Mouse, Astrid and Nyx
Mouse went out to a payphone, stuck her credit card in it, and rang the mansion.
"Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Astrid Svensdatter speaking. How may I help you?" Coolly controlled and mildly accented female voice.
"Hey, I'm calling for Nyx. Tell her its Mouse."
"Can I have verification?"
"Like what?"
"Something only the two of you would know. We've suffered some security breaches." Mouse frowned. What was going on?
"Um."
"Or something Sabre would know," Astrid suggested.
"Sab's there? Ok. Ummm. Logan took me hunting when they were in Tulsa. The Spider burnt."
"Let me check." On hold music, something nice and softly classical played. Mouse bit the inside of her cheek.
"Mouse?"
"Nyx? What's happening?"
"What's the matter, sweetie? Why'd you have to call me?" Nyx said concerned by the edge of tears she could hear in the young girl's voice.
"Sidhe's dead." Nyx clutched the phone, hearing a roar of blood in her ears. "An alien hunter came, and she tried to shoot me, and she shot Sidhe instead. I can't, I can't stay at the apartment. There's bulletholes in the wall, and her blood's in the carpet. I keep seeing her. Fall. Bleed. Feel her wink out. I'm staying at the Hanson's for the moment, but if you could get Sabre to find me somewhere new, I would really appreciate it."
"Ohhhhh, sweetie..." Hearing the sadness in Nyx's voice did it. Mouse started to cry.
"She was just so little, and she didn't understand why it hurt." Mouse's shoulders shook as she choked out the words. "And her blood's in the carpet." Nyx began to purr, and Mouse tried to calm down so she could hear the comforting sound.
"I'll get Sabre on it right away. Sweetie, if I could come down, I would. Right away. But something really bad happened at the Mansion, and we're both needed here."
"Ok. I understand. Tay's taking good care of me, you know?" Mouse decided not to mention the game of death she'd been playing. Bullet or blade. She shuddered as she thought about how close she'd gotten.
"Glad to hear it, sweetie. Tell Priss to watch her back. Glory will most like be hunting her."
"We have been. All of us. But the alien hunter skipped out of town, thank god. She shot Fafnir twice, but he's fine now. It was just Sidhe. Cats are so little..."
"I know, sweet, I know." They talked for a few more minutes, getting things set up. "Look, I have to go. I still have a class to teach."
"Ok, Nyx."
"See you soon, sweetie. Soon as I have this mess sorted out, and a few heads on spikes."
"That bad, huh?"
"Sweetie, you have no idea."
"Ok, I'll let you go."
"Call me if you need me, Mouseling. Even if you just need someone to cry on. Anytime."
"I know I can, Nyx. Thanks."
"No problem, sweetie. None at all."
"Bye, Nyx."
"Be good, sweetie. Go and have fun with your boy, hmmm? Go dancing. Or something."
"Ok, cat." Mouse smiled. "I'll call you, ok?"
"Fine by me, sweet thang. Licks and hisses."
"Love you too, kitty. Bye."
"Byebye. Call me anytime." Click! Nyx hung up and heaved a sigh.
Mouse put the phone back on the hook, and headed back to the Hansons's house.