Ash
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I'm stronger than you think
Posts: 170
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Post by Ash on Nov 4, 2005 17:51:09 GMT -5
Ash raised an eyebrow as the cat hissed at Scott and left the room. Touchy thing it was, and still it acted like the world revolved around it. Ash secretly hoped it would run into the door as it walked out head held up, but alas it did not. She turned back and Esme and Jean left and Scott mentioned the reason she came. Of course at those words the smile was wiped quickly and efficiently from her face. She took a few steps foreward and set her little file on Scott's desk. He looked so tired that Ash wished she could pick up the file, forge the grades, and forget it all. He didn't need to be bothered with petty things like this.
"I really don't want to bother you, especially with this, but for once I'm following the rules." It was a weak attempt at a joke, and she knew it. She sighed and continued, "Three of my students are failing chemistry, and they've been failing for a while now. I should have seen it sooner, and handled it, but for some reason I didn't. Anyway, now I've notified you and you can ignore it and let me handle it, or take it on the load of work your already doing. "
As much as she didn't want to bother Scott, she also didn't want to deal with this, but she wouldn't tell him that. These three students hated her. If she offered to tutor them they would refuse and keep failing the class. This wouldn't be a problem for Ash, except that she'd have to teach them the next year as well, but it also went on the school's record and made the school look bad. This of course is why the x-men had to work almost as hard at teaching as they did on their missions. Ash hated teaching. It made working for the x-men a constant struggle for her, and made her wish even more that she believed in what Jean and Scott were doing, but she didn't. Why did she alwasy pick the hard roads in life?
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Post by Cyclops on Nov 5, 2005 10:20:44 GMT -5
Sharon growled at Scott as he reached for her, then jumped off the desk just managing to miss colliding with Ash's legs. The purple cat hopped back, looked back at him and hissed, then strutted out of the room. Scott shook his head. Cats, moody creatures.
< Looks like you lost a friend, Sweetie. > Jean’s eyes were light as she glanced at Scott. Returning to the task at hand she added, < If you need me, just call. >
Scott rolled his eye behind the glasses. < Yeah, honey, my heart's completely broken, > he countered wryly. < And same here. > One of the nice things about their link was they could 'call for back-up' so to speak whenever they needed it. Some of the students had to have guessed, or least noticed that the administrators of the school never had to look for each other. Always knowing where you wife was and if she was all right was vastly comforting to him. He'd lost everyone else he'd ever really loved. If he lost Jean, well-- that was a thought he had no desire to explore.
Ash's smile disappeared as soon as he asked her what she needed. Bad news, always bad news. "I really don't want to bother you, especially with this, but for once I'm following the rules." It was a weak attempt at a joke, and she knew it. She sighed and continued, "Three of my students are failing chemistry, and they've been failing for a while now."
The teacher's words were interrupted by Jean's telepathic message. Grief, anger, and confusion were flooding through the link. < Scott-- I think there's something--or someone-- It has to do with-- > An image of their baby flashed through her mind over their link. Cyclops' eye widened behind his sunglasses when the image appear in his mind.
Nathan. All the color drained from Scott's face and he forgot to breathe for a moment. < Are you sure? > he thought back, nearly incoherently.
But he'd been-- dead-- for over ten years now. No, it couldn't be. Scott shook his head and tried to concentrate on Ash's words. "I should have seen it sooner, and handled it, but for some reason I didn't. Anyway, now I've notified you and you can ignore it and let me handle it, or take it on the load of work your already doing. "
Scott shook his head again. Jean's emotions were barely being kept in check and now was one of the few time he was glad he had to wear his sunglasses at all times, because he was certain his were clear in his eye. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his expression as neutral as possible. "We could--" he forced himself to breathe. "assign them tutors. I'll ask if Mindee or Sophie would help them." All right, he'd made it through that sentence. "But thank you, for bringing it my attention. And it isn't your fault." Jean was a bit calmer, but he could still feel her pain and anger. He hadn't felt those emotions like this since--since the day--
He forced himself to concentrate on Ash. "If makes you feel better, Einstein failed math," he added hastily, falling back on one of Xavier's favorite facts to make failing students feel better. "Sometimes it's the student Ash. Don't take it too personally."
