Chamber's Room

[deeb]

Jono watched, mildly amused as Sharon sprinted back to give Emma a hug, then darted up the stairs ahead of him. He followed her, waiting until she was in her room to continue onto the one he had been assigned.

The room, like the rest of the Hellfire Club, was elegantly appointed. A large bed stood in the room, complete with a canopy. The whole room continued the black, white and red chess theme, with ornate carvings on all the furniture.

Dropping his bag on the bed, Jono started to unpack. His clothing was badly wrinkled from being stuffed into that bag for so long. He would keep himself busy for now. Later, after Emma left, he'd seek out Forge and talk to him about what was going on.

[darkmatter]

Sabastian walked silently to Jono's door, musing over his own thoughts. Once he reached it, he knocked softly. He didn't need the other students there at the moment. Jono might not talk around them, and Sabastian really did want answers.

" Jono my friend, let me in. I want to talk."

Sabastian waited patiently, hoping Jono was still in his room, if he was in it at all.

[deeb]

Jono was hanging up his clothes as he heard the knock at his door. His wardrobe had a basic color scheme, black and dark gray, and a basic theme, jeans, turtlenecks and tee-shirts. He looked over at the door as he heard Sabastian called out. He wondered idly what had he might want. < Come in, mate, > he 'called'.

He continued to hang up his slightly rumpled close as he waited for Dark Matter to enter. He was hoping Forge and Emma would get done with their conversation soon, so he could find out if Kerian knew anymore about this than he did, and if so, what it was.

[darkmatter]

Sabastian entered the room when Jono replied. He was still getting used to how jono talked. He wasn't unerved by it, but it took some getting used to. He remembered the time before Jono left, when it felt like something normal. He didn't doubt that it would take just a short time before it was that way again.

Jono was hanging up cloths, something Sabastian needed to do, but he'd do that later. He laughed silently. Jono's cloths still hadn't changed. It wasn't just what they had seen today, his entire wardrobe was the same. Ah well, I haven't changed much either, so why expect others to? Cause he was dating a celebraty, answered a small voice in his head. One that broke his heart! he shot back. He shut the door behind him and then sat on the edge of Jono's bed.

"So what's this all about? Madame is definantly not telling us everything. She can't keep the Registration act from us becuase thats all media, but she's definantly hiding something. She was too worried for it to just be that."

Sure he was jumping right in, but why not? Sabastian didn't know how long they would have to talk, and he wanted to know some things.

[deeb]

Chamber paused in what he was doing to think about what to tell Sabastian. Emma hadn't sworn him to secrecy and Dark Matter was obviously smart enough to come to some of the same conclusions he had. He wouldn't asking questions if he wasn't.

Jono looked at him and shrugged. < She's going to Washington D.C. to make sure the Mutant Registration Act doesn't pass, > he explained. < Professor Xavier is supposed to be working with her and that means the X-Men will be there as well. > He let out a mental sigh. < That bloke Forge and I are supposed to keep an eye you lot for her. She knows everyone will be safe here at the club, but it's when we're out in the city she's fretting about. >

That was all he knew. It wasn't much, but it was something. He decided to change the subject. He remembered Sabastian asking permission to visit his family while they were in the city. < So your family doesn't mind that you're a mutant? > Jono asked. The idea was completely foreign to him. He'd been summarily rejected when his mutation had manifested. If Emma hadn't heard about him and taken him in, he had no idea what he would have done with himself.

[darkmatter]

Sabastian listened carefully. If Jono wasn't going to tell him something he would come out and say he couldn't tell him, or it was too secret from Sabastian to know. What Jono did tell him was old news. So Jono didn't know either, or perhaps he was underestimating what the registration act could do. Maybe Madame was just worried about that...

Forge though... that was interesting, he hadn't had many run ins with the man. Jono didn't seem happy about 'babysitting' them, and he was sure Forge wouldn't either. However, Sabastian didn't need anyone to take care of him when he was in the city. He could do that himself, and he was not going to put up with someone following him around.

