Reunions (Tag-Kami, Kat, Hastur)

[N.P.C.]

((The following events take place before fracture))

* How long has it been?*

* Ever since the encounter, being left down-for-the-count like that after a minor wound, I've just lost all track of time. Waking up in unfamiliar territory with no idea of what happened, and not a familiar face to greet me. Coming back to find the Mansion in ruins with everything and everyone having just uprooted and left.*

* Only found out where they moved to thanks to articles in the paper, but it wasn't the usual grind. None of the 'scary mutants set up base for puppy kicking and stealing children' jive. Frisco gave them a heroes welcome, practically welcomed everybody with open arms. Better than any other place you'd expect.*

* It hasn't been easy... and even with my talents it's taken time, but I've finally Arrived. Nice new place they've put up. Like a cross between a tech school campus and a community center... but like the old place, I'm sure this is just a friendly face for the community... the real action hidden from prying eyes.*

* I see so many running around the campus... many I don't even recognize. It takes a while before I find her... Sheena. Sitting on a bench under a tree. She's changed a lot since the last time I've seen her, and probably has a lot of weight on her shoulders. I put on a happy face and give her a bit of a wave as I'm walking up.*

"Hey stranger... hows it hangin?"

[Kami]

Since I never expected the world to go back to 'normal', it never occurred to me how I would have to re-learn how to handle my Axe with claws.
I still know how to play, and I can make notes.
The issue is that I have no dexterity with precision in fingering this way.
and that means running through basic chords, to get the fingers nimble and used to the new form.
I finally got an amp, Alice and I have been rounding up some extra equipment for the band... and this one has some nice settings.
Nice as in, right now, it's set to what I like to call 'me': unless you're sitting by me, you can't hear it. But I can.
And I can hear how many notes I miss every scale...
Oy. I'm so far out of practice.
If I have to stay sober during the day, to keep Duncan from worrying over me, I need something to do.
Sitting still with my brain moving overtime is Hell, and just makes me want to run to my room to grab the bottle of Jose Quervo I know is waiting on me.
I hit a sour note, and cringe, setting my fingers back to the start of the scale to go over it again, but a voice interrupts me, and I look up shocked.

"Talia! Oh my Gods! How have you been?"

I hate to say it, but I haven't seen Talia, or thought of her, since the Mansion was destroyed and everything changed.
I set my Axe on the bench, motioning for her to join me on my other side.

[N.P.C.]

* Kami's sitting there on a bench, practicing on her guitar. She looks a little worn out, could have a lot on her mind. That and she looks frustrated... like she's about to 'el-kabong' that guitar all over the courtyard. Keeps playing... but then breaking off like she's fumbled and starts over again. I dunno what the problem would be... it sounds fine to me.*

* Once I introduce myself she looks up, completely dumbfounded, almost like she's just seen a ghost. After she snaps out of it, she asks how I've been as she motions me to join her on the parkbench... setting her guitar down. I smile warmly, and take a seat.*

" Been doing great. Some things are still a bit fuzzy, but I'm doing much better than I was before."

* I pause, taking in the whole courtyard... listening to everything that's going on as I just watch some clouds float by. For a school for superheroes, it's such a nice, peaceful place. It'd be horrible if anything interrupted it. Speaking of interruptions...*

" Hey... what happened anyway? One minute we're fighting off those weirdo's, and the next I'm waking up in a hospital. Didn't even know where everybody went to."

* I ask in an inquisitive, yet still slightly distraught, tone. My feet swinging under the bench, dragging along the dirt as I hope for her to fill in the blanks. A meek little smirk forming on my lips.*

"Almost like you guys forgot about me or something."

[Kami]

She smiles, taking a seat, and starts a quick explanation of 'catch up'... that fits perfectly with what I'd expect.
She was in the med-bay when the Mansion was destroyed.
I wasn't privy to any information on her after that.
And... the entire reality warping of CoA took the focus off of everything.
She must have fallen through the cracks during our move to Graymalkin.
When she says it's like we forgot about her, I feel doubly glad for my fur, and my image inducer, she can't see me blush at the humility of it being truth.

"I'm sorry Talia.
Things haven't been the same.
When you slipped into coma, the mansion was destroyed, horrible things were done, and we were forced to move on."

I give her an honest look of sympathy and guilt,

"They never told us what happened to everyone in the move.
We've all been so focused on trying to rebuild, to start again.
I'm sure when they moved you to the hospital, it was because you couldn't be stable enough to be moved all the way across states."

