No Reprieve -A&C related (Open thread)

[Logan]

Damn it! He'd nearly taken it out on that kid, Sampson, or whatever the heck his name was.

The X-Men's premiere brawler was decked out in his field-gear, ready to leave and don the "Wolverine" at a moment's notice. Logan's mask was off however, and in it's place his thick oily hair bore that customary winged expression. His face gathered in grim contemplative knots, as the mutant reflected on the rapid and terrible instances that had continued to array themselves against the X-Men. He toked on the cigar, rolling the nearer end in his teeth through aggravation, and then exhaled a long tobacco scented cloud. The fragrance had permeated the air; exterior of the mansion's main entrance, and so he had been present for some minutes, not taking his ease, but at least trying to focus on the moment of reprieve between shit-storms. The Kids were still out there, and Logan was waiting for Slim to give the word for the team to assemble.

It wasn't clear who they had come up against in New York, but their attackers had been prepped and ready to escalate a confrontation with power totting mutants. That wasn't a good sign. Logan had felt the sting himself, and he was itching for payback.
He attached no blame for the way Rogue handled herself as team leader, even as their withdrawal cost the X-Men dearly. Logan had gone into the confrontation against the Morlocks as the Belle's stalwart, she should have been able to count on him to get stuck into the thick of it; providing the young fighters with the core with which to act. In fact he had lost two of the kids from off of his own back, if his bitterness were to be directed at anyone it was against himself.

Logan was also aware that rumour had circulated viciously around the Xavier Institute since the return of the strike team, those missing students being the key evidence that things had not gone well. Although Wolverine was far from pleased and not in the receiving mood for company, he appreciated that folks would have just as much right to know the risk placed in this mission as he did. It was an awkward move, but for the moment Logan had placed himself openly for the school to see. For the sake of Cyke and Rogue as they puzzled out the next step, he was some sign that they weren't just going to sit idly by while their own were casually targeted.

Logan exhaled again, he screwed his face up, and taking it; looked at the spent stub of the cigar with a bristling air of cynicism.

'Slim's on the case, Rogue and Jeanie with him. They'll track 'em down.' The Canuck stated generally to company; voice thick with gravel. '... And when they do, we'll be ready to move out!'

[Katie Power]

Earlier, in Manhattan*...
[* see X-Men: "Welcome to New York"]

The young girl emerged from out of the hospital with her hands stuffed in the pockets of the Minnie Mouse hoodie that she had exchanged for the yellow and black ensemble of the Power Pack heroine known as Energizer. After having been down in the sewers and Morlock tunnels, Katie definitely needed to get out of that suit. She doubted that the Elsewhere tailors would appreciate the laundering that the garment would need however. She also hated having to leave the mutant teen that they'd rescued at the hospital, but she was worried about the fact that she hadn't heard from Alex. He wasn't answering his cell phone either, though if he was still in the Morlock tunnels then it was possible that he wasn't getting any reception.

Plus, when she'd left to get the injured mutant to the hospital Alex had been in the company of some X-Men. She hadn't seen her friend Kitty Pryde or Wolverine, but Katie knew the X-Men well enough to trust that her brother would be okay. Not that he needed the X-Men. Alex was the oldest. He could take care of himself.

Thinking it wasn't the same as believing it however.

Reaching inside of the hoodie, the girl pulled out a triangular pendant that hung on a small chain from around her neck. Once upon a time, it had served as the communicator that had linked the members of Power Pack with their smartship, enabling them to stay in touch no matter where they were in space or the various planes of reality. Now it was more of a memento. None of them were really heroes anymore. Alex tried to be but... that had proven to be problematic with their family. She supposed in that sense theirs was much like a family with mutant kids. It just kind of put the fun in dysfunctional. Even if that were not the case, the Kymellian smartship had a right to a life of its own. It need not be tethered down to petty squabbles of the four siblings. Friday's trust of the Power children, Alex in particular, had already resulted in the near destruction of the ship once already. So, even as Katie said the name... she wouldn't have blamed the ship for not answering. "Friday?"

"Yes, Katie?"