Jono didn't seem to want to talk about it any more so Sabastian let it drop. He'd muse some more on his own time. " They um, don't know. We had enough trouble already and I didn't want to bother them with it... Besides, I don't exactly know how they'll take it." That was a lie, he did know, but he didn't really want to accept it. " Sarah, my girlfreind, got me into the school. She was there when I found out and helped me."

[deeb]

Jono nodded when Sabastian reveled his family didn't know he was a mutant. At the mention of his girlfriend being present when he became a mutant, Chamber's eyes darkened, then he closed them. < You're a lucky bloke then, > he said quietly, then looked away. < I almost killed my girlfriend when my powers manifested. Put her in a bloody wheelchair for the rest of her life, paralyzed from the waist down. >

He sank into a chair, and opened his eyes, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his thigh, his hands dangling between his knees. He looked back at Sabastian. < When I recovered, I tried to see her, tell her how ruddy sorry I was, but her family wouldn't let me. > He didn't know why he was telling Dark Matter this, but he was. Maybe it was because he didn't want Sabastian to suffer the same kind of rejection he had. < They called me a freak, a monster. Told me to never bloody well come near them or Gayle ever again. >

Jono let out a mental sigh. < I'm the last chap in the world who thinks hiding what we are is a good idea. I think the flatscans wouldn't be so scared of us if it wasn't for all this bloody cloak and dagger spandex tripe that some of our kind insist on doing. People fear what they don't understand. > He shrugged. < But then, I can't very well hide my mutation for long, so I have no choice. You do. If I were you, I wouldn't bloody tell them either. >

He sat back in the chair and relaxed a bit. < So what is there to do in this city, anyway? > he asked idly. < The last time I was here, Sugar was on Leno, and we had to hide in the hotel room because of all the tossers trying to get a piece of us. > He chuckled wryly at the memory, then let out another mental sigh. Sugar had told him when she'd broken up with him her life wasn't fit for humans. Now that he was away from it, he could see that she was right. < Not sorry to have not have to worry about that bollicks anymore. >

He shook his head, banishing the thoughts with a wave of his hand. < Sorry, my mind wandered off for a bit there, > he mumbled. < Like I said, what do you want to do today? >

[darkmatter]

( Bleep! I've written this dumb post twice now, and each time it failed. Both were original and beautifully written. I am sooooo made. My Comps gone haywire TWICE. so I'll try a third time and sorry if it stinks.)

Sabastian saw Jono’s change and knew immediately he’d said something wrong. He wasn’t sure yet what it was, but it only took a few seconds to figure it out. He groaned inwardly, he’d forgotten to mark his words. Jono didn’t take it out on him though, instead he was slowly telling Sabastian his story. Sabastian listened solemly, it was horrible. When jono was finished he didn’t know what to think besides he was grateful it wasn’t him. He didn’t need Jono to tell him he was lucky. He knew that. He knew he was lucky to have a girl that was sympathetic to mutants. One who didn’t reject him like most would have and lucky that he hadn’t manifested something that would have hurt her. He knew he was lucky, he’d thought about it many many times.

if it wasn't for all this bloody cloak and dagger spandex tripe that some of our kind insist on doing.


Well that was interesting. Jono knew about the Hellions, and about Madames roll and even Sabastians roll in them. In fact Jono had known about it long before Sabastian had and only God knew if Jono had actually been a part of it before Sabastian had gotten there. So what was Jono talking about? He didn’t know, but he did know one thing. He didn’t nessecarily agree. People weren’t afraid of Mutants because they dind’t know anything about them. They knew plenty about Mutants. They knew that Mutants were human beings just as they were, and that there were good and bad Mutants. They hated Mutants because they wanted to. They wanted to be able to focus all their fear and hate on one thing. Nothing they said or did could change how humans thought. So why not set themselves apart? Why not wear what they wanted to, hide what they wanted to?