[N.P.C.]

* A lot must have happened to everybody, her voice taking a solemn tone as she vaguely gives me the low down on what all happened. The mansion destroyed, horrible things happening, and then they all had to move. She looks at me, while her face seems a little 'off', I can see an honestly sympathetic look on her face... real remorse in her voice. It sounds like after all that happened, having to focus on moving and rebuilding, they couldn't keep tabs on everyone. Says after all of that a hospital stay was probably safer than a cross-state trip.*

* I smile, meekly, a sympathetic look forming on my own face.*

"I'm sure it wasn't intentional or anything... it was probably the best option for everybody. Better to fade away than burn out I guess."

* It kind of seems a bit awkward, but it's better than nothing. There's a little awkward moment where I just sit, staring up at the clouds passing. I mean what else is there to say? Forgive and forget, y'know? It's time to try to put these abandonment issues behind.*

* I turn toward Kami, smiling.*

"So, how's everybody else doing? Is Chris ok? After all of that he had to be really shook up."

* How could I forget? It wouldn't be right not asking how the little guy's doing.*

[Kami]

Talia gets a sympathetic look on her face, bucking up to everything like a trooper.
I still feel bad that I forgot all about her.
She asks about Chris, and I think about the incident she got injured in, while we tried to save him from those U-Men that Trojan sold us out too.
That feels like lifetime ago, really.

"Chris was shaken up over that a little bit. But he got better.
After you ended up in the infirmary, a few of us found out who was behind everything.
One of our own was selling us out to the bad guys.
It took a bit of work, but we managed to get that all wrapped up for the better in the end.
Once we found out that jerk David was behind it all, even the flare ups in the Danger Room, things seemed to get settled pretty quickly.
I believe letting Chris help fight the U-Men in the final battle, helped him get past it.
If you remember Kat, he was trying to use her as his scapegoat, and I mistakenly drug her down to one of the U-Men's base.
Those punks... I can't tell if it was stupidity, or just plain carelessness, but it's like they weren't even trying to hide.
I took Kat to their front door practically, never thinking it would be that easy to find them.
Well, of course, we weren't prepared to be knocking on their real front door, so her and I got into a bit of trouble there, and Chris and the others had to come get us out.
So that situation was resolved, even for Chris.
Getting to beat up the bad guys, and save your friends, has a way of healing a bit."

I sit on the bench beside her, absently running my fingers over my image inducer.
Time skipped a beat for the whole world.
Where was Talia when things turned Apocalyptic?
Man... I want a drink....

"Since everything went to Hell and back, Chris still seems to be doing pretty good. He and Alice are dating now. They make a really cute couple too."

I stop talking, running out of things to tell her about Chris.
I concider him one of my closest friends. But ever since that U-Men deal, I've felt a little distance between us.
In shaking him out of his shock, I think I pushed him away a bit.
And since we've all been here at Graymalkin, I haven't really tried to be close to anyone at all, let alone bridge that gap I made back then.
Sitting here, next to Talia, of all people, makes me feel just slightly odd about having my image inducer activated.
Keeping it for the others, so they can believe things never even happened, is one thing.
But hiding from those that have it allot worse off... seems wrong.
Talia looks like a demon. As Nightcrawler does.
Looking so close to something concidered extremely evil, has got to be loads harder than looking like some anime fox-girl.
And she's never used an image inducer, even though her father does, that I've ever noticed.
I look around us, seeing who's about, and if anyone's paying attention.
There are a few studants about, but no one I know close enough to notice things I try to hide.
I look back at her,

"Things have changed allot lately. Everyone's gone through allot.
I've started using an image inducer like your dad, though not for the same reasons.
He uses it so strangers don't jump up and try to rally a mob of locals with pitchforks and crosses against him.
I use mine, because no one here wants to remember anything happened. And... my changes are a bad reminder to me."

I turn the image inducer off, showing her my new form, asking the question burning in my mind,

"So, you were in a coma when the Mansion was destroyed. When did you wake up?
Did you miss time skipping a beat?
Or did you go through things too?"

[N.P.C.]

* Kami still seems shaken up by my popping back up like this. She remenisces... recalling how they found the mole, then she and the fire-girl tried to go after them, got caught, and the rest of the class rescued them. I just nod as I listen. She says the kid might have been shaken up by everything, but he's doing better.... even started going out with giant girl. I can't help but smile at that one.*

" That has to be one tricky relationship."