The girl swallowed, anxiety depriving her of speech for a moment. Part of her had hoped that the ship wouldn't respond. She felt selfish for what she was about to ask. The relationship with Alex had become... complicated... because of those stupid New Warriors. Even still, Alex was her stupid older brother so she had to ask. And Friday was a part of their conflicted family, so she knew in her heart that the smartship would be similarly compelled to do everything it could. She supposed that was heroic. It seemed stupid to her, but family often was. And more often than not, you just did stupid things for the sake of family. At least she had family. She knew many people who couldn't say the same. "Can you get in contact with Gee?" the child inquired finally, her voice little more than a soft whisper as her cerulean eyes gazed out over the Hudson River.

The world's youngest heroine found herself in the company of her own thoughts for several uncomfortable seconds that left her time enough to doubt the events of the past several hours. Alex wouldn't have been put into the whole hero bit, running with the X-Men in the Morlock Tunnels, if she hadn't gone barreling across Central Park to rescue that mutant from the lynch mob. She imagined that if Julie were here, her older sister would assure her that it had been the right thing to do. But if anyone knew that the right choices could give way to the wrong consequences, it was Power Pack. "I'm afraid that I cannot get a response from his communicator," the smartship responded, drawing the girl out of her brooding. Anticipating the next request, the ship added, "Nor can I locate him."

They'd encountered a Morlock named Molly. Alex, Dynamo, and Warpath had gone on to help that girl while Katie had seen that the injured mutant was taken safely to a hospital. It shouldn't have been anything that Alex couldn't handle. So why hadn't she heard from him? As seconds trolled by without a word, the ship broke the ice again. "You're worried. Has something happened?"

She didn't answer at first. What could she say, that she was scared? That just made her sound like a baby. And she was not the baby anymore. She just... hadn't done this in a long time. Maybe she just wasn't cut out to be Energizer anymore. "I... I don't know," Katie admitted after a few moments of introspection. "I want to find out though," the girl mused, turning in the direction of Westchester. That was where Kitty attended a school.

That was where the X-Men and New Mutants were.

"Friday, I need a ride."

************************************************** ****

The Xavier Estate was a massive, sprawling image of cultured beauty from the air. As the Kymellian Smartship descended through the clouds, Katie caught a stunning glimpse of the sprawling mansion, the pool, the elaborate gardens, and the placid lake in the distance. The child hoped that Alex was here with the X-Men. If so, perhaps they'd allow her to explore the school. She'd never actually been here before. Cannonball had wanted to bring her here after the Limbo demons had hurt her, but she'd recovered by the time that the New Mutants had departed*.
[* see Power Pack vol. 1 #20]

"Let's hope they don't plan on shooting at us," the ship stated, its concern drawing Katie away from her momentary daydream about the expansive place below. She couldn't fathom that it was a school. If her school looked like that, then she wouldn't mind attending one bit! "We're being probed by some kind of auto-defense system. If I didn't know better, I'd say that it almost registered as Shi'ar in origin."

"If Kitty or Mister Logan can see you, they'll know we're friends," Katie chirped confidently, finding herself on edge as she sat at the central command chair on the smartship's cockpit. Even after all this time, it was still Whitey's seat. Katie felt guilty for riding in it. "There's plenty of room in front of the school. And I think I see somebody on the steps. Can you put us down there?"

As the self-aware starship complied, the young girl eagerly abandoned the seat of the vessel's former master. The glass of the cockpit's broad windows seemed to dissolve and make way for its sole occupant to make her way from out of the starship. No sooner had her sneakers hit the grass of the lawn than the small child was happily bounding toward the figure in the doorway of the school, the familiar form of the Wolverine. "Mister Logan! Mister Logan!" Katie cried, waving one arm energetically as she ran toward the cigar smoking man. "Have you seen my brother, Alex?"

Of course Logan knew the identities of Power Pack. He'd even been to their house for Thanksgiving before. Not giving the Canadian time enough to answer, the girl plunged into a rapid-fire monologue. "You see, Alex... Well, really it was me and I dragged Alex into it, but we saw this mutant getting chased by a mob. We saved him and then Storm and Dynamo were there too. Storm led us down into the Morlock tunnels but there was a Morlock in trouble," the child supplied, pausing only for the necessity to breathe, after which she plunged on. "Alex went with Dynamo and this other man. His name was Warpath. I got the mutant to a hospital, but now I can't find Alex!"

