Vague Dreams of Happiness...

[aero]

Melody eyes went to Kitty and then Samantha. She watched them both wondering if she was missing something. Despite being nice and friendly to her, Kitty seemed unnerved by something and eyes look sad when she looked at her. Samantha seem… well, she was unreadable least to her limited people reading skill which made her wonder if both of them could see right through her. She stared down at the liquid in the cup she took wondering if the gig was up.

She nodded as Samantha decided she was going with Kitty to get the drinks and what not. “I haven’t need a babysitter for a while now.” She reassured them with a smile as she took a sip of the tea.

Mel made a face trying to figure out if she like or dislike the taste. All she was sure of was that it didn’t taste like anything she ever taste before. She of course smiled at Sam and nodded again taking another sip to not appear rude or unappreciative.

[Kitty Pryde]

Okay, so maybe she had gotten the joke and had just thought Kitty was stupid to even say it. Or maybe it had taken a while to set in. Whatever had happened, Kitty was now feeling more confused than snubbed. She felt so socially inept sometimes. Despite all the aggravation it had caused, the whole “I know you but you don’t know me” thing might have been a blessing in disguise. It saved on the awkward introductions and first impressions if the other person already thought they knew her.

“Between here and the kitchen, unless we run into Logan and he’s willing to give me the shirt off his back, which is like the fattest chance ever, then I think my hoodie will have to do,” Kitty replied, smiling at the thought of accosting Wolvie in the hallway and requesting his shirt. “We’ll be right back. Start thinking about what kind of movie you’re in the mood for. Despite what guys think, there are many different categories of chick flicks.”

Giving a quick wave to Melody, Kitty bounded out into the hallway again almost as if she was thinking that she had to make up for Melody’s lack of energy by being extra bouncy herself. Or maybe she just needed to remind herself that it was over for her. A bittersweet reminder and one she felt even more guilty about.

“Okay, so I’m thinking tea, soda, popcorn, chips,” she started listing off items, checking them off on her fingers as she walked. “Oh, and chocolate! There has to be chocolate.”

[Panthera]

“Between here and the kitchen, unless we run into Logan and he’s willing to give me the shirt off his back, which is like the fattest chance ever, then I think my hoodie will have to do,”

Now there was a sight, Sam wouldn't have minded seeing in the least. She bit her lip smiling trying to imagine that one. Shame on you. But there's also another one who looks mighty fine without his shirt. Just too bad he isn't around much anymore for her to admire it. That thought snapped her back into reality and the once grin turned sour as she walked with the young girl down the hall.

"But you look mighty pretty yourself in that hoody of yours, um....." she stated not knowing what name to address her by.

"I'm Samantha, but I'm sure you already heard me tell Melody. She doesn't sound very good. I knew people back home with a cough as harsh as that and they wound up flat on their back not doing so well. I hope it's just a cold or maybe the onset of asthma."

Samantha hated to see anyone in pain, especially younger girls. She had grown quite fond of the small children she watched while at her village and some them became good friends when they were older. Sam could even admit that it was those little toddlers she missed the most. They were so innocent, so why did they have to....

“Okay, so I’m thinking tea, soda, popcorn, chips,”
“Oh, and chocolate! There has to be chocolate.”

"Hmm, I think I saw a metal tray in that kitchen once that might hold some stuff so it would sooo much easier to carry. And......." she announced with a bit of bounciness herself. ".....there's a chocolate cream pie I bought for Jacob and I in the freezer. I hid it as a surprise, but he......." she began to wonder off sadly. ".....anyways, there's that and it's just sitting there calling on 3 girls to gobble it up."

[Kitty Pryde]

The compliment only made Kitty feel worse, because why would Samantha say something like that unless she had caught wind of Kitty’s jealousy and self consciousness and was just trying to make her feel better? It definitely made her feel like a tool knowing that Samantha knew anything about her, like, body image struggle or whatever. Not that it stopped at just that.

Snapping out of her thoughts at the mention of Melody’s sickness, Kitty tried to hide her frown. “Yeah, I hope so too.”

And she really did. She was certain it was nothing as trivial as a cold, but man, did she hope it was. “I’m Kitty, by the way. Sorry, I’m like craptastic when it comes to introductions, especially around here.”