* All the while I can't help but notice that Kami's listless... anxious... she's nervously running her fingers over some kinda pager or something on her hip. Feelings of guilt and shame all bubbling up inside of her. Along with a faint hint of... something. Not emotional, a smell, one of those instances you just can't place something but you know it. She looks around, like she's making sure that nobody can see her.*

* I blink as she starts talking, throwing around some things I'm not familiar with. That's when she drops the bombshell. She clicks that pager off, and in a second that sweet ginger face of hers fades away, revealing the makeover she was alluding to. I get a few moments to look it over... before responding with an upbeat smile.*

" Wow... Funky."

* What's not to like about this 'foxy' makeover? Her body covered with a healthy orange coat, a big fluffy tail, and a set of big pointed ears. It's natural... unlike being blue and Elfie. Well... aside from having to stay away from England in the spring.*

* Still... back on track... back when she wanted to know if I was awake for a 'time skip' she had a grim tone in her voice... the kind that gives you a foreboding feeling. She was uncomfortable enough flipping off her pager... let alone bringing this up.*

" I'm sorry... but I only woke up a couple months ago. The worst I had to go through was dealing with that nasty hospital food. Ugh."

* I shake my head and make a little 'ick' face, shuddering at the thought of 'mystery meat and jello'. Nasty stuff. Silliness aside... I can tell this is really troubling her, and I doubt that this is something she really wants to be talking about out here.*

" Tell ya what... maybe we should continue this inside. I mean the courtyard isn't exactly the best place to be talking about stuff like this. With all the traveling I've done to get here, I'm in the mood for more comfortable surroundings."

* I say, standing up and offering her a her my hand for an anchor to get on her feet. Right before I make kind of a shy admission.*

" Plus... I'm kind of in a mood for a belt. When we're done... maybe we can take off somewhere."

* I stand there with an awkward smile, waiting with baited breath to see what she says.*

[Kami]

Talia's response to my change, is fitting for her really.
She shows surprise, but not shock or horror.
The way she says 'Funky' actually makes me smile a little.
I figured if anyone, she'd be the less concerned about my change.
My ears perk forward in anticipation of her answer to my last few questions, but droop only slightly as she says she woke up in the hospital, as if everything just moved on while she slept in a coma.
She stands up, offering me her hand, talking about going inside, and I nod. I use her anchor to get to my feet, hitting the image inducer to go back to my usual form as I do.
She mentions wanting to take off in a little bit, and it reminds me of how well that worked the last time....
Her and I going for coffee, turning into a fight to save Chris's life, ending in Talia in a coma. Yeah... going out sounds like it'll be a blast...
I don't say those thoughts out loud, instead smiling and nodding with a shrug,

"Sure. Let's head up to my room. Maybe Alice will be there. She might want to go along with us too."

I take the lead, knowing Talia wouldn't really know the layout of Graymalkin, and it gives me a slight privacy of expression on the trip there.
This is still slightly awkward... the feelings of guilt of just leaving her behind.
Her responses and attitude lessen the guilt, the fact that she doesn't seem to hold any negativity against us for it, but that doesn't make it all right.
You don't just forget your friends.
I wonder how the staff is handling her re-appearance... Of course, Graymalkin isn't just a school like the mansion. It's an embassy for mutants, so they probably welcomed her back openly... But did they forget about her too?
Probably not best to dwell on it. The awkwardness I feel isn't going to go away if I do.
I could really use a drink now.
Finally we make it to the room I share with Alice, I go in, knowing by my Kinetic sense before I see it, that Alice isn't here.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me for now..."

Maybe I can give her a tour of the new digs before we go out, see if others want to join us...

[N.P.C.]

* With the way I saw her mood swing back and forth, her face lighting up at that 'funky' comment... then getting the whole 'sad puppy' thing going once I recall where I woke up, I wasn't sure if she'd take me up on my offer. Sure enough though, she takes my hand and pulls herself up, switching on that doo-hickey. Her face lights up, saying that her roommate might want to come along.*

* I'd rather it be just the two of us... but I just smile and go along with it.*

" Sure... the more the merrier."

