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| And One To Grow On; Artie, Open | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 19 2010, 07:46 AM (441 Views) | |
| Old Kitty Pryde | Apr 19 2010, 07:46 AM Post #1 |
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Phasing
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April 11, 2010 -1:00 PM- The world was more often then not a shitty place. War, poverty, racism, bigotry, prejudice, and that was just the stuff people were doing to other people. When you factored in everything else it was enough to make you wanna crawl under the bed and not come out. Who ever said nightmares were the scariest things imaginable were badly mistaken. What was real and in the headlines that was what was truly terrifying. What was happening to the people she knew, to Billy Kaplan, to Scott and Bobby, that was the stuff that went bump in the night for her. But Kitty Pryde was resilient, she had to be. In the wake of oppression someone had to keep smiling, to be the example that when everything that should be absolute was failing, the dream still wasn't. It was strange having this new Scott around. So unlike the man who had been almost an uncle or big brother to her her entire teenage life. That Scott was dependable, she could set her watch to his schedule, predict what he would say when he seen her in the halls or passing by his office. He had been more then a mentor, he had been a friend. She wondered if the others felt the loss like she did. When you counted on someone, trusted and depended on them always being there only to wake up and find that they as you knew them were gone. Well, it was worse then learning there was no such thing as Santa Claus. Scott Summers had been an irrevocable and cemented truth and just like that, in a flash or a blink, the man she had known, the one she had idealized and looked up to was gone. She wondered if this was what grieving felt like or was it worse. Grief was something to work through, to let in and let it make you stronger, but Scott's loss was always constant and present. Because even gone he was still around, not in a metaphorical ghost since, a living memory present on pictures and objects, but in full on living breathing detail. Because he was still amongst them, same ruby shaded eyes, and striking features, same walk and talk, but gone was everything else. Who this new man was she didn't know. Kitty didn't care to know, because he wasn't the Scott she had known, the friend and near father. And you couldn't replace that. Anything that tried was a blasphemy to memories made more perfect then they probably had been by pain. She held on to the good, and fooled herself because it was easier. But her own pain and concern could not prevent her from doing what had to be done. Xaviers was a school, a beacon and sanctuary. It had weathered worse then this, though this felt more personal then any Apocalypse. The kids were being kept blissfully unaware of all that was happening, and maybe it was better that way. She herself was a grown woman of nearly 21 and it made little sense to her. How was someone many years younger supposed to comprehend all the strange happenings. No, ignorance could be bliss and if not bliss at least protective kindness. These kids had enough to deal with just being who they were. They needed their heroes, even if it was like believing in Santa Claus. "So I have it on good authority that it's someone's special day today." she said pleasantly smiling at the small pink hued boy, who spoke in visually created images instead of words. It was for the Artie's at the school she did what she did. Sometimes silence was the curse of the keeper to spare others. She took the young morlock by the hand and led him down the fabled halls. She tried to remember what her ten year old birthday had been like. That had been a time before all of this, a time when she had just been Kitty Pryde of Deerfield, not Kitty Pryde of Xaviers, Kitty who could walk through walls and doors. The world had seemed larger then and at the same time much safer. Back then her biggest concern had been whether or not her mother would remember what she had wanted for her birthday, and now, well now her concerns were larger. But kid's should have birthdays she thought. With cake and hats and balloons, and all the things that are taken for granted but make up childhoods around the world. Artie had lost a lot of what was normal, and taken for granted in a world that wasn't a mutants, but she could give him this. And in doing this for the young illusion projector she could get something for herself. The knowledge that she was doing what Scott would do, even if the Scott she had known wasn't around to see her do it. She squatted down to bring herself level to the young mutant and looked him in his large clear white eyes. They stood before the parlor doors, closed to not spoil the surprise party waiting on him. In a world full of so many wrong things, small things like this, that she could control, should be done right. "Okay, now what is it you want for your special day?" she asked him as she strained her ears to make for certain no great sound was coming from the room to spoil her hard work and preparations. |
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| Artie | Apr 19 2010, 08:25 AM Post #2 |
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Holographic Projection
