Where are we now (Tag Cyke, then open to all Xmen)

[Kami]

The dream always starts out the same. Always.
I'll be jamming' with my band on stage, having a great time, playing my song 'Sheena is a punk rocker' by the Ramones.
The crowd is having a blast, the pit is hopping, and everything looks pretty cool.
It's what comes next that changes.
Only now a days, the changes aren't as subtle as they used to be.
I never know where the nightmare will end up anymore.
This time, everything burns. A giant wave of fire just flows through the room, incinerating everything in it's path.
Now covered in fur, I feel the flames differently, my whole body going up in an instant.
I wake up screaming, sitting up right in bed.
Cutting the scream off, I flop back down, moaning a bit as I start to remember where I am.
Thank the Gods I still have my collar. With my powers turned off, I don't break things with them when these things happen.
After catching my breath, I realize I'm in my new room. At Greymalkin.
Surprise Surprise, the world's gone back to 'normal'.
Almost.
Reaching up to the collar, I click a button that gives me my powers back, and I can sense that Alice isn't in the room. We're roommates now. I think that's Dr. Grey's bright idea of keeping me from going completely anti social.
I've only left this room to do work, helping Bea... Dr. McCoy build the Danger Room, and his labs, and the Cerebra... pretty much any technical thing in this building needing work.
Cyke brought in a real mechanical guy named Forge to help, so my assistance wasn't always needed, or when it was, I was never left alone with... him.
Working next to.. Dr. McCoy has proven one thing to me, he doesn't remember a thing.
Not one thing...
But I can't bring myself to focus on that fact. The pain and confusion, isn't helping me act like nothing happened. Instead of rehashing it again, I drag myself out of bed.
I'm supposed to meet Cyclops, to get an image inducer, like the one Prof. Wagner uses. That way, I can pretend nothing ever happened, just like everyone else here.
Looking in the mirror, I toss on some shorts and a tank top, not wanting to fight with too much clothing over fur, and head into the shadows, going down the hall trying my best not to be seen.
I was heading to Cyclop's new office, but his scent leads me to a balcony instead, where he seems to be going over things with himself... I can hear mumbling, even if I can't hear the words clearly.
I knock, before sticking my head out, ears perked up.

Mr. Summers? I'm here to pick up that image inducer now.

[Cyclops]

It's morning now. Hell, it's been morning for the past 7 hours or so. Only difference is the sun is in the sky now, casting a shadow over the hills. Hadn't really noticed. Been standing here on this balcony since two in the morning. I haven't been able to sleep soundly since that day. Every time I close my eyes, I can still see it all, flashing in bits like an old film reel. The darkness, the pain, the screams from those I was order to hunt down. The pieces of the final battle, with Apocalypse and Madelyne and so many others I can't remember.

Sometimes I can't even remember how it turned out. I envy those that don't remember the whole thing at all. To them, it was just enough to see the mansion in ruins to make them afraid. That's why were here now. From that moment on, I realized something had to be done. A change had to be made. For the good of all....

*exhales* Who are you kidding, Summer? You know what this is about. You scared. Your trying to justify this whole thing by saying it for the good of us all. It is true, that things had to change. We've been saying the same lines for years and accepting it as gospel, when we need to look at the immediate picture. But in reality, that's not why your doing this.

It's about her. You've finally come to the realization that she's not coming back. And your trying to push it out of your mind and move on with your life. Your burying yourself in a project that is too much for one guy to handle alone. It's amazing you still have friends willing to help you make this happen, even if they don't fully understand. After everything that we've been through, I'd half expect some of them to shy away from me, especially after the things that I've done. But they don't remember, and few that done try to push it away and carry on like normal. I just hope I'm not leading them into a disaster.

"Alright Emma, what now? What would we do now? I make the decisions, you come up with some reason to back me up on it. So where do we go from here?"

A knocking sound startled me, and broke me away from my train of thought. I turn to see it was Kami, asking me about the image inducer I promised her. The poor girl needs it. Considering what all she's been through, and the fact that she's one of the few that remember what's happened, she needs something to help make her feel calm and normal. Even if it's only 'skin deep.'