* She leads me through the maze-like corridors inside of Graymalkin. One part school, one part military complex, one part embassy. So much to see... so many new faces running all around, all with different powers among them. I'm as distracted by the fresh meat as I am with the new digs. I'm taking in so much I'm almost salivating.*

* We finally make it to her dorm-room. Even before she opens it, she says her roommate isn't in. I'm somewhat relieved. I didn't need any complications with our 'girls day out'.*

* We walk in and... it's really not much to talk about. Two beds, a dresser, and end-table with clock radio. That's it. Kind of anti-climactic really. She walks across the room to put her stuff away, as I hang back to shut the door behind us.*

" Wow... you two don't get out much..."
* I state half in-jest and half... not*

* She just smiles as she moves over to her nightstand... starts getting stuff ready as she's talking about Coffee shops we can go to, and then she starts in about the 'Frisco music scene. Talks about a few mutant bands that have sprouted up around the area... and really..*

* I'm getting tired of all of this shit.*

* She's gotten soft. You'd really think with that foxy makeover she'd have something to show for it. Be able to smell the oil, hear the click. It's not like it's hard to figure out why... you don't need super senses to smell the tequila all over her. Even with her speed detection she doesn't even have a chance to turn around when I pull it out of my purse, and shove the silenced muzzle into her back.*

* A split second later... her body jerks. She tries to keep herself upright... but the shock of the allow cutting into her lower back is sadly too much. She twists on the way down... her eyes moving up to may face, and gets to watch my mouth twist back in a deliciously cruel smirk*

" Surprise."

[Kami]

She mentions we don't get out much, as I put my Axe in it's case, sliding it under the bed.
I look around the room.
I never really have brought much in to decorate with.
Ever since my parents died, and I lost the home they built by not being old enough to sign the paper work... I haven't really put much stock in a building.
Hell. After that, the Mansion was destroyed too.. and we haven't been in this building long.
Home isn't where the heart is. That's a lie.
Home is in the heart of those you care about.
Which, makes forgetting Talia sting all over again.
To cover the sudden uncomfortable silence, I start to ramble a bit, small talk, friendly stuff.

"Let's skip the coffee shop we went to last time. There's a few better than that.
The Daily Perk, Dutch Bros, Wake and Bakery... though that last one is probably for a very different crowd... one of those 24 hour places that people go into wasted to eat before going home to pass out.
Hell maybe we can catch a show soon.
If you've been out for months, and never been to Frisco, you'd love the music scene.
Mutants are so loved here, bands like The Mutates, and even Dazzler are always happening around here.
I'm not a huge fan of Dazzler's type of music, but she puts on an Awesome stage show!
Shame you can't get into bars yet. There are some decent club shows too."

I feel her coming up behind me, but I don't pay it much mind, It's just Talia. And I don't see what hits me when my whole body is hit with a shock that takes away all function and thought instantly.
The pain and shock from it rolls over me, as I hit the floor, and I look up to hear her say surprise.

"Ta... tal..."

I can't even talk. Whatever she hit me with has me completely immobile.
Why is she doing this?
Was she just faking it? Is she trying to get revenge for being left behind?

[N.P.C.]

--- NPC is ?? ?? ---

* Well... that was anti-climactic. It looks like the fur-ball is already down for the count. One widdle buwwet and she's out of it. The poor little thing... crumpled down there on the floor and giving me the betrayed puppy eyes as she tries to stammer out a response. 'Talia... Talia'. I can only imagine how monstrous this face looks right now.... especially to her, just being shot by her 'bestie'.*

* This is just too perfect to ignore. I just can't help but giggle at it. A nice, twisted giggle.*

" Sorry sweetness.... but Talia has left the building....."

* This was good enough while it lasted.... but it's time to let her see who she's REALLY dealing with. I let the image slip. It's not like it is with normal shifters... like the one I tore these powers out of. It changes over in ripples... moving up from my appendages and up my limbs. Some of the patches take a little longer to switch in and out... in both color and texture.*

* And again... she's just on the floor gawking as she basks in my beautiful patchwork form. Stitched-scars criss-crossing my body, some with piercings holding the different shades of ethnicities together. I'm just the psychical embodiment of that ''touchie-feelie'' brotherhood crap. Different skin-tones from all the donors I've had.*

* Man this one is a riot. I still can't help but giggle at the way she's derping.*

" Man you should see the look on your face. I wish I had a camera to save this for posterity.

* I kneel down, right close to her face... looking her right in her betrayed and confused widduw puddy eyes...*

" You don't remember me... do you? Well it HAS been a long time since we tried to take the dweeb for a lift. I had first dibbs on him y'know. But then you and the elf just had to go about and spoil the party..."

* I grab her by her hair and pull her up to me... my teeth grinding together. *

" That... Wasn't... NICE!"

