 | Starter "I love summer," Kitty Pryde announced, for the fourth time in as many hours. "It's not summer," Kurt reminded her. "It's only April." "But doesn't it feel like summer? A Saturday afternoon, no school, no homework, no Logan-just me and my two best friends and the mall." She gestured expansively, taking in the wide mall courtyard, the sparkling fountain, the sunshine pouring through the skylight, the smells wafting from the food court, and the dozen or so stores displaying clothes, electronics, skateboards, books, jewelry, and anything else an American teen could desire.
"Uh-huh," said Rogue noncommittally. "Meet you guys in half an hour." She veered in the direction of Hot Topic. "Oh, no, you don't!" Kitty grabbed her friend's long-sleeved arm and hauled with all her insignificant strength. "You are not buying one more dark, gloomy, broody, goth piece of clothing. You need something pastel. Kurt, help me!" Kurt warily eyed the two girls, the one pulling as hard as she could, the other reluctantly allowing herself to be dragged rather than risk touching her friend. "I think you're doing fine by yourself, Kitty." "Kurt!" Rogue protested plaintively. "Sorry," said Kurt with a shrug.
Heartened by her victory, Kitty hauled Rogue into the nearest clothing store and began piling garments into her arms. "Try blue. Lots of blue. Blue skirts-you never wear fun skirts. Ooh, this jacket would be nice with that. Take two sizes, in case one doesn't fit. And a belt. Try all these and see which one looks best. How do you feel about salmon?" "Yummy?" Rogue tried, struggling to hang onto the pile of fabric as one piece after another slithered toward the floor.
"The color, silly. This color."
"That's pink."
"Try it on."
"It's pink, Kitty!"
"It's salmon. Try it on. With this blouse. Go!"
"This is cruel and unusual punishment," Rogue muttered as she allowed herself to be shepherded into a changing room. "You'll thank me later!" Kitty called through the changing room door. "Five bucks says I won't."
"Shoes." Kitty snatched a pair of high-heeled sandals off a nearby rack and shoved them through the door. "Kitty!" Rogue hissed, snatching the shoes away so Kitty could withdraw her arm. "Ya know you're not supposed to do that stuff in public! What if the Professor sees you?" "He can't," offered Kurt, who was leaning against the wall opposite Rogue's changing room and fiddling with his holowatch. "Not today, anyway. He and Forge took Cerebro apart zis morning to run some diagnostics. Kitty could phase right through the floor and the Professor vould be se only person who vouldn't notice."
"Do you think she should try yellow first, or green?" asked Kitty. "Come on, Kurt. You have to help me pick stuff out." She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the front of the store. "She likes green," Kurt pointed out. "Vhy shouldn't she vear it?"
"Because she likes forest green. I'm talking kelly green."
"Vhat's the difference?"
Inside her changing room, Rogue sighed. Though she loved her roommate dearly, and was glad to have a friend in this lonely world, Kitty could be overwhelming sometimes. Resigning herself to an afternoon of clothes shopping, she pulled off her gloves and shirt and tried on the first of the blouses Kitty had thrown at her.
She'd barely finished putting on the much-praised "salmon" skirt, and was coaxing her feet into the absurd high-heeled sandals, when she heard a brisk knock on the changing room door. "I brought you some more things to try. Open up." "Ah'm still in the first uh the ones you already gave me!" Rogue protested. Any more clothes in here and there wouldn't be room for her.
"You'll like these. Let me in."
Rogue tugged on the heel strap of the second sandal, settled it into place around her ankle, and reached for the latch. Just as she turned it, a thought flashed across her mind. Why does Kitty need me to open the door for her? She saw a glimpse of Kitty's face, strangely stony, and then heard the hiss of a pneumatic pistol. Something sharp bit into her arm, and before she could mutter a syllable of protest, blackness overtook her mind.
"Kitty," with astounding strength for such a tiny frame, caught Rogue as she collapsed and eased her onto the narrow bench. Though she was gripping Rogue's arms with her bare hands, she showed no sign of being affected by Rogue's absorbtion. As soon as the unconscious body was settled, the delicate form of Kitty peeled away to reveal the tall, powerful Mystique, wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck, gloves, and a balaclava. |