Okay, back on the subject of food. This was good. A safe topic. Or maybe not. Suddenly Samantha didn’t seem so happy when she mentioned pie and the name Jacob. The only Jacob that Kitty knew around here was Des, or ‘Desi’ as she affectionately liked to call him in her mind. She knew he hated it, but she thought it was a cute nickname. Probably why he hated it.

He had been so great to her when they’d first met. She should really track him down for a chat sometime. After all, he had been Bobby’s friend too, and they hadn’t talked since... and he had been so helpful to her, offering her hope and everything. Yes, maybe after girl’s night she would see if she could find him.

But that wasn’t the point. Was this the Jacob Samantha meant? That was interesting. Kitty had pegged Jacob to be about her age, and Samantha appeared to be at least a few years older. Mid-twenties, maybe? Oh well, to each their own. Just because Kitty had decided that she could never date anyone younger than her didn’t mean that some older women didn’t prefer younger guys. He was a cutie, after all. Although if they were dating, it didn’t sound like things were going well. A conversation for later.

“Whatever you think. I mean, you bought it so it’s up to you. I’m sure we can find some good stuff if we really dig. If people didn’t want us to eat their food they would hide it in their rooms like I do,” Kitty said, grinning broadly. Not that she had much of a stash at the moment, considering she hadn’t lived in her room for quite a while, and before that she hadn’t really been eating a whole lot anyway.

[Panthera]

Seeing a smile on people's faces always brought enlightenment and a sense of pride to Samantha's heart. She knew she was a good person, but something inside of her was trying to break out. That something had Beelzebub written ALL over it.

“I’m Kitty, by the way. Sorry, I’m like craptastic when it comes to introductions, especially around here.”

People introduce themselves in many different ways and Sam just assumed she wanted to be alone with people her own age. Maybe the older women somehow didn't except her just because she was a few years younger. Not Sam. She loved everyone, once she got to know them of course, and didn't care if they were two or a hundred and two. Is there a mutant alive that old?

Bending in since she was a bit taller than Kitty, she smirked with a comment that she was quiet serious about.

"At least you're not covered in blue fur ready to eat you as a midnight snack."

Going to the freezer, she opened the door and dug around in the back for the pie. God, did her arms, back and every top half muscle scream when she stretched them a bit. Sam just winced and bit both lips hard so as not to draw attention to her bruised body. At first she thought someone DID steal it and she started to become angry. But, after she lifted the last of what looked a year old something rother, she found it. And with a smile and almost tears of pain, she brought it out. Her arms were freezing but it was a welcome relief sort of as the ice penetrated the soreness surrounding them.

Turning, she placed it on the table and said a silent good-bye to the pie almost as though she was saying good-bye to someone else. Come on Sam, there'll be other pies. Just give him time. Too bad I need him now, so the pie will have to do, unless.....

She stood up slowly as her back winced and seemed to cry from within to slow down. A small whimper did manage to escape her lips while her eyes showed the pain, but she wouldn't allow for it to ruin the night ahead. She needed this more than anything.

Sam needed to know she wasn't turning into a monster.

“Whatever you think. I mean, you bought it so it’s up to you. I’m sure we can find some good stuff if we really dig. If people didn’t want us to eat their food they would hide it in their rooms like I do,”

"And I say, it's just wasting away in the freezer when it could be melting in the mouths of three girls while watching a great movie getting to know one another a bit better."

[Kitty Pryde]

"At least you're not covered in blue fur ready to eat you as a midnight snack."

Stopping in her tracks at Samantha’s comment, Kitty just glared after the other woman as she started to root through the freezer. Just what the hell was that supposed to mean? It was probably supposed to be a joke of some kind, but it didn’t quite come across like that. Was she trying to be dirty? Because ewww, and how inappropriate! Or did she really mean it exactly how it sounded?

There were three distinctly blue and furry people living in the mansion, and Kitty was prepared to bitch slap anyone for insulting any of them. If Samantha had been here for any length of time, surely she would have talked to one of them? And if she had, there was no way she could think such a thing! One of them was the most intelligent, brilliant man that Kitty had ever met, and who had such a big heart she didn’t know how it fit in his body; the smallest was just the cutest little thing ever and had really gotten a bad lot in life and how could anyone be scared of him? And the third was the sweetest, most understanding and romantic guy ever.

Okay, so maybe she wouldn’t physically bitch slap anyone, but she was not going to let that slide.