* I just glare at this little bitch. It's because of her... all of this. If she hadn't stuck her nose in everything would be fine. Every ONE would be fine! Gawd I want to kick the shit out of her... but I cant' damage the merchandise. I settle with just throwing her over on the ground... getting back up to look over the piece, checking over the silencer and that, making sure it's all good to go... all the while just casually chatting her up.*

" I was serious about the Make-over. It is nice. All super FOXAY... Especially the ears.... nice and soft and fluffy, and so expressive. I could use another ear. I mean we can't let ALL of your head go to waste when we're done. Kind of wasteful... stealing a head just for a little ole brain-graft."

* I pull out the clip... making sure that there's still an ample amount of ammo to go around. Can't leave anyone without a party favor, can we? That'd be just RUDE!*

" But we can worry about all that decapitating later..."

* My shifting does a little subconscious work of it's own... unnaturally widening the smile on my face as a slap the clip back in. I might have some pointy teeth in there too. Dunno... really need to work on that.*

" It just wouldn't be a party without the bitch and the dweeb... would it?"

" Really... your 'super splodie' powers gotta be centered somewhere in your brain somewhere... I just need a cooler and some ice for the trip... but with the other two I've got to do a little digging around first... start with the less-vital organs... probably be really painful for them to, what with ole Lefty picking around."

* I move over... holding my left hand in front of her face. Yeah, looks all normal... now. Just give it a few moments honey. Oh yes... I can feel it... running up my arm, that burning pain as it starts. Bones re-shifting... skin callusing a twisting up... claws pushing their way out as the flesh on my palm splits open, revealing my own special way for harvesting organs. It kinda looks like a pussy actually... except with the flesh-rending fangs inside and out of it, like on the head of a lamprey, bloody drool frothing at it's maw. Perfectly suited for cutting their way into mutants to suck out the gooey center.*

" Awww... he likes you..."

* Course... things are taking a bit too long here. Monologuing is FUN... but I really got to get this party going. My arm starts to shift back from disgusting knob to stitched and tanned normality. I lean back and savor the pain as everything shifts back the way it was. It's so freaky like that. I walk over to her dresser... pulling a couple belts out of the drawer, and moving back. I snap the one before I wrap it around... making a make-shift muzzle before concentrating on binding her. Can't have her screaming now, can we? When finally done I grab her by her tail and drag her in away from the door... making sure that nobody should spot her when I sneak out.*

* I stuff the piece back in the purse and then I wait a little bit... concentrating, soon the ripple effect takes over again... my patches beginning to change out of synch... before they all come together, taking up my latest mask for this masquerade.*

* I kneel back down to her, looking at her right in the eyes. It must be funny seeing a real-life twin staring her right in the face*

" Well... I'm gonna have to leave you alone for a little bit. Don't worry... you won't be alone for long sweetness."

* I make a little Kissie gesture before I get back up, and move back out into the hallways seeking out my prey.*

* The hunt is on.*

[Kami]

I never got to know Talia as good as I would have liked to.
In our personal attempt at getting to know each other better, we barely even got to order our lattes before the U-Men came in and we had to run to save Chris.
And in the aftermath of all of that, Talia just disappeared.
But... she can't be mad enough to try and kill me... Other than forgetting about her, I never did anything to intentionally hurt her.
And Talia's a hero. Like her father. She's not vindictive or evil...
Somethings not right here, I don't get it.
I try not to moan, as the wave of pain radiates from where she shot me in the back, the pain actually bringing up my Epinephrine, also known as Adrenaline... In most people it would be bringing about a fight or flight response, that could likely get me off the floor and able to confront her.
But I've been trained past such impulses.
Instead of fight or flight as a normal person would react, the chemical reaction acts more as a stimulant, making me crave more physical pain, enjoying the sensations she's already sent rippling through me.
I need to clear my mind... her shot landing in my central nervous center makes that difficult, but she soon provides the proper stimulation for that even, telling me Talia's no longer there, her body starting to ripple, to change.
It's.... it's not Talia at all!
I still can't move, or speak, stuck to watch as she finally says who she is, and why she's here.
I feel things going numb a bit with the shock, she's one of the U-Men... She grabs my hair, ranting about how it wasn't nice of Talia and I to save Chris, and I feel a flutter of panic, what has she done to Talia?
Is Talia some piece inside of this twisted freak?
She tosses me around, and I can't get my body to respond at all, what did she dose me with? If I could just reach my collar... I should be able to counter effect it with a different chemical reaction.
She talks about using my ears, and I wish I could talk. I have so many responses that would piss her off nicely. Make her lose that control.
There's plenty I could say to agg her on in this, and Her next rant sends my blood cold.
She talks about going after Chris and Kat too, putting our organs in a cooler... causing them pain to take their organs out.
She could have kept going on about what she plans to do to me, and I'd want to push her back, but the more she talks about going after Chris and Kat, the more my anger really does turn to fear, and other emotions. Anger and protectiveness is mixed in as well.
I can't let her touch them. I have to get out of this.
She alters her body, to show me some anime styled sucker tube with teeth, and I flinch as I expect her to use it on me, but she stops, going off in the other direction, instead muzzling me from behind so I can't yell.
I couldn't yell anyway... perhaps she expects some of the effects of her first shot to wear off?
My healing factor should speed it up... I hope.
She alters her form again, to take on my old form, telling me I'll have company soon, as she casually walks off in my form to go after my friends.
I've got to get up. I can't let her hurt them...
What did she do to me?