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Today he was ten. It was a big day for him, because it was double digits, which meant something, important... But it was also another milestone. Today he had officially been a mutant as long as he had been a human, and though he hardly remembered the blond haired green eyed boy he'd been, it was maybe a thing to mourn that that boy would never be seen again. Artie put his finger in his mouth thoughtfully, as he puzzled over the emotions that were a little too big for him. He wasn't a little kid anymore, but maybe because of his upbringing, or his cheerful nature, or maybe just because he was who he was, Artie always seemed to skew a little young. He wasn't very grown up, and he didn't think he had to be. Life as a morlock was hard, so he clung to his childhood stubbornly. He was very surprised when Kitty came to get him. It was a great secret that he had a particular fondness for her. She never talked to him like he was stupid like some people did because he couldn't talk back. She even asked his opinion sometimes. His schoolboy's crush probably really wasn't as secret as he thought, because, he just couldn't help a spatter of cartoon hearts trailing around him when he walked with her. Kitty, for her part, never commented, either because she was being kind, or because she didn't know what to say about it. Artie never asked her. He was a little shy about it. "So I have it on good authority that it's someone's special day today." Artie beamed up at her and nodded, excitedly. [align=center]" "[/align]He said, with a wide grin. She took his hand and lead him through the halls. Artie was unaware of what was going on with people in the school. He was in the younger class, so he honestly didn't have a lot of exposure to Scott, Bobby or even Billy, though Mr. Scott had come to his class and told them a story one day, about robbing a bank and going to jail and being like a million years old or something. That had been a fun day but other than that, there wasn't much that the little kids were told. So her concern and her mourning over the loss of people that he knew to be still around went right over his head. "Okay, now what is it you want for your special day?" she asked him, and he thought. His face took on a serious cast and he answered, solemnly. [align=center]" "[/align]World peace, yes, this was what he wanted. Then he giggled, at his joke, no sound coming out, of course, and he told her what he really wanted. [align=center]" "[/align]
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| Wolfsbane | Apr 19 2010, 06:27 PM Post #3 |
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Wolf Form
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((Late addendum: This post takes place before the thread starts... makes more sense that way)) Sunday birthdays weren't usually a teacher's responsibility... well, okay, usually they handled them on a Friday before or the Monday after (usually before, since which kid doesn't want his or her birthday to come early?), but when the school was a boarding school where both the students and the teachers lived on a day to day basis because both were superhuman mutants who were, on a whole, misunderstood by society at large and needed protection from that society at large? Well, that just meant that the kids' birthdays could be handled on the day of. Sure, it meant alot of other things too, but as far as birthdays went, it meant that the teacher and primary caretaker for the kids was in charge of making sure their birthdays went observed. Because every kid deserved a little bit of extra attention on their own birthdays. And as such, Rahne Sinclair was in the kitchen, iPod plugged into a speaker with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" playing, with a box of yellow cake mix in her hand as she read over the ingredients and instructions listed on the back. She never considered herself a talented cook, but following the directions on a box? Surely, she could handle that with ease. "Eggs, eggs," she mumbled, opening up the refrigerator, "please say we dinnae finish the eggs..." Unfortunately for her, Rahne's enhanced sense of smell didn't do her much good when it came to searching for a specific food item in the refrigerator. Too much of it packed into the same space at the same temperature... not much stood out from the pack unless it was... "ripe". "Ah, here we are," she said, finding the carton and slipping it out. Four left. Double the recipe and that was enough to get a cake big enough. At least she hoped so. If there was one thing that she did enjoy about this particular cake making exercise, it was the distraction it provided from the insanity of late. Scott's new personality was fraying at the edges of her nerves, not so much because of his demeanor, but more because it was frightening. If he could snap... if he could have a complete break and become someone else... who couldn't? |
![]() [size0]Say the dog and butterfly, in the air they like to fly. Dog and butterfly. She knew she had to try, and she float back down to the warm soft ground, laughing - she don't know why, but she had to try, she had to try. Dog and Buttefly. Avatar by Natalie, signature by Olga. My graphics set is complete again! Thank you so much! | |
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| Old Kitty Pryde | Apr 20 2010, 07:51 AM Post #4 |
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Phasing
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The kid was a charmer she had to give him that. As Artie laid out his birthday request in stunning visual representation, Kitty laughed a little. There was something to the boy's innocence, something that you lost as you got older. if she thought too much about it Kitty Pryde would come to the horrifying discover that she was jealous of a ten year old, but in some ways she was. As a person grew older it became harder to be so innocent and just live in the moment. It was like playing pretend, it wasn't that as you got older you stopped wanting to, it was just that too much had happened and you cant. You lose that childhood innocence as you grew up, sacrificed at the altar of responsibility and knowledge. Going back wasn't exactly what she was after, but it would be nice to see the world as she once had, through eyes far wider in awe and troubles made right by assuring words from her mother and a kiss on the forehead to ward away bad dreams. "World Peace, huh." she said playfully to the boy. "Come on, you don't have to be so altruistic" And then the illusion projector revealed his next want a dirt bike. She playfully and lightly bumped him on his nose with one of her fingers. "Reach for the stars why don't you." Kitty's face framed by wavy brown hair was a lit with good humor and a smile so bright in optimism if it could it would cure cancer. She liked this role amongst the kids, Kitty Pryde big sister and friend, it was a welcome change from her role amongst the senior staff as Kitty Pryde kid agent. She realized she was walking a fine line. Wanting