Looking totally put out, Kitty began loading random items on the tray while effectively ignoring Samantha the entire time the woman dug through the freezer. Finishing off with some utensils, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked up to meet Samantha’s eyes.

“What did you mean by that? The whole ‘covered in blue fur and snacking on me’ thing?” she asked, an accusing note in her tone.

[Panthera]

After her own comment, Sam looked up only to notice that the entire atmosphere of the room changed. It had darkened, a place she didn't want to enter. She feared her own feral behavior would get a hold of her again and possibly hurt this kid. The anger written across her face, told her she must have said something wrong. But to Sam, she thought everyone in the mansion was intimidated and frightened by the man she only knew as Doctor McCoy. Sure, he was a doctor, but every time they met, the look on his face wasn't the most pleasing of glances.

Maybe the two meetings she had with him were all a misunderstanding of her interpretation of the man or beast as she thought he was. And from the look she got from Kitty, she wasn't sure how to react.

Then she remembered the football game and how the little blue sh**, as she called him, was running around the field totally disobeying the "no powers" rule of the game. She had no idea he was as innocent as a newborn baby, nor did she care. That little mongrel stole the ball from her and even found a way to make hit a brick wall known as Guido at full speed. That left a mark.

There's more than two blue furballs running around? Oh dear gods.

“What did you mean by that? The whole ‘covered in blue fur and snacking on me’ thing?”

Her eyes looked concerned and a bit worried as she glanced over to the fire coming from Kitty's eyes. She felt like the school girl being punished by the principal as she swallowed a bit hard.

"Dr. McCoy, I believe his name is, just creeps me out. I'm sorry, but the two times I've talked with him wasn't like a carefree stroll in the jungle."

[Kitty Pryde]

Kitty was a fair bit shorter and younger than Samantha, yet it seemed like the older woman was almost intimidated by her sudden anger. Kitty would have probably felt a giddy sense of satisfaction that she had actually been so authoritative and strong, but she was too pissed right now to care.

“You have no idea what Dr. McCoy does around here and how many people he helps! I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for him!” she exploded. “And it just so happens that my boyfriend is blue and furry and he would never hurt a fly, so you better watch what you say the next time you want to go around insulting people.”

Okay, so she was going a little overboard, but she couldn’t help it. She was still so moody lately due to the constant confusion she was living in. She still held so much anger and sadness and guilt and everything just below the surface that sometimes it became too much to keep in.

“God, it’s bad enough that humans look at them like their freaks, but other mutants are supposed to understand!” she continued ranting, though now she was just ranting to herself. She had turned away from Samantha and was just ripping paper towel after paper towel off the roll. Apparently they might need a lot of napkins. Hearing the microwave beeping to signal that the popcorn was down, she wrenched the door open, dropped the entire bag into a bowl and walked back out into the hallway, ranting away, and leaving the tray behind for Samantha to carry. “Not everyone gets to walk around in their underwear looking like a supermodel. Ugh!”

[aero]

Melody had move to the lazy boy that was closer to the TV but far enough from the couch wear she could watch the movies without spreading too much germs on everyone else. She had got out a few of the spare blankets and pillows from the storage space. She claimed a big old fashion quilt for herself since it reminded her of the one laying on her bed back home. She figure should pull her weight as it were and make things comfy for the other girls since they were getting the food.

The tea, after she got use to the taste, did helped a bit for she no longer felt as if she moved to much she was going to totally fall apart and everything was aching on her. She no longer felt like there were thousands of evil little pixies pulling and tugging on her body, which was refreshing. The heaviness was still in her chest like a big stone in her trying to weigh her down.

Mel rested her head back trying to think of what she wanted to watch. She wanted to avoid any sad movies for she been sad enough lately. She decided she wanted to watch something warm and fuzzy or maybe something funny. Her mind began to drift from there wondering when was the last time she actual laughed. The answer made her sad for it was back on her first day she was here… With Bobby.

The young southern bit her lip willing herself not to cry. She didn’t want Kitty or Samantha to come back to find her crying and think she was some emo weirdo that sat in the dark by herself crying. Then again that what she was doing been first came into the room. She then shook her head correcting herself. It wasn’t dark just dimly lit and she was crying earlier just thinking, but still that really didn’t make her feel any better about it.