"Oh! Kami. You started me. Well, it's in my office, so let's go get it."[/blue]

I motioned to her to follow me as we walk down the hallway to my new office. I'm still getting use to this one. Seems a tad smaller than the old one, but I'm not complain too much. I open a drawn and pull out a box and hand it to her.

"This should help you to blend in like everyone else. You'll still have to watch you tail. Just cause it's out of sight doesn't mean it's not there. So how are you feeling otherwise?"[/blue]

[Kami]

I do believe he just said Emma's name... my hearing's enhanced pretty good in my new fox form. And he looks like I startled him.
Hope I didn't interrupt some telepathic date... or something.
He says I startled him, and that's when it hits me, I don't think I've ever truly seen Scott Summer's startled before... Heck even when we met, and I took control of the blackbird sling shotting it in reverse.

Sorry about that.

He motions me over to his office to get it, and I fall behind him easily, going through the halls to his office.
He hands me a box, and reminds me about my tail, and I open it as he asks me how I'm doing, instantly putting it on, checking out the buttons as a way to keep my eyes off him as I answer the question.

Still having nightmares worse than before things happened... but thanks to my collar, I haven't done any structural damages over it.

Scott knows I remember everything. Even if I haven't gone into details for anyone.
So far, the things I have told him have helped me duck some things.
I'm supposed to get a typical 'xmen checkup' with the 'team doctor' over my new form, and Scott's let me slide on that for now.
He doesn't know that having to let Dr. McCoy medically go over my body will lead to... bad results, but he is aware that I fear him finding out the new mutation was his own creation.

By the way, Mr Summers, I like the new set up you have here.
I don't know if anyone's mentioned it or not, but this new place is really great.
San Fran accepting mutants... even immolating the super hero costumes and such, the whole change of environment, was a great idea.
Getting the younger ones out of all of the constant hate and weird looks from 'being from that creepy Xavier's place' every time they went into town on leave, is going to do more good than you know.

It's slightly amazing too, the change in atmosphere.
Being more accepted, leaves allot more lightness in the halls of the new place.
I hit the button on the image inducer, and watch as the fur on my arms appears as skin.
I turn around to show off the image.

Does it look like I used to?

[Beast]

[glow=navy,2,300][/glow]"Oh Plato wept, this new system configuration just won't do at all. What were those contractors thinking, 240 AC for whats Clearly labeled as a 600 volt conduit...."
Muttering to myself, I pull my not inconsiderable mass from behind the Negative Zone capacitor I was attempting to install my lab, studying the power hookups on the back end, and comparing with what would appear to be a conventional Home Dryer hookup on the other end....What the devil were these idiots looking at when they put in this conduit.

[glow=navy,2,300]"Its a blasted fusion reactor, it could power all of Frisco if we hooked it into the mainline..."[/glow]

Shaking my head, I reach into one of the pockets of my lab coat and extract the specially designed PDA that resides there, carefully typing in an additional order for a power conduit. I'll just have to do without extra dimensional transporters until the parts come in...and then I get to spend a perfectly lovely evening crawling through the maintence tunnels like some blasted diehard rip off.

Shaking my head with annoyance, I reposition myself behind my desk, considering the jumble of computers, electronic hardwear, genetic equipment, and various other widgets scattered about the lab. With the danger room online and the Cuckoos calibrating Cerebra I'd decided to spend today moving my new equipment into its quarters, but aparently I'm going to have rewire the whole damn thing from scratch...

The worst thing about the whole move has been the mystery of it. For me, it was waking up in a smoking ruin, the mansion laid to waste by what I believe to have been a manifestation of the phoenix force...although my specific recollections on that event draw a near complete blank. I can surmise based upon the aparent alterations that some of us have been through that Something happened...but I really have no idea what. Nor have Scott seen fit to enlighten me any further on the matter. I almost get the impression that I'm being sheltered in that regard...though from what I cannot imagine. What more, even considering it seems to bring on these blinding headaches...such as now...

Reaching to a handy bottle of advil I pop the top with a paw, and then down three of the small white pills, taking it with a half cold mug of coffee. Turning my attention instead to the PDA now laying on my desk. I should really go brief Scott on how things are going....