[Northstar]

The clear skies were quiet above the mansion. In fact, it would seem everything from the outside was quiet compared to the rumblings going on inside. All but one man decided to be outside at the main entrance and a cloud of smoke puffed from his mouth and the long rolled up tobacco. From high above, two dark specks approached the mansion and kept getting closer. The specks became larger with their approach, eventually showing the mansions twin mutant pair, the Beaubiers.

Glancing ahead, the male Beaubier, Jean-Paul also called Northstar, spotted smoking from the man who was non-other than Wolverine. Pointing at Logan’s direction for his other half twin to see, Jeanne-Marie also known as Aurora, saw up ahead at her brother’s direction. She nodded at Jean-Paul, “Looks like Logan is having a smoke break, brosair.” Winking at her brother, Aurora sped up ahead, being the first to land on the ground to stand before the furry fellow Canadian. Northstar landed next only within a couple seconds difference.

“Bonjour, Logan. I guess quitting tabacco is not your strong suit as it would appear,” picked Jean-Paul on his teammate. Of course for Wolverine, he’s probably used to Jean-Paul’s sarcasm.

Crossing his arms, looking at Wolverine, Aurora simply glanced back at her brother with an arched eyebrow raised. Her glare at Northstar came off as if she wanted to giggle, but it was to let her dear brother know not to piss off the man with claws. Not that she doubted her brother if in combat with Wolverine. He can handle himself, but she’s also known Logan to do some outrageous and amazing feats in his career as an X-Man. Despite everything, Aurora hasn’t seen the man in a long time and she was glad to see him in person.

Her arms open, Aurora approached Logan with a small smile, “Le temps long non voit, beau. It has been some time,” she said as she gripped the man into her arms. Aurora followed the hug with a kiss on Logan’s cheek.

Watching the reunion, Jean-Paul couldn’t help but to say, “No kiss for me, Wolverine?”

The joking Northstar slightly released his crossed arms to open up as if for Wolverine to give him a hug. A cracked smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Jean-Paul has had his fair share of hugging and kissing men, but just to pick on Wolverine with a golden opportunity like now, the straightest man on the face of the earth, it was one Northstar could not refuse. Getting back to business, “So, have we missed anything on the home front while we were gone?”

“We just got back from trouble of our own,” mentioned Aurora.

“Yeah, a Blob of trouble,” added Jean-Paul. [See: Freak Show in Uncanny X-Men]

[Logan]

As he regarded the cigar propped between the crook of his fingers, the French-Canadian duo landed in a breeze of cool air; at Logan's side. Such was the brother-twin's familiarly cajoling manner that Logan thought of nothing but getting his licks in while he had the opportunity to do so. There was only a pretence of bad blood between them now, and both got their fun out of it.

'Who said anything 'bout quittin' Beaubier?' He replied to the acerbic Northstar, no manner of surprise evident. Logan didn't even bother to look up while he took a new light to his smoke, but the interchange brought a smile to Logan's face at least. After looking up Logan accepted the friendly embrace from the man's sister -if the opportunity presented itself why not? He tried to avoid spilling cigar ash on the back of her costume. 'You're lookin' well Jeanne-Marie.' Logan, the shorter of the two looked up, softening the expression that had been glowering across his face since his return from Rockefeller. 'You keepin' your brother safe I see?' He remained passive to Jean-Paul's jocular flirtation, and made light of the fellow's caring relationship for his sister in most sensitive way he could muster. Logan knew Aurora had her fragile side, but there could be no harm in playing her impishness against her protective twin.

With the characterful greetings concluded, matters turned to business. Logan took a step and settled his stance at an equal distance to his company. He didn't answer right away but the smouldering countenance returned to Wolverine. From the way the more heavily built of these Canadians looked, it was obvious he was only a moment away from being ready for action and the whole school felt pensive. The news that Blob had resurfaced, it could have been like old times. 'I guess X-Factor didn't do such a good job takin' the Brotherhood down. That's what you get if you tank a team with a flamin' stand-up comedian.' But matters had escalated with the X-Men. 'Things ain't peachy here either, we lost some of the kids in the last mission. Didn't even see it comin'. The students were grabbed an' taken. Cyke's lookin' for them now.'