<Scott, sorry for the interruption but there's a teenager at the front door and Warren's edgy. As our wonderful administrators, do you think you or Jean can go intervene? The boy seems to have some metallic parts but I didn't sense anything hostile about him.>
It was Betsy. Wonderful. Scott decided at that moment that there were too many people in his head, and he was already having a very hard time thinking. Part of his mind was still working, claiming there were no students scheduled to start at the Institute this week. Unless, of course, the paperwork was being slow or had gotten misplaced. Hoping Betsy couldn't feel whirl of pain, confusion, grief and anger in his mind, he sent her back a message. < I--I'll handle it, Betsy, > he assured her. < Thank you. >
Cyclops stood up without any warning. Realizing Ash had no idea of the conversations going on in his mind, he gave her a brief, not very convincing smile. "Betsy just informed me we have a new student," he told her hurriedly. "And Warren's at the door, probably scaring the kid out of his mind. I was about to go rescue him. Would you like to join the welcoming committee?"
Oh yeah, if Ash wasn't suspicious by now, she'd have be as dense as the walls of the sublevels. His thoughts shot back to Jean. The new student and Jean's suddenly feeling something connected to Nathan, couldn't be a coincidence. Scott didn't believe in coincidences anyway. < Jean, there's a new student at the front door, > he informed her, knowing she knew there was no new students scheduled for this week. < I'm going to go check it out. >
He normally would have held the door open for Ash, but instead he just left it open as he tried to calmly walk to the front door.
[Exit Cyclops to the Front Yard]
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Nov 5, 2005 22:46:43 GMT -5
((Crossposted from the front yard))
<May we help you?> It was her, Jea...mom. He inhaled swiftly at the ‘sound’ of her voice in his head. Suddenly, his mind was a mess. All he’d thought about for the last day and a half was finding his parents, now one was in his head and he didn’t know what to say. < I...um...uh Why didn’t you come for me? > It was the only coherent thought he could form. It was also the most important thing he needed to know. If he was somehow hidden and shielded from her telepathy, he could understand. If they were just happy he was gone, then to hell with them all.
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 6, 2005 0:09:10 GMT -5
Scott’s confused shock mirrored Jean’s own as he asked, < Are you sure? > Jean could barely make sense of it herself. Though they couldn’t see one another Jean nodded, her features an array of upset emotions, which probably looked quite odd to Esme, who had taken a seat beside her on the couch. “What’s wrong?” Esme’s features showed concern, something not often displayed by the young girl. Jean took a moment, trying to gather her thoughts.
< Yes. I mean, I think so. > Jean’s doubt was evident as she answered her husband. Nathan was dead. His signature shouldn’t have registered as being alive, much less outside the mansion gates. But it felt like him. How could this person have known about their son? Who was he? Could it actually be-- < His mental signature—I’d know it anywhere. > At least she thought she did. Was this an imposter? Jean hoped for his sake, he knew what he was getting himself into. If not, he was about to enter a world of excruciating pain.
Moments later she heard Scott’s voice, < Jean, there's a new student at the front door, > A new student? No, there was something not right about that at all. There weren’t any new students listed to arrive, and no last minute emails had been sent for them to expect anyone. < I'm going to go check it out. >
< Be careful, Scott. It feels like him but he’s not—it shouldn’t feel like him. > Their son was gone. Jean didn’t want to have to say it for fear of opening a flood gate of emotions she wasn’t ready to reveal to her adoptive daughter just yet. < I’ll be with you. > Part of her staying with him, Jean tried to clear her mind.
Having yet to hear back from their visitor, Jean wasn’t sure what to make of him, not wanting to believe it was him. She kept herself from rifling through his mind, but the notion was oh-so tempting. His mental signature—it was uncanny. But that didn’t mean they had to erase the possibility it was a hoax, or someone with a similar signature, though Jean knew that wasn’t the case. No one had the exact same one unless they were a clone or something. Was it possible--
“Are you ok? Should I get Mr. Summers?” Esme gazed at her, more concern on her face. Jean finally released the breath she didn’t know she was holding. Scott would be able to handle their visitor and would let her know what he discovered. If this wasn’t their son—if it was some imposter which was highly likely—Jean might not be able to hold back. It would be best for her right now to stay with Esme and talk with her for a bit and try to reign in her emotions until they had some answers.
“No,” Jean replied a bit distantly at first before giving Esme her attention, “No, thank you, Esme. I’m fine,” Jean smiled slightly, grateful Esme was so concerned and displaying it, “But thank you for asking. Scott is taking care of it and will call if he needs any assistance.” Jean didn’t want to worry her if there was nothing to worry about. If this was in fact an intruder, then he would be dealt with swiftly and that would be the end of it. There was no use in drudging up the past with things you couldn’t change.
”Now, what about this morning? I’m glad you came to speak with me,” Jean let Esme continue the conversation, hoping she would bring up what she came to their office to speak about. Jean could use the distraction. A bout of nervousness slipped through her telepathy, but it wasn’t from Scott. It was from the boy outside.
< I...um...uh Why didn’t you come for me? > Flustered, his mental voice rang throughout her psyche. Why didn’t she come for him? Why didn’t you come for me?
Involuntarily the events of that day rushed back, flooding through her mind. Leaving Nathan with Askani. Discovering the explosion. Thinking she could still feel him for a long time. Actually believing he was still alive. Later realizing she could no longer feel him in her mind. He was just gone. It was then she knew he had truly passed away.
All the grief she felt came rushing back coupled with an exploding anger. WHY didn’t they come for him? Because he’s dead, that’s why!
Simmering in stunned silence Jean nearly began to shout but counted to ten, trying to quell her wrath, < Who. Are. You? And how do you know about my son? About our son? > Jean corrected herself, because she could feel Scott nearing Warren and the boy. She was torn between ransacking this kid’s mind and her moral ethics of leaving him his privacy. The anxious emotions he was emitting were true—not faked or put on for show. If he truly believed he was who he thought he was—
< Our son—if you know about him, then you know what happened to him. > Jean’s mental voice was almost a whisper now, willing herself not to cry. Her chest felt tight and her eyes began to well up with tears but she would not let them fall. Blinking rapidly Jean reached for Scott, who could undoubtedly feel what was going on inside of her. She felt guilty for being unable to stop these emotions from seeping into him but couldn’t help herself. Coupled with his own feelings washing over her she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the tears at bay much longer.
< He just asked why I didn’t come for him. Why we didn’t come for him. > Her mental voice was filled with grief, shaky and on the brink of tears. This boy knew more than she’d originally thought. Did he actually think he was their son? It wasn’t possible. Their son was gone, in a battle so long ago.
Her hands tightly fisted in her lap, Jean returned to focus on Esme. She couldn’t allow herself to let any tears fall. "So about this morning.." Jean began, swallowing the lump in her throat and putting on her best 'Everything is fine'-face although it was obvious everything was not fine.
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Post by Psylocke on Nov 6, 2005 16:34:14 GMT -5
((Cross-posted from War Room))
Closing her eyes, Betsy concentrated on her best friend's mind. Jean was a mess, a complete and utter emotional mess and she was broadcasting to everyone that was even slightly psi-sensitive. Breaking through the surface emotions to the woman below them, she said, <Jean, you need to calm and control yourself. I can feel your emotional upheaval through my shields and two levels below ground. You are practically making Scott double over in agony with your link to him and have probably let every single telepath here know that something is hurting you.>
Betsy had gone into “teacher mode” and she knew that if something was this upsetting to Jean and making her lose that much control, it had to be something big. <Remember some of the first lessons Charles taught us, Jean. Focus and control. You can not afford to lose control. I sense Esme in the room with you, think of how you are affecting her being that close to her physically. Calm down and tell me what's going on so that Sean and I can help.>
While she was trying to calm Jean down, she contacted all five Stepford girls at the same time. <Girls, gather around Jean and try to protect her mind from broadcasting as much as you can. Your mental powers and your physical presence may be just what she needs to pull through this,> Betsy instructed them. She didn't need to tell them that there was something wrong with their adoptive mother as they had to be feeling the effects as the other telepaths were.
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Cuckoos
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Five Minds One Purpose
Posts: 39
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Post by Cuckoos on Nov 7, 2005 3:21:19 GMT -5
“No,” Jean replied a bit distantly at first before giving Esme her attention, “No, thank you, Esme. I’m fine,” Jean smiled slightly, grateful Esme was so concerned and displaying it, “But thank you for asking. Scott is taking care of it and will call if he needs any assistance.”
Esme’s eyes narrowed. Nothing. Nothing! She was not a child she knew that there was something bothering her. Something that could break her strongest psychic barriers.
Still Mrs. Grey tried to keep her face calm, but Esme could see that it was a facade, ”Now, what about this morning? I’m glad you came to speak with me,”
But her mind was elsewhere. And just like that Esme knew. She must be speaking with somebody else telepathically. It was one of the skills Mrs. Grey had taught them. You can talk with your body and your mind at the same time. A very handy skill in battle, your voice will distract you opponent while you mind can relay information to your teammates without your foes knowing about it.
A wave hit Esme’s mind. It was filled with grief. The grief you feel when you lose someone so close to you. Then anger, the anger so tangible that could crush and burn cities to the ground. All these emotions were so strong it almost knocked her over.
Esme could see the tears in her mother’s eyes as she tried once again to continue, "So about this morning.."
It was Esme’s turn to act on the emotions, “Don’t lie mom, what is going on?” she said standing up with a the familiar stinging you get when you eyes water. The answer did not come at that moment, something else did.
<Girls, gather around Jean and try to protect her mind from broadcasting as much as you can. Your mental powers and your physical presence may be just what she needs to pull through this,> It was Mrs. Betsy speaking telepathically.
Falling to her knees Esme grabbed her mother’s hand, and held it tight, “Let me help.” she pleaded with her. Tears in her eyes, which were also filled with worry.
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Ash
Full Member
I'm stronger than you think
Posts: 170
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Post by Ash on Nov 7, 2005 8:16:53 GMT -5
Ash hadn't noticed Scotts stange behavior as she had been talking. She'd probably been too worried about what he might say to her, or think about her, because her students were failing. But now she definantly noticed something. He was pale, and stumbling over his words, actually stuttering was more like it. That was so unlike Scott that Ash opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, maybe he was sick or something. Perhaps his work was finally taking it's toll.
Scott didn't let Ash say anything though, and conteded himself with telling her that her students failing was not her fault, even using one of his famous 'don't feel bad, perhaps this isn't just your thing' quotes he used on his students. Yeah, somethign was wrong. Scott would never say that to one of his teachers. That was the only thing that kept her from laughing. Then he offered to have one or two of the stepfords tutor them, and Ash felt a wave of gratitude for him. She hadn't even had to explain the matter. The Stepfords were smart enough to teach. That took place all in the back of her mind. The front was busy trying to figure out the many things that could be happening to cause Scott to act so strange.
She didn't have to wait long to figure out. Scott informed her that Besty had just informed him about a new student and asked if she would like to welcome the student with him. Truthfully, no she didn't. However, if it had something to do with how Scott was acting, oh yeah she was going! Why a student would cause him to loose his composure, she didn't know, but she was definantly going to find out. Scott was not easily unsettled.
[Ash exits to Front yard]
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Nov 7, 2005 19:20:45 GMT -5
((Oops! forgot this part yesterday. Crossposted from the front yard/foyer))
He could feel anguish, apprehension and anger pouring through the connection to his mother. Nathan tried to stay objective and not fly off the handle. He knew this would be a hard pill for them to swallow. Here he was, back from the dead(as far as they knew) and nearly ten years older than he should be. <Who. Are. You? And how do you know about my son? About our son?> She was angry, that much was obvious. < I am your son, > he finally just said it. She had probably figured out what he was trying to say by now, but just in case...
Nathan was still listening for his mother when the blue guy moved. <Our son—if you know about him, then you know what happened to him.> Her voice was so low and he could hear the pain he was causing her. He didn’t want to do this to her but the unfortunate truth was that it was going to get worse before it got any better. He had almost stamped out the thought that they didn’t want him. She wouldn’t be in this much pain if they didn’t. < I do know, and I’ll tell you everything, if you’ll let me. > he was trying to sound comforting. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much comfort from Essex. He said that kind of comfort was a crutch, and Nathan didn’t need any of it if he was going to be a strong leader.
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 7, 2005 22:26:10 GMT -5
It looked as if Jean were paying attention to Esme but in reality, she was worlds away. It was part of being a telepath. Your physical form could be in one place but mentally, you could be halfway across the world if capable enough.
<Jean, you need to calm and control yourself. I can feel your emotional upheaval through my shields and two levels below ground. You are practically making Scott double over in agony with your link to him and have probably let every single telepath here know that something is hurting you.> Shifting through her surface thoughts Jean heard Betsy’s voice break through. Blinking slightly Jean could now feel the stream of tears that had begun to fall down her face unknowingly. Betsy reminded her of their teachings from Charles, and how she might be effecting Esme. Jean focused on Esme’s face, which was narrowed in anger, and then something else. < Calm down and tell me what's going on so that Sean and I can help.>
< I’m—I’m sorry, Betsy, > Her mental voice was ragged with pain. She didn’t even realize she had been projecting her emotions. < The boy outside—he feels like Nathan. I’d know that mental signature anywhere. > So grateful she could speak truthfully with Betsy, the tears continued on their stream down the contours of her cheeks. If it weren’t for those closest to her, she didn’t know what she would have done when they’d lost Nathan. < And—he asked-- > Jean paused, trying to get a hold of herself, < He asked me why we didn’t look for him. > Jean’s mental voice broke over their connection, cracking as the tears ran. Thankfully she had Betsy to talk with. Of course she could talk to Scott about anything, but there were some things only another woman would understand.
Carefully Jean tried to get a reign on her feelings, reinforcing the mental walls in her mind. She didn’t want to hurt Scott, or anyone else in the school. Especially the students and children. Still a bit shaky, the stress on her bond with Scott lessened slowly, but wouldn’t overwhelm him.
“Don’t lie mom, what is going on?” Catching Esme’s eyes as the young mutant stood, Jean could feel her anger and worry through her own rage of emotions. Esme wasn’t one to call Jean ‘Mom’ all the time, nor was her fear for what was upsetting Jean so evident when she fell to her knees and clasped Jean’s hand.
”I’m sorry, Esme,” Jean felt awful. She did the one thing she tried to prevent herself from doing. By acting like everything was fine, she hadn’t even noticed she’d been projecting all of her emotions throughout the mansion. The last thing she wanted to do was harm anyone, and with the magnitude of her abilities she was doing the exact thing she tried to avoid.
"It’s something—someone—from the past who I thought was—" She paused, "—gone. He could be back now, and what that means, I’m not quite sure yet," Jean knew she was being somewhat vague, but she tried to explain it the best she could as she gripped her daughter’s hand, placing her other on top.
“Let me help.” Almost pleading, Jean could see the tears in Esme’s eyes, which of course, caused even more tears to fall down Jean's face.
"Just you being here helps me, Esme," It truly did. Jean was reminded how much she loved her girls, and was thankful they were able to see past their programming to what human emotion could be like. "Project a mental shield around any strong detrimental emotions coming from me, as best as you can," Wiping at her eyes, Jean tried to get keep her emotions in check, but it was extremely difficult, especially when she wasn’t aware she was projecting most of the time. Discovering someone at your front door who claims to be your dead son would send anyone over the emotional deep end, down Looney Street and across Basket Case Avenue. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to the Psych Ward.
Just when she seemed to be getting a good enough grasp on her emotions, the boy at the door answered, < I do know, and I’ll tell you everything, if you’ll let me. > The hint of comfort laced his words and Jean was torn. She wanted to believe him, but common sense told her that her son was gone, and she didn’t want to be set up for heartbreak all over again. She had a feeling Scott would feel the same.
Knowing how erratic her emotions had become, Jean concentrated on keeping up her shields as best as she could, knowing Esme was helping as well, and felt for Scott. His emotions mirrored her own, and she could only hope he wasn’t sent into mental overload from their rapport. Keeping her mental walls up she spoke in a low, soft voice, not too loud but not lacking a bit of emotion, < He wants to explain. > Taking a deep breath she continued, < I think we should let him. > It was hard for her to say so, given the possibility that there was a high percentage that this was not their son. But something told her to hear him out. To at least give him a chance to explain. She wasn’t going out there yet though. There were too many feelings flying through the air as it was, and she needed to get a hold of them before anything happened.
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Cuckoos
New Member
Five Minds One Purpose
Posts: 39
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Post by Cuckoos on Nov 8, 2005 0:27:49 GMT -5
The remaining of the Cuckoos collective headed toward their mother’s office. It was a personal request of Ms. Betsy Braddock to shield her from whatever it was happening to her. As they reached the door they saw that their sister Esme was there as well.