[Firekat]

* I don't know what I was thinking...*

* Things have been kind of lame since that stupid power-swappiness ended. Our powers might have gone to the right place, but that didn't clean up any of the property damage. My room was thoroughly trashed... and now I've been moved in with another class member. Robin. Well... aside from not being able to cross the room without tripping over a stuffed animal and Spongebob, there's not much to complain about boarding with a little kid.*

* What irks me is that I don't have any privacy anymore. My old room had it's own bathroom. Thanks to some screw up in the assignment logs I was issued a private room reserved for special students with 'special needs'. It's not like I didn't deserve it... this was one of the few screw ups around here that end up with me getting maimed or disfigured. Now I'm stuck using the bathroom down the hall.. *

*... and the public showers...*

* I can't stand to go in there... I allways have to go in early to beat the rush. Robins powers might have masked it, but it won't last long, I know it. They'll laugh, I know it. They'll see thoes horrible scars across my chest and they'll laugh as they lord their perfect bodies over me. I don't want them to see me... I CAN'T let them see me.*

* I was just sitting here... listening to Kathy Perry while I was painting my nails. It's a better use of my time than wasting it on Algebra. So lame. Robin was busy finishing her stuff over at her little desk, barely making a peep. I put on the final coat on my toes, twiddling them beifly as I just stare outside. Staring out across the campus. All I wanted was somebody to talk to... and it's probably over her head. I reached over and grabbed my cell... I thought this time would be different.*

* I was wrong.*

* First person I talk to is Lydia... our housekeeper. She's the only sincere 'Hello' that I ever get when I call home. She asks how I am, how things have been... I wonder if this is what it sounds like when the other students call home. Soon enough, she puts me on hold as she goes to get mother....*

* And I sit... and I wait...*

* and wait...*

* and wait...*

* Robin's allready finished her homework and headed out to check-out another DVD from down the hall when she finally answers. A distracted hello followed by her asking if I've already maxed out my allowance. My heart sinks a little.... as I tell her I just called to talk. She goes first... running on about what their doing with the house, how Dad's out kissing up to another client... all a bunch of booring and lame stuff I care less about than Algebra. When I finally start to talk about things... most of everything that's gone around on here... all I get are 'Mhm' and 'That's nice dear' in between her yelling at landscapers. I bet I could tell her I fucked the headmaster and she wouldn't bat an eye.*

* She's not even listening....*

* I just let out a disheartened sigh... rolling my eyes as I look down at my feet. The sudden silence must have rattled her or something... she gets on saying how it's horrible about the bathroom, and offering to throw some money to the school to install one for me. I faintly snicker... tell her 'No, Nevermind...'... and I just hang up.*

* I pull my legs up against my chest, wrapping my hands around them, and burrying my face into my knees.*

* What the hell was I thinking?*

* Don't know how long I was sitting here like this... all weak and mopey and crap... before there was a knock at the door. I wasn't going to bother wasting time on it... but whoever was on the other side was persistant. Knocking again and again. Finally I groaned and got up to answer it.*

" Oh great... it's you."

* Wonderful. It's bad enough I get blown off by my own mother, but now the spaz is here. I don't know wich is worse... the fact I have to stand her company, or that ugly outfit she has on. Gag me. It's bad enough all the times she'd raged on me for wearing pink... and now SHE turns around and highlights this gothy monstrosity WITH pink. Did she fry some more braincells or something?*

*know what... I don't want to know...*

* I lean along the door, my arms crossed over my chest, rolling my eyes before I scowl back to her.*

" What the hell do you want?"