Abruptly, the stillness in the air was shattered by the descent of an old familiar craft, it's identification had long since been recommended to the estate's security systems -the Smartship "Friday". The object settled deftly on the grass and paused. Before the occupant disembarked, Logan knew which of the Power siblings it would be. The loss of Zero G made the encounter inevitable. Wolverine watched as the breathless creature then bounded across the lawn wavin' and jawin' with a fervour of anxious excitement. To think that he had been in no mood for company while this fracas with the students' kidnappers continued; the return of Katie Power was going to encapsulate Logan's personal stake in this mission. Alex had been one of those very kids that Wolverine had personally lost. Logan turned to the Beaubiers.

'If you two high-fliers don't mind, I gotta deliver the bad news.' Logan descended to the gravel court at the foot of the mansion's steps. He wasn't going to kneel or patronise the girl deliberately, she deserved not to be mollycoddled. 'It ain't good Katie-girl.' He started, looking down at her wide eyes at the moment her monologue paused. 'We had Alex, but he was taken.' The connotation wasn't good and Mister Logan's expression confirmed that.

[Katie Power]

"It ain't good Katie-girl."

The words were bleak, the message even more so for the look on Logan's face. It reminded her all to much of the expression her father had maintained when he'd spoken to his children about their mother's injuries at the hands of the escaped Asgardian criminal, Kurse. In that moment, the young girl knew that nothing happy would come of this reunion and the smile faded until her lips were drawn into a thin line. It would have been a very adult disposition were it not for the expressive eyes. Large, warm pools that were like mirrors for the sky and which seemed on the verge of tears. She'd come from her home on the train by herself to New York in order to help her older brother settle into his own apartment. That should have been a happy time, an opportunity for the eldest and the youngest of their family to mend bridges that had become burned through conflicts both internal and extraterrestrial in origin. Instead, they'd intervened, and not for the first time, in what should have been a mutant affair - a fact which was, in this instance, her fault entirely - and the price for that was only now making itself known.

"We had Alex, but he was taken."

TAKEN. So soft and singular a word that it would have enough weight to shatter the world from underneath the small child. Large tears welled up in the corners of the girl's eyes as a myriad of emotions waged a war atop the heart that was now beating in her throat. Guilt, at having jumped at the anti-mutant mob and so dragged Alex into this; at having left to get the injured mutant to a hospital and leaving Alex by himself with the X-Men; at not having been there for Alex like he had been there for her in Central Park. Anger, at the X-Men. However, what won the day was the singular mark of the heroine who, at the age of five, saved the Asgardian god Thor. Compassion.

"It's good to see you, Mister Logan," Katie stammered in a weak voice, reaching up a hand to wipe her eyes before taking a step forward and giving the Wolverine a hug. He looked like he needed one. And, above all, Katie knew that she needed one. After holding fast to the man for a moment, the girl felt as though she'd caught her breath and held herself back at arm's length while gazing up at her long-time Canadian friend. As her earlier selfish thoughts yielded to the child's innate Samaritan nature, Katie's mind drifted to those she'd seen departing with Molly. Dynamo and Warpath. If the X-Men had lost Alex... then what of their own? "What about the X-Men that were with him? Is everyone okay?"

The obvious question would have been to ask 'who took them'. Had Alex or Jack been present, Katie imagined that would have been the very first thing that the boys would have wanted to know. For her part, Katie was much more concerned about the people than the conflict in which they'd become a part - however willing or unwilling. Besides which, Katie knew that Logan wouldn't hide anything from her. The fact that he'd used 'they' rather an actual identity could be indication that the X-Men were unaware. In any case, she trusted he'd tell her in due time.

It was then that the pig-tailed child realized there were two people standing back on the upper steps. "Oh, hello," Katie said in greeting to the pair, neither of whom she recognized. The Power Pack had worked with Marrina in the past, but not any other members of Alpha Flight. The close resemblance between the two wasn't lost on the girl however. "I'm Katie. Are you two... related?"

Leave it to a child to jump straight at a personal topic.

[Northstar]

'Who said anything 'bout quittin' Beaubier?