the respect and confidence from people she wanted to see her as a peer, but still not lose the love they had for her as their kid apprentice. If she wanted to the phaser could write a book about such a conundrum entitled "Are you There God, its me Kitty". It would probably end up being a best seller. "Now let me get a look at you" she said sizing the boy up with her eyes. She made it all too look overly exaggerated as though she was seeing him for the first time. "Yep, I do believe you look older, Artie. Pretty soon you'll be chasing after all the girls of the school who'll just be falling over themselves for you. Cause you know every girl's favorite color is pink." "Now there's just one thing to make your look complete" Kitty released the over sized bag she had been carrying on her shoulder, and after rummaging for a second pulled out a decorative party hat with customary string attachment. She placed the party hat on the young mutants face, signifying as it did in bold reflective letters that he was in fact the "Birthday Boy" "Now that we've got that taken care of just one more thing.." Placing her hands tightly over the boys Kitty walked him forward phasing them both through the parlor doors and into the room where the gathered crowd had assembled to celebrate the boy's birthday. She uncovered his white eyes to the joyous cry out of "Surprise", as the room revealed its changed appearance, all decorated and done up to give the young boy a ten year old party worthy of Xaviers. |
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| Wolfsbane | Apr 23 2010, 08:57 PM Post #5 |
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Wolf Form
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Cake was ready? Check. "Happy Birthday, Artie!" banner strung across the wall opposite the door so he'd see it as he came in? Check. Pile of presents? Check. Disco ball? Check. Bubble machine? Check. Party games for the kids? Check. Hopefully more pizzas than they'll actually need? Check. Enough soda drinks for a small army? Check. Rahne had gone over the list over and over again, making certain that everything was perfect, that everything was in place. The tables were set up properly, the decorations hung, the soundtrack ready... yes, yes, this was good. "Okay, she's bringin' him over now," Rahne whispered to those gathered for the party as she listened for the cues Kitty was dropping. His classmates fell silent and took their places. They may not all have been friends with each other, they had their groupings like any kids would, but as was true of most kids, they could never say no to a birthday party. Excitement bubbled under the surface, but they took their places and went quiet. As the doors popped open, the revelers jumped out their "Surprise!". Rahne couldn't help but feel good about this. Not only did Artie deserve a little bit of celebration on his birthday, but there were alot of people around the school who could stand a little bit of harmless fun coupled with childlike innocence and enthusiasm. |
![]() [size0]Say the dog and butterfly, in the air they like to fly. Dog and butterfly. She knew she had to try, and she float back down to the warm soft ground, laughing - she don't know why, but she had to try, she had to try. Dog and Buttefly. Avatar by Natalie, signature by Olga. My graphics set is complete again! Thank you so much! | |
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| Artie | Apr 24 2010, 01:09 AM Post #6 |
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Holographic Projection
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Was it possible for Artie to blush even pinker? Well, he was going to give it the old college try as his cheeks grew warm with Kitty's gentle teasing. He wished with everything in him that when he had suddenly gotten older and turned into an eighteen year old that time that he had stayed that way so he could maybe be old enough to kiss her. He shook off the thought though because he knew she was too grown up, and he was just a little bubble gum boy. She put the birthday hat on him, and he adjusted it over his ever present beanie that covered his bald head. He knew when he grew up that his hair would come back black and soft from the same weird incident, but for now, he still had little more than peach fuzz shading the top of his round little skull. He opened the door, and the cheers and shouts were expected but still startling. His hands flew to his mouth, and his grin stretched all the way from ear to ear. There was a cake and he could smell pizza! Artie had never had a birthday like this, ever, not one that he remembered, because he had been so young when his mutation changed him, and Morlocks couldn't have parties like this. He pointed to the Pizzas and sent up a picture of the sewer pipes, telling Kitty he wanted to save some for his Morlock family. Then he threw up his hands and holographic confetti and balloons fell from the ceiling, to pop and vanish around the partygoers. |
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| Rodney McCain | Apr 24 2010, 10:49 AM Post #7 |
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Invisibility, X-Ray Vision
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Three thousand, six hundred fifty days plus leap year days. Stupid leap year days. Always getting up in Rodney's grill and throwing off intuitive counts of the the years' days. Don't get Rodney even started on Leap seconds. In Rodney's world, the reason that there were leap seconds was that he was so awesome that time occasionally skipped around him. Anyways, he originally was hoping to do something awesome, like get Artie a baseball card for each day he had been alive. But that ended up being prohibitively expensive. As was a gumball for every day. Even for every week he had been alive. So, what was Rodney to do? Its not like he had a bunch of money just lying about. So he had "borrowed" 10 dollars from Mr. Worthington and bought Artie a ten pack of Hot Wheels. They'd need a track for it to be cool or fun, but at least this way, Artie had some toys of his own. Rodney decided that saying surprise with everyone else was for suckers and losers, and so instead, he turned himself invisible, and stood next to the door. He waited for Artie to throw up his arms, and then got in position and lifted him up in the air. "Happy Birthday, Artie!" he bellowed, keeping himself invisible. |