[N.P.C.]

--- NPC is Promethea (as Kami) ---

* ....Heeeeeere kitty kitty kitty... come out, come out, wherever you aaare...*

* Fuck, where the hell do I start? I look up and I look down the hallway... and it just looks like an unending line of Dorm doors. It's a frikking ghost town right now... like an endless line unmarked file cabinets full of juicy... juicy meat. Damn I'm salivating again... Mother fucker this is so frustrating!!!*

* I've really gotta swipe a super-sensitive nose one of these days...*

* This best not fucking turn out like my last egg hunt. All I wanted to was a little private time with a certain incompetent little preppie turd. And before we go there... this has nothing to do with Poindexter's mutie brain... like I WANT the mental ability to cheat at pong... I just want to show him a little appreciation for his incompetence. For all the money he wanted per meat-slab... he should have been able to deliver. And when he fucks up, he goes on and tattles to his class. I just wanted to show some appreciation for it. Just a little nibbling on some minor organs... move up the food chain... leave him to exsanguinate all over the canvas as I paint me up a CSI's worst nightmare.*

* I go to all the trouble of breaking in... and the little shit wasn't even there! No cell number, No transfer orders, No nothing! I guess the rumors of his Incarceration had been greatly exaggerated. Shit... I know these jack-offs are forgiving with their hippiefied mutie cummune... but to keep him after THAT??*

* Fucking buncha chumps*

* I'm gonna have to scour every Computer Lab, Game Room, and Wi-fi connection in this place before I leave and find that little cock sucker.*

* But first... to the Kitty hunt!*

* Dorms are practically deserted right now... some of the classes must still be going. Makes it all the more easier for me. Only person I've seen is a little blond girl happily skipping by. Oh my GAWD that is such sugar-coated Disney-brand fluffiness it made me want to PUKE!!! I had to choke back the urge to start mauling when she gave me a cutesy wootsey widdle 'hi'. As much as I like tearing the heads off of teddy bears, I gotta stick to the script. No blowing cover just yet. Just gotta smile and wave back.*

* "If I was a pyro-girl, where would I hide"... that's the million dollar question I keep on asking myself as I walk down the halls. Study-hall, Gym-class, Maybe getting a perm or something? Dammit why'd these brats have to trash the dossiers on their way out? Maybe I should go back an interrogate the fur-ball or something... I'm turning around to do that when something on one of the doors catches my eye.*

*... my urge to maim something just rose a little bit*

* Here we have a cutesy little sign on a dorm door... written with crayon over pink construction paper... which says 'Kat and Robin; keep out' with cutesy little drawing of... I don't really fucking know and I DON'T CARE!!!! The important thing is that, unless there's another Kat here I don't know of... I think I've got my prey cornered... if she's not in class or something.*

* So... without anything to loose... I knock.*

* And wait a little bit... knock again. You'd think I'd move on but I swear I hear someone in there. And as easy and fun as it would be to tear the door down I need to keep acting the part. FINALLY, the knob rattles... and the door opens, and I come face to face with my scrumptious prey. I'm ready with the friendly face... and ready to get all chummy.... when she bites my head off, asking 'Kami' what the hell she wants.*

* And... I kinda just blank out here... for a sec*

" Wow... Kitten's got her claws out today..."

* I say jokingly, assuming she's just pissy over something. She does not seem to take that well. She actually threatens me, and repeats herself with a growl.*

* Wow... what a bitch...*

*You'd think I should know about this, be able to prep myself for her attitude. Course the only time I've ever SEEN her she was all drugged up and on the cutting table with nothing but deliciously absolute 'ohmygodwhatshappening' terror in her eyes. I wish I'd read rather than skimmed the dossier when we had it. Oh well. Just gotta roll with it.*

" Fine. I just came over to ask you a huge favor... I just kind of need to borrow your fashion expertise on a few things...."

* She wastes little time snarking back at me, pouncing on me for wearing this ugly-ass goth number, and condescendingly acknowledges this as an example for MY hatred of pink. Shit. I really got to learn to morph clothes. I hope this little bitch doesn't have too many active brain-cells to get TOO suspicious over this.*

* I meet her back with a little attitude of my own, not too much... but just enough to kill the bestie illusion.*

Yeah... I wouldn't have but it was the only color they had. And I wouldn't have asked... but your the most Fashion conscious person I know." [/color]

* Yeah... this girls Bitchiness knows no bounds... she spits one last jab at me before moving back to the room, getting ready to shut the door... when I put my foot in the way.*

"PLEASE... Kat... just...could you help a girl out for once? I'll owe you one for this... promise."