When Jono spoke of hiding his powers from his family, Sabastian turned away. He was ashamed. He didn’t want to admit to himself that he agreed with Jono, that he didn’t want to tell his family for fear of what they would say. He didn’t want to admit that he was afraid. He didn’t want to admit because there was still a small part of him that said, someday. It was that someday that had kept him going, kept him hoping that his family would accept him for who he was. He knew better though. When he’d still been living with them he’d heard small comments here and there. They weren’t big, but they were enouph to keep him silent. Enough to keep him afraid.

Lee knows That was true. Lee knew and wether he had told on him or not Sabastian didn’t know. He’d find out when he visited. Lee and Sabastian had never talked about it, and Sabastian sometimes wondered if Lee really did know, but he didn’t wonder much. He’d seen that look in Lee’s eye that had told him. Once it seemed like Lee had even protected him from discovery just as Sabastian had always looked after Lee.

Sorry, my mind wandered off for a bit there,


Sabastian almost laughed. Both of them were sitting there speaking and thinking of things that made them remember harder times, sadder times and then apologizing for it. It wasn’t Jono’s fault he remembered things. It wasn’t anyones fault. “ Don’t worry about it, so did mine. Let’s see, what to do in the City? There’s always the tourist attractions. The Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Empire state Building, you know those things. For the rest of us, theres movie theatres, parks, secret club meetings, bars, restraunts, and stuff like that. You can do pretty much what you want anywhere, it’s about like any other city. Good people to talk to and then most of them are people you want to steer clear of, or rather that’s what it was like where I lived.” His eyes grew hard as he remembered times that they’d beat up on Lee. “ My plans today were to unpack, call around, and maybe visit my family. If were here long enough I figured I’d spend Christmas with them.” He looked back at Jono, “ I don’t need a babysitter Jono, and I don’t take kindly to being followed either. I know how to handle myself here.”

[deeb]

Jono listened to all of Sabastian's suggestions. They were all pretty good and to be honestly, as long as he didn't have to go indoors much or talk, he could even likely participate. But he'd promised Emma that he'd look after the Hellions and he wasn't going to let them run off en masse without him. Then he heard Dark Matter's plans for the day.

“My plans today were to unpack, call around, and maybe visit my family. If were here long enough I figured I'd spend Christmas with them.” Sabastian paused and looked at Jono, “I don't need a babysitter Jono, and I don't take kindly to being followed either. I know how to handle myself here.”

Chamber snorted mentally. < Mate, I'm just following Old Mum's orders, > he reminded him. Sabastian had surely been around the school long enough to undestand how much Emma Frost cared about her students, especially the Hellions, her mutant students. Although she would never come out and say it, it was too bloody damn obvious to miss. And she was paranoid about their safety, which is why they were here. He figured it couuldn't hurt to remind Dark Matter of this.

< And we're all being tailed, so you're just going to have to bloody well get over it. I was a Hellion before, and things haven't changed all that ruddy much since I left. > He chuckled mentally and looked over at Sabastian. < Are the uniforms still that horrid shade of pink? >

[darkmatter]

Sabastian folded his arms when Jono snorted. Sure he was following Madames orders, but Sabastian had his reasons. He also knew however that he shouldn't take it out on Jono as tempting as it seemed. Jono couldn't do anything about it Sabastian knew that, but it didn't help. He didn't want anyone following him, He didn't want it to be noticed that he was being followed, and he certainly didn't want attention brought to his family. Not after the many years he'd spent protecting it. " So that's what she was talking about in the foyer. Who are we being tailed by?"

Sabstian swallowed his pride and anger, he'd just sneak off or loose them in the city, that was all. For now however, he'd have a good time with an old friend. though Sabastian had suspected it, the knews that Jono actually was an old Hellion was a surprise. So Jono knew practically everything about the Hellions and more probably. Sabstain grinned as Jono mentioned the uniforms. " Oh god! Yes they are! You'd think as much as Madame cared about us she'd figure out how the guys feel about them. Of course with her, she probably knows and is ignoring us."

He shook his head and chuckled as he thought about all the guys dressed up in pink, " But I do think she's changed the style since you were a Hellion. At least they look a little masculine now... as masculine as you can get in pink."