Absently, I shed my lab coat, stretching my muscles to their full extent and then casually bounding out of my office and down the hall, quickly moving through the complex and to where our dear leader's office is. Arriving just in time for the familar flash of an image displacer...and finding Her standing there.

As much confusion as the new world has caused me, none is worse than what has happened with Kami...Before this, I can remember her as a bright, cheerful woman. Beautiful, exciting in ways I really prefer not to dwell on...Now though, she seems introverted. Scared really. Not to mention the unusual secondary mutation she's manifested...which I must admit have done nothing to reduce her allready stunning appearence. She is even more beautiful now...and oddly familar...

There goes that headache again.

Noting her newfound holoinducer, I give her a shy smile as best me leonine features can provide, and give her a quite, nervous hello, shifting my gaze to Cyclops almost immediately. Trying in vain not to wonder what she looks like under the inducer.

[glow=navy2,300]"Good Morning Scott, just stopped by to run through the morning numbers with you. We're about 92% complete on getting everything up and running...Some minor problems with some of the construction work we needed to contract out for, but with the exception of some true stupidity in my office design everything seems to be perfectly within what we wanted. I think we'll be fully online by tonight, early tomorrow at the latest..."[/glow]

[Girlzilla]

Despite timezone changes, redeye flights, new surroudings and even the first real bed Ive gotten to sleep in since I grew, I guess Im an early bird. I still wake up just before the sun. Kami's asleep still, her tail twitching as she dreamed. As quietly as my heavyweight body allows me to, I shift out of my bed, feeling the shocks and suspension system working, compensating my movments as I slip down to the floor. I pause onyl to grab my morning supplies so I can freashen up, heading to the restroom. I close the door behind me before flicking on the lightswitch.

And it takes all my willpower to look in the mirror.

Looking back at me is my reflect, same as it has always been. Brown hair, fair skin, standing there in my T-shirt and flannel pants. I let out an audiable sigh of relife as I touch my face, feeling the smoothness. No scales. Just me. Its alright, everythings alright.

"liar"

I mumble, turning the mirror away. Im lying again, lying to myself this time. Everyhtings not ok. Pretendings that Ive always been like this, is not ok. Ignoring the memories which hunt me night and day, is not ok. Lying to everyone, people who trust me, people who care about me, Is not ok. Lying...about the people who I hurt....is not ok.

People I killed.....people I ate....these things are not ok.

But as much as it disgusts me, looking at my reflection, I cant....I cant deal with it. Not now, not ever. It didnt happen, I dont remember. It was all just a bad dream. I dont have to...I can just forget. One breath at a time, I manage to calm myself down again, and go about my morning routine, brushing my teeth, washing my hair. I emerge again from the restroom and head out. I dont have classess till later, but I head out anyway. Not to get breakfast, not to do homework. Just to get out for now.

I walk the grounds, feeling the warm sun on my face, finding some small comfort there. I like it here I guess, its a little more famaliar to my home in japan. I wonder if all of this...reality warping...what my home is like now. Probably much the same. I havnt talked with my parents yet, not at all. I keep meaning to, but I think if I do, I'll break inside, and I'll tell them that their daughter is a abominable creature who kills people with gleeful ease and picks the meat from their bones.

I try not to think about that either, but even the sun and breeze can cover up the thoughts.

I head back to my room, finding kami is missing. Flipping on the lights, I spot a bullaton board mounted on the wall. I put it up there to keep track of things, and to help keep Kami from toally isolating herself from everyhting else. She's got it worse than me. She remembers, and she cant ignore it. She cant forget. So I act like everyhtings fine, help her through this. If she can make it through, I know I can.

On the board, theres a note reminding me and kami that we need to go through some of the online applications for the band. And right next to that is the memo about her 'image inducer'. So she'll probably be with Headmaster summers. I gather myself, promising to hold together for another day as I head to the office.

There, I find a group already waiting for me. Along with Kami, back now in her old self, theres professor McCoy, Kami's instructor when it comes to everything involving science a step beyond the material not covered in usual classes. Feeling a bit out of place, and more than a little like I might be inturrupting something I look away, a little embaressed. "Sorry, I was just looking for Kami to go over some stuff...It can wait, if your busy."

