OOC: If ya'll are doing it...
IC:
Rogue leaned over the banister and stared down at the students milling around in the hallway.
A group of girls laughed and giggled pointing to Kitty and Peter, both who looked up only to find themselves under the mistletoe Bobby had placed in the hall.
Rogue watched as they smiled and Peter leaned over to kiss Kittys lips on her up tilted face.
Sighing she turned and looked at the hallway wall across from her. Pictures of black and white hung on it, arranged by Jean, the aesthetic one of the bunch. They were old pictures going back to when Rogue first joined the X-Men and a little before that too.
She turning again she walked down the stairs through the students, careful to keep what little exposed skin she had away from others. The laughing and talking seemed to fill the mansion like a soft cheerful din. The students who stayed for the holidays calling out greetings.
Merry Christmas ROGUE!
Happy Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah! She raised her eyebrow as she kept walking towards the back door.
She had been a little shocked when she had heard the number of students whom were either not welcomed at home, or had no home to return too. Still a large amount of them had returned to their homes.
So why then did the hallway look like the entire student body was still here.
She looked around and chalked it up to the packages that everyone was laden down with.
Reaching the door, she opened it and welcomed the fresh cold air that gently rolled over her. Stepping through the doorway she closed the door softly behind her, shutting out the humming from the mansion.
Hugging herself she shivered, wearing only jeans, a pair of opera gloves and a sweater it was a little nippy out.
She allowed her new powers to come on, flaming up.
Cant really call it that
Human Torchs thing an all.
She stared at the skeletal trees, the snow lay on the delicate branchs making them like white veins against the clear blue sky.
Maybe lighting up? She pondered trying to mix the right adjectives and verbs.
She lifted into the sky to keep from melting the snowy drifts and to leave no footsteps in the pristinely smooth snow.
The silence of the outside grounds were breathtaking as she flew over them, taking in the small rabbit running and hiding under a bush, the bright red cardinal fluttering to land on a tree branch causing snow to fly into the air before coming back to the mansion.
She flew around it and peeked into the windows. Kitty and Peter had settled down on a couch in the Living room, most of the students had moved into there as well.
Warren, Betsy, Bobby and Lorne were clustered together, and Rachel sat on the floor with one of the younger students on her lap.
A few of the students had cell phones out and were chatting away. While other students were still unwrapping their gifts.
Rogue hovered near the window, looking in but not participating. Slowly cutting her powers she landed in the snow, and wrapped her arms around her.
Remy was in there standing next to one of his students and talking to the Professor, his hands busy with his ever present deck of cards.
Not the best way to spend Christmas. Rogue didnt even turn at Beasts voice.
But its a way. She answered as he came and stood next to her.
Silence filled the cool air, as laughing and yelling filtered through the glass to them.
You dont have to punish yourself.
Ahm not.
A deep chuckle came from Hank.
I beg to differ. What is this other than you allegorically making your problems real?
Hank, if Ah had any idea what you just said, Ahd try ta have a whitty comment to answer it with. She said turning to him, her breath turning to frost in the air.
Hank smiled.
I dont mean to tell you how you feel, but heres how I see it.
Your whole grown-up life youve felt like there has been a wall of glass between you and the ones you love. Christmas is one of those times when people tend to focus and notice more of the touching that goes on in life. Snuggling next to the fire, kissing under the mistletoe..
You got a point to this? She asked sharply, instantly regretting it as the words left her mouth.
Beast nodded his large fur covered head, his eyes gazing into the living room as Warren and Betsy, Bobby and Lorne all leaned over and kissed their respective partners.
Youve distanced yourself behind a real glass wall. Only to be left out in the cold.
Rogue studied his face as a peak of laughter danced into their ears.
She was silent for awhile before turning her gaze back to the room and asking.
So, where does that leave you? She could feel his gaze shifting from the room to her, and she could picture him lifting his eyebrow.
Why are you out in the cold? She turned and looked him in the eye.
A smile slowly grew across his feral face.
Maybe for the same reason you are. Sometimes what you pin on someone sticks on you.
They watched as two of the students linked arms around each other and started to sing. Soon the whole room was flooded with the youthful sound of students singing;
Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away
Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold
Christmas only comes once a year. Shall we break the glass wall? Hank asked.
Rogue raised her eyebrow.
Ah aint payin the damages. She teased
Do you take me for a brute? He parried, lifting his arm to his side.
Nevah. She linked her arm through his and allowed him to lead her around to the door. The sounds of the students voices mixing in the carol followed them.
Ding dong ding
that is their song
with joyful ring
all caroling
One seems to hear
words of good cheer
from everywhere
filling the air..
Hank opened the front door and they stepped into the warmth of the Mansion.
The students singing no longer muffled by the stone walls of the mansion.
Oh how they pound,
raising the sound,
o'er hill and dale,
telling their tale
Rogue stopped, causing Hank to look at her confused.
Cold feet? he teased
No, mistletoe. She pointed towards the ceiling.
Placing her gloved hand on his cheek she kissed it.
Thank you Hank.
Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here"
Cheri? Rogue looked up to see Remy standing in the doorway of the living room. His perplexed look changed into smile as she beamed at him. She pushed all her fears and anxieties away. Her green eyes reflecting love and happiness.
Christmas only comes once a year. Mah that sounds corny.
Releasing Hanks arm she walked towards Remy, turning in the hallway She called over the cheerful singing.
Merry Christmas Hank!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
On on they send ,
on without end,
their joyful tone to every home
Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong
