A New Mutant, Ch.1, "Finding Home"
Anxiety was a deathly feeling, but starvation was a whole other ordeal.
Looking up at the opulent doors and windows of the school, it gave one a sense of unease at how lively the energy was within it. Even as it's inhabitants slept.
Love. Joy. Grief. Power. Stress. Those watching over the children held so much on their shoulders.
You shook your head. No. You refused to feed off of people again. You came here for reformation. To control your abilities. Not succumb to them.
A breath was taken. Falling apart, whisping under the front door, only to re-form again.
Deathly quiet. Seeing as the floorboards were wooden, it was easy to silently step on the centers between each one.
Didn't take long for you to find the kitchen. A part of you felt guilty, immensely so. But 3 days without a feeding, or even so much as an apple, made your stomach cramp and churn in pain.
It was so odd to see a full fridge. The sight was almost foreign.
You took a container that wasn't labeled with someone's name. Apple slices, nuts, and cheese were inside. Perfect.
Every bite felt like heaven. When you have nothing, the simplest pleasures feel like such a blessing.
You were halfway through your meal when you heard footsteps. Someone was coming.
Logan hadn't been able to find peace in his dreams. Nightmares, loss, and 2 centuries of fighting meant the occasional bout of insomnia.
Nothing a couple beers couldn't fix. He stopped halfway down the hall, sniffing the air.
That wasn't a familiar scent. How the hell did someone get in the house?
The instant, searing pain of his claws had only been a second, before he went to ambush whatever intruder had been dumb enough to try and sneak up on the X-Men.
His eyes peered through the darkness, his voice a low growl.
"You gotta either be stupid, or cocky as hell, bub-"
He stopped. His heart dropped. Eyes wide in disbelief.
"Jean..?"
It had been on accident. The second you heard footsteps, felt the rage and anger of whoever was approaching, your body acted on instinct. Searched this person's memories of whoever he held dear. Holding this form wouldn't be easy, but acting would take care of the rest.
"Just came in to get a snack. You okay?"
That voice wasn't yours. It never was. But vocal chords strained to put out a near-perfect replica.
But not perfect enough.
Logan snarled. Whoever the hell this was, it looked and sounded like her, but it wasn't her. The heartbeat was wrong. The scent was wrong.
"Alright copy-cat, how about before I lose my damn temper, you stop disrespecting the dead and show yourself."
He leered forward. His rage was rising. It was too much. Too overwhelming.
You held your hands up in fear, eyes wide as you took a step back.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I just- freaked out!"
Your legs crumbled. You were still far-too weak. Slowly, your real face and body returned.
Logan's rage had gave way for pity.
A trembling woman. Raw honesty coming from her. Looking almost ghastly at how she was starving, eyes and cheeks sunken in.
"I was just hungry. I came here because I was told I could be helped.."
Your voice cracked. Exhaustion had finally hit you. Too tired to put up a fight, or even take the risk of feeding on this man's powerful emotions.
The Wolverine could see you weren't lying. Retracting his claws, he knelt down, offering a hand to you.
" 'msorry kid."
You shook your head, clutching your hands against your chest. The older Mutant was confused, before you forced yourself to speak again.
"I'm too hungry. I don't wanna feed off of you by touch."
"Hm. You're like Rogue then."
You watched as he brought the rest of the container to you, sliding it towards you on The tile floor of the kitchen. You were too tired to feel any shame for how quickly you snatched it up, trying to finish off the rest.
Logan just watched you, making note of every detail he could percieve at the moment. Mid-late twenties, maybe. Ability to shape-shift. "Feeds" off of emotions. He could only imagine the kind of upbringing you had to be be alone and starving like this.
"How the hell didja get in the house? All the doors are locked. And there's a security system in place." He gruffly asked, his eyes narrowing as he watched you finish off the last bite.
You put the container back down, looking up at him with tired eyes. And yet, "The house has so many people in it. Your emotions radiate from the outside. I was able to use that little bit of energy to uh..well, it sounds stupid, but I turned into smoke to get in through the cracks and hinges of the front door."
Okay, adding transformation of physical matter to the list. What the hell was this kid?
"No powers are stupid here, bub. C'mon. Let's get ya cleaned up. You'll meet the professor in the morning."
You nodded, finally feeling safe enough to take his hand and walk alongside him. You learned his name, and he learned yours.
After a full-night's rest in, well, years, you were given some spare clothes and were greeted by a kind face in the morning. A blue one at that.
"Hallo und guten Morgen, mein Freund! I'm Kurt. Kurt Wagner. Allow me to be your first welcome into the school. And, I brought breakfast!"
You thanked the kind, impish-looking mutant, introducing yourself and sitting on the bed as he lifted the tray's lid. An array of scrambled eggs, a small bottle of hot sauce, cut up fruit, and cooked Spam sat before you. Along with a glass of orange and cranberry juice.
"Professor said we need to get your vitamins and sodium up. And some protein! Logan had told us you looked absolutely starved, and we figured something nutritious would be best. You'll meet the others soon after. Ja?"