The speedster kept his arms folded and then continued to keep a smirk on his face. Meanwhile, Wolverine was more receptive towards Jeanne-Marie's embrace. Aurora was glad to recieve a strong hug back from the canuck.

'You're lookin' well Jeanne-Marie.' Logan, the shorter of the two looked up, softening the expression that had been glowering across his face since his return from Rockefeller. 'You keepin' your brother safe I see?'

The keeping your brother safe comment, Northstar assumed that was Logan's reply toward the jokingly flirtatious comment while Jeanne-Marie hugged the shorter man. "Keeping me out of trouble? Logan, you should know trouble always finds me," winked the fellow Canadian. Aurora on the otherhand shrugged at her brother's words, turning to look back at Wolverine, "I'm afraid he's not kidding with that last statement." She then mentioned that she and her brother came back from trouble of their own, to which Jean-Paul clarified the trouble to a battle with The Blob.

'I guess X-Factor didn't do such a good job takin' the Brotherhood down. That's what you get if you tank a team with a flamin' stand-up comedian.' But matters had escalated with the X-Men. 'Things ain't peachy here either, we lost some of the kids in the last mission. Didn't even see it comin'. The students were grabbed an' taken. Cyke's lookin' for them now.'

"Oh ma bonté!" gasped Aurora. The beautiful twin continued, "If zair is anything we can do, Jean-Paul and I will be glad to assist. I hope zair is progress soon," said a concerned Jeanne-Marie with a pronounced French accent. It was then that a young girl appeared, calling out Logan's name. Unbeknowest to the twins, Logan immediately saw the girl and he had to go to her. Politely, Wolverine let the wins he had to go to the girl. Aurora nodded understandably so, as Northstar only nodded.

"Jean-Paul, I feel so bad for her. One of zee students must be someone of importance to zee girl."

Jean-Paul took a few steps to stand beside his sister. Her eyes locked on Wolverine and the girl. He watched his sister's concern on his face, then put his arm around her shoulders. Continuing to watch the interaction between Wolverine and the little girl, Jean-Paul could see the girl's face look surprised and worried. The look was all to familiar for the Canadian speedster. "I know that look all too well. That is the look I had when I had to come find you at the Canadian mutant concentration camps."

"You mean..." Aurora's sentence unable to finish. It connected to her that perhaps the little girl had family, like a brother who was one of the captured children. Immediately, it hit her and she layed her head on her brother's shoulder. "I suppose I never thanked you. Merci, brosair." Northstar smiled and then used his arm around Aurora's shoulder to tighten his grip to acknowledge her. After Logan had his talk with the little girl, they noticed the girl's glance at them. Immediately, she made herself known, introducing herself to the twins.

"Oh, hello. I'm Katie. Are you two... related?"

Jean-Paul released his grip around his sister as Aurora giggled at the girl's question. She kneeled down before the young Katie, "Oui, madame. Jean-Paul is my twin brosair. I am Jeanne-Marie," nicely said Aurora as she stretched her gloved hand out for a hand shake.

"Northstar is also good enough to call me, petit coup manqué," chimed in the standing Beaubier twin.

[Logan]

Wolverine watched closely as the girl reacted to his news. To a spectator of the barest acquaintance, more familiar with Logan's fighting nature, it would be an odd sight to see the grizzled Canadian; barely a head in height above the young Katie Power, showing tenderness when all other appearances were to the contrary. His cigar was relegated passively to his left as Logan pressed a single paternal hand to the girl's back, as she enveloped him in a hug. It was a friendly gesture, one that he was pleased to receive, but her expression couldn't be disguised. Logan recognised her disappointment, her fear.

'Good to see you too, Katie-girl.' He replied in turn, the rugged tone of his voice tempered by a consolatory manner. Logan was far from happy himself, but something of this reunion moved him and quelled a ferocity that had hitherto been piquing his mood. The desire for confrontation wasn't lessened, but rather focused by the encounter.
He didn't like that the young girl's life continued to be shaped by conflict. Nor did Logan wish the type of life that had shaped him to be the one forced on such an innocent child, but she had shown remarkable fortitude in spite of that. It was a theme that marked life in the X-Men in the same way. It showed a strength that Logan admired whenever and wherever he found it, and had drawn the Wolverine to stay alongside the team throughout the years. Katie and the other kids had chosen to make a stand when confronted too, that was a fight that couldn't be denied to them, the choice to do so was one that Logan respected despite his reservations. But all said and done; here, Katie was a child still, and understood little of the world; of how dark the motives of people could run. Logan felt bound to protect her from the worst, even if he reflected a degree of that same danger.