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| Old Kitty Pryde | Apr 26 2010, 09:45 PM Post #8 |
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Phasing
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The joy in the young morolock's face was reward enough she knew. Kitty let the atmosphere of the room take her over and for the briefest of moments she let go of the worry she had been carrying around like a coat of armor strapped to her chest. It was important to take a moment to savor theses good times, moments of innocence and sweetness when normalcy in a so often not normal setting could steal over. Then as she looked about the room she thought about the friendly faces who weren't present, and her brief moment of warm happiness ended. In the presence of all those who were there it was still easy to single out those who were not. Concern clawed at her from inside but she kept a smile and jovial expression none the less. Later, when she was alone she would let it all out, but for now she wouldn't burden others with her troubles. The celebration continued on, as young and older student alike made their way to the Artie with gift or well wish. She assured the pink hologram conjurer that plenty of food would be put away to be brought to his Morlock family as well. That kind of generosity couldn't be taught she knew, and it made her realize that there was still good to be done. Perhaps she possessed no magic solution for the recent bout of weird that had fallen over them, but there was stiil work be done. Need recognized no one's suffering, and the world spinned on regardless of how sad she may have felt. Absentmindedly she pulled at the small gold star of David she wore around her neck. Life was short but it was wide, and even this would pass. She stood there lost in the deepness of her thoughts while candles were lit and a chorus of "Happy Birthday" broke out. She saw it all through drifting eyes it seemed, till she was brought back to the present by a small hand pulling on the sleeve of her blouse. "Ms. Pryde" the young girl spoke up, a small thing of about four, whose large over sized eyes that closed from the side like an amphibians betrayed any secret to her mutation. "Yes sweetie?" Kitty asked one eye on the efforts by the kids to blow out the trick candles on the cake Rahne Sinclair had prepared for the festivity. "I had an accident" the young girl said sheepishly her small self a contained call of nerves. Kitty lowered herself to the young mutants height and began to reassure her that such things happened and where okay. "Don't you worry for a second sweetheart I know just the solution to this." Kitty turned her head searching the room for her answer. "Rahne" she called out. |
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| Wolfsbane | Apr 27 2010, 03:23 AM Post #9 |
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Wolf Form
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Yes, parties were fun, even from the perspective of one of the adults throwing the party for the kids. At least, Rahne enjoyed them. She was certain there were those who could even hate a party like this, but they clearly weren't in this room. And that was a good thing, because nobody wanted a sourpuss at a kid's birthday party. "Alright, kids, line on up if'n ye want a whack at the piņata!" she announced, producing a foam-padded baton. This was something new to Rahne, something she had no personal experience with but was apparently pretty common here in the states, and she wanted to try it out. It seemed like innocent enough fun, and apparently kids liked it enough - and who wouldn't? It combined two things kids liked very much - candy and breaking things. What kid wouldn't like that? Her head snapped to when Kitty called for her, detecting the slight urgency in her tone. Rahne carefully made her way over to Kitty and the young lady and knelt down, looking her in the eye. "Come along, ye can help me get plates for the pizza, okay?" She knew well enough to know that the girl was in an embarrassing predicament, and this would allow her the chance to change while having an excuse to step away from the party for a moment. |
![]() [size0]Say the dog and butterfly, in the air they like to fly. Dog and butterfly. She knew she had to try, and she float back down to the warm soft ground, laughing - she don't know why, but she had to try, she had to try. Dog and Buttefly. Avatar by Natalie, signature by Olga. My graphics set is complete again! Thank you so much! | |
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| Artie | Apr 28 2010, 05:24 AM Post #10 |
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Holographic Projection
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Suddenly, Artie was swept up into the air, lifted by invisible hands who could only belong to the best of his friends, RJ. He laughed without sound and kicked a little, to be put down. He didn't know if Rodney had birthday parties at home, but if he hadn't, well, there was no way his birthday would be any kind of party without RJ there to share it. Rodney was a good friend, and a great one, and Artie, who could help but be a little too huggy, a little not tough enough for his friend's sometimes overwhelming opinion, still loved the other little boy like a brother. More than any of the other kids, Rodney was his brother. The party was going to go on despite the weirdness that was going on in the school, Artie and the rest of the little kids kept out of it, and the noise level was already rising. Miss Rahne suggested the piņata and Artie looked at the strange construction. He had never in all of his life gotten to hit a piņata, ever. He knew what it was, and knew that inside was candy, and little toys, but the chance to hit one... that had always eluded him This was a good day. It was maybe the best day. He felt... He felt like when Daddy was alive, like when Callisto was with him. Artie felt loved, and for a morlock, that was a very rare thing. |
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6:58 PM Jul 11