[Conduit]

* Man... it's been a rough couple of months.*

* It was hectic enough with the school getting attacked out of the blue like that. I barely remember anything about it.... by the time the dust settled the place was thoroughly trashed. Man, that squad of lame-o's really did a number on the old place.*

* I found Alice outside... puking her guts out, and Kami... well, to say she's changed is an understatement. Some kind of Secondary Mutation kicked in during the battle. Duncan was just 'hanging out', giving me a 'hey' without the usual insult he flings. Sidney, Robin, and Kat where found to be allright... even if we where kind of wishing Kat hadn't been. Everybody present and accounted for.... everyone accept Lukas.... *

* We never even found him. It was like he just disappeared. 'Poof'... just like that.*

* Afterward we salvaged what we could, then moved to the other side of the continent, the West Coast Avengers old turf. It's taken a while to get over the jet lag, it was hard enough the first time... Climate change however takes a little more getting used to.*

* It's been kind of lonely having my own room for the time being... I mean I had to bunk with my brother all my life... but then here I finally get a room and its... too quiet. No music, no cat... nothing. Just me and my restless nights. Used to be I'd have these super-cheese dreams, like that opening to kung-fu panda where I'm some ultra badass... only to get pantsed at the end. But now... I've found it hard to sleep, and when I do I'm welcomed by these fragmented nightmares. The kind you don't really remember details but still bother you all day long.*

* doesn't lead to fun days... but I don't think I'm the only one.*

* Ever since we moved over here, Kami and Alice have both seemed... off. Like there's something bothering them. I mean yeah, turning into a fox in battle is probably traumatic, but this seems to go deeper. I'd like to do something... offer some help... but... I don't know if I could be of any help.*

* that kind of thing's never been a strong point. I wouldn't even know where to start.*

* I've already taken care of my assignments... Insomnia helps with that, also helps keep the old 'disaster area' clean. I thought I'd head out and see if Alice was up to join me for breakfast. I'm just opening the door... and nearly run into somebody who I wasn't expecting... let alone expecting to be standing there with a laundry hamper full of stuff.*

" Woah... hey Dunan... uh, whats with all the stuff?"

[Duncan]

Duncan was quiet as he pulled his belongings from their places in drawers and on shelves and placed them into a laundry basket. He wasn't sure yet if he liked the idea of having a real room mate, sharing an apartment with his mother didn't really count. She was never really around anyway. He had to admit that their relationship since the attack on the X-mansion had been much better. It was still off, still uncomfortable, but they had eased into a pattern and they didn't fight anymore. Not much anyway.

Duncan hadn't even raised an argument when she had told him that he was moving in to the new institute with the rest of the students. He really wasn't that angry about it. A little uneasy at moments, when he remembered that first battle against the freaks in the wasteland, the one where he had been attacked by an entire contingent of Zombie students . . . among others. He wasn't entirely sure he was ready to see those same students again. At least this time they would be alive.

Duncan's eyes lifted from the drawers to a shelf nearby. His mother had put up a series of pictures, most of them separated by only weeks, of him as a child. He made a face and turned away from them. He found he wasn't as mad about all of that anymore either. Actually, he felt rather numb about pretty much everything. After a while it got hard to be mad at everything.

His mother was waiting at the foot of the steps that led down from her apartment. They didn't speak as they walked to her car, or as she dropped him off at Grey Malkin. It wasn't that they weren't talking to each other, they just didn't have anything to talk about. He was okay with that.

It wasn't until he was standing outside of the room he had been assigned and the door opened to reveal Chris that Duncan realized how messed up that battle had been. Sometimes he still had dreams about it, but he always knew they were dreams. Seeing Chris in front of him now brought the image back full force for half a second, and he was forced to blink the memory away.

"Hey. Move." Duncan shouldered by the stunned Chris, pushing his way into the room and setting his basket down on the bed that didn't look slept in, "What's it look like, I'm moving in." The comment wasn't snide, it was just a statement. Flat and empty. It was a good cover for how he actually felt. It felt good to know that Chris was okay, it felt good to know that everything might actually have rewound, in a sense. He hadn't bothered to find out who had come back, who remembered and who hadn't. He wondered absently if he had been afraid to know. but shrugged it off.