Mel was beginning to think she shouldn’t be left alone for her mind tended to go to a dark sad place when left to her own device. She really didn't want to be one of those dark sad people...

[Panthera]

Kitty wasted no time ripping Samantha a new...well....you know. Samantha just took it all in. She had obviously misunderstood the doctor, but she sure as hell knew that he was still intimidating.

“You have no idea what Dr. McCoy does around here and how many people he helps! I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for him!” she exploded. “And it just so happens that my boyfriend is blue and furry and he would never hurt a fly, so you better watch what you say the next time you want to go around insulting people.”

Ouch, that hurt. Sam guessed there was a hidden reason behind her anger and there it was being shoved down her throat. Now, she felt even worse, but the anger was suddenly beginning to boil up and she just closed her eyes with a blank expression. Just ignore her Sam, or else you'll wind up hurting her. Just be calm, she continued to say opening her eyes again, only to hear the snapping of the microwave door opening then slamming shut, then the anger of Kitty continue as she strode down the hallway.

“God, it’s bad enough that humans look at them like their freaks, but other mutants are supposed to understand!”

That statement turned her head. It went straight to her stomach as her head began to blur again. Now, the anger was there and the feral was starting all over again. As much as she fought it off, it stayed and she couldn't stop it. The girl's mouth wouldn't stop and if she didn't stop, intentionally or not, Sam would blow.

She placed the rest of the items on the tray since all Kitty bothered to take was the popcorn. Somehow, Sam managed to hold the tray up like a waitress with the fog in her mind getting thicker as she followed the brat down the hallway.

“Not everyone gets to walk around in their underwear looking like a supermodel. Ugh!”

When they reached back into the rec room, Sam didn't even bother to see if Melody was alright. Her focus was staring at the back of Kitty calculating ways to permanently shut her pretty little trap. But, she needed Melody and her calmness if she wanted to be brought back to reality.....again.

Finally, she set the tray down on the table and answered Kitty for her abruptness, first with a soothing tone, but ending with the devil in her voice.

"Maybe the doctor forgot to remove the obvious bug that has made its residence up your ass." Her anger was at a peak and her eyes changed from human to cat. She was truly losing control. Sam wanted to chew up Kitty and play with her like a ball of yarn across the room. But something made her stop. It could have been a whimper or another cough, but it took her attention away for that momentary second she needed to fight her way back.

She blinked and covered her eyes with her hands. When she removed them tears took the place of anger and her hands were trembling. Her voice became soft again and she looked at both of the girls in complete fear and remorse.

"I....I'm sorry.....I didn't mean to hurt you or your friends....maybe this wasn't such a good idea for me......it's not working out so well, and obviously I make you......." she looked at Kitty purely sorrowful. "....Enjoy the pie and the movie." She turned ready to leave, just hoping and praying someone would stop her and help. God knows she needed help.

[Kitty Pryde]

Finally ending her rant, Kitty took a deep breath just outside the door to the rec room and plastered a smile on her face before entering.

“Here we go. A little bit of everything!” she announced cheerily, setting the bowl of popcorn down on the coffee table. Stepping aside as Samantha set the tray down beside it, Kitty watched the woman with barely concealed distaste. It was the stress of the past few weeks, coupled with this woman’s ignorance. That was all. But now that they were back in the room with Melody again, the least they could do was at least act civil. Right?

Fat chance.

Curling her hands into tiny fists, Kitty could feel her nails digging into her palms when Samantha openly attacked her right in front of Melody. Oh, this so wasn’t going to help the poor girl’s already poor mood.

“Perhaps,” she replied in as cool and calm a tone as she could handle. Cool and calm were two things that Kitty didn’t do well, especially the first one. “But that’s a small price to pay for him saving my life.”

There, chew on that for a while and then tell me you still think he’s some horrible beast who wants to eat you alive. Although maybe that’s just another strike against him in your book.

Kitty expected some sort of retaliation, and from the look in Samantha’s eyes, she figured she should be prepared to phase. If the woman was going to attempt to hit her, she was going to be in for a surprise.

But she didn’t. Instead she suddenly lost it. All of it. And now Kitty was confused again. It was such a normal state of mind lately that she should be used to it now. Just seconds ago, Samantha had looked like she was the one that wanted to eat Kitty alive, and now she was suddenly all teary eyed and apologetic. Looking over at Melody with a look that clearly read ‘what the hell is going on?’, she found herself at a complete loss at how to react. Mostly she wanted to just let Samantha walk out.

[Panthera]

Nobody was answering and it sealed her fate as to the amount of friends she was going to accumulate at the mansion, zero. She didn't expect Kitty to really respond with any change of heart. Something was obviously annoying her or she was just a plain, little brat. Maybe she should show that little *&^&( the reason for her outfit of choice, but that probably wouldn't have mattered. Sam destroyed any chance she had of becoming friends with them.

Before she finally decided to leave, she turned to look only at Kitty. She was both sincere and bit nerved at her continued banter against her. This time, her voice was more motherly than sinister. And she really hoped some of it would sink in, even though she doubted it greatly.

"I'm glad the doctor has healed your condition and I hope to have the same comfortable experience one day. But you shouldn't be jealous of me or this.", she said pointing to her body. "It's just a shell. I wish the inside was just as clean and flawless, but I'm afraid it's not."

[aero]

Melody offered a smile to Kitty when she returned. She was generally happy to see her. She opened her mouth to say something when Samantha burst into the room and what she could only describe as a catfight broke out. Mel had the feeling that she had missed something because everything seemed to be going over her head. It kind of reminded her of when Joelle and Paige use to get at it back home, she rarely understood why they were at each other throats.

The sudden anger out burst between the two startled the younger mutant so much that she began to float slightly. She had to kick the air and grabbed the arms of the chair to ground herself, for some reason her flight field wasn't going away.

“Miss Samantha….” Mel said trying to wrap her head around the situation. She may not know what was going on but she knew the older girl was in no condition to be by herself. “Ah am sure this is jus’ some big ole misunderstandin‘. Stay. Ah really don‘t want ya t’ go.”

She looked to Kitty. “Ah am sure whatever Miss Samantha said dat hurt ya she didn’t mean it. We all live here together an’ need t’ forgive or just over look when someone says or does somethin’ wrong. If we don’t this place will turn t’ a mad house an‘ everyone will be awful unhappy. We got t’ learn t’ just deal with one another better an’ least be tolerant of one another…” She said doing her best to recite what her Momma use to tell them back home when they got into it but she didn’t think she did as well as Momma did.

Mel bit her lip. “Least let’s have a truce for a lil bit an’ watch some movies…” She shrugged slightly. “Maybe things will be better once tempers cool. It’s worth a shot aint it?”

She gave both Samantha and Kitty a hopeful look, she thought both of them were good people and if they could get over whatever happen she was sure they could be friends then again she may be horribly wrong.

[Kitty Pryde]

Oh, no she didn’t!

Kitty had a lot of issues. Self esteem, body image, confidence... a lot of issues, and to have this woman with the perfect model body and looks actually accuse her of being jealous was just the final straw. She couldn’t believe little miss perfect would actually go there!

“Oh, so now it’s what’s on the inside that matters,” Kitty muttered under her breath. The woman had actually called her body flawless! Conceited much? But despite her urge to actually go for the physical bitch slap this time, the fuming girl actually listened to Melody’s words. She was right, of course. How could someone so young be so smart and cool headed?

“Yeah, I guess,” Kitty conceded, rounding the coffee table and plopping herself down on the corner of the sofa closest to Melody’s chair. Melody was completely right, and besides that, this just wasn’t about them. It was selfish of them to fight when Melody was possibly facing something so horrible. This evening was supposed to be about showing the girl a good time and maybe even cheering her up a little bit. Giving her some hope, some friends, and some shoulders to cry on if she needed them.

Avoiding looking at Samantha altogether, when Kitty finally drew her gaze back to Melody, her expression was filled with apologies. “We, uh... we got lots of food, at least. Any luck picking out a movie?”

[aero]

Melody panicking heart calm down some when she saw that Kitty was willing to call a truce. She looked to Samantha wondering if she was going to be willing to, for the moment, put this behind her, but she was hopeful she would. She gave Samantha a hopeful look. She was really hoping she would choose to stay but thinking she would look too pathetic if she begged her anymore.

Mel looked back to Kitty when she asked about her movie choices. “All Ah decided was Ah dona wanna watch anything too sad.” She looked to Samantha try to draw her back in to the whole affair. “Whatcha ya’ll think? Ya coulda use few laughs?”