You nodded, offering a small smile as you dug into the meal. Ungraciously so, but Kurt didn't seem to mind. He only grinned, happy to see you still held an appetite.
As you lied back on the bed with a full belly, you sighed in relief. Running a hand through your hair, satisfied.
"Thank you..so so much."
"I'll tell Remy your compliments to the chef. I also got some extra clothes for you. Freshen up, and someone will be outside for you. Take your time."
"It was nice to meet you, Kurt. Your eyes are very pretty, by the way."
You swore you saw him turn a darker shade of blue. Maybe purple. His tail whipped behind him, a shy smile appearing on his features as he turned away.
"Well..it seems charm is another power you possess." He chuckled, on cloud nine as he walked out with the tray to give you some privacy.
After a shower and the little perfume you had left, you turned to the clothes Kurt had brought you. A too-big t-shirt, jeans that fit snugly, and your boots had been cleaned and polished to perfection.
Stepping out, you were greeted by a young lady in a bright yellow jacket. Blowing bubble gum and wearing pink shades over her eyes. The girl's head perked up, grinning as she held her hand out to you.
"About time! Just kidding, I wasn't waiting that long. Name's Jubilee!"
You could only smile at the girl's rambunctious energy. This girl seemed to breathe and exude light. It was almost blinding. You took her gloved hand, nodding and giving your name in return. You could feel her joy thrumming through her covered touch. It had you salivating, but you shook off the urge.
"Sorry, I know that was weird. It's just..your energy is so bright. It's beautiful. You're beautiful. Wait, I mean-"
You blushed, holding your hands up in defense as you tried to reel back your words. Jubilee only laughed, shaking her head and crossing her arms.
"Nono, you're okay! Logan explained you're some kinda feeder Mutant. We'll teach you how to manage that in no time. For now, let's go introduce you to Professor Charles!"
You followed Jubilee through the halls of the school. Children and teens alike ran about, laughing and absolutely thriving. You were able to possibly feed on the mass amount of it as you passed by.
Color returned to your skin. Figure becoming fuller. Where scarcity once was, fullness took place.
Jubilee did a double-take as she looked at you, surprised at how staggeringly healthier you looked after only a few moments in the crowd.
"Wow..I don't mean to stare, but as a friend of mine would put it, Damn Cher."
You chuckled, laughing and waving your hand in bashfulness.
"Thank you. I honestly underestimated how many people live here. I didn't even have to touch anyone to rejuvenate myself."
"Ah, so you DO got some control over your powers. Goodie! The professor will be thrilled. Just needed a big meal and a comfy bed, huh?"
She teased, elbowing your arm playfully.
Eventually, you found yourself in front of an office, hearing a voice call you both in after Jubilee had knocked.
Stepping in felt like a punch to the gut. Powerful beings were clamored in this room, and it was almost overwhelming.
Beautiful men. Gorgeous women. Not in looks, but in their very vibrations. In their souls. Your eyes widened, your jaw going slack at how everyone in this room seem to command their presence. Confidence, insecurities, all meshed together in harmonic balance.
"Where's the starvin' girly you told us about Logan? All I sees' a bright-eyed young lady." A southern woman had spoken up, smiling warmly.
An older gentleman in a floating wheelchair moved forward. He spoke kindly, looking up at you with a care and concern that spoke volumes.
"You're looking healthier, my dear. I hope my mutants have been hospitable to you."
"M-More than I can ever say. Thank you, professor." You forced yourself to speak, your hands clenching out of nerves at your side. He asked you your name, and you gave it to the room. Everyone else gave theirs.
"What is your story, young one?" A white-haired goddess, Storm, spoke up, moving forward to cup your cheek. You flinched, before realizing she was safe to make skin contact. You were satiated just by the energy in the room.
"Nothing special, really. Born a mutant, parents hated me, and I've been on my own since I was about..16? 17? My memory gets fuzzy when I try to remember my starving years. I discovered my powers when I was only 5 years old. Parents were having a fight, and the energy of it made me scream and cry so loud, it broke all the glass in the house."
"You were just a kid." Scott spoke softly, before you nodded.
"My parents had no idea what the hell I was. Took me to church over and over again to 'exorcise the demon', and when that didn't work, I thought it was my name for years. Then puberty hit, and that created a whole new problem. My mom started calling me a 'succubus' because I was able to point out anyone who was disloyal to their partners in the church. And when they asked me to prove it, I described the acts in..extreme, detail. I saw a bunch of memories a child should never be exposed to. Then, my father tried to put his hands on me, and I..fed. Fully, for the first time. He was ash by the end of it. So..I ran away."
The room went quiet at this. Rogue was the first to move to hold you, shaking her head.
"I know the pain, sugar. You're safe here. I'll take full responsibility over her training, Charles."
It was a strange feeling. Being so accepted almost immediately.
Hank had also vouched for you, promising to help you by studying your powers. Considering the scale was so vast, it was near-impossible to pinpoint what exactly it was your mutant gene gave you. Or if there was even a name for it.
It was impossible to keep the tears down. Anna Marie held you as it all came out. Quiet sobs of a mixture of emotions. Relief, grief, and a bit of fear. But...also, excitement.