"Are you just going to stand there, or where you going somewhere." He had been watching Chris for a long moment, but now he returned to his basket, which apparently carried nothing but clothes and a large back of mini peanut butter cups, the Reese's kind, "Cause seriously, if you are just going to stare at me I'm going to rethink think putting up with a room mate."

Not that they both didn't know he had no choice in the matter. Duncan looked up, and for a moment he almost smiled, that old, sardonic amusement, but in the end he just raised an eyebrow.

"Nerd."

[Hawthorn]

I toss and I turn in bed, then I kick the blankets off. And I scream out father that blasted nightmare always haunts me just about every night ever since what happened back at the old school for the life of me I wish I could remember what happened. I only remember bits and pieces and what is worst is that what I do remember are horrible and the awful things I did other people such as poison them with deadly herbs and potions, the screams of horror ring in my ears when someone died.
I sit straight up in bed gasping for air. My tee-shirt is soaked through from sweating badly. I feel a cold nose tough my free hand it’s my little Ferret named Timber he is trying to calm me down he knows I have bad dreams. A moment later I sit at the edge of bed with a hand on my face. After a few minutes I’m calmed down enough. Standing up looking at the clock it is about 5 am, sun won’t be up for a little while. Walking over to the dresser grabbing the clothes I’m going to wear, a towel, soap, shampoo and cream rinse. I head down to the boy’s bathroom flipping on the lights, shedding my soaked tee-shirt and lounge pants I take a shower. I head back to my room grab my books I know there is some homework that needs to be done before class, putting them into the backpack.

Walking over to the side of the bed there is a large corner cage in it is Timber this is his home, taking him out of the cage I hold him for a moment then I put him in small travel cage.

I head out to Storm’s herb garden and her exotic flower garden ever since we moved here I found myself to be hanging out here a lot I feel calm and at peace being here, After a couple of months ago I found myself withdrawing from the other students. Until a month ago this very day, I was sitting her doing some of my homework like I always do because of the nightmare waking me up early and it always haunts me. And I’ve been trying to socialize with the other students but I always felt alone. I heard something in the bushes not far from here and I went to see what was in the bushes.

When I pushed the bushes back I saw a little critter who was hurt badly, at first I wasn’t sure what it was. I always carry a pocket book on small animals and large animal for this area. It wasn’t a weasel or a black-footed American ferret it looked like across of both, at the back of the book there was a page that said what I was looking at was a ferret and they were wild but made into pets. It looked like this little ferret escaped from its owner because of something and cat or a dog hurt it really bad carefully placing my hands on the little ferret I used my healing powers to heal some of the more serious injuries and I nursed the ferret back to health with the healing herbs and ointments ever since then both of us have bonded well together. Timber has nursed me back in a huge way; I’m now socializing with the other student. He has helped me get over from withdrawing from the others.

I open the door to the small travel cage, Timber pokes his head out and he chatters to me. I pick him up and hold him in my arms for a few minutes. Then I set him on my shoulder taking out the books and with homework and I start with the easier homework before I turn my attention to herbs. It has been really hard for me when it comes to herbs, I’m afraid that I will use the herb to help someone and hurt them. Slowly but surely I regain my confidence with working with herbs I’m using them; I’m using some of the herbs as a supplement in helping healing people and using my healing powers.
I finish up my homework and the sun has been up for a little while my first class isn’t for another hour I pack up and head back to my room putting Timber back in his cage making sure he has his breakfast and fresh water. I head out of my room to get some breakfast myself. Maybe I’ll see the others there I usually walk by Mr. Summer’s office he is the headmaster of Greymalkin just about everyday he has done a great job getting the place up and running. I see a small group that is gathered there.

I see Kami and looks like she has something to help here, I’ve heard she really got the raw end of deal there is Girlzilla and I also see Professor Dr. McCoy it looks like they are talking.

As I walk by the group I wave to them, “Good morning Mr. Summers, Professor McCoy, Kami and Girlzilla,” Then I turn a corner out of sight leaving them to what they were doing and head to get some breakfast.

[Storm]

The sun rises and it’s another beautiful day warm and sunny. I have been up before the sun attending to my plants in my room. Then I head to my garden outside in the back.