Katie's concern for the others involved; the X-Men and their students, upon learning of her brother's disappearance; did the girl credit. Logan noted but made no comment. That his black mood had eased somewhat was a clear enough sign that Wolverine approved of her sentiment, although in this instance the news he had to share was not encouraging. 'A number of the students were taken too.' Many of the details of the escape from Rockefeller Plaza had yet to be reconciled and so there were parts to the story that Logan thought best to leave out of his concise recount for now, no need to worry the kid further. 'Alex and another kid were with me, the attack got between us.' Comparing Logan's statement to where the group were standing now, and the rest of the story was made apparent.

Logan figured the kids were being detained at least. The unit that had hit them had been equipped with gear designed to incapacitate, not kill. He could attest to that. As for the purpose of their detainment, Logan could only guess for now, he hadn't recognised the soldiers' decals, most likely a new unit set up since the MRA, that meant government contractors. If there was a body on this rock that hated the sound of that news, he was the one giving it. 'Don't worry Katie-girl, we've got our best workin' on trackin' down your brother.' Cyke would soon have the plan laid out.

Katie released herself, catching sight of the twins standing above them in the mansion entrance. Their approach was most congenial and so Logan relegated his presence to spectate their introduction, keeping a hand where it had rested, on the shoulder of the girl's Mickey Mouse hoodie. A warm smile melted Logan's rugged face. Now this was a moment that made all the fightin' worth while.

[Papermaster]

(Well I am attempting to send Ms. Katherine on her first X-Men mission, but with her lacking a uniform and communicator she cannot hear the call to the war room. Thus I decided to post here in an attempt to hear and follow Logan to the war room. Just a heads up as to why I am randomly posting here lol)

Katherine had been wondering around the mansion for days now and since her arrival she had found nothing of interest at all in the big house. Despite having so much size, so many people, and so many things to do....none of them really interested her. She had slowly begun to learn more and more about her powers with the practice she had been doing and met a few people that she didn't hate, but none of it was calling to her. She wanted to go on an adventure. She wanted to meet someone that made her think, someone that kept her on her toes. Yea maybe she was only 14, but she considered herself to be a pretty smart girl and a very well rounded individual.

Today she had decided to walk around on the outside of the mansion again, where she had first started her own training. She was off to her usual area, surrounded by trees, where she would train mixing her natural gymnast abilities with her newly found mutant power. This time though, her training was going to be put on hold. As she walked around the side of the building she caught sight of a man standing at the front door smoking a cigarette. It wasn't this that caught her attention though, it was more the ridiculous clothes he was wearing. He looked like some sort of wannabe super hero. She changed directions instantly so she could get a better look at his getup when a young girl ran up to him followed by two other people.

She remained hidden behind some bushes as she moved closer in an attempt to spy in and listen to their conversation. In her mind this was her very first mission and it was going to be success. Mission: Sneak up to creepy looking people and find out what they are talking about. DON'T GET CAUGHT!. As she moved closer to the group she slowly began to make out their words, some of which were not even in English. It wasn't until she heard the sentence 'Don't worry Katie-girl, we've got our best workin' on trackin' down your brother.' Tracker? Now this sounded fun. Apparently this guy had been on a mission, got attacked, and someone got taken somewhere. This all sounded extremely fun to Katherine and she wanted to be apart of whatever was to come next. This guy was about to become her best friend, despite his horrible taste in clothes. Not one to fear anything, Katherine stepped from behind the small bush she was hiding behind and casually walked over to the group.