[deeb]

A hallow chuckle bounced around in Sabastian's mind as he digressed about the Hellions' skintight, revealing fuchsia uniforms. < I think it's the latter, old chap, > he remarked wryly. < Shall we see if Sharon and Rusty up to a bit of sightseeing? > Normally, he wasn't the tourist sort, but in winter, in a huge metropolis like New York City, he was just another bloke bundled against the cold.

He concentrated, sending his mind out to Rusty. He was asleep, so Jono decided not to disturb him. He'd seemed nervous about coming here anyway. Jono moved onto Catseye. Her mind was a touch strange, but he didn't plan to be in it long. < Hullo Kitten, > he greeted. < Sabastian and I were thinking of doing bit of sightseeing. You want to join us, luv? >

He also sent a psychic message to the man Emma called Forge. < Hey, old chap, > he greeted. < I know we haven't had a chance meet proper like, but I'm Jonothon Starsmore. You can call me Jono. Anyway, Sabastian and I are going out for a bit. See the sights, that sort of thing. Sharon might come too. Can you keep an eye on the rest of the lot, then? >

That done, he left his mind partially open for responses, turning his attention to Sabastian again. < So, where to after you lot eat breakfast? > he asked. < Or should we wait to decide until we know if Sharon wants to tag along? >

[darkmatter]

Sabastian's grin widened as Jono voiced his opinion on Madames suits. He definantly agreed with Jono there, but he had wanted to give her the benifit of the doubt. At least that was settled.

When Jono talked about going into the city, Sabastian's heart fell a bit, though he didn't show it. If he agreed to go he'd have to wait to see his family. There was no way he was going to bring an fire filled man and a cat girl to where he lived. No offense to thme but that wasn't exactly fading into the background like he wanted to do. It occured to Sabastian that Jono might be doing that just to keep an eye on Sabastian, but he quickly pushed that thought from his mind. Jono might be under orders, but he wasn't mean.

" Well... I guess you need some one to keep you on track. I wouldn't go walking around with maps. It shouts out that your a tourist and you have no idea what your doing. Not smart in this city."

He stood up from the bed as Jono preocupied himself with contacting others.

" My lot? I'll have you know that I don't eat breakfast. We'll wait for Sharon. I don't think it's a good idea to leave her here. She might get an itch to get out and go in cat form. then she'll get lost, change back, and you know what that means. However if you'd like a more polite reason. We wouldn't be gentlemen to not take her."

[Catseye]

Sharon replied, < I'll be right there. Don't leave without me. > and soon appeared at the door.

"Are going for city? Grew up here. Know everything."

Truth be told, she was really looking forward to showing them around the park, seeing if everyone still watched for a sighting of the lion that was told to roam the area. It had been a few years, but some of those guys were pretty obsessed.

[deeb]

Chamber shook his head when Dark Matter told him he didn't eat breakfast. It'd been four years since he'd eaten anything. He'd happily eat any meal put before him if he could. He didn't say anything to Sabastian about it, as he heard Sharon's mental reply. He pulled on his duster and grabbed a dark gray scarf, using it to cover his bandaged face.

Sharon appeared in the doorway, apparently ready to go. She offered to show him around too, saying she grew up here. Well, with two natives, they shouldn't bloody well get lost as least. He appraised Catseye's clothing. < You had better grab a change of clothes, kitten, > he suggested, pulling a rumpled looking black leather backpack from the bag he was carrying. He used it to carry spare bandages and shirts in case he needed them. He tossed it to her. < 'Ere luv, toss them in there. I'll carry it for you. >

[Catseye]

She shrugged and ran back to her room, returning shortly with some warmer clothes tucked inside the bag. Handing it back over to him, she smiled. "Better."

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she looked up at the two. "Where are going?" She didn't really care where they went in the city, but was still hoping that they would be able to stop off in the park. She looked out the window, admiring the view. She wasn't too fond of heights, but she would deal with it.