" Doesn’t lie mom, what is going on?” Esme said yelling. She was furious it seemed that being so close to their mother at this state had affected her.
" I'm sorry, Esme,” their mother said, "It’s something—someone—from the past who I thought was—" She paused, "—gone. He could be back now, and what that means, I’m not quite sure yet,"
Esme had fallen to her knees and said almost in a defeated voice, “Let me help.” The girls could see that Esme was crying as well as their mother.
"Just you being here helps me, Esme," Jean said as she wiped away the tears "Project a mental shield around any strong detrimental emotions coming from me, as best as you can,"
“I believe we can help with that.” said the rest of the girls joining their sister and their mother. Using their abilities to connect with each other, the girls were able to use their super mind to establish a very strong mental shield around their mother. The emotions she was feeling were now only hers. The rest of the telepaths would not know what was going on unless she contacted them directly.
Speaking as once they said, “It is done.” They also forced reassurance into their mother. Letting her know that they would do anything in their power to help. At the same time the Five-in-One were busy. Using their collective psychic strength they began to form a map of sorts. They stretched out as far as they could and registered if there were any other telepaths using their powers. The registered Ms. Psylocke in the sub-levels. Some of the students were using psychic powers as well, even though they were all using them to shield themselves. At the front of the mansion was another psychic power and this one was active. He must be the one talking to their mother.
Using their powers they quickly sent the boy a warning. <Leave our mother alone. > they told him icily, <if you continue to this, we will rip your mind apart. Believe us when we say we can, and rather easily. >
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Post by Cyclops on Nov 8, 2005 1:19:28 GMT -5
[[ Cross-posted from the Main Floor Foyer ]]
Scott nodded slightly, still a bit dazed by the sea of emotions he'd been bombarded by. < He'll be explaining, all right, > he agreed tersely. Now that he was only dealing with his own emotions, his composure was restoring itself. And he was angry. Angry at himself for not being able to keep up his mask. Angry at this boy for showing up and claiming to be who he was, angry at him for reminding them of what they'd lost, for hurting Jean so much. If he wasn't who he claimed to be, he was in for a world of pain. If he was...well, Scott would cross that bridge when he came to. < I'm bringing him to you. Now. >
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Post by Psylocke on Nov 9, 2005 8:45:58 GMT -5
((Cross-posted from War Room))
Betsy could sense that the girls had made it to Jean's side and knew they would help to shield their adoptive mother. Surprise lacing her mental voice, Betsy replied, <Nathan? Jean, he's too old to be Nathan.> She knew simply by looking at the boy on the screen that the age wasn't a match. At all. However, all of them had seen some very odd things in the last ten years and she never discounted anything. Reaching toward the boy, she encountered another very strong telepathic mind. She really didn't care if the boy could sense her probe or not, she was doing this for her best friend's sanity.
Expecting to find a trap or something that would indicate that this couldn't possibly be the baby that had gone missing while they were away on a mission, Betsy was completely startled to discover a very familiar signature. It was certainly one she hadn't sensed in a very long time and although it was different in the fact that it had matured, there was no denying it felt exactly like the baby had. Pulling back and shaking her head, Betsy continued with Jean, awe in her “voice”, <You're right, Jean. He....he feels just like Nathan. I sense that Scott and....”Nathan” are on their way to you. Keep me updated. If need be, we still have his records on file, we can do a DNA test.> Betsy hesitated for a moment before adding, <Jean, please be careful. Although he feels right, let's make sure before we get too far. Sean and I can be up there very quickly if you need us.>
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Cable
New Member
The furture for the House of M
Posts: 38
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Post by Cable on Nov 12, 2005 1:17:31 GMT -5
((Telepathic message to the Stepfords))
< I’m afraid I can’t do that. They’re my parents too, and I’m not leaving until I know what that entails for us. >
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 12, 2005 14:36:15 GMT -5
“I believe we can help with that.” Jean sensed the rest of the sisters even before they entered the room. She had been concentrating on keeping her emotions in check, but she was very aware of the happenings in the mansion. Particularly the foyer, having picked up on the girls’ presence. Jean could feel the protective shields they erected around her. “It is done.” A surge of encouraging support poured over Jean, helping calm her frayed nerves.