"Hey everyone! My name is uh....Papermaster. Nice to meet everyone"

[Nick]

((OOC:

Originally Posted by Papermaster

(Well I am attempting to send Ms. Katherine on her first X-Men mission, but with her lacking a uniform and communicator she cannot hear the call to the war room. Thus I decided to post here in an attempt to hear and follow Logan to the war room. Just a heads up as to why I am randomly posting here lol)

That's fine, but just remember that the actual war room meeting is currently taking place in the Chapter Five thread. This thread ("No Reprieve") takes place prior to the meeting, even though it's running concurrently on the board. So make sure you also make a response in the Chapter Five thread that gets you in the war room, since that's going on now as well. ))

[Katie Power]

The pig-tailed heroine maintained the ghostly smile as she received the situation report from Logan. She'd learned a long, long time ago not to cry and to be brave when bad things happened to her siblings. Alex in particular. It was like him to want to take on the world without the help of his sisters or younger brother, so it wouldn't be the first time that Katie had been called upon to mount a rescue. At this time aliens might not be involved. Or demons. Or Numinus. Or Galactus...

Oh, heck, with her luck Galactus was using Doctor Doom as a herald, who in turn had employed N'Asitirh who was using captured mutants as some cheap bid for power over Limbo, while Dani Moonstar reaped death from above as a Valkyrie, and Numinus waited in the winds of the universe to give some great lecture about the learning experience of it all. If that turned out to be the case, it would be par for the course of the child who had spent her Kindergarten years battling Snarks and having demons try to sacrifice her.

At least the twins provided a nice distraction from the weight of the matter, as their accented speech made it quickly apparent to the girl that English wasn't their first language. "Oui, madame. Jean-Paul is my twin brosair. I am Jeanne-Marie," the woman offered, shaking Katie's hand.

"That's French, right?" the girl inquired, turning her head toward the man as he introduced himself.

"Northstar is also good enough to call me, petit coup manqué."

"Northstar?" That sounded familiar for some reason. Katie paused for a moment to consider where she'd heard that name before. The image of a green skinned woman popped into the blonde girl's head. "Oh, I know! Do you know my friend Marrina? She told me about some teammates of hers named Northstar and Aurora!"

She hoped that, if they were from Alpha Flight, they weren't as moody as Marrina was. The woman seemed convinced she didn't deserve to exist. That was kind of a downer at tea parties.

"Hey everyone! My name is uh....Papermaster. Nice to meet everyone."

The child's head turned a second time, now in the direction of the newcomer - who was another person that she didn't know. Apparently neither did Logan or the twins judging by how the teen introduced herself. "Uh, yeah. Hi! I'm, uh, Energizer." The use of code names around the Xavier school wasn't something that the girl had expected. Power Pack made use of code names in combat, but around the X-Men and New Mutants made little in the way of pretense about secret identities. Hell, most of the Xavier students had been to Katie's house at one time or another. Code names tended to be goofy anyway. But Papermaster? That kind of sounded... Eh, Katie really couldn't say much. Two of Power Pack's members had called themselves 'Molecula' and 'Mass Master'.

[Northstar]

"That's French, right?"

Slightly smiling followed by a slight laugh, the dark haired female twin shook her head in approval. "Oui. That it is," responded Aurora to the child. Of course, Jean-Paul wasn't too friendly. He is not the maternal type, to which sometimes Aurora cringed with how he interacted with young kids. Surprisingly, from time to time, Jeanne-Marie does wonder how her brother was able to become a teacher here at Xavier's School for the Gifted. Then again, Aurora remembered nothing should shock her completely when it comes to Jean-Paul.

"Northstar? Oh, I know! Do you know my friend Marrina? She told me about some teammates of hers named Northstar and Aurora!"

The twins' face lit up at the mention of their former teammate's name. Marrina, now that is a name they haven't heard in a long time. "Marrina? You know her? I do know Marrina. Aurora and I used to be apart of Alpha Flight back in the day," replied Northstar. Scratching his chine for a moment, the speedster began to think about the fishy green woman. A flood of Alpha Flight memories then stormed through his mind. Quite a history, looking back on it. Jeanne-Marie looked at her brother for a moment to see he was busy thinking. They often say twins think alike, in which case, the Beaubier twins certainly had their moments. In this moment, Aurora could see her brother was thinking abou Marrina. Glancing back at the young lady, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Katie. Are you a student here?" Aurora asked politely.