I see that someone has been here the grass besides the herb garden is still lying flat, and it that person is has left to go inside. I know its Hawthorn I know he spends a lot of time out here it must be from what had happened back at the Mansion. I know most of the kids and the adults have gone through something bad, most of them are starting to come around and the healing has begun it will take time to heal.

This has puzzled me a lot as to why nothing has happened to me. All I remember is one minute I was conscious and then I must have blacked out when I came around I saw the Mansion in total ruins.

Scott decides that’s its best if the school relocates. I could see that he at first didn’t want to make the move, in the end he goes with moving. It’s been a couple of months and it seems like the student’s and adults are setting in fairly well and the move from the east coast to the west coast was a good decision on Scott’s part.

The people here seem to accept us with opened arms and a lot more friendly than they were back east. I walk the halls as I head to Scott’s office see if he needs any help with running the place. Poor guy has a lot on his plate, and I can see it’s put on a lot stress for him he really needs my help.

As I come to the hall where Scott’s office is there is a small group there talking to Scott. I see Kami it looks she has an image inducer, I believe that will help Kami very much, I also heard that she really got the worst of any of the others. I also see Beast, and Girlzilla whatever happened back at the Mansion even Scott was affected too.

Scott at time seems a little distant. Hmm that’s odd I just noticed that I’ve haven’t seen Jean or Wolverine since before making the move matter of fact I don’t recall seeing after I came around and seeing the Mansion in ruins, have a feeling something happened to them as well I do hope they are okay. It looks like the group is talking to Scott. I don’t like to interrupt them, I approach the group but I stand off to the side I wait for a moment before I speak, “Morning Kami, Alice, Hank, and Scott. I don’t want to interrupt you guys, Scott when you have a minute I would like to speak to you in your office.”

[Firekat]

*Ahh... don't you just love the smell of pacific air in the morning? The warm breeze welcoming you to a bright new day? A lot better than that draft you picked up back at that moldy old dump.*

* Been a couple months since we re-located back home... my home. It took a little getting used to, what with the construction and all, but once they got done just took a little interior decorating, a few shopping sprees, and it's just like my old room. At least now that I'm on the right coast I can get a little more allowance out of daddy.*

* And thanks to being in Frisco, where their a little friendlier to Mutants than other places, nobody seems to care when your's truly flies over the bay for a mid-afternoon shopping spree. That's what's important... I'm home, home with my own people, people who understand me... not having to congregate with the sorry bunch of losers I was last shipped off to.*

* Speaking of wich...*

* Little miss sunshine isn't so sunshiney anymore. Her or the Spazzy mutt. Yeah, we have TWO fur-balls now... some stupid crap about mutations or something. Like I should care. Only thing that matters is they've thankfully toned it down. It is satisfying... seeing that not-so-little brat taken down a few notches... even better watching that little nerd try oh so desperately to cheer her up.*

* The only bad thing is that we left someone behind.... Lukas. Just typical, they keep the spaz, the nerd, and gigantass... but the only cute guy just disappears. Probably chased off by his roommate's constant yammering about Star Trek. Almost makes me want to cry... what we could have had; nights on the Riviera, a house in the alps, an account at Tiffany's, and all that. No chance of anybody like that coming along again.*

*But whats a girl to do?*

* I just stand there in front of the mirror... drying my hair, then getting ready for the school day. I try not to look at it but it's still there, staring back at me, poking out from under my towel. I stop, and run my finger along it... the scar. I watch myself as I follow it, running it almost like I where giving the sign of the cross. My eyes burn a little... must have gotten an eyelash in there or something. It....it's nothing. Old news left buried in the remains of that musty old DUMP. Those freaks are all dead and that little rat...*

* I'll just have to take consolation in him being locked up for the rest of his miserable life.*

* It doesn't take long to get dressed... having already picked out what I'm wearing. A nice little ensemble I bought on my last shopping spree. Not that fancy, designer jeans and a top that actually goes down past my navel, and a little black cats head on it. Just grab my bag and head on down the hallway for breakfast, ready to turn plenty of heads on my way out.*

* Just another beautiful day in California.*