thinking about the pool, then some gymnastics. So - no problem." She pressed the button for "Women's Locker Room." "I just hope they have appropriate clothes for us." She and Rahne stepped through the door, while Sam went to another door, pressed "Game Room," and walked through.
X
The women's locker room was considerably smaller than they expected. Half a dozen lockers on each side, a bench between, and showers at the far end from the door. On each locker door was a panel with instructions:
PLACE HAND ON PANEL AND STATE DESIRED CLOTHING OR ITEM
Dani did as instructed. "Swimsuit." There was a click, and the door popped ajar. Dani pulled it open and removed a modest one-piece. She quickly started stripping down, tucking her clothes inside the locker. Rahne did the same at another locker, on the other side. As Dani closed the door back up, she noticed the instructions had disappeared, replaced by her name. "Wow, this is great!"
Rahne agreed. "This is like something out of Star Trek or something. I canna wait to see what else this place is like!"
At the door, Dani bowed and gestured Rahne forward. "You first." Rahne pressed the button marked "Hot Tub" and stepped through, closing the door behind her. Dani then pressed "Pool" and stepped through.
X
Sam held back a low whistle. The "game room" was easily the best he'd ever seen. Several pool tables and ping-pong tables dominated the center of the room. Along one wall were at least a couple dozen video games. And in one corner, a fine dart board.
He wished for a moment that one of the girls had come along, so he could play pool, but realized he could at least practice a bit. He picked a random table, racked up the balls, and started shooting.
X
Dani was convinced she was in heaven. The olympic-sized pool was heated, and showed no signs of chlorine or other chemicals. That made sense, she realized; none of this was real, so there was no need for harsh measures to keep the imaginary water safe.
Which, she thought, also accounted for the lack of lifeguards. She didn't feel like testing it, but she suspected drowning would be impossible.
As she prepared to dive in, she noticed a sign posted on the wall:
PRIVACY ASSURED
CLOTHING OPTIONAL
Now, that was a challenge she felt like taking on. She'd always been fond of swimming in the nude, and had missed the opportunities of living high in the Rockies had provided. She slipped off the suit and dove into the warm depths.
X
PRIVACY ASSURED
CLOTHING OPTIONAL
Rahne found herself seriously intrigued by the sign. Yes, she knew nakedness was shameful, but she reasoned that since none of this was really "real," it might not matter. Besides, who would be there so see her? This would be like a regular bath, and one didn't wear clothing when bathing. After one final nervous glance around - especially to make certain the door was closed - she quickly skinned off the suit and slipped into the steaming, bubbling water.
It was heavenly - there was no other word for it. The water was as hot as she could bear it, and the jets were positively decadent in how they caressed her body. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the edge, letting the frothing water gently bounce her up and down. It felt so wonderful, it had to be sinful.
But for once, she didn't care.
X
Dani climbed out of the pool, toweled off, then wrapped the towel around herself. She picked up her barely-worn swimsuit and pressed the button for the women's locker room. She was a minute into her shower before she realized she didn't have standard pool chemicals to wash off.
Oh, well; the shower still felt good. She toweled off again, then took out a leotard. She felt a need to stretch a little, and a little time doing gymnastics would be just about right.
X
Sam reluctantly left the game room and went back to his locker. After changing into shorts and a T-shirt, he headed for the gym. Maybe a little time on the treadmill, followed by some of the exercise equipment. As good as the gym at Xavier's was, he thought he saw a couple of machines that had him completely confused.
But that wouldn't last long. He'd figure them out.
X
Rahne decided to skip the locker room and went straight to the sauna. There was the same sign posted, and this time she didn't even hesitate. She hung her towel and (still-unused) swimsuit on a hook and stretched out on a bench, completely relaxed, completely nude, and completely at peace. The steam soaked through her, inside and out. If this was what Hades would be like, she mused, perhaps a little sinning wouldn't be so bad.
X
Sam figured out how to use several of the machines, and had a few new aches to prove it. He'd never even thought of exercising certain muscles - he didn't even know a few of them existed - but he felt good after stretching them out. In fact, he felt better than he had in a while. He was considering where to go next when a blinking light caught his attention.
X
Dani gave her final dismount and grabbed for her towel. She hadn't worked herself too strenuously; this was for fun, for pleasure, not for general fitness. Besides, based on what Illyana said, it wouldn't matter anyway; this wasn't a real gym, this wasn't a real spa, and it wasn't probably even her real body. But real or fake, it still felt wonderfully satisfying.
At the door, she considered her options. She was still deciding when one of the lights started blinking.
X
Rahne felt herself dozing off, and forced herself to stir from the bench. In a real sauna, falling asleep could be dangerous. It would probably be safe here, but she didn't quite trust Illyana and her magic that much. Besides, it would be a bad habit. Tucking the towel around herself and slipping the swimsuit over her arm, she decided a cool shower would wash away the sweat and revive her a bit. Then, perhaps, she'd try that massage...