"Hey everyone! My name is uh....Papermaster. Nice to meet everyone"

Suddenly, the attention of the twins turned towards another young lady, but a little older than Katie. The way the girl spoke, she came off shy. For Aurora, it would seem the children are now coming out of the wood work. Since coming to Xavier's, she hasn't had much interaction with the students. Her time was spent with Jean-Paul and the occasional hello with other X-Men, whom she knew. Not to mention, her first fight a bad guy in quite some time against The Blob in Atlantic City. Strangely, Aurora's gaze remained on the girl called Papermaster. For some reason, the girl reminded Jeanne-Marie of someone..."She reminds me of...me! Me at her age," silently thought a confused Aurora.

Speaking up, "I'm Northstar, miss. This is my sister, Aurora. Are you new? I don't believe I've seen you in any of my classes," asked Jean-Paul in his teacher-esque tone. Meanwhile, Aurora slowly stood up, obviously taller than little Katie. Taking a few steps towards Papermaster, Aurora's gazed continued to be marveled at the young teenager. Offering her hand out as well for a greeting, "I'm Auro...I mean, Jeanne-Marie."

Northstar's expression seemed kind of confused at Aurora, preferring to introduce herself by her given name, when he just introduced her as Aurora. Watching her carefully, he saw his sister place both her hands in front of her, gripped together. Her posture suddenly straightened and her stance graceful. "Are you late for class, young lady?" Aurora's tone suddenly sharp and narrowed. Instantly in Jean-Paul's mind, "Oh no!" Walking up to her side, her placed an arm around her and then smiled for group. "You know, Jeanne-Marie and I had a long night. We're both tired, especially Jeanne-Marie. She hasn't had the kind of fun we had in Atlantic City in a long time. If you do not mind, I think we both should get some rest. It was nice meeting you, Papermaster. I look forward to seeing you in class."

- Inside The Mansion -

Pulling her along gently, Jeanne-Marie looked at Northstar with a confused glance, but allowed him to drag her along anyway. Entering the mansion doors, Jean-Paul released his grip and his expression serious looking at her. Jeanne-Marie began to walk towards the living room area all prim and proper-like. Jean-Paul followed along, but then didn't take long to speak up. "You're not Aurora, are you?"

Turning around to face her twin, "No, I am Jeanne-Marie."

Slapping his forehead in disbelief, it all finally connected to him why his sister came back to the mansion. She mentioned about having nightmares and worried about her condition haunting her. It would appear the Jeanne-Marie personality has made a comeback. "Oh Jean-Paul, do not give me that gloomy face. Surely apart of you has missed me. Are you still one of those...you know...homosexuals?" Jean-Paul rolled his eyes and let out a deep sight. Stretching for a moment and then seeing the nice form fitting clothes on her body, Jeanne-Marie quickly stopped feeling her body, then looking at her perturbed brother. "Say now, do you think we have some rather...appropriate attire?"
[See Uncanny X-Men: Siblings Unite]

"What is wrong with what you have on? It is a civilian clothes. Pants and shirt. It is not like you are wearing lingerie," mocked Northstar. Hugging herself as if trying to hide her body, "It is too tight and suggestive. Do you think I want to parade myself as one of those two dollar hussies on street corners?" retorted Jeanne-Marie. Bending his head back, eyes closed, Jean-Paul whispered to God above that this current situation can't be happening. He begged it be only a nightmare. Upon bring his head to eye level, he opened his eyes to see his sister as the oppressionist, Jeanne-Marie, still hugging herself to hide her body.

"For all we know Jeanne-Marie, maybe a john is what you need to get that stick out of your rear."

Her mouth dropped, Jeanne-Marie quickly began stomping away out of Jean-Paul's sight. "How dare you! You won't help me, then fine! I do not need a sodomy, sin committing brother for help! One day Jean-Paul, you will repent and you will want God's forgiveness! I will pray for you...as soon as I am out these hooker clothes! No need to show me Aurora's room. I know where it is. I will find something to wear on my own." Storming away from Jean-Paul, Jeanne-Marie left for the stairs, heading up towards her room. Meanwhile, Northstar rested his body against the wall unsure of what to do next as he is stuck trying to soak in what just happened.


*** Exit Thread ***