“Thank you, girls,” Breathing calmly, Jean kept the rapport open with her and Scott, but not as powerful so not to overwhelm him, unaware of the goings on between her girls and the young man at the door. She kept her mental presence on the boy claiming to be Nathan out in the foyer and could feel Ash there and Warren, but she kept silent as Scott spoke.
< He'll be explaining, all right, > Whether it was Scott’s own stress she was feeling or hers, she wasn’t sure. Right now they were bouncing off one another, and a thick thread of anger swirled around their grief. < I'm bringing him to you. Now. >
Jean’s heart immediately leapt into her throat. She wasn’t ready for this. Nathan was dead, and he wasn’t coming back. What did this person hope to accomplish by coming here and digging up the past? The feeling deep in the recesses of her mind helped her to rationalize hearing him out, but it didn’t stop her from being apprehensive about it.
< Nathan? Jean, he's too old to be Nathan.> Betsy’s surprised voice broke through Jean’s thoughts. Too old? His mental voice sounded older than Nathan would be, but Jean wasn’t exactly sure how old the young man at the door was since she hadn’t seen him yet, or delved into his mind to see a mental image of himself. If he was too old to be Nathan, then that was another strike against him. Maybe what she felt from him had been wrong. There was no telling what this thing inside of her could be doing, messing with her senses.
< You're right, Jean. He....he feels just like Nathan. I sense that Scott and....”Nathan” are on their way to you. Keep me updated. If need be, we still have his records on file, we can do a DNA test. > Of course, his records. They would be able to tell for certain. And Jean couldn’t help but feel relieved that she wasn’t the only one who felt it. Betsy felt it, too. Her best friend paused for a moment before continuing, < Jean, please be careful. Although he feels right, let's make sure before we get too far. Sean and I can be up there very quickly if you need us.>
< Thank you, Betsy, > Gratefulness laced her words. < It will more than likely come down to DNA testing irregardless of what happens. > Jean didn’t want to start off distrusting the young boy, but what else could she do? When someone claims to be your dead son brought back to life but years older than he should be, disbelief is the first thing that comes to mind. < And I’ll keep you updated. > She promised, glad to have Betsy and Sean so close. There would definitely be some middle of the night gabbing therapy sessions with Betsy when this was dealt with.
“Scott and the young man are approaching,” Jean announced calmly to the girls though she knew they could sense them coming as well. Jean had said it more for herself than for them. Ignoring the hurricane of feelings twisting inside her, she quickly floated a tissue box over to her and wiped at her eyes, trying to look somewhat presentable. She knew her eyes were probably red and blotchy but she didn’t care. Having gotten all the tear streaks wiped from her cheeks Jean took a deep breath, keeping a cap on how she felt and stood, her eyes drilling holes into the door of her office as she sensed them approaching closer.
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Post by Cyclops on Nov 12, 2005 14:54:06 GMT -5
Cyclops walked stiffly down the hallways not looking behind him. He knew Warren, Ash, and boy claiming to be Nathan were following him. He stopped by Jean's office door and looked at his fellow X-Men. "You both have work to be doing," he said firmly. "The students know something is wrong. Keep them calm. Find Betsy and Sean if you have to. And Mr. LeBeau, if it comes to that."
Scott fixed his gaze on "Nathan", then opened the door without a word. He was only barely keeping his temper as it was. Walking into his wife's office, he was surprised to see all five Stepford Cuckoos there, surrounding Jean. They must have helped her get her shields back up. He was grateful for that, but they didn't need to be here for this. He and Jean and the boy needed privacy and he didn't want to say anything to the girls until they were sure what was going on.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he looked at each girl in turn. "Thank you for your help, girls," he said firmly. "But this is a private conversation. We'll explain everything when it's over." He held open the door, his tone and expression set firm.
Jean was standing in front of the small sofa in her office, looking pale and shaken. His grip on the door tightened and he forced down his own anger and trepidation. < It'll be all right, Jean, > he assured her gently. And it would. Either this boy was an imposter, who would be swiftly dealt with, if the looks Ash and Archangel had been giving him said anything, or he was actually their son, in which case-. well, Scott still wasn't ready for that yet.
He crossed to his wife and took her hand, squeezing it gently, then turned his attention to boy claiming to be their son. "Shut the door behind you," he ordered as calmly as he could. Then he fell silent, knowing Jean's talents were better suited for this.
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