* I stand there... eagerly awaiting an answer. Waiting for her to spring the trap. Trying to keep myself in check while she takes her sweet fucking time. Come on you little bitch... take the bait already!!!!*

* God damn it I want to kill something*

[Firekat]

* You have GOT to be fucking kidding me...*

* It's bad enough she interrupts my little session of self-loathing, but now she's got to get smart with me. Laughing it off like we're 'Besties' and joking about me having my claws out. Honest to god I am not in the mood for this bullshit.*

" You want to see my claws spaz just keep it up, now what the fuck do you want?"

* I don't bother hiding the contempt in my voice as I coldly reply to that insult. I haven't changed positions since I opened the door, looking her over, watching her as she tries to make her case. Something doesn't really seem right here... maybe she's doped up or something. Apparently she needs ME to take time out of my busy schedule to bail her out of a fashion emergency.*

* I just roll my eyes...*

" Yeah... no kidding. I can see why you don't like pink... it does NOTHING for you. Not like anything could save that pleather abomination to begin with.

* Finally, she starts dropping the 'bestie' sucking up... starts getting a little attitude. It's bad enough having to endure her company, but the friendly way she was acting... it was just grating on my nerves. She gripes that that was the only color they had... and she wouldn't ask me if she had a choice... that's it... this is over.*

" Of course you had a choice... you could have left that god-awful thing on the rack! Now, I've got better things to do than to clean up after another of YOUR mistakes.

* I move back, try to shut the door... only for her big boot to move in the way. Oh she is pushing it....*

" You got 5 seconds before I burn that foot off...

* She just looks me right in the eye... something she's never really done before, and asks me to help a girl out in a tone she's never asked before. Yeah... I'm really pissed right now... and I do really hate her, but... damn it. Robin probably wouldn't be that impressed if I just turned my back on her like this...*

* Well... the part about her owing me doesn't hurt either. Something I don't waste time setting terms on.*

* It takes a couple seconds of bargaining... She does the homework professor fur ball slapped on me, and she slips me a Benjamin when this gets done. As we're moving down the hall, I can't help but smile at a well-bargained deal. I'm practically already spending that money in my head before we even get to the dorm. Maybe if I wasn't so busy with that I'd notice Kami slipping back behind me... letting me go in first.*

* I don't get three steps in... when I freeze...*

* My blood runs cold... catching sight of the spaz in all of her foxyness... hog-tied, muzzled, and bleeding in the corner of the room! She's whimpering and struggling... the look in her eyes... it just screams at me... RUN...*

* I don't say anything... I don't bother to squeal or shriek or anything... I turn around... fast... my body starting to lift up off the ground... my left hand already lit up. WHOEVER this bitch is... she is going to regret this!*

* I get a brief look at the bitch... a deranged look on her face I'll be glad to burn off... then... this whistling sound... like a little puff.... and then pain just rips through my right leg...*

* And everything starts falling apart...*

* I begin to loose altitude almost instantly.... the flame that danced around my hands seconds ago just... begins to fizzle... until it just... dies. I flop gracelessly to the ground right in front of this freak... grasping my leg... squealing in pain. I try to scramble back... try to get away.... only for that freak to kick me in the gut... hard... throwing me back into... into the Spaz. I cough up... growling back at her.... watching that snide laugh... that snide mocking laugh. I try to power up... try to get my flame on... but not even a flicker.*


" ...my powers... what... what the fuck did you DO??"

* That bitch moves in... starts gloating something about a 'Magic Bullet'... whatever this lunatic shot me with... fucks up powers. I try to get up... only for the bitch to move back in... standing up over me, gloating down to me... she starts talking some crazy shit about my not remembering her.*

" like...I...fucking.... care...."

* She kneel... grabs me by my chin... forcing me to look her right in the eyes. Then... something weird happens. Her body starts changing... like one of those 'shape shifters' they warn us about... but not. Everything happens at different times.... but then I see... *

"...oh god..."

* my body goes completely numb.... I remember... those... thoes eyes... staring down at me through glass.... looking me over like... like I'm a piece of meat! I can't scream... I can't move... and those eyes... those damn eyes... are just... just staring.... staring through me... There... theres a knife... my chest... my chest burns... the scar... the scar burns... burns like it's still open!!!!*

*...no... oh god no... *

*...she's one of them... god no she's one